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i swallow hard, my chest tightening. "i don't know how else to."

he sighs, his hands settling on my waist. "just be with me. that's all i need."

"i don't have time to just be with you, in-ho. i have responsibilities now. i have to take care of everything my father left behind. i don't get to just - just disappear into your arms and pretend like my world isn't falling apart."

his jaw clenches. "and what about you? who's taking care of you?"

i open my mouth, but nothing comes out. because the truth is, no one is.

he exhales sharply, like my silence confirms something for him. then he cups my face, tilting it up so i have no choice but to look at him. "jia, you're not alone. stop acting like you have to do this by yourself."

i hate how easily he sees through me. how effortlessly he pulls my walls down. my throat tightens, and i whisper, "i don't know how to need someone."

his lips press against my forehead, lingering. "then let me teach you."

without responding i kiss him again, deeper this time, my hands sliding under his shirt. he sighs into my mouth, his fingers curling around my waist like he's trying to pull me closer and hold me back at the same time.

"jia," he murmurs, voice strained.

i know what he's about to say, so i cut him off before he can. "let me do this."

he looks at me, his brows furrowed like he's still debating, but when i drop to my knees in front of him, the argument dies on his lips.

his whole body tenses, his breath hitching as he watches me. what happens next? it leaves him completely undone. his hand finds my hair, not guiding, just holding - like he needs something to ground himself.

"jia..." my name is nothing more than a groan, dragged from his throat.

i glance up at him, my lips slightly swollen, my expression innocent. "feels good, doesn't it?"

he exhales sharply, shaking his head with a half-laugh, half-moan. "you have no idea."

when i pull back, wiping the corner of my mouth, he's still staring at me like he's trying to figure out how we got here, how i managed to ruin him so effortlessly.

"you're unreal," he mutters, running a hand through his hair, completely wrecked.

i smirk, leaning back on my heels, feeling pretty damn proud of myself. and in-ho? he just sits there, breathing hard, looking at me like he's never wanted anyone more.

suddenly he pulls me up, his hands firm on my waist, and crashes his lips against mine. it's desperate - like he's been holding back for weeks, like he's finally letting himself have me again.

his lips never leave mine as we stumble toward the bed. every touch is electric, every kiss leaves me breathless. it's not rushed. not like before. he takes his time exploring me, memorizing every reaction, every shiver.

his hands trace over my skin like he's worshipping me, like he's trying to make up for all the time we lost. and maybe i'm doing the same - gripping onto him, pulling him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him, wanting to drown in him.

when it finally happens, it's overwhelming. the heat, the connection, the way he holds me like i'm something fragile, something precious. our breaths mix, our bodies move in sync, and for the first time in weeks, i feel whole again.

and when it's over, he doesn't let me go.

he keeps me close, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my back, his lips pressing soft kisses to my shoulder. "missed you," he murmurs against my skin.

i smile sleepily, my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "missed you too."

and just like that, everything feels right again.

suddenly my phone rings, and when i glance at the screen, i see hana's name flashing.

i grab it quickly and press it to my ear, still breathless. "hello?"

"hey, what are we doing for your birthday tomorrow?" hana's voice is soft.

my stomach drops. my birthday? i completely forgot.

i sit up, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the realization sink in. the past two weeks have been nothing but endless work and sleepless nights, and the idea of celebrating anything - especially myself - feels wrong.

"uh-" i glance at in-ho, who's watching me with a raised brow, clearly observing my reaction. "i don't know. i haven't really thought about it."

she scoffs, offended. "what do you mean you haven't thought about it? you always have a plan. you okay?"

i hesitate. i'm not okay. but i don't want to say that.

"yeah, i just-" i sigh, rubbing my temples. "i've been busy. you know, with work and everything."

hana stays quiet for a moment before she speaks again, softer this time. "dad would want you to celebrate."

i squeeze my eyes shut, her words hitting me harder than i expected.

in-ho must sense it because he sits up behind me, his hand resting on my bare back, tracing slow circles with his fingers. "is everything okay?" he murmurs.

i nod absently before speaking into the phone again. "i'll think of something, okay? we'll do something small."

"small?" hana repeats. "you don't get to do small."

i chuckle dryly. "it isn't that special."

"it is when it's your first birthday without dad," she says, and it feels like a punch to the gut.

i swallow hard, gripping the phone a little tighter.

"okay," i say finally, forcing my voice to stay even. "i'll figure it out."

hana sighs, satisfied. "good. i'll text bora and the others."

i nod, even though she can't see me. "yeah. okay."

when i hang up, i let the phone drop onto the bed, exhaling slowly.

"you forgot your birthday?" in-ho asks, his voice gentle but laced with something else.

i shrug, staring at the wall. "it doesn't feel important."

he's quiet for a moment before he shifts, moving closer. "jia."

i look at him, and his gaze is intense, searching. "you can't just pretend it doesn't matter."

"it doesn't," i say, but it sounds weak, even to my own ears.

he exhales, then suddenly pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me tightly. i let myself melt into him, resting my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"let me take care of it," he says after a moment.

i pull back, looking up at him. "what?"

"your birthday," he says simply. "let me plan it."

i blink, taken aback. "you?"

he smirks. "yes, me."

i narrow my eyes. "you don't plan things."

"i can make an exception," he says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "just trust me."

"okay," i whisper.

he grins, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "good."

i roll my eyes but let him pull me back down onto the bed, wrapping his arms around me again.

and for the first time in weeks, i feel like maybe everything might be okay.

_________________

i can't believe we're nearing the end of this story. it feels surreal. but don't worry, we still have the birthday party to get through, and trust me... it's gonna be everything.

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