Marriage with Park Sunghoon had always been easy.

He'd learned that your mind didn't always cooperate with you. The simplest tasks could feel impossibly difficult, and once you'd finally built enough momentum to do something, interrupting that momentum could make it disappear in an instant.

Your parents had never quite understood that.

You and Sunghoon had spent the night at your childhood home before a family gathering that afternoon. By late morning, everyone was getting ready.

Your dad had already left to pick up a few gifts, leaving just you, your mom, and Sunghoon at the house.

Your mom was finishing up in the kitchen while Sunghoon, already dressed, sat in the living room scrolling through his phone.

You were still in your old bedroom.

Getting ready had taken far longer than you'd wanted. Every little step had been a battle. Standing up. Walking around. Convincing yourself to change.

Your outfit wasn't in the bedroom.

You'd left it folded on the couch in the living room earlier that morning.

After standing there for what felt like forever, you finally managed to make yourself move. You walked into the living room, picked up the dress, and turned to head back to your bedroom.

Finally.

You were actually going to change.

Then your mom looked over.

"Go change into that dress so we can leave soon."

Your footsteps stopped.

Your grip tightened around the fabric.

You were already doing it.

You'd already convinced yourself.

Now it didn't feel like your decision anymore.

"No."

Your mother frowned.

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"I'm not changing anymore."

"You're holding the dress."

"I know."

"Then go put it on."

"No."

Confusion quickly turned into frustration.

"Why are you making this difficult?"

"Because I don't want to anymore."

"You were just about to!"

"Exactly. I was. Then you told me to."

Neither of you understood the other.

To your mother, you were being stubborn over something so small.

To you, all the effort you'd spent convincing yourself to change had vanished the moment she told you to do it.

The argument only grew louder.

Your mother took a breath, ready to respond again.

Before she could, Sunghoon stood from the couch.

"...Okay, guys."

His calm voice made both of you look his way.

He walked over and offered your mom a small, apologetic smile.

"Could you please excuse us for a minute?"

She hesitated before sighing and stepping back.

Sunghoon turned to you.

He didn't tell you to calm down.

He didn't tell you your mom was right.

He didn't tell you to change.

Instead, he quietly reached for your hand.

"Come on."

After a brief hesitation, you let him take your hand.

Without another word, he gently led you back to your old bedroom, closing the door behind the two of you.

The conversation with your mother could wait.

Right now, all that mattered was you.