༄ AFTER Newt left, Minho forced Sam to eat and drink, then asked if she wanted to shower, and after she refused his offer, sat her down on his bed.

"How'd you get here?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed from concern.

"I ran."

He tensed up. Bit his lip. "You... ran? As it was still dark? Early in the morning?"

"I often run in mornings, Minho. Don't worry."

He ran a hand down his face. "Right. Sorry. I'm just... upset."

While sitting across from him, she took his hand. "Don't worry."

"Nothing happened while you ran here? And I hope your mom wasn't too... you know."

She hesitated. Something did happen while she ran here, but it hadn't even lasted for twenty seconds. It was too lame to worry Minho even more. She didn't even get harmed or anything close to that.

"Nothing happened," she assured. "My mom was... not happy, though."

He squinted his eyes at her. "Please don't lie," softly. "I can see when you lie, Sammy."

She swallowed. "Okay, fine- but don't worry too much. It was just this guy. He was drunk and pulled me into an alley. Said some things. I kicked him in the crotch, then ran further. He didn't do anything else."

His jaw clenched. "Did you recognize him?"

"No, sorry." She shook her head.

"What did he look like?"

"I couldn't see much." Sam shrugged, not even understanding the point in telling him all of this. "His hair was longer. Tied up in a bun. He smelled like alcohol but nothing else. When I kicked him I could feel he wore a shirt and tight jeans. That's it."

Minho was thoughtful for a few seconds. "Alright. I'm glad you're okay," he said, his Adam's Apple moving. "Still not hurt from the accident?"

"Just a bit of a headache. My shoulder feels tight, but that's it." She did her best to smile. "And you?"

His arm wrapped around her and pulled her into his side. "Just some bruises. Nothing too bad."

"You protected me," she said. "Right?"

"I keep my promises."

And though I'm completely certain I will catch you if we ever happen to fall, I still don't want anything that doesn't have to happen to you, to happen.

Her smile turned realer. Carefully, the girl hugged him. "Thank you for that."

"Anything," he murmured. "And I know it wasn't really my fault, but... I'm still sorry it happened. That car behind us was driving me crazy and the second I lose grip on that wheel, it goes its own way. This time, downhill."

Her head rested on his shoulder. "Did your motor survive?"

"I can get it repaired. Some scratches and crap, but I'll effort it."

"I'll help you pay," she promised. "Also-"

"You don't have to help me pay for it, Sammy."

"But I will."

"Please don't."

"Minho, I was on that motor too. I want to pay for it, too."

"We're not the dad and boyfriend who are fighting over who's gonna pay for the dinner. Let me pay for it, sweetheart."

"But-"

"Shush."

"Minho-"

"Politely shut up."

"I want to-"

"You're not paying for it."

Sam gave up with a sigh. "Fine, then." A pause. "What happened after I blacked out? Jeff said you called Dad first, but yesterday and today, he's staying somewhere for work. Then you called Jeff, right?"

"Right," he confirmed. "When you blacked out, I panicked. Badly. The car-" Minho stopped. Looked down. "-continued driving. No one else saw us because not a lot of people were on that part of the road. So yes, then I called, and it took a while for Jeff and your mom to arrive, because she wasn't home and Jeff doesn't have a license. In the meanwhile, I made sure you lay somewhere safe as I picked my motor up.

"My motor got picked up by the repair station right before Jeff and your mom finally got there. We drove to your house, lay you down. Jeff checked for injuries and said you'd be fine, just hit your head, even with the helmet, and then it got kind of... heated. So eventually, I got sent home. Which might've been my own fault too, because I did urge we had to bring you to the hospital instead of randomly trusting Jeff's conclusion, but your mom refused."

He finished with a deep inhale. Sam let the information get through her head, then nodded, slowly.

"Why would the car continue driving after we fell?" She wondered quietly. "And the horning... they could've driven past us. It's almost like-"

"-they did it on purpose, yeah." Minho looked down, again.

"What color was the car? Did you see the license plate? We could go to the police."

He remained silent.

"Minho?" Sam removed her head off his shoulder and watched his face twitch. "Do you know who was in that car?"

He turned his head to her, but his eyes were averted. "I don't."

"Did you see the car?"

His jaw tightened again. "I didn't."

He could see when she was lying, she could see when he was lying.

"Minho-"

"I didn't see the car, Sam. It disappeared straight after we fell."

She looked down, now unsure. She didn't want to start a whole fight because of this, but neither could she let go of the whole situation without knowing more. "Okay."

"Come on." He pulled her into his arms, where she fit in like a tiny mouse. Minho rocked back and forth a few times, running his hand over her scalp. "I don't want to snap at you, Sammy. I'm sorry I did."

"It's okay." She closed her eyes. Made sure they lay down on his bed with the sheets covering them. "Are you alright? Feeling okay?"

"Yes," he whispered, clicking the lights off.

"It's good you called Newt," she added. "To distract yourself?"

"Yeah," he murmured again. "Hey, random, but do you think I could speak to your dad again soon?"

"Of course. I'll talk to him." She pressed a kiss to his lips.

Minho groaned.

Sam chuckled. "What?"

"You can't just suddenly kiss me."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Why not?"

"Because then I'll remember how good it feels, and I'll want to kiss you more-which is very wrong to do right after an accident."

She hummed and kissed him again, warmth blooming in her chest. "We can't be worse than Thomas and Newt."

Minho cupped her cheeks, his thumb brushing her skin. "True." He pressed soft kisses along every feature of her face as Sam slid on top of him. "You're very beautiful, Sammy."

"You're very handsome, Minho." Her smile widened. Their lips connected again, moving softly in sync as Minho's hands lingered around her waist.

Sam couldn't stop smiling. He smelled good, looked good, had an amazing personality... what more could she possibly wish for?

"Minho?" She pulled back just an inch, her breaths mingling with his.

"Yeah?" His voice was low, his breath warm against her skin.

"I love you," she whispered.

Minho kissed her again, slow and tender. "I love you too, Sammy. A lot."

Her heart swelled, and she laughed as Minho's fingertips brushed over her skin, twisting them around again. His lips traced a path from her jawline to her neck, each kiss careful.

A soft moan escaped Sam's mouth, spurring him on. Her cheeks flushed as her stomach flipped, her chest rising and falling faster beneath his touch. Slowly, she slid her hands beneath the hem of his shirt and eased it up. A few seconds later, it was off.

Minho's body heat warmed her skin, making her blush harder. "Everything okay?"

She sighed out a shaky breath and nodded. "With you?"

"Perfect." His lips found hers again, more desperate this time. Her head sank into the pillow as Minho's hand slid up her throat, tipping her head back so he could kiss her neck again.

"Minho," she murmured, a breathy sound escaping her lips. "Oh~"

Something about the way he moved-his lips, his tongue, the heat of his breath against her skin-made her feel intensely good.

Her back arched, her body sliding up against his. Minho groaned at the friction, so she did it again.

"You're gonna be the death of me," he muttered, his hands gliding under her back. Sam wrapped her legs around his waist, and the sudden closeness forced Minho to bury his head in her neck for a moment before he could steady himself. His hands found the hem of her sweater.

"Can I take this off?"

Internally screaming, Sam nodded. Minho slid the material over her head and tossed it aside. Even in the dim light, she saw the way his eyes softened as they roamed over her.

"You're so gorgeous," he whispered, his lips brushing her shoulder before he began to kiss and suck on her skin. His finger slipped one strap of her bra aside so he could reach more of her shoulder, and Sam's nails pressed into his back.

After a few more minutes, Minho's hand slid to her chin, gently tilting her face toward his. His other hand rested on hers, where her fingers had been brushing against his wristband.

"Tell me you're okay with this."

Her breath hitched. "I'm okay with it." She bit her lip. "Please don't stop, Minho."

His gaze softened. "Do you want to keep going?"

Sam nodded, her voice quiet. "Yes." Her eyes flicked downward. "But... I've never really done this before. And it's kinda..."

"Scary?" He smiled.

She nodded.

"Just relax," he said softly. "If you get uncomfortable, tell me. I'll stop immediately."

Sam had to fight back tears. Warmth erupted in her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Anything."