The next morning
Sunlight filtered through the curtains in lazy golden streaks, warming the room with a gentle glow. The scent of coffee lingered faintly in the air-brewed by Jake before he slipped back under the covers.
Ivory stirred, groaning softly as she rolled onto her back. "You made coffee?"
Jake, already propped up on one elbow beside her, smiled down at her bedhead and sleep-swollen eyes. "Of course I did. I'm not a monster."
She stretched like a cat, the sheet slipping down just enough to reveal bare skin and make his heart do that stupid thing again. "Good. Because my legs still don't work."
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, pulling the sheets back up. "You want me to carry you to the kitchen?"
She gave him a sleepy grin. "Only if you're shirtless."
"You always want me shirtless."
"Accurate."
He kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her lips-slow and unhurried, like they had nowhere to be. But they did. The thought slipped into the room like a shadow, unwelcome but real.
Ivory sat up eventually, tugging one of his oversized shirts over her head. She looked at his luggage by the door and felt her chest tighten.
"How long until you leave?"
"Two hours."
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat, forcing a smile. "Then let's not waste it."
They shared coffee in the kitchen-her perched on the counter, him standing between her legs. It was quiet, but not awkward. Heavy with the weight of unspoken thoughts.
When it was finally time, Ivory helped him zip up the last compartment of his suitcase. She stood by the door as he pulled on his jacket, the silence stretching again.
"Are you okay?" he asked, searching her face.
She nodded. "I'll walk you down."
They took the stairs slowly. Neither wanted to rush, but neither could stop time, either.
Outside, by the curb where the black car waited, Jake turned to her. He cupped her face again, just like he had the night before.
"You changed something in me," he said, voice low.
Ivory blinked fast. "You're just drunk on my wine."
He smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Maybe. But I'll think about you every day I'm gone."
"Jake?"
"What?"
"I stole your jacket."
"It's okay."
"I also used your cologne."
He looked at her, scandalized.
She leaned forward and kissed him-gentle, lingering.
"I'll see you around," she whispered again, like a promise this time.
He stepped into the car, and as it pulled away, Ivory stayed on the sidewalk, arms folded tightly across her chest.
***
As JungKook boarded, the terminal buzzed with quiet voices and the shuffle of luggage wheels. He exhaled heavily, tugging the strap of his backpack higher on his shoulder.
Just before stepping through the gate, his fingers hovered over his phone. One last message.
JUNGKOOK [8:54AM]:
I'll miss your smart mouth. And your soft kisses. And the way you say "tiramisu" like it's a life philosophy.
Sleep a little more, beautiful. You'll be the only thing keeping me sane for the next 14 days.
He hit send. Then powered his phone off with a reluctant sigh.
***
The first-class flight attendant gestured politely. "Right this way, Mr. Jeon. 2A."
Jungkook trudged forward, eyes half-lidded, heart a little heavier with every step. He didn't even care about the luxury seat or the free champagne. He just wanted to survive the flight and-
Someone was already sitting beside his seat.
He frowned.
Great. Just his luck. He didn't request a seatmate.
He stepped closer, ready to politely complain when-
"Nice of you to finally show up," a familiar voice said, laced with dry sarcasm and a smug undertone.
His breath caught.
No way.
Jungkook's head snapped around like someone yanked his soul back into his body.
No.
His eyes widened.
There she was.
Ivory.
Looking like a walking dream in a hoodie and jeans, legs crossed, flipping through a magazine like she hadn't just turned his world upside down again.
"You-"
He couldn't even finish.
"Hi," she said, finally looking up with a smirk.
Jungkook didn't hesitate.
He dropped his bag right there in the aisle and pulled her into a hug.
Not just any hug.
A desperate, relieved, half-laughing, full-body cling.
Ivory yelped, caught off guard, but her arms instinctively wrapped around him. He buried his face into her shoulder, arms wrapped so tightly around her waist it was like he was afraid she might vanish if he let go.
"You-" he stuttered, eyes wide and disoriented, "What-how-when-?"
She finally turned to him, arching a brow like he was the dumbest rich boy on earth. "You did give me the flight details, didn't you?"
His jaw dropped, laughter bubbling out of his throat. "What about your business? What about the wine launch? What about Iceland?"
"Relax," she drawled, opening her laptop with a casual tap. "I have a secretary, a second-in-command, and like... six virtual assistants. This isn't my first rodeo, Jake. I do leave the country sometimes."
He blinked at her. Then laughed. Then blinked again.
"You're really here," he said, voice soft. Disbelieving.
"I am," she said, side-eyeing him with a secret smile.
That's when Jake grinned. Like full-blown, boyish, teeth-flashing, bunny-smile grinning. The kind he hadn't done in months.
"You came," he whispered, voice shaky with disbelief.
"I told you I'd think about it," she muttered, hugging him back just as tightly.
He pulled back only slightly, eyes searching hers. "Ivory..."
And she just smirked. "Move over, Jake. I'm taking the window seat."
Jungkook laughed-full and real-and pulled her even closer for a second before finally letting go.
He picked up his bag and slumped into his seat, still grinning like a love-struck idiot.
"Best flight of my life," he whispered again.
Ivory rolled her eyes. "Don't make me regret it before takeoff."
But he saw the blush.
And he knew-this flight was only the beginning.
----------
Back to when he sent the message, Ivory stood alone in front of gates, staring at her luggage with a determined sigh. She had to take her bike there with little of her things just so she could barely make it at the boarding. She didn't see him, which was the plan after all.
"Okay," she muttered, grabbing his jacket-her favorite one that still smelled like cedar and clean soap. She tossed it over her shoulder, slipped on her sunglasses, and popped a piece of gum into her mouth.
That's when she felt it-something crinkly in the pocket.
She reached in... and pulled out a small folded note, scribbled in rushed handwriting.
"If you find this, it means I forgot to take it out. Or maybe I didn't want to. Either way...
I meant it last night. Every word, every look.
If there's still a seat beside me, I hope it's yours."
She stared at the note for a beat. Then smiled.
"Dramatic-ass romantic," she whispered to herself, shaking her head.
But her heart fluttered. And her decision was made.
***
IN THE AIR - somewhere over the sea
The plane ascended smoothly, and the soft ding of the seatbelt sign turning off was barely noticeable over the sudden silence between them.
Ivory tilted her head, gazing out the window at the cotton-candy clouds stretching endlessly beneath them. Her gum had lost its flavor, but she kept chewing-half out of habit, half out of nerves.
Beside her, Jungkook shifted, clearly watching her.
"What?" she asked, glancing at him sideways, lips tugging into a lazy smile.
"You're wearing my jacket," he murmured, voice low and amused.
She raised a brow. "What gave it away? The obvious size difference or the fact that it still smells like your cologne?"
His grin widened, dimple flashing as he leaned closer, resting his arm along the center divider. "So you were digging through my stuff."
"I was packing your stuff," she corrected, popping her gum. "Totally different. I just happened to find your sappy note in the jacket. Real subtle, by the way."
"I panicked," he confessed, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't know if you'd come. I thought maybe... if I wrote it down, it wouldn't hurt as much if you didn't."
Ivory's smile softened.
"Cheesy," she said, turning to face him fully. "But effective."
There was a quiet moment. The kind that felt safe. Warm. Like shared coffee on a rainy day.
He reached out and laced their fingers together gently, thumb brushing hers.
"I'm glad you're here," he said.
Ivory shrugged, playing it cool-but her eyes gave her away. "Well, someone had to make sure you didn't flirt with the flight attendant out of boredom."
Jungkook smirked. "Bold of you to assume I could think about anyone else after last night."
She almost choked on her gum.
"Jeon Jungkook," she hissed, cheeks flaming. Stating his full name.
"What?" he laughed. "I'm just saying. You're kind of unforgettable when you... uh... steal all the covers."
Ivory shoved him lightly, biting back a smile. "I'll smother you with a pillow if you keep talking."
"Worth it."
The flight attendant passed by, offering champagne. Jake reached for two glasses without looking, passing one to her.
"To being idiots in first class," he said, holding his glass out.
Ivory clinked hers against his. "To dramatic men who write secret notes in their jackets."
They drank.
And as the clouds rolled by beneath them, their hands stayed intertwined-resting gently between them like a quiet promise.
Jake couldn't stop grinning. He'd been glancing at Ivory every five minutes like a schoolboy on his first date. At one point, he even nudged her shoulder.
"You're really here," he whispered for the fifth time.
"Jake, if you say that one more time-"
"I might cry," he cut her off dramatically.
Ivory snorted. "Please don't. I did not pack tissues for emotional meltdowns."
They were halfway through an in-flight movie when Jungkook suddenly gasped, reaching up and pulling his hoodie over his head in panic.
"What? What happened?!" Ivory jumped.
"I forgot to hide my face. What if someone recognizes me?" he whisper-yelled, dramatically adjusting his sunglasses even though the plane was dimmed.
Ivory blinked. "Babe, you've looked like a sketchy vampire this whole flight."
Just then, the flight attendant came by and did a double take. Jungkook smiled awkwardly. Ivory elbowed him. "Nice going, celebrity ninja."
He slouched in his seat and groaned. "I was too happy to think straight, okay?"
Ivory just laughed and handed him a complimentary chocolate bar. "Here. For courage."
UPON LANDING IN KOREA
The second the plane doors opened, Jake grew noticeably tense. Lacing his hand onto hers, filling every gap with his.
"I'll handle it," he muttered, adjusting his hoodie and mask.
Ivory stayed close as they stepped out. Immediately, they were met with his manager.
"Jungkook-ah!" the man waved, half-panicked, already motioning for a backup team. He started speaking rapidly in Korean, too fast for Ivory to catch anything.
Jungkook responded in equally fast Korean, throwing occasional glances at Ivory.
And then-BAM!