#ph1

The late afternoon sunlight poured into your living room, bathing the space in a warm golden glow. You were curled up on the couch, scrolling mindlessly through your phone, when you heard the unmistakable sound of Junwon's keys jingling at the door.

"Baby, I'm home," his familiar voice called out, soft and warm like honey.

You barely had time to respond before you heard the quick patter of Holly’s paws against the floor. Her little tail wagged furiously as she greeted Junwon, bouncing with excitement.

"Hey, Holly!" Junwon laughed, crouching down to ruffle her fur. “Missed you too, girl.” Holly barked once, as if in agreement, before trotting back to her spot on her fluffy bed in the corner of the room.

Junwon stood up, his eyes immediately finding yours. His face softened, and the tired lines you noticed earlier seemed to disappear. He set his things down and crossed the room, pulling you into his arms before you could even ask how his day was. His body heat enveloped you as he nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck, his stubble lightly grazing your skin.

"Hi," he murmured against your collarbone, his voice muffled and low.

"Hi," you replied, laughing softly. "Rough day?"

"Not really," he admitted, pulling back just enough to look into your eyes. "Just... been thinking about you a lot today."

There was something about the way he said it, his fingers tracing absent-minded circles on your thigh, that sent a shiver down your spine.

"Yeah? What were you thinking about?" you teased, your fingers playing with the strings of his hoodie.

Junwon’s lips curved into a small, shy smile, but his eyes told a deeper story. "You. Us. The future," he said softly, his hand now resting protectively over your stomach, even though there was nothing there—yet.

Your heart skipped a beat, and you raised an eyebrow. "The future, huh? Care to elaborate?"

He hesitated for a moment, his thumb brushing lightly over your hip. "I saw this couple today at the café," he started, his tone soft and full of wonder. "They had this little baby, and I don’t know... something about it just made me think of you. Of us. Of how amazing you'd be as a mom."

His words hung in the air, and you could feel your cheeks heating up. "Junwon..."

"I mean it," he said, his voice a mix of sincerity and longing. "I keep imagining us with a little one. You, holding our baby, looking as beautiful as you always do. Me, spoiling them rotten and stealing your cuddles when they’re asleep. Even Holly—she’d probably try to guard them, wouldn’t you, Holly?"

At the sound of her name, Holly perked up from her bed, tilting her head curiously. You both laughed, the image of your dog keeping watch over a baby suddenly feeling so vivid and real.

"Junwon, you have baby fever, don’t you?"

Junwon groaned, burying his face in your neck again. "Maybe I do," he mumbled. "But can you blame me? You’d make the most beautiful family with me."

You giggled, threading your fingers through his hair as he tightened his arms around you, his body pressing against yours in a way that made your breath hitch.

"Junwon," you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

You tilted his chin up so his eyes met yours. "Maybe one day," you said, your lips brushing his as you spoke. "But for now..."

He kissed you before you could finish, his lips soft and tender against yours. His hands found their way to your waist, pulling you impossibly closer.

"For now," he murmured between kisses, "I’m perfectly happy just practicing."

Holly let out a soft yawn from her bed, as if to say, Here they go again.

And with that, the afternoon melted away, leaving only the warmth of his touch, Holly’s quiet presence, and the undeniable love that filled the room.