Our Love | Jeongcheol

fifteen

Jeonghan walked inside the room, where his parents and Seungcheol were having a very loud and boisterous conversation about Jeonghan's hair. He sat down next to his boyfriend and let out a small shaky breath.

His palms felt clammy, as he rubbed them against his pants, trying to calm himself down. They had planned to tell his parents over two hours ago, but Jeonghan kept backing out, escaping to the bathroom or making up a new topic to talk about.

Seungcheol had been patient the whole time. He didn't say anything, didn't push him, he just waited for the single Jeonghan would give when he was ready.

The older noticed the shaky breath Jeonghan let out and glanced at him with a softened expression. The warmness in his eyes and the gentleness of his smile made the pregnant man's heartache. God, Jeonghan could melt.

Something about that finally gave him the courage to speak up. He nodded at his boyfriend who smiled back and placed steady a hand on his thigh, a silent reply that they were both on the same page.

"I'm going to get the tea" Eunja said, getting up and making her way to the kitchen.

"Hurry up!" Jeonghan called after her. His voice cracked slightly at the end, and he lowered it as he added, "I have something I want to talk to you about." Daejin, who was sitting in front of him on the sofa, tilted his head in confusion.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his father's instincts jumping out unconsciously.

To that, Jeonghan found himself smiling. He nodded his head and spoke, this time his tone much softer and less shaky, "Everything is perfect, Dad. I just have some news to share with you two"

The sound of tea being poured in the kitchen gave Jeonghan a moment to collect himself. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, silently praying in his head that this would go well.

Jeonghan sat quietly as Eunja distributed the tea when she returned, her warm smile calming him as she handed him a cup. He accepted it with a soft "Thank you," his fingers trembling slightly as he held the warm drink.

"So," she began lightly, tilting her head. "What's this news you wanted to share?"

Jeonghan's fingers tightened around his cup, his pulse quickening. He darted a glance at Seungcheol, who gave him a small squeeze of encouragement on his thigh.

He could do this—no, they could do this.

Jeonghan swallowed, setting the cup down on the table before speaking. "Mom, Dad..." His voice cracked slightly, and he cleared his throat. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while."

Seungcheol shifted beside him, sitting straighter but staying quiet.

Jeonghan exhaled shakily. "We're dating," he said, glancing between his parents nervously. "Seungcheol and I. We've gotten together a year after our debut."

The room fell into a still, stunned silence.

Eunja blinked rapidly, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something but didn't know where to start. Daejin froze mid-sip, staring at his son also unsure of how to react.

"Eight years," Jeonghan added quietly, his voice soft but steady. "We've been together for eight years."

"Eight years?" Eunja finally managed, her tone laced with disbelief. "And you never...thought to tell us?"

Jeonghan shifted uncomfortably, rubbing his palms against his pants. "It wasn't that I didn't want to, Mom. It just...I never felt like I was ready"

Eunja's eyes darted between the two of them. "But...eight years?" she said, feeling a tinge of sadness.