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You and your mother moved into the Lee household when you were just a toddler, not a day over two years old. After the passing of your father, she needed to work even harder to afford to feed you. She gratefully accepted the opportunity to work as house help for the affluent family of Duke Lee. They treated your family kindly, feeding you well and paying you well enough to have a few extra coins in your pocket.
The family had a young son who was also around your age, and as children you would often sneak off to play together before young Sanghyuk would be called in for one of his lessons, or you to help your mother with chores.
Growing up, you thought little of your differing social statuses. After all, you lived under the same roof and ate the same food, even if it was in separate spaces.
But, you were not slow to observe how the majority of the food your mother and the other helps made would go to the Lee's; how your mother would spend nights mending and altering clothes so that they would last longer, while Sanghyuk seemed to be clad in a new wardrobe every week; how his mother frowned if she ever caught the two of you together. By the time you were teenagers, Sanghyuk was practically forbidden from interacting with you.
"There are better people with whom you should be spending your time, Sanghyuk," you had overheard his mother say one day. You still have yet to forget the look of disapproval that wrinkled her face, frown tugging at her lips, when she had found Sanghyuk with you in your study (really, an old unused room on the far end of the home, which you had filled with a few pieces of furniture and books which were otherwise to be thrown out over the years).
Your mother was not in agreement with your relationship with Sanghyuk, either. She considered you lucky that the Duchess had yet to kick you and her out. Whenever you upset the Duchess, your mother was quick to apologize on your behalf.
"Y/N, please, you must understand. Sanghyuk is not your mate. His family is above us," your mother had said. "You are not children anymore. It is not right for you two to be together. Especially not alone."
So, for some time you and Sanghyuk only saw each other in passing: in the hallways; as you served food. You could always feel his eyes follow you. You did your best not to look at him in return, because you were sure he was not the only one watching. The Duchess's stare burned holes into you as she followed your every move after noticing Sanghyuk's gaze land on you too many times.
Without the company of Sanghyuk, you found yourself in your study more often at the end of the day. There, you felt the most comfortable. No eyes watching you, no reminders of status. It was just you and your imagination as you read book after book. You didn't have many, you had already read most of the stories at least twice. Whenever you did not feel like reading the stories of others, though, you worked on your own.
It was easy for you to become enthralled by your stories and once you started, it was hard to stop. You easily lost track of time, pausing only when the summer heat began to get to you. You rose from your seat to open a window and allow the fresh air in to cool you down.
In the darkness outside, you managed to make out two eyes staring into yours. You clutched your chest and let out a shriek, only for you to then let out an annoyed groan when you realized it was Sanghyuk.
"Sanghyuk!" you gasped. "You very nearly scared me to death. Why are you out there?"
He reached a hand through the window out to you, a grin spreading across his face. You do your best to ignore the pang you feel in your chest at the sight of that smile. Oh, it had been so long since he smiled at you.
"Would you care to join me for a walk, Y/N?"
The two of you walked deep into the garden. From there, you can hardly see the manor. And, in the darkness, you could hardly see Sanghyuk's face, either, the moonlight just barely highlighting his countenance.
You walked in silence for some time. A surprise, given Sanghyuk's talkative personality. You're not sure if he ever plans on saying anything, but are not one to complain. You find happiness in being able to have time with your old friend again.
"I've missed you," His voice breaking the silence as he turned to look at you. You stopped walking and returned his gaze. Maybe it was just the moonlight shimmering in his eyes, but you saw a gleam in Sanghyuk's eyes that could have been mistaken for tears.
"Missed me? Why, I have gone nowhere." You said with an airy chuckle. You smile, but you understand his sentiment. The days dragged on slowly, and there seemed to be fewer reasons to smile and laugh without Sanghyuk.
Sanghyuk took your hand in his before gently rubbing his thumb across the back of your hand. The moonlight still dancing in his eyes, he looked at you as he brought your hand to his mouth.
Your heart skipped a beat.
The feeling of his lips pressed against your skin made you suddenly aware of all the heat around you. You felt like you were on fire.
"Sanghyuk," the name came out as a gasp. Your chest was pounding harder with each step he took to get closer to you until there was hardly any space between your two faces.
"Please tell me you have missed me, even half as much as I have missed you," his moonlit eyes pleaded, coaxing an answer from you. Please.
That's when you realize you were not mistaken -- the shimmers of Sanghyuk's gaze were carried by his tears, one escaping to leave a trail of moonlight down his face.
"I've missed you, too, Sanghyuk." The moment the confession escaped your lips you felt tears break free from your eyes as well. "I've missed you so much."
His lips melded with yours, capturing each and every whine and gasp to leave your mouth. A hand cradled your face and thumbed away the tears staining your cheeks. You held the fabric of his blouse, grasping it tight in your fingers.
The two of you held each other close, despite the stickiness of the summer heat, despite the need for air, despite status. You held each other close and never wanted to let go.