#mlshrfic

Today, only his secretary, Chae Ryung, was in the office and she was keeping her head low to not provoke his attention. So hated the silence in the office. It was not golden. The mindless chatter in the office had helped to ease the chatter in his head. Now that it was quiet, he couldn’t help but think about the grapefruit girl and if, maybe, he should hire a PI. He leaned back in his chair, letting his head and eyes rest. He could hear Chae Ryung talking right outside his office. It sounded like she was on the phone. He didn’t mean to listen in, but the walls were thin and her voice carried.  

“… really on edge lately. Normally he’s okay to deal with, but this week he’s been so scary. He threw a stapler at the wall yesterday…. Well, yea, he picked it up like two seconds later and apologized…. Okay, yes I’m overreacting, but at least I don’t blow up at random strangers because of grapefruit…. “ So sat up. It couldn’t be. “So what if he touched them? Everyone touches the fruit, that’s why you wash them when you get home.” He slowly crept closer to the door, placing his ear in the middle, not even caring that he was full on eavesdropping at this moment. “You never told me, though, was he cute? … Of course it’s important … Uh huh, yea, sounds like just your type… Really? My boss also has a scar on — “

So’s hand slipped on the door handle, causing the door to swing open and him to crash into the floor. Chae Ryung looked stricken at the sight, her eyes wide and mouth slightly frowning. “Uh,” she said into the phone, “I’ll call you back.”

So rubbed the carpet. “You know, um, we should, uh, get some people in here to clean these carpets. Yep, they are very dirty.” He rose from the floor, brushing away invisible dirt from his clothes. “So, was that phone call important?”

She hesitated. “No, I was just talking to my friend. Nothing important, just catching up.”

“Oh! Oh, that’s great. Always nice to talk to friends. Known her long?” The question felt thick on his tongue. He never asked about personal stuff.

Chae Ryung squirmed in her chair, her eyes fixed on some spot on the wall behind So. “Um, yea. We’re childhood friends.”

“Right. Yea, I’m going to go back into my office. You, uh, call those cleaners and, uh, you can leave for the day.” So bolted back into his office and shut the door behind him before she could respond. He leaned against the door and ran his hand through his hair. He felt… flooded. Was he nervous? Elated? Stunned? His heart was bursting. He scrambled for his phone, calling the only person he knew that could help him.

One ring. Two rings. Three rings. Pick up already. Four rings. “Hyung! What’s up?”

“I think I may have found her.”

An iced coffee stood untouched with drops of perspiration forming and holding onto the thick plastic before giving up. The napkin swallowed them one by one. So lounged in a chair next to the coffee, his feet rested on another, his hands laid on his chest, and his hair carefully swooped over his eyes to block out the sun. To passersby, he looked serene, asleep even. Another man came up behind the resting figure. He circled him once and examined him with this chin in his hand, like a detective trying to understand his crime scene. Baek Ah’s focus on So was lost momentarily as he noticed the abandoned coffee. He gleefully took a long sip before kicking the chair his friend’s feet rested upon. The resting figure jolted forward from the surprise attack.

“What the—“ So exclaimed. He scowled when his eyes spotted his laughing friend. “Is that my coffee?”

“Yes, it is. I saved it from neglect and am now giving it the love and care it deserves.” Baek Ah stared directly in his eyes, the straw between his teeth, like he was issuing a challenge to fight for the coffee’s honor.

So chuckled. “I don’t care about the coffee. You can have it. But what did you find out?”

Baek Ah’s cousin, Won, was dating Chae Ryung, which is how she ended up being his secretary in the first place. He begged Baek Ah to ask for any and all details concerning Chae Ryung’s childhood friend. “Well,” said Baek Ah, “he didn’t know much” So hung his head in dismay. “Ah ah ah, my dear friend, before you get all pouty, he did, however, provide me with a photo.” So’s head shot up. Baek Ah taunted a photo in front of his face. He waved it back and forth in front of him. So’s eyes darting back and forth, his hand mid-air ready to snatch the photo. He looked like a cat being teased by it’s owner. Baek Ah laid the photo face down and pushed it towards him, but didn’t relinquish it just yet. “Hyung, even if it is the girl, what are you going to do? There’s not much you could do without looking like a stalker.”

So gazed at the photo. He had no idea what he was going to do.  He could flip over that picture and find that he was completely wrong. For all he knew, many people got yelled at over grapefruit. But Chae Ryung had briefly mentioned a scar before he had interrupted her. He could also flip over that picture and see her face smiling back at him. Would that be enough? Just to know she exists outside of his mind? No, it’s wouldn’t be enough. He needed to know her name. To have a conversation with her. Maybe have a cup of coffee with her. Just something to help get her out of his head, like listening to a song that’s been stuck in your head all day. His fingers grazed the edges of the photo. “I need to know.”

Baek Ah sat back, an invitation for So to do as he pleased. He grasped a corner of the photo between his finger and thumb. It’s now or never, he thought. He took in a deep breath, ready to flip the photo over and get it over with, but the introduction of a familiar scent halted his movements. He took in another deep breath, this time focusing on the smell, and he was sure it was the same, something sweet and woodsy with a hint of rose. He stood quickly, his chair falling over behind him and the photo forgotten. He spun around, chasing the scent until his eyes caught up with his nose. It was the long hair that drew his attention. The way it cascaded down her back, slightly swaying with the breeze. With baited breath, he waited for the figure to turn. He was not disappointed as she stopped in front of a store and her profile came into view. The wide eyes, the perfectly straight nose, the strawberry lips. He could feel his heart beat becoming erratic. It’s you.  

“Hyung? What’s wrong?” Baek Ah rose, looking in the direction of So’s frozen figure. So’s line of sight led him to a flower shop sitting a couple shops down from the cafe. A girl stood in front peering at the potted flowers for sale. She bent over them slightly with eyes closed, taking in their fragrance. “Do you know her?”

Baek Ah’s question awakened So and, without a word, he took one step towards the flower shop. And then two. And three. And before he knew it, he was an arm’s length away from her. She didn’t notice him approaching, all her focus was on the plants before her. He took a moment to steel himself, to calm his restless mind, but she walked into the shop. He chuckled, but it came out strained and shaky. He rubbed his face in frustration. What am I doing? What is wrong with me? he thought. He tried to even his breathing before entering the store. When he did, So felt an immediate calmness flood over him, the greenery of the shop giving him a peace of mind he hadn’t felt in weeks. An employee tending to flower arrangements greeted him with a smile and slight bowing of the head. He bowed slightly in return and began to take in the details of the shop. As tall as he was, it was hard to see above the towering plants. While he knew she was in here, the place seemed to be empty. He treaded carefully through the shop and let his fingers run over the many plants, some soft and some spiny and some waxy. We’re here for you. Best of luck, they seemed to say to him. Then, from between the flora, a voice both melodic and hushed, bloomed around him, like a flower blossoming in the spring.

“… just a tiny little thing now but once you get a nice home and some fertilizer you’ll grow to be as big and strong as this guy over here. And, you are really just a tall one, almost as tall as me. Though, I’ll tell you a secret, I’m actually short by many’s standards.” She was bent slightly, her hands tucked neatly between her, examining the plant. It looked as though she was having a staring contest. So couldn’t help his own smile from blooming in her presence. “Hmm,” she said, “I think you might be too big for my small apartment. I do wish I could take you with me. I’ll come visit you, though, make sure you don’t get lone—“ She abruptly stopped, becoming aware of his presence.

She straightened up and examined So. His smile faltered. “Oh,” he cleared his throat. “Uh, don’t stop your conversation on my behalf. I’m just browsing.” He thought maybe he should introduce himself or remind her who he was, but seeing her scrutinization made him feel like it was a bad idea. Instead, he gave a slight bow and tried to move past her.

“I know you.” He stopped but didn’t turn around. “Why do I know you?” Still, he remained frozen. He heard her soft steps until she stood firmly in front of him. She looked him up and down, her tongue sticking out between her lips in concentration. He placed his hands in his pockets, hoping that it would somehow hide his jitters. Her eyes lit up and she snapped her fingers. “Ah ha! You’re that grapefruit ahjussi! Right? I’m right. Right?”

So wasn’t sure how to respond. He didn’t want to seem too eager but he didn’t want to seem too nonchalant either. He decided to go with a mix and feigned recognition. “Oh, yea, I remember you now.” He hoped he came across as genuine. “Have you yelled at anyone else buying produce lately?”

She laughed and So swooned inwardly. “Ah, let me apologize for that. I’ve been told by others that I may have…. slightly overreacted.”

“Slightly? I’d hate to be around when you’re extremely overreacting.”

“In my defense, you were hovering over the fruit for a long time, ahjussi.”

“Why do you keep calling me ‘ahjussi’? I’m not old enough to be an ahjussi. I can’t be older than you by a few years.”

“Maybe it’s your clothes. Or your hair? You’d look much more youthful if you pushed your hair out of your eyes.” She lifted her hand to his face and he flinched at the action out of habit. She waited, her hand hovering for just a second before gently proceeding to push his bangs behind his ear. She beamed at her handiwork. “There. That’s better. Now we can see those gorgeous brown eyes.”

So swallowed thickly and tried to regain his composure. “I, uh, I’m a bit shy… my eye…. uh that’s why I…” He found that he couldn’t remember how to complete sentences.

“Oh, oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to — I don’t what I was thinking.” She scrunched her face in shame, berating herself for her lapse in judgment.

He tried to find his words. “No, no it’s okay. I didn’t mind. But I feel like I should introduce myself now. I’m Wang So.” He thrust his hand out before his courage failed.

She took his hand cautiously. It was petal soft and warm. So liked the way her hand fit in his, like it was always meant to be there. “I’m Hae Soo. And not to be any more forward than I have been, but I’m actually a make-up artist. I could give you my card and you could call me and set up an appointment. I can show you all kind of tips and tricks so that you don’t have to hide behind your hair, though it is really nice hair. You know, only if you want to.”

“Yea, yea, that sounds… that sounds great. And I actually quite like your forward-ness.”

Still holding onto each others’ hand in a motionless handshake, they stood there with their eyes locked. So’s heart pounded so loudly, he was afraid his heart was going to burst from his chest. For Soo, she felt overwhelmed by the growing number of butterflies in her stomach and her hand tingled where he touched. Neither wanted to let go, for it felt like the world would come crashing once they did. But the tinkling bell of a customer entering interrupted their moment and, reluctantly, their hands fell to their side, itching to reach out again.

Hae Soo was the first to speak. “Well, it was nice running into you… Wang So. I’ll look forward to your call.” She gave a small wave, a vibrant blush filling in her cheeks and neck, and quickly left So in a daze.

Baek Ah, who had come in shortly after So and watched the entire exchange from behind a large bushy plant, rushed over and smacked So on his shoulder. “Hyung, what are you doing?! Go after her! Jesus Christ, you never even got her number!”

So, still swimming in a pool of bliss, a goofy smile plastered on his face, said, “Huh?”

Baek Ah growled. “Hyung, snap out of it. You were so busy gazing into each others’ eyes that you never actually exchanged numbers. Go. After. Her.”

So looked at his hand, then at the door, then at Baek Ah, and then back at the door again. “Crap!” And he was out the door. He quickly inspected both sides of sidewalk before finding her. Hae Soo was a few blocks down standing at a street corner and he figured if ran fast enough he could catch her before she crossed. He ran towards her like a madman, people nearly falling over so they wouldn’t be trampled. He got close enough to hear the light signaling that it was okay to cross.

“Hae Soo!” She had just stepped off the curb when he called. A look of surprise crossed her face as So almost collapsed in front of her. “Hae Soo,” he gasped, trying to catch his breath. “Do you want — I mean, if you don’t have any other plans — would you like to come with me to the market and buy some grapefruit?” He flashed a clumsy grin at her.

For a moment, she just stared blankly at him and he was scared that he crossed a line. Maybe he had got their signals crossed and she purposefully left without giving him her card. But, then, she broke down in laughter. “You ran all that way to ask me to go get grapefruit with you?”

So chuckled and scratched at his neck. “I guess when you put it like that, it sounds weird.”

“Well, it just so happens, Wang So-ssi, that I really like grapefruit. So, I’ll take you up on that offer. But, first, I think we should go get some coffee.”

“Great! Yea, I love coffee.” He silently thanked Baek Ah for taking his coffee earlier. “I think I passed one on the way to the flower shop.”

Hae Soo gave him her sweetest smile and couldn’t help but fall into his eyes. They looked at her with such sincere intensity. Her heart fluttered in excitement and anticipation. “Then… it’s a date.” She lightly took his hand in hers, to his surprise, intertwining her fingers with his. “Is this okay? You did say you liked me being forward.”

So look down at their hands, very sure that he never wanted to let go of this girl. The eagerness he felt was new and assuring. He felt the rising urge to pull her to him, close enough to wrap her up in his arms and kiss her strawberry lips, but his heart told him now was not the moment for that. He knew he’d have plenty of opportunities to kiss her in the future. This moment was meant to be savored. Instead, he simply squeezed her hand a brushed her hair behind her ear. “It’s more than okay,” he finally replied.

Together, they strolled to the cafe, leaning into one another and taking enjoyment at their newly forming romance.  

So walked into his apartment feeling less of a person that when he had left it. He shrugged off his jacket, threw his keys in the basket Soo insisted on using, and kicked off his shoes. He dragged his feet over to the couch, throwing himself atop of it. If he slept for the next thousand years, maybe then all the stress his mother laid upon him would lessen a degree.

“Soo,” he called out, her name slightly muffled by the couch. “Soo, are you home? I could really use your kisses right now.”

He waited for the soft brush of her hand, her long strands tickling his nose as she leaned down, the warmth of her breath on his cheeks right before her lips made contact, but that's not what he received. Instead, something snorted a hot and smelly breath in his face followed by swift, wet licks on his ear, making him jerk away and sit up. He looked down to see a dog wagging its tail and panting for affection.

“Um, Soo-yah?”

The dog jumped into his lap. Not knowing what to do, he raised his arms over its body, letting it curl around his torso. It wasn't long after that that his girlfriend came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a robe and running a towel through her head. She stilled when she saw the two. “Oh, I, um, didn't hear you come in.”

His eyes flicked to the furry creature in his lap. “Is there something you need to tell me?”

“I got a dog?” Her smile was conflicted as she raised her arms over her head to make a heart.

He lowered his arms with a sigh, his hands plunging into the dog's fur, which was much softer than he had imagined it to be.

“It couldn't be helped,” she said, pouting. “We bonded. And I've already named him, so I can't take him back.”

“Can we really take care of a dog right now?” He stroked the dog's back, all the way down the long tail. It seemed to calm him and he rolled in his lap to give his new owner access to his belly, to which So complied.

Soo crossed the room and sat down next to him. She laid her head on his shoulder and her finger drew tiny circles in his shirt. “Just think of it as... practice for when we have kids.”

So chuckled. “We're going to have kids?”

“Psh, as if you haven't thought of it. I heard you talking to Baek Ah about baby names, mister.” She scrunched his nose at him. “Besides, it looks like you've already bonded with Pegasus.”

She wasn't wrong. The dog's leg kicked with satisfaction as he continued to rub his belly and his tongue hung out happily. “What kind of name is Pesus?”

“It's Peg-a-sus. You know, after the constellation.”

“That's what I said.” Pegasus flopped off of him, bounding towards the window. He barked at a bird sitting on the sill. So watched him with amusement. With a small smile, he realized the unexpectedness of the dog had driven his mother from his mind. He could get used to having a dog, especially one as happy as his unsuspecting girlfriend. “Well, I guess we have a dog now.”

“Yay,” she said. She pulled him into a kiss and his stress began to melt away.

Soo yawned and stretched to wrap herself in So's warmth, but she was met only with emptiness. She sat up and looked around. He wasn't in bed and the bathroom was dark. She moved her way through the apartment, seeing that Pegasus was gone, too. “I guess he took him for a walk.”

It was an hour before they both came home. The first thing she noticed was the damp ends of So's hair, the second was the running gear he had bought over a year ago and never wore, the third was the massive flash of white that hurdled to the bowls of food and fresh water she had laid out for Pegasus. So scuttled after, eyes bright and dazed with fatigue. He pulled her close to his body, nuzzling into her cheek.

“It smells delicious,” he murmured.

“Well, I should hope so.” She tried to wipe the dampness from his hair on his shoulder, only to find damp clothes and tried again with her own dry arm, eliciting a chuckle from So. “I've worked all morning on breakfast with no interruptions. Why the sudden urge to go running?”

“I never had a running partner before. And now we have a dog with way too much pent up energy, as I noticed when he dragged me out of bed this morning.”

“I would've ran with you,” she said through a pout.

“You?” He wiped a bit of flour from her nose. “You would wake up at 6am on a week-end to go running for ten or more miles?”

She pursed her lips. “Ok, so, maybe I wouldn't have, but it would've been nice to be asked so that I could personally tell you no.”

“Well, if I asked you to come take a shower with me, will you personally tell me yes?” He trailed light kisses along her neck, nibbled on the lobe of her ear. Her breath shuddered.

“It's very tempting,” she said. “But what about the food?”

“The food will still be here when we get back.” He flashed her one quick smile before ducking and grabbing her around the waist and stealing her away into the bedroom.

And the food was not there when they got back. It was smeared all over the kitchen floor, steeped into every strand of their's new dog's white coat, and the rest, they presumed, in Pegasus' stomach. Soo did not mind the clean up, nor did she mind setting up new rules regarding food and sex, but she did mind continuously waking up to an empty bed.

She had taken for granted all the times he would roll over in the morning, scooping her into his arms and kissing her bare shoulder. She began to miss snuggling for an extra ten or fifteen minutes and talking about the weird dreams they had or making fun of each other for morning breath but still kissing anyway. Now he was gone before she was even close to waking up, only cold pillows and tossed aside blankets to greet her. Morning had been her favorite time with So and a little bit of green began to wriggle its way in.

Pegasus barely lifted his head when Soo came home from work. A quick swish-swish of his tail and a low gruff woof was the only greeting she received. She sat next to him on the couch, curling around his body and letting her fingers run through his thick fur. “I had such a hard day at work, fluffy one. Couldn't you offer me a kiss at least?”

Pegasus whined but still turned and licked the side of her face. She brought his snout closer to kiss, but he refused her and she got his ear instead. “I guess I'll take what I can get. Are you hungry, Pegasus? Should I get you some food?”

Pegasus wriggled out from underneath and bounded for the pantry, scratching at the door with a whine in his throat. She sighed as she made her way over, tired but still glad to have company instead of an empty apartment. So had texted her earlier saying that his meetings were running late and not to expect him home for dinner. She had gotten use to his presence at the dinner table again. One of the good things about him running in the mornings, was that he didn't go to the gym after work anymore. She got more time with him in the evenings. They walked Pegasus together, stopping at the pet store when he had tore his way through a toy again or the bakery to get some pastries for the morning or getting ice cream when the weather was just right. It was a routine she loved settling into.

But tonight was going to be an altered routine. One where she got to eat ramen and have fried chicken delivered, and So wouldn't say he didn't want any only to steal bites while she wasn't looking and she wouldn't scold him only to give in to his sheepish grins. She could feel like a glutton and wash her stress away with high contents of grease, sodium, and beer. And Pegasus would root for her and be her number one fan.

Except, Pegasus was only her number one fan because she shared her chicken with him. And, when the chicken ran out, he passed out on the couch behind her, head resting on her shoulder as she sat on the floor watching dramas and scratching the back of his ear. His leg thumped in sleepy content.

Soo was halfway through a drama when Pegasus's head perked up. His tail wagged with hesitation and low woofs rumbled in his mouth.

“What is it, boy?” she asked, but it was answered when she heard the code being entered at the door.

At that sound, Pegasus rocketed off the couch, kicking Soo in the back of the head in his haste, and flew to the door in a flurry of barks. Soo's mouth dropped open in offense, at the dog not only racing to greet So when she had barely even got a kiss, but the way his whole body, not just his tail, wagged in excitement. She scoffed at the way he jumped all over So, trying to lick some part of him. She sneered when, finally, Pegasus knocked So to the floor when he tried to take his shoes off, scattering his belongings across the floor, and So gave in to his barrage of affection.

“Alright, already, Pesus,” So said in-between laughs, “I love you, too, you big lump of fur.”

Soo crossed her arms over her chest. “Your name isn't even Pesus,” she mumbled to herself. “How could you give more love to the guy who can't even pronounce your name?”

So laid in bed with his head on Soo's chest, listening to her heartbeat and her soft snores. He raised his head and chuckled at the sight of her drooling onto her hair fanned across the pillow. The clock next to her told him his alarm would go off in ten minutes and he knew he would hit the snooze just so that he could be next to her a few minutes more. He wiped the drool with his thumb and she stirred.

“Cold,” she murmured. She rolled closer to him and he let her shove her feet in-between his legs.

“Soo-yah?”

“Hmm.”

“I'm going to propose to you soon,” he whispered into her hair.

She snuggled closer into him. “Warm,” she replied through a yawn and he knew she did not hear him at all.

Soo thought it was weird, the way Pegasus began to walk around the apartment in a stately manner. His steps slow and purposeful, his head straight and still, his ears perked with intent. It wasn't all the time, usually in short small bursts down the hallway or across the living room, but enough for her to question what on earth he was doing. She'd try to reason why or how but he'd just as quickly become enthralled by the flecks of dust in the light and she'd forget about it until the next time it happened.

She soon picked up on So's new habit of giving Pegasus small items the size of her fist to bring to her. Pegasus would do as he was told and Soo would shoot So a questioning glance. He would just shrug and walk away, Pegasus close at his heels and gobbling up the small treat So pulled from his pocket.

She came home once to find Pegasus sitting in the middle of the living room, looking miserable with a small top hat resting on his head. When So had come into the room with a tiny dog veil in his hand, he stumbled over excuses, finally settling on a costume contest for pets. She didn't believe him, but brushed it off, too tired from work to figure out where his panic was coming from.

But she felt the loneliest and most envious when So and Pegasus seemed to leave her out of so many things. So took over walking the dog in the evenings, leaving her home with nothing to do. On the weekends, So would visit his brothers and take Pegasus with him. She would stop by the pet store on the way home from work to get Pegasus a new toy, only to come home and see So had already gotten him one and Pegasus would pay no mind to the one she got. Or So would go to sleep before her and, when she came to bed, Pegasus would be curled next to him. She tried to push him away, but he'd just lightly woof at her and she'd call him a traitor before kissing his snout and going to sleep herself.

She just couldn't understand why getting a dog had made So more distant instead of bringing them closer together or why he wasn't including her in their adventures together when she would very much like to be included.

So walked with a skip in his step, his hand swaying their arms in a wide arc. They were out of character this time – him rambunctious and cheery, her quiet and calm. But the breeze carried the smell of blossoms and with each step her mood lightened. She still tingled with jealousy over their dog who stole more and more time with her boyfriend, over her boyfriend who received more love from their dog, but, also, felt foolish for letting such things get to her, that it didn't really matter.

But, today, she had So to herself and couldn't help but feel a bit pleased about it. She rested her head on his shoulder, arms gripped tight around his as they walked, and she could still smell Pegasus on his shirt underneath his cologne.

“Do you remember?” he asked. “The first time we met.”

“It's hard to forget.”

He stopped and pointed at the stop walk. “It was right there. You were standing too close to the curb and a man bumped into you and you stumbled into the road -”

“Into oncoming traffic.”

“-and I pulled you back. And then, right there,” he pointed to a bookstore across the street, “is where we met again. My brother recognized you as the girl who spied on men in the locker room at his gym.”

“I wasn't spying,” she murmured, her face reddening. “I just... went into the wrong room.”

He took her hand and tugged her forward. “Come on, there's still more to see.”

Soo was curious what he meant. She had seen this street hundreds of times, maybe some store fronts changed or a new food truck popped on the road, but the trees always changed with the seasons and it always smelled the same no matter what. She wondered what the real intention behind this outing was. What are you up to, Wang So?

So kept checking his watch in-between pointing out different places and spots. There's where they shared their first ice cream and right there is she saw him cry for the first time and that park bench is where they first kissed. “And, do you know,” he said, “when I knew I loved you?”

She laughed. “Was it at that lamp post? Or that coffee shop? Maybe it was right next to that recycling bin?”

“No," he said, rapping on her forehead. She rubbed at the spot, playfully glaring at him. "It was at my brother's engagement party. We had gone to that karaoke bar afterwards. And you had sung a song for them. That's when I knew I loved you.” He pulled her up and kissed her. “That's when I knew there was no one else for me.”

She blushed under his gaze, burning with anticipation. She was a spark, waiting to be ignited, waiting for certain words to come out. If he said them now, she would say yes. But they didn't come and she fizzled as he looked at his phone and said, “Well, I think that's enough walking today. Let's go home.”

So made sure to reach the door of their apartment first. All day, while he kept Soo out of the apartment, he hoped his brothers were able to set everything up just as he had asked them, too. Hoped that Pegasus was in a cooperative mood. Hoped. And breathed a prayer. He rushed inside and to the middle of the living room. He beckoned Pegasus, lounging on the couch and dressed in a tiny tuxedo, to come to him. The dog sat just at his feet as Soo came in.

“Why did you practically ru-” And she stopped. First, she saw the peonies and fairy lights covering all surfaces of their apartment. Second, she saw So's brothers, all seven of them, lined across the room with blown up pictures of her and him together And then So and Pegasus right in the center of them. “What is this?” she whispered, putting all the pieces together, feeling ashamed, delirious, and euphoric all at once. “Is this what you two have been doing all this time? You kept leaving me behind to plan for this?”

So didn't answer. He smiled and clicked his tongue. Pegasus walked forward with majesty and nudged her leg, offering her a small slightly slobbered on velvet box. Her hands shook as she took it.

“I swear to god, you guys,” Soo said, tears building in her eyes and her voice wavering, “if this is some kind of elaborate joke, I will kill each and everyone of you.”

One by one, each brother flipped over their photo, their cards forming one sentence between them – HAE SOO WILL YOU MARRY OUR BROTHER? Soo couldn't help but laugh at them – Mu and Wook with their gentle, polite smiles; Baek Ah, Jung, and Eun teary-eyed with wide, cheesy grins; Yo and Won looking more pained than happy. Pegasus barked and wiggled in circles around her, struggling to remove his outfit now that his primary job was complete. She turned to So, but her tears blurred him. “Is this really happening? Are you really proposing?”

“Soo-yah,” So said. He reached forward and, since she wasn't opening the box, plucked it from her hands and knelt on bended knee. He opened the box and she choked out a sob, bringing her hands up to her face at the sight of a solitary rose quartz ring adorned with small gold blossoms. “I can't remember exactly what drew me to you, but there are too many reasons now why I can't let you go. My love is beyond measure and I want you to be my one and only queen.”

“Yah,” Yo called out, “this is too cheesy.”

“Noona, say yes!” Jung said.

Baek Ah whistled and Eun began to chant, “Marry him.”

So reddened. “Soo-yah, will you be my wife?”

Soo knelt down with So, wiping at her face she knew was now red and splotchy. She took the ring from the box and slid it on to her finger. So illuminated. “How could I possibly say no to you? Of course I want you to be my husband.”