Seowoo hadn't seen Chenle that evening as the boys were all out at a mission, returning to the room to Loki that layed on the bed in bliss.

"Hey Loki." Seowoo murmured, petting the fluffy dog. "You're so cute." She spoke before grabbing some comfortable clothes to lounge in.

Truthfully, the girl couldn't concentrate after this morning's argument with Chenle. She sighed sitting on the sofa and looking over the text Jisung sent her during her break at school.

Looked into it

It opens a door that can only be opened with a special pass so your necklace

I'll send you the address to the door

After sending Jisung a quick thanks, she threw her head back on the headrest, thoughts plagued by the boy who's anger resurfaced in her mind.

She sighed, deciding to keep herself busy and begining to apply for universities but it proved to be more nerve wracking than she anticipated- shutting off her laptop and stretching her muscles as she stood up.

Walking down the grand staircase, she realised the house was pretty much empty yet she knew one person was always around.

He was leaning his cheek in his palm, eyes boring into live CCTV footage with his headset on.

Seowoo peered her head around which gained his attention.

"I think I'll genuinely die from backache." He complained, sitting back in his chair with a sigh.

"Take a break." Seowoo told Jisung who rolled his eyes.

"I'm watching over the mission."

"Is Chenle there?"

"Yeah they're out of the city so they'll come back late." He yawned.

"Oh, okay. Anyways, do you want anything to eat? I'm going to make food."

"Yes please, thanks Seowoo." Jisung said as the girl smiled in response.

As she walked into the kitchen, she spotted Jieun doing her artwork on the breakfast bar. Headphones in and bopping her head to the music.

Seowoo tapped her left shoulder as she walked past, Jieun looked behind her seeing no one but once she looked around again- she saw Seowoo at the stove.

"Oh hey, how was school?"

"It was stressful, what are you drawing?"

"Just a photograph I took, it's for my exam." Jieun explained and Seowoo nodded, beginning to make french toast.

"I can't believe you're Eighteen tomorrow."

"Oh shit, I forgot it was my birthday." Seowoo admitted, laughing.

"Are you excited to be an adult?"

"I mean...it doesn't sound that exciting." Seowoo shrugged and Jieun nodded in agreement.

"You're right to be honest."

"Take me back to when I was like four."

↻

When night fell and the darkness encased over the sky, Seowoo found herself dozing off on the sofa waiting for Chenle who was yet to return.

She was huddled up on the sofa in the living room as the clocks struck half 1 in the morning.

When she had fallen asleep against her will, the front door had opened.

"I'm so tired." Renjun groaned, rubbing his injured arm which wasn't too serious. Jeno hummed in agreement as he began to walk up the stairs with Heejin.

"Everyone is probably sleeping." Donghyuck murmured, being quiet and he walked into the kitchen to grab some water followed by Jaemin.

Chenle slipped his shoes off along with his coat and sighed as tiredness seeped over his frame- muscles aching.

When he walked into the living room, his eyes fell to the figure of his girlfriend huddled on the sofa, fast asleep.

A pang of guilt hit him, frown impending on his lips as his shoulders sank and subconsciously began to walk over.

"Why did you wait for me?" He muttered under his breath, crouching down and lightly brushing her hair away from covering her face.

The back of his index finger grazed over her smooth skin, his eyes admiring her features.

Snapping back into reality, he slid his arm to support her back and the other under her knees to pick her up and carefully walk up the steps without waking her up.

Successfully putting her down on the bed, he pulled the warm covers up to cocoon her in- unable to stop himself from unconsciously leaning down to kiss the crown of her head.

"Sweet dreams my Angel." He whispered.

↻

"Seowoo! You're late for school!"

The girl jolted up in alarm, immediately grabbing her phone blindly and blinked her blurry vision away.

Hearing the snickers from the hallway, Seowoo groaned and fell back into the bed- turning her head to the side yet Chenle wasn't there.

She frowned, sitting up and looking around.

Making her way down the stairs, she found Jaemin by the stove and Seyeon telling him about the new case she found.

"Yeah, just arrest him then."

"Not easy, my evidence isn't enough."

"Morning Seowoo." Jaemin greeted.

"Hey." She greeted both of them.

"We're all going to see the firework display today, you wanna come?" Seyeon asked.

Seowoo nodded, sliding into the seat at the breakfast bar.

"Have you seen Chenle?"

Jaemin and Seyeon shared a look before he shook his head.

"Not sure, probably just out."

"Yeah," Seowoo breathed out, looking down at the counter. "You're probably right."

A FEW HOURS LATER

"Hey, you ready?" Jeno asked, peering his head around the door frame and Seowoo nodded, putting her earrings in.

The girl hesitated before speaking.

"Hey Jeno..."

"Yeah?" He asked, lingering by the door watching the worried looking girl.

"Chenle's avoiding me isn't he? I haven't seen him since yesterday."

"I'm sure he isn't avoiding you Seowoo."

She shook her head, sighing.

"I'm sure I hurt his feelings. He isn't replying to my messages either."

Jeno gave the girl a small smile, holding his hand out.

"Come on, enjoy yourself."

To say she was enjoying herself was a major overstatement. She couldn't help but feel underwhelmed regarding it being her 18th birthday yet she didn't expect anyone to remember.

It felt very bittersweet to have a birthday without her brother throwing her his special parties.

They were all, minus Chenle, at the firework display- watching the bright lights in the night sky yet she didn't feel that happy.

"Come on, smile more." Donghyuck urged the girl, nudging her with his shoulder.

She forced a smile to which Donghyuck snorted at.

"How rude, I thought everyone smiled naturally when they saw me."

The bright fluorescent lights were captivating and beautiful as they sparked over her, illuminating her features.

However they all came to a stop way too quickly.

Confused, she glanced up at the sky to see nothing- thinking they had probably finshed the fireworks display.

Not until the sudden sight of fairy lights lit up the area ahead, lining the pathway with trees each side of them.

The faint sound of music playing made the girl wonder where it was coming from yet she couldn't ask anyone before Jieun pushed her onto the lit pathway.

Following the path, she hesitantly reached a clearing that was lit by candles and fairy lights. The ambiance was perfectly harmonised with the sound of the effortlessly played piano.

Seowoo quickly realised what was happening as soon as she saw the familiar boy seated at the piano as he played.

Her eyes widened when she saw Chenle there, his melodious voice surprising her and she walked closer in awe.

A smile was permanently stretched on her lips as she watched him with adoration swirling in her eyes.

She was taken aback when people began to dance professionally to the music, looking absolutely breathtaking and talented as they did so.

Seowoo was completely caught off guard that she didn't notice Chenle had left the piano and now joined her with his hand outstretched.

"Can I have this dance?"

She glanced up at him, biting down on her bottom lip to conceal her grin, nodding as the music changed to a much slower pace one.

He took her hand, pulling her closer to him that she was pressed against him with her hands around his neck whilst his were placed snugly on her waist.

"Happy birthday Angel."

"I thought you forgot." She murmured.

He shook his head.

"It was a lot of effort to prepare all of this." He motioned his head to the side where violin and piano players were.

"I never took you as such a romantic babe." She joked and he laughed.

"Well, what can I say."

They both fell into a comfortable silence, Seowoo watching her friends laughing as they too danced in pairs or helping themselves to the snacks.

All the while, Chenle's eyes were solely on her.

"I'm sorry for overreacting." He apologised and Seowoo looked back at him.

"It's okay, I should have thought about your feelings too." She smiled softly.

The sound of fireworks bursting in sky made Seowoo turn her head up to watch them with her arms still around his neck- faces close to each other.

"I hope you can be happy today." He confessed.

"Of course I'm happy, I'm with you dumbass."

"You had to ruin the moment with dumbass." He muttered disapprovingly, resting his forhead against hers as she giggled.

"You're very pretty." He complimented as if he had never seen anyone as beautiful as her.

"Thank you." She said despite her blush he swooned over.

"You're pretty too."

"Thank you." He laughed as she was the one to lean into him.

Under the moonlit night accompanied by fireworks and the sound of slow beautiful music- they indulged into a gentle yet love filled kiss that left them both feeling on top of cloud nine.

His hand rested on her cheek, pressing his lips back onto hers firmer. Blood rushing around his body with warmth.

"I have something for you."

"Really?" She asked surprised, him nodding as he grabbed something out of his back pocket.

"I don't know if you'll like it...or its too much." He spoke, placing the black box in her palm.

She looked up at him before opening it to see the most beautiful dainty yet expensive looking ring.

"Chenle..." She trailed off.

"It's...it's my promise to you." He began despite the nerves bubbling up inside him.

"I know I'm not the most perfect boyfriend but I really want to be a better person for you and I promise I will. I promise I'll keep you safe too."

Seowoo could feel her heart joyfully aching at his words, eyes gleaming with tears as she looked back up at him with a smile.

"Chenle...I love it. Thank you." She said, reaching up and grazing her thumb over his cheekbone staring into his soft brown eyes that held so much emotion and swirls of adoration.

"Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm truly grateful to have you Lele. It really means a lot."

"Happy birthday Seowoo!" They all began to yell out, walking over with a cake and a bunch of presents.

"Move over, my girl is finally Eighteen!" Seyeon exclaimed, pushing Donghyuck out of the way causing everyone to laugh.

The promise ring might be cringe but you can tell Chenle my guy is trying 🥺