⊹ ࣪ ˖

The music was too soft for a room filled with predators.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, spilled silver across marble floors, more polished than the rehearsed laughter of the people there.

Politicians. CEOs. Crime lords pretending to be philanthropists crowded the room, reeking of wealth.

And beside you, stood the man you hated the most.

Gyehyeon adjusted the cuff of his sleeve calmly, like this was just another evening instead of a mission that could end with both of you dead.

You resisted the urge to stab him with your heel.

“You’re glaring again,” he murmured.

“I’m imagining ways to strangle you.”

“Hm.” His mouth twitched. “You’d do that to your partner?”

“We are not partners.”

“Tonight we are.” His eyes drifted over you slowly.

You hated that pause in your heartbeat. Hated it even more because he noticed.

Of course he did.

Outside the ballroom doors, you bent slightly to adjust the strap of your heel with growing irritation. The damned thing had loosened again.

Before you could crouch down properly, Gyehyeon did first.

You blinked. “What are you…-”

“Hold still.”

His gloved fingers wrapped around your ankle, warm despite the leather. Careful.

The red fabric of your gown pooled around you while he fixed the clasp like he belonged there at your feet, completely unbothered by the fact that one of the agency’s deadliest operatives was currently staring holes into the side of his head.

Then he looked up, a smirk appearing instantly.

“There,” he said softly. “Wouldn’t want my date falling on her face.”

You scoffed, but your pulse betrayed you when he straightened to full height again, one hand sliding to your waist to pull you closer. Way too close.

The scent of expensive cologne and gunpowder clung to him faintly.

“Remember,” he whispered near your ear, voice low enough that only you could hear, “they need to believe we like each other.”

“I’d rather take a bullet.”

“Don’t tempt fate.”

His fingers poked your cheek lightly.

“Smile for me."

You slapped his hand away instantly, glaring up at him while he laughed under his breath, quiet but entirely too pleased with himself.

God, you hated him.

Hated his confidence. Hated how untouchable he acted. Hated the way every room seemed to bend around him.

And worst of all, hated how attractive he looked tonight.

His dark hair was pushed back just enough, though a few strands still fell carelessly over his forehead like the entire look had been crafted to appear effortless.

The open collar of his suit, revealing the line of his collarbone, only made him look more dangerous, less polished diplomat, more…like a wolf dressed in silk.

You wished he’d stop looking at you like that.

Like he already knew you were losing this battle.

The ballroom doors opened and instantly, his demeanor shifted.

His teasing demeanor disappeared. In his place stood a charming socialite with an easy smile and a hand possessively resting at your waist.

You followed his lead seamlessly despite your irritation. Years of training made pretending second nature.

Heads turned the moment you entered, not because of suspicion. But together, you looked devastating.

“Seven guards near the eastern hall,” you muttered through your smile.

“Mm. Posted above the balcony. Possible spy.” Gyehyeon picked up two champagne glasses from a passing tray, handing you one naturally. “You look tense, darling.”

“You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Maybe.” His thumb brushed briefly against the bare skin of your back, hidden beneath your hair. “You’re pretty when you’re angry.”

You nearly broke the champagne flute.

Someone important approached then, one of the target’s associates.

Immediately, Gyehyeon’s arm wrapped around your waist tighter, pulling you against his side for a moment.

He leaned down slightly, lips grazing near your temple as if whispering something affectionate.

To anyone watching, you looked hopelessly in love.

“Behave,” he whispered instead.

“One day,” you whispered back, “I’m going to kill you.”

His eyes gleamed, before he let go of you.

“Looking forward to it.”

Now…

Gyehyeon gave you a subtle glance, brief, before looking away. You answered with the smallest nod before turning away from him entirely, your expression softening into effortless charm as you disappeared into the crowd.

The ballroom swallowed you easily.

Music filled the air while conversations sounded. Every movement here was calculated. Somewhere beneath all the luxury was the reason you’d been sent.

And you found it quickly.

A group of young women gathered near the champagne tower, dressed in silk and diamonds, speaking in hushed excitement.

One of them matched the face from one of the pictures in file, someone close enough to the target.

Perfect.

“Ladies,” you greeted smoothly, stepping into their circle like you belonged there. “Allow me to introduce myself.”

A few of them looked you over cautiously.

The one you were there for only smiled.

“Well,” she mused, “aren’t you charming?”

You smiled back, measured and warm. “Only when I want something.”

That had earned a laugh.

The conversation unfolded naturally after that. You blended into it effortlessly, guiding topics carefully while pretending not to.

Fashion became travel. Travel became politics. Politics became business.

The hidden names. The mentions of shipments. The passing reference to a private security route. You weren't exactly content but this had to do.

Across the ballroom, Gyehyeon worked his own part smoothly. You caught glimpses of him between shifting bodies, lazily, smiling into conversations with diplomats and investors like he had not spent half his life eliminating men exactly like them. He looked relaxed but you knew better.

Then suddenly, a new voice, a shadow fell beside you.

“May I?”

A drink appeared in your peripheral vision.

You glanced at the glass first before looking up. And your stomach tightened slightly.

The target himself. Lee Ji-an.

You recognized him instantly from the files, older in person, sharper eyes, the kind smile too perfect to be genuine. Dangerous men always learned how to appear harmless.

You slipped on your prettiest smile anyway. “Of course.”

His interest in you was obvious enough to make you roll your eyes. Almost.

Across the hall, Gyehyeon noticed.

His own conversation continued uninterrupted, expression still composed.

But his fingers tightened once around the stem of his champagne glass as he watched the target lean closer toward you.

You kept smiling despite the unease crawling beneath your skin. Ji-an spoke easily, confidently, like he already owned the room and everything inside it. Including you.

When his hand brushed your arm once, your jaw tightened. But you endured it.

Another inch and you genuinely might have snapped his wrist in front of half the city’s elite.

Just then a low alarm sounded somewhere through the estate.

The music cut abruptly.

Confused murmurs spread through the ballroom as guests glanced around in alarm.

Ji-an stiffened instantly.

You caught it immediatel, the silent look exchanged between him and one of the staff members rushing toward him.

Hm…?

“Apologies,” Ji-an said smoothly, though tension now pulled at his smile. “Duty calls.”

“What a shame,” you replied sweetly.

His gaze lingered on you a second too long. “I do hope we meet again.

You almost rolled your eyes again.

Then he disappeared into the crowd.

Your attention shifted immediately, scanning the room. There wasn't any actual panic. Just controlled distraction?

And there was only one person here irritating enough to create one deliberately.

A familiar presence stepped beside you.

“Seems we’ll have to retreat early,” Gyehyeon said lightly. “How unfortunate.”

You turned slowly toward him, eyes narrowing as you met his own.

“You did that.”

“Hm?”

“Why?”

He only started walking. Infuriating.

You scoffed before following him through the nearest balcony exit, heels clicking sharply against marble while the muffled confusion inside continued behind closed doors.

Cold night air hit your skin immediately.

The moment you were out of sight, you moved.

Your hand grabbed his collar, shoving him hard against the nearest wall. The impact forced a soft grunt from him as your dagger flashed upward, pressing against his throat.

“Don’t play around with me.”

The city lights flickered behind you both, distant but enough to blur the darkness around you.

Gyehyeon looked entirely too amused for a man with a blade at his neck.

“Shouldn’t we save this for indoors?” he teased.

You pushed the dagger closer.

He let out a quiet sound at the pressure, wincing slightly this time, though the smirk never truly left his face.

“Alright, alright,” he sighed softly, relenting. “You’re rather straightforward tonight.”

“Answer me.” Your grip tightened on his collar.

“Why did you trigger the alarm?”

For once, he didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze flickered over your face instead, lingering in a way that made warmth crawl hotter than the irritation beneath your skin.

Then his eyes dropped briefly to the hand fisted in his suit before returning to yours again. His smile fell, just slightly.

“He was touching you,” he said simply.

…?

Your expression faltered for a moment.

“That,” you said slowly, “is the dumbest reason I’ve ever heard.”

“Mm.” His eyes gleamed under the balcony lights. “Still did it.”

“You compromised the mission over jealousy?”

“Who said anything about jealousy?”

The dagger remained against his throat, but your focus had slipped now, caught momentarily by the way he looked beneath you like this.

Collar loosened. Hair slightly disheveled from being shoved against the wall. Breath warm against the edge of your wrist.

And worst of all, unafraid. If anything, he looked comfortable.

Like this exact moment was where he wanted to be all along. Smug bastard.

“You know,” he muttered, gaze dropping briefly to your lips before returning to your eyes, “most people buy me dinner first before pinning me against walls.”

Your glare sharpened instantly.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet…-”

You cut him off by pushing away from him entirely, releasing his collar with enough force to wrinkle the front of his suit. The dagger lowered slightly as you stepped back, putting distance between you at last.

“Try being serious for once in your life.”

But as you turned to leave, you barely made it a step before a hand caught your wrist.

The next thing you knew, you were pulled back against his chest.

Your breath hitched despite yourself.

Gyehyeon’s arm slid around your waist, firm and unyielding as he drew you flush against him, his back still resting against the stone wall. The dagger remained trapped awkwardly between you both, blade pressing near his shoulder now, but he didn’t seem remotely concerned about it.

“You’re awfully mean tonight,” he mused near your ear.

“Let go.”

“But then you’ll storm off.” His grip tightened slightly. “Just when I was starting to enjoy this.”

You tried twisting free, only for his other hand to catch your chin lightly, tilting your face upward toward his so close.

The teasing look in his eyes had dimmed into something heavier now, quieter. The night air suddenly felt thinner between you both.

You could feel his breathing.

Could see every small detail this close, the mole under his eye, the dimples that showed whenever he quirked his lips, too often, the loosened collar exposing warm skin, the strand of dark hair falling over his forehead after you shoved him earlier.

Your heartbeat betrayed you immediately.

His gaze flicked to your lips again, leaning in closer.

Close enough that you genuinely thought…-

Your fingers tightened instinctively around the dagger.

But instead of kissing you, he only hovered there, mouth brushing near your ear as his voice dropped low enough to send irritation crawling down your spine for entirely different reasons now.

“We’ll continue this later,” he whispered before letting go. Just like that.

The warmth disappeared instantly as he stepped around you, adjusting his sleeves calmly like he hadn’t just nearly kissed you against a balcony wall in the middle of an operation.

By the time he glanced back at you, only the slight curve of his mouth remained.

“Hurry, we have to report back.” he said lightly before walking off into the corridor ahead.

You stared after him in disbelief, pulse still uneven.

God.

You really did hate him.

⊹ ࣪ ˖

You had taken your time fixing the creases and lines through your foundation, and watery mascara that had started to run. You didn’t want your family to notice your upset state. It had nothing to do with them. It, honestly, had nothing to do with anyone.

You were just upset without a specific reason. And you could already hear your husband's words saying that, it was okay to not be okay sometimes. He would always tell you that you were allowed to cry and feel all the feelings if that’s what you needed.

He’d be there for you, he vowed to.

You could also hear quiet laughter, your husband and daughter obviously playing somewhere—probably the living room—as you removed your shoes. The noise was comforting in your own familiar way.

The foyer was clean, the hallway the same. There was a sweet aroma wafting into your nose too and you wondered what it was. You hadn’t really eaten much in an upset state but you could feel the claws of hunger grasping your stomach.

Just as you were hanging up your coat a familiar voice (if not the most familiar voice) greeted you. “Hey baby,” he said, wrapping an arm around your waist and pushing his head into the crook of your neck. You didn’t look, in fear of him being able to read you like a picture book. You also thought you might start crying again, being overwhelmed by being overwhelmed.

He kissed your skin briefly. “How was work?”

Oh, he knew.

If there was one thing about your husband, it’s that he always figures you out.

“Fine,” you kept it short. “Had lots to do.”

He hummed, taking the coat from your hand and finishing the job you ceased to do.

“Yeah?” he spun you around by your hips, finally face-to-face. “And, are you okay?”

You bit the inside of your cheek, weakly nodding. He eyed you suspiciously, not saying what you were both hearing inside your head: you don’t have to lie.

And, you don’t know why you did. Maybe it was to make it seem less real, like it was all just inside your head. If you denied it enough, maybe that would become the truth.

“Actually…no.”

Through a soft tune leaving his mouth, he smiled. “I figured, you usually call on your way. You don’t like taking the subway alone, remember? I do.”

And remember every little thing about you, he did; Like the twenty-four hours in a day. Like the sun against his skin. Like simple multiplication, and exponents before parentheses. He remembered all the things that you’d do because that’s why he fell in love with you, and continues to fall as hard as the first time he realized he couldn’t live without you.

“Mommy!” Your daughter's voice rang out, the pattern of bare feet against hardwood following it down the hall. You’ve never pulled yourself together faster, straightening your spine in his embrace, and smacking a smile onto your face. “Mommy, you’re home!” She jumped into your arms, reuniting your little three-piece of a family.

You kissed her temple, adjusting her to sit against your hip better as Gyehyeon ruffled her hair, causing the girl to giggle.

It’s like a weight was lifted off your shoulder, and you felt ten times lighter than when you walked through the door alone.

If your husband was your safety-net, then your daughter must’ve been Arcadia.

“You can play with us now!”

Your husband put a gentle hand on your kid's cheek. “Princess, your mom had a tough day at work, how about we let her rest?”

She pouted a moment, seemingly also pondering up something in her imaginative child-brain, then nodded conclusively.

She pushed from your arms, and you took the hint to put her down. Then her feet stomped, one planting in front of her and one behind her as she struck a mighty (cute) pose, arm flying out into the air like she had a sword clutched within her grasp.

“Then I’ll save you from the giant…frog!”

Your face contorted in amusement. “Frog?” you reiterated, and she motioned to the man beside you—she meant your husband, her father, was the frog you needed saving from. You couldn’t help but laugh, releasing just a little bit more of the tension you’d been holding.

“Am I a princess then?” you asked, playing along. She hummed aloud, still eyeing the villain of the story like he’d pounce at any moment. And knowing how playful he could become with her, you think he morphed into the role quickly, ready to spring into action. “Or are you the princess?”

“You’re the princess, mommy! Get back! I’m a princess-knight, I’ll save you!”

You gave Gyehyeon one last look before quickly cowering in mock-fear behind the small girl, crouching down, and lightly holding her shoulders.

“Save me princess-knight, I’m so scared of the frog, he’s so…” your voice died out for a second as you thought of an adjective. “frog-like?”

Very creative. How do you come up with this stuff?

She started shouting things that she’d seen in movies or read in books, as your husband took it upon himself to act like a monster instead of a frog. You choked back giggles, remaining serious during this very dire situation. It was life or death for the princess (you) afterall.

Finally, he attacked the princess-knight, grabbing her and slinging her over his shoulder—using his special skill (which he announced first, obviously): tickle attack.

Your daughter shrieked, laughing hysterically and flinging herself in his arms.

“Oh no!” you yelped. “My savior, you caught her! What ever will I do now?”

He attempted an evil laugh, though it made you snort instead.

“Do you think if I kissed the frog—as a princess—he’d become a knight or a prince?”

You’d try anything to save your noble princess-knight.

He stopped moving at the insinuation, puckering his lips immediately. You continued to laugh, exaggerating a peck against his awaiting lips. Your daughter gagged, spewing out disgusted words at her parents' PDA.

“Did it work?” you asked as she looked up from her position on his shoulder; Head closest to your side. “Is he still a frog?”

She gave him a look as best she could before stating: “Yeah, still frog-like.” And stabbing him with her imaginary sword. He mocked it hurting him with a groan, putting the girl down safely and falling to his knees until he died a very, very dramatic death; Mimicking looking to the white-light before sprawling onto the floor, limbs in every direction.

Your daughter brushed off her knees like it was all in a days work. You were almost in awe. “Great job princess-mommy, you distracted him.”

But little did she know that the distraction was completely her doing, and she saved you from the metaphorical villain.

Who knew the story of The Princess-Knight and The Giant Frog had a happy ending? But, you’re glad it did.

You went to sleep the night before with a smile on your face, probably more excited than Yeonho was for the coming day.

You woke up before him, and immediately realized that things were very, very wrong.

A glance at the clock tells you it's barely past 5AM. A pit forms in your stomach as you feel the all-too-familiar ache in your lower abdomen and a particular sticky feeling. This can’t be happening today.

You slip quietly out of bed without disturbing Yeonho and rush to the bathroom. You send a silent prayer before checking your suspicions.

No, no—this wasn’t supposed to happen today.

As you stare at the stain of red in your underwear, you can only resolve to blink back tears and frustration. Your period showing up a week early to spoil your plans for your boyfriend’s birthday must be some karmic punishment.

“Fine, fine. Who keeps to a monthly schedule anyway? You were just too excited you arrived a week early. I get it. But if you just had to come early, you couldn’t have picked tomorrow? Why today?” you rattle in disbelief as you clean yourself up and change into different pants.

You will yourself to ignore the pain as you wash your face, as if that will magically make it go away. It’s not too late to arrive on schedule, just stop bleeding. Easy.

But you know that's not an option, even if you wish it to be so bad. There’s no delay button for menstruation, and as the reality sets in that you’ll be grumpy and in pain on your boyfriend’s birthday, you feel utterly useless.

This is the last thing you wanted.

This day is supposed to be his day. You don't want him worrying about you when he should be focused on enjoying himself. And you know that Yeonho takes your period more seriously than anyone. Treating you like a princess, especially the first few days of it. Chocolate, heating pads, flowers, cuddles—anything you could wish for, he is eager to provide. While normally you love and cherish the treatment you get from your boyfriend, it's the last thing you want for today. You absolutely will not let him be the one taking care of you on his birthday.

You've made up your mind given the circumstances, and you have a plan. Yeonho will never know you got your period today. Things will go like normal, and you will still give him the best birthday despite your untimely bleeding, painful cramps, and unpredictable mood-swings. Under no circumstances will you let him even lift a finger to take care of you today.

Perhaps your stubbornness is one of your bigger faults. Yeonho finds it attractive. Of course he does. He’s enamoured with practically everything about you, and some days you struggle to figure out what you did to deserve it. He’s so good to you. Too good. You only want to make sure he feels that love and appreciation back in equal amounts, especially on his birthday.

You slip back into bed as if nothing had happened. Thankfully, Yeonho is still asleep. You curl up close to him, wanting him to wake up the way he likes—with your face being his first sight. It's hard to fall back asleep with the cramps, but Yeonho's warmth beside you helps. You manage to get back to a dreamless sleep just before the clock turns to 6, but when you wake up again, your exhaustion is evident.

"Happy birthday" are the first words you utter to Yeonho, hoping that you sound cheerful enough for him to not notice a slight grimace at the end of your sentence. Your cramps have gotten worse, and frankly, your body is screaming to stay in bed. But you don't listen.

Instead, you find yourself peppering with Yeonho with kisses on your way out, laughing with him as he tries to dodge and dig his head back into the pillows.

Next step: breakfast.

You feel nauseous. The last thing you want is the smell or sight of food right now, but your determination to go through with all your plans overpowers the uncomfortable feeling of your stomach lurching and your head spinning.

Thirty minutes later as you're putting the finishing touches to Yeonho's plate, he joins you in the kitchen, freshly showered.

"You were supposed to stay in bed!" you gasp. Your first plan is already going wrong, not because of your period, but because your boyfriend is incapable of staying away from you. His arms circle your waist and he relaxes against your shoulders.

"The bed was getting cold without you," he tells you seriously before brightening up again. "This smells so good! You're spoiling me."

"It's your birthday. I want it to be perfect for you."

It would be perfect if your cramps weren't equivalent to being battered repeatedly by a truck right now.

Your wince doesn't go unnoticed by your boyfriend, because even though you're very careful to not let a sound escape your lips, his face is still buried against your neck, and he feels your body jerk slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Let's eat."

You realize if you want to have any hope in hiding your current condition from him, you'll have to find excuses for keeping some distance. You busy yourself with carrying the plates to the table, leaving your boyfriend to ponder over the moment for a second longer before ultimately brushing it off.

It's day passes by smoothly for the most part. It's only in the brief moments that you let yourself relax, thinking that Yeonho isn't paying attention, that you tread the line a bit too close. Quiet sucked in breaths or flinches that anyone else would never pick up on can't escape Yeonho's observation. But you're quite good at brushing things off for other reasons, and you never let him push further.

By the end of the night, you feel satisfied that your plan worked, and you successfully hit it well enough that your boyfriend never questioned sure you hid it well enough that your boyfriend has no idea. Every activity went well. Dinner and cake with friends was lively—perhaps a little overstimulating for you on your period, but you did your best to stay involved with the group. You're glad to be back home, though. Getting to 10PM feels like crossing the finish line. You're relieved that the marathon is finally over.

You and Yeonho are both a bit tipsy and tired. Having showered and changed into pyjamas, you're curled up in his arms, cheek pressed against his chest as you fight sleep off for a bit longer. You find the silence comfortable, satisfying your craving for it all day. You fail to notice how Yeonho seems to be too quiet, as if contemplating some problem.

His gentle stroking of your hair pauses for a moment, and then he quietly asks, "Were you in pain today?"

You freeze for a moment, pulling back and glancing at him. You were so sure…

"Don't lie," he says seriously, yet his voice is still soft.

"… I took pain meds," you answer. "It wasn't too bad."

Yeonho's brow furrows. You can feel his dissatisfaction with your answer from just the way he's looking at you, but you don't have it in you to feel sorry.

"It was all day, wasn't it? I noticed it from breakfast. Why didn't you tell me?"

You're silent. In your head, it was obvious that his birthday plans would be ruined if you didn't conceal how much pain you were in. And, to you, making today perfect was much higher priority than anything else. It truly wasn't a big deal to you. But when you look at Yeonho's expression, you start to waver. You didn't expect him to find out. His face holds a mix of guilt and sadness, which starts to make you regret your choices today.

"Hey," you cup his face. "It was your birthday. I'm fine, I promise. I really wanted to celebrate today. It was my choice."

Yeonho still looks conflicted, even though he nods in understanding. Another three minutes of reassurance and a few kisses to stop him from talking ends the topic altogether, replaced by more legitimate thoughts of sleep.

Yeonho lies awake after you've already slipped into dreams. The day really was perfect—more than what he could have wished for. But it would have been perfect regardless. The games, food, and partying were never as important to him as the fact that it's the first birthday he's celebrating with you. He would have been just as happy with less as long as he knew you were comfortable.

You are stubborn, though, and always have been for as long as he's known you. There was no convincing you out of your plans once you had set them, no matter how your boyfriend felt about it. Yeonho can do nothing but settle his heart on the matter and hope the situation doesn't repeat itself.

© slytherinshua ── do not repost translate or copy　⸝⸝⸝　join my taglist!

@fantasia-films @k-records

It’s funny, isn’t it? How you're able to pinpoint the moment your world started falling apart. 

Just like in the old days, your friend group planned a hangout. 

A day out together. 

It had been a couple of months since you all saw each other since work, and everyday life had become important now that you have been thrown into the world of "adulting." 

The day was supposed to end with a dinner, which your boyfriend should've shown up to just like the rest of your friends' partners had. 

You couldn't eat. Your stomach twisting and your mind racing.

The previous night, you and Gyehyeon had a conversation that turned into a fight. Both of you got defensive and raised your walls. 

You were upset, and he was closed off. 

You told Gyehyeon how important this dinner was for you, giggling as you detailed the group chat plans and how you couldn't wait to introduce your friends to your sexy boyfriend.

He laughed at that, "So I'm just your sexy boyfriend? You want me to go and just be your arm candy."

"Exactly. I need you to show up and look pretty. You are the prettiest boy I've dated."

Meeting Gyehyeon was the one good thing in your life. Everything else could fall apart- so long as he were with you; it wouldn't matter. 

You loved him too much to lose him.

You stretched on your bed, reaching out to boop his nose. He gave you his lopsided smile, stretching his arms behind his head, "Well, so long as you pay for dinner and dessert, I'll go." 

He would've paid for dinner once the bill came.

"Hey, everything okay? Do you need a lift?" Yongseung came to check on you after you paid your bill, exited the restaurant, and found you slumped on the sidewalk.

"Huh? Oh, my boyfriend was supposed to come and we would've left together. He didn't show up, so I would get a taxi, but..." you bit your lip.

Youngseung heard your shaking voice, noticing how tightly you clenched your phone when it buzzed, and the disappointment on your face when you lowered it. He said nothing as he sat next to you.

"I don't want to go home right now. We fought last night, and it did not end well." 

You smiled, looking up at the sky. 

Yongseung didn't miss your teary eyes.

"It seems silly now, but it was so important then. Gyehyeon is not picking up my calls, and it's so unlike him. I'm worried something is wrong. Did I mess up?" You weren't looking for an answer; your best friend knew that. 

"Man, I was so excited to meet him. I guess I'll just have to wait for the next group hangout." 

You laughed, wiping your nose with your sleeve, "Thank you," you whispered, "Really, you're the best."

Yongseung turned away from you, noticing your eyes welling up again. He stood, grabbing your hand to bring you along, "I know, don't mention it. Now,"

He stretched his legs while you gave him a confused tilt, cute, he thought before flicking your forehead.

"Race you to the parking garage!"

He shouted back at you, laughing and dodging your punches. 

. ⁀➷𖤐!

He took your punches.

Rather than hurt your bloodied hands against the wall, he took your punches, he took in every scream until your lungs gave out, until all you could do was chant out a name and a plea.

Gyehyeon. Not him, please.

Yongseung wondered how you managed to stay composed and not scream when the police officer told you the news. How deeply did you love Gyehyeon?

This was honest and unfiltered devotion. 

You loved Gyehyeon so intensely that it hurt to have him cut out of your life too abruptly. Actually, hurt didn't begin to describe what you were feeling, your friend realised as he carried you to your bedroom.

You had passed out. 

. ⁀➷𖤐!

A dull ache woke you up. Your head and hands hurt, and your eyes stung. You tried to rub your eyes awake.

Yongseung, who was sleeping on the floor, woke up to a hiss; you had opened up the cuts on your hands.

"Let me go get the band-aids. I'll be right back."

You heard him shuffle out of your room, rubbing his eye and yawning loudly; you couldn't say anything back in acknowledgement or thanks. It took everything in you not to scream as you recalled why your hands were bruised and bloodied.

Gyehyeon is gone.

His scent clung to his pillow, and his favourite blanket clung to you; you wanted to throw up.

Yongseung returned to find you dry heaving after emptying last night's dinner. He didn't say anything as he held your hair back, and when you were done, he patted your forehead with a wet towel and wiped your face clean. 

You sat motionless.

Numb.

Gyehyeon is gone.

The police officer told you that Gyehyeon had been in an accident. His car was hit and spun a few times before hitting a tree. The first responders were able to get him out and rushed him to the hospital.

Gyehyeon is gone.

Yongseung saw the entire conversation play out, only rushing out when you stumbled and the officer helped you sit on the curb.

You didn't say anything on the ride to the hospital. 

Gyehyeon was gone by the time you arrived.