[7:05 PM — Kim Bum's Apartment – Kitchen/Dining Space]
She stretched a little and blinked up at him, still standing in the living room with the fox plush in her hand.
> "Should I go and change now? I'm sleepy… and hungry, Mr. Actor."
He looked at her with a soft smile, eyes glinting playfully.
> "Yeah, little fox. Go and change. I'll make dinner."
Her eyes widened slightly.
> "Wait—you can cook? You never told me that!"
He stepped closer and gently bopped the tip of her nose with his finger.
> "You never asked," he said with a teasing smirk before turning toward the kitchen.
She made a soft offended face and called out, hands on her hips:
> "At least tell me where the room is!"
He chuckled over his shoulder.
> "Back there. Explore. You'll find out."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously and disappeared into the hallway. Moments later:
> "There are two! Which one is for me?!"
He leaned out from the kitchen doorway and replied casually,
> "Left one's yours."
She nodded, the sound of her feet pattering down the hall fading behind the soft hum of pans and drawers being opened in the kitchen.
---
[7:20 PM — Kitchen/Dining Area]
He was humming to himself now, stirring the pot gently, a satisfied look on his face as the smell of spices filled the apartment. It wasn't anything too complicated—rice, vegetables, a side of curry, and something crispy on the side—but he made it with heart.
Behind him, a soft shuffle echoed.
He turned slightly—and froze.
There she was.
Wearing her oversized baby blue t-shirt and long soft jeans, her hair slightly damp from the shower, hanging lazily over her shoulders. She was rubbing one eye with the back of her hand, clearly not fully awake but drawn by the smell of food.
She blinked at him.
> "How long, Mr. Actor?" she asked groggily, not even realizing how sleepy-cute she looked right now.
He blinked once. Twice.
God help him.
She was dangerously adorable like this.
She walked to the chair, barely lifted her feet as she dragged herself, and plopped down. Her arms folded on the table, and her head rested on top. Still half-asleep. Still beautiful.
> "Food's ready," he said gently, placing the plate in front of her.
She raised one lazy arm and gave him a thumbs up, not lifting her head.
> "Mr. Actor seems like a good cook," she mumbled into her arms, her voice sleepy but teasing.
He laughed quietly and sat across from her.
> "Mr. Actor's proud of himself."
She peeked up at him, one eye still closed, then smiled.
> "You should be… smells like home."
And just like that, with that one sleepy line, she made his heart swell.
Because it did smell like home now.
Because she was here.
[7:35 PM — Kim Bum's Apartment – Dining Table]
She was finally awake enough to eat now. Sitting across from him, the warmth of the food seemed to slowly bring her back to life.
She took the first bite.
Her eyes widened. She looked at him.
> "Yah… Mr. Actor, this is actually really good."
He tried not to look too smug, but the smirk betrayed him anyway.
> "Told you. I make excellent husband material," he teased lightly, resting his chin on one hand as he watched her eat.
She giggled and continued chewing happily.
> "Husband material with spice level approved by me? That's rare."
He mock-bowed from across the table.
> "It's an honor, little fox."
They both chuckled softly, the warm clink of their spoons and soft conversation filling the space. And once she was done, she pushed her plate away, patted her stomach, and let out a little content sigh.
Then she looked at him with a tiny mischievous grin curling at the corners of her lips.
> "Mr. Actor…"
He raised an eyebrow as he stood, about to clear the plates.
> "Hm?"
> "Let's go to the room."
He froze, plates still in his hand.
> "W-What?"
She blinked innocently, then leaned forward and lowered her voice with a teasing whisper.
> "Didn't you say before going you'll… 'ready the bed for us when I come'?"
His ears turned pink.
He blinked rapidly, recalling the teasing text he'd sent earlier that day before her flight—never expecting she'd throw it back now.
> "Y-Yah—I was just joking when I—"
She burst out laughing, almost falling out of her chair.
> "OH MY GOD your face!! That was so worth it!"
He set the plates down, shaking his head with a helpless laugh.
> "You're unbelievable."
> "And you're so easy to tease," she said between giggles, wiping tears from her eyes.
But then he tilted his head slightly… eyes narrowing with that familiar playful glint.
> "Yeah? You reminded me. Good. Let's go then."
> "Wha—?"
Before she could react, he suddenly leaned down and picked her up.
For the first time.
> "YAHHH— I was joking!!" she squeaked, arms flailing slightly in shock.
He raised an eyebrow smugly.
> "Should I have thought twice before reminding me?" he replied with a teasing smirk.
> "Put me down!!"
> "Hmm…"
He pretended to loosen his grip just a little.
> "YAAHH— DON'T!!" she gasped, immediately throwing her arms around his neck.
> "Don't you dare drop me, Kim Bum," she glared.
Oh God.
That glare.
He hadn't realized how much he missed it in just one month apart.
> "Mr. Actor… am I heavy?" she mumbled after a few seconds, half-giggling, half-embarrassed.
His answer was soft, yet made her giggle again.
> "You're lighter than your fox plush."
She let out a dramatic sigh.
> "First day in Mr. Actor's house… and I get carried like a princess. What a day."
She giggled into his shoulder.
And then… she went quiet.
Her eyelashes drooped, her cheek resting against his chest, breathing slowing.
> "Don't drop me, Mr. Actor…" she whispered, barely audible.
And just like that—she fell asleep in his arms.
He looked down at her, eyes softening.
Then, with a breath that felt deeper than any he'd taken today, he whispered quietly against her hair:
> "One day… I'll really get the right to hold you like this forever."
And he meant it. Every word.
She knew.
And he knew… she knew.
The night wrapped around them gently, like a promise waiting to unfold.