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 Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 11:44 pm
He lifted his hands, genlty wrapped them around her wrists and closed his eyes as he effectively held her hands in place, just...savoring the comfort of her touch for a long, quiet moment. One that ended when she said something about trading places.
His grip on her wrists tightened briefly before he let her go, listening carefully and turning her words over in his mind after she finished. When she moved in close he wrapped his arms around her in turn, chin resting lightly atop her hair as he imagined how he might have reacted had the roles been reversed.
"Don't do that," he eventually sighed, "I'd still try my damndest for my daughter, but without you..."
Now? After they'd finally found their way to each other? Started actually sharing a life together? It was surreal even now, the way she was the first and last person he saw day in and day out. It was hard to imagine going back to living life without her, knowing what it's felt like to actually be with her.
"I'll try not to in the future," he spoke again, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. The weight of it felt as though it settled on his shoulders, looking back on past weeks and how different he'd been with...just about everyone. How solely focused he'd been on himself–his job, his daughter, his thoughts, his feelings, his concerns, his confusion about what exactly he'd seen when he disappeared from Earth for however long he'd gone.
"I mean, hopefully nothing like that happens again, knight work or otherwise. But just in case. If something does happen again...like I said earlier, doing this is still kinda my default. A bad habit I gotta unlearn, and that'll take some time. So if you notice first, that I'm starting to put up walls or to pull away, could you just remind me that I don't have to do that anymore? At least not with you..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 12:16 am
Melody didn’t speak right away. She simply continued to rest her head against his chest. With closed eyes, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His breathing was calm, steady, and warm against the top of her head where his chin rested. Her fingers curled lightly into the fabric at his back, wanting to stay here in this moment, and the ones yet to come. “I promise,” she whispered, lifting her chin just enough to lightly kiss his jawline. “If I notice you pulling away, I’ll remind you. I’ll remind you that you don’t have to navigate these uncertainties alone, not anymore.” She leaned back just enough to meet his eyes so he could see the sincerity in her expression. “I know change won’t come quickly. But you don’t always have to be strong for everyone else. I want you to learn to lean on me too.” “I’m happiest when you’re near, Harvey. I want to be there for you through all of it; good… bad… I’m not going anywhere.” Words she should have said to him so much sooner, but it felt like until recently, they were still fumbling their way forward. “ I love you, Kang Ha-neul.”
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 12:47 am
It wasn't hard to see the sincerity in her eyes as she spoke, and there was a confidence in her tone as she made her promise to him, became a pillar for him to lean on, and reassured him that his worst fears, while not necessarily groundless because of the risks that came with being a Knight, were all so very pale in comparison to the light she brought to his life.
And to top all that off, she actually knew his real name, and the way it rolled off her tongue brought his heart to a stuttering stop before restarting it all over again.
Smiling came so easily to him around her, and the corners of his lips spread into a wide one as he leaned down to close what little gap there was between them.
"Love you, too," he said before he kissed her, light and brief, because he couldn't help but add just a little bit more. And she could do with that comment whatever she wanted, but it really had to be said.
"But we have got to work on your pronunciation."
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 1:12 am
Her breath hitched as a vibrant pink hue swept across her features from embarrassment. Of course, of all things, she’d mess up his name. But there was no running from this or escaping him, not when he had his arms around her still. Hiding was not an option either with his face mere inches from her own. So, with pursed lips, she pinched his side, albeit playfully; no intention to cause any pain, just a warning to watch the teasing. Eventually, Meldoy’s expression softened, and a light laughter escaped her as she shook her head. “Then perhaps you can teach me the right way to say it while we eat lunch,” she glanced over at the two sandwiches whose bread would get soggy and arugula would become limp if it wasn’t eaten soon-ish. “Maybe even some other phrases as well.”It had been a long time since she last tried to learn a new language; back in high school it was mandatory for college applications but because she hadn’t practiced after graduation most of it was lost. But for him, she would make an honest effort to learn Korean.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 1:31 am
Harvey couldn't help but laugh even as she pinched him. She was extra cute when she blushed! And teasing her had always been fun, something that they sort of bonded over ever since they met and really became friends–he teased her and vice versa, whenever she got the chance.
"I could, but," he started to respond, but before he continued he none too subtly flickered his eyes from hers, to the hallway that led to their bedroom, and back again.
"I dunno," he went on, leaning in for another little kiss. "I was kinda thinking," and another, "it could wait a little bit, or maybe we could just eat later..." and another.
"Are you hungry, though?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2025 1:59 am
Melody squinted at him, trying to narrow her eyes in warning, but it was hard to pull off when her face was burning, and he kept stealing kisses like that. “That’s not fair,” she spoke quietly, heart humming against her chest as she returned his last kiss with one of her own. “You can’t expect me to think of a proper comeback when you’re being this sweet.” She pressed her forehead against his, trying to think of something… anything witty to say in response, but her mind was distracted by his strong arms that wrapped around her frame, holding him against his chest, his breath against her skin, and his lips that brushed against her own. Ok… maybe she didn’t really want to tease him right now. Not when he looked down at her with such an expression. Her eyes followed his down the hallway. “But no, I’m not hungry. Not for anything in the kitchen, anyway…” She looked back at him, eyes alight with approval at his wordless suggestion. “I think sandwiches can wait.”
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