This story starts off with your worrying gaze. It's clearly directed at your lover, Su-won, who stares out the window like a doll.

Lifeless and mute.

You grumble incoherently, racking your brain for possible plans of redemption.

Su-won's attitude has been like this for the last few days.

It's been bothering you since the beginning, making you toss and turn all night.

Let's take it all the way back, shall we?

days previously

"(f/n)~ Let's go out for a walk!" Su-won suggests, closed eye smile plastered on his face.

You look up from your work, albeit dazed and confused. The words process through your head before you break out into a smile, nodding your head.

As financial director of Kouka, the work is hard and tiring. Without proper nutrition your mind could only think about numbers, words seeming to pass through you. Everything became so hard since the previous king, but the work load surprisingly lifted since Su-won came along.

And then the great dork bashfully admitted that he took some of your work to help you along.

And then the great dork bashfully asked if you would consider a secret date.

You, of course, couldn't help but agree considering the fact that he took some of your burden. Though in all honesty you had no intention in dating the king. You social positions were imbalanced.

But to Su-won, it didn't matter. So long as you two were together, he didn't mind keeping the relationship a secret.

And in time Su-won grew on you, and you finally agreed to making it official between the both of you.

Now all you do is wait for Su-won to ask you out on little dates after work. It's nice to know that someone besides your family and friends love you dearly.

It's either that or cuddling for the rest of the night, something you prefer more.

After the two of you dress in less expensive clothes- in fear of being found by the public- you leave the castle grounds. Of course, there's a small knife strapped to your ankle in case something happens to the king.

"Let's grab a bite to eat. You've been working the whole day." Su-won smiles just as your stomach growls. You laugh sheepishly. That's when Su-won decides to dash after a food stall, telling you to wait where you are.

And so you wait, casually standing in front of a building. Little did you know that the building is a bar with drunken deadbeats lurking around.

"Hey~" A slurred voice sings and you feel a heavy arm rest onto your shoulder.

You look up with narrowed eyes, expecting some old man with too much time on their hands, only to find a looker.

Such a shame alcohol reached him first. If it hadn't you may have been reeled in completely.

I mean, he looks similar to Su-won.

"D-do you need help?" You ask, helping the man on his feet before he could completely fall off your shoulder. He hiccups, a lazy smile on his face.

"What I do need, is you~" He coos into your ear. Just as you're about to dump him onto the floor Su-won interferes.

"I'm afraid they're taken." He smiles, head tilted to the side. His aura betrays his expression and you shiver in fright.

Su-won harshly takes your hand, pulling you away. His pace is fast, quick, and he doesn't look like he'll pause any time soon. The castle guards let you in immediately.

A quick, "good night" is said as soon as he drops you off at your room. Then he hastily leaves.

present day

Since then Su-won would ignore you. You were too immersed in work to notice it at first.

The signs became clear just yesterday when he noticed you across the hall then turned around as you were about to say "hi".

You see Su-won keep his eyes out the window, looking out into Kouka. The plethora of scrolls shuffle in your arms as you frown in sadness. You look behind at your apprentice, who calmly stands to assist you.

You sigh in defeat, giving your apprentice the scrolls so that you could talk to Su-won.

"Complete the rest of the work for me?" They nod their head, taking the bundle and rushing to your office.

You fold your arms, eyes narrowed, then walk up to the king.

He doesn't seem to notice you, eyes misty with a distant look, until you rest your head onto his shoulder. Su-won jumps in surprise.

You wrap your arms around his, resisting his escape.

"What's been the problem?" You question, you voice hardly above a whisper. Su-won notices how impossible it would be to escape before ending his struggle. He sighs.

Su-won then surprises you with a hug, his chin resting on top of your head.

"Su-won?"

He doesn't speak for a while, just holding you close. You could feel him breath, his inhales and exhales slowing down.

You grip his kimono, burying your face further into his chest. You could feel yourself choke up.

"God dammit," you spit out, "I've missed you so much and it's only been a few days." He laughs wholeheartedly.

"I'm sorry..." Su-won mutters, pulling away to cup your cheeks. "I'm sorry I left you for so long. I just needed time to think."

"You really owe me some cuddle time." You snap into his clothes, your voice muffled. That doesn't stop Su-won from hearing as he hums aloud, already bounding back into his cheerful self.

It really just took you yourself to keep Su-won happy.

He just needs to be careful of other people.

"I love you~"

"I know."

"But do you love me too?"

You pull away, looking away.

"...Yes." You quickly say then walk away.

"Oh dear, what was that~?"

"Don't you have to do something?!"

"Well there's you I have to do."

You smack him across the face for the comment, and everything seems to go back to normal for now.

Su-won carelessly laughing as you demand for cuddling.

What else could you both wish for?

~~~

a request finally finished for @TokuchiLover
;-; im sorry its so overdue