Seonghwa's pov

Hongjoong did just as he said he would, he drove us to a cute little diner in the city and got us a table. He ordered me a strawberry milkshake and a hamburger with fries while he got a chocolate milkshake and a hamburger with fries.

"You took your medicine first, right?" Hongjoong asked. I nodded.

"I took it in the car," I said. Hongjoong smiled softly and reached for my hand over the table.

"Your hands are so soft," he mumbled, gently playing with my fingers as we waited. I smiled softly and let him.

"Here you are, boys," the waiter said, placing our meals and milkshakes on the table in front of us. We waited until the waiter left before eating, hongjoong going for his hamburger and me for my strawberry milkshake.

"Hwa, careful, if you drink too fast you'll get a headache," hongjoong warned just before I felt it. I groaned quietly and held my head.

"Why does it hurt?" I asked.

"Because it's really cold compared to your body," he explained. The pain went away quickly, so I began eating as well.

"Hwa, you have sauce on your cheek," hongjoong said, smiling softly as he lifted a napkin to my face. I let him wipe my cheek as they began to heat up.

"Thank you," I mumbled. Hongjoong pinched my cheek with a wider smile.

"No problem."

  I leaned over the table and pecked his lips quickly. His cheeks reddened as he looked around the diner.

  "Hwa, people aren't okay with same-sex couples being public," hongjoong muttered, sighing in relief as he realized no one would be rude.

  "If someone dares to harm you, they'll have to get through me first," I swore, lacing my fingers with his over the table.

  "I can't ask you to-"

  "You're not asking, I'm doing so regardless. I'll always protect you, Hongjoong."

  "Thank you, Seonghwa," he said, a soft smile on his lips.

  We soon finished our meals and milkshakes, paid, and left the diner.

"What do you want to do now?" Hongjoong asked, swinging our hands. I smiled softly at my cute mate and gave a little shrug.

  "I don't really know," I said. Hongjoong hummed and led me to his car.

"Do you want to go home and watch a movie, or go to the theatre and watch one?" He asked.

"I want to go home with you; maybe steal some kisses during boring scenes?" I teased, wrapping my arms around his waist. Hongjoong's cheeks flushed rosy at the contact before he leaned closer.

"Steal all you want," he said. I smiled and leaned down to kiss his lips before climbing into the car- after he had opened my door for me.

"Thank you, Joong," I said. I rested my hand against his thigh once more as he drove.

"For what?" Hongjoong questioned. I smiled softly and caressed his thigh.

"You're showing me so much care, being so sweet, and just being amazing towards me; thank you," I responded, my gaze shy and low as I spoke.

"Aw, Hwa, you don't have to thank me. I'll always treat you well, my mate. You're mine forever, right? So why not start acting like forever begins now," Hongjoong said, smiling widely.

"Yes, I'm yours forever," I said happily. Hongjoong laughed softly and kissed my lips at a red light.

"Then start acting like our forever started yesterday instead. We've met, kissed a bunch, and compelled your father to not harm us. We can just love for now," Hongjoong spoke, his lips ghosting over mine before a car honked behind us. Hongjoong pecked me again before driving through the green-changing-yellow light.

"I want to marry you." I said, not caring that I spoke before I thought. Hongjoong's cheeks flushed deep maroon before he shook his head.

"We can't marry each other, Hwa. It's not legal," he said. My heart sunk in my chest.

"Where is it legal?"

"It was first legal in Holland, and now it's legal in places like the United States," Hongjoong said.

"Pack your bags, love. I want to marry you," I said. Hongjoong laughed softly.

"You haven't even asked me to be your boyfriend yet, Seonghwa."

"Shit, I forgot to," I said, panicking slightly.

"Hongjoong, will you be my boyfriend?" I asked. Hongjoong parked the car in his designated spot before turning to me.

"Yes, Seonghwa, I'll be your boyfriend, but only if you'll be mine," he smiled. I grinned and kissed his soft lips.

"Hwa, let's go inside. We can kiss on the couch or bed instead," hongjoong offered. I smiled teasingly at my mate and nodded, unbuckling our seatbelts quickly before I carried him inside.

"I don't know why you're doing this, but I like it," Hongjoong murmured, his head laid on my shoulder.

"Because I don't want you to get too tired or hurt yourself,"

"Hwa, we're just going to our apartment,"

"Still. I want to protect you as best as I can, plus this is cute. I get to hold you close like this."

"Sap."

"Oh hush."

Hongjoong unlocked the door from my arms before I sat us down on the couch, him on my lap.

"About those kisses... could I get them like this?" I asked, gently moving him so his legs were split on either side of mine. He blushed before he grabbed my nape and leaned his forehead against mine.

"You're making things difficult on me, Seonghwa," he groaned before capturing my lips in his. His lips moved quick against mine before his tongue came sweeping across my bottom lip, to which I denied him access.

He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth before biting onto it a couple times lightly. He opened his eyes and looked into mine as he sucked on my lip, causing me to groan.

He took that groan to his advantage and began sweeping his tongue in and around my mouth, claiming it as his.

He soon pulled our lips apart and began kissing softly down my throat, making groans leave my lips.

"How far are you wanting to go..?" I asked, not quite knowing.

"As far as you're completely comfortable, Hwa."

"I'm comfortable going all the way, but if you're not-"

He silenced me with another gasp-worthy kiss full of swipes and brushes of our tongues against each other's.

"I said as far as you're completely comfortable, my love. Even mating is on the table if you're up for it as I am." Hongjoong said. He gently cupped my cheeks and looked into my eyes as he spoke.

"I want to mate."