'A date. That's right, I've never thought of having a date with YunHo. In fact, we were so used to dining out, shopping and strolling in the park together. It seemed so natural that I did not see any of those as dates. Living together everyday is almost like… we're already married.' A shiver ran down his spine as he thought of… he couldn't bring himself to think about the 'm' word, it's just too mushy.

He remembered YunHo had asked him something like, "Tomorrow's the eve of your birthday. Would you like to go out on a date to celebrate it then?"

'I wonder why he would suddenly ask me out on a date this year. He wouldn't be asking me that question, would he? I mean, we're both males… and it would cost a lot flying to LA, if he plans on registering our marriage.' JaeJoong blushed and sighed. Not wanting to be disappointed, he stopped himself from thinking about it any further.

11:00 PM

That night, he wore a white unbuttoned waistcoat over a black tank top and a pair of graceful khakis pants. By ways of accessories, a small, silver cross pendant rested slightly below his collarbone, strung by a fine string of platinum-plated gold. A pair of silver hearts dangled from his ears but was obscured by his medium curls. At least, that was what JaeJoong saw when he looked into the mirror.

A few feet behind, YunHo halted faintly with surprise. "The curls make you look shockingly like a Korean girl." He stepped forth and snaked an arm around JaeJoong's waist. The latter pouted. "I am Korean." YunHo chuckled softly.

JaeJoong ogled at his charming prince adoringly, lips parting vaguely. The man wore a white, buttoned dinner jacket over a black singlet and a pair of black trousers. YunHo leaned sideways to kiss JaeJoong's ear. He whispered, "What are you looking at? Let's go."

YunHo held his hand and led him to the red Toyota Corolla. The car belongs to JaeJoong but ever since YunHo obtained his driving license, the man insists that he be the chauffeur. "Where are we going?" asked JaeJoong. YunHo was about to answer, but then thought better of it and decided to surprise him. "It's a secret." JaeJoong pouted.

Soon, they passed by the largest mall in Koshigaya City of Saitama Prefecture. YunHo manoeuvred the car into the basement. "Eh? Aeon Lake Town? Are we dining here?" asked JaeJoong.

"Bingo." YunHo's pearly white teeth gleamed in the dim basement as he answered. He carefully parked the car near an elevator.

Once again, YunHo gently grasped JaeJoong's hand and led him into the five-storey mall. Upon reaching the ground floor of the mall's central heart, they stumbled upon a spectacular round clearing. The transparent ceiling that was five storeys high sported a night view of the sky above. Between the ceiling and ground floor were four tiers of circular balcony with aluminium balustrade. A few couples leaned on the banisters overlooking the clearing below. JaeJoong let out a small gasp but something else caught his attention. Huge white banners hanging from the balustrades above said 'Would you marry me?' in red font.

'I wish the pair were us,' thought JaeJoong wryly. But it seemed his dream would not come true tonight, because YunHo had, without a backward glance, taken JaeJoong to a French bistro called Individu, owned by head chef Tsubaki Shuichiro. They had a candlelight dinner in a private corner, sitting side by side. The waiter did not seem to notice that JaeJoong was a guy. 'I didn't think YunHo was serious when he said I looked like a girl,' thought JaeJoong.

When food was served, YunHo cut out a slice of roasted beef, dipped it into some scallion sauce and popped it into his mouth to savour. "Hmm, nice. Try it," smiled YunHo as he dipped another slice into the same sauce and brought it near JaeJoong. The latter opened his small mouth and carefully pursed his succulent, pink lips over the meat. YunHo stared distractedly as he gently pulled the fork from those delicious lips. In the secluded space, they had totally forgotten about the existence of everyone else.

"Mmm," sounded JaeJoong between chews, his feminine hand politely covering his mouth from view. YunHo felt his mouth salivating, not at the roasted beef but at JaeJoong – the only person who would always have the finest taste for YunHo's palate.

12:00 PM

When JaeJoong's wineglass was almost empty, YunHo threw him a charismatic smile and spoke, "There's something I want you to see, bring your wine along." When they stood up, YunHo seemed to remember something all of a sudden. "Oh wait. First, you have to close your eyes and spin a few times. No peeking till I say otherwise."

As JaeJoong shut his eyes, YunHo began to turn him around gently. JaeJoong felt his wineglass being taken away, but then a lighter wineglass was pushed back into his right fingers again. "Take my glass, there's lesser wine so it wouldn't spill that easily. Remember, no peeking." YunHo guided JaeJoong out of the restaurant, all the while reassuring him by saying "Don't worry, I won't let you fall." True indeed, the strong arm around JaeJoong's small waist couldn't make him feel any more protected and loved.

"Open your eyes," whispered YunHo when they halted. JaeJoong did as was told, and realised they were back at the clearing with the night sky view and eye-catching banners again. The hug on JaeJoong's waist tightened as YunHo's chest pressed deeper into his back. He could feel YunHo's lips hard against his hot ear, whispering the words "Would you marry me?" YunHo tenderly cupped a hand over JaeJoong's right, making the latter notice the wineglass in his hand.

JaeJoong gasped at the sight, mouth agape. 'So it wouldn't spill that easily? You planned it all! The thing in your glass is not wine. It's a box with a ring in it!' He could feel the rush of blood rising and making his slightly giddy… JaeJoong concealed the lower part of his face with the back of his hand and let out a chuckle of delight, bashful yet blissful at the same time. He beamed dazzlingly, his face glowing with brilliance so vibrant it briefly robbed YunHo's breath away. The latter lifted the box from the glass and knelt before his eternal lover and partner. He took a deep breath and said, "We may not be what we should be. But the love you give me so unconditionally, is what every lover would die for, at least… it's what I would die for. Your love far outshines mine in countless ways, and even though I doubt my love could ever compete with yours, I shall love you more each day till I could proudly say that I love you more. For now… I could only tell you this… JaeJoong, I love you dearly. Would you be wedded to me?" YunHo gazed up yearningly. Let me be the one, JaeJoong ah.

His heart pounding heavily, he was almost certain even YunHo could hear it thumping in his chest. JaeJoong threw him a breathtaking smile and breathed, "Yes." YunHo's long fingers extracted the ring from its casing, held JaeJoong's pale hand in his and slid the elegant, platinum-plated gold ring unto JaeJoong's left ring finger. The star-engraved engagement ring glittered under the bright lights. YunHo's eyes sparkled with depthless passion and devotion as he looked up from his lower position. As if by impulse, YunHo impetuously rose up and kissed his partner lovingly. "Happy birthday," YunHo whispered between kisses. The man in his arms trembled and blushed endearingly.

By then, the roaring crowd sounded so incredibly loud it awakened the couple's self-consciousness. Among the sea of audience, YooChun, JunSu and ChangMin were cheering avidly for them the loudest. YunHo winked at JaeJoong, carried him into his arms bridal-styled and whisked him off to the Red Toyota Corolla in the basement. While YunHo drove back to the apartment, JaeJoong caressed and tickled YunHo's free hand. "Nobody seems to mind about two guys getting engaged," wondered JaeJoong aloud.

"That's because their eyes see you as a girl," commented YunHo. JaeJoong puckered his lips and asked, "Do you often see me as a girl?" YunHo chuckled softly as the car slowed down and finally came to a stop in front of the apartment. He answered, "Seeing you naked every night, I couldn't possibly see you as a girl, could I? But tonight you look irresistibly cute." YunHo raised JaeJoong's hand to his lips to kiss and lick.

Under the dim moonlight, JaeJoong happened to notice a bulge through YunHo's trousers, and felt himself growing as well. JaeJoong leaned over and purred against YunHo's neck sexily, "Irresistible enough to love me here right now? We should get back to our room..." He gracefully crawled over the handbrake, straddling YunHo's thighs elegantly.

"I can't wait that long… ugh!" Before YunHo could finish, JaeJoong's naughty hands fondling his lower parts had sliced his rationality to shreds. He unzipped their pants eagerly and coaxed their thirsty manhood out of the tight confines, moaning as he did so. JaeJoong swayed his hips ravenously… The moment they rubbed against each other, exhilaration had washed over in huge waves of pleasure… JaeJoong's sexy squeal shot high into the heavens…