''uumm... Irene-shi?'' his pace slowed until it abruptly stopped half way through the new set of stairs as they climbed towards the newborn apartment, him behind Jingo with the leash around his wrist and bags in hand, Irene behind Jackson struggling to keep her sanity at this point because all of a sudden the elevator was out of order when they had so much in hand and she couldn't help cursing at it under her breath. She was already worried for nearly scaring him off a while ago and now she had him walk up to the 15th floor carrying so much of her stuff (well, Yeri's stuff) in this heat and covered in sweat.

At least Jackson was an understanding person and she didn't have to worry about misunderstandings or anything of that kind. However, she obviously couldn't help feeling conscious about how much he had done for her so far, even after nearly dying because of his dog.

He honestly was such a good person.

''everything okay?'' she looked up huffing and puffing after finally scurrying thoughts away as she guessed they had reached the floor once he stood looking forward rather static and with few words.

''so that store you told me about...'' she could tell something was off by the way he suddenly avoided eye contact ''how messed up did you say they are?'' her eyebrows crossed rather entertained remembering about how she explained the whole situation to give him some context on her tantrum minutes ago.

''don't know why you're asking now...'' she stood upright to get some breath back from the long and tiring climb ''but very, very messed up'' she smiled just not to frown ''why? interested?''

''no not really just...just to know'' he bobbed while turning his gaze away from her questioning one.

''should we continue then-''

''let's say!-'' came out more like a shout so he had to clear his throat after giving her a quick embarrassed gaze ''let's say... they actually did deliver your stuff, AND in this same building but just not 'INSIDE' your house... what would you do?''

''that's an odd... question?'' a shaky laugh came out of her mouth as she settled the bags down because they were getting heavy with them just standing there ''how about you ask me when we go in-''

''no!-'' he quickly shut his mouth surprised at his second shout now ''I mean... I want to know now, please~'' he blinked sparkles through his eyes as Irene eyed him weirdly because he was acting weird himself ''what would you do?'' he persisted as she tilted her head finding herself lost into his surprisingly convincing eyes.

It had been a long morning. With Yeri fleeing and making her go buy freaking cat stuff she wasn't even going to use herself, just to be so close to fainting in the middle of the street, to meeting Jackson after such a long time, to going through the pressure of accommodating him into her chaotic day, and now he had to come up with these random questions that just made her even more tired.

"I don't know what to say..." she rose her shoulders with a surprisingly placid smile "probably throw myself at Jingo" his expression dropped with worry.

''please don't'' he lightly smiled as he scratched his cheek feeling uneasy ''you'd be terrified''

''look Jackson-shi...'' her eyes softened seeing she might've made him feel bad in some way ''I'm really, very grateful to you for helping me today. Coming all the way and helping me carry these stupid bags is not easy after meeting for the first time in such a long time'' shaking his hands and head in the air, he quickly told her it wasn't a worry at all ''I'm really sorry as well. It's just that with moving houses and having so many things in mind and then getting constantly disappointed at myself for not fighting with these people on their first mistake because I wanted to be hopeful... I'm just not used to this kind of stress. I wish we could've met on a day I wasn't so tense and irritating-''

''no you're not irritating at all! don't say that! I understand the stress of moving houses too. I've been living with it throughout my entire life and I got reminded of it recently after settling myself back in Seoul so I really do understand, don't worry'' he smiled seeing he might've helped her relax a bit more after she sighed from the bottom of her heart.

''you really haven't changed a single bit~'' she cheered with a wide smile, captivating Jackson once again because the stars in her eyes glowed the same way as he could remember

Idiot this is not the time to fall for her.

''you're still as beautiful as ever too~'' he said with the biggest grin, soon pursing his lips shut at the speed of light after realising what he had just blurted out because he can't keep quiet for life "I mean- you have a beautiful personality!- but obviously you're beautiful on the outside too!- but I don't mean... you're just beautiful as a whole!..." his burning cheeks showed a darker crimson as he noticed the small giggles behind her hand when he finally finished his rampage.

Honestly, for him there was no problem speaking his mind, but what if she felt uncomfortable and awkward around him? he really didn't want that.

''thank you...'' she showed a shy smile behind her covered mouth as her eyes creased ''feels good to hear it from you'' though after seeing her reaction now... maybe it wasn't as bad as he imagined ''last time you called me ugly''

''sorry if it was a bit sudden...'' he awkwardly stood there slicking his hair back because he was embarrassed for a few seconds before her last words replayed in his mind ''excuse me what?-'' he snapped checking if he heard correctly ''ugly who??'' his slow blinks caught her attention and she laughed amused ''tha- that's not possible-''

''omg no way! you don't remember?!'' she pretended to be surprised and maybe even a bit offended and though it was pretty obvious, Jackson panicked straight away.

''you are jOKING RIGHT?!'' he jumped shaking his head. Even Jingo who had quietly sat next to him at some point in their conversation was launched to stand with confusion in her eyes.

He stared waiting for some type of explanation or something that would enlighten his mind because BAE JOOHYUN ugly?! was he out of his mind? drunk? for gods sake, was he stupid or what?! did he hurt her feelings? when did this even HAPPEN!

''I think there's a misunderstanding here-''

''tell me when you remember'' snickering, she took the chance to move past him and continued with her path to finally reach her much awaited arrival home. Though she literally had nothing inside, the bed she bought for the cat would be good enough to serve her as a pillow and going down to the store for some lunch didn't sound bad at all, after all today was meant to be one of her many moving days. Maybe she could even invite Jackson too as a thank you.

''wait NO!!!'' reaching out to pull her back, he realised he had been too late to save her from this misery.

''Jackson-shi, you're acting very weird...'' she looked back at him with a half smile one last time before her petite figure reached the top with tired hands from holding the heavy cat supplies. First with a light heart because she was enjoying Jackson's company but soon her sight fell into the continuation of her raging story, causing her soul to drop back to the first floor as her eyes caught the boxes, boxes and more boxes camping about her front door and extending to probably cover more than half of the small floor lobby as they literally blocked any possible way to get through her house door. Luckily she lived on the top floor and so far she was the only one occupying one of the three houses that it held.

Jackson quickly caught up but soon stood to the side with hands at the front and head hanging low to give Jingo a small bone treat so she would quietly chew on it without bothering Irene. Yes, he had said no treats or attention for one hour after what happened but here they stood, waiting for her to take the last steps before entering a new world of madness and anger. Her madness and anger.

''I'm sor-'' at his first sound, her eyes quickly shot back to him as if looking for where the joke he secretly prepared had gone wrong, looking for any possible human explanation he could try coming up with to help her understand what was happening.

''you have to be joking...'' she laughed after Jackson locked eyes with the floor again, her sight running back to look around the small and tightly packed lobby, only making her laugh a bit more hysterical, part psychotic and part anxious as she carried herself to look at how deep that black hole actually was. Moments before, she could not imagine how much worse the day could get, not even when Jackson tried to indirectly (actually quite directly) prep her into it just a few minutes ago ''is this what you were talking about...'' she mumbled dropping the bags on the floor so she could collect herself from this mess.

It was just ridiculous. She made a quick check around the things and she guessed they had brought EVERYTHING and just dumped it in there without caring about anything breaking. Big boxes over small boxes, small boxes thrown to the corners ignoring the fact that some were labelled as fragile. The sofa, the fridge, her mattress, everything was just misplaced around the limited space so it could fit with no care whatsoever about the contents.

Please, even Jingo would be able to play Tetris.

''Jackson-shi...'' his body instantly lit at her sudden calm voice ''thank you for everything but I think you might have to go now''

''how are you going to get all this inside by yourself-''

''It's fine, you shouldn't be worrying over that anyway. Right now the least thing I want is you thinking I'm crazy because I'll start screaming soon'' her heavy feet carried her back to where he carefully stood and struggled a bit to get the bags from him because he wouldn't let go.

''I don't mind! I'll scream with you too- god, I'll go with you to the shop and scream at these guys myself!'' he suddenly seemed more worked up than her and she just smiled softly.

''you're cute Jackson-shi'' as if struck by lightning his face froze in that instant before his expression quickly recovered with a deep red flushing across his cheeks and ears.

''wha- I'm not cu-cute...'' he rushed taking steps away until his back crushed against the wall because he could feel her radiant aura too close. His gaze avoided hers to quickly look and bend down to surprisingly pick up the large dog with ease in order to try hide his flustered self "lo-look even Jingo doesn't mind staying, right?" silence fell in the room as Jackson embarrassed himself once again when she locked eyes with him, bringing her paw over his mouth as if telling him to be quiet.

''I think she's trying to tell you something'' Irene laughed watching how he stared at the big baby in his arms with what seemed like a betrayed look.

''we'll talk about this when we get home...'' she heard him whisper before the dog barked clearly understanding how dumb he was acting ''sorry about that''

''it's okay'' she said with a hand on her heart after the little startle.

"how about I at least call someone to come help you?" he insisted one last time hoping she would agree ''I trust them and they'll move everything in no time''

''but-''

"please...'' he was practically begging her to accept the offer because he really wasn't willing to go without making sure she had someone to help her get everything inside.

She felt it might've been a bit rude if she rejected his kindness after he had insisted in helping so much. She just didn't want to be a bother anymore in fear she was interfering with his plans but if it wasn't him who was going to help her then why not accept. She would've had to get someone anyway, and she trusted Jackson more than random sites online, especially after recent experiences.

''okay'' after a deep sigh she nodded closing her eyes to surrender under his persistent asking.

''yes, perfect! if you give me your number I will call them right now and they'll send you a message to ask for the exact address'' she pursed her lips waiting as he tapped the number down in his contacts ''I promise you, they'll come in no time'' he plucked a thumbs up as he got the leash Jingo held up to him with her mouth ''would it be okay if I call you later to ask how it went?'' he said already making his way down the stairs with hurry.

''no, I don't mind''

''alright then! see you later- I mean, I'll call you later'' he smiled disappearing down the stairs and soon she heard his voice echoing as she assumed he was already calling the people that would come help her.

---

Minutes later, she sat on the plastic covered sofa waiting for the message Jackson had told her to expect in regards to the address, but after a while she found herself standing and stretching to take a lazy look around before plopping down on the seat again, though this time she occupied a larger portion as she threw her legs across it, her feet barely reaching the other end.

She convinced herself that the tight feeling in her chest was just her being impatient because apart from all this shit happening, her things were already here and she was just a spam away from finally having her dream house.

The remaining time she spent playing around with her phone and checking the contents of a few boxes when sitting became too tiresome. Just as her hand reached for another box, the footsteps walking up the stairs became her main focus as she stared confused at how in hell did anyone get here without being chased out by the guards at the entrance. Only those with and ID or some sort of permission could get inside the building but for that to happen SHE needed to give the permission, and so far she was sure she hadn't granted anyone with it. She was also the only resident on this floor so this visit had to be for her whether she knew or not.

''who's there?'' her voice small but fierce called out as she reached for a flower vase she was contemplating just a while ago ''if you don't show yourself I will-''

''Irene-shi?''

''Jackson-...shi?'' she threw the weapon on the sofa and jumped to her feet as the voice calling out her name approached ''what are you doing here??'' her eyes widened not believing he had come back, and with no Jingo in sight ''where's the help you were talking about?'' she fired all questions without giving him a single moment to rest from the long climb. In a few seconds, he reached the top where she stood looking as tiny as ever.

How would he ever forgive himself if he left her all alone?

''I'm here'' he smiled puffing his chest for a quick supply of oxygen.

''I don't understand-''

''I'm the help''

***************************************

lol well... it's been a while but I'm back again with another update!←(>▽<)ﾉ

∆ how does Irene laugh when Jackson says/does something cute?

a) "I can't believe he just said that"

b) "he's actually hilarious~"

c) "omg how can he be so cute!"