A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and support! I hope my story continues to please you! And thank you for all the name recommendations! The new character will appear in a later chapter! This chapter contains a tad bit of sexual content, but it is nothing graphic or risque. It is more talking than anything. Lol.

And welcome all new readers! Enjoy!

It was around 10 p.m. when the plane landed on the runway. I always preferred night travel to day travel since it made everything seem calmer.

As we disembarked from the plane and into the terminal, Mr. Park clasped his hand onto my shoulder with a smile.

"I wish you the best of luck to the future, Ms. Park."

I nodded and placed my hand on top of his.

"Same to you, Mr. Park."

We said our farewells, and I watched the older man fade into the crowd.

For some reason, I felt my fingers tingle and the words 'watch out' slipped through my lips.

'Why do I get the feeling something bad is going to happen?'

Shaking it off as jet lag, I got in line for security, clutching my phone in my hand.

'Miles should be here by now. Should I text him or wait until I get to the baggage claim? He did say he would be waiting at the welcome area.'

Once I passed through security, the butterflies increased in numbers, and I had to lean against a pillar to compose myself.

'I'm finally going to see him again. I can finally touch him, the real him.'

Taking a few deep breaths, I pulled myself together and waltzed over to the baggage claim with my head held high.

Since it was such a late hour, I was able to locate my suitcase easily due to the lack of passengers. To my left, there was an adorable family of five, and to my right was a bickering elderly couple.

After making sure everything was in order, I made my way to the welcome area.

All around me were family and friends welcoming back or greeting their loved ones. The heartwarming sights brought a smile to my face as I scanned the room for my own loved one.

I wheeled around the area about five times before worry creeped in my chest.

'Please tell me the twit is in the bathroom and not in some horrible accident.' I thought to myself while shooting Miles a text.

Where are you?

Not a second later, I received a picture message.

Curious, I opened to up.

Only to see a snapshot of the back of my head.

Tears prickled at my eyes, and I whipped around, the butterflies now bursting from my chest.

And there he was with that infuriating smirk on his gorgeous face.

My vision blurred as I looked up at Miles, and I wanted nothing more than to throw my arms around him.

Instead, I just smiled and clasped my hands together.

"….I'm home, Miles."

He didn't say anything, just reached out and placed his hands on my cheeks.

Oh, how I've missed his touch.

I closed my eyes and felt that familiar warmth spread across my body.

In the matter of three years, I'd forgotten how Miles' soothing touch could make m-.

"OUCH!" My eyes snapped open as my cheeks were roughly pulled outwards. "What are you doing?!"

"Just making sure it is really you, Short Stack." He laughed, pulling harder and harder. "Wasn't sure if this beautiful woman in front of me was my girlfriend or not."

Irked, I decked him in the abdomen, thus releasing my cheeks from their confines and sending him to the ground.

"You're 25 years old, Miles! Grow up!"

"Ah! There is my bundle of joy." Miles snickered, picking himself up off the ground. "Well, consider it payback for abandoning your poor, defenseless boyfriend."

"Don't make me laugh, Upshur. You are the completely opposite of defensele-GAH!"

I was swept off the floor and into his arms before I could utter another word.

"Miles! What is…"

Miles buried his face into my neck, tightening his hold around my waist like I was going to slip away if he eased up even a little.

"You are back." His breath tickled my clavicle. "You really are back. God, I missed you so much."

My eyes softened, and I nudged his head up so he was facing me. All teasing and playfulness was gone from his hazel eyes and all I could see was pure joy and relief. Burying my fingers in his unruly hair, I rested my forehead against his and whispered,

"I missed you too, my love. But, I'm back and here to stay."

He closed the gap, and we kissed as the rest of the world faded away.

Three years of waiting were put into that one kiss, and I found myself glad Miles was holding me up since I'd probably be a puddle on the floor by now.

I wanted nothing more than to stay like that, and Miles felt the same according to his moans, but I knew this wasn't something to be displayed in public.

"Miles." I pulled away, only to be yanked back.

"Didn't I tell you," Miles panted in my ear, hand sliding under my shirt. "when you came back, I was going to cash in that rain check."

"And I told you to wait until we were in private, genius." I fired back, flicking his forehead when that wandering hand of his cupped my breast.

"Nmmm." He groaned, his expression like that of a pouting child. "Fine."

I laughed as I was set back on the ground.

"Good boy, Miles."

"Yeah, yeah." He mumbled, picking my suitcase up and holding his other hand out.

Warmth bloomed in my chest again as I weaved my fingers through his and let him lead me out to the parking garage.

"Ah, nice to see another familiar face." I sighed, patting the hood of the old red Jeep. "Still in mint condition, I see."

"What," Miles scoffed, holding the door open for me, "expecting to see a shit ton of dents?"

"Maybe." I teased, sliding onto the passenger seat and enjoying the familiar scents the car gave off.

So many memories.

Some good and some bad, but all of them important nonetheless.

"You wound me, cara mia." Miles murmured, pulling out of the parking garage and out to the highway.

I snorted at the old, 'mischievous' nickname and gazed out the window.

The "Queen City of the West" glittered in night, giving the impression of daylight even in the dead of night. I was so used to the medieval architecture of Nuremberg that all the sleek modern buildings made me feel like I was in an episode of "The Jetsons".

While I was reacquainting myself with the 21st century, I felt something nudge my hand.

Miles, while keeping his eyes on the road, was trying to hold my hand.

'He is so freaking cute.'

"Hey, both hands on the steering wheel, young man." I reprimanded, taking his hand in mine anyways.

"Says the lady with a death grip on my hand." He fired back, a pleased smile on his face.

I shook my head with an amused sigh.

"So, what is this apartment of yours like? I never got to see much from our Skype chats."

"You'll see when we get there." There was something in his tone that made me squint my eyes in suspicion, but I figured all of my questions would be answered momentarily.

"I just hope it's not a shoebox."

Miles' apartment turned out to be more of a large closet with a kitchen in the corner.

"Gosh, Miles!" I surveyed the tiny 'home', wondering how someone Miles' height could stand up straight in this prison. "I understand investigative journalism doesn't have a constant payroll, but I'm sure you can live somewhere a tad more spacious."

Miles placed my luggage on the ground and held his arms out in exasperation.

"This is the best I can do, Your Grace. Besides, it's just me and a fuckload of microwaveable Mac n Cheese. How much room do I need?"

"Well," I started, making a mental note to take Miles grocery shopping. "at least you keep it clean. Don't get me wrong, Miles. It is a cute place, but it's not the definition of comfort. A home is supposed to bring a sense serenity, but imprisonment."

"It is not like I'm home much anyways." He tossed his jacket onto a beat-up sofa and slipped mine off too, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "So there is little point in becoming a Martha Stewart showroom."

I chuckled and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Just promise me you'll try to make this place a little more tranquil, alright?"

Miles looked down at me and sighed.

"Don't look at me like that. You know I can't resist the 'Bambi' eyes."

"Exactly!" I snickered, pulling him down for a kiss which he quickly reciprocated, curling his arms around my waist and lifting me up against him.

"So," He blew on my ear, causing me to shiver. "may I cash in that rain check? It's got three years' worth of interest."

"Yes you may." I whispered, tracing a finger over his lips, enjoying the way his pupils enlarged, before pulling away. "After I use the bathroom though!"

"Of fucking course!" Miles tossed his hands into the air. "You just enjoy getting me all worked up, don't you?!"

I cackled and waltzed over to the bathroom while Miles flopped across the counter in defeat.

"You waited for three years to see me again!" I called from the next room. "You can wait two more minutes."

"But I don't wanna~!" He whined in a little kid voice. "I want my Short Stack now~!"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the infamous Afghanistan whistleblower." I muttered to myself, flushing the toilet then washing my hands. "By the way, you need to restock your soap bottle! You're almost out!"

No reply.

"Miles?"

Once again, no reply.

"Oh my God, Miles!" I groaned, shutting the bathroom lights off and stomped back towards the kitchen. "Are you seriously giving me the silent treatment?!"

I turned the corner, only to find the kitchen empty.

"Miles? Where are you?"

"Back here!" His voice drifted from the adjacent room. "Come in!"

I rolled my eyes and pushed the door open.

"Miles, why didn't you ans-EYAH!"

There stood Miles in the middle of the bedroom in nothing but his boxers, which he was in the process of taking off.

I slammed my hand over my eyes and turned away, my face on fire.

"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to intrude!"

I was about to flee from the room when Miles pulled me back in.

"Whoa, slow down, Short Stack! Why are you getting all flustered? This isn't the first time you've seen me naked."

I averted my eyes, feeling my cheeks melt.

"I..um…well, I guess I was just surprised. I mean, I haven't seen you in a while so…it kinda came as a shock."

Miles gave a curt laugh and scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, I guess that was pretty stupid of me to do when we just met up again. Sorry about that."

"No, no, it's fine." I finally mustered up the courage to look him in the eye. "I shouldn't have made a big deal about it."

An awkward silence hung in the air as we just stared at each other, wondering what to do next.

"Well, if you're already undressed, then," I started to unbutton my shirt. "I should meet you halfway."

"Wait, Young-ja." Miles took my hands in his. "Are you truly comfortable with this? Because if you feel even a tad uneasy, then I won't pressur-."

I placed a finger on his lips and smiled.

"It's fine, Miles. Really. I just realized we are together again, and I guess my emotions got the better of me." I placed his hands on my cheeks. "I will admit I'm a bit nervous since it's been so long, but for the most part, I'm happy. I'm so happy to be with the man I love." I pulled him down for a light peck. "And now, I want to show him just how much I do."

"Oh, Young-ja," Miles breathed out, resting his head on my shoulder and embracing me tightly. "I still can't believe you're here with me. For the past three years, I've dreamt you never left, only to wake up and find you gone." He buried his face into my shoulder. "Now that you're here, I want nothing more than to make sure this is real."

"Then let's make it real."

And with that, Miles lifted his head and slowly inched towards my lips.

My heart pounded in my chest when our lips finally connected.

Then the mood shifted.

Miles flicked the lights off and swept me off my feet, never once breaking the kiss.

I wrapped my legs around his waist as I was placed on the bed and he hovered over me.

Miles soon broke the kiss and stared down at me with dilated pupils.

He brushed stray hairs away from my face with a feather-like touch.

Then, he kissed my forehead, my nose and my cheeks before pausing at my lips.

"I love you" he whispered with half-lidded eyes.

"And I love you." I answered, losing myself in the kiss that followed and the man who gave it and everything else to me.

And as all clothing was stripped away and nothing remained between us, I felt an overwhelming sense of completion that I brought me to tears.

Finally, I felt whole again.

Because that night, I was reunited with my other half.

During the time Miles and I slept (and slept) together back in college, I would find myself hanging on the side of the bed or smooshed against the wall due to the small sleeping space.

This time, however, I woke up on the bed with plenty of blanket to spare, albeit a bit sore in some places.

But that was for another reason.

Giving a sleepy smile, I thought to myself that Miles finally learned to sleep properly during our time apart.

'Thank the Lord for that.'

Cuddling into the warm blanket, I was about to drift off to sleep when I was tugged into a warm, firm chest and a kiss was placed on my shoulder.

Amused, I rolled over and faced my scruffy, half-awake boyfriend whose smile was as bright as the sun.

"Any particular reason Mr. "I-hate-mornings" is so cheerful today?" I teased, snuggling against his chest.

"I have my reasons," He buried his nose into my hair. "One of them being this gorgeous woman I woke up next to."

"And the second?" I asked, running my hands down his chest.

"I don't have morning wood."

I snorted and lightly punched his shoulder.

"You perv."

"Hey, I'm just being honest. That shit hurts after a while of pent up frustration, y'know."

"Speaking of pain," I rolled us over so Miles was on his back, and I laid on top of him. "where did you get this scars?"

"My, my! So aggressive, Short Stack!" He laughed, drumming his fingers up my thighs. "Quite sexy, I must say."

"Can it, Miles." I pinched his nose. "Answer the question. How did you get these scars? You told me all of your jobs have been safe."

"And they have! ….In a sense."

"Miles!"

"What? It's bound to happen in my line of work. Not all information is going to come easy. Besides, it's just a few scratches, not like I got possessed by some demon."

"Still," I sighed, absentmindedly stroking the scars on his abdomen. "It concerns me that you're getting hurt on the job. And so often, according to these."

"All jobs have their risks, Short Stack," His voice sounded a little strangled, but I paid it no mind, moving on to a rather large one on his hip. "Nhh! Short Stack!"

"Yeah?"

"You're testing my control here."

"Hm? Am I?" I peeked up at his face, noticing how flushed it had become.

"Yeah, so knock it off!"

Smirking to myself, I decided to mess around with him for a bit.

"I don't want to though." I leaned forward and lingered above his lips while moving my finger across his navel. "Maybe I'm still irked you kept all these injuries from me."

Miles' breath caught in this throat, and he tried to close the gap between us, but I kept him in place.

"Seriously?! You're angry about that?! I kept it from you so you wouldn't worry!" He panted, tangling the sheets in a death grip.

"How sweet of you, my love." I lightly bit on his earlobe, laughing mentally when his body jerked beneath me. "Still angry you kept it from me though."

"Fuck," he moaned, a light sweat now coating his skin. "Fine! If I tell you everything, good or bad, will you stop torturing me?!"

"Do you promise?" I gently ran my nails down his side.

"Ah! Yes, I promise! Cross my fucking heart and all that shit!"

Immediately, I sat back up and lifted my hands away, laughing at how strung up Miles looked.

"Well then," I hummed, climbing off him and stretching. "I guess I'll be leaving now."

I didn't get a chance to move a single muscle before I was pinned down on the bed.

"Oh like hell you are!" Miles glared down at me, "You can't get me worked up, then scurry off without finishing!"

"Hey, I only did that because I love you."

"Well you have a pretty frustrating way of showing it!"

"Aw," I patted his cheek. "Don't pretend you weren't turned on by that."

"So what if I was?!" His face became a cherry red, embarrassment mixing in with the arousal.

I covered my face as laughter shook my body, finding Miles' behavior so freaking adorable.

"Well, I guess we can safely say you aren't the only dominating person in bed. However, I really need to get going. The company only gave me a week to go house hunting."

"You can stay here!" Miles' grip on the sheets tighten, his patience wearing thin.

"Really?! Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you can decorate the place however you want. I really don't give a shit right now to honest."

I weighed the pros and cons in my head before making my decision.

'Well, I can spend more time with Miles, and it is pretty close to the orchestra. But, it is so freaking small and cramped. Hmm. I guess I can make it functional somehow.'

"Alright. I guess we are housemates now!"

"Whoopie-freaking-do! Are we done talking yet?!"

"Pretty much." I giggled.

"Thank God." Miles crashed his lips on mine, immediately drawing my legs up around his waist.

'I'll have to do this more often.' I chuckled to myself, digging my fingers into his back as he entered me. 'It feels good having the upper hand once in a while.'

We laid there afterward, wrapped in the other's arms and on the verge of slumber.

"Feel better now?" I asked, my voice hoarse with exhaustion.

"Much better. Just don't do that too often. I'll die, and you'll have to explain why to the police."

I gave a light chuckle and rested my head on his chest.

"My first performance is this Saturday. I got you a front row seat."

"Damn right I better have a front row seat! And you better blow my mind because I've been waiting three years for this."

"Wow, way to lay the pressure on a girl, Miles." I smiled, crossing my arms and resting my chin on top of them.

"I know you'll do great, Young-ja." He smiled softly, twirling a lock of my hair around his finger. "And the entire audience will be awestruck by your brilliance. Trust me."

I closed my eyes and nodded.

"I do, Miles. And I'll support you too. You are doing something wonderful, going to the ends of the Earth in the pursuit of justice. But, just promise me that you won't keep secrets from me, alright? I want to be there for you no matter what."

"It's a deal." Miles smirked, rolling us over and blowing raspberries against my neck.

"Miles!" I shrieked, "You're such a dork!"

"I'm your dork though." This time, he rested his head on my chest. "Just like how you're mine."

"Always." I ran my fingers through his hair. "I love you, Miles."

"And I love you, Young-ja." He shifted up and kissed me sweetly before rubbing our noses together. "Welcome home."