Seraphine & Jaebum

*MOVE IN DAY 23 YEARS AGO*

*LITTLE SERAPHINE'S P.O.V*

"Uno, Dos, Siesta. Said a East. A West. I met my boyfriend at the candy store. He bought me ice cream. He bought me cake. He brought me home with a bellyache. I say "Mama Mama! I'm so sick. Call the doctor. Quick. Quick. Quick." Doctor -- Doctor when I die. Close your eyes and count to five. 1,2,3,4,5. I'm alive!"

"That was fun. Let's play it again!" I begged my next-door neighbor and best friend. Kameron Whitehall.

"We played that a kabillion jillion times already. Let's go watch cartoons before I have to go home."

"Okay. Can we have grapes?"

"Yes!" I grabbed her hand and pulled her near the door. I stopped when I nearly forgot my bucket of sidewalk chalk that we had been playing with earlier. I nearly dropped them when a big moving truck started to rumble coming down the street. It parked in front of the empty house on the other side of ours.

"Look! New neighbors!" Kameron said loudly before she took off home to tell her mother.

"Ooh! Mommy! Mommy!" I ran to the porch and screamed her name through the screen door. When she didn't come fast enough I started to ring the doorbell.

"Stop that Sera! I'm coming. What is it?"

"Look Mommy. Moving truck!" I opened my arms so that she would pick me up. I was still very small then. Well, at least small enough to be carried by adults still.

"Look at that Baby, you're right. We have new neighbors and they have kids."

"Mama?" I squinted my eyes because they didn't look like us. But they didn't look like my teacher either. She was a white lady.

"Yes."

"Why are their eyes like that?"

"Because they're Asian, Baby?" I nodded my head as if I understood what she meant by that.

"Can they see like us?"

"Yes, of course. They just have smaller eyes. Just like you have small eyes." When she tickled my side and waved her hands in front of my face.

"I like small eyes. Can we say Hi?"

"I'll tell you what. Since their kids look around your age how about we bake them some cookies to eat while they unpack?"

"Double Chocolate chip! Double Chocolate Chip! With M&M's." I shouted over and over as my mother led me back in the house and through to the kitchen.

We washed our hands and I stood on the step stool they bought me so I could help out. I waited excitedly as my mother ran around the kitchen gathering every ingredient we needed to bake the cookies. When she was done I made a right good mess of the counter top as I decided I wanted to give them Christmas tree shaped double chocolate chip cookies with M&M's.

My mother tried to explain to me that it made no sense since it was in the middle of September. But I didn't care. I wanted to make them extra special so that they'll want to be my friends. That way we could play together too.

One hour and two dozen cookies later, my mother and I waited until the truck left to knock on the door.

"Just a minute, please." I heard a soft voice say and then shuffling. About thirty seconds later the door opened to reveal a very short young Korean lady with a little girl that was smaller than me in her arms. She had two little pointy pigtails and looked like a porcelain doll.

"Hello." She smiled.

"Hello. I'm Mrs. Raynell Lane and this is my daughter Seraphine. We live right next door and she noticed that you guys were moving in. Since this is pretty much a friendly neighborhood, we wanted to bring you and your family some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to help ease the pain of moving in."

"Wow! That is so sweet of you. Isn't that sweet Naeun. (Na-oon-na)" She put the little girl down who put her binky in her mouth and just walked away. She then took the plate and led us inside of their house.

"You know, I've never been in here before. This place is very nice. Has a lot of potential."

"I think so too. It's gonna take some time, but I'll make it a home for us." The nice lady said proudly as she lifted the plate and smelled the cookies.

"These smell amazing and they look -- like christmas trees." She madea funny face.

"Ah. Yes. Well, you can blame Seraphine here for that. She said making them Christmas shaped and adding the M&M's would make them special."

"Extra special!" I said loudly with a giggle.

"That is so sweet of you Seraphine! Thank you so much. You know, let me call my son and husband in here. They should be upstairs unpacking my son's room."

"Oh. So you have a son? How old is he? Sera here is 6."

"Oh my goodness. How lucky! My son Jae is 6. They will be going to school together."

"Wheatley Elementary?" My mama asked saying the name of my school that she drilled into my head. Along with her work and our home phone. Plus her cell and my Daddy's. Not to mention our home address in case I ever need to call 911.

*My name is Seraphine Lane. I'm five -- no six years old and I live at 3726 Global Drive. I need the police and an ambulance."...

I repeated my emergency script over and over again as I held my mother's hand. She was talking to the lady who all of a sudden shouted. She had called out to her husband and told him to bring someone called Jae.

"Hello." A deep voiced man came walking in the room with a pair of little feet pattering behind him.

"Hello. I'm your new neighbor, Raynell Lane. This is my daughter Seraphine. Say Hi, Sera."

"Hi." I said with a small wave before cowering behind her leg.

All the adults laughed lightly as the little black haired boy stared at the plate of cookies his mother was holding. He started to lick is lips so I took a deep breath and let go. I bravely walked over and took the plate from her. Before the adults could react I shoved the plate in his face and watched as it lit up.

"I can have these?" He stared at me with his brown eyes and slanted eye lids. Even at 6 I knew a cute boy when I saw one.

"We made them for you." I say proudly and opened my mouth a little when I saw him reach for one.

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"Seraphine. What's yours?"

"Jaebum."

"Jaebum." I giggled because of bum.

"Just call him Jae. I'm Min Soo, this is my husband Jae Wook and you've already met little Naeun over there."

"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you. I'm sorry you can't meet my husband right now, but he's at work. Although, of course we have plenty of time for that. Now that we're neighbors I mean." She chuckled nervously. Sometimes my mother had a problem shutting up.

"Anyhoo, we won't intrude any longer. We just wanted to introduce ourselves. Please enjoy the cookies."

'Thank you so much. We appreciate this kind gesture and I hope all the neighbors are just as nice as you and your beautiful daughter are."

"They're okay. We all get along pretty well. Especially at the block parties. Come on, Seraphine. Say goodbye."

"Bye! Oh! Do you wanna play with me tomorrow?" I asked him with the biggest smile I could muster.

"May I?" He asked looking to his parents and they both nodded yes.

"YAY!" I bounced as Jae watched me. When I stopped I noticed all the crumbs all over his mouth. His was starting to eat the cookies with gusto.

I smiled and waved goodbye as my mother and I left them the unpack and arrange their new home.

*I have a new friend...

I was so excited to play with my new neighbor and future best friend. I got up super early the next day and picked out my own outfit. I went to the kitchen and packed us some snacks for when we get hungry. Two apples, two juice packs and two packs of cheesey crackers.

After watching my favorite show and waiting for what seemed like forever our doorbell rang and I bolted to the front door.

"Hi Jaebum!" I giggled at "bum" and he held his hand out for me. I smiled before placing mine in his and he led me to his backyard.

"Wow! You have a treehouse!"

"My Appa had it made for me. Come on, Seraph." I smiled at my new nickname as Jae and I climbed up the ladder without a care in the world. When I think about it now, I wonder how in the Hell did they get it built in one day?

"What's that?" He pointed to my pink backpack.

"I packed snacks." I happily crawled over and started to pass him one of everything.

"This is for me?" He asked eyes opened wide at the cheesey crackers and juice.

"Un huh! Do you like apples?" I handed him one and he put his juice down to take it.

"Thank you. Are you gonna be my friend now?" He scooted closer to sit next to me.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!. You want to be my bestfriend? We can do everything together."

"Okay. That's fine. I don't have one anymore. He's mad at me because I had to move." He put his head down puffing air out of his little puffy cheeks.

"I will play with you at school too."

"I hope I'm in your class."

"Me too! Then when can eat lunch together too." I moved from my knees to sit by him.

Jae and I spent the afternoon in his treehouse and nearly everyday after that. We truly became inseperable as we stuck together all day everyday up until 6th grade.

That's when we started to spend less time together and more time with our same sex friends. Especially after I was rejected from coming to a sleepover he had the night of his 12th birthday. He nearly broke my heart when he told me to go home in front of his boy friends. To top it all off he didn't even talk to me through our cup phone line later that night like we always did.

Then came the day of the incident. Shortly after his birthday, I noticed how distant he was becoming so I started to keep busy like he was. Whenever he wanted to come over and chill with me I wouldn't let him. I would walk next door to hang with Kameron even though I didn't like her anymore. Which he knew.

The sad thing was I continued this behavior until Kameron's dad died. She and her mother moved outta Dallas to Beaumont, TX where her family was from. That's we I apologized and we made up. After that we became inseperable again when life didn't get in the way.

(TIME SKIP)

So there we were. 18 years old and only best friends. Or so I thought.

After Kameron moved I only had Jae because I had gained a lot of weight. Once that happened my so called friends and other people started to exclude and be mean to me. It saddened me and I dealt with it in an unhealthy way. I ate my feelings. Hince the weight gain.

Jae was the only one that didn't treat me differently. He talked to me like he did when we were at home and he had no problem defending me when the many times came. And now that I look back I guess that's where my crush was cemented. It started when we were kids but was enbedded in me when he fought for me.

He was my main staple of support as we were constantly together when we weren't busy. He still had his friends but he spent more time with me. Things were great between us. We talked all the time and everything. Even about sex.

It took us until I was 16 for us to talk about that and that's when I learned that he wasn't a virgin anymore. When he told me who he lost it to and what happened it made my stomach hurt for numerous reasons. The main one was an emotion that I now know as jealousy. After that whenever we talked about sex I would do everything I could to change the subject and thankfully it never took him long to get the hint.

That is until one day we were lying on the floor of my living room listenening to Trey Songz and Drake's Successful. We were both home alone and bored so we thought that jamming and vegging out would suffice. Until Jae's phone went off.

"Who's that?" I asked knowing good and well I really didn't want to know. It was just gonna hurt to know.

"Mariella. I broke things off with her, but she won't leave me alone."

"What happened? You told me you liked her." I said sitting up and taking off my headphones.

"I did. But it turns out she's -- difficult. I like easy girls."

"Oh, I know you do." I joked and he gave me a tight lipped smile.

"That's not what I meant, Seraph." He moved to sit in front of me criss cross style.

"Well, say what you mean, Jae?" I moved my hand to fiddle with his finger tips. I looked up and saw the corners of his mouth turn into a small smile. He always smiled when I did this.

"I don't mean sexually. I mean like you. You're easy."

"What? You need to clairfy so I'll know whether to be offended or not." He laughed but I didn't.

"I'm not saying you're sexually easy or a pushover. I just meant personality wise. Like you're easy to be around. To be cool with."

"You're just now figuring that out, Jae? I've been this." I rolled my eyes smugly. I may have been fat but I was on my shit and took damn good care of myself.

"I know that, Silly." He booped my nose and it made me smile.

"I've always loved your smile, Seraph. You have really nice lips." I unconsciously brought my fingers up to my lips touching them.

"Thanks, Jae. So do you." I raised that same hand and skimmed his bottom lip with my thumb. He didn't move or dodge my hand because he's used to us touching each other.

*Soft...

"Do you wanna kiss me, Seraph? Because you look like you do right now." He caught me off guard with his question but still -- I nodded.

"But we shouldn't." I backed away causing him to frown. Which didn't surprised me. It's just another thing that has been added to the list of his new reactions he has when it comes to me lately.

"Why did you move?" Jae grabbed and held my thighs. He used them as leverage to slide himself across to where I was putting us back face to face.

"Because even if you're serious, we shouldn't."

"Why not? It's just a kiss."

*It's not just a kiss, Jae. Not with you...

"To you maybe."

"What does that mean?"

"That means that we should just stay friends that don't kiss."

"Are you sure?" He moved to sit on his knees. Staring into my eyes I just went silent and shook my head no. Before I could say anything else he smashed his lips into mine kissing me and setting my body aflame. He slickly laid me down on the carpet laying between my legs. He broke the kiss first going straight for my neck.

"What are you doing?" He moved his hands wrapping them around me and underneath my back.

"Kissing you." Jae whispered against my lips before giving me a much softer and tender kiss. It was slow paced and gave me the time I needed to relax into and adjust to his rhythm. It wasn't my first kiss but it my first with him.

I don't know what came over me but I gave Jae my virginity that night and afterwards we spent an amazing year as friends with benefits. Until I couldn't keep it to myself anymore and confessed that I was in love with him. He didn't verbally return my feelings, but did say we should end things before he hurt me. Not wanting to look like the fool that I felt like, I just pretended to be okay and agreed.

After a month long time period of awkward silence and stolen glances we talked again and got back to normal. Only for it to be right before we were set to graduate and go our seperate ways for a little while.

Jae and I had gotten into different schools. I was going to Texas A&M and he was going to Seattle. He got into a music program there that was giving him a full ride scholarship.

The Friday night before he left his parents threw him a big going away party. I, of course, attended on his behalf but stayed mostly to myself. He was having a good time and I didn't want to bring him down. When I got tired of seeing him dance with nearly every girl at the party, I decided to sneak out and leave early. I told myself that I would just see him in the morning before he goes.

I crossed our joined driveways over to my house. The kitchen light was on and I knew my mother was still up. Not wanting to be bothered, I just went around the house with plans of sneaking in through my patio door. Just as I was about to round the corner I looked over and saw his treehouse. Well, our treehouse.

When we were 8 years old I paid him 10 dollars from my Mickey Mouse shaped Piggy bank. He signed over half of the treehouse over to me making me an unofficial co-owner. He even wrote up a deed and had his parents notarize it. Since his mother did use to work as a notary. I smiled sadly as I walked over to sit on the steps that were added when his little sister turned 10 and she took over it wanting to give it a makeover.

I stayed outside for what seemed like a short time and I didn't even realize his party had ended.

"What are you doing out here? I thought you went home or something."

"I was. But I got distracted by memories."

"Of us?"

"Mm Hmm." I nodded as he moved to sit on the bottom steps.

"Why are you really out here? Why did you leave early? You missed my little speech."

"I'm sorry. I'm just sad you're leaving and moving all the way to Washington. I won't see you unless we're at home at the same time."

"Well, just make sure to have your ass here when I come home. I'll be back in exactly three months for Thanksgiving. We'll see each other then."

"You promise?" I started to get teary eyed as he moved up the steps to sit beside me. He wrapped both of his arms around me pulling me into a hug.

"Don't cry, Seraph. I hate to see you cry." He wiped them and kissed my forehead.

"Promise me, then. Jae, promise me you won't forget about me. That we'll always be bestfriends and be there for each other. Even when you meet someone and fall in love."

"About that. Seraph, I don't think --."

"Damn it! Just promise me." I pulled myself out of his arms to face him. I needed him to understand that I was serious and I meant that I still wanted to be his friend and be there for him if or when he needs me.

"I promise, Seraph. I promise."

"Say it the right way." He sighed before a smile creeped on his face.

"I, Jaebum Park, do solemly and wholeheartedly promise to remain bestfriends and return home for Thanksgiving to see said bestfriend in the whole wide world. A Miss Seraphine Lane." This time I sighed out. But in relief.

"I love you, Seraphine. I meant what I said. Every word."

"I love you too, Jae. I'm going to miss you."

"I'm going to miss you more." He leaned to kiss my cheek but I turned my head to meet his lips.

He didn't hesitate to kiss me back as I threw my arms around his neck. He moved me onto his lap deepening the kiss. He then let go of my waist to lower his hands. Jae gripped my ass bringing me closer to him as I felt him get gradually hard. I started to rotate my hips over his erection feeling him through my very thin dress material.

"I want you Jae." I whispered followed by a soft moan.

"I want you too, Seraph." Jae and I moved up into the treehouse and made love on the floor. It wasn't fast or rushed and he was only rough when he needed to be. I was so happy to be with him this way again even though I know it was the last time.

We stayed there until about 5 in the morning when I woke up because of the neighbors rooster. Mr. Travis.

After we eached kissed goodbye again, we seperated and didn't see each other again until Thanksgiving. We lived that pattern of seeing each other over the holidays and did as much as we could to stay close. Even through his numerous relationships and my two.

*PRESENT DAY 2020*

(Minus the fucking Covid Virus and Trump's Bitch ass. Let's just say Obama fought the powers that be and won a third term.)

"Hurry up! Move the fuck outta the fucking way!" I shouted at the other drivers from within the security and confines of my car.

I was speeding and maneuvering my way through traffic. Fighting my way home to use my bathroom. I needed to get there in a hurry because my stomach was about to betray me in the worse way. In a way to where I'm pretty sure no one would be willing to clean the mess that's brewing within me.

*I knew that crab smelled funny. That's the first and last time I'm eating at that Chinese Buffet...

"Shit!" I hit my steering wheel because I was caught at a red light. Clenching my ass cheeks as if they held a dime, I cursed the traffic light while also begging it to change. I really didn't want to shit in my car.

*I just know the smell this shit would emit, it would never come out...

"Lord? Please let me make it. Please! I don't want boo-boo on myself." I prayed over and over again as I took off into the intersection when the light changed. I sighed a little noticing I was closer and closer to home.

"Two more lights. Two more lights."I repeated over and over as if it was a faithful mantra.

God must have been looking out for a sister because I soon saw my street and whipped around the corner pressing the garage door opener. I needed to be safe away from my neighbor's views incase I didn't make it. Entering my house I dropped everything and dashed up the stairs as fast as I could. I burst into my room removing all of my clothing.

Finally reaching my salvation I plopped down on my toliet and relaxed. The next few minutes, while gross to others, was music to my ears. I sighed out in happiness at my stomach feeling immediately better.

*Thank you, God...

After another 10 minutes to make sure I was completely done, I reached for my toliet paper ad saw there was none there. I shook my head and looked again.

*What the fuck? I had a whole damn roll this morning...

I paused and it came to me.

"Fucking Jae!" I screamed at the top of my lungs because it dawned on me that my fucking bestfriend and housemate has swiped me of my toliet paper again. I had shut my eyes and took a deep breath.

*It's just toliet paper, Seraphine...

I was all ready to forgive and forget. I even made a mental note to add a bigger pack to the shopping list and split it with him. That's how I deal with things. I try to find a compromisation first.

That is until I reached under my bathroom sink and saw there was none there either.

*That's it. I'mma kill him...

I placed my face in my hands and cursed Jae in my head. I knew I had no choice so I just accepted my fate.

I reached for one of my least favorite towels made use of it. I quickly threw it in a mini trash bag and washed my hands. Since I was nude and feeling rather dirty and I took my nightly shower early.

Happy to have some time alone, I walked around naked and lit some candles. I gathered my bluetooth speaker and my co-wash. Returning to the bathroom I cut on the shower and stepped in. It was so nice to feel the water wash away my day and the scent that I'm sure would be stuck on me if I was elsewhere.

In the middle of jamming along with Tank with his freaky ass, I heard a loud noise that I'm sure was the front door.

*Must be Jae....

In less than 45 minutes, I was conditioned and done. Which is record time if you ask me.

I stepped out of the shower feeling brand new. It was only mid-evening but I was fully relaxed and ready to crash. Just go to bed and sleep for the rest of the day and night.

Walking out of the bathroom, the first thing I grabbed was the old t shirt I used to dry my hair. I lotioned my body down with my aromatherapy Sleep potion. Once I was satisfied with how supple my skin felt, I put on my pink Versace Terry cloth robe. It was given to me as a gift from an admirer that luckily was called out of the country on business and I never had to "repay" him.

After putting in my leave in conditioner and mango butter curl creme, I left my room and cleaned the mess I left as I barrelled my way through the house. When I was finished straightening things up, I saw that Jae had indeed come home and left. His work bag was on the coffee table but not his keys and phone.

*Hmm. Damn it...

Trying my best to ignore his things I turned and walked into the kitchen. I sighed at the mess that we made over breakfast. I lifted the broken plates and stared at them for a bit before tossing them in the trash. I felt a flush of sadness wash over me thinking about how this is a result of the petty things we fight over now.

*THIS MORNING*

"Seraph, I'm tired of you acting my Eomma. You're supposed to be my bestfriend. Not my mother."

"I am, Jae! But what I'm trying to understand is why can't you just take a few seconds and wash your dishes now. You have the time."

"Because I am not you. I am not a neat freak who acts like she still lives with her overprotective mother. No matter how much you act like her." He waved me off for what seemed like the millionth time. I know we're just talking about dishes but, this is just one of the many things we've been arguing about lately. And we've only been living together for two years.

"I do not, Jae. I just like things clean. Why do I have to keep telling you that dirty dishes and left out food bring roaches and bugs."

"Two little dirty dishes will not bring roaches into our house. Just chill out, Seraph. I don't wanna argue anymore."

"Who's arguing? Am I yelling?"

"No. But your tone is full of that funky ass attitude that you get when you're angry."

"I don't have an attitude. You do." I accused him back.

"Look, I ain't doing this. Just leave my dishes there and I'll take care of them when I get home. I'm out." And that was it.

Just like that he left running up the stairs dismissing me and my wants again. I swear he's been showing one of either two sides. And this is the side that I really disliked.

I got fed up watching him walk away from me again so I tossed my dishes in the sink unintentionally breaking them. I covered my mouth in shock before I hear his footsteps come running back in the kitchen. He looked me up and down, I guess to check me before he turned his attention towards the sink.

"What the fuck Seraphine?!" He only calls me that when he's truly mad at me. I learned that when we were in middle school.

"I didn't mean to break it. I was just so mad, so I --."

"Decided to break my favorite fucking mug?!" He reached in the sink picking up his cracked mug and it instantly crumbled into pieces. He let them fall back into the sink with a hurt look on his face.

"No! I didn't mean to. I know how much it means to you. I would never. No matter how mad I am." I tried to reach for him while apologzing again and he pushed my arms away before sucking his teeth. I stood there as he silently gathered the pieces and walked away to his room.

*Damn. He's really mad...

I waited until the coast was clear to return to my room upstairs. I then dressed and left for work.

I was in a bad mood all day cause I was thinking about our petty fight. It really had me in my feelings. Especially the ones that I still harbored for him. I even sat at my desk and tried to count how many times we've fought and how many times we've actually resolved them.

*Not many Seraph. Not many. Maybe it's time to finally resolve all this anger...

*BACK TO THE PRESENT*

After throwing away the rest of the broken dishes, I cleaned the kitchen and started light dinner. Food was always a good peace offering between us so I decided to shoot him a text and tell him about it.

💙MyBe$tieJaeBUM💙: Saw that you came home and I wanted to let you know that I'm making dinner if you want to talk.

*I'll apologize in person...

Looking over the text I was satisfied and pressed send. I sat my phone down because I didn't just want to sit and wait for him to text me back. I just busied myself with side dishes.

Thanks to Jae's mother we were stocked with all the Koreaan ingredients I could ever need. Living next door to them really made me fall in love with the cuisine. I'll never get past when she came over with four bags full of groceries and taught me how to cook a proper Korean meal to keep her son fed, happy, and full of energy.

She winked at me and poked at me with her elbow. It was her way of showing me that she was still holding out hope for us. Ever since the day we met Jae and I were inseparable and she took notice of it.

Plus she may have caught us having sex once.

********************

*I hope he's not that upset at anymore. I know it was his favorite mug but I didn't mean it. I was just angry and threw the plate...

I tried to tell myself because by now three hours had passed and Jae hadn't shown up yet or returned my text. I had finished dinner, ate, made us packed lunches and stored it in food bowls for leftovers. Once I was done, I sulked all the way up the stairs to finally lay down. I removed the shirt off of my head and turned on my television.

I had gotten comfortable as another hour had passed. I was started to doze off when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I knew it was Jay and I was hoping he would stop by my room before going to his. But he didn't.

I listened as he walked straight by my room into his slamming the door shut. I instantly knew he was still angry and I couldn't go to sleep like that. So when I heard his shower start, I waited a half an hour after it stopped to extend an olive branch and try again.

I impatiently watched the clock as I sat in silence with my volume on my TV at the lowest basically muted. I listened as Jae showered to some KR&B which I loved. I hugged my knees as best I could before going limp and hugging a pillow.

*What if he never talks to me again and moves out? Maybe I should ask his mother where I can get a replacement mug...

Going along with my bright idea, I texted his mother and asked her where exactly the mug came from and is there another. I was saddened when she told me it was given to him by his grandfather and it comes from Korea. I nearly cursed out loud before I just thanked her and wished her a goodnight.

*Damn it. Just apologize and offer to buy him any mug he wants...

I grabbed my Macbook and and went on the hunt. I settled on a webpage for Korean novelty mugs. I bookmarked it for later references.

I soon closed it and stood up. Just when I was about take off my robe and change into some PJs I hears a knock on my door. I didn't bother answering because I knew he was just going to walk in anyway. Which he did.

"We need to talk Seraph."

*Oh, God. He's making the face he made when he told me about Washington...

"I know." I sat up and patted my bed for him to sit down. He gave me a half hearted smile before walking over and sitting down. I held my breath trying not to inhale his bodywash that was like a cloud of musk and sandlewood around him. I loved it on him.

"Look, I know you're sorry and I wanted to let you know that I am too." I closed my eyes and exhaled.

"I really didn't mean it, Jae. I'm so sorry for breaking the dishes and your favorite mug." I was planning on surprising him with the new one instead of telling him.

"Don't talk about it. It's over. But, I do think we need to talk about our living situation."

*Oh, no. Don't say it. Don't leave again...

"I think we should go back to the rules we first had when we moved in together. We go back to keeping a cleaning schedule. I work better that way."

*Phew...

"But Jae, those rules had us fighting too. Don't you remember how you used to miss your days on purpose just so I would wash them on mine?"

"No, I wasn't. I just got home late on those nights. I was too tired."

*Lame ass excuse...

"And I always had to deal with it. I don't want to go back to that." He sighed and rolled his eyes at me.

"Seraph, it's just some fucking dishes. Stop being such a prude about every little thing." I felt attacked by him when he said that.

"I'm not a prude. I'm just neat and single."

"Yeah. Too fucking neat and single. You're like an "Old Maid" just hanging around here cleaning and nagging me." He got up and rushed out of my room and down the stairs into the living room.

*I nag him?...

I put on my house shoes and followed behind him. He wasn't about to get away with that.

"I nag you, Jae? Are you serious right now?" I asked feeling all the anger I've been holding in about to erupt.

"Your question should be when don't you nag me?" I gasped definitely offended by his comment. I soon recovered and sniffled back my tears that wanted to form.

"Well, what about you, Jae? What about the shit you do?" I wiped my eyes when his back was turned.

"I don't do shit!" He slightly yelled.

"Exactly! You don't so shit around here. I do everything! I'm the reason we have a clean house and dinner almost every night. All you do is pay for your half of everything. As if that was enough."

"Man, what the fuck do you want me to do?!" He was most definitely yelling at me this time.

"I just want you to stick to the rules and do your fucking chores. You say I act like your mother -- Well, that's because you act like a fucking kid who refuses to clean up after himself.

"You sound like a fucking broken record and I'm tired as fuck of hearing it. I think we need to sell the house and stop living together. Before it ruins our friendship. I'm sick of this."

*Sick of me?...

"You don't want to live with me anymore?" I responded with hurt feelings. This was not my intention. I love Jae and I want to continue living with him. Because when we're not arguing we get along very well.

"We can't if we keep on like this? Why do you ride me so hard?" His voice was softer so I decided to take a deep breath to try and calm myself before speaking.

"I don't mean to. I just want you to stick to your word. It seems like I'm always cleaning a mess you left behind. Not to mention you always go in my bathroom and take my things. Like my fucking toliet paper."

"What? You mad over a roll of toliet paper?"

"You took my last roll? Do you know that?"

"It ain't like I used the whole roll." I narrowed my eyes at him feeling the anger come back.

"Do you know what I had to do? I basically had diarrhea with no toliet paper to wipe my ass with." As soon as I said it, I covered my mouth out of embarrassment. I never menat for him to know that part.

I looked over to Jay and he looked like he was about to burst open with laughter.

"Don't you dare laugh at me Jaebum." I warned but I could see his resolve wavering. And no sooner than I realized it the both of us was laughing.

"Don't laugh at meee!" I shouted through my own stifled laughter that was gradually becoming louder than his.

"I can't help it. What happened?"

"Let's just say I learned my lesson about cheap Chinese buffets. And before you even ask, my boss chose the place." I giggled out and he sighed visably clear of all anger. I guess no matter how much we fight, Jae knows he can't stay mad at me. And if I'm completely honest with myself, I'm the same.

After we calmed down I told him exactly what happened.

*******************

"So that's why you still in this?" He smirked and tugged at my robe's belt. Feeling him pull at the fabric I couldn't help but feel the atmosphere change. His action while small made my heart leap bounds.

*Flirtatious ass...

This is the other way we've been. Besides arguing we have been flirty as fuck.

*MINI FLASHBACK*

It all started a couple of months ago. We had a small spread because I had smoked. And luckily for Jae when I smoke, I turn into the black Martha Stewart. I'll end up making a three course meal of some kind of Seoul Food.

Jay had come home from work and I had just finished turning off the last pot. After slaving away for myself and Jae, he washed up and joined me.

"Damn, it smells good in here. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing much." I giggled as I poured the greens into a bowl for the table."

"I hope you're hungey." I said with a big smile. I was very proud of myself.

"I am. Thank you, in advance. Why are you so sweet to me?" Jae asked before taking some dishes into the dining room and setting the table.

"You and me both know why. But I didn't do this entirely for you. I got buzzed and felt my inner Martha coming out. You should be grateful it's only three courses and not seven."

"I am grateful because I know this shit is about to hit the spot."

"Yep!" I smiled walking into the dining room with a bottle of Makgeolie. It's a Korean rice wine that's gets you drunk as fuck.

Jae and I pigged out as we talked about each of our days. It was all fun and games and good conversation until he brought up the new girl at work that has been flirting with him. He says he doesn't feel anything for her or anyone he works with.

"You haven't done anything to acknowledge her behavior?"

"Nope. But I swear it feels like she stops by my office every hour on the hour. She's always asking me if I need anything or a refill on a coffee or something." He explained and just from his face I could tell she annoyed him.

"Well, she definitely wants to get to know you. Maybe it's a "Korean thing." You know because you're the only other Korean that works there at the office. Maybe she just wants some normal in a very mixed race enviornment. You know a friend that's Korean too." I know that's what I did when I got to Texas A&M and saw there was more white people than black.

"Then she needs to go to a nail shop and make friends. Cause I ain't the one." Jae was full blooded Korean and was even born there.

But he has lived in America since he was three. I know that's not a good excuse for not being friendly with her, but from what he's told me -- she's very traditional. She even calls him "Oppa." (Korean term of endearment for an older brother of a girl. But girls there also call their boyfriends and husbands that too.) And you're not suppose to do that without like some real conversation and establishment of friendship.

"Just be nice and introduce her to your sister Naeun or something."

"Fuck wrong with you? I'm not doing that. That might set my mom off on trying to make her an unofficial daughter-in-law."

"Well, her and your grandmother do want you to marry a nice sweet Korean girl, Park Jaebum." I sweetly teased and called him by his full government name and he frowned.

"They can wish for that all they want. If and when I marry, it won't be who my mother expects. Or who my grandmother wants."

*What does that mean?...

"Does that mean you won't be marrying within your race?" I asked not completely sure I want to hear the answer.

"I don't know. If it happens, it happens. But I'm not forcing it. I need somebody I can be like this with." He looked up at me.

*Good. Huh? Wait! What do I mean by good?...

"Why you asking me all that anyway? You still crushin'?"

"Boy! Have you been huffing Whiteout at the office? You know I deaded my feelings for you after you slept with Kacy. With her loose pussy ass."

"Damn. You mean." He chuckled.

"Excuse you. Those are your words. Not mine." Jae's eyes widened before they turned into crescent shaped moons.

"And now you laughing. Who's the mean one again?" I joined him.

"You are. Just like when you fought her. You gave that girl a concussion."

No, I didn't. The concrete wall did that when I pushed her ass into it."

*That's what that bitch gets for trying to fight in some fucking stilletos...

"Just admit you were jealous. It's okay."

"Shut it, Jae! That was years ago."

"I know but I can't get that fight out of my head. It was my first time seeing you so angry and vocal. It was kind of sexy the way your eyebrows stayed furrowed.

"Stop it, Jae."

"Stop what?" He trailed his bottom lip with his tongue before taking another bite of food.

"Stop flirting with me."

*Sexy ass bastard...

*BACK TO PRESENT*

But Jae didn't stop. He just amped it up little by little. If we were chilling or fighting. We were flirting.

I sighed and slowly slipped my robe belt from his hands.

"You're still flirting, Jaebum." I thought I was able to put on a brave face but I was faltering.

"You're still reacting like you like it, Seraphine." He said deeply looking into my eyes.

*Stop looking at me like that. I can't breathe...

I needed to put a stop to this before I make a mistake and sleep with him again.

"Jae? Listen to me."

"I'm listening." He smiled sweetly taking my belt back into his hands and tugging again. I briefly closed my eyes when I felt his hands move to rest on my waist.

*No the fuck he ain't listening...

"You've been my bestfriend for years. I know what you're thinking."

"And what am I thinking? Hmm?" He took his bottom lip into his mouth while looking down at by frame and back up to my eyes.

"That was one time Jae. A long ass time ago."

"It was more than one time, Seraph." He stepped closer making it harder to control my breathing.

"In fact, if I recall correctly, we happened a couple dozen times."

"But that was a mistake." Jae halted moving in any closer. His face changed and it looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek. He only did that out of frustration.

"You regret it?" He asked softly tightening his hold on my waist.

"What?" I played dumb trying to gather my words.

"Seraphine? Do you regret giving me your virginity?"

"What? No. Jae -- I-- I just meant afterwards." I paused because I felt my robe being slowly pulled open.

"What are you doing?" I raised my hands to close my robe back and he stopped me. I thought he was going to push them away but he just laced them around his neck.

"What we had was never a mistake."

"It was. You didn't want me the way I wanted you. I was in love with you." I felt tears brewing as I almost confessed and said am instead of was. Him moving to cup my face didn't help.

"I was scared, Seraph. I was scared of ruining our friendship. With the way I was back then -- I was young and wild and I would have ended up hurting you."

"You did hurt me." I looked down not able to stand his gazing anymore.

*Why does this continue to happen between us?...

"I'm sorry." He bluntly said.

"For what? Why?"

"Because I was in love with you, too and I ran from it." I wanted to let him go but he wouldn't let me.

"Why Jae? I didn't pressure you. Hell, you even called and texted more than I did. And you still do!" He just chuckled admitting the truth.

"My cellphone bill was high as fuck because of you." I giggled softly not realizing I was relaxing into his touch.

"Seraph, it's your turn to listen." I nodded my head as I tilted it.

"We were 18 years old then. Yes, I love you, too. But I also know myself. I would have hurt you. And- And I know I did when I didn't return your feelings, but I didn't want to cheat on you. I couldn't treat you how I treated other girls."

"So you're saying all those months we were sleeping together -- you only slept with me?" I asked since he wants to be all honest and confess shit. Plus I never had the courage to want to know back then.

"Of course. That's what we agreed to."

"Oh, damn. I'm sorry, Jae. I was for sure you were sleeping with other girls."

"Never while I was with you." His lazer focused gaze was back. Jae was looking at me like he used to years ago. And most recently for the past couple of months.

"Don't look at me like that, Jae."

"Like what?"

"Like you used to." He just smirked before completely ignoring me.

"Have you head from Chris?" I cocked my brow at hearing that lame ass's name.

"Not in nearly six months and you know that. Why are you bringing him up anyway?"

"When was the last time a man pleased you?" Just when he asked I felt his hands go lower resting right above my butt. I had to swallow some saliva because a quick memory came to me of the first time we had sex doggy style. He couldn't stop spanking me and telling me how much he loved how big and perfectly my ass was.

*Not since you, because you had to be an asshole with good dick...

"I honestly can't remember. Besides, you know I don't sleep around. I mean we have been in the same house together nearly every night for two years now. And what about you since you all up in mines?"

*More like trying to be all up in it. And what the fuck cause I'm thinking about letting him...

"A year." I gasped.

"You liar! I don't believe that for one second."

"No, I'm not. Head don't count."

*Bitch! Whoever she or they were...

"Why do you wanna know anyway? Why are we even talking about this?" I started to play with his hair on the back of his head. It was longer because he was growing it out again. He then pulled all the way back so I could see his face.

"Are you finally ready for that answer?"

"Y-yeah. I think so."

"Let's go to your room."

*I think not...

"Huh? My room? Why Jae?"

*Come on now. We ain't that dumb. You know why. You see that look in his eyes...

"Because your bed is bigger. Softer." He reached down to squeeze my ass and there it was. I knew this was coming. All of the flirting and fighting was going to lead someplace.

"Jae --" I was cut off by a kiss that took my breath away and made me weak in knees. He hasn't kissed me since 2009 and he still made me feel the same as I felt back then.

"Seraph." He stopped and whispered against my lips before kissing me again. This time I gave in and kissed him back with everything I've been holding back.

For a really long time I pretended I was okay with how we ended things. Even after we made love that one last time before he left for school. But I've still wanted him ever since. I've always wanted him.

"I've missed kissing you Seraph. No other woman's kiss compares to yours." Jae kissed my lips a final time before snaking his tongue over my bottom lip all the way down to my neck. Leaving little pecks along the way until he stopped and gave all his attention to one area.

*You feel that? Bitch, he remembers your spot...

"I remember everything." He whispered against my skin instantly giving me chill bumps.

*I said that outloud?! How embarrassing! Just stop letting him touch you and run to your room...

"You do?" I asked trying to distract myself from the fact that he was now grabbing and massaging my butt.

"Everything." He harshly pulled my body right into his. I gasped feeling his hard on against my leg. I remember Jae not having the biggest among the men I've been with but he was definitely the best. No one was as attentive with me than him.

"You feel that?" I nodded yes against his chest right by his shoulder.

"That's how hard I am every morning when I wake up."

"Why?"

"Because I've been dreaming of you for the past year."

*Should I confess too...

"Really? You've been dreaming about me?"

"Almost every damn night. You don't know how many times I've wanted to tell you."

"What do you dream about?" He lifted my chin to look at him.

"I can show you better than I can tell you." He walked me backwards towards the couch.

I followed his lead while I lavished in the hot kisses he started to leave down my body as he opened my robe more. This time I didn't stop him.

*JAE'S P.O.V*

Once I felt Seraph's heated skin underneath my fingertips I could no longer I keep my feeling from her anymore. All this time I've wondered if she's still felt the same and now I know she does.

Seraphine gave me her virginity even though she wasn't my first. A part of me feels like I shouldn't have been the one because I wasn't ready to love her like she loved me. I was young and wanted to be free.

But also -- She scared me. More than she'll ever know. She was perfect in my eyes and that scared the fuck outta me. Like to the point where I intentionally broke her heart and mine. Just for the sake of not hurting her another way.

If I would've stayed with her then, I know I would have betrayed her heart and cheated. I was careless and too wild for her after a while. I got restless and didn't want to be tied down as well.

So I ended it. I made her cry and a large part of me has regretted it ever since. Maybe not in the beginning, but after a while I did. Although no matter what she says, in the end it needed to be done. Seraph didn't deserve wild, playboy, unfocused Jae. She deserved better, so I made sure I could bring something to the table.

That's why I suggested we live together in the first place. It may have been my sneaky way of inputting myself into her everyday life, but it was the only thing I could think of. Especially when the opportunity presented itself of her apartment building being sold and they jacked up the rent price.

"Jae." Seraph moaned in my ear as I laid her down opening her robe completely revealing her naked body to me. She was a bigger woman but it has never bothered me since I don't think negative of heavier people. I grew up with her seeing her naked through her bedroom window. I just never told her that.

She moaned again when I kissed her roughly before raising up and taking off my wife beater. She gave me her sexist lip bite while tracing her hands down my abs to the rim of my sweats. I smirked when she start pulling me down to her for another kiss.

"I love you, Seraphine Lane. I'm so sorry it took me this long to admit it."

"I love you too, Jae. I always have."

"Please forgive me." I felt her lift and bend her leg at the knee. She then used her toes to pull my pants down freeing my erection.

"I forgive you, Park Jaebum." I finished kicking off my sweats and felt her hand wrap around my shaft. I groaned as she softly stroked me before moving to place me at her pussy.

"Jae, please make love to me."

"I wanna taste you first. I wanna see if you taste the same."

"And how do I taste?"

"Like mangoes and bananas mixed together." I sat up and scooted down. I leaned down kissing each of her thighs before gripping them from underneath and opening her luciously thick thighs wider. I smiled seeing my old friend again. Her slightly oversized clit.

Seraph had a bigger clit than most girls and it was a complete turn on to me. It made giving her oral sex all the easier. Plus she was sensitive as Hell which means she gets even louder.

She watched as I gave her pussy a kiss before licking her sucking her lips into my mouth.

"Hold your leg." I commanded and she hooked it on her arm. Having a free hand, I took a finger and slid it up and down between her lips coating her clit in her juices before I licked her causing her to gasp.

Loving every reaction I was getting from her I devoured her pussy.

"Yes, Jae! No one has ever ate my pussy like you." She admitted before grabbing a pillow will her free hand for something to grip. She might as well, cause we're about to fuck this couch up.

"I missed your taste. So sweet." I flicked my tongue over her hardened clit while slickly sliding a finger into her. She moaned again bucking and whining her hips. All that caused me to do was add another finger as I started to swiftly move them.

"Oh my God, Jae." She let go of the pillow and moved to caress the side of my face while I alternated between finger fucking her, sucking and licking her pussy.

"Give me your juices, Seraph." She nodded and laid back to relax so I could make her cum. It didn't take long after I felt her tighten even more around my fingers.

"Cum for me."

"Fuck! I am. I'm cumming." She started to cream so I angled my fingers upward and started to jerk her pussy making her squirt. This was something we discovered she could do after we watched a porn video together and she dared me to make her squirt. She had the audacity to think that black women couldn't do it too.

I rubbed her clit keeping her on her orgasmic high as I moved to lay on top of her again.

"Seraphine, I want us to be together." I slowly slid into her while biting down hard on my bottom lip as her eyes and mouth opened wider. She said and did nothing but whimper as I pulled out and slowly entered her again.

"I missed this so much, Jae. Please don't hurt me again." She said before her moans took over.

"I'll never hurt or leave you again. I promise, Seraphine." I raised up to kiss her before resting my body on hers continuing to kiss her sensually as my lower half ravished her tight wet pussy.

I kept saying her whole name so she would know I was serious. I don't want her to doubt me about how I feel and where I plan on us going. She doesn't know it yet but tonight is the beginning of the rest of our lives.

"I love you so much." I moved to grip her legs and sit up. I wanted to see us together again. Me inside of her was so picturesque. Especially the way she stayed wet for me. Her cream coated my dick like no other and I loved it all.

"I love you too, Jae. I've loved you my whole life. I-I - Oh my God, I'm cumming!" She grabbed her breast as she moved underneath me from me pounding this pussy.

"Oh how I missed you cumming on my dick, Seraph." I leaned back over her capturing her lips as she moaned and gasped into my mouth.

"I'm gonna cum. Where do you want it?"

"Inside." She whispered before pulling me into bear hug. Once I was firm against her body

"You're sure?" I barely said because I was groaning more. Her pussy was gripping my dick and I'm pretty sure she was cumming again.

"Yes, Jae!" She shouted as I felt her pussy try to push me out so I started to slam into her with more force.

"Fuck, Seraph!" I jerked myself into her letting her pussy grip me until I came inside her. Not wanting to pull out I laid on top of her and she wrapped her legs around me.

We kissed until both of our high came down enough for us to think and talk again.

***************

"I didn't ask if you were on birth control." I said barely wanting to talk.

"I'll get a Plan B tomorrow and set an appointment at my gyno." She said as she caressed my back with her finger tips sighing out in happiness, contentment and satisfaction.

"Don't bother. We might as well start a family. We're both finacially stable and old enough."

"Umm, first off we haven't clarified what we are and I want to be married before I have a baby with you. Before was different, Jae. Before --" She stopped talking and looked away from me.

I gave her a half smile knowing that she thinks it still hurts me to talk about the abortion she had.

"Before, you and I were 19 and both scared out of our minds. You made what you thought was a good decision at the time. I don't blame you. I told you that then."

"But I killed our baby." She looked at me eyes full of shame.

"Seraphine, it's okay. I forgave you then and I forgive you now. Plus you were only four weeks pregnant. This time it'll be different."

"How?"

"Because we're both grown with jobs and more than capable enough to raise our kid. We weren't then and you know that."

"I know. I just still think about him or her. What they would've looked like? Would they have had my personality or yours."

"I want our kid to look like you and be cool like me." She giggled before pecking my lips.

"I missed you like this."

"Like what?"

"Close like this."

"I missed you too." I kissed her again and it sent shockwaves through my body getting me hard again.

"Already? Again?" She asked looking down at my newly formed erection.

"Seraph, I haven't been with you in over ten years. So, yes -- again." I growled out before entering her again this time not taking my time.

"Oh my God. Yes! Okay! Okay!"

**********************

*ONE MONTH LATER*

"Stop it, Jae! I wanna sleep longer."

"Nope. You have to get up."

"No!" She shouted from underneath the covers as I tried to yank them from her super grip.

"I made you steak bibimbap with scrambled eggs." She raised up revealing the top half of her naked body.

"Really?" She smiled into a yawn before looking down and realizing she was nude. I chuckled when she quickly covered herself like I haven't seen her naked everyday since we've gotten together.

"Yep. So get dressed, relieve your bladder and wash your hands and face. I'll be waiting." She smiled sweetly at me before beckoning me with her finger. I sat down on the bed beside her and she gave me a hug.

"Thank you, Baby."

"For what? It's just breakfast."

"I know. But still -- Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Now, go get ready before we end up eating cold food." She pouted and I pecked her lips. Morning breath and all.

"Okay. Be down in a second." She said standing up and I put my hand up on her stomach.

"You feel okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Beside we just found out a week ago, don't tell me you're gonna be all protective and weird now?"

"Of course, I am. I told you last week. I want this baby."

"I do too, Jae." She smiled at me before walking into the restroom to handle her business.

I walked down the steps smiling because even though it was my intention to get her pregnant, I never thought she would the first time we had sex. I was happy when she called me down to her Doctor's office to tell me. That same day we drove to our old neighborhood where our parents still live and told them together.

Everyone was happy for us. They all told us they were so happy we finally came to our senses and had gotten together. They never expected us to start a family so soon, but still they were geniunely happy.

At one point in the evening she was busy with out mothers, so I took her father outside and asked for his permission to marry her. He laughed so loud I thought someone for sure was gonna come outside to see what was so funny.

"It's about damn time, Boy! My daughter has loved you ever since ya little ass moved next door. You better treat her right Jae. Y'all got the right foundation you just gotta take care of how you build on it."

"Yes, sir." I said with a hug before I showed him the ring I bought a week after we proclaimed ourselves as official.

"That's her favorite color. She'll love it. Why don't you do it here? Now?"

"Because I want us to be alone. You know she doesn't like to be the center of attention.

"You're right. Beside the proposal is all on the man anyway. The woman gets the wedding. The man gets the proposal." I nodded as I thought about all the ways I could propose to her before the baby comes.

And that's what brought us to now.

I got up early this morning so I could come down and properly heat up all the food that I had my mother make and bring over. She loves to cook and feed all three of us now, so she didn't hesitate to say yes. I thanked her for making all of Seraph's favorites so I could make this special.

"Jae? What smells so good?"

"Food. What else?"

"You trying to be funny now?"

"Not at all. Please have a seat."

"Ooh! Bibimbap! With steak!" She grabbed the bowl and began to mix it up. Before could even say anything she had it mixed and ready to eat.

"Thank you, Baby!" She said before stuffing a big spoonful into her mouth.

"You're very welcome."

When she was done she still seemed hungry, so I made her a quick three egg omelette. She waited patiently at the table sipping on her juice and rubbing her stomach. I slickly placed the ring on top of her food and quickly coming up with a ruse I covered it with a napkin.

"Uh oh." She said eyeing the plate looking slightly disappointed.

"What? I was trying to make a omelette but you got scrambled eggs instead. I put the plate down and watched as she removed the napkin.

She did a double take at the yellow diamond before her jaw dropped and her eyes welled up with tears.

"What is this?" I picked the ring out of her food and wiped it off. I presented it to her.

"Seraphine Easter Lane. Will you marry me?" I slowly slid on the ring before wiping away the tears that were falling. She stared at it for a while before sniffling and making a serious face.

"Are you doing this just because I'm pregnant?"

"What? No. I bought this a week after we got back together." Before I even knew.

"You did?!" She started to cry harder before crushing me into a hug.

"Yes, I did. I love you, Seraphine. I want you to be my wife and bestfriend forever."

"I love you too, Jae. I would be happy and proud to be your wife."

She kissed me again before running away to get her phone and call her family.

*THREE YEARS LATER*

*SERAPHINE'S P.O.V*

Jae and I have been married for over two years now and our little boy is almost three years old.

And much to our surprise we have a three month old daughter.

She cries all the time and keeps me up at night and I've never been more complete. I'm married and have a family with the love of my life. My bestfriend. He has more than proved himself to me as husband and a father and he caters to us like I could have never imagined.

Jae has made me happy beyond my wildest dreams and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us.

A/N: This is the first story I actually wrote with the intent of publishing it on here. It was inspired by one of my favorite Jay Park books and after a dream I had I wrote my own. I hope you like it!😘