Phew. I managed to clean up and revise this chapter within the first 2 days of my winter break. Hurrah!

I'll try to work on this fic and LMKY simultaneously, but I bet my brain isn't used to creative writing anymore. Curse you stinkin' college essays and lab reports.

Reminder: No stealing or copying or translating or plagiarizing my fic! I will make your life miserable if you do...

Repost: 12/13/15

---

 

 

 

Summer Fun

By the end of the week, it was officially summer vacation. Those who were college students—Suho, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Kyungsoo—cheered in jubilation when they were finally released from their final classes for the semester; they definitely earned a well-deserved break from their studies. On the other hand, Yixing, Chen, and Tao have been technically enjoying their summer break ever since they came back home, although they intended to enroll for college here when the following semester rolled along.

The Kim family had never been so complete.

When you weren’t busy with work, you spared all your free time hanging out with the boys. For instance, a family game of soccer had been put forward one time. Xiumin and Luhan had obviously dominated the field with their years of honed skills and expertise, but they had gone easier on you. However, unlike the elder pair of brothers, Tao, Kai, and Sehun had kept bickering back and forth over irrelevant topics. Meanwhile, Kyungsoo had been extra clumsy and kept tripping over things, while poor Chen had sometimes been the one being tripped on. Chanyeol had been very hyperactive, horsing around and making a ton of mistakes, which had made Baekhyun exasperated beyond belief. Yixing, bless his soul, had been earnest while playing, supporting his team but never really taking the lead. Yifan and Suho had been the appointed goalkeepers, and that arrangement had sparked an unspoken competition of who was the better leader. Near the end of the game, Kai and Sehun had gotten bored, thus the two rascals had decided to chase after you unnecessarily. In response, you had run away from them with all of your might, occasionally ducking behind Kyungsoo, who had given his younger two brothers a queer, authoritative look, causing them to reluctantly back down. Then Xiumin had tolerated enough and—a rare sight indeed—had finally fumed when Chanyeol had lousily kicked the soccer ball and it had whacked the back of the former’s head. Chanyeol the giant had nearly gotten judo flipped across the other side of the field by his older brother who was more-than-less half his size.

Nonetheless, amidst all the mayhem, you were their number one fan.

Another time, movie night had been proposed. Everyone had dressed in their best comfy sleepwear and had swarmed together in the living room with a bunch of pillows and blankets. The thick, abundant stench of buttered popcorn had permeated the air, and all the lights had been shut off once the movie had started playing. You had been curled up on the old, battered couch, squished between Suho and Chen, a blanket cloaked around your shoulders. The movie that had been chosen for the evening had been a suspenseful, action-packed one. Baekhyun and Tao, the easily spooked ones, had yelped every time an explosion or sudden appearance happened on screen. Chanyeol had clung to Baekhyun with more force than necessary, having felt overly antsy by the movie’s events. Xiumin and Sehun had been very loud snackers, shamelessly munching on popcorn. Under his breath, Kyungsoo had chided those two to be neater eaters since they had made quite a mess on the once spotless floor. While everyone else had been engaged in the movie, their eyes intently glued to the TV’s bright, blaring screen, Yifan had appeared bored, his chin propped on his hand, and Yixing had been secretly listening to his IPod, his headphones hidden under the shelter of his blanket. Down where they’d been situated on the floor, Luhan and Kai had sulked, wishing that they had been the ones to sit on either side of you. Sometime during the movie, you had gradually leaned against Suho, resting your weight against his body and slipping your arm through his. Then, Chen, who had noticed your cozy position with Suho, had made the move to snuggle up against you. He had eventually fallen asleep when you had gently his hair.

Suho and Chen were very good teddy bears.

Since it was summer, there was one fundamental and vital objective that must be fulfilled during this hot, sunny season.

Go to the beach.

“Pleaseeeee?” begged the younger boys to Eunsun one morning. The mother of fourteen kids did her absolute best to resist, to not cave into the puppy-dog eyes, pouty lips, and Tao’s ultimate aegyo tactics. Eunsun swore she was going to die from the onslaught of cuteness overload. How could her boys be so precious and adorable when they were already young men?

It wasn’t as if all the boys joined the session of pleading. Yifan was too cool and aloof to resort in such childish techniques. Luhan refused to exaggerate his sweet, doll-like features any more than needed. Yixing was indecisive when it came to pestering his mother for his own reasons. Chen was an awkward duck when using aegyo, so didn’t bother to try. Suho was calm as he stood off to the side, allowing his younger brothers to do all the work.

It was entertaining to see a not-at-all-arrogant Kai trying to convince his mother with his own style of aegyo. Xiumin, the only elder brother who joined in on the fun, was a winner with his puffed up chubby cheeks. Baekhyun was the embodiment of sunshine. Chanyeol was readily equipped with his pearly-white beam. Kyungsoo was laying emphasis on his naturally cute owl eyes. Sehun was a stunner, having switched from poker face to a genuine smile and victory sign. And lastly, there was the killer: Kim Zitao with his super-duper, heart-snatching fist pump.

It was a fatal mistake for Eunsun when she peeked at Tao, who had held up a fist to his cheek, closed one eye, and sweetly chimed, “Buing! Buing!”

Die. Just die right now.

“Okay, okay!” Eunsun cried out, tossing her hands up in the air as she groaned in defeat. “You can go with Aris-ah!”

“Yay!” hollered the boys, high-fiving and pumping their fists triumphantly.

You were laughing at the way Eunsun’s defenses had crumpled far too easily. “Thank you, Umma,” you told her as you patted her shoulder comfortingly to ease the sting of defeat. “I’ll make up for the day-off when I’m available.”

Eunsun sighed resignedly, her hands on her hips. “It’s fine, sweetie. Don’t worry about it. You deserve some time off. You work too much.”

Sehun tugged on your hand eagerly. “Let’s go, noona!” he insisted. “We’re going swimsuit shopping!”

Not a single protest could be said as you were herded out the door and nudged over to one of the SUVs.

“Buy something modest!” Eunsun called out after her hyperactive children, who were all piling into the vehicles. She could barely suppress a giggle as a few of her sons—like Tao and Chanyeol—had stuck half of their bodies out the rolled down windows to wave goodbye giddily.

Have mercy on your poor, patient soul for dealing with twelve unbelievably high-maintenance boys in public.

At the local outlet mall, the thirteen of you were being shamelessly gawked at left and right. Gasps and swoons were coming from practically everyone you all passed by.

“They look like supermodels!”

“Who is that girl? Their sister?”

“I hope she is,” a woman said, no doubt unabashed as she didn’t even attempt to hide her avaricious thoughts by lowering her volume. “I want one of her brothers.”

“I want that tall one.”

“I call that tan one.”

Please, you envious women, you scoffed almost sourly, I can hear you a mile away. And Yifan and Kai would never even look twice at any of you. How foolish.

Before shopping, you all unanimously decided to get some snacks and coffee at a nearby café. Everyone there—from the employees to the customers—gaped at such a large group full of handsome and beautiful people.

The workers manning the front could barely remember your orders while they stupidly drooled over your model-worthy features. Chanyeol almost made a young girl faint with one of his blinding killer smiles.

When you split away from your brothers to grab more napkins, someone accidentally bumped into you. That person grasped your shoulders reflexively to prevent you from tumbling over, but that move was unnecessary since you recovered your balance pretty quickly. Besides, he didn’t even hit you that hard; it was nothing that you couldn’t handle.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, miss!” the guy exclaimed, properly looking at you, only for him to become extra keen as he surveyed you up and down appreciatively. There was more emphasis added to his tone as he said, “I am very sorry, miss.”

But, really, he wasn’t at all. He was very glad to have bumped into such a pretty lady.

You brushed his hands off your shoulders. “It’s fine,” you remarked neutrally. “No harm, no foul.”

“Can I make it up to you?” he asked eagerly, not wanting you to go so soon. “We can go on a date.”

You opened your mouth to refuse the offer until a cool, low voice beat you to the punch.

“Sorry, but she’s on a date with me,” Yifan said, approaching you from behind to stand by your shoulder. He was fiercely intimidating as he towered over the other guy and glared daggers down at him. “Got anything else you want to say?”

Immediately, the guy’s attitude changed, downsized from being a persistent flirter to a stuttering coward. “N-nope! Nothing! I-I gotta go!” And he scurried off like a frightened animal.

Facing your savior, you scolded him, “Yifan, that wasn’t nice.”

“He deserved it,” he countered honestly with an unrepentant shrug, “for being annoying. And I didn’t like the way he held you.”

You rolled your eyes at his protective streak. “You’re as bad as Kai.”

Yifan’s lips twitched, almost bearing a smile. He considered himself worse than Kai.

Done with your snack break, it was now time to shop for swimwear.

Your congregation located a store that suited your needs and promptly went in. Since clothing was separated by genders, you had to head to the opposite side of the store. In all honesty, you were glad to split up from the boys, for a short breather, at least. You wanted to be able to pick out an outfit that pleased your tastes and not theirs. They tended to be picky and judgmental, and an argument could arise since opinions would often clash. Shopping based on votes was also futile, usually ending in disaster.

Without the boys interfering, you chose and purchased a swimsuit no problem, along with a cover-up beach dress and a pair of flip-flops. Bag in hand, you traveled over to the male side of the store and found the boys spread out everywhere. Yifan and Kai were trying out different sunglasses like professional models. Sehun and Kyungsoo were checking out the new supply of shoes. Suho was helping Chanyeol and Baekhyun find the colors they liked for their swim trunks. Tao was asking Xiumin for his opinion concerning the armful of outfits he was toting around. Yixing, Luhan, and Chen had already finished their shopping, standing off to the side as they idly conversed in Chinese while a bunch of girls were giggling at them.

Have mercy on your soul, indeed. Huffing out a slow, collective sigh, you rubbed at your forehead as you sauntered right over to them. “Tao, you need swim trunks, not an entire closet. Kai, did you even pick out anything yet? Chanyeol, a darker red would suit you. And, Sehun, don’t buy so many shoes.”

Like magic, the disorderly behavior of the boys vanished, and they all became attentive and obedient as you helped them finish up with their shopping. Later on, Suho thanked you for your rescue, gratefully squeezing your hand in his.

At long last—the beach.

The car ride there was enjoyable, music blaring from the radio and loud chatters all around. Also involved in the festivity were cheesy jokes and a tickle war initiated by Chanyeol and Sehun. Chen and Yifan, with phones in hand, snapped countless pictures to preserve such joyous, carefree moments.

The beach was jam-packed with people enjoying their summer. The thirteen of you managed to snag a decent, unoccupied spot, then rented some umbrellas for shade. The boys already had their swim trunks on under their outer clothing, but you had to disappear into the changing rooms to put on your swimwear.

“I wonder what noona bought,” Sehun mused as he thoroughly rubbed sunscreen on his milky skin.

“Don’t know,” replied Kai, ruffling his already mussed hair. Hope it’s something...nice.

As if it was a planned routine between the two of them, Kyungsoo promptly whacked the back of Kai’s head. “You better not be having erted thoughts,” he warned, although it sounded more of a threat. “And don’t stare at other women shamelessly.”

“Geez, Kyungsoo, ow,” Kai hissed, rubbing his wounded head. “And I wasn’t ogling at other women.” Not like he wanted to. There were more women than he wanted to count who barely wore anything that covered up the needed areas. They strutted around, hoping to attract attention by sensually waving their hips about and acting like they owned the beach. It was actually revolting, but not to the erted men who stalked public areas like this one.

Despite wearing plain and inexpensive swim trunks and tank tops, the twelve boys attracted attention like bees to honey. It was their faces and bodies, not their clothing, that lured the smitten engrossment. After all, compared to the people around them, they were the most delicious of eye candies—young, clean, and untouched.

Suho and Yixing were reclined on beach chairs reading, oblivious to everything going on around them. Sehun, Baekhyun, and Chanyeol were still applying sunscreen on, showing off their shirtless torsos. Xiumin and Chen were fooling around, throwing sand at each other as if having a snowball fight. Poised like a vigilant hawk, Yifan observed the beach and the sea far out, while Luhan, who was next to him, twirled a volleyball absently in his hands. Restless as he was, Kai repeatedly flickered his gaze over to the changing rooms, wondering when you were going to come out.

When you finally did appear, he felt like his world went into slow motion.

“What the—” Baekhyun, having forgotten how to say a complete sentence, could only gape.

Kai felt hot-faced. Sehun was frozen. Everyone else had their own way of showing surprise—being utterly speechless, having an unhinged jaw, sporting a furious blush, gawking like a fool, or looking away bashfully.

You wore a simple and modest two-piece swimsuit. The bottom piece resembled the shortest of athletic shorts, exhibiting your long, toned legs, from the top of your slim thighs to all the way down. The top piece had inch-wide straps and stopped below your s to completely expose your flat stomach, with a low neckline that showed off the prominence of your collarbones and even a bit of your ample bust. The color of the swimsuit was a bold mixture of black and white with blue tints. Over that, you donned an almost translucent cover-up dress that was flimsy and gossamer, billowing delicately in the wind.

Gulp.

“N-noona?!” stuttered Chen, having found his voice, but it came out as a distressed squeak.

Coming forward, you eye-smiled at them. “Hey, what’s with your expressions?”

They all looked away simultaneously, ears pink and hearts thumping erratically.

Double gulp.

“It’s nothing!” Suho managed to blurt out before the lack of response made you question their peculiarity. “Um, you look...” The hands that he had used to wave about frantically were now used to cover his lobster red face. “...amazing.”

Absolutely amazing.

You chuckled lightly at the compliment. “Thank you.” You set your tote bag down on the spread out blanket and took a seat. “I better put on some sunscreen. Then I’ll go swim.”

“Definitely,” agreed Luhan in a low mutter. “You’re better pale than tan.”

Hearing that comment, you laughed. “I can’t tan on my life.” A liberal amount of sunscreen squirted into your palm, you began the meticulous process of lathering down your skin. Twelve pairs of mesmerized eyes unconsciously traced where your hands went, on your shoulders...your neck...your collarbone...

You were driving them insane.

“Can you help me put sunscreen on my back, Yixing?” you asked all of the sudden, snapping the addressed boy free from his daze. When your words sunk in seconds later, his normally placid expression was replaced by a wide-eyed one of disbelief.

“M-me?” he stammered, pointing dubiously at himself. Had he heard wrong?

You smiled at his befuddlement amusedly. “Yes, you, silly. Are you going to help me?” During his moment of cluelessness, you had slipped off your cover-up dress, revealing the full expanse of your exposed porcelain skin. It was easier to see the toned lines on your stomach that used to be partially visible.

Lucky Yixing, everyone else thought bitterly. Just because he happened to be sitting near you...

With a flushed countenance, Yixing vacated his seat to kneel behind you. Fortunately, because you were facing the other way, you couldn’t see how skittish he was, of how he was unexpectedly afraid to touch you. You had clipped up your hair to give him better access to the part below the base of your neck, and combined with your luscious scent, Yixing was overwhelmingly dizzy. But, in order to not make a fool of himself, he did his best to stay focused, giving you the lightest and swiftest of touches. Inwardly, though, Yixing enjoyed having such intimacy with you. He swore he would never forget this moment, this shared closeness. After helping you apply the sunscreen, he quickly retreated like a frightened puppy, diving to half-hide behind Suho, who quietly laughed at him.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, you deemed yourself prepared and jumped to your feet, cheering, “Alright! Let’s go swim!”

“Yay!” exulted Sehun, also hopping to his feet so that he could take your hands before anyone else could. He led you over to the water, with Kai, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Tao, Xiumin, and Chen following happily. Small, rolling waves lapped at your legs, the cool sensation it gave pleasant under the summer heat and blazing sun.

None too soon, Xiumin, Chanyeol, and Tao engaged in a major splashdown, wildly disrupting the water with their hands to douse each other.

“TSUNAMI!”

“TORPEDO!”

“HURRICANE!”

Meanwhile, you were being chased down by Sehun and Kai.

“Noona, come here!” Sehun urged, beckoning at you eagerly.

“Why?” you asked with a playful grin.

“Because whoever catches you, wins. Don’t you want me to win?” The youngest child pouted heavily, laying it on thick with the puppy-dog eyes.

“Not this time, maknae!” you shouted before swimming away, laughing as you did when the two boys broke into a mad chase after you. Every time Kai made a grab for you or when one of their fingertips grazed your skin, you squealed giddily. As you continued to persistently dodge their attempts to capture you, Kai and Sehun redoubled their efforts.

“Jongdae, save me!” you gasped, half-hiding behind him. He smiled faintly as you clutched his upper arm like it was a lifeline, then he discreetly smirked at Kai and Sehun, who both scowled at his slyness. While the three of them were busy wordlessly squaring off, Baekhyun and Kyungsoo snuck up from behind and stole you.

“Eep!” you squealed when Baekhyun boldly wrapped an arm around your waist and gently tugged you along as he swam, your pace eventually evening out to match his. He and Kyungsoo were strategically swimming in the opposite direction where the others were. By the time Kai, Sehun, and Chen realized that you were missing, they had a head’s start.

“That’s it!” you declared, waving out your hands. “Baekhyun and Kyungsoo are the winners!”

“Awww!” complained the losers.

“Yes!” crowed the winners, exchanging high-fives.

Once everyone filled up their satisfaction of playing in the water, you all waddled back onto the beach.

“Hey, guys! Let’s play beach volleyball!” Luhan proposed insistently, holding up the white ball. “Yifan, Yixing, and Suho already agreed.”

“I call!” Xiumin concurred predictably, being the sports lover that he was.

“Me, too!” Tao chimed in, raising an eager hand.

You shrugged. “I’ll join in, too.”

Everyone raised their brows at your assent.

“But that makes the teams uneven,” Luhan pointed out.

Kyungsoo raised a tentative hand, sporting a soft, obliging smile. “I’ll sit this one out, or else I might trip over someone...again.” While the others snickered humorously at the reminder of his lack of foot coordination, you shot Kyungsoo a thankful smile and promised to dominate the game in his steed.

“So, who’s on jiejie’s team, then?” asked Xiumin.

Almost everyone’s hands shot up. Yifan and Suho hadn’t, just to see who wanted to first.

“Uh, well, this is a pickle...” Suho mumbled, rubbing the nape of his neck as he detected the severity of the problematic situation they all threw themselves into. How many times have they fought over who would be on your team again? Apparently too many to count using his hands and feet combined. He sighed. “Noona, why don’t you pick?”

The idea was actually unwelcomed because you knew you were terrible at randomly choosing. The onslaught of pleading stares, pouty lips, and gleaming eyes was a recipe for an oncoming . Unable to handle it any further, you just blurted out whichever name came to mind first.

“Tao, Sehun, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and...Yifan.”

“HECK YEAH!”

“SUPER BUING BUING!”

“IN YOUR FACE, KAI!”

Suho had to physically hold Kai back from strangling an irritably smirking Sehun. Baekhyun and Chanyeol pounded fists triumphantly. Tao was joyously dancing about on the sand.

And Yifan was both confounded and shocked that you had chosen him. Last, yes, but him nonetheless. He secretly grinned at Luhan, who made a disgruntled face in return as if knowing what he was thinking about.

Luckily, there was net free near your taken spot on the beach. The twelve of you evened out on opposite sides of the net. Kyungsoo would be the referee.

“Whoa, who are those hotties?”

“Omo! Their bodies are to die for!”

“Who’s that y chick with them?”

Instantly, in response to that erted remark, Yifan, Luhan, Yixing, and Kai snapped their gazes away from the game to glare monstrously at the guy who had dared to utter those words. The man gulped in fear and made the right choice to scurry away. After that incident, Yifan stood closer to you, not to where he would invade your space, but enough to hide you from view with his tall build. Chanyeol and Baekhyun copied his tactic, obscuring sight of you from behind and on your other side.

When there was a slight pause in the game—your team ahead by two points—you felt something being draped over you. You glanced up in surprise, clutching at the sleeveless, aqua-colored hoodie that seemingly materialized out of nowhere.

“Eh?” You pinned a questioning look to the person standing nearest to you. “Where did you get this, Yifan? It’s not yours.”

“Yixing gave it to me to give it to you,” he answered without meeting your gaze, his chin set forward.

You softened at his concern and Yixing’s. “Thank you, you overprotective giant.” Shrugging the hoodie on, you zipped it up. It was slightly baggy on your slender frame, the hem above your thighs and hiding most of your exposed skin elsewhere, barely fitting as it somewhat sagged from your shoulders.

On the other side of the net, Yixing watched quietly when you compliantly put on his hoodie. Once you had, he relaxed, happy that you had accepted his hoodie (and silent plea) and was relieved that you were no longer so...revealing.

No one deserved the privilege to see your beautiful skin and body except him...and his brothers.

A hoard of delirious girls flocked the outer edge of the volleyball area, ogling at the boys longingly with seductive glints evident in their eyes. To them, it was a dreamy sight to behold, to see twelve gorgeous males in swimming trunks that showed off their amazing legs. Yixing and Kai donned tank tops that hugged their limber forms. Yifan and Tao displayed their wiry, muscular arms. Sehun and Luhan looked delectable in low-cut shirts. Suho and Chen showed off their rare moments of iness with their usually neat hair all messed up. Even the way the boys moved was captivating, like when Baekhyun had flexed his legs and jumped up to spike the ball; his shirt had flapped up to expose his bare, flat stomach. Many of the girls had swooned.

“Just let me die now,” a girl breathed, unsteady on her feet.

“EEK! HE SMILED AT ME!” squealed another girl when she thought Chanyeol had looked her way once while beaming his trademark smile.

“Fifteen to fourteen!” announced Kyungsoo in a clear voice. He gestured to the appropriate side. “Noona’s team wins!”

On your side, everyone high-fived or hugged to celebrate their victory. You had to admit the obvious: Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Sehun, and Tao clung to you a little too long.

“Won’t noona hug me?” Kai complained, drawing out the guilt card. “I lost and need comfort.”

You rolled your eyes at his deviousness. “Nice try, Jongin.” You only gave him a not-so-sympathetic pat on the back, whereas everyone else on his team received chipper hugs. Luhan, Xiumin, and Chen stuck their tongues out at the sulking Kai. Suho had the decency to smile sheepishly.

Earlier, Yixing had quietly walked off, not joining the hilarity. So when he felt someone hug his arm, he was surprised and automatically stopped midstep.

“Thank you, for lending me your hoodie,” a velvety voice said.

Yixing blushed delicately, and he had to summon all of his willpower to not take a glimpse of your sincere smile, knowing that if he did, he would melt. “N-no problem.”

Yifan nearly killed half of the female population when he dumped a bottle full of water on his head, droplets trickling down from his hair and face and soaking into his shirt, which was now plastered against his lean body due to sweat and water. He rubbed his face dry with the towel Suho handed to him.

“Aigoo, that was so nice,” Tao sighed blissfully, now basking under the dipping sun. The day had gone by swiftly yet spectacularly, everyone having enjoyed the experience to their fullest. Little by little, the beach began to empty of people. It was probably close to seven o’ clock, marking dinnertime. Therefore, the boys were mostly snacking, relaxing, or sitting.

“That’s a beautiful sunset,” Baekhyun murmured dreamily, staring out at the horizon. It was a breathtaking sight, loaded with warm, vibrant colors and accentuated by the glistening reflection of the water. With his phone, he took a picture as a memento.

Far away from everyone else, you were standing out near the sea, little waves lapping at your ankles. The nice sensation of your surroundings bewitched you, making you feel utterly at ease.

As you gazed at the beauty that nature provided, a thought occurred to you: the sunsets and beaches were a hundred times more dazzling on EXO. It was something that the people of Earth missed out on—that tugging, magical feel that entranced you, trapping you in a fantasy.

Someone came forward to stand next to you. His voice soft, Suho asked, “Do you like the beach, Aris-noona?”

Your answer to him was even softer: “Yes. Long ago, someone made me fall in love with beaches.”

Suho’s brows creased. “When? Who?’

The irony elicited a dry chuckle from you. “Oh...someone close to me. It was years ago, but I remember everything clearly. He would hold my hand as we strolled along the beach, talking about this and that happily, and also enjoy the expanse of the sea together. It was...just the two of us.”

As you had spoken, you had reached out and laced your fingers through his. His initial reaction to your unexpected contact was a jolt, but then he instantly relaxed at your familiar, soothing touch.

“He made me love the ocean more...” you continued, as if daydreaming. “And with every word and gesture he did, I fell for him more and more.”

“Sounds like a nice guy,” murmured Suho, squeezing your hand. He was unsettled as to who this mysterious guy was—someone damn lucky and loved by the heavens to have earned your professed love.

“He’s more than nice,” you whispered, still transfixed by the distant horizon, the fading sunlight reflecting in your dark eyes. “He’s absolutely amazing. Once, he said he would give me the entire sea.”

Suho winced. “You’re making me jealous of this guy, noona.”

“You shouldn’t be,” you reassured him, calming him further when you released a small, light chuckle. The sound of it was pleasing and sweet to his ears. “Because this guy could never replace you, Joonmyun.”

That brought an affable smile to Suho’s angelic face. “Now that, I don’t mind.”

Both of you shared gentle, warm laughs and gradually leaned against each other—your head resting on Suho’s sure shoulder and his arm wrapped around your waist, keeping you close and secured. Eyes closed, memories flashed in your mind, bringing forth a surge of nostalgia. One memory, in particular, stood out the most: you and Suho at a young age, wearing bright, mirthful smiles and walking hand-in-hand on a golden beach next to a crystal blue sea.

Don’t give me anything but your heart, silly, because it matters more than material things.

...