The Reluctant Manny

Episode Thirty

Time went on and things got back into a normal routine schedule. "The Reluctant Manny" became quite popular among readers and gained quite a loyal following.

And by loyal, it meant they were demanding and always looking for the next week's update. Minji, Taehyung, and Jungkook worked many late nights to keep the comic ahead of schedule.

They still took their scheduled days off, but if a deadline was looming, none of them would be able to enjoy their day off without constantly thinking of work.

Minji worked the hardest, keeping the script going, sketching out each cell with precision. Her artistry grew in skill as time went on, the manny no longer looking like a mystery man, but more like her own beloved manny.

Her beloved manny that kept the entire household on a meal schedule, even if all they had time for was a piece of fruit. Jin ruled the house's schedule like a five-star General.

He and Minji tried to make time to just sit down and regroup after the twins were in bed each night. Sometimes they accomplished that and sometimes they didn't. However, they always made time for one another on the day Minji had off. Jin coordinated his own time out with hers. They would spend the morning with the twins, hire a babysitter for the afternoon and early evening, then come home from their dates to spend time with the twins at night.

Everything in their life was running like a well-oiled machine.

* * *

"Why are you shaking your hand like that?" Jin turned from the sink, drying his hands on the hand towel draped over his shoulder.

"Hm? Oh, nothing! My hand fell asleep." Minji smiled and took a sip of her tea. She would always try to help Jin do the evening chores, but he always insisted she sit at the island and merely keep him company while he did them.

"You've been doing that a lot lately," he muttered, coming over and taking her hand in his own, massaging it gently.

"Have I? I hadn't noticed," she mumbled, mesmerized by his fingers softly kneading her hand and wrist.

"Have you been using your brace?"

Minji looked up at him suddenly and then her eyes cut to the side out of guilt.

"Minji! You're going to damage your nerves!"

"It's just so clumsy! I can't get the right details with it on. I'm fine, Jin. Really! I was just leaning on my hand, totally engrossed with watching my boyfriend washing dishes. I should take a picture and let you see just how hot you are from behind."

Jin looked into her teasing eyes and smiled. "You shall not deter me with flattery. You need to wear your brace."

He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on each knuckle and each fingertip. "I want these hands protected."

Minji blushed, watching as he kissed her hand. She was so spoiled. He treated her very well, respected her boundaries as a woman, put her needs before his own, loved her twins, and gave her endless story material.

"Make sure you put this into the comic. I'll be watching for it." Jin winked and laid her hand down on the countertop.

"You always do," she teased back, gripping her teacup once more.

"I'm a sucker for your writing! Plus, I love seeing myself through your eyes. Makes me all warm and fuzzy," he said with a laugh.

Mini finished her tea and picked up the cup with its saucer to carry it to the sink. "I really should pay you royalties I suppose since-"