The porch light was shining brightly when the car finally pulled into the familiar driveway. The moon was high in the sky as your drowsy companion practically fell out of the car. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes Jae’s voice was thick when he spoke.

“What time is it?”

Your steps were heavy as you shuffled towards the front door. The soles of your shoes never entirely leaving the ground as you trudged through the yard. “Late. Leave the stuff, we’ll come get it tomorrow.”

“Wait for me.”

You paused in your sluggish trek until you felt arms wrap around your waist and the weight of his head resting on your shoulder. With your eyes half shut the two of you waddled to the door; too tired to complain about his needy behavior making walking even more difficult. The frost coating the doorknob melted under the warmth of your touch as you pushed into the house. The living room was dark before you; the only light emanating dimly from the television. As your eyes scanned the room searching for a viewer of this forgotten film and it’s 80’s rock soundtrack you came across a scene that made you freeze on the spot. Only a few seconds passed before a quiet, “Ohmygod” signaled to you that Jae had also spotted the sleeping duo currently entangled on the couch.

You let out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a cough before you fumbled around in your jacket pockets. Jae gave you a quizzical look when he noticed your scrambling.

“Well we gotta take a picture, Jae. They ruined our first kiss! Now I have a chance to give them and I am just petty enough to take it.” You tugged the device out of your back pocket and shortly after a bright flash of light illuminated the dark room. Michael lifted his head drowsily. Blinking in the dark before his eyes focused on you grinning down at him. A moment of simple confusion showed on his face until Krystal nestled closer to his side; tucking her head deeper into the couch cushions. Then the two of you had the spiteful joy of watching a deep blush cover his usually smug face. Michael waved a hand forcefully in your direction.

“Go away before she wakes up!” he harshly whispered from the couch.

Your face twisted into a sneer. “Nah I don’t think I will. I’m really feeling an 80’s classic movie night. How about it, Jae? We can make this little love fest a double date!” You attempted to make your way to the couch and force yourself into the little space left when Jae grabbed onto the back of your sweater. Seemingly tuning out your protests he made his way up the first couple of steps before you gave in and followed behind him without needing to be dragged. You saw Jae smile back at Michael before he was out of sight. When the two of you were on the second floor he released his hold on your sweater before pressing a light kiss to the crown of your head. “Goodnight.”

“You had to ruin all my fun? Imagine Krystal’s face!”

Although he was probably already strewn across the mattress you heard his low grumble through the thin walls. “Tomorrow. Everything tomorrow. Sleep now.”

You resigned yourself to your room with a silent promise to get your revenge come morning….or late afternoon. Depending on when you woke up.

————————————-

The days after your return were hard for all of you. Most of you. Really just you. Seeing your roommates and closest friends in their own shameless, vile, little world of new love was such a strong contrast to the dynamic the three of you had cultivated before Michael won the cosmic lottery and got Krystal to fall for his charms that it left you stunned and slightly disoriented. You were happy for them and she was still the same snarky cool woman you knew and loved. Only now she was blushing and giggling more often than threatening harm. And willingly sharing her snacks with an all too happy Michael. Your attention was rudely brought back to the eggs sizzling in the pan before you when Jae pushed at your temple firmly with his pointer finger.

“Stop staring. You’re going to burn my food.” When you cut your eyes at him he quickly rethought his choice of words with a goofy smile. “Our food.”

“I wasn’t staring.” you grumbled as you started to push the eggs around the greased pan.

Jae started to dig around in the fridge. “Were too. You have been since we got back.”

He strut back to you with a pouch in hand. Making breakfast together has become a part of your daily schedule. The morning after the two of you returned from the cabin Jae had barged in around 10 saying how he wanted to spend as much time with you as possible. Which looking back you realized could have very well been just a ploy to get a homemade breakfast without having to put in any effort. That day till today this sleepy little has sat there in his shorts and sleeveless white tee watching you make the food and occasionally getting ingredients for you. He handed you the pouch of shredded cheese before hopping back up onto the counter. You shook some cheese into the pan and turned the heat off before you responded, “It’s just so strange! I mean I kind of love it but it’s still so new. Were we like that?”

“Were you? You still are.”

You turned towards the voice and saw Michael and Krystal enter the kitchen hand in hand.

“Look at you. Making breakfast while he watches you adoringly. So domestic.” Krystal teased.

Jae smiled at her before pinching your cheek.

“He was probably looking at the eggs, babe. Have you seen that kid eat?” Michael grumbled as he slid down the wall to sit cross legged on the floor. One hand still wrapped up in Krystal pretty fingers.

“For your information,” Jae began with a haughty air, “I was looking at both.”

You slid the eggs from the pan onto a big plate as Jae grabbed two forks from the silverware drawer. By the time you turned to face the table he was already sat and waiting with a big smile.

You had to admit; it wasn’t the worst way to start your day.

——————————————

“Where’s Jae?” You asked Michael on your way to the kitchen cupboard. Your eyes scanned over the concerning amount of snack foods before deciding on a huge bag of chips and heading back to the living room. When you had left on this errand Jae was here with him. Michael was watching a movie alone hardly sparing you a glance until you threw a chip his way. “He’s upstairs. Been up there a while.”

Choosing to leave him to his movie you started up the stairs. You gave Jae’s door one quick knock before pushing your way into the small room and you froze for a moment when you saw Jae sitting on the floor surrounded by open suitcases. He gave you a small smile and a weak wave before turning back to the large pile of clothes you assumed he dumped out of his dresser. Simply pursing your lips in disappointment you strut over to sit next to him on the floor. He set a hand on your thigh in comfort before balling up a t-shirt and tossing it into the furthest suitcase. The clothes were everywhere and you found yourself wondering if he was just randomly throwing them into whatever suitcase he wanted. Setting your chips to the side you gave him what you hoped was an encouraging smile.

“So, you got a system here or are you just kinda throwing stuff in randomly?”

He gave you a coy smirk before sloppily folding some jeans and tossing them in the same suitcase from before. “There was a system when I sat down. But at this point it’s pretty much random. It’s mostly clothes so I figure they can go in whatever suitcase I want. Fill up one and move onto the next one.”

“Do you want help?”

“Not with this but I was going to ask you about helping me with something else, maybe?”

He set the shirt in his hands down with a heavy breath. “Would you drive me to the airport tomorrow morning?”

For the second time you froze. Simply staring before a mumbled “Oh.” broke your silence.

Jae’s brow furrowed in concern as your eyes fell. “I could ask Michael! I’ll just ask him don’t worry about it.”

After a second you took a deep breath and raised your gaze. “No. I’ll take you. At least that way I can say goodbye.”

“You sure?” his eyes were concerned with a twinge of sadness.

A determined nod and a small smile was your response. It would be sad but it was right. He was your boyfriend. You should give him a proper send off.

Doing your best to shake off the sadness swirling in the pit of your stomach you reached over and pulled the suitcase closer before dumping it out.

“Y/N! I just packed that one!”

You started rummaging through the different articles of clothing and folding whatever you could get your hands on. “That was not packing, Jae. You need to fold your clothes or you’re going to run out of room.”

After you had folded five shirts you looked over and saw Jae simply watching you work. Balling up the soft material in your hands you threw the shirt at his head. “I’m not going to do it all by myself. Start folding.”

Jae groaned before roughly folding a pair of pants. Grumbling under his breath, “Come in here and dump out my clothes…start bossing me around…like you own the place…”

He peeked at you out of the corner of his eye to make sure you were paying attention before looking back to the clothes and continuing his fake little tantrum. “I said I didn’t need help.”

You scoffed at his obvious play for attention and continued folding the clothes. “Oh, you definitely need help. That’s not even a question. Professional help.”

“Bullying. This is bullying.” he shot back.

“Hardly.” you looked over to find Jae with his hands hanging limply in the clothes pile and giving you a deadpan look. You couldn’t help but laugh as he gave you a leveled glare. “Keep folding please. Michael and Krystal wanna have a movie night since it’s your last night in the house.”

Jae started packing again; finally dropping his fake mad act and showcasing his usual smile. “What’re we watching?”

The packing went by quickly after that and soon enough the two of you are bouncing down the stairs. Michael has pushed all the furniture close together so the four of you could sit near each other. Everyone agreed to let Jae pick the movies and of course he chose a comedy to start things off. The house was filled with laughter until the late hours when the laughs shifted to soft snores as one by one the four of you fell asleep there in front of the television.

—————-

“Y/N slow down!”

You ignored the pleading voice and started handing the lady behind the counter the bags you were carrying. Jae finally caught up to you; out of breath and frazzled. You grabbed at the rest of his bags before he stepped around you to hand them over himself. He held onto his carry on bag and the two of you stepped away from the counter. You scanned the walls for a clock. 40 minutes. You had a little time. Reaching over to adjust the strap on his bag you gave him a stern look. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep we were almost late.”

Your scolding was met with a pair of innocent eyes and a goofy smile. “But you looked so cute drooling all over the arm of the couch. Plus we aren’t late. I have a great sense of time.”

“You think you have a great everything.”

Jae caught your hand and gave you a smirk. “I mean am I wrong? Now stop fretting. You’re making me nervous.”

You took a calming breath before checking the clock again. Meeting his gaze you squeezed his hand lightly. “So…this is it,” You pushed at his chest lightly. “And we have barely any time because you wanted to watch me drool like some kind of creep.”

His smile was soft and reassuring. “Forgive me if I wasn’t in a huge rush to leave.”

As emotions started flooding your body you felt the tell tale prickling in your eyes and started looking in random directions to try to hide your tears. Jae shook your arm once and gave you a bright smile. “No tears please. We’ve had like 3 sad goodbyes. No more tears.”

Despite your tumultuous emotions you laughed before wiping at the few tears that nearly fell. His smile fell away to make a stern face before he continued. “Don’t forget your mourning period.”

“Oh yeah what did we agree on? A year?” you mused with a smile.

“Two! September 2017! We agreed!”

“I still think that’s an absurd request. Two years. A lot happens in two years.”

Jae pulled you into a hug. “You know what else ends in two years? My dating ban. And besides the mourning period is for you. How incredibly awkward would it be if I come back and you’ve got some guy hanging around. It’ll hurt his feelings when you drop him like a sack of rocks for me.”

You s your arms around his waist. Laughing at the idea. “True.” For the hundredth time you checked the big clock above the counter. “Jae. You need to go. You still have to get through security and to your terminal.”

To your surprise Jae didn’t say anything. He squeezed you a little closer before releasing you with a sigh. His hands softly cupped your face before he kissed you in the middle of the lobby. There were no tears but the way his mouth desperately molded against your lips carried a sadness that left your eyes welling when he pulled away. He looked at you for another moment; eyes scanning over your features. With one last quick kiss he started walking backwards towards the security gates. “Terminal 3 right?”

“Terminal 5, Jae! It’s on your ticket!!”

He checked his ticket before giving you a bashful grin. “I knew that.”

Jae was still walking backwards and about 4 steps from crashing into a very cranky looking TSA agent. “Jae! Turn around!”

Turning just in time he nodded in apology and turned back to wave once more. “Two years, Y/N! Mourn me properly!”

You felt your face heat up as people started to stare at the two of you. “Just go before you miss your plane!”

Jae wiped a sleeve under his eyes. A sad smile on his face, “Bye, Y/N!”

As the tears finally pooled you waved from your spot until he walked through the security gate and out of sight. You managed to keep the tears from falling all this time but the second he disappeared into the airport they spilt over leaving trails of water down your face. Warm arms wrapped around your shoulders from behind.

“Come on, Y/N. Let’s go home.” Krystal spoke in a soothing voice. The two of you walked out of the doors and back to your car. You knew that it was the most realistic option but as Krystal drove back to the house you couldn’t help but wish that you’d given long distance a chance.

You told yourself that walking passed that empty door would get easier and eventually thinking of Jae would become a fond memory…not something that only stirred up regret.

And it did.

——————-

2 years and one month

“Krystal! When is Kevin getting home?” You hollered from the couch.

Her voice sounded from one of the rooms down the hall. “I’m not sure. Probably soon. Why? Miss him already?”

Before you could make any kind of response your phone vibrated in your hand. Unknown number. Odd.

“Hey Krystal. Did you give someone my number? And if you did what does this even mean?”

Kevin walked through the door just then. Spotting you and flashing a smile your way.

“Kevin, did you change your number?”

His face twisted in confusion at the odd question. “No? Not for like 4 years.” He finished with a chuckle. Your phone buzzed again.

“No freaking way.”

Kevin watched with concern as your face went completely blank. A string of “No way. No way. No way.” tumbling from your lips.

Krystal walked into the living room. Out of the corner of your eye you saw her stop mid stride and stare out the window. “Uh… Rachel?” Your newest roommate quickly hopped out of your way as you shot off the couch like a bat out of hell and ran to the window.

And there on the sidewalk stood a tall string bean of a man. When he caught sight of you in the window he flashed you that million watt smile that you’d missed every day for two years. 

You yanked the window open and cupped your hands around your mouth. “I thought I told you not to use that smile before 10 o’clock!!”

Jae’s smile only got bigger and brighter before he yelled across the yard. “You don’t control me, woman!”

“IS THAT JAE?!” You heard a man screech from the kitchen seconds before Michael squeezed himself in the tiny window with you. “Jae! You came back for me!” He hollered with a dramatic flair. 

“I most certainly did not!” He shot back from his place on the sidewalk. 

Krystal walked over to open the door before joining in the screaming. “How about you come inside before someone calls the cops!!” 

Jae came inside and was immediately smothered with hugs and kisses. Most of the kisses from Michael. When Jae was given room to breathe he finally spotted the shy man standing next to the couch; watching the scene awkwardly. You followed his line of sight and started laughing. “Jae, this is Kevin. He’s our new roommate. He’s in your room.” 

Kevin smiled shyly and reached out a hand. “Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Jae gave you a look that carried a question. “Not me. Michael.” Jae peered down at the grown man still attached to his side. Michael only stared back like a love struck teenager. 

“He doesn’t even look at me like that.” Krystal grumbled. “So, what’s going on? Are you staying for long?” 

“A few months. I was hoping to stay here actually…” He murmured; giving Kevin another weary look. 

“You could always stay in Y/N’s room. Lord knows she’s been waiting for you to come back. I tried setting her up like 9 times. She always found something wrong-” Krystal smacked him on the back of the head before dragging him back to their rooms. Kevin quickly picked up the vibe and excused himself to his room. After the two of you were left alone Jae turned to you with a smile. “So.”

Under his gaze you immediately started to blush. The implications of Michael’s words hanging between you. 

He smirked as he watched the pink spread across your cheeks. “I understand turning down Michael’s friends. I mean after dating me they must seem just terrible in compa–” 

You cut him off before he could get into another long boastful speech by pulling him into a crushing hug. Which he returned with a deep rumbling laugh that you could feel in his chest. He was back. Not for forever but your time apart had taught you that long distance was better than complete absence.

You’d rather see that smile through a laptop camera then not at all.