November 2018

Freshly showered, Lisa and Jungkook tackled through making the bed. Jungkook was in charge of pulling up the mattress while Lisa attempted to tuck the bed cover. They had just finished placing the comforter when Lisa decided it was a good idea to plop herself on the soft surface.

She looked at him smiling, "I could get used to this."

Jungkook chuckled at his worn out girlfriend. He too lay on the bed and made his was beside her form. He prodded her to turn so he could spoon her like he always does.

He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms. "I missed this too."

The year had not been easy for the both them with the number of overseas schedules their respective groups had. Face timing had been a norm and they had powered through the distance. Their meet-ups no matter how sparse would always make those days of missing each other fade into nothingness.

Ten minutes flew by like that with no words exchanged. Just comfortable silence as they found solace in each other's presence.

"Babe, I think we should get up." Lisa said.

"Mmmmm," was all the response she got. She giggled at how much of baby this giant can be.

She turned around to face him. Jungkook had his eyes closed, his arms still on her waist. She let her fingers caress his cheeks.

"Come on love. The lantern festival was your idea after all. It will be shame if we miss it. Think of all the footage you wouldn't be able to get." She tried coaxing him.

She smiled knowing she succeeded as she felt his arms loosen their hold on her. Jungkook lay flat on his back eyeing her, "you know me too well Lali."

Lisa sat up, gave him a quick peck and got off the bed. She rummaged through their bag to look for his camera and hers.

She carefully took out their babies and made her way to Jungkook who was waiting for her at the door with a hat on one hand.

He tucked her hair behind her ears before putting the hat on her head. Lisa handed him his camera and took hold of his hand.

They made their way to the town center. The program had mentioned they would start at six but the couple chose to arrive an hour later. That way it was totally dark out and there would be less people to bump into as they join the festivities.

The entrance was displayed with lit latterns of different designs and Jungkook already had his camera rolling to film the amazing sight.

The ahjumma from before was the first one to spot them. She hugged the young couple in greeting. "I'm glad you made. Now all you need is to choose your lantern and your good to go."

Lisa looked at the lanterns in varying shapes and some that were intricately drawn with amazing designs. "Ahjumma, you mean those aren't displays?"

She had thought they were decorations or even part of some contest. This was far more than they expected.

"Of course dear. Everyone from town made these and they always make more for anyone who would be joining the celebration. Now go on, you two choose one for yourselves."

Lisa squealed with happiness, dragging Jungkook towards the lanterns. She pointed to him every lantern that caught her eye, commenting and praising each one.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile at the obvious joy on her face. Directing his camera to her, he chuckled knowing it'll probably take them ten minutes or so just to choose one lantern. And he didn't mind that at all.

He felt a tug on his coat jacket and looked down. It was a child with the most adorable pair of puppy eyes looking at him. He guessed him to be around seven or eight.

When he was about to greet him, the child again tugged at his jacket and pointed at a lantern on the far corner.

He crouched down and looked to where the kid had pointed. It was a red heart shaped lantern.

"Did you make that?" He asked, smiling at the cute kid.

The boy nodded shyly. Jungkook was surprised. When ahjumma had said everyone, he had not expected that it included the children as well. His heart soared at how much effort everyone in the community has put to making this day special.

"I'm Jungkook, what's your name?" He asked, showing his bunny smile.

The kid answered with his own gummy one. "Yang Jimin."

"You have the same name as my hyung Jimin-ssi," he said ruffling the boy's hair.

"Ahh kyeopta!" Lisa exclaimed, startling both males who had not noticed that she had already crouched near them.

"Hi Jimin-ssi, my name is Lisa." She held out her hand.

Jimin smiled shyly and shook her hand. Jungkook chuckled at the mesmerised look the kid sported for his girlfriend. You and me kid.

"Do you want noona and hyung to make your lantern fly Jimin-ssi?" She asked while stroking his hair lovingly.

He nodded and held out a marker to her. "Noona can use it to write a message for hyung."

She and Jungkook smiled.

"Alright we'll choose the best lantern in this bunch." Lisa announced and got up. She picked up the red heart lantern and faced them. Lisa looked beautiful with her smile illuminated by the lantern. Jungkook of course, got all that in film.

After thanking little Jimin, they went inside.

They entered an open field. A stage decorated with another batch of beautiful and colourful lanterns.

Aside from the stage that was lit up by spotlights the area where the audience sat was dim, lighted only by the occasional lantern poles.

There were also rows of food stalls that they could buy from. Lisa's stomach grumbled loudly at the thought.

"Come on let's get some food for the stomach of yours." Jungkook chuckled and took hold of Lisa's hand, dragging her to the stall nearest to them.

Jungkook ended up buying everything he thought was tasty, and the boy beside Lisa didn't have a long list of food he didn't think was tasty. So of course they ended up buying probably more than they could eat.

"Yah babe, how could we possibly eat all this tonight?" Lisa asked incredulously as Jungkook handed an ahjumma money in exchange for a bag full of bungeoppang.

In their hands was already some kimchi fried rice topped with pork cutlet, lamb skewers, a cup of fish cakes, some tteoboki and of course her favourite gamjatang. That was the main dishes, don't let her get started with the side dishes that the stall owners generously gave the couple. It was like they were having a feast of their own with the amount of food they acquired.

"Yah yah yah stop!" Lisa held her boyfriend's hand tighter as she felt him make his way to the next stall that sold buchimgae and makgeolli. "Kook, come one. This is more than enough for the both of us already."

Jungkook stopped and pouted to look at her. "Oh my god. No! Absolutely not! I am not falling for that Jeon." She hissed lowly.

But Jungkook continuously looked at her in that sad and cute face that she had to relent, somewhat. "Fine. One last purchase and that's it."

Jungkook's face lit up and you would have thought he won the lottery or something. He skipped on the stall he was going and instead made his way to the one selling patbingsu. He ordered two and we finally made our way to the crowd.

An organiser generously handed us a blanket when she only saw a lantern and food in our hands. We thanked her and proceeded to to find a spot for us to sit.

It was a decent turn out. It was perfect actually, not too crowded. It was more intimate than the celebration in Seoul and Lisa liked that.

Everyone was spread out on their blankets facing the stage. Most were families but they also passed by some couples and a group of teens. Both she and Jungkook unconsciously grabbed the brim of their cap further down when they walked near the latter.

They made their way to the back near a group of rowdy halmeonis and harabeojis. Lisa smiled at their infectious laughter.

They ate and enjoyed the two hour show. Each of them giving a go at dub-smashing every performer that sings a song they knew by heart. It was like a contest to see who could be sillier between the both of them.

Lisa loved Jungkook's lip-syncing to trot songs. He always make this funny face that Lisa couldn't help but laugh out loud. In turn, Lisa would add some miming dances that had Jungkook laughing too. If their friends saw them being such crackheads, they would have covered their faces in embarrassment.

But embarrassment was far from their minds. They were in their own world, enjoying their time together. Occasionally Lisa would pause to take a picture and sometimes Jungkook would stop to film.

The performances itself was a mix of traditional and modern. But hands down the best performance goes to the kids who danced to different kpop songs that included songs from BTS and Blackpink. Even the crowd couldn't help but coo at their cuteness and talent.

Towards the end of the show, the MC announced that they'll be releasing the lanterns at exactly in ten minutes.

Lisa remebered the marker given to them by the Jimin-ssi. She looked at Jungkook still filming the crowd and hurriedly wrote something on the lantern.

Never let go of us

Clearly, the dating scandal had shook Lisa more than she thought. The reality of what they'll be facing if news of their relationship came out without their control finally sinking in.

She was knew she was breaking their silent understanding of not touching on the subject.

She bit her lip wondering if she should have wrote something lighthearted instead. They had such a fun night. She asked herself if she would ruin that with what she wrote.

Lisa became nervous at seeing his reaction. She was usually brave but this time the coward in her reigned. She tapped Jungkook to get his attention. She told him that she'll get more drinks for them and hurriedly made her way to the booths.

"Alright yeorobun! Everyone back to their places, get your lanterns lit up and ready. Start the countdown!"

59 58 57 56 55 54...

Lisa was rushing to Jungkook with their drinks in each hand.

30 29 28 27 26 25...

Jungkook's back was to hers and she saw him setting up their lantern. She couldn't see what he wrote as that side of the heart was facing the stage.

20 19 18 17 16 15....

She sat down beside him and handed him his drink.

"Thank you doll." Jungkook smiled and kissed her forehead. 

10 9 8 7 6 5...

He brought the lantern between them. Lisa's eyes welled up in tears when she finally saw what he had written for her in answer.

I won't because I can't imagine a tomorrow without you

3 2 1!!!!!!!

Together they let their lantern fly away. Jungkook and Lisa gazed at each other, unbothered by the loud music and cheering from the crowd.

He took her hand in his and kissed them. Jungkook walked behind Lisa and hugged her.

"I love you Lalisa Manoban. Always, never forget that." He kissed her temple.

Together they watched the beautiful lanterns lighting up the dark sky.

They walked back to the lighthouse in comfortable silence.

Once in their room, neither wanted to lay down so they made their way to the balcony. It was chilly out but wrapped in each other's warmth made it bearable.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, Jungkook resting his chin atop Lisa's head as she placed her cheek on his chest just above his heart.

"Lisa love, talk to me."

He felt her nod and that was his cue to loosen his hold.

Lisa bit her lip. "Jungkook-ah, I'm scared. What if it had been about us? What would we have done? What if one of my fanboys assaulted you? Would we be able to take all the hate comments from our fans? Will we survive?" The last question was asked in a whisper. The one she was most afraid to voice out.

Jungkook wiped the tears that escaped her eyes. Lisa didn't even know she had been crying and that realisation only opened the damn she had kept in. She buried her face in his chest.

"Ahhh my Lali, always overthinking." He cooed. Jungkook embraced her once again to lessen her sobs.

When he only heard sniffles from her, he gently nudged her chin so she could look at him. "If it had been us, we wouldn't have denied our relationship."

Jungkook had no trouble with keeping their relationship low key, making an effort not to be caught. But if someone asks, and he has been asked, he would never deny that they were dating. If the jig was up, he had no intention of lying to the public. He would take the consequences from his fans and from her sajangnim.

"I'm not gonna lie. We will get some hate, threats and maybe even attempts from crazy fans to harm either of us. I say attempt babe, because no sasaeng is touching even one strand our your pretty hair. Not while you have me."

Lisa's lips twitched at muscle Kook making an appearance in the middle of their serious talk.

"But Lali we will survive them because we'll have our friends, our family, our company, our sajangnims and our loyal fans who will support us. Baby we'll have each other. We'll always have each other. You know me Lali, I don't write or say empty words. If I say I will never let you go, then you know I mean it to my very soul. I'm not letting you go, not in this lifetime."

Or in any lifetime I would be lucky enough to cross paths with you. Jungkook placed her hand above his heart. "This will only be for you."

Lisa nodded, his eyes were clear and intent. Lisa had never doubted his words.

"I've tossed and turned a hundred times last night. If I had to choose, if it really comes down to that. I will choose you. I tried imagining myself living my dream but without you in it, and it left me feeling empty. Then I tried imagining a home with you without the idol status and my heart felt at peace. How did you become my dream in just two years Jungkook-ah?"

It was both scary and exhilarating how important he has become in her life. "I never expected to meet my someone this young you know. But I'm so happy I did. It just means I'll have more memories to make and treasure. I love you Jeon Jungkook. Only you. Forever."

Jungkook moved his hand from her chin to the side of her neck. Their eyes fluttered close as the space between their lips turned into nothing. It was sweet, both taking their time to savour the feel and taste of the other.

He did not deepen the kiss as he had something else he wanted to say to her. A confession of sorts. He unlatched his lips with hers and took something from his coat pocket.

On his palm was a black pouch. "I was saving this for Christmas but with everything that's happened I don't think it would be fair to make you wait that long."

He loosened the drawstring and revealed two necklace chains connected to connected to a silver and gold musical note designed pendant.

"I know we can't do any of those matching couple things because of the media and fans. Which is why I asked Mina to design me a piece that we could both wear without seeming like we're dating." Jungkook explained as he separated the gold pendant from it's silver counterpart.

Lisa thought it was beautiful. Separated, it wasn't immediately noticeable that both pieces go together. It was perfect.

"Was Jimin oppa's gift a cover for this?"

Jungkook sheepishly shrugged. "Sort of? I swear I was going to buy him a necklace for his birthday anyway. So two birds one stone, right?"

"Your cute when you get all defensive Jeon." Lisa's laugh tinkled around the peaceful night.

"May I?" She turned around and swept her hair away from her neck. The gold chain that matched the gold G-clef was short. It would be visible to anyone unless she wore a turtle neck.

Jungkook's silver chain was longer, enabling him to hid his necklace under his shirt. His pendant after all was more obvious than hers. If one would look closely they may figure out that it was a part of a matching set.

"I love you Lalisa. Whatever happens, whatever the future has in store for us, I won't ever let you go. I am like my pendant, able to stand alone but incomplete. And you will always be the one that completes me."

Once again their lips meet under the starry sky. Jungkook guided Lisa inside, closing the glass doors. In the warmth of their room, they unhurriedly took off each layer of clothing as they made their way to the bed.

It was a stark contrast to their lustful encounter earlier as this time, they lay in bed to make sweet, slow, beautiful love all night long.

A/N: Did you cringe too much? Should I apologise? 😂
💜