"I love you."

I freeze. I feel my whole body stop. My heart jumps and my stomach drops into the pit of my stomach. Did he really just say those 3 words? To me? First?

His eyes are locked onto mine, and I can see them begging for me to say something. I muster up every ounce of courage I have and swallow the lump in my throat loudly.

"You what?" I choke.

My hands are sweating and my heart is still pumping at a rapid pace. I keep saying over and over again in my head what I just heard, unable to believe this is reality.

"I said I love you." He says more clearly.

And as if a train rolled over me, it hits me all at once. My eyes begin to water, and a painful lump forms in my throat, my sinuses starting to sting.

I let out a sob, and he looks at me with concern. 

"Shit- I'm sorry. I didn't mea-" He begins, but I interrupt him.

"No. This is a happy cry." I chuckle through cries.

"I never for once imagined these feelings would develop. And, although I hate to admit it, I've been afraid to say it to you..." He admits. 

I furrow my brows, confused.

"Why have you been scared?" I sniff.

"Because I didn't want this to become real." He says, pursing his lips.

"Jin," I begin, letting out a sigh. My eyes erratically looking back and forth into both of his.

"I have been waiting to say this." I hold his hands. I take a deep breath, and let out it out through my nose, my eyes closed for a second.

"I love you too." I smile through tears.

I've been wanting to say it to him so badly, but everything was holding me back. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. 

He lets out a breathy chuckle and drops his head in relief.

"I don't know if this is the best idea. But I want you, and only you." He says, lifting his head and his eyes meeting mine once again.

I stare back at him in anticipation. Waiting for him to ask me what I'm hoping he'll ask me.

"Willow, I'm not good at these things. But, I'm asking if you will be mine. For us to be committed to one another. Monogamous." He flinches at the last word. 

"I have difficulties with commitment. I struggle to be the person the other wants me to be. I'm not like other men, I don't know how to behave in a relationship. It's just so alien to me, the whole concept of it." He admits reluctantly. "I'm always faithful, though. Don't take that the wrong way." He quickly adds.

Despite his commitment issues, he's taking a risk for me.

I can't hide my joy. I smile widely, grinning from ear to ear. I throw myself into him and wrap my arms around his broad shoulders, burying my face in his chest.

"Of course I will." I mumble into his shirt.

"And I know you have issues with being in a relationship. It's okay, we can work it out together. Slowly." I smile, reassuring him. "And I know you're faithful. I've never worried about that." I add.

He nods his head with a small smile, and plants a kiss atop my head, enveloping me in his embrace. We stay like this for a few seconds- but it feels like hours. Hours of pure bliss and happiness.

"I- I don't think I've ever felt more happiness than I do at this moment." He sighs, burying his face in my hair.

"You make me feel a certain way, Willow. Different. I've never had these emotions before."

I love that he's finally opening his heart to me fully. This is everything I could have asked for and more. The feelings I was petrified of admitting to him, I can and have finally admitted. The emotions I had to keep bottling up every time we spoke was becoming agonizing. This is heaven.

I don't say anything back, we simply enjoy the embrace. Together.

"Oh." He abruptly says, pulling back from our hug. 

He grabs me gently by the shoulders, a knowing smirk on his face. I raise a brow at him in response.

"Would you like that gift now?" He asks, the smirk still evident on his lips.

I completely forgot about that.

"Yeah." I smile excitedly.

He stands from the couch and extends his hand out for me to grab. I comply and place my hand in his, standing up. He leads me out of the living room and into the hallway, up the stairs and into the bedroom I'm ever so familiar with.

As much as I've missed him and the intimacy, I'm secretly hoping this 'gift' isn't sex. After such a tender and emotional moment, I'm hoping for a genuine gift that he's hinted at a couple times.

"Sit here." He says, leading me to the edge of the bed. I look at him with furrowed brows, but a grin and sit down.

He rummages through his bedside drawer and pulls out a medium sized black box, wrapped in a black and silver glittered bow. My eyes widen as I'm trying to think of what it could be.

He he looks at me with a subtle smile, and places it on my lap, and also a peck on my cheek at the same time. The butterflies go wild in my stomach, and I smile.

"I bought this a couple of weeks ago." He says, sitting down next to me on the bed. "I could say something romantic like 'I was waiting for the right time to give you this exquisite gift to show my love...'" He says dramatically, smiling. 

"But I simply forgot to give it to you beforehand. I did say I'd gift it to you when you got back. So I'm keeping that promise." He adds.

I chuckle and roll my eyes. 

"I would have preferred the romantic option. Even if it was a lie." I retort.

"I'll remember that next time." He smirks.  "Open it." he gestures.

I look down at the box on my lap, and pull the bow off the box. I grab both sides and slowly lift the lid, and push aside the black packaging paper.

I pull out the most beautiful black stretch-lace chemise I've ever seen, along with a matching pair of bra and panties underneath. The chemise is embroided with Swarovski crystals down the bodice and length, sparkling as the light overhead hits it.

Just looking at it I can see it's expensive. I quickly turn my head to look at Jin, my eyes wide with adoration and appreciation.

"Oh my God, this is stunning. Thank you!" I exclaim with shock and excitement.

He smiles widely at me, enthralled at my reaction. "You're most welcome." 

"How much was this?" I ask.

He chuckles breathily and leans in closer to me, placing his hand on my thigh gently. I feel a jolt of electricity at his touch, gasping quietly. 

"A gentleman never tells." He whispers, his lips barely brushing over mine as he spoke.

His lips are still hovering over mine. I swallow, my cheeks beginning to heat up at the sexual tension developing.

"And what does a gentleman do?" I whisper back seductively.

He smirks, his eyes becoming heavy with lust. My breathing picks up, as does his.

"First, put this on." He says, picking the lingerie up by one of his long, slender fingers, dangling it in the air. I don't turn my head, but I look at it from the corner of my eye.

"And I'll show you." He breathes. My eyes snap back to his, and like magic, I'm under his thumb.

"Yes, Daddy..."

A/N: If you're unfamiliar with what a chemise is, it's one of these. But imagine it's way more bougie with crystals