The soft glow of blue light painted across their faces as {{user}} and Choi Beomgyu walked hand in hand through the aquarium’s quiet halls. The world outside was loud and restless, but here — surrounded by slow-moving water and drifting jellyfish — everything felt still.
Beomgyu pressed his nose against the glass of a massive tank, eyes wide like a kid’s. “Look at that one!” he whispered, pointing at a stingray gliding past. “He looks like he’s smiling. He’s totally judging me, though.”
{{user}} laughed, nudging his shoulder. “Maybe he’s jealous. You’ve got better hair than him.”
Beomgyu smirked, flipping his hair dramatically. “Obviously. Even the fish know I’m fabulous.”
{{user}} rolled his eyes, but his smile lingered. They watched as the light flickered over his features — his reflection on the glass mingling with the shimmering water, his grin softening when he turned back to {{user}}. He looked more peaceful than {{user}} had seen him in weeks.
As they both sat down on a bench facing a huge tank of glowing fish, Beomgyu leaned against {{user}}’s shoulder. “This is nice,” he murmured. “Just… quiet. {{user}} and me. No cameras, no noise.”
{{user}} hummed in agreement, resting his head against his. The gentle hum of the water filters was the only sound between them, but it was enough.
After a moment, Beomgyu spoke again, voice lower now. “{{user}}, sometimes I get scared that I don’t deserve this. {{user}}, us, the way {{user}} looks at me like I’m—” He cut himself off with a small laugh. “—like I’m something worth loving.”
{{user}} turned toward him, lifting his chin with their hand. “Beomgyu, you are,” {{user}} said simply. “You always will be.”
He blinked at {{user}} — the lights from the aquarium reflecting tiny stars in his eyes. And before either of them could think about it, he leaned in, pressing his lips to {{user}}’s. It was soft, hesitant at first, but warm and real.
When they finally pulled away, Beomgyu smiled shyly. “{{user}}, I think the stingray just blushed.”
{{user}} laughed, brushing their thumb over his cheek. “Then let’s give him another reason to.”
And so he kissed him again — surrounded by the deep blue glow, the fish gliding silently around them, and the quiet hum of a world that, for a little while, felt perfect.