MC and Jihyun got rid of the look of professionalism hours ago. It is late enough, they are too tired to keep up with appearances and excuses are made towards the couple.

Her shoulders snuggly wrapped with his broad black raincoat that kept her sleeveless arms warm. His arm laid in between her shoulder blades gently, and her face hid in the crook of his neck, being soothed by the fading smell of his cologne and the tobacco he smoked halfway through the party. Exhausting heels dangled between his free fingers as he talked faintly to the rich patron standing just behind her. All the snobby voices and pedantic ideas blurred together as she fell in and out of sleep with the movement of her lids.

Her husband had promised her emphatically that this whole thing would only take a few hours. It was a fundraiser for the charity of a chaebol or another, she had not paid too much attention to it, and she suspects no-one else had, either.

It feels like the sort of thing Jumin would attend, and he usually would, but when Jihyun offered to come, instead, he had shoved the invites that cost a month's wage of Jaehee's on his friend's hands like they physically hurt him. Coming to the event, MC would argue that it probably did.

Not that her husband had enjoyed himself, either. He wanted to come for more professional reasons. Not only because he needs work and this place is teeming with potential patrons, but also because he believed that, even though these galas seemed to show nothing good to the community they preach to assist, they could serve as great examples of what not to do. They managed their own charity, after all, and it was important to them to see the money they raise get to actually do some good in the world. They want for people to still trust in the goodness of humankind he once loved and cherished.

He also loved that his wife grinded her teeth and came along with him to this event. She always did, even when she knew the outcome of each meeting with another higher up. Another doctor, politician, or lawyer wanted to show up to say that they made a difference, preferably with a quick picture snapped for evidence in the papers. They had a feeling of relief that swept through their bodies. It seeped into their fingertips when they left but a small tip for the workers, believing they contributed to the rotten state of society.

The man left her mind to wander after a few minutes of torture that he put her through. He knew that these galas were tedious and obnoxious, and she had never found much friendship on these circles, leaving her to latch onto his coated arm after hours of words exchanged about social assistance that never seemed to materialise. She spent the whole party in silence, only piping up occasionally when the conversation interested her, which was exclusively when he was discussing his artistic work.

Rather, MC wanted the private whispers that Jihyun painted across her lips and stomach as he wrapped her up in the warmth of their massive bed, providing her safety and warmness away from the stuck-up crowds that she had to endure right now.

It seems an obvious conclusion, after spending this entire night hanging around these people, that her husband was the only one in attendance that cared about anything other than himself, and she knows that this bothered him as much as it does her. After so much pain brought about by what was said or omitted, words did not matter to him anymore, only concrete and concentrated actions. That was why they continued with the RFA, after some rebranding, and that is why he is so concentrated in atonement of his faults.

She believed in his dedication of making this world better. He wanted to help because he expected to bring something new into it.

Someone.

A tense and lean hand gently rubbed over hers that wrapped around the crook of his elbow. A soft press of lips pressed against her forehead as she heard the gentle mumbling of partings.

Jihyun pulled MC towards the available table behind them, hoping to provide some stability for her sore legs. They pained her, having to hold her body up for long periods, as well as with little support with the low heels she was still obligated to wear.

She braved her current state and came to the stupid party for him, but it had taken a lot of her. She became restless a long time ago, hoping that he would notice and take some pity on her state. Preferably by telling everyone to shove it and taking them home immediately.

He did notice his wife's plight, and he felt awful that he dragged her to this gathering. Alcohol poured from sinks as it was pretty much the only thing that they served, but he brought her water and a bunch of snacks to relieve her, trying to keep her hydrated as he pulled her through the long hallways of the art museum their host had picked to hold the party. Alas, it was neither enough to make her feel better or to force him to take her back.

He had even promised to get whatever her wanted after the party, hoping that it would give his wife something to look forward to.


"Just a slushie. Please, Jihyun!" She begged as he walked her towards the Cadillac, pulling she away from the comforts of the mansion. "The doctor limited my sugar. I'm dreaming about sweets at this point!"

Jihyun smiled. Her soft lips coaxed him with a smile, believing that MC had to convince him of something. She knew that he would give her just about whatever she asked.

She was giving him a child, after all. The least he could do is get her one measly slushie. She deserved the world.

He heard her faint plead, as it pulled him from the depths of her delicate glow that bled from her eyes. A smile grew on his lips effortlessly, laying his hands on top of her radiant cheeks, pushing the hair behind her ears.

His lips rested by her ear, as he whispered in the evening light, "Anything you want, my love. I promise."

He would whisper a thousand thank you's to the sky above and in her ear when he brought her home tonight.


A deep voice is heard from next to her.

"What do you need?" The man asks.

He made eye contact with her tired gaze. He knew it was getting late.

"Nothing. I just want you, Jihyun." She mumbled.

MC wanted to go home with her husband. She craved to curl up next to him in bed, his hand resting over her stomach, caressing her aching body as she fell asleep with his lips resting against her forehead, kissing her goodnight, praying for a peaceful sleep. Hoping small kicks to her stomach from the child that kept her up for hours would rest with her.

Jihyun grabbed the keys before she could even say please. He took her hand, pulling her protectively towards his chest as he walked her through the increasingly thinning crowds of people. The valet had already pulled up with the car, laying her on the leather seat, adjusting the seatbelt across her body before he walked to the driver's side to drive off.

The blinding street lights flashing through the windows kept her from falling into a deep sleep, but her grip on conscience was quite loose at that point. She felt the car pull into a drive-thru, a mumble of her favourite flavoured slushie came from his lips, and a small smile appeared on her tired face.

MC kept her eyes closed and her breathing even until she felt him kiss her temple gently, a sense of calm enveloped the car as she raises. She saw his thin smile grace his cheeks, the small dimples that only a few people have seen slowly showed on his weary expression.

Jihyun is a reserved man, a closeted romantic. People may see the artistic sensibility in his pieces, but that is shallow near the devotion he held towards those he loved, not unlike that old sun metaphor of his. Only her is able to see that smile, those eyes shining in true happiness, as he declares his love for her, either through his words or through his actions.

In the most hidden parts of the world, in the quiet depths of their house, leaning against her stomach, he longed to take care of her. The softest touches from him at night to her.

When he heard her giggles echo in his car, he felt the condensation of the drink drip on his hands. He knew, at this moment, that she was happy. For all their struggle and their difficulties, for all the senses of false hope he held over the years, he knows that her happiness was the most important thing to him.

Here, with MC and his unborn child and the promise of a future, is where he is meant to be. The world did not care about him, and there were times he wanted to curse the god he believed in, but she did. So, if she wanted him to run to the nearest restaurant to grab her a slushie, he would do it in a heartbeat.

If she truly is as happy as he is, then it is all Jihyun needs.