The Sun had seeped in past the heavy grey curtains and filled the room with light.

Birds were sat over the wooden handrails, serenading the duo that laid in bed, asleep.

One of them was knocked out cold and yet, the other hadn't slept a wink, all night.

The one who'd laid in bed, shifting and turning and tossing had a heart that beat at an insane rate, coating all his extremities in a rouge hue.

It was none other than love-struck Min Yun Ki, who'd stayed awake under the covers, facing his wife, who clutched his hand and used the palm as a pillow.

He was inches away from her.

He replayed the scenes from last night.

The way they'd been slotted against each other, achingly close.

Their breaths, the ones that had intermingled and lips that plummeted from the constant nipping and sucking.

The room was filled with mewls of eachotehr's names, slipping and rolling off of each other's tongues like honey.

It was natural, smooth and intoxicating.

He remembers Soojin's legs giving up and her tripping into his arms as he carried her inside, sweeping her off of her wobbly feet in an instant, past the curtains and down onto the bed, as gently as he possibly could.

He remembers kissing her face and neck with passion, marking her as she writhed under him, fisting his locks.

He even remembers holding himself back from going all the way.

He could have.

She even wanted him to.

But Min Yun Ki wanted their first time to be well-planned, special and incredibly intimate.

However, he too was aware that once they'd come so close to each other, physically, it'd be hard for either of their minds to not wander into the bedroom.

The need to pin her against the headboard and have his way with her, would cloud his mind ever so often.

In short, the sexual tension between them would be heightened, especially after they'd noticed how their body reacted to each other's intimate brushes and caresses.

In this moment however, Yun Ki's eyes were trained on how Soojin held onto his wrist, like all her life depended on it.

Their legs were intertwined and the aura was peaceful.

She looked like a part of him he didn't realise that he needed until he really came to know her and now, letting go was not an option.

He'd give her his first love.

She'd be the woman of his dreams, the mother to his children and the woman who's hand he'd clutch on his deathbed.

It was fated and even if it wasn't, Yun Ki was resolute.

She was his and every breath of his belonged to her.

The poet in him, the romantic one, was brimming with thoughts and lines whilst he ran his eyes over Soojin's face.

Her lips, the ones he could almost imagine feeling if he tried hard, were pouty and dark red from the sloppy kisses Yun Ki had placed over them while grasping onto her jaw.

He'd nibbled and sucked on them, hard.

Just remembering the high pitched whines she'd moaned into his ear were enough to get him at half mast.

His tiger ought to be tamed, he thought looking down at his frame and thinking of things that had him feel an emotion, any other than that of arousal.

It was hard with Soojin's cheek rested over his palm and lips grazing and rubbing into them.

Agh, he was in love.

Yet, fear overcame him.

The past had stood testament of the fact that he always lost the ones he loved the most.

Just the the fear, the abdominal fear of Yong Sun landing his hands on Soojin was enough drive Yun Ki nervous and anxious.

Before he knows it, his hands and feet are running cold and a slimy bead of sweat is trickling down his spine.

He clenches his eyes shut, relishing the moment.

He couldn't give up Soojin out of fear of his brother.

Not when it's the only love he's yearned for, all his life.

No, he wasn't Yong Sun's shadow, anymore.

He was the Crowned King of Baekmin.

He'd chop Yong Sun's head off before he even got close to Soojin.

Just as Yun Ki's features are clenching and twisting, Soojin wakes up, eyes groggily opening, to view a very uncomfortable Yun Ki, withering next to her.

The wrinkles around his eyes as though he'd shut them forcefully, his brows were furrowed and he looked evidently conflicted as though he was watching something bad unfold before his eyes.

Soojin lifts her head from his outstretched open palm, bringing it to her chest, fingers intertwined with his as she watches his expressions ease out.

"Yun Ki…" She whispers, gently.

Yun Ki's eyes open with a glossy film coating them and the ends of his eyes flutter with globules of tears, one that shine as though they hold the world in them.

Soojin watches in worry, scooting closer, till her head is facing his chest.

Her arm encircles over his waist as she buries her head in his chest.

"What's wrong?" She asks, breathing into his clothed chest and yet, Yun Ki can feel the vibrations travelling past her lips over his rumbling chest.

Yun Ki remains silent and she furrows out of the comfort of his warm chest and looks up at him.

Soojin's chest stings as she watches Yun Ki shake his head fervently, instead of confining in her.

"You can tell me, anything. I trust you and I believe you should, too.." Soojin murmurs, against his lips, as she feels his arms wrap around her waist.

"I-It's nothing, really..Just slept with a cramped neck." He lies through his teeth but, he lies to not share the negativity that's clouding his mind with her and have her feeling unsafe.

That would be the last thing for him to have her feel.

For a Wife must find comfort and security in the arms of her Husband.

She was his strength and his biggest weakness.

He leans into her, watching her neck crane, reaching a hand to massage his neck and he drops a chaste kiss over her concerned pouty lips.

Soojin swats a hand over his chest, placing a palm over her lips.

"Aish.." She cries, scooting away from him and Yun Ki grabs onto her wrist, rolling closer to her receeding body.

He swings a leg over her form, trapping her and towering her laid figure.

He pulls her wrist away from her mouth and leans in to her ear.

"Don't pout your lips so hard, it makes me want to do things to you.." He whispers in his low-pitched morning voice, one that resembles a growl and causes the pit of Soojin's stomach to be filled in that feeling of arousal.

Her breath hitches as her hands ball up into fists, as they're pinned by her sides by Yun Ki's hold over them.

She's squirming under him, cores grazing as she does so.

"Naughty." He comments, climbing off of her, laying beside her flat on his back, before things got heated.

Soojin lets out a heavy breath as she curls into his side, hand laying flat on his chest, one that rises and falls at a rhythmic pace.

"What do you want to do today?" She asks, with stars in her eyes as she looks over at him.

Yun Ki turns over to face her, foot nudging hers, toes curling around each other's as though they're wrestling each other.

"I just want to lay in bed, all day..with you.." He murmurs the last part, watching blush creep up Soojin's morning face.

Cheeks all swollen from the spicy food they'd had last night.

Yun Ki's hand rests on her cheek, fingers grazing her ear, thumb caressing the edges of her mouth as they gaze into each other's soul.

"How about Pottery?" He asks, breaking the intense eye contact.

Soojin nods in excitement and Yun Ki huffs out, with a smile watching the ends of her lips curl into a smile.

"Anything for my Wife." He breathes out, dropping a kiss over Soojin's nose.

—————

"Eomeoni, the sardines aren't marinated well. It's as though you're taking out some sort of a grudge on me.." Yong Sun complains, silverware falling over the ceramic plate, with a loud clash.

Soojin's mother wipes her drenched hands, rushing to the dining table, watching Yong Sun chew down a slice of Ox meat, one he'd scooped out of the soup, as he sits nibbling over the bone.

"O-Of course not, Adeul..I had tasted it before serving you the dish." She explains.

[*Adeul = Son in Korean.]

Yong Sun sucks on the bone, watching Soojin's Mother as she looks away uncomfortably.

He lets go with a lewd pop, tutting.

"It tastes awfully like Joon Ki's food." He comments, watching her scratch her arm in disdain.

"Eomeoni, are Joon Ki and I the same, in your eyes?" He implores, pushing her closer to her limits.

The elder lady shakes her head no, bowing before him.

"No.." She responds.

Yong Sun looks away, finishing the last drop of his soup.

"I'll accept it today but tomorrow on, it won't work. Especially since I have a colleague joining me tomorrow. He'll assist me on Joon Ki's treatment. He's older and wiser..Also, he'll be needing to be housed here so please get a room emptied.." He declares, wiping the ends of his mouth dry with his sleeve.

Soojin's mother stutters, confused.

"B-But, we have 3 people catering for him, then..W-We don't have any other room empty. You, Joon Ki, The nurse and I occupy one room each.." She explains, looking around the hall.

Yong Sun places a finger under his chin, acting as though he already hasn't mapped out everything.

"How about you shift into Joon Ki's room?" He asks as she kneels besides him.

He scoffs.

"Aish, that'd be inconvenient for us. We'll need to be in there with him.." He continues.

He looks over at the Lady's conflicted face.

"Ah, there's another option. The nurse and I can share a room. Seonsaengnim can occupy the nurse's room.." He says, clasping his hands together.

[*Seonsaengnim= Respectful term for a superior.]

Soojin's mother's eyes are wide as she places a hand over her lips.

"Adeul.. both of you are unmarried.." She comments, raising an objection.

Yong Sun stands up from the table, leaving the dishes behind for the elder woman to pick up after him.

"Didn't I tell you? We're lovers. It shouldn't be a problem for either of us." He responds, walking out.

The poor Lady clasps her head as she deliberates what in the world is happening in her house.