he knows it’s all about money, but wonwoo feels blessed that he and mingyu have the chance to get away from the city so often. they’ve ventured out of seoul’s borders to breathe in clean air multiple times already this year, and with their secret slowly suffocating them as well, it’s refreshing to be somewhere where it doesn’t matter if he holds his boyfriend’s hand inside the older’s warm pockets, or sits opposite him at breakfast in a public place, because no one recognises them anyway. they’re safe and comfortable, and wonwoo can’t really ask for anything more.
the drive had been long, but it’s not as if that bothered wonwoo. he’d stayed curled up on the passenger seat, asleep for half an hour even, a blanket pulled up over his shoulders between each pit stop to stretch their legs and share giddy kisses. and so maybe they’d spent most of their anniversary on the road, but they were by one another’s side,so, again, wonwoo thinks it’s more than perfect, anyway.
( and certainly worth it once they arrive. )
“I’m really hoping you stuck by our promise not to go all out, because I did, albeit not without its difficulties, and it’d be really embarrassing if I handed over one gift and you gave me back like— five.” he chuckles softly, cheeks tinted pink as he retrieves the obviously shaped box from their things piled neatly by the wall. “of course, there’s other gifts I’ve gotten you, like my incredible company and a million kisses, but this— this is the one I’ve wrapped.” he teases, taking a seat beside him on the bed and carefully dropping it down onto the older’s lap. attached to the top, sellotaped at its corner, is a card-sized tag, a short and simple ‘I love you! ♥’ written on the reverse.
once mingyu tears off the paper, he’ll find a pair of classic black oxfords inside the box. truthfully, wonwoo knows very little about shoes, so he’s biting his bottom lip nervously as he explains, “they’re real good ones— a nice brand. I got you a coat for your birthday so I’m thinking I can slowly get you a whole outfit.” he jokes, laughing quietly. “I hope you like them. happy anniversary, baby. I love you, I love you, I love you.” pulling him in gently for a kiss, he smiles. “thank you for everything.”
This was something that he had been wanting to do with Wonwoo for a while now, though no time seemed as perfect as this one. He spent the morning cooking and the majority of the day driving, and despite it, he didn’t have a single complaint. The entire day has been wonderful for him since just being in his boyfriend’s presence gave him an immense amount of happiness. It was difficult and yet easy all at once for him to imagine that they’ve been together like this for an entire year. He knew that it was the first of many to come, which filled him with more excitement than he could even begin to process.
The entire ride consisted of Wonwoo choosing the music and singing along to his favorites, snacks being pressed to his lips from delicate fingers, pulling over once to make sure that the younger was warm, and many stops for food, the ability to stretch, and a multitude of kisses. These getaways always meant so much to Mingyu since it made him have a taste of what normality felt like. He could hold his boyfriend’s hand in public without fear and he didn’t have to pretend to be someone that he wasn’t. At this point, the true Kim Mingyu was the Kim Mingyu that only Jeon Wonwoo was able to witness.
Before heading to the pond at the national park, they stopped by the hotel first to unpack and settle in so that once they returned in the middle of the night, they wouldn’t have to worry about much then. It was a solid, good plan, if he said so himself. They also decided that the exchanging of gifts would be better if it took place now, too. So, he sat on the edge of the mattress as he listened to Wonwoo speak, a fond smile forming on his face. “Don’t worry, I’ve just got the one.” He softly chuckled at the next comments, nodding in agreement but not saying another word.
Carefully, he examined the box that was placed in his lap before glancing up at Wonwoo once more before smiling at the card. “I love you, too,” was quietly mumbled as he took off the lid, taking a few moments to take in what was inside. Expressing himself in words was always difficult, so he could only hope that the touched expression on his face would give away the way he felt. He stared at them for a while before looking up once again, placing a hand on the side of his boyfriend’s face and pulling him closer.
“They’re perfect.” Wonwoo was the one to pull Mingyu all the way in for a kiss first, so he happily returned it before backing away, now able to properly respond against soft lips. “Happy anniversary. I love you more than anything else in the world. Thank you so much for this. For… all of it. God, I’m so glad that you’re in my life, and I…” He paused, laughing to stop himself from getting overly emotional. He took a deep breath and briefly closed his eyes before reaching for his smaller box. “I guess it’s my turn.” After he placed it in the younger’s hand, he lightly chewed on his lower lip as he waited for a reaction to what he’d find once opening it.
