The next morning, you woke up with a warm body beside you. It was a nice, blissful feeling. You were lying on your side, with Yongguk spooning you from the back. Even in his sleep, he was holding onto you tightly, as if afraid you would leave if he let go. You blinked a few times to get used to the sunlight, before looking at the clock on your nightstand. It was slightly past nine in the morning. You lay still for a moment, wondering if you should get out of bed. Behind you, Yongguk’s shallow breathing let you know that he was still asleep. Remembering what his mother had said to you last night, you decided you were going to make him breakfast. You wondered if you could get out of bed without waking him, considering how entwined your bodies were. Experimentally, you shifted slightly to the left, trying to free yourself from his arms. The movement woke Yongguk immediately and he raised his head to look at you through half-open eyes.

You smiled at his groggy and confused expression. It was so cute compared to how serious he usually looked. “Morning.”

He grunted and untangled his arms from you so he could rub the sleep from his eyes, and you slid out from under your comforter. “Whereyougoing?” he slurred in protest, reaching out to grab you. You laughed as you let him pull you back down onto the bed. His eyes were puffy and he still looked half asleep, and you couldn’t resist cuddling with him a little longer. “I’m just going to make you breakfast, silly,” you assured him. “Your mother complained that you’re looking too skinny and instructed me to make you nutritious food.”

A huge smile spread across Yongguk’s face. “Really?”

“Yes,” you replied, feeling an identical smile materialize on your own face. “You sleep a little longer. I’ll wake you when I’m done.”

He couldn’t have looked more contented than he did at that moment. “I love you.” He planted a kiss on your lips before releasing you. “Love you too,” you said, feeling something akin to butterflies in your stomach. It could have been because of the strangely old-yet-new feelings that you were rediscovering with each day you spent with Yongguk. You crawled out of bed but couldn’t resist turning back to look at him teasingly. “I wonder how your fans would react if they knew that even their perfect idol Bang Yong Guk has morning breath.”

Yongguk just laughed and swung a pillow half-heartedly at you before snuggling back into the sheets and waving at you. You felt the butterflies again as you headed for the bathroom to wash up. With all the recent drama, you’d almost forgotten how adorable he could be when times were good. It was amazing how you knew for sure from your six years of history that you loved this man, but you still felt at times like you were falling in love with him for the first time.

Moments later, you were in your kitchen, looking up recipes on your phone and ordering the groceries you needed. While waiting for your delivery to arrive, you put the rice in the cooker and plated some of the side dishes that your mother had made in huge plastic containers to keep in your fridge. When the groceries arrived, you prepped the ingredients and set to boil a pot of chicken soup. Meanwhile, you got to work making additional dishes: eggs, vegetables, fish... It seemed like a feast for just the two of you, but you wanted to make sure he had all the nutrition he needed, and you enjoyed cooking. It felt extra special knowing you were preparing food for someone you loved, especially since his mother had entrusted you with the job of keeping him well-fed. Besides, there were always five other constantly hungry boys just down the hall if you had any leftovers. You were so engrossed in your cooking that time flew by without you realizing. You didn’t even notice that Yongguk was already awake until you turned to fetch a plate and caught him leaning against the kitchen counter, staring at you with a dorky grin on his face.

You were a little surprised to see him, since he hadn’t made a sound, but you couldn’t help mirroring his smile. “What?”

“Just feeling like the luckiest man in the world,” he said simply.

You bit your bottom lip to stop yourself from looking too satisfied. “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer? You should get more sleep while you can. Soon, you’ll be back to practicing through the night again.”

“The smell woke me up,” he said, stretching his arms over his head. “If only I could wake up to this every morning.”

“You wish,” you scoffed jokingly, turning back to the stove. “I’m a busy woman. You should feel very honored that you’re getting this meal.”

Yongguk laughed. “I guess I should. I really miss your cooking, but don’t you think this is a bit much?”

“Your mother wants me to fatten you up,” you told him, finishing up the last dish and setting it on the table. You checked on the soup and fetched a ladle, turning to Yongguk. “Wanna taste?”

He bounded over excitedly, reminding you of a little kid. You blew on the hot soup before feeding it to him. He sipped it and paused for a moment to appraise the taste. “Needs more salt.”

“Really? I already added salt.” You took a sip. “It tastes fine to me. Ya, you shouldn’t be eating things that are too salty. It’s not healthy.”

“Alright, omma,” he teased, moving away. “Shall I scoop the rice?”

You nodded, taking the soup off the stove. While Yongguk busied himself with the rice, you finished plating up everything and placed them all on the dining table. Now that everything was displayed, it did seem like a lot. “I think we’re gonna have to call the other boys over to help finish the food.”

“Let’s eat first or there won’t be any left for us.”

You both sat down and you couldn’t help but watch happily as Yongguk wolfed down his food. He was either really hungry or he really liked your cooking. You didn’t cook very often, so it couldn’t have tasted that great, but it made you happy that he was eating everything well. He looked up after a few minutes of silently eating. “You know, my mother always said that I should marry a woman who cooks for me.”

You laughed. “Don’t assume I’m going to be a stay-at-home type of wife.” Yongguk stared at you strangely for a moment, not saying anything. Then a smile spread across his face again and he started eating again. You stared at him, curious. “What’s with that expression?”

“It’s the first time I mentioned marriage and you didn’t react like the idea was completely repulsive.”

You were stumped. Did you always react like that? Maybe Himchan was right and you did have a fear of commitment. You didn’t like that he always said it so easily as if you two getting married was a given, but you didn’t find the idea of marrying him repulsive. You just didn’t like him assuming it was going to happen eventually, since there were so many unknowns in the future. It wasn’t personal; you just couldn’t picture yourself married yet, to anyone. Besides, your relationship had always been turbulent. Who knew if these good times would last? Despite all that, maybe you were starting to feel less afraid to imagine a possible future for you and Yongguk. After all, it did seem like you kept finding your way back to him even when you repeatedly tried so hard to leave him…

Yongguk seemed to know that you were having some kind of internal struggle, and he put down his chopsticks, reaching across the table to take your hand in his. “Don’t worry, I’m not pushing you to make any commitments you’re not ready to. You don’t have to say anything.”

“I don’t think it’s repulsive to be married to you,” you stated quietly. “I just…”

“I know, babe,” he assured you, squeezing your hand. “We’ll leave that talk for another time, okay?” He paused to smile at you. “I’m really happy now. Aren’t you?” You couldn’t help but smile back at him, nodding. It was nice, living in your own little world, just the two of you, even if it were just one morning. “Eat, before the food gets cold.”

The rest of the meal passed comfortably. There was a nice and peaceful kind of contentment that hung in the air between the both of you. At least, it was peaceful until Yongguk went to fetch the boys. With the six boys all cramped in your small apartment, it got noisy fast. They’d already had breakfast before they came over, but they gobbled down all the food like a pack of vultures within minutes anyway, and were soon spread out all over your apartment, making themselves comfortable.

As Zelo jumped onto the bed, Himchan called across the apartment. “Junhong ah, don’t go on the bed. You don’t know what they’ve been doing in there.”

You nudged Yongguk, who was next to you, and somehow without talking, he knew what you were thinking. He instantly looked at Daehyun, who was on the couch, and the two exchanged a long glance, seemingly conversing through their eyes. Yongguk flicked his eyes towards Himchan for a moment, and Daehyun followed his gaze before nodding. Then, Daehyun turned to Youngjae, who was beside him, and whispered something. Youngjae in turn prodded Jongup, who was sitting on the floor in front of him, with his foot.

“Catch him!” Yongguk yelled, and suddenly, all four boys were charging at Himchan and tackling him to the ground. Junhong had been a little too far away to receive the message, but he’d caught on quickly and was soon in the fray. In a moment, Himchan was writhing and shouting at the bottom of the pile. Yongguk’s voice rang out amidst the chaos. “Be careful of his injured hand!” The bodies moved, and the boys had Himchan’s legs and shoulders pinned to the floor, careful not to touch his cast.

“Ya! What are you guys doing?” Himchan complained loudly, but he didn’t make much of an effort to free himself. Clearly, he knew what was coming.

You moved closer so you towered over him. “Don’t you think you have some explaining to do?”

“What about?”

“Stop pretending!” Daehyun accused. “We all saw you and Hyosung noona last night!”

“Confess now!” Youngjae demanded. “What is your relationship and how long have you kept it hidden from us?”

You could see your brother surrendering, his ears turning bright red as he hesitated, formulating an answer in his head before he spoke. “I didn’t tell you guys because we… Hyosung noona and I… just decided a couple of weeks ago that we were going to, um… try dating…”

“Hyung, stop lying to us!” Junhong piped up indignantly. “Hana noona said it’s been going on for at least a year!”

Six pairs of eyes turned towards you, and you could see Himchan’s bewildered expression. “What? How did you…”

You felt slightly embarrassed, since you couldn’t explain how you’d come up with your hypothesis. “Oppa, remember the last time I asked you whether you were…” You cleared your throat. “Um, with someone? Before I left for Cambodia?”

Himchan’s eyes widened and he froze as your eyes met. Then, he started struggling again. “Ya, are you crazy? You told them about my condoms?!” The five boys released him, shocked, and he managed to break free, sitting upright. He grabbed Yongguk by the front of his shirt. “Ya, you… seriously! I’m never helping you ever again! I can’t believe… I gave you… With my own sister…”

As he continued raving incoherently, the rest of you stared at him, mouths open. You buried your face in your hands until he noticed the stunned reactions he was receiving and quietened down. Then, staring him straight in the eyes, you told him. “Oppa, I didn’t tell them.”

The silence that ensued was deafening. Himchan released Yongguk. Yongguk looked down at the floor, unable to lift his head and look at anyone. You and the four younger boys continued staring at Himchan. His eyes flickered over the five of you before he laughed awkwardly. “So, anyway. Nothing happened. We were just… really good friends a year ago. We just decided recently to give dating a try. I’m telling you guys everything.”

“I don’t get it,” Jongup spoke up, blinking in confusion. “Who gave who condoms? And why does it mean that Himchan hyung and Hyosung noona have been dating for a year?”

“Ya, don’t talk if you don’t know anything,” Daehyun shushed him.

You couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, Jongup has a point.” You turned to Himchan. “Was there someone else a year ago?”

“No, it was her, but we weren’t…” Himchan began exasperatedly, but trailed off, unable to continue. He glared at you, blaming you for starting the whole debacle. You raised your eyebrows at him. Was he suggesting that his relationship with Hyosung was purely physical until recently?

Your face contorted into a grimace. “Oppa, how can you…”

Yongguk’s head snapped up, as if he’d just arrived at the same epiphany. “Ya, you told me that they were left over from your last relationship.”

“You know what, let’s not have this conversation right now,” Himchan said finally. “We have a room full of minors.”

Silence filled the air for a moment before Yongguk decided to step up as the leader and do damage control. “Okay, so sooner or later, all of you will date someone, and you’ll want to do things… that adults do.” Your face found its way into your hands again. You couldn’t listen to this; it was too embarrassing. Yongguk’s eyes darted to you for a moment, and he had to force himself not to smile. “But remember, you should only do it when you’re in a commited relationship. And most importantly… don’t take relationship advice from Himchan hyung.”

Himchan glared at Yongguk, who merely smiled at him in returned. Realizing he couldn’t win, he looked away first, turning to the rest of the boys. “Aren’t you guys going to help wash the dishes?”

That seemed enough to end the conversation and break the awkwardness in the room. As they all clambered past you into the kitchen to help with the dishes, you heard Junhong whisper to Jongup.

“So what did Himchan hyung and Hyosung noona do?”