#nuest scenario

“Dr. y/ln, the ambulance is two minutes out” the nurse holding the phone with both hands spoke softly, her head pointing to the exit of the Emergency Room. You nodded, rushing to get a new pair of blue rubber gloves and then making your way to the ambulance bay.

Another busy day at Seoul Memorial’s ER meant another busy day for you, but there was nothing that you loved more than your job, when you were able to help people. It was true that being a doctor had its fair share of sorrowful moments, specially with all the things you saw in the Emergency Room, but you always put your heart on everything you did.

“What do we have?” you questioned, walking next to the gurney as the EMS pushed it inside quickly, a woman in tears following closely without taking her eyes of the child laying down.

“Male patient, seven years old, he had trouble breathing and chest pains, his mother says his lips were turning blue when she called 119” the male paramedic explained “His heartbeat is irregular but his breathing was stabilized with oxygen in the ambulance”

“Alright, thank you we’ll take it from here” you held on to the gurney as a couple nurses did the same, pushing it to one of the small examination rooms.

“Doctor,” the paramedic called before you disappeared with your patient and you turned around to meet him again “He’s pretty scared, as well as his mom. His name is Namgyu”

You nodded comprehensively, “We’ll take good care of them” you assured, finally going inside the room, the nurses had already switched him to the bed. “Let’s get some fluids going and keep the oxygen”.

As the nurses worked on your instructions, you approached the frightened child, his eyes wide open as he tried to take in the faces of the strangers around him. Namgyu’s breath hitched again as he recoiled on the bed.

“Hello there, my name is y/n, you’re Namgyu, right?” you spoke soothingly, approaching the kid slowly, looking back at his mother for a brief moment, she nodded to Namgyu, mouthing something about you trying to help him.

“Yes” Namgyu’s voice trembled as he looked at his mom and then back at you “Can I go home?”

“I’m afraid not yet, Namgyu, we have to check that everything is working perfectly with you. Can you tell me what you were feeling earlier?”

“I couldn’t breathe! I was so scared and then it started hurting right here” Namgyu put his right hand over the chest “It still hurts a bit”

“Hmm, okay then. I will listen to your heart with this, okay? It’s a little cold” you advised while putting the stethoscope against his skin, making him shiver. You could hear what the EMS meant with irregular heartbeat and you didn’t like it at all, but still you needed to know a lot more about his condition. “Gyu, I’m going to need to take a real close look at your hearbeat but I’m going to need the help of one of my friends, I will bring him with me in a couple minutes” you smiled at the kid and turned to meet his mother’s gaze “Let’s talk outside for a moment Mrs….?”

“Min” the woman sighed, leading the wait out of Namgyu’s room, her hands battling against each other with anxiety. “Is he going to be okay?”

“I can hear something off about his heartbeat, so we’re gonna need to run an electrocardiogram to take a good look at it. He’s stable right now, but I’d rather we do it soon, I will call the technician” you said, placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder “I’ll be back shortly” you promised gesturing her to go back inside to her son.

“Hey, could you call the techician for Namgyu, please? He needs and ECG” you asked Nurse Kim at the station, a gentle smile plastered on your face though you felt a little uneasy about Namgyu’s situation. Hopefully it’d be nothing bad, but the thing about little kids in trouble was that they made you twice as worried as your avergage adult patient. You couldn’t understand how Minhyun did it as a Pediatric Cardiologist, he always kept it together no matter what the situation was and you admired him for it, but you still thought it must be incredibly difficult. Plus, he never talked about it, not even to you, and you’d had been dating him for a while now.

The thing about your relationship with Minhyun was that nobody knew about it except for the two of you, and honestly it was better that way, at least how you saw it. If there was anything you wanted to stay away from at a hospital, it was gossip, and what a greater source of rumors than a relationship that’s on the public domain. However, Minhyun was pushing his luck about this secret way too much, ever since he heard the new interns whispering about you during lunch, and how much you seemed to appeal to them, one of them had even dared to ask for your number, and while Minhyun trusted you quite literally with his life, the need of letting everyone know you were taken had invaded him like weed to a beautiful rose.

“y/n!” Doctor Kang slid across the nurse’s desk towards you, a couple of interns behind him holding charts against their chest. “I’m so happy to see you”

“What do you want, Dongho?” you questioned unamused, he always wanted something from you, which resulted annoying every time, but you still did it because he happened to be a good friend of yours.

“I came to deliver your help for today” he used his thumb to point at the intern closest to him “Song, you’re with Dr. y/ln today”

“Fine” Song half whined. You knew the interns hated the ER, mostly because they would always end up doing stitches or drenched in vomit from patients.

“Don’t get too excited, Dr. Song” you addressed sarcastically, you were also not particularly happy to get Song Jaeseok, since he had asked for your number more than once although you’d said no repeteadly “Let’s go, there’s another ambulance five minutes out”.

Jaeseok gave his chart to the other intern before sprinting behind you to the ambulance bay, where you were met with a familiar face. Moon Bin was a paramedic that you saw way more often that you’d have liked, he always got you patients in pretty bad shape, not that you could blame him, he just got them out of the situations they had gotten involved in the first place.

“What have we got?” you signalled Song to hurry as you walked beside Moon Bin.

“Female in her twenties, she was involved in a car accident, hit her head pretty bad and her shoulder is broken” Bin explained “We gave her some morphin on the way here, blood pressure is stable. There’s a lot more coming in, y/n”

“We lift her on my count, one, two, three!” you began your examination giving instructions to those around you, including Jaeseok, whose spirits seemed to be lifted by the patient whom at least wouldn’t vomit on top of him, yet. “Get trauma in here, she’s gonna need some scans right now. Song, follow me, we have more coming from the accident”.

There wasn’t a minute of peace after that, it had been a bad pile-up that ended with patients with all sorts of injuries, the ER was past crowded by the time your break approached, but luckily you hadn’t lost any patients despite the awful wounds. As you caught your breath by the nurse’s desk once again, Namgyu’s mom approached you, her worried expression had deepened from when you’d last seen her.

“Dr. y/ln, is Namgyu getting his scan soon?” she wondered, wrapping her arms around herself.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Min, I’ll see what’s going on with it” you replied lowly. She left once again, not without asking you to take care of her son, and left you waiting for Nurse Kim to come back, there was no way she had forgotten to call the ECG technician.

“What are we waiting for?” Jaeseok questioned, leaning against the desk “Shouldn’t we be back at the ambulance bay? Are there any more victims from the pile-up?”

“You’re not supposed to be excited” you told him off “Those are people, you know?”

“I’m sorry” he shrugged “I usually hate the ER, but it’s been pretty great with you by my side y/n!”

“That’s Dr. y/ln for you…” Minhyun’s voice came from behind you and although it was soft per usual, you could tell it was meant to be sharp. “Doctor Song” his eyes focused on the nametag on Jaeseok’s chest.

“There’s no need, Dr. Hwang” you shook your head “But yes, don’t call me by my first name, Song. Now go and see if Dr. Kang needs you back”

Jaeseok left hurriedly, a shade of embarrassment tinting his cheeks as he looked at Minhyun and then at you.

“Apart from scaring my intern away, what are you doing here?” you turned to Minhyun with a smile on your face that you tried to supress, failing when you saw his eyes were still glued to Jaeseok.

“Nurse Kim called me, the technician couldn’t make it today so I’m running the ECG on your patient” Minhyun explained, his gaze finally turning to you.

“Great, finally! Let’s go, I’m a bit worried about him…”

“Hey Namgyu, I’m back” you greeted, walking inside his small room “I brought my friend Minhyun with me, he wants to take a good look at your heart, like I told you earlier”

Namgyu shook his head, crossing both arms above his chest “No, I don’t want to, it’s going to hurt”

“Not at all, Namgyu” Minhyun spoke to him “I’m actually going to put some of these…” he showed him a small electrode, similar to the ones Namgyu already had attached to his body “On your chest, and we’re going to get a look at the way your heart is beating”.

“No!” Namgyu yelled again “I don’t want to, I want to go home already!”

“Gyu, I’m sorry but we have to take a look first, before you can go home, so you don’t have to come back to the hospital and make your mommy worried” you explained softly.

That phrase got Namgyu thinking as he slowly dropped his arms to the side but immediately covered himself again, “But what if it hurts?!”

“It won’t” you promised, touching his arm lightly.

“That’s what doctors say, and then it hurts!” he seemed deeply bretrayed as he looked at you and then at Minhyun behind you, who was putting the portable ECG machine together. “I won’t do it”

“How about this?” Minhyun walked to the bed again “I’ll tell Dr. y/n to do it on me, so you can see what it is like and you don’t feel afraid anymore”

“I am not scared” Namgyu replied quickly “But… sure”.

Minhyun and you laughed as Namgyu stretched his neck to take a look at what you were doing. Minhyun unbottoned his shirt for you to place the electrodes on his chest, and although for the ECG to get a correct result he had to be lying down, sitting on the room’s chair would have to do.

“Are you ready?” Minhyun asked Namgyu who was sitting at the edge of the bed, Namgyu nodded eagerly, making you chuckle again before you turned the machine on.

“You see Gyu, he has to be very still” you said “And this right here, will show us the way his heart is beating” the machine had already started making the graph, showing Minhyun’s regular heartbeat on black ink, “And it doesn’t hurt at all, right, Minhyun?” you asked, grabbing his hand for a second.

Namgyu gasped, “Why did it do that?!”

You turned to the graph, that showed a peak in Minhyun’s heartbeat that wasn’t there before. A laugh escaped your lips as you gave Minhyun an amused look.

Minhyun laughed too, his hearbeat peaking again before he focused on Namgyu. “I’ll tell you a secret, Namgyu. My heart races faster when y/n is around”

Namgyu wheezed once more and lowered his voice, “Because you like them? My teacher once told me that happens when you like someone. Do you also feel butterflies on your stomach?”

“Oh yes, lots of them” Minhyun continued, a soft smile on his lips “But you see, this doesn’t hurt”

“Okay, I’ll do it” Namgyu announced proudly.

Namgyu’s mom, who’d been outside talking to his dad on the phone, came back, and so did your intern who let you know Dr. Kang didn’t want to see him for the rest of the day, so you were stuck with him until the end of the shift. As you prepared Namgyu for his ECG, Minhyun let him examine his own graph happily, explaining that that’s how his hearbeat was supposed to look like, but if he something that wasn’t right he would try to fix it very soon so he could go back home.

“Mom!” Namgyu yelled excitedly “Look, Minhyun’s heart raced here because he loves y/n!” he pointed at the peak on the graph.

You couldn’t help but burst out laughing in embarrasment and diversion, certain that the whole hospital had heard him. You saw a couple nurses turn their heads, as well as Jaeseok who seemed even more mortified than earlier.

“Well, I guess it’s out there” Minhyun whispered as he walked by you to check the machine unnecesarily.

You’re busy studying when someone tap your shoulder. You met Minhyun’s eyes and you removed one of your earphones. 

“It’s already closing time”, he informed you. He was right. You looked outside and it was dark with only a few people walking. You panicked and picked up all your books.

“I’m so sorry. That was rude of me”, you told him. Personally, you don’t like people staying too much in a cafe just to study. It’s a cafe, not a library.

“It’s okay. There were still free seats while you were studying.”

You wanted to wait for him but again, you were afraid that he’ll know that you’re interested in him. He might stop talking to you. You left immediately.

The next time you saw him was in the same cafe. You did not visit for two weeks due to schoolworks. Instead of accepting the orders, he was on the side, along with two other people. One’s Seongwoo and you knew him because he is as popular as Minhyun. You don’t know who’s the woman though.

You didn’t mind it much. You ordered the usual and sat in one of the vacant seats. This time, you made an alarm before studying and in exactly one hour from now, you’ll hear it ring. You were busy flipping the pages on your book when the alarm rang. You turned it off immediately, packed your things and went out. You glanced inside to see Minhyun again but he met your eyes. Turning away, you walked towards the bus stop.

Did he caught me? Will he stop talking to me?

The next morning, you decided to study at school. With your two younger siblings at home, your room is not a suitable place to study. You looked around and you saw a balcony located at the fourth floor of the engineering building. Upon arriving, you let out a groan when you saw a leg sticking out. Someone is already there. You were curious so you slowly peeked and to your surprise, it was Minhyun. He made an eye contact with you. You turned your heel but before you can walk away, he called you.

“Hey, you’re the cookies and cream frappe girl. You’re studying here?”, he asked. He tapped the space beside him. You sat beside him and it’s the closest you’ve ever been with him.

“Yes, I’m from the Political Science Department”, you told him.

“Really? That’s probably the reason why we don’t see each other here”, he replied.

You later told him that you were looking for a place to study and he readily told you that it’s okay for you to stay. That’s how you got to be together with Minhyun for at least two hours. After awhile, you glanced at your phone. Noticing the time, you said your farewells to Minhyun.

Ever since that day, you’ve always went to that same spot and Minhyun would always be there. Whenever you arrive, he would give you a nod and he would continue reading. Much to your dismay, your relationship with Minhyun is not progressing. You can’t even call yourself a close friends since you don’t really talk in that balcony.

“Ah, Minhyun’s study buddy”, Seongwoo called you as you were walking around the university. “Have you seen him?”, he added. You shook your head. He continued walking as he bother the woman with him. If you remember correctly, they've been together all the time and people are assuming that they are in a relationship.

The wind chimes made a sound as you entered the cafe. You went to the counter and Minhyun's not in there. You looked around and you saw him talking to a woman. Slowly, your heart starts to break into million pieces.

You knew by the Minhyun looks at her that she's the one who captured his heart. He looked at her with twinkles in his eyes. His laugh sounded genuine unlike the small laughs he usually gave you and the redness in his ears as she gently held his hand. It was hurting you so much, you had to walk out of the cafe.

You checked your phone and you got missed calls and messages from your friends.

11:45 Hey, is there something wrong? Are you sick? You never miss any quizzes. Where are you? I can ask Professor Park to excuse you.

12:15 Yes. I'm not doing fine. I'm at home, resting. I'll talk to Professor Park later. I'll make sure I can attend the classes in the evening.

12:16 Okay. Rest well.

12:16 Thanks!

You can't believe that you are feeling this way. You should have known that he will fall for somebody else. Why did you even expect that he'll fall for you? You can't even get a proper talk with him. Of course, a handsome man like him is far better with an equally good looking woman.

You entered the university gates with the intention of talking to Professor Park. Instead, you find yourself walking to that familiar balcony. Feeling your presence, he looked up to you and gave you that usual small smile. It hurts... that you can't get the same smile that he shows to that woman.

Again, he continued reading. Your bursting with so much emotion. You always use your brain when you are with him but this time, you can't control it anymore. You let your heart speak.

"Minhyun, I saw you with a woman in the cafe. Who is she? "

"She's a friend of mine", he answered not looking at you.

"But it doesn't look like that. Do you like her? "

Obviously, you were prying too much and it got Minhyun's attention.

"I like her but she likes someone else. That's why we're only friends", he replied with such calmness in his voice.

"If she likes someone else, can't you look at the other women who likes you?"

This time, Minhyun looked at you. The calmness in his face made you uneasy.

"Y/n, I know what you're trying to do. You are a beautiful and kind woman but I'm not the haven you're looking for. I'm not the person who can make you happy after a tiring day. I'm not the person who can make you smile after you cry. I know that he's there somewhere. You are charming and I'm sure that you can find him in time if you continue to be true to yourself but I'm definitely not that person. I'm not your haven, y/n."

“Is that why you never came to find me until I came to try and cancel our engagement? Because you grew tired?”

“No.” Shaking his head as he answers. Minhyun’s arms wrapped tightly around your waist, and his hair tickles the side of your neck as he moves to lean on your shoulder.

You still remember how the peach blossoms painted the palace grounds, draping it in swaths of petals - despite the winter landscape - to welcome the return of its prince when you’d raised hell in the main palace – demanding to meet the Crown Prince the daughter of the Minister of Magical Relations had been offhandedly gifted to.

So… Perhaps, you were a bit of a handful.

There’s great fire in your soul – so people will either warm themselves at it and burrow in your embrace, or see nothing but smoke and a future of carcasses and go their own way. That is the fate of those born with flame in their blood.

Your fate was recited to you as soon as you were old enough to understand.

To be the fox’s bride, or lead your realm to ashes. 

It was ingrained in your souls for the two of you to both balance one another. And to bring equilibrium to the realms.

You just wished you’d known how important Minhyun would become for you.

“No,” Swaying his legs, causing ripples to cascade along the surface before he picks up again. “one disappears to be found. I simply could not find you.”

There were strict rules regarding the privacy of humans, though he could send his foxfires throughout the magical realms, the non-magical earth was governed by another set of laws.

“It was an unexpected turn to see you come to me instead.”

You didn’t come to find him. You’d come to rid yourself of the duty you carried as a disposable chess piece. But you suppose the end you were searching for was definitely Minhyun. Everything was just a means to him.

Reaching to pet the top of his head, you smile contently when you feel him hum at your side, the beginnings of a soft purr. Bringing you back to a memory of a slightly chubbier, bright eyed, and shorter haired Minhyun complaining to you about not having anyone willing to spoil him with such meaningless little actions of affection as they refused to touch his head.

It never occurred to you as a child to ask the reason. But now, it made sense that no one would willingly pet the crown prince over his head.

“Tired?”

“Just a little.” Lashes fluttered to follow his dedicated attempts to stay awake. Nudging his foot with your own, you’re rewarded with a yelp of surprise as he scoots away, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. Ticklish.

“Go back in first and rest, I’ll come join you a little later.”

“Should I?” He glanced at the way you played with the water, kicking and swaying to make patterns on its surface, distorting the image of the heavens, mixing it with the lunar lights of the human realm - celebrating the arrival of another year.

“I’m a big girl, and the palace is probably the safest place on Earth. I won’t stay out here for long, just go in to rest - I’ll see you in the morning.”

I won’t disappear again,

Guilt edged itself in you and painted over your voice each time he looked scared to leave you alone. And it only worsened when you knew he could tell, but you tilted your head back towards the rooms before turning back to look at sparkling city line, feeling the tension in your shoulder slump as you hear his footsteps beyond the sliding doors.

You’d stay there by his side.

With the last of your boxes rolled safely in place, you collapse on the floor, moaning in pain at the dull ache in your shoulders.

Minhyun must’ve heard you because he trots over, soft steps and gentle smile in place. You’d known that he was in the garden pavilion earlier, but you hadn’t known for what reason until you spot the cups in his hand.

“Ahh~ Green tea!” It was especially nice during this chilly weather and he was excellent at brewing. What a treat you were in for.

When you make tea... it reflects what you feel at that time. Sweetness when you’re happy and bitterness when you’re in despair. Anger transfers in the form of heat.

Never overheating the water to let subtle notes escape. Minhyun’s tea is rounded. Crisp with delicate sweetness, fragrance that travels miles, and has sparkling green clarity. There’s a calming effect to whatever he brews. Like himself.

Minhyun’s tea is exactly to your taste because of the person brewing it.

Taking a sip, you smile down at the cup. What would Minhyun taste in yours?

“This is why I love you. Truly, you know me best, Minhyun.”

He knew exactly how to remind you of the happiness in stall for the both of you. Together. It was as if a small cup of liquid jade could tell you that you won’t regret your decision to stay and that he’d never let you feel unvalued.

The stark change of expression of his face transitions from acceptance to alarm in mere seconds. Eyes blown wide as the fine layer of white dust that always seems to surround him turns ice cold.

“You loved me once, and that would’ve been enough. There’s no need for you to express pleasantries when your heart obviously lies elsewhere.” 

He didn’t want you to resort to lying. Gazing at the boxes that lay in neat lines by the left hallway, he’d already resigned himself. He’d known that you must’ve want to go back, but he hadn’t thought it’d be so soon.

Minhyun didn’t want to have any regrets. Not again.

“Minhyun… What are you talking about?”

By now, his tails were taking on a diaphanous form, swaying behind him as his emotions ran in erratic circles.

“Our fate… shouldn’t be forced. There is timing for everything. I understand. But it still pains me to think that it is not our time yet.”

Waiting was nothing. Just as fox showers were just a passing rain, it shan’t last. Time was of no essence to a gumiho. What hurt was the thought of him not being enough to keep you by his side. But he knew that there was too much to give up.

He could tell that the fox in him was yipping, annoyed at his complacency and his coat had begun slipping from him. Begun to reach for his mate against his will, tails lashing out, unwilling to let go of companionship yet. But they both knew there was nothing he could do to force you to stay.

You could see the strain in Minhyun’s expression. Wasn’t he glad that you would be by his side-? Did he think you were leaving?

You’d forgotten that he was in classes the day you’d first moved in. Oh dear.

“Did you think that I’m leaving?”

“Are you not leaving?”

“Obviously not!”

Why would you pay extra to have the courier come up to such a rural area with your stuff only to move out?

Minhyun drops the cup he was holding, spilling tea over the wood chipped floor as the cup rolls towards your feet, the stain seeping through the layers magically disappearing to leave only fragrant mist behind

“But- how?” Why?

“I’m staying with you.” The tone of finality in your voice surprising you as well.

“But your parents- your home-“

“I got accepted at your institute under special circumstances!” 

You weren’t giving up anything! What was repeating four months of classes compared to Minhyun?

“Why-?” Why would you give up such normalcy for me?

“Can you not tell that... That you’re the only reason I have to stay?”

Was this why he’d kept this distance? Only reaching out for you when you’d reached for him first? Because he’d thought it temporary… That you’d soon be leaving?

Minhyun stood. Unmoving. As the words wrapped around him, the winds outside stilling and snow fell in slow motion.

“You like me too?”

The words that leave him sound foreign. Unthinkably so. But those words cause him such immense happiness. He’d never had to doubt or cared of what anyone had to feel for him before you.

“Were you always this stupid?”

Oh my god, were you the stupid one for calling the emperor stupid?

Gaping, you search Minhyun for any signs of joking. Only to be struck with genuine inquisition.

“Oh my god, we’re going to have an idiot as emperor.” 

Was it not obvious?

“How-“

You’d face palm if it wasn’t so inappropriate and you didn’t want to keep staring at Minhyun. Oh my god, he must have seen you talking to the couriers.

“Why else would I be staying here with you?”

How could someone so smart be so dumb?

“You thought I was leaving again!” You accused, but instead of retaliating Minhyun only exchanges the look of lost on his face to a dopey smile.

And with the way the birds and cicadas have started singing, and the peach blossoms have rebloomed alike to the day you stepped foot on the mountain, you can tell that spring must’ve bloomed outside.

Walking over to hold your hands between his own, warm from his cup, dangling them for too long for your liking. You think that his smile must’ve been the persuasion winter needed to thaw.

“I like you too. I like you so much.”

Pouting, you loosen his hold to wrap your arms around his waist instead, burying yourself on the glistening pelt he has draped over his shoulders as a sign of his status.

“Then just hug me already.”

Smiling when you feel him practically melt into you, you wonder if he knows that he’s spoiling you too often here.

“I’m still in love with you, y/n.” He sat back down from the kneeling position he’d shifted to, lacing his fingers through your own. “Can I say that I love you again?”

“You already said it.”

“I’ll say it many more times, as long as you let me.”

There was a difference between fate and coincidence.

The two of you never lacked fate – but it was too unpredictable. And neither of you all knowing. So he could only rely on coincidence.

“There’s no such thing as coincidence.”

“I know,” his expression looking all too much like a fox’s. “I was intent on seeing you again.” Again and again. Over and over. Until you couldn’t find yourself without him by your side.

You stand, surprisingly steady on your feet. To press a kiss on his lips. Fleeting love imprinted on the corner of his mouth. Over before it’s barely begun. But the touch of your warmth lingers on Minhyun and he can tell that something lingers on your mind. A hint of negativity clouding the moment of gentle happiness.

“You were a princess last time.” He says to distract you, and in the depths of his eyes, you could hear the tender words he left out. I spent countless summers looking for you went unsaid.

You didn’t think you’d talk about it at such a moment.

“Thank-you for waiting.” It hadn’t occurred to you that Minhyun might’ve tried to search for you because of something you’d said off-handedly as a kid. You’ve met your fair share of girls claiming to be princesses at soirees and conferences (not that they necessarily weren’t). 

And the two of you had been so young. You didn’t think he’d remember. 

“Why did you say so?”

You winced, embarrassed. How were you supposed to explain that your younger self was ecstatic over the idea of marrying a prince and becoming a princess – too caught up in the romantic fantasy to understand the notion of fairytales - to care about marrying for love. Too young to understand that you were a princess consort.

How were you supposed to know what an engagement entailed and how titles worked? In the books - love was supposed to be a war. The greatest trial. No one ever finds their soulmates so easily.

Just like that. Like this. Where all you’d wanted was him. From beginning to end. Always him. Everything just fell in place.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lie.” Pouting, this didn’t seem fair! Minhyun must’ve known from the start after all! “How was I supposed to know that I was talking to the prince!”

“Crown prince,” he corrected. Lips pursed in a tight smile, so charmingly fox-like, your heart flips a few times. Being spoiled by him surely shouldn’t be good for your health. “There’s nothing stopping you from regaining your title.” Minhyun teased, falling in thought, before a grin spreads. “Barring marriage.”

“Firstly, I was never a princess so I can’t regain the title; and secondly, urgh-“ You dreaded the idea of having to explain to your parents after the ruckus you’ve caused that you’d like to keep the engagement. Or to talk of your love life with them. “Let’s keep that talk for the future.”

“Unless you don’t want to?” He feigns a look of ignorance, rubbing the bottom of his chin between his thumb and index finger. “We could run away to the mountains…”

“Minhyun… We’re already in the mountains.”

“Live off our own vegetables…”

You glanced at the open garden past the sliding doors to reveal the round patches of cabbage waiting to be frost kissed, edamame beans ready to be harvested, and colourful batches of sweet and spicy peppers. The persimmons looked too creamy to be collected just yet.

“Do our own cleaning…”

“As if you didn’t do that already.” Rolling your eyes, you’d seen him ushering the maids out to do so himself after deeming them not complacent enough at their paid jobs!

“And name the hundreds of koi fish we have in our free time.” Bursting into giggles, you poked him right under his ribs, in which he responds by wriggling away and throwing you off his lap.

“You want to retire already?”

“No. But if you want to, we can. I’ll just be a puppet king and let the counsel decide everything.”

Sighing, you realize that this is what it’s really about.

 “Minhyun-“

“You know you can’t lie to me.” Granted. He lacked Sungwoon’s power to differentiate truth and falsity, but with you – he didn’t need anything.

“Why do you try to carry the realms on your shoulders?

“So that my arms can be yours’ only.”

Trust him to try and cheer you up when it was his authority and likeness being mocked.

“Will you blame me if I fail?”

You really wish he’d stop trying to pretend that he was fine.

“No. I will raise you above them all.”

If there was one thing that didn’t make sense to you, it was how easy sound travelled through the palace. It was the reason for Minhyun staying in his own quarters by the gardens instead of the main branch and the servants leaving the place after sun down, to protect the intense privacy of the palace.

It’d made sense in the olden days, before the abilities of each race could be used to complement each other and before technology become incorporated with the magical realm, as it ensured the translucency and fairness of the monarchs – but it was more of liability now.

Because now, it meant that the elders – still stuck in their war time idealities and pre-treaty prejudices could talk about the man you loved in whatever light they wanted to paint, knowing full well that the servants could hear them, and that above all – Minhyun would hear them.

You know he must’ve. Seeing the cold fires of Aristotle, blue-green flames of damp white woods; the foxfires had pulsed alarmingly bright and drifted towards you to protect and warn of a stranger as they sensed your unease.

“You know you don’t have to listen to them.”

“I know.” He smiles, and that only makes you hurt more. To see someone so kind having to deal with such pressure. “I grew up with it. But you haven’t, y/n. There’s no point in giving weight to their gossip.”

“But they-“ They were talking about you. Right in front of me. As if they knew I was a weakness they could exploit.

“Which is well within their right. You don’t have to fight my battles. Just being here by side is more than enough.”

You wish it was. You wish that you could be as much support to him as he was to you. Yet, the gentle way he looks at you, lashes a curtain, and the careful touches he leaves on your skin make you feel like he does know.

“Sometimes I just worry that they’re taking advantage of your kindness.”

“My kindness is only for you to take advantage of.”

Blushing, you’d have hit him if you weren’t so touched. Why was he so good at dissipating worry in you? To be able to assure you with only a few words?

“You’re getting too good at this. Why do you always have the right words when I need them the most?” I just wish I could help you with what you hold dear too.

“Words can only have a positive effect if and when you are ready to listen.”

“See, you’re doing it again.” Downplaying his importance. “It’s not just words… Everything about you is comforting.”

You hugged him a little tighter, trying to show him just how important he is, hoping he knows how much you care. Because you do. A lot. And you hate to think that he thinks that he likes he more when he means so much to you.

“And you’re doing it again too. Flattering me.”

Not enough. You think.

“If you’re worth anything in the future, you are worth something now. All those that make you feel lesser are doing it because they are lesser than you – a lesser person. Hwang Minhyun, you have the biggest heart out of everyone I know – and maybe it because you have large hands,” you throw in when you see the doubtful look he’s wearing. “But wheat is wheat, even if they tell you it’s grass in the beginning.”

“Did you just compare me to wheat?” He laughed, mouth wide in disbelief.

“Is that all you got out of what I said?!” 

The nerve of him! Future ruler of the realms be damned-

He threaded his hand over yours until palms touched. 

“And that you like my hands.”

The pointed glare you give him would have made a lesser fox cower, however many tails they may have between their legs.

“I swear, Hwang Min-“ You let him pull you back onto his lap, resisting the urge to bury yourself closer. Letting him rest his chin on your head. Rubbing circles over your skin.

“What else I have gathered...”

He pulled away to hold your locked hands by his lips, leaving them there to ghost for a moment, brushing over slim fingers with the barest hint of a kiss.

”Shall I also tell you that I fell a little more in love with you? Or will that give you too much power over me?”

Power my ass, you’d have shouted if it was anyone other than Minhyun. That man-boy rendered you speechless too often for your liking. He was the one that transcended yin and yang, future emperor of the magical realms.

The one who had power over you.

“You’re still the same as when we were younger, not even two weeks of meeting again and you’re already saying you love me.”

“But I do!” Minhyun’s eyes disappear as he laughs, as if the mere thought of him not being enamoured by you was the most ludicrous thing he'd ever happened upon.

“You’re in luck then,” auspicious things, these fox spirits. Always got what they wanted.

You bumped your nose against his in protest, giggling a little when he scrunches his face and shivers at the unexpected show of affection at such a sensitive spot.

It’s too late to try and leave now even if you want to, you lament. No creature should be blessed the power of having all the stars align in their favour. But Minhyun has already built a home in your heart and stayed.

“I love you too.”

note.  it’s written in 酉陽雜俎 that nine-tailed fox spirits can transcend yin/yang. if you’ve read other instalments of this series, you’ll know that yin/yang is the basis of energy in-universe, so the fact that minhyun transcends them means that he’s the most powerful as far as abilities go – hence, the emperor title.

It felt as if it were a blur, the ceremony had been over two hours long, but you were sure you simply blinked and it was over, moving onto an intimate luncheon served by the King and Queen, before another reception holding further guests.

Night time had cascaded down and although you stood at the side of your new husband, you had said less than five words to him since leaving the chapel. It was exhausting, greeting guests, entertaining them, standing for so long in your heels. Although you had been allowed to change into another gown for the reception, you were still unable to feel comfortable, though you wondered if that was down to the situation and not what your body was wearing.

You had taken glances at Minhyun several times throughout the night; his smile never seemed to become jaded. You wondered how he could still appear so genuine, when you were sure everyone would be able to tell neither of you were a true couple. You felt like you were an actress in a lavish show, your smile coming out as part of the role. You stood close but not as close as lovers would, and affection was lost on you both. All the same, well wishes and “you both look like a match made from above” were constantly hitting your ears throughout the evening.

Mocking you.

You had no appetite for dinner and yet you still sat and played out your part, raising your champagne flute for several toasts, laughing at the dry jokes by the jolly cousin of the queen across the table, and answering questions from family relatives that you had practiced as if lines in a play for the past month.

Eventually the appropriate time for you both to leave for your new home within the palace grounds arrived, and you hugged your parents goodbye, a sudden ache growing in your chest as you departed from their sides. The show was over now, and real life was settling in, the grief you felt from now being a daughter to another family hitting you in that moment.

“Let’s go.” The voice near your ear was deep and quiet, causing you to flinch. You glanced up at the tall boy, his hand rising in a wave to those behind you as he gently guided you into his car.

Once enclosed, the atmosphere was thick with distance. The smile had faded completely from Minhyun’s face, and instead his eyes were steely, the only emotion that you could read upon his face. The purr of the classic jaguar and the crunch of the gravel under the tyres were the only sounds for the short drive to your new home. It made you awkward, not knowing how to act around him.

Before when you were both fulfilling your roles, you knew what was expected of you. Now you were not so sure. Should you talk to him? Ask him about himself? What the rules of your new home would be? Of your own chambers? So many questions were rushing around inside you, and yet the aloof demeanour of Minhyun had you hesitating.

The car rolled to a stop and Minhyun hopped out of it, not even glancing back to see if you were following him inside. Dejected, you pulled yourself out of the car and stared up at the manor that would now become the setting for your impending loneliness.

A month went by and you had no time to become accustomed to your life at the castle grounds. It was still quite the upheaval, with no real sign of settling soon. Each day was a bustle, new outfits, new appointments, more interviews. You had spoken so much of your family and marriage that you no longer had to rehearse anything, it was second nature.

It was at night time though that you struggled.

Minhyun was obviously used to his own company, and routine. After dinner he would retire to his study for several hours, and then at precisely ten each night, he would come to find you. At first when he had appeared, you had been hopeful of some kind of bonding to begin.

“Goodnight,” he swiftly greeted, walking back out and leaving you sitting there, perplexed.

Now you were used to smiling lightly and repeating the same word, heading into your own bedroom not long after.

This wasn’t the marriage you had dreamed for.

“So what’s he like?!” Anne leaned forward in the plush armchair in the parlour room, bringing you out of your thoughts. You blinked and noted her eagerness. “He’s so freaking handsome!”

“Looks might be all he has,” you replied with a sigh, glancing out the window and finding the subject of your topic in the yard, talking to one of the gardeners. “I’m not sure what he’s really like.”

“What do you mean?”

“We barely speak, unless we are in an appointment where it’s expected of us. There’s nothing to enjoy about living here with him. He’s cold, and hard to read.”

Anne stared outside at the Prince and then looked back at you. “Really? But he’s so kind and forthcoming to everyone else.”

You nodded, feeling a hint of jealousy at the natural way he was interacting with the old man outdoors. Even though you hadn’t wanted to marry him, you had hoped to somehow make the best of your situation. Your resolve was slowly breaking though, and watching what you wanted occurring around you was difficult to bear.

“Maybe you should start proactively make his life more interesting?” Anne suggested, a sly smile crossing her lips.

You were intrigued, leaning forward to hear of her idea.

“You are simply beautiful, you’re glowing, Y/N!”

You smiled politely, bowing your head a little in gratitude at the woman. “Thank you, Senator Blight.”

“Together you look like such a powerful couple; you will truly bring a new element to the royal family with your youth and modern mindsets.”

Minhyun glanced down at you with his wide smile and then grabbed at the hand of the older woman in front of you. “It’s an honour to be able to have you and your husband attend our dinner tonight.”

“When will you make the announcement?” she asked and you looked at her with a hint of confusion. She laughed and placed a hand over top of Minhyun’s. “Oh we all know she cannot be glowing simply because!”

“Actually I can be,” you blurted out, stunned at her assumption. “Make up artists are extremely talented.”

Minhyun and the woman stared at you for a moment and you continued to smile, whilst inside you raged. You were unsure why it affected you so much, when your marriage hadn’t even been your choice. All the same, the insinuation of you being pregnant made you extremely frustrated; you hadn’t so much as kissed your husband yet.

Senator Blight clapped her hands together in a forced laugh and Minhyun awkwardly chuckled with her. “You are too funny, Princess. I cannot wait until you announce it though, until then I will make sure not to say anything funny.”

“To announce anything, wouldn’t-”

A hand covered your mouth then, Minhyun laughing loudly. “She’s nervous.”

“Oh but of course, I’ll see you inside then.”

Once she was gone, you wrestled out of his grip, glaring up at him. “What? I was telling the truth!”

“You have to remember your place here, Y/N,” he warned, his eyes darting around you at all the guests. “Rumours are easily started.”

“It isn’t a rumour if it’s a fact. We have no reason at all for me to be suggested as glowing. Surely she knows what highlighter is, she was wearing enough of it herself!”

He regarded you for a moment, his eyes dark and searching yours. “We can discuss this later.”

“We can actually talk to one another? More than goodnight?” you shot back, and Minhyun’s mouth dropped at your statement. You smiled up at him, albeit with some tension. “Do you actually have words you would even say to me?”

“Not now, Y/N.” He almost growled and you bit your lip, blinking a couple of times. Had you pushed him too hard? He however had no respect for how it made you feel to be in this situation. You pressed on.

“Why not now? Ah, because we’re here to act together, right?”

His eyes were becoming as sharp as daggers.

“Your Highness, Princess, the dinner is now ready to be served.”

Neither of you looked away from each other at the butler’s announcement, and for a moment you could see Minhyun wrestling with something you had never seen reside in his umber eyes.

And then he turned to the man waiting on you, smiling graciously. “Thank you, shall we?”

His elbow was hooked out for you to grasp onto and you sighed inwardly, slipping your hands around the arm and followed him into the dinner with your smile placed upon your face.

However as the meal progressed, you could tell the tension was still simmering between you both. Minhyun’s attention was on you more than usual, and you wondered if he was monitoring your behaviour. Many times throughout the meal, you had found him staring at you, unwavering. It made you feel anxious, and also a little encouraged to continue frustrating him. You were finally seeing more reaction out of him than you had known so far into your marriage. Even if you were uncomfortable, it was worth it. The distance was becoming too much for you.

“Y/N?” You blinked rapidly, only realising you had been ignoring the older man beside you. As you turned to look at him, you noticed the sly smile briefly cross Minhyun’s lips over the table from you. It threw you off. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes,” you managed, smiling at him and he took your hand gently. You clasped your hands over his. “What were you saying?”

“I asked you what you like about your husband the most,” he mentioned, his deep seated eyes piercing yours. “None of the generic stuff either that I’ve read in your interviews, something real.”

You were stumped; there was nothing you had yet to like about him. Glancing over at the boy, you were surprised to see him gazing back at you, his head tilted to the side ever so slightly, an expectant expression settled on his face. Narrowing your own eyes and scrunching your face up for a fleeting second, you then returned to your conversation.

“What do you think I should like about him?”

He chuckled. “I’m asking for your opinion. Do you like him so much you don’t know where to begin?”

“Uncle, I believe she might not like me at all, fancy that.”

Minhyun’s eyes were now challenging you, his sweet smile sickening you. Smiling back at his relative, you nodded. “There’s very little to like.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But he does have one attribute I can attest for.”

“Which is?”

You sighed, remembering the many occasions you had felt jealousy rear of late. “He treats those who work for and with him with the utmost regard. He listens to their concerns, wisdom and joy and treats them all as people he treasures greatly. It’s admirable.”

Minhyun’s smile faded as the older man chortled. “That’s right; he’s a very soft person at heart. You have paid attention to him well. I’m relieved. I was worried there would be no love between you both since neither of you appeared to want this marriage initially.”

You were acutely aware of the eyes fixated on you, but you chose to avoid them, swallowing roughly and then smiling at the old man again. “Time will tell.”

“Dear Princess,” the man then pulled you closer, words only for you to hear. “He’s a hard person to grow accustomed to, I know. But trust in this, he is very much so interested in you.”

He moved back then with a knowing smile, and you shook your head immediately. “I believe you’re wrong.”

You were pulled closer again and the words he uttered this time shocked you to the core. “It wasn’t the King who chose you but Minhyun. He was adamant it had to be you.”

The party was over and your head hurt, the constant buzzing of thoughts since gaining knowledge from Minhyun’s Uncle giving you a headache. You barely were aware of climbing into the car to go back to the manor, hands fumbling over you to place your seat belt on. You only realised this after the fact and suddenly pressed yourself into the leather upholstery, eyes wide with shock.

“What has made you like this?” Minhyun asked quietly as he started the car up, and you merely stared out your window.

Why had he chosen you? It wasn’t as if he knew you well enough to be so certain you were the right pick. Thinking on the four other girls you knew that had potential to be in your spot, all were more beautiful, successful and powerful.

Had he chosen you because you were the plainest of the bunch? Or more importantly, because you wouldn’t be someone to threaten the balance of control within your household? You were known to be pleasing to all around you, your inner thoughts being held in; even if you disagreed, you were trained to be compliant. Except for tonight, you had never challenged anything in public before. Your hands clenched up as you realised how quickly you had become a choice because of living trapped as a marionette doll, and now Minhyun held your strings.

“Stop the car.”

“What?” Minhyun glanced over at you and then back at the gravel track. “We’re almost there.”

“I don’t care, stop it.” He obliged, and as soon as it was stationary, you threw the belt off of you, ripping the door open and taking off into the field adjacent to the car. Stopping momentarily, you removed your heels and threw them, allowing your sore feet to embrace the soft grass as you ran as fast as you could take yourself.

You heard movement rushing after you, and it only angered you more, coming to a complete stop and turning to face Minhyun, the taller boy rocking back on his heels to prevent crashing into you. He panted once and ran a hand through his dark hair. “What on earth was that?!”

“Why did you have to choose me?!” Your hands were balled at your sides and your chest rose and fell with the exertion of running and your emotions. “Why did you have to ruin my life?!”

His eyes were wide, and for the first time since you’d met him, he looked crestfallen by your accusation. You glared at him, searching for a reason for this situation. Finally he seemed to be able to breathe again. “I ruined your life?”

“I never wanted to marry you, not once!” Heaving in a deep breath, you pointed at his chest, Minhyun flinching at your touch. “But since I did, I thought I would make the best of it. Surely we could at least find companionship in time. Instead you barely acknowledge my existence. I’m sick of playing the role of the perfect Princess and wife. I’m done!”

You spun around and stalked off again, the moon lighting your path through the grass. He stopped you though, moving so fast in front of you that you almost tripped over and fell onto him. Minhyun held you up, but you snapped away from his grip, shaking your head. “Don’t touch me!”

“Should I have let you fall then?”

“Maybe! Then we’d be on the right playing field with each other. You don’t care about this relationship at all!”

“And you do?” he challenged, his mood darkening like it had earlier. He was exasperated, shaking his hand in your direction. “Have you ever once thought of what I wanted?”

“No!”

“Exactly.” He scoffed loudly, and you bit your lip. “Don’t point the fing-”

“Because you’ve not given me a single chance to even know what you want, Your Highness.”

“Don’t speak to me like that,” he growled, stepping closer. “Don’t place me higher than you.”

“Aren’t you though? Didn’t you pick me because I would be the person to keep out of your affairs? The type of wife who was well trained for this role, and would just comply with all my marital duties, with no opposition?”

He laughed bitterly. “Is this what you call no opposition?!”

“No, this is the real me. The one who is screaming at you to regard me as… as-”

“As what?” he asked, moving even closer to you. The intimate proximity and your heightened emotions were playing tricks on your mind, and you watched as he pursed his lips together, his eyes glued to yours. “What do you want to be to me?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” He covered the remaining space between you, his shallow breathing hitting your face as you looked up at him. “Tell the truth, you were so ready to at dinner.”

“Why did you pick me, Minhyun?”

He stared at you for what felt like an eternal moment, and then a quick smile crossed his lips. “Because I like you.”

His words knocked the breath out of you, but your brow furrowed, and you came back to your senses. “Don’t lie, yourself. If you liked me, wouldn’t you pay more attention to me?”

“All I do is pay attention to you, Y/N. You just don’t seem to recognise it at all.”

“We barely speak!” You shook your head, not believing anything he was saying. His features had softened though, embarrassment evident in his eyes. “How would you like someone you don’t even know?”

“I related to you,” he said, gently shifting a tendril of your hair away from your face. You were surprised, you hadn’t even realised your hair had been there. “The others all knew what they wanted, why they were pursuing me with advances that I didn’t ask for. You simply completed what was asked of you, respecting the others and my family. You appeared sincere, but really, you looked frustrated, wanting nothing more than to break free.”

You nodded slowly, he had been more observant that you expected.

“My whole life, I never wanted anything that I’ve done. Do I look like I even would enjoy tennis? Yet, I trained to the point that I hated that court more than anything else. Why? Because it was expected of me.”

“Because your parents wanted you to,” you surmised and he nodded.

“My parents didn’t want to choose you,” he admitted and he smiled, taking off his blazer and then sitting down. He laid the garment out beside him and looked up at you and then at the jacket. For some reason you accepted his offer, thankful for getting off your sore feet. You glanced down at them and realised how painful they looked.

“Why did you then?”

Minhyun’s smile grew. “Because I thought if I chose you, we could be free.”

“This is your definition of free?” you reproached, shaking your head.

“Our parents will always expect things of us. But between us, couldn’t we expect nothing like that? You could do whatever you want to. I’ll support it.”

“Why would you do that for me?”

“Because I like you,” he repeated, looking ahead. “Because I understood your cry for help back then. If you didn’t marry me, wouldn’t you be auctioned off to the next family in line? Like me, you never had a choice to marry for love in your cards, right?”

“Mm.” You sighed, pulling your legs up around yourself and resting your head on your knees. You were growing tired now that the anger was seeping out of you. “Why didn’t you just talk to me, get to know me, spend more time with me, if you liked me though?”

Minhyun didn’t answer right away, and you glanced over at him then, his eyes staring off into the distance. He took a deep breath and then turned to look at you. “Because I liked you too much.”

“That makes no sense,” you laughed but he grew thoughtful.

“I didn’t want to say anything that would make you uncomfortable, or make you angry with your situation anymore than you had been. And I was worried, always.”

“Why?”

“That I wouldn’t be enough for you. That you would end up hating me because you never chose me.”

Your eyes fell down to your knees, shocked by his vulnerability. And then you looked at his own lap, his hand clenching and then loosening off against his pants. You reached over without much thought, slipping your fingers inside his palm and holding his hand, feeling it settle against yours. Looking up, you were surprised by how close his face now appeared, and took a shaky breath. It was enough for the prince to lean over and kiss you gently, hesitantly.

Emotion came from someplace you never knew existed within you, and you closed your eyes, kissing him back. Your free hands both moved to each other, yours to his neck, slipping around to support yourself on him, and Minhyun’s to your waist, drawing you in closer as your embrace deepened. An urgency between you grew, and soon you were both breathless, your lips separating only for a deep breath before you let go of his hand, slinging your other arm around his neck, Minhyun gently laying you down beside him, your kiss not breaking at all.

And then he finally pulled away, your eyes attached to his now swollen lips. He glanced around you both and laughed. “Imagine if we were caught out here like this. How impractical of us.”

“You just kissed me like that, and then that’s all you can think to say?” you asked, your arms untangling from around his neck. He stopped you from moving away and you looked up at him.

“I didn’t say it because I didn’t like it.”

“Then why did you stop?” You reached to touch his face tenderly. “I’m worried that when the sun rises tomorrow, you’ll be back to your old self.”

He shook his head, turning to kiss your hand gently. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this.”

“So why did you stop?” you repeated, and he scooped you back in his arms, feeling like a completely different person. Minhyun wasn’t cold at all like you knew him to be; in fact his warmth was the only thing keeping you from shivering in your slip dress.

“I left the car running,” he admitted sheepishly, and you both laughed, getting up to your feet.

“Couldn’t you just let the battery die?”

He leaned down to place a chaste kiss on your lips and then smiled. “Let’s go home. Let’s do all the things we’ve wanted to all this time.”

“I’m sure it’s past ten now,” you teased and nudged him playfully. “Isn’t that when you need to retreat to your bedroom?”

“What do you think of making it our bedroom?” he asked, his eyes diverting away from yours after a quick glance to see your reaction. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Only if you want to that is, after all I did ruin your life, as you said.”

“You did,” you agreed readily and the taller boy snapped his eyes back to yours. You smirked. “But I think you might have a way of making my life better now too.”

You stretched up to kiss him briefly again before running off, Minhyun chasing you all the way back to the car. As he sped down the drive and you both jumped out of the car, you laughed earnestly, feeling like the field had been a place where you both left your burdens behind. You hadn’t felt this free before.

Opening the door to the manor, the mood changed again, Minhyun’s hand slipping into yours and leading you up the staircase, his eyes constantly soaking you in. He then let your hand go, moving over to his bedroom door and opening it. Standing there, he tilted his head to the side and waited.

It didn’t take you long to rush towards him, your lips entangled in each other as you moved over the threshold and into your new relationship with your husband.

Minhyun hadn’t ruined your life after all. He had opened a new world for you instead.

And you couldn’t wait to experience all of it with him.

_________________

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I heard Minhyun knocking on the door as I was finishing the last touches for our date. I quickly grabbed my purse off my bed and went to answer the door. "You ready?" Minhyun asked when I greeted him. "Yep, let's go." He led the way back to his car.

We settled into the back of a nice restaurant. Minhyun held onto my hand as we looked through the menu together. “I’m so glad I was able to get this night out with you.” He said after giving the waiter our order. Between school and work it had been about two weeks since we were able to have a proper date night. Most days consisted of us working in each other’s presence without truly being able to appreciate the moment. “I know. This is really nice.” I lightly squeezed his hand as he smiled up at me.

By the end of the night we were both full of food and each other. We swung hands as we walked back to the car. I stopped right in front of the car, causing Minhyun to stop as well. “What is it?” He asked as he turned around. “There’s something that I’ve wanted to say for awhile and tonight is just so perfect I have to let it out. I love you.” I finally said the three words after our four months together. “You don’t know how long I have been waiting for this moment. I love you too.” He left a soft kiss on my lips before hugging me close. “I love you so much.” He breathed out.

We met again the next night to relax at home. We sat against either side of the couch so that our legs tangled in the middle. “Pass me the popcorn.” Minhyun sat up a little to hand it to me. “You know now that we love each other.” I joked “you should stay over tonight. It’s already getting late.” “I would love to because I love you.” He smiled.

By the end of the night we were both settling into my bed. I turned it look at him. “Can you get me some water?” He groaned without getting up. “That’s a lot to ask somebody, but if you say those three magic words, maybe I will.” “I’ll say it when you get back. Think of it as a reward, something to look forward to for being a good boy.” I laughed. He flicked my head before getting up.