Even after the dumpster fire of last night, I still loved nothing more than waking up in Jumin's arms. I knew better than to get too excited, though. It's Sunday. In a few short hours, all of this would come to an unfortunate end. When I woke up and opened my eyes, I looked up at Jumin, who was looking down at me. And a little smile graced his face, "Good morning, princess."
"Good morning," I rubbed my eyes, "It's Sunday."
"Don't remind me," Jumin grumbled, holding me tighter, "You could stay here. No one would know. You could take Monday off. I wouldn't mind and I know you won't mind."
"Jumin," I stopped him, "I still need to go to work. I can't stay."
"Please?" he begged.
"Jumin," I put a finger to his lips, "You're only hurting yourself."
"I know," Jumin cuddled me, "You can't blame me for trying."
"No one said I would," I stretched up for a kiss, "But I do have to go home, though."
"I wish you'd just move in with me already, MC," he nuzzled his face in my neck, "It'd make things so much simpler."
"Jumin..."
"I know, I know," he groaned, "We have to wait."
"Another month, if you're curious," I told him, "One more month and my internship is up."
"Really?" Jumin jolted up, "You're graduating in a month and I'm just now finding this out?"
"Yep," I nodded, "Then, I'll no longer be your intern. Well, Jaehee's intern, but we can argue semantics later."
Jumin pulled me into his chest, running his hand up and down my spine, "I don't know what I'll do without you."
Honestly, I hadn't given much thought to what I was doing after graduation. The obvious answer would be to start sending out my resume to anyone looking. All I'd have to do is bat my eyelashes at Jumin and with his recommendation, I'd have my pick of the litter. When I started school, I had such a clear idea of what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be. Then, I started at C&R. I met Jaehee and Jumin. Then, Seven and V (even though meeting V was a complete fluke). I suppress meeting Zen, but I could handle him in small doses. They're all connected in some way other than the group chat. And I want to know how.
"Well," I laid my head in Jumin's shoulder, "You won't be without me. Not entirely. And we could stop sneaking around Jaehee since she won't be my boss anymore."
"I'm your boss, MC."
"By technicality," I pointed out, "But you're Jaehee's boss and in turn, she's my boss. If it makes you feel any better, I know somewhere you are my boss from the hours of 5PM on Friday until noon on Sunday."
"Really?" Jumin started getting flirty, his lips finding spots on my neck. There you are, Jumin. No more sad talk, "And where's that?"
"You know where..."
Jumin pulled the blanket over me, gently kissing the top of my head. Not the direction I thought this morning was going to take, but I'm not mad about it, "Oh, MC...I wish I could just keep you here forever. I'd never ever let you go."
My, my. Someone's awfully affectionate this morning, "I love you, too."
"Hey," he gave me a nudge, "How about some breakfast? I'm sure you're hungry."
"Ok," I nodded, "Are you cooking or am I?"
"Why would I do something so silly?"
I really should know better. Jumin didn't make food. He made phone calls. He made reservations. I don't think I could even picture him cooking. The thought gave me the same feeling as the thought of Yoosung cooking. Yikes. No, thank you. I couldn't...He's gotten stuck in the toaster. Seven had to get him out. How is Yoosung still alive? I pray for him.
Once Jumin and I finished breakfast, it got to be the unfortunate hour. It's time for the two of us to part ways. At least until tomorrow morning. But if this morning was any indication, this would wreck Jumin more than usual. My poor baby. I didn't want to do this to him, but I'd have to. How we've gotten this far in our relationship without Jaehee finding out is beyond me. But we've managed. Either Jaehee's slipping or we're that good.
"You could still stay," Jumin reiterated. But if he keeps on this like he does, it may be before graduation day that she finds out. If Jumin bones me out of my college credit, I may kill him.
"We've been over this."
"I know," he hugged me tighter, "I can take you home."
"No," I stopped him, "I love you, Jumin, but I need to make a few stops first. I can walk home. That's no problem. No need to get Driver Kim out of bed on a Sunday for this."
"What if I have a problem with it?" Jumin pouted. Such a baby.
"Jumin," I mushed his face between my hands, "I love you. I'll be fine. I'll see you at work tomorrow. Bright and early."
"Fine," he gave me one last kiss, "I love you, too. I better see you bright and early, too."
"Promise."
At the end of the day, I really do love Jumin. However, I also liked a little space. Some time to myself was what kept my head on straight. The fresh air and the sunshine greeted me like an old friend. On the way home, I passed the house of a relatively new friend. Should I do it? I stood in front of the gate's keypad, trying to logic this out. Then again, I'm sure that logic gets left outside this gate. Screw it. Let's see what this button does!
"Who is it?" a familiar voice barked from the speaker box.
"Pizza," I called out. It can't hurt to screw with him a little bit, can it?
"I never ordered any pizza. Who are you? I'll call the police! The FBI! The CIA! Scotland Yard! KGB! Interpol! A few yakuza connections I'm not proud of...GHOSTBUSTERS!"
"It's MC, you moron," I giggled.
"Oh!" Swear to God, "Hi, MC! You want to come in?"
"If it's not too much trouble," I requested, the gate lock popping open.
"Come on in," Seven allowed, "Front door's unlocked. I'll be there shortly."
"Ok," I walked the long, winding sidewalk and opened the big, white front door. My god, Seven lived in a mini mansion.
"Look at you," Seven teased, joining me at the bottom of the stairs. They had to be at least five feet wide. Why? What is the purpose for stairs like these? This is almost Jumin's level of extra, "Another midnight rendezvous with Mr. Han, MC? You naughty girl."
"Jumin actually has a girlfriend?" an annoyed voice came from the living room, "Did his left hand suddenly become sentient and grow its own body?"
"No!" Seven clarified, "She's an actual lady!"
"Blow up dolls don't count, Saeyoung. We went over that Thursday."
"She's human!"
"Gross."
"Well," I chuckled nervously, "I didn't know you had company, Seven. And that he's…such the charmer."
Seven popped up from the couch. But wasn't he just...In front of me? "You're not so bad yourself. She's Jumin's girlfriend?"
"Last time I checked. You...You still are, right, MC? Is everything ok?"
"THERE ARE TWO OF YOU?!" I gasped. I thought one Seven in my life was enough. I didn't realize he had a body double.
"Yep!" Seven beamed, throwing his arm around his carbon copy, "This is my twin brother Saeran! Don't let the saltiness fool you. He really is a delight. But that's tragic backstory for another day!"
"Settle down, Seven," I begged, "I'm barely a cup of coffee in today."
"You poor, poor creature!" he threw his brother and turned his attention to me, "How are you still standing? Saeran! Go get a Red Bull out of the fridge!"
"What do I look like?" Saeran scoffed, leaping back over the couch, "Your maid? I'm not Vanderwood. Get it yourself. Besides, Real Housewives is back on."
"I see someone's a sucker for catty bitches," I teased, taking a seat on the back of the couch.
"Stick with what you know," he shrugged.
"You know," I giggled, "It's weird watching this without Apollo."
"Apollo?"
"My pit," I elaborated, "Before I started dating Jumin, this was our regular Saturday night."
"I'll just leave you two alone," Seven insisted, scurrying off to the kitchen. At least I assume he was running off to the kitchen, since Saeran didn't.
"Your pit?" Saeran completely ignored his brother.
"Yeah," I took my phone out of my pocket and showed him my big, special boy, "My pit. He's three. And a good boy."
"A good-looking dog," he approved, "He looks like he'd tear my arm off, though."
"If you withhold bacon from him," I nodded, "Or chicken. But if you tell him no, he backs off. Apollo wouldn't hurt a fly."
"Apollo?" Seven joined us, "Apollo's a good boy. He's best boy. He's a ten out of ten, good pupper."
"Saeran," I asked quietly, "Has he ever been tested? For anything?"
"Believe it or not," Saeran chuckled under his breath, "He's above genius. That's about it."
"So, he doesn't have a screw or two loose?"
"Probably, but none medical science has been able to find."
"Huh," I stared at Seven in complete disbelief.
"Here, MC," Seven gave me the bright yellow can in his hand. Oh, mother of God...I haven't had one of those beauties in so long, "The nectar of the gods. You could've had the orange ones..."
"My ass, she could!"
"But they're Saeran's," Seven pointed out, "You do like the yellow ones, right?"
"Yeah," I winced, wanting nothing more than to shotgun this can, "But I...Can't drink these anymore."
"Why not?" he wondered.
"If you two are going to keep having this conversation," Saeran insisted with bitterness in his voice, "I suggest having it elsewhere. It's hard to hear the TV when you two are going on."
"Fine," Seven took my hand and led me into the kitchen. Even this was almost Jumin's level of extra and I'm pretty sure Seven can't cook either, "So, why can't you have Red Bull, MC? Did your doctor suddenly tell you it's bad for you?"
"Not my doctor," I bit my bottom lip, holding onto the unopened can.
"I thought there was something amiss," he figured, "I didn't have to know you long to know you're a total caffeine junkie, MC. Takes one to know one. But it's when I heard Yoosung talk about drinking the rest of your Red Bull that threw me off. It's Jumin, isn't it? He told you to cut yourself off from the Red Bull?"
"He just wanted me to take better care of myself," I argued, "But yes. He told me drinking Red Bull wasn't good for me, so I stopped. I haven't had any in a solid month, at least."
"Oh, MC," Seven took the can from me and cracked it open, "Here. You might be bouncing off the walls for a while, but you'll settle down. Let Uncle Seven take care of you by giving you what you so desperately need."
"No," I stopped him, "I just kicked the stuff. Don't be an enabler."
"Let me deal with Jumin," he insisted, "It's not the first time I've done it. And it probably won't be the last. That's only if I need to. It's just one, MC. It's not like he'll be able to tell."
"I don't know," I admitted, "Jumin's got a sharp nose."
"Is everything ok with you two?" Seven worried, taking an uncharacteristically serious tone, "Like...You can tell me. This is a safe space."
"Everything's fine with us," I took the damn Red Bull and started chugging it until I couldn't see straight. If that didn't take me back to sophomore year. There's something strangely satisfying about putting an idiot frat boy in his place and making him cry simultaneously. Oh, hell, I'm out of practice. And out of breath, "Really, Seven. We're good. We did get into it a little last night, but that was more of a me problem than a him problem."
"Alright," his eyes grew wide, "Damn, MC. That was impressive."
"Thank you," I took my bows.
"But other than your love life with Jumin," Seven went on, "How have things been? It feels like I haven't seen you in forever!"
"Can I ask you a question?" I threw my empty can away, waiting for the rush to kick in.
"Shoot."
"Do you know who V is?" I jumped up onto the kitchen counter.
"V?" Seven gasped, "How do you know who V is? I mean, I know he's famous and all, but how do you know V?"
"He's Jumin's best friend," I pointed out, "And I met him yesterday."
"Does Jumin know this?" I thought Seven was going to pass out.
"Yeah," I nodded.
"You met V...in person?"
"Yeah," I giggled, "He was buying chamomile tea."
"Funny," Saeran walked in with an empty bowl in his hand, "He never mentioned you."
"You knew V was in town?" Seven squeaked, "Saeran, I'm hurt! Top ten anime betrayals!"
"I thought you would've known."
"So, V's in town," he beamed, "Yay! I wonder..."
"What?" I asked, curious as to why Seven was staring a hole through me.
"Nothing!" Seven jumped up from his seat, helping me down from the counter, "Never mind! As lovely as it was to see you, MC, you need to go. Things to do. You understand."
"Yeah," I was practically shoved out the door, "It was nice meeting you, Saeran!"
"I'm sure!" he yelled back. Ok. Still not sure what to make of that one. But then again, I've known Seven for a while now and I had no clue what to make of him. I think that's by design, though.
Regardless, Seven kicked me out of his house and I started heading home. I had a big boy to see and a Yoosung to take care of. I just hope my building's still standing. When I walked in my apartment, though, the living room was completely empty. No Yoosung. No Apollo. I called out for Apollo, knowing Yoosung would be shortly behind him, but not even a peep. Huh. What the hell? Where were my boys? I don't think Yoosung was the type to run off with my dog. Apollo knows better. Then, the door squeaked behind me.
"Hi, MC," Yoosung beamed while Apollo gave me my big hug and thorough face licking, "Sorry. Apollo needed a walk."
"You like going for walks, don't you, buddy?" I snuggled my boy, "You missed having Mama around, huh?"
"I think he did," Yoosung assumed, unclipping Apollo's leash.
I missed him, too. I missed the simplicity. I loved being at Jumin's every weekend, but it took away from this. From me having my regular, day to day, monotony. I didn't realize how much I'd miss it. Who says it had to end? Call it having my cake and eating it, too.
"Hey, Yoosung," I wondered, "Are you busy tonight?"
"No," he shook his head, "I don't think so. Not even a raid tonight. Why?"
"Do you want to stay in tonight?" I asked, "Just the three of us? Binge shit movies and stuff our faces until neither one of us can move?"
"That does sound like fun," Yoosung smiled, "Absolutely."
"It's a date," I confirmed, "What do we have for snacks?"
"Almost nothing."
"What did I tell you about eating me out of house and home, Yoosung?" I rolled my eyes, slinging my bag across my chest, "I swear to God. I'm gone one weekend."
"You're gone every weekend, MC."
"I know," I bit the inside of my cheek, "I know. And I really should stay home once in a while, but..."
I stopped myself before I said too much. Lucky for me, Yoosung picked up on my reasoning, "Your boyfriend is monopolizing all your time."
"I know." Even more so, I hate that I'm seeing Seven's side of things. He didn't even have to say anything about it. He's worried about the road Jumin and I are going down. How he's becoming more and more concerned about little things I do. Right down to my caffeine intake. But it's just one of those ways that Jumin shows he loves me, "But that's why I'm sticking around here tonight. He wanted me to stay with him and take off work tomorrow."
"Wouldn't you have to run that by Jumin first?" Yoosung wondered, "I don't think he'd let you take off for something like that."
Is this the part where I tell him Jumin's the one that insisted on it in the first place? Oh, hell no. Yoosung's a sweetie. Don't get me wrong. But I don't think that boy could keep a secret to save his life, "I wasn't going to. I told him that. So, I'm sticking around home with my roommate instead."
"That's awesome," he threw an arm around me, "We should probably go grocery shopping first, yeah?"
"Yeah."
So, Yoosung and I hauled ass to the corner store and stocked up. If I didn't know any better, our cart would look like a couple of college kids with a wicked case of the munchies. In our defense, though, we were a couple of college kids with a wicked case of the munchies. Date night with the roommate. Just a quiet night at home. Jumin's was great and all, but it'll be nice to get back to normal for a while.
A/N: Hi, friends! I needed to cut it off there or we'd be here all day. And I know none of us want that. But the main goal here was that I finally got to introduce Saeran! Saeran is my sweet little angel and I love him. He's also a massive bucket of sass and I still love him. Kind of like when I talk about Romano in Hetalia. Romano's a little peanut, too. But that's here nor there.
I also have a quick question to run by you guys. How would you guys feel about a Discord server? Because I had someone in my Ouran fic suggest we got together for a Discord server and I thought, I've been wanting to do something community based for ages now. That's how the Compound started. I mean, yes, YouTube's going to happen. And I'm sure that'll come along with livestreams and shit, but for something 100% informal, would you guys be on board for something like that? It'd be cool. But yeah. Sound off and I'll see you next chapter. xx
