voice of my heart;

"I'm so sick, love."

"Are you really? ...you weren't just an hour ago-"

"Yeah well I swear I'm coming down with something right now."

It was one of those nights when Kim Myungsoo managed to disentangle himself from his ridiculous schedule at St. Mungo's and succeeded in spending a quiet dinner at his girlfriend's London flat. It was strange, them living only three underground stations apart and only managing to contact each other through texts and calls -- a feat that the former Ravenclaw only just accepted after a month's worth of badgering from the gently steadfast former Slytherin ("Do you think the gallery would appreciate an owl flying down the hallway every few minutes?"). Son Naeun sighed helplessly at her boyfriend, laying steadfastly still on her bed with an arm slung haphazardly across his middle. The result of a stomachache, as he so claimed. 

"Well you need to hurry on and apparate home then! Get some rest."

"I'm resting perfectly fine here, love..."

A touch of genuine confusion passed her gentle features, before the tiniest of smiles bloomed on her rose coloured lips in understanding. 

"Oh no- did someone coughed on your face, Myung?" The small smile was replaced by a tiny pout in a flash, as the girl made her way slowly towards her boyfriend of three years -- an amazing thought in itself, such teenage frivolities turning into something potentially permanent. 

The former Ravenclaw nodded weakly, closing his eyes for good measure as he did so, Naeun couldn't help but notice a small crease on the lower part of his left cheek, a telltale sign that he was biting down a smile. 

"My poor baby." She cooed, sinking down to her knees so that her face would be level with his on the bed. Propping up her chin on her covers beside his cheek before leaning forward to plant a small kiss on the corner of his lips. "I guess you'll have to stay here for the night, hm?"

A loud sigh and another weak nod followed, Kim Myungsoo's eyebrows furrowed tightly with his attempt to keep the rest of his face as calm and placid as possible. Breaking out into a full out grin would be his ticket for a dose of side-long apparition to his own flat. 

Eyes still tightly closed, Myungsoo let his fingers skirt on top of the duvet to find his the former Slytherin's arm that was supposedly resting on the bed beside him, only to find them grabbing into thin air. Cracking his eyes open just a little, he could see the hem of Naeun's floaty white dress drifting here and there around her room.

"What on earth are you doing?" 

"Hm?"

Finally opening his eyes fully, Myungsoo could see his girlfriend being quite literally weighed down by the amount of pillows and blankets in her arms, her face innocently wide-eyed with a touch of concern.

"Aren't you-"

"What? Sleeping with you?" Naeun asked, bursting out in her usual short, soft laughter. "Oh I really wouldn't want to catch a cold, and you definitely need to rest ...which isn't likely to happen when I'm just a feet away."

"But-"

"Get some rest baby, I'll wake you up for your shift in the morning, yeah?" 

Crossing the room once more -- only slightly stumbling due to the pillows and blankets in her arms -- Son Naeun planted a last kiss on her boyfriend's nose before retreating back to her sitting room. The least that she could do for all of his trouble, a rather terrible attempt of acting in his part. 

"Night Myung."

"Night love." Myungsoo muttered at his girlfriend's retreating back before the lights were turned off and the door swinging shut behind her. Leaving him in complete darkness. Sighing in mild annoyance and turning onto his side, the healer-in-training scowled out the window at his foiled plan. 

"It's not finished yet, Myung! Don't look over my shoulder like that, you're making me nervous. I-"

With a nervous little laugh, the younger girl lifted her large eyes off the sketchbook on her lap only to meet with her boyfriend's unwavering gaze, a light pink blush immediately glazed across her cheeks. Round eyes faltering back to her half-finished work, a small, shy mumble replaced her previously indignant protests. 

"...why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hm? Looking like what?"

"That."

"I wasn't aware that I was looking at you in any particular way, love..."

"Love, it's time to go."

"... I don't want to." 

The small body of sixteen year-old Son Naeun stayed stock still, curled up on the royal blue covers, vehemently diverting her eyes from the figure of her boyfriend standing by the end of the bed. Instead, she played with the ends of his pillow, a pout stubbornly etching itself to her small face. Kim Myungsoo sighed, running his fingers in frustration through his hair, messing up the already tousled locks. This was all very surprising, he knew for a fact that his girlfriend is mature beyond her years, able to accept situations for what they are and work through obstacles with logic, for that he treated her intellectually equal, not bothering to sugarcoat things in fear of the usual teenage girl emotions getting in the way. But this was different. No matter how understanding and accepting Naeun is, she is still a sixteen year old girl who is going to lose the constant presence of the person she loves most. 

"You were fine before-" Myungsoo said carefully, adjusting his blazer and sitting on the foot of his bed. "I'm not dying, love."

Of course I know that, Naeun thought with a frown. She didn't like how she was acting, how immature and stereotypically feminine she was being, as if being left by her boyfriend is going to end her world. The young Slytherin bit her lip, convincing herself that she was stronger than this, that she is overreacting and effectively embarrassing herself. But she simply couldn't. The seventh year Ravenclaw boys' dormitory room was empty except for them, Myungsoo's roommates are probably spending their last official days as students out in the grounds, saying their goodbyes to their friends and juniors who still has to come back the year after. Myungsoo was just about to do the same. 

"The graduation ceremony is going to start soon..." The former Ravenclaw frowned, sitting on the other side of the bed, draping a hand over the girl's body to roll her over to face him. She did not protest, merely blinked as she found herself face to face with the boy's impassive face. Even with someone as close as his girlfriend, his cold persona still remains intact -- with a few rare exceptions, of course. 

Myungsoo laid on his side, pulling Naeun by the waist so that their faces are mere inches apart, fingers brushing the stray locks of wavy brown hair that hid her face from view. His heart sank to the pit of her stomach when she saw that her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Naeun-" He said quietly, furrowing his eyebrows in helpless confusion. He didn't know that his departure would effect her nearly as much, especially since she's been acting completely fine and normal with everything up until five minutes ago when he got up from her side and decided it was time for them to go. But now, he wanted nothing more than to stay. "Love, you could always owl me. Hell- I'll send you letters every day, I promise."

"It's not the same though, isn't it?" Naeun replied softly, her voice cracking ever so slightly in the end. Slim fingers found their way to entwine around her boyfriend's sturdy ones, hazelnut eyes flickering down in embarrassment. She is being unreasonable, she knew that, there's absolutely no way that he could stay in the castle after graduating. But the feeling of him always being in arms reach -- just an owl away before actually seeing him walk through the castle's front door to join her on the bench overlooking the lake. No, he is going to be only an owl away, and nothing more. 

The smallest of frowns passed Myungsoo's stoic face, heart sinking at the truth of her words. But he shook his head nonetheless, leaning forward to place a kiss on the corner of her rose coloured lips -- as if trying to stop them from trembling.

"It'll be the same." 

It's his 'promise' voice, the one that he uses when he declared he was going to do something and is determined to see it through. Naeun had to crack a smile at his confidence, a trait that she herself has yet to develop -- well, not as much as him, at least. She knew better than to argue with him.

"It's not like we're breaking up, love." He said softly, placing his palm on the side of her face, marvelling at how she could almost fit within his grasp. "I still love you the same. Hell- I'll love you harder to make up for the distance."

Naeun had to let out a small snort of laughter at that. Trust Myungsoo to be corny at the strangest of times, it's one of the things she absolutely loves about him.

"Think about it... it's just one measly year, not a lifetime. By this time next year it'll be you with the diploma in your hands and me waiting for you in Kings' Cross."

"...with my parents." 

"Yes, with your parents."

Myungsoo let out a small slither of laughter through his parted lips, thinking how only Naeun could think of her parents in a time like this. They planned to visit her parents just after making they arrived back in London, something that Myungsoo couldn't shake out of his mind for a good month or so- it's presence nagging on the back of his head even as he studied and completed his NEWTs. It really could go only two ways, splendidly or absolutely terribly, and for his sake more than hers, he fervently hopes that it would be the former. Naeun had assured him after one particularly stressful study session a few weeks prior -- where he was stressing over anything and everything that could possibly worry him -- that they would love him initially, considering his blood status, apparent wealth and his overall appearance ("mother will be fine with you because you're handsome, oppa."), but it'll be up to him to charm them and keep that stellar first impression. Myungsoo has been mentally preparing himself for this as hard as he did for his Arithmancy exam. 

"We'll see each other every day after that ...as adults."

Nodding innocently at first, Naeun's teary hazelnut eyes widened indignantly after a good three seconds, finally understanding the triumphant smirk that was on her boyfriend's face. She wiggled against him in protest.

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Nothing." 

His smooth voice sang innocently, the twinkle in his eyes still apparent. Myungsoo didn't know why she was so shy about it, they're not exactly innocent. Although the first time started off as an awkward jumble of words and skin -- which was to be expected, of course -- it wasn't like it's terrible, not at the slightest, especially not for him. Knowing Naeun as he does, he knew that the flaming cheeks that greeted the subject meant that he must've done something right. The next handful of times were brought upon by urgent kisses in the dead of night -- insinuated by Myungsoo, of course -- within the same bed that they were both lying on at that moment, the dorm room always curiously empty whenever she was in it ("Uh- he had to do some astronomy homework, gonna be up late in the tower"), she expect nothing of it, considering that he only had one roommate as opposed to the five Slytherin girls occupying her own dorm, that seems to never be empty. 

"Babe, once we get out of here we'll be adults, you can live wherever you want ...without your parents."

The hopeful tone didn't go unnoticed by the Slytherin, and she buried her head quickly on her boyfriend's chest to hide the warm tingles in her cheeks that could only mean that she's tomato red once more.

"Hm." She said shortly, not knowing how to respond to him.

Myungsoo laughed, enjoying how awkward his girlfriend was being when he felt like there should be no need for awkwardness between them. Their fourteen month relationship in a healthy course, with nothing to be ashamed of. Her shyness gets in the way of more than half of his 'advances', a problem he shared with Woohyun on more than one occasion ("Just touch her in the right places, man. Jesus! You know how to do that, right?"), needless to say, his best friend received a pointed look before wordlessly hoisted up by his ankles for a good minute. Of course, with or without the physical attention that involves no clothing, Naeun was affectionate regardless, dropping small kisses and wanting to be as close to him as possible during their late night meetings, holding his hands when they walked around the grounds and sneaking kisses on his cheek when she thinks no one is watching. Myungsoo loved that about her. He loves everything there is about her, with or without sex. 

"What if you met a pretty healer?" Her small voice piped up childishly out of nowhere, bringing him out of his reverie. Large hazelnut eyes looked up at him with a small glint of insecurity that Myungsoo knew all to well. He scoffed in response, shaking his head defiantly.

"No one is as pretty as you."

As always, his compliments caught Naeun off guard as she tried to fight off the smile that threatened to consume her face. The former Ravenclaw smiled helplessly back at her, the usual effect that being with her brings. He pulled her ever closer pressing a loving kiss on her rose coloured lips, fingers threading through her hair as if to remember the way it feels under the pads of his fingers. It truly is the last time he could hold and kiss her that way, on the bed that fit both of them perfectly, in the empty dorm room that had witnessed a fair share of their firsts. Naeun shuddered into his embrace, the previous sadness that was momentarily forgotten by his words now coming back in full force, a painful tug in her heart informing her that things wont be the same again. 

Sighing once as small kisses made their way up to her cheeks, Naeun closed her eyes and felt salty tears silently making their way down her pale face. Calloused thumbs gently wiped them without a word before soft lips fluttered over each of her closed eyelids. Like butterflies against her skin. Blinking her round eyes open, Naeun was face to face to the breathtakingly handsome face of Kim Myungsoo, eyes alight as they always were when he looked at her, and she knew she must look the exact same way. Pressing a last, soft kiss on the tip of her nose -- making Naeun giggle despite the lump on her throat -- Myungsoo tugged his girlfriend up to sit, this time without protest, as they knew that there was no more delaying it. 

The walk down to the Great Hall was silent between them, something that is not uncommon as both has always been quiet in their own way. The noise of shouting and screaming students all around them as they climbed down the marble staircase, hand in hand, and into the bustling hall, alight with floating candles with students flitting here and there for their last goodbyes. Walking slowly in the division between the Ravenclaw and Slytherin tables, Myungsoo could already spot his best friend Jooyeon talking animatedly with Hyomin, the head girl, just a few steps ahead. Knowing perfectly well that the girl barely misses a thing and that he was going to get an earful as soon as he sat himself down in front of her. Naeun's eyes roamed to her own table, where she spotted her best friends Krystal and Sulli settling themselves down a little further on the table, the latter raising her head as if on cue and locked her eyes with Naeun's, waving once for her to sit on the spot in front of them. 

Turning back to Myungsoo, Naeun felt him squeeze her interlocked fingers in his, mouth staying closed and silent, but dark eyes spelling out volumes, the way he always does. They didn't need to say 'I love you' to each other, they knew from the look on the other's eyes and the secret smiles that they shared. Bending down, Myungsoo wordlessly caught Naeun's lips in a small kiss, before pressing another one lovingly to her temple before jamming what he called the 'ugly tent' on his head ("It's a graduation cap, baby...") and flashing her the goofy smile he reserved only in her presence, making her laugh as she always does, a twinkle of soft melody ringing loud and clear in his ears despite the commotion around them. But just as he was about to loosen his grip on her hand and sit on his own table, the younger girl gave his fingers a soft tug before coming up to her tiptoes and pressing a soft, but determined kiss on his unexpecting lips. A look of pleasant surprise flitting across his features as he smiled broadly down at the small girl.

Giving her hand another small squeeze before they both let go and turned their backs against each other, settling down amongst their respective group of friends. Myungsoo immediately accosted by Jooyeon's sharp words ("Sucking face in public are we?"), when she really shouldn't be the one to talk since her own PDA with her boyfriend is far, far worse. Naeun settled into the knowing looks of silent judgement of her two best friends, to which she replied to with a simple and innocent 'what?', before both girls shook their heads -- with twin mischievous smirks on their faces -- and launched into a random topic of discussion. 

Bittersweet rushes claiming her heart as the headmaster announced the graduating class, and she -- along with the rest of the student body, clapped their hands politely for the seventh years who has risen from their chair. Hazelnut eyes locked with a certain pair of dark ones from the table over, unspoken promises shared, a million words exchanged.

"You're enjoying this." 

Naeun did nothing but smile. Her husband's hand still tightly clasped around her own, they walked up the front porch of their rented villa in a private ski lodge complex in the Alps. Yet another vacation spent in another picturesque destination that Naeun had planned for god knows how long, knowing that they should make every second count, especially with Myungsoo's latest promotion. According to him, it means that he gets paid more for less hours, but knowing him, he'll stay back to make sure everything is in tip top shape anyway. She knows him enough not to expect much from him but is still happy for him nonetheless, seeing as he's been vying for the position for quite some time. 

"Right there, love!" 

"Hm?" 

Without so much as a warning, Naeun heard an audible click as she turned her head towards him, immediately giggling after she realised what he's doing. It really could not please her more to see her husband take an interest to something art related, it's almost like they're sharing a passion now. 

"Beautiful."

"No, not really."

"Absolutely beautiful." He said adamantly, taking her into his arms to kiss her deeply on her lips, making her melt into his arms. Releasing her, he left a few soft kisses on her pink lips and her cheeks. Naeun giggled, already used to the former Slytherin's sudden displays of affection towards her, and as there's practically no one around, she really couldn't complain.

"Do you think we should buy it ?" He asked absentmindedly as the two leaned on the railings of their front porch, a few meters off the snow below. 

"It certainly is beautiful..." She answered uncertainly, Naeun isn't really the one to buy lavish properties in a whim. Her husband on the other hand ...believes that almost everything property related is an investment. 

"We could come back here without fighting for reservations, and all we have to do is pay for maintenance."

"Is it even for sale?"

"These things are always for sale, love." He said, taking her hand in both of his before kissing the back of her palm, before placing it on his cheek. 

"Collecting property are we..." She said teasingly, feeling herself being pulled closer to him and had him wrap his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. 

"We can come here all we want, it'll be like another vacation house."

"But what are we going to do with the vineyard in Sicily? Or the house in Nice? ....not to mention the house my parents gave us for our second anniversary in St. Petersburg."

"Don't forget our apartments in New York and Osaka." He added cheekily, kissing her cheek repeatedly. 

"Oh my lord-" She muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "This better be the last one for a while, Kim Myungsoo. You can't get addicted." 

"What?! It'll be fun! If we come back in a few years with a few more people..."

"Hm? ...want to invite Tiffany, Jae oppa, Jooyeon unnie and Seungho oppa here ? Oh! Suji and Sunggyu oppa too! ....if they're not too busy."

"That's not what I mean love..." Myungsoo said slowly, a tender edge to his voice. "I mean little carbon copies of you and me."

"Oh those." Naeun said, not the least bit surprised. He has been bringing up the topic for a few weeks now, stopping to point out some cute baby toys from store windows as they walked down Oxford street on a Sunday afternoon. She almost thought that he could detect what she was about to say to him.

"So if we buy this lodge ...we get to come back in- say ...a year?" 

That made Myungsoo froze and Naeun took this opportunity to turn around in his arms to face him. A small giddy smile on her face. 

"Baby?"

"..."

"Words, oppa, use your words." 

"You mean-" 

His hands immediately traveled to her stomach, resting his palms there as his eyes widened in astonishment at her. As if asking for confirmation. Naeun nodded at his unfinished question, unable to hold herself together any further and broke out in loud giggles, a bright smile stretching her face. Before she could say anything else, she felt her feet left the ground as she was hugged tightly in Myungsoo's arms, his uncertain laughter bursting out in intervals. 

"When did you know, love?" He asked, pulling away as she set her back down, eyes shining with happiness. Before she could so much as answer, she felt his lips on hers once more, kissing her fervently there before moving to trail giddy kisses up and down her jaw and all over her face. 

"Just- ...last week." She giggled between kisses. 

"How far along are you?" 

"Six weeks-"

He let out a little cry of happiness as he held her tightly -- yet still carefully, undoubtedly scared of hurting the baby already -- in his arms. 

"I wanted to tell you, but I was waiting for the right time-"

"No I understand, love- it's perfect. You're perfect. I'm- You're-" Myungsoo let out another laughter of disbelief before kissing her softly on the lips once more, fingers cupping her cheeks tenderly. 

"Oh god, I love you so much."

Naeun smiled blissfully, wrapping her arms around his middle and hugged him close, feeling that absolutely nothing could ruin her happiness now.

"I love you too, oppa, so, so, so much." 

"Our baby is going to be so loved, he's loved right now already..."

She pulled away, a little teasing smile on her face. 

" 'He' huh ?" She asked, scrunching her nose at her husband. 

"First a boy, then a few girls, so he could protect them when they get older ...no one is gonna touch my little girls."

Giggling some more, Naeun pressed her head to his chest, savouring his warmth. And they stayed there for quite some time, lost in their own world and holding each other as if they can't hold each other any more after. What was assumed to be yet another holiday for the two of them to relax and spend some time together turned out to be the start of an adventure that they've been waiting for. Biting his lip, Myungsoo smiled out to the sky, the snow, the mountains in front of him, holding his favorite girl in his arms and conveying his love to her with every fiber of his being, not wishing to let her go for as long as he possibly can. 

There was something quite strange about the feeling of lying in bed that day, and Naeun noted that it was in fact; too comfortable for a Monday morning. Cracking her eyes open slightly, she was immediately blinded by the sunlight streaming from her windows. She closed them immediately in discomfort, snuggling closer to pillows, the warm covers almost swallowing her whole. However, as the sudden realization came to her, Naeun shot up to sit, eyes opening wide and mouth falling open in surprise. If the sun is up on February ...it only means that it's quite possibly almost the middle of the day, she thought in panic, head snapping to her side table to look at her alarm clock, prepared to curse it into oblivion -- something that someone like Naeun just doesn't do -- for not waking her up. But before her hand was even able to reach for the small muggle contraption, two strong hands pulled her whole body into a familiarly warm chest.

"What's going on?!" She asked wildly, turning in her fiance's grip to face him, panic written all over her face. "I'm late! Dr Miller is gonna kill me- I'm supposed to give the Freshman tour today! The university is gonna kill me and I only got this job because I was their best Courtauld graduate three years ago I could lose this job to a younger, smarter Courtauld graduate for not showing and-"

"Happy Birthday, love." Myungsoo said, quietly cutting off her blabbering with a small kiss on her forehead.

Naeun furrowed her eyebrows, unable to understand his words for a second before she spotted the flashing red date underneath her digital clock on her bedside table. A small laugh of disbelief erupted from her lips, freeing her arms from Myungsoo's grasp to wind them around his neck and pulling herself up to plant a small kiss on his lips.

"Did you forget again?"

"....Mhm."

Myungsoo laughed, planting affectionate kisses on her lips, cheeks, eyelids and forehead. He pulled her closer in his arms, hugging her to his chest to savor the moment before he has to run off, yet again. Naeun, noticing his healer gear already on -- crisp dress pants and clean button up under a blazer, his briefcase on the foot of her bed -- she frowned.

"Shouldn't you be at work? ...you don't really like being late, Myung."

"I've never been late in my five years of working there, I'm sure being late this once wouldn't make a difference."

"But I have to go to work though-"

"I called." He said simply. "I didn't speak to the director obviously, but I got her assistant. So I got her to find someone to cover for you."

"What? How?"

"I have my ways...."

Naeun laughed, not really wanting to question him any further when she felt perfectly content being curled up against him doing absolutely nothing.

"But I still have to go soon though...."

"I know."

When Myungsoo and Naeun got together, there was no opposition whatsoever, most would compliment them on how sweet they look together, and how perfect they are for one another. Even from both sets of parents -- no matter how estranged Myungsoo was to his parents -- accepted their relationship, Naeun's mother all but celebrated her serious relationship with a respectable pureblood son. But now, being adults with jobs, it seems like the only opposition they face is their respective occupations, Myungsoo's more than Naeun's. And no matter how much she understands that this is what he does, it is only human to feel slightly disappointed when he has to skip yet another date to work overtime.

After what it seems like only a few minutes, Myungsoo pressed another kiss on top of her head and began to unwind his arms from her.

"Already?"

"Go hang out with Yoonjo and Tiffany, I know they want to take you out for your birthday. Maybe Krystal and Sulli are free too..."

"Yeah, I'll call." She said with a sigh, forcing a smile on to her face as she watched her fiance putting on his overcoat and grabbing his briefcase.

"Have a good day at work." Naeun murmured, sitting up on her knees on the edge of her bed to kiss Myungsoo on his way out. He smiled softly at his fiance, completely aware of her forced understanding of his departure, and kissed her forehead and her lips.

"I'll be back before you know it." He whispered against her lips. "No overtime tonight, I promise."

"Whatever you say, love." She said, smiling understandingly as she watched him backing away and apparated with a small 'pop'.

Knowing that there's no reason for her to stay asleep anyway, Naeun crawled out of bed lazily and began to make her way towards her kitchen, only to stop stock still as soon as she set foot out of her bedroom. Her apartment living room was filled to the brim with bouquets of long stem white daisies, covering every surface. From her sofas to the corner tables, to her painting stool and breakfast bar. A small laugh erupted from her lips in sheer delight, knowing exactly who to blame.

"Kim Myungsoo..." She mumbled under her breath, a bright smile permanently stuck to her face.

As she made her way to the kitchen, treading softly as to not damage the flowers on the floor, Naeun spotted a pale pink card stuck on her usual cereal box, with her name simply written on the envelope. Pulling the paper out, she was pleasantly surprised with the amount of words written on it, front and back.

Naeun,

It's your birthday today and this is part one of your birthday present. You never really complained about it but I know that it bothers you that I'm not as eloquent in communicating my feelings like you are, so this is what this letter is for.

First of all, I want to tell you that I love you more than any possible thing I could think of.

I know I don't say it enough, but you're everything that's important to me, I love you more than you can imagine. There really are no words that's sufficient enough for me to convince you of this, that you're everything good in my life. I don't think I've also mentioned how beautiful you are often, which is unfair because you are so much more than that. Compliments and sincerity is not something I'm profoundly good at, but I should put in a lot more effort, because you need to know how perfect you are for me. I want to remind you every time you so much as looked up at me, that you really are the most beautiful woman in the world.

Secondly, I have to apologize for the lack of time we spend with each other.

I know I can't say this enough, but I'm sorry, love. It seems like it's the only thing that I could say to you nowadays, and even on your birthday as well! You should know that I miss you all the time, that I wish you were right beside me. You should know that I would drop anything and everything to be wherever you are in a heartbeat if you ask me to. But you never do, you always insisted that I do the right thing by coming to work and helping people. I want nothing more than to be selfish and stop caring about all those people to spend just a few hours each day to be with you. I guess that selfishness surfaced when I asked you to marry me, to have you all to myself. And of course, you have all of me, everything, at your disposal. I want to show you off to the world, I want to be with you until we eventually can't anymore. You had me from the second we met on that bench in the school grounds at sunrise. From that day I truly believed that there is no one else like you.

Lastly, I want to tell you explicitly that I'll take care of you no matter what.

You're turning 26 and most grown women in the 21st century would abhor being taken care by any sort of male figure in their lives, as its a sign of oppression and what not. But love, in my heart I'll remember that sixteen year old girl that I fell in love with, the one that I so want to hold and shield from the world. You're too precious. This isn't to say that I'll keep you in a gilded cage, but I'll protect you when you need to be protected, and I'll always be here to catch you when you fall.

You mean that much to me.

A lot of this might be awkward for you to read, I know it's awkward for me to write this all to paper. Know that even through all of the words on this piece of paper, you still mean far more to me. Writing like this isn't something I'm really used to. But you're worth it, love.

Happy twenty-sixth, I love you.

"Love, this is not necessary."

"Oppa, don't you know that the journey is half the fun?"

Naeun smiled glowingly up at her husband. How strange is it to refer to him in such a way? She loved how the giddy butterflies in her stomach flutter with every look, the way how everything seems exactly the same, yet different at the same time. The love they had stayed the same, but there is a glowing satisfaction that he's hers forever, in every shape and form, and her his. For everyone else in the check-in area, it seemed glaringly obvious that the young couple is just recently married, no one would glow the way they did at that moment, no one else would keep their eyes trained solely to that one person like they did. Myungsoo and Naeun could feel it as well. They have never been a publicly affectionate couple as both are very private in their affairs, only showing affections to one another in the confines of their respective apartments. This time, Myungsoo couldn't even dare to remove his hand from her waist or from around her shoulders, not caring the way people glance at them every time he kissed her forehead, the top of her head, her cheeks, her lips.

"We've been to Paris god knows how many times..."

"I hear you complaining but I also see this smile on your face."

She turned around in his arms, wide eyes peering up at him with a small teasing smile on her face. Leaning up to kiss his cheek softly, she took off the sunglasses off of him and placed it on top of her head.

"Why? You don't like going places with me?"

"That's not the case and you know it."

"Then quit complaining, you big baby."

Myungsoo teasingly locked his mouth closed and threw the 'keys' over his shoulder, making Naeun giggle at his childishness. Who knew the great Healer Kim could be such a child at times? Turning her to look forward again with one hand, he used his free hand to push the trolly laden with three heavy suitcases, pouting a little that he couldn't use his magic to just levitate them on to the check in desk for weigh-in.

"Yeah, we reserved. Two seats in first class, for Kim." Myungsoo said smoothly to the lady behind the counter. She nodded and immediately typed in their reservations, and Myungsoo couldn't help but sigh a little knowing that they could've been in their destination in mere seconds if they were to use a portkey or apparate. But of course, Naeun would have none of it.

"Calm down~" Naeun whispered, coming up to her tiptoes to pat her husband's shoulder gently, knowing that he must be frustrated out of his mind because of the wait.

After a few minutes, their tickets were printed, bags safely carted off, and they were sent off to board their seats.

"When was the last time you went on a train." She said accusingly, looking up at him as they walked towards their designated platform.

"Uh-..." Myungsoo thought, eyes flickering around to find the appropriate sign. "My last year of Hogwarts, probably."

"That's right! And now you get to do it again! But better, because you're in first class, and you're with me."

Myungsoo couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head at his ever indignant little wife. She isn't very stubborn about a lot of things, but when it comes to her own honeymoon it's practically impossible to get her to budge. Especially since they barely see each other throughout planning the wedding and even before due to Myungsoo's job at the hospital.

Shown into their compartment, Naeun had to stop from clapping her hands in delight at the sheer comfort that the tiny room exudes. Two fluffy sofas filled with pillows on either side of the wall, sheer peach drapes across the windows and a coffee table underneath it. Looking up, she could also see their suitcases mounted to the overhead compartments. Letting go of Myungsoo's hand, she dove -- quite unladylike -- to one of the sofas, pulling her leg up and burying her face to the pillows.

"At least let me close the door and shut the blinds." Myungsoo said blankly, staring pointedly at her skirt that has ridden up her legs in her haste.

"Why would you shut the blinds? They would think we're doing something even before the train started moving..."

And to that, Myungsoo smirked, closing the last of the blinds and falling backwards to the same sofa that Naeun is in, picking her up easily and placing her across his lap.

"We are on our honeymoon after all..."

"Oppa, you're crazy." Naeun said automatically, cheeks immediately rosy as her eyes shifted away from his.

"I'm a man." He retorted, using his free hand to tilt her head back to face him. Myungsoo cracked a smile, spotting -- as usual -- her wide and slightly shocked features at his boldness.

Leaning in, he captured her lips in a slow kiss, feeling her eyelashes brush the smallest of his cheeks as her eyes fluttered closed. She tasted sweet, and it took him all he had not to have his way with her. But he didn't, and instead kissed her repeatedly on her lips and slowly making his way up and down her jaw. Myungsoo smiled in amusement as he feels her fingers running through his hair.

"You're cute and all..." He mumbled against her skin, finally pulling away from her neck to stare at her face. Eyes half closed and mouth slightly parted in a daze, Myungsoo couldn't help but to kiss the corner of her lips once more before continuing. "But I really don't have any energy from dragging all of those suitcases around-"

A loud smack landed on his shoulder, causing Myungsoo to double in mock pain and curve his body against Naeun who was still on his lap, completely aware that his wife couldn't try to physically hurt him even if she wanted to.

"Oh so now you want it?" He asked mischievously, raising his head to smirk at her.

Another smack on his chest.

"Okay okay I get it ...wait until the train is moving. Okay."

Naeun gave up, a shy smile on her face as she laid her head on her husband's chest. She really was happy enough that he was happy and cheerful like this, everything else is just extra.

"Tell me when to stand up when your legs fall asleep." She mumbled against his blazer, nuzzling her head on his shoulder.

"That wont happen cos I'm holding you~"

"Ugh~ So cheesy, oppa~" She said, giggling as she wrinkled her nose in distaste. "But it's okay, I married you, didn't I?"

Laughing once more, she began tracing small patterns on his clothed chest, feeling a swell of happiness and bliss swirling inside her heart.

"I love you."

Smiling at the tiny girl curled up in his arm, Myungsoo kissed the top of her head and -- realizing that it wasn't enough anymore -- used his free hand to tilt her head upwards to face him once more, placing a slow, deliberate kiss on her rosy lips.

"Naeun-ah~ You're gonna be late." 

"Wait- I.. Oof~" 

Kim Myungsoo barely lifted his eyes off the muggle contraption that was sitting on his girlfriend's living room. This 'television' thing isn't that bad, he thought, eyes fixated on the latest episode of Criminal Minds. He, of course, wouldn't admit it to any of his friends but he definitely couldn't hide it from his perceptive girlfriend. Even so, he would always claim that he absolutely knew what was going to happen next, who the criminal was, and would mutter under his breath that 'these muggles are idiots' in which Naeun would shake her head with a small amused smile on her face. However, that isn't the case for tonight, Myungsoo was sitting alone in the living room couch, his girlfriend up in her room and not cuddled up by his side. 

"You alright, love?" Myungsoo called, eyes unblinking and mouth filled with popcorn.

"Yes oppa- I mean... Fany gave me this dress and it's so tight and so short and-" 

Naeun groaned, turning her body this way and that in front of the mirror, feeling completely insecure. Never in her life did she ever had to wear something so short and tight. The dress definitely wasn't her style, but she really couldn't do anything about it, since being a bride itself was hard enough, she didn't want to burden Tiffany with being an insolent maid of honor. Besides, her job is to make her best friend's life easier as a bride, not harder. 

"Maybe you could ask her if you could wear a different dress?"

"It doesn't work like that, oppa~" She sighed, running her fingers through her hair then putting her hands on her hips, tilting her head at the mirror and deciding there's probably nothing else she could do. "Oh dear lord, I'm going to look fat."

"Love, I seriously doubt that." Myungsoo said lazily, putting his legs up on the sofa.

"No! I'm being serious!" She called from behind the door, putting on her heels and checking her reflection for the last time on the mirror. "It's white too! You know how white makes people look washed out and fat? Yeah, it's doing that to me right now."

Myungsoo rolled his eyes but said nothing, knowing that his girlfriend is most likely making a big deal out of nothing yet again. Especially since he knew that Naeun could be wearing something atrocious and still look gorgeous ...well, to him that is. 

"Just come out, Naeun-ah. You're going to be seriously late and you know Tiffany would hate that." 

Biting her lip and grabbing her purse, Naeun poked her head out of her bedroom window, and saw her boyfriend lounging on her couch, eyes fixated on the television that he hated so much. Taking a deep breath, she finally stepped out. 

"Oppa, do I look okay?'

"Hm, you do." 

Myungsoo didn't so much as glance at her. 

Naeun pursed her lips and smoothed her tight white dress, innocently walking up to stand right next to the TV, tilting her head at her non-responsive boyfriend. 

"It's super uncomfortable and all, but I can't say no. I didn't have time to go to the fittings because of my last exhibit and Fany took the liberty of making it a size and a half too small so I could look 'hot'. Apparently she's having her Bachelorette party in a club so-"

At the word club Myungsoo tore his eyes from the TV and glanced at his girlfriend for a split second before turning back to the TV, after a pregnant pause, his eyes turned incredulously back to Naeun, standing absentmindedly next to the TV where a mirror was mounted on the wall and fixing her hair. Eyes widened in shock and disbelief, Myungsoo stared open mouthed at Naeun's bare back.

"S-Son Naeun!"

"Yes, Myung?" She answered absentmindedly, back still facing him. 

"Get in your room. Change. Now!"

Bewildered, Naeun turned around to look at her boyfriend. 

"Huh?"

Myungsoo nearly swore out loud. The front wasn't as bad as the back, but it was still bad nonetheless. For once, the former Slytherin wasn't being overly dramatic and unnecessarily worrying about stupid things. The dress was tight, that was for sure. The sweetheart cut held up by two flimsy strings that looked like it could snap in any second and the length that was a good four inches above her knees made his girlfriend just a step or two above 'hot'. Sure, it may seem like a normal length for any other girl, but Naeun was different, she herself wasn't overly fond of dresses that are too short, and Myungsoo gladly accepted that. But seeing her in the white dress, the former Ravenclaw was on the verge of imploding. 

"...Tiffany is on crack."

"Do I look that bad?"

Still sitting stock still on the couch, Myungsoo didn't trust himself in walking up to her. His heart is beating madly in his chest just sitting 10 feet away from her, would it explode if he stood right in front of her?

"N-no, you look ...okay-" He stuttered, not able to tear his eyes from her. 

Naeun visibly relaxed, glad that her boyfriend approved of her attire. She herself still hasn't wrap her head around it, constantly tugging the ends of her short dress down. 

"But- Love, put something on top of it, please." Myungsoo all but begged his girlfriend, knowing that it's a terrible idea to test a bride three days away from her wedding, especially if the bride is Tiffany. And he saw how gleeful she looked when she handed him the dress for Naeun, since she was too busy to pick it up herself. He regretted not opening the package and checking what was inside, he would've seriously went back to Tiffany asking for the accompanying skirt or pants that she misplaced, because there was no way that the tiny material could be considered a dress. 

"Yeah, I'm going to wear a coat. It's going to be cold out-"

"No no no, like a shirt or a cardigan or something."

"Oppa~" Naeun said, smiling a little at his boyfriend's lack of fashion sense. "You don't put a shirt on top of this~ ...it's a dress! Plus, Tiffany would yell at me to take it off the moment she sees it anyway..."

"For me, please."

Scrunching her nose in amusement at her boyfriend's insistence, she nodded a little before disappearing back into her room to pull on a random sheer cardigan and walked back out, only to meet her boyfriend rolling his eyes at her.

"I mean something that actually covers your-" Myungsoo trailed off awkwardly, not able to finish that sentence without turning completely red. 

Naeun didn't notice this as she worriedly faced the mirror on the wall and fixed her hair and makeup. After feeling semi-satisfied with herself, she turned back to her boyfriend, who was staring determinedly at the television, and sat herself on the arm of the sofa next to him.

"I'll be back before ...dawn, I suppose. Somebody has to make sure everyone gets home safe ...and I'm the only one that doesn't like drinking that much."

"Hm."

Now Myungsoo didn't trust himself to even look at her in such a close proximity. 

"Make sure to shut the lights and turn off the TV and everything when you leave for your apartment, okay? I don't want to pay for electric bills when no one is home to use it-"

"No, no. I'm staying until you come home."

Naeun tilted her head at her boyfriend, a little perplexed. 

"But I wont be home until really late, oppa."

"I know. I'm just-"

Worried, terribly so. 

Sighing determinedly, Myungsoo finally turned his head to face his girlfriend, eyes unwavering. 

"You stay by Tiffany's side at all times, you hear me? Or any of the other girls. Make sure you don't go off on your own. And don't - under any circumstances - drink anything that anyone gives you. Bring a water bottle-"

"Myung~" She said, giggling lightly at the former Ravenclaw. "I've been to a club before, I know-"

"Yeah but you were with me- Wait! ...this isn't a strip club right-"

Laughing a little louder, Naeun kissed her boyfriend's nose lightly, shaking her head. 

"No, oppa. It's a regular club. I checked."

Sighing in relief, Myungsoo nodded weakly, still feeling weary of the whole situation.

"Okay, if you need me there just call, yeah? I'll wait outside or something-"

"I have to go now, Myung." Naeun said sweetly, cutting him off. "I'm already late, as you said..."

"But-"

Bending down slightly, she kissed her boyfriend lightly on his lips before hopping off the arm of her sofa. Shouting a loud 'bye' from the front door, Myungsoo heard a soft 'pop' as his girlfriend apparated to Tiffany and Jaejoong's apartment.

alternate universe. this didn't (and will not) happen.

Son Naeun had always liked fairytales. She used to think that it is something that someone like her would never be able to experience. Going on an adventure, falling in love, marrying her prince charming and living happily ever after, she was more of the princesses that get stuck in the tower and is never let out. So yes, she lives precariously through novels and stories of romance that would never happen to her. However, her chance came when her parents finally enrolled her to Hogwarts and finally met the person who became the love of her life. They dated, they got married, life was the beautiful fairytale that Naeun had only dreamt of.

It was, until the day when it all came crashing down. 

The calendar in the house had long been thrown away, any inclination of the date was permanently erased from the comfortable newlywed house, so there is no possible way of knowing what day of the month it is. But still, the chill that ran down her arm, and the suffocating feeling in her chest alerted her of just what day it could possibly be. Naeun was crying even before she opened her eyes, although she had cried every night for god knows how long that she was sure that tears had been permanently drained from her body and she is unable to do so anymore. She was wrong. Eyes blank, Naeun finally cracked open her wide eyes and stared up at the ceiling on the bed big enough for two. Sun was streaming through the white paned windows in the bedroom, the air still, as if it knew better than to make the former Slytherin feel worse than she felt right at that moment. Bare feet padding down the hallway and down the stairs, she felt a choke coming up her throat as she noticed that the house still looked as beautiful as their first night, as they first envisioned it, even after everything that had happened.  

Her sniffles turned into sobs as her eyes landed on the chair he used to sit in, the mug he used to drink his coffee from, the spot where her used to stand when he kissed her goodbye for the day. It has been a little before a year and Naeun couldn't even fathom how some people could move on from losing someone, she certainly couldn't, and she is sure that she couldn't do so until the day she died. Clutching her chest, Naeun shook with a series of heart wrenching sobs as she leaned against the kitchen counter. It was this day last year that they said their vows. The height of spring, when the flowers were in full bloom, Naeun felt like she was the happiest person ever born in to the world, so how did everything change so drastically in the space of a year? 

"Myungsoo." She called, her cracking voice bouncing off the walls. "Love, wake up~"

He can't. Naeun thought, tearing her eyes off his empty chair and walked slowly out the back porch. He never could.  Black sweater wrapped tightly around her small frame, she tried and failed to not think of that day all those years ago. The day that started with a sunrise unlike any other, the day when she unknowingly gave her heart to a nameless stranger. She gladly did, now she knows, she would give him everything and anything that she could. And she did. As her bare feet found the grassy ground, the wind immediately picked up, and Naeun felt a watery smile coming to her face.

"Myungsoo." 

Her whisper carried out in the wind as the breeze caressed her, twirling her hair as he used to. Naeun closed her eyes as her sobs became louder, unable to control herself.

"I hate you."

She was inconsolable that day. Completely so. Something that none of her family and friends have ever seen. The normally calm and composed girl was in hysterics, crying herself hoarse and shaking uncontrollably, but of course, the event was anything but normal. Naeun could remember being restrained by a few people as she tried punching, kicking, clawing her way to his side. They had told her that they wanted her to remember him the way she did in her memories, not the way he is on the hospital morgue. There were two things that struck her about that, the first, the fact that Myungsoo was in fact ...not the way he's supposed to look, the second, the fact that the only way she could see him again was just that, in her memories. And that just made her cry even harder. They had told her it was a rare disease gone bad. The one where the fire breathing spell gone bad wasn't just a fire breathing spell gone bad, but a fire breathing spell gone bad laced with dark magic. A fire that cannot be put out. A fire that is deadly. 

"Why do you have to be so smart?!" Naeun yelled at the skies, tears cascading down her pale face. "It wasn't even your part to play, Myungsoo."

Naeun had never been angry to Myungsoo. Not once. Not even when he had to cancel on her for the umpteenth time, nor even when he had blown up on her one day for some unimportant, miniscule reason. She prefers to soothe rather than to retaliate, to let him get his feelings off his chest rather than stop him. She had poured all her love to him and had only wanted his love back in return, nothing more. This is why her family and friends jumped in surprised as she yelled in frustration and pain, her parents in particular at a total loss in dealing with who they know as their soft spoken and calm daughter. Tiffany had been in tears beside her, trying her best to calm her shaking shoulders, Yoonjo on her other side, her small hands holding on to Naeun's cold ones, also equally in tears. 

"You promised me that we would stay together forever. You lied!" She cried, sinking down to the ground with sobs. "We were supposed to go to France today, don't you remember? We planned it already."

Today is their first wedding anniversary. The beautiful blooming flowers in their back yard hauntingly echoed how the flowers in their wedding bloomed, pure white and glowing in the sunlight. 

"Why can't you come back to me? Why did you have to leave? Take me with you!"

Naeun laughed bitterly through her tears, eyes still staring up at the mockingly clear blue sky, the spring breeze still blowing through her hair.

"W-we were supposed to wake up to each other's faces every day, sleep by each other's side all night. I was just getting used to that oppa, the feeling of joy that attacked my heart every morning when I turn over and you're right there beside me. The way you like to stroke my hair before going to sleep and the way you kiss me and hold me whenever you can. I-"

She closed her eyes, pausing as she tried her best to calm her shaking voice, wrapping the black knit sweater closer to her body, the sweater that still had the faintest traces of his smell. 

"It h-hurts, oppa." Naeun whimpered pathetically, clutching at her chest and pulling her knees closer to her. "Oh god, it hurts so much and it's your fault."

"Your boss was just about to relax your schedule a bit, being newlyweds and all, did you remember? ...so we could spend some time together. I'm not the best cook but you had always eaten my food like it's the best in the world, you would always hug me from behind when I'm cooking and whisper how beautiful I was in the kitchen like this, no matter how many times I told you it was dangerous for you to be remotely near me when there is a lot of room where things could go wrong..."

"I cried like I never did before, screamed like I never did before. I only had you for two months before you're taken away from me. Two months. 'Soo, did you you have any idea how much I cried? It was terrible. At your service I- ...I couldn't even say anything about you up at the podium. You know that I love you, that I've always loved you and even this wont make me stop."

She sat in silence, letting the wind swirl around her as if encasing her in a hug, stretching her fingers to the front to reach out for something, anything that could make me feel better. 

"Can't you hold me one more time?" Naeun whispered, closing her eyes. Almost immediately, he appeared in front of her, small smile and plaid shirt and all. 

"Love, I would kiss you all day if I could." She could hear the echo of his voice sounded through the wind, a mere shadow of what used to be.

"I need you. I miss you so much ...I don't know what I'm doing without you." She begged, sobs wrecking her body once more, eyes still closed and focused fully on the beautiful embodiment of her late husband right in front of her. 

He shook his head, a sad little frown on his face, as if telling her that he's disapproving of her actions. But she shook her head weakly, signalling that there's nothing else she could do. A particularly violent wind suddenly appeared and blew her long brown hair back in one go, it reminded her so much of Myungsoo's no nonsense reactions that she had to let out a small bitter laugh.

"But I'm yours." She whispered. "I'm yours and I don't know how to do all of this without you. I don't want to do this without you."

"Try, love, try for me." The shadow answered back.

" 'Soo-"

"Naeun, you're stronger than you think."

"Not without you."

She sighed, wiping tears from her frozen cheeks.

"I must look pathetic oppa, I'm sorry."

"You've never looked more beautiful."

Naeun cracked the tiniest of smiles and let out a slither of laughter out of her mouth. The Myungsoo she knew had his moments, those special moments where he would make her happy with one word and nothing else, and the image of him in her mind seem to be doing the same. 

"Open your eyes, love, it's time to get up ...I love you."

She felt her heart constrict with the best type of pain there is and complied to his request. The soft spring light greeted her, the bright blue sky and the flowers in their garden. His shadow disappeared, her heart immediately feeling empty at it's wake. Naeun looked up to the sky, knowing full well that he's up there wishing that he could hold her just as much as she does.

Son Naeun opened her eyes, a little groggy and still a little disoriented. Her surroundings were pure white, it took her a second to realize that it wasn't the usual warm cream of her bedroom walls, or any cream walls in her apartment in that matter. Looking down, she began to register that the flowery orange ensemble is not a part of her wardrobe, it was a hospital gown. 

"I'm not fucking impressed."

Round brown eyes widened as she registered who the deep voice belonged to. Sitting up quickly, Naeun had to squeeze her eyes back shut with the incoming headache that came rushing in. Her boyfriend did not sound impressed, that's for sure, and he had always made sure not to swear in front of her unless under extreme emotional distress, the fact which made Naeun open her eyes slowly with a sheepish smile blooming on her face. The boy didn't return the smile, but gave her shoulder a soft push back, so that her whole body fell back on to the thick pillows. 

"Soo..."

"..."

"...I love you?"

"Fuckin' Aconite powder, Naeun. Aconite powder, not pepper- goddamnit."

Glancing over at him, she could see him glaring at her from the corner of his eyes, a scowl on his face from his place on her bedside, sitting comfortably on a plush armchair he undoubtedly summoned for himself. Naeun grimaced, wiggling her feet a little under the thin hospital blankets. It took her a second to register that she was in his office. Desk on the far corner, a few chairs placed in front of it, bookshelf, diplomas and trophies, equipments, the whole deal. And right on the table beside her, his trusty potion kit, a vial opened and emptied toppled next to it. 

"I'm ...sorry?" 

"You know damn well sorry doesn't cut it."

"Soo-"

"Do you know what would happen if I didn't get to my potions kit in time? You could die, Naeun, you could fucking die." 

Naeun said nothing to that. She truly didn't know what happened, but could somewhat piece together the events from Myungsoo's words. It was stupid, she was a complete beginner in cooking trying to find her own way around recipes. Completely thrilled that her soup didn't come out looking like polyjuice potion, she jumped up and down in joy as she added just a hint of - what she thought to be - pepper in it for the last time before tasting. Needless to say, the loud crashing of bowls alerted the former Ravenclaw, who was just in the living room, of his girlfriend's mistake. It was supposed to be a nice, home-cooked dinner date, something that they hadn't had in months, and when they thought that it was quite possibly going to be the best evening that they're going to have for weeks, there just always seems to be something not going their way. 

"Well-" Naeun said, brows furrowed and a small pout on her pink lips. "Well it's your fault for putting your potions ingredients there by mistake! I mean- c'mon 'Soo~ Why would I have aconite in my house? ...it must be from your potions kit." 

Aconite is also commonly used in the medicine as pain-relievers and heart sedatives, which is something that Myungsoo needs in his work in a daily basis. But it's definitely not supposed to be in his girlfriend's kitchen. Running his fingers in frustration through his hair, Myungsoo scowled, not wanting to admit his mistake.

"Still~" He grumbled, uncrossing his arms and putting both elbows on the hospital bed. "You scared me shitless..."

Blinking slowly, Naeun's eyes sank downwards, even more guilty now that she saw Myungsoo's more subdued reaction. He was sweating - a common trait when he is nervous or scared - and he was even grouchier than usual. His odd way of showing his affection towards her. 

"I'm sorry-"

Myungsoo's hand slowly crept forwards and entwined it's fingers with Naeun's. His long fingers felt cold and clammy in hers, although she expected hers to be no different, and she frowned to see his slightly reddened eyes. With an uncharacteristically shaky little tug, he brought her small hand up to his lips for a soft kiss before resting it on his cheek. Naeun, feeling her heart tingle and flutter with a mixture of glowing happiness and even more guilt, used her free hand to stroke his hair and the side of his face before letting it drop weakly back to her side.

"Do I have to ban you from cooking?"

Naeun let out a small laugh before tugging his fingers forward - bringing his face along with it - in order to place a soft kiss on his lips, as if trying to soothe his raging worries. 

"How am I supposed to feed myself then? ...I can't go out every day?"

"I'll come and cook for you."

"...every day?"

"Yes."

"Oppa, we could barely see each other on specific dates and stuff, what makes you think you could get off work every day to cook for me? ...what if I'm at work?"

"You could always eat out when you're at work-"

"I bring food from home oppa~ You know that~" She whined, fingers still tightly woven in his and face still mere inches away, not intending to move back at the slightest. 

"Well, not anymore. You're not touching any cooking appliances unless you're under strict supervision."

Naeun rolled her eyes, but sneaked another soft kiss on the corner of his now slightly smiling lips. She wasn't about to obey him completely, it's not the first time and it certainly wont be the last time. But it doesn't really matter. She knows her boyfriend could be completely crazy most of the time, with mood-swings and actions that she could only identify with a teenage girl going through puberty, but she's crazy in love, too incredibly infatuated in him to let that small 'unimportant' part of him to make a difference. 

“Soooo~ …not tonight then?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Naeun sighed, she knew that she should just be thankful that her boyfriend had the decency to apologize when usually the words would be far from his lips. A little over 21, it has been about four or so years since she left Hogwarts, five years since they had so much as a full day together. She thought that leaving the school and entering the ‘real world’ with him would be much better than sending owls every so often from the castle, she thought wrong. With his demanding job as a healer, it isn’t enough for her to have a somewhat relaxed schedule for them to find time for each other. Being an art gallery manager and a freelance artist leaves Naeun with a lot of idle time that she thought would be easily spent with her boyfriend. What she neglect to consider is the nature of Myungsoo’s job, how being a healer is quite possibly one of the most demanding jobs in the wizarding world.

“It’s okay-” She said softly, playing with a piece of sketch paper on her kitchen table. 

“No it obviously isn’t.” He cut her off, running his fingers through his hair. “You’re getting all quiet and stuff…”

Pursing her lips, Naeun always seem to forget how much Myungsoo notices every single thing about her. She couldn’t lie to him, not that she would actually do it, but still, every look, every sigh, Myungsoo knows her the most. 

“It’s okay, oppa.” Naeun said, smiling a little, knowing that he could somehow sense it over the phone anyway. “You have to do what you have to do, right?”

She could hear him chuckle on the other side of the line, evidently shaking his head at her response. She would like to think that she knows him as much as he knows her too. 

“Don’t do that.” He mutters, putting his free hand inside the pocket of his white lab coat and leaning on a pristine wall on one of the many hallways in St. Mungo’s. “I don’t understand how you could easily forgive me for this. We’ve been planning this for ages. I know how excited you were… Can’t you be angry at me or something?”

“Of course not.” She said simply, a small smile blooming on her face. “How could I be angry at you?”

“I could think of a lot of reasons-“

“Don’t even start.” 

The two stayed silent, both a little frustrated, a little helpless, but still extremely grateful that the other stayed in the line whether even if they aren’t saying a word. 

“You should get going…”

“No I-” Myungsoo started, frustration evident in his voice. He felt guilty, and although he wouldn’t apologize twice - even to his girlfriend - he still wanted to make it up to her, in any way. 

“They must be looking for you, oppa.” 

Naeun closed her eyes, trying to forget the disappointment and just focus on his presence alone, and how she knew he would be by her side in a heartbeat if he could. Myungsoo on the other hand, was more vocal about his frustration.

“Fuckin’ patients doesn’t know how to use a goddamn portkey-“

“Hey-” She said warningly, frowning at his choice of words. “C’mon oppa, don’t say that. Those people need you…”

Myungsoo scoffed, feeling as if people should just take care of themselves better and think of the people that they would trouble instead. 

“Think if it was me getting hurt instead-“

“Don’t.”

Naeun stayed silent immediately, knowing when she had overstepped her boundaries. It seems like these are one of those moments. As aloof and seemingly ignorant Myungsoo is, he had always had a sense of protectiveness when it comes to Naeun, ever since the day he met her all those years ago. 

“Okay, go please, oppa.”

“What is this? You’re making me go now? You don’t want to talk to me?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it!”

He laughed, a little louder than before, a sign that his frustration is starting to dissipate slightly. She smiled a little wider, finding it difficult to do anything else when he’s the way he is at the moment. 

“Okay I should go now.”

“Hum~ Thatta boy!”

Myungsoo chuckled, feeling it to be impossible to be angry at the former Slytherin for longer than two minutes. Suddenly having an urge to hug his small girlfriend into oblivion. 

“We’ll reschedule for Friday night, right?”

“Yeah, sure.” She giggled, nodding slowly. “What ever you say.” 

Still wanting to stay on the phone, Myungsoo coughed and dragged out as much time as possible for him not to hang up, wanting Naeun to say something - anything - that would have him standing there and listening to her instead of fixing up bloody splinchers. 

“Get a proper dinner, and go to sleep as soon as you get home.”

“Yes, love.” 

“Hm.” 

A blush had already decorated her cheeks as she could do nothing more but to smile foolishly at the phone. Even at 21 years of age, she still acted like the 15 year old she was when they first met. 

“I love you.” 

Biting her lip to stop the grin that is about to take over her face, Naeun took a second to calm herself as she always does before responding;