before the sunrise.

seven.

"i—" he flinches as cool lotion sizzles on heated flesh. "—did get sunburnt, didn't i?"

seulgi smears sunscreen where it's too late after he insists. "you're too pale. your skin is sensitive." she nurses the pain with gentle caresses.

"this is why i don't do the beach." defeated, he falls back onto his bed. spread-eagle and contemplating his life choices.

"i wanted to ask you why did you choose to vacation here, then?" she addresses the hotel room with an upturned palm, bur she means the tiny, paradisiacal island they're on.

jaebum fosters a lifeless mien as he stares blankly at the ceiling fan spinning, spinning, spinning with dark wooden blades. then he glances at her real quick.

"oh." it's hard for him to boast because he doesn't ever like introducing himself as the heir to a resort empire, but he has to now. "my family owns this hotel." and many others.

in her hand, seulgi squeezes too much lotion. white glob collects in between the lines as her eyes go saucer-like. she squashes the bottle again, sucks up any excess sunscreen in a failing bid to collect herself. jaebum remains full of twists and turns. she's surprised, shocked, floored.

"are you saying i had dinner with your dad last night?" that hits her first.

he nods too casually, too lightheartedly that she wants to wring her hands around his neck and strangle the life out of him for not giving her a head's up earlier. instead, she's too stunned to voice an opinion.

"it's who we're having dinner with tomorrow, too. i hope you don't mind." his smile is somewhat tipped apologetically. an outstretched arm beckons her to sit on the mattress.

it dips when she does, soul visibly floating from her.

he notes this and sits up, leaning her to his chest of rumbling laughter. "i'm sorry, seulgi. i didn't know how to tell you." he hugs her full on, practically engulfing her frame into his.

she's still and confused and processing before she wriggles, whining. "are you going to tell me your mom is the queen of england next?"

at that, jaebum only laughs more before kissing the freckles on her shoulder. there's a lot to peck. so he can't be anymore happier to oblige.

"sorry, sorry." he means it but doesn't. and it's quite obvious by the playful simper etched across his canvas.

"yah, im jaebum..." objecting because she was tickled more than distraught, seulgi wipes the melting sunscreen on his cheek. it's the realization he'll properly introduce her to his father that gets to her. that erupts butterflies in her stomach. what is happening?

she can't finish what she begins. so jaebum takes advantage, uses the opportunity to turn the tables and flips her onto the bed. she's pinned under him, trapped by a developing, wicked appearance.

"you're going to pay for this." he points at the lotion, swipes his finger until it's thick with white and doodles on her resisting face as she cranes her neck to avoid.

she loses, and that doesn't surprise either of them. giggles disembark, filling the hotel with the purist form of happiness. the sun shines brighter. the world slows. seconds turn to minutes. 4:30pm, and it feels like they're stuck in eternity. all she sees is the smile of his eyes, the sparkle in each iris, the smear of lotion heavy on his cheek. so seulgi laughs harder, wiping away the mess she made as he kisses her palm.

"gross," he complains, tasting the bitterness of lotion. he wipes his mouth on her dress.

"that's karma for you," she counters, smug but impish.