The sun was setting into the horizon, the hues of pink and orange bleeding into each other. Warm evening winds blew past Lorraine's cheeks, making her heart numb, serenity washing over her. She felt nostalgic. The last time they were here, it was a big breakthrough in hers and Jimin's relationship. 

She has learned a lot since then. She has learned so much from Jimin. 

They were sitting in the balcony of her villa, staring at the soft waves of the sea. She looked at Jimin, looking ahead of him, his freckles more prominent because of the beautiful tan adorning his skin. Lorraine reached out and brushed back his hair, wondering what did she ever do to deserve him. She just knew that she will fight for him, them. Every time, she will do it every damn time. 

She will not lose her purpose because of her past anymore. She will not let it drag her down like before. She will heal this time. 

When Jimin looked at her, a small giggle leaving his pretty lips because he was already a little tipsy, Lorraine pulled him in for a sweet kiss, tasting the beer on his lips. They separate after a while. 

Jimin asks. 

"So, Tom does not want the business for himself." 

Lorraine grimaces. "Yes, it stinks of black money." 

"What will he do with it, then?" 

Lorraine smiles. "Ton of charity. I mean- something good should come out of that wretched business, right?" 

A smile stretches across Jimin's lips at the answer. "I'm so proud of you, Lorraine." 

The woman grins. "You better be." 

*

"Lorraine Acker and Park Jimin. The once-hot trending couple has split up. They say that they won't really call it an official break-up but they have paused their relationship for some time. Both of them say that they still love each other and there's no one else in their lives apart from them but life has been keeping them busy and they barely get to meet each other and they have to travel a lot. So, in order to not make or seem their relationship toxic, they have decided to give it a pause...."

"I swear I learned those lines of that woman, Jimin. And she's lying for God's sake, why do you keep listening to her?" Hoseok yelled from behind. "Weird way to miss your girlfriend."

Jimin looked down at his hand holding the remote control. He switched the television off, threw the remote aside on the couch, and finally stood up to get ready for the morning.

Even though he had a shit lot of work to do, he was bored to death. Just one thing lingered on his mind. And he couldn't show that to anybody.

He took out his phone from his sweats and decided to message Lorraine.

–Good Morning/evening. Fuck this time difference, honestly.

He pressed the send button then regretted it immediately. Damn the message would only remind her of why they can't meet daily. But now what was done was done.

He sighed defeatedly, knowing she won't reply yet because her phone must be in her vanity van while she would be shooting.

It has been four years.

Four years, since they started their relationship.

One year since they haven't seen each other.

Keeping a long-distance relationship isn't a piece of cake.

It's cool or maybe bearable when you know that you'll meet your partner and then never would have to separate. But not when you don't know when exactly that time would come.

They managed it for some time. Met for a whole week every three months.

It didn't last long.

But now Jimin was yearning too much. Each passing second felt like a reminder that he was apart from Lorraine. It was as if someone was pulling at his heartstrings, picking them out one by one. When all he wanted to do was meet her, feel her against him and kiss her golden skin. Worship her in every way possible and then cry so much in her arms for every longing moment he had spent apart from her. It wasn't even funny anymore.

He knows it was their mutual decision. They knew this time would come where they'd have to choose between their careers and relationship. They did not want to do that. They were adults, they could balance these two things together, right? So, rather than fighting over this topic which would have turned into hot, angry sex and they wouldn't have found any answer to the problem, they decided to be wise.

They promised that they would give their relationship a pause. They'd stay loyal to each other, they would try to meet as often as possible, fight and keep trying to see the end of the day together. And wouldn't blame each other for putting no efforts into the relationship during this time period.

The motivation didn't help.

Just conversing on phone. Didn't help.

And being busy didn't reduce how much they missed each other. It just distracted them.

He did his morning routine, got ready, and set off to the agency.

He was 28 now. Him and his bandmates don't live together anymore. Hoseok had stayed over for drinks lasts night, though. To give Jimin company.

Some people said that they were better off without each other. Some said that they miss them together. Some let them make their own decisions, but right now, even Jimin and Lorraine seemed to be torn between what was right and what was wrong.

Jimin went to the agency, once again distracting himself with work like a damn routine so that by the time he got off work, he was damn tired. He felt as if everything around him was moving while he was frozen, numb. All his mind was fixed at Lorraine.

*

And all the same went for Lorraine.

Action, cut, pack up, repeat.

One year is too much. Her current movie's shooting went continuously for an year. As much as Lorraine loved big scale projects, she just fucking needed time for herself. She was not a fucking rookie grinding herself to this extend. Both her and Jimin had worked enough to buy time for themselves.

She sat in her vanity van again and opened her phone for the second time in her day.

Jimin's message. 6 hours ago.

She quickly texted him back.

Jimin was just standing in the middle of the set. It was evening time and he never felt so suffocated in the evening before. People moving, working, make-up artists coming and doing something on his face then going back. Stylists coming, making him wear something then going back. Telling him to do something for the behind the scenes.

That's exactly when Lorraine's message popped up. He opened his phone and his heart slightly wavered, a knot forming in his throat as he read the message.

–I'm so sorry I couldn't call you.

–I don't wanna make things any harder than they already are but I just wanted to say this from a while now, I love you and miss you. Seriously? Over text? so not cute, Lorraine.

A faint smile appeared on Jimin's lips, just when he was about to call her, seeing she was online.

"Do you not want to shoot or what? The camera is ready, come on!"

Jimin was pissed beyond belief. He scoffed.

Since one fucking year, I haven't seen my own girlfriend. I'm not living I'm surviving.

Jimin had an influx of money. He could go to the states to drink fucking wine if he wanted to. And yet here he was, working his ass off. It made him question everything. Was he gonna be like this towards Lorraine now? A partner who can't even give her time?

He strode past the person and went to Hoseok.

"Hyung." He called.

Hoseok turned to him.

"What happened?"

"I need to meet her, Hyung."

Hoseok's eyes widened, he looked around to see if there was any camera shooting them. Jimin's smile dropped. He cared more about the camera rather than listening to what he was saying.

"The editors are going to cut the part anyways. And I don't even care at this point."

"Oh, okay...what do you want?"

"I said I want to meet her, I need to meet her right now! Before I lose my damn mind."

Hoseok pursed his lips. "I understand you, Jiminie. I really do. But we're in the middle of a damn shoot right now. You know this week is packed. And me and the boys really want you to go, okay? But the director here sucks ass about punctuality and all that bullshit, maybe next month-"

"No, no, you listen to me." Jimin gritted out. "I have been postponing meeting her for an year now. You get it? An year. Only because I felt guilty about pausing our schedules for my personal reasons. But this is bad, Hyung. She's my girlfriend. I know if I keep listening to everyone, they're gonna wait me out till promotions when we go to the states. And I'm not waiting till then. Fuck no."

"I'm not stopping you. But this director–"

"Then we fire this director and find a new one! This director won't be able to live without his wife for one fucking year! And they might be living together for over a decade now!"

"You're not married to her."

Jimin smirked.

*

He said he is coming. He gave this particular time to her. Was his flight late? Or just that the reporters made their appearance before him, making time draw out longer. Her heart was thumping loudly in her rib cage, a knot forming in her throat.

-

Jimin got out of the plane. Restraining himself from running towards wherever Lorraine was. Heart pacing.

He walked casually, bowing here and there and waving his hands to the fans.

He checked out of the airport and his heart stopped, lips parting. Lorraine Acker, in all her mercy, was standing in front of him, looking as beautiful as she had always been. Jimin inhaled sharply through his teeth, not wanting to create a movie climax in front of everyone, fighting with his every instinct to run and kiss her after a whole year.

She smiled sweetly as he approached her, wrapping his arms around her, mind going fuzzy, heart overwhelmed when she hugged him back, getting fully aware of each other's presence.

His breathing went ragged and she could feel it against her body. He always stood strong, made Lorraine feel protected. But not today. He let Lorraine consume his mind, let himself forget that there were people shooting them, and he just didn't care.

Lorraine felt a teardrop on her shoulder as Jimin rested his chin there. She closed her eyes, a light chuckle escaping her lips. 

"Hey, you." Lorraine said, smiling widely.

Jimin didn't say anything, just pulled her closer to himself, quickly wiping off the single tear that fell down his eye. He pulled back a little, taking her in, realising nothing really had changed about her. 

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I was right here." She said, lightly placing her palm on his chest.

She never gave up on him. Nor did he.

They were not to be in Los Angeles though. The city was just an excuse to spend more time together. Just to make up for the time spent apart. They were going back to her Island again. Lorraine had asked whether Jimin had not grown tired of that place till now and he said he'll never be. Said it only felt right to go there after an year apart. 

It had just become a safe place for them. Somewhere they could run off to when things got hard and all they wanted was each other.  And that's what they were doing. They were enjoying themselves to the fullest when they reached there. Relaxing, running across the sand, making out, laughing, after a whole damn year. They were together.

Jimin couldn't get enough. He stood barefooted on the warm sand as the waves passed by his feet. He was blessed with the sight in front of him.

Lorraine running in the water till it reached her knees, wetting the Hem of her sundress as the light hit her sun-kissed skin, making her glow golden. Long brown hair, bouncing as she ran, the most exquisite smile he had ever seen on someone's face. She looked so damn happy, laughing as she tried to splash water towards Jimin, some droplets landing on her face and collarbone.

The sight was breathtaking.

And Jimin knew it was time.

He slowly walked towards her, until they were facing each other, the water reaching both of their mid-thighs, her dress floating in the water, shining golden at the surface. And Jimin, for a second was confused whether it was the sun's reflection or hers. 

Jimin sighed, feeling like there could be no powerful feeling than the feeling he gets while seeing a happy Lorraine. She developed so much within the years, she got brighter, happier, stronger. She definitely started to laugh more often. For Jimin. Because of Jimin.

"Earth to you, Jimin. Are you going to say something?" She raised an eyebrow.

Jimin's lips turned into a thin smile. He brought his hand to her cheek, caressing it with the back of his fingers. Lorraine wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked magical at the moment, causing Jimin's heart to race. She'd been making him feel like this since the beginning of time. 

He looked into her golden eyes, taking out a small velvet box from the back of his pocket and opening it in front of her.

Lorraine's eyes widened, her moth opening and closing a few times as she gaped at the ring. 

Jimin clicked his tongue, observing her drama.

"Don't flatter yourself too much, this ain't a marriage proposal."

Lorraine stopped immediately.

"This isn't?"

"No."

"Oh, okay...?"

Jimin looked down and let out a chuckle before looking up, the smile didn't leave his face.

"Actually, I... didn't know if you were ready for marriage or not. And I still don't." He said gently, voice as smooth as ever. "It's just a promise ring that we'll not be separate because of the current situation, I don't even want to separate from you."

"I don't want that either." She muttered, a pink tint high on her cheeks. She couldn't meet his eyes suddenly. 

Stupid Jimin. Stupid Jimin.

He really got her hopes up. 

"So..." Jimin continued. "If you're not ready for marriage yet, just accept this ring, it'll be enough for me. But..."

Lorraine frowned, looking back at him again. "But?"

"But, if you're ready to withstand me forever, especially with these kind of challenges in our lives, then..."

He once again moved his hand to his back pocket, taking out another box of rings.

"You can have the ring I spent more money on." Jimin said, smirking.

"But this isn't fair," Lorraine said with a serious face, causing Jimin to panic from inside.

Did he really go off-limits? But there shouldn't be any limits, right? The last time he and Lorraine were together, they were wild like anything.

Jimin shrugged the insecurities off. He was thinking too much.

"What isn't fair?" He asked cautiously.

"That you gave me only two options. I mean, come on! Don't you have a bit of variety? Like... friends with benefits type?"

She giggled playfully and the air kind of left Jimin's lungs before his lips turned up into a smirk once again.

"Oh yeah?" He asked, inching closer. "Well, I have a special offer just for you."

He put the rings in his pocket again and gripped her waist, closing the distance between them.

"Fuck marriage. What we can do is, have a child and elope somewhere in Europe."

Lorraine laughed, followed by him.

"These things aren't planned, idiot."

"Come on, choose already." Jimin said, taking out the rings again. 

Lorraine bit her lip while smiling, her eyes roaming over the two beautiful rings. Jimin's heart raced, it felt like she was purposely prolonging the suspense.

She picked the promise ring and Jimin's heart skipped a beat, feeling it sink to his stomach. He inhaled a sharp breath, telling himself that he still had her. 

But then, Lorraine picked the marriage ring as well, causing Jimin to look up to her, confused. She had the same playful smile plastered on her pastel lips.

"Actually I like them both."

She said, waving the two ring boxes before running away from Jimin and into the sand. It took Jimin a while to register what happened before his eyes widened and he started running towards her.

"Lorraine, you mind manipulating thief! I told you to choose one!"

"But I like them both!" She yelled while running.

Jimin increased his pace in order to catch her. She surely knew how to run.

"What are you gonna do with the other ring anyways? Give it to your side chick!?" She teased, turning around while still running to see him rolling his eyes before turning around again.

"You can have both of the rings, they're yours! Just give the answer to my damn question!"

He was just a few steps behind.

"What question-?"

Lorraine was knocked out by Jimin wrapping his arms around her waist and pushing her to the ground, climbing on top of her.

"Will you marry me?"

He asked, out of breath. Their faces inches apart. Lorraine pushed her hair back with her hands, still laughing, the smile never faltering.

"Damn! Why wouldn't I?! Of course I'd marry you, Jimin! Nothing would have ever prepared me for loving you or being loved by you, I wasn't ready! Yet, here I am. I'm marrying the shit out of you, Park Jimin!"

Jimin's heart leaped, still not believing it. He huffed a smile between his pants.

"Shit, Lorraine!"

He crashed his lips with hers in an indulging kiss, full of passion and yearning. Everything he had been wanting to say since an year pouring out of him in the kiss. They separated to catch their breaths, resting their foreheads against each other and closing their eyes in peace. 

"I love you so much, Lorraine." He breathed out. "And I swear to you, I'll- I'll be the best husband you could ever wish for. I'd never ever keep my family secondary. Never. I'll chose you first, no matter what. This year made me realise that." 

Lorraine caressed his cheek, her eyes glistening 

"I too, will choose you over and over again. Park Jimin."

She connected their lips again, rolling over him. Brown hair falling at the side and covering them from the rest of the world and they knew that when the sun sets, they'd find each other every time.

Her own personalized golden sky it was.