Alive

Vows in the Dark

After an hour of raised voices, the storm finally broke. The boys left the room together, not enemies but strangely aligned, and you were left trembling in the quiet.

"Go get her," Jaebeom murmured, a command wrapped in a sigh, his voice carrying the weight of something more than just approval.

You blinked at him, confused. You'd expected bitterness, a rift between them. Instead, there was calm acceptance. Jinyoung's gaze lingered on you for only a moment before he turned and walked away, his shoulders rigid but not hostile.

Jaebeom settled beside you on the couch, the shift of the cushions pulling you closer to him. His presence filled the space, grounding, heavy, impossible to ignore.

"Jinyoung's in love with Cha," he said quietly, eyes fixed ahead. "So I gave him my blessing. He'll fight for her, the same way I fought for you." His voice dipped softer at the end, barely audible.

The words drew a smile to your lips before you could stop it. You studied him—the boy who had once been rough edges and sharp words, now softened, reshaped by something tender. By you. The realization warmed your chest.

"That's... amazing," you whispered, before sliding into his arms. Your own wrapped tight around his neck, your face pressed into the familiar curve where his jaw met his shoulder.

He held you immediately, instinctively, his arms looping around your waist like they were meant to be there. A kiss landed on your forehead, fleeting but fierce, and when he pulled back his voice had dropped to that intimate rasp that always set your pulse racing.

"Come with me," he said. "To my office."

You nodded, fingers weaving through his as he led you down the hall. The click of the door closing behind you sealed the two of you off from the world, enclosing you in a bubble of silence.

Before you could even ask why, his lips were on yours—soft but urgent, pulling you in with a hunger that had no patience for hesitation. You melted into it, the taste of him dizzying, the press of his chest against yours steady and unyielding. When he finally drew back, his breath was warm against your ear.

"Let's get the papers," he whispered.

You pulled back just enough to see his face. Confusion furrowed your brows. "Papers?"

"Marriage papers," he clarified, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear with aching gentleness.

Your cheeks burned. "You're not serious..."

His lips curved into the faintest smile, but his eyes were unwavering. "I am. Dead serious. I don't ever want to lose you. You're the only thing that's been real for me—for as long as I can remember." His voice wavered at the edges, just enough to betray the vulnerability beneath his certainty.

Your heart squeezed painfully, overwhelmed. You lifted a hand to his cheek, thumb grazing the line of his jaw. "Are you really sure? About forever?"

He answered without words, pressing his mouth to yours again. The kiss was slow, unshakable. When he finally pulled back, he whispered against your lips, "Yes. I'm sure."

And you knew you believed him.

"Then let's do it," you breathed, determination sparking in your chest.

His fingers laced through yours, tugging you back into the light of the outer office. Jinyoung was waiting, composed but pale, his face unreadable.

"It didn't go well, did it?" Jaebeom asked gently.

Jinyoung's voice cracked despite his composure. "She has to marry Mr. Kim. She told me she loves me... but she's sorry."

The sound of it twisted something inside you. Without thinking, you stepped toward him, loosening your grip on Jaebeom's hand. You wrapped your arms around Jinyoung, holding him as tightly as you could.