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One year later…
The apartment smelled like garlic, citrus and something gently burning. Luke hovered between the oven and the dining table, smoothing the tablecloth for the third time, then adjusting the cutlery by a millimetre, then pacing back to the kitchen again like he’d forgotten something really important. His foot tapped constantly against the tiles, his nerves fizzing under his skin. Youngjae watched him from where he was chopping spring onions, his lips twitching.
“Yeobo,” he said calmly. “The forks are fine.”
“They’re not fine,” Luke muttered, nudging one again. “That one’s crooked.”
“They’re going to eat with them, not marry them.”
Luke shot him a look. “This is a big dinner.”
“I know,” Young said gently. “But you’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that.”
Luke ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “I just want it to be perfect. My parents are coming. Everyone’s coming, actually. What if the chicken’s dry? What if the sauce splits? What if—”
Young put the knife down and crossed the kitchen, catching Luke by the waist and pulling him in close. “Fucking hell, babe,” he murmured. “Breathe.”
Luke’s hands curled into Young’s jumper automatically. “I am breathing.”
“You’re panic-breathing,” Young said with a frown on his face. “Different thing.”
Luke huffed out a laugh despite himself, then sagged into him a little. “I’m nervous.”
“I know.”
“It’s big news.”
“I know.”
“And Gabe’s been doing really well but I don’t want this to knock him sideways and—”
Young tipped Luke’s chin up so he had to meet his eyes. “Everyone who is coming tonight loves you. They love us. And whatever we do tonight, we’re telling them together. And you’re right, Gabe has been doing really well. He’s almost a year sober, he’s got a steady job, and he’s constantly calling us. He’s fine. He’s better. Okay?”
Luke swallowed and nodded. “Okay.”
Young pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “Also,” he added, smirking slightly, “if the chicken’s dry, my holmeoni taught me how to fix that with sauce.”
Luke snorted. “You and your secret Korean tricks.”
“They’re not tricks. They’re survival skills.”
A knock sounded at the door and Luke froze.
Young squeezed his waist reassuringly. “Showtime.”
Luke took one more steadying breath, straightened his shoulders, and nodded. “Okay. Okay. We’ve got this.”
Young smiled at him, warm and unwavering. “We always do, Yeobo. We’re a fucking dream team.”
The front door had barely opened before Eli was pulling Luke into a hug. “Oh my god, I missed you so much. Sorry if we’re early. We wanted to beat the Boston traffic. It’s always fucking awful, I hate this place. But hey, I can’t believe we’re here. In your actual home,” he announced dramatically. “Like, properly. A home with a husband and a dog. I hate you.”
Luke laughed, tension easing a notch as he hugged him back. “You were literally here last month.”
“Still,” Eli said, stepping inside and doing a slow, exaggerated spin. “Small flat. Very married. I approve.”
Nate followed more quietly, smiling as he clapped Youngjae on the shoulder. “Smells incredible. Please tell me nothing’s burned.”
“Only Luke’s nerves,” Young said lightly.
“Rude,” Luke muttered, but he was grinning as he ushered them in, taking coats, pointing out where to sit. The four of them fell into easy chatter, catching up on work and gossip and whatever nonsense Eli had decided was scandalous this week. Luke even managed to forget the oven timer for a moment as he watched everyone fuss over his and Young’s very large, very friendly, husky.
Then there was another knock at the door and Luke’s stomach flipped even further.
“Stay here. I’ll get it,” Youngjae said, squeezing his hand once as he passed.
The door opened to a small crowd all at once. Luke’s parents stood at the front, his mom already smiling widely, his dad holding a bottle of wine like a peace offering. Behind them were Maddy and Gabe, flowers and chocolates in their hands. Young didn’t hesitate as he stepped forward hugged Luke’s mom. She hugged him back instantly.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said happily. “You look good.”
“Thanks,” Young said bashfully. “Come in.”
“Smells good,” dad said.
“Let’s hope it tastes good,” Young replied.
“It better be edible,” Gabe chimed in.
“He’s starving,” Maddy added.
“Fingers crossed,” Youngjae laughed.
They headed into the living room and Luke instantly stood up and hugged his mom. “I missed you,” he murmured, voice catching despite himself.
“Missed you too, honey,” she beamed.
His dad hugged him nextc then pulled Youngjae into a one-armed embrace too. “Good to see you, son.”
Young smiled, visibly touched. “You too.”
Maddy hugged Luke gently. “This place is coming along very nicely,” she said. “Have you done some more decorating since we last came here.”
“Yeah, a lot of the furniture is new.”
“I love it,” she said happily. “It’s very you.”
“Small and chaotic?” Luke offered.
“Full of love,” she corrected.
Gabe hung back for half a second longer than everyone before he reached for Luke and smothered him in a big hug. “Hey, squirt,” he said lightheartedly. “Smells good in here.”
Luke laughed softly into his shoulder. “You always say that before stealing half my food.”
“Tradition,” Gabe replied, a ghost of a smile in his voice.
The room filled up quickly after that. Coats piled up, wine was opened, conversations began. The apartment felt suddenly too small in the best possible way, warm and noisy and alive.
Luke caught Youngjae’s eye across the room as everyone settled in. He smiled at him, calm and steady. Luke smiled back, heart thudding.
Eli started complaining dramatically about coriander, Luke’s dad insisting on helping dish out all the food and somehow making more mess than anyone else, and Luke’s mom was already on her third wine glass.
It was loud and normal and comforting, but Luke kept smoothing invisible creases in the tablecloth, fingers jittery. Young noticed. He always did. He eventually cleared his throat loudly and Luke froze.
“So,” Young said casually, far too casually, which immediately made everyone suspicious. “Before Eli starts a speech about how this is the best meal he’s ever eaten—”
“It is,” Eli interrupted.
“—we actually wanted to tell you all something.”
The table went quiet.
Luke’s heart slammed against his ribs. He glanced around at his his parents who were attentive and soft-eyed. Nate was leaning back, curious. Maddy’s hands were folded neatly in her lap. Gabe was watching him closely, brow faintly furrowed.
Luke swallowed. “Umm… so, we’ve been… talking about this for a while. Nothing is set in stone yet, but we wanted to tell up anyway.”
Young reached over and took his hand, squeezing once. “We’ve been talking and we both decided that what we really want is to start a family. We’re starting the process to adopt,” Young said gently.
For half a second, nobody spoke.
Then mom mum let out a small, strangled sound. “Oh,” she breathed, already tearing up. “Oh, boys.”
His dad blinked hard, then smiled so wide it almost hurt to look at. “You’re serious?”
Luke nodded, voice shaking despite himself. “Yeah. We are. It’s early, and we know it’ll take time, and it might be complicated, but… yeah. We want to be parents. Like, actual parents.”
Eli stared at them. “Shut up.”
“That’s not a reaction,” Nate said, leaning in.
“No, I mean it affectionately,” Eli said, eyes already glossy. “You’re going to be such an annoying, perfect dad. Both of you.”
Maddy smiled softly. “Wow. That’s… wow. That’s really beautiful,” she said. “I can actually see it.”
Luke turned to Gabe last. His brother hadn’t said anything yet. He was quiet, looking at Luke and Young’s joined hands, then back up at Luke’s face. Luke’s stomach twisted. He braced himself without meaning to. Then Gabe exhaled slowly. “Fuck me. You’re going to be so good at it,” he said, voice rough. “You always were good at taking care of people.”
Luke blinked. “Yeah?”
Gabe nodded once. “Yeah.” A pause. Then, quieter, more honest. “I’m really happy for you guys.”
Something in Luke’s chest cracked open. Young squeezed his hand again, eyes shining.
Luke’s mom stood abruptly and came round the table, pulling both of them into a hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered fiercely. “Both of you.”
His dad followed, clapping Young on the shoulder, voice thick. “Any kid would be lucky to have you guys as parents. Really lucky.”
The flat buzzed again after that with questions, excitement, and Eli immediately naming hypothetical children, but Luke barely heard any of it. He just sat there, fingers laced with his husband’s, surrounded by people who loved them, thinking: Wow. We’re really doing this.
The evening mellowed into that easy, post-dinner chaos where everyone felt slightly too full and very content. Nate and Eli took it upon themselves to stack plates (badly) while Luke’s dad insisted on loading the dishwasher “properly”. Maddy hovered with bin bags, laughing at all of them.
Luke slipped back into the kitchen with a relieved exhale. “Okay. You’re in charge of entertainment,” he murmured to Young, nudging him lightly. “Distract them. I’ll sort dessert.”
Young smiled, soft and fond. “You just want five minutes alone without Eli, don’t you?”
“Correct.”
“Well, don’t take too long,” Young told him.
“Just go,” Luke shooed him away.
Once he was alone, Luke took a small breath. He just needed a few moments of calm to think and breathe it all in. He was lining up plates, trying to calm the nervous fizz still humming in his veins, when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see Gabe lingering in the doorway, hands shoved into his pockets.
“Oh,” Luke said quietly. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“You need something?”
“No,” Gabe replied. He hesitated, then stepped fully into the kitchen, lowering his voice. “Thought I’d help.”
Luke snorted gently. “You hate cleaning up.”
“Yeah, well. Growth or whatever.”
“Sure,” Luke said with a smile.
They stood side by side for a moment, the hum of the fridge filling the space. It was oddly peaceful. No tension. No sharp edges.
Gabe cleared his throat. “I meant what I said out there,” he murmured. “About being happy for you. The adoption thing… it’s big. Really big. In a good way.”
Luke glanced at him, surprised by how steady his brother looked. “Thanks,” he said softly. “That means a lot.”
Gabe nodded. “You’re… you’re really settled, Lukey. I can see it. You look good. You look happy.”
Luke swallowed. “I am. I really am.”
Another pause. Then Gabe huffed out a nervous breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “Actually… there’s something I wanted to tell you. Before anyone else.”
Luke stilled. “Okay.”
Gabe’s mouth twitched. “I’m going to propose to Maddy. Next week.”
Luke’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Yeah,” Gabe said, a little breathless now. “I’ve got the ring. I’ve got a plan. I’m fucking terrified, but it’s been years. She’s been my rock, ya know? Stuck with me through thick and thin. It’s about time I finally grew some balls and made her mine.”
Luke laughed a soft sound, and then stepped forward and hugged him without thinking. Gabe stiffened for half a second before melting into it.
“That’s amazing,” Luke said into his shoulder. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Yeah?” Gabe asked quietly. “Even after… everything?”
Luke pulled back just enough to look at him. “Yeah. Are you kidding? Especially after everything.”
Gabe’s eyes shone, but he blinked it away quickly. “Don’t tell anyone yet,” he muttered. “I want to say it myself.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Luke smiled. “Until Eli guesses it in five minutes.”
Gabe snorted. “Fair.”
From the other room came Young’s laugh. It was warm and familiar, wnd Luke felt that same grounding pull in his chest.
Gabe followed his gaze to the room and then looked back at Luke. “He’s good for you,” he said simply.
Luke nodded bashfully. “Yeah. He really is.”
They stood there for another beat, brothers again in a quiet kitchen, before Luke picked up the dessert plates and nudged Gabe with his elbow.
“Come on,” he said lightly. “Dessert time.”
Gabe groaned. “I don’t think I have any space left.”
“It’s Tiramisu,” Luke frowned. “You’ll make space.”
“Can I steal your dog, by the way?” Gabe asked, walking into the living room to find Jacko (their big fat husky) happily jumping up and down between Nate and Eli.
Luke laughed, soft and fond. “He’s not my dog. He belongs to whoever’s holding food.”
As if on cue, Jacko barrelled straight into Gabe’s legs, tail wagging like it might take off. Gabe dropped to his knees without hesitation, burying his face in the thick fur. “I missed you, you absolute unit,” he murmured.
Jackson responded by licking his cheek enthusiastically.
“Wow,” Eli said from the sofa. “He chose violence.”
Nate grinned. “Congrats, Gabe. You’ve been adopted.”
Luke hovered by the doorway for a moment, dessert plates balanced in his hands, watching the scene unfold. Young was laughing quietly, one arm draped along the back of the sofa, Luke’s mom perched beside him while his dad playfully argued with Maddy about whether dishwashers were actually necessary or whether they made people lazy.
It was loud. Messy. Warm.
It felt like home.
“Dessert, everyone,” Luke called, his voice steady now, lighter than it had been all evening.
They gathered around the table again, knees bumping, shoulders touching. There was too much talking and not enough space, someone stealing spoonfuls off someone else’s plate, Jacko stationed firmly at Gabe’s feet like a loyal sentry.
Young leaned in close to Luke, murmuring, “You did good tonight.”
Luke glanced at him, eyes soft. “We both did.”
Later (much later) coats were pulled on and hugs were exchanged by the door. Promises were made about next dinners, next plans, next steps. The future felt big and a little terrifying, but also bright.
When the door finally closed behind the last guest, the apartment fell into a gentle, satisfied quiet.
Luke sank back against the door with a tired sigh. Youngjae crossed the room in two steps and kissed him, slow and familiar, full of everything they’d survived together. “Were you nervous to tell them?” Young asked quietly.
Luke smiled. “Yeah. I was fucking terrified. My hands were shaking.”
“And how do you feel now that it’s out?”
“Better,” Luke breathed. “So much better.”
“I can’t wait to adopt a baby with you,” Youngjae murmured, kissing Luke’s jaw.
“I thought we agreed we’d adopt a toddler so we didn’t have to worry about nappies,” Luke said, though his eyes closed in bliss as he felt Youngjae’s hands skim under his shirt.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do,” Young murmured, kissing Luke’s neck now.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” Luke whispered.
“Always,” Youngjae breathed out.
“I’m exhausted,” Luke whined.
“Then we’ll just cuddle,” Youngjae shrugged.
“Yeah, until your dick starts poking me.”
“I can’t help it!”
“Just take me to bed,” Luke pleaded, kissing him.
Young smiled against Luke’s mouth. “Bossy,” he murmured fondly.
Luke huffed a quiet laugh as Young took his hand and led him down the narrow hallway, the flat dim and warm and theirs. Jacko lifted his head from the couch, tail thumping once, then settled back down.
They shrugged out of all their clothes and collapsed onto the bed together, tangled and tired and content. Young pulled Luke into his chest, tracing slow, absent-minded circles over his back like he’d done a thousand times before, like he’d do a thousand more.
Luke sighed, long and deep, the kind that came from somewhere past his ribs. “I still can’t believe this is our life.”
Young kissed his temple. “It’s only just starting.”
Luke tilted his head up, meeting his eyes. There was so much there now. So much history, hurt, laughter, forgiveness, plans scribbled in pencil and slowly inked in. “We’re really doing this,” he said softly. “Family dinners. Adoption paperwork. A kid who’s gonna steal your hoodies and call you embarrassing when you drop them off to school.”
Young laughed quietly. “I’ve always wanted that.”
Luke smiled, eyes stinging just a little, and tucked himself closer. “Me too. Especially with you. I think you’re going to be a great dad.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so.”
The apartment hummed around them, the sounds of Boston muffled through the windows, the future waiting patiently outside. Wrapped up in his husband’s arms, Luke finally let himself rest. And for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t scared of what came next. He was excited. He was ready.
The End.
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