"Hey! When did you get this?" I hear Hannah shout as I unload our take-out in the small kitchenette.

"Get what, Princess?"

I walk into the workroom and Hannah turns to face me with a pout on her lips. I go to embrace her, but my eyes take focus on the very large easel behind her topped with a bright green bow.

"Here, she gave it to you," Hannah's tone comes across annoyed as she thrusts a card into my hands.

"Relax Princess. It's just a Christmas gift," I try and appease her, but she's having none of it.

"You don't give someone a $500 M-18 Mabef Convertible Easel for Christmas if you're on the verge of breaking up, Taehyung," she huffs out with a roll of her eyes.

When I don't reply she stomps out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I groan knowing I'm in for a long night of talking followed by some coddling to get her out of her funk.

I'll deal with it later.

My hands glide along the solid beechwood, as I tilt it to lock it into its horizontal position. This is a top-of-the-line easel, it allows me to be more flexible with my paint, it has four lockable casters and is fitted with a storage area below the canvas ledge for my tools, brushes, and paints.

I'm in utter shock that she has gotten this for me, she had seen me looking at it online about a month ago, and I had mentioned in passing how I wanted it. And here it was sitting in the studio as an early Christmas gift, while I left her sitting at home alone, upset that I was not coming home again.

I open the card I've been clutching in my hand, a cute picture of avocados wearing Santa hats sits on the front with the phrase 'Merry Christmas to my other half!'. Guilt floods my system as I open the card and see the small paragraph she's written for me.

Merry Christmas Tae!

I know it's been a rough few months baby, and you have been working so hard to reach your dream. I just want you to know that I believe in you and your talent. You're an amazing artist and it's only a matter of time until you're recognized for it. I know these long nights and hard work will all pay off. I love you with everything I am and can't wait to see you later.

xoxo Aviva

I slip the card back into the envelope and pull out my phone to check the time. It's only 10 pm, I can send Hannah back to her place and make it home before Aviva goes to sleep. I walk out of my workroom and into the kitchenette to see Hannah already picking at the take-out, texting on her phone annoyed. I clear my throat drawing her attention and her head snaps up, her eyes narrow onto me.

"Hey, I think maybe you should head home tonight."

"Why? Because she bought you an expensive gift and now you suddenly have a conscience?" she picks up her plate and walks over to the trash aggressively throwing it in.

"You know it's not like that, Princess," I plead, walking up to her and pulling her into my arms.

"Why? Because you love her?" my body tenses at her question.

I love her, I do.

"I would never make you feel the way she does, Taehyung," Hannah whispers.

She starts to kiss against my neck, her soft hands slide into the waistband of my boxers as she palms my growing hard-on. A groan rumbles from my chest as she starts to work my body the way I've taught her.

Her soft lips ghost along my chin, "I love you, Taehyung," she breathes out against my lips, "let me show you how much."

She squeezes my cock in her hand and I'm gone. My lips connect with hers hungrily as I scoop her up into my arms and carry her back into the workroom. My eyes lock onto the easel as I try to lose myself inside of Hannah.

She doesn't deserve this. Thrust.

I should stop. Thrust.

I don't want to lose her. Thrust.

I love her. Thrust.

My thoughts haunt me as I tear my eyes away from her gift. Closing them, I try to block out its image, but instead, it's Aviva with her long auburn hair that looks like fire when caught in the light of the setting sun. Hannah's cries are blocked out from my ears, instead, I hear the soft moans Aviva usually breathes into my ear as I hold her close.

My pace quickens as I'm close to reaching my release. I force my eyes open and stare down at Hannah who is looking at me with adoration. Each hard thrust into her is a nail being driven into my coffin.

My release hits me and I feel Hannah clenching around me as she also hits her high. I pull out and roll over beside her as she cuddles up to me. I can't help but stare at the easel again and I realize it's not me who will be dead and buried.

Instead, it will be Aviva's trust and love that will die, along with her heart...

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