#jujuw23

Jumin slowly twisted his pen closed, placing it back in the pen cup next to his monitor. He let his eyes scan over his paperwork and the correspondence pulled up on his computer, assessing whether or not he could consider his task done.

Just as he decided he was satisfied with the outcome, his phone began to vibrate violently in his pocket. It was rare that clients or business partners dialed his personal phone during working hours, so he reached into his suit’s inner pocket out of curiosity.

Flipping it over in his hand, he felt his eyebrows raise at the caller ID. His fingers twitched, and he hesitated for a brief moment before he accepted the call.

“Hello, MC. I’m at my office, but I have a moment to take your call,” he said, unable to help the small smile that began to spread across his lips.

“Hi, Jumin,” she sighed, sounding less than pleased. His anticipation to hear her voice chilled into concern, his posture tightening minutely.

“What’s wrong?” he asked immediately, disregarding any questions in his mind about why he felt so panicked.

“Oh, nothing!” she replied quickly, pausing and letting out another breath. “I just, um…” She pulled the phone away from her face to clear her throat.

“I need help with…something,” she spoke slowly, sounding very unsure. The whole situation had him unsettled, and he immediately stood from his chair, placing a steadying hand on his desk.

“What is it?” he wondered sternly, running through a mental checklist of personnel he trusted.

“I forgot something in my apartment, and I…can’t get it,” she continued, her voice strained.

“Are you injured? You sound like you are in pain,” he said worriedly, pressing his lips together as his mind raced.

“No, I’m fine, but um,” she clarified, calming him only slightly. “I forgot my towel.”

“No problem. I can send someone over immediately,” he said, pushing his chair aside and beginning towards his office door. “What instructions would you like me to give them?”

“No, you don’t have to— I mean,” she started, taking a deep breath. Jumin hesitated where he stood, waiting for her to continue.

“I just got out of the shower,” she finally said, making Jumin falter even further. His mind stuttered, multiple questions surfacing as he blinked quickly.

“What does that have to do with this?” he wondered aloud, unable to stop himself before he could even think through his own question.

She sputtered out a tense laugh, the noise tickling his senses even though he was on high alert.

“Jumin, I’m na— I’m not…clothed? Gosh,” she sighed, and Jumin blinked quickly, shaking his head to clear his mind. Of course that was what she meant.

“And you’re in a first-floor apartment,” he continued quietly, pushing his hair from his forehead. He tried to ignore the way his cheeks had warmed or the distracting route his mind was taking.

“Right, and I just need someone to grab my towel or even some clothes,” she sighed, sounding relieved that someone finally understood her predicament.

“Please send me your address. I will be there within 15 minutes,” he said decidedly, buttoning his jacket closed with one hand and pulling open his office door.

“What? Jumin, you don’t personally have to come, I just thought—“

“Nonsense. There are little to no staff members I would trust with this task,” he said as if his assistance was the only solution to her problem. In actuality, there were many more solutions that didn’t interrupt his workday, and he knew it.

“I suppose,” she relented, and he exhaled with finality, motioning to Jaehee as he strode past her.

“Okay, um. My towel! It’s in the laundry basket on the couch in the living room. I think,” MC said, and he made a mental note as he stepped into the elevator.

“And is your apartment door unlocked?” he wondered, hoping that her unprecedented entrance into the RFA had taught her even a little about prioritizing her safety.

“Oh. No…” she muttered, and he couldn’t hold back a crooked smile. Imagining her befuddled face brought only one word to mind. Cute.

“I’ll call a locksmith to meet me at your apartment,” he smiled, hearing her inhale quickly just before he pulled his phone away from his ear to multitask.

“No, it’s okay! I have a hidden key,” she provided, making his eyebrows furrow.

“I would suggest that you remove that in the future, but surprisingly, it will solve some of our problems today,” he said after a moment of thought. Unexpectedly, she cursed quietly, making Jumin pause as the elevator doors opened.

“I’m so embarrassed,” she sighed. Jumin placed a hand against the door of the elevator, holding it open for a moment longer while he listened.

“Why?” he wondered, glancing around the parking garage until he watched Driver Kim pull forward to where he stood.

“I did something as dumb as forgetting my towel, and you’re going through all of this just to help,” she muttered. He could hear the way her lips were pouted through the phone, and it made him all the more anxious to render aid and arrive to her quickly.

“Humans can be very forgetful,” he offered, pulling open the car door and sliding in smoothly. He pulled his phone away from his face to put it on speaker, copying her address from their private message thread and forwarding it to Driver Kim. Putting his phone back up to his ear, he continued.

“I once forgot a client's date of birth during a business meeting and could have made them extremely uncomfortable,” he began, pulling his seatbelt over his lap and buckling it as the car pulled away.

“Luckily, I remembered not a moment too soon that they were born on August the 7th, and I redeemed myself. Not that they knew I had forgotten,” he said, raising his eyebrows as he heard her begin to laugh.

“I didn’t realize I was being funny,” he said, more to himself than to her. She caught her breath, giggling once more before responding.

“Thank you for cheering me up, Jumin,” she said warmly, making him reevaluate what he had said to her. Was that what he’d done?

“I’ll let you go now, but please arrive safely,” she said before he could reply, and he cleared his throat, nodding to himself.

“I will,” he agreed, hearing her hum in contentment.

“And thank you, again,” she breathed, chuckling lightly. He hesitated, fighting the inclination to answer her gratitude with dismissal, wanting to say that it was nothing. It started a strange sensation in his chest as he realized it wasn’t that he didn’t mind helping, but that he wanted to.

“I’ll be there soon,” was all he could say in reply, slightly disappointed in himself when he hung up instead of waiting for her to say her final goodbye.

The car ride there was all too short and much too long as he drowned in his own thoughts. Was he the first person she had called? Did this kind of thing happen often? What other things was she forgetful about? Who else would she have reached out to if he were unavailable?

Once they arrived and he stepped foot outside of his vehicle, Jumin tried to keep his thoughts clinical, focusing on the task at hand and not the way it was making him feel.

He entered the lobby with one of his security guards, glancing at the attendants behind the desk briefly and nodding. They gaped at him in silence as he walked to the elevator.

Once they arrived on her floor, Jumin instructed his guard to wait for him by the elevator doors. He then felt his heart begin to beat in a way he wasn’t quite familiar with. It only persisted as he approached her apartment, his chest feeling tight and warm in an almost uncomfortable way.

He double-checked the number on the door just above the peephole, pausing when he realized that she hadn’t told him where her hidden key was. Scanning the area, he hesitantly reached to feel along the top of the doorway and tapped lightly on the dusty surface until he bumped the key with his fingers. Pulling it down to eyesight, he frowned, wondering why she would put herself in danger in such a way.

He knocked thrice, pausing briefly before pushing the key into the lock and turning it until it clicked. Pressing his lips together in anticipation, he slowly opened the door.

“Please excuse me,” he spoke softly, stepping inside and taking the key from the lock. He closed the door behind himself, looking around quickly.

Her apartment wasn’t very large, but it was decorated in a way that confirmed without a doubt that she indeed lived there. It felt refreshing, with colors that reminded him of her and open spaces, and he could see little touches that were undoubtedly hers. He felt some of the tension in his chest fade, placing the key down on the table near the door and thinking of all the security measures he would like to talk with her about.

Looking down, he instinctively began taking his shoes off. Once he had, he glanced around for a pair of extra slippers for him to use, finding only a small pair of pink, flowery ones. He slipped them on, feeling the back ends hit his heels and wondering if he should just continue in his socks. Feeling strangely apprehensive, he stepped further into her apartment in her slippers, reminding himself of the task at hand.

“MC?” he called out, scanning the apartment to find where she could be. He noticed a closed door as he stepped through to her living area, nearly bumping into the back of her couch. Remembering her instructions, he looked down to see a basket overflowing with clean laundry sitting on the couch. He paused, seeing undergarments in the basket as well as towels and clothes. As carefully as he could, he picked out a blue towel, managing to lift it from the basket without disturbing anything else.

He folded the bath towel over his arm, glancing back to the door where he thought he was hearing movement from.

“MC? It’s Jumin,” he said, wondering why his jaw felt stiff.

“Jumin?” she called out from behind the door, making his eyes widen. He forced himself to take another step forward, clearing his throat.

“Yes, it’s me,” he replied, stopping a few paces from the door.

“Thank goodness,” he heard her sigh. His relief quickly turned into gripping tension when the doorknob began to turn. His eyes widened briefly before he shut them tight, turning his head and making sure he still had the towel.

“I have your towel here,” he spoke, his voice coming out strained. He heard the door open, feeling the humidity from the shower rush out to meet him.

“Thank you so much, Jumin,” she said, a smile of relief evident in her voice. He couldn’t reply just yet, taking the towel and handing it out toward her voice. When he extended his arm fully, his hand bumped hers, making his eyes fly open before he could even think.

Luckily, it was only her forearm that was extended past the door. She felt around blindly until she found the towel, his hand lingering in the empty air as he watched her close the door.

“I really appreciate it,” she reiterated, her voice muffled. “I can’t thank you enough, really. I feel so bad that you came all the way here.” He composed himself again, picking a small, blue string from his sleeve with shaky hands.

“It’s no bother at all,” he said loudly enough for her to hear. “Is there anything else you need while I’m here?” he found himself asking, his hands tensing at the thought of making her uncomfortable or overstaying his welcome.

“Oh no, not at all,” she answered quickly, her voice moving farther from the door.

“Alright, then I’ll be on my way,” he said, sparing another glance at the door before starting towards the exit.

“Jumin!” she called, startling him. He rushed back over to the door, his hand lingering just above the metal of the doorknob.

“Yes? What is it?” he pressed, resting his other hand against the wood of the door.

“Do you have time to stay?” she wondered, surprising him so fully that he was silent for a moment.

“Stay?” was all he could get out, his mind racing much too quickly.

“I haven’t seen you since the party, so if you would give me just a minute to get dressed?” she asked, making his eyebrows furrow together. She just wanted to see him?

“O-of course,” he nodded, backing away from the door just a bit.

“Unless you’re busy?” she prompted.

“I have time,” he responded quickly, feeling his thoughts bouncing around uncontrollably.

“Okay! Please make yourself at home,” she said, her smile present in his mind as she spoke.

Jumin stepped fully away from the door, ignoring the way his phone began to buzz more and more often in his pocket.

He took another look around, glancing at the large windows that looked out over the courtyard of the apartment complex. After a moment, he reached up and pulled just the sheer curtains closed, hoping that would make her feel more at ease.

He was drawn towards her television that was mounted on the wall, seeing a plethora of framed pictures on the console beneath it. Scanning each one, he stopped when he landed on the group photo of the RFA that had been taken at the party. It had taken a few minutes to get everyone in one place and to get a picture that everyone was satisfied with, but the picture she had framed was not the final picture they had all decided on. Instead, she had chosen one where everyone was bickering about where to stand, how to pose, and what Luciel should and shouldn’t be doing. He hadn’t gotten to look through all of the photos taken that day, but this still in particular felt like something he needed to have for himself. In the photo, he noticed that his gaze was focused on MC completely, and the expression he was wearing was not one he believed he’d ever seen on himself.

The door opening behind him startled him out of his thoughts, making him jump and turn to look. He turned back around just as quickly, seeing MC begin to step out in just her towel. His hands trembled slightly, the tips of his ears feeling all too warm.

“Nearly done, sorry! Just grabbing some clothes,” she explained, the soft sound of her feet against the wood floor disappearing down the hall towards what he guessed was her room. He was glad he hadn’t wandered in that direction.

Opening his eyes slowly, he focused his thoughts on the photo in front of him once more. Although the party had been less mundane than in the past, the only thing that got him through was seeing MC flourish in that party hall. Apart from looking stunning, she was kind, friendly, and wildly charismatic that night. It was a miracle in motion for Jumin, and it was truly a shame that they hadn’t seen each other since that night.

He turned away from the photo, hoping to distance himself from the surge of emotion that was building in his core that he couldn’t name. She stepped out of her room just then, looking excited to see him as she lit up with a beautiful smile.

The wave of emotion he’d tried to elude washed over him almost painfully, freezing his muscles in place. He was unable to stop the thoughts rushing through his mind, pressing his lips together as he mentally formed a very concerning one.

Is this what love feels like?

He didn’t know what romantic love meant, he only knew that he had decided never to engage in it. Whatever was happening to him right then didn’t feel wrong, but he also couldn’t quite put a label on it. He just knew that he wanted to keep seeing her, no matter what it meant.

“It’s so good to see you again,” she grinned, moving quickly towards him as he tried to regain control of himself. He felt his lips pull back into a smile, his shoulders relaxing and his hands losing their fists.

“Likewise,” he breathed out, watching her blink at him with wide eyes.

“I don’t mean to keep you long, I just…” she started, dropping her smile and then immediately turning her lips upward into another one, almost as if she too couldn’t help herself. “I wanted to see you,” she finished quietly, completely unaware of the way her small admittance made his heart stutter in his chest.

“Anytime,” he nodded without hesitation, watching her meet his eyes in confusion.

“I know how busy you are,” she said, raising her eyebrows for him to agree.

“Anytime. Really,” he repeated, thinking to himself that no matter the issue, he would drop anything if she was the one who was calling. He watched as she pulled her eyes from his and met them again multiple times, her smile growing timid. He blinked, taking his eyes from her and wondering if he was making her uncomfortable.

“Thank you, again,” she said to break the silence, bowing to him and making him frown.

“There’s no need for that,” he said quickly, taking a step forward and drawing her attention down to the ill-fitting slippers on his feet. She grinned, straightening up again and softening at him.

“You’re very kind, Jumin. I admire that about you,” she continued. He felt himself reaching to adjust his cufflinks, signaling to himself that he needed a change of scenery or he would more than likely do something he would regret.

“MC,” was all that left his lips, making her smile falter and the air grow thick around them.

“Well, I shouldn’t keep you. Please get back safely,” she smiled, wringing her hands together. He nodded, breaking eye contact with her and turning himself towards the door.

“I hope to see you again soon,” he said, seeing her shoulders move towards her ears from the corner of his vision. “I have many topics I’d like to discuss with you. Such as security,” he continued, trying to shift his mind away from the precarious edge at which he’d found himself.

“Security?” she repeated, watching him bend down to place her slippers back where he had found them. Stepping into his shoes, he hummed in agreement.

“You never told me where your key was,” he continued, raising an eyebrow at her and watching as her lips tightened in chagrin. Before a moment had passed, her expression broke into laughter, making another effortless smile stretch onto his lips.

“I’ll be more careful,” she chuckled, taking the key from the table and turning it over in her hands. He nodded, feeling his sternum buzz at the thought of returning to her apartment in the future.

“I’m counting on it,” he said softly, bowing slightly before he opened the door and stepped through. She let it close behind him, not saying another word.

Jumin couldn’t help but linger by her door, his back to it as he convinced himself to keep moving. Once he finally found it in himself to do so, he started back towards the elevator and pulled his phone out, checking his calendar for his next available free day.

~~~~~

hello! thank you all so much for reading!! I have been absolutely not on tumblr at all, but like I said, I can't stay away from Jumin Week <3 if you enjoyed this, please consider liking and reblogging! it really means a lot to me, especially if you leave a note in the notes or in your tags!

again, thank you so much, and I hope you all have a great day!

“And that concludes our event for this evening. Thank you all for coming. Please have a wonderful evening.” The moving of chairs and dishes clattering quickly replaced the announcer’s clear voice.

Jumin placed his napkin on the table, clearing his throat as she ensured she had her phone and purse. As her fiancé straightened his tie and buttoned his jacket closed, she readied herself for the next few hours of business jargon and conversations that she would have to focus on trying to keep up with.

“Mr. Han,” she heard from behind them, seeing Jumin turn his head. As he moved to stand, the conversation around them rose in volume. She stood to join them when Jumin offered both his hand and a light smile towards her.

“My love, this is Mr. Yang, our head of finances at C&R,” he explained, nodding once at her and letting go of her hand so she could shake Mr. Yang’s.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she grinned, shaking his hand firmly but gently. The older man’s eyebrows rose, looking back and forth between the two of them.

“You’ve heard of me?” he wondered, releasing her hand.

“Of course!” she laughed lightly. “Jumin and his father would be lost without you.” Mr. Yang smiled sheepishly, swatting the air as if to push her comment away.

“Not at all,” he murmured, shaking his head. Jumin chuckled shortly, glancing down at her feet and moving his chair just a little as she stepped out from between them.

“Dearest, if you would like to make your way to the downstairs lounge, I can meet you there,” Jumin softly said as he leaned close to speak in her ear. She smiled, nodding up at him and understanding through his eyes that he didn’t want her to stand and be bored with their conversation.

“Of course,” she whispered back, bowing slightly at Mr. Yang as he did the same. “It was lovely to meet you!” she smiled, hearing him scoff in surprise as she moved away from them. She maneuvered through the banquet hall, glad to stretch her legs after spending the last two hours at their tables. However, there wasn’t much relief, as the shoes she’d bought for that evening were far more uncomfortable than she could have imagined.

She said brief hellos to a few people she vaguely recognized as she passed by, following the small crowd down the stairs to the lounge and bar beneath them. She held onto the railing for dear life, trying to walk as fast as possible even though she was one of the youngest and, therefore, fastest at the event. Her heels were both unstable and very high, and along with the fact that she could feel them digging into her ankles, she was surprised when she made it down the stairs without crying out in pain.

Despite how quickly the bar and surrounding tables were filling, light jazz played overhead, making the atmosphere feel slightly more relaxed than upstairs. She glanced around the room, finding a table near the window and heading towards it.

“Mrs. Han!” someone called out, startling her. She jumped, turning to her left as a man she hadn’t met before approached her with a friendly smile. Smiling back, she bowed to him and chuckled to herself.

“I’m not quite Mrs. Han yet, but I’m glad I can already respond to the name,” she smiled, seeing the man furrow his eyebrows.

“Forgive me! You’re only recently engaged, am I right?” he wondered, reaching out to shake her hand. She met him halfway, surprised at how strong of a grip he had.

“Right,” she nodded. He let go of her right hand, pointing at her left.

“May I?” he asked, and she lifted her hand in confusion. She understood as he gently held her hand, greatly contrasting the shake they’d just shared, and looked down through his glasses at her engagement ring.

“You can tell a lot through the ring,” he mumbled, pulling her hand closer.

“Is that so?” she laughed, watching him examine it closely. He blinked a couple of times before grunting and patting her hand in finality.

“It’ll do,” he nodded, flashing a smile at her. She laughed a little, glancing at it herself and smiling.

“I’ll let him know you approve, Mr…” she started, trailing off once she realized she didn’t know who she was speaking to.

“How rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m the head of PK Holdings, a company very involved with your fiancé’s,” he explained, clasping his hands behind his back. Her eyebrows raised in recognition even though he still hadn’t given his name, remembering that Jumin had called him out as someone who would probably approach one or both at the gala that night.

“Mr. Park! It’s so lovely to finally meet you,” she grinned, watching the older man blink at her in surprise. “Jumin has told me how easy it is to work with you.” The corner of his mouth twitched up into a smile briefly before he let out a bellowing laugh, making her laugh a little in both surprise and amusement.

“That boy,” he chuckled, smoothing his tie and shaking his head with a fond smile. “Ah! I believe he’s waiting for you, so I won’t keep you any longer. I’m looking forward to your wedding,” he said, drawing her eyes to the bar behind them, where Jumin was picking up two drinks.

“Thank you, Mr. Park. I’ll see you again soon,” she smiled, throwing him a small wave as she started over to Jumin. Their eyes met as he turned around, his expression briefly softening before he seemed to notice something.

“Jumin,” she sighed happily, receiving her glass of champagne from him. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, giving her goosebumps.

“How did you fare with Mr. Park?” he wondered, finding her hand at her side and placing it on his arm as they walked towards the windows.

“He examined my ring for a good 30 seconds,” she snickered, gladly hanging on his arm as she tried to steady herself and avoid any pain points with her heels. Jumin hummed thoughtfully, taking her hand and holding it as she sat down at the table they’d chosen so she could steady herself.

“That indeed sounds like him,” he mused, sitting across from her and undoing his jacket button. They both took a sip of their drinks, him of his wine and her of her bubbles.

“He said “It’ll do,” she relayed, watching as Jumin looked the slightest bit offended.

“It’ll do,” he repeated lowly, leaning back in his chair and looking out at the view. “I would be interested to see his opinion change when he sees your wedding band.” She pressed her lips together, her tongue tingling from the champagne, and butterflies began to swirl in her stomach. She couldn’t help the rampant excitement whenever they mentioned the big day.

“He seemed very nice,” she continued, beginning to cross one leg over the other to get comfortable but deciding against it. Putting too much weight on one foot hurt too much at that point, and when she instinctively reached down to rub her ankles, she played it off as fixing the skirt of her dress. They only had a few more hours here, and she didn’t want Jumin to leave the event early for something so trivial.

“Judging our relationship based on the choice of ring is very nice, yes,” Jumin teased, making her roll her eyes and smirk.

“Either way, I’m glad I was prepared for tonight,” she noted, seeing him tilt his head.

“Our preparations helped?” She nodded and took another sip, thinking about all the slideshows that Jaehee and Jumin had prepared to help her begin to memorize all of the most important people who would be there that night.

“If I’m going to be a regular guest at your company’s events, it would be good to know as much as I can,” she replied, seeing Jumin nod thoughtfully.

“Do let me know if it overwhelms you,” he murmured, meeting her eyes again. She smiled, shaking her head.

“I’ll be fine. Besides, how can the future wife of the future chairman be clueless?” she teased, watching a small smirk grace his lips.

“I like that title for you—future wife of the future chairman. Rolls off the tongue,” he said, jesting back at her. She chuckled, rolling her eyes again and looking out at the crowds that began to gather at the larger tables.

“Where to next?” she wondered. “I’m sure you have a list of people you need to speak with tonight.” Jumin slowly turned the wine glass as it sat on the table, not meeting her eyes.

“My list was short, and therefore I have already completed it,” he said, looking up at her. She furrowed her eyebrows, waiting for the punchline. “Besides, this wine tastes horrible. How could I stay any longer?” There it was. She scoffed, standing up and avoiding scrunching her face up in pain. Her calves were becoming sore, and her toes felt like they would be pressed together for the rest of time.

“Come on,” she laughed, holding a hand out for him and grabbing her glass. “I’ll come with you.” Jumin stood to meet her, buttoning his jacket again and keeping her gaze.

“I wasn’t joking, my love. I’ve talked to everyone I needed to already,” he reiterated, pulling her hand to his and intertwining their fingers. She searched his eyes, wondering if maybe he just didn’t want to admit he was tired. He returned her stare, looking lovingly back at her. She couldn’t help but give in, raising her eyebrows in mild surprise.

“In that case, I suppose we could meander our way to the exit,” she shrugged, placing her glass back down and squeezing his hand.

“Perfect,” he smiled, holding her hand at his side and walking a pace in front of her to lead the way.

Multiple people greeted them as they walked past, but no one tried to stop them for a conversation. She could have sworn that there were far more people that Jumin should have talked to, but those thoughts quickly shifted back to focusing on walking as painlessly as possible. After a few moments, she linked her arm with Jumin’s again, using him for support while being as subtle as possible about it.

A moment of relief came in the elevator, and she leaned against his shoulder to look up at him.

“Would you like to pop open a bottle of something you’ll actually enjoy once we’re home?” she wondered, seeing him smile and glance down at her.

“Among other things,” he nodded, making her bite the tip of her tongue and watch the elevator descend through the floors instead.

Once they arrived on the ground floor, she steeled herself for only a few more minutes of the horrible heels she’d chosen. It was like the universe knew that she was almost done, making the walk through the lobby the most painful part of the night thus far.

“Darling,” he called, making her tense and wonder if he had noticed her struggling after all. “There is a professional photographer near the door. Would you like to take a picture? You are absolutely stunning tonight,” he wondered, slowing to a halt as he gauged her reaction. She glanced over, seeing two chairs in front of a camera on a tripod.

“I’d love to,” she smiled, looking down at her dress and smoothing it out. “I would hate to forget my first corporate gala.” Jumin let out a short laugh through his nose, leading her over to the photographer.

“Good evening, Mr. Han,” the young man greeted them, readying his camera quickly. “It would be my pleasure to photograph you two. May I suggest some poses?”

“I would like most of them with my fianceé in the chair. Her dress and posture will make for a gorgeous picture, don’t you think?” Jumin gushed, making her hands tremble slightly as she sat down. The photographer instructed Jumin where to stand and how to place his hands, one of them draped over the back of the chair so that his fingertips brushed her shoulder.

“And now, miss, if you would move your hand over your lap– perfect! Let’s take a few shots with this pose,” he said excitedly, the shutter clicking as he took multiple pictures quickly.

After a few more poses, Jumin deemed that enough and handed the man a small stack of cash.

“Thank you,” she smiled at the photographer, moving to stand before Jumin placed a hand over hers on the arm of the chair. She blinked up at him, resting her weight back down on the cushion as he moved to kneel in front of her.

“What is it?” she wondered, seeing him adjusting the skirt of her dress.

“Uncross your legs for me,” he spoke softly, making heat flush under her skin as his fingers slipped around her ankle. She did as he said, her heart racing as he carefully slipped her heels off. Her anticipation boiled down to confusion as he dusted them off and handed them to her. She took them hesitantly, looking to Jumin for an explanation.

“Would it be alright if I carried you?” he asked, looking up at her from where he kneeled. She blinked at him, opening her mouth for a moment before speaking.

“Sure, Jumin, but–” She stopped as he wrapped a hand around her waist to pull her towards the front of her chair, looping his other arm beneath her knees. He picked her up and pulled her to his chest with ease, making sure her skirt was appropriately draped as she made multiple noises of confusion and surprise. Someone opened the door to the venue for them to exit, but she could barely hear it over the sound of her heart racing at the unexpected situation.

She had forgotten about the reporters outside, flinching as a flurry of clicks and flashes started around her. Instinctively, she turned her face away, pressing her cheek into Jumin’s chest as he walked without hesitation.

“Mr. Han!”

“Is she injured?”

“What dress is she wearing?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling embarrassment flood her body as she imagined all the articles already being written. Jumin remained quiet, walking a few more paces until she heard a car door open. He lowered her down, helping her into the car while serving as a barrier between her and the cameras. She threw the heels on the floor, covering her face and folding over on herself. She groaned, feeling Jumin settle in beside her and close the car door.

“Jumin, what was that?” she asked through her hands, wanting to flop onto his lap but also wanting to hear his explanation before she showed him affection of any kind.

“I could tell as soon as you stood up from our dinner table that your heels were causing you tremendous pain. Why didn’t you say anything, my love?” he wondered, making her squint up at him through her hands.

“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of nothing,” she responded, grateful when Driver Kim pulled away from the curb. She sat up straight, kicking at one of the heels absentmindedly.

“Your health and comfort are anything but nothing,” he replied, reaching over to take her hand and lift it to his lips for a gentle string of kisses.

“The universe will punish you somehow for this,” she grumbled with a small smile she was trying to restrain.

“For taking care of my fianceé? I hardly think so,” he disagreed, putting their intertwined hands in his lap and looking at her.

“I appreciate what you did, Jumin, but I really would have been okay for a few more steps,” she explained, watching him rub her fingers thoughtfully.

“I was just practicing for when I carry you over the threshold,” he said quietly, making her chuckle.

“I should have guessed you would want to. You’re so superstitious,” she scoffed teasingly as he looked up with a slight pout that always managed to get him out of trouble.

“I can’t take any chances,” he replied, making her laugh and give up on making him regret what he’d done.

“You’re unbearable,” she lied, watching his face relax at the sound of her laugh. He leaned over to kiss her cheek tenderly, making her stomach flip.

“Now, which sales associate helped you with these Louboutins?” he wondered quietly, his face still close to hers. She met his eyes, her stare narrowing at him.

“Leave Jinsoo alone, please,” she sighed, knowing he could find out what he wanted to know within minutes, even if she wouldn’t tell him.

“Ah, Jinsoo. My next target,” he said menacingly, making her stare at him before bursting into laughter again. He watched her with a growing smile, stroking his chin like he was a villain deep in thought.

“Jumin, please. She’s only doing her job,” she said through her laughter, knowing he was completely joking.

“I will have my revenge,” he muttered, pushing her to laugh again and lean into his side. He gave in and laughed with her, pulling her closer as she continued to fight for the saleslady until Jumin gave up his playful charade.

Their ride home was full of laughter, and he promised to help her soothe her feet at home, utterly content that he had made her smile again.

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hello!! thank you so much for reading this! and thank you all so much for all the support I've received already this week <3 it means so so much to me!

stay tuned for the last two days! thank you again!

She breathed in slowly, opening her eyes a bit and remembering where she was. She stretched, turning to look at the time on Jumin’s alarm clock. It was barely past 3 in the morning, and the rest she’d gotten so far had only left her feeling more drowsy. She pulled the covers off her lower half, stepping onto the cold floor and shivering just a little. Wrapping her arms around herself, she moved out of the room towards the light coming from the living area.

Jumin was sat on the couch, staring past the glass of wine in his hands as he swirled it. His eyebrows were set low on his forehead, his jaw stiff and clenched as he twisted himself in his own tangled thoughts. She sighed worriedly, wishing more than anything that she could make Elizabeth appear right in front of him. But even that wouldn’t alleviate his worries completely.

Jumin looked up suddenly, his face softening slightly as he quickly put his glass down.

“You’re still awake? Is something uncomfortable?” he asked, standing to meet her as she took a few steps in his direction. She shook her head, smiling lightly as she looked him up and down. “It’s not even nearly morning yet. Is the bed uncomfortable?” Shaking her head again, she chuckled tiredly.

“Not at all, Jumin. What are you doing up?” she asked in reply, watching as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I was observing you sleep for some time. You can’t know how wonderful it is to hear you breathe when you’re sleeping,” he began, making her smile lightly. She couldn’t imagine being in his shoes, losing someone so important to you just as you find someone who becomes just as important. She wouldn’t be able to feel any less troubled about them leaving.

“When the moonlight hits your hair, all that anxiety that’s been torturing me throughout the day magically disappears. And for a while, tranquil and beautiful peace persists. But…once the sun comes up and you start your day, I’ll be anxious again. Anxious thoughts of you leaving…of someone making you leave…” She took a step closer, shaking her head.

“I told you I would stay until you figured everything out,” she said gently, watching him nod but look unconvinced as his gaze wandered to the side. “It’s only the party planning that concerns me.” He clenched his jaw, sighing out quickly.

“I know,” he breathed. She saw how tense he was, wondering how much pain it was causing him to be rigid with worry for so long. Glancing down, she saw his hands tightly gripping his arms, and she reached out instinctively, removing his left hand from his right arm. She held it in her own for a moment, and then she began to gently massage it, trying to work out some of the tension as he stared at her.

“Right now, nothing can hurt you or me,” she reminded him, seeing his eyes focused entirely on her. “You should rest. Your body and mind deserve it,” she continued, turning his hand over and continuing to rub circles into his palm gently.

“I wish I could,” he said lowly, clearing his throat afterward. “That way, my mind would have more strength to…resist,” he finished, and she met his eyes, seeing the dark grey of his irises almost burning as he looked at her. Her stomach twisted, and her mind wouldn’t produce words for a long moment.

“I’m not trying to…tempt you, Jumin,” she replied, her hands pausing against his as she held them in midair.

“You don’t have to try,” he said simply, his own words making his eyebrows twist in guilt. She let go of his hand, not anticipating or intending the situation to head in this direction.

About to explain herself, she took a breath as his hands moved to her waist, and he stepped impossibly closer. He was leaning over her, his eyes taking in the features of her face before his gaze paused on her lips. She was sure her heart would beat out of her chest, but she was at a loss for words, remembering their kiss from yesterday morning and unable to forget how he’d caged her against the wall the previous night.

Just before their lips brushed, Jumin closed his eyes tightly, turning his head and pulling her into his chest instead. Her eyes were wide with surprise, her arms at her side as he wound his arms further around her in a tight hug.

Taking a shallow, shaky breath, she moved to hug him, lifting her arms over his shoulders and linking them behind his head loosely. She thought the reciprocation would have eased him even slightly, but his shoulders were still tensed, his breathing short and quick.

“Jumin, are you alright?” she whispered, closing her eyes to try and focus on helping him.

“I’m trying to control myself,” he replied, his voice strained and guttural. She took another breath, trying to relax her body as an example for him to follow.

“Is this okay?” she wondered, feeling his hands clench into fists against the fabric of her pajamas.

“I don’t want to let go.” She pressed her lips together, nodding quickly.

“That’s perfectly fine. Can I…suggest something?” she tried, feeling slightly apprehensive when he was quiet for a long moment.

“Go ahead,” he finally said, and she smiled, looking past her hands back towards his bedroom.

“If we move this to the bed, would—” She paused, feeling her skin heat up from head to toe as she heard him stop breathing.

“Um, not like that, uh,” she amended, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to think more carefully.

“I just mean, I think it would be better if you were able to lie down and relax,” she got out, speaking slowly and softly. He resumed breathing, releasing his fists and clenching them once again.

“I trust you, but I don’t know if I can trust myself right now,” he said, just above a whisper. She nodded slightly, getting her breathing back to normal.

“I trust you, Jumin. You said yourself that you don’t want to disrupt the…order of things,” she reminded him, feeling him turn his face into her hair slightly.

“I still feel that way,” he agreed.

“Okay, let’s focus on that,” she suggested, testing how he would respond if she tried to move away. She unlinked her arms, using her feet to push herself back and meet his eyes again. He looked helpless, gazing at her for guidance as she smiled and pulled back further. His hands had unfurled, running along her waist as she stepped only a pace away from him.

“Have you ever cuddled with anyone before?” she asked quietly, seeing him want to fidget as he held and broke her gaze multiple times.

“I’ve never been in a physical relationship of that caliber,” he replied, making her smile at how eloquent he was being as if he wasn’t seconds from falling apart.

“That’s okay, I was just wondering,” she nodded, taking her hands from his shoulders and grabbing his hands that had been lingering on her waist. She held them gently before keeping just one in her own and taking a step to move past him. She led him towards his room, watching her feet so she didn’t stumble as the darkness grew.

“Because of that, I think it would help if you could…explain…what you’ll be doing,” he said hesitantly, his voice getting quieter as he spoke. She nodded, adjusting her approach to the situation as they stepped through his bedroom door.

“I can do that. Thank you for telling me,” she said as they neared the foot of the bed and her eyes adjusted to the low light.

“I’m going to have you lie down on your side, facing the window, okay?” she started, watching him nod to himself and climb onto the bed. He stiffly laid down, his arms slightly out in front of himself as he looked at her warily.

“Perfect, and now I’m–”

“Would you also be able to explain the purpose of this?” he interjected, pressing his lips together. She tilted her head, ignoring the immediate answer that was her selfish desire to be close to him and make him feel alright.

“Well, being physically close to, or cuddling, with others releases hormones that make people feel…good, and it can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression,” she responded, gesturing nervously with her hands as he watched. Clearing his throat, he shifted on the bed slightly, raising an eyebrow.

“Since I’ve never engaged in it, I suppose I can’t say whether or not that statement is true until I have tried it,” he thought aloud, making her smile and shed some of her hesitations.

“I agree.” She placed a knee on the bed, pulling herself up onto it and making his eyes widen. Faltering, she opened her mouth quickly, laughing tensely.

“I’m sorry, um,” she breathed, shaking her head a little. “Now I’m going to lie down in front of you, facing you, and I’ll be close, okay?” she explained, waiting for him to nod before she continued, moving slowly and predictably as she lowered herself on her side in front of him. He studied her every move, making her heartbeat ring in her ears as she finally settled.

“And now, you can hug me like you were before,” she said, trying to speak at a quiet volume but falling into a whisper. He looked between both of her eyes, looking worried and almost scared.

“Don’t worry,” she smiled, ignoring the way her hands had begun to shake. “This much is okay, Jumin.” He mulled it over for a moment before he lifted an arm over her, resting his hand on the small of her back. She watched his expression quietly, lifting her head when he began to move his other arm so that he could wind it behind her. His hand gripped her shoulder, and she let him pull her close enough that she could no longer meet his eyes, her head dipping below his chin.

She took a deep breath, holding her hands to her chest as she waited for him to get comfortable. His breathing was fast, and she could feel the pulse of his heart through the hand on her shoulder.

“Jumin,” she called softly, but he must not have heard her, still as rigid as ever. “Is it okay if I touch you as well?” she asked, getting his attention as both his hands twitched.

“Yes,” he whispered in her ear, making her stomach flip as she moved a hand forward. She pressed it on his upper chest, her fingertips able to feel his clavicle beneath his shirt and the way his heart was racing. She waited just a moment before slowly moving her hand back and forth, rubbing small, soothing circles into his skin and willing him to relax underneath her.

She closed her eyes, breathing deeply in and out so that he could match it, his heart rate slowing slightly as he listened to her and focused on her touch.

“Can I touch your head?” she whispered, hearing his breath hitch briefly.

“Yes,” he replied again, his affirmation a soft breath against her ear. She blinked, biting her tongue as she used her other hand to reach up and smooth out the hair on the back of his head. His breathing accelerated again, and she hesitated, trying a hand through his hair instead. He grunted in surprise, the noise a groggy, deep sound.

She ran another hand through his hair when he didn’t say anything, unable to help the smile that stretched onto her lips when he pulled her closer. So she continued, wondering in the back of her mind what he used to make his hair so soft.

It was many minutes before his breathing began to even out, his hands slightly loosening around her as he got more comfortable.

“I’m not going anywhere, Jumin. I promise,” she whispered, barely able to hear herself say the words. He hummed lightly, almost in a sigh. She smiled to herself, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

She lost track of time as she lay there in his arms, her eyes closing naturally as she felt him go limp against her. Wishing him a restful sleep, she stilled herself, pressing a gentle kiss to his arm that was acting as her pillow as she too, drifted off to sleep.

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thank you all so much for reading!!! I hope you enjoyed even one sentence that I was able to share with you, and I can't thank you enough for all the support you've given. I haven't written like this in almost three years, and it feels so good to be back.

stay tuned for more from me! I think I'm going to participate in a few of the MysticTober prompts for this year! thanks again <3

“I think that is enough wine for tonight,” Jumin said slowly, placing his empty glass down as the gentle breeze blew past them. 

“I never thought I would hear you say that,” she chuckled, finishing the last of her own glass as he eyed her. 

“Have you enjoyed yourself?” he wondered, tilting his head slightly. She smiled, glancing down at her lap for a moment before taking another look at the gorgeous vineyard spread out in front of them. 

“This has been incredible, Jumin,” she replied, reaching over to place her hand over his as it rested on the arm of his chair. He looked proud of himself, smiling back at her and turning his hand over so their fingers could intertwine. 

“I agree. There is something different about this vineyard compared to the farm back home,” he thought aloud, looking down at their hands as he ran his thumb over hers. She nodded, glancing back at the sun setting on the horizon. She had noticed that all the wine sampling they’d done today had aided in relaxing her fiancé. 

“For our next date, I think that Fiji would be a wonderful destination at this time of year,” he added, making her hand tense briefly before relaxing. 

“Jumin,” she sighed, unable to help herself from chiding him a little. He looked over at her, hearing the shift in her tone. 

“It doesn’t have to be Fiji,” he revised, and she immediately shook her head. 

“No, that’s not it,” she almost laughed, taking her hand from his and standing from her seat. She stepped over, placing herself down on his lap and setting a hand on his shoulder. He stared at her with wide eyes, wrapping an arm around her waist to secure her where she was. 

“Dates don’t always have to be trips to foreign countries or expensive outings,” she spoke softly, watching him relax just a little. “It can be as simple as spending time together,” she continued, smoothing the fabric of his shirt across his shoulder. He blinked at her in obvious confusion.

“We have spent the whole day together. Would you like the dates to last longer?” he wondered softly. She couldn’t help but laugh a little, shaking her head and leaning in to kiss him gently. 

“I am more than thrilled to be here with you, Jumin,” she clarified, watching his eyes open slowly to focus back on her. “Will you let me plan our next date?” she asked, placing her free hand on his other shoulder. 

“Of course, my love,” he agreed, pressing his forehead against hers. She observed him for just a moment, wondering what he could be thinking. 

“Do you trust me?” she asked, seeing his eyes open fully as he pulled away from her slightly. 

“Without a doubt,” he answered quickly, and she smiled, nodding. Leaning forward, she put her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and already running through a list of ways they could simply spend time together. 

—

“Thank you, Driver Kim!” she grinned, offering a wave as Jumin closed the car door and stepped up onto the sidewalk with her. As the car pulled away, she turned to her fiancé, watching him look around in curiosity. 

“I’ve never been in this part of the city before,” he said, turning his attention back to her expectantly. She smiled, taking his hand excitedly. 

“I’m your personal tour guide,” she teased, admiring the way she’d had him dress down just a little so that they wouldn’t get as many stares. 

“Lead the way,” he smiled, tightening his grip on her hand as she turned to start walking with him. 

After getting off work that day, she’d surprised him at his apartment and let him know that she had finished planning their date. After helping him pick out a different outfit, they set out, their destination a complete mystery to Jumin.

They passed a few storefronts, soon arriving at a small, secondhand bookstore. Jumin would have walked past it if not for her anchoring hand pulling him back, making her giggle a little. 

“Here we are,” she said, seeing his eyes take in every detail. 

“Are you in need of a book?” he wondered, making her chuckle a little to herself.

“I like to come here to look every so often. There are a lot of books that I can’t find anywhere else that end up here,” she explained, opening the door for both of them. He stepped in after her, his eyes taking in all that they could. When he didn’t say anything, she led him into the first aisle, watching him from the corner of her eye. The set of his shoulders and jaw began to relax once they were surrounded by books. Once she’d let go of his hand to investigate a certain book, he leaned forward to look closer, becoming interested in a dark-brown bound book. 

“These books were previously owned?” he asked quietly, his deep voice sounding like part of the magic of the building they’d stepped into. 

“Yes. Once someone no longer needs them, this store will sell them for a discounted price,” she explained, setting her book down and continuing to look. Jumin hummed thoughtfully, flipping the book open in his hands and becoming quiet once more. She lingered nearby, finally giving in to her curiosity after a few minutes. 

“What did you find?” she wondered, leaning close to him to see the contents of the book. He turned it towards her, her eyes taking a moment to focus on the small text. 

“I’ve never seen a book on witchcraft from this year,” he commented, making her lips twitch up into a smile. 

“I love when I find treasures here,” she said, watching him nod and turn the page. She moved through more of the aisles, chuckling as he followed, still buried in the book. 

When they passed by a table and chairs near the back of the store, a sudden meow startled the both of them. A thin, tabby cat was curled up on the table next to a pile of books, yawning at them and wriggling as it showed its belly in anticipation.

She cooed, reaching out slowly so that it could sniff her hand. Immediately, it rubbed its nose against her fingers, and when she began to pet it, the rumbles of purring resonated through the air. 

“Is this a marketing tactic as well?” Jumin wondered, watching the small cat nearly fall asleep again as she petted it. That made her giggle, her hands pulling away once the cat had curled into a ball again. 

“I think this one is a guest like us,” she smiled, saying goodbye as they continued. Jumin still had a strong grip on the book he’d picked up, his eyes searching for anything similar on the shelves as they passed. 

“Would you like to get that one?” she wondered, seeing him look at the book and then her. 

“I suppose I should. I’m not sure I would be able to find this version again,” he responded, running his hand over the front cover. 

She led him to the checkout counter, both of them respectfully greeting the older man who helped them. 

Once the book had been carefully wrapped in paper and placed in a bag for their convenience, they stepped back outside, seeing the beginnings of the sunset starting overhead.

“Where is our next destination, my love?” he asked, intertwining their hands once more and making her raise an eyebrow at him. 

“What makes you think there’s more to this date?” she wondered teasingly in reply, seeing him think for a moment. 

“I wouldn’t think that you would plan a date that would end so quickly,” he answered simply, making her heart beat twice in a row unexpectedly. 

“You’re right,” she smiled to herself, turning her head away slightly. “The next stop is only a few blocks away.” He nodded, letting her lead the way as they walked side by side. 

She thanked him as he held the door to one of her favorite cafes open, stepping in and taking a deep breath. Turning to watch her fiancé, she smiled as he looked around briefly. 

“Are you hungry?” he asked, knowing her all too well. 

“Their strawberry cake is something that I’ve never been able to find a better recreation of,” she nodded, pulling him over towards the counter. 

“How are you, Mrs. Park?” she asked, watching the older woman behind the counter soften.

“I haven’t seen you in some time! How are you?” she wondered, immediately reaching over to their glass display of treats to grab a slice of cake topped with fresh strawberries. 

“I’m doing very well. How is your husband?” she asked in reply, seeing Jumin examine the other treats they had on display. 

“He’s doing much better. Is this your fiancé?” Mrs. Park asked, eyeing Jumin knowingly. She couldn’t help but feel a little shy, nodding and looking up at him as he bowed slightly. 

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Mrs. Park grinned, tapping a few things on her register as she looked eagerly at Jumin. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he replied, immediately taking his card from his wallet. “Please add another slice.” Mrs. Park nodded happily as MC looked up at him, quickly paying for their treats before she could even reach for her purse. 

They chose a table by the windows, watching as the streets became more and more crowded as the night began. She happily dug into her cake as Jumin examined his slice carefully.

“It looks simple enough,” he said mostly to himself. She smiled as he took the tip off the end, placing it in his mouth with practiced poise. She took another bite, seeing him place his fork down and glance out the window. 

“I thought it would be much too sweet,” he commented, looking down at his plate before meeting her eyes.

“That’s why I like it so much. It’s not too sweet, and the strawberry flavor is very fresh,” she nodded, seeing him nod along with her thoughtfully. 

Suddenly, he got up from his seat, walking back over to the counter as she stared after him in surprise. After a moment, Mrs. Park handed him a cake box, grinning widely and blushing as he handed her a tip.

She watched him in adoration, smiling as he walked back over and placed the box on the end of the table so it was out of their way. 

“You like it that much?” she chuckled as he sat back down and smoothed out his pants. 

“I would like for my chef to recreate it, and I would like to keep some at my apartment so you don’t have to travel so far to enjoy it,” he explained, pulling out his phone to text his personal chef. She giggled, her heart warming at his thoughtfulness. 

“You could have asked her for the recipe, Jumin,” she commented, seeing him raise an eyebrow and look up from his phone. 

“An even better idea,” he murmured, getting out of his seat once more to walk over to the counter. 

Once they’d received a handwritten recipe from Mrs. Park, who’d teasingly told them that if they leaked it she would take legal action, they stepped back outside. The sun had just set, the city lighting up and becoming more and more lively. Jumin held her hand protectively, using his other hand to balance the cake box and his wrapped book. 

“Where to next, darling?” he wondered, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the bustling noise of the crowds flooding past them.

“I texted Driver Kim, and he should be here any moment,” she told him, leaning closer to speak into his ear. Jumin turned to look at her, nearly frowning. 

“Is the date over?” he wondered, making her smile and melt a little at how disappointed he sounded. 

“No! No, I just would rather spend more time somewhere quiet,” she explained, watching his shoulders lose their tension as he took a breath and nodded. 

“It will be good to get this cake into the refrigerator,” he added, stepping forward as he was able to spot Driver Kim pulling up from over the crowd. He pulled her along, maneuvering through the throngs of people and opening the car door for her when they arrived. 

On the ride home, Jumin opened his book once more and read her some excerpts that he found interesting. She listened intently, always content to watch him talk about something he was interested in. 

“Are there more places that you have had positive experiences at around the city?” he wondered as the elevator doors closed slowly. They began their ascent up to his penthouse as she chuckled, nodding immediately. 

“There are so many places that I would like to take you to, Jumin,” she replied, looking up at him just in time to see a hint of excitement flash across his face. 

“If you’re interested, I think it would be reasonable for us to alternate. One date can be your planning, and the next can be mine,” he proposed, glancing down at her for approval. She couldn’t hold back her smile, taking his hand again excitedly. 

“That sounds perfect. I can’t wait,” she gushed, reaching up to place a quick kiss on his cheek. 

“I’m glad you like the idea,” he said through a growing smile, holding her hand a little tighter as the doors opened on the top floor. 

“Love it,” she corrected, stepping out first and pulling him along. 

Once the cake was in the fridge and they finished discussing dinner plans, she invited him over to the couch where Elizabeth the 3rd was eagerly waiting for them. 

“She is so cute,” MC cooed, sitting down to pet her as Jumin came to sit in the spot just beside his fianceé. He ran a hand up and down her thigh absentmindedly, bringing her attention back to him as she turned to face him.

“Is there anything you would like to watch?” she wondered, seeing him move his gaze to the television on the wall in front of them. 

“Is watching television another part of spending time together?” he wondered, and she nodded, reaching for the remote. 

“It can be. No thoughts? A movie, a drama, anything,” she prompted. He reached his hand out to ask for the remote, and she placed it in his palm as he sat back against the couch. 

“Since we’ve spent such quality time together, it would only be fair to end the night with a quality classic,” he said softly, quickly pulling up a drama that immediately recognized.

“Stairway to Heaven?” she asked, glancing over at him to gauge if he had already watched it.

“A classic, like I said. Do you disagree?” he asked teasingly, placing an arm across her shoulders as she smiled and shook her head. 

“Not at all. I’m just surprised,” she admitted, leaning against him as he pulled her closer. The opening scenes began, and she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by how happy she was. 

“Thank you for coming out with me tonight,” she smiled, sitting up to look directly at him. He searched her eyes, blinking slowly. 

“Thank you for planning this. My eyes have been opened,” he murmured softly, gladly leaning forward as she moved to kiss him. She hummed against his lips, sitting up just a little more as his hand pressed into her cheek gently. 

When she pulled away, he quickly kissed her cheek, making her heart skip as she blinked at him. He smiled, kissing her briefly before pulling away. 

“You’re very distracting,” he whispered, making her grin as she curled back into his side. 

“I’ll let you watch your drama for now,” she teased, feeling him tug her closer as she curled her legs up onto the couch. His hand moved further down until he poked her side, tickling her before she tried to push away. He pulled her back, chuckling deeply and kissing the top of her head as they finally settled. 

As the first episode started, they both relaxed into each other, completely forgetting their dinner plans as they dozed off in each other's arms.

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thank you so much for reading! i wrote this one quickly today, and I'm not super satisfied with it, but I hope there was something enjoyable about it! I'm going to continue working on tomorrow's entry tonight, so hopefully it will be a little more polished!

again, thank you so much, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

“He’s asking for you.”

“Me?” she asked in disbelief, standing from her couch and looking around momentarily in panic. Eventually, she gathered her thoughts and rushed over to the door. 

“I was also surprised,” V laughed. She heard clattering in the background of the call, her eyebrows furrowing on her forehead as she felt her head fill with questions. 

“Is he okay?” was the first thing she asked, shoving her shoes on her feet and grabbing her coat. 

“I think he’d had about two and a half bottles of wine before he called me,” he replied, sighing quietly. She could tell how worried he was, even though they had only spoken in person a handful of times. She was just as concerned, rushing down the hallway and pressing the button to call the elevator repeatedly. 

“Jumin, she’s on her way,” V said, slightly raising his voice. She pressed her phone closer to her ear to listen, unable to make out what Jumin said in reply. 

“Yes, I’ll send someone to pick her up,” V laughed, his voice getting distant as she guessed he’d pulled his phone away to text someone. 

Stepping into the elevator, she chewed on her bottom lip anxiously. Jumin and her had only met a few times; the first time at the first RFA party she’d worked at and the second at an RFA meeting they’d held a month or so ago. Her mind felt hot as it worked into overtime, trying to think of why he would want to see her of all people. His best friend was already there, so why did he need her as well? 

It wasn’t as if she felt put out by the request; she would do anything for her friends. But that begged the question if she still considered Jumin as just a friend. It was hard to deny that she was attracted to him. How could she not be? He was the perfect gentleman, and when he smiled at her, she felt as if the world had stopped spinning altogether. These uninvited feelings are what pulled her off her couch so quickly, and they kept her pacing in the lobby as the driver V had sent made their way to her. 

On the way there, it began to snow harder, and she had started to assume the worst as to why Jumin had decided to down so much wine in one sitting. Her stomach had bottomed out with worry, and she felt another jolt of anxiety as V’s called ID popped up on her phone just as she arrived at Jumin’s apartment building. 

“Hello?” she asked, hearing a rustling followed by a deep hum. She immediately knew that Jumin was on the other end of the phone, her eyes being drawn up towards the top of the building as she entered and was greeted by security.

“MC, it’s me,” he breathed. She could immediately hear the difference in his voice, a small smile stretching on her lips as she stepped into the elevator. She wasn’t enjoying his self-destruction in the slightest, but his deep, husky voice was something she couldn’t complain about.

“Hello, Jumin. Are you alright?” she gently asked, watching the elevator ascend slower than she would have liked. 

“Not in the slightest. I would like to see you,” he said sternly, making her bite down on her tongue before almost laughing. 

“I’m in the elevator, Jumin. I’ll be there in less than two minutes,” she responded, tapping her foot in anticipation. 

“My elevator? The elevator to my penthouse?” he asked, making her smile at just how out of it he seemed even though he was still speaking so politely.

“Yes. I’m almost there,” she smiled, eyeing the security guard beside her as the elevator settled at the top floor. 

“Perfect,” Jumin said before promptly hanging up, making her do a double take at her phone before forgetting about that and stepping through the doors. 

“Mr. Han,” she heard down the hallway, seeing the grand door to his apartment open and Jumin step out. His eyes searched the hall until he saw her, his path clear before V stopped him with a hand on his arm. 

“Why are you restraining me?” he wondered, frowning at his best friend. 

“It would be better for you two to talk inside,” V explained, smiling sheepishly at the security guards as their expressions ranged from clueless to amused. 

“It hardly matters where–”

“Jumin,” she called, approaching them and seeing Jumin’s face soften. 

“There you are,” he sighed, immediately reaching for her. She offered a hand, watching as he took it with both of his and seemed to lose some of the tension in his shoulders. 

“I’m here. Should we go inside?” she asked, ignoring how her heart was barely stuttering by and focusing on escaping the eyes of the crowd of security guards. 

“Yes. Yes, that’s a wonderful idea. The best idea I’ve ever heard,” he nodded, blinking slowly at her as he shot V a look and moved to walk past him, one of his hands still tightly wrapped around hers. She gave V a weak smile, hearing him say a few things to the guards as he closed the door behind them. 

“Thank you for coming,” Jumin spoke, bringing her attention back to him as they moved further into his extravagant penthouse. She looked around, stumbling a little when they moved onto the plush carpet encompassing the living area. 

“I don’t mind,” she started, watching Jumin gesture for her to sit. She obliged, his hand still holding hers as he unsteadily lowered himself beside her. His legs were pointed towards her, a tired smile settling on his lips. She rubbed his hand a little to soothe both him and herself, drawing his eyes to where their hands had landed on the couch.

“Can I get you anything, MC?” V asked from behind her, startling her slightly and making Jumin tense. 

“Uh, tea? Tea would be nice. I think Jumin needs a minute,” she said, turning to talk to him and giving him a knowing look. V nodded, hooking a thumb towards the kitchen to let her know where he would be. 

Turning back to Jumin, who had started running the pad of his thumb along the backs of her fingers, she cleared her throat. 

“Jumin, is everything alright?” she wondered softly, watching his movements pause. 

“If you’re asking about why I have consumed so much alcohol, I would rather not talk about it,” he muttered, making her heart fall at just how disappointed he sounded. Pressing her lips together, she reconsidered her approach. 

“Is there anything you would like to talk about?” she continued, feeling goosebumps run up her arms as he turned her hand over, pulling it onto his thigh and beginning to trace the lines on her palm.

“You,” he whispered, her eyes shooting to his in surprise. 

“Me? Would you like me to talk?” she guessed, blinking quickly as she waited for his answer. 

“No,” he replied simply, leaning down to press a short kiss to the inside of her wrist. Her whole body felt hot, a non-verbal sputter coming from her lips in shock. 

“I would like to talk about you,” he clarified, her whole body rigid as he pulled back and met her eyes. 

“About me?” she repeated, her words choppy and hoarse. What was going on? Where had this come from?

“Indeed. Everything about you is so inviting,” he started, spreading her hand open so that he could press his hand against hers. He evaluated the size difference, humming thoughtfully as he released her hand. When she didn’t move it, still frozen, he placed it back in her lap, smiling warmly. 

“Unfortunately, I don’t think there is any chance I won’t become completely enamored with you. I might already be at that stage,” he continued, making her eyes widen at the gravity of his words. 

“Did I say unfortunately? If I’m honest, I feel that it’s anything but unfortunate,” he mused, looking down at his lap. She was torn between feeling over the moon and feeling guilty. She didn’t know if he truly wanted her to hear this. Should she plug her ears? Ask him to stop? 

“You do?” was all that came out, her lips pressing together again as she stared at him. He nodded once, meeting her eyes briefly before looking away again and sighing.

“A part of me wishes I didn’t feel this way, but I cannot help the fact that I do,” he began again, making her tilt her head as she quietly waited for him to continue. “Every past experience has warned me against this, but everything about you makes me want to say yes.” She swallowed thickly, watching him fiddle with his cufflinks as his mind worked on gathering his thoughts. 

“And you’ve given us no reason to distrust you,” he continued, finally meeting her eyes and catching her off guard with the adoration she found there. He sighed, his eyebrows drawing together as he looked her over. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, and she swore that was the nail in her coffin. She was in just as deep as he seemed to be, pressing a hand over her mouth as she felt her ears begin to burn at the tips. 

“I vowed not to be swayed by looks like my father,” he murmured, a deep-set frown moving over his lips before he closed his eyes and shook his head. “But I don’t believe that was what drew me to you, even though it is a true statement. You are very pleasing to look at, which makes me appreciate you all the more.” She stared at him, seeing the drunkenness manifesting in his cheeks as a slight blush, his eyes sparkling and his jaw more slack than usual.

“Jumin,” she breathed, restraining herself from giving in and listening to anything he had to say. “I don’t know if you should be telling me this,” she said, watching his eyebrows twitch downwards. 

“I have wanted to tell you this for many months now,” he said, his response catching her off guard. 

“Really?” she said before she could stop herself, watching him break into a smile again. He held out his hand, and she hesitantly reached out, watching as he held it carefully in his own. 

“During our most recent RFA meeting, you told us about your thoughts for the next party,” he reminded her, and she nodded, happy to think about anything but the way he was looking at her. 

“Right, I, uh,” she started, clearing her throat. “I told everyone that I wanted to change a few things for our next party and see how it went.” Jumin nodded enthusiastically. 

“It was right then,” he smiled, and she stared at him. “It was at that moment that I knew I felt more for you than I had ever felt for anyone before,” he explained, making her press her lips together to stop her heart from landing in his hands. She blinked at him in shock, trying to find words but coming up short. He held her gaze for a moment, his grip on her hand tightening by a fraction.

“I am resigned to the fact that you do not feel the same, and that is not something that needs to be changed,” he went on, making her heart stick in her throat as it slightly broke. His expression was one she would never want to be responsible for putting on his face.

“It will be painful, but—”

“No, Jumin. No,” she said quickly and maybe a little too forcefully. He blinked at her, searching her eyes before continuing. 

“It’s alright, I assure you,” he reiterated, making her grip his hand tightly. 

“No, Jumin! I…well, I feel the same way. About you, I mean,” she got out, hoping she didn’t look as scared as she felt. She never thought in a million years that these words would be coming out of her mouth, especially not to him. 

Jumin’s face melted into a dark expression, one she wasn’t familiar with. 

“What?” he choked out, unwavering in the way he was keeping her gaze. She panicked, ready to take back what she’d said but stupidly running headfirst in the opposite direction.

“I really, really like you, Jumin,” she barely managed to say, feeling both of them grip each other’s hand tighter, perhaps subconsciously. He continued staring at her, and even though his expression could make someone cry, she decided to keep going, hoping it would help him feel better if she explained a little. 

“You are wonderful, Jumin,” she began, seeing the tension in his shoulders remain stiff. “Even though others have a hard time seeing it, you’re incredibly kind. You’re thoughtful and considerate, I just think that you don’t have a chance to show people very often. You’re so smart and also very funny when you want to be,” she said, unable to help the smile growing on her lips. She hadn’t noticed how his expression had dissolved, his shoulders dropping as she looked past him in deep thought. 

“You’re just such a lovely person, and I wish people were able to see that–Jumin?” She stopped, looking down as he reached forward with both hands and gently gripped her upper arms. Finally meeting his eyes, she found that he was affected by what she’d said, his eyes sparkling and his smile wide. 

“Can I hug you?” he asked, making her stomach leap in her abdomen. 

“I-yes? Of course,” she said through a nervous laugh, leaning forward as he pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around his middle, feeling his hands slip across her back as she rested her chin on his shoulder. Jumin seemed to deflate against her, taking a broken breath before releasing it slowly and moving closer to her. 

She closed her eyes, settling into his warmth and wishing they could stay like this for a little while. 

“I hope you know how much your words mean to me.” She blinked her eyes open, glancing at the collar of his shirt as he began tracing small circles into her back. “For someone to see even a glimpse of the real me and not run…” He trailed off, his hands stopping as she sighed sadly. 

“Every part of you is beautiful, Jumin,” she whispered in reply, feeling him laugh through his nose more than she heard it. 

“I apologize. I understand that I am drunk and not myself at the moment, but I just thought about kissing you,” he said suddenly, making her eyes widen as her hands tensed into fists against his back. “But that can wait until I am of right mind and you give me your permission.” Knowing he was right, she chided herself for the disappointment that rang through her. 

“Wait,” he muttered, placing his hands on her waist and pushing back from her. He remained close, glancing down at his lap in thought as she felt her heart running marathons in her chest. 

“Am I too inebriated that I won’t recall this in the morning? I think that would be the worst possible outcome,” he said softly, his eyes widening in worry. She blinked at him and then smiled brightly, placing a hand on his cheek and feeling the warmth underneath his skin. He blinked rapidly, looking up at her in muted surprise. 

“If you forget, I’ll remind you,” she smiled, seeing him place his hand over hers. He pursed his lips in thought, his eyes not leaving hers. 

“I might not believe you,” he pointed out, making her snicker a little and consider it.

“If it takes a million retellings, I’ll make sure you believe me,” she rephrased, slowly taking her hand away as he began to unintentionally lean toward her. 

“It’s a deal,” he smiled, laughing hoarsely and placing a hand on her knee. She held back a bigger smile, seeing him look down at where he’d set his hand with tired eyes. 

“How about we get you some water?” she offered after taking a moment to admire him. She would have never thought that a late-night call would end like this, but she was hardly complaining. 

“Yes, my love,” he replied quickly, making her gape at him and watch as he stood, waiting for her to join him. She shook her head in disbelief, standing to meet him and taking the hand he was offering her as she desperately tried not to show how much those two words had completely ruined her.

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thank you all so much for reading! every single reblog and comment makes my day!! i hope you know that <3

tomorrow is the last day, so stay tuned for that! thanks again!

She hummed lightly to herself, ambling slowly past the shops as she made her way toward Jumin’s apartment building. She was early; he wouldn’t be home from work for another 20 minutes, so she decided to take her time on her way to see her fiancé.

As she approached the small flower shop on the corner, she wondered why the cozy storefront always made her stop and admire all of the different arrangements. Bending down to smell a gorgeous bouquet of lilies, she smiled and wondered if Jumin would enjoy receiving a bouquet of flowers.

Since the beginning of their engagement, she’d been hesitant about giving Jumin gifts. It wasn’t as if he didn’t already have everything, and all of his clients and business partners often provided unsentimental gifts whenever they held meetings or finalized deals. It felt like a losing game for her to try and one-up any previous gift he’d gotten, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to try.

She glanced around until she found a small, simple bouquet that made her smile. It had a mixture of red and pink roses, daisies, and some gentle, green foliage that made it just intricate enough that she thought it would do.

After purchasing the arrangement and speaking with the shopkeeper about how inviting their storefront was, she continued along the path toward the apartment building. She was thinking it would be a nice change of pace for her to meet Jumin up in the penthouse when he arrived home instead of in the lobby.

She smiled to herself as she rode the elevator up, exchanging a friendly greeting with the chief of Jumin’s security once she’d arrived at the top floor.

“Is there anything you need from us, Miss MC?” he wondered, keeping pace with her as they walked toward the entrance to Jumin’s penthouse.

“Will you make sure he knows I’m already up here when he arrives? I don’t want him to wait for me downstairs,” she smiled, bowing gratefully as he agreed and opened the door for her.

“Thank you,” she grinned, feeling the familiar smell and noise of his apartment settle around her. Elizabeth the 3rd called out to her from Jumin’s room, meeting her at the door excitedly only moments later.

“Hello, lovely!” MC smiled, reaching down to pet her as she slipped her shoes off. She made her way through to the kitchen as the cat followed where she grabbed a simple vase from the cupboard. She prepped the flowers, arranging them nicely and leaving the display visible on his kitchen island.

“Do you think he’ll like it?” she whispered to Elizabeth, receiving a soft meow in reply and chuckling to herself.

“I hope so,” she replied, removing the informational card that came with the flowers from its packaging and leaving a simple ‘I love you’ on the backside.

After only a few more moments, she heard the distant ding of the elevator arriving at the top floor. She headed toward the entryway, turning the corner just as he opened the door and met her eyes in anticipation.

Seeing Jumin soften as soon as he laid his eyes on her was always one of her favorite parts of the day. The slope of his shoulders became less intense, his hands relaxed, and the set of his brow eased up so much that she wondered if it hadn’t been hurting all day.

“Welcome home,” she smiled, rushing over to meet him with a swift kiss and a lingering hug. He pulled her close by the small of her back, exhaling slowly against her and humming a mumbled hello into her ear.

“My last meeting didn’t run over. Was there another strange man in the lobby today?” he wondered, pulling away from her to look her once over. She chuckled, reaching up to loosen his tie slightly and fix a few stray hairs.

“Oh, I can’t meet you up here?” she teased, stepping only a pace away so he could put his briefcase to the side and shrug off his suit jacket. He first replied with a low laugh, lifting an eyebrow at her.

“I’ll admit that I prefer you waiting here in a safe place, but I’m just curious as to why,” he explained, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on her forehead as he awaited her answer.

“I brought a gift home and didn’t want it to be spoiled for you right away,” she smiled, watching his eyes widen ever so slightly and flit around the room.

“A gift? What’s the occasion?” he asked, letting her take his hand and begin to lead him towards the kitchen.

“No occasion,” she shrugged, rubbing a thumb over the backs of his cold fingers. Once they had rounded the corner, she noticed how insignificant the bouquet looked in contrast to his exquisite kitchen and living space. Biting her tongue, she looked up at him, wondering if he would even notice that she’d placed it there.

Instead of looking right past it, she watched as his gaze moved quickly back and forth from her to the gift on the counter.

“You brought me flowers?” he asked, just above a whisper, the question making her stomach tighten even more.

“They made me think of you,” she replied weakly. He reached down to wrap her in a tight hug, making her blink in surprise and hesitate for almost too long in reciprocating his embrace.

“This was an absolutely lovely surprise to come home to,” he murmured into her hair, nearly lifting her off the ground as he pulled her tightly into his chest. She bit back a larger smile, lightly scolding herself for being so insecure.

“Thank you, darling,” he continued, pulling away only enough to kiss her cheek before hugging her tightly again.

“You’re welcome, Jumin. It can only convey a fraction of the love I have for you,” she replied in a whisper, feeling his hands twitch slightly as they splayed out across her back. He didn’t respond, pressing his lips down onto her shoulder for a long moment before finally pulling away.

She was surprised to see the highest point of his cheekbones had slightly reddened, his eyes having a gentle sparkle in them that might have just been from the setting sun across the horizon. He was focused only on her, placing a hand on her cheek and tilting her head up gently.

“I love you,” he said softly, making her heart stutter even though she heard him say it every day, multiple times a day. Placing her hand over his, she leaned into his touch, nodding in complete content.

“I love you, Jumin.”

—

It was only a few weeks later that she decided to get him another gift. They had started having lunch together at his office on a biweekly basis, and it had become such a highlight of her day that she wanted to express that to him somehow.

While exploring the antique shop in the basement of his apartment building one day after work, she came across a picture frame that stuck out to her. While admiring it, she thought of the perfect picture to frame inside it, quickly purchasing it and heading home so she could prepare the gift before their lunch meeting the next day.

“Good afternoon, Jaehee!” MC smiled, walking towards the assistant’s desk the following day and setting down the coffee that she had grabbed on the way. Jaehee smiled, her shoulders loosening as she laughed a little.

“I appreciate you,” she grinned, taking a small sip of the coffee as MC chuckled.

“And I appreciate you, ma’am,” she replied teasingly, knowing that Jaehee felt strange every time MC called her that.

“Enjoy your lunch,” Jaehee chuckled, turning her attention back to her computer screen. MC laughed to herself, walking past her desk and down the hall towards Jumin’s office.

He had begun to leave his door propped open when he knew she was coming, something he would have never done if not for her. She peeked past the door frame, seeing him nearly frowning as he concentrated on his monitor.

“Mr. Han?” she called, altering her voice ever so slightly. His eyebrows twitched downward, his fingers not faltering as he continued to type.

“Not at this moment. I’m waiting for my fiancée,” he replied, almost foregoing a glance in her direction. When he looked up, he immediately sighed in mock annoyance, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Should I have Assistant Kang alert me as soon as you arrive? You are something else, my love,” he teased, immediately standing and smoothing out his slacks as he started towards her.

“Have your phone update you when I arrive at this location if you’d like. It won’t stop me from messing with you,” she replied snarkily, laughing when he narrowed his eyes at her and playfully lunged forward to pull her into his chest. He started to tickle her, pressing multiple kisses to her cheeks as she squirmed. When his hands bumped hers behind her back as she hid her gift from him, he settled, pressing a soft kiss to her lips in greeting and looking at her curiously.

“Did Assistant Kang ask you to bring in a report?” he wondered, leaning forward to look over her shoulder. She pressed the picture frame tightly against her back, holding back a grin.

“No. I brought you something for your desk,” she replied, seeing his expression continue to grow in curiosity.

“My desk?” he repeated softly, stepping back from her so she could present it to him. She pulled it out from behind her back, revealing the picture frame that she had found. It was certainly old, being primarily made of black wood. The frame was outlined in worn, gold trim that had Victorian accents to it, making the whole thing remind her of Jumin. The picture she’d decided to place inside was the photo they’d taken when Jumin had finally convinced her to dress up in a couple’s Halloween costume together last Autumn. It always managed to make him laugh, even just a little.

She watched as his eyes widened and scanned the frame multiple times before he finally looked up at her, grinning briefly before dropping his smile to try and speak.

“It’s–” he started, laughing breathily and shaking his head. “I love this.” She watched him as her heart grew in her chest, her fingertips tingling at the amount of love for him flowing through her veins.

“I’m glad,” she replied softly, letting him take it from her hands and examine it more closely.

“I’ll keep it in my office here,” he nodded, taking her hand in his and leading her over to watch him place it on his desk. “Yes, I think this will be efficient in motivating me when I begin to tire.” He squeezed her hand in his as he continued to admire it, exhaling happily. She looked up at him, seeing how effortlessly he was able to smile and wondering if he had always been like this when he received gifts.

“You are adorable, Jumin,” she said, watching his jaw muscles tighten and his eyes flicker to hers. She was savoring the way he began to blush when he pulled her into another hug, leaning down to embrace her completely.

“That title is reserved for you,” he mumbled, almost in a pout, making her heart flip at the uncharacteristic way he’d spoken.

“We can share,” she responded, hearing him laugh through his nose quietly.

“Thank you for this thoughtful gift. Thank you,” he said softly as she closed her eyes, feeling her emotions bubble up into her throat. She wished she could always make him feel like this. There was so much love for him inside her, and helping to show him even a little bit of it felt like an accomplishment that she could be proud of.

Once she’d realized how meaningful gifts were to him, she put a little more thought into them, waiting for the perfect moment to surprise him with one in particular.

—

After another week of tight schedules, long meetings, and calls that seemed to drag, Jumin was finally finished. He’d been working tirelessly to lock in the biggest deal in years, and all of his efforts had paid off. He’d let everyone in the office go home early, and as he stumbled through the door that night, he felt blessed that his fianceé was already waiting there for him.

“Jumin, congrats!” she exclaimed, having tied up a few silver balloons around the apartment. He smiled tiredly, chuckling as she rushed over to meet him.

“Thank you, my love,” he replied, pressing a swift kiss to her cheek as she stood on her toes to hug him. He reciprocated her embrace, feeling the fuzzy edges of sleep threatening to close in already.

“I’m sure you’re exhausted,” she said, pulling back and taking his jacket for him. He shook his head minutely, smiling at the warmth that constantly emanated from her.

“With you here, I could run a marathon,” he replied, knowing that neither of them believed that. Jumin was more than ready to take time to rest, and he knew that he hadn’t succeeded in hiding how much of a toll the project had been taking on him the last few weeks.

“Okay, strong guy,” she snickered, hanging his jacket up and holding her hand out for him. “I have some wine ready, and I have a little present that I’ve been saving for this occasion.” He blinked down at her, following without complaint.

“You’re much too thoughtful. You didn’t have to go to the trouble,” he said softly, seeing her flash him a feigned look of offense.

“Trouble,” she scoffed, leading him over to the couch to sit down next to her. She handed him a glass of wine, pulling out a large box wrapped in purple and silver foil. Jumin hesitated to continue with the sip of wine he’d been taking, not wanting to stain anything as he moved forward in surprise.

“What kind of present is this?” he wondered aloud, setting the wine down on the coffee table as she giggled quietly next to him. He received the box into his lap, delicately breaking open the wrapping and taking the lid off the box.

Taking out the large, white item, it took his strained eyes just a moment to realize what he was looking at.

“Elizabeth, I think your father needs glasses,” MC muttered under her breath to the cat, glancing back at him as he held the object further away from himself.

“I’m…” Jumin started, trailing off as he struggled to contain the emotions that threatened to spill out.

She had gotten him a pillow of Elizabeth the 3rd’s face. There was no blur; it was a perfect replication of her beauty, and it was unlike any other gift he’d ever even heard of.

“I know it’s cheesy,” she chuckled lightly, looking over to see his eyes sparkling with tears. She blanched, panicking and scooting closer to him.

“I’m sorry, Jumin. Do you hate it?” she wondered, watching as he placed it in his lap and felt at the whiskers that had been placed in the cushion as if they were real.

“Why would you think that? This is the most amazing gift I’ve ever received,” he replied, looking at her in disbelief and awe. She held back a bigger smile, sighing quietly in relief and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You think so? I wondered if you would like to put it on the couch in your office or in the study here at home,” she offered, watching him nod and blink his tears away.

“What an excellent idea. Every time I see this, I will think of my two favorite ladies in this world,” he agreed, moving the pillow back into the box for safekeeping and turning to face her. She grinned, slightly surprised when he pulled her into a hug where they sat.

“I’m sure you’ve had a long day, my love. Would you like me to run you a bath? Is there anything special you’d like to eat? We could even go out if you’d like,” he began, smoothing his hand over her hair as he spoke. She laughed lightly, shaking her head at the outpouring of affection her gift had spurred from him.

“No, I’m alright, Jumin. I’m just here to spend time with you,” she replied with a laugh still in her voice. He hummed, the sound buzzing through her collarbone as he pulled away to meet her eyes. They were filled with such intensity that she didn’t speak before he had a chance to.

“Do you know how much I love you?” he wondered, tracing a gentle finger over her cheek. She felt her heart flutter at his unexpected words, blinking up at him in surprise.

“You tell me every day,” she replied in a whisper, gripping the fabric of his shirt on his forearm that gently held her waist.

“That I do,” he nodded, holding her gaze as their breathing began to slow. “And I know that you love me too. It’s obvious,” he continued, moving forward to kiss the corner of her mouth. She felt her core begin to twist and butterflies begin to swirl, so she cracked a small smile.

“I didn’t realize you liked gifts so much, Jumin,” she said, barely able to speak above a whisper. He pressed another kiss to her cheek, his breath warming her face as he gently laughed.

“Gifts from you,” he clarified, his nose brushing hers as he locked eyes with her once more. She pressed her lips together in anticipation, feeling the heat of his hand against her waist begin to burn.

“You’re my gift.” His eyes looked between both of hers, his eyebrows drawing down ever so slightly before he dove down to bury his face in her neck and pull her into a tight hug once more. He’d lost the ability to form words, feeling like his heart would burst at any moment.

Neither of them let go for a long while, wondering if the other could feel how strongly their hearts were beating with love for each other.

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thank you all for reading! thank you as well for the overwhelming support you gave me on the first entry for this event! seeing reblogs and likes in my notifications is a lovely thing <3

stay tuned, and thank you again!

day one - free day

title▹on call

summary▹ “I just got out of the shower,” she finally said, making Jumin falter even further. His mind stuttered, multiple questions surfacing as he blinked quickly.

“What does that have to do with this?” he wondered aloud, unable to stop himself before he could even think through his own question.

She sputtered out a tense laugh, the noise tickling his senses even though he was on high alert.

“Jumin, I’m na— I’m not…clothed? Gosh,” she sighed, and Jumin blinked quickly, shaking his head to clear his mind. Of course that was what she meant.

day two - receiving gifts

title▹you're my gift

summary▹ “You are adorable, Jumin,” she said, watching his jaw muscles tighten and his eyes flicker to hers. She was savoring the way he began to blush when he pulled her into another hug, leaning down to embrace her completely.

“That title is reserved for you,” he mumbled, almost in a pout, making her heart flip at the uncharacteristic way he’d spoken.

“We can share,” she responded, hearing him laugh through his nose quietly.

day three - quality time

title▹gimme the wheel

summary▹ “For our next date, I think that Fiji would be a wonderful destination at this time of year,” he added, making her hand tense briefly before relaxing.

“Jumin,” she sighed, unable to help herself from chiding him a little. He looked over at her, hearing the shift in her tone.

“It doesn’t have to be Fiji."

day four - acts of service

title▹all that really matters

summary▹ She had forgotten about the reporters outside, flinching as a flurry of clicks and flashes started around her. Instinctively, she turned her face away, pressing her cheek into Jumin’s chest as he walked without hesitation.

“Mr. Han!”

“Is she injured?”

“What dress is she wearing?”

day five - words of affirmation

title▹right there

summary▹ “Me? Would you like me to talk?” she guessed, blinking quickly as she waited for his answer.

“No,” he replied simply, leaning down to press a short kiss to the inside of her wrist. Her whole body felt hot, a non-verbal sputter coming from her lips in shock.

“I would like to talk about you."

day six - physical touch

title▹you fill the space

summary▹ “I don’t want to let go.” She pressed her lips together, nodding quickly.

“That’s perfectly fine. Can I…suggest something?” she tried, feeling slightly apprehensive when he was quiet for a long moment.

“Go ahead,” he finally said, and she smiled, looking past her hands back towards his bedroom.