it was unlike him to recoil, to show this much vulnerability in front of someone, but the impact of her hand striking his face brought back memories—memories so unpleasant, that he thought he had buried in the back of his head. he remembered his mother doing just that after his father’s death, and how those words of reassurance felt more like a command to feel guilt. he felt like a child all over again, being scolded over leaving a mess or not wanting to eat. the sound of the pouring rain became nothing bu background noise, and for a split-second, sangwoo could’ve sworn he could still hear her voice.
what mimi said wasn’t the response he was hoping to hear, and when she cupped his cheek, he was drawn back later that same night when he was forced to dispose of his own father. she had touched his cheek tenderly, and just like before, he leaned against it as if that would make everything okay. any trace of annoyance or frustration was gone as he regressed to this child-like state, not entirely processing what she meant. it’s not like he could move, anyway.
“—i didn’t do it.” his words were drowned by the sound of the rain, but he insisted on remaining close to her so that she would listen to him. he wasn’t making any damn sense; shaking his head from side to the other. she could take it as a delayed response to her accusation, but to him, it was a confession. “—i don’t want her, but she won’t leave me alone.”
☾ there was a moment of confusion at his choice of words. even if the catalyst in their conversation had been about another woman, it didn’t seem like he was addressing that matter. honestly, it didn’t seem like he was speaking to her at all. was this reaction her fault? even if the action of hitting him was in retaliation to his own actions, there was something akin to remorse that she was feeling. sangwoo was someone that if asked before this moment, she would have sworn he wasn’t capable of showing vulnerability of this extreme. someone that was always able to hide who he truly was & what he was truly feeling. not always a negative, more often than not it just proved to be exhausting for her who wanted him to be honest. but right here & now, she felt as though whatever had triggered something in him was due to her reaction.
& though the thought of whether this was genuine or manipulation crossed her mind, because she wouldn’t put it past him, mimi couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh. they both had their things, some of which were still unspoken between the two of them. while that didn’t excuse the grip he’d had on her wrist or the fact that they were having their own problems, she could sympathize with him. of which, that sympathy turned into an silent guilt. though, she’d never let on to him.
“ let’s get you in the house. ” the words were spoken as she reached for his wrist, choosing to use that to guide him back into his home. it would be simple, right? get him inside, changed into something warm, then she could leave. the process of guiding him back to his door wasn’t that tough, it was still unlocked since they had merely been standing a few feet away. once having guided him back to his foyer, she motioned for him to change. “ take those off. i’ll find you something dry. ” maternal instincts weren’t something that mimi really thought she possessed, but in this moment, this could be considered something similar. after all, she was neglecting the fact that she’d be on the verge of catching hypothermia in the morning to ensure he was warm.
snowghoul
jbbartram-illu
theartofmadeline
dailybridgerton
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stormborns
