Jeonghan stretched his legs out as Seungcheol shifted underneath them. "Comfortable?" he asked and the man yawned and smiled happily. "Yeah," he said as he pulled a pillow under his head, his blond hair recently cut shorter and dyed a rich red-brown, his stage finery replaced with the casual comfort of a tracksuit.

"Wine me," he whined and Seungcheol laughed loudly. He handed his love a big glass of red from the coffee table scattered with the remains of a rich Italian dinner complete with pasta, garlic bread and a lot of parmesan cheese. They'd chattered happily while the music show played in the background but it was getting close to the end and their voices hushed when Seungkwan appeared on screen.

"He's doing so well," Jeonghan said as his eyes sparkled with pride. He sniffed a little, chugged a huge gulp of his wine, rubbed his red nose a bit. Seungcheol could see how much he missed the stage, how much it was killing him to be stuck at home, and ran a hand soothingly down his leg. "You'll be back before you know it," he said and Jeonghan smiled. "Yeah, I know, I just..." he loved the stage, he loved performing, it was a huge part of who he was. But it wasn't all he was. He was also a sensitive man, caring and loving, creative and brave. And Seungcheol had told him all these things many times in the last few days.

They watched Seungkwan sing and then watched a girl group perform and finally it was the end of the show. The MCs made some banter and announced the nominees and Jeonghan wasn't surprised to see it was him against the girl group. They had much better digital scores but he knew he could beat them in physical. As the numbers counted up Seungcheol grinned widely at him. "First win," he said brightly as the MCs handed the flowers and trophy to a surprised Seungkwan to accept on his behalf. "You knew, didn't you," he said at Jeonghan's complete lack of surprised and the new brunette giggled. "I had an idea. Jisoo told them if I won to give it to Boo," he rolled over onto his side and put the empty wine glass down on the coffee table. "Look at his cheeks," he cooed as they watched a flustered Seungkwan giggle his way around the encore stage and do a pretty funny impersonation of Jeonghan's sexy routine.

"You sound clucky," Seungcheol said as he rolled himself over and on top of Jeonghan. "You want another baby?" he asked and Jeonghan nodded. "Maybe.." he said speed his legs wide enough for Seungcheol to slot perfectly against his hips. "How does your ankle feel?" The bodyguard asked and Jeonghan smiled. "Fine, why?" "You feel okay to, you know, do stuff?" Seungcheol's cheeks were suddenly pink and not from the wine. "What kind of stuff Cheollie? Wanna go kick a soccer ball around?" Jeonghan teased and laughed as Seungcheol flushed pinker and the glow reached right up to the tips of his ears.

He closed his eyes and gave in to the soft slide of his lover inching his way down his body. "Cheollie..." He singsonged teasingly at the man trying desperately to untie the drawstring of his pants, "what kind of stuff?" "Yes," Seungcheol was triumphant, fist pumping the air as he managed to pull the knot loose. "This kind of stuff," he said as he pulled the elastic down low.

"You know, Hansol said something to me, while he had me captive," Jeonghan said as he threaded his fingers through his lover's thick mop of dark hair. Seungcheol didn't stop but he looked up at Jeonghan from under his impossibly long lashes and Jeonghan smiled down at him. "H-he said he could tell were were in love just by looking at us. All that time ago, the night we fell into the pool, and we didn't even know."

"I knew..." Seungcheol whispered. "I knew even back then that we would end up here. The first time I saw you I knew..." he dipped his head again and Jeonghan gasped with pleasure and threaded his fingers in the bodyguards hair. He knew too. The first time he saw him, the first time he was blessed with the gorgeous man's bright gummy smile, he knew.

Jeonghan never beloved in love at first sight. He never believed in much at all before Seungcheol came into his life. Now he believed he was strong and sexy, powerful and smart, and loved. And worthy of being loved and able to love back. By Seungcheol, by his friends, by his adorable cat tabby asleep on an armchair oblivious to their activities on the couch.

"I love you," Seungcheol said as he slid back up Jeonghan's body and took his lips captive in a long slow kiss. Jeonghan melted into it and kissed him back as a soft warmth spread through his body. "I love you too," he said softly. "I don't know who I'd be without you."

It was an odd choice of words but Seungcheol didn't question it. It made perfect sense to him. He didn't know who he'd be without Jeonghan. Meeting him had made him face who he truly was and build himself a new life out of the crumbling ashes of his old one.

And it couldn't be any better.

======

"That one," Jeonghan said decisively as they wandered between the cages at the shelter. "Are you sure?" Seungcheol asked and Jeonghan nodded. "Definitely. Wonwoo told me that black kittens hardly ever get adopted because they don't look as good in photos. Isn't that horrible Cheollie? Choosing a pet based on how good it will look in Instagram photos?" His dark eyes brimmed with tears and Seungcheol sighed. "Okay," he said as Jisoo turned to find the shelter staff. The brief flicker of silent communication between them was fleeting but potent. They both knew if they didn't get the kitten and eat out of there Jeonghan was going to want to take them all.

"Hi baby," he said gently when the shelter staff put the shiny black kitten into his arms. "Ready to go home and meet your big brother?" Seungcheol laughed as they walked towards the entrance while Jisoo fixed up the paperwork and payment. "Poor Chan Chan. His life is about to change." "He'll live," Jeonghan said as he looked from the kitten's gleaming sable coat over to the dark curls of his bodyguard's hair. "I bet Chan Chan and Ming Ming will get along just fine..."

"Thanks," Seungcheol said to Jisoo as he opened the car door and handed him the paperwork. "No problem," Jisoo said as he got into the drivers seat and they began to head home. "I want coffee..." Jeonghan complained loudly and usually Jisoo would stop. But, to Seungcheol's surprise, the Manager kept driving towards Jeonghan's apartment. "I don't have time for this right now," he said firmly as he stared out the windscreen in concentration. "I have to get home. Mingyu got us tickets to see Madame Butterfly tonight and I can't be late."

Jeonghan opened his mouth but a pointed look from Seungcheol closed it again. "Jisoo has a life," Seungcheol said and Jeonghan nodded his agreement. "I'll go out and get you some coffee later."

Jeonghan pulled out his phone and took a quick selfie with his shining ball of black fur. "Haha, see..." he said as he showed Seungcheol the photo. The kitten looked like a black lump with only his gleaming eyes visible. He tapped at the screen and the phone buzzed with an immediate reply. "Wonwoo and Junhui are coming over tonight to see Ming Ming. Okay?" Seungcheol grinned his bright gummy smile and nodded.

"Sounds perfect."

=====

and so I say goodbye to probably my most heavily criticised work. I loved every minute of writing this and still can't understand why it's gotten so much hate.

i would love to write some drabbles here and there so if there's anything in particular you'd like to see PM me here or on twitter - @abnegwrites

eg:

Jisoo and Mingyu on a date..

What happened when Jihoon and Soonyoung got back together?

Did Minghao ever warm up to Junhui and lose the stick up his ass?

thanks for reading xx