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drabblemas! ♡
Leaving England was harder than Brambles could have ever anticipated. The idea of flying halfway across the world to be with the person you love sounds like a fairytale dream, but even fairytales aren't all sunshine and rainbows. When Brush learnt that his best friend had developed this aspiration, he was sceptical. How long has Brambles known this guy online? Now he wants to move all the way to South Korea to be with him? What if he hurts him? He would never forgive him for that. No way in hell.
Ultimately, both Brambles and Brush talked it out, and made amends. Brambles knew that he wanted to explore the world and study abroad, whether or not he had a partner. Brush knew this about him, too. The nation was decided because it is the residence of the person that Brambles loves. And Brambles is an adult, he can make his own choices. But Brush still promises him that if he breaks his heart, he will break his legs. Brambles can only laugh fondly at the lengths that his best friend would go for him - reassuring him that this isn't likely. Hopefully.
On the aeroplane, the Englishman is lacking his usual joyful glow as he gazes out of the window with his head on his hand, mapping the stars with his eyes. Concerned, Joonghyuk gives him a comforting pat on the shoulder, and in response, Brambles looks back at him with glassy warm eyes.
"What's wrong, Bramley...?" Joonghyuk asks warmly, using his first name. Bramb's lip quivers as he glances down, voice cracking when he speaks.
"What if you regret choosing me? What if it's not me who'll regret this ... but you will?" He blinks, shedding a few tears. Joonghyuk widens his eyes in surprise - he has never seen Brambles thinking so poorly of himself before. It's this sentence that starts their discussion, where Brambles explains that Brush's argument with him might have hurt more than he anticipated. And while he knows that he is loved, his lifetime of bullying chases him sometimes. He explains that he's just this strange, flower-making, nerdy guy from England. How can that be good enough?
Joonghyuk pulls him into an embrace, thumbing away his tears, kissing his red cheeks. "I love you, Bramley," He murmurs softly. "I can't even begin to tell you how important you are to me ..." And he does, detailing everything that he loves about Brambles. While speaking, Joonghyuk catches another tear with his finger, observing the way that the moonlight casts on his boyfriend's wet freckled cheeks. They look just like the stars outside of their plane window. He comforts his boyfriend with tender words wrapped in fondness, delicately holding him in his arms. Joonghyuk is determined to ensure that Brambles never feels this way again.
Several months pass since that flight, and Brambles has settled into South Korea nicely. He's doing well in school and is excelling at the language. As a matter of fact, he's now able to hold small conversations with Mia. Unfortunately, this means that he can now understand embarrassing things that she often says about them being love-sick boyfriends - and she's absolutely right. Neither of them deny it.
Under the warm glow of Christmas lights on Christmas Eve, Joonghyuk approaches Brambles with a box hidden behind his back. The Englishman finishes his cup of tea, placing the empty mug down on the saucer, leaning over to cuddle his sweater-clad boyfriend as they sit on the floor together.
"I have a special gift for you," Joonghyuk says, causing Brambles to smile.
"A special gift?" He asks, with a twinkle in his eyes. What could this possibly be? Something humorous, something naughty? But when Brambles watches the box open to reveal a small copper ring with a daisy embellishment, he is rendered speechless.
"Not quite an engagement ring just yet, but ... it's a promise ring. This is to prove to you that I want you, Bramley, and only you," Joonghyuk murmurs, visibly shy and slightly embarrassed. It takes Brambles a little moment before he pushes out an exclamation of joy in the form of a laugh, bringing up both hands to cover his face. Tears are soon to follow, pouring down the wrinkled corners of his mouth from how hard he is smiling.
"Joonghyuk...!" He sniffs, throwing himself into his partner's arms. The smaller man withdraws a little, only to take a closer look at the ring sitting inside box. "I love it...! I love it, I love it! I love you...!" With no restraint, he fondly kisses his partner.
"Merry Christmas, Joonghyuk ..." Again, he sniffs. "This is the best thing I could've asked for," He laughs again, wiping another tear from his eye. Holding out his hand, Brambles watches as Joonghyuk slides the promise ring onto his finger.
"And you're the best thing that I could've asked for," Joonghyuk declares, as he pulls the smaller man in his lap to kiss him again.
"Mm," Brambles hums a playful note as he glances down at his hand, "Maybe you're the second-best thing I could've asked for..."
Joonghyuk scoffs, attacking Brambles on the neck with a bite, causing the Englishman to squeal and giggle while kicking his legs.
"What?! This is a really nice ring-!" And unfortunately for Brambles, saying that only causes Joonghyuk to bite (and tickle him) even harder. Both men fall in a heap on the floor, enjoying what is certainly the best Christmas ever.
Before long, Brambles purchases a ring for him in return - a thick silver band with a sunflower etched into the metal.