I easily spotted Hongbin and Sanghyuk when I stepped into the restaurant, since they didn’t bother with caps nor masks.

“Byul noona!” Sanghyuk waved as I approached the table.

Hongbin turned around and did the same, “hi noona!”

“Hi you two,” I took the seat beside Hongbin, “what have you guys been up to?”

“Resting, mostly,” Sanghyuk shrugged, “some days I pop into the studio to do some composing, or attend dance and vocal lessons.”

“I start filming next week,” Hongbin said, “what about you, noona?”

“I’m on break too. Received a couple job requests but I had to turn them down. I thought I could use some rest until Jaejoong oppa comes back.”

“Well, yeah you definitely need to rest after running alongside us this whole year,” Hongbin nodded, “it’s been crazy.”

I spent the entire afternoon with Hongbin and Sanghyuk; time just flew by as we chatted.

“Taekwoon hyung has been sulking a lot at home lately,” Sanghyuk grinned, “cos he doesn’t have time to go visit you.”

I laughed, “he video calls me every night!”

“We’re seeing new sides of Taekwoon hyung all thanks to you, noona,” Hongbin chuckled.

“Yeah, perfect blackmail material!”

Sanghyuk’s words sent the two boys into a fit of laughter.

“Yah, go easy on him,” my frown turned into a smirk, “but send me some too.”

----

It was finally the day oppa was to be discharged from the military. Youngjun picked me up at 5AM and we were off to the military base where Jaejoong oppa was stationed at. The area was already crowded with the media and fans when we arrived.

“Wait in the car,” Youngjun said, “it’s too cold out there. Hyung would need to do a short interview too before he can leave.”

I nodded, wrapping my down jacket tighter around me. Youngjun picked a scarf from the bag in the backseat and tossed it to me; I recognized the item as Jaejoong oppa’s. 10 minutes before 7AM, Youngjun got out of the car to be on standby alongside the bodyguards. The fans’ enthusiastic cheers signaled oppa’s appearance. I couldn’t see much from the car, but I did catch a glimpse here and there. It was about 7.20AM when Youngjun and the guards finally led oppa towards the car.

“Oppa!!” I called, a little too excitedly, the moment the door to the backseat opened.

“Byul-ah!” Jaejoong oppa reached forward to ruffle my hair, “I missed you!”

“Me too, oppa, me too.”

--

“You’re early,” Taekwoon was still in bed, judging from how he sounded.

“Good morning to you too,” I chuckled, “I just came back from the military base.”

“Kim Jaejoong sunbaenim is back?”

“Mmhmm,” I stifled a yawn, “and I should go back to bed.”

Taekwoon laughed. His morning voice had my heart doing somersaults really.

“Go. I’ll stay on the line with you until you fall asleep.”

“Okay,” I smiled, “did I wake you up too early, though?”

“Nah, it’s about time I get up anyway. I have a studio session later.”

Taekwoon and I talked about random stuff and at some point, I dozed off.

I caught a whiff of his scent and I thought I was dreaming, until I opened my eyes and found my boyfriend’s face next to mine.

“Good morning, Princess,” he smiled.

“Why are you here?” I reached for my phone; I had been asleep for 4 hours, “didn’t you say you had a studio session?”

“It got cancelled. I have nothing on until tonight’s show, so I came here,” he put his arms around me, “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

I happily snuggled closer to him, taking in the smell of him, “I missed you.”

“Me too,” he kissed me on the fore