It was late when they had reached back, the boys had left and the girls were fast asleep. As he walked her to the door, he gave her a smile as she spoke. "Thanks for today." He brought her forward planting a kiss on her forehead. "No thank you. You gave peace to this forever restless heart." She smiled as she tiptoed leaning her hands on his chest and planting a kiss on his cheek, she then dropped down on her heels, laying her head on his heart and hugged him tight. His own hands wrapping around her as they stayed in that position for what felt like  a life time. "I'll see you soon. Goodnight Babygirl." He whispered in her ear. She nodded saying a soft goodnight herself as she felt him give a small squeeze at her hand leaving a second later. The smile was plastered on her face as she walked in her smile never faltering even as she slept.

It was three weeks later when they finally where able to contact each other, both being busy and flying to other places, Jackson was currently out of the country for a performance, she was missing him so badly in a way that she never burned for any one else and to make matters worse today was Valentine's Day. A day dedicated to the word love and everything that came with it.

The girls where currently doing a Valentine's Day special for one of the shows. "So..." began the host. "Today is Valentines Day and we were wondering if one of you would be able to tell us your definition of love...." the girls all signalled Irene, Wendy stating "Irene will tell you, she's pretty loved up at the moment." Irene turned glaring at Wendy as everyone laughed around them. Irene shook her head before smiling softly "Love....that'a hard to describe but that's the beauty of it... personally I believe that There's a reason love is invisible, undetectable with anything but our minds. We aren't evolved enough to be trusted with it. We'd try to engineer it, alter it, use it, weaponize it. Aren't there always great reasons to do immoral acts? Or are they excuses to allow us to follow our more basic desire for dominance? Power addiction is always the wrong route to escape fear. The only way to understand love is to feel it, embody it, embrace it. The power of love will always be greater than any other and the keys to reality will only ever be given to true students of the only master. I love you. That means I would defend you with my life even if the odds were insurmountable. It means I will comfort you in the difficult and painful times. It means I will dance and rejoice with you when times are good. It means I will never betray you, never give up on you. It means finding my fire when you, my loved one, is threatened, yet never waging war - only doing what is necessary for a noble defence. Love says I forgive you when you err. Love says though life may test me I am yours into eternity and I will never abandon you. It means I will never put you in danger no matter how noble the "cause" may be. Love means protecting the earth, protecting humanity, being kind to animals, but should anyone demand your life to save their own I will tell them to rot in hell. There can never be a higher calling to me than protecting and caring for those I love. Love is not a concept for sheep, for sheep run at the first sign of fear; it is a concept for lions, so be brave to love knowing that your other half is there. That's what I would say love is." Irene dropped her head hiding the blush that painted her cheeks as she heard multiple cheers around her, the girls placing hands on her back shaking her slightly. She forced herself to laugh, as the host tried to continue the interview. Out of the blue a crew member walked up to Irene handing her a rose. She bowed in acceptance and thanked them, confusion written all over her face as one after the other they came giving her flowers, she smiled turning to the girls who watched in amusement at her confused face, they could tell she was weirded out by the situation by the smile she tried desperately to hold on to. Irene then sat down as she placed the roses on her lap the host then asking questions about up coming music and possible collaborations that they are thinking of doing. All of a sudden a bunch of rose petals fell over Irene as her hands stretched out catching a few, "What is going on?..." she said nervously laughing looking around as the girls attempted to brush the rose petals off her. She heard the strumming of a guitar,

"I don't wanna die babe
Unless I'm by your side babe
I need you in my life babe
Yeah, I need you tonight babe
'Cause I don't wanna fade away, away
I don't wanna fade away today
I ain't gotta fade away, away
Unless I'm with you girl
Unless I'm with you girl
Lately I've been going thru it all
I got here, lets hope and dive off
And you're all the only one that I can call
I wish I could spend all my time with you
I wish I could spend a day on the line with you
I'm always working instead
Scattered to my head
When all that ever mattered was you
I don't wanna die babe
Unless I'm by your side babe
I need you in my life babe
Yeah, I need you tonight babe
'Cause I don't wanna fade away, away
I don't wanna fade away today
I ain't gotta fade away, away
Unless I'm with you girl..."

Irene looked around urgently looking for him amongst the crowd as her heart pounded restlessly, her mind trying to be rational. Irene looked at the girls who wore big smiles huddled together. She had no clue as to what was going on as she saw  Bambam, Mark, Jinyoung and JB walk in and stand with her girls followed by Yugeom and Youngjae who smiled at her, she weakly returned it her heart focusing on his voice that she could still distantly hear. She stood up her feet carrying her to the edge as she finally saw him. She gasped as fans squealed and awed at the scene in front of them. Irene turned her back to him tears streaming down her face as he came up behind her. "Hey...Babygirl, look at me..." Irene shook her head no as he chuckled looking at the fans, smiling at them. "I'm here...." "no...." she said chocked up "you said you were busy...." he smiled softly as she turned to him rushing into his outstretched arms, stumbling at the force in which she collided into him. She buried her face into his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist as he kissed the top of her forehead. Fans were screaming as Bambam took the mike "Guys....shhhhhhhhhhhh, we are enjoying the show." They laughed settling into silence as Jackson looked down, "Hey look at me..." "No...I'm crying I look ugly." He pulled away pulling her face up scanning her "i only see beauty so don't you dare say that again..." she scowled at him hugging him again as Mark came and gave him another bigger bouquet of flowers. "Irene...." she looked up at him as he handed her the flowers. "Will you be my valentine?" His heart felt complete seeing the 100 watt smile that spread on her features as she said yes jumping him again her arms hanging from his neck. The surprise, chaotic interview ended shortly after fans going crazy with what they had just seen.

They left the interview and their friends as Jackson led her to his car grabbing her hand and making her sit. She watched the biggest genuine smile remain on his face, her eyes refusing to look away. "Babygirl if you keep looking at me the way you are I'm gonna end up losing my composure completely." She blushed moving her gaze down as his hand came holding hers as his eyes stayed on the road. Within twenty minutes he parked up on the beach and dragged her along for a short walk. In front of her was a beautiful set up, there was a centre stage supported by four pillars and a roof sheltering them, the scene was decorated by fairy lights and candles arranged in a love heart next to the stage that contained a table and chairs for two. She looked up at him in awe as he smiled at her cute reaction "The boys helped me." Irene smiled, feeling her heart melt at his effort. He stretched out a hand which she took, leading her up the stairs. He pulled out a chair for her sitting her down before he sat down himself. The two engaged in a conversation laughing and sipping on wine. Their conversation flowed, like the ocean in front of them. Jackson had even made the food which was served by his friend. Irene smiled as he encouraged her to take a bite. She moaned in delight as she looked at him "Gosh Jack this is so good." He laughed at her, before digging in himself, returning to their conversation aimlessly getting to know each other better. Jackson was captivated by her laugh, the way her eyes shone as she looked around soaking in the scenery, his own soft smile plastered on his face as he watched her. They finished of their food, Irene taking her shoes off and running out onto the sand running into the ocean, hiking her dress up slightly to ensure it didn't get wet. He walked further behind laughing at her innocent behaviour, taking his phone out and taking pictures of her being so carefree. This is how he wanted to remember her, this is how he wanted to spend his time with her...in love with her. He pocketed his phone grabbing her by her waist and swiftly picked her up with ease as she squealed, her hands resting on his shoulder as she screamed in delight. He spun her around setting her to the floor as they stared at each other, cheekily Jackson bent down splashing her with water. He ran as she chased after him, screaming his name in false anger. He heard her laugh, slowing down for her to catch up to him. She rushed into him wrapping her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back as he closed his eyes at the sensation. After what felt like a life time, they finally moved away walking hand in hand making footprints in the sand as they walked in silence. Irene a few minutes later sat down looking at Jackson who sat next to her, she leaned her head to rest on his shoulder, "Jack....I feel like I need to tell you something..." he looked down at her nodding, encouraging her with a smile. "I want to be open with you and tell you everything, your my best friend and I want to tell you everything about me. And I'm ready to tell you something that only Wendy and Suelgi know about." She rolled up the sleeves of her dress, uncovering her arms that were covered in scars. She looked up at him as he looked at them, she expected to see judgement and pity but she saw nothing but understanding. He looked up at her. "Why?" He questioned. "I'm not good enough, to my family, my friends. I've always seen myself as a failure...it started when I was in high school, people knew about my family history and made me an outcast because of it. I was the daughter that they didn't want, everything I did was to try and prove myself to them but they never cared about their first child, who came to early for them. They blamed me for the divorce and cheating, the heartbreak, everything and so did that society...it started as a form of punishment until I felt nothing. It became discipline for me...and as sadistic as it may sound Jackson...I liked the pain." He watched at her eyes glossed over, her head turning to the side, avoiding his scrutiny, his artistic fingers brushed her chin pulling her gaze back to his. He took her arms in his hands, placing kisses on the scars as she tried to withdraw, he held her in place looking up at her "you don't have to hide this version of yourself... it shows me that your a warrior...your strong Babygirl. You went through something horrible. But you came out on top. And that's what counts." He brushed away her tears watching as she fell into him, finding her solace and peace in his warmth and embrace. He rested his chin atop her head looking out at the ocean in front of them. He held her closer until she had calmed down and moved away from him. She turned back looking out at the ocean. "I feel relieved after telling you...but I have a question." She looked at him. As he looked at her. "Can you love this version of me?" His eyes remained unwavering, focused on her and solely her, he watched as she shivered against the wind. He removed his suit blazer wrapping it around her shoulders pulling her closer with it, his hand moving closer to the side of her neck and cheek, he moved closer her heart pounding alongside with his. Her eyes fluttering shut in anticipation. And within seconds his lips were on hers, claiming them the way they had two years ago. He made her weak as she turned closer to him, her body begging for more as his hands ghosted down to her waist pulling her where he wanted to make his work easier. She responded with the same amount of passion as he worked miraculously on her lips, creating butterflies in her stomach, and a need and want for more. They parted shortly after, his hand moving a lock of her hair away from her face, trailing it behind her ear. "Yes...I can love any version of you Irene...that won't change no matter what you try to do." He spoke, moving forth for the second time to claim her as his.

TBC

-Authors note:
Hey guys, Happy Valentine's Day, I hope you enjoy this chapter, let me know what you think in the comment section below. Lots of love and best wishes.