The morning after was quiet in the wrong way.
Aran sat near the lake, not quite looking at him when he came out. The garden felt different — the same bench, the same light, but the comfortable ease of it had gone somewhere, leaving something more cautious in its place.
Seo Yunhan sat down beside her anyway. Not too close.
"I was wrong yesterday," he said softly. "The way I carried you out. The way I handled all of it. I was angry. That's not an excuse."
Aran said nothing.
He tried again, lighter this time.
"Are you hungry? I could have them bring the peaches. The ones from the southern orchard — you always eat those faster."
“…Bring them,” she said flatly, not looking at him.
He exhaled — almost imperceptibly — and signalled to the waiting servant.
The peaches arrived. He offered her one, holding it out the way he always did. She took it from his hand the way she always did — without thinking.
There it is.
Over the next hour, he tested it carefully. A small suggestion here. A gentle redirect there. Sit a little closer. Turn this way. Each time, she followed without seeming to notice she had followed. The pattern held.
Later, as they sat together on the wide bench, he leaned in close, his voice warm and coaxing.
"Aran," he murmured, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "You know… when I spank you like this —" His hand came down with a firm smack, "—your body seems to like it a lot. You make such cute sounds. Don’t you?"
Aran’s one eyebrow shot up.
What kind of nonsense is this pervert saying now? I’ll never forgive you, you bastard.
But before she could snap back, his hand came down again — smack, smack, smack. The warmth spread through her, and a small, sweet sound slipped from her throat.
“Heung…”
…Huh? Why does it feel so good? It tingles… No, no! I can’t make these sounds! I absolutely won’t!
He pats her agin. Pang, pang.
“Heum~~… ah…”
She bit her lip hard, trying desperately not to let any more sounds escape, but another trembling moan slipped out anyway.
“Heung… haa…”
Stop it! Don’t make that sound! I can’t believe I’m reacting like this…!
Seo Yunhan smiled with satisfaction.
Look at you… making such happy sounds from just my touch. My cute little puppy… getting more and more used to my touch.
“…So you like it that much?” he asked gently, continuing to pat her. Pang, pang, pang.
Aran’s neck stretched back, eyes fluttering shut as another trembling sound left her.
“Heum~~… ah…”
Her body trembled under his hand.
He lowered his head and captured her lips in a deep, tender kiss. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers.
“I’ll do well,” he whispered softly. “I’ll make you happy. Every day.”
That evening, after dinner, Seo Yunhan kissed her as usual — slow, familiar, exactly as he always did before they parted for the night. When he finally pulled back, he pressed one last kiss to her forehead.
"Sleep well, Aran."
He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Only for it to open again a few moments later.
Aran looked up from her bed, eyes narrowing as Seo Yunhan strolled back in wearing his nightclothes, looking perfectly innocent.
"Aran," he said solemnly.
“…What now?”
"You know how much Baek Jinho hates me, right? Genuinely. Deeply. With his whole heart."
“…So?”
"So I'm scared," he said, with the perfect, grave seriousness of a man reporting a national emergency. "I can't possibly sleep alone tonight. You'll have to protect me."
Without waiting for an answer, he climbed onto the bed and stretched out comfortably beside her, one arm folded behind his head like he belonged there.
Aran sat up immediately. "No. Get out."
He gave a soft sigh and shook his head. Yunhan clutched his chest dramatically. "I haven't even gotten married yet. I can't die now. You have to stay by my side and protect me."
"I will personally throw you out this window."
"See, this is exactly why I need protection," he said. "From you, apparently, as well as Jinho. A man's life is full of danger."
Aran glared at him for a long moment. Finally, she let out a small, defeated sigh.
“…Just one hour.”
The corner of Yunhan's mouth curved into a satisfied smile.
"One hour," he agreed.
(She'll definitely say 'just a little longer' after that, he thought.)
He settled in beside her, careful not to crowd her too much — at first.
Aran struggled at first, pushing against his chest. But no matter how much she squirmed, his arms didn’t budge. Eventually, she gave up and went limp against him.
Only then did Seo Yunhan slowly open his eyes. He looked down at her and whispered softly,
“That’s right… This is exactly how you should sleep. Safe and happy only when you’re in my arms. Exploring my chest and abs with your little hand like that… My cute little puppy is getting more and more used to sleeping in my arms.”
Her hand unconsciously slid across his firm chest and traced his defined abs, seeking stability. A small amount of drool escaped the corner of her mouth as she let out a tiny, content sound.
“Mnm… num…”
Her lips moved in a tiny, smacking motion, a soft, content smile forming on her face even in her sleep.
Seo Yunhan gazed at her with tender, possessive affection, gently stroking her silver hair.
Look at you… drooling and smiling in my arms.
He stayed very still, savoring the moment until sleep finally took him as well.