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In moments like this, Heeseung likes to believe he would rather sit somewhere cozy and quiet, away from the crowd and from the noise of it all.
He watches from his table how people seem to still be buzzing with life, even if it was already close to midnight. It was as though the place was swarming with energy even at this hour.
Some are enjoying the night through cake, and he couldn’t help but stifle a laugh when he sees his nephew and niece filling each of their plates with different candies and jellies from the table of sweets near the buffet table.
On the other side of the room, Heeseung watches his friends with slight amusement. They were all seated next to each other, their faces brimming with laughter and joy over something that Sunghoon had said, no doubt a spectacle of a joke, Heeseung thinks. He could still remember how they asked him and Jake to group them into a table together, hoping they wouldn't decide to separate them.
Somehow, that was a great idea. A sense of nostalgia hits Heeseung as he watches his friends, suddenly very aware of the growth they exuded. From being high school friends, to going through life together, and now, attending their very first wedding in their circle of friends.
"Why are you looking at them?" A sweet voice whispered beside him. Heeseung knew that voice all too well, it belonged to none other than Sim Jake. “Okay ka lang?”
Well, Jake Sim-Lee starting today.
"They look like they're having fun," Heeseung answered his husband. "I would love to join them pero pwede na ba tayong bumalik sa hotel room natin?"
Jake laughs softly, his eyes crinkling in delight. He kisses Heeseung's cheek right after. "Always so impatient, Hee. It’s still our wedding reception kaya."
"I know love," Heeseung smiled back, reveling in the beauty of the love of his life. Even after hours had passed after the wedding ceremony, Jake still looked as beautiful as ever in Heeseung's eyes. "But it's our wedding," he continued with a smirk dangling around his lips. "We make the rules."
A faint dust of pink decorates Jake's cheeks at the implication of it. "Later. We still have to say goodbye to our guests."
Heeseung could feel Jake lean against his shoulder, their hands laced together underneath the table. A soft, content sigh escapes his lips. "Tired?" Heeseung asked.
Jake nods. "Mhm. But it's a good type of tired. Sobrang saya ko lang ngayon.”
That makes Heeseung smile. He kisses the top of Jake's head and then his cheek. "Get some rest mahal, you'll need it later."
"Heeseung!"
“Oh bakit?” He deadpanned, smiling innocently next to his husband who was already shooting daggers through his eyes. “Ito namang asawa ko, ang init na naman ng ulo.”
Jake rolls his eyes at him despite his cheeks flushed red. Even if they have been together for over five years now, Heeseung still manages to elicit that sort of reaction from his now-husband and absolutely relishes it. There was something about the way Jake’s face turns red, and how he bites his lower lip as a result of him being flustered because of Heeseung that makes the latter love to tease him.
He always had a myriad of reactions that took Heeseung by surprise and a wide range of amusement that made him fall harder for him. And now here they were, seven years and a proposal later, married.
“Ewan ko sa’yo, Lee!” Jake looked away. “Ang kulit kulit talaga ng asawa ko.”
Heeseung bit back a grin. That term, that moniker, being called Jake’s husband, gave so much butterflies in his stomach that he could smile for hours on end. “Stop that. Kinikilig ako.”
“Para kang high school,” Jake chuckled softly, looking at his husband who was eagerly trying to stop himself from smiling so much. “Ganyan ka pala kiligin?”
“Alam mo bang halos maihi ‘yan sa kilig nung sinagot mo siya nung graduation natin?” The newlyweds looked up to see Sunghoon and Jay smiling brightly at them. “Kulang na lang umiyak ‘yan eh.”
Heeseung scoffed. “Gago, Hoon. Manahimik ka nga.”
“Really?” Jake looked at Heeseung, his face the epitome of amusement.
“Oo! Tuwang tuwa ‘yan. Nagplano ka agad ng kasal niyo pakatapos e,” Jay teases. “Dun naman pala ‘yung patutunguhan ng pag amin niya.”
Heeseung just sighed, an evident smile plastered on his lips. “Ano bang pinunta niyo rito? Ang dami pang pagkain sa buffet.”
Sunghoon rolled his eyes. “Akala mo ba pagkain lang pinunta namin dito–”
“Oo–”
“Manahimik ka nga,” Sunghoon glared at Jay who laughed in defeat. “Wala naman. We just wanted to congratulate you both. Busy kasi sila Sunoo mag picture taking sa photo booth kaya nauna na kami dito. How's married life treating you ba?”
Jake laughed softly. “Hoon, ilang oras pa lang naman kami kasal.”
“Eh itong asawa mo mukhang atat na umalis,” Sunghoon answered with a grin. “Ano, Hee? Paalisin na ba namin mga bisita?”
When Heeseung nodded, the other two burst into laughter while his husband playfully glared at him.
“Oh siya, sige na. Balik na kami sa table namin. If you need me to make an excuse for you, let me know.” Jay winked at them.
“Baliw ka!” Jake raised an eyebrow. “Ewan ko talaga sa inyo!”
When the other two left, Heeseung winced when Jake pinched his side, a habit from his lover that still takes Heeseung by surprise. He looked at Jake and pouted a little. “Mahal naman, that hurts.”
“Ikaw kasi!” Jake’s lips fall into a slight pout, one that makes Heeseung’s heart beat faster. “Pero seryoso ba? Pagod ka na ba? Asan na kaya sina mama? Should I tell them na we can slowly start packing up na?”
Jake was about to stand up when Heeseung held his arm, made him sit, and kissed the top of his head with delicacy. He looked up at his husband who stared back at him. “Stay here,” Heeseung says softly. “I’ll look for tita mommy and tell her. Dito ka lang mahal, okay?”
“O-Okay,” Jake stammered a little bit. It takes him by surprise sometimes. He can never fully grasp the lengths of Heeseung’s concern and love for him, let alone the affection he has saved for Jake and him alone.
Even until today, when they just got married, Heeseung remained the same. He was always watching Jake every step of the way, making sure he was doing fine or he had everything he needed. Even as he cried a little when they exchanged their vows hours ago, Heeseung was there to hold him steady and wipe the tears off of his face.
Jake cannot explain the euphoric joy inside his being thinking about how excited he was now that they were married. It’s a whole new chapter of their lives, and Jake couldn’t wait to explore it with the one and only love of his life.
For him, marrying Heeseung was the best-est thing he had ever done, if a superlative as that could ever exist. Marrying Heeseung was the greatest decision he had ever made. It was something Jake will always be thankful for.
He will always be thankful for Heeseung.
“We can start saying goodbye to the guests mahal,” Heeseung returned minutes later. “Pero if we’re tired na, we can go na daw.”
Jake smiled a little when Heeseung helped him stand up. “Sila Riki? Aalis na ba?”
“Naka check-in din sila sa hotel, mahal.” Heeseung answered. He placed his arm around Jake’s waist and looked at him softly. “Let’s go?”
“Sa room?” Jake asked curiously. He was also feeling quite tired already, and he wanted nothing more than to already spend his first night with his husband.
Heeseung nods as he chuckles softly. “Yes po. Just after we say goodbye to the guests, okay?”
Jake nodded as they began entertaining the guests once more, going from table to table, expressing their gratitude and other words they wanted to say. It was definitely a good thing that they decided not to have more than fifty guests, as for Jake’s request that he wanted to have a very intimate wedding and then reception with only their closest family and friends. Heeseung agreed as well, saying that a large guest list would only be tedious for them and to their organizer.
Either way, a hundred guests or even just one, so long as someone bears witness to their vows and the promise of an eternal companionship right at their fingertips, they didn’t mind.
So after half an hour of saying goodbye to their guests, the two of them find themselves walking back to their hotel room, with Heeseung’s hand wrapped around Jake’s waist, and the younger’s head leaning on Heeseung’s shoulder.
The moment they reached their room, however, Heeseung decided to place his other arm under Jake’s thighs to carry him which made Jake shriek a little. “Hee–! Ibaba mo nga ako!”
“Ayoko nga,” his husband answered nonchalantly. “I’ve always wanted to do this, you know.”
Jake’s entire face was dusted with red all over. He felt flustered, and he wanted to cover his face. “Pakibaba ako Heeseung, isa!”
Heeseung couldn’t help but laugh. He gently laid Jake on the bed decorated with some petals of a flower he couldn’t be bothered to remember and shrugged off his coat, leaving him in his suit. Jake looks up at him with a flustered expression, his eyes smeared with desire and love.
The older hovered above him immediately, a gentle smile plastered on his lips.
“Mahal na mahal kita,” he whispered. “I love you, Jake Sim-Lee.”
Jake smiled back, wrapping both of his arms around Heeseung’s neck. He pulled him lower. “I love you more.”
And the moment their lips touch, they knew they were in this together for as many years as they can give each other.
—
In the early hours of morning lay Jake, whose body is covered with the warmth of their comforter along with an arm that belonged to none other than his husband, Lee Heeseung.
It's in times like this that Jake absolutely adores staring at the older's face, absorbing every feature belonging to Heeseung. Jake's eyes take him in little by little, memorizing every detail from every nook and crevice that belonged to his husband. It was in moments like this that allowed Jake to look at Heeseung intently while the sun was just about rising.
Jake leans closer until the tip of their noses are about to touch each other. His eyes gaze over Heeseung once more, watching the rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps. He brought his fingers to cradle Heeseung's cheek gently, before Jake dips his head down and gives Heeseung a simple peck on his cheek.
"Crush mo na naman ako, mahal." Heeseung murmured in a groggy voice, one that took Jake by surprise.
Jake glares at his husband. “Gising ka na pala?”
“Mhm, kanina pa,” Heeseung shifts his position and pulls the other closer so he could bury his face on Jake’s neck. “Good morning baby. I love you.”
“Good morning love,” Jake whispered against Heeseung’s hair. “Happy anniversary.”
He could feel Heeseung smiling against the expanse of his neck. Heeseung propped an elbow on the bed, looking at his husband with a gentle smile on his face. “Happy anniversary, mahal.”
They stare lovingly at each other’s eyes like it was the night of their wedding. It was Heeseung who took the bait, however, lowering his face as he engulfs his husband into a warm and gentle kiss. Jake wraps both of his arms around the older’s neck, pulling him closer.
Heeseung moved swiftly, situating himself between Jake’s thighs, his lips never leaving Jake’s no matter what he does. He began trailing open-mouthed kisses on Jake’s jaw towards his neck which allowed him a soft moan from the latter.
“H-Heeseung…” Jake closed his eyes when he felt the older leaving kisses on his chest, Heeseung’s fingers caressing his waist with gentleness.
Before they could even begin to get anything done, they hear a series of knocks on their front door.
“Dada! Open door pwease !”
“Daddy let us in!”
“ Daddyyyy !”
That makes Jake and Heeseung chuckle in unison. “Nako po, ayan na nga.”
Heeseung peels himself away from his husband and climbs off the bed, moving in haste when he hears more knocks at their door. “Daddy’s coming, wait lang!”
The moment he opens the door, three little toddlers run inside, two of them sprinting towards the bed to climb up. Jake immediately helps them up, taking Yuan and Sevi into his arms. The two giggle right away, laying themselves on Jake’s chest.
Meanwhile, Ellie, the youngest among the triplets, stands sleepily on the door. Heeseung couldn’t help but laugh at his daughter who was still holding her stuffed animal. She made a gesture showing she wanted to be carried, yawning as she did so. Heeseung carries her gently between his arms.
“Good morning Ellie. Sleepy pa ikaw baby?”
She nods dramatically. “Kuya Sevi woke me up too eawly, daddy. Sleepy me.”
Heeseung laughed as he kissed the top of her head, going back to their bed that is now occupied by Sevi and Yuan lying next to their dada. They looked so peaceful, Heeseung thought as he looked at the three of them. Jake’s gaze never faltered, always looking at their two boys lying next to him. It was only when Heeseung sat down that Jake looked up at him. A smile found its way on his lips when he saw Ellie doing her best to stay awake.
“Ginising na naman ‘to nitong dalawa, ‘no?” Jake asked with a laugh.
Heeseung nodded as he chuckled softly. Ellie laid her head on his shoulder right away when Heeseung leaned against the headboard. “Si Sevi daw may kasalanan this time. Woke her up too early, she says.”
“Are we going to lola mommy’s today?” Yuan, the oldest, asked, his doe eyes wandering from his daddy to his dada. “Diba we go there because dada and daddy will do something?”
Jake nods, kissing Yuan’s forehead. “Yes baby. It’s dada and daddy’s anniversary today.”
“ Annivewsawy ?”
Jake couldn’t help but smile again. “Mhm. Your daddy and I have been married for five years na.”
Sevi looks up and holds his entire palm up. “Like this? Five?”
“Opo anak,” Jake answered, kissing Sevi’s cheek softly. Sevi smiled brightly after that. “We will drive to lola mommy’s today.”
Heeseung watches from a distance with his baby girl asleep on his chest as Jake talks softly to Yuan and Sevi. He feels his heart swell with so much love and affection seeing how his husband acts with their children. Jake always had a soft spot for kids, always had a knack for taking care of them, and always had that good parental instinct that made Heeseung fall for him more.
Seeing that up close makes Heeseung want to thank every divine being that ever existed every day because he married Jake and they chose each other, they started a family together. That five years into their marriage, they’ve already experienced a lot of milestones together. Heeseung would always be grateful for Jake. He’d always remind him of that every day too.
And now, here they were. With three kids and an anniversary waiting to be celebrated. Heeseung couldn’t have asked for more. He was content and happy with all that he has now.
“Your heart is beating vewy fast, daddy,” Ellie muttered. “Bakit super fast?”
Heeseung laughed quietly. “Because daddy loves your dada so much, baby.”
“When daddy is at work dada always tells us that he loves you a lot. Like very big, big love, daddy.”
“Really?”
Ellie nodded. “He always say that daddy loves us too. Very huuuuge love.”
Heeseung feels warmth spread through every fiber in his body the more he listens to his daughter speak. It was as though his heart was melting as the seconds passed by. He looks at Ellie, eyes closed and almost asleep again and he places a soft kiss on the top of her head.
“Daddy loves you four so much, Ellie. Always remember that.”
“Bakit four?” She opened her eyes and looked at him curiously. “Do we have ibang kapatid?”
That made Heeseung laugh. “No anak. I mean you, your kuya Sevi and Yuan, and your dada Jake. I love all four of you.”
The youngest of the Sim-Lee triplets sigh in content before she lays her head again on Heeseung’s shoulder. He looked at Jake, who seemed to be very immersed in telling Yuan and Sevi stories about the stars and the sun, and everything else. They look up at their dada intently, listening to every word he says with awe. Their two boys seemed to have inherited Jake’s curiosity, and all three of them got his brainy instincts.
Their family and friends often said that Elizabeth Sim-Lee, or “Ellie” for short, took after Heeseung the most. From her doe eyes, to her nose, to her expressions, she looked like Heeseung. Yuan and Sevi looked a lot like twins and are a beautiful mix of Jake and Heeseung’s facial features. Heeseung could still recall the first time he held them in his arms the day they were born. He couldn’t help the tears that fell from his eyes. There were no words to fully describe the happiness he felt that day.
After some time of laying there, the five of them decided to go down to the kitchen to have some breakfast together. It was only around eight in the morning, perfect time for them to eat. However, when they reached the last step of the stairs, a surprise was apparently waiting for them.
“Happy anniversary!”
Jay, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki stepped in front of them holding a cake, flowers, balloons, and a bottle of champagne the moment the couple stepped down from the stairs. There was even food on the table, and it looked rather fancy and festive.
“Ano ‘to?’ Heeseung asked with a slight smile. “Pa’no kayo nakapasok sa bahay?”
Sunoo shrugged. “Kasabwat namin ‘tong mga anak niyo.”
Jake couldn’t help but smile as well, and he saw Yuan and Sevi running towards Sunghoon and Riki right away. “Tito Ninong!”
Their two friends crouched right away and enveloped the two into a hug. Yuan was carried by Sunghoon immediately, and Riki held Sevi between his arms right away. Ellie remained where she was, between her daddy’s arms, rubbing her eyes as she yawned.
“Why is everyone so maingay?” She asked.
Everyone laughed when she asked that. Clearly, she got that attitude from her dada. Before Jake could have said anything, Heeseung crouched down and whispered something to Ellie. She nodded excitedly before she ran towards the living room. “Sa’n siya pupunta?”
Heeseung smiled. “You’ll see.”
And when Ellie returned, she was holding a beautiful bouquet of white tulips. Ellie walked towards Jake, and gave it to him shyly. “This is from daddy, dada.”
“Aw, baby, thank you.” Jake quickly kissed Ellie’s cheeks and looked at Heeseung with a smile on his face. “Thank you, mahal.”
Heeseung kissed the top of his head. “I love you, happy anniversary.”
“Daddy enough kissing na, I’m hungry!” Sevi said and pointed at the pancakes. “Let’s kain na pleaaase.”
“Ayan kasi,” Sunoo snickered. “Gutom na mga anak niyo, hoy. Mamaya na ‘yan.”
The group erupted into laughter before they eventually settled onto the table. There weren’t enough seats for everyone so the adults stood up and made the kids sit down on their chairs. Sunoo and Jungwon immediately helped the couple and took charge of giving the kids their breakfast.
They began eating the pancakes in fervor, with Jake having to remind them to eat slowly. “Don’t rush, anak. The pancakes aren’t going anywhere.”
“It’s soooo sarap, dada!” Yuan grinned, syrup all over his lips. Jake laughed and wiped his mouth gently with a paper towel. “Sino luto nito?”
“Tito ninong Jay did,” Heeseung answered with a smile. “Say thank you kay ninong.”
The triplets looked up at Jay who was putting food on Jungwon’s plate. “Thank you tito ninong!” They exclaimed in unison, which earned laughter from the adults surrounding them.
“You’re welcome,” Jay says with a smile.
Heeseung places an arm over Jake’s shoulder as he brings his fork towards his husband’s lips. “Tuna pesto, mahal. Try it.”
Jake takes a bite right away, not aware of the looks they’ve been getting from their children, as well as their friends. But really, it was just Heeseung and Jake being their usual, malambing selves over the table. Which is why their friends can notice just how much the triplets are growing with love and care.
“Tito ninong,” Ellie nudged Sunghoon with her little elbow. “Why don’t you make gawa like that to ninong Sunoo?”
Sunghoon, who almost choked on his food, flushed red. “E-Ellie! Sa’n mo naman ‘yan natutunan?” He looked at Heeseung and Jake and quirked a brow. “Etong anak niyo, hoy. Lagi kasi kayong nakikitang naglalandian.”
Heeseung merely shrugged, and Ellie pouted a little. “Nooo don’t talk to daddy, talk to me! Kita ko kayo ni tito ninong Sunoo nag kiss sa cheeks kanina!”
“Ay ‘yan lang,” Jungwon laughed. “Nahuli kayo ng bata, Hoon. Anong paliwanag mo diyan?”
Sunoo, on the other hand, was blushing a little. He just laughed it off and sighed. “Pabayaan mo ‘yang tito Sunghoon niyo,” he says teasingly. “Ganyan talaga ‘yan.”
“Siya nga pala,” Jake looked over at Jay and Jungwon, and the engagement rings on their fingers. “When’s the wedding? Have you guys decided on it?”
It’s been nearly a year since Jungwon and Jay got engaged. The other couple in their circle of friends, Sunoo and Sunghoon, plan on settling down the following year. Little by little, their friends are already getting engaged and married.
Jungwon smiled brightly as he nodded. “May nakausap na kaming organizer. We want to have a simple beach wedding since Jay’s family owns a villa and a resort a few hours away from here. Pwede bang kunin as ring bearer si Yuan?”
The couple exchanged looks excitedly. “Of course!” Jake answered with a smile. “He’d like that, won’t you, anak?”
Yuan, despite his mouth filled with pancake bits, nodded as well. Ellie was grinning from ear to ear when Sunoo had been combing her hair in the past minute, braiding it into simple twin braids. Sevi, on the other hand, was busy finishing his food because Riki promised him they’d play with his toys after.
It felt so surreal to the couple who spent their first years taking care of their children with the help and support of their closest friends and family. From the countless nights of Jay and Jungwon helping them so Heeseung and Jake could catch a few hours of sleep, to Sunghoon and Sunoo taking the triplets out and spending time with them. Riki was like the big older brother, always looking after the three and promising to play with them when he had the chance, which was more often than not.
Heeseung and Jake were more than grateful for their friends who supported them every step of the way, from planning their wedding, to taking care of their kids whenever they needed an extra hand. And now, looking at the three, Jake couldn’t help but feel a little emotional at how big they’ve grown. He could have never asked for more; he already had the most loving husband, and three little kids he’d cherish everyday.
After breakfast, Jake stayed inside the kitchen to clean up the table. He already told everyone else that the kids would be spending time with their grandparents until Sunday, so he and Heeseung could spend their anniversary together with just the two of them. Sunoo and Jungwon volunteered to help the kids take a bath, which Jake was more than grateful for.
“Are you okay?” Heeseung asked, wrapping his arms around Jake’s waist while he was washing the dishes. “Ako na po diyan mahal. You should go sit down for a bit.”
Jake smiled when he felt Heeseung nuzzling his face on his neck. “It’s fine, madali lang naman ‘to. Sila Sevi?”
“Yuan and Sevi are done taking a bath. Sila pumili ng damit nila today,” Heeseung answered with a smile on his lips. “Ellie wanted me to pick her clothes.”
“What a daddy’s girl.” Jake laughed softly.
Heeseung laughed quietly before he kissed Jake’s cheek. “I love you so much, Jake. Mahal na mahal kita. You have no idea how grateful I am for you, for our children. For this life we have together.”
“Lagi ko ‘yang ipagpapasalamat, Jake. I will always be grateful for you.”
The latter dried his hands on the towel right away so he could kiss his husband sweetly, softly, filled with so much love and affection that Jake couldn’t help but remember the day they got married; how Heeseung nearly cried when he was reciting his vows, how Jake felt his heart nearly explode due to extreme happiness.
Up to this day, it still feels surreal; being married to the love of his life, having kids together, entering new chapters of their lives as a family.
After another hour, their friends bid their goodbyes, and the Sim-Lee family was already out of their house, and driving towards the house of Jake’s parents. The triplets were well-behaved on their carseats, with Ellie occasionally singing along to the songs that were playing inside the car.
When it was time to drop off the kids at their parents’ house, Jake gave a kiss to each of them. “Be good to your lola mommy and lolo daddy okay? ‘Wag maging makulit.”
“Okay dada,” Yuan answered with a smile. “I will make saway if Sevi and Ellie are makulit.”
Ellie huffed out a sigh as she crossed her arms. “I am sooo not masungit, Yuan!”
“Me too,” Sevi pouted.
Heeseung laughs a bit as he takes off his seatbelt and goes to the back of the car to get their things. The triplets got down carefully, and they were immediately greeted by Mrs. Sim who quickly enveloped her grandchildren and showered kisses on their faces.
“Lola mommy, I kain lots of pancakes for bwekfast today!” Sevi announced. “My tummy is soooo full!”
“Daddy picked my suot today,” Ellie twirled. “I look very ganda diba lola mommy?”
Jake couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at the cuteness of their kids. Yuan was already inside the house, greeting the cream border collie dog they’ve been taking care of since they were little. Jake took care of her, but when he and Heeseung got married, the dog stayed with Jake’s mom and dad for the time being.
“Ma, don’t forget ha, not too much sweets. Tapos bed time nila is at nine. Very late na ang ten in the evening and make sure na–”
“Don’t worry, ‘nak, I got it,” Mrs. Sim smiled. “Don’t worry about them, you enjoy your anniversary weekend.”
Jake and Heeseung crouched in front of their kids, and two of the Sim-Lee triplets came dashing towards their arms right away. This was something Jake liked doing, giving their children a big hug before they go. It was something they frequently did, even before they went to bed, or before Heeseung went to work.
Sevi was the biggest hugger out of all three of them. He gave Heeseung a big hug, and then Jake, and then proceeded to try and attempt to hug both of his parents. Ellie gave Heeseung a peck on the cheek before giggling away the moment she sees the familiar cream border collie going outside of the front door, Yuan chasing after her.
“Layla!” Ellie shrieked in delight, running towards the dog to pet her immediately.
Jake waved at Yuan. “Anak, come here! Give your daddy and I a hug before we go.”
Yuan ran towards his dads in an instant, and Heeseung and Jake caught him immediately. Jake gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Be good for lola mommy and lola daddy, okay?”
“I will!” Yuan nodded and smiled before he turned to look at Heeseung. “Daddy, you take care of dada because wala us sa house, owki ?” He asked cutely, making Jake laugh a little.
Heeseung nodded and gave Yuan a kiss on his cheek which earned a tiny giggle from the latter. “Daddy will always do that, anak.”
It wasn’t long before the couple was out of the Sims’ driveway and back to their home. The Sim-Lee triplets were waving goodbye along with Layla, as well as Mrs. Sim. It was a sight Jake wanted to commit to memory. The moment they set foot inside their house, however, Heeseung immediately carried Jake between his arms which made the latter shout a bit in surprise. “Heeseung! Ano ba–”
“I missed doing this,” Heeseung whispers in his ear, an action that sent goosebumps to Jake’s skin.
Jake rolled his eyes. “Ano na namang pinlano mo?”
Heeseung carried him to the living room, where there was a bottle of the wine served during their wedding on the table, pizza, and Jake’s favorite food. There were cushions on the sofa that was transformed into a mini bed, and even soft comforters and blankets. Heeseung settled his husband on the sofa gently, before he dimmed the lights and sat next to him.
“Happy anniversary mahal,” he murmured softly, kissing Jake’s cheek. “I will always be the luckiest man alive kasi ikaw ‘yung pinakasalan ko.”
There were not enough words to describe whatever it was that Jake was feeling inside of him, but it was alive and erupting and beautiful. So he says it in a language they both know best, and before Heeseung could even process it, Jake was cupping his cheek as he pressed his lips onto Heeseung’s for a long while.
Heeseung wrapped an arm around Jake’s waist and pulled him closer, feeling the warmth of Jake’s skin seep through his own.
“I love you.”
And when they pull away, Heeseung envelops him in a tender embrace, whispering sweet nothings in his ear as they spend the day together, these little moments of their marriage forever engraved in their beings no matter what.