Noon 20+

you let out a sigh as you walk into the class that you were forced to take. you needed a history class for your degree, and this was the only one that didn't make you want to burst into tears.

folklore and myth in human culture. it sounded interesting enough when you joined. and apparently a bunch of other people thought so too because the room was packed when you walked in. you kept your head down as you walk up the steps, taking a seat at the very back.

you pull out your laptop, pulling up the class when the professor walked in. you listen to him as he introduced himself before explaining what the class was. he then got into the part you were dreading the most. your final exam- it wasn't actually an exam. it was a project that you had to do with a partner.

"this project counts for 70% of your grade. that also means if you do good on it, you can skip the rest of the class if you don't care." he earned a few laughs as he explained the project. "you also can start working on it right now if you wanted to. the quicker you get it done the better. if you all look at the syllabus, you will see the outline of the project along with the partner i have picked out for you."

you skim over the syllabus, reading what you were supposed to do before looking for your partner- the part you were least excited for. you normally did things by yourself, but seeing how big your project was, there wasn't any way you could do it by yourself and score a decent grade.

you finally find your name, blinking slowly when you saw who your partner was- maki.

you glance up, staring down towards the front of the room where you knew he was sitting. he was sitting next to a couple of his friends, spinning a pencil in his hand, hoodie discarded next to him like it wasn't near freezing outside.

you two have had some classes together previously, so you knew who he was. he was quiet popular. he was always supporting a smile and was normally surrounded by his friends.

you could tell when he found his name on the syllabus, and you quickly looked back to your laptop when he turned in his seat to look towards you. you could feel his gaze on you, and you regret the moment you look back up to meet his eyes. you watch as he smiles when he catches your attention before bidding his friends goodbye.

he quickly climbs the stairs two at a time, pushing his hair out of his face when he stops next to where you were sitting. "yn, right?"

"yeah." you respond quietly, watching as he stretches out his arm. you look at him for a second before you shake his hand. his hand was warm and almost engulfed yours before you let go, moving your bag and allowing him to sit next to you.

"looks like we're partners. i'm maki."

"i know who you are." you say bluntly before you could stop yourself. you looked towards him when he laughed.

"good to know i have a reputation already." he says. you don't mention that his reputation involves him being late to class, that is if he shows up, yet still makes a's on everything. that and every single girl seems to be in love with him, but he rejects everyone. "so, when did you want to meet up for this project?"

you don't answer at first, and maki thought you didn't hear him when you turned towards him. "it doesn't matter to me. i'm free most afternoons."

"perfect! i already have some ideas, and i think you'll love them." he responds, watching as you nod your head slowly.

"o-okay. sounds great."

the two of you sit next to each other, elbows brushing occasionally as you two take notes of the professors lecture. you could feel how warm his skin was even though your jacket, causing you to look over a few times. you though he may be ill or something, but he didn't show any signs of it, so you just brushed it off as him just being naturally hot.

once class had ended, you had started packing up your things to leave when maki turned towards you. "so you're not going to ghost me before we even start this project, right?"

you shake your head. "no. i was actually going to... give you my number."

"good." he says, smiling at you as he pulls out his phone. he unlocks it, pulling up his contacts before holding it out to you. "there you go, shortie."

you raise your brows at the nickname, but you don't show him any other reaction as you take his phone, typing out your number before handing it back to him.

"got it." he saves it before putting his phone back up. "don't be surprised if i actually use it."

"i would hope you would." you respond, watching as he chuckles softly. you realize what you said causing your face to flush. "i meant for the project."

"of course." he smiles even wider when he notices your blush. he picks up his bag and swings it over his shoulder. "i'll see you later."

you went about the rest of your day, pushing maki out of your head as you did so. or at least you tried. you could still smell his cologne as it invaded your senses. you could still feel the warmth of him sitting next to you. even after you had taken a shower, settling into your small dorm room later that night.

you had just sit down at your desk, opening your laptop when your phone dinged from next to you.

you find yourself smiling at your phone, shaking your head when you realize what you were doing. you had rules that you liked to follow. you weren't going to break them for maki. you turned off your phone before continuing your homework.

the smell of coffee and baked goods hits you as you step into the warm coffee shop maki sent you to. you didn't spot maki which didn't shock you because you were early. you pick a corner table, sitting your bag down next to you before shrugging off your thick winter coat.

you had just pulled out your laptop and pulled up the guidelines for the project when you heard the door open, the cold air making you shiver. you didn't bother to look up to see who walked in, but you did when they sat in front of you. you meet maki's gaze as he slid into the chair in front of you.

"hey, shortie." he smiles at you, discarding his jacket and bag next to him.

"i have a name, you know?" you say, ignoring the small flutter from the nickname. you shouldn't like it. you don't even know this guy. you shouldn't let him have such an effect on you already.

"i know." he says with a smirk. "but shortie fits better. you're so tiny. it's cute."

you cough at his words, cheeks heating up at the compliment. you look away, ignoring his laugh as you pulled out a notebook. "so the project?"

"hold up." he stops you, taking the notebook away from you making you gawk at him. "we're not doing anything until i buy you a coffee. my treat remember?"

"and i told you that wasn't necessary." you respond as you hold out your hand for the notebook. he goes to hand it back to you, but snatches it away at the last second.

"i'm going to go get us drinks. there better not be a single word on this paper when i get back."

you roll your eyes, snatching the notebook out of his hand. "whatever you say."

he smiles as he gets up, not even asking what your order was. you thought about getting up to tell him, but by the time you thought about it, he had already ordered. you felt bad as you were normally picky about your drinks, and had a feeling you were going to hate whatever he ordered.

he walked back a few minutes later with your drinks, handing you the warm cup before sitting down. you let the cup warm your hands as you take a sip, looking down in confusion when the taste hits you. it's exactly what you normally order.

"did i do good?" you look up at maki's question, nodding your head.

"you did. it's what i normally order."

"lucky guess?" maki smiled before taking a sip of his own. you shrug, brushing it off as you sit the drink down. "you look like a caramel latte kind of girl, anyway."

"am i that predicable?" you ask. maki notices the small smile on your face, the first one he's seen on you.

"not at all, shortie. i just have a good eye when it comes to things like this."

you go to grab your pen, but it slips out of your fingers. it goes to roll off the table, but maki grabs it in mid air before it could hit the floor. he sits back up, handing the pen back to you.

you furrow your brows as you take the pen. "how did you catch that so fast?"

"fast reflexes." he responds with a laugh. "my friends always joke i'm part dog."

a small laugh escapes you. "i see it. you have a puppy aura."

"how do you think that, shortie?"

"besides the fact that you just caught that pen?" you ask with a small shrug. "i don't know. you're always smiling and happy. people tend to like you."

"are you one of them?" maki's question catches you off guard. you twirl the pen as you look down at your notebook.

"i don't you well enough." you answer, shifting in your seat. you quickly change the subject before you embarrass yourself any more than you already have. "so what's your idea that you'll think i'll love?"

"i don't think, shortie. i know you'll love it." he leans forward, resting on his hand as he studies your face. "how do you feel about wolves?"

you blinked as you looked up at him. "wolves?"

"they're everywhere." he answered. "old legends, folktales, stories from every culture. thought it'd be easy enough since there's so much information on them."

you thought about it for a second before agreeing. "wolves it is then."

he watches as you write down what exactly what you two were supposed to do for the project. you divide the work fairly between the two of you. it's only when you pause that maki speaks up again.

"are you always this quiet, shortie?" you look up at his question. he could tell you didn't like the question, so you diverted the conversation away from you.

"are you always this talkative?"

"only when someone's worth talking to." maki responds without missing a beat. you rub your face, clearly flustered at his words. he laughs as he takes a sip of his drink. "how's that impression coming?"

"this is going to be a long project."

"guess you're stuck with me then."

the two of you continue to work on your project until you two called it a day with plans to meet up at the library the next day, thought the two of you didn't get much done. you could barely work for more than 5 minutes before maki stopped you. he asked you question after question about yourself.

normally, this would annoy you. it was why you liked to work by yourself, but for some reason, his questions didn't bother you. you found yourself willing to answer him. you also found yourself waiting for them when you realized his pattern.

that pattern continued throughout the next day through texts. your responses became longer and longer as you opened up to him. you knew it made him happy because he voiced it multiple times, saying that your impression must be good because you weren't ignoring him.

you make your way from your dorm to the library, pulling your coat tighter around you as you walked. you once again expected to beat him because you were early, but you were surprised when you saw him leaning against the front of the library in nothing but a thin hoodie, a pair of headphones over his ears.

he looked up when you stopped in front of him, smiling as he took off the headphones. "you're early, shortie."

"don't sound so shocked." you respond.

"i'm not shocked. you just don't seem like the person who likes team projects." he tells you.

you shrug in agreement. "it's normally too much of a hassle."

"what about me?" he asks, making you roll your eyes, acting annoyed when you were far from it.

"i said normally, didn't i?" you question, shocking him. you shiver, pulling your jacket tighter as you walk towards the door, maki falling into step beside you.

"i don't see how you're standing out here. it's freezing."

"i'm just naturally hot." he answers, holding the door open. "i've always been like that. my mom hates it. when i was a kid, i always wore summer clothes all year round, even when it was freezing. how about you, shortie?"

"i'm the exact opposite. always cold." you answer, following him to the very back corner of the library where all of his stuff was already laid out. "did you have to pick the furthest corner of the library?"

maki shrugged as he sat down. "i like privacy, and there's a less chance of people eavesdropping when i'm saying genius things."

"i think you mean nonsense." you joked, watching as maki tries to hold back his laugh but fails. at least you two were far away so no one heard him when he laughed.

"okay, jokester. time to get down to business." he says after he recovers, motioning to his notes. "wolf myths. i found some stuff about how different cultures see them. most describe them as either protectors or monsters. depends on who's telling the story."

you nodded as you pulled your notes out of your bag. "i found a couple too. most of mine described them as loyal and territorial."

"you're right." he said making you look up at him. he was scribbling something down, almost not even aware he was talking. "they don't like outsiders near what's theirs."

it wasn't the words that caught your attention but the way he said them did. like he knew the feeling of what he was talking about. it made no sense to you as you looked back down at your notes.

"you sound like you're speaking from experience."

"maybe i am." he says with a small laugh. "i mean, we've only hung out twice, and you've called me a dog."

you gasp as you look up. "i did not! i said you had a puppy aura."

"same thing."

you take your pen and throw it at him, laughing when he dodges it. "just for that, you're a mutt."

he laughed as he grabbed your pen, handing it back to you. "that's a high compliment coming from you, shortie."

the two of you continue to work on your project for another hour or so. you stopped when you noted that the sun was about to set and people started packing up their things.

"i should head back." you tell him as you move to pack up your things. you put on your coat as maki leans back, watching you.

"are you walking alone?" you nodded your head at his question as you stand up.

"yeah, my dorm is just across campus."

he hesitated, making you stop in your tracks. you wait for him to say what was on his mind. "you should be careful walking back at night."

"why?" you shrug. "i do it all the time."

"this campus gets sketchy after dark." he answers. you didn't like his answer, but you chose to brush it off as you throw your bag over your shoulder.

"you sound like my ra." he didn't answer you, just staring out of the window that was next to your table. "if you're so worried, why don't you walk me back?"

you were teasing him, not thinking he would accept your offer, but you felt your face heat up the second the words came out of your mouth. maki didn't notice though, looking at you with a large smile, his mood instantly changing from whatever it was before to back to normal.

"sure, shortie."

"huh?"

he moved, standing up before grabbing his things. "let's go. i can't have my partner getting mauled by raccoons or something."

"i was joking, maki." you said, making maki turn and look at you.

"who said i was?" you roll your eyes, but you follow after him anyway. you jerk as you step outside, feeling as the temperature had dropped even more. you pull your jacket tighter, moving to pull up your hood when maki stopped you. "here. take this."

he digs in his bag, pulling out a beanie before handing it to you. you stare at it for a second before looking up at him. "are you sure you don't need it?"

"no. warm blooded, remember?" he smiles, moving to put the beanie on your head for you. your face flushes as his warm hands touch your cheeks as he pulls the beanie down. "there you go. can't have my partner getting sick."

"thank you."

maki shoved his hands in his pockets as the two of you walked back towards your dorm. you could feel the warmth radiating off him when his arms brushed against yours. "are you going to go back to being quiet on me shortie?"

you let out a small laugh. "i don't need to talk when you do enough talking for the both of us."

"fair enough." he laughed, bumping into your shoulder purposely. "do you always walk alone this late?"

"usually." you shrug. "but campus is pretty safe, so it doesn't bother me."

"pretty safe." he repeated with raised brows.

you look over when you hear him. you could clearly tell he doesn't believe you. "you're weirdly paranoid for someone who looks like they could take down a linebacker."

"take down a linebacker?" he says with a laugh. "you think i could take down a linebacker?"

"you sound like you want me to say yes so bad." you say, smiling when he nudges you again.

"not denying it."

you opened your mouth, about to say something when you noticed he had stopped walking. his head was turned to the right, looking at the trees on the other side of the small lake that you were walking by. you noticed the small shift in his posture, and it kind of freaked you out if you were honest.

"maki?" you question. his eyes quickly snapped to yours. "what wrong?"

he shook his head, moving back to your side. "nothing. i think it was a squirrel."

you didn't believe him, but you didn't push him even further, remembering that he was still a stranger to you. if he didn't want to tell he, he didn't have to. the two of you were silent as you walk the rest of the way to your dorm, stopping when you reach the steps.

"thanks for walking me."

"anytime, shortie." he responds with a smile. you could tell he wanted to say something else, but he didn't.

"i'll see you tomorrow in class?"

"wouldn't miss it."

the next day, you were walking towards your shared class with maki when you heard someone call your name. you turned with wide eyes as one of the other guys in your class, josh, ran up to catch up with you. you hadn't ever spoken to him before, so you couldn't imagine why he wanted to talk to you. he was like maki- popular around campus.

"hey, yn. you heading to class?" he said as he stopped in front of you.

you nod your head. "i would assume so. it starts in like 10 minutes."

he laughed at you, though you didn't think your words were funny. "you're cute."

"thanks." you give him a small smile. to say you were uncomfortable would be an understatement. it was weird that he came up to you and called you cute despite never talking before. it was even weirder that your mind immediately went to maki calling you cute, and how you felt now felt like nothing compared to then.

"so i was wondering if you wanted to grab some coffee sometime?" he asked with a grin. "there's this new cafe that just opened right off campus. figured it would be nice to talk outside of class."

his ask stunned you. "oh, um..."

"come on, yn." he encouraged, stepping closer to you. "it's just coffee. you need to take a break from school sometimes. it's not good for you."

you cleared your throat as you take a step back from him. "i'm sorry, josh, but i'm not interested."

"you got a boyfriend or something?" you roll your eyes at the question because of course that's the only logical reason a girl would reject a guy.

"no."

"then what's the issue?" you take another step away from him, about two seconds from walking away from him. you didn't owe him any reason for rejecting him.

"the issue is i'm not interested." you repeated, a little more forceful than last time.

you watch as josh open's his mouth to question you further but stops, glancing behind you. you didn't even have time to turn around before someone stopped next to you. and you didn't even need to look up to know who it was- maki.

"didn't peg you for the desperation type, josh." you look up at maki's words. his sharp glare was locked on josh, who was already glaring at maki. everyone knew that the two didn't get along, and you just so happened to get in the middle of it this time.

"just being friendly. isn't that right, yn?" josh asked. but since he didn't even bother to look at you, you didn't bother to respond, causing maki to chuckle.

"looked a little like begging from where i was standing." despite everything that happened, you shot maki a warning look. he looked down, finally meeting your gaze. he smiled at you despite the anger you knew he was feeling. "you okay, shortie?"

"didn't realize you were keeping tabs now, maki." josh responded, confusing you. you look between the two. what was that supposed to mean?

"someone's gotta make sure she doesn't get ambush her on the way to class." maki answered, placing his arm over your shoulder. you nearly lose your balance when he pulls you into his side, keeping you close to him.

josh scoffed, now glaring at the two of you. "whatever."

you watched him walk away before looking back at maki. "was that necessary?"

"was what necessary, shortie?" he asked, back to his normal self now that josh was gone.

"humiliating him."

maki shrugged. "he'll live. besides, he deserved it. you said no. he didn't listen."

"you're ridiculous."

"maybe, but at least i'm right." he answered. "now, let's get to class before i pick another fight."

he kept his arm around you as the two of you started to walk to class. you almost brushed him off but stopped when you felt his body warmth through your jacket. and you were cold, so you stayed close to him.

you pulled away from him when you got to the classroom before going to sit in your normal seat. you fully expected maki to sit in his normal spot next to his friends, but he didn't. he stayed behind you, sitting next to you.

class started without a hitch, but you couldn't bring yourself to pay attention. the professor's words went in one ear and out the other. maybe it was because you caught josh's gaze one too many times for it to be a coincidence. maybe it was the way maki had his arm thrown across the back of your chair.

you met josh's gaze again causing you to shift in your seat as you look back down at your poor attempt to take notes. maki notices, leaning down to whisper in your ear. "you okay?"

"yeah. why?"

"because you never answered me the first time i asked."

you look up, meeting his gaze. "it's not like i got a chance during your glaring match with josh."

"he deserved it." maki said, sticking to his defense. "he was pushing you. you said no. that should've been enough."

you looked away for a moment. "how did you even know we were talking."

"good ears." he responds, looking over at you when you chuckle.

"maybe your friends are right, and you are part dog."

maki covers his laugh with a cough, avoiding getting scolded by your professor. he leans over to whisper to you when he stopped. you followed his gaze to see that josh was staring at the two of you again, glaring when he saw maki's gaze before turning back to his notes. "can you do me a favor, shortie?"

"depends."

"be careful around him." maki responds. "he's not who you think he is."

"what does that mean?" you question.

maki went to answer when he was called on to answer a question from the professor. he looked away from you, answering the question perfectly. by the time he was done, he turned back to his notes, so you did to.

it was clear he didn't want to answer it, and maybe a part of you didn't want him to either. you and him were still strangers. you didn't have any right asking why the two didn't get along. it wasn't any of your business. though his words stuck in your head. especially when you got up to leave, catching josh watching you as you left.

after that, josh backed off for the most part. sure, you still saw him on campus, but he'd only nod at you before moving on. you just figured everything had went back to normal. him ignoring your existence, and you living peacefully not being in the middle of him and maki ever again.

maki, on the other hand, seemed to think of every excuse imaginable to not leave you alone. it started out with your project meetings lasting longer than they used to, going from one hour to even two or three. the two of you getting sidetracked talking about everything except your project. you two traded playlists, complained about schoolwork, and even had an argument about whether dogs or cats or superior.

"obviously dogs." maki answered. "besides, you did call me one after all."

somewhere along the way, you two got closer. the two of you now sitting next to each other and not on opposites sides of the table. his arm stayed draped on the back of your chair, sometimes even draping his arm over your shoulders. you realized how close you had gotten when you two reached for one of the books at the same time causing your fingers to brush. he didn't pull away, and neither did you.

"guess we've got good taste, shortie."

and lets not forget the fact that he walks you home after every session since they've been running later. every time, you tell him it wasn't necessary, but he always brushes you off.

today was one of the off days that you and maki didn't meet up, but he still kept up with you by text. you had mentioned that you started watching a new tv show, and he started watching it as well. so the two of you were comparing theories the better part of the afternoon.

you had just stepped out of the dining hall, starting to walk back to your dorm when it started sprinkling. you groaned, pulling up your hood over your headphones. you kept your eyes down, avoiding puddles that were forming when you bumped into someone. you lost your balance, almost falling when they grabbed you.

once you recovered, you pulled away, moving your headphones as you looked up. "oh, hey josh. sorry about that."

"it's fine." he smiled. you moved back, going to step around him when he grabbed your wrist, stopping you. "why are you leaving so fast?"

"because it's raining, and i don't want to get wet." you answer, glancing down at your wrist that he has yet to let go of yet.

"i can drive you back to your dorm if you want. my car's right there." he motioned behind him to the parking lot.

you shake your head, trying to get out of his grip but was unsuccessful. "no thanks. can you let me go now?"

"what's up with you and maki?" he asks, ignoring you completely.

"we're friends. not that it's any of your business." you say, snapping your hand away from him. it doesn't work leading him to tighten his grip on your wrist. "let me go, josh."

"he's a friend who keeps a possessive arm around you during class. a friend who chased me down and threatened me to stay away from you." he points out, getting more agitated as he spoke. "i don't think you should be friends with people like that."

you gulp, feeling scared as you became completely aware of your surroundings. you were alone with him, and it was dark. it was also a friday afternoon so most people had either went home for the evening or were out partying. you were like 3 blocks away from your dorm, and you doubt you could outrun him since you couldn't even get him to let go of your wrist.

"i- i want you to let me go and leave me alone."

"what nonsese has he told you about me, huh?" you flinch as he raises his voice. "you know, he's not the saint like everyone thinks. you don't even know who he is. what he is."

after every word, he raised his voice until he was almost yelling at you. his grip tightened, causing your hand started to go numb. your claw at his hand. "josh, you're hurting me."

his nails dug into your skin. you felt the sudden sting of something slicing across your skin. you glance down to see drops of blood dropping from your hand. "josh-"

you looked up, words catching in your throat at the sight of him. his face was shifted into something you didn't recognize. his eyes were narrowed on you, flecks of gold shining through the brown of his eyes. his teeth looked sharper, peaking out through his parted lips.

"josh?" you jumped back, forgetting the pain in your wrist when you heard a sound come from him. it was low, almost sounding like a growl.

"let her go." you jump at the sound of another voice coming from behind you. you were worried for a moment, until you recognized the voice as maki's. you hear his footsteps before he's standing beside you. josh doesn't listen and keeps his grip on your wrist. "do i need to repeat myself?"

maki grabs the wrist that is holding you, twisting it sharply. josh screams out in pain as he lets out go. maki pushes him away from you as you step back from him, hiding behind maki.

"leave."

you glance over his shoulder, watching as josh leaves with his wrist clutched to his chest. you look up at maki when he turns to look at you, his nose twitching before he looks you over.

"where are you bleeding?" you furrow your eyebrows at his question. how did he know that? you held up your arm to show him the small scratch on your wrist.

"i'm guessing his nails cut me." you shrug, pulling you sleeve down before dropping your wrist. you debated on asking maki if he saw what you saw but decided not to. maybe it was your fears playing tricks on you. "thank you for that."

"of course, shortie." he smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes like it normally does. "now lets get you back to your dorm, so i can clean up your wrist."

"you don't have to." you tell him as the two of you start walking causing maki to bump your shoulder.

"i know. i want to."

you look away as a blush crosses your cheeks. you felt his hand brush against yours like he wanted to hold it, but before anything happened, maki was yanked backwards. you let out a yell when josh hit him in the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. you ran over to maki as he hit the ground.

"maki!" you shake his shoulders, but he doesn't stir. "maki, wake up!"

"he can't save you now." you look back up at josh. his eyes were still glowing, so it wasn't a figure of your imagination. you took one last glace at maki, silently apologizing before running away. you hear josh laugh. "how did you know wolves love to chase?"

you didn't have time to question it as you ran back towards your dorm. your lungs screamed in pain, but you kept pushing. you were almost there when an arm wrapped around your waist. you feel the wind get knocked out of you as your body slams into a tree. you try to catch your breath, but couldn't due to the glowing gold eyes staring down at you.

"you know..." you flinch as josh's hand grips your chin. "this wouldn't have happened if you had just said yes."

"fuck you." you grit, yelping when josh slams you into the tree again. you try to pull away when he leans down, but his grip won't let you. his breath brushes against your cheeks for a second before he was ripped away from you.

you nearly fall over now that josh wasn't holding on to you. you look over to see maki on top of him, hitting him repeatedly. he quickly knocked josh unconscious and didn't show any signs of stopping his attack. you look around to see if you could find someone to help you, but you didn't see anyone.

"maki!" you keep your distance as you raise your voice. you see his raised arm stutter in the air before he drops it. he gets off of josh, keeping his back to you. you look at josh for a second waiting to see the rise and fall of his chest before looking back at maki.

"maki?" you question, taking a step towards him. you stop dead in your tracks when he looks at you. his eyes were glowing yellow just like josh's did. "your... your eyes."

at your words, his eyes quickly returned to their normal brown color. "yn, please let me explain."

you shake your head, stepping back when he tries to get close to you. there was too much going on around you. you felt like you were going to be sick. you knew that maki wouldn't hurt you, but right now, you couldn't see past what had just happened. just that his eyes were the same as josh's, and josh just attacked you.

before he could try to stop you, you turned around, running back to your dorm. this time you made it without being stopped, and you didn't stop until your back was against the door to your room. your hands shook as you locked the door, tears blurring your vision as you back slid down the door.

your hand pressed against your chest as you tried to slow your breathing. you couldn't even began to comprehend what just happened, jumping when your phone buzzed from your pocket. you took it out, eyes locked on the screen as you watch as maki's text come through, but you couldn't bring yourself to answer him. it wasn't until his last text came through where he was begging you to respond to him.

you throw your phone on the floor right next to you when something catches your eyes. the dried blood on your hand. it was then you remembered josh hurting you. the cut was small, but you still got it cleaned up before bandaging it.

what were they? you knew neither josh nor maki were human- the glowing eyes and sharp teeth proved it. and the fact that josh's nails were able to draw blood so easily didn't make any sense to you. you didn't want to believe that any of this just happened. you wanted to believe that it was some sort of nightmare. that when you went to sleep, you would wake up knowing that everything was a dream.

but it wasn't.

when you woke up after a night of actual nightmares of what happened, along with the wound on your wrist, you knew that it wasn't a dream.

you tried to focus on normal things. homework. cleaning your dorm. anything to get your mind off last night. every time you stopped, your mind wandered back to it, hand nearly reaching for your phone to call maki. you wanted answers, but you also wanted space. you just couldn't figure out what you wanted more.

you glance out the window, watching the rain pound onto the window. the sun had set a couple of hours ago, leaving you practically alone on campus since it was a saturday night.

you stood up, abandoning your work as you look out the window. like you though, there wasn't a single person outside, or so you thought. you turned to go back to your work when something caught your eye. some movement by the trees next to your dorm.

at first you thought it was nothing, but you saw it again. a dark shadow before two eyes appeared from the darkness. they looked just like josh's glowing amber eyes causing you to stumble back, nearly tripping on your rug.

you shut the curtains before finding your phone, pulling up maki's contact. screw the space you asked for. you jumped in place as you listened to it ring. he picked up on the second ring. "shortie? are you okay?"

"maki, there's someone outside." you heard shuffling on his end before hearing a door slam.

"where?"

"by the tree line."

"i'm on my way." you let out a sigh of relief at his words. "stay away from the window. is your door locked?"

"yes." you answered. "please hurry."

"i won't let anyone hurt you, shortie. i promise." he said before hanging up. you kept your phone clutched in your hand, chest tightening at his promise despite the situation you were in.

it didn't take him but a few minutes to get there from wherever he was. you jumped when someone knocked on your door, panicking before you heard maki call your name. you unlock the door before opening it.

his chest was heaving like he had ran here, rain dripping from his hair. his eyes met yours as he slipped into your room, locking the door behind him. you stood there, watching as he scans your room before looking out your window. once he was sure there wasn't anything near you, he turned back to look at you.

"i don't see him, but you're okay. i'm here now." you nod your head at his words. he then sees your hands clutched tightly around your body as they shook. your eyes locked onto the floor, refusing to meet his gaze. he didn't hesitate to walk over and pull you into his arms. you stiffened for just a moment before relaxing into his arms, resting your head on his chest. "i won't let anything happen to you. you're safe with me."

"was it him?" you question.

"i ran straight here, so i'm not sure. i have a friend checking it out." he answered. your face flushes at the thought of him running here in the pouring rain just to make sure you were okay.

you don't know how long you stayed wrapped in maki's arms, but the moment was ruined when you heard someone knock on the door. you jumped, feeling as maki's arms tightened around you before he recognized who it was. he stepped away from you, and it took everything in you to not dive back into his arms.

"it's okay, shortie. it's just fuma. he's the friend i was talking about." maki assured you before he went to the door. once he unlocked it, he opened it just enough for fuma to slip inside before locking it again.

fuma was completely unfamiliar to you. his size was similar to maki's, but he was older, more serious than the boy next to you. his dark eyes met yours, and his head dipped as he gave you a soft smile before looking to maki. "tracks end at the trees. whoever it was is gone."

"they were close enough to see her."

fuma's gaze flicked to you again, noticing how close maki stood to you, protecting you. "then it wasn't random."

"do you think it was josh?" you ask maki. his features darken at even the thought of him watching you.

"maybe. or someone from his pack."

your brows furrowed at the word pack, but you didn't have time to question it because fuma spoke up. "we'll figure it out. in the meantime, stay here with her for tonight. don't let her out of your sight."

"wait- what?" you question, looking between the two. he expected you to just let maki stay here and watch over you?

maki looked down at you with a pleading expression. "just for tonight. please."

"fine." you grumbled, not sounding happy at the idea. fuma gave you one last glance before moving to the door.

"don't keep her up to late, lover boy."

maki glared, but by the time he looked at fuma, he was already gone. he moved to lock the door, and when he turned around, he spotted you by the window. you peak through the closed curtains, eyes going straight to where whoever that was standing there before. you didn't see anything or anyone, so you closed the curtains before moving to sit on the bed.

"you want to tell me what the hell's going on?" you look at maki who looked like he fully expected that question, but he also looked like he didn't want to answer it.

"do you really want to know?"

you nodded. "please tell me the truth."

"josh and i... we're not human. not completely at least." he answered, watching as you nod your head.

"i kind of figured that part out. the glowing eyes really gave it away." maki huffed at your words, not expecting your joke. "so what are you?"

"werewolf." he answered honestly. he watched your reaction. it was almost like you didn't want to believe it, even though you had seen it multiple times at this point. "we hide it, or at least we try to. humans aren't supposed to know about us, but josh lost control last night."

you let out a laugh of disbelief. "what did you just drag me into, maki?"

"i'm sorry, shortie. you were never supposed to find out. i tried to keep them away from you." maki apologized as he sat at your desk that was right by your window. "i didn't think they would go after you."

"and who is they?" you ask.

"josh's pack." he answered. the two of you had done enough research about wolves for you project that you knew what a pack was. "they're different from my pack. they're not the biggest fan of humans who find out about us. even if it's against the rules."

that caught your attention. "so you mean to tell me josh screwed up, and now his pack is after me? what are they going to do?"

"nothing." his answer was immediate. "they're not going to lay a hand on you. i promise."

"how are you so sure about that?"

"not only would they have to go through me, but now they're dealing with my pack." he tells you. "they'll protect you. just like how i'm going to."

you nod, coming to terms with that. it was then that a thought hit you. "guess you really are part dog, huh?"

"i kind of walked into that one, didn't i?" maki asked with a laugh. you responded to a laugh of your own before fighting a yawn. you're lack of sleep is finally catching up with you. maki stood up, turning off the lights before he shifted his seat, so he could watch both the door and the window. "get some sleep, shortie. you're safe with me."

you didn't argue, shifting under your bedding. you thought it would be weird having someone in your room watching over you while you tried to sleep, but it wasn't. maybe because it was maki. all you know is you didn't have a single nightmare like the previous night and slept peacefully knowing you were safe. because even though maki was a supernatural creature that shouldn't exist, he made you feel safer than anyone else ever has.

the next week were not only a big adjustment for you, but for maki's pack as well. apparently josh's pack went into hiding which put them all on edge, and since you were the last person who they tried to go after, that also put you on edge. that also meant that you had someone from his pack following you when maki wasn't around- mostly fuma. you had only met fuma and one other member, k.

when he was around, which he was more often that not, he was glued to your side. he did try to keep things as normal as they could possible be between the two of you, but you could tell he was always alert. the other day he heard a sound behind one of the bookshelves at the library, and he nearly scared the life out a freshman when he went to check it out. you almost thought it was a little excessive, but through the bits of information maki has given you about them along with what you've asked, you realized you were wrong.

you were walking back to your dorm. you would say you were alone, but you knew fuma was following you, having seen him when you exited your last class of the day. you knew he wouldn't follow you into your building. you knew this because you asked him one time if he wanted to come in because it was freezing, and he said no. well, he said he didn't feeling like dealing with the fit maki would throw, but you took that as being the same thing.

you had just made it to your room, unlocking the door when you noticed something making you stop. someone had been in your room. your things had been ransacked and thrown everywhere. you felt a chill, looking over to see that your window was left open.

you take a step back, going to leave and run downstairs to grab fuma when you backed into a chest. you nearly scream before turning around, but let out a sigh of relief when you realize that it was fuma.

"my god fuma. you couldn't have said that it was you?" you try to calm your racing heart.

"sorry." he mumbled. "i saw the open window and came running."

fuma slid past you, careful not to step on any of your things as he examines the room. whoever it was didn't leave any sign of who they were, leading fuma to close your window before turning to you.

"maki said that you guys can tell who people are based on their scent. can you tell who it was?" you ask as you step into the room.

"i don't recognize the scent, but it's probably someone from josh's pack." he says as he pulls out his phone. "pack some things. you're staying with us until we get this figured out."

you didn't have any chance to argue before fuma walked out of your room. you did what he said, packing your things when you heard the door open again. you didn't bother looking, figuring that it was fuma again.

"maki's going to meet us back at our place." you nod at fuma's words but don't respond. this was getting to be too much for you. last week, you knew nothing about any of this. you were just trying to get through your project with maki without getting any feelings for him. now, you trying not to get attack by supernatural creatures that shouldn't exist while still trying not to fall for maki- though you were pretty sure you had already failed the second part. "yn, are you okay?"

you stop for a moment before glancing at him. "i'm as okay as i can be, i guess. it's not everyday you get thrown into things that belong in books."

"you're handling this well for a human. i thought you would've had a breakdown by now."

you laugh at his blunt words as you finish packing. "oh just wait. i'm sure it'll hit me eventually."

"just make sure maki's around to comfort you." he tells you, making you scoff as you head towards him with your bag. he instantly takes it from you before the two of you leave your room.

you stayed quiet the entire way to their 'pack house' as maki calls it. you didn't know what to expect. you had only formally met three of the pack if you included maki. that still left six others that you haven't met before. you didn't like that you were intruding into their space knowing what you do about wolves, but fuma didn't give you much of a choice.

you step out of the car, following fuma as the two of you walked up the driveway. it was a nice house, something you couldn't even think about living in. you couldn't even bring yourself to ask how they afforded something like this before fuma opened the door for you. you slid in behind him. you heard faint talking before hearing the sound of maki's voice.

he turned the corner, eyes instantly finding yours before he rushed to your side. just him standing next to you was enough to calm you enough to not freak out over what was happening. "are you okay?"

"i guess." you answer, stepping into his side when you notice that two other people had joined. he looked at you before glancing behind him.

"guys, this is yn." he introduced you. "shortie, this is nicholas and ej. ej helps run the pack with fuma."

"nice to meet you." you said, continuing to stick close to maki when they stepped forward. the shorter one, nicholas, smiled at you before nodding to maki.

"it's nice to finally see who this kid hasn't shut up about."

"really dude?" maki groaned in embarrassment. you felt your face blush as you let out a small laugh. at least you weren't the only one affected.

"it's nice to meet you, yn." ej said with a smile. "i'm sorry that this has happened to you, but we're doing everything we can to fix it."

"what happened?" nicholas asked the two of you.

"someone broke into her place." fuma answered. "came in through her window. i didn't recognize the scent."

"i wonder if you could bring the others. see if they recognize it." ej thought before turning to you. "would that be okay, yn?"

you shrug. "do what you have to do."

"maki, why don't you help yn get settled?" maki nodded at ej's request.

"come on, shortie." maki said, grabbing the bag from fuma before grabbing your hand. you glance down as his very warm and large hand almost engulfs yours. "you're staying in my room."

"where will you stay?"

"in there with you. i'm not letting you out of my sight anytime soon, shortie, so you better get used to this handsome face." you laugh at him as he leads you down the hallway. "i have a couch that i'll sleep on, so you can have the bed. and no arguments about that."

you close your mouth because he knew exactly what you were going to say. maki laughs at your expression as he opens the door to his room, letting you go first. it was a typical boy's style room, random decorations that didn't go together and clothes lying on the floor.

"sorry about the mess." he apologized as he set your bag down. "i wasn't expecting company."

"and i wasn't expecting to have someone break into my place, but here we are." you mumble as you sit on the couch, unsure on what to do or even how to act. how were you supposed to act?

maki could tell that you were freaking out. he walked over to sit next to you, reaching over to wrap his arm around you. "hey. i know this is a lot, and i'm sorry that you were dragged into this. but i will figure this out. i promise."

you blink back tears, trying to not cry in front of him, but it didn't work. he let out what sounded like a pained sigh before pulling you into his arms. he could hear your quiet cries as you clung to him as he tried to comfort you with his words, but the angle you two were at was kind of awkward. he didn't think twice before sliding his arm under your leg and lifting you into his lap. he felt your breath hitch, but you didn't show any signs of discomfort causing maki to pull you closer.

"i'm not going to let anything happen to you, shortie." he mumbled against your hair. "i promise."

"i know. i trust you." you lifted your head for a second, pressing a short kiss to his cheek, shocking him.

you didn't know how long you stayed in lap, wrapped in his arms. it was long enough for you to fall asleep and for it to be dark outside. you would think that he would've set you on the bed and not hold you the entire time, but when you looked up, you noticed that he was asleep as well.

you let your eyes trail along his face, taking in his features. the feelings you were trying to convince yourself not to have were fully making itself known, but you knew he wouldn't feel them same. you two were completely different. you were quiet, and he was loud. he loved being around people while that made you anxious. you knew he was only trying to comfort you from the mess he dragged you in. so once this was over, the two of you would complete your project and go your separate ways, though you really didn't want that.

a knock on the door broke you from your thoughts. maki's arms tightened around you as he heard the sound, pulling you closer to his chest before he realized what it was. he loosened his arms to let you climb out of his lap. "did you sleep well shortie?"

you could hear the teasing in his tone making you roll your eyes. "i could ask you the same thing. you have a little drool right here."

"i do not." he argued as he stood up, but you laughed when you saw him wipe at the spot you pointed at before opening the door. you recognized k. "what's up? did you find anything?"

"not yet." k answered as he stepped into the room, smiling when he saw you. "you're just the person i wanted to see. ej said that we could go to your place to see if we could figure out who broke in. we need the keys."

"yeah, that's fine." you answered, standing up before walking to grab your keys for him. "here you go."

"perfect. i'll let you know when we find something. just stay low until we do, okay." he told you before turning to maki. "and i'm sure you know what your job is."

maki glared at him when k mumbled something only the two of them could hear. maki grabbed him by the arm before shoving him out of the room. you could hear him laughing as maki slammed the door in his face before turning to you.

"you hungry?"

and so began your stay with maki and his pack. you did eventually end up meeting all 9 of them, and even though they were all nice, you tended to stay close to maki- not that he let you far out of his sight anyway. the only time you were by yourself was when you had other classes, and even then you got messages from maki every 10 minutes asking if you were okay. and by the time you left the room, he was waiting for right outside of your class.

you thought it would be annoying seeing now that you were staying with him you now didn't have any alone time, but it didn't. maybe it was your stupid feelings getting in the way, but the more time you two spent together, the harder it was for you to be away from him. it brought you back to the hard thought of what you were going to do when all of this was over. you thought you had time to figure that out and get used to that idea, but you didn't.

you had just left your last class of the day when you noticed maki tuck into the corner talking to fuma. they looked like they were arguing over something. you didn't want to bother them anymore than you already were, so you walked down the hallway to the bathroom.

you had just made it to the sink when you heard the door lock. you looked up when you noticed a shadow behind you, making you jump, but before you could scream for maki, they had their hand over your mouth.

"shh. we don't need to make this any harder than it needs to be. i just want to talk." you look in the mirror to see that it was josh, a large black hoodie covering most of his face. "i'm going to talk my hand off, and we're going to talk like normal people. okay?"

you slowly nod your head, not knowing what else to do. he smiled as he pulled his hand away, watching as you shove him away- getting as much distance as you could from him. "what do you want?"

"to apologize for attacking you." he says. "i had just had an argument with my pack and was mad, and i took that out on you."

"do you expect me to believe that?" you ask making him shrug.

"i know you're still new to this whole wolf thing, but you need to know that my pack and maki's pack are completely different. my alpha tends to be more animal than human, and i'm one of the more level headed members which is why i'm here."

you step back again when he tries to get closer to you. "why are you here?"

"to show you what you're causing." he answered. "you are going to get maki killed by being around him."

"what?"

he pulls out his phone, showing you the live stream they have of the pack house. "we've been watching for the past week. we know who drives what. who sleeps where. they wanted to attack soon, but i convinced them not to."

you feel your hands start to shake as he tells you this. "how?"

"if i can convince you to leave completely without telling them, we'll leave both them and you alone. if not, i send a text right now and they attack the pack house." he explains.

"you want me to leave?" you ask, watching as he nods his head. "and if i don't."

"then we tear his world apart, and i'll make sure you're close enough to watch me kill all of them. you don't want that, do you?" you shake your head. "i knew you were smart. you have 2 days to disappear or else we attack. oh, and if you tell him, the deals off."

you stand there, frozen as you watch him leave the bathroom. you didn't know what you were supposed to do. you didn't want to leave, not only because of maki but because of school, but josh didn't leave you with much choice. if you didn't leave, they would hurt, or even kill, maki and his pack. you couldn't be the reason that happens.

you don't know how long you stand there staring at the door, only stopping when you hear a knock on the door. "shortie? are you in here?"

"just a sec." you answer, grabbing your bag you dropped before exiting the bathroom. he's standing in front of the door, brows furrowed as he looks down at you. "are you okay?"

he nods his head. "yeah, just thought i smelled something."

"what do you smell, puppy?" you ask, laughing when he glares at you playfully. "hey, you're the one who's always using dog terms."

he lets out a low laugh, throwing his arm over your shoulder. "well then why don't you lead your dog to get some food. i'm starving."

you have dinner with him before going back to your dorm after you told maki you needed to grab more things if you were to keep staying with him. you grabbed all of your important things, shoving them underneath your clothes.

you waited until everyone was asleep before you made your move. you wrote a note for maki, leaving it on his desk. you made sure not to specify why you were leaving, just that you couldn't be the reason why anyone gets hurt.

you walked over, quietly thanking him before pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. you then grab your things and leave the house. josh didn't specify where you needed to go to, so you were just going to go home. you never told maki where you were from. it was over an hour away from school, and you knew your parents wouldn't question why you came back suddenly.

you didn't think it would hurt so bad leaving, like you didn't feel right. there was a knot in your chest that won't go away, along with the nausea that won't disappear. you knew it was just guilt from disappearing suddenly. you just hoped that maki understood.

you had just gotten home and somehow fallen asleep when you suddenly woke up in a panic- all of the guilt you were feeling was somehow intensified. you chalked it up to maybe a nightmare when your phone rang. your chest twisted when you saw that it was maki. you watch as it goes to voicemail before reaching to listen to it, but something stopped you.

you saw a shadow move out of the corner of your eye. you quickly throw the covers off of you, trying to run out of your room when an arm wrapped around you, throwing you into the door before covering your mouth. you look up to see some older man you've never met.

"is this her?"

"it is." you glance behind him, stomach twisting when you noticed it was josh. "hello shortie."

that was the last thing you heard before you felt a sharp pain in the side of your head, knocking you unconscious.

you wake up with a jump, groaning when your head starts pounding. your vision is blurry as you open your eyes, glancing around confused when all you saw was concrete. you had no idea where you were.

your memories hit you, josh's pack kidnapping you, causing you to sit up and tucking yourself into a corner. you were in a small cell in what looked like a basement that was only lit by a single light. in front of your cell was josh, sitting in a chair along with a short woman you didn't know.

"good morning." he smiles when he notices you were awake. "it took you long enough to wake up."

"what- you said you would leave me alone if i left." you say, jumping when the woman let out a laugh.

"i will admit, josh. none of us thought your plan would work when you told us how smart she was." she said as she stalked towards your cell. "haven't you read enough stories to know to never trust a wolf?"

"you let your feelings for maki jumble your mind." josh agreed with her. "you should've never left him. now you're leverage."

you shake your head, panic gripping at your chest. "he won't come looking for me. i wrote a letter telling him to leave me alone."

"i figured you would do that, so i took some initiative." josh stood up from his chair and pulled your phone out of his pocket. he pulled up the messages between you and maki, showing him a photo of you unconscious. "our scouts say they're scrambling to figure out where you are. it would be so easy to attack them right now-"

"don't." you scramble to stand up, gripping the bars in front of you. "please don't."

"aw, the human is concerned for her mate. how cute." your head snaps towards her.

"my what?"

josh lets out a low groan. "alpha didn't want us to tell her that."

"what's it going to hurt? they'll both be dead soon anyway." she shrugged. "he said we couldn't hurt her physically, but not mentally. look at her. she's seconds away from crumbling."

"why would i trust you? you just told me not to." you say, making her laugh.

"you're learning. maybe you are smart." she said as she stepped closer to you. "do you feel that in your chest? the constant panic? that's the bond. you are feeling what maki is feeling right now."

you shake your head. "you're lying."

"what about the constant pull you feel towards him? the way you only feel calm is when you're near him?" she questions, nodding when you made a face. "that's what i thought?"

"does- does he know?"

she nods. "of course he does. he knew it from the moment he saw you. makes you wonder why he hasn't told you yet? maybe he's ashamed to have some weak human as his mate. i know i would."

"so now you know why we needed you so bad." josh says. "we have you. he and his pack will come like a magnet which is just what we want."

as much as you didn't want maki and his pack to come because you knew they would get hurt, it brought a comfort to you to know that he was coming from you. even if you were upset that he kept something so important from you.

"why do you want that so bad? what did they do?" you question.

both of them stayed silent until she spoke up. "it wouldn't hurt to tell her."

"a few years ago, we lost a pack member, our alpha's brother. once we tracked whoever did it, we found a camp that had signs of maki's pack there." josh explained.

"why would they kill him?" you ask. you had been around them long enough to know that none of them seemed like the type to kill someone.

"they said they didn't. claimed they were there tracking hunters when they found that camp." josh answered.

"any you don't believe them?"

"our alpha doesn't." she answers. "he wants someone to take responsibility for it."

"even if it's people that didn't do it? your alpha sounds like an idiot." you jumped when she growled at you, but you held your ground. "go ahead, mutt. you said you were going to kill me anyway."

she took a step towards you, eyes flickering gold when josh stops her. "hey. you know we can't hurt her."

you met his glare as he pulls her out of the room, leaving you completely alone. you slide back down the wall, rubbing at your chest. you now knowing that all of the panic was just you, but maki's as well.

mate. you have read about it enough times to know what it was, but you didn't think something like that existed. you also didn't think wolfs existed either. you thought you were just attracted to him, something that started out as a crush but turned into more, but it wasn't. it was a bond you didn't know existed.

even now you feel it- the pull towards him. you felt the frustration and panic that he was experiencing, and you were sure he that you were feeling the same thing. except he didn't know some of it was because of him. he let you wander in the dark about this, knowing that you felt everything he did. he didn't give you any warning or even a hint, but for some reason you couldn't bring yourself to be mad at him.

you don't know how long you sat there, eyes closed as you rested your head against the cold concrete. eventually, you guess you fell asleep because you jumped when you heard a loud bang above you, causing the ground beneath you to vibrate. you heard yelling and growling as there was fighting going on above you.

then you felt it- the pull in your chest getting stronger. you instantly understand that it meant maki was here along with his pack. you couldn't feel relief when you heard the fighting getting closer to the door in front of you. the door jerked as it sounded like someone was slammed against it. you scoot backwards, hiding in the corner as you hear the door open- eyes watering when you saw who it was.

"maki?" you get up, watching as he runs towards the cell. his foot slams into the door making you jump as the cell door flies open. as soon as he steps into the cell, you don't hesitate to fling yourself into his arms. "i'm so sorry i left. he said he was going to hurt you. i didn't think-"

"it's okay." he whispered, trying to soothe you. his arms were wrapped tightly around you as he pressed a soft kiss to the side of your head. "i'm just glad you're okay. i don't know what i would do if something happened to you, shortie."

"i'm sorry." you apologized again as he pulled away from you. his hands were warm as he cupped your cheeks, wiping away your tears.

"it's okay. just don't leave me again, okay?" you found yourself nodding which caused him to let out a sigh of relief. he went to pull you into his arms again when you noticed someone else come into the room, or more like something else. a black wolf with the same golden eyes that you were now used to was staring at you. you froze causing maki to turn to see what you were looking at. "don't freak out, shortie. that's k. he going to help me make sure you get out of here safely."

you nod your head, still slightly freaked out about the wolf in front of you. you knew that they were werewolves, but for some reason, you didn't expect them to turn into actual wolves. "you left out the small detail that you guys turn into actual wolves."

"i did?" he asked making you glare at him. "i thought that was a given though."

"clearly not."

"sorry, shortie." he apologized. "we need to get out of here. do you trust me?"

you let out a small sigh. "yes."

"i'm going to ignore that sigh." he mumbled slightly offended. "it isn't pretty out there, and i don't want you to see that. so i need to carry you, so you can close your eyes."

you really didn't need to think about it. you felt like the last 12 hours was enough to scar you for life- you didn't need to add to it. "okay."

once maki lifted you into his arms, you rested your head on his shoulder before closing your eyes. it was then that k led the way out of wherever josh's pack was keeping you at. you pulled closer to him when he stepped outside- the clothes you were wearing doing little to keep you warm.

"we're almost there." maki told you. you heard a car door open before you felt warm air hit you. "you can open them now."

you opened them as he sat you in the back seat of the car before motioning for you to move to the middle. you did as he said, noticing that fuma was sitting next to you as maki got into the car. as soon as maki shut the door, you guys took off.

"how are you holding up?" you look over to fuma with a shrug.

"okay. i guess."

"you really are a lot stronger than i thought you would be." he smiled, noticing that your hands were shaking. he shrugged off his jacket before throwing it over your lap. you thanked him before you heard a small sound come from maki making fuma laugh. "maybe next time come prepared."

you glance over at maki who was glaring at fuma confused until it hit you. of course he would be jealous since you were his mate- the thing he just so happen to not tell you. you felt a sharp pain in your chest at the words that girl said. that he didn't tell you because you were nothing but a weak human.

you saw maki look over at you in concern, but you didn't look over at him. you kept your gaze on the road until you saw the pack house. you give the jacket back to fuma before climbing out of the car, or at least you tried to. maki had you back in his arms before your feet could touch the ground.

"you're not wearing shoes, shortie." he said when you looked at him. you didn't respond which you could tell concerned him, but you allowed him to carry you, which he didn't put you down until you two were back in his room. "are you okay?"

"i'm fine." you answered, walking over to the bag you left behind to grab some clothes. "i'm going to take a shower."

you dodge his hand as he tries to stop you, locking the door of the bathroom before taking a shower. you stood there under the hot water until it turned cold before getting out. when you opened the door, maki was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, looking up when he heard you open the door.

"is it over?"

he nods. "none of them will bother you again."

"then why am i here?" you ask, trying to give him one last chance to tell you the truth before you were to pry it out of him.

"it's late, and our place was closer. plus, the guys are still on edge about you being kidnapped. i'll bring you back in the morning if that's what you want." you scoff at his answer.

"even now you can't tell me the truth."

he looked over with a confused look. "what do you mean, shortie? fuma and ej had to somehow convince all of us from just charging after you."

"why though?" you ask. "i've only been here for a few days. that isn't really enough time to become friends with them."

"i don't know if you know this shortie, but you're very likeable."

"oh for fuck's sake." you groan. "tell me the truth, or am walking out that door, and i am never coming back."

your statement made maki pale. "you know, don't you?"

"what gave that away?" you retort. "i had to find out from the people that kidnapped me instead of you. i have been feeling all of these impossible things that could've been explained if you didn't keep that i was your mate from me. did you just not care?"

"don't say that." maki was in front of you before you could even blink. "don't say that i don't care because i do. i've been caring since the moment i saw you. you were sitting outside reading a book between classes. you had a pink dress on with a matching bow."

you tilt your head, vaguely remembering that. you had just gotten that dress and only had it for a few months before the zipper broke. "maki, that was freshman year almost 2 years ago. you kept me in the dark for that long?"

"i didn't want to. trust me." he begged. it's just- it was right after we got into it with josh's pack. it would've put a target on your back. i was going to stay away from you for as long as possible to keep you safe, but then we got paired up. and once i started spending time with you, i knew there was no way i was letting you go."

"so why didn't you tell me after i found out about all of this?" you ask, taking a step away from him to try and get some breathing room.

"i can feel you emotions, shortie." he answered. "this past month has been nothing but fear and confusion. me telling you before would have made you more scared and pull back from me. i know it."

"then you really know nothing about me." you take another step back before sitting on his bed. "you know, there was a woman down there with josh. she was the one who told me- said you knew since the moment you saw me. she then said she wasn't shocked that you didn't tell me because you were ashamed that i was a weak human."

maki crouched down, grabbing your hands. "i would never be ashamed of you, and you are not weak. you are the strongest person i know. it makes me proud to be your mate."

you lean forward before brushing some hair out of his face. he freezes when your hand cups his cheek. he relaxes, eyes softening when you lean forward before he closes the gap.

the kiss was slow and soft. your lips tasted just like the vanilla chapstick he always sees you use and wondered what it tasted like. your hand falls from his cheek before resting on his shoulder as his hands rest on your cheeks, subtly pulling closer to you.

"you may have a point." you admit quietly as you pull away from him. "i have been really freaked out over everything, and i probably would've freaked out about this too. but i wouldn't have pulled away from you. i just- i would've liked to hear that from you and not someone else."

"i know, and i'm sorry that you didn't get to hear it from me because i was too scared to tell you. i will never hide anything from you again." you knew maki was being honest- you could feel it in your chest causing you to smile.

"you better because i still have so many questions." you say before letting out a small yawn.

"i will answer everything. i promise." he says. "but you need to get some rest. we'll talk in the morning."

he goes to get up, but you grab onto his wrist, stopping him. "stay."

"shortie, i'm just going to the couch. i'm not leaving you." he tells you, but you shake your head as you keep your grip on his wrist. he understands when you glance to the bed behind you. "you mean stay with you."

you nod before letting go of his wrist. "please."

"of course. come one."

you get in bed while maki turns the lights off before slipping into bed behind you. he doesn't even think before his arm wraps around your waist, pulling you into him. he freezes, going to apologize when you roll over and tuck your head beneath his chin.

"have i ever said i like how warm you are?"

"so you're just using me for my built in heating system?" you laugh, moving to kiss his jaw before tucking your head back into his chest- preventing you from seeing his large smile.

"maybe, but that's not the only reason."

He had invited Harry.

He’d invited him.

Stupidly, maybe, naively. He told himself it was for the kids that they’d feel more comfortable seeing them getting along, that including Harry would make Max the bigger person.

He’d even said it out loud, in a strained laugh over the phone a week ago.

“If he makes them happy he should come. It’s fine.”

He’d repeated it until he believed it. Until today.

Because the moment he saw you walk in beside him, wearing a smile that wasn’t for Max he felt something fracture.

You used to look like that with him before it all cracked apart. Before the exhaustion and pressure and distance turned love into silence. Before the calendar swallowed him whole. Before you stopped waiting.

It hadn’t been a brutal breakup… at least not in words. You’d tried to keep it civil, no screaming, no slammed doors. Just two people standing in the wreckage of something they didn’t know how to save.

You were both so young when the kids came. So in love, but so unprepared. Max was chasing podiums and records, you were chasing normalcy, stability, sleep. You tried to wait for each other, but the gap kept growing. Eventually you stopped reaching across it.

You had always promised each other you’d stay a team for the kids, and you had. Shared custody. Weekend swaps. School pick-ups. Text threads about tooth fairies and fevers and bedtime routines.

He hadn’t expected the ache to linger and never leave.

He hadn’t expected it to live in him like a second heartbeat.

He definitely hadn’t expected it to get worse when you moved on.

At first it was innocent, your son mentioned Harry over dinner one night.

“Harry lets me stay up to watch Star Wars. He knows all the names!”

Then your daughter chimed in.

“He makes pancakes shaped like animals.”

Max had nodded pretending it didn’t gut him, but it only grew. Weekend after weekend. Drop-off after drop-off. And Max… Max stayed stuck in the amber of what-ifs.

What if he’d just come home more?

What if he’d fought harder?

What if you both hadn’t let go so easily?

The mentions didn’t stop. Harry became a regular feature in their stories, trips to the park, school pick-ups, Sunday morning cartoons, inside jokes Max wasn’t part of. They talked about him like he’d always been there.

That’s what hurt the most, not that they liked him, not even that they talked about him, but that it started to feel normal.

The first time your daughter called him “funny like Daddy,” Max had to excuse himself from the table to breathe. The comparison wasn’t cruel. She wasn’t replacing him, but it felt like a slow, inevitable shift like the tide pulling his place in their world further and further out to sea.

He hated himself for how jealous he was. It wasn’t Harry’s fault. The guy wasn’t overstepping. He was good with the kids. Max had no right to be bitter not when he’d been the one who left gaps in the first place. Gaps that needed filling. Routines that needed soft hands and warm smiles and someone who was actually there.

Max had always loved being a father but in building his career he’d watched someone else quietly start building a life with his children.

Somewhere along the line he’d stopped being the one who knew your coffee order, who had a key to your front door, who made the you and the kids laugh until they couldn’t breathe.

Harry wasn’t the enemy.

He was just there.

Filling spaces Max had once taken for granted, maybe that’s what scared him the most. That the ache might not just be about what he lost but about what he might not get the chance to hold again.

Today, today was a knife to the ribs.

The kids clearly adored him. Harry was patient, kind, involved.

And you…

You were supposed to be glowing for him.

Not someone else.

Max had been staring too long he knew it, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away and that’s when he saw it, just for a moment, something shifted.

Your smile faltered.

You laughed at something Harry said, but your eyes didn’t sparkle. Your fingers fidgeted with the hem of your dress and when Harry stood up and leaned in to say something in your ear, you stepped back. Just an inch.

But Max saw it.

He always did.

You were trying. You were good at that. You always had been. Polished. Graceful. Pulled together, even when everything inside was falling apart.

Max knew you. He knew the difference between your real smile and your carefully constructed one. His jaw tightened. Somewhere behind him someone was calling his name, a mechanic, maybe, a camera crew waiting. He didn’t care.

He didn’t want you to be unhappy he would never wish that for you, but for the first time in months Max let himself wonder if maybe you weren’t as far away as he thought.

The feeling that started blooming in his chest wasn’t bitterness, it wasn’t resentment, it was something softer. Riskier. While the rest of the world saw a perfect little moment Max saw the crack in the picture and for the first time in months… he let himself feel something dangerous.

Something he’d been too scared to let himself feel again.

Hope.

One month later.

The house was quiet but loud in that oddly comforting way it only ever was when the kids were there, soft laughter still echoing faintly down the hallway, the smell of cookies lingering in the kitchen, toys half-forgotten on the couch. It was Sunday afternoon, sunlight spilling across the floorboards in golden patches, and Max was sitting cross-legged on the rug watching his daughter try to braid her doll’s hair while his son built a lopsided Lego tower beside her.

He should have been relaxed. It had been one of those rare, easy weekends, no tantrums, no rushed phone calls, no hurried schedules. Just them. Just his little family. But something itched at the back of his mind, a faint unease that had started Friday night and hadn’t gone away.

They hadn’t brought up Harry once.

Not at dinner. Not during the bedtime stories. Not in the car when they usually told him about all the things they’d done that week. No mention of movie nights, or pancakes, or the little inside jokes they’d picked up.

At first he thought maybe they were just distracted but as the hours passed the silence became too loud to ignore.

He didn’t want to push. He never wanted the kids to feel caught between two worlds, even if he sometimes did. But the question had been buzzing around the back of his mind since Friday night, and now it slipped out almost without him realising.

“So,” Max said casually, keeping his tone light, “what have you guys been up to lately? Any fun stuff with Mum this week?”

His daughter looked up from her doll, thoughtful. “We made cupcakes on Tuesday. Mine had pink icing.”

“And we went to the aquarium,” his son added, reaching for another box of bricks. “Mummy let us feed the penguins.”

Max smiled. “That sounds great.” A small pause. “Was it just you three… no Harry?”

His daughter looked up from her doll, her small face serious in that heartbreakingly grown-up way kids sometimes had. “Mummy said he’s not coming around anymore.”

“Mummy said they’re not boyfriend-girlfriend now. Just friends.” She pronounced it carefully, like she was repeating something she’d heard word-for-word. There was no sadness in her tone, just simple acceptance, the kind that comes from children who trust the world to make sense again eventually.

The words hit Max with a dull thud, knocking the air out of him. He set his mug down before he dropped it, staring at the floor as if it could give him answers.

Max’s chest tightened, but he kept his face calm. “Did she say why?”

“She said she was sorry,” his son said, focused on his toy. “She told us Harry still cares about us, but he won’t be coming over anymore.” The Lego tower fell apart as his son let one of the bricks slip through his fingers.

Max swallowed, trying to keep the emotion from cracking through. “And… how do you feel about that?”

His son shrugged. “It’s okay. We just like being here with you anyway Daddy.”

The words were so simple, so unfiltered, that for a moment Max forgot how to breathe. His throat burned and he had to blink fast to clear the blur in his eyes.

He reached out, pulling them both into his arms, their small bodies warm against him, their laughter muffled against his shirt. He kissed the tops of their heads, letting the weight of the moment settle somewhere deep inside his chest.

“Daaaad!” his son whined dramatically, twisting like a worm. “I’m building a garage! You’re squishing it!”

“Yeah!” his daughter chimed in, legs kicking against the edge of the couch as she clutched her doll like a shield. “We’re busy!”

Max grinned, not letting go. “Nope. Too bad. Come here you little menaces.”

They shrieked with laughter as he pulled them into his lap anyway, arms wrapped around both of them in a playful bear hug. His son tried to wriggle free, pretending to struggle, while his daughter began giggling uncontrollably as Max tickled under her arm.

They wrestled like that for a few more minutes all soft hair and socked feet and half-finished Lego tumbling to the floor until the energy slowly fizzled out and the room settled again.

His son rested his head against Max’s chest, breath coming in little huffs. His daughter curled against his side, fingers still tangled in her doll’s dress. Max looked down at them, one on either side of him, and felt something loosen in his chest. Something old and heavy and aching that had been there for far too long.

He kissed the tops of their heads once, then again and held them close for just a moment longer, listening to the echo of their laughter still lingering in the room.

“I love you guys,” he said quietly, voice thick.

“Love you too Daddy,” his daughter mumbled, already half-asleep.

That night after they’d fallen asleep he stood in the hallway beside their rooms and stared at them for a long time, the faint hum of the city outside blending with the soft rhythm of their breathing.

The news shouldn’t have shaken him the way it did. You had every right to do what you wanted romantically. Every right to end things, to start again, to choose whatever made you happy and yet all he could think about was the way your smile hadn’t quite reached your eyes the last time he saw you and suddenly that whisper of hope he'd felt in the paddock didn’t seem foolish at all.

It felt like something real.

Something worth waiting for.

When you picked up the kids on Monday morning you’d said barely a word. Just a tight-lipped smile and a tired look that didn’t belong to the same woman who used to light up the world around her. You’d kept your sunglasses on even though it was cloudy, and your voice had been gentle but distant when you told him what time you’d be around next.

He’d wanted to ask, to reach out, but he didn’t. You weren’t his to try and save anymore. Except maybe you always would be.

It was Monday night when the text came. He’d just finished dinner, dishes still sitting in the sink, when his phone buzzed softly on the counter.

Hey. Can I call you?

For a moment he just stared at the message thumb hovering over the screen then, without thinking twice, he pressed call. You picked up on the second ring your voice quiet, raw around the edges.

“So I guess they told you?”

Max exhaled slowly, leaning back against the counter, his heart thudding in his chest. “Yeah… they did.”

There was a pause, long enough for him to hear you breathing, the faint catch in your throat when you tried to speak.

“You okay?” he asked finally.

Another silence, then you said softly, “Yeah. I think I knew for a while. I was just holding on for… for comfort, maybe. The idea of someone being there, of not being alone.”

He understood that better than he wanted to admit. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I get that.”

“For the kids?” Max murmured before he could stop himself.

A small, fragile laugh filtered through the line. “Yeah. They liked him. I thought that if they were happy that could be enough and maybe I could be too. That maybe I owed it to them to try and make it work,” you went on, your tone measured, like you’d rehearsed these words a few times already.

“But they don’t need him,” you said after a long pause, and this time your voice trembled. “They already have an amazing dad and I think I… I just needed to be honest with myself.”

Max pressed his palm to the counter, grounding himself, eyes burning, the city outside blurred and distant.

You broke off, and for a moment, all he could hear was your breath catching slightly, like you were trying to steady yourself. “I wanted you to hear it from me… before they said anything.”

That made him look up, though there was no one to see it. “You did?”

“Yeah,” you said. “I didn’t want it to sound like gossip coming from them. I wanted you to know that it wasn’t messy, or ugly, especially with the kids involved.”

Max’s chest tightened at that, not out of triumph, but out of something gentler.

“Thanks,” he said quietly. “I appreciate that, but please don’t worry, I know you always put them first.”

You exhaled slowly, and for the first time since you’d called there was a touch of warmth in your voice. “I figured I owed you that much.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” he said automatically, though the truth was it meant more than he could put into words.

“Maybe not,” you replied. “But I still wanted to.”

“How are they doing with it?” you asked.

“They’re okay. They’re really okay.”

You sounded surprised when you let out a soft breath. “Good.”

“They’re resilient,” he said. “They’re also a little distracted. I might’ve promised them ice cream for breakfast next time.”

That earned a real laugh from you. “Dangerous move.”

The kitchen was silent except for the faint hum of the refrigerator, the world outside his windows still and heavy. He didn’t know what it was, your voice, the silence, or the sudden clarity that seemed to fill the space between them, but something inside Max clicked.

Maybe it was the quiet exhaustion beneath your words that sounded so much like his own. Or maybe it was the realisation that no matter how much time had passed no one could ever really take your place.

“Come over tomorrow… when the kids are at school.” he said, his voice rough.

You hesitated. “Max…”

“Not for the kids,” he added quickly. “For us.”

The silence stretched, a breath held between two people who had once promised forever and then lost it somewhere along the way.

Then you whispered, almost too softly to hear, “Okay.”

For the first time in years Max felt like something broken inside him might finally be ready to heal.

It wasn’t overnight.

There was no grand romantic gesture, no dramatic kiss in the rain, no sweeping declarations that instantly erased the years of pain and miscommunication.

No coming back together was quieter than that.

Slower.

Earned.

The first time you came over after the call Max wasn’t sure what to expect. He’d spent the whole day trying not to overthink it, rearranging pillows that didn’t need moving, setting out mugs and then putting them away, checking the time every ten minutes like it would stop the twist in his chest. You weren’t just dropping the kids off. You weren’t coming over for any reason that had a tidy label.

When you finally arrived standing just inside his doorway with your hands clasped tightly together Max froze.

You looked... unsure. Like you were bracing yourself for something, or maybe waiting for him to say the wrong thing so you could turn around and walk back out. That look, that quiet, guarded tension was so achingly familiar it knocked the breath out of him. The same one you used to wear when everything between you was held together with duct tape and silent hope. When love didn’t feel like enough, but you didn’t know how to let go yet.

Max opened his mouth. Thought about saying hi, or maybe you look good, or even just I’m glad you came but nothing landed right. So instead, he gave you a small, uncertain smile and stepped back to let you in.

He made tea, because it was what he used to do after long days and the memory of you curled up on his couch with your hands around a chipped mug made the kitchen feel less cold.

You sat across from him at the kitchen table, cradling the mug between your palms like it was something delicate. For the first ten minutes, the conversation stayed safely tethered to the kids, school drop-offs, missing socks, the Halloween costume your daughter had changed her mind about three times.

But the air was tight. Your shoulders didn’t drop, your tea barely cooled, and every time you looked at him, your mouth opened just a little too long before you spoke, like you were swallowing words before they could make it out.

Max couldn’t stop watching the way your thumb traced circles against the ceramic. The way your mouth twitched a small, unconscious tug of muscle that always came when you were trying too hard to hold something back.

Finally after a silence that stretched just long enough to sting, you set the mug down with a soft clink and looked up.

“I think…” Your voice caught, and you took a breath. “I think I’ve been lying to myself.”

Max didn’t speak.

“Telling myself I was over it. Over us. That I was fine. That I’d moved on.”

You gave a small, bitter laugh one that sounded like it had collapsed under its own weight.

“But when I see you with them Max… just being there. Just you. The way they look at you, the way you look at them...”

You shook your head, like it was still hard to admit out loud.

“I realised I’ve been trying to replace something that was never finished in the first place.”

He didn’t know what it was your voice, or the truth in it, or the silence that followed but something inside him cracked open.

He cleared his throat. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

You looked down fingers curling around the hem of your sweater like you used to do when you were unsure of your own feelings.

“I didn’t know how,” you admitted. “I kept thinking… once I let go, once I said we were done, I didn’t have the right to ask for anything more.”

“You never needed to ask,” he said quietly.

“I miss them when I’m not with them,” you whispered. “But I missed you too. In all the little places I promised myself I’d stop looking.”

Max turned his face to the window. The city lights beyond the glass blurred into indistinct shapes, the world soft and far away.

His throat felt thick. His hands curled slowly into fists against the table.

“I’m not the same guy you left,” he said after a beat. “I never stopped wanting to be better for them. For you.” His voice shook just a little. “I’ve just been hoping, every single day, that maybe… it wasn’t too late.”

He wanted to feel relief and he did, somewhere deep down but mostly what flooded him was everything he hadn’t let himself say. The months of watching Harry slip into a space that used to be his. The ache of hearing your kids talk about someone else’s pancakes, someone else’s laugh, someone else’s presence at the dinner table.

He hadn’t hated Harry, but he’d resented him for getting the version of you and your life Max had spent years trying to save and had still lost.

“I used to see him with them, with you,” Max said finally, voice low, unsteady, “and all I could think was… that should be me.”

His eyes flicked up to meet yours. “Not just the bedtime stories or the walks in the park. It was the way you looked at him sometimes like you were really trying and I told myself I was happy for you. That I should be. But it…” He trailed off, jaw tightening.

“It gutted me.”

You didn’t speak. Didn’t interrupt.

Max exhaled, shaking his head a little, more to himself than to you.

“And I couldn’t ever blame you for it,” he said, quieter now. “Because I’m the one who let us fall apart.”

“We both let it fall apart,” you said. “Neither of us knew how to ask for help until it was already broken.” You looked down at the table, blinking slowly. “So no… you don’t get to take all the blame.”

Max who had spent so many nights sitting with that ache, turning it over like a stone in his hand just nodded.

Neither of you said everything you wanted to that night. There were too many years layered between the words, too many scars that hadn’t fully faded.

You didn’t jump into each other’s arms.

You circled one another, careful, cautious, the way people do when they’ve known what it’s like to lose.

Max started showing up more not just as a father, but as himself.

He stopped asking for extra days with the kids and just… stayed. He lingered after drop-offs, offering to help with bath time, with bedtime stories, with forgotten homework. At first you were hesitant. You’d both worked so hard to set clear boundaries. To not blur the lines, but somewhere between the quiet Monday nights and the shared routines the lines began to soften.

He hadn’t become someone entirely new he was still Max. Still driven, still focused, still chasing podiums with the same fire that had once made it impossible to slow down. But now there was space between the race weekends. Space that he was learning how to fill, not with distractions or distance, but with intention.

He made time. Not by sacrificing his goals, but by carving out room for the things that grounded him and you could see the difference, not in grand declarations, but in the quiet moments. The steady presence. The way he asked how you were, and this time actually stayed in the moment long enough to hear the answer and work through it.

And you… you let him in.

One night after dinner at your place, the kids already asleep upstairs, you found yourselves sitting on the living room floor surrounded by old photo albums. You hadn’t planned it. One of them had asked to see baby pictures, and after they went to bed, neither of you had the heart to put them away.

There was one photo your son curled up on Max’s chest, your newborn daughter tucked into your arms, both of you looking exhausted and impossibly young.

You’d stared at it for a long time before saying quietly, “We really tried didn’t we?”

Max’s voice had cracked when he answered, “We did.”

There was no bitterness in the silence that followed. Just a kind of wistful honesty. A shared memory of something that had once been good and the ache of having let it go.

Now there were new moments, soft and small, building something that felt even more fragile because this time, there was no illusion of invincibility. You both knew how easily things could fall apart.

He started making you breakfast again the way you liked it, even though you never told him. He remembered. He always remembered.

You texted him more when the kids were being particularly cute or particularly impossible, and he started texting back just to ask if you were okay, even when they weren’t with you and you did the same.

One Friday night after putting the kids to bed in his Monaco apartment, you stayed a little longer. Long enough for him to open a bottle of wine. You sat out on the balcony together, the city glittering below, the late-summer breeze lifting strands of your hair from your shoulders.

His voice was low, rough around the edges like he’d been holding the words in for too long.

“I never stopped loving you, you know.”

It hung in the air between you like a secret finally set free.

You turned your head slowly to look at him. He wasn’t watching you, his eyes were on the skyline, jaw tense, hands wrapped tightly around the stem of his wine glass.

You leaned into his side, resting your head against his shoulder, letting your fingers brush against his just enough to make his hand twitch.

“I know,” you said softly. “Me neither.”

His breath caught, barely audible, and then you felt his arm slide around your back, tentative at first, then firmer.

You didn’t kiss that night.

You didn’t need to.

Weeks later and the late afternoon sun cast a golden hue across the school parking lot, the kind of light that softened everything. Max stood beside you on the curb, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, sneakers scuffing the pavement as he watched the flood of children pouring out of the school doors.

You were there, right beside him.

Not as an ex.

Not as a co-parent.

Not as two people pretending to be fine.

But as something real again.

The drive over had been quiet, you’d smiled at him when he stopped for your favourite to-go drink. He’d reached across the centre console and brushed your hand with his thumb at the red light. These small things had become your rhythm again, familiar, tentative, sweet.

You saw the kids before they saw you, your daughter’s unmistakable bounce as she tore across the playground, schoolbag flapping wildly behind her. Max barely had time to brace himself before she launched straight into his arms.

“Daddy!” she squealed. “You’re here too!”

You laughed as she wiggled out of his arms and came to you, arms wrapping tightly around her, lifting her off the ground.

Max crouched just as your son came into view, his backpack slung low and eyes already lighting up at the sight of both of you.

“Hey little man,” Max grinned, ruffling his hair in that way that always made him grin.

He smiled wide, but then his expression shifted into something Max had seen more and more lately, suspicion. Sharp. Thoughtful. The kind of calculating squint only children could pull off with conviction.

He looked between you and Max, his small brow furrowing.

“Is Daddy your boyfriend again?” he asked, voice dead serious.

You froze just slightly, the question hanging in the air like the slow toll of a bell.

Max met your eyes, searching, checking. This had been your worry. Not media fallout. Not gossip.

The kids.

Always the kids.

You nodded slowly, keeping your gaze on them. “We’re trying again,” you said, voice soft but steady hoping they’d understand.

For a heartbeat no one said anything.

Then your daughter let out a delighted shriek, all energy and limbs, and your son’s face broke into a toothy grin as he shouted, “Yessss!” before throwing his arms around both your legs.

Laughter spilled out of all of you, and Max felt something loosen in his chest, like an old knot finally coming undone.

It was chaotic and loud and unfiltered, two little people unable to contain their joy. They didn’t ask why now, or what had changed, or if it would last.

They just knew they had you both.

That night Max was sitting cross-legged on the carpet of his daughter’s room, the soft hum of her lullaby playlist drifting through the air. The lights were dimmed to that perfect level she liked just enough glow to chase the shadows away.

She was in her pyjamas, cheeks flushed with sleepiness and the afterglow of an exciting day.

He helped her climb into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin and smoothing her blanket down the way she liked. He kissed her forehead and reached for the light, but paused, the question already rising in his throat before he could stop it.

It wasn’t really fair. He knew that, but the insecurity still clawed at him, quiet and relentless.

“Hey…” he said, softly. “Can I ask you something?”

She blinked up at him, sleep-heavy and content. “Mmhm.”

He hesitated. “Do you… miss Harry?”

She blinked again, her brow creasing slightly as she processed the question and then with all the honesty only a child could manage, she said, “No.”

His heart jumped. “No?”

She shook her head, her voice even and unbothered. “He was nice, but…”

“But what?” Max asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

She smiled the kind of smile that didn’t belong to a kid who knew how to lie. The kind that was simple, warm, and whole.

“But it’s better when you and Mummy are together.”

Max froze, his breath catching in his throat. His hands stilled on the edge of the blanket. He felt everything, relief, guilt, gratitude, love crash into him all at once, sweeping through his chest like a tidal wave.

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, letting his lips linger there longer than usual, as if he could somehow press his whole heart into that one tiny spot.

“I think so too,” he murmured.

Later that night after the kids were asleep and the house had gone quiet except for the soft tick of the hallway clock, Max found you standing at the top of the stairs.

You were leaning against the wall, arms crossed over your chest, eyes a little glassy. You’d heard.

“I didn’t mean to ask her,” Max said, guilt woven through his voice. “It just… slipped out. I was scared she missed him.”

You shook your head. “Don’t be sorry. I get it.”

He stepped closer, stopping just in front of you. You were barefoot, your sweater slipping off one shoulder, and there was a look on your face that made his chest ache like you were still trying to believe this was real.

“Still think we’re crazy for trying again?” he asked quietly, the faintest tremble in his voice.

You looked up at him, eyes searching his. Then, with the softest smile, you stepped into his arms and wrapped yours around his waist, holding him tight.

“Only the good kind,” you whispered against his chest.

In that hallway, in the stillness of your shared quiet, Max closed his eyes and held you like he wasn’t ever going to let go again.

It had been twelve months since that afternoon at the school gates, where everything began again, slowly, quietly, and this time intentionally.

Twelve months of learning how to love again, not from scratch, but from a deeper place, one built on everything they’d already been through the mistakes, the heartbreak, the letting go, and the even harder task of choosing each other again.

Now Max stood on the beach just outside your Monaco apartment, the sky dipped in amber and pink, the sun lazily beginning to set over the water. The soft sound of waves lapped against the shore, and a light breeze played through his hair as he adjusted the cuffs of his linen shirt.

He was nervous.

Which was absurd really he’d loved you forever, had a whole life with you, a home, children. He’d seen you at your strongest and your most fragile, had watched you give birth, watched you walk away, and then somehow watched you come back.

Still his hands trembled slightly as he reached into his pocket, fingers brushing over the velvet box hidden inside.

A small voice broke his spiral.

“Daddy is it time yet?” your daughter whispered, practically buzzing with excitement, eyes sparkling like it was Christmas morning.

Max crouched to her level, smoothing her hair and glancing over at his son, who was holding a folded note and trying to look very serious.

“Almost,” Max said, glancing toward the path where he knew you’d be coming down any moment. “You both remember what to do?”

Two quick nods.

“Okay. Deep breaths team.”

Just then you appeared at the top of the beach path, barefoot in a soft sundress, hair tousled from the wind, a confused smile playing on your lips as you saw them waiting for you.

All three of them.

Max.

Your son.

Your daughter.

Your heart skipped. “What’s going on?”

“Come here Mummy!” your son called, waving dramatically. “We need you!”

Still laughing you made your way down the sand, eyes flicking between them, warmth blooming in your chest. You were used to surprises, your kids were creative little whirlwinds, but something in Max’s eyes made your breath catch.

He looked calm. Certain. And a little like he might cry.

Once you reached them, your daughter stepped forward first, handing you a flower she had picked earlier and saying sweetly, “This is from me because you’re the best mummy and the prettiest one too.”

Your heart clenched.

Then your son walked over and handed you the folded note. “This is from me. I wrote it all by myself.”

You opened it slowly, unfolding the page and reading the crooked handwriting aloud:

“Dear Mummy, thank you for loving Daddy again. You both smile more now and I like that.”

You laughed eyes already stinging with tears as Max stepped forward, clearing his throat softly.

“I love you… so, so much, more than I ever thought possible, and I know we’ve done this out of order,” he said, his voice was surprisingly steady but thick with emotion. “We fell in love, we had a family, we lost each other and somehow… we found our way back. Not by going back to what we were but by building something new. And everyday I’m thankful we took that chance to try again and I will never take it for granted.”

He pulled the ring from his pocket.

It wasn’t flashy in the way that screamed for attention but it was stunning. Elegant. Thoughtfully chosen. The kind of ring that caught the light just enough to make you pause, not just because of its size, but because of the way it felt.

The band was a graceful, its curves modern but timeless. Inside engraved in Max’s unmistakable handwriting were the words:

‘In every lifetime’

A promise. A history. A beginning again.

Max sank to one knee in the sand, your children now practically vibrating beside him.

“So,” he said, looking up at you with eyes that held years of history, mistakes, and hope, “I was wondering if you’d let me try again. Officially. Will you marry me?”

You were already crying.

Your hands covered your mouth and for a second, the world blurred nothing in focus except this man.

You nodded, laughing through your tears. “Yes. Of course I will. Yes!”

Cheers erupted, mostly from your children, who jumped up and down in the sand, arms flung around both of your necks as Max stood to pull you into him, kissing you as the sky behind you melted into gold.

Later that night, your daughter climbed into your lap and whispered, “I knew you’d say yes.”

“How?” you asked, brushing her hair back gently.

“Cause you love Daddy and princesses always say yes when it’s love.”

Max smiled from the kitchen overhearing the tail end of it and you met his eyes across the room.

Not rushed.

Not perfect.

Just right.

This time, forever really meant forever.

She continues to protest by shoving the advertising pamphlet in her dads face and blocking his view of the screen. Thankfully, Hongjoong is used to these sort of work distractions, expertly avoiding her by craning his neck sideways and continuing to type away.

“But dad, it’s an amazing cottage resort! They’ve got a lake where you can go swimming in, a forest hiking trail, a bonfire to roast marshmallows and even a diner less than fifteen minutes away! So if you end up burning the camp food like last time, we can just order and eat in! Isn’t that great?” She beams. 

He stops typing for a second, fingers hovering over the keyboard as he gives his first born a look that makes her immediately break into a sweet smile, batting her lashes and flashing him a look of innocence. 

“Please?” She begs, standing on the edge of her feet as she gazes up at him. “The last time we went was when Eunbyul and me were toddlers.” 

And how on earth could any dad’s heart not melt at the sight of his daughter trying to convince him about one harmless vacation? 

Hongjoong wheels his office chair back, turning so he could look her in the eyes properly and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. 

“Listen honey, I’m sorry, I really wish I could, but…” he trails off, looking back at the open tabs and file documents displayed on his computer.

Turning his head around and upon seeing a frown form on his daughter's face, he quickly reassures her. 

“Once you finish your final piano recital tomorrow and your mom picks your sister up to take her to her hockey game, how about we go fishing the weekend afterwards?” he suggests, brows raising. “That’ll mean I have just the two of you all to myself.”

Eunseo mumbles under her breath, quiet but insistent enough that he catches it. 

“But we’re supposed to be a family of four.” 

She sulks, thinking of how that would leave you, her mother, left out of their plans. The arms holding the pamphlet up, ultimately fall down in defeat. 

He places a peck on her forehead, patting her on the back. “You know, if you can get your mom to say yes, then I’ll think about it” he chuckles, knowing the highly unlikely probability of the event.

Adjusting his glasses, the producer goes back to his work, peeking his daughter slugging away from the corner of his eye. 

Eunseo slumps her shoulders in defeat as she walks out of her dads office, turning the corner to see her twin sister, Eunbyeol, pressing her ears near the door with her neck outstretched. Clearly she’s been caught in the middle of trying to overhear their conversation. 

The twin younger by fifteen seconds quickly rushes over, waiting expectantly.

“So? What did dad say?”

Eunseo exhales, throwing the information pamphlet away on the wooden floors and slumping against the living room couch. 

“He’s totally not buggin. Said he wants to take us fishing next weekend instead. Just us three.” she grumbles. 

Eunbyeol scrunches her nose at the idea. 

“But dad sucks at fishing.”

Her sister groans, kicking her small feet against the couch in frustration. “I know!” Eunbyeol starts to worry, coming to sit beside her.

“Then how on earth are we going to get mom and dad to get back with each other again? They haven’t been in the same room since we were like, five!”

Her twin sister scoffs, “First, we gotta get them to have a proper conversation with each other. They barely even talk when they drop us off at each other's houses.”

Nobody truly knows why you and Hongjoong had divorced so suddenly when the girls were young. Not even themselves.

All they were used to were cold stares and one word replies shared amongst their parents, refusing to find harmony in their co-parenting.

Frankly, your girls have had enough of the performance you were both trying to maintain, looking past your expressions to realize you and your husband still held feelings for the other. It was only a matter of time and place in order to set you two up together, thus, the idea of an intimate, family getaway came into their minds. 

After a few moments of letting her words hang in the air, Eunbyeol’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. 

“That’s it!”

The older twin looks up quizzically, watching her sister jump off the couch and gaze at her excitedly. 

“We’ll just have to force them to meet each other! We can always guilt trip them for dropping us off at their houses and making us play alone!”

Eunseo rolls her eyes at the idea. “Right, and how are we going to do that dummy? The only reason they’d do that, was if it was an emergency.”

Whoever said twin telepathy wasn’t a thing was a liar, because the second Eunseo catches onto what her sister is saying, the twins share a look of pure mischievousness, the gears in their brains working together as one. 

With hushed whispers and quiet giggles, the twins immediately begin conducting their plan in secrecy near the corner of the living room, backs turned and in the middle of discussion when Hongjoong walks out of his office with an empty coffee mug. 

“What are you guys doing over there?”

“Leave us alone! Family man traitor!” Eunbyeol shouts, holding a slightly hostile grudge to her father before turning back to whisper to her twin. 

Hongjoong shakes his head, sighing as he heads into the kitchen. 

“Then it’s perfect! I’ll stay here with dad once my piano recital is over, and then when Mom picks you up for your hockey game tomorrow, we’ll try convincing them together!”

Eunbyeol nods her head in agreement, eyes lighting up with excitement as she whispers in a hushed tone. 

“And once both events end, we’ll pretend to be so sick that they have to take us to the nearby hospital.”

The other twin smirks. ”Where we’ll end up guilt tripping them into taking us to the cottage.”

They double high five in victory at their flawless plan, already waiting for tomorrow to come as soon as possible.

“A summer cottage?” you repeated, brows raising at the idea as you made a left turn onto your street. 

Eunbyeol nods eagerly from the back seat after getting picked up, having ranted on and on about the ad in the pamphlet since the moment you saw her.

“It's an amazing establishment mom,” She boasts, making you laugh at her words while parking the car and unbuckling your seatbelt.

“They have everything you could possibly think of!”

“Oh, really?” You say skeptically, opening the door for her. 

Eunbyeol is lost in the middle of passionately describing all the relaxing activities you could do by yourself, or rather per se, with a special partner together. 

“There’s couples hiking retreats, couples canoeing, couples yoga… did I mention couples hiking retreats?” She confuses, retracing her words. 

You roll your eyes and smile, keys jangling as you walk through the entrance of your apartment flat while balancing the bags and items in your hands.

Being a wedding dress designer and yet picking up your daughter from your ex-husband's house could’ve been ironic to some people. But after having split with Hongjoong since the girls were so young, you came to grow fond of having some independence as a divorcee, channeling your main focus into setting up your own bridal shop downtown.

It was through that hard work and focus that you did it all by yourself with no additional help.

You’d be lying if you said you haven't opened a bottle of red wine some nights due to loneliness as a divorced single mother, but at least that was what you had your daughters for.

You made sure to work just as hard as you did enjoy playing and spending time with them. After all, they were the light of your life and purpose for living.

Balancing the pizza you picked up on the way home, you set it down on the kitchen island, telling Eunbyeol to go wash her hands in the sink. The girl doesn’t stop ranting.

“There’s usually only two rooms in the cottage, so you’ll have to sleep together with dad, but I guess you won't mind, would you? After all, you were once married” She rolls her eyes, reaching for the soap.

You shake your head with a sigh. ”What is up with you and getting me and your father together in the same room?” you muttered as you took out the plates and utensils. 

Eunbyeol eventually walks back to you, wiping her hands on her baggy jeans before sitting on the kitchen stool. 

“It’s not that I’m obsessed, Mom. Actually, Eunseo and I are just dying to get away this summer now that school is over.”

Turning around from plating the pizza and salad, you chastise your daughter, telling her to sit with her bum flat on the stool so she doesn’t fall. She immediately listens, carrying on with her persuasion. 

“We just want you and dad to get the chance to relax as well, that’s all!” her mouth full from a bite of hot, greasy pizza. 

You smile, wiping your washed hands on the kitchen towel and coming over to wrap your arms around her affectionately. 

“Spending time with you and Eunseo every week is how I relax,” you assured her, smothering your baby with kisses on her cheek.

Byeol lets out a squeal of annoyance, taking another bite of her pizza. “You’re squishing me!” She tries hiding her smile, failing when you lean in closer. 

You pull back in laughter, ruffling her hair as you walk away while reminding her.

“Oh! Don’t forget you’ve got your hockey game tonight!”

Byeol chews faster, munching on the soft crust and counting down the hours on the kitchen clock. 

She smiles to herself. 

“Don’t worry, I know!”

“What do you mean you need to go to the hospital?” Hongjoong asks in a worried voice, standing against the women’s washroom stall. He holds Eunseo’s congratulatory flower bouquet for first place in hand, feeling the stares of multiple women passing by, clearly judging him for being in the ladies room with them. 

“Honey, is everything all right?” He asks worriedly. A string of groans come from behind the door.

“You need to leave!” one old lady thrusts her walking cane at the father, lips pursed in dissatisfaction. 

Eunseo did such a phenomenal job tonight for her piano recital, that Hongjoong was shocked to see his daughter clutch her stomach first thing after running down the steps of the stage, dashing to the washrooms.

He whips his head back. “My daughter’s having a bit of a situation in here, okay ma’am? Have a bit of sympathy!” He barks frustratedly out loud to the onlookers, turning back to speak in a softer voice to the stall door. 

“Eunseo, baby, talk to me, is everything alright in there? Are you sure you need to go to the hospital? Is it that bad?” 

The girl continues her acting performance, letting out fake groans while typing furiously on her cellphone. 

“Oh the pain! I think I might have food poisoning, dad!”

Seolie: How far along are u

Byeolie: Mom’s outside, banging to come in. 

Seolie: same, I told dad I needed to go to the hospital.

Eunseo lets out another groan of pain, causing Hongjoong to worry even more. 

“That’s it, Eunseo. Let me in and help you” he decides, searching his bag for a painkiller or at least some sort of medication for relief. 

The girl frantically checks her phone, eyes lighting up at the new message. 

Byeolie: Mom’s getting the car to take me to the hospital. I’ve got her convinced to call dad soon.

Eunseo types as fast as her small fingers can move, even faster than when she performed her piano solo from before. 

Seolie: Then what do I do????

Hongjoong gets slightly suspicious at the lack of sound coming from the stall, calling to his daughter again.

“Eunseo? Everything alright?”

At the next notification, the girl makes up her mind, getting the signal from her sister. 

Byeolie: play dead. Mom calling soon. See ya there.

The actress gets into character, gaining her composure before unlocking the washroom stall and holding her stomach as she stumbles into her dad’s surprised arms. 

“Eunseo!”

She wails, falling limp. “Oh, dad! Please! Take me to the hospital, it hurts too much!”

It’s truly a mystery which parent she got her acting skills from.

But she doesn’t have to tell him twice at that point. The man is already piggy backing his fainted daughter and sprinting out of the ladies washroom, reassuring her with soothing comments as he makes a beeline for the parking lot.

“Stay with me baby!” He huffs, unbeknownst to Eunseo who peeks one eye open. 

Only after he straps his daughter in the backseat and is turning on the engine does he receive a sudden phone call from you, pressing the speaker for the whole car to hear your panicked voice. You break the news to him first. 

“Eunbyeol’s severely sick. She fainted right after her hockey game.”

Hongjoong’s eyes widened. “What?”

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “She was holding her stomach saying she ate something wrong. Is Eunseo okay?” 

Hongjoong puts the stick into drive, backing out of the parking lot and replying in a hurry.

“She’s hit with the same thing right now. I’ll meet you at the Hospital in ten” he grunts, sweat forming on his brow as he speeds through traffic, not caring if he gets a ticket. 

Had he looked in his rear view mirror, he would have seen Eunseo sagging near the car door, clutching her stomach with a small grin on her face.

You never liked the hospital. 

The sounds of babies crying and hospital beds wheeling become the background noise, shifting nervously in your seat that was in the emergency pediatrics unit waiting area. 

Hongjoong has his eyebrows furrowed, hunched over one seat beside you as he hangs his head in his hands, knees bouncing up and down. A middle aged nurse nasally calls on the next family waiting from the front desk, boredom laced in her voice. 

You sigh, uncrossing your legs and choosing to bite at the fingernail on your right hand once realizing you’ve already done the same to all the ones on your left. 

“It’s all my fault.” Hongjoong confesses, suddenly sitting still. 

You glance to your left, watching as he sits up slowly. 

“Last thing they ate together would’ve been at my house. I probably made them sick with something I fed them,” he dejects, hanging his head down in shame. 

“It’s all my fault, god I’m so stupid!” He beats himself up. 

You have half the mind to snap at your ex-husband, anger already filling up inside you earlier when you heard Eunbyeol suggest it was something she ate at her dad’s house. You really did want to yell at him for being so bad of a chef that he sent his own daughters to the emergency pediatrics unit, undeniably relieved that Seonghwa was working tonight’s shift. 

But those cruel words sitting on the tip of your tongue are thrown away when you glance down to see your ex-husband missing a shoe on one of his feet. 

Hongjoong rushed over here so fast with Eunseo that he left his shoe behind like some sort of fairytale, Cinderella. He hasn’t even realized he wasn’t wearing one right now.

You exhaled, knowing that if there's one thing you’ve learned while parenting, it was that to have patience and understanding was a virtue. Even for your ex-husband.

“It’s not your fault,” you sighed, staring at your hands folded in your lap. 

It feels awkward when Hongjoong stops tugging at his blond locks to look at you in surprise, continuing to speak as you place a gentle hand on his thigh. 

“That could’ve happened to anyone. We don’t know yet if it was because of the food. Let’s just pray and wait and see” your voice being a sign of reliability to him. 

The man is a little shocked at your supportive nature to tell you truthfully. He delivers all the things he needs to say through his grateful gaze alone, reciprocating a small smile. 

“Didn’t think I’d see you guys tonight.” Seonghwa chuckles, walking in before Hongjoong has the chance to reply. He comes from the patient's room wearing his dashing, white doctor's coat. “Together, at that” he mumbles under his breath before looking up and flashing you a polite smile while giving his worried friend a soft pat on the back.

Hongjoong holds his breath when he asks: “How are they?”

“Better,” he tells him, flipping through some papers on his clipboard. “But it was a big shock to their bodies. They need some rest at the moment.” 

The pediatrician tries not to show his smile, standing in front of you and Hongjoong while hiding his expression behind his clipboard as per his niece’s request.

To be fair, if someone had told Seonghwa earlier that evening that he would receive a fifteen minute pep talk from his best friend's twin daughters that day in the emergency unit, he would’ve laughed in their faces. 

Alas, life was always filled with surprises. Here’s what went down thirty minutes earlier in the hospital room:

“We’re trying to get them back together,” Eunseo announced confidently, sitting next to her sister on the hospital bed. 

Eunbyeol nodded, eyeing the dumbfounded medical professional standing in front of them with his clipboard tucked under his arm, hands in his pockets. 

“So.. you guys don’t need an IV drip?”

“It’s this whole entire thing, Uncle Hwa, we’ll explain to you later.”

It took a minute before Seonghwa reclaimed his composure as an adult, chastising the twins for pulling a false alarm over something like this. He made sure to make them promise him they wouldn’t do something stupid like this again. But after that, of course Seonghwa is immediately pairing to help them with their plan on getting his best friend back together with his ex-wife. The man is just tired of watching Hongjoong beat himself up half the time about missing you. 

“So you essentially want me to lie about the fact that you guys don’t have food poisoning, and were just faking this whole thing so your mom and dad would have a reason to see each other.” 

The twins nod, one of them pointing out. “And make sure to tell them we’re fine of course. Maybe throw in we’re like, really sick, but that we’ll live so it’s best if we get rest.”

“At like a cottage or something” the other chimes in, wiggling her eyebrows at the hint. 

The doctor sighs, scratching his neck sheepishly. 

When Seonghwa leads you and Hongjoong into the hospital room, both of you feel awful seeing your babies laying in their beds, dressed in the children’s gowns. 

Eunbyeol peeks open her eyes first, voice hoarse (she practiced). 

“Mom? Dad? Is that you?” she groans, pretending to clutch her stomach in pain. 

Both you and Hongjoong rush to each child, grasping their hands and stroking their heads softly with sympathy. 

“Hey baby, I’m here” you coo.

“I’m so, so sorry girls, it was probably all my fault. I should’ve never cooked for you guys earlier today.” their dad cries out painfully, looking down in shame.

You come to stand beside him, reassuring them both. “But what’s important is that you guys get better now. We want to make sure you get the rest you need” you say, making eye contact with your ex-husband. 

Seonghwa clears his throat, crossing his arms as he flashes a wink to the girls behind your backs. 

“They seemed to have been mentally exhausted as well,” He asks on purpose, watching as you and Hongjoong share a look with each other. “Have they been receiving proper familial support at home?” 

“I can’t even remember the last time I saw my parents in the same room together.” Eunseo weakly admits, showing a faint smile. 

As parents, you and Joong feel the most amount of guilt anyone could ever feel. You realize how exhausting and stressful the pickups and drop offs to each other's houses could’ve been, especially when you two were so busy with your respective jobs to spend time with your daughters now that it was summer break for them. 

Hongjoong smiles, holding both their hands and making a promise to them. 

“Make sure to rest you two. Tell me, is there anything you guys need right now? Anything you guys want I'll make sure to get it for you.”

”Do you guys have crunchy ice?” Eunbyeol blurts out loud, breaking her weak facade. 

Eunseo almost wants to shoot a glare at her sister but she realizes both of you are still looking at them. 

“I can get you some ice!” Seonghwa quickly assures you and his nieces, mouthing to them good luck for support as he shuts the door behind him. 

You sigh, coming over to stroke Eunseo’s hair and caress Eunbyeol’s hand. 

“Well? Is there anything else you guys need from us?” Hongjoong states, eyes soft in sympathy. You nod, waiting to hear their response.

“Let us know girls, anything at all.”

Eunbyeol and Eunseo finally take their chance, sharing a hesitant look before speaking at the same time. 

“We want to go to the cottage”

“Together,” Eunseo says.

“As a family.” Eunbyeol adds in.

You and Hongjoong share a silent look. 

Later into the night, the twins are finally discharged from the hospital, deciding that they would stay at Hongjoong’s mothers apartment which was closest nearby, considering they were both tired and immediately needed a place to rest. 

The car ride home is awkwardly silent, even as the kids are (what you think) to be fast asleep, hockey gear and a bouquet of flowers riding with them in the backseat.

It was at their request for you to drive them to their grandmother's house, wanting both their parents with them till the ride home. Hongjoong settled on driving your car and dropping all of you off, planning to take a taxi back home and pick up his own car in the morning. Despite your protest on how inconvenient that was, he insisted as he didn’t want to disappoint the twins.

But suddenly the man begins to regret his offer, currently driving in complete silence on the highway, eyes facing forward and shoulders tense. Quiet FM nightly jazz plays from the radio. 

You’re sitting passenger seat up front with him in what feels like forever, looking solely at the reflections in the window, the street lamp lights scattering across your face as you travel through the nighttime traffic. It’s awkward being together like this.

You hear him clear his voice, speaking softly so he doesn’t wake up the girls.

“So, are we really considering that cottage retreat?” he glances back at you. 

You sit up, straightening your back and exhaling as you secretly wanted to have avoided that topic of discussion.

“We can’t Hongjoong,” you reasoned, shaking your head. “I couldn’t possibly take a whole vacation from the dress shop. Not unless I had someone take care of it for me, which my staff probably aren’t ready to do.” you explained, voice tense.

Hongjoong nodded, understanding your point of view. “I realize that. I’ve got a few projects I have to record and demo with Eden.” he tells you, an arm placed on the wheel with his sleeve rolled up. His veins become perfectly outlined as he passionately tells you about his producing job.

He’s so hot like that.

Jesus what were you thinking? Cursing your mind as you clear your voice and try to change the topic.

“How’s everything been going then?” you say stiffly. He nods, still awkward with sharing conversation with you. 

“Um, it's going good. You?” he asks.  

“Fine.” you swallow. 

Silence prevails. He’s first to speak again, building the courage to say the next thing in his mind. 

“I’m willing to put things on hold if I need to.” He confesses. 

Hongjoong continues to drive normally after having said that. Now it becomes your turn to stare at him now, watching how he glances at the side mirror, switching lanes swiftly like the pro-driver he was. 

“What do you mean?”

“Honestly, I think it would be good for the girls,” he admits, calling you by your name. Even hearing him call you your name feels weird. It feels foreign, like it almost wasn’t yours. 

“Hongjoong-” you warn, shaking your head at the warry possibility. 

“Just hear me out, alright?” He states firmly, making you quiet. 

He glances back into the rear view mirror, watching your girls peacefully asleep with their heads leaning against each other. 

“It’s been almost seven years. Seven years since they’ve last seen their parents speak to each other without breaking into a fight. Tonight was the first time they saw us together without having to plan a drop off and pick up in god knows how long.”

Hongjoong licks his lips, gripping the wheel as he emphasizes. “Seven years since they’ve gotten a goodnight hug and kiss from us at the same time in one place.”

You scoff, turning to face him properly this time. “I don’t know why you’re acting as though we can make this request of theirs come true Hongjoong. This is a big deal-”

“It is a big deal!” he exclaims, trying to get his point across. “I can see how badly our daughters want us to both be in their lives more, to acknowledge the fact that the other still exists after splitting apart.”

He sighs. “Us, not acknowledging each other’s existence at all is worse than if we had to see each other regularly.”

You bite your lip, getting angry. “So what Hongjoong? You’re saying you want to suddenly play family with them at the cottage?”

You shrug your shoulders. “Do you really think we can pretend to be normal parents to them without fighting like we are now? There’s a reason why our current schedules work. Don’t make me seem like the bad guy for not wanting to take them.” You glared, pointing a finger at him. His jaw locks. 

“You fully knew the lifestyle changes we would need to make as a couple when you signed those legal papers—”

“Well then did you also predict everything that happened after you brought me those papers?” He spits like venom, gaze hard as he clenches the wheel.

You blink your eyes at his words, pressing your knees together at his sudden attack. 

You don’t remember clearly if you even meant what you said at the time when you threw those papers at him seven years ago. But all you still know is that Hongjoong was just as stubborn as you were, making up his mind to sign them in the end regardless.

Looking in the rear view mirror, you muttered to him quietly. 

“Don’t raise your voice. The kids are sleeping.”

Their dad scoffs, muttering a sure, under his breath as he switches lanes. 

The kids were in fact, not sleeping, and very much awake. Eyes closed but ears wide, as they were listening in to the first real discussion their parents were having in so long. Or perhaps it was an argument?

At the right turn into his mother’s apartment’s underground parking lot, Hongjoong shuts off the engine, getting out of the car without another word and shutting the door in your face. 

You pinched the bridge of your nose, hear the back door open. 

You watch in the corner of your vision as his demeanor immediately changes, softly caressing Eunseo and Eunbyeol’s hair. 

“Hey girls, we’re here now. You gotta wake up.” He coos.

They yawn theatrically, pretending to stretch their arms. 

“So soon?” Eunbyeol mumbles.

A few feet ahead, you see your mother in law walking out from the elevators, a knit cardigan wrapped around her small frame. You smiled, getting out of the car and greeting her first. 

“We’ll leave Eunbyeol’s hockey gear with you for the night if that’s alright Mom-” 

Hongjoong’s words are cut off as the woman who birthed him walks straight past him, ignoring him and immediately taking you in her warm embrace, eyes forming crescent moons. 

“How are you my dear?” she asks, causing you to smile and hug your mother in law affectionately. “It’s been so long, I’ve missed you so much!”

Despite the break up between you and Hongjoong, you were thankful for one thing, and that was the fact that your relationship with Hongjoong’s family stayed strong, especially with Mrs. Kim.

“I’ve missed you too” you tell her genuinely. “I’ve been good, I’m just sorry for dropping them off so suddenly at your place,” You say, feeling apologetic for waking her up late into the night. 

“We had a bit of a situation,” you explain, watching as Hongjoong collects their things. 

She shakes her head, reassuring you. “Nonsense! Why would you be sorry for that.” she grins, turning her head at the car. “And where are my girls, may I ask?”

At the sound of her voice, Eunbyeol and Eunseo dash out from the back seat and into their grandmother's welcoming arms, pressing soft kisses to her cheeks.

Hongjoong is the only person that stands all alone, awkwardly holding the bouquet of flowers with heavy hockey gear and a duffle bag perched on his shoulder. 

“Oh, how I’ve missed my little squirrels!” she exclaims using their signature pet name and happily reuniting with her grandchildren. 

She turns her head, face falling at the sight of her son and lips pursing into a frown. 

“And where on earth have you been? Not giving me a call!” she snaps, slapping her son on his back. Eunbyeol laughs out loud while Eunseo tries to keep her giggles in. 

You hear your ex husband protest to her while you close the back seat door. 

“OW! I’ve been busy alright?” he mumbles, massaging his sore arm. 

Your mother in law takes both the twins hand’s on each side, nodding her head to you. 

“Leave all the kid’s stuff to Hongjoong, he’ll take care of it darling” she smiles sweetly, sending a glare to her son to take a hint and be more of a gentleman to you. She walks away with her smiling granddaughters, exchanging light-hearted giggles and excitement. “Bye, mom!” The twins wave back. 

Hongjoong cranes his head up, sighing at the ceiling before taking Eunseo’s piano bag that you were holding in your hand in one swift motion, walking reluctantly behind the three. 

“Stay here. I’ll drop them off.” he briskly walks away, leaving you stunned. 

Hongjoongs words from before can’t help but replay inside your head as you wait for him to come back down. 

Before you guessed it, it was already the ride back home, and the car was painfully silent once again. In reality, you were each thinking deeply to yourselves about the possibility of the cottage retreat. Could you really be a mom and dad together as a couple to your kids?

“Are you giving your plants enough water?” He brings you out of thought, the car slowing down as he turns onto your street. 

You look up, giving him a confused look. 

Hongjoong nods in direction, following his eyes to look at the measly, dying flower pot perched on the steps of your flat’s entrance as the car stopped to a halt. “You know, it’s really hard for plants to die when they’re outside.” He says in amazement at your shit gardening. 

You scowl at him, asking him when he became such a plant expert all of a sudden. 

He continues to poke fun at you, smirking when he undoes his seat belt. Hongjoong suddenly leans over to help you unbuckle your own, face dangerously close to yours as he lowers his voice. 

“Unless their owner just really sucks at taking care of them.” 

His eyes gaze into yours for a split second, feeling your face heat up from the proximity. You let out a tiny gasp for air when he leans back in his own seat. 

“Fuck off” you replied harshly. 

“You should give them some more care,” he suggests, ignoring your swearing. 

You don’t reply to his stupid comment, refusing to look at him as you get out of the car. 

“I can go in by myself” you press, adjusting the strap of your purse on your shoulder. You didn’t think it was necessary to draw out your time with this man any further.

Hongjoong straightens his dress shirt as he moves to your side of the car, shoving his own car keys in his trousers as he locks your doors and hands over the keys. You take them hesitantly, watching as he rests against the car door, strong arms crossing against his chest. 

“Think about it at least.” he mutters to you. 

You look at him, eyes shutting softly when you realize he was still talking about the cottage getaway. Sighing his name is exasperation, you run a hand through your hair. 

“Hongjoong-”

“Would it kill you to spend a week with me and our daughters?” He scoffs as he asks you straight up, looking at you in a way that makes you hesitate to say your next words. You observed one hand come to shuffle with the silver lighter in his trouser pockets. 

You stayed silent for a moment, genuinely thinking back to your daughters and what this meant to them if you went. What this would mean for you two as well. 

Finally, you look up to him, returning his gaze.

“I need time.” 

He nods, face serious. “I understand.”

“Let me think about it.” You mumbled. 

And with that you turn around, walking up the steps to your front door. At the sight of your flowerpot, you quickly remember his comment and snatch it in your hands, slamming the door shut to Hongjoong as he finally lets a soft grin break out on his face. Letting his back come up from leaning against the door, Hongjoong nods his head, satisfied enough at that answer, as he walks silently down the road while opening his Uber app. 

At least you’d give it some thought. 

Okay, maybe now you’ve given it too much thought. 

Sipping your fifth glass of wine of the night, you’re sitting, back hunched over with your knees tucked into your chest on the breakfast table chair, zoning out as your best friend Sophie continues barking at you and your inconsistent commitment. 

“I don’t even understand why you’re considering going! Does the man realize what it takes to leave your own shop for a full week?” she fumes, adjusting her royal jelly sheet mask while cursing at your ex-husband for pressuring you into going to the family retreat. 

“Not everyone can just pack their bags and go swimming at the cottage, Jesus Christ” she rolls her eyes. 

“He didn’t pressure me,” you told her pouting. “He wants to do it for the kids” you mumbled looking down as you defended him. 

You invited your best friend Sophie over to your apartment that evening for your weekly slumber party, a time you each looked forward to dedicating a bottle of wine and chardonnay over some gossip, spilling all the uneventful drama in your lives. 

Perhaps you revealed too much drama to your best friend tonight. 

“I don’t think I would mind going, to be honest” you hiccup, words slurring. “I haven’t had a vacation in so long, Sophie, and the girls really want to go! I would feel bad for leaving them with nothing to do this summer.” confessing through the alcohol. 

Cheeks flushed, you sigh as you play with your silk robe mindlessly while Sophie shakes her head at you, one hand coming up to snap at you and bring you back to reality. 

“Hello? Earth to Ms. Divorcee?” She sighs, rolling her eyes in frustration. “You said you wanted to set boundaries with him! To cut the line straight and keep your distance so you could get over your feelings for him! Show him who’s boss!” 

“He said he’s willing to put his music projects on hold for us,” you muttered quietly, the thought making your heart weak as you smiled at the memory of Hongjoong teasing you about your flower pot. Your chest blossomed with warmth now. 

Sophie sighs, shaking her head as she thinks just how differently you were feeling four wine glasses ago.

“Listen, honey, I’m just warning you in advance” she sips the golden liquid in her glass before placing it on the table. 

“Take it from a girl who’s had three divorces. I mean look at me! I’m still somewhat young, I’ve got no kids, no responsibilities, filthily rich, and not once have I had to pay for my own divorce settlement fees!” 

You nod mindlessly, eyes blinking softly under the bright kitchen lights. 

“What you need is a provider, sweetheart,” she crooned, caressing your head. 

“A guy who won’t leave you stressed and unimpressed like Hongjoong does.”

You continue mindlessly nodding your head at her words, ears perking up when you hear small footsteps come down the stairs. 

“Hi mom, Hi aunt Sophie.” Eunbyeol greets, eyes glued to her iPad that Eunseo trails after from behind, whining how it was now her turn to play Super Mario.  

“Hi girls,” Sophie replies like the cool, hot aunt she is, eyes shut as she’s concentrating on giving herself a collarbone massage right now. 

“Hey sweetheart,” you mumbled, smiling at your daughters standing near the fridge getting a glass of water. 

“Say, did your dad tell you guys anything about the cottage?” You blurt out loud, avoiding the look that Sophie gives you. Eunbyeol looks up from the glowing screen, ears perking in interest. “No, not much, why?” 

Eunseo snatches the iPad from her twin, coming over to you. “Did Dad say we’re going?” She asks enthusiastically, eyes widening. Sophie is quick to assure them. 

“Now of course not girls, your mother here was just-”

“Oh fuck it, why not?” you say confidentially, shining a bright smile. “Let’s go to the cottage!” You exclaimed in drunk excitement, all three girls staring at you with their jaws hanging at your sudden profanity as well as your final decision. 

Oh, how dangerous the effects of a bottle of wine were. 

Eunseo and Eunbyeol immediately embrace each other in a passionate hug, squealing in excitement that their plan actually worked. You and Hongjoong were now both convinced. “Oh my gosh, we’re going to go as a family!” They cried in happiness. You giggled at their joy, reciprocating their enthusiasm.  

Sophie leans back in her seat defeated, shaking her head with pursed lips as she picks up the whole Chardonnay bottle and sips it. 

“Oh whatever. . . This isn’t my problem anyways.” 

When Hongjoong drops by the next morning to pick up Eunbyeol and Eunseo from your house for the weekend, he can’t lie but be a little heartbroken at the way his daughters ignore his kiss to them first thing. They instead, immediately shove the cottage advertising pamphlet in his face with victorious grins. 

“See! We told you mom would say yes!” 

“Say yes to what?” He pouts, avoiding the paper and obsessively trying to peck a kiss to each of his daughter's cheeks. The idea of going to the cottage almost slipped the busy man’s mind after almost a week of no news from you. 

“What’s so important that you guys don’t even say hi to me anymore?” he sulks.

Eunseo giggles, fighting back her laughter when her dad tries to tickle her with his kisses. 

“We’re going to the cottage!”

Hongjoong stills himself, leaning back to make sure he heard her correctly. 

“We’re what?”

Eunbyeol, taking after her mother, has a cheeky expression on her face as she places her hands on her hips and sasses her father. 

“Pack your bags and swimming shorts, daddy, we’re going on a family vacation!” 

In perfect timing, you manage to stumble out your front door, coffee mug in hand and mid-yawn when you realize Hongjoong is already staring at you in shock. 

“What?” you snap, still grumpy from your slight hangover. “You’ve never seen a woman wake up before?” You replied, asking your kids if they packed all their stuff. 

The twins watch as their dad stands up from his crouched position. 

“You’re going to go to the cottage?”

At Hongjoongs words you freeze, everything coming back to you all at once. The wine, the twins, the promises, it hits you like a moving truck. 

“Well…”

“No take backs mom! You said it yourself last night that you were excited to go to the cottage!” One of the twins pointed out. 

Hongjoong doesn’t take his eyes off of you. 

“I-I did say that, didn’t I?” You chuckled sheepishly, toes curling at the rookie mistake you made in parenting 101: saying yes when you should’ve said no. 

Your ex-husband quickly tells the kids to put their things in the trunk, promising he’ll be right with them after talking to you. As Hongjoong dashes up the stairs in his white polo golf shirt, you feel slightly exposed being in only your silk slip dress and robe. 

“I didn’t realize you’d be here so early” you mumbled, looking down at your toes. 

He ignores you. “So I’m guessing we’re going then?” He smirks, looking at you with an expression of undeniable cockiness and peaked interest. 

You shrug nonchalantly. “Let’s surround the focus of this trip towards the kids” you remind him, straightening your back.

Hongjoong nods, agreeing with you wholeheartedly. “Of course, that was my intention from the beginning,” he smiles. 

You swallow the lump in your throat, unnoticing his stare drop at your breasts perking up from the cool morning air. You jump in surprise as you hear the honking of the car. 

“Come on, love birds! We gotta go back to dad’s to get our swimming stuff!” Eunbyeol cackles, leaning from the backseat into the driver's seat window. Eunseo already begins journaling in her hello kitty note book, an organized list of what she’ll need to bring to the cottage.

Hongjoong looks back at his daughters, before looking back at you with a smile. 

“Let’s keep in touch about details, alright?”

You nod silently, gripping your mug. At the sound of your nextdoor neighbor coming out, Hongjoong contemplates for a moment before quickly leaning forward, shielding you from their view with his backside. Clearing his throat, Hongjoong nods his head to the inside of your house, leaning forward to whisper to you. 

“Think, um, you should get inside, it’s getting cold,” he mutters, his dimples faintly showing. You glare up at him, “I’m going to say goodbye to my own daughters”. Still clueless to what he was referring to. He grins, shrugging his shoulders before looking at you. 

“If you insist. Just thought you wouldn’t want your neighbor to see what I can see, would you?”

You gasp at his words, looking down at your chest to see what he means before wrapping your robe around you. You quickly waved goodbye to your girls before you shut the door in Hongjoong’s smug face. 

It’s now become the second time you’ve done that.

Thankfully, the next time you see Hongjoong you’re wearing a much more appropriate outfit. In a white cotton blouse and casual jean shorts, your effortlessly chic vacation outfit was the only highlight today, considering the day you had been internally dreading for so long was finally here. 

You tried to take deep breaths while scurrying all over your house and finishing some last minute packing. Reassuring yourself that a family getaway couldn’t kill you. 

Right?

Reservations at the cottage were made over the phone last week, booking a house with the perfect lake side view, access to the forest trail and close proximity to the offered activities. It would only be a seven day stay, both in your respective rooms, (you clearly emphasized you and Hongjoong had to have separate ones) while the twins would lodge together. You had no intention of interacting with your husband alone together on this trip, apart from the quote on quote, ‘family bonding times’ you promised your daughters. And yet why were you here sweating nervously like a sinner in church?

“What a hot lady!” Eunbyeol wolf-whistles at your outfit when she walks through your bedroom doors. You jump at the sudden entrance, realizing Hongjoong was already here to pick you up with the girls.

A pair of black designer sunglasses slightly too big for her sat perched on her nose. Eunbyeol smiles before jumping onto your bed of clothes. You already know Hongjoong must’ve spoiled her and her sister with those, buying them a pair each.

“C’mon Byeol, off the bed” you quipped, packing your toothbrush as she reluctantly slugged off the covers. 

Your suspicions of Hongjoong buying them designer items are correct when Eunseo walks in, classily perching her matching white ones on her head before chastising her sister's tasteless compliment. 

“Elegant. She’s Elegant, Byeol. You don’t just go around wolf-whistling at people.” she rolls her eyes. 

“You look very pretty by the way, mom”

You smiled, nevertheless pleased at both their compliments and thanking them before going back to doing a last minute check of your things. 

Sun cream, clothes, makeup bag, swimsuit…

At the thought of your swimsuit you immediately blush, thinking back to how Sophie forced you to borrow her yellow bikini that left very little to the imagination. Despite your protests that you wouldn’t be needing it, she insisted. 

Hongjoong is last to walk through your front doors, swinging his car keys around his index finger and calling to his three girls from the downstairs foyer of your apartment. The man is clearly excited for the trip, he can’t lie. 

“Come on ladies, we’re gonna miss the chance to swim in that lake if we don't leave soon!” 

Hongjoong is your typical dad, except for the fact that he does not mess with dad!fashion. The producer is dressed classily from top to bottom in a loose-fitting designer button up with a pair of reformed denim pants, his pearl earrings and gold piercings complementing his outfit perfectly. 

Kim Hongjoong didn't play when it came to fashion. Even as a father. 

“Coming!” You exclaimed, ushering your kids out of your bedroom and making your way down the stairs with your suitcase. Seeing that it would only be a week at the cottage, you tried to pack light, though you may have to reconsider that thought with the way you struggled to lift the case properly. 

“Need some help?”

A strong hand comes to help you, immediately inhaling the scent of Hongjoong’s cologne as he brushes his knuckles near yours. “Here, I’ve got it” he assures, making you step back and admire your undeniably fine husband. 

Ex-husband. You meant Ex-husband. Scratch out the fine as well. 

You watch from behind as he struts out the foyer, smiling and joking playfully with his twin daughters, carrying your luggage out the door with them. 

What was this trip doing to you?

Once you’re on route to the cottage resort and the GPS is set, the car is blissfully quiet, each and every one of you surprisingly at peace. Jittery excitement still lays deep in your daughters' minds as you overhear them talk about what they want to do first once they arrive. 

Hongjoong’s 2000s soft rock and ballad playlist is playing quietly throughout the speakers right now, relishing in the music as luscious, green trees flash by you from the passenger window. 

While Byeol and Eunseo distract each other on their own, Hongjoong turns to talk to you. 

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been forever since I’ve been on a road trip” he smiles.

You copy him, feeling good in the moment. “Same, I don’t remember the last time I went to one.” you confessed, thinking only of all the times you had in the past when you were a child and as a teenager. 

Even back to when you were a young college student, wide eyed and so innocent to the chaos of your first college retreat with Hongjoong. That was the summer you two began dating, and boy were you fools in love. You cautiously look to your husband driving, bringing up past memories.

“Do you remember that one college retreat we went on during second year?” 

The corners of Hongjoong’s lips are already grinning upwards, smiling as he reciprocates your expression. 

“Right, like I could forget that summer” he replies sarcastically, gripping the steering wheel. 

It’s an easy memory to digest. A time when you were both so young, filled with nothing but dreams and passionate love for one another. Love so deep, that you remember the nights you’d spend locked up with Hongjoong under the sweaty bed sheets inside your cabin, blissfully making love until the sun would rise and he would finally kiss you to sleep. Perhaps, it was that summer when you realized you were going to marry and be with Kim Hongjoong forever someday. 

Though it’s too bad, someday already passed. 

“Do you remember when Seonghwa got so drunk he ended up confessing to Jieun in front of all the girl’s sleeping cabins?” Hongjoong snickers, relishing in the embarrassing memory his friend always hates him for bringing up. You laugh out loud, remembering the memory. “Oh my god, yes!” You turned to face him, shaking your head. “In nothing but his underwear, right?” 

Hongjoong nodded, smiling with one hand on the steering wheel as he drove.

“Didn’t he end up jumping into the lake afterwards? With you having to go in and save him as well?” You share your laughter with one another, catching up on past memories as your twin daughters listened attentively in the back, reliving them with you together.

That's what makes the hour and half drive from the city into the wilderness feel so short, finally pulling into the graveled parking lot of the vast cottage resort. White suburban cottages lined along one another, a good amount of distance in between each for every family staying. 

As Hongjoong parked the car, the view outside was so glorious you had to hold your breath. Glistening clear blue waves in the lake reflect the bright sunshine from above. A light breeze is present today with the way the willow and oak trees swayed gently. 

“It’s beautiful” you gasped from as far as you got out of the car, stretching your upper body with eyes closed as you inhaled the fresh air. 

Hongjoong stills his movements, shutting the door before replying with his gaze caught at your backside.

“Yeah, it is” he smiles.

Both of you turn around at a loud voice coming from behind. “We’re gonna explore the campsites and souvenir shops first!” Eunbyeol shouts as she runs away with her sister's hand in hers, towards the wooden cabin that's settled further away. 

“What about lunch?” you call to them. 

“We’re not hungry!”

Hongjoong tells them to be safe, and to stick around nearby. You smirked, helping him unload the trunk as you told him. “They’ll be fine. They’re probably too excited to even think right now” you giggled, bumping shoulders with him. 

You feel the tension that was once so strong between you two fade slowly, walking up the wooden steps of your lodge and exchanging conversation with each other.

“Hey, I just want my babies to be safe” he admits, a grin on his face as he holds the cooler in his hands. You chuckle, shaking your head at his protectiveness. 

“Here it is!” he exclaims, setting the suitcases in the front foyer as he opens the door. “Lodge number 1117”

The two story cottage is larger than it appears from the outside, having a modern yet rustic interior that you and Hongjoong admired. It had everything you would need, from a well designed kitchen area to a cozy living room space.

“It’s perfect, the kids will love it” you beam, looking at the hanging hammock chair in the corner of the living room and the gray stone fireplace. It fit perfectly for your family. 

Hongjoong smiles, sunglasses perched on top of his head as he sets the luggage down near the kitchen. Walking up beside him, you help him unload the cooler and ice boxes first, settling into your new home for the next few days. 

“I’m guessing you still drink?” you ask, looking in his direction as you unloaded the case of beer you saw him bring from the trunk.

He gestured to the booze. “C’mon, it wouldn’t be a vacation without it, would it?” 

You wholeheartedly agreed, placing a few in the fridge before you shut it closed. 

“Hopefully, this time we won’t end up shit faced like we did back in college” you laugh, turning to face him. 

“I can already picture that time we got so drunk from that bottle of tequila my friend brought, we snuck out of the campsite and went to the forest and got lost.” you spoke, the memory a little foggy but nonetheless fresh in your mind. 

Hongjoong smiles, listening as you speak.  

“There wasn’t anything but trees and bushes in that forest!” You exclaimed, shaking your head. “What did we even do there?” 

Hongjoong replies nonchalantly, folding the cardboard box in his hands.

“I’m pretty sure we fucked.”

You momentarily freeze at his words, before letting out a soft awkward laugh, causing him to look up. 

“No we didn’t, Hongjoong” you immediately deny, not believing his words. But your brows began furrowing at the foggy memory, starting to realize you really couldn’t trust your alcohol tolerance, now as an adult and even back when you were a college student. Did you guys have sex? In a forest out of all places?

Hongjoong leans against the kitchen counter, across from you as he crosses his arms in front of his chest and smirks smugly. 

“Nope, I distinctly remember it” he recalls, taking a step closer so he was now in your space. 

“I held your hand in mind as we walked up that trail by the cliff. And gosh, were we horny that night, because I remember you complaining about all that dirt you got on your knees from giving me the greatest head i've ever experienced in my entire life-” 

Slapping your hands over his mouth to stop him from going on, you blushed as you glared at him. 

“Jesus christ,” you mumbled, rolling your eyes before confessing.

“I get it, we fucked.”

Suddenly, you and Hongjoong break out into giggles like varsity sweethearts again at the story. Though embarrassed and cringing internally from the way you acted as young adults, it was nice to share them together now. At the proximity in which you’re standing in, you can't help but stare at each other softly. A hand wraps around your waist, making your breath hitch as he pulls you closer. 

“What are you doing?” you grin, watching him.

He looms over you, able to tell that something sits right at the tip of his tongue that he hesitantly decides to say. “I’m pretty sure,” he mutters, staring at your face and cautiously grazing the skin under your blouse. You feel your breathing speed up. 

“I also held you like this in my arms as you were leaning against that tree” his grip gentle and immediately transporting you back to the scenery that night. His sharp tone contrasts his touch. 

“Yknow, the one we fucked against?” he teases to you one more time.

The scent of burning campfire. A cold, midnight breeze. The feeling of the rough cedar tree against your back as Hongjoong thrusted inside you with every delirious snap of his hips, holding you close while he fucked you to oblivion with only the forest animals standing witness to your sinful actions. The film replays like a cheesy R-rated romance movie in your mind. 

“Did you, now?” You gulp, looking up at him as you adjust to the foreign feeling of his touch on your hips. 

“Yeah. I remember it all” he states, smirking down at you with an intense gaze.

The memory dies down when you catch yourself staring at his lips, arms finding their way around his neck as he dives down to whisper softly to you.

“Do you remember too?” He asks.

How he held you in his arms. How he whispered in your ear while you came around his cock, drool and traces of cum littering the corners of your mouth while Hongjoong didn’t care if you were stretching his flannel from how hard you were tugging at the material.

You nod. “I do,” you muttered, lashes fluttering as you felt as though your heart wouldn’t stop beating. “I remember you kissed me on the lips,” you confessed. 

Perhaps you wanted him to do it again right now. 

He looks in your eyes, searching for your approval that you desperately give, breath hitting each other's faces as he slowly leaned down to try and connect your lips. His chest is pressed against yours, and you begin to realize you haven’t shared the same breath like that in so long. You were so close to kissing right then and there.

If only you leaned in closer…

“We’re back!”

You push Hongjoong across the kitchen, shoving his hip painfully into the marble counter and ignoring his high-pitched groan of agony as you immediately look away to avoid suspicion, continuing to grab the beer from the icebox in front of you.

“Girls!” you exclaimed, voice wavering. 

Of course, Eunbyeol and Eunseo walk in with matching postcards and goodies from the souvenir shop in their hands, their sunglasses perched on their heads as their eyes lit up with excitement. They were still oblivious to the fact that they almost caught their parents about to make out in the kitchen.

“Dad, this place is amazing!” Eunbyeol deadpans, telling her father. “They even have jet skiing on the other side of the lake! We gotta go now!”

Hongjoong clutches his hip, pursing his lips as he hides his expression of pain and surprise. 

“Really? That's great sweetie”

Eunseo however, is quick to catch on.

“What were you guys doing?” she looks at you suspiciously. Her words hang in the air for a moment. 

“Were you guys about to kis-”

Hongjoong and you frantically scurry to find a plausible excuse, shuffling awkwardly. 

“I was helping your dad unload the cooler” 

“I was helping your mom get something out of her eye”

Both girls stare at you meekly. Eunbyeol scrunches her nose. “Huh?”

Plastering on a fake smile, you briskly leaped over the luggage nearby, ushering them upstairs before they had the chance to ask anymore questions.

“I think it’s time to unpack your things.” you watched their eyebrows quirk at the way you pushed them out the kitchen.

“We can do it on our own, mom! It’s really no big d-”

You clamp Eunbyeol’s mouth shut with your hand, blushing profusely as you walk away with them. 

Hongjoong stands there alone in the kitchen, rubbing his hip and wondering what the hell just almost happened.

The next few days, you and Hongjoong don’t discuss the incident between you two. Rather, the beginning of the trip after that event has become a painful performance trying your best to be eerily polite yet distant to each other in front of your children, as if that would make you forget the fact that you two almost kissed in the kitchen.

“Could you pass the sunscreen, honey?” Hongjoong would say awkwardly, turning his back to flash you a cheery smile on the lake deck as Eunbyeol and Eunseo watched you interact while floating in the cool, summer waters. 

You passed the bottle to your ex-husband while maintaining awkward distance. “Of course, darling!” 

“Thanks honey!”

“No problem sweetheart!”

This resulted in Eunbyeol and Eunseo looking at their parents in horror, the youngest twin muttering under her breath as they discussed an urgent change of plans.

“We have to get them to stop being weird.”

Apart from that, the ‘family bonding time’ promise to your daughters was maintained, and each day was an adventure for all of you in terms of what you would do together next. An accumulation of forest trekking, water-skiing and outdoors barbeques on the patio of your cottage made everyday feel more and more special for your girls, seeing how they relished in having both their parents with them at the same place and time. It became moments of peace and resolution that eventually became special for you and Hongjoong too. 

“I hope we stay here forever,” Eunseo blurted out one evening after a blissful day near the lakeshore, watching as the sun began to go down. She was busy licking the sticky sides of her melting ice cream cone in one hand, the other one held in yours. 

Hongjoong and Eunbyeol were a few feet ahead, laughing loudly and holding hands as they compared their fruit popsicles with one another to see whose was bigger. 

“You and Byeol would eventually get sick of going to the lake all the time” You smiled, the corners of your mouth turning up before her next words made the strings of your heart tug. 

“Sure, but at least you and dad could be together with us too.”

You watched as she ran up to her sister and dad, joining in on their fun as she began boasting that her ice cream was better than theirs. Hongjoong’s smile is the biggest you’ve ever seen it to be, looking down at his girls with a golden tan from the past few days spent outside, and hair slightly damp from swimming. 

Any person could tell the love in his eyes was as pure a father’s love for his girls could be. 

Her words stuck with you until that very night, where after dinner, board games, and much pacing back and forth in your own room before getting into bed, you decided to cautiously approach Hongjoong’s room on the opposite side of the second floor.

Bare feet padded across the wooden floors as you peeked through the sliver of the open door.

He's wearing an oversized sleep tee and blue pajama pants, getting in some nighttime reading before bed. His glasses are perched on his nose, intently reading his paperback novel. He looks as domestic as a husband gets. 

At the sound of your steps though, he sits up from his relaxed state on his bed, one arm that was supporting his head coming out as the other hand settles the book down on his abdomen. He looks surprised to see you. 

“Hi” he states, looking at you. 

“Hey”

Hongjoong’s expression immediately softened at your figure, watching as you shuffled awkwardly in front of him. The room is quiet. 

“Can I come in?”

“Of course,” He nods, setting his bookmark in the spine of the cover and turning his attention to you, offering you to take a seat on his linen covers. You see his polaroid camera with photos taken of Eunbyeol and Eunseo perched on a desk nearby. 

You don’t see the ones he secretly took of you, as those are in his drawers. 

“Don’t tell me you can’t sleep by yourself” he gently teases before watching as your smile doesn't reach the ends of your eyes. You wrap your silk robe closer to your body, feeling sort of vulnerable. 

“How do you like the resort so far?” He asks, watching as you played with your fingers absentmindedly. “Is the room okay?”

“It’s wonderful Hongjoong, better than I could ever have hoped for.” You spoke up, telling the truth.

It’s hard to arrange your thoughts in your head when it’s just the two of you in his room. The kids were already fast asleep. Now was your chance to just tell him how you felt. Why were you hesitating so much?

“Hey, look at me.” Hongjoong’s soft voice calls out to you, a protective hand coming out to caress the back of your head in habit. He can tell you want to say something, and the gesture makes you emotional, remembering how he always used to do that to ease your nerves when you were younger. 

“What’s wrong? Am I making things uncomfortable on the trip?” he worries about the boundaries you established with him at the beginning, watching as your lip begins to quiver and the emotions suddenly overcome you. 

“I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” you sniffled, tears forming near the brim of your eyes as you looked up at the father of your children. 

Hongjoong’s eyes widened, shifting through the covers over to you. “Woah, hey, shh that’s alright I got you” he coos, immediately going into dad mode and embracing you in his arms, letting your head rest against his chest. 

The action is natural, no longer foreign or weird, and you silently thank him for leaving reassuring circles on your back. Husband or not, Hongjoong would always be your best friend first. You had forgotten how much you missed this comforting side to him.  

“Tell me what you’re sorry about” he states, chest tightening at your wet cheeks before he slowly raises your chin to look him in the eyes. 

“For being mean to you for so long” you sniffle, a weakened state of emotional guilt eating away at you. You let him watch you carefully.

“I’ve been thinking about how happy the girls have been during this trip. A-And it kills me that we’ve been fighting for the past seven years, and that they’ve grown up seeing such bad parts of ourselves, of my own self” you ramble, confessing how you felt. 

You look up. “They’re happy because we’re together Joong. Because we’re not fighting or avoiding each other like we used to do before.”

He watches as you look up at him with tears forming in your eyes. 

“You’re such a good dad. And I realized you deserve to hear that.”

At the sounds of more sniffles, Hongjoong finally speaks, smiling as he brushes stray hair from your face. 

“I wouldn’t want anyone else but you to be the mother of our children, I hope you know that”

His truthfulness throws you off guard.

“I’m sorry too” he sighs, letting you sit up straight and look him in the eyes properly. “I haven’t been the best partner either, baby. We were both mean to each other.” he says, brushing a tear away from your face.

“I’m pretty sure you’ve thrown a hair dryer at me once before as well” he attempts to make you laugh, affection blooming in his chest when he sees he succeeds, wiping your tears. 

“But I already knew how you felt, sweetheart. I always know” he smiles, eyes mirroring a weak ache in his heart.  

“Married or not, we were once friends. And now we’re family” His voice turns deep, strong and dependable like the father he’s become.

“We can start over” you tell him, smiling as he folds his hands over your palm. “We can always do better from now and going forward. For ourselves, and for Eunseo and Eunbyeol.” 

Hongjoong nods, hesitantly for a split second before he leans over to press a soft kiss to your cheek, showing a gesture of affection that you longed for so long.

You shut your eyes, the kiss making your heart flutter. 

“Friends again?” He whispers, though silently wanting something more. 

You sighed, pulling him in closer to embrace in a hug. “Friends” you nodded while inhaling his comforting scent. 

The next morning, and for the rest of the remaining trip onwards, you and Hongjoong’s relationship dynamics did the equivalent of a 180 degree turn. 

It’s hard to believe you two really just wanted to be ‘friends’

Eunbyeol and Eunseo could tell by the way you talked to each other more, noticing you share more secret glances and fleeting touches that were innocent to the eye, but concealing a longing that you both tried to hide. You knew you couldn’t get carried away. You and Hongjoong were simply resolving a rough patch in your parenting. Not getting back together in a relationship. 

But after spending more time together while Eunbyeol and Eunseo became occupied on their own, it was hard keeping the interactions to a justified amount. Long walks in the forest, evenings spent cooking together, even cuddling together on the couch during family movie night. Thinking your kids were too busy watching the vintage Disney movie play on screen, when in fact, the real love story they were more invested in was happening right in front of their eyes, watching their parents falling in love again.

This led to the last event in their plan that they hoped would finally seal the deal. 

On Saturday night, the last night of your trip before you had to go back to the city, you and Hongjoong are surprised to find mini invitations left on your beds, scribbled in glitter pen and cursive handwriting reading out the following:

Gourmet Dinner Date for 2

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Outdoor patio 

Dress code: Formal and Classy

You and your husband chuckled at the cards left on your beds, suddenly finding a twin each by your side and ushering you to get ready. 

“Do you and your sister even know how to cook dinner, Eunbyeol?” You questioned as your daughter rushed to push you into your walk-in closet, forcing you to get ready. 

She huffs, placing her hands on her hips looking offended. 

“At least my cooking skills don’t take after Dad’s, mom.” She mumbled, choosing your shoes for you. “Have some trust in a girl!”

Meanwhile, Hongjoong gets pampered by Eunseo in the other room, though in reality, her blunt critiques on her dads fashion are bruising his pride at the moment. 

“Dad, you have many normal clothes to wear. You have to chill with the ripped baggy jeans.” she demands, trudging through his closet to find something formal for him to wear. 

He begins to protest but his daughter shakes her head. “You’re supposed to look good for mom!” she huffs, searching on her own. At Eunseo’s words, the man starts to slightly worry, scratching the back of his head. 

“You and Byeol are gonna join too, right?”

She stops for a second, looking back to her father as she avoids the question and instead retorts back. 

“It’s just a date, Dad. Relax”

Back to what was happening in the other room at the end of the hallway, you huffed in frustration when you walked back into your closet after Byeol rejected another one of your outfits for the dinner date. 

“I have nothing else to wear, sweetie, these are all the clothes I have.” you came to terms with a hand coming to your forehead after having searched in despair. 

The ten year old shakes her head before pushing you out of the way and digging deep into your suitcase. She reveals a delicate piece of material you didn’t even realize you packed. 

“We got some help from Aunt Sophie and Uncle Hwa to pack you guys clothes that you could wear for a special occasion.” she wiggles her eyebrows, a smug grin on her face as you gap in shock. 

You inspect the dress, lips parting in disbelief as you feel the material. 

“I haven’t worn this since I was in college.” You uttered softly to yourself. 

At one longing look of the short dress, you shake your head, walking back into the closet to find something else. “I-I can’t wear this Byeol, what would your dad think?“ you asked nervously.

“Dad said he thinks your boobs looked hot in this dress so Aunt Sophie and I picked it specially” she looks up at you, proud of what she just said.  

You whip your head around, mouth hanging open in shock.

“Byeol! Where did you hear that from?” 

She sighs. “Dad had one too many drinks this one time and started talking about you guys back in college” she explained before shoving the infamous black dress in your hands. 

“Talked a lot about how pretty you were,” she draws out her words in a teasing voice. You curse your husband for his mistake.

You bite your lip as you stare down at the fabric in your hands. 

It was undeniable. You knew you looked amazing in this dress. You could testify from the amount of times Hongjoong ripped it off of you after countless night out’s filled with sexual tension and playful flirting. For god's sake, Eunbyeol and Eunseo could’ve almost had another sibling thanks to that dress.

“Fine.” you muttered bashfully, turning away as you walked into the closet to change. 

“But I’m just gonna try it on.”

Thirty minutes, one mental breakdown and too many outfit changes to count later, you walk down the stairs wearing the dress Eunbyeol had successfully persuaded you to wear. 

What do you know, the kid was right. Your boobs looked amazing in that dress. 

Not just your boobs, your whole body looked incredible with its strong curves and the beautiful fill it gave to the dress, making it slightly tighter than when you wore it as a twenty year old, but still all the more mature and sophisticated. You really did look hot.

Eunbyeol rushes down the stairs before you, catching up with her sister to inspect her job on their fathers preparation. 

“Well?” She says expectedly, looking at her dad. “Let’s take a look!”

He sports a simple yet timeless white collar dress shirt, the first few buttons undone as he wears a form fitting black dress-vest that accentuates his waist, dress pants paired to go along with it. Though simple, his silver rings pulled the outfit together, making him just as good looking and sophisticated as you were. 

Hongjoong’s back faces towards your front, watching as the man nervously shuffles his hands in his pockets.

“How do I look guys?” He gulps, adjusting his collar and sweeping his blond hair back. 

Eunseo rolls her eyes, a grin on her proud little face. “Do you even have to ask, dad?” She’s more than confident in the outfit she and Seonghwa coordinated together. 

He chuckles, shaking his head as he nervously tells them. 

“I want to look good for your mom, you know what I mean? She's a difficult woman to impress sometimes.”

“I’m difficult?” You tease, walking down the last few steps of the stairs. 

The man turns his head around, losing his breath at the sight of you standing there in front of him, wearing that dress that he hadn’t seen you wear for so long, looking breathtaking in every possible way. 

“Hi” you grinned softly, feeling sort of shy.

The way you fit in that dress made an insatiable hunger fuel inside Hongjoongs chest, eyes gazing at the way you strutted over in the black, lace covered material with your hair tied back and glossed lips turned upwards as your dimples showed. He breaks from his admiration when you quirk a brow at him, making the man almost fall to his knees and stutter uncontrollably. 

“I-I No I didn’t mean that-“

You giggle as you bravely take Hongjoongs hands in your own, shutting him up as you turn to your daughters standing in front of you, starstruck at your aura. 

“Outside, right?” you winked at them. 

“Right this way!” Eunseo enthusiastically leads you out back to the outdoor patio, a perfect view of the garden and lakeside coming into effect. Hongjoong slips his hand from yours, and slides it across your waist, pulling you into his side. 

“My parents are too cool” Eunbyeol sighs under her breath, watching from behind in awe.

Your ex-husband makes you swoon when he leans in to whisper softly. “You look breathtaking, sweetheart.” feeling an immense sense of pride at how lucky he was to make you the mother of his children. 

You blush, turning to him to whisper playfully back. 

“Not bad yourself.” 

You both look forward when you come to a stop at the patio steps, sheer amazement at the full preparation your daughters did for this event. Fairy lights were hung around the area, a table with two chairs on either side placed with a white table cloth and a bouquet of freshly hand picked flowers from the forest, battery powered candles that were sold at the souvenir shop lit in the middle and glowing softly. 

Eunbyeol dashes to the door when it rings, making you and Hongjoong furrow your brows. 

“Is someone here?” he asks, watching Eunseo fold a napkin over her arm like the pro waiter she was. The other one walks out, an oily fast food paper bag in her hands as she smiles. “Dinner is served!” 

“Turns out that diner 15 minutes away also delivers!” She chuckled, helping her sister plate the two cheeseburgers, fries, and vanilla and strawberry milkshakes. 

You and Hongjoong continue to watch in stunned amazement as the girls prepare the not exactly gourmet(?) but still impressive meal in front of you, their small hands working swiftly. 

“You guys prepared all of this?” You asked, getting a little emotional. They grin proudly, nodding their heads. “We called the place earlier and planned it all by ourselves!”

You pressed a kiss to each of their soft cheeks, thanking them both as Hongjoong did the same. 

“What did I do to get so lucky with my girls?” he smiles, ruffling their heads. 

“What about you guys?” You asked, watching as they slowly backed away to give you two some privacy. 

“Natalie and her mom invited us over for dinner and a sleepover tonight at her cottage,” Eunbyeol smiles. At the mention of their newly made friend that they had gotten close to over the week, Hongjoong looks at you then back at them. 

“What? But- ”

She cuts him off, rolling her eyes. “Her mom said it’s totally fine with her. She’s only two cottages down, and she’ll make sure we’re back in time again for tomorrow when we leave!” 

The two girls smile in excitement, though the both of you have your parental instincts kick in. 

“Please?” they begged, wanting you to let them go so that they could do this for you guys as much as they wanted to do it for themselves. “She’s waiting for us now!”

Hongjoong feels guilty. “C’mon, you guys should still join us!”

Eunseo immediately shakes her head, declining the offer. 

“Tonight is all about you guys. We don’t want to intrude” she chuckles, bumping shoulders with her sister who chips in.

“We’ll text you guys in the middle to let you know everything’s good of course” 

You and Hongjoong smile, a feeling of immense proudness overwhelming you from seeing your daughters act so grown up. There wasn’t anything else you felt grateful for more. 

“Thank you girls.” you muttered softly, watching as they flashed you a wink before hurrying out through the backyard door. 

“Don’t get all kissy in the backyard!” Eunbyeol teases, making cheesy smooching sounds with the back of her hand as her sister rolls her eyes and shoves her out. 

Before you know it, you’re left standing with just the sound of smooth jazz playing on the patio speakers and the buzzing of the summer cicadas. 

“She takes after you, I hope you know that” You told Hongjoong softly.  

He chuckles, “Not as much as you.” He gestures to the table. “Shall we?” 

And that’s how the next few hours seem to pass by without even realizing. 

You see, there was a reason why you fell in love with the man sitting in front of you, and you’re just beginning to remember it now. Being with Hongjoong felt as if the moment was everlasting, and you could testify that from the amount of laughter and deep conversation that was shared over dinner, bringing you to sit on that patio until the sun had set. Every so often you’d smile again at the thought of the twins preparing this all for you. 

“I don’t remember the last time I’ve been on a date like this” You blurted out after laughing about something, taking a sip of your strawberry milkshake through a straw. 

“Oh, so we’re going on dates now, are we?” Hongjoong grins, making you roll your eyes at him. 

You lean forward on the table cloth, watching as a glimmer passes through your husband’s eyes while he sits back in his chair, cocking his head to the side as he clears his voice. 

“But you’ve gone on dates after we split, haven’t you?” he asks, leaning forward in interest now, letting his chin rest on his palm. 

You shook your head slowly.

“Nope. Not since signing those papers” you revealed. 

Hongjoong furrows his brows in surprise. “And why’s that?” 

You suddenly didn’t have an answer. “I-I don’t know, I just…” You began, watching how he looked at you with an unreadable expression. You smiled, looking down and suddenly feeling embarrassed. 

“I guess I was too focused on running the bridal shop, I couldn’t find the time to.” You use as a cliche excuse. 

“Bullshit” he retorts back immediately. 

“It’s true!” You protested, throwing a fry at him that he dodges, landing on his finished plate. 

“You always did say back when we were younger that you wanted to be a designer. And look at you now” he admires, letting the candle lights shine a youthful glow to your face. 

“You always said you wanted to become a music producer and write your own songs.” you reciprocated, smiling as you soaked in the presence of one another. “And here you are now.” 

You think for a moment before asking the same question. 

“How about you?” 

Hongjoong silently shakes his head as his answer, though silently thinking about something else. The music changes to some old Billy Joel song in the back. You don’t realize it, but Hongjoong smiles to himself when he realizes the girls added it to the playlist. Of course they had to, it was one of the songs you played at your wedding. 

“What were we thinking when we got married like that?” You asked out loud, looking at how far you’d both come. You definitely skipped some of the order of the stages of a normal relationship. 

“I mean, we had no money, no prospects. Hell, we didn’t even have a car, Hongjoong!” you realized.

Your husband laughs, sitting straight and letting some skin show through his unbuttoned collar. 

“We were young” he justifies. 

“Yeah, and stupid too,” you pointed out, feeling the summer breeze pass by. It felt good to sit here like this with him.

You wondered, could sitting here like this with Hongjoong be a regular thing? After this trip, would you be able to walk back into each other’s lives again like this? 

As both parents and lovers?

Hongjoong brings up something you wouldn’t have expected him to. 

“Do you remember when we first found out about Eunseo and Eunbyeol?” he questioned softly, looking at you. 

You blink, taken aback. Suddenly you’re back in your college dorm washroom, sobs wracking through your body as Hongjoong who had only just sent his first few mixtapes to recording stations and companies nearby, pulled you close into his chest, eyeing the two lines left on the counter while he caressed your back. Only twenty years old and figuring out what you wanted to do with your lives, you were suddenly stuck in a sudden situation that had made you feel like your dreams would have been given up on completely. 

“I do,” you told him, pulling yourself from the memory. 

“I remember because in that moment I felt like the whole world was caving in”. You laughed, though it wasn’t fully cheerful.

“I don’t regret it, though” Hongjoong replies after some thought, gazing at you with truth in his eyes. 

You shook your head. “Of course. Neither do I.” 

It was a blessing to have two beautiful daughters as the product of your love.

“I don’t regret you either.” Hongjoong states.

You lock gazes, unable to take your eyes off of his face. 

“I loved you when I first met you and I still loved you when we divorced,” he says all at once, making your breath hitch and heart waver. 

“Don’t say that.” you tell him, looking away and suddenly reminding yourself you’re still divorced from the man sitting in front of you. 

How could he still love you after all this time? How could you feel the same about him?

Hongjoong continues, shaking his head as he bites back the lodge in his throat and makes up his mind. He has to tell you. 

“Truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you.” 

Don’t do this to me you begged silently.

“I’ve hurt you just as much as you’ve hurt me.” He swallows, thinking back to the times you already knew he was referring to. The times where you fought to the point where there wasn’t even anything worth fighting for anymore. 

“But you have given me the greatest gifts of my life.” He smiles, holding his tears back.

“And for that I will always love you.”

You push your seat from the table, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and wanting to avoid him.

“I can’t do this anymore.” you dejected, walking away from the patio and from Hongjoong.

There wasn’t anything else you could fake anymore. You couldn’t bear to hear the man you once loved, possibly even still love, say these things like he had a dagger lodged in his heart. Didn’t he know he was only going to do the same to you?

Hongjoong is quick to catch up, holding onto your wrist and turning you around, that your back collides with the nearest wall inside, pressing your fronts together and closing the distance.

“Why do you always run away from me? From the possibility of us?” He exclaimed, voice breaking. His heart crushed at the way you turned your head, hot tears already clouding your vision. 

“Because ‘us’ can’t happen again, Hongjoong!” You cried, staring up at the man you once promised your life to.

“Don’t you get it? Us going on this trip isn’t a sign to get back together. What would we do seven years after breaking up?”

“We could do it” He states firmly, staring you down, both your chests heaving.

You bite your tears back again. “No we couldn’t, honey. We would be pretending to think we solved our marriage. What would we do about our daughters? After putting them through our constant fighting— ”

He slams his lips to your own, shutting you up as you painfully resist his touch. Your hands came up to push him away, but at the sudden gesture, you’re already giving in and sobbing softly, letting him hold you for just one last time. 

Your lips mold so perfectly, it almost hurts how much you missed this feeling. To have him slot his arms around your waist, pull you in close, and cherish you. You almost forgot this feeling. 

He pulls away softly, watching your lashes flutter, pleading to you for a chance as he leans closer, making your breath hitch. 

“We could be together as a family again,” he states firmly, your name leaving his lips in a desperate plea. “We never know if we try—”

You drown out his words, looking up with tears falling as you cut him off. 

“Seven years ago I gave you those papers to sign, thinking that you would’ve chased after me,” 

Hongjoong holds his breath, watching as the next words stumble from your mouth. 

“I realize now, how stupid I was to think that.”

“I didn’t know you wanted me to chase you”

Shoving his chest away while mustering the last of your strength you uttered. “Of course I wanted you to chase me.” You let go of his hands. “It’s too late either way”, walking away from the defeated man.

Hongjoong stands alone near the patio entrance, watching his tears fall to the wooden floorboards. Holding the ring he had kept hidden in his trouser pocket, he plays with it in his fingers, silently wishing he had given it to you sooner. 

It rains the next morning on your departure back to the city. Perfect, considering it reflects the sudden storm of utter depression that falls upon your family. Long gone are the cheerful giggles and longing stares that were shared between you and Hongjoong during the ride to the cottage. 

There was no room for that, not after last night.

Eunbyeol and Eunseo sat slumped in the backseat, rain hitting the roof of the car as they mindlessly played on their cell phones. Really, they were peeking from behind every so often and watching their parents sit in the front seat with tension so thick, you could’ve cut it with a knife. 

What had they done wrong? They planned the trip, the activities, the dinner— it was all perfect. And yet why were you still fighting with each other? 

These questions racked in their brains, baffled to have witnessed the sight of their parents refusing to talk to each other after walking back from their friends' sleepover. 

Eunbyeol and Eunseo felt as useful as matchmakers without a couple, feeling their efforts all gone down the drain. 

At the sudden ring of your cell phone, you pick up, answering at the voice of your assistant. 

“I’m driving back up right now”

Hongjoong continues focusing on the road, the occasional wiping of rain from the windshield wipers on the front window. 

“Yes. That’s okay, I'll take care of it.” You muttered, glancing at the rear view mirror for a moment. Your twin daughters immediately sigh, having an idea of what to expect when you say those familiar words. 

“Thanks for letting me know.” 

You hang up the phone, 

“One of us isn’t going with you, are we?” Eunseo asks, making you look back at her with a sigh. 

“No, you’re not” You confess, apologetic. ‘I’m sorry honey. I really am.”

You look back facing the front, swallowing as you told Hongjoong. 

“You’ll have to drop me off at the studio. Some things aren’t working out with the client so they need me to come in and take care of it.”

He nods, unphased as he continues to look straight. 

“Will you be fine with the girls?” You asked carefully, watching them as they were slumped in the backseat.

Hongjoong grips the wheel before turning to you. 

“I‘ll be fine. Don’t worry about it” sending a small smile, though it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. 

The twins thank god that at least neither of them had to choose to go back home with either parent. 

They would’ve hated that more. 

After barely being able to depart and say goodbye to your daughters in front of your studio, holding them close for a warm embrace and thanking them for an unforgettable weekend, Hongjoong drives off with his daughters, an empty feeling cascading his thoughts. He puts on a smile still, trying to cheer up his girls. 

“What do you want to do first when we go home? Want to unpack and then eat? We can eat and then unpack. Or we could- ”

Eunseo crosses her arms, having been fed up for far too long.

“Dad, you must be out of your mind.” 

Hongjoong stills, furrowing his brows and peeking at the first born who crosses her arms, holding an attitude. 

“Eunseo, what are you- ” 

“You’re telling me you and Mom just spent a whole entire week together at the cottage, had the best time of your lives since separating with one another, and now you’re just going to go back to not speaking or talking to each other again?”

Hongjoong blinks at his daughter’s sudden outburst, already making a turn into the driveway of his house.  

Eunbyeol now reciprocates her twin, looking at her dad as she slouches beside him, coming near the front seat area. 

“She’s got a point dad. Do you really just not love mom anymore?” She worries, looking up at him genuinely concerned. 

Hongjoong doesn’t know how to answer these sudden questions right now, stuttering to reply.

“Me and your mother are fine!” He lies, trying to reassure them. “That trip wasn’t just for us, it was also for you two to enjoy— ”

Eunseo asks the million dollar question. 

“If you still love Mom, why are you letting her go a second time?” 

With the engine turned off, it's gone silent. Two pairs of eyes staring at their father, awaiting his response. 

“Well? Are you going to chase after her or not?!” Eunbyeol groans, her fathers lack of response making her pull her hair. 

They were right. How could he have made the same stupid mistake twice?

Hongjoong struggles to put the keys back in the engine, telling them to put their seat belts back on. Their eyes begin to glow with hope.

“Do you girls mind staying at your uncle’s for a bit?” He asks hurriedly, punching into his cell phone to call his brother for a favor as he pulls out of the driveway. Eunbyeol squeals, hands clamping over her mouth as her sister speaks on behalf of them both. 

“Dad, if you don’t drop us off and get your butt over to mom’s right away, I’m gonna report you to child services.” she threatens, watching as he steps on the accelerator, heart pumping so fast as he smiles through the rear view mirror.

You sighed, holding up your cellphone to your ear. 

“Call me once she approves the design then,” you told your assistant through the receiver, one hand looking over the sheets of paper, highlighting the changes to the new blueprint. 

“Alright then, bye.” 

After hanging up the phone, you rubbed your temples, head pounding as you tucked the files back into the folder. 

The clock in your studio showed the hands about to reach seven pm. A few hours had already passed since coming back from your trip to the cottage, trying to forget everything by burying your focus into the new dress prints a client of yours requested, remodeling them after the original was rejected. 

Fingers worked away swiftly, comparing textiles and fabrics as you looked at the piles of papers and messy sticky notes in front of you. But yet the gears in your mind seemed to churn achingly slow, sighing as you repeatedly told yourself the same thing. 

Just focus on the dress, focus on the dress, focus on the dress.

Don’t think about him. 

The task is impossible. Your mind can’t help but slip back to what your relationship has become with Hongjoong, and what you were going to do now that those seven days were over. For so long you had deprived yourself from indulging in your love life, prioritizing taking care of Eunseo and Eunbyeol while juggling your job as a designer. Had you been doing it all wrong? 

Hongjoong’s words repeat in your head like a broken record player. 

I will always love you

Lies. That promise couldn’t be kept. Your divorce was a clear outcome of it. You and Hongjoong were two people not meant for one another. You were too different, all you would do is hurt one another, make life an unbearable living hell—

And yet you missed him. You missed Hongjoong so much. 

What was fucking keeping you from loving him? Was it your stubbornness? Was it really the fact that he didn’t chase after you? Or was it none of that and just your own self being stupid?

The front door of the studio opens, pulling you from your thoughts as you got back to the sketches. You called up from your desk as you worked quietly. 

“The studios closed for the- ”

Heavy breathing. The man who just walked in catches his breath from dashing out of his car and up the three flights of stairs, driving through almost an hour of traffic in pouring rain to be here in this moment with you.

“Hongjoong?”

He’s drenched, making a mess on the floor of the studio as the droplets fall softly one by one. 

Suddenly he's striding over to where you’re sitting in long steps before slamming his lips against yours. The kiss throws you off guard, the shock of his cold hands cradling your face makes you close the gap unknowingly. 

Linking your arms around his neck while kissing back passionately, you let your hands rest on his shoulders, pulling back for air as you panted heavily, catching your breaths and looking at each other with pure love and lust. 

“Why are you here?” you asked, feeling dumb because your heart already knew the answer. His hands wrap around your waist, desperate as if you would leave him again. 

But he’s just so fucking tired of that now. He just wants to love you now.

“I lost you once.” He breathes, eyes watering.

“I’m not going to lose you again”. 

Suddenly, everything that kept you from being with each other is thrown away. 

That hate, that fear, everything is gone because you realize you still needed each other. You’re still the same twenty year old couple standing in that dorm washroom, holding each other close and knowing it’ll be okay because at least you had each other. 

You grasp onto his damp shirt, pulling him down with such force that your lips meet again, taking charge as you finally allowed him to have you. 

“You’re a fucking idiot” you whined between kisses, curses escaping your lips when he softly bites the flesh of your neck to test the waters. “I hope you know that”

He agrees wholeheartedly, nodding as if he was already getting pussydrunk.

“I’m an idiot” he mumbles to himself, letting it escape his lips like a mantra. Well, he was stupid enough to only chase after you this late, so if his wife told him he was an idiot, then so he was.

“Let me prove how much I love you,” a hand comes to graze near the collar of your shirt. 

You gasped, watching as Hongjoong lifted you from your seat and rutted his hips against your core pathetically, your ass digging into the edge of the table.

“Here?” Your eyes widened, watching his expression turn dark. He presses kisses on your collarbone, making your hands grasp the wood for support. “Hongjoong wait,” you exhaled in a deep breath, heart beating against your chest.

But he doesn’t give a shit. He’s tired of waiting. 

“It’s been too fucking long” he protests, ripping your top off. You’re dizzy from how abruptly he’s stripping you, latching onto his shoulders for support as you wobble from him unzipping your jeans and pushing them down, exposing you in nothing but your underwear and bra. 

And like the good little whore you are, you immediately spread your legs, letting Hongjoong get a view of the embarrassingly wet patch leaking through your panties as he’s crouched down to let you step out of the denim near your ankles.

Holy fucking shit

You stand bashfully, toes curling from how exposed and vulnerable you were being the only one naked. 

“Please?” you asked nicely, letting your foot rest on his shoulder as your pussy was now on full display for him.

You don’t have time to even finish the last word before Hongjoong dives in, lapping at your soaking cunt and humming in pure ecstasy at the taste. The muffled vibrations make you throw your head back, tugging on his locks to shove his face further. 

Hongjoong’s hands press into your thighs that cage his head in, leaving a grip that you guarantee with littering the flesh with red splotchy bruises. Did you mind? Not at all.

When his tongue pokes at the gummy flesh of your walls, you let out a full moan, echoing throughout the studio as the air begins to smell like sex. 

“Right there, yes” you urged him, leg beginning to shake from how weak it was getting. 

He's so invested, you fear he might suffocate any longer if he doesn’t pull back for air. So you grasp his head, pushing him away from his meal while you both gasped lightly.

You watch him wipe his slick covered chin with the back of his hand, not breaking eye contact as he stares. 

“You were just begging to be fucked for all these years, weren’t you sweetheart?” He teases. 

Though you wanted him to lap at your juices until you came, you knew you needed to still feel his cock inside after so long. 

Your fingers played with the hem of your underwear, smiling back at your husband. 

“And you were just begging to get a taste of this pussy, weren’t you, Joong?” wiping that smug grin off his face.

”Lay down for me” he demands, getting up so that one hand finds its way to the back of your bra to unclasp it. The other clears half your desk covered in wedding dress blueprints and sketches, making sure nothing would make you uncomfortable before he fucked you on that mahogany surface so all you’d remember would be his name. 

And people said romance was dead. 

When the bra slides off and your bare back hits your desk, you suddenly realize what Hongjoong’s intention was when he ordered you to do that. 

Soft mounds spill out as your breasts take their natural form, giving Hongjoong the perfect view of your tits. Pervert. 

He immediately latches his tongue on a nipple, taking his hand and playing with the other, twisting painfully. 

A cry escapes your lips, parting them open as you let him play with them as much as he wanted to. He smiles against the motherfuckers, knowing that shut you up perfectly. 

“Are you ready for me to fuck you now?”

“Please, Joong, I need you” you whined, submitting yourself to your husband. He already knows you’re in need of one last kiss, coming up to give his wife what she wants by slotting his lips against yours again, this time much harsher. 

“Tell me so that I treat you good, baby” he mumbles, pulling back and making you clench your thighs together. He undoes his shirt in the meantime, unbuckling his belt and pressing a sweet kiss to your cheek when you sobbed. 

“Fuck me, please” 

His fingers slide your panties to the side to press his aching tip to your wet core. 

“Like this?” He teases.

“Inside, Hongjoong” you emphasized, meaning what you said with the way your nails dug into a pile of papers nearby. Biting your lip from how sensitive and needy your cunt was. 

“I know, I know,” he murmured, smiling to himself after messing with you. 

“I just missed this pretty cunt” before in one strong thrust, Hongjoong’s bulging tip enters inside your walls, giving you a stretch you forgot how much you loved. You whined softly. 

“Shit” he curses, relishing how the buildup finally led to this moment. 

The man is ravenous, but he’s genuinely trying his best to ease the painful stretch as you adjust to his thickness, nipping your neck in a trail of hickeys and love bites posessively.

With every thrust he makes, you arch your back, pencils and papers shuffling near by you. 

“Fucking look at my wife” he admires proudly, watching the woman he loves bounce her tits at every thrust of his cock. 

“S’too much” you caved in, shaking your head at the stimulation. 

You claw at his arms, head turning to the side as your eyes roll back from pleasure. 

“I know, mama, I know” 

He grabs a tit in his left hand, the right one coming down to play with your clit, pressing slow circles near where you were connected. 

“Fuck, I missed these” He rasps, savouring the feeling of your soft flesh in his hand, making you throw your head back. 

“Missed how they looked when you were pregnant” he says, thinking of how ethereal you looked when you were knocked up with his kids. 

“God, at this point I’m gonna get you fucking pregnant again” Hongjoong grunts, snapping his hips deliriously back and forth. He envisions you round and full, fulfilling his inner fantasy. 

“Shut up.” You spat, breaking the mood as you bit your lip to suppress a moan. He almost laughs when you then crane your hips back to give him easier access to keep penetrating you. The desk shuffles. 

“Your mouth is saying one thing, honey, but your body is saying something else” 

After hearing his words, you suck him in further, both of you now getting close. 

“M’close. M’so close!” you whimpered, sitting up so that now Hongjoong could hold you in his arms, caging your body so his cock could stuff you better. 

Your mouth hangs open in silent bliss, hands scratching his back. You leaned into his ear, making the final chord inside him snap. 

“Make me cum, daddy” 

And just like that, you’re clenching around Hongjoong’s massive cock as a creamy white ring begins to form. Hot ropes fill you up inside, tangled in a sweaty mess as he purrs, caressing the back of your head again in habit. 

“So fucking good, sweetheart. You did so good for me”

The sounds of your breathing fill the studio, a pencil or two rolling quietly away on the ground from being shoved off the desk. He shakes his head when you try to pull your sweaty bodies away, hair sticking to your neck but feeling the way he refuses. 

“Just let me love you,” he mumbles into your shoulder, dick softening inside you. “Just for a moment.”

You’re too tired to say anything back, so you finally give in. 

Seven years passed by you two without even realizing how much you still loved each other. Though you wouldn’t be able to get that time back, for once, there was something that you and Hongjoong agreed upon. 

You had no intention of wasting that time any more. 

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄:

Months later, and it still takes everything in Eunbyeol and Eunseo hearts to not scream at the sight of their parents when they walk hand in hand, smiling happily in public as they pick their daughters up from the first day of school. 

The girls jump into their parent’s embrace, eying the two silver rings they now wore proudly together. 

“How was school, darlings?” Hongjoong asks, pressing a kiss to Eunseo and Eunbyeol. 

“It was fun! We watched a documentary about lovebirds” she smiled, looking back up. You laughed softly.

“Which reminded me to tell you,” she grins, watching as you, her sister, and father all looked at her. 

“I hope you know that getting you and dad back together was my plan from the start.” she confesses, smirking at Eunbyeol who scoffs, crossing her arms. 

“Nuh uh, this was my idea first!” 

Before her sister could yell at her twin, you jumped in. 

“Plan? What plan?” You asked quizzically, both you and Hongjoong standing there confused.

“To get you guys to fall back in love again, of course!” Eunseo smiles, both her and her sister now giggling softly together.  

“How am I just finding out that there was a plan?” Hongjoong mutters, scratching his neck in confusion. You turned to the two girls, stopping in your tracks on your way to the car

“When did you two even think of all this?” grinning in astonishment as you felt Hongjoong slot his hand and intertwine it with yours. It felt natural now.

“Yeah, I'm curious too” he states, leaning close and becoming intrigued.

Your daughters look at each other before smiling. 

“It’s a long story.”

But at last, time is something you finally now have as a reunited family of four, walking back to your car, holding hands with a twin on each side.

Listening carefully, as your daughters start from the very beginning.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who could seem so dominant in his demeanor but is a complete one-eighty in the bedroom.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who loves giving you attitude when you boss him around. he'll bite back at your words and sass you, but cowers down when you threaten him.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who is so polite when he really, really wants something. he'll beg and beg until you let him cum.

"oh, baby, i'm so close, so fucking close," he whimpers, his eyes as the feeling of your lubricated hand slides up and down his thick cock. his mouth letting out the most beautiful sounds as he gets closer to the edge.

he's juuuuust about to cum when you suddenly pull your hands away. "w-what?" he stutters out, his eyes watering up. "what?" you answer back. "did you really think you were about to come so early?" he throws his head against the pillow, a sob fighting to escape him.

he shook his head, "no, of course not." his voice small as his breathing got heavier. the high of the orgasm escaping him as your hand squeezed the base of his cock.

"mm, good boy." you smiled into the words, lowering your head to take his tip into your mouth.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who has such sensitive nipples. a simple graze or blow on them is enough to make his whole body shudder and a whimper leave his mouth.

maki was leaned against the couch as you rode him, your hips dangerous against his as he moaned your name repeatedly.

your hands were rested on the head of the couch behind him before you got your idea. silently, you brought a hand down to makis chest, your fingers scratching and rolling and pinching his nipples.

he shook his head, the sudden excess pleasure messing with his head. he whined shamelessly into the empty living room, his eyes squeezed shut as he did his best to fight off his early oncoming orgasm.

"why're you doing this to me, y/n." his voice was heavy and wet when he spoke, his hands having a tight and bruising grip on your waist.

"I wanna hear you, baby. why else would I?" you spoke against his ear, biting his earlobe as you continued your actions.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who loves your ass. in a sexual and non-sexual way. any moment he can, he'll have his hands resting on it. sometimes when you two are just laying together, he'll have a hand squeezing and pinching it for fun.

one of his favorite positions is doggy. purely because he gets to have an eyeful of your behind and he gets to give you all the pleasure, allowing you to relax and take it all in.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who has a love-hate relationship with cockwarming. he loves doing it after you had sex, the feeling of his cum seeping down between you two is so addicting to him. but he hates when you do it to tease or punish him.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who is the best service top. like I said before, he loves doggy, and any position that allows him to have that false feeling of dominance, because even though he's on top, slamming his hips into you, he knows that he'll listen to any word you said to him.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who nearly cums on the spot when he notices his cock bulging from your stomach. his chest swelling with pride at the thought his well trained cock pleasing you so well and it being big enough to show from the outside.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who's face flushes red when he accidently moaned out "mommy" one time during sex.

you were on your back, makis hips thrusting into you at a brutal pace. his face was smushed into your neck, biting it as he did his best to quiet his sounds.

"keep going, baby, you feel so good in me." you praised him, one hand clawing at his back as the other switched between softly scratched his scalp and tugged on his hair.

everything was overstimulating him in the best way possible. your praises, your hands on him, the feeling of your warm tight cunt wrapped around him. gripping him like a vice.

he nodded his head in the crook of your neck, "you feel so good too, mommy." his mind was dumb from the pleasure, he wasn't even registering what was coming out of his mouth.

"fuck, I never wanna pull out." he whimpered against your skin. a smile etched its way onto your face. "what did you just call me?"

that seemed to get him out of trance. what just happened in the last minute suddenly dawned on him. his whole head and neck turned red, unable to get a word out of his mouth. "n-nothing.."

your hand grabbed his hip, a sudden pressure meant for him to pause his movements. "you know I don't like liars, maki." you pouted, bringing your hand to hold his chin. "so, come on, what did you say."

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who fucking loves when you do a mix of praise and degradation towards him. your harsh tone and words being mixed with his favorite pet names and praises makes his stomach flutter and his cock throb.

.ೃ࿔*:･ sub!maki who loves you to bits and pieces, he gives the best aftercare. no matter how spent he is, he'll always remember to take care of you <3

₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚

Although he’s busy, he tries his hardest to make that time for you. He adores you, he worships the ground you walk on, you are his everything and more (if that’s even possible). Even if they’re small things or just staying at home, he finds a way to spend alone time with you. He loves going on long walks with you, laying in bed together with some dumb flick on just so he can hold you in his arms, and he will always cook for you.

One of his favorite things recently has been finding new recipes and trying them out with you. He’s actually quite the chef and you absolutely adore this about him.

But, as of recently, you can tell he has been very stressed out. He is much busier these days with the upcoming Thailand trip and the constant prerecording for every single Sidemen channel as well as side plus. Hell, the charity match was just about the straw that broke the camel's back. Now you find him up most nights planning and even recording at least some kind of content.

At this point, he's barely living. The reality is, the only thing grounding him back to some sense of normalcy is you.

So when your friends invited you out for drinks, you begged him to go. Eventually he agreed but that wasn’t without putting up a fight and for you to agree to some other kind of alone time activities later (which you had no problem with at all).

The night had been going along well, you were having a great time- laughing with friends, drinking delicious, fruity drinks, dancing and singing your little heart out.

It was all great until you noticed just how much the stress had gotten to Harry. You noticed how much he had been drinking all night. Of course, he loves a good bev every now and then but he was throwing them back like nothing along with random shots all night.

His cheeks were red, his messy hair was even messier, his shirt was sopping wet somehow- he was absolutely battered. You were getting worried, you didn't want to boss him around and you know he deserves a night out but this was going to get out of hand really fast.

He just finished his eighth pint, his eyes were bloodshot red, his speech was slurred, he could barely stand upright.

“I think that's enough now bog.” Ethan began, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder which he shoved off aggressively.

“Nah mate, I've just started to relax. Get off my back.” He responded with a tone of annoyance and anger. Ethan exchanged a look with you, one filled with concern. You nodded knowing that you were going to have to do something.

“Honey, I think we should go back home now.” You said delicately snaking an arm around his neck.

“Darling, come here.” Harry slurred patting his lap. You hesitated for a moment but sat down anyways. He rested his head in the crook of your neck wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you back into him.

“You're the most precious thing in the world to me, my sweet. I don't think I could do this without you.” He drunkenly whispered in your ear. “Please let me have just one more pint my love.” His tone was soft, delicate. The way he talks to only you as if you were a dandelion that would blow away with one swift gust of wind.

You dropped your shoulders in defeat as you nodded.

“Okay Harry, just one.”

The night dragged on, at some point you grew distracted by the enjoyment of being out with good company that you forgot to ‘watch’ Harry.

“Mate I'm not gonna lie, you need to act your age and settle down already.” You overheard Harry say. You looked over to see a not so happy Chris and a blabbering Harry.

“Bog.” You heard Ethan warn.

“What!? It's the truth. At least you've settled down, she's a bit-”

“Harry, don't.” Ethan warned again, trying to stop Harry from saying something he'd regret, this time with a more authoritative and threatening tone.

You knew he was about to say something negative about Ethan's relationship. You knew this was the time to end the night here.

Harry was wasted and when he gets like this, he gets mean, he will say things that cut deep. You've only seen him like this once before but you've been warned about a hundred times.

You walked up next to him lightly tugging at the side of his jumper. His cocky, determined expression dropped quickly at the sight of you. His eyes softened and you saw his body relax.

“You alright princess?” He asked quietly wrapping a protective arm around you. “Can we go home please, I'm tired.” You lied.

“Of course love, whatever you need.” He said placing a soft kiss on the top of your head. He smelled of beer and vodka and you could tell he was clammy under his hoodie.

“Right lads, we're heading out. Let's do this again soon!” He announced to your party. Everyone said bye to him enthusiastically but gave you a look of gratitude. You threw them a warm, apologetic smile as you walked out of the pub with Harry's arm still wrapped around your shoulder.

The ride home was quiet. He was falling asleep, his head dipping down then up when he would startle awake. Finally you reached around and placed his head on your shoulder, immediately making him comfortable.

He wasn't fully asleep but he was a few seconds from it.

“I love you darling. You're my everything.” He mumbled sleepily, your delightful scent making him snuggle deeper into your body.

“I love you too bog. I wouldn't trade you for anything.” You replied quietly, placing the palm of your hand on his cheek.

The flat was quiet, the soft sound of dragging footsteps and the light hum of the fridge were the only noises heard.

You pulled Harry into bed, pulling off his trousers and hoodie, getting him as comfortable as you can. You placed a fluffy pillow under his head and pulled the duvet partially over his body.

You did your own nighttime routine before joining him.

You looked over at him as you slipped under the covers. He looked so peaceful now, a stark contrast from an hour and a half ago.

His mouth was slightly open, his cheeks were still flushed red, his hair was matted down against his forehead.

He wasn't perfect but neither were you. You absolutely would never trade him for anything else in the world.

Your pet store was your pride and joy. It was small, but it was staying afloat, and that's what mattered.

You'd been passionate about reptiles and amphibians since you were a little kid. You learned everything you knew from your uncle, who also raised snakes and lizards. Anything you didn't know, you read books or watched videos about.

So after finishing university, with a zoology major (focused on herpetology) and a business minor, your goal had always been to own your own shop. You’d been working at a local pet store during school and for a few months after graduation, too. 

That was, until a perfect little part of a building came open for rent. 

It was small, cozy even, but it’s exactly what you had in mind when you thought about your future store.

Your uncle ended up giving you a late “graduation gift” to help you with the downpayment for the location and the stuff you’d need within it.

It had taken months to build it up to what you wanted it to be, and honestly it still didn’t feel fully finished, but you finally felt secure enough to open it.

You’d named it “Tales of Scales” and it was your pride and joy. 

Well, next to Croissant of course.

You blinked, pulling yourself out of your reminiscing. You couldn’t believe it’d been a full year since you’d fully opened and you were still here.

It had been a bit of a slow day so far, but it usually was in the middle of the week. Some part of you still debated if you should even be open as often as you were, but considering you only had one other employee and half the power had to stay on anyway when you weren’t here to keep all the tanks warm and running, it really didn’t make much of a difference.

Plus, you’d have to come in anyway to clean the tanks and feed the animals who needed it, so why not just be open while you were at it?

Croissant, your bearded dragon, was currently resting on your shoulder. He had a perch on the main check out counter with a pathway that led back to his main enclosure, located just behind the desk. He loved the attention he got when customers came in. If he could spend all day sun bathing or being petted, he would.

You hummed softly to yourself as you looked back at your computer screen, double checking your inventory for the upcoming month. There were some new snake treats you’d seen advertised on Instagram recently, and you were debating if you should add them to your shelves or not.

The soft sound of the door opening pulled you away from the computer screen. You glanced up and saw two men, about your age if you had to guess, enter.

You gave them a small smile and bow. “Hello, welcome in. Let me know if you need help with anything.”

They both gave you a quiet greeting in return before talking to each other as they browsed through the shelves near the entrance.

You glanced back at your computer, glancing up at them periodically to make sure they were still doing well. Croissant was still vibing on your shoulder, completely content snuggled into your body heat.

The two eventually made their way to some of the enclosures near you. You were very particular about the selection of live animals you had available at your store. You made sure they were always healthy and had plenty of room to be happy. Most of them you acquired from breeders who you had connections with, normally when they had excess that weren’t already claimed for. You also weren’t afraid to help connect customers to the right person if they were looking for a critter that you didn’t currently have in person.

“Oh!” You heard one of them exclaim softly. You glanced over and saw they were standing in front of one of the gecko’s cases. 

The one who’d spoken was the excited one who gave you the urge to pinch his cheeks. He was smiling at the other boy as he pointed at the enclosure. “This one is like the one I’m getting!”

“Is that how big they get?” The other asked, bending over just slightly so he could peer through the glass easier.

“That one’s full grown,” you piped up, causing both men to look at you. “She’s pretty average size, so that’s about what you can expect.”

The excited one nodded eagerly, glancing at the other man. “Perfect size, right?”

“So you’re getting a crested gecko?” You asked curiously.

He looked back at you and you swore you saw a slight blush dusting his cheeks. “Uh, yeah! I’ve always liked lizards and stuff and so I decided to finally get one.”

You nodded. “I get it, I also like lizards and stuff,” you teased lightly.

The other boy snorted and the excited one’s blush grew exponentially. You decided to take it easy on him, though. You didn’t want to scare off a potential long-term customer.

“What all have you bought for them so far?” You prompted gently.

He brightened up at that. “Oh! I have the tank at home and a heating lamp for it already. I wanted to buy some of the decor in person though, so I looked up stores near me and I found this one!” He smiled sheepishly. “I didn’t even know this place existed or I would’ve come here sooner, I think.”

The other boy raised an eyebrow. “This is practically your cat cafe Sung-ah.”

The excited one (Sung?) looked like he was about to protest when he looked at you and his eyes widened.

Oh he finally spotted Croissant.

“Oh my gosh,” he breathed, eyes full of wonder. “On your shoulder- is that a bearded dragon?”

You gave a small shrug to gesture to him. “Yes it is. This is Croissant, the unofficial, official store mascot.” You glanced back at the boys. “You can come hold him if you want.”

You didn’t offer Croissant to everyone. There was a sign under his perch, actually, that gave strict instructions to not lift him up without an employee’s permission followed by an explanation of how to pet him safely (with one to two fingers, down his back, and to not poke his face).

“Seriously?” He asked near reverently. 

You nodded. “He’s a chill guy. He won’t mind.”

The guy scurried over and stopped in front of you. If he was a dog, though he gave off squirrel vibes honestly, he’d be vibrating with excitement.

“What’s his name?” He asked.

You slowly moved your hands up to scoop up Croissant and hold him out to the boy, who gently held his hands out. “This is Croissant. He’s 8 years old.”

Croissant huffed as he was moved off of his warm perch. He looked up at the man holding him and blinked before shifting to start crawling up his arm, deciding he wanted to be on someone’s shoulder, even if it wasn’t yours.

The guy yelped, but thankfully didn’t flail. You laughed. “Sorry about him. He’s very stubborn. He just wants to sit on your shoulder like he was on mine.”

The guy watched him with wide eye wonder, not even looking at you as he replied breathlessly. “Yeah, no, that’s fine. He can do whatever he wants.”

“Are all… lizards this friendly?” The other guy asked, clearly trying to remember what you’d called Croissant but giving up.

You shrugged. “Yes and no, depends on their parents’ personalities a little bit, and species does matter some, too. Bearded dragons are generally a very friendly option for people. I recommend them for those who have kids because they’re also a bit bigger, too, which makes them a little sturdier.

“Just like other pets, though, socialization is important if you’re getting a young reptile. The more often they have positive interactions with people, the less stressed they’ll be and many will even enjoy being around people,” you explained.

“I’m gonna have everyone come and hold her when I get her,” the excited one said, looking at the other guy.

The other guy laughed. “Maybe she could come to the studio with you.”

The excited one gasped. “Oh my god, do you think she could? I bet she could fit in my pocket!”

“You could maybe harness train her,” you suggested.

The excited, future-reptile owner looked at you. “What’s that?”

You leaned down behind the counter to grab Croissant’s harness. You placed it on the counter to show him. “We don’t carry a ton of these in stock, because not a lot of average reptile owners want them, but I do have a source if you’re interested.” You gestured toward the door where a sign was hanging by the entrance. “All friendly reptiles are welcome in our store as long as they’re safely contained in some way, and that includes being attached to a harness. This one is Croissant’s.”

“And he wears it?” The other boy asked.

You nodded. “I mean, he was unsure at first, but what pet isn't?” You shrugged. “Now he puts it on no fuss. He likes going on walks.”

“Should I get one now then?” The excited one asked. His eyes reminded you of boba with how wide and innocent they looked. “Or should I wait until she's full grown? Is it ever too late to train them for it?”

“When are you getting her?” You asked, tilting your head.

“In a little over a week,” he replied.

“Just bring her in then and I can help you out if you want,” you suggested. “Not right away, if you want to give her time to settle in first. I promise she doesn't need to be in a harness day one, or even month one, in order to eventually get used to one.”

He nodded along, still looking at you with his wide, excited eyes.

“So,” you said, stepping out from behind the counter, “want to get some stuff for her enclosure?”

“Yeah!” He replied eagerly. 

“Great, how big is the tank?” You asked as you started walking towards one of the shelves.

“Oh- um, will Croissant be okay like this?” He asked, still rooted in place.

You nodded. “Yeah I walk around with him on my shoulder all the time,” you turned to keep walking, “but if at any point he makes you uncomfortable, or you just want to be relieved of your perch duties, let me know.”

“I don't mind,” he replied softly before scurrying to catch up with you.

So as it turned out, the future gecko owner's name was Jisung and the friend he had with him was Minho. He ended up purchasing two nice branches for her to climb on, a dome shelter, a water dish, and a starter plant for his tank. You walked him through basic setup and even gave him one of the pamphlets you had printed out for all new reptile owners.

“I'm sure you know some of this already, but I always find having a reference to double check myself makes me feel better when I'm doing something new,” you explained as you slipped it into his bag.

“No, yeah, I appreciate it,” Jisung said, his adorable blush coming back.

“I want to see her once you get her,” you told him as you put his receipt into the bag. “Even if it's just you coming in and showing me a picture.”

“I'll be back, I promise,” he said as he scooped up the bag. “Thanks for all your help today.”

You smiled. “It's my pleasure. I'm always happy to help a new reptile owner. Sounds like you're gonna give her a good home.”

God his cheeks looked so cute when he blushed. “That's the goal. She deserves to be spoiled like any other pet would be.”

You grinned, glancing down at where Croissant was now happily laying on his perch. “I agree.”

When the two of them said their goodbyes, with Jisung thanking you once again for all your help, you were pretty sure he'd be back.

There was a chance he wouldn’t. He could just order his food online or go to a big name store, but the fact that he came in in the first place gave you some hope. 

You expected it wouldn't be immediately, though, and while you weren't in the habit of memorizing the faces of first time customers, something about him was sticking in your mind.

So you were a little surprised when, exactly a week later, he came back through the door.

You'd been stocking one of the shelves when you heard the familiar sound. “Welcome in,” you called out, finishing what you were doing before turning around. “If you need any help just let me know- oh, Jisung! Hi!”

Jisung blinked. “You remember my name?”

You shrugged. “Of course, why wouldn't I? Did you get your gecko early?”

He blinked, a blush immediately rising to his cheeks. “I didn't think you'd remember that either- um, I mean, I'm picking her up today and I realized I wasn't sure if she'd have a good carrying container? Then I wasn't sure what even was a safe way to transport a gecko, so I figured I'd stop by here since you probably would know.”

You smiled. “I mean, whoever you’re getting her from probably has her in a safe travel container already. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you getting her from?”

Jisung quickly explained and you nodded along as he did. “Yeah, they’re a good one. They’ll definitely have you hooked up, but-” You turned towards the shelves, “if you want to be extra sure, I can definitely help you out.”

Jisung nodded, smiling bashfully. “Yes please. I just want to make sure I do this right.”

You led him around your small store, hooking him up with Croissant’s favorite treats, a small travel container, and a misting bottle.

“I mean, she probably won’t need it for the short trip,” you reassured him as you helped him check out, “but, they do like humid environments. I bet she’ll already have a damp towel at the bottom of the container she’s in when you get her, though.”

Jisung continued to nod along to everything you said. Keeping his gaze on you as he tapped his card against the terminal. “Thank you for all of your help.”

“You clearly did a lot of research too, I’m sure you would’ve figured it out without me,” you told him seriously, “but I’m still happy I could help even a little bit.”

“No, no, you helped a lot,” he reassured. “I mean, I did research a lot but,” that lovely blush comes back onto his face, “I second guess myself a lot, so having someone who clearly knows what they’re talking about tell me I’m doing it right means a lot.”

You beamed. “Well then I’m doubly happy I could help.” You reached out, playfully nudging his shoulder. “You got this. You’re gonna give her a great home.”

“Thanks,” he breathed softly. He looked at you for a moment longer, before blinking, breaking the moment.

He leaned back away from the check out counter, laughing slightly. “But, um, yeah, hah, thanks for your help. I should probably get going.”

You nodded, fingers twitching on the counter. “Yeah, of course. Next time I see you, you’ll hopefully have a name for her, yeah?”

He laughed more genuinely this time. “For sure.”

The rest of your day went by normally. The flow of customers was fairly slow, so you managed to get some cleaning done, including deep cleaning Croissant’s tank.

As you were closing up your store that evening, Jisung kept popping up in your head. You knew why. He was cute, charming, and also had a soft spot for reptiles, which was always a huge plus in your book.

Plus, he seemed so dedicated to making sure he was about to give his new gecko a good home. Considering it was his first reptile pet, you were super impressed by his dedication.

You assumed it’d be a few more days until you saw him again. He probably had work, and he really didn’t have a reason to come in immediately. He’d bought plenty of supplies from your store already, and more from online retailers as well.

So imagine your surprise as you started to walk home after locking up the shop, when you spotted his face on a large sign on a building.

Well, it wasn’t just his face, Minho was there, too, as well as six other men.

Holy shit. He was a k-pop idol??

You knew of Stray Kids. You listened to music of all kinds, you just rarely looked up the artists to memorize their faces. Plenty of your friends and customers had mentioned their love for random k-pop groups, including naming some of their pets after them. Stray Kids was one that had come up more than once.

And you’d had two of them in your store. One of them twice now.

There was a part of you that felt you needed to do something with this information. What if Han expected that you knew who he was? Should you look him up? 

You ended up throwing on some of their music as you made dinner that evening, thoughts still racing around your head. Out of curiosity, you did look up the group, to see if there was something glaring you needed to know.

You read a basic bio of the members, mainly their names and the roles they played. Jisung was apparently one of the main rappers and was also part of their production group known as 3Racha.

And then… you just closed the tabs. It felt wrong to read more, even if the information was right there and thousands, if not millions of people knew more about Jisung and his likes and dislikes than you did.

But did you really need to know?

By the next morning, your mind had settled. Sure the guy in your shop was probably fairly rich, travelled the world, and had millions of fans. So what?

He was also clearly passionate about reptiles, got a bit nervous talking to strangers, and looked adorable when he blushed.

And you kinda wanted to squish his face.

And his eyes looked so pretty when he got excited.

… And you really hoped he'd come back to your store sometime.

As much as you tried to distract yourself, Jisung kept lingering in your mind over the next couple of days.

Your store was open on Saturdays, but you gave yourself Sunday and Monday off instead. At least working at the store helped keep you mostly distracted, but over the weekend, not so much.

Croissant was surely tired of your attempts at keeping busy by Monday, so you made yourself leave the house and take Croissant to the park for a bit. You also drafted up a few posts for your store's socials and updated the website with promotions for your new inventory you were getting in next week.

Come Tuesday, you were itching to get into the store, anything to give you less time to fight the urge to check Jisung's socials.

Had pick gone well with his lizard? How did she do on the ride back to his place? Had he shared her with the world? If so, what did they think? What had he decided to name her? How did her enclosure look now that she was in it?

Croissant shifted on her perch, causing you to snap out of your thoughts. You glanced over and saw her staring at you, unimpressed.

“What?” You asked her. 

Croissant blinked at you.

“You don't even know what I'm thinking,” you pointed out.

Her tail flicked. 

You groaned. “I know, it's stupid to be crushing on a guy I barely know, but you saw his big eyes right? And how excited he was about everything in here? That's like my biggest weakness.”

Despite remaining silent, Croissant was clearly judging you. 

You'd had a steady flow of customers that day, maybe above average for a Tuesday but nothing wildly busy. 

It was about 30 minutes before closing and the store was peacefully quiet. You were finishing cleaning one of the cages when you heard the door open. 

“Welcome in,” you called out. “If you need any help, I’ll be with you in a moment.”

You finished refilling the water dishes and setting everything back into place before getting the snake who had been residing in there out of his temporary box and back into his home.

He settled back in easily and you smiled, closing up the top and finally stepping away to look for the customer that had come in.

He was easy to spot, a familiar silhouette hanging out by the register. He was gently petting Croissant, who was leaning into his touch, eyes closed in contentment. 

You felt your steps stutter for half a second before you composed yourself, taking a soft, but deep breath.

“Hey Jisung,” you greeted, walking over to the counter.

Jisung jumped slightly and you had to resist the urge to giggle. 

“Hey!” He greeted, standing up straighter, though his hand didn’t leave Croissant. “I, um, I was worried I was going to make it before you closed.” A blush crept slowly up his cheeks as he spoke. “I tried to come yesterday, but I didn’t realize you guys were closed on Mondays, which was totally my fault for not checking. I know being open every day of the week is unreasonable anyway so like, it’s not a big deal you were closed or anything I just uh-” 

You smiled at him, leaning against the counter. “You’re all good. We’re open on Saturdays, and since supposedly a ‘work life balance’ is healthy or something," you made air quotes teasingly as you said it, “I decided I should probably still have two days off a week.”

Jisung licked his lips, cheeks still a dusty pink. “I honestly hadn’t thought about the fact that I’ve only ever seen you here before. Does anyone else work here?”

You shrugged. “It’s mostly me. I have one part-time employee who comes in a couple evenings a week, mainly Fridays and Saturdays because they’re our busiest days, but also stock day, too.”

Jisung nodded along as you spoke, his tongue peeking out for a moment, distracting you momentarily.

“So, um,” you said, regaining your train of thought. “Did you need something on Monday?”

He perked up. “Oh, um, not necessarily,” he admitted sheepishly. “I know you wanted to see picture of Richard once I got her, and I know it’s too soon to bring her, but I wanted to show you pictures. I was freer yesterday than today, so I almost didn’t make it. I know it could’ve waited but-”

“No, I’m glad you came,” you replied softly. “Come on then, show me. I want to see her.”

Jisung beamed, immediately whipping his phone out. Croissant grumbled as he lost access to his chin scratcher.

He would live.

“She did great on the car ride home, and she started being curious about her tank super quickly,” he started saying excitedly as he turned his phone for you to see. “A few of the memb- my friends have already come over to meet her. She’s so cute, too.”

You nodded, cooing at the photos. “She’s super cute. I’m excited to meet her.” You glanced over at him. “So, Richard?”

He laughed. “Um, yeah. It’s sort of an English joke but also, because Richard and lizard sound similar, you know?”

You snorted, which evolved into a laugh. “Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious. Perfect name for her. How did you think of that?”

“I can’t take all of the credit,” he shrugged, still smiling. “Honestly my friend Changbin is the one who suggested it.”

“Well I’m excited when you finally bring her by,” you said. 

Jisung nodded, suddenly looking more nervous. He glanced over at Croissant, fiddling with one of the sleeves on his jacket. “So, um, uh, have you heard about the dinosaur cafe downtown?”

You nodded, eyes lighting up. “Yeah, I think I saw that on Instagram. It just opened recently, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, yeah it did,” he replied. “Would you- uh… maybe want to go? Together?”

Your heart fluttered but you tried not to get your hopes up. “As friends..?”

“No- I mean, unless that’s what you’d prefer!” He quickly said. “But, um, I’d like it to be a date if you would also like that. For it to be a date, that is.”

You felt a blush crawl up your own cheeks now. “I mean, I would like that, too.”

Jisung beamed, his shoulders relaxing. “Okay, cool, great.”

“I do have to admit something, though,” you said in a bit of a rush. Jisung blinked at you, waiting, so you continued. “I do know that you're, like, a big k-pop idol. I saw your face on my way home the other night on a big screen. I didn't know before then, but I felt like you should know that.”

He looked hesitant when you first started but then he relaxed again and nodded. “I mean, I was pretty sure you didn't know me, at first at least. I can't always read people, but usually I can tell.” He shrugs. “You would've found out eventually, but… are you okay with that?”

You shrugged too. “A job is a job. I've heard some of your guys' music before. It's really good.”

He blushed. “Well, thanks. I'm really proud of what we do. What we have done.”

“Then I'd really like to hear more about it,” you told him honestly. “Do I need to sign like, an NDA or something to go on a date with you then?”

Jisung spluttered and you laughed playfully. “Uh, Skigji would probably prefer that. Not that I don't trust you, but-”

You waved a hand. “No, you're fine. It'd be like a whole liability probably.” You tilted your head to the side. “How much could someone reasonably sell your phone number for?”

Jisung laughed. “Oh gosh, tens of thousands at least. Some Stay are pretty determined when it comes to stuff like that.” He licked his lips, looking mildly more confident now. “You'd need to have my number first in order to sell it though, so.” He put out a hand and winked at you.

You laughed but couldn't stop the blush from spreading as you placed your phone in his hand. “Smooth.”

He shrugged nonchalantly as he typed into your phone. “I try, sometimes.” He handed the phone back to you. 

“So,” you shot him a text, signing it with your name, “now that I have your number, and you have mine… when do you want to go on this date?”

He blinked rapidly, his cool act quickly diminishing. “Oh! Um, are you available maybe tomorrow evening?”

You giggled. “Yeah, I think my calendar’s clear then.”

“Great!” He beamed. “I can pick you up here at 5?”

You nodded. “That works.”

“Cool, cool,” he nodded. “Um… I guess I’ll get out of your hair then, let you close up the shop and all.”

You shrugged. “I don’t mind, you’re certainly not a bother.”

He beamed. “Well, I could help if you want?”

You laughed. “I mean, sure. How do you feel about sweeping?”

You switched the sign to closed as Jisung began sweeping the floor. Even though you’d closed with your employee a few times, doing it with Jisung felt different. It was still so easy to talk to him, and even though he needed some guidance with your closing tasks, it was honestly fun.

As you locked up the store, Croissant safely tucked away for the journey home, Jisung lingered nearby, shifting from foot to foot.

“Um, I could walk you home if you’d like?” He offered. 

“I’m sure it’s out of your way,” you countered.

He shrugged. “I don’t mind… I like spending time with you.”

“And you're not worried about being spotted or something?”

He slipped a face mask on and put his hood up. “People don’t usually notice me when I’m by myself.”

“Then sure,” you smiled, “I wouldn’t mind the company. Especially when they’re cute.”

He spluttered, and even with the mask on you could see the blush on his face. “Not as cute as you.”

You blushed in return. "Up for debate."

“Well we can debate then, on our date tomorrow,” Jisung offered.

You laughed. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The Case Begins

You leaned back in your chair, eyes scanning the board in front of you. Photos, notes, and newspaper clippings were pinned in a chaotic display across the corkboard. All centered around a string of unsolved murders that had been haunting the city for months now.

It wasn’t just the brutality of the killings that had made headlines—it was the precision. Each crime scene, so meticulously staged, so calculated. There was something almost… personal about the way they were set up. Like the killer wanted to leave a message—one that was too complex to decipher.

You rubbed your temple, frustration mounting. You knew you were close, but the pieces weren’t fitting. You could feel it in your gut. Every time you thought you were one step away, the trail seemed to fade just out of reach.

It was around that time that you noticed him—a figure who had become a familiar face in the case. Tall, with dark, brooding eyes. He’d been attending every one of the briefings, standing in the back of the room, barely saying a word but always watching. You couldn’t help but feel a strange pull whenever his gaze landed on you. It unsettled you in a way you couldn’t explain, and you weren’t sure if it was because he was involved or if it was just his presence that had an unnerving quality to it.

His name was Johnny—a former detective turned consultant for the department. He was there on his own terms, never explaining much about what he was working on, just offering his insight when the higher-ups requested it.

You’d found yourself alone in the office late one evening when he approached your desk. His steps were soft, but his presence was impossible to ignore.

"Still working on the case?" His voice was low, calm.

You glanced up, offering a tight smile. "Yeah. I can’t shake the feeling I’m missing something. But I’m not sure what it is yet."

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "You think you’ll figure it out? Or do you think the killer will get away with it?"

There was a sharpness in his voice, a coldness that sent a slight shiver down your spine. You met his gaze, trying to assess the man in front of you. "I don’t believe in giving up," you said firmly. "I’ll catch him."

Johnny didn’t speak for a moment. He simply stared at you, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible smile, he turned and walked away.

But you couldn’t shake the feeling that his words weren’t just about the case. They felt like a warning—something that lingered, hanging in the air long after he was gone.

Tension Rising

Over the next few days, Johnny’s presence became harder to ignore. He would appear in the background of your meetings, always just out of reach. Every time you caught his gaze, there was something intense behind his eyes—something dangerous. It was as if he knew more than he was letting on.

One evening, as you worked late again, Johnny was the only other person left in the building. You had expected him to leave, but when you looked up, he was standing in the doorway of your office, watching you.

"You don’t give up, do you?" His voice was low, almost a whisper.

You felt a tightening in your chest as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "I don’t. I need to finish this." Your tone was firm, but you couldn’t deny the slight nervousness creeping in.

Johnny walked closer, his movements fluid and controlled. "I admire that. But sometimes… the answer isn’t what you expect."

He was standing a few feet away now, his gaze fixed on you. There was something about the way he looked at you that sent a chill through your body.

"What are you saying?" you asked, voice low.

Johnny stepped closer, so close that you could feel the heat radiating off of him. "I’m saying you should be careful, detective. Some things are better left uncovered."

You swallowed hard, a knot forming in your stomach. There was a heavy silence between you, broken only by the sound of your breathing.

And then, before you could react, he was right in front of you, his hand brushing against your arm. The contact was electric, and you felt a pulse of heat shoot through you. You looked up into his eyes, searching for any sign of his intentions.

Johnny’s lips quirked into a small, almost knowing smile. "You think you can catch me, don’t you?"

You didn’t answer. You didn’t have to.

The slow burn of tension between you and Johnny continued, like a thread that was growing tighter with each passing moment. You didn’t know why you couldn’t stop thinking about him. But every time he came near, that simmering unease—along with something else—pulsed between you.

And somewhere in the back of your mind, you couldn’t shake the thought: What if he was the one you were chasing all along?

Only You Saw Me

The kiss deepened until it wasn’t a kiss anymore — it was a confession of everything you both had buried.

Johnny lifted you like you weighed nothing, setting you on the old wooden table in the center of the room, his hands firm but reverent on your waist. The tension between you snapped the moment your legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him in close. His mouth dragged down your jaw to your throat, kissing with teeth, tongue, and heat.

"You don’t know," he rasped, pulling your shirt over your head, "how long I’ve needed this. Needed you."

Your fingers fumbled at his jeans, breath hitching as you felt him — big, hard, pulsing against your thigh.

He hissed as your hand brushed him, voice gravel in your ear. "You’ll ruin me."

His mouth found your breast, hot and open, tongue circling, sucking hard until you arched into him. Then he grabbed your wrists and pinned them above your head with one hand, the other slipping past your waistband.

He found you soaked, panting, clenching at nothing.

"Already like this?" he growled. "All for me?"

You could barely speak. You nodded, gasping, body burning.

He yanked your pants down roughly, guiding himself to your entrance. "Eyes on me."

And when he pushed in — slow, thick, deliberate — your breath broke entirely.

You clawed at his shoulders. He groaned into your neck. "So damn tight," he gritted. "You’re mine now. You know that, right?"

You nodded frantically, crying out when he began to move. Fast, punishing thrusts that made the table creak beneath you. The slap of skin, the grip of his hands, the sting of every breath — it was rough but intoxicating. The way he bit your shoulder, licked over it, told you he was lost too.

He pulled out and spun you around over the table, tugging your hips back and sinking in again from behind with a loud groan. This time deeper, harder — you cried out his name, fingers scrabbling at the worn wood. He fisted your hair, pulling your head back as he snapped his hips into you with wild hunger.

"You take me so damn good," he grunted. "No one else. Only you."

Your legs trembled. The pleasure was overwhelming — and when he leaned over, hand sliding to your throat with just enough pressure to tilt your chin up, it pushed you to the edge. You came shaking around him, gasping like you’d been starved.

But he wasn’t done.

He turned you again, lifted you up onto him, and fucked you standing. Your back hit the wall, arms wrapped around his neck as you rode out his rhythm, overstimulated but too far gone to stop. His hands gripped your ass, bouncing you harder, faster, until he groaned like he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

"Where do you want it, baby?" he asked, desperate.

You kissed him. "Inside."

He came with a loud moan into your neck, trembling, buried deep inside you as his body shook. You clung to him like gravity had disappeared.

Then he held you.

He sank to the floor with you still in his arms, your body limp against his, his hand brushing your hair off your sweaty forehead. He kissed your temple, his chest rising and falling in sync with yours.

"You okay?" he whispered.

You nodded, burying your face into his neck.

He cleaned you gently with his shirt, whispering praise like prayer. “So good for me… so beautiful, even now.”

His thumb brushed your cheekbone. His voice softened.

“I’ve done terrible things. But this—" he kissed your lips, slow, honest, “—this was the only thing that’s ever felt real.”

You hadn’t moved from his lap.

Johnny sat back against the wall with you curled into him, the early morning light creeping through the cracks in the boarded-up windows. His hand had never stopped stroking your back, like he feared you might vanish if he let go.

You didn’t speak. You couldn't. Your body ached in every delicious way imaginable, but your mind was at war.

He was a killer. You were a detective.

And you had just made love — no, fucked — like it was the only thing keeping you alive.

“I should arrest you,” you whispered.

Johnny laughed softly, but there was no mockery in it. “You should’ve done that the moment I had you against that table.”

You looked up, and his face was calm. Like a man who’d made peace with something, even if the world burned around him.

“You’re not afraid?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been running my whole life. I wasn’t afraid of dying. I was afraid of you seeing who I was.”

You swallowed, throat tight.

“But you did,” he continued, brushing his fingers across your lower lip, “and you stayed.”

The words hit harder than any bullet.

“I don’t know what to do,” you said honestly. “You make me forget who I am.”

“No,” he murmured, kissing your temple. “I make you remember who you really are.”

You stared at him, the man with blood on his hands and a heart that beat like it belonged to you. His touch was still gentle. Reverent. You realized his crimes weren’t just sins — they were shields. Walls he built around something soft.

You should’ve left.

Instead, you kissed him again — slow, searching, like maybe the truth lived somewhere between your lips.

The End.

When you heard thunder rumbling in the distance earlier, you didn’t think anything of it. You’d be done before the rain comes! Nope. You scramble to gather all of the books you laid out at your stand, getting them under the surface so they won’t get damaged. A giant flash of light followed closely by clap of thunder startles you, and you bleat, your long furry ears pressing back against your hair. Your short tail under your hanbok twitches, slightly rustling the fabric it lays under. Once all of the books you’re selling are safe, you grab the sseugaechima you have and sling it over your head, stepping back toward the building you’re in front of. It’s some kind of accessories shop, but the roof awning is quite short and so you’re barely able to hide from the downfall underneath it. People scramble on the street to flee to rain, and the few of them that have coverings continue on their way normally. You peek out from under your own covering, observing the sky best you can. It’s clearly not going to end anytime soon; it’s just that time of the year. You have no idea how you’re going to get all the books back to your house. Your father doesn’t mind you working to copy and sell books for the local seller, but he won’t let you establish your own business. The seller you work for also doesn’t have a store front himself and so the two of you sell at stalls in the market.

You decide to wait just a bit longer, wondering if the shop owner of the building behind you will let you store the books for a bit. The street has more or less cleared out, but you watch a nobleman come closer. His clothes are nice, even nicer than yours, so his status is probably much higher. The gat he wears is adorned with a silk strap and the beading is clearly finely made as well. As you look over him, the belt tying his hanbok accentuates his narrow waist and wide shoulders. Your eyes travel up to his face and he’s stunning. But also…he has tiger ears. As he gets closer, you catch a glimpse of his long tail. Definitely a tiger. It’s incredibly likely that the guy is not just nobility, he’s possibly one of the princes. There are like eight of them so that isn’t too unlikely. Despite the downfall, he’s simply strolling down the street, almost likes there isn’t any rain. Since you’re one of the few people still outside, he stops in front of your seemingly empty stall. He lifts his head, and his eyes meet yours and you feel them widen. Instinct flares to life, your deer-like genes screaming at the sight of the predatory gaze. It isn’t that he’s trying to scare or threaten you, he just simply is a predator hybrid, and you a prey.

"Have you nowhere to go to escape the rain?" He’s definitely of high status, with not just tone but the exact words he uses. You nod dumbly, back pressing to the stone foundation of the building behind you. The sseugaechima over your head covers your deer-like ears and your tail is completely hidden by your hanbok.

"I-I have books to sell, and I don’t want them to get wet." You point under the stall, and at the crate that holds your wares. He makes an 'ah' of acknowledgement. You wonder why he feels the need to stop at an empty stall.

"You might have to wait a while for the rain to stop." He looks up at the sky. You sigh, knowing he’s right.

"Do you want me to help?" He offers and you flinch. Really?

"If you wish, my lord." You bow a bit, and he huffs.

"Shh. Pretend I'm not that important." His smile is much softer than you expected from a tiger. You nod, not able to speak and he comes around and you drag the crate out, ready to use the sseugaechima to cover it.

"Use this." He corrects, taking the cloth that you’d laid out on the wooden stall, and you wonder how frazzled you are that you forgot about it. He tucks the edges of the fabric over the books and easily lifts the crate. You move around him so you can start to lead him home and you feel tense the whole time. Negating that he’s a tiger and you a deer, he’s clearly a nobleman, and he’s doing physical work…Then again, you’re technically a noble yourself, and a female at that. Finally getting to the entrance for your family's estate, the gate is open already and you wave for one of your father's guards to come and help. The guard takes the crate from the tiger, bowing deep in respect and then dashes off to put your wares in your quarters.

"Thank you, my lord." You bow again, sseugaechima still covering your head.

"San." he adds, and your brow furrows trying to wonder why he’s talking about a mountain. Then it hits you, it’s his name, he is one of the princes!

"Oh, yes, your highness. (Y/N)." You introduce yourself as well, staying bowed and making sure not to look at his face.

"Get inside and out of the rain Lady (Y/N)." He smiles and your eyes flit to his gorgeous face. You bow deeper then dash further into the courtyard and book it to your quarters.

 ~θωθ~

Looking up at the clear blue sky, you squint at the tiny white cloud you can see. It had rained for nearly four days straight and therefore you couldn’t set up your stall for that long. You don’t really have need for money since your father is…well, rich, but he doesn’t just give you pocket money to buy stuff for yourself. It’s because you want books that aren’t normally what noble women would read, you know, like things you can actually learn from. You’ve read more than your fair share of romances and adventures from copying them. After you’ve set out the final pile of books, you look at your hand and rub your finger over the callus you got from holding the brush. Yes, it’s painstaking, but you’re extremely glad that you can use hangul, it would take ten times longer if you had to use hanja. Right as you get done setting up, two women stroll up and you continue your day.

~

About an hour before you’d get ready to go home, you note that you’ve done well for the day and have only about six books left, each a different one. Since it had slowed, you’re sitting on a stool, people watching the few that are wandering around. It’s nearing the evening mealtime, and you can smell the food from the restaurant down the road on the corner. Your stomach rumbles and you sigh deeply, ears drooping. You start to zone out a bit, watching some birds on the ground, not looking up when someone stops.

"What is this one like?" the man asks, and you finally look up so you can see which book he’s pointing to.

"Hm, something about a servant seducing a nobleman's son…" You sniff and look up at the guy and startle. It’s that prince from before! Even if you hadn't carved his face into your memory, it’s a bit obvious from his tiger ears right under the brim of his gat. You immediately stand and bow, and he looks around quickly.

"It's fine, I'm trying to lay low." He waves you off and your eyes catch sight of the black claw-like nails on the end of each finger. You risk glancing up at his face and he’s smiling, dimples indenting his cheeks, your eyes focus on his large canine teeth. You feel your tail flick a few times, your skirt ruffling a bit. You feel his eyes moving over your face and your ear flicks at well, nervous under the gaze of his golden colored eyes. You freeze when his arm moves, hand coming up and your eyes follow the movement till you can’t see, and you feel a little tug on your earring.

"These aren't real." He makes note of it, and you cringe. You had wanted real jade earrings, but you didn’t have enough money, and so you had to settle with those instead. Your father might have bought those for you, but you really wanted them right then and there. You aren’t even sure what they’re actually made of.

"N-no." You bow your head, and he lets them go.

"When do you leave?" His question startle you and your ear flicks again.

"In about an hour."

"Don't leave till I get back." He tells you and he heads off further down the market road, back the way he came. You blink after him, eyes wide, wondering what the heck that was all about.

~

You do as he asked though and wait for him to return. Glancing up at the sky, you have another ten minutes or so and he still isn’t back. If you didn’t know he was one of the princes, you’d have left, but he told you to stay. You still hadn't sold the rest of your books despite a few people stopping by, and so you start to put them in the crate. Looking down into the mostly empty container, you look to the side and see him coming. Even at a distance you can see his smile when he notices you’re still there, and he jogs to meets you sooner.

"You stayed."

"Well, you said to." You shrug, not looking at his face. Part of it’s because of his status, but it’s also because he’s so handsome. Too handsome, actually. You wonder if all the princes are so. You watch as he pulls something out from the interior pocket of his jeogori, a small but detailed wooden box coming out. He holds it out to you, and you hesitated to grab it.

"Go ahead." He waves his arm a bit and you gently take it with both hands, lifting the hinged lid. You gasp, looking at the earrings inside. They look nearly identical to yours, but they’re obviously real jade.

"W-what?" You have to look at his face then, see what his expression is for some sort of explanation. His cheeks are a tiny bit red, and his own ear flicks some and you can see his long striped-tail swaying behind him.

"Your Lord Bak's daughter, from the Saseum Clan?"

"Y-yes?" He smiles a bit bashfully, looking down as he swings his leg around, drawing a circle with his foot.

"Can you take me to talk to him?" You nod jerkily, a little shocked at the request. Before you can grab the crate, he takes it, and you ball up the cloth from the stall and shove it on top of the books. You walk next to him as you head toward your home, feeling a bit weird, like you should be following him. You’ve never directly interacted with a prince before him, but you still know the basic rules. Don't look at his face, walk behind him, don't be physically higher than him, speak formally… Yes, he’s trying to lay low, but that doesn’t change who he is. You wonder who is genuinely ignorant enough to not know who he is though since he’s so obviously a tiger hybrid. When you show up to the house with the same man carrying your book crate as the time before, your father's guard is a little skeptical. He still takes the crate from the prince- San, his name is San, you remember.

"Can you please get Lord Bak?" He asks and the guard's gaze flicks to you, and you give a short nod. As he goes to do so, you stand with the prince awkwardly, swaying just a bit so your skirt twirls a bit around you. Your ears are twitching so much that your old, fake earring jingles. Your arm twist around your back so your hand can tug on the end of your braid, a nervous habit.

"(Y/N)? Who is this?" Your father comes around the corner, strolling down the stone-paved path toward both of you. He glances at San, and you cringe slightly at how much smaller your father is than him. His jeongjagwan is modified to fit around his antlers, only that puts him at the same height as the prince.

"I am Prince San, Lord Bak. I have come to ask permission to court your daughter for marriage." You balk at this, turning to gape at him directly. Your head turns back to your father whose gaze has sharpened. You know that there’s a lot of noblemen that have brought their sons as potential suitors, and your parents have turned down every single one. Will San be different? You’re lucky that your parents do takes into consideration your opinion on most things.

"You are the fifth eldest, no?"

"Yes."

"Are your parents aware of your request?"

"Not yet, though I have been given more freedom since I am far down in the line of succession." It seems the men are having another conversation through their eyes.

"Is that why you’d be allowed to marry a prey hybrid?" The prince falters for a reply, it seems he hadn’t even taken that part into consideration.

"I will need to request an audience with his highness." Your father answers and San seems to deflate.

"What do you think of this?" Your father turns to look at you and you cast a nervous glance at the tiger next to you. You know that you’ll have very little say in reality, and you wish you lived about a thousand years earlier. You know, before Confucianism ruined feminism. Though, the prince seems to be very sweet, and he’s extremely attractive. It could be way worse.

"If my lord finds it auspicious." You bow your head a bit and your father hums.

"Why don't you go back inside, (Y/N)?" The request is more of a command than a suggestion and you scurry off to do so. As you enter, your mother comes down the hall and you meet her.

"Geez, mother…" You lead her to spin around, and she does, though with a confused look. Adjusting her binyeo so it’s setting in her bun evenly, she then turns back to face you.

"Were you speaking with someone?" She peeks around you so she can look out the window, but she can’t see.

"A suitor…" You tell her and her long, furry ears perk up.

"I shall see then," she nudges past you and goes to go out and you huff a sigh, heading back to your room.

~

"(Y/N), your father requests your presence in the courtyard." A handmaiden comes to summon you, and you get up from your floor desk to follow her out. Your father is not alone, Prince San standing with him. It was only three days prior that your father had an audience with the king, and since the prince is there…

"Yes, father?" You come out and stop before them, bowing at the waist some.

"It seems that it is auspicious…" Your father tosses a glance at the prince, and you look up at both of them. Your gaze going to the tiger's handsome face, and he’s beaming.

~^ω^~

The next few weeks are a blur and before you know it you’ve gone through the marriage ceremony, and you’re moved into his own little palace that belongs to the greater palace grounds. Since he’s one of the younger princes you share a palace, whereas the queen and the crown princess have their own places. There’s a place as well for any consorts that the royals might have as well, but it seems San requested you to live with him. Honestly, you think it quite impersonal for a husband and wife not to share a room and bed each night, but that seems to be the norm for royalty. When you learn that even princes sometimes have consorts, you got a little insecure. What if you alone aren’t enough?

"What's wrong, (Y/N)?" San's voice catches your attention, and you turn to him as he enters. You’ve been standing in the middle of the room, just looking over everything, the room fairly barren compared to the overall size.

“I was just…” You stop, trying to think of how to word it. He hums for you to continues.

“I was just trying to soak in everything I’ve been told to learn.” You lie, not ready to bring the subject up quite yet. Your head is pounding from all the new information you’ve been pumped full with and you’re nervous about messing up. Luckily since you were a noble already, you knew most of the rules and practices, but you’re going to be under a bit harsher scrutiny. Not a bit, a lot. Your head feels strange, having your long braid looped up into a chignon braid, the jade binyeo holding it up making it feel heavier. The cheopji sitting on the middle of the top of your head is heavy as well, since it’s gold. Your hanbok is of much higher quality and you feel nervous about getting it messy or torn somehow.

"(Y/N)?" He calls your name again and you snap out of your tumbling thoughts.

"Why did your eldest brother step down as heir?" You finally remember the question you’ve been wanting to ask him, before your insecurities start to spiral. You’d heard some of the other women talking about it but don’t want to rely on gossip.

"Hm. The woman he fell in love with was too low in status. He abdicated so he could marry her. That's why Hongjoong is the crown prince."

"I see. The eldest is Seonghwa, yes?" San hums and you sigh, racking your brain for all the names you’ve learned. There are too many. Finally, you look over San…your husband. Just the thought makes you a bit giddy. Even though it hasn't been very long since you two met, maybe about two months, you have endeared to each other. He’s so sweet, contrasted greatly with the normal thoughts of how tigers are. Then again, he’s a hybrid, not a full tiger. He’s in a much different ensemble than what you met him in, more princely clothes. He doesn’t have any kind of headwear on then, just his manggeon and you can see the streak of orange and white in his hair to the right of the center of his head.

"Are you nervous?" he asks and your ears flick. Not really sure what he’s talking about, you just nod. You are, but you aren’t for sure in what way he means. He steps forward and his hands find your waist, your own landing on his chest. San pulls you closer and your ears press back against your head. Your nervous habit of tugging on your braid is going to have to be replaced since it’s no longer hanging down your back. You let out a noise similar to a bleat when he hauls you even closer, his nose nuzzling against your ear.

"We get to make it official." he whispers and what he’s getting at finally hits you. The consummation of the marriage. You’re nervous, and a bit worried as well. You were told that predators have a much more aggressive…mating process. Plus, apparently, tiger hybrids are much likes real tigers, and have 'barbs' on their… You’re in your own thoughts; you can say whatever; they have barbs on their cocks. Plus, you’re a good 30 centimeters shorter than your husband and he’s just big overall. Your hands on his chest fist, digging your fingers into the fabric and you squeak when the claws on his hands dig into your own clothes enough you feel them against your hips. You shudder as his slightly rough tongue runs up the side of your throat. Your heart rate spikes, nearly taking your breath away, some primal part inside of you freaking out.

"Your high-"

"It's just us, call me San."

"San, I-"

"Your highness!" A eunuch calls from the other side of the door, and you pull back. He reluctantly lets you remove yourself from him and you turn away from the door as he turns toward it. He allows the servant in, and you’re informed that the bathing chambers are ready. After the eunuch steps out and the handmaidens are waiting outside patiently, San goes back to you.

"Why don't we be efficient and take a bath together?" He wraps his arms around you from behind and you’re sure he feels your tail wag nervously even through the layers of fabric you both have on.

"C-can we?"

"Hm. I don't see why not. Not exactly traditional, but…I can get away with a lot." He chuckles and you feel it rumble through his chest pressed to your back. When he finally pulls back, you turn to him, face warm and he grins.

"So cute." He nuzzles your ear again and then comes back, leaning in and pressing his lips to yours. It’s your first kiss as a married couple, not that you haven't stolen a few leading up to that point. This one is different though and he nearly growls as he deepens the kiss. You squeak, it’s like he’s trying to eat you, and the obvious comparison is not lost on you. His tongue is rough against yours when it wiggles into your mouth and your head swims when his large canines clacked against your much smaller ones. When his lips let yours go, a trail of saliva connects your mouths, and you let out a shaky breath.

"Go with the handmaidens and get ready, I'll join after." San presses another kiss to your cheek and allows you to leave his embrace. You stop in front of the door, looking back at him again as the servant on the other side opens the door. He smiles warmly and you bite your lip giddily and then follow the maids to the bathing chamber. They carefully remove your garments and take your hair down, so it’s still just in a braid, you don’t need to wash it yet. You’re left in a simple white sokchima, not ready to be fully disrobed since San is still to come in. You hear his own servants getting him ready in the adjoining room and as soon as your maids leave, the side door opens. He steps in, closing it behind him and you gasp, eyes widening. Speaking of wide…his shoulders are so broad, especially compared to his waist. It’s fairly obvious even when he’s clothed, but right then he only has a pair of white sokbaji. His torso is toned as well and your mouth, still hanging open, starts to water. Well, not really, but you’re close. Feeling very small and delicate under his intense gaze, it softens when he notices your shoulders are tense.

"Come here." San coos, coming to meet you halfway and you let him hug you again, not able to help yourself placing your hands on his bare chest. His skin is smooth, and his muscles are hard and your thighs clench as you practically stroke him. He chuckles and your eyes flit up to his, ears flopping they’re twitching so hard. His tail is sticking out the back of his pants, swaying slightly, his ears drooping just a bit.

"Can I take this off, (Y/N)?" The prince's voice is quiet but deep in your ear and his hands grip the back of your sokchima.

"Y-yes." You do feel the amount of clothes is fairly unequal, but your final garment being removed will leave you completely bare. Shivering a tad as he pulls the tie open, the straps of the undergarment fall from your shoulders, then the rest of the fabric onto the floor. Your arms go to cover yourself, but his hands stop you. Your face is hot, almost on fire and you can’t meet his gaze, ears no longer twitching but pressed back hard against your head. Your short tail is waving back and forth quickly, no longer impeded by any fabric over it.

"You're beautiful." San tells you as he makes sure you won’t cover yourself and he steps back a tad, fingers going to the tie of his sokbaji. Your tongue runs nervously over your bottom lip, eyes immediately zooming in on his hands. He notices your gaze's direction and he huffs a laugh but continues with his task. Your arm wraps around your back, tugging on the end of your braid, now free of the pin holding it up that shows your wedded status. It’s like time slows down as he lifts the waistband up and over his half-hard cock and the fabric pools on the floor as well and your eyes widen almost comically. You’ve never seem a man naked in person, only having seen what are basically medical diagrams in books. All you know is that they probably aren’t all that big, and he isn’t even fully hard. The little spines at the base and head of his cock aren’t quite like you’d imagined; unlike the barbed end of a fishhook you thought. Your cunt clenches hard, and you swallow hard as he steps closer.

"Here." He grabs your hand with his and brings it toward him. You both gasp when your small, warm hand wraps around his cock, and you bite your lip as you pump up with your fingers wrapped around him. You wonder if it’ll hurt with how thick he is, your fingers not even meeting, and you ponder what the flesh would feel like on your tongue.

"(Y/N)?" His amused voice pulls you from your thoughts and your head has to tip back to look him in the eye with how close you are. A drop splats onto the floor, and you realize what it is when your slick thighs rub against each other. A rumble rises in San's chest and his nose nuzzles over your ear again, then down your throat and he inhales deeply. The rumble pick up and his warm spiced scent grows stronger, and you feel his cock harden fully in your grip.

"Let's get in." You whine a bit in disappointment when he pulls back, but he takes your hand and leads you down the little steps into the water. It’s nice and hot, but not too much so, flower petals floating in the water and carrying with them their sweet aroma. He sits on the bench that sits inside the large wooden tub, and he hauls you into his lap, legs straddling him. You watch the wavy image of his tail through the water, your tail not able to wag as hard with the water resistance. As you rest on his lap, his hard cock presses to your tummy and you press into it more, making him groan.

"You need to stop doing that if we're going to wait." His tone is a bit harder, his brow furrowing after your next press closer to him.

"Wait for what?" You give him a coy look. You know it would be "proper" to wait till you’re actually in a bed to…bed each other, but…

"(Y/N), love, don't you want your first time to be-" He grunts when you lean in, your breasts pressing into his chest, and he has to close his eyes to think.

"San, I don't care if you take me here, now, or in that bed. What matters is it's you." You rest your head on his shoulder, nose nuzzling his neck, your head feeling foggy as you breathe in his scent. You hear the water sloshing before you feel anything, but his strong arms wrap around you, lifting you up a bit. His lips crash to yours as he maneuvers you, only pulling away so he can flip you around. Your back pressed to his chest and he has you rest your knees over his so he can hold your legs open. Even with the water of the bath, your slick is still stuck to your folds, and he groans as he runs two fingers over you. Your entire body jerks, thighs twitching at the little bit of friction, already sensitive. San's arm holds you to him as his index finger breaches your entrance, your slick easily letting him in. You had noticed earlier that he filed his claw-like nails down to blunt them, and now you know why. You had expected a bit of a sting at his finger's entrance, but you only feel pleasure. You have…tested on yourself before, but his fingers are longer and thicker, and your head falls back over his shoulder as a second joins the first. He grins, watching your cunt swallow his fingers, his tail sliding through the water to wrap over your thigh, holding it to his. San grinds the palm of his hand against your clit and your gummy walls clench around the digits inside and he hears you whine right into his ear. Under normal circumstances, your flitting ears and tail would tickle, but he can use them to tell just how you’re reacting.

"S-San!" You gasp, the pleasure he’s bringing over you rising fast and your blunt nails dig lightly into his arm where you grip it.

"Good girl, (Y/N). Fall apart for me." His prompting words leads you to your climax and he rumbles as your cunt clenches and pulses as your orgasm hits. When the little twitches finally die, your body slumps into his, he removes his fingers and helps move you once more. You face him again and your nails dig harder into his shoulders as he holds you over him, the head of his cock rubbing through your folds.

"Ready, princess?" He smirks a bit at the pet-name, though it’s completely and officially accurate now.

"Please." You lean down and kisses the corner of his mouth and down his neck. San grunts and your grip on him tightens as he presses you down, fat cock finally breaching your entrance. It stings, burning in the best way though, the rubbery spines of his cock flicking against your clit as he finally gets the head all the way in. The rest of his dick follows a bit easier, but each little increment deeper, the spines rub against the ridges of your cunt. He’s only halfway in when you throw your head back, breath harsh, chest heaving at the sensation of him splitting you open. Your cunt spasms and pulses, you’re already close, heat pooling and growing in your groin and lower stomach. Your flowery scent fills the air even more than the petals in the water, the pleasure and pheromones your husband are letting off spurring you into a semi-heat. Immediately, your cunt slicks even further, the thick wet not able to be washed away by the water. As he starts to bottom out, the spines at the base of his cock flicks over your clit and against the folds of your pussy and you shudder hard as your groin meets his. San barely shifts and that’s all it takes, your second orgasm hitting quicker and harder than the first. His growl rumbles through his chest, you and the room as your cunt clenches hard around him.

"Fuck-" You swear softly and hearing the vulgar word leave your soft, sweet lips makes him groan.

"Are you okay, love?"

"J-just give me a second." You’re still shuddering in his arms, tiny waves still pulsing through your cunt.

"I can't last much longer." He warns and you shift once yourself, pressing your knees harder into the bench of the bath and you nod jerkily. You’re prepared…well, you think you are. San's arms around you tighten, almost to hold you in place, and he lifts you off his cock some, then pumps up his hips, fucking back into you deep. Your head flies back so hard he’s a bit concerned, but he continues his thrusts, not even pulling out halfway before filling you once more. The water sloshes around you, your tail wagging hard through the water, his own wrapped around your right thigh.

"Shit-" He grunts, pressing you to him and standing. You yelp at his movement but then he lightly rests you against the rounded edge of the wooden tub. He reaches past your head for a towel and bunches it under your head.

"San?" You don’t get an answer to your prompting tone, and your breath hitches as he hauls your legs up to wrap around his narrow waist. One hand rests against your thigh to hold your leg up, the other taking your hand from his shoulder and lifting it up above your head. His fingers linking with yours, holding your hand tightly as his lips hover over yours.

"Hold on, princess." He more or less warns, and your other hand flies to the narrow wooden column near you, barely getting a hold on it before he snaps his hips, relentlessly barreling his cock into you, head battering your back walls. You let out a choking sound, followed by unintelligible whimpers and babbles, your next orgasm rising already. With each thrust, he grinds his hips down, the spines at the base of his cock teasing your clit and he doesn’t even slow down as your third orgasm crashes over you. If anything, it makes him go harder, the water around his legs sloshing hard. He’s full-on growling at this point, tongue running over his long canines, a drop of saliva falling past his lips and into your mouth, gaping open, drool dripping from the side. Your eyes roll back as his pace seems to pick up, the thrusts somewhat shallower but even harder.

"Fucking hell, love, you're taking me so well." San rumbles, watching his fat cock split you open, the shine of your slick and cum on his cock makes his head swim.

"Want me to cum inside? Fuck my cub into you?" He laughs cockily; eyes fixed on the joining of your bodies. You both aren’t even sure how easy it’ll be for you to conceive, and he honestly doesn’t care if you can’t. He’s so far down the line of succession himself, let alone his kids. Though, if it is harder, that just means he can try all the harder.

"Please! San, want your cum!" You whimper, neither of you caring anymore if the servants hear the filth spilling from your mouths.

"Gonna make you my mate too, my wife…" He growls and his thrusts grow unsteady, his nose nuzzles your neck again and your breath hitches as the sharp ends of his canines meet your skin. Your blunt nails dig into the wood of the column, hand gripping his hard as he finally falls over the edge himself. His teeth sink in as he cums, white, hot spurts of cum coating your walls and filling your womb. Your orgasm helps him ride out his, core gripping him hard, eagerly drinking in his seed. You almost feel like you’re going to pass out, brain clearing some as he stops, licking over the bite wound in your shoulder. He pulls back enough to look down at your worn-out body, face red and splotchy but still so cute, so pretty. And you’re all his.

The next few minutes pass with a blur; all of the servants are called to leave the hallway leading from the bath to your bedchambers. You only realize you have changed location when the still-wet skin of your back hits the silk sheets, and San is filling you back up. You have nothing to hold onto, so you white knuckle the sheet of the futon under you. Your legs are thrown over San’s wide shoulders, ankles by his ears, and animalistic noises are leaving him. He’s salivating like a hungry…well, tiger, growls turning into near roars. You aren’t sure how many more orgasms he fucked out of you before he fills your womb with even more of his seed. Your mind is nearly gone, only little squeaks leaving you as he flips you over, hips raised in the air, chest pressing to the bed below. His giant cock, with all those blasted spines, carves into you, and your cunt clenches hard, molding to him. You’re both a mess already, the bath having been nearly negated. Sweat drips from his brow onto your bare back, a thick mix of your releases coating both your thighs and forming a puddle below. A dark stain from the tears caused by the overwhelming sensations and drool forms below your cheek. Even with his claws blunted, they tear into the bedding some as he leans over you, hips pumping hard, the slap of skin muffled by his grunts.

“One more for me, princess. Gonna get you pregnant, keep you stuffed full till you do.” He chuckles, pace stuttering, and your vision spots as he cums once more, squirts and sprays of your own release soaking his groin further. Soon, all that can be heard is both of your panting breaths and you’re having trouble staying awake, all strength leaving your body. That’s when something terrifying hits you…he’s still hard.

hanbok - traditional/historical clothing, most people think of women's dresses, but men's clothes were called this as well. sseugaechima - this is the extra-skirt looking garment women would wear over the heads. gat - this is the hat that noblemen would wear, more specifically the ones that were black and made of mesh. jeogori - the top/shirt part of a hanbok. hangul - the Korean alphabet we use today. hanja - the old Korean characters derived from Chinese used prior to Hangul's creation. jeongjagwan - a type of gat that noblemen would wear, it looks much like a pagoda. binyeo - the long pin that would hold a woman's bun up, mostly used for married women. cheopji - a hair accessory worn by women, looks similar to a headband with a clip or pin in the middle. manggeon - the mesh-like headband men wore to hold their hair in place sokchima - basically a dress/skirt like under-garment. sokbaji - pants-like undergarment, mostly worn by women under their chima