Chapter 99 - Marriage . . . Ours?

"Marriage… ours," Yul said, more like asked. He had been meaning to talk about it but the timing would not match and there were high chances that Zeng would not want to talk about it, just like now.

Zeng didn't look too thrilled at the topic. "We are already like a married couple though." He said averting his eyes elsewhere and picking up his book so that he could have something to pay attention to other than Yul's intense piercing gaze.

Yul frowned. "But I want to make it official." Even if it wasn't anything fancy it was fine for him, all he needed was a marriage, which could allow him to call Zeng as his husband. "It's already legalized, Zeng ge. People like us can marry now. Many did. Even Zaria jie and Lu jie will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary soon. So can't we get married?"

Zeng did not want to press it, "Yul-ah, we don't necessarily have to make it official. I mean… It's just a certificate. A licence of sorts. There's no need to put that importance into it."

Yul did not agree with that, "Marriage is something I need for myself. For us both. It's a sacred bond that will reaffirm our love."

Zeng sighed and looked at him with a look that said- I don't believe in such an ideology. Yul huffed and slumped back in his chair. He knew Zeng well enough to have his answer without him actually answering.

"Can we at least get couple rings?"

Zeng had an answer prepared, "Nope, rings obstruct the circulation of your fingers."

"Then, couple lockets?" Yul tried again and an answer was thrown at him again.

"It irritates my neck and gives me rashes."

"Then, couple tattoos, those extremely small ones. They should be fine, right?"

Zeng waved his finger, "Not happening. Do you even know the hazards of tattoos? Moreover, you are in the security forces and I am a doctor. It's not allowed."

"Aaaaahhhh!!! You and your excuses," Yul whined.

Zeng couldn't help but laugh it off, "Really though, it would be a hassle to remove the ring or locket every time I wear gloves and scrub. Also I don't like the feel of metal constantly pressing against my fingers."

Yul took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest. He could understand Zeng's troubles but that didn't help his disappointment.

"I feel like you just don't want to get married." He mumbled, cheeks puffed as he picked on the fabric of his sleeve.

Zeng stopped whatever he was doing. Instead, he had his full attention on Yul who was sulking evidently. The doctor nodded in exaggerated, "Yeah, you are right. I don't because I have a secret boyfriend who I meet behind your back and am actually in love with him and not you."

Yul frowned, his eyes narrowing in irritation and he jumped off the swing he was sitting on and marched towards Zeng to tickle him. He pinched Zeng's waist, making the doctor yelp in laughter. The two wrestled till they fell off the chair and resumed it on the soft grass.

"Say that again. Say that again," Yul said amidst his tickle attacks.

Zeng gasped between laughs. "Okay… stop… I am sorry. I am sorry."

Satisfied, Yul stopped the attack and laid back in the grass, both of them staring up at the blue sky, the weak sun entirely out of their sight.

If Zeng's was not ready yet, then Yul would have to talk sometime later. He had no problem with waiting. He was good at that. Even during their pre-dating phase, he had waited. He could do the same because he knew his Zeng ge would eventually have the courage to listen to that small corner of his heart and Yul would be there till he would reach that point and even after that.

But Yul needed an extra pinch in their life. If not for marriage then at least something else. "Can we at least get a dog?" He tried his luck instead.

Zeng clicked his tongue, "Dogs need a lot of attention. I am not sure I can handle another doggo. The one I have is already clingy enough."

Yul craned his neck to glare at Zeng. Cheeks bulging. Zeng pinched them. Yul didn't swat his hand away. Instead, he got on his side to look at Zeng. Zeng did the same.

"But I want a doggo, Zeng ge," Yul argued.

"Seriously though, Yul, we both are busy doing our own stuff. Whatever time we have we give them to each other and our family. I would feel bad for the poor thing to hole up alone in the house with nobody inside."

"But many people are in the same situation. And I am sure our dog will do fine because I'll shower him with cuddles whenever I am home," Yul made cuddling gestures in the air.

"Then what about me?" Zeng asked, pouting, "If we get a dog, you will almost forget about me. You will give all your time and attention to the doggo."

Yul hastily rejected the possibility, "I promise I won't. I'll make time for you both. I will love you both equally. Come on, Zeng ge. Please. Please. Please."

Zeng could not turn him down. "Okay, okay. We will adopt one soon. But he will be your responsibility. I don't do that well with dogs. You will have to take care of him and teach him."

"Yes!"

"But cats are cuter though," Zeng said simply trying to tease him. As expected, Yul was offended. His eyes had gone wide with the offensive statement.

"You did not just say that," he said, mouth hanging open in disbelief, "Dogs are literally the cutest things on this planet."

"They are not. They have teeth… this big." He said, stretching his forefinger and thumb to the maximum to show the size of teeth which he assumed dogs had.

"That doesn't take away their cuteness." Yul pointed out. "Teeth are not, dogs are the best."

"Meh," Zeng scrunched his nose. "I am still firm on what I said. Cats are cuter than dogs." He said looking at the sky and then back at Yul who never left his eyes from him.

"You are the cutest though."

Yul could swear he almost had a heart attack.. He grinned foolishly and took no time pulling Zeng closer and kissing him, Zeng was smiling against his lips as he kissed him back under the pale blue sky.