As someone shook Sung-hee’s shoulder gently a soft groan left her lips but she refused to move or wake up from her pleasant sleep.  The dream she was having had already faded so she was already beyond annoyed with the person that decided it would be a good idea to wake her up.  “When did you become so difficult to wake up?”  She vaguely recognized her voice but she was too tired to try and figure out who it was.  Whoever it was if they kept bothering her was going to get slapped.  “Come on.”

Slapping the heavy hand away, Sung-hee rolled to the other side of the bed and curled up a bit. “Go away.”

“Aish alright fine.”  The person huffed and seemed to walk away.  When Sung-hee thought she was safe again she relaxed and started to fall asleep again only to have someone wrap their arms around her and start to tickle her sides.  “Wake up jagiya we’ve got lots to do today!”

Trying to squirm away from him and pry his arms off she squealed with laughter.  “Sanghyun Park!  It is too early for this!”

“It’s never too early for hugs!”

“It’s too early for tickling!”

“Nonsense!”  She tried her hardest to squirm away from him but he had his arms around her too tightly and wrapped his legs around hers effectively holding her in place.  “It’s never too early for hugs and tickling and kisses.”  Before she could protest that he hadn’t even kissed her he waited for her to turn her head enough and placed a soft kiss on her lips, smiling a little.  “See it’s never too early.”

Despite herself Sung-hee smiled and relaxed against him, yawning a little.  “Alright you’ve got me up but the question is why at,” She sat up a bit to look around him to the clock by her bed, “seven in the morning?”  Groaning in annoyance she fell back to the bed pouting a little.  “Why so early?”

“I know you don’t like getting up early.”

“You’re right it’s icky and makes me grumpy.”

He laughed a bit and kissed her forehead, “I figured you’d want to spend the whole day together.”  At this Sung-hee shot up her eyes wide in surprise, “Well at least until Kaang drags me back to the practice room.”

Peering at him carefully she pouted a bit, “Are you even allowed to spend the day with me?”  She knew that they were preparing for another round in Japan in a month or so and she wasn’t about to get in the way of that.  Kaang could be especially scary whenever she was the reason for Thunder disobeying the rules.  As much of a soft spot the manager had for her it wasn’t enough to cut them any slack when it came to work. 

The smile on his face told her to instantly disagree with whatever was about to come out of his mouth. “Sure I’ve just got to be back around seven.”

For a few seconds she searched his face before breaking out into a large grin, “You don’t have approval and you’re hoping that if you’re back around seven so you can still practice for about eight hours that he won’t get too mad at you.  And you’ve probably got the others covering for you right?”  He grinned sheepishly and she couldn’t help but laugh a little in response, “Alright then we better get going before he figures out we’re here.  Make yourself some coffee I need to get a shower.” 

“Wait you’re actually okay with that?”  He expected her to scold him and tell him to prepare for the return to Japan or to sleep but the happiness in his eyes was unmistakable. 

“Who’s the terrible influence here?”  She pointed to herself before wiggling out of Thunder’s grasp and stood, “Now go make yourself some coffee or breakfast you look half asleep and like you haven’t ate in two days.”  Before she could even pick out her clothes for the day Thunder was downstairs and shifting through her cupboards for something to make for breakfast. 

Before heading to the shower Sung-hee tried to get a peek as to what Thunder was going to make only to have him shoo her away.  “Yah no go get ready you I want it to be a surprise!  Shoo, shoo!”  Closing the bathroom door for her he smiled at her protests before he heard the shower turn on. 

As soon as she was out of the bathroom she was greeted with the sweet smell of brown sugar and eggs and laughed a little.  “Toast-U?  I haven’t had that in forever.”  The vendor nearest to her house that sold the sweet breakfast food had shut down and she hadn’t managed to find another vendor that she liked. 

Smiling Thunder finished pouring the coffee and nodded, “Neither have I and it’s one of the few breakfast foods I know how to make.”  He admitted somewhat sheepishly even though he knew it was one of her favorite breakfast foods. 

Slipping into her seat she leaned over and kissed Thunder’s cheek, “Lucky for you it’s one of my favorites.  So where are we going today anyway?”

“Well I know you mentioned needed more clothes and you needed to look around for a present for Shin so I was thinking we could go to Myeongdong and search around there together.” 

While moments like this weren’t particularly astounding or even held great meaning Sung-hee couldn’t help but appreciate them.  He actually remembered Shin’s birthday and her commenting offhandedly that she probably should go shopping for new clothes over a month ago.  “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”  She asked with full of the egg sandwich. 

Grinning Thunder curled a piece of hair behind her ear, “Maybe, but I never get sick of hearing it.”  The rest of breakfast was relatively quiet.  Usually when they were able to relax like this Sung-hee and Thunder didn’t talk much instead focusing on enjoying the comforting silence of a companion.

Even the walk to the bus station was fairly quiet.  Well until they got there.

“Come on just one!”

Pouting she covered the top of her head hoping to deter him, “No way my hair looks awful!”

Putting his phone down he looked over her for a moment before scoffing, “Lies you look beautiful as usual stop being self-conscious.”

“Aish you’re just going to secretly take a picture of me anyway aren’t you?”  The grin on his face easily gave him away.  “Alright fine you stubborn punk.” 

Grinning from ear to ear Thunder nodded, “I may be a stubborn punk but I’m your stubborn punk.”  When she nodded in approval he held up the phone again and they both smiled at the camera with peace signs.  He refused to let her see the picture though no matter how much she asked.  “No way you’re going to delete it I know all your tricks Sung-ah.”  Smiling at her pout he laced his hand with hers as they got on the bus.

Right after he paid and they took a seat in the back of the bus Sung-hee glanced at his phone to see blue on the screen.  “You’re putting that on twitter aren’t you?” 

Thunders turned from her, trying to hide his phone, “Of course not that would be silly and ridiculous.”

“Sure you aren’t.”  She was certain that when she got home there would be a new picture up on twitter but she couldn’t bring herself to care.  If anything she was pleased he was wanted to share a picture of them together with his followers.  With a small smile she rested her head against his shoulder completely content. 

The bus ride was quiet as well, though Sung-hee wanted to talk the rest of the bus was too quiet to hold normal conversation and Thunder didn’t seem to make a move to talk as well.  She realized when they reached their stop it was because he had fallen asleep.  Aish this babo wanting to go out when he really needs rest.  Carefully she shook his shoulder and he shot up looking confused and apologetic.  “We’re taking a nap after we find a present no questions asked mister.”  When he opened his mouth to argue she pressed a finger to his lips and shook her head, “If we hadn’t paid for this already I would demand we go home now.”  It wasn’t until after they got off the bus and near the shops that Sung-hee realized she had said home, not my home but home.  She wasn’t sure if Thunder had caught her slip of the tongue but she still couldn’t stop thinking about how nice it sounded.  No matter how wrong it would be to take him away from the rest of the members.

“Any ideas as to what you’re going to get him?”

Sung-hee nodded enthusiastically, “Dinosaurs.”  Shin had recently become obsessed with dinosaurs even his room had been colored green to resemble some of the toys that he has. 

Pretending to be highly offended by the information, Thunder gasped and placed a hand to his chest, “Yah you’re stealing my present!”

Rolling her eyes Sung-hee bumped her hip against his leg with a pleased smile on her face.  “Oh pft you’re just saying that cause I said it!”

Pouting he poked her shoulder and walked a little faster trying to look like he was mad.  “No I was going to get him a dinosaur and now I have to think up a new gift.”

Still smiling, Sung-hee caught up with him and laced her fingers through his.  “How about you get in on my present to him and we’ll just buy a bigger set?  He likes you better anyway so he’ll give you more hugs.”  It was no secret that Shin considered Thunder a member of the family already and he even called Thunder uncle sometimes.  No one bothered correcting him anymore. 

“Hmmm alright.”

“That was your plan all along.”

Though he was grinning he shook his head attempting to deny such accusations.  “You can’t prove anything.”

“But you just…aish never mind.  Come on you we’ve got dinosaurs to hunt down!”  Tightening her hold on his hand she dragged him into the first toy store that she saw. 

They didn’t have to search too long to find the dinosaurs in each store that they went to.  However Sung-hee was very particular in what she would allow her ‘favorite’ nephew to have.  On their third store Thunder found a toy set that was like a play area for dinosaurs complete with eight different dinosaur figurines.  Sung-hee fell in love instantly and Thunder had to remind her the entire way back to the apartment they were getting it for Shin not for her to play with.  Before she could go back to the store and buy another one for herself, Thunder dragged her onto the bus, reminding her that she didn’t bring enough money.

Despite that she was determined to go back out and get the toy as soon as she got the chance to.  Thunder of course about it then entire bus ride and walk to the apartment.  “Yah you like it too!  You better not be thinking of getting it for my birthday if that’s why you’re trying to convince me to not get it.”

“Hey now have a little more faith in me to come up with something good for your birthday.”

“I’m just saying.  You still have like four months so no cope out present for you.”  Despite looking at him accusingly and poking his shoulder the entire elevator ride neither could suppress their laughter for long.  Both knew that Sung-hee could care less what he got her for her birthday as long as he remembered.  If anything she would prefer more attention towards Christmas.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Thunder walked ahead of Sung-hee once again pretending to be mad.  “Aish this girl has no faith in me.”

Not bothering to catch up to him she stuck out her tongue and made a face while his back was turned.  “I have faith in you I just want a present.”

Leaning against the wall, waiting for her to punch in the code despite knowing it, he poked her forehead a teasing grin on his lips.  “Little miss greedy.”

Turning right after she opened the door she tried to shove him out of the doorway so he wouldn’t be able to get in. “Yah!”

“Kidding, kidding.  And I know the password anyway what good would that do?”

Pausing, Sung-hee’s expression made it clear that she had completely forgotten that he knew the password.  Pouting she turned from him with a wave of her hand, “Oh go take a nap you.”

“Fine.”  When he was quiet she expected he was just going to head right upstairs for a nap while she watched some television or worked on the painting that was sitting off in the corner of her apartment like a neglected child.  She hadn’t expected for him to scoop her up and carry her up the stairs though. 

“Yah! Sanghyun Park you put me down this instant!”  Despite her angry tone she made no move to try and get out of his grasp as he took her up the stairs and towards the bed. 

“Hush you.  Did you really expect me to take a nap without you? 

Pouting a little she leaned against his broad chest and sighed, “But I’m not tired.”

“Oh please I saw you dozing off on the bus.”

“Well so were you.”  She grumbled thumping his chest twice before he placed her on the bed.  And once again she made no move to try and get away.  Instead she laid down and reached out to grab the clock by her bed.

Grinning at his success, Thunder took the spot next to her and laid down his eyes already halfway closed as he threw the covers over him.  “Ah so you admit it then?”

“Bah fine but I’m setting the alarm for five I don’t particularly want Kaang knocking on my door demanding his idol back.”

With his eyes already closed, Thunder groaned in disapproval and mumbled, “Can’t I just skip practice?”

Despite herself Sung-hee laughed and kissed his forehead.  “And have Kaang rip both of us in half?  I think not.  Now get some sleep while you can.”  She waited a minute or two for a response until she realized he had already fallen asleep.  With a soft smile on her face she brushed a few strands of hair from his eyes.  “I know you love your job but sometimes I really worry about you.”  With a soft sigh she scooted closer to him and quickly fell asleep as well. 

~~~~~

“If you wanted to sleep you could have just asked us you know.”

“It’s hard hyung.  With everything all boxed up it just doesn’t feel like home anymore.”

Thunder and Sung-hee had been in Kaang’s office for nearly half an hour getting yelled at for ditching nearly the entire day of practice.  Only when Thunder explained that they spent the better half of the day asleep did Kaang actually calm down.  He was the type that wanted the boys to sleep when they could but not when it wasn’t allowed or they snuck out to do so.  That happened enough in their trainee days for Kaang to have zero tolerance for it now. 

“Well what are you going to do when we move next month?”

“Hyung, am I really not allowed to see her?  It’s been weeks and I’d like to be able to see her before we head back to Japan and then go on the fan meet tour.”

Sighing in aggravation Kaang glanced over at Sung-hee who had been trying her hardest to be invisible while Thunder argued with the older male.  She gave him a small, sheepish smile not quite sure what else she should do and instantly regretted it when an annoyed look passed over Kaang’s face.  “You two promised that your relationship wouldn’t get in the way of your job.”

“Well what do you expect?  I can’t just not see her because we’re promoting.  That leaves me a week out of the year to actually spend time with her if that.”

“No one said it was going to be easy Cheon doong.”

“And no one said that I was going to have to make a choice between my job and my love life.”

“That’s just how this business is sometimes.”

“It’s stupid hyung.  I can still be ready for each stage and you know that.”

Kaang glanced over at Sung-hee again and sighed heavily, “Alright fine but if you keep missing practice we’re going to have to have a serious talk.  Get to the dance room now I expect you to have the dance perfect before the stage tonight.”  Taking his waving hand as a dismissal, Thunder and Sung-hee bowed a little before leaving. 

“You want to say hi to the guys?”

“I think I’ve gotten you guys in enough trouble for today.  Text me when you get back to the dorm okay?  No matter how late it is.”

“Of course,” he leaned down and kissed her cheek with a small smile, “I love you.”

Heart fluttering, Sung-hee smiled back and gave him a short hug, “I love you too.”  After a bit more convincing he left for the dance room and Sung-hee reluctantly turned back to the lobby.  Her entire mood was shot the second she saw Rena standing there with a smug expression.

Pushing off the wall she was leaning against, Rena pointed to Sung-hee, “You two got lucky this time.”

Trying to not let the girl getting the better of her Sung-hee continued to walk hoping Rena would leave her alone.  She hadn’t expected the girl to follower her.  Stopping at the entrance to the lobby she turned to Rena with the darkest glare she could muster.  “What the hell are you playing at anyway?”

Shrugging as if it was obvious Rena stepped in front of Sung-hee preventing her from escaping.  “I’m just preparing you for the inevitable.”

Though she already knew the answer, Sung-hee also knew that the formalities had to be respected before she decided to punch Rena in the face.  Clearing , Sung-hee tried to act as calm and natural as possible.  “And what might that be?”

Rena stepped closer until their noses were almost touching and in a sugary sweet voice declared, “Thunder will be mine.”

And there it was.  The thing that Sung-hee had feared for weeks was finally revealed and Sung-hee wanted nothing more than to throw Rena against a wall and demand she leave J.Tune Camp and never come back.  “I dare you to try and take him from me.”

Rena smirked devilishly and leaned back, flipping her hair off her shoulder.  “Oh I’m already well underway to.  I guarantee in two months’ time he’ll be kissing my lips not yours.”

“You are not taking him from me.”

Patting Sung-hee’s head as if she was a dog Rena moved a bit to the side preventing Sung-hee from getting a clear shot at her face.  “Oh but sweetie I will.  Idols should only date other idols.”

Hands clenched into fists at her side and trembling in anger Sung-hee tried to sound as calm as possible as some workers passed by.  “You’re no idol.  Idols are people to look up to; you’re just a home wrecker with too much time on her hands.”

“Please, you’re saying that now but I promise you Thunder will be mine I’ve had my eye on him even when I was a JYP trainee.”

Growling Sung-hee shoved Rena away and stomped over to the exit.  “I’m not listening to this!”  She continued to grumble profanities and didn’t even bother speaking to the receptionist like she usually did.

“Remember deary, two months’ time!”

Rena’s laughter was the last thing Sung-hee heard before stepping out onto the busy street once more.  All the good from the day instantly washed away from a five minute encounter and she wanted nothing more than to run back inside and to Thunder.  Only he could reassure her now that it would be alright.