The park was already alive with sound when you and Seung Hyun finally arrived — laughter carrying through the open field, music playing faintly from Ji Yong’s tiny speaker, and Bom’s unmistakable voice yelling something about snacks.

You squinted toward the big oak tree in the distance. CL was sprawled on a picnic mat, sipping a drink with sunglasses on, while Taeyang and Daesung were trying (and failing) to set up a mini grill. Dara waved when she spotted you two.

“They’re already here,” you murmured, slightly out of breath.

“Of course they are,” Seung Hyun said flatly, the cooler handle firm in his hand. “They’re always early when there’s food involved.”

You gave him a sideways look. “You sound jealous.”

He raised a brow. “Of what?”

“Snacks,” you said simply, lips curving.

He chuckled quietly, the sound barely audible but enough to make you smile. He was carrying a medium-sized cooler — the one filled with drinks for everyone, as the reunion rule said each person brings something. Of course, he couldn’t just bring any random soda. Seung Hyun had packed cold barley tea, sparkling juice, and a few bottles of homemade lemonade you’d made together the night before.

He hadn’t said anything then, but you noticed how carefully he’d arranged the bottles — even setting aside two for you, labeled so you wouldn’t accidentally grab something with caffeine.

Now, as you walked toward the others, your steps were slower than his. Eight months along, your pace had softened into a steady rhythm. Seung Hyun noticed immediately.

Without saying a word, he slowed down until he was beside you, adjusting the strap on the cooler. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you said, trying to sound casual. “They’re just… heavy today.”

He gave you a small side glance. “Then we’ll walk slower.”

You blinked at him. “You’ll really slow down for me?”

He smirked slightly. “I’m lazy anyway.”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

By the time you reached the oak tree, Ji Yong looked up and dramatically threw his arms in the air. “Finally! The royal couple has arrived!”

CL sat up slightly. “You two are late again. What happened this time? Traffic or arguing?”

“Neither,” Seung Hyun said dryly, setting down the cooler beside the picnic mat. “She walked too slow.”

You gasped, pretending to be offended. “Excuse me? You’re the one who stopped twice to check if the cooler was tilted.”

The whole group burst into laughter.

Bom pointed at him, grinning. “You did that? You’re worse than Dara when she checks her selfies.”

Dara pouted. “Hey!”

Taeyang peeked into the cooler. “Whoa… these drinks are cold-cold. You actually packed ice packs?”

Seung Hyun shrugged like it was no big deal. “Didn’t want anyone complaining.”

Ji Yong snorted. “So thoughtful. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve gone soft.”

“He has,” you said, stretching your legs as you sat down. “But he pretends it’s about logic.”

He gave you a flat look but didn’t deny it — which only made the others laugh harder.

As everyone grabbed drinks, Seung Hyun crouched beside you, opening the lid of the cooler again and pulling out a smaller bottle wrapped in a cloth.

“For you,” he said quietly, placing it next to your hand. “It’s the one you like.”

You smiled softly. “The lemonade?”

He nodded. “I made sure it’s not too sour this time.”

Your heart melted just a little, though you kept your tone light. “So you do listen when I complain.”

“I listen selectively,” he replied, trying to sound cool.

At one point, Seung Hyun noticed your sleeve slipping again. Without a word, he reached out and folded it neatly up your arm, his fingers brushing your wrist for just a second before retreating.

You didn’t say anything either. You just fixed the collar of his shirt, quick and natural, before turning your attention back to Bom’s loud story about Ji Yong falling asleep in class back then.