The Light of Dead Stars | KSJ

11

You wake up the next morning feeling refreshed. You easily got over the jet lag and you're thankful for that; you were told to treat this like your vacation that you rarely ever take, so you want to rest and enjoy as much as possible.

Finding an empty space beside you, you wonder where Seokjin had gone. You're about to give him a call when you spot something on the round table, and your face softens at the spread before you - a variety of pastries and a pot of coffee with a note on it.

Grandfather asked to go fishing, it reads. The kitchens are packed since they're preparing for the party so have these first. I'll be back soon.

The note makes you feel cared for. Jin is a closet sweetheart, you're now learning, that is, until he has to ruin it with something written at the bottom.

P.S. I woke up early because of a natural alarm - your snore. Hahahaha.

What a dick, you snort, but it's Jin - he surprises you with how sweet he is but he annoys you to no end. And even this feels natural - just like yesterday was, just like last night's caress of his cheek was.

You don't know what prompted you to do something so intimate as that, but a part of you wanted to affirm him again.

He seemed so care-free during your visit to the village. Neither of you seemed to feel bad or guilty, but you realized that it's when you're both back in bed, without the need to fake or do anything for show, that he allows himself to feel vulnerable and worried, and you wanted to allay whatever his fears were by telling him that it's all okay, and somehow a tender touch seemed right. You closed your eyes right away in fear of what he looked like since it felt too intimate, but some time after, when you took a peek, he had a relaxed look on his face, and that's all you really wanted.

You proceed to have your breakfast over a call with your parents and Hoseok. You promptly fill them in, assure them again that everything is okay with you and Jin and his family, and then promise to send them more photos.

You're now doing your makeup, readying for the party when a knock on the door gets your attention. Jin enters in a bathrobe after having taken a shower elsewhere so that the fish smell doesn't follow in your bedroom.

"Hey," you say. "How was fishing?"

"Ah, it was so fun. We caught some huge trout and carp," he chirps, taking his phone from his bag and showing you.

He's standing so close - freshly bathed with his damp hair and natural, masculine scent, and there's something oddly comforting about how he is right next to you.

He's animatedly talking about almost falling off the boat when he realizes you're in the middle of fixing up.

"Ah, sorry. I should tell you about it later," he chuckles. "I'll just go dress up in, uh, in the bathroom."

"It's okay," you say. "I'll do my makeup there so you can comfortably change here," picking up your things before he can say anything.

He lets you know when he's done and you exit the bathroom, and at this point you should just really get used to seeing Jin in non-business clothes and looking stunning every time.

"I didn't realize we're matching," he smiles, taking in your mustard-colored midi dress with a bare back.

He's wearing a light orange short-sleeved linen shirt and white tailored pants, with his sunglasses perched on the top button of his blouse, the neckline lower than what you're used to. He's already styled his hair, side-swiped with a bit of his forehead exposed.

"We are," you smile back. "But do I look okay? Jimin helped me pick out this dress. I didn't want to overcompensate with something fancy but you said your grandparents' friends and your other relatives are coming so I didn't want to look too simple."