⊂★⊃ 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃

𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲

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𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪 -- -͙- Two weeks had passed since Percy had fully regained her health. The weight she had lost during her battle with the venom had returned, bringing back the warmth to her cheeks and the energy to her step. The brown recluse spider bite that had once threatened her life was now a faint scar, a reminder of a harrowing chapter that had, mercifully, come to an end.

Life in their home had returned to its familiar rhythm. The kitchen was filled with the sound of laughter, the smell of good food, and the gentle chaos that only a household with three young children could produce. Yeonjun found himself standing in the doorway, watching the scene unfold with a sense of deep contentment.

Percy was bustling around the kitchen, her movements quick and sure as she prepared dinner. She looked up and caught Yeonjun's eye, flashing him a playful smile that made his heart skip a beat.

"Bring on the aglio e olio, Yeonjun!" she called out, her voice filled with the kind of joy that Yeonjun had feared he might never hear again. The simple Italian dish had become a family favorite, and Percy's request was met with enthusiastic, if somewhat garbled, echoes from the kids.

"Aglee-oleo!" DJ attempted, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Aggie-e-oleo!" Myles chimed in, not to be outdone.

Little Mallory, not wanting to be left out, tried her best too, though the words were more a jumble of sounds than anything else. "Agio-lee-o-leo!" she shouted, her giggle infectious.

Yeonjun couldn't help but laugh, his heart swelling with love for his family. He moved to join Percy at the stove, taking over the task of stirring the pasta while she leaned against the counter, watching him with a smile that spoke volumes.

"Careful, Dad," DJ warned, peering over the counter. "You don't want to burn it!"

"Yeah, we don't want burnt... what's it called again?" Myles asked, frowning as he tried to remember.

"Ag-lee-oh ee-oh-lee-oh," Percy pronounced slowly, emphasizing each syllable.

"Right!" Myles nodded, looking proud of himself.

"Don't worry, I've got it under control," Yeonjun assured them, though his gaze kept drifting to Percy. She looked so vibrant, so full of life, and the memory of those days when she had been lost to them, silent and still, made his appreciation for this moment all the more profound.

He thought back to everything they had been through—the fear, the uncertainty, the long nights at the hospital. He remembered the dreams and the visions, the moments of doubt and the whispers of hope that had kept him going. And now, here they were, together in their kitchen, their lives filled with the beautiful, mundane joys of everyday life.

Percy noticed the distant look in his eyes and nudged him gently with her elbow. "Hey, where'd you go?"

Yeonjun blinked, smiling at her. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."

"Lucky?" Percy raised an eyebrow, teasing him. "To have me bossing you around in the kitchen?"

Yeonjun chuckled, shaking his head. "No, lucky to have all of this. You, the kids, this life. I almost lost it, and I'm not taking any of it for granted."

Percy's teasing expression softened, and she reached out to take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're lucky too, Yeonjun. We're lucky to have you."

"Yeah!" DJ and Myles chimed in, their voices loud and full of affection. "We've got the best dad ever!"

"And the best mommy!" Mallory added, clapping her hands.

Yeonjun felt his chest tighten with emotion, but it was a good kind of ache, the kind that came from knowing you had something so precious that you'd fight with everything you had to keep it.

The aglio e olio was finally ready, and Yeonjun dished it out into bowls, handing them off to eager little hands. The kids scampered off to the table, their chatter filling the room, while Yeonjun and Percy took their time, savoring the quiet moment between them.

As they sat down to eat, Percy leaned in close and whispered, "I love you, Yeonjun."

He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the depth of his feelings. "I love you too, Percy. More than anything."

Mallory, not wanting to be left out, piped up with her own declaration of love, followed quickly by DJ and Myles, their voices overlapping in a joyful cacophony.

Yeonjun looked around the table at his family, at the faces of the people who meant everything to him. The journey they had been on had been long and difficult, but it had brought them here, to this moment of togetherness, of love and laughter.

As the conversation and laughter flowed around him, Yeonjun made a silent vow to himself. He would cherish every moment, every smile, every "aglio e olio" attempt, because he knew now, more than ever, how quickly it could all be taken away.

Percy caught his eye and smiled, a smile that told him she knew exactly what he was thinking.

And as he took in the scene around him—his wife, healthy and strong, his children, happy and carefree—Yeonjun knew that no matter what came next, they would face it together.

"Bring on the aglio e olio," Yeonjun said with a grin, lifting his fork as if to toast the moment. "We've got everything we need right here."

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