The two vans pulled up just as the evening sky started bleeding into pink and orange. The air smelled like pine and smoke from nearby campfires, the lake reflecting the fading light. It wasn’t deep forest — just an open field surrounded by trees on one side, water on the other. Perfect for a weekend “bonding trip,” or so management said.
You weren’t sure what was worse — the idea of “bonding” with your groupmates and labelmates, or the fact that your husband was here.
“Alright everyone, unload!” Taeyang announced, stepping out first with a grin.
“Why are you so cheerful?” Ji Yong muttered, climbing out behind him. “We’re about to sleep in bug territory.”
Bom jumped down from the van with her usual dramatic flair. “Because, Ji Yong, some of us actually enjoy nature.”
CL laughed. “You mean you enjoy taking pictures with it.”
“Same thing,” Bom said, flipping her hair.
Daesung came out carrying a bag twice his size. “Where do we put the tents?”
You hopped out last with Minzy, already stretching from the long ride. The view was beautiful — a wide field, a sparkling lake, the wind soft against your face. You might’ve even smiled… until a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
“Someone tell me we didn’t drive two hours for this,” Seung Hyun said, stepping out of the second van, sunglasses still on even though the sun was nearly gone.
You rolled your eyes instantly. “You can go home, no one’s stopping you.”
He turned to you, expression unreadable behind those shades. “I would, but apparently I’m married now. To someone who’d probably turn the car around just to prove a point.”
Ji Yong almost spit out his drink laughing. “He’s not wrong!”
You shot Ji Yong a glare, then looked back at Seung Hyun. “Trust me, if I could’ve chosen, I would’ve picked the tent over you.”
Daesung muttered under his breath, “And the war begins…”
CL clapped her hands to cut the tension. “Alright, lovebirds, enough. Let’s set up before it gets dark.”
“Lovebirds?” you echoed, horrified.
“Married birds,” Ji Yong corrected with a grin. “Technically accurate.”
You took a deep breath through your nose. “I’m surrounded by idiots.”
The campsite exploded into chaos five minutes later.
Taeyang was the only one doing anything efficiently. Ji Yong had turned “helping” into “supervising,” Daesung had gotten himself trapped between two poles, Minzy was reading the manual upside down, and Bom was too busy snacking.
“Okay, the big one’s ours,” CL said, pointing at the main tent. “It’s split in half — one side for the girls, one for the guys. There’s a zipper wall in the middle.”
You were busy working on the right side when Seung Hyun walked over. “You’re putting that pole in the wrong slot.”
You didn’t even look up. “I can handle it.”
He hummed. “That’s what you said before you nearly set the kitchen on fire.”
“Remind me why I married you again?”
“Because you didn’t have a choice.”
You were this close to throwing the pole at him — but then the frame gave a sharp snap.
“Wait—” Seung Hyun started, but before you could even turn, the tent started collapsing.
Everything happened in a blur. One second you were standing there, the next, his arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you firmly against him. The tent pole swung down, missing your head by inches as he twisted the both of you out of the way.
Your breath caught. The world was still. His chest pressed against your back, his grip steady but careful, his voice low near your ear.
“You okay?”
You swallowed, nodding once. “Y-Yeah.”
For a moment, he didn’t let go. His hand lingered just long enough for you to feel his pulse against your side. Then, like he’d realized it too, he stepped back and cleared his throat.
“Maybe next time, you could try not to almost die.”
You turned to glare at him, cheeks warm. “Maybe next time, you could try not to enjoy saving me.”
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the tent was finally up — a massive setup divided neatly in two by the center zipper.