Book VIII: Unconditionally

Butterfly [M]

"Can I keep you?"

She giggled. He's such a clingy baby, she thought. How can he still be awake after what we did?

She sleepily swung her hand at him, landing on his stomach. "You already have me, pabo...in your pocket, remember?" she kidded in the hopes of shutting him up.

"I mean, for the rest of our lives..."

Joy tried to make sense of what he just said. She felt something cold slipping on her finger. When she saw what it was, his question made more sense to her.

She didn't budge. A million thoughts raced through her mind. Slowly looking up, she saw his anticipating eyes already fixed on her. She lifted her hand and held it close to her face. And there, snuggly fit on her fourth finger, was a shiny golden ring.

Joy quickly sat up. "Sungjae, I.." her voice cracked. She felt warm liquid running down her cheeks. Why am I crying? That's a freaking ring on my finger! Did he just ask me to marry him? Her body began to tremble. "Y-you...w-what...I..I.." she struggled to speak. Instead, she continued to shake uncontrollably.

Sungjae was quick to get up and pull her in a tight hug. He rocked her back and forth in his embrace. "Shhh...Sooyoung. Hush, baby. You don't have to say anything." Their bodies continued to sway together until her trembling eventually stopped.

She pulled away from his arms and tried to utter something. He cupped her cheeks and placed his thumb over her lips, while the other wiped her tears away. His eyes met hers. He chuckled at how puffy they were and how her nose and cheeks were tinted red from all her crying. "Sooyoung-ah...you have no idea how beautiful you are. And it scares me..the thought of my life without you...Will you stay by my side, baby?"

Joy was still at a loss for words. With her face between his palms, she managed to smile and nod her head. Sungjae's face lit up and pulled her back in his arms. They lay back down, still entwined. "Sleep now, baby. I'll see you in the morning," he whispered while stroking her hair.

Little by little, she felt his hand on her head move slower. Sungjae's breathing became heavy and steady, until his hand stopped and gently fell beside her. She too was slowly lulled by the rise and fall of his chest beneath her head. In his arms, she felt safe, secure, and at peace.

Yes...I'll stay by your side like this. Yes...you can keep me for the rest of your life, she spoke to him inside her head. Her eyes slowly closed, giving in to the night.

Yes, Sungjae...

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Morning came and the sight of her was the first to greet his heavy eyes. Is it true? he asked himself while staring at the beauty beside him.

Joy lay facing him, her bare body exposed from kicking off the blanket again. Sungjae's eyes traced from her feet to her legs which stretched over the other. I still can't believe it, he thought. His eyes continued to move up to her tiny waist where her left arm rested, her hand hung above the sheets.

His mouth curled up, seeing the glint on her finger. All of this seemed like a dream to him. He reached out and held her hand. Seeing how the ring fit perfectly on her finger, he knew that it was as real as it could get. Her hand twitched in his grasp.

Joy smiled, keeping her eyes closed. She felt his fingers trace just below her ear, moving slowly to her neck, shoulder, down to the curve of her waist; sending a tingling sensation through her body. Her eyes shot open as she laughed.

Sungjae wore a mischievious grin when Joy grabbed his wrist to stop his exploration. He pulled her by the waist so that they were skin to skin. "Hi," he said with his deep, husky, just-woke-up voice that any girl would melt to.

"Hi.." she replied shyly, burrowing her face on his chest to hide how she blushed. She felt the vibration of his laughter as he pulled the blanket up to wrap themselves in. He guided her to shift positions so he could hug her from the behind.

Sungjae rested his chin on top of her head. His arms were wrapped around her, covering her chest. Joy drew invisible circles on his arms, using her thumb. They stayed like this for a good few minutes, lost in their own bubble.

"Yes." Joy whispered out of the blue.

"Hm?" he asked absentmindedly with closed eyes.

"I never gave you a proper answer last night. So, yes. My answer is yes."

Sungjae tightened his hold on her and lifted her hand. He admired the ring while he spun it around her finger. "This is really happening," he said.

She chuckled. "It really is."

"I'm not dreaming?"

"Hmm...I'm not sure. If you are...let's see if this will wake you up." She tilted her head up and pulled his face down to hers. Their lips met in a slow, gentle kiss. Sungjae reached down to steady her, brushing his knuckles lightly on her breast along the way.

Joy let out a soft moan from the unexpected touch. It wasn't his intention, but the sound she made affected him, triggered him. And just like that...their soft, playful kiss intensified. She felt his tongue slide over her lower lip. But before she could oblige, he had already invaded her. Twirling, sucking, their tongues trying to gain dominance over the other.

His grip tightened around her, pulling her against his body. Just when he was about to turn Joy to face him...the ringing of Sungjae's phone blasted, startling the two. He rolled his eyes and groaned in frustration. Joy snickered as Sungjae reached for his phone.

He saw Changsub's name register as the caller. He answered the call, with the intent of telling him off. Instead, he was taken aback when a loud voice over the the speakerphone beat him to it.

"Where the hell are you, pabo?! Your stubborn ass better get here quick, before they find Joy-ah!"

He looked at his screen for the time. 11:32 am. Sungjae's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh shit!" he exclaimed. "Hyung, we...ani...I'm headed there now, mianhe." he aplogized and ended the call.

"What was that all about?" asked a confused Joy.

"Baby, we need to get up and get dressed. We're going to the restaurant. Palli."

Now she was more confused than ever. "Wae? What for?"

Sungjae sighed.

"To propose to you.."

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A/N:

No...this isn't going to be your typical story of getting married. This couple gave so much life and color to their reality show...so why not here as well? 😁
'Til the next chapter, fam! Thank you! 😊😙💙