<
Thanksgiving break loomed like a storm cloud over Vireo. Campus emptied in waves: suitcases rolling, parents hugging curbside, Greyhounds belching exhaust. Elara and Nova stood in their room at 10:17 a.m. Wednesday, bags half-packed, rings hidden under gloves. The fairy bridge sagged with the weight of unspoken plans.
Elara zipped her duffel. "Your flight's at two?"
Nova nodded, folding blueprints into her carry-on. "Jersey. Abuela's arroz con gandules. Mom's lectures about law school." She paused. "You sure about Seoul?"
Elara shrugged. "Aunt's place. Kimchi and silence. No questions about why I'm not dating a nice Korean boy." She forced a smile. "Two weeks apart. We'll survive."
They had agreed: separate holidays. Families first. Rings off in public. The slam had outed them to campus, but home was a different territory.
Nova crossed the room, pulled Elara into a kiss that tasted like coffee and fear. "Text me every hour."
"Every minute." Elara's hands fisted Nova's hoodie. "Pineapple if you need extraction."
They made love quickly and desperately on Elara's bed, clothes shoved aside, a strap from the drawer, Nova entering slowly then hard, Elara's legs over her shoulders, rings back on fingers for the act. They came whispering I love you, tears mixing with sweat.
Airport drop-off. Nova's flight is called. One last kiss in the parking garage, hidden by pillars. Nova boarded. Elara watched the plane climb, chest hollow.
Seoul hit like culture whiplash. Aunt's apartment smelled of garlic and old grudges. Cousins asked about boyfriends. Elara dodged with a photography talk. Nights, she texted Nova under blankets: *Miss your mouth. Send nudes.*
Nova in Jersey: family chaos, track cousins wrestling in the living room, abuela pinching cheeks. Mom cornered her in the kitchen. "This Elara. Roommate?"
Nova's heart stopped. "Friend."
Mom's eyes narrowed. "Bring her next time."
Nova texted Elara: *Mom suspects. Abuela wants to meet you. Feed you till you burst.*
Elara replied with a photo: her hand on her stomach, ring visible. *Practising for the feeding.*
Days dragged. Time zones screwed sleep. Video calls at 3 a.m. on one side, noon on the other. They masturbated on camera, rings glinting, moans muffled in pillows. Came whispering wife's name.
Black Friday. Elara wandered Myeongdong alone, bought matching hoodies with subtle rainbow threads. Shipped one to Nova.
Nova at the mall with cousins, snuck into a bathroom stall, sent a voice note: fingers inside, breathing Elara's name.
Saturday. Nova's panic attack hit during family dinner. Too many questions about the future, the Olympics, and "settling down." She excused herself, locked herself in the bathroom, and hyperventilated.
Text to Elara: *Pineapple.*
Elara called instantly. "Breathe with me. In two. Hold. Out two."
Nova followed, tears streaming. "I told them about you."
Silence.
"Mom cried happily. Abuela said Bring her for Christmas. Feed her properly."
Elara laughed wetly. "Tell abuela I'll gain ten pounds for her."
Sunday. Elara's turn. Aunt found the ring in her jewellery pouch. "Boy?"
Elara swallowed. "Girl. Fiancée."
Aunt blinked. Then hugged her fiercely. "Good. Strong girl needs strong love."
Elara cried into her shoulder. Texted Nova: *Out to aunt. She approves. Wants recipes from abuela.*
Flights home Sunday night. Different coasts, same longing.
Monday back on campus. Hawthorne Hall is quiet, most students are still gone. They reunited in the room at 2:14 a.m., bags dropped, door locked, clothes ripped.
Nova pushed Elara against the wall, mouth hungry, hands everywhere. "Missed you."
Elara's legs wrapped around her waist. "Show me."
Strap already in Nova's bag. She entered standing, Elara's back to the wall, thrusts deep and punishing. Elara came biting Nova's neck, nails raking.
They moved to the bed, Nova on her back, Elara riding reverse, ass bouncing, Nova's hands on her hips. Came again, squirting on sheets.
Slow after. Face to face, scissoring gently, rings clinking between legs. Came whispering family stories.
Tuesday. Campus repopulated. Whispers about a break. "Did you meet the families yet?"
They smiled secretly. "Soon."
Wednesday. Invites arrived. Nova's mom emailed Elara: *Christmas in Jersey. Abuela insists.*
Elara's aunt texted Nova: *Lunar New Year in Seoul. Bring an appetite.*
They accepted both. Double holidays.
Thursday. Prep sex. Nova tied spread-eagled, Elara edging with tongue and toys, making her beg for family approval. Nova came screaming Yes, Mom.
Elara bent over the desk, Nova spanking for "being a brat on video calls." Elara came with red ass and tears.
Friday. Packing for Jersey. Elara nervous. "What if they hate me?"
Nova kissed her slowly. "They'll love you. Like I do."
Flight to Newark. Elara's hand in Nova's, rings hidden but hearts loud.
Jersey greeted with snow and hugs. Abuela enveloped Elara in flour-dusted arms. "Mija! Skinny! Eat!"
Mom shook Elara's hand, eyes soft. "Nova talks about you nonstop."
Dinner: arroz con gandules, pernil, flan. Elara ate till stuffed. Abuela approved.
Night in Nova's childhood room. Twin bed pushed to double with an extra mattress. They made love quietly, hands over mouths, rings on full display. Nova on top, grinding slowly, Elara's legs spread wide. Came muffling in pillows.
Christmas Eve. Family games. Elara won at dominoes. Abuela crowned her "family now."
Presents under the tree. Nova gave Elara a real ring upgrade: silver with a tiny diamond chip. "Roof, yes, deserved better."
Elara gave Nova a custom lens for her phone, engraved *Develop Me.*
They slipped away to the backyard, snow fresh. Renewed vows under stars, rings swapped, kiss deep.
Christmas Day. Chaos and love. Nova's little cousin asked if they were married. "Soon," Nova said.
Flight back. Exhausted happy.
January. Lunar New Year in Seoul. Aunt's apartment is bursting. Cousins taught Nova Korean curses. Elara's uncle grilled Nova about track times.
Food endless: tteokguk, japchae, hotteok. Nova gained the promised pounds.
Night in Elara's childhood room. Posters of Seoul graffiti. They made love on the floor, quiet, slow, Elara riding Nova's face till she came twice.
Aunt knocked once. "Girls! Tea!"
They giggled, dressed hastily.
Family approved. Double stamped.
Back on campus. Spring semester. They wore rings open now. Campus buzzed. "Met the families!" "Double holidays!"
Hate tried again. Note under door: *Race traitors. God hates mixed.*
They laughed. Framed it beside the slam mic piece.
Sex defiant. Nova fucked Elara on the desk, rings scratching wood, coming loud enough for the hall to hear.
The families weren't invited to the start.
But they claimed the middle.
And the end was theirs to write.