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It's the evening of December 20th.
The night is still young, two people just finished having their delightful dinner inside their cozy home. The other stood up to clean up and the other went upstairs to get something.
You can vaguely hear the sound of the plates and glasses clanking against each other from the kitchen up to the living room. Accompanied by an old Christmas song playing by the phonograph.
Ike started washing the dishes in the sink while humming the current Christmas song playing. He likes listening to music whenever he's at home and use it as background noise sometimes as well when he's working in the living room.
Just as when he's about to be done with his duty, the music stopped from playing. He thought that the phonograph started acting up again, that thing is quite old, it's ancient if he may describe it. So, when the music stopped he didn't give any attention to it, because that happens often times. But then, he heard someone placing another vinyl record in the phonograph and a familiar song was heard.
Ike stopped moving and smiled to himself, 'He never change.'
'Wise men says
Only fools rush in'
He continued wiping the plates dry and pretended that he's concentrating on it, even though he's expecting something to happen.
"But I can't help falling in love with you," a voice came from a distance, its not that far but you can hear the owner of the voice approaching.
As Ike placed the last plate in the dish rack, he felt two arms wrapped around his waist from behind and hugged him tight. Then a kiss was felt on the top of his head.
"Happy 10th year anniversary, my love." Vox greeted as he rested his head on the crook of Ike's neck, giving it a peck as well.
Ike place his hands over Vox's arms and rested his head over Vox's as well, whispering, "I see you never break your tradition, huh?" Ike chuckled.
"Would it be a sin, if I can't help falling in love with you?" Vox recited the lyrics as he started swaying along the music, and hugged Ike tighter. Not that kind of tight that will make you feel suffocated but a hug that makes you feel like you're secured and makes you feel like home.
This hug brought him back to the time when Vox was proposing to him for the nth time. Well, it's not that Ike rejected Vox so many times, you can just say that Vox teasingly bring up the idea of marriage by asking him, "Can you marry me, Ike?" at random moments. And Ike would be taken aback (he's flustered) by these kind of questions so he just dodged it. In Ike's opinion, if Vox was very serious about it, where's the ring, then?
Whenever they celebrate an occasion, they really never went outside or planned on doing something memorable outside their house. Because Ike thinks that it's more comfortable and special because its just the two of them inside the house, no one else, it's like they are inside of their own world. Now, you might think, 'that's just doing the usual thing right?' But for Ike, it doesn't matter what kind of things you do, its who you do those kind of things with that really matters.
So, on the night of their 4th year anniversary, they were having a movie night inside their apartment. The two of them sitting side by side on the couch. With Ike leaning on Vox's shoulder and Vox hugging him from behind.
The movie was finally nearing its end, and Ike was focused on the screen when he felt something on his left hand. He thought Vox reached for it just to hold hands but he felt something slid on his left ring finger, and felt that its cold. It's metal, no it's a ring.
Ike gasped and turned his head towards his ring finger. Then he heard a whisper from his right ear, "Marry me? I'm serious this time." Vox whispered.
Ike went silent for a whole minute before stood up and just stared at his finger for a while longer. "Ike?" Vox's worried voice was heard from behind. Vox stood up and reached out his hands to touch Ike but hesitated to.
"You know, i-it's okay to dodge as always, right? I. I, I mean, I'm not rushing things, take your ti–ugh," Vox couldn't finished his sentence since Ike turned around and faced him but he collided to Vox's chin instead.
"Do you have a hidden anger towards m.. why are you crying?!" Vox panicked, as soon as he glance at Ike's face, he saw tears falling down his face.
"I told you, I can wait, right?" Vox wiped the tears with his own hand while coaxing Ike. "Do you hate the idea of marrying me that much you started crying, huh? No, don't answer that, it will break my heart."
Ike chuckled and playfully punched him (hard) on his chest, "Yes."
"Huh? You really hate me? Ike what did I do wro–,"
"I said yes to your proposal, dumbass," Ike interrupted. Stared at Vox's eyes and watched his reaction. It's pretty amusing, from confusion, it turned into realization, then surprised. When Vox is excited, his golden eyes always sparks and shine brightly.
"Really?!" Vox asked excitedly.
"Yep," Ike replied with a laugh. Before he felt two strong arms wrapped around him tightly.
"I love you, I love you, I love you, Ike," Vox whispered and hugged him tighter.
Ike rested his chin on Vox's shoulder and chuckled as he closed his eyes. "I love you, too."
....
The music still playing in the living room, the two of them now facing each other and dancing slowly. Ike's hand hang around Vox's neck, while Vox hugged his waist.
Ike rested his head on Vox's shoulder and closed his eyes. He's so relaxed, like a baby in the arms of its mother. He felt safe and secured. Like, he's on the safest place on Earth, Vox's arms.
"You know," Ike started.
"Hmm?"
"I remember that night I said yes to your proposal."
"Please don't say you still find it funny how I panicked when I saw your crying face."
Ike chuckled but gently shook his head. "No. But have I told you the reason why I cried that time?"
"I believe, not yet, my love." Vox replied gave a peck to Ike's left ear.
Ike got tickled and he let out a giggle. "Stop that."
"But, just like 14 years ago, since the day we got together, I feel very much at home when I'm in your presence. I cried because I f-cking realized this one thing. How lucky was I to be able to meet a person like you? Someone who can make me feel safe just by standing beside me, just by having a talk with me, just by holding me in your arms I feel at home."
Ike get away from Vox's shoulder to have a good look at him. He stared at those golden eyes that shone brighter than any star. Every time he stares at those eyes, he felt like this person knows everything about him, in a good way.
"You know what they say, "a home is not a place but a person" and I can say that it's true. Just by having you here, I can definitely say that you are my home, Vox." Ike said affectionately, admiration and love visible on his eyes. Just pure feelings nothing more.
Vox was speechless. Ike rarely deliver his affections verbally, but this is probably the most words he said to confess his emotions. Slowly, a smile appeared on Vox's face that turned his eyes into crescent.
"I'm glad that I can be your home, my love." Vox stared back at him. "No words can express how lucky I am as well to find someone like you. Maybe, I was a country hero from my past life that I deserve to be with someone like you." Ike snorted at him, jokingly.
Vox took Ike's left hand and brought it onto his lips. "I'm so happy to grow old with you, Ike. Just by waking up next to you in the morning is such a great blessing for me. I love you so much,"
Ike smiled as a tear fell from his eye. Vox reached out his hands to wipe it and cup his face. He leaned forward and closed his eyes as he met Ike's lips with his.
'Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you'
—FIN—