[idol ;; byun baekhyun (of exo). lowercase intended. ©️ -jaehyunni ]

——— 

recess. the swings. fifth grade. 

that was when she met the love of her life. 

now, he sits next to her in the driver's seat of their car, a content smile resting on his lips. he's taking her somewhere but refuses to tell where. 

so, she gave up on asking. instead, she stares at him, taking in all of his glory. he shifts under her gaze but keeps his eyes on the road. the sun pours in through both windows and engulfs his skin, dancing in his hair. 

"stop." his voice is enveloped by a soft chuckle. 

"stop what?" she asks innocently. 

"you're staring again." 

reluctantly, she tears her eyes away from his features with a pout. "why can't i look at my boyfriend?" 

he laughs delightfully and she feels his eyes on her. she can almost hear the adoring smile that spreads further on his face. 

she doesn't look at him but out her window to watch the pinks and oranges of the sunset mingle with the horizon. she's surrounded by beauty. 

"baekhyun." she hums his name, treasuring the way it sounds in her voice and the way it tickles her tongue. 

"what is it, babe?" 

"are you taking me to the playground?" 

he glances at her with love in his eyes. "how'd you know?" 

she smiles. "you've been taking me to all these places... places that are important to our relationship." 

baekhyun sighs and she laughs gently. "i was hoping you wouldn't guess this one like you guessed the others." 

she lets his statement linger in the silence. it's true; he'd been taking her to places important to the both of them. the ice cream shop where they shared their first kiss. the park where they exchanged their first "i love you"s. the mall where they had their first argument. 

and now he's taking her to the place where they first met. she sighs happily. what is his plan for this? she peers at him, eyebrows crinkling together. 

"you're doing it again," he says after a moment. 

she laughs and forces her gaze on the road. "sorry." 

just when she can't handle being in the car for much longer, the vehicle rolls to a stop. 

"we're here," he announces. 

without hesitating, she steps out of the car and is overwhelmed by a strong sense of nostalgia. 

before her looms the school the couple grew up in. fell in love in. to her left, she notices, is the playground. 

baekhyun slides his hand in hers, clasping it tenderly. he leads her to the swings and they sit on them side by side, hand in hand. 

"baekhyun," she says breathlessly, "why did you take me to these places?" 

a smile toys with his lips. "i was hoping you'd ask." she tilts her head at him in confusion before letting out a startled gasp. he folds to his knees in front of her. 

"thirteen years." his voice is soft and pleasant, goosebumps erupting along her skin. "i've known you for thirteen years. i've been in love with you for thirteen years."

"oh my god," she whispers. her hands fly up and cover her mouth. 

"i've seen brilliant things with you. things i'd never have seen on my own. having you in my life has opened my eyes." he takes a deep breath and reaches into his back pocket. 

he pulls out a velvety maroon box and tears begin to pour from her eyes. 

"sohee," he says, eyes glimmering with adoration and appreciation and all good things. "will you marry me?" 

she cries out and drops to her knees, ignoring the mulch digging into her skin. she throws her arms around him and holds on as if he'll dissolve in her embrace. 

"yes." 

———

[ hey !! thank you for reading. i figured i'd give you a break after the jaemin one 😩. i lowkey don't like this one, but i hope you did. don't forget to vote and comment !! 💖 ]