The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm light across the apartment. It was a peaceful morning — a stark contrast to the chaos outside. The media's pressure on them had only grown in the past few days, with accusations, rumors, and articles tearing apart their personal lives. Yet, in the quiet of their home, they found a small island of calm.
Sherri was sitting at the kitchen counter, sipping on her coffee, her eyes still heavy with the exhaustion of the past week. She glanced over at YoungBok, who was leaning against the doorway, his gaze distant. His fingers were tapping restlessly against the side of his mug, as if trying to hold onto something steady in the midst of the storm.
"You're thinking too much," Sherri said, her voice gentle but firm, breaking the silence.
YoungBok sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't help it. The rumors just keep getting worse. I hate that I can't do anything to stop them."
"You're doing everything you can," Sherri replied, standing up and walking over to him. She placed a hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. "You're here. You're with us. That's all we need."
YoungBok looked down at her hand, then met her eyes. "I'm scared, Sherri. I don't want you to get hurt because of me. I don't want Hyunjin to feel like I'm failing him."
"You're not failing anyone," Sherri said softly, her voice unwavering. "We all have our part to play in this. But we're in this together, YoungBok. We've always been. And we'll get through this together."
YoungBok smiled faintly, his heart easing just a little. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," she whispered, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him gently on the head. "We're family. And family doesn't give up on each other."
Meanwhile, Hyunjin was in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed. His mind raced with thoughts of the company, of the group, and of the rumors. There were times when the weight of it all felt unbearable — when it seemed like the world was pressing in on him from all sides. But then, he would remember his family, the two people who made everything worth fighting for.
He stood up and walked into the living room, where YoungBok and Sherri were now sitting side by side, both quietly lost in their own thoughts.
Hyunjin smiled softly at them, his heart swelling with love. Despite everything, they had remained strong, supporting each other through it all. His love for both of them — for YoungBok, his partner, and for Sherri, his bond — was something that nothing could break.
He walked over and sat next to YoungBok, his hand finding his. "How are you holding up?" Hyunjin asked, his voice quiet but full of care.
YoungBok shrugged but didn't let go of Hyunjin's hand. "It's hard. It's not just the rumors; it's everything. The company's pressure, the fans… it's all so much."
"I know," Hyunjin whispered, squeezing his hand. "But we'll make it through. We have each other. That's all that matters."
Sherri smiled, her gaze shifting between the two men. "We've been through worse," she said softly. "This is just another challenge, and we'll face it together, like we always do."
Hyunjin pulled both of them close, wrapping his arms around them in a gentle embrace. "I love you both so much. I don't care what the world says. I'll protect you both, no matter what."
YoungBok's heart swelled as he nestled closer into Hyunjin's embrace. "I love you, too," he said quietly, pressing his forehead against Hyunjin's shoulder. "I just want us to be happy."
"We will be," Sherri added, her voice filled with quiet certainty. "We just need to hold on to each other, no matter what."
The days that followed were filled with a mixture of frustration and resolve. Despite the mounting pressure, the trio refused to be torn apart. Every moment together, whether it was a simple dinner, a movie night, or just sitting in silence, became a reminder of what they had and what they were fighting for.
One evening, they decided to take a break from the media circus. The world could wait for just a few hours. They went for a quiet walk in the park, enjoying the simplicity of the moment. The air was cool, the sounds of the city distant, and for the first time in days, they could breathe without the weight of the world on their shoulders.
As they walked, Hyunjin and YoungBok's hands were intertwined, and Sherri walked beside them, her presence a calm anchor. The love between them was undeniable — a love that had weathered storms, survived doubts, and now, it would endure the rumors.
YoungBok stopped and turned to face both of them, his eyes searching theirs. "Do you think we'll ever get back to normal?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sherri smiled softly, reaching up to cup his face in her hands. "What is normal?" she asked, her voice filled with understanding. "Normal isn't what others expect from us. It's what we choose to make it."
Hyunjin nodded in agreement, his hand resting gently on YoungBok's arm. "Exactly. Our normal is us. Our love. And that's the only thing that matters."
YoungBok's eyes softened, a small but genuine smile tugging at his lips. "I think you're right," he said quietly, his heart lightening just a little. "Our normal is… perfect, as long as we're together."
They stood there, the night sky overhead, the world around them fading into the background. For once, the rumors didn't matter. The pressure didn't matter. All that mattered was the love between them — a love so strong that nothing, not even the weight of the world, could tear it apart.
As they headed back to the apartment, hand in hand, their hearts were filled with a sense of peace. The road ahead was still uncertain, but they knew that together, they could face anything.
YoungBok leaned into Hyunjin as they walked, his heart full. "Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?" Hyunjin asked, his voice low and warm.
"For loving me," YoungBok said, his voice full of gratitude. "For loving us."
Hyunjin smiled, his hand tightening around YoungBok's. "Always."
Sherri looked at both of them, her heart swelling with love. "We'll face everything together. Always."
And in that moment, they knew that no matter what the future held, their love would be their greatest strength.