Zhan's Pov.
I stirred awake to the warmth of Wang's body pressed against mine, his steady breaths fanning softly against my skin. My arm was draped around him, holding him close, as if even in sleep, I couldn't bear to let him go. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over him, making him look even more breathtaking.
For a moment, I didn't move, I just lay there, soaking in the quiet intimacy of the moment. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his fingers were loosely curled against mine, the peaceful expression on his face, it was perfect. He was perfect.
A deep warmth spread through my chest, a realization settling into my bones. I wish I could wake up to this view every morning for the rest of my life.
Carefully, I tightened my hold on him, pressing a lingering kiss to his bare shoulder. He stirred slightly, shifting closer to me as if even in sleep, he knew he belonged here.
I let out a quiet sigh, burying my face in his hair. There was nowhere else I'd rather be. Nothing else I wanted more than this, than him.
"Mine," I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.
And in my heart, I knew Wang had always been mine, just as I had always been his.
Wang stirred in my arms, his body shifting slightly against mine. I felt the way he nestled closer before his breath hitched, the slow blink of his eyes signaling that he was waking up. I braced myself for the moment he would look at me because every time he did, it felt like the whole world disappeared, leaving only us.
His gaze found mine, warm and still laced with sleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips, and for a moment, everything felt perfect just the two of us tangled together in the quiet morning light as if nothing else mattered.
Then I moved, intending to brush my fingers through his hair, but something cool pressed against my skin. A foreign weight.
My heart stilled.
Slowly, I lifted my hand, my breath catching in my throat as I caught sight of it, a ring. Simple, elegant, and sitting snugly on my finger.
A rush of emotions crashed over me. Confusion. Shock. Hope.
Wang's expression shifted as he followed my gaze, and for the first time, hesitation flickered in his eyes. "Zhan..." His voice was barely a whisper, cautious, unsure.
I swallowed hard, my pulse thundering in my ears. "What is this?" I asked, even though part of me already knew.
A long silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words, with the weight of reality pressing down on our perfect moment. Because as much as I wanted to believe this ring meant something, meant forever, I couldn't forget the truth.
Wang was engaged. To someone else.
And the only way for us to be together... was if we ran away.
"I wanted to give it to you last week, but I didn't know how," Wang murmurs, his voice so soft I almost think I imagined it.
I stare at the ring, my mind spinning, my heart caught between the weight of reality and the desperate hope clawing its way to the surface.
"Wang..." I breathe, still speechless.
His fingers tighten around mine, his gaze searching, uncertain. "I was scared you'd reject it," he admits, his lips barely moving, as if saying the words aloud might shatter something fragile between us. "Last night was perfect. I wanted you to have it... so I put it on your finger while you were sleeping."
A shuddering breath escapes me.
He gave me this. Not out of obligation. Not as a fleeting gesture. But because he wanted to. Because, despite everything, despite the engagement, despite the impossible situation we were in, his heart still belonged to me.
I squeeze his hand, my throat tightening. "Wang... what does this mean?"
He looks at me then, really looks at me, and in his eyes, I see everything. Love. Longing. Fear.
"It means I choose you," he whispers. "But I don't know how to make it real unless we leave everything behind."
The words hang between us, heavy with possibility.
The only way for us to be together... was if we ran away.
As I stare at the ring on my finger, feeling the warmth of his body still pressed against mine, I realize maybe I'm willing to do just that.
As me properly. I say sitting up.
Wang chuckles softly, sitting up beside me, his fingers still entwined with mine. "I want you to marry me. I want to marry you. I want us to get married," he says, his voice a mix of nervous excitement and quiet determination.
I watch him, my heart pounding, my fingers tightening around his. The weight of his words settles over me, drowning out every doubt, every fear.
This is real. This is him choosing me.
A slow smile spreads across my lips as I shift to face him fully. I reach for his hand, running my thumb over his knuckles, over the hands that have held me, loved me, and fought for me.
"Yes," I whisper, feeling the truth of it in every fiber of my being. Then I say it louder, firmer because I want him to hear it, to believe it. "Yes, we are getting married."
The moment stretches between us, heavy with emotions too big to name. Wang exhales sharply, almost like he hadn't let himself believe I'd say it. Then he laughs, soft, breathless, filled with something like relief, like joy.
Before I can say anything else, his lips are on my forehead, a kiss that speaks of promises, of defiance, of love too strong to be caged by circumstances
A slow, disbelieving smile spreads across Wang's face, his eyes searching mine as if he's trying to make sure he isn't dreaming. His fingers tighten around my hand, his thumb grazing over the ring he slipped onto my finger in the quiet hours of the night.
"We're getting married," he repeats, almost like he needs to hear the words out loud to believe them.
I nod, my chest tightening with emotion. "Yes. We are."
A shaky breath escapes him, half a laugh, half a sigh of relief, and then suddenly, his hands are cupping my face, his lips crashing onto mine in a kiss so deep, so full of everything we've been too afraid to say. It's not rushed or desperate, it's filled with certainty. With promise.
When we finally pull apart, he presses his forehead against mine, his breath warm and uneven. "I don't care what it takes, Zhan. I want this. I want you."
I swallow hard, my fingers curling around his wrists, holding him close. "Then we run." The words leave my mouth without hesitation, without doubt. "We leave, Wang. We go somewhere no one knows us, and we start over."
His eyes darken with determination, and I know, at that moment, that we've already made our decision. "Okay," he breathes. "Okay."
And just like that, the weight of everything else, his engagement, the expectations, the consequences falls away.
I know a place. I murmur.
Wang looks at me, his eyes filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "You know a place?"
I nod my grip on his hand tightening. "Yes. Let's get dressed."
We rush into the bathroom together, the urgency of the moment making us clumsy, our laughter mixing with the sound of running water as we help each other wash away the night's lingering warmth. Every touch, every glance carries the weight of what we're about to do there's no hesitation, no second-guessing. Just us. Just love.
After the shower, Wang pulls on a pair of black pants he'd left at my place before, pairing them with a crisp white shirt. I match him with black pants but opt for a black shirt, the simplicity of our outfits feeling perfect for what we're about to do.
As we step outside, my heart pounds in my chest. I glance at him and take a deep breath. "The registry isn't far from where I used to work at a convenience store," I tell him as we flag down a cab.
The driver barely acknowledges us as we slide into the backseat. Wang's hand finds mine, his fingers lacing with mine, grounding me in this reality.
Not long after, Mia, Ji Li, and Grandma follow us, completely unaware of what's about to happen. They think it's just another day, another outing.
If only they knew.
Wang squeezes my hand gently, leaning closer. "Are we really doing this?" he murmurs.
I turn to him, my chest tightening with overwhelming love and certainty. "Yes. We are."
The cab ride is quiet, but the energy between us is electric. Wang keeps glancing at me, his grip on my hand never loosening, like he's making sure I won't suddenly change my mind. But there's no hesitation in me. I want this. I want him.
Mia and Ji Li chat in the back seat with Grandma sitting in front, oblivious to the fact that they're about to witness something life-changing. I almost laugh at the thought, how ordinary this morning must seem to them when, for me and Wang, it's anything but.
As we approach the registry, I feel my pulse quicken. The building is small and unassuming, tucked between a bakery and an old bookstore, but to me, it represents freedom, love, and a new beginning.
The moment the cab stops, I step out first, tugging Wang along. The fresh air hits my face, and I take a deep breath. This is it.
Mia stretches and groans. "Why did we come all the way here?" she complains.
Ji Li looks around, confused.
Grandma, ever patient, adjusts her shawl and waits for an explanation.
I glance at Wang before turning to them, unable to hold back the grin forming on my lips. "We're getting married."
Silence.
Mia blinks. "Wait. What?"
Ji Li's mouth drops open. "Married? Like, right now?"
Even Grandma, who usually has something wise to say, just stares at us.
Wang clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... uh, surprise?"
Mia lets out a strangled noise. "Are you insane?"
I laugh. "Probably. But we love each other. And this is what we want."
Ji Li looks between us, then shakes his head with a sigh. "You two are ridiculous."
Grandma, however, suddenly smiles. A knowing, gentle smile. "Then let's not waste any time."
Mia and Ji Li groan, but I can see the fondness in their eyes. They may not understand, but they'll stand by me anyway.
I turn to Wang, my heart pounding as I squeeze his hand. "Ready?"
His gaze softens, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "With you? Always."
And with that, we step into the registry together.
The moment we step into the registry, the air around us changes. It's quiet inside, save for the murmured conversations of a few couples filling out paperwork and the occasional sound of a pen scratching against paper. The walls are a neutral beige, and the scent of old documents lingers in the air.
Wang and I walk up to the counter, hand in hand. The clerk, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a professional smile, looks up at us. "Marriage registration?" she asks, her voice efficient and to the point.
I nod, my grip on Wang tightening slightly. "Yes."
She doesn't react much just pulls out a stack of forms and slides them toward us. "Fill these out. IDs, please."
I exhale, reaching for the pen, but before I can start, I hear a dramatic sigh behind me.
"I still can't believe you're actually doing this," Mia mutters, crossing her arms. "I mean, this is crazy."
Ji Li shakes his head, looking mildly impressed. "I respect the recklessness. Risking everything for love? It's dramatic. I approve."
Grandma simply chuckles. "They know what they want. That's all that matters."
Wang glances at them before turning to me with a small smirk. "Are we really this reckless?"
I shrug, smiling as I meet his gaze. "Probably. But do you want to stop?"
His fingers brush against mine, his warmth steady and sure. "Not a chance."
We get to work filling out the paperwork, answering every question with a mixture of nervous excitement and quiet determination. My hand shakes a little when I write my name next to Wang's, the reality of what we're doing sinking in deeper.
This is real.
As we finish up, the clerk glances over our forms before nodding. "Alright. You just need two witnesses to sign."
I turn around, already knowing who I'll ask.
Mia groans before I can even say anything. "Oh, don't look at me, ugh, fine." She snatches the pen from my hand. "If this ruins your life, I want full credit for warning you."
Ji Li laughs as he takes the other pen. "This might be my favorite thing you two have ever done."
With their signatures in place, the clerk gives us one final look before standing. "You're all set. Follow me."
Wang's hand tightens around mine as we stand, and I glance at him, my heart racing. "Ready?"
He smiles, eyes shining with something deep and unshakable. "More than ever."
And with that, we walk toward the room where we'll officially become husbands.
The clerk leads us into a small but elegant room, softly lit with cream-colored walls and a wooden podium at the front. A government official stands there, flipping through a thick book, while a photographer waits to capture the moment.
My heart pounds as Wang and I step forward, hands still intertwined. This is it. No more hesitations, no more obstacles, just us, standing side by side, about to change our lives forever.
Mia, Ji Li and Grandma take their places behind us. Mia still looks like she can't believe this is happening, Ji Li is grinning like this is the best entertainment he's had in years, and Grandma... Grandma just looks proud.
The official clears his throat, glancing between Wang and me. "Are you both ready?"
I swallow hard and nod. "Yes."
Wang squeezes my hand. "Yes."
The official begins speaking, his voice calm and steady as he reads the standard vows. But I barely hear him. All I can focus on is Wang, his deep eyes watching me, the way his thumb brushes against my palm, the way he looks at me like I'm the only thing that matters.
Then the moment comes.
"Do you, Zhan, take Wang to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"
I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. "I do."
The words feel so natural, so right, as if they've always been waiting on my lips.
The official turns to Wang. "And do you, Wang, take Zhan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"
Wang doesn't even hesitate. His voice is clear, unwavering. "I do."
My chest tightens, emotions swelling inside me, almost overwhelming. This is really happening.
"You may now exchange rings."
I reach into my pocket, pulling out the simple silver band I collected from my grandma. He blinks in surprise, then grins, realizing I had planned something too. Carefully, I slide the ring onto his finger, my hands slightly trembling.
Wang does the same, taking my hand and slipping on the ring he gave me in my sleep. His fingers linger, holding mine a little longer than necessary, like he never wants to let go.
The official smiles. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husbands. You may kiss."
Wang doesn't give me a second to think. He cups my face and pulls me in, capturing my lips in a deep, slow kiss, one that speaks of love, of defiance, of a promise that nothing and no one will ever come between us again.
Mia makes a disgusted noise. Ji Li claps. Grandma laughs softly.
When we finally pull apart, Wang presses his forehead against mine, smiling. "We did it."
I exhale a shaky laugh. "Yeah. We really did."
Outside this room, the world is waiting. Reality is waiting. The consequences of what we've just done are waiting.
But right now, in this moment, none of it matters.
Because we are married.
Because we chose each other.
And no matter what comes next... we will face it together.