Jeongri sat at the dressing table, brushing her dark hair into a ponytail. The skies were a washed-out grey, filled with rainclouds that smattered a light drizzle across the window. Despite the dreary weather, there was a buzzing energy in the house as its occupants anticipated their second training session.

   The ceremony to open the portal was drawing closer. They’d already taken a fortnight off to lay low given the tensions in Greyfleur, but time was ticking by. There was just over a month left, and they had to start preparing again for the fight ahead. Jeongri looked at her reflection, sighing a little at her gaunt reflection.

   Her powers still hadn’t come back fully, and it was evident that she was the weakest link of the group. During the last training session, Jeongri tried really hard to win against Chanyeol, but in the end, even her hardest efforts couldn’t afford her a win. Today, she was partnered to with Luhan. Jeongri winced at the memory of fighting him in that observatory; out of everyone, Luhan’s mysterious powers scared her the most. It was probably a blessing that he forbid practice fights from today’s training sessions – side-eyeing both her and Chanyeol during last night’s meeting as he did. But still, Jeongri felt apprehensive. She didn’t want to show Luhan how inept she was, compared to everyone else.

   The sound of footsteps approaching from behind drew Jeongri’s attention away from her thoughts. She looked into the mirror and saw Kyungsoo entering their bedroom with a breakfast tray in his hands. He placed the tray on the bed and walked over to kiss her on the back of the head. With a satisfied mumble, Kyungsoo smiled at her in the mirror, that ever-comforting smile that calmed her heart, and Jeongri turned around, looking up at him expectantly.

   As if on cue, Kyungsoo bent down and kissed her again; this time on the lips.

   “Good morning,” he said, pulling on Jeongri’s hand so that she was standing in front of him.

   Kyungsoo pulled her into a hug, resting his hands in the small of her back, before kissing her again. Jeongri couldn’t help but giggle. He wasn’t usually so touchy-feely so early in the morning.

   “Good morning, you,” Jeongri said with a grin. Seeing Kyungsoo always brightened up her day, “Where have you been? I felt a little bit sad this morning, waking up to an empty bed.”

   There wasn’t a day when Kyungsoo didn’t look perfect. His short but neatly styled hair, his pale and pearlescent skin, and those heart-shaped lips that she loved to kiss. He was dressed in a dark grey shirt paired with his usual black trousers today. Kyungsoo kissed her again and then gestured for her to sit back down. He turned around and picked up the breakfast tray that he’d laid down earlier.

   “I was making breakfast for a special someone,” he said, placing it on the dressing table in front of her.

   Jeongri felt her heart warm at sight. Kyungsoo had made her a ham and cheese toastie, coupled with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. It was simple, but it made her happy. It didn’t seem possible, but over the past two weeks, Kyungsoo had been even more attentive over her every need, making her feel like the most important person in the world. Every day was like a dream, and she didn’t want it to end. This must be what it felt like to fall in love.

   “You really are something else, aren’t you?” Jeongri said, bubbling with glee and scrunching her nose cutely at him, “Thank you.”

   Kyungsoo chuckled while looking at her fondly.

   “Who would else would I spoil? Anyway, take your time eating,” Kyungsoo said, as he started to walk away, “Sehun isn’t back yet, so you’ve got a bit of time to eat before we start.”

   “Where are you going?” Jeongri asked.

   She didn’t want Kyungsoo to leave so fast. Before she knew it, she was by his side again, leaning against the door frame with one hand outstretched, pulling on the back of his shirt. A small pout appeared on her face.

   “Stay for a moment?” she asked, “Please?”

   It was the perfect weather for a cuddle.

   “I would, but there are a few more things I need to do before we start,” Kyungsoo said with reluctance. He raised one hand and touched Jeongri’s nose with his finger, laughing as her expression scrunched up, “Remember to wrap up, the training session will last for a couple of hours today.”

   Jeongri shook her head, scrunching her nose up again at the thought of sweating with all those extra layers on.

   “I don’t wanna sweat like a pig,” she said pouting.

   Kyungsoo seemed to sigh a little before looking at her with concern.

   “What are you going to do if you catch a cold while I’m away?” he asked.

   “It’s just a training session,” chuckled Jeongri, “You say that like you’re going to be away forever or something.”

   Kyungsoo only smiled at her, that kind smile she always loved.

   “Even if I’m far away, I’ll always be looking out for you.”

   Feeling a little bemused, Jeongri tilted her head, questioning his strange choice in words. Despite his overly attentive behaviour, it wasn’t the first time over the past fortnight that Kyungsoo had said something seemingly out of place. Jeongri stared at Kyungsoo, trying to figure out what this ‘off’ feeling was, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. It wasn’t the first time she’d caught him looking at her with such a strange expression.

   “You’ve been acting so weird lately,” Jeongri noted, narrowing her eyes at Kyungsoo suspiciously, “Makes me wonder if you’ve done something… Or, if I’ve done something…”

   But instead of refuting her claims, Kyungsoo just chuckled and shook his head before kissing her goodbye – a small fleeting peck that left Jeongri wanting more. Jeongri found herself pushing towards him, wanting another kiss, but Kyungsoo pulled away.

   “It’s nothing,” Kyungsoo said, brushing her hair with his fingers, “I just wanted to appreciate each moment I have with you.”

   Jeongri smiled brightly.

   “We have all the time in the world for that, silly.”

   Kyungsoo seemed to pause for a moment, looking at her for longer than he meant to. Jeongri watched as he turned away, but what she didn’t see was the smile fading from his face or hear his next fleeting words.

   “No, we don’t,” he whispered.

   Baekhyun was sat at the bottom of the stairs trying to re-lace his tired-looking boots when the front door burst open. A distressed-looking Sehun ran in, slamming the door with force as he ran upstairs, shoving past him.

   “Hey, what the hell?” Baekhyun said, feeling startled.

   He whipped around and saw Sehun barging past a confused looking Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo frowned openly, but remained silent, before making his way down the stairs. He politely acknowledged Baekhyun with a nod before walking away, making no attempt at conversation. Baekhyun watched on until the back of Kyungsoo’s head disappeared into the kitchen, and a small sigh escaped his lips. He’d known for a while that his next training partner would be Kyungsoo, but now that the day had come, he wasn’t ready for it.

   For the past two weeks, Baekhyun made an unconscious effort to avoid Kyungsoo and Jeongri. He didn’t know what came over him when he sang with Jeongri that night. The song carried them away, and he couldn’t help but let his feelings get swept away by the melodies. Jeongri looked like she was enjoying it too, but Baekhyun knew he had crossed an invisible line when he saw Kyungsoo’s face after they regrouped again. Their duet should never have happened. After that, Kyungsoo hadn’t said a word to him.

   He could hear Kyungsoo and Luhan’s dulcet tones having a conversation in the kitchen. Kyungsoo was a man of few words, but in the years of knowing him, Baekhyun couldn’t think of a time when he felt like he was actively ignored by Kyungsoo. In fact, he couldn’t think of a time when Kyungsoo was in a bad mood. It just made the situation in the house so much more tense and awkward, so much so that Baekhyun never tried apologising for overstepping his boundaries. Today’s training session would be the first time that they’d be alone together since the night at the bar, forcing them to talk it out.

   There was a sound and Baekhyun looked up to see Luhan coming out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on the red apron wrapped around his waist.

   “What was that?” Luhan asked, looking a little alarmed, “Kyungsoo said that Sehun came back?”

   Baekhyun nodded, dragging himself away from his wandering thoughts back to the present. He’d forgotten for a moment that Sehun came home looking upset.

   “Yeah,” Baekhyun said, remembering Sehun’s expression, “He looked a little spooked.”

   Luhan frowned as he looked upstairs, and then back at his watch.

   “Did he say anything?” he asked.

   Baekhyun shook his head. He knew that Sehun had been out on errands this morning, but he didn’t say anything when he came back.

   “I’ll check on him,” said Luhan, looking concerned. He unwrapped the apron from his waist and hung it on the bannister before making his way upstairs, calling out as he did, “Sehun? Sehun, it’s me. Open the door.”

   Baekhyun turned around out of curiosity, when suddenly he felt his heart skip a beat.

   Jeongri was standing on the top of the stairs. She looked confused by the sudden commotion, exchanging a few short words with Luhan before making her way down the stairs. She didn’t seem to notice Baekhyun sitting at the bottom, or that he was staring at her, unable to pull his gaze away. She had pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail, and Luhan’s loose clothes hung across her small frame. Her thick red scarf provided a splash of colour to her monotone outfit. Jeongri made it halfway down when she finally looked up and saw Baekhyun.

   With a small smile, she waved at him.

   “Hey.”

   “Hey…” Baekhyun replied.

   Jeongri took another step towards him, and Baekhyun stood up