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[alyce0013]

"There's no way. I'm busy." Wonho whined into the phone as he worked on the paperwork in front of him.

"You're always busy." Came the annoyed reply.

"Which is why I'm saying no."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Jooheon! I'm in the middle of paperwork right now, so if that's all..." Wonho trailed off as he rolled his eyes at the ridiculous question.

"You owe me, Wonho." Jooheon spoke right before Wonho could end the call.

"You're really cashing in your one favor for me to go on a blind date?"

"Yes, because I miss my best friend. You've been throwing yourself into work and avoiding not just me, but all of us ever since you broke up with him."

"Don't." Wonho's hands stilled over the paperwork starting to shake a little. He didn't want to talk about it. He never wanted to talk about it.

"Its been almost a year, Wonho. It's time to move on." Jooheon's voice was surprisingly stern saying the words he knew would upset his best friend.

"Ugh! It's your favor...if you want to waste it, th-"

"Awesome! You're the best! I'll text you the details." Jooheon cut Wonho off before he could change his mind or talk his way out of it, and promptly hung up. Wonho looked down at his phone with a shocked expression before shaking his head and slipping it back in his pocket.

Jooheon was right. He had been throwing himself into work since the break up, but it was the only thing that kept him from completely breaking down. Wonho hated being single. He felt so alone and his apartment felt so empty and cold. Unfortunately, going out on a date still felt like he was cheating on his ex.

Wonho's phone vibrated as he received the details for the date. He decided to ignore it for now and continued to work on the paperwork. For the first time in a long time he just wanted to go home. He felt so anxious and tired at the same time. A couple of his coworkers walked by saying their farewells on their way out. They were used to Wonho being the last one there by now, so no one offered to help. He sighed, starting to work just a little faster so he could leave quicker.

He kept the radio off in his car on the way back to his apartment even though he was dreading the silence that awaited him when he got home. He instantly missed the hustle and bustle of being at work. His thoughts turned into wishing he had stayed and pulled a double as soon as he pulled into his parking spot.

Wonho dropped his keys on the table near the door, and finally pulled his phone out. Jooheon had scheduled the blind date for tomorrow, probably to make sure there was no way Wonho could back out. His best friend was the only one who knew tomorrow was one of his rare days off, annoyingly enforced by his boss. Wonho shook his head and smiled fondly, remembering how much his best friend had nursed him through after the break up even though most of the time Wonho had protested.

"Maybe I should just get a cat." Wonho spoke into the silence. It seemed like a better decision than allowing his heart to be broken again. He thought about trying to cancel for a moment, but Jooheon had only given him a place and time. He knew he really had to do this favor for his best friend, and backing out would be unacceptable.

Nervousness set in as Wonho started on his nighttime routine. His thoughts raced as he showered, imagining every best and worst possible scenario. He tried to push the thoughts away multiple times, but always ended up drifting right back. It was distracting him so much he couldn't enjoy the tv show he was currently in the middle of, making him rewind more than once. He ended up turning it off and resigning himself to try and sleep, but the 'what ifs' flowing through his head caused him to toss and turn. He finally fell into a restless sleep only to wake up tired and now dreading the blind date even more.

His nervous energy pushed him into deep cleaning his apartment while a playlist of his favorite songs played in the background to help try to calm him. Time flowed past way too quickly for Wonho's liking and soon he barely had time to shower before leaving for the date. He had thrown on a white henley shirt and light wash blue jeans.

He ended up being late. The cafe wasn't too far, it was just once there Wonho just sat in his car for a few minutes debating on going in or just calling Jooheon and begging him to get him out of this. In the end Wonho got out of the car, because he wasn't about to rudely stand his date up. He entered the cafe and looked around for a person with their keys on the table.

"Are you Wonho?" A sweet sounding voice asked from a nearby table.

"Are you my blind...date?" Wonho paused in shock for a moment midsentence when he saw the woman sitting at the table. She was really pretty with her shoulder length golden brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He couldn't understand how Jooheon thought he was worth any of this woman's time.

"I'm Hana, one of Jooheon's friends." She stood up and smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her oversized cream colored sweater, and ripped jeans. Her sweater fashionably showed off one of her shoulders and she had swept all her hair over to her covered shoulder.

"Nice to meet you. I didn't keep you waiting too long did I?"

"Not too long. Jooheon warned me you'd be a bit hesitant, so I tried to keep my expectations low." Hana's words stung even though Wonho knew she was right. He was really starting to hate himself for wasting her time.

"Right... well, I'm sorry I'm late. Did you order already?"

"No, I was going to give you five more minutes so we could order together. It's my first time here and Jooheon said you like to come here often. I figured I'd get your opinion on what's good." Hana smiled at him politely as she spoke, but he could tell from her eyes she was just being polite.

Wonho led her up to the counter as they talked politely about what was good and each others food preferences. He couldn't help but get lost in thoughts of how and why he even let Jooheon talk him into this while politely continuing a bare minimum conversation. He really couldn't understand how Jooheon thought she would even be a little interested in Wonho. He had so much baggage from his last relationship he couldn't honestly a catch for anyone.

"Hey, Wonho?" Hana waved her hand in front of his face.

"Yeah." He quickly responded realizing he'd zoned out.

"Um...the food and drinks are here." Hana looked at him as if she couldn't wait to escape from this date. He couldn't blame her.

"Oh. Sorry. I'm just still a little tired from work yesterday." Wonho said trying to excuse his behavior.

"That's rough. What do you do?"

"I'm a nurse. I pulled a double shift yesterday." Wonho felt grateful she seemed to accept his explanation and started to look less bored.

"A nurse? That's so interesting. Do you have a super heavy workload right now that's causing you to work so long?" Hana politely tried to start conversation once again.

"Not as interesting as you'd think. I've just been picking up some shifts from my coworkers who needed the time off." Wonho realized the moment he looked at her after settling in at their table he had messed up. "Uh...what do you do?"

"Well, I'm-"

"WOW! SERIOUSLY!?" A loud, angry sounding voice rang out across the cafe cutting Hana off. Wonho's whole body went on high alert the moment he heard it and recognized it. His eyes widened in shock as his eyes connected with his ex boyfriend. The man stomped over to their table.

"Calm down." Wonho used a soft voice, trying to defuse the anger in his ex boyfriend's eyes.

"Calm down?! You're telling me to calm down while you're sitting here on a date?!" Everyone was staring at them now.

"Can we please not do this here." Wonho stood up and tried to grab hold of his ex, but the man jerked away from him.

"No! Don't touch me! Explain! THIS!" Wonho looked over at Hana's shocked and confused expression before looking angrily back at his ex. This wasn't Hana's fault and there was no reason he should be embarrassing them and making this big of a scene.

"I don't have to explain anything to you. We broke up almost a year ago. I'm allowed to move on." As he spoke the words out loud Wonho finally realized exactly what Jooheon had been trying to do for so long. He needed to move on. He needed to finally push his ex away.

"What?!" The question was less angry and more genuinely shocked.

"You heard me. We broke up for a reason and its just as valid now as it was then. So,...I don't know...maybe move on and get over it." Wonho looked back at Hana and took one of her hands. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Wonho pulled Hana out of the cafe quickly while his ex couldn't do anything but watch them in shock. Wonho let go of Hana's hand as soon as they were outside, and they walked side by side to their cars in deafaning silence.

"I'm so sorry about that, but you and I both know this date was off to a bad start anyway. You're really pretty and you seem very nice, and all I can offer you is baggage. If you want to call this off I won't blame you, all I ask is that you don't tell Jooheon. Just tell him we had a nice time and you just weren't interested." Wonho sighed heavily, finally breaking the silence.

"Is?" Hana sighed as her expression softened. "Is this your first date since your break up?"

"Yeah." He hesitated a bit before it forced its way out.

"Everyone has baggage, Wonho. Crazy exes? I know about that. Dating is hard. At first I honestly thought you were one of those guys who plays uninterested to make a girl beg for your attention." Hana genuinely smiled for the first time on their date.

"No." Wonho laughed. "I was just...not ready for this. I was pushed into it."

"Oh God." Hana started laughing with him. As they laughed, all the tension that had hung over them since the beginning of the date melted away.

"Do you want to just go for a walk?" Wonho asked when the both had sighed off the laughter and sat there for a moment looking at each other.

"That sounds perfect. Han river is close." The two of them exchanged smiles and started their walk towards the river.

"So...he was..." Hana started up conversation as they arrived on a walking trail, slightly emphasizing the word he.

"Shrill? Crazy? Super possessive? A man? Cause all those words really fit him." Wonho offered as he scoffed at the new memory.

"I was going to say intense to be polite, but yeah. You're bisexual then?" A small laugh accompanied Hana's words.

"Yeah, I'm not attracted to a specific gender. I'm attracted more to personality. He was different in the beginning. People change and not always for the better. Maybe it was me and maybe it was him, but in the end..." Wonho trailed off looking sadly at the ground.

"You don't have to talk about it. I get it. Love isn't always what we see in the movies or read in books. It can be toxic and hurtful. I've never had an ex react like that though."

"It's OK. I want to talk about, or need to maybe, now. Hearing it out loud is weirdly healing. I truly loved him. It broke my heart having to break up with him, but the bad was out weighing the good. I can see now how much I blamed myself and tried to put him on some pedestal as if I was the villain."

"Sometimes holding on does more damage than letting go. It's something I've also had to learn."

"That sounds so profound. Where'd you get that?"

"Scrolling on social media looking at sad quotes while eating ice cream and ugly crying after a break up." Hana admitted deadpan which caused both of them to double over in laughter.

They continued walking once they collected themselves, talking and laughing as they walked along the river. Wonho felt like a huge load had been lifted off his shoulders. He could feel his phone vibrating a few times in his pocket during the walk, but completely ignored it every time. He was enjoying the night for the first time in such a long time. It was a very welcome change from the mind-numbing work, binging shows, and sleep cycle he had been in for so long. He once again felt like he was finally able to breathe.

"Thank you." Wonho knew he'd interrupted Hana, but he couldn't hold it in any longer.

"For what?" She asked looking slightly confused.

"Being a decent, kind and super understanding human being and giving me this well needed, amazing night. Even though at first I was forced into meeting you."

"Hey, I'm glad I could help. Is it about that time? Do you work tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'm covering a shift." Wonho sighed.

"Well, text me. I'll get you through it. You gonna cut back on doing that soon though?" Hana offered her phone to him to put his number in.

"I will definitely text you...and cut back on covering shifts. I want to try this happiness thing again." Wonho entered his number handing her back her phone.

"You deseve happiness. I had fun. I mean the beginning was horrible, but I've never felt like I could be myself more than during this entire walk." Hana fiddled with her phone, obviously not wanting the night to end. The two of them had arrived back at the parking lot.

"I feel the same. Jooheon is gonna be so smug." Wonho sighed at his last sentence.

"So smug." Hana fiddled a bit with her keys as she chuckled in agreement.

"Text me when you get home safe." Wonho kissed her forehead gently before reluctantly tearing himself away. He looked back after he got into his car to see her blushing and grinning like crazy before quickly getting in her car and leaving too. Wonho got the feeling this was the beginning of something great.

[alyce0013]

One Last Moment

**Warning: this piece contains triggering content that may triggering for some readers. Continue reading with caution** Hyungwon sat in a chair outside a quarantine area, head hung low. He stared at the dull color of the hospital floor, watching the sunlight reflect off of it, and waiting patiently. Too many things ran through his mind as he clutched at the unopened envelope in his hands. This had all started a few years ago. It was a mutation, giving birth to the panic and frenzy of present day. The mutation started off slowly, hiding in plain sight. It spread through a touch. It infected the first woman, killing her a week and a half later. The doctor blamed it on pregnancy complications and didn't look much further into it. Unfortunately, before her untimely death that woman had touched someone, who touched someone else, who touched someone else, and so on and so forth. It only affected and killed pregnant women and children ten and younger, everyone else infected was just a carrier. So far there was no cure. "Sir?" A nurse in cute, childish scrubs waved him over. He looked up through the window, avoiding eye contact, to see ten crows sitting in a tree. "How long do I have?" He asked, following her into the visitation area. "As long as you'd like. We try not to impose time restrictions." She answered, sitting him down in a chair on one side of a solid wall of plexiglass. "Thank you." Hyungwon felt close to tears, but he swallowed them down. He was afraid if he let himself cry now, he wouldn't be able to stop. He didn't want the last time to entirely be a sad memory. A loud squeal of delight shocked Hyungwon out of his thoughts as he his head and eyes snapped up to meet his son's. A large smile spread across his face as he masked the sharp pain that went through his heart. He needed to be brave. "Daddy! I miss you so much!" His son yelled in excitement, doing a childish, happy dance. He ran right past the chair they set out for him, straight for the plexiglass and plopped down on the floor. "I miss you too, Alex. So very much." Hyungwon abandoned the chair and instead was sitting on the floor as close to the plexiglass as possible. Alex put a small hand against the barrier between them and Hyungwon fondly put his hand exactly opposite his son's. He swallowed the lump in his throat, pushing down all other thoughts about the real world outside this room. He wanted this moment to never end. "My hands are almost as big as yours." Alex proclaimed proudly. He adjusted his hand to size it from his father's palm at first and then the tips of his fingers. Hyungwon genuinely smiled at how adorable it was to see how determined Alex was to get their hands to match. "Almost, precious. How's everything going in there? Are they being nice to you?" Hyungwon asked sweetly, trying hard to keep a level, curious tone. He wanted to make sure Alex was happy and treated well without scaring him too much. "Its amazing! I even made a friend. Her name is Sarah. She's really fun to play with. We share toys a lot. Everyone has been so nice and they let me color whenever I want." Alex continued to explain how his stay in the quarantine area was going as Hyungwon only clutched harder at the envelope in his hand. He didn't know how he was going to do this and the longer he stayed as close as he could ever get to his son again, the harder it was going to be. They sat on either side of the plexiglass barrier, hands never leaving their spot from earlier as if they were holding hands through the plexiglass. Hyungwon talked about what was going on with him in terms that a five year old could comprehend, and listened intently when Alex had a question or cute advice. Time passed quickly and Hyungwon glanced out the window at a dark sky. A shot of panic went through his heart, it started to beat so fast it felt like it would burst out of his chest. He didn't want this to end so quickly. He wanted reach through the plexiglass to pull Alex into his arms, hold him, and never let him go. "Daddy? Are you coming in here with me? I miss you! It's fun. I promise." Alex's words and earnest face made Hyungwon's heart start to crack and tears start in the corners of his eyes. He wiped them away quickly, hoping Alex didn't see them. "I can't, precious." Hyungwon choked out shakily. The time had come way to quickly. He wasn't ready for this, but he knew he would never honestly be ready. "Why? It really is nice in here. All the people are so nice. I promise. " Alex whined, pouting so heartbreakingly cute. "I believe you. I do. I would give anything be in there with you, precious boy." Hyungwon tried so hard not to let Alex's sad face effect him. His only child was being ripped out of his life and it felt like he was being torn to shreds in the process. He had prayed, begged, pleaded with every God or deity he could think of to be able to shower Alex with all the love and adoration humanly possible, but here he was still forced to break both their hearts. "Why can't you?" Alex's simple question and newly forming tears falling down his face finally crushed the last bit of Hyungwon's resolve. "I'm infected." Hyungwon confessed as his own tears started to freely fall. "I love you so much Alexander...so, so much." He clung to the plexiglass as Alex backed away from it slightly, dropping his hand from his father's. "I don't care! I miss you!" Alex started throwing a small tantrum. "Daddy, please!" "Im so sorry my precious boy. I'm so, so sorry." Hyungwon had broken down completely in tears, his apologetic works only audible between muffled sobs. "Daddy! Please! I'll be good! I promise!" Alex stomped his feet and cried. Hyungwon's heart shattered completely knowing how trapped he was. It was destroying him to know his precious little boy would grow up without him. He clung to the plexiglass watching the temper tantrum he could do absolutely nothing to soothe him. He would never be able to soothe a temper tantrum ever again. He would never be able to wipe his tears, or kiss his forehead to take a temperature, or see Alex's adorable smile that reminded him of his mother's. "Please be good. Be good and live a long, happy life. I'm so sorry, precious, but you can't have that life with me. I'm so sorry. I love you, Alex. Always remember that! Please! always remember that! I love you!" Hyungwon's words got more frantic as he noticed a nurse entering the room behind Alex to take him away. He tried to burn every detail of his precious little boy into his mind, knowing this would be the last time he would see him. "No! Please, daddy! Please stay with me! Please!" Alex screamed as he noticed the nurse. He ran back to the plexiglass, pressing his entire body against it as he begged. Hyungwon sobbed harder watching, pulling his hands away. He wrapped his arms around himself as he watched his son struggle to escape from the nurse to get back to him. Alex kicked, screamed, and pleaded for his father's presence as he disappeared. Hyungwon collapsed, laying on the floor defeated and destroyed as tears fell freely down his face. No one disturbed him, except to drape a blanket over him, even after he cried himself to sleep on the cold, hard hospital floor. Hyungwon woke up when the morning light glared through from the window. He felt completely empty and hollowed out, the dried tears on his face now crusted to his cheeks. He sat up slowly, looking at the now dark and empty room beyond the plexiglass. The room that had ripped his heart and soul out of him forever. He picked himself up off the ground, grabbing the envelope that had slipped out of his hand while he slept as he stood. Hyungwon walked out, ignoring everyone and everything on his way to his car. He threw himself into the drivers seat and finally opened the envelope taking out the crumpled check inside. It was compensation, but no amount of money could ever replace the feeling of holding Alex in his arms or being able to see his sweet boy grow into a strong man. Hyungwon threw the check onto his passenger seat in anger, staring out his windshield to watch as ten crows that had been following him around flew off into the distance.

[alyce0013]

What if

Jooheon woke up to the smell of breakfast wafting into his bedroom. As he opened his eyes, he could hear his child's laughter from the kitchen. A huge smile spread slowly across his face as he sighed contentedly and closed his eyes for a few more moments of rest. He could definitely get used to waking up like this. Jooheon sat up a few minutes later, stretching and yawning as he climbed out of bed. He ran his hand through his dark brown hair and adjusted his pajama pants to a less messy position before finally leaving to join the two loves of his life in the kitchen. He smiled from the doorway at the scene in front of him. Changkyun had Cameron sitting on the counter as he kept an eye on both what was cooking and the toddler. He kept making goofy faces and cutely tickling Cameron as he fed him slices of fruit. Jooheon loved the way Changkyun treated Cameron as if he was his own. Changkyun was so sweet and kind to, but the best was how he always kept his promises with Cameron. Jooheon had been honestly shocked at how quickly Cameron had taken to Changkyun in the beginning since he was such a shy child. Cameron wouldn't normally speak and would always hide behind his father's legs, whine, or cry when a stranger came close. "Hey, Kyun." Jooheon breathed into Changkyun's neck as he wrapped his arms around his man's waist from behind. "Morning, Honey. We figured we would let you sleep in a bit more while breakfast cooked." Changkyun replied leaning his head into the embrace. "It smelled too good to resist." Jooheon rested his chin on Changkyun's shoulder, smiling at his adorable child. "Daddy, the apple slices are so good. Try one." Cameron took one of the slices from Changkyun's hand and held it out. Jooheon grinned happily as he accepted the fruit from his son. "It tastes so good, buddy. Thank you." "Ready for some real breakfast, cutie pie?" Changkyun cooed as he prepared a plate for Cameron. A huge smile spread across Cameron's face before he started to nod vigorously. Jooheon reluctantly released Changkyun from his hold, focusing all his attention on his son now. He took a napkin and wiped the small amount of fruit juices off Cameron's face and hands gently. He smiled sweetly at his son before kissing the boys forehead. "Open wide." Changkyun joked, offering a strip of bacon to Jooheon. He laughed and diverted the bacon to Cameron and it was quickly eaten. Changkyun set three plates down on the counter before Jooheon lifted him up onto the counter next to Cameron. The rest of the morning was just as happy with laughter and the delicious food Changkyun cooked. Jooheon stole a few chaste kisses from Changkyun and the two of them showered adorable, little Cameron in love and kisses as well. This was definitely what home felt like: enjoying breakfast with the two most important people in his life. He had never felt happier and more content with his life than in this moment. "Let's clean you up a bit and get you dressed before taking you over to Uncle Minhyuk's house. Okay, Buddy?" Jooheon picked Cameron up off the counter, holding him close. Minhyuk was Changkyun's best friend and former roommate who lived only four doors down. Minhyuk and his partner had two kids that Cameron absolutely loved playing with. "Uncle Minhyuk? Will David and Alex be there?" Cameron exclaimed excitedly. "Of course." Jooheon assured. "Yay!" Cameron giggled as his father tickled him a little before placing him down in his room. Changkyun slid off the counter and followed with wet wipes to clean off the child's hands and face. Jooheon pulled out a few outfits for his son to choose from and placed the one that was chosen on the bed. Changkyun helped Cameron out of his footie pajamas once he was clean, but Cameron insisted on getting dressed himself. Jooheon and Changkyun laughed silently as they stood outside the door to Cameron's room waiting for him to be ready. Jooheon placed his hands on Changkyun's hips, pulling him closer. Changkyun ran his hands up Jooheon's bare chest as he was pulled into a passionate kiss. Their makeout session interrupted before it could get too heated by a cute, small voice announcing he was all dressed and ready to go. Jooheon had a mild heart attack when Changkyun picked him up and threw him gently in the air before catching him. The toddler was over the moon and begged for him to do it again. "I'll take him over since you have to get ready to head out for work soon." Changkyun nuzzled Cameron as he spoke to Jooheon. "Okay. Make sure to ask about him watching Cameron this weekend." Jooheon lightly pinched Cameron's cheek gently before ruffling his hair. "Be good for Uncle Minhyuk, buddy. Love you." "I will. Love you, daddy!" Cameron squealed happily as his father kissed his forehead. Changkyun turned to leave, still in his pajama pants and tank top. Jooheon shook his head, grinning as he thought about how much he loved how normal this was. He knew Changkyun would probably be a while since Minhyuk loved to talk. Jooheon went back into their shared bedroom to start his morning routine. He quickly made the bed before picking out which suit he would wear for work today. He brought the outfit into the bathroom with him hanging it up on the hook behind the door. He washed his face, brushed his teeth and threw on some deodorant and cologne. He dressed himself carefully, making sure he looked sharp and authoritative. He looked down at his watch and reasoned to himself he still had time. Jooheon walked into the spare bedroom, and pulled out the engagement ring on the top shelf of the closet he had been keeping hidden for a couple weeks. He planned a special weekend to finally ask Changkyun to be his forever. He was so in love with Changkyun. No matter how confident he was that the answer would be yes, as soon as he looked at the ring he couldn't help thinking what if he said no. Jooheon honestly couldn't imagine a life without Changkyun. It felt like they had been together their entire life when, in reality, they'd only known each other for a little over a year. Jooheon had asked Changkyun out three different times before he finally said yes. The memory of it still made his heart skip a beat. "What are you doing in here?" Changkyun's deep voice scared Jooheon out of his thoughts, and almost caused him to drop the ring. He quickly closed the box and slid it into his jacket pocket. He turned around to see Changkyun sexily leaning on the doorframe, looking at him with an amused expression. "That was quick. Is Minhyuk sick?" Jooheon deflected. He chuckled at the thought of Minhyuk losing his voice. "No, the kids were being overly rambunctious. He paused for a second to calm them down and I took the chance to escape." Changkyun had a dark look in his eyes as Jooheon crossed the room to where he was standing. "You just wanted a kiss before I left for work, didn't you?" Jooheon closed in pulling Changkyun into him by his hips. "You look so hot in that suit I was honestly thinking about making you late." Changkyun winked flirtatiously before wrapping his arms around Jooheon's neck and pressing their lips together. "Can the boss really be late?" Jooheon asked boldly when they came up for air. Changkyun continued a trail of kisses down Jooheon's jaw to his neck, his hands loosening Jooheon's tie. "Brave words. Prove it." Changkyun challenged, pushing Jooheon backwards into the guest room towards the bed. They continued kissing, tongues exploring each others mouths. Jooheon sat down on the edge of the bed lost in the haze of hormones raging through him. Changkyun wasted no time laying him down on the bed, their lips separating only for a quick second. Jooheon's phone rang at that moment shocking him out of the haze he had gotten lost in. He instantly sat up, answering it and gently pushing his boyfriend off. Changkyun slid off the bed shooting Jooheon a smirk over his shoulder as he left the room. Jooheon smoothed out his suit and shirt as he talked on the phone, assuring he would be at work as quickly as he could. The call lasted another fifteen minutes as he pieced together everything he needed to bring with him to work. "Apparently the boss really can be late." Changkyun said handing Jooheon his lunch. "That's what happens when you own your own company. To be continued later." Jooheon placed a chaste kiss on Changkyun's lips before heading for the door. "I love you. See you when I get home." Changkyun called after him. "I love you. So very much. Bye." Jooheon responded, emphasizing his declaration of love. He glanced back, giving one last adoring smile. As soon as he got to work he was constantly busy. He was in meetings most of the morning with a bunch of paperwork he needed to look over filling in all the time in between. He felt like he really didn't have a chance to breathe until lunchtime finally rolled around. He unpacked his lunch at his desk, deciding to work on a few things while he ate. A post-it love note was attached to the leftovers from dinner Changkyun had packed for him this morning, catching Jooheon's attention. He couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. It was little things like this that made Jooheon just fall deeper and deeper in love. His hand brushed the pocket he dropped the engagement ring in this morning, and he pulled it out to once again look at it. He had forgotten he put it in there in all the excitement. He really couldn't believe how lucky he was to have found love for the second time in his life. He had been married before he met Changkyun. Jooheon had married a woman named Areum. They married right out of college, and had Cameron not long after. He had loved her so much, and honestly could say he still loved her. Unfortunately, she died a year and a half after Cameron was born. It had taken so long to feel any kind of normal without her. She had been so vital to his existence. Cameron had been what pulled him through, knowing that a piece of her lived on inside their child. Jooheon had left his company in the hands of the board for a few months after she died, trying to raise Cameron on his own, but eventually he had to go back to his company. His best friend Wonho had stepped in and helped watch Cameron when Jooheon couldn't have him at work. He had been extremely protective with Cameron and didn't want to be the kind of parent who had strangers raising his child. As a result of being so sheltered, Cameron grew up shy and afraid of strangers. So, it had terrified Jooheon when he had looked away for a second and lost his precious, beautiful little boy. He had run frantically around the park calling his name only to find him giggling in a stranger's arms. "Daddy! I found an angel!" He had squealed, nuzzling into the stranger's side. Jooheon had been so shocked he couldn't say a word at first. He was so happy he found Cameron, but he was worried about the stranger's intentions. "This is your daddy? Go give him a hug he looks like he worried to death about you." The stranger had put Cameron down as he spoke, crouching next to him. Cameron toddled over to his father, arms as wide as they could go. As soon as Cameron was back in his arms, Jooheon had cried in relief. "Thank you." Jooheon had gasped, barely audible. "It's no problem. My roommate has a child, well two now, but I know it's definitely the scariest possible thing for a parent to not know where they are." The stranger had smiled kindly and turned to leave. "Wait! Angel!" Cameron had screamed, turning around in his father's embrace. "Could you tell my mommy we miss her? She's an angel too. Do you know her? Her name is Areum." "Aw. Cutie pie, I wish I could, but i think she must be a different kind of angel. How about this: If you think really hard about her and what you wanna say before you fall asleep you'll be able to see her in your dreams." The stranger said in a sweet voice. "Really?! Are you sure?" Cameron asked, excited. "I promise." The stranger held out his pinky and Cameron held out his own to match. It was the cutest pinky swear Jooheon had ever witnessed. Cameron had happily turned back and nuzzled into his father's chest right after. "What's your name?" Jooheon questioned abruptly. He hadn't meant it to sound as harsh as it came out. "I'm Changkyun. It was nice to meet you Cameron and..." "Jooheon." "Jooheon. I'm happy you found him so quickly. See you around I guess." Changkyun had left coolly with Cameron shouting 'bye, angel' after him. Jooheon loved that memory. He sat at his desk, finishing the last of his lunch staring at the engagement ring. He couldn't help but ask himself what if. What if Areum hadn't died? What if she was still alive? Would he still be with Changkyun, or would he have stayed with her? It was a horrible thing to think, but Jooheon couldn't help wondering what if. He had loved Areum so much. They had been perfect together. With Changkyun he had fallen so deeply in love. They weren't perfect, but, weirdly, that's what made it perfect. He was in love with everything about Changkyun, even the things he hated about him made him love him more. The rest of work seemed to pass by super quickly and before Jooheon knew it, he was picking up a sleeping Cameron from Minhyuk's and tucking him into his own bed. Changkyun wouldn't be home for another four hours, and, although Jooheon wanted to stay up to see him when he got home, he was just too exhausted from work. He showered and brushed his teeth leaving a heart on the fogged up mirror for Changkyun to find after his shower. He climbed into bed, falling asleep with one last thought: what if. Jooheon woke to sunlight hitting his closed eyes. He didn't want to wake up just yet so he groaned and rolled over. He felt a body next to him, and he grinned pulling the body closer to him by the hips. His eyes flew open in horror as he realized the hips weren't Changkyun's.

[alyce0013]

Corpus Christi

A beautiful piano rendition of Moonlight Sonata flowed through the large empty villa. Sunday was family day, so Kihyun was once again alone in the place he had been chained to for the past several decades. He always loved the way the music echoed back to him as he played. This song fit the brooding mood he was currently in, and Kihyun knew allowing himself to be taken away by the melody would improve his mood for when his master returned. He looked up from the keys of the piano into the dark empty sockets of the human skull resting atop of the piano.

"What should I play next my friend?" He asked the skull, smiling sadly. His fingers paused over the keys as he made his decision. Für Elise echoed back to him and flowed through his soul. He closed his eyes giving in to the brooding, somber feeling. Everything he had done these past several decades, the reason he was figuratively chained to the villa, it was all for one person. For her.

Kihyun could barely even remember exactly how her sweet voice sounded anymore. He longed to hear it, escaping to the place in his mind where he kept those memories. He remembered her hair always being a bit of a mess. He had made a joke about how it matched her personality. He remembered her smile, how her eyes would light up as if her soul was glowing through them. The sound of her laugh, loud and contagious. Her voice calling to him, making his heart swell with love and adoration.

"Corpus Christi." Her voice whispered in his mind. His eyes quickly opened wide in shock at how real it had sounded. Kihyun's fingers accidentally hitting the wrong keys and messing up the beautiful piece of music. He glared at the skull in front of him for a moment before he heard the main doors open, announcing the return of the family. He closed the cover of the piano quickly as he rushed to greet them.

"My king." Kihyun offered his arm to take his coat, bowing stiffly in respect.

"Ah, Kihyun, I trust everything went smoothly while we were gone?"

"Of course, my queen." He responded taking her coat as well. The prince and princess waved him away and put their own coats away.

"How are the holiday preparations coming?" The king asked.

"Everything is all ready for you. Starting with appetizers in the sitting room and leading up to the main feast in the dining room." Kihyun felt a sense of pride in how well he set things in motion. He may be here as a punishment, but he wasn't going to let that get in the way of doing the best job he could.

"Competent as always, Kihyun. Thank you." The king praised, smiling fondly. "Join us for dinner, would you?"

"O-of course." Kihyun stuttered, dark brown eyes wide in surprise. He had only been invited to dinner twice before, but never to a feast. It was rare for him to be shocked at all, and now it happened twice in one day. It really was throwing him out of his comfort zone. He was normally a composed, reserved person, not allowing his emotions to show very much if at all.

The royal family passed by him on their way to the sitting room. The king patted him on the shoulder. The queen mirrored her husband's fond smile. The prince showed complete indifference as usual. The princess brushed into him in a flirty way. Kihyun rolled his eyes at the princess's back. She had taken a liking to him a couple decades into his punishment, and constantly enjoyed flirting with him. He denied her at every turn. He was forbidden, and disgraced, but most of all his heart was already claimed.

Kihyun quickly left to the servants quarters to change into something more presentable for dinner. He wasn't going to appear at the holiday feast in his servant clothes in front of the entire royal family. He couldn't be so disrespectful. This feast was the most important feast of the year, about as special as the humans regarded Christmas, which was only a week later. He looked at himself in the mirror, combing his hair back a little and making small adjustments to his three piece suit.

Kihyun walked through the different areas in which servants were working on his way back to the main villa. He had to make sure everything was perfect and inform them he wouldn't be available to help.

"Ah, Kihyun, there you are. For a moment I thought maybe you changed your mind about joining us." The queen addressed him the moment he walked into the room.

"Just making myself presentable, my queen." Kihyun sat in the only available chair, across from the princess as he spoke. She had been staring at him since he had arrived.

"Everything is flawless as usual. I don't know how you do it." The king commented as the main course was placed in front of them. The human, whose skull now sat on the top of the piano, had been prepared exceptionally well, according to Kihyun's instructions.

"Any job worth doing is worth doing well." Kihyun responded.

"You should be very proud. It sometimes seems like only yesterday you were sentenced to work here as punishment for your crime. You started off just a normal servant, but you quickly worked up the ladder until you became my steward." The king spoke as everyone ate. Kihyun was confused as to why he was bringing the past up. His believed his crime was well worth the decades of servitude.

"My penance must be paid, my king." Kihyun bowed his head in respect.

"It was a punishment, and yet you took it on willingly and excelled. I don't think anyone else in your position would have been as hardworking, diligent, and humble as you. You impress me, Kihyun." The king paused for a moment, savoring a piece of human meat. The silence allowed small, quiet conversations to break out amongst the table. The princess had decided at that moment to try to be flirty with her feet under the table. Kihyun pulled his feet back and rested them underneath his chair instead. He saw disappointment flash across her face before he looked over at the other guests at the table. The entire council was here as well as their families.

Kihyun thought back to the last time he had been in front of the king and his council after they had discovered what he had done. He had been brought in with cast iron shackles around his wrists and ankles. He had kneeled in front of them, asking for mercy, and trying to explain. Back then he had fallen so far. He wasn't an arrogant person, but he never expected to ever be begging on his knees at any point in his life.

"Kihyun, should we bring out the other human? This one is almost down to the spine." A servant whispered inconspicuously in his ear.

"Yes, also announce the next course, and prepare for dessert." Kihyun responded just as inconspicuously. He should be behind those kitchen doors, running things, but he knew most of the people under him were more than competent with the right guidance. He just had to trust them.

Kihyun's orders were followed and the king requested a fine wine for the entire table. Kihyun looked around the table at the guests. He still had no idea why he was dining with the entire ruling class right now. The princess seemed to be begging for his attention, but trying her hardest to hide it from her father. He wished she would take a hint and just give up, but the feast continued with barely a hiccup. The main course finished well and the next course was served. The king looked extremely pleased with everything which gave Kihyun a swelling feeling of pride in his chest. He pushed the feeling down a bit, reminding himself of the virtue of humility. He was sure that virtue was one of the main reasons he could be at this table right now.

"I didn't think you could beat last year's decadent feast, but you definitely outdid yourself." The king remarked as dessert was finally brought out.

"It is all due to your exceptional leadership that we are allowed to celebrate so well, my king."

"Before we start eating dessert, I have some things I would like to say to you, Kihyun." The king raised his voice so everyone in the room could hear him. All conversations immediately stopped and all attention was directed to him.

"You have my undivided attention." Kihyun assured him calmly, while underneath his composed demeanor, he was completely panicking.

"As I said earlier, you've served me very well these past few decades, and although you were working as punishment for your crime, you carried out your work meticulously and with humility and diligence. So, I feel you deserve something in return. Honestly, I don't know what we are going to do without you." The king smirked as he said the last statement.

"Without me?" Kihyun asked confused.

"Yes, the council and I have put a lot of thought into your behavior and service, and we have unanimously decided that your sentence is finished. Your punishment is over. Of course, you will never be able to reclaim your status as a prince, but you are a free man once again. All I ask is that you train your replacement if you decide to leave. If you decide to stay, I will make sure you live much more comfortably than you do now." The king smiled at Kihyun as shock took over his face. He couldn't believe his ears. He had waited for this moment for so long, never hoping it would be so soon.

"I-I don't know what to say." Kihyun confessed, stuttering for the second time that day. Shock was still taking hold of his thoughts and body making him unable to decide whether or not this was all a dream.

"Seeing my normally composed, brooding steward flustered is enough to know how much you appreciate this gesture. I do expect an answer as to whether you will stay on as my steward in two weeks. From this moment forward you are free to come and go as you wish. Enjoy your reclaimed freedom, Kihyun." The king then started to eat his dessert. Kihyun's thoughts raced as he finally realized he wasn't breathing at all out of shock. He let out a heavy shocked breath as he looked around the room at approving faces. He was free.

"Corpus Christi." That voice, her voice echoed once again softly in his head stopping all his thoughts except one.

"I need a plane ticket!" Kihyun blurted out a bit louder than necessary. The king laughed at the sudden outburst. It was so out of character for Kihyun to be so emotional, but he couldn't help it.

"Why not just use your own wings?" The king asked smiling fondly.

"It's too far for that. I'd definitely be seen by humans."

"Well, set it up. You know how. You have my full support." The king went back to his dessert and so did the rest of the room. Kihyun excused himself quietly. The only dessert he needed was the freedom he was just granted, and he wasn't gonna waste one second of it. He was going to go find her. His steps hastened as he stepped out of the dining room and out of sight of everyone inside.

Kihyun hastily set up a flight to Texas as cheap as possible, and three days later he arrived in Dallas. He quickly rented a car and started what would be around a seven hour drive down to Corpus Christi. He drove the entire way down to the city, making a plan in his head. He knew her favorite place was the beach. She had always loved the feel of the sand between her toes, the salty water washing over her feet, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The was no doubt in his mind he would find her there.

The first day was spent at North Beach, which was the most popular one in Corpus Christi. He walked along the water, getting lost in the sound of the waves. He could smell the food from the restaurants along the waterfront.

It reminded him so much of the first time he met her. Kihyun had walked along the water just like now, but back then he had been so deep in thought. There was so much responsibility on his shoulders as prince, and the sound of waves always helped destress him. He was so lost in his thoughts, he hadn't noticed her sitting, allowing the waves to wash over her feet as they came in. He had tripped over her legs, and barely avoided face planting into the wet sand with slight use of his wings. She had laughed at his 'graceful' recovery. Maybe he wouldn't have been so taken with her had she been angry with him.

The sun set on the water creating beautiful colors in the sky. Kihyun had spent the whole day on the beach reminiscing, eating at one of the restaurants, and just walking along the water over and over. She wasn't here. Darkness fell and he decided to try another beach tomorrow.

The second day he spent at Cole Park. The views were beautiful, but there wasn't much sand. He smiled sadly as he hung on a railing overlooking the gulf. This would be a perfect place for a picnic and more of a lazy kind of day. The sun reflected brilliantly off the water as he walked along the pier.

It reminded him so much of their first date. A picnic area overlooking the ocean. She had made a basket for him and he had made a basket for her. They had laid out beneath the canopy of a large tree. Kihyun didn't know what exactly it was then, but he had that floaty feeling of falling in love throughout his whole body. He was so confused as to how he could feel any attraction like this towards a human. It might have been the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her passions, or maybe the way the sunlight kissed her skin so gently like she was precious that made him even more taken with her. She had closed her eyes and just bathed in the fresh ocean air and calmness of the moment. Kihyun would swear he had never seen anything so beautiful.

Although he spent the whole day walking the pier, breathing in the calming ocean air, and just soaking up the sun, she had been nowhere on this beach. He sighed sadly, swallowing back tears. Darkness fell on this day and despair started to rise up in his chest.

The third day he spent at South Padre Island. A small smile spread across his face as he shed his shoes and wriggled his toes into the sand. The sunrise caught his eye today as he looked out at the gulf. He walked along the beach close enough to allow for the waves to wash over his bare feet as they came in. He noticed a couple riding horses along the beach close by.

This beach reminded Kihyun of the day he proposed. It had only been two months after he finally confessed his true nature. She hadn't been scared of him at all, not even when he showed her his true appearance. She had just softly touched his horns with wide eyes.

Kihyun wanted the proposal to be special, and, since the beach was special to them, he knew it was the perfect place for special. He had walked over to her with the horses to ride along the beach. Her calm, animal loving nature allowed her to bond quickly with her horse. They rode along the beach as the sun set beautifully on the water, even though he barely noticed it. He had been looking at something more beautiful the entire time. He suddenly dismounted from his horse, causing her to be concerned. She dismounted as well, walking the horse along with her back to him. His palms had been so sweaty, his heart had raced so fast, and every beautiful word he had planned to say emptied from his mind. He still somehow managed to ask her from down on one knee, explaining how she completed him so perfectly. It was his happiest memory. Her absolute joy was indeed more beautiful to him than any sunset on any beach.

Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found on this beach. Kihyun swallowed back tears once again as the small flame of hope dimmed slightly. He definitely had heard her voice right. She should be here somewhere. He returned to his hotel slightly defeated.

It was on the fourth day at Whitecap Beach where he finally found his heart again. He found this beach to be beautifully peaceful as he started to walk around. He walked along the water, deciding whether or not he wanted to walk the pier as well. He watched a man starting to build a sandcastle for a few moments.

As Kihyun's gaze swept back towards the water a woman caught his eye. At first he couldn't believe it was her. He gazed at her figure in the distance, close to the waves, walking along slowly. The first absolutely genuine smile since he was ripped from her slowly spread across his face. Her hair was messy as always, the wind blowing it beautifully to the side. It was as if time stood still for a moment and his whole body froze in excitement and awe. She was just as beautiful as he remembered.

Kihyun broke into a sprint, not slowing down until he was a couple feet from her. She had stopped for a moment, looking out at the sun rising above the water. He quietly walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and buried his face into her neck. She smelled so good. She smelled like home. A loud gasp escaped her throat as she moved to grab his wrists.

"They gave you back to me?" She breathed, absolute joy filling every syllable. She turned in his arms to face him,running her hands all over his body as if she had to make sure he was real. Her hands settling on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her tighter. She buried her face in his chest as happy tears started to fall down her face.

"Yes. I'm finally free." Kihyun sighed happily. "I missed you so very much!" The tears he had been holding back the past few days started to drip from his eyes.

"I missed you too. I thought you were dead." She confessed, looking up into his soft, dark brown eyes. "I was so afraid you were dead." Kihyun softly wiped her tears with his thumbs as he cradled her face in his hands. He placed a soft, sweet kiss on her lips.

"We don't kill our own kind. That was the first thing I taught you when I turned you." He wrapped his arms around her waist again, pulling her closer, holding her tight as if to say he would never let go. "I was sentenced to servitude and stripped of my title."

"Did you regret it...while you were being punished?" She asked gently, as he kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Turning you? No. I knew turning a human into one of us was illegal, but I was willing to take any punishment just so that I didn't ever have to lose you. It was so very selfish, but so very worth it." Kihyun admitted. She wrapped her arms around his neck, gazed into his eyes, and smiled lovingly up at him.

"They gave you back to me for Christmas." She sighed. "This is the most perfect Christmas present ever."

[alyce0013]

Til Death Do We Part

It was Valentine's day on Earth. Hoseok used to enjoy this particular human holiday so much. Now all he could think of and see was all the pain and heartbreak involved in a day dedicated specifically to love. He watched in anger as a woman hit her man, the bruise on his face slowly beginning to form. He watched a couple sit on opposite sides of a couch in seething resentment over an unspoken argument. He watched as a man left the bed of another woman to return to his wife and child.

Hoseok hated that he had paired each one of these couples himself. He shot the 'love' into their individual hearts, and they had wasted it. They didn't appreciate and cherish the blessing that had been bestowed on them. Hoseok hated how these couples had twisted something beautiful and grand into a toxic and disgusting thing.

"I only do this because I love you!" Yelled the abusive woman.

"I'm going to bed." The seething resentment bubbling just below the surface.

"You are my one and only." A lie told by a deceitful cheater.

Hoseok had enough and gave up completely on them. A cupid's job was to cultivate love, and he would cultivate it alright. He wanted something perfect, unbreakable, and incorruptible. He felt all love should be like that, so he concentrated on finding a couple for his new and improved love shot.

Hoseok's eyes fell on a couple exchanging love letters. He scoffed at the sight. Right now it was love letters and sweet nothings whispered into ears, but he knew it wouldn't last. The love letters would stop, the sweet nothings would dry up and the couple would continue on unhappy and unsatisfied. They would endure it because they didn't want to be alone.

Hoseok watched as they laid in a field of flowers next to each other watching the stars. The time spent together would eventually become less and less until they would barely spend any time together. He had watched it happen too many times, but he swore this time it would be different.

Hoseok made his way down to Earth, landing in the field the couple laid in. A blood red fog hung over the field as time slowed, and he got the love shots ready. He noticed the loving sweet smiles being exchanged in the moment the couple was frozen in. His new and improved love shots would ensure this love would last as long as they lived. A sinister smile flickered onto Hoseok's face as he administered the shots and resumed time to watch the effects. He stayed close to the couple, listening in to their mushy conversation. A comfortable silence fell as the couple snuggled closer, feeling a chill in the air.

"I love you more than there are stars in the sky."

"I love you more than there are atoms in the universe."

Hoseok's job was done here, so he retreated back to the sky to keep an eye on his new masterpiece. He sneered at the other couples he was watching. The abuse continued to happen. The seething resentment settled in to stay. The cheater continued to bed different women.

Hoseok turned back to the new love he had cultivated. The love notes were continuing. The sweet nothings continued to be whispered. The time spent together grew instead of shrunk.

A sinister smile grew once again on Hoseok's face when the couple started to spend every waking moment together, not caring about their disappearing friendships. The love letters used more possessive words. The sweet nothings became obsessive and constant. An oath of protection was made over and over. If one was ever without the other it became as if they couldn't breathe.

Hoseok was so proud of what he had done, even when the couple exchanged jealous words whenever they were apart for more than an hour. They completely stopped talking to anyone but each other. When they stopped going to work for a couple days because it was too much time apart for them, the dark, sinister smile only grew on Hoseok's face. This love was the perfect love he was going for.

"I have to go to work. We need to have money to support ourselves." Words that struck a heart hard.

"You can't leave me here alone! I'll die! I love you!"

"I love you!" Whispered fearfully. "But this...maybe this is too much." The door slammed leaving them apart and alone. Tears fell and anxiety took over as time dragged on until they were together again. A plan was made as patience grew thin from waiting by the door. Finally, the door opened. Tension between them grew, and angry jealous words were shouted. They cried and kissed as they decided they couldn't do this anymore. They wanted to eat together one last time.

Hoseok enjoyed watching the poisoning of the food. He enjoyed seeing them fall asleep in each others arms never to wake up again. This is how he wanted it to be. Love should last until death.

"If you loved me, you wouldn't hurt me like this." The abused man spoke out finally fighting back. His voice startling Hoseok. He turned back to his 'failed' couples, confusion written all over his face.

"We need to talk." Four scary words finally voiced.

"I can't do this anymore. I want to see other people." Honesty falling from lying lips. Hoseok couldn't understand what was happening. His head cocked to the side in curiosity at how things were turning out. This wasn't what he thought would happen. He watched as the abusive woman took anger management classes and worked to control herself so she never hurt her husband like that again. He watched as the uncommunicative couple found a way to talk and compromise so they didn't have to lose each other. He watched as the lying cheater came clean about his actions so his wife could find someone better, someone who loved only her.

Hoseok was shocked and looked back over at the couple he had inadvertently killed. Their love for each other being what killed them. He slowly realized he had been wrong and had gone too far. Love wasn't about the extreme devotion he had brought out in that poor doomed couple. Love wasn't about perfection. Love was imperfect and it was the imperfections that made it beautiful.

"What have I done?" Hoseok whispered shakily, tears forming in his eyes. He should've known better than to overreact like this. He looked back down to Earth. Valentine's day had come around again, but this time he could see it differently. He saw couples compromising, struggling, fighting, kissing, and just plain working on what they had. Love brought pain and heartbreak, but it also brought kindness and compassion. Love was beautifully imperfect and Hoseok loved it so much. He quickly threw away the extra doses of the dangerous love shot. Imperfection is what he was aiming for now.

[alyce0013]

Death And Immortality

Changkyun stared up at the fading light of the sun. Dusk felt right, but the warmth of summer and the life in the vibrant green grass surrounding the freshly filled in grave felt wrong. He wanted a cold, unforgiving wind. He wanted a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning.

A smirk and a scoff was all Changkyun could muster as he continued to stand by the grave. He kicked a bit of the dirt trying his hardest to keep the hysterical laughter in. This was too much for him. It wasn't the first time he had to bury the person he loved, and it probably wouldn't be the last. This time it felt so different. This time it hurt so much more. This time it felt like his heart was truly broken beyond repair.

"You're early, old friend." Changkyun observed as his breath misted in front of him. A shiver making it's way up his spine.

"Am I? I think I'm right on time." Death responded walking over to stand next to Changkyun. They both stared at the fresh grave together for a moment as the warm weather returned.

"I want to say this one was the love of my life, but would that even make sense?"

"It would. It really isn't my area of expertise though but don't they say there is only one true love of your life?" Death placed a hand on Changkyun's shoulder.

"Then she would be the love of my life I guess." Changkyun declared finally looking at his best friend. He couldn't stand staring at the grave any longer. "Why are you here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Death responded letting out a small chuckle.

"Death? Really? I know you only come in person for special souls. It's also too late to take her. She is already gone." Changkyun huffed as he sat down turning his back to the grave.

"Are we not friends?" Death commented. "I'm not normally comforting people. You know this."

"You don't comfort. That's not your area of expertise. You just take care of wayward souls." Changkyun couldn't stop the bitterness from seeping into his voice.

"I can see your humor died the moment she did. Fine. Straight to the truth. I'm here for you."

"Me?" Changkyun scoffed. "I have another month and a half before it's time for our month together, Hyungwon. Once a year. That was the deal."

"I heard your soul call out to me, Kyun. I had to come and figure out why." Hyungwon removed the hood that cloaked him as Death, and sat down next to his friend. Soft dark brown eyes met Changkyun instead of the skull of Death and he could see compassion in those eyes.

"My soul? Or hers?" Changkyun wiped the reemerging tears from his eyes as his emotions crept to the surface.

"I can tell she was special to you, but in the grand scheme of things she wasn't special enough to require my presence when she died." There was a gentleness to Hyungwon's tone as he spoke. Changkyun leaned into his friend, letting the tears stream down his face now.

"Why wasn't she special enough? Why couldn't she stay alive with me? She was so vibrant and smart, and...just...better and more deserving." The emotion just poured out as Changkyun finally broke down. He hadn't cried when he heard her last breath, or when he watched her eyes become unfocused and glassy. He felt numb as the preparations were made for the funeral. He felt hollow when they lowered her body into the ground and filled in the hole. He felt hysterical when the weather wasn't what he wanted. The presence of Death, his best friend, and the compassion in his eyes was enough to finally feel what he had been bottling up and avoiding.

"Immortality isn't for everyone." Hyungwon pulled the crying man into his chest, tears falling onto the robe of his office. "She left her mark, Kyun. People like her, who are normal and ordinary, are very important to the bigger picture. She lived her life and left her mark. Her death had meaning."

Changkyun knew that what Death was saying was right. He had lived for so long now that he had saw it firsthand. If everyone lived forever, nothing would be meaningful. His immortality occasionally had led him to push off things because he knew he had all the time he wanted. And it was this mindset that had caused him trouble a few times and Hyungwon had to redirect him back on track. A good scolding and reminder of the terms of their deal normally did the trick.

"Sometimes immortality feels more like a curse than the blessing you made it out to be in the beginning."

"Perception is the difference. When I offered you the ability to live forever you saw it as a blessing, because of how much fear mortals put into death."

"And now I see it as a curse, because I've watched everyone I know and love die a few times over." Changkyun finished for him, starting to sob uncontrollably.

"Exactly. You've lasted longer than most. Eventually even I will tire of my office and pass it off to someone worthy. Immortality isn't fun. It's a chore. It's exhausting." There was a long silence between the two men. Hyungwon softly rubbed Changkyun's back as he held him. The two of them sat there like that as night fell and darkness surrounded them. The cooler air of night flowed through the graveyard, soothing raw, tear-stained cheeks.

The sound of sobbing subsided as all the emotions Changkyun had held in were finally released. His breathing fell back into a normal rhythm. He knew now what needed to be said. The reason Death had come all to clear in his mind.

"I don't want to live without her. She was everything to me and now that she is gone...I want to go with her. That's what you felt, right?" Changkyun broke the silence. His tears were drying on his face as he pulled away from Hyungwon.

"I know. Yes. I just needed you to come to it by yourself. I can't force you. This has to be your choice."

"I always knew that I'd die. We all have to one day, but I never imagined that I would face death every year, and that he'd become my best friend."

"We had a good run, didn't we?" Hyungwon responded with a chuckle. "Out of all of my proteges you were my favorite."

"We really did. Who is helping you right now?"

"A man named Kihyun. I made the deal with him not too long after you accepted yours. He's got a bit of a mouth on him, but he is definitely effective. While you were my favorite, he is my best protege."

"At least you won't be lonely. Sounds like someone I could get along with, too." Changkyun noted laughing.

"You probably could." Silence once again filled the graveyard. The two friends sat next to each other staring at the stars sparkling in the sky. She really had been the love of Changkyun's life. He saw that even more clearly now. His heart died with her and, as scared as he honestly was of death, he was more scared of life without her.

"Will it hurt? Dying?" Changkyun whispered, wanting to keep the quiet. Hyungwon let out a small chuckle, but kept the hushed tone that was set.

"I don't think so, but I've never experienced it. The souls I take don't tell me what they experience. Would you like some time to get things in order before I take you?"

"No. My soul called out for a reason. We both know that. I think unconsciously I already knew and tied up all my loose ends. You are the last one. I'm sorry I couldn't be your relief." Changkyun stood up and brushed himself off. He offered his hand to Hyungwon to help him up.

"I honestly thought you would make it." Huyngwon admitted as he took the hand offered, standing up, and hugging his best friend one last time. "It's funny how things work out. I won't forget you, Kyun. I'll miss our time together."

"I'll miss you too, Won. We always did have the best time together." Changkyun pulled away from the embrace, a resolute look in his eyes. "I'm ready. It's my time now."

"I know." A single tear fell down Hyungwon's cheek after he pulled his hood back up.

[alyce0013]

Not An Angel

Kihyun drummed his fingers, impatiently watching the clock. He knew his co-workers had noticed his nervousness, but he honestly couldn't care less. He couldn't wait until work was over, but was dreading it at the same time. His phone vibrated loudly in his pocket. Just two more minutes until work was over. The clock seemed to go slower for those last two minutes just to spite him.

"Kihyun? You ok?" One of his co-workers asked, as Kihyun almost ran out the door to his car. He didn't even respond. Kihyun pulled his phone out of his pocket, checking his messages. He smiled at the two from his fiance Shownu, asking him when he would be home and letting him know how much he loved and missed him. He responded back with a cheesy message first. That was the kind of couple they were: super cheesy and he loves it. Kihyun reminded Shownu in the next message that he had a few errands to run and he would be home late today. He followed it with a 'don't wait up'.

Kihyun had a few messages from his friends that he responded to before he switched to the last message. The number he knew he couldn't save in his phone seemingly taunting him. If he was being honest with himself he could, but he really shouldn't. It was a simple small text asking if he was on his way. He felt butterflies in his stomach that he knew was wrong. Kihyun sent a short response. His hands shook a bit from nerves as he turned his car on to finally leave.

The drive was short, but it felt so long. His heart betraying him and starting to pound so fast. He wished he could be there already. He wished he had never agreed to it in the first place. He couldn't resist the temptation though and it made him feel so disgusting inside. He told himself just this once, and then it would be done. Kihyun parked his car. He nervously drummed his fingers on the steering wheel still debating on whether to go in or not. He knew he should just go home. He was so happy with Shownu. He loves Shownu, but Shownu didn't make him feel butterflies in his stomach like this.

"Just this once." Kihyun muttered to himself as he got out of his car. He walked into the restaurant and looked around. The lighting inside was dim. The smell of alcohol lingered in his nose. He used to love to frequent places like this when he was younger, but had grown out of that phase of his life. He looked at the tables, wondering if he had actually arrived first.

"Just one, sir?" A high voice asked from beside him. Kihyun jumped, almost letting out a squeak of fright. The hostess had caught him off guard. He had expected someone else.

"No, I'm meeting someone here. Has he arrived yet?" Kihyun responded in a quieter voice than normal.

"No, but if you'd like, I can seat you and as soon as your friend arrives, I'll point him in your direction. Can I have your name?" The hostess gave him an accommodating smile.

"I'm...um...my name's Kihyun. That would be great. Thank you." Kihyun followed the hostess to a table upstairs, away from the bar, by a window.

"Your waitress will be with you shortly." She assured him. He was already distracted looking out the window. He didn't expect to be the first to arrive. He restarted the nervous drumming of his fingers on the table as he got lost in his thoughts. He couldn't believe he was sitting here. This whole situation was crazy. The feeling of disgust inside of him only growing.

"Can I start you with something to drink?" Kihyun jumped for the second time that night as the waiter appeared at the table.

"Yes, could I just have a Pepsi? I'm...um...waiting for someone so until he arrives just the drink. Thank you." The waiter nodded in acknowledgement as he left to grab the drink. Kihyun was rethinking his decision to go through with this. It was such a mess he had gotten himself into. There was so much that could go wrong. He kept thinking about if someone he knew recognized him. 'This is stupid' kept going around in his head until...

"Kiki?" That low, slightly husky voice could make all his insides turn to mush. The sweet nickname hitting his heart in a way that made it beat so fast.

"Min-min?" Kihyun responded with a small squeak and the matching sweet nickname. His eyes meeting the soft, playful, dark brown ones he hadn't realized he had missed so much. The two boys looked each other over, speechless for a moment.

"God, I didn't think it was possible, but you got even more handsome." Kihyun blushed at those words.

"I could say the same about you, Minhyuk. You're still so cute. The blonde suits you." Kihyun stood up to give the taller man a hug.

"Your hair is cute too." Minhyuk said as he ruffled the dark brown locks. Kihyun's entire body reacted to the simple gesture by heating up and craving for more contact.

"Its been such a long time." Kihyun sat down with Minhyuk taking the seat opposite him.

"4 years almost." Minhyuk noted, still devouring the brunette across from him with his eyes. "God! It's so good to see you!"

"I missed you." Kihyun confessed softly. Minhyuk's hands snaked over the table, softly meeting the other boys.

"I missed you too. Last time I saw you-"

"Was the day we broke up. Our last fight." Kihyun finished harshly. Minhyuk looked shocked and lost for a moment. He had almost forgotten how honest and blunt Kihyun could be. Thankfully, at that moment the waiter came over to the table. Minhyuk let go of one of Kihyun's hands, still softly stroking the back of the other one with his thumb. The two of them ordered small appetizers and handed the waiter the menus.

"I'm honestly surprised you showed up." Minhyuk started, staring at the hand he was holding. "I didn't think I'd get the chance to see you...to apologize to you."

"I almost didn't."

"I could tell by your drumming on the table." Minhyuk chuckled fondly. "Always been your nervous habit." He smiled sweetly as he looked back up into Kihyun's eyes. A blush spread across the brunette's face. He remembered how charming the man across from him could be. That was what had captured his heart in the first place.

"You're obsession with skinship is still going strong I see." Kihyun shot back, holding their intertwined hands up and laughing. He warmed up, feeling way less awkward about the whole situation. Minhyuk always had known how to make him feel comfortable. The butterflies in his stomach had gone away, but his heart beat so fast for the man across from him. He was still in love with Minhyuk after all this time. He knew that for a fact now.

The two men fell into a comfortable conversation. They caught up on the past 4 years away from each other and reminisced about the good times they had when they were together. The food came and was half ignored. Their drinks were refilled a couple more times. Time flew as Kihyun and Minhyuk continued talking, completely oblivious to everything but each other. Minhyuk kept softly brushing the back of Kihyun's hand with his thumb, not letting go the entire time.

Kihyun's phone vibrated against the table slightly breaking the spell of the night. He looked at the lock screen, checking to see if it was important. It was a message from Shownu. A guilty feeling started to flow out to every corner of his being. He had completely forgotten about his fiance. The amazing, wonderful man who loves him, waiting for him at home. He couldn't bring himself to look at the message. He could predict the loving, but slightly worried goodnight text. He placed his phone back down on the table screen down.

"You ok?" Minhyuk tilted his head to try to meet Kihyun's eyes again. "Not gonna respond?"

"No. It's not that important." Kihyun lied, feeling absolutely disgusting. "I'm ok. I just need to use the bathroom. I'll be back." He left his phone, wallet, and keys on the table with Minhyuk as he rushed to the bathroom. He needed to breathe and think a bit clearer.

"What are you doing?" He criticized his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He splashed cool water on his face and ran his now wet hands through his hair making it damp and exposing his forehead. Sighing deeply, he shook his head and went over to the urinal to relieve himself. This was too much for him to handle. He hung his head in shame as he zipped himself back up and walked back over to the sink to wash his hands.

Minhyuk entered the bathroom just as Kihyun had finally collected himself to leave. He walked over to Kihyun slowly. The brunette's breath hitched as his heart started beating inhumanely fast. His whole body tingled as Minhyuk finally closed the distance between them, pinning him against the counter. Their faces were so close and all Kihyun could focus on was the lips of the blonde in front of him. He wanted this so bad even though he knew it was wrong.

Minhyuk's lips met his gently at first as if it was a request. The feeling was like no other. Kihyun wanted so much more. He kissed back, pulling the blonde closer to him. In that moment, the kiss deepened and Minhyuk's tongue found it's way into Kihyun's mouth. Kihyun's hands moved under the taller boy's shirt, running over his firm stomach and up to his chest. Minhyuk let his hands roam down to Kihyun's butt, squeezing it.

"Wait!" Kihyun cried out pushing Minhyuk away from him. "This is wrong."

"Why is it wrong, angel?" Minhyuk used a finger under Kihyun's chin to gently lift his face back up.

"I'm engaged. That message I just got. It was from my fiance." Kihyun confessed as tears started to swell up in his eyes. Minhyuk moved to hold Kihyun's face in his hands, brushing the tears starting to fall away with his thumbs. Kihyun grabbed on to the wrists of the blonde as a short soothing kiss was placed on his lips.

"Please don't cry, Kiki." Minhyuk sighed sadly. "Come on. I already paid the bill. I have your things. Let's talk about this somewhere other than the bathroom." Minhyuk's playful tone and eye roll at the last statement made Kihyun let out a small chuckle followed by a small sniffle. He allowed Minhyuk to grab his hand and lead him out of the restaurant.

The whole way out Kihyun's thoughts turned to Shownu. His fiance deserved better than this. It wasn't that Kihyun didn't love him. He loves Shownu so much. They are so happy together. He always feels so loved and Shownu is sweet and kind to him. They had cheesy inside jokes. They could sit in comfortable silence and just enjoy each others company. There is a happy, loving contentment he feels with Shownu. The only thing was he didn't make Kihyun feel the butterflies and heart pounding excitement that Minhyuk always elicited.

Minhyuk had always been the love that was passionate and intense. When they were together it had always been exciting and...well...intense. They could never keep their hands off each other. He was so in love with Minhyuk that he forgave him way to easily for things that should've been unforgivable. He looked at the back of the blonde man's head. All of those feelings had come back the moment he heard that smoky voice, and saw those excited, playful eyes. They had stopped walking, but Kihyun was staring at the ground now. The two of them stood in the parking lot next to Minhyuk's car holding hands.

"What's his name?" Minhyuk prompted.

"Shownu." Kihyun smiled saying the name. "He's so good to me, Min-Min. I can't do this to him." A frown settled on his face as he finished speaking.

"Then don't." Minhyuk pulled Kihyun closer to him. "Break it off and come back to me. I've missed you so much. I regret breaking up so much. I still love you. You were and always will be my beautiful angel."

"I'm no angel. The fact that I'm even tempted to run away with you right now proves that." Kihyun shook his head trying to push the errant thoughts out.

"So, I'm the devil?" Minhyuk smirked.

"No, I am. I'm the bad guy here. For still being in love with you. For forgetting about my fiance. For-" Minhyuk cupped Kihyun's face in his hands and interrupted the rant with another passionate kiss. Kihyun exhaled through his nose roughly, giving in to the temptation for the moment. Minhyuk's soft lips were deliciously addicting. Kihyun's hands gripped on to Minhyuk's wrists to keep them from exploring elsewhere.

"Come back to me. You. Me. Us. We are inevitable. We always were." Minhyuk whispered as he broke the kiss. Kihyun's eyes fluttered open.

"No. I can't." Kihyun pulled away, putting some much needed distance between them. Fresh air finally entering his lungs and clearing up his cloudy thoughts. "Maybe it was inevitable...maybe we just wished it was."

"What do you mean?" Minhyuk asked confused. He took a step towards Kihyun to close the distance just to falter when the brunette flinched away.

"We are and always have been so toxic. Our relationship was toxic. We reminisced about all the good moments in there, but honestly the fights and breakdowns are what I remember the most. We were so in love that it blinded us to how horribly we treated each other. I spent so many nights crying myself to sleep over you. I can't-no I won't put myself though that again. Before I walked in I told myself just this once and I'm gonna stick to that."

"Kiki, I've changed. I'm different now. You deserved so much better. I'll completely admit that. I just want to be able to prove it to you. I want to be able to treat you like I should've when we were together. When I realized you were gone and weren't coming back...it broke me. Changed me. You were my everything and you were gone and I didn't know what to do." Minhyuk pleaded, tears flowing down his face ever since he started talking.

"I'm not so sure you've changed. And the reason I left was to break you. That's the toxic part. It was also cause I was finally sick of it. Of us. Of 'inevitable'. I'm going home to my fiance, Minhyuk." Kihyun turned to walk to his car. He knew it was going to hurt later, but he felt it was the right decision

"Do you love him?" The question caused Kihyun to hesitate for a moment. He felt Minhyuk's eyes on his back, impatiently waiting for the answer.

"I do. I love Shownu." Kihyun answered honestly, not even turning around. He hadn't lied. He really did love his fiance. He walked quicker to his car, praying that Minhyuk wasn't following him. He had no more strength to resist anymore.

Kihyun unlocked his car, getting in, and taking a deep shaky breath. He hit the steering wheel angrily with his hands a couple times. He couldn't believe he had let it get this far. He kissed him. He even made out with him in the bathroom like a horny teenager. He started the car and drove off, glancing one last time in the direction of where he had left Minhyuk. He knew it was wrong, but he wanted to see him one last time.

The drive home was silent and too short. He entered the apartment he shared with Shownu quietly as to not wake his fiance up. He took his shoes off at the front door. He was so happy and relieved to be home. He walked to their bedroom door and peeked in at the amazing, wonderful fiance of his. Kihyun smiled as his heart warmed up at the sight in front of him. Shownu's black hair was sticking up in places and his face was smooshed against the pillow in a way that looked so cute. His familiar snores sounded through the room. Kihyun loves this sleeping man so much.

The guilt hit in that moment. Kihyun was so disgusted with himself. He wanted to wash it all off. He wanted to be clean of Minhyuk's touch and smell. He felt the need to shower so strongly. He looked to see if there were enough clothes in the hamper to do a load as he stripped everything off. There was and he had never been this excited to see so much dirty clothes. He usually hated it and nagged at his fiance to help keep up with it.

He took the basket and dumped all the clothes into the washer, including the ones he had just been wearing. He poured in the right amount of detergent. He made a mental note to start it after he got out of the shower. He placed his phone on the counter of the bathroom. He turned the heat of the water up as high as it would go, trying to burn off all traces of the only man who could make his heart race. The phantom feeling of Minhyuk's thumbs brushing the backs of Kihyun's hands and the tears off his face refusing at first to leave. He wished Shownu could be the one to make him feel the butterflies. He wished his heart would race like that with his fiance.

Kihyun stepped out of the shower, drying himself off and putting his pajama bottoms on. He grabbed his phone and walked out to start the washer. The phone vibrated as he walked into the bedroom. That number, Minhyuk's number, appeared on the screen. He placed the phone on his nightstand and plugged it into the charger, ignoring it for now. He slipped under the covers and into his fiance's arms. This is where he belonged. Shownu stirred a bit, mumbling sleepily and pulling Kihyun closer into his chest. The strong arms around him causing him to finally relax.

Kihyun looked over at his phone on the nightstand. Against his better judgment, he picked it up and unlocked the screen staring at the two messages. The one from Shownu wondering how his errands were going, expressing worry at the late hour, explaining he was going to sleep, and finally being mushy about looking forward to waking up with Kihyun in his arms. A soft feeling spread through Kihyun's body. This is why he loves his fiance so much.

Minhyuk's desperate message: I'm glad you decided to meet up. I was being honest. I've changed. I miss you. Your angelic lips are still as enticing as ever. Please don't give up on us, cause I'm not. I'm still so in love with you.

Kihyun sighed deeply. Shownu's chest rose and fell against his back. He made his decision in the parking lot, but why did he feel like this wasn't over. It had to be. He picked his fiance. He decided to save Minhyuk's number in his phone. He told himself it would help him ignore the messages. He saved the previously forbidden number with just a puppy emoji. He locked his phone, placing back on the nightstand. He rolled over to face Shownu, tangling their legs together. Finally, Kihyun allowed himself to be lulled to sleep by the familiar sound of the man he loves snoring.

[alyce0013]

Broken Heart

Minhyuk instinctively reached over to the other side of the bed as he stirred awake. His hand finding only cold sheets. He sighed deeply, clenching his hand into a fist. His eyes opened slowly as he looked at the other side of the bed. It had been so long since that side of the bed had been warm, and yet he still continued to reach out looking for that warmth.

Why couldn't he just forget you? Why did he keep doing this to himself? He knew you weren't coming back. Minhyuk closed his eyes as the first of his tears escaped. He remembered how you used to open your eyes sleepily and move over closer to him. You would grab his hand and softly kiss his lips before giving him a loving, sleepy smile. It always helped him fall back to sleep. The warmth you shared in those moments now turned to cold loneliness. You weren't here anymore, and it was all his fault.

He looked over at the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was two in the morning. Minhyuk sighed again, a bit deeper this time, knowing he was imagining your scent still lingering in the air and on his bed. He knew he wouldn't be able to fall asleep again.

It didn't even hurt like it used to. The original pain honestly felt like he was having a heart attack. Now he was just empty and hollow, as if everything inside of him was just gone. His world turned into a grayscale of misery. He had overheard Kihyun talking to the other members about missing his sunshiny personality. It was easy to put on the mask for the fans, but the members were harder to fool. A month after you had left Minhyuk had wondered if he had ever been a sunshine personality at all. He felt more like you were the sun and he was the moon not being able to shine without you.

He was supposed to have forgotten about you by now. He was supposed to be better, or so he told himself. Minhyuk walked to the window and looked out, not really focusing on anything. He was pretty sure you had long forgotten about him, but he was still haunted by your smile, your laugh, your warmth. For you he would always be someone who's not there. Just a forgettable face you could say you've never seen.

Minhyuk remembered the times you'd wake up to see him staring out the window. He had always been more focused on what was going on in his head than the view, just like now. You would softly creep out of bed, wrap your arms around him, and whisper sweet things into his ear. Those whispers sounded so far away now. Tears fell down his face so freely now. He still loved you so much.

He wanted to hold on to these memories. He wanted to be in those loving moments again, but he knew he would never experience them again. He knew he should just forget you. Minhyuk had been wrong to treat you like he did. There was no going back, no sweet love song he could write or sing to get you back. After everything he did he knew he deserved this.

"You can leave now!" He had yelled angrily at you. The arguement you were in then seemed so stupid and easily fixable now.

"If I walk out that door, I'm not coming back." You had been calm saying those words. He had thought at the moment too calm. You had just had enough and didn't care to fight anymore. Your spirit and heart too broken by his actions and words.

"Fine! Take everything that is yours and just leave!" He had thrown his promise ring that matched yours at your feet as he finished yelling.

Minhyuk wished he could change what happened. If he could go back in time, instead of fighting and yelling, he would run to you and hold you in his arms so tight. He couldn't do this anymore. He missed your beautiful, sweet smile, the way your hips moved when you walked and the feeling of your lips on his. He missed all the good sunny days full of picnics and beach trips. He missed all the bad rainy days cuddled close to you watching movies or cooking together. He missed you so much.

Minhyuk sobbed harshly. His heart feeling like it was being ripped from his chest all over again. He knew he should just forget you, even though it was hard to admit it to himself. He didn't think he could anymore. He clung desprately to the memories of love between you. He walked over to his night stand and picked up the promise ring he had thrown at you. Minhyuk held it to his chest. This was the last trace of your relationship. He never should've thrown it. He knew how much the rings had meant to you.

Minhyuk collapsed back onto the bed, curling himself up in a ball. This had to be it. The last time he cried over you. He couldn't do this anymore. He wanted to be free of the pain and regret he held for way too long. He wanted to be able to see the bright colors of the world again, instead of staying in the comfortable darkness that only caused him more despair.

The memories of you flickered one last time through his mind, as he cried himself to sleep one last night. Minhyuk promised himself in that moment tomorrow would be different. He would start to erase you and move on. He would put all that he had of you, attach it to the ring, and throw it into the river. Tomorrow he would start to stitch his broken heart back together.

[alyce0013]

Rollercoaster

Rollercoasters were definitely your thing, but you were still slightly afraid of them. You stood in line staring off in the distance as a shiver of nerves ran down your spine.

"Are you cold?" Changkyun asked. He placed one of his hands on the small of your back, pulling you closer. You looked over the track of the rollercoaster again.

"No, just nervous." You answered, your voice shaking a bit.

"I thought you liked rollercoasters." He tilted his head in a curious way as he looked at you.

"I do. I really do, but I still get nervous before the ride starts." You explained. Changkyun smirked at you and turned to look up at the ride. He inched a little closer to you and leaned in.

"I'll protect you." He whispered in your ear. You felt a different kind of shiver go down your spine. He leaned back out and stood behind you in line. He was close enough that you felt that protection he promised even though he wasn't touching you. You couldn't help but grin.

"You'll enjoy it too, right?" You turned to look at him, leaning against the railing behind you. He leaned into you, his hands on the railing, and his arms surrounding you.

"I'm enjoying how much of a thrill you still get." He answered with a grin. You got lost in his eyes for a moment. He had that mysterious look in them. You found yourself doing that more often as you got to know him better, intrigued by it. Changkyun looked away first and the two of you slid closer to the front of the line. He continued to be close enough that you felt him even though he wasn't touching you.

"Front, middle, or back?" You leaned backwards into him as you asked. He wrapped his arms around you and placed his chin on your shoulder.

"Up to you. I'm up for anything." He replied. You led him to the line for the rear of the rollercoaster. Changkyun looked confused. You settled against the railing, your excitement winning over your nerves.

"The back is the best. You experience the hills better that way. In the front you have to wait for the back to catch up to experience it, but in the back you're pulled and dragged full speed through the ride." You explained, excited to finally be next to get on. Changkyun listened intently the entire time with a lopsided smile on his face.

He had once again pinned you against the railing. He loved that beautiful sparkle in your eye when you talked about things you loved. He could listen to you for hours and hours and never get bored of it.

You giggled and blushed, turning away from his gaze to watch the next train of cars come in for you to board. Using one gentle finger, Changkyun turned your face back towards him. He kissed you tenderly, then grabbed your hand and pulled you through the gate to get on the rollercoaster.

"You're so cute when you blush." He smirked, looking pleased with himself.

"Stop it." You said bashfully, blushing a bit more. You playfully pushed him away and he stumbled gracefully over to his seat.

As the two of you strapped in, your nerves took over once again causing your hands to shake. The ride workers came by to make sure everyone was strapped in properly. You took a deep breath and focused on the seat in front of you. You held tight on to the ride. Changkyun couldn't take his eyes off of you the whole time. He found this side of you so cute, all he wanted to do was hold you tight and protect you. He tugged on your pinky until you released your iron grip on the ride.

"I've got you. I won't let go." He said as he interlocked his fingers with yours. A small smile spread across your face. The ride jerked forward, then slowly started to climb the first hill. The butterflies in your stomach went crazy inside you as you slowly reached the peak. Changkyun squeezed your hand reassuringly just as the ride started down the hill. You screamed in delight as the thrill of the ride took over. It felt like it was over way to fast when the train pulled back in.

"That was amazing!" You exclaimed as he guided you to the exit doors.

"You're amazing." He responded. You smiled at him, now pulling him along to the picture area.

"You gave your stoic look for the camera." You laughed pointing the picture out. Changkyun smirked as he went up and bought the two of you picture keychains. He pulled you close to him brushing your hair out of your face and gave you a lopsided grin.

"Perfect gift for a perfect memory." He said before softly stealing another kiss from you. You shyly hid your face in his chest after he pulled away.

"You didn't let go." You remarked, holding his hand up that was still holding yours since the beginning of the ride.

"As long as I've got you, I won't ever let go."

[alyce0013]

Pout

"You're going down!" Minhyuk yelled competitively as you set up Mario Kart.

"You were the one crying last time." You shot back with a laugh.

"That was a different time. I've been practicing!" He declared. You chuckled at the determination he had in his voice. You turned around to see him cutely reaching his arms towards you from the couch.

"I'm still gonna win." You smirked at him. You sat down next to him on the couch, and got your controller ready.

"Your confidence is super sexy." He whispered, kissing his favorite spot on your neck. You felt your heart flutter.

"Hey, no distracting." You protested weakly, pushing away slightly. "Behave." You set up the series of races on the screen and Minhyuk wrapped his arms around you comfortably. You knew by the end of the third race he would be on the opposite side of the couch pouting. He had been determined to win at least one race against you.

You looked up at him as the first race started to countdown. His eyes were glued to the screen, concentrating hard on whatever strategy he had come up with in his precious small bits of free time while practicing with Kihyun. You looked back at the screen just as the countdown to start hit zero.

"Ha! First!" Minhyuk exclaimed excitedly, holding you a bit tighter. For a second you contemplated letting him be in first for a bit. You were going to miss his arms around you when he started to pout.

You kissed his cheek as you threw a well aimed green shell at him and knocked him to third place. He loosened his arms around you slightly as he concentrated more on getting back to first. He tried his best to catch up to you, but ended up in second place at the end of the race.

Minhyuk sighed deeply and shifted himself on the couch, no longer holding you. The second race started off with him in first again. You quickly gained the lead back with a speed up and some bananas. He ended that race in second as well.

"Are you teasing me by letting me start off in first?" Minhyuk grumbled just before the third race started. You smirked in response. You found him so cute when he pouted and it was so much fun cheering him up. You stared at him smiling as you thought of how to cheer him up as the race started. He jumped into first and stayed there for the first lap, but you knocked him down to third by the end of the race.

The final race of the series started and Minhyuk was as far away from you on the couch as possible. His normal chipper, sunshiny mood soured by his losing streak. You knew he was a sore loser when it came to video games, but you also knew he couldn't stay mad at you for long. You were the only person he allowed to beat him at any game more than once. The race finished with him in second and he just about threw his controller down on the couch. He was in full pout as the game displayed you as the winner.

"Min-Min?" You called to him in a sweet voice. You got up and walked over to where he was sitting.

"You can't let me win just once?" He whined grumpily. You took his hands in yours and he looked up at you.

"Nope." You pulled his pouty lower lip into a kiss. "You have definitely improved though."

"Really?" Minhyuk pulled you down next to him on the couch. That little spark of sunshine back in his eyes.

"Yes, really." You responded. "So stop being so grumpy or else..."

"Or else what?" You could hear the playfulness in his voice underneath all the grumpy.

"Or else I'll be grumpy." You grumbled cutely, crossing your arms and playfully pushing him away. Minhyuk couldn't help but smile for a moment. He creeped back over to you slowly, then quickly started to tickle you.

"Not...fair...you're...not...ticklish!" You squealed in between giggles and laughter, trying to squirm away from him.

"How else will I be able to hear my favorite sound in the whole world?" Minhyuk stopped tickling you for a moment. You gave him a puzzled look. "Your beautiful laugh. I could listen to it for hours." He started tickling you again. You squirmed away, falling off the couch in the process. His face peeked off the edge of the couch down at you.

"You win! I can't take anymore!" You declared breathless. You threw one hand up in the air, pointing at him on the couch, then dropped it in mock exhaustion.

"What do I get for my prize?" He asked, lovingly brushing a bit of your hair out of your face as he joined you on the floor.

"What would you like for a prize?" You climbed into his lap and leaned your head on his chest.

"You." He answered simply.

[alyce0013]

Key

"You know you don't have to do this." Wonho reminded you. His soft eyes full of concern, but also excitement.

"You seem to forget this was my idea." You responded, reaching out to hold his hand. You gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm just worried you suggested it because you think it's what I want." Wonho squeezed your hand back. He smiled sweetly at you making your heart flutter.

"I want to do this. It's something I've been thinking about forever, and I'm so happy I get to do it with you." You were nervous, but you were trying to hide it, because Wonho seemed worried enough. He lifted your hand up and placed a kiss on the back of your hand.

"Okay. Let's do this." Wonho pushed open the doors to the tattoo shop you both had agreed on. The artists you chose motioned you towards the back. You already paid the deposit and showed the idea for your tattoos. The artists went through exact location and final drawing apprval of the tattoos, and left to make the stencils.

Wonho watched as a small smile wrinkled your nose. He knew you were thinking about how the two of you met.

**********

Wonho had been going about his normal schedule when he had realized he couldn't find his keys. He searched everywhere, but couldn't find them. He started to panic, thinking he would never find them when Hyungwon suggested he retrace his steps through the day.

As Wonho was walking past the gym after searching there, you ran up to him. At first he thought you were a fan. He tried to muster a smile for you when he saw his keys in your hand. His excitement at seeing them put a large grin on his face as he took a step toward you. That was when you realized who he was. Your soft, kind eyes had gotten big and your hands went to cover your mouth in shock. He chuckled at your reaction and waited for you to unfreeze.

"You-you're Wonho." You stated calmly even though you were bursting with excitement. Your hands fell to your sides.

"Yes. Yes I am." Wonho responded. "And those are my keys."

"Oh! Are they? I wasn't sure, but I saw you out here looking lost and I thought maybe they belonged to you. I didn't imagine..." You trailed off still shocked at your luck. Wonho laughed again. This was an unusual fan reaction. You looked down at your hands and quickly held out his keys for him.

"Can I treat you to a coffee or something? As a thank you for keeping my keys safe?" He asked. You blushed, grinned, and looked down at your feet before nodding 'yes'. Your shy reaction made his heart flutter.

Wonho couldn't take his eyes off of you the entire way to the coffee shop. You're initial nerves at meeting him had disappeared and the two of you talked as if he wasn't a popular idol. The conversation flowed easily as you drank coffee together. Next thing Wonho knew it was dark outside. He looked at his watch, finally realizing how late it was. The both of you made hurried goodbyes and quickly left.

Halfway home Wonho started to regret not getting your number before he left. He shook his head and kicked the dirt up. He went to pull his keys out and realized in the rush the two of you had been in he had forgot them. He laughed at the mistake. His heart started to race at the idea of being able to see you again.

For the next week Wonho frequently went to that coffee shop whenever he had free time. After the first few of days, he realized he wanted to see you more than he wanted his keys back. By the end of the week he was moping around the dorms. His mood had soured throughout the week as he slowly started to think he would never see you again. He sat at the coffee shop looking out the window like a lost puppy. He was just about to give up for the day when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked straight into your pretty, soft eyes. His heart stopped for a moment as he took you in. His entire mood was lifted.

"Looking for these?" You grinned like a fool, and held out his keys.

"No, I was looking for you." Wonho had responded sappily.

**********

Wonho looked over at you nervously squirming in your chair as your artist got everything set up to start. He reached over to hold your hand. You looked over at him. Your beautiful, soft eyes still made his heart flutter everytime he saw them.

"Ready?" Your artists asked.

"We are now." Wonho squeezed your hand reassuringly. You squeezed back when the pain started. It wasn't as bad as you thought, but it still hurt. He held your hand through the entire tattoo. You squeezed his hand harder when the pain was worse. Just when you thought you couldn't take anymore the tattoo was finished. Wonho looked over at it, admiring the design the two of you had picked out.

"Now you will always have the key to my heart."

[alyce0013]

Dumpling

Your hands shook as you looked at the positive pregnancy test. You swallowed the lump in your throat, your heart pounding hard against your ribcage. You couldn't believe your eyes.

"Y/N?" Jooheon knocked on the door to the bathroom. You dropped the test in surprise.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute." You responded, scrambling to pick the test back up. You wrapped it in toilet paper and buried it deep in the trashcan. You quickly washed your hands and walked out of the bathroom, right into Jooheon. He wrapped you in a hug for a moment.

"You ok?" He asked looking sweetly into your eyes. "You look like you saw a ghost."

"I'm ok. I just didn't expect you to be right outside the door." You smiled up at him, trying to push aside your fear.

"I'm just about to leave for practice and I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye." He held you in his arms again making you feel safe and loved. The lump in your throat reappeared and you buried your face in his chest. Jooheon rubbed your back lovingly, enjoying every minute of your affection. You composed yourself and gave him a big smile.

"I'll see you when you get home." You were relieved your voice hadn't betrayed you. He smiled back at you and kissed the tip of your nose. Jooheon may have graduated from aegyo for his fans, but not for you.

He looked over his shoulder at you one last time before he left.

As soon as the door shut behind him, the tears that had been threatening to fall finally released. You fell to your knees. You didn't know how to tell him you were pregnant, because you didn't know how he was gonna take the news. The two of you had been dating seriously, but you weren't engaged. Thoughts swirled in your head. You knew the kind of man Jooheon was. He would want to take responsibility for you and the baby. You didn't want to spend the rest of your life wondering if he really loved you or if he was just with you for the baby.

Jooheon knew something had been bothering you for the past few weeks, but he also knew that when you were ready you would talk to him. His hand went into his pocket, pulling out a small black box. He had bought the ring inside a month ago. With the busy schedule lately, he hadn't had the opportunity to ask you. If he was being honest with himself, he would also admit he was scared to ask. He was scared of the possibility of losing you. He fiddled with the box thinking of the best way to ask. He wanted it to be special.

Jooheon looked out the window at the scenery passing by, thinking it over. He couldn't wait any longer. He had to know your answer, so he set it in his mind to ask you tonight and started planning for it.

As you sat in your favorite restaurant waiting for your friend to show up, a text from Jooheon appeared.

'Getting out early from practice. Let's make plans tonight. How does a picnic in the gazebo sound?' You smiled genuinely for the first time all day. The two of you had made so many good memories at the gazebo.

'I'll meet you there.' You sent back.

"Y/N." Your best friend sat in front of you. "What's wrong? You sounded upset on the phone and you look like you've been crying." Straight to the point as usual. You looked at her for a moment, going over it in your mind. You wanted to be able to tell Jooheon first, but you really just needed the first reaction to be predictable. Tears threatened again behind your eyes. You hated how emotional this pregnancy was already making you. You took a deep breath, steadying yourself.

"I...I'm pregnant." You whispered as a tear fell down your cheek.

"What?" Your friends eyes got big and she grinned at you. "This is good news, isn't it? Why are you crying, Y/N?" She picked up a napkin to wipe your face.

"I'm scared. I'm not really sure how else to feel other than that." You admitted.

"I'm guessing you haven't told Jooheon yet." Your friend looked at you with sympathetic eyes.

"No. I don't know how he will react."

"Y/N~." Your friend scolded you. "You know this news would make him so happy. He's so in love with you. Can't you tell?"

"I'm so in love with him. It's weird that he's normally the one who wants constant affection and I'm the one wanting it now too." You laughed through your tears, feeling a bit better about everything.

As Jooheon left practice early, the other members called out their support and continued practice without him. The gazebo wasn't too far away, so Jooheon decided to walk and pick up his part of the food on the way. He thought what he wanted to say in his head. He wanted to get it just right and he knew he wasn't really good at spur of the moment. This was harder than any rap or lyrics he ever wrote. Everytime he thought he had it down he found he wanted to add more.

Jooheon picked up the food he had ordered before he left practice. The feeling of butterflies in his stomach getting worse. He kept reinforcing in his head that he needed to know your answer before he left on tour. He couldn't bear being away for so long not knowing for sure you would be there waiting for him when he got back.

Jooheon approached the gazebo, all lit up in twinkly lights, but all he could see was you. His heart started beating faster as he took a moment to watch you organize the food you brought. You looked absolutely beautiful to him and everything he'd been preparing to say all day flew out of his mind.

"I'm here, Dumpling." He called sweetly. You laughed and got up to greet him.

"How was practice?" You took the food he had and started organizing it with the rest of the food.

"Exhausting as usual." He gave you a quick kiss.

"I actually have something to tell you." You started feeling nervous. Although your friend had calmed you down a bit, it was still a huge deal to you how Jooheon would respond.

"I do too." He noticed the change in your mood. "Can I go first? I feel like I may chicken out." You nodded, eyes wide with worry.

Jooheon looked down at his feet and shuffled them a bit. Everything he had thought of to say vasnished. He looked so serious all of a sudden, but also shy and nervous.

"I'm not always the easiest person to love, but-." Jooheon stumbled over his words and stopped the moment you held his face in your hands. He reached up and took your hands and held them tight. "I'm so in love with you. I can't even imagine my life without you in it. Your smile makes even my worst day the best. Your touch calms my every nerve. Your kisses make me feel so loved. I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?" He asked the last part while pulling out the ring and getting down on one knee. You stood there completely shocked. You had been so caught up in your stress about whether or not you were pregnant you had mistook Jooheon's recent behavior as him pulling away from you.

"I'm pregnant!" You blurted out a little louder than you meant to. Jooheon's face fell at first, his hand coming up to cover his face. For a moment you couldn't read his emotion at all. He stood up and his hand came away from his face to show pure delight. He hugged you, squeezing a little hard in excitement.

"You're pregnant?" He asked tears of joy starting to fall. He pushed away holding you in front of him. "Is that a yes?" You grinned at him, your own happy tears falling.

"Yes."

[alyce0013]

Snack

Today had been such a rough day. You dragged your feet as you walked in the door. All you wanted was a nice long shower and some junk food. You headed to the kitchen first and grabbed some of your favorite junk foods. Then you brought them into your bedroom and set them on the bed for after your shower. You sighed in relief as you took off all your clothes, deciding in your mind to wear some comfy, baggy things to eat and relax.

You started the shower so it could get to the temperature you wanted. You started to feel a bit better as you washed the day off of you. You played with the rings on your finger. They were simple, but beautiful. You smiled remembering your husband putting them on your finger. You hated that Japan was so close, yet far enough that he couldn't come home at night. Sometimes after a particularly rough day, all you wanted to do was fall into his strong arms. He was really the only person who could make you feel that way. You closed your eyes for a moment and pictured the awkward, shy smile hed give you for saying that out loud. You got out of the shower feeling fairly refreshed. You went to his dresser and pulled out one of your favorite shirts of his, putting it on.

You were about to climb into the bed when you heard the front door open and close. You froze in fear for a moment, trying to remember if you had locked the door or not. A baseball bat near the door to the bedroom caught your eye. You picked it up and headed out into the dark apartment to defend yourself. Slowly and quietly you moved towards your front door. The light was on and you could hear someone rummaging around in the kitchen.

"Hey!" You yelled, jumping around the corner. You held the bat ready to swing.

"I thought you were sleeping. I was trying to be quiet." Shownu answered, unfazed, food in his mouth.

"You scared the crap out of me! You're not supposed to be home for a few more days." You put the bat down and held your chest in a mildly dramatic manner.

"I'm sorry, honey. I just missed you so much." He walked over to you and took your hands in his. He tried to look up at your face, making himself shorter and still holding on to your hands. You smiled, playing the little game the two of you shared, and tried to avoid his gaze. Shownu finally caught your eyes and pulled you in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you closer to him. Your hands and head rested on his strong chest. The stress of the day disappeared almost instantly.

"I missed you too. The good snacks are in the bedroom."

"Then why are we still in the kitchen?" Shownu led you to the bedroom quickly. He took one look at all the junk food on the bed and smiled back at you.

"Take a shower first." You pushed him towards the bathroom. He reluctantly took a step in that direction.

"I'll be quick." Shownu said, placing one last kiss on your lips before disappearing into the bathroom. He loved how you could understand him without him ever having to say it out loud. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was. He couldn't remember how he ever lived without you. You just honestly made his life so much better.

Shownu quickly jumped in the shower. He didn't want to waste what little time he had left with you. He washed up, got out of the shower, and put on a pair of pajama pants. He got to the threshold of the bedroom and what he saw made him pause for a moment. You were sitting on the bed with your hair a mess, face bare, wearing his shirt, surrounded by delicious junk food. Shownu found you so absolutely beautiful just like this. His heart swelled. Just when he thought he couldn't love you anymore, you proved him wrong.

"What are you looking at?" You asked cutely when you noticed your husband staring.

"The best snack out of everything on the bed...you." Shownu answered in the cheesiest way possible. You smirked up at him as walked to the bed and climbed in next to you. He gently pulled you into his lap. You snuggled into his muscular chest, closing your eyes in contentment. Shownu lifted your face to meet his.

"I love you." You whispered before he kissed you deeply.

"I love you more." He whispered back.

[alyce0013]

Mine

Kihyun sighed deeply when he saw you across the park. All he had wanted to do was relieve some stress and take pictures of the scenery, but there you were. Even though his brain told him to just turn around and walk away, his heart froze his feet to the ground. He couldn't look away from you. You were absolutely beautiful. The way your slightly messy hair caught the sunlight, the baggy sweatshirt you wore with the sleeves covering your hands, the way you smiled so brightly made him lift the camera for just one picture. Before he could capture the picture, Kihyun frowned through the lens when he saw who you were smiling at. You fell into your boyfriend's arms and Kihyun was finally able to look away. It felt as though his heart had been ripped from his body.

He knew he shouldn't be so jealous. You had confessed your feelings to him and he didn't respond at all. The two of you didn't talk for a couple months and when you started talking again neither of you had brought the subject back up. Kihyun had wanted to tell you he felt exactly the same, he wanted to say how amazing you were. but he knew he couldn't. Kihyun was a diligent person. He knew with his busy schedule he wouldn't be able to give you everything. He decided you deserved a man that could give you everything. He knew you couldn't wait for him forever. He just really hated seeing you with that man. Kihyun kicked the uneven ground in frustration as he started to walk away.

"Kihyun-ah!" You called out. He hesitated to turn around. He loved the way you said his name. Your voice sounded absolutely beautiful like he remembered.

"Y/N?" He responded as if he hadn't seen you across the park. He finally turned around to see you running towards him.

"Taking pictures I see. Finally got a small bit of free time in your busy schedule?" You knew your boyfriend was waiting for you to come back, but you'd wanted to catch up. Kihyun had seemed to be avoiding you lately and you missed him. If you were being completely honest with yourself you knew Kihyun still came first for you.

"Yeah, just pictures. Still very busy." Kihyun responded sounding irritated with your question. His normally soft dark brown eyes had a cold look to them. He'd been this way since you'd confessed your feelings to him. It wasn't enough that he didn't even bother to answer you, he had to act cold too. You even tried to show him you were moving on.

"Have you had lunch yet?" You asked, not wanting to give up yet.

"Why do you care?" He snapped a bit harsher than he meant to. "Go eat with your boyfriend." Kihyun hated himself for treating you like this. He hated seeing you frown at him, but pushing you away was the only way he could keep a bit of his sanity. He knew he wouldn't be able to go a whole meal watching you with your boyfriend.

"Eat by yourself then." You said as nicely as you could. You wanted to bite back. Your resolve was finally at its breaking point, and you wanted to call him out on all of his crap, but not in front of your boyfriend.

Kihyun shrugged as if it didn't matter and turned away leaving you standing there. Your boyfriend came to retrieve you just as you decided to go after Kihyun this time.

"Ready?" He touched your arm lightly to catch your attention.

"Actually, no. I'm sorry...I just..." you sighed, not knowing how to explain.

"Its ok. I already know." Your boyfriend scoffed, but smiled. "Go after him. Don't worry about me. I knew from the start our time was limited." You stared at him for a second, your eyes wide with shock.

"I'll catch up with you later?" You asked trying to figure out where the two of you stood.

"You know where to find me." He said shrugging. You stood there shocked for a moment. You realized just how poor of a job you had been doing in moving on. You rushed off after Kihyun. He wasn't too far ahead.

"What's with you?" You demanded grabbing his arm to get him to turn around. Kihyun looked shocked for a second, but his face hardened quickly.

"Nothing. Just trying to enjoy my free time."

"Stop it! You know what I mean, Kihyun."

"It's nothing."

"Tell me!"

"You! I hate your baggy sweatshirt and your stupid messy hair and your ridiculous smile!" Kihyun finally blurted out angrily. You looked down at the baggy sweatshirt you were wearing and then back up at him.

"When did you realize you hated me so much? When I told you how I felt?" You glared at him. His cold demeanor changed. He looked down at his feet.

"When I saw that sweatshirt wasn't mine, and I couldn't run my fingers through your hair, and your smile wasn't because of me." Kihyun's voice was quiet and small.

"Y-you're jealous?" You gasped confused. "But...you didn't..."

"I couldn't." Kihyun looked up at you. "We can't. With how busy my schedule is our time would be so limited. I still have my military obligation as well."

"You decided this on your own? You didn't even think to ask me or talk to me about it?"

"I can't give you everything. You deserve someone who can give you everything."

"I don't want what I deserve. The time you could give me would be enough. No matter how short or long. I just wanted you." Tears threatened to fall and you turned away from him.

"I didn't think you would want to wait for me. It wouldn't be fair of me to ask that of you." Kihyun touched your shoulder gently. You turned, looked up at him, and he softly brushed away the tears that had escaped. You made up your mind in that moment. You would wait as long as it took until he felt ready.

"Meet me at our coffee shop in an hour." You knew what to do now. He felt the same way. Your heart felt like it was going to explode. You left him standing there looking puzzled.

Kihyun wanted to go after you, but he had already admitted everything. All the thoughts and feelings he had since you confessed were finally out in the open. He felt relieved, but also nervous. The next step was your choice now. He finally knew how you felt for the past 5 months. It was torture.

Kihyun's thoughts turned to the coffee shop. There was a few you liked to share just for the two of you. He didn't want to choose the wrong one. He finally settled on the coffee shop the two of you first met at. He was so anxious he got to there thirty minutes before he had to. He sat and fiddled with his phone.

"Kihyun-ah." You called out as soon as you arrived. He got up as you approached, took your hand, and walked you over to order. It didn't take long until the two of you were sitting across from each other at the table. Your gaze lingered on your coffee. When you finally looked up, Kihyun's dark brown eyes met yours and your heart skipped a beat.

"Y/N..." he held your hands in his.

"I will wait for you." You said in a small voice, half expecting him to try to talk you out of it. "I don't want anyone else, because...because...I love you. So, for as long as it takes, I'll wa-" Kihyun pulled you closer and kissed you mid sentence. He brushed his fingers down the side of your face while you caught your breath.

"I don't want to wait. I want you. I love you." Kihyun sighed before kissing you again.

[alyce0013]

Home

'For a man who loves to get his picture taken...' you think to yourself as you shake your head. You set your phone down and finished picking out what you were gonna wear for the day. Hyungwon was home from Japan and that's all that mattered. You knew he had to go by Starship first, but his next stop would be the apartment the two of you had been sharing for the past few months. The butterflies in your stomach started the moment you got his short 'be there soon' text. You ran around the house tidying things up nervously. You know he wouldn't mind the clutter, but you wanted everything to be perfect. It felt like it took forever, but you heard the familiar sound of the door opening and closing.

"Y/N?" He called out.

"Right here." You responded, basically running into his arms. You placed your arms in between his coat and body, feeling warm and safe as he wrapped his arms around you. You closed your eyes and nuzzled your face into his chest as he held you tighter.

"I missed you so much." He kissed the top of your head. "How am I gonna go without you for the world tour?"

"I missed you." You looked up into his brown, sleepy eyes. "You won't be without me. I'll be a phone call or text away." He smiled lovingly down at you and stole a quick kiss. You gave him a shy smile back.

"Being able to come home to you is the best part of my day. I love the way you welcome me home." Hyungwon pulled his jacket more around you to make his point. You giggled, remembering his confession of the way you hugged him under his jacket as being one of his favorite things.

"You sneaky angel of mine. I thought you were just being ridiculous."

"No, I'm just so ridiculously in love with you." He smiled so brightly and pulled you in for a deeper kiss.