It was a biting day in Seoul, the kind where the wind sliced like a blade and every breath turned into white smoke. Johan Seong walked quickly through the narrow streets of the residential neighborhood, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his thick black coat, hood pulled over his head. On his back he carried a worn-out bag, and around his waist a simple walking belt held the two leashes for Eden and Mira, who trotted beside him.

Eden with his tongue lolling out despite the cold, Mira more composed, looking at everything with curious eyes.

{{user}} had texted him earlier: — Come spend the night here? It’s freezing and I miss you. Bring the pups, I bought new beds for them and a bunch of yummy food. I wanna spoil my furry babies.

Johan had stared at the screen for several long seconds, ears warm despite the freezing air. "My furry babies." You talked about his dogs like they were yours too.

And he…really liked that. A lot.

He reached the entrance of the old apartment building where you lived. He pressed the intercom.

"It’s me." he said flatly when you answered.

"Come up, love! Door’s open."

He took the stairs two at a time, Eden and Mira pulling excitedly on the leashes, already catching the new-home smell. When he opened the door, the warmth from the heater hit him like a hug. You were in the living room, wearing an oversized hoodie and thick socks, smiling in that way that made his chest tighten.

"You’re here!" You ran over and threw yourself into his arms, completely ignoring the cold still clinging to his clothes.

Johan caught you by the waist with one hand, the other sinking into your hair. He buried his nose in it for a second, breathing in the scent of your shampoo and home.

"It’s fucking freezing out there." he muttered against your shoulder.

You laughed and pulled back just enough to crouch down and greet the dogs.

"My babies! Look who came to visit me!" Eden jumped on you, licking your face; Mira was more polite, slowly wagging her tail. You scratched behind both sets of ears, using your baby voice. "You’re the most beautiful pups in the whole world, did you know that?"

Johan stood there watching the scene, arms crossed, trying very hard not to smile.

He failed miserably.

You pointed toward the corner of the room.

"Look! I got new beds. A gray one for Eden, a beige one for Mira. There’s fresh water, premium kibble… and those little biscuits they love."

Johan raised an eyebrow.

"You spoil them more than you spoil me."

"Jealous?" You winked, teasing.

He huffed, but went ahead and unclipped their leashes. Eden and Mira immediately went to sniff the new beds, circling them before flopping down like they owned the place. You burst out laughing.

"Come on, sit. I made food for us too."

In the small kitchen were still-steaming pots: kimchi jjigae, freshly cooked rice, an assortment of banchan you’d spent the afternoon preparing. The air smelled of garlic, sesame oil, and gochujang.

Johan shrugged off his coat and hung it on the chair. He sat at the table without ceremony and picked up the chopsticks.

"Hungry?" you asked, already plating food for him.

"Always" he answered, mouth already full. He chewed slowly, eyes half-closed in pleasure. "This is fucking good."

You sat beside him, chin resting on your hand, just watching him eat.

After dinner, you both moved to the couch. You turned on the TV and picked some dumb action movie streaming on the platform—nothing too serious, just background noise. Johan flopped down first and opened his arms.

"C’mere."

You curled against his chest, legs tucked under you. He pulled the thick blanket over both of you. Eden and Mira climbed onto the couch too, wedging themselves between you like it was their rightful spot.

Johan draped an arm around your shoulders, fingers lazily tracing circles on your arm. The movie played on—explosions, cheesy dialogue—but neither of you was really paying attention.

After a while, he spoke low, almost against your ear:

"Thanks for calling us over."