Chapter Text
“Quincy & Jin, we invite you to share with us a celebration of love and commitment.”
The uncomfortable ticking of the clock echoed in the Covey living room.
A silence filled Kitty's thoughts as she stared at the invitation in her hands.
A wedding invitation.
The sun was filtering through the curtains like a soft apology — too golden, too kind, considering the emotional catastrophe she was flying into.
“June 18th - June 21st, Mystique hotel, Santorini, Greece.” Lara Jean read out loud.
“Sounds nice.” Peter commented from the Kitchen’s counter.
“I just don’t get why you’re spiraling,” Lara Jean said, curled up on the couch with a crochet blanket and a cup of peppermint tea.
“It’s Q’s wedding. On a Greek island. With unlimited seafood. Where’s the tragedy?” Her sister asked.
Kitty shot her sister a look. “You read the RSVP list.”
Peter poked his head in from the kitchen. “Is this about Minho again? I thought he moved to France and joined a boy band or something.”
“No, he’s taken his dad’s company now,” Kitty muttered.
“Oof,” Peter said. “Even worse.”
Lara Jean rolled her eyes. “Okay, be nice. They haven’t seen each other in years.”
“Exactly,” Kitty said.
“Two years. No texts. No calls. Just one awkward email to unshare a Google Calendar.”
She sighed. “It’s going to be weird.”
Peter raised an eyebrow. “You keep saying it’s going to be weird, but it kinda sounds like you want it to be.”
Kitty didn’t answer.
The truth was, she didn’t know what she wanted.
A part of her — the loud, bitter part — still blamed Minho for letting her go so easily. For not showing up.
For not choosing her when it counted.
But another part — the quiet, still-bruised part — wondered if she’d ever actually let him know how much he meant to her in the first place.
And now, two years later, she was packing for a wedding in Santorini where he’d be tan, probably in linen, and definitely with someone gorgeous and French on his arm.
“I think,” Lara Jean said gently, “this might be good for you.”
Kitty glanced over. “You mean, good like closure or good like… trauma?”
“Maybe both.” LJ smiled. “Maybe it’s a good opportunity to meet someone new.”
Peter scoffed from the kitchen. “With her ex there? Please. That’s not a vacation, that’s an episode of ‘The Bachelorette: Emotional Damage Edition.’”
LJ threw a pillow at him. Kitty, despite herself, laughed.
“Well maybe not, but you will see all your friends from KISS. Isn’t that exciting?” Lara Jean asked.
“I’m not going to fall in love,” she said firmly.
“I’m going to support Q and Jin. That’s it.” She smiled to herself.
Lara Jean didn’t press. She just passed Kitty her passport and said, “Then you better pack something you’d want your ex to see you in.”
The next day arrived. And Kitty was still indecisive about attending Q’s wedding or not.
“You’re doing this for Q, get it together Kitty.” She told herself.
The airport buzzed with movement — luggage wheels dragging, boarding calls echoing, espresso machines hissing behind sleek counters.
But Kitty moved on autopilot, earbuds in, hoodie up, sunglasses hiding more than the jet lag.
She hadn’t slept. Not really. The moment she closed her eyes, her brain ran a marathon of what-if’s.
What if he’s different?
What if he’s the same?
What if seeing him brings everything back?
What if it doesn’t?
At the gate, she scrolled through Q’s wedding group chat: “Landed in Athens✈️!! Santorini tomorrow!!! Can’t wait!”.
Even Yuri had texted a passive-aggressive “Can’t wait to see everyone. Even the ones I unfollowed.”
Kitty let out a quiet sigh. She was excited, really — to see her friends, to celebrate Q and Jin. But beneath it all was the weight of him.
Minho.
She hadn’t seen him since their last night in Seoul.
The night everything cracked and crumbled — too fast, too easy.
Like neither of them wanted to fight for it anymore.
They never said goodbye properly.
Now, she was about to spend four days on a Greek island with him. In a luxury hotel. At a wedding. Dressed well. Under the stars.
Someone should’ve warned her heart.
On the plane, she watched the clouds shift beneath her.
She pressed her forehead to the window, trying to silence her thoughts.
“You’re over him Kitty. It’s only four days.”
She adjusted herself on the seat. And wondered what she’d say if she saw him again.
Would she even recognize her own voice?
She’d grown since then.
After graduating from KISS, she moved back to Portland. Studied environmental architecture. Interned in Seoul, in London. Traveled solo.
Dated casually, but nothing serious.
Nothing that made her feel what he did.
The problem with first love, she thought, is that it tricks you into thinking it’s final.
SANTORINI, Greece.
She got off the plane and something inside of her started to feel okay.
As if that trip were not inevitably a disaster.
She got off the plane and made her way through the airport.
“Miss Covey?” She turned back to see a greeting her.
"I'm your driver. I'll take you directly to the boat. The destination is Santorini. There, another driver will take you directly to the hotel."
"Oh, wow. Thank you."
Kitty had forgotten the money Q and Jin had.
"Give me your suitcase, please." The man grabbed her yellow suitcase and guided her to the car.
Once the man started the car, Kitty rolled down the window to look at the scenery.
Whitewashed buildings stacked like sugar cubes. Bougainvillea trailing from every balcony. The blinding sun made the sea shimmer like glass.
“Maybe this wont be so bad after all.” She thought.
“Miss Covey, we have arrived.” The driver said politely.
She got off the car and the first thing she saw was Yuri and Eunice excitedly running at her.
“Kitty!” Yuri screamed as she approached her.
A light smile formed on her face.
She hugged them both. She had missed her friends from KISS.
“Guys! It’s been a long time! How have you been?” Kitty asked happily.
Besides her being a bit nervous because of Minho, she felt a wave of happiness and nostalgia run through her.
Kitty learned that love doesn’t come always in a romantic way.
Love can be hurtful, but being surrounded by loved ones always made it better.
That’s when she realised, that even though being with Minho would be uncomfortable, she still had her friends to support her.
And that was something precious to keep.
“Let me see the ring!” Kitty shouted in excitement.
Eunice extended her hand, revealing a gemstone on her ring finger.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Yuri asked.
“I’m very happy for you and Dae. It seems that we will see each other soon again!” Kitty commented.
“Okay, okay. Enough chat. Lets go with the others! The boat is about to sail.” Yuri mentioned.
The two girls linked arms with Kitty's, and the three of them approached the boat, where Dae, Preevena, and Juliana were waiting, among others.
Kitty assumed they were family and acquaintances form Q and Jin.
“Look at you!” Juliana mentioned as she saw Kitty.
Kitty hugged her and Preevena.
“Dae! Congrats on the engagement! Eunice already showed me the ring.” She mentioned as they hugged.
“Aww, look at us! We are all grown up now.” Yuri mentioned in sadness.
“Where is the couple?” Kitty asked.
“Q called me earlier, they are already installed in the hotel.” Dae replied.
“Time flies, can’t believe we’re attending Q and Jin’s wedding.” Preevena mentioned holding Juliana’s hand.
Preevena was right.
Time passed by, but Kitty didn’t.
She had stayed here. In that Seoul night two years ago.
“Uhm, has anyone seen Minho?” Dae asked.
“Nope, not me.” Yuri mentioned as she took her sunglasses out of her purse.
Kitty took a deep breath. Eunice eyed her with empathy.
Dae’s eyes also laid on her. A worried but caring gaze.
“He was supposed to meet us here, maybe he’s late.” Juliana mentioned as she took her phone. Kitty rolled her eyes.
“Typical Minho. Forgetting important things is his specialty.” She thought to herself.
After a long chat of how life was going for everyone, they finally got in the boat.
The trip was very calm, the movement of the crystal waters made her feel at ease, like the ocean itself was trying to calm her nerves.
After a few hours, they finally made it to the hotel.
The Mystique Hotel sat carved into the cliffside, all sleek lines and quiet luxury.
Staff with pressed uniforms greeted her with cold towels and fresh lemonade as Kitty checked in.
She went inside, she spotted Q waiting.
She ran as fast as she could, once he noticed her he opened his arms to hug her.
“My chaos queen! I’ve missed you so much!” Q said in the middle of the hug.
“Me too, it’s good to see you!” Kitty hugged him tighter.
They pulled apart, Q grabbed kitty’s suitcase and they made their way inside the reception.
A woman attended Kitty, Q waited next to her.
“Your room is in the 2nd floor, you’ll be next to Miss Han.” The staff woman said.
She handed her the dorm key. “We hope you have a wonderful stay.”
“Thanks.” She replied kindly.
“Well, I have a back massage like in 20 minutes. I’ll see you at the welcome party.” Q told her.
They hugged again and Q left in the opposite direction.
Then, Kitty made her way onto the hotel until she found her room.
Once she opened the door, she was in awe.
“Q has great taste.” She thought.
Her room had a balcony. Of course it did.
Overlooking the sea, too romantic for her sunk heart.
She tossed her bag onto the bed and let herself flop down beside it, arms splayed.
“Get it together, Katherine” she whispered.
She stayed there staring at the ceiling, until she heard a knock on the door.
She got up and went to open the door.
It was Yuri.
In a silk co-ord, massive sunglasses, and the kind of blowout that said ‘yes, I did fly business class, why do you ask?’
Kitty tried to contain her laugh.
“You look tense,” Yuri said, sweeping into the room.
“I am tense,” Kitty replied. “Do you have a serum for that?”
“No,” Yuri said, peeling off her sunglasses.
“Do you have one for jealousy?” Yuri asked throwing herself on the bed.
“What?” Kitty asked amused.
“If I have to see Juliana and Preevena holding hands one more time I might throw up.” She commented.
“I thought you were over Juliana.” Kitty mentioned grabbing a water bottle from the mini fridge.
Yuri exhaled. “Not even close.”
Yuri and Kitty had studied together in America.
Despite how the events had gone at KISS, their friendship grew in so many ways.
Kitty was glad to have her as one of her closest friends.
Kitty blinked. “Wow. Seeing everyone makes me realize how much we’ve grown up.”
She sat next to her.
“Except you,” Yuri said, fluffing Kitty’s hair.
“You still overthink things and fall for unavailable boys with good hair.”
Kitty swatted her away — laughing, but feeling the truth of it.
“We better get ready. Dinner’s at 8.” Yuri mentioned getting up.
That evening, the Welcome Dinner glowed beneath lanterns strung between olive trees.
A long table spilled over with seafood, wine, laughter. Guests dressed in linen and silk.
Kitty sipped her sparkling water and smiled at familiar faces.
Q waved at her from the head of the table, champagne in one hand, Jin’s hand in the other.
She spotted Eunice and Dae in one corner. Hand in hand.
“Hey guys!” She greeted them.
“Hi Kitty!” Eunice greeted back.
“Kitty I need your opinion with something, Dae isn’t helping.” The girl complained.
“Okay, that’s offensive.” Dae mentioned.
“Sure, what’s up?” She asked.
“What style do you think i should try for my next album?” Eunice asked.
Kitty was taken a bit back.
“I mean, I’ve done R&B, Pop..” Kitty nodded trying to understand.
But then, she turned.
And her attention drifted away.
She saw him.
Minho.
Two years hadn’t changed everything, but they’d changed enough.
His hair was shorter. Jaw sharper. He wore a white shirt with the top buttons undone, and his sleeves rolled to the elbow.
Effortlessly put together, like always.
But his eyes —
They locked with hers across the table.
And that hadn’t changed.
Her stomach dropped.
Minho blinked. Slowly. Recognition flickered across his face..
He looked away first.
“Kitty? Are you listening?” Eunice asked with puppy eyes, bringing her back to reality.
“Why is he here?” She asked tensely.
“Who?” They asked at the same time.
“Minho. Why wasn’t he on the boat?” She asked.
“Who knows. You know how he is, unpredictably insane.” Dae replied.
“Tell me about it.” Kitty took a deep breath, playing with the straw of her drink.
“Aren’t you greeting him?” Eunice asked innocently.
“No chance.” She simply said.
Eunice and Dae shared glances.
Kitty lifted her gaze. “Have you tried Hip-Hop before?”
“Wait, that’s a pretty cool concept. I’ll call my manager.” Eunice took of her phone.
She stepped back a few feet while talking on the phone.
Kitty felt as if she was going to collapse in any minute.
She was trying to concentrate in whatever Dae was telling her, but she could feel his eyes on her.
It didn’t matter when or how, Minho always made her feel unsafe and safe at the same time.
She was doing her best, but still she needed to clear her mind.
“Do you want something to drink?” She asked Dae.
“Sure.” He replied. “Thank you Kitty.”
She simply smiled.
She made her way at the drinks table.
And a few seconds later, he made his way next to her.
Kitty felt her muscles tense near his presence.
“Fucking hell.” She thought to herself.
“Hi,” he said.
Kitty nodded. “Hi.”
Awkward silence.
“You look… different,” he added.
“So do you,” she said awkwardly.
More silence.
“How’s work?” he asked.
“Good. I’m doing sustainable housing projects now. Building treehouses for rich people who want to pretend they’re saving the planet.”
He laughed. “That tracks.”
“What about you?”
Kitty had no interest in knowing about him. But she had to be polite for Q’s sake.
He shrugged. “Not as much breaking lately.”
She didn’t ask what that meant. She didn’t want to know.
She stared him down one last time.
Their eyes meet awkwardly, but Kitty saw something in his.
A mixture of regret and shame.
As if he was trying to apologise.
She nodded one last time and turned back.
Seeing him back hadn’t made things better, it turned into a river of broken memories and dust.
It had been raining in Seoul the night they broke up.
Loud rain. The kind that made you shout to be heard.
They had an argument.
They fought over something stupid, but it only takes a small flame to start a bigger fire.
“I don’t want to be in your shadow,” she’d said.
“I never asked you to be!” he’d shouted back.
“You don’t have to. That’s the point.”
He stared at her like he didn’t understand her. Like he’d never understand her. And that was the worst part.
Neither of them had said don’t go. Neither had said stay.
And so she left. And so did he.
And for a few seconds, Kitty felt that everything they had experienced was inevitably lost on a path of selfishness.
That was the last time she saw him.
Back at the table, Kitty caught up with the others.
“Okay everyone, listen up.” Q announced.
He toasted to “love in all forms,” and Jin kissed his cheek and whispered something that made Q melt in his seat.
Everything was different now. But different didn’t have to mean bad.
And for a moment, Kitty felt full. Not romantically. But in that chosen family kind of way.
But sill, she felt his eyes on her sometimes.
That feeling tormented her.
But a part of her had been waiting for those eyes to rest on her again.
Later that night, once the sky was bruised purple, stars starting to show.
The dinner had thinned out. People wandered to their rooms or off into the town.
Kitty couldn’t wait to get into bed, her feet were betraying her.
Kitty stepped out onto the balcony near the lounge. She just needed air.
She leaned on the railing, letting the sea wind play with her hair.
She leaned her arms on the cool stone railing and let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
A few second later, she heard footsteps behind her.
But she didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Minho.
He moved like he always had — confident but cautious.
Like he was trying not to be too loud in a place that wasn’t sure it wanted him.
“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked, still facing the ocean.
He stopped a few feet beside her. “Wasn’t trying.”
Silence stretched between them. Soft, but charged. Like the seconds before a storm breaks.
She finally turned.
He was wearing linen — of course — sleeves rolled, hair a little messy from the wind.
And yet, somehow, he looked like every version of himself she’d ever known and none of them all at once.
“You’re different,” he said.
Her eyes searched his face. “You already said that.”
He nodded in arrogance and let out a big breath.
He looked out at the water. “I thought maybe… after all this time, it’d be easier.”
“To be around me?” she asked sarcastically.
“To pretend you don’t matter.”
The words landed like a small, careful earthquake.
Kitty’s throat tightened. “You always were a terrible liar.”
Minho glanced at her then — really looked. “Do you miss me?”
The question lingered in the space between them. Raw. Unpolished. Real.
Kitty didn’t answer right away.
She just looked back at the sea and gripped the edge of the railing like it might anchor her.
Because yes. Of course she did.
But saying it out loud would make it real again. And she hadn’t decided yet if her heart was ready for that.
So instead — she said nothing.
The silence played that part.