The days go by and being with them is like being around family. I am so used to them being in the house that I honestly don't know what I will do once they leave. The thought alone makes me want to pull them close and never let them go. I wade through the ocean, feeling the water brush against my stomach as the others dunk one another into the cool water. I’m thankful I added flood lights to the patio so it illuminates the water at night. It makes it easier for us to take late night swims. I can see Jay attempting to light a firework for the holidays. Sparks fly while he scrambles to run. He trips over his feet and lands face first into the sand a few feet away. The firework shoots into the sky before it explodes into a colorful ball.

“Who gave Jay the damn lighter?” Sunshine cackles.

Jay shakes his head, spitting sand out. “What color was it?”

"Get Morgan." DaeDae rushes towards me while the others flank.

"Don't you dare," I warn as I move away from him quickly. I've seen the way DaeDae dunks people. I am surprised he didn't accidentally drown the others. But I’m not fast enough. The weight of the youngest is almost too much as he jumps onto my back, dunking both of us under the water. My leg seizes up and I inhale deeply, choking on the liquid. Both of us come back up to the surface, coughing up my lungs and possibly the water. DaeDae wades away laughing and I clutch my leg as spasms relentlessly tear through it. I can't even put pressure on it.

"What happened?" Kang is there, catching me as I nearly go under again.

"My leg. Cramp." I groan in pain as I clutch Kang's shoulder. "Fuck."

He grabs my leg, massaging it to relieve the cramp. Closing my eyes, I try to wait out the pain as Kang works on the muscles.

“He's dead," Kang growls under his breath.

I shake my head. "It wasn't his fault." Kang makes a noise in the back of his throat. My body relaxes as the spasms slowly fade away.

I lean into him and sigh. "Thank you."

Kang bends down before yanking me off my feet. I wrap my arms around his neck and cock my head as he holds me close.

"Much better," is all he says.

"Stop being cute you two!" someone bellows before laughs begin.

Music begins to blare in the background and I relax at the familiar song. "Elvis Presley?"

Kang joins in on the chorus and I feel our bodies rocking with the beat. He drops his head to lean against mine. I massage the back of his neck with my fingers, enjoying the feel of skin.

"I can't help falling in love with you," he sings quietly.

Rubbing my nose against his I just relax into the moment until the song ends. Kang slowly wades out of the ocean, still holding me in his arms. We move past everyone and stroll into the house before he sets me down onto the counter in the bathroom. He doesn't say a word but grabs a towel and begins to dry my hair gently.

"You’re perfect." I sigh in bliss.

He chuckles. "Is it because you enjoy me tending to you?"

Giving him a teasing look, I shake my head. "Never."

"Let's get you dry before you get sick on me again."

"I might enjoy getting sick. You're an amazing doctor. What other doctor sings their patient to sleep?" I ask, pulling him closer.

He taps my nose. "I should charge you."

Hopping off the counter, I drag my shirt off. "I let you sleep in my bed and give you access to everything in my house. Isn't that all the payment you need?"

Kang taps his cheek with a raised eyebrow. Really? I kiss his cheek and move past him. "Get some dry clothes on and let's go to bed."

"You're not going to help me?" he calls out as I enter the bedroom.

"Babe, if I took your clothes off both of us wouldn't be getting any sleep."

A hand slides across my back and I can feel lips touching my shoulder blade. "Is that such a bad thing?"

Damn him. I tackle him and we both go tumbling in a fit of laughter.

( ***)

It’s only midway through my shift and I’m just ready to go home.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" I lifted my head as Millie leans across the counter. She is alone today which is odd for her. She and her friends have been coming in multiple times a day now, asking me questions.

"No," I comment bluntly.

She smiles, seemingly pleased with my answer. "Can I get your number?"

"No. Sorry, but I'm interested in someone already." I work to keep my temper in check. I know she has been flirting but she just won’t get the hint that I am surely not interested.

Millie hands me her number. "If things don’t work out, you should totally look me up. I know you won't regret it."

"I think I might," I grumble. "Look, you seem like a nice girl, but I have feelings for someone else. I'm not straying away from them nor do I plan to look elsewhere. Here's your drink. Have a good day."

The door opens and Kang steps in. My anger suddenly vanishes and I smile as he gives me a tiny wave. Millie looks behind her and frowns.

"He comes here every day."

"He's a customer just like you. Are you done?" I snap.

She gives me a look over before nodding. "See you tomorrow."

I want to shout at her to stay away but we can't turn down customers. Not when business is just picking up.

Kang leans his hip against the counter and gives me a look. "She's here every day."

I snort. "Don't remind me."

"She likes you." I can hear a hard tone in his voice.

Raising an eyebrow, I walk around the corner and wrap my arms around his neck. "What's that tone?"

"Do you realize how many girls come in here to flirt with you?"

"I’m used to it. They usually give up when I don’t show any interest.”

Kang gives me a look. "Do you know how hard it is that I have to keep my mouth shut? If anyone found out about us your life would be in jeopardy."

“Because your fans are bloodthirsty?" I try to joke. "I've seen the social media comments."

He groans and pulls away. "Morgan."

"Are you ashamed of us or are you trying to be a chivalrous man and protect me?"

"I don't want you hurt." The words came out with a croak as he searches my eyes. "I don't ever want you hurting because of me. Being with an idol isn't always glamorous."

I grab his hand. "Give me the pain then, because I won't ever deny what you mean to me. I'll shout it out to the world."

A smile cracks his sad persona. He sighs loudly. "I don't like them coming up to you and asking you personal questions. I don't like the looks they give you or how they touch your hand when they take their drinks."

"God, I never realized a jealous Kang is such a turn on."

"You're making a joke out of everything."

"Because I know in my heart-" I grab his hand, pressing it against my chest "-that you own every piece of me and no one can change my mind. It will be you every single time."

Kang glances away but I can see him relaxing. I grab his face and turn him back towards me.

"You hear me?"

He nods. "I hear you."

I press my lips against his forehead. "You don't ever have to feel like that ever again." Then I began to press kisses over his face. He starts laughing before he pushes me away. When it is time to go home, the tension between us is gone. The ride home is full of laughter as we hold hands.

"Hey, Morgan." Dragon steps in front of the door. "Jay needs your help. He broke something and doesn't know how to put it back together."

I frown and turn to Kang. "I'll be back. Where is he?"

Dragon jerks his thumb to the back of the house. "Somewhere back there."

I drop Kang's hand and make my way to the backyard. Jay is sitting on the stairs as he's fiddling with something. I sit down next to him, glancing at his hands and see that he’s holding an apple.

"Everything okay?"

He turns to me. "Are your feelings true to Kang?" Where did that come from? Ah. Was this interrogation?

Realization hits me and I relax. "Yeah."

"Kang… He's a sensitive soul. He puts people before himself and works himself until he's sick. He doesn't have an off button when he's focused on something."

"Kang is unique," I agree.

"More than unique," Hajoon replies seriously from behind us. I can hear footsteps moving around until Hajoon, DaeDae, Sunshine and Jun crowd around me. “He's our brother and we will do everything in our power to make him happy. He likes you a lot."

I stand up, giving them my full attention. "You won't have to worry about me. As long as Kang wants me, I'll be here by his side. I’ll fight for our relationship."

Jun nudges me with his shoulder. "We like you. We're just giving you a warning that if you mess up, you deal with all of us."

"I understand."

Jay stands up and slaps my back. "Good." The others begin to walk away leaving me alone with DaeDae. That was it? It wasn’t even a grilling.

"Kang..." DaeDae starts to say but stops. He looks too serious and it worries me. "I've never seen him happier than how he is now. He's my best friend. Thank you for being with him."

I swallow hard and nod once. "Thank you for accepting me."

"It wasn't hard. We've been hurt by people who want to use us. We never got that vibe from you. You're nice."

I pull him into a hug. "Our young one has grown up."

"Now, if you want to dump him and come to me-" He grunts as I smack him in the stomach. "Fine. Fine. I'll take it back."

Dropping my arms I sigh in relief. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Dragon looks around as he comes out to the back porch.

"They finished talking already?"

"Yup."

He nods. "Did they tell you where they would bury you if you hurt him?"

"In the ocean where the sharks will have fun," I lie. I watch as he barks out a laugh.

Crossing his arms, he looks me over. "I would've personally buried you alive where ants live but I guess that'll work. Come on, let's eat."

"You're too harsh." I wrap my arms around him from behind. "Admit it. You like me."

He growls. "Do you want to die?"

"Kang would be mad at you if you killed me."

"Kang would think you went on a vacation," he states coldly. "Let go! It's hot."