“Jaehyun, Jacob”, I said, gaining their attention from the game they were playing. “A walk?”

“Yes!” they said and stood up.

“Are you going for a walk?” Juyeon asked.

“Yeah”, I answered. “The dogs need to run for a little.”

“I’m coming with you”, Younghoon said. “There could be animals outside.”

“Come on then.”

We walked outside to watch the sunset. Jaehyun and Jacob ran around, playing around, while Younghoon stayed with me.

“It is rather chilly now, isn’t it?” I said.

“We’re pretty high north”, Younghoon said. “So I understand. Want me to warm you up?”

“It’s okay, Younghoon, no worries.”

“You sure?”

I nodded. We watched the dogs try to tackle each other while standing in the Golden Hour.

“Your skin is glowing”, Younghoon said. “The sunset brings out the most beautiful features on every human.”

“What do you want? There must be a reason why you’re trying to butter me up.”

“Just want to tell you how beautiful you are. I don’t want anything.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay, then. Can you get them?” I nodded at Jacob and Jaehyun.

He nodded and walked over to them, grabbing both of their necks and pulling them with him.

“Younghoon!” Jaehyun complained. “Stop! Let me go!”

“In the cabin you go”, he said and pushed them in.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

—♤—

WHen I went to bed, I found Juyeon already laying there. He looked different somehow. He was wearing a pastel, soft sweatshirt, reading some book that he had stolen from my library.

“Lay down”, he smiled. “And...can you give me a pill?”

“Already? Are you okay, Juyeon?”

“Yes...I’m fine for now...but...a pill, please.”

I gave him one that he swallowed.

“I almost hurt you once”, he said. “When I was in heat. It was the first time I had it after coming to your house. You were sleeping and...I...well…”

“Thanks, that's enough.”

“But the others found me, dragged me down to the living room, tied me down and put tape over my mouth.”

“Sounds...brutal.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad Younghoon stopped me before I had time to do anything to you. I wasn’t myself.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it, Juyeon.”

He put the book down and turned to me.

“This pill makes me feel all soft and cuddly, I truly despise it.”

“Get over here.”

He smiled as I embraced him in a hug. He rested his head on my stomach while reading his book. I was looking around on my phone but noticed how he glanced at me from time to time and then suddenly, I saw a tear running down his cheek.

“No, what’s the matter?” I asked and wiped it.

“You’re so beautiful”, he sniffled.

“God, you’re a mess in heat, Juyeon.”

-----------------------