Joy and Hope

18 any chance.

"We should get going," he says as he stands up, taking a stretch. You see his lower abdomen. 'How can that be sexy. It's just skin. You're not ready to say goodnight, and you get the feel the same could be said for him.

Taking the lead, you head over to the lounge and sit down on one of the oversized sofas. This one is in the corner but still has a view of the reception area and the elevators. He sits next to you. A little closer than expected. But still. It's nice.

"So what now?" He asks.

"Well, one of the things I do when I'm at hotels, and I'm there a lot, is people watch"

You explain that most of the time, you do this on your own. Hotel TV is all repeat's and people are interesting. You can see a family. They are just checking in for their stay. "Look, theirs a family, mum, dad and little kid, what do you think their purpose is? Do you think its a vacation? Do you think they are here to see other family?" You ask.

"Well, let's see, they could be on holiday, yeah, they have luggage and look stressed, so they must have had a long flight," he laughs. "Maybe they are on the run, had to uproot their lives," he adds. "Oh, this is fun." He's watching them with interests when the child walks away from the parents and towards you two.

The kid, a boy of maybe 6/7 years old, comes over and sits on the sofa in front of you. Looking at you both, he smiles and waves. You both wave back. Hoseok sits up, puts his hand out for a hi five, the kid gives him one, and it makes a satisfying snap sound.

The parents look over. You wave and smile. Indicating that it's ok for the kid to be there. "Is this your wife?" The boy asks, looking at Hoseok. You laugh and translate. "No, no, I'm not his wife." What a strange question. "Why would you ask that?"

The boy says, "My name is Joe, I'm going to my uncles wedding, he's getting a wife." Again, you quickly tell Hoseok what's going on. He laughs and tells the boy in his clearest English. "No, she isn't my wife. But only because I've not asked her yet. " You burst out laughing and look at Hoseok with wide eyes. "How can you say that? He's just a kid," you scold him

"Don't listen to my friend, he doesn't speak English." The little boy then says, "I can marry you if you want?" He stands up in front of you both and says "by the power ingested in me, you are now married" he waits and then says "this is where you kiss her, I've seen it on tv" again you give a quick translation. Hoseok smiling and playing along with the kid kisses your forehead. "Thank you, I'm so happy, she is my wife."

The mum has walked over. "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry if Joe has been bugging you." You fill her in on your recent marriage. She's mortified, "Joe, you can't walk around marrying people. I'm really sorry, he's just so excited for my brothers wedding" she walks away with her son, still telling him off.

"Well wife, should we head upstairs, it is our wedding night" wiggling his brows, he's back to being playful and trying to wind you up.

"What am I gonna do with you?" You smile and play along, "who would have thought, I too would have been married this month?"

You both laugh, it's only when he takes out his phone and changes your contact details to "wifeu" that you stop laughing. "Hey, you said friends, now you want a wife, you've not given me a chance to get to know you. Fuck, I may decide I don't like you, we will need to get a divorce", you put the back of your hand to your forehead and pretend to faint. It's fun and easy and before you know it your laughing again.

This is the kind of fun friend you need right now.

"Wife, ha, that's your new title. We can only get divorced if Joe does it hahaha" he tries to stifle a yawn. "Well your husband needs sleep. Sorry my sweetie you will have to wait before we consummate this marriage. He stands up but takes your hand helping you to your feet. Walking towards the elevators. It's time for bed.

"I'm glad we met" he says, "Well re met, you know what I mean. I'm happy that you are my friend. Please, I want you to keep in contact. I will need updates and spoilers of the next season on "my kdrama life" you smile and agree. "I said I would send you updates. I'm glad to see you again too. Who knows maybe we will meet again, maybe work together again too. I'm going to have to go for coffee with Nicole. Thank her for breaking her leg." the elevator is taking longer than usual. You let out a contented sigh.

"What's on my wife's mind" he jokes. "This wife, well she isn't looking forward to the next few days and weeks. But she has a new friend and some not so new friends that she can turn too when it gets dark". He walks you to the your suite.

"I would suggest I come in and we sleep together but you need your rest and I have to set boundaries when it comes to you. Given my way, I would be under those sheets at a moments notice. But like I said earlier, your not ready, your not whole and I need to give you time". He is holding your hand in one of his and the other has found its way to your cheek. "My wife, haha," he kisses your cheek.

>kitty, who cares that we aren't whole, he could plug us up for a bit.

>brain, he needs to stop with this wife business. He said friends.

>heart. He's good for us.

"thank you, for not pushing me" What happens next surprises even you.

You turn your head, your lips meet his. A small peck. Nothing more. His face lights up but his eyes become black. His fingers are under your chin, guiding you forward a little, he kisses you back. His almond eyes looking at you as if asking for permission.

Opening your door and walking backwards you tighten the grip on his hand, effectively pulling him in. The door swings shut.