baby, it's cold outside

by amukWrites

Zen did not like the cold. It sunk into his bones, it was utterly unromantic, and it was hard to muster the energy to go outside. So it had to be because of love that he agreed to go winter camping of all things with Jaehee and MC.

Title: baby, it's cold outside

A/N: For the No Strings Detached Zine! I really should write some solo ship pieces for these guys one day. I'd like to try going to one of these camping spots, the videos looked nice.

Summary: Zen did not like the cold. It sunk into his bones, it was utterly unromantic, and it was hard to muster the energy to go outside. So it had to be because of love that he agreed to go winter camping of all things with Jaehee and MC.

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Like a normal person, Zen didn't like the cold. Why would he? Even in Seoul, it seeped into his bones, nipping at his fingers and ears until he was just red in ways that make-up couldn't fix. At least he hadn't been born in a frigid country like Canada or Russia. He would have died after one winter. As it was, he bundled up with a scarf, a hat, gloves, three layers of shirts, and a jacket whenever he went out.

For this precise reason, he wasn't sure why he had agreed to winter camping. Summer? No problem, there was something utterly romantic about lying on the grass, his two girlfriends curled up in his arms as they searched for constellations. The cicadas would chirp, owls hoot, and with a little candlelight, it would make the perfect date.

In the winter? There was only a light dusting of snow in November, but there was absolutely nothing charming about lying in three fat snow jackets, unable to so much as touch, let alone snuggle. Even worse, he was certain they'd run the risk of dying of hypothermia if they even tried.

Zen glared at the bright blue sky. At four, the sun was already starting to lower. They couldn't even enjoy the afternoon and evening properly in the winter. It truly was the worst season.

"Found it!" Jaehee announced triumphantly, cutting through his thoughts.

Zen looked down, focusing on the path ahead of him. Despite his confusion over the whole concept, there were apparently enough people interested in winter camping in Seoul that the Nanji Hangang Citizens park actually had a space set up for it. Not only that, they actually had a whole section filled with tents set up, for those interested but lacking the gear.

At least they didn't have to actually buy equipment for this. Their budget was thin enough between the three of them. Besides, Zen was positive Jaehee and MC would both try this once and realize how ridiculous it was after. Now they wouldn't have to resell any gear.

"Ohhhh!" Impressed, MC left his side and hurried along the path to Jaehee. Her short brown hair peeked out of the edges of her blue hat. "I expected this, but it's a lot nicer than I thought."

Begrudgingly, Zen had to agree. He hadn't expected much, but the sight before him surpassed his meager hopes. There was a large tan tent along the riverbank, with a small coal barbeque set up a short distance away. Two chairs were set in the front, a perfect set up if they were a couple and not a trio. "It's not bad."

"Isn't it?" Jaehee smiled proudly, clasping her wrist as she watched MC investigate the tent. Her hair swayed in the chilly breeze. "I didn't think there'd be a spot so close to home for this."

"I knew you'd find something." MC poked her head out of the tent, looking like an adorable groundhog. Her brown nose was a dark red as the wind nipped at her. She smiled brightly at Jaehee. "You always do."

Zen exhaled softly. Honestly, what was he doing, thinking these dark thoughts, feeling grumpy about something his two sweethearts had organized? Of course he knew why he was winter camping: they wanted to. And he had never learned to say no to them.

He hoped he never would.

Jaehee was here, MC was here—there was nothing else he needed to feel happy about the situation. Even if the cold seeped into his bones. Even if his nose felt stuffy. This whole situation was going to be hell on his skincare regime, but there was no point in doing it every day if he couldn't afford to take a night off.

"She's right, you did a good job," Zen praised, wrapping an arm around Jaehee's shoulder and pulling her close. He pressed a light kiss on her forehead, a spot he could still reach despite how bundled up they were.

She squeaked, surprised. Even now, months after they'd started their arrangement, she never knew how to react to his or MC's displays of affection, even more so when they were public. At least she'd stopped shying away from them. Face red, she clutched the edge of his jacket and leaned into him. "I-It's nothing."

"It's not nothing." Still lying flat on the ground, half in the tent, half out, MC crossed her arms and pillowed her head in the crux. She sighed blissfully. "You know, it's a lot warmer in here than I expected."

"It is?" Suspicious, Zen leaned into the tent. She was right. It was oddly warm in there. Not hot enough to remove all of their layers, but enough that he didn't need to wear his jacket when he slept.

Maybe they could actually cuddle tonight. Now, that was an uplifting thought.

"I guess we don't have to go home tonight then," he murmured, slightly disappointed. It had been worth a shot.

"It'll be perfectly fine. They have a heater attached to keep things warm." MC laughed, her eyes crinkling just so as she looked up at him. He wanted to kiss her nose. Affectionately, she teased, "Scaredy-cat."

Zen shivered automatically. It was entirely psychological, he knew. It was impossible to allergically react to something that wasn't there. Yet, he could already feel the goosebumps spread across his arm, his nose tickled in the memory, and his hands were itchy. "Don't say cat, please," he begged, leaning against the tent weakly.

"Sorry, sorry." She didn't sound contrite at all as she patted his leg.

"We are set to go." They both looked up to find Jaehee back in business mode, a gloved finger pushing up her glasses as she stood like the career woman she was. As usual, she was at her best when she was in command. "We need to get everything ready before the sun sets."

Zen glanced up. Already, the sky was painted a rosy pink, the sun starting its daily descent. They didn't have much time.

"You two, get the food prepped and ready to go. I'll start the barbeque and set out my kettle for the hot chocolate." Jaehee's cheeks were flushed, excitement driving her in a way he rarely got to see. If she'd just leave her damned job with Jumin, he was certain he'd see her like this every day.

Then again, ever since MC had somewhat blackmailed the evil bastard, Jaehee had stopped coming home exhausted, so he took his minor victories where they came.

"I thought the staff would start the barbeque." Zen paused before rubbing his neck. For all of his exercise routines and motorcycle escapades, he had never actually been much of an outdoor person. This was the first time he'd actually handled a campsite on his own. "It doesn't take much to start a barbeque, right?"

"If we had gone to the other location, they would have." Jaehee hummed happily, not minding the extra work. Of course she didn't. She was a workaholic to her core. "This one has a coal barbeque and I wanted to try it out."

"Coal?" MC asked as she crawled out of the tent reluctantly. She zipped up the tent before any more hot air could escape.

Jaehee gestured at the barbeque beside her. Now that Zen was paying attention, he could see that the whole thing was a lot more rectangular and flatter than he was used to. The grill was set to the side and a pile of coals were stacked like a mini hill in the center.

"It takes a little longer to set these up, but the taste is amazing. And…" She dragged out the last syllable as she pulled out a bag of wood chips from her pocket. "I wanted to try this."

MC plucked the bag, turning it over in her hands. Bemused, she asked, "Should we use actual logs?"

"That'll take even longer and is harder to control." Zen could almost see her eyes flash as Jaehee pulled out her notebook. He had to admit that the emojis Luciel had made for them were entirely apt—Jaehee really resembled one of hers right now as she flipped through to a bookmarked page. "Woodchips, however, provide the right flavouring without adding in those issues."

It was just like Jaehee to geek out on something like this—when she'd first started researching coffee, it hadn't been uncommon to find her buried in library books as she learned the most obscure methods of brewing.

Still, the light was dim as it was. Zen gently pried the notebook out of her hands before she could finish reading all of her notes. Closing it, he tapped her on the head tenderly. "No reading in this light. We don't want your eyesight getting worse."

"R-right." Embarrassed, Jaehee flushed.

Zen patted the spot he bumped before setting aside her notebook in one of their bags. "We can look at it tomorrow."

"We shouldn't have our phones either, tonight," MC chimed in, pulling out her own and turning it off.

"Nothing to get between us, right, princess?" Zen carelessly pulled out his phone and turned it off. He had little need for it, not with them around.

"That's a good idea." Jaehee stared at her phone as though it were alive, talking to her in a language only she could hear. "But what if he calls?"

Zen couldn't help it. His lips curled in disgust. He could live to be eighty and still have this reaction, no matter how much Jumin had helped him or his darlings. There was just something instinctual about his hate. In a past life, they must have been sworn enemies. "I'll yell at him."

MC elbowed him. With the amount of padding between them, it was more of a symbolic gesture than an actual pain. "Zen."

Part of him wished she'd never become friends with the jerk. It was bad enough that they were all in the same group, let alone her dealing with him privately. He couldn't deny the curl of jealousy whenever he saw MC getting along with the others—he'd seen the way they'd all talked to her, the way they looked at her.

It was entirely in his imagination, but that didn't help his feelings at all. The only good thing was that he was already used to the group dynamics with Jaehee, or he would be in a constant state of nerves.

Turning to Jaehee, MC gently clasped her hands and pried the phone out. "It'll be fine. He won't call until tomorrow evening."

"But…" Jaehee clung to the phone, her fingers locking it tight like a bear trap.

"Even if he does, Luciel and Yoosung agreed to cover," MC added cheerfully, though her smile was chilling.

Zen burst into laughter. He wasn't sure what deal with the devil she made for that to happen, but it was definitely worth it. "That's worse than me yelling."

He could just imagine the chaos. Hopefully Luciel would actually kidnap that damned cat while he was at it.

"Is it?" MC grinned mischievously as she stepped back, Jaehee's phone in her hands now. She dumped it unceremoniously in another bag.

"What about photos?" Jaehee asked in a last-ditch attempt to save her phone. "We can't take any now."

"I got that covered." MC triumphantly pulled out a small digital camera, holding it above her head like a prize. "Ta-dah!"

Zen hadn't seen one of those in ages. Almost everyone used their phone now, and he had nearly forgotten there were other options. "You were prepared for this."

"I was excited." MC bobbed happily as she handed the phone over to Jaehee. "It's not every day we get to have a sleepover."

Jaehee fiddled with the camera, her fingers running over the buttons before holding it up and snapping a quick picture of them. Studying the shot on the screen, she nodded approvingly. "This will do."

"Not quite." After taking the camera, Zen wrapped an arm around both of his girls, pulling them close. Their shoulders bumped, hair mixing together, and he took a selfie before they could react. "This is better."

"Maybe I should have just given it to you." MC leaned up, pecking him on the cheek. His finger pressed the shutter again automatically.

Jaehee stared at her empty hand, as though remembering the weight of the camera, before sighing. "I can't use it anyways. I need to get that fire going."

"And we need to cook." MC hummed as she pulled open the cooler they'd packed before they'd left. Inside were several containers, some with pre-cut vegetables and marinated meat, others with the small extras they had to set up now.

"Right." Zen raised the camera, taking a photo of MC as she pulled off lids. He took another of Jaehee as she lit the coals, the small flicker of a flame slowly growing stronger as she fanned it. It had been a mistake to bring a camera, let alone give him it. All he wanted to do now was take photos and honestly, who could blame him? His ladies were beautiful. He wanted to spoil them. Even in the ordinary, they were eye-catching.

Noticing that she was alone, MC looked up as he snapped another one. Her ears turned red as she frowned. "Zen, we need to make dinner."

"Right." Her reaction was adorable. Zen snapped one last photo before setting down the camera. The lighting was getting bad anyways, the sky growing dark as the sun all but disappeared. Around them, the small flames of distant barbeques flickered, and lamps lit up to give them just enough light to see by.

There weren't that many people around them. It was a nice change from their summer camping trips, when there were as many campers as there were mosquitos. Their voices would fill the air, making it hard to think, let alone talk.

Now, there were only quiet murmurs filling the air, a sound as soft as a gurgling river. In the silence, Zen felt hyper aware of everything—of how Jaehee's hair brushed her nape, of how MC's leg pressed against his as they stood side by side cutting, of how easy it was to close the gap between either of his two loves.

At one point, he might have joked about turning into a beast. Zen couldn't say it now. He felt more like a puppy than a wolf. It was a good thing the lights were dim; his face felt hot and he didn't want to know just how red he'd turned.

He forced a question, trying to distract his mind. "How did you convince Yoosung and Luciel to help?"

"I was wondering that too," Jaehee added as she stoked the coals. She leaned back, grabbing a cut zucchini to test on the grill. "Nothing illegal, I hope."

"I'm not as bad as Luciel." MC laughed, her knife work steady as she sliced an eggplant. "There was a raid event on the game we're playing, and they needed a third. I needed a favour. It all worked out."

Jaehee frowned, not liking where this was going. "Just make sure not to game too much."

"It's a little too late for that." MC adjusted her hat. "But I'll try not to next time."

"Did you not get enough sleep, babe?" Zen asked, concerned as he peered down at her face. Her eyes didn't seem puffy nor were her eye bags that dark.

"More than enough last night." She winked, leaning over him as she stole one of his cut cucumbers. Her hair tickled his nose. Zen tried not to stiffen. MC was always casual with her touches, stepping into his space like it was nothing, and he never knew how to react.

He was not sure how he had ever considered himself a beast, sometimes. It was all he could do to keep his composure from a simple touch.

"I think it's hot enough. Could you taste test?" Jaehee asked, holding out the zucchini with her chopsticks. Her ears were red as she looked up at him expectantly.

It was far easier to deal with Jaehee's shy advances. Zen kept his eyes on her as he accepted the offering, leaning forward as he bit the vegetable. For his services, he was rewarded with an even brighter blush.

"Let me try." MC stole the rest and licked her lips. "Perfect." She leaned over, pecking Jaehee's cheek. "Absolutely perfect."

Jaehee made a pleased sound as she picked up the Tupperware containing their marinated beef. MC picked another one and stood next to her. Zen snapped another picture as the pair started to carefully arrange dinner to cook, more than content to just watch as his ladies quietly chatted.

It would be nice if they could do this every day. Make dinner, make breakfast, be the last person they saw at night and the first in the morning. He wasn't sure where this desire came from, only that curled in him. They had been dating for a year now. It wasn't too early to ask them to move in with him—his basement was small, cramped, and crowded, but it would also be cozy.

Noticing his absence, MC looked over her shoulder, her brow raised. "Zen? Come closer, the fire's warm."

Obligingly, he slipped in between them. The fire flickered, warming his face, but Zen realized he didn't need it. At some point, he had stopped feeling the cold. He wrapped an arm around their waists, pulling them close.

Maybe he'd ask tomorrow, when the sun was up—he wanted to see their expressions.

For now, though, he was more than content to just stay like this.

Perhaps winter camping wasn't so bad after all.