Summary: After a bad breakup with your ex, you need a place to live for the remainder of the school year. You see the Sigma Kappa Zeta (SKZ) fraternity ad for an "In-House Stay"; you decide to you apply and are accepted. Your duties? Cooking...cleaning...oh, and pleasing your assigned members: Hwang Hyunjin and Bang Chan.
Word Count: 153,021
Warnings: Oral (both m and f receiving), spanking, solo play with an onlooker, threesome, handcuffs, light dom/sub undertones, public sex, choking, orgasm denial, and angst...lots of angst.
Chapter One: Of Breakups & New Housing
Chapter Two: Of Ex's & Tesla's
Chapter Three: Of Blowjobs & Birthdays
Chapter Four: Of Pineapples & Punishment
Chapter Five: Of Mirrors & Lessons
Chapter Six: Of Joy Rides & Hot Tubs
Chapter Seven: Of Watching & Submitting
Chapter Eight: Of Drive-Ins & Wishes
Chapter Nine: Of Halloween & Hallways
Chapter Ten: Of Yin & Yang
Chapter Eleven: Of Triple N's & Multiple O's
Chapter Twelve: Of Delays & Professor Bang
Chapter Thirteen: Of Girl Talk & Berry
Chapter Fourteen: Of Surprises & Closets
Chapter Fifteen: Of Showers & Cabins
Chapter Sixteen: Of Chan & Cuffs
Chapter Seventeen: Of Futures & Flights
Chapter Eighteen: Of Beaches & Balconies
Chapter Nineteen: Of Chokers & Christmas
Chapter Twenty: Of Father's & Basements
Chapter Twenty-One: Of Rotations & Doors
Chapter Twenty-Two: Of Seungmin & Karaoke
Chapter Twenty-Three: Of You (Chan POV)
Chapter Twenty-Four: Of Changbin & Roses
Chapter Twenty-Five: Of Popcorn & Reuniting
Chapter Twenty-Six: Of Talks & Relapsing
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Of Insomnia & Revelations
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Of Notices & Benches
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Of Storms (Chan POV)
Chapter Thirty: Of Rainy Days & Goodbyes
Chapter Thirty-One: Of Vets & Contracts
Chapter Thirty-Two: Of Epilogues
FOR REFERENCE:
SKZ House Photo Book
Peacemaker - The SKZ House Bonus One-Shot
Summary: For the life of you, you can't get Changbin and Seungmin to stop arguing for long...unless they're fucking you at the same time.
Word Count: 3020
Warnings: Threesome, squirting, double penetration, anal sex, deep throating, tit fucking.
⤷ Client Scenario: A fake date at the bar your ex bartends at turns into a perfectly messy moment and a new connection.
⤷ Case Warnings: public sex, fingering, dirty talk, overstimulation
⤷ WC: 2.6k
♡ Stray Hearts File: 004 of 010
♡ Event Masterlist | ⋆｡‧˚ʚ Masterlist ɞ˚‧｡⋆
Your match has already arrived.
You'd run but you're wearing heels. Crickets are singing and you're freaking out while cutting the line at the nightclub your now ex boyfriend bartends at to meet your fake hot date… a normal Tuesday.
The club is packed in a semi-calm way. Not overly rowdy with rainbow lights like other clubs. Your ex used to call it “fancy chaos” but you figured that was a lie since he was so good at those. You're looking around as soon as you get in but try not to make it obvious. The app says he's here. He said he'd wear Gucci and you figured he was a showy asshole—that's why you picked him.
You don't see him by the bar, or the tables, the dance floor is a mess and—
“Looking for me?” You jump, turn fast with a hand over your chest.
“Jeez—” there he is. Tall enough, Gucci jacket and matching pants. Perfect for the club, perfect for you.
“Scared you?” You nod, taking a slower breath. “I meant to.” Oh, he's weird? The secret kind that sneaks up on you… you’ve encountered worse. He holds out his hand and you take it slowly. Very slowly.
“Lee Minho, but you knew that.” He doesn't smile, isn't condescending, just straight to the point. You can work with that. You tell him your name and he hums like he already had your star chart memorized.
You get right to it after that. “My ex is over there, I was thinking—” he cuts you off, smooth, laces his fingers with yours
“Follow my lead.”
“Oh… okay.”
He starts leading you across the dance floor, hand warm and it's now that you get to take him in… this man is thick. Chest and thighs and just wow.
When you get to the bar your ex is flirting with some girl while her boyfriend right beside her, fitting. Minho leans on the bar facing him and turns your back to him, he guides you closer, close enough to look comfortable. Close enough to look taken.
“If this is going to work you have to look madly in love with me.” He doesn't smile, he smirks, big difference. There's something dark to it. Something that's five steps ahead.
He's right though. You snap yourself out of staring and smile at him, a real smile. You lean a touch closer, lay your hand closer to his and laugh at nothing at all.
Lights, camera, action.
Minho smiles now, perfect and wide and says the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard.
"You ever think about how fucked we’d be if horses were carnivores?” you lose it, cause he's right and also wow. That laugh is just what he needed, though it is beautifully distracting. Minho looks down the bar and your ex is looking over like he’s trying to figure something out. Good. Minho goes again.
"Imagine being the first person to see a cow and deciding to drink whatever came out of it.”
You cover your mouth this time, leaning into him. “Ew.”
“Exactly.” He hums, eyes lighting up a bit. Gosh, you do have a pretty laugh, he's sure he'd recognize it too. “Imagine that. Warm white stuff from under a cow… let me drink it.”
“I mean, it's not too different from other things.” You say it before you can access the sense to stop. Minho's eyebrows raise, his head tilts a bit, and that damned smirk is back.
“Oh, we're gonna have some fun.” Then he raises his hand for the bartender. “Buckle up, buttercup.”
Your ex sees him raise his hand and his reluctance tells Minho that he figured out it's you. He sends a co-worker over but Minho keeps looking at your ex. “Mm mm.” He motions towards him, smiling. “We want him, right princess?” Minho's hand finds your waist, sweet and warm and a little dizzying. You play along, nodding sweetly.
“Yeah, he makes my drink perfectly every time. I think it's called—”
“Denial is a river?” Minho suggests smoothly and you have to bite your lip not to laugh.
“That one, yeah.” The man behind the bar couldn't care less. He calls over your ex and tells him that he'll switch with him. Minho sees the moment your old flame tried to make himself burn bright enough to miss.
“What can I get you?” His voice makes something happen in your chest. Not good, not anymore. It's more like anxiety. You don't know how but Minho notices, he squeezes your waist just slightly and you look up at him to find him already looking at you.
“What do you want, baby?” He looks over at your ex. “Give her a second, yeah? She's the cute thoughtful type.” Minho walks you through some drinks options niceeee and slow and affectionate. At one point you find yourself moving in closer. There's something about him that's magnetic, like he's making space for you to slip right into him.
“Give me something strong.” You look your ex in the eyes when you say it, borrowing some of Minho's courage to throw in a smile too. “Shaken and make it pretty.”
You can see that he has something he'd like to say, maybe ask why you're here or when you moved on. It's been months and he's been with half this damn club, now it's your turn even if it's fake. Minho coos something sweet when you finally order, hand wandering a bit lower on your hip for show… you think.
“I'll make mine simple.” the smile that he gives your ex belongs to an anime villain. “I'll have a gin martini. Hendrick's if you have it. Stirred for exactly thirty seconds, not shaken. Extra cold. Lemon twist, no olives. In a chilled Nick and Nora glass if possible. If not, a coupe is fine. And could I get a sidecar of sparkling water with a lemon wedge? No seeds with the lemon, please.”
Your throat burns from trying not to laugh. Your ex looks at him and just stares for a second before asking “are you serious?” Minho's smile drops clean off his face, he stares, then asks, “do I look like I'm kidding?”
You're left alone in an instant. He starts making your drinks while you laugh into Minho's chest.
“What the hell is that order?”
“My usual.” He teases. His hand smooths up your back now and you stand straighter at the feeling “Hm?”
He looks at you like he's actually trying to memorize something. His fingers tickle down your spine and you squirm a bit. “Sensitive?”
You hum a pathetic sound then try to hide it. Minho presses his fingertips a bit firmer, “Cute.” then his hand is gone. You almost protest the absence, almost grab his wrist, but then your drinks arrive.
Your's first, then his. Neither of you look at your ex anymore. You still feel the ghost of his fingers tickling your spine and Minho's suddenly very interested to see where else makes a pretty girl squirm.
“Ya’ll got a bathroom?” Minho asks, still looking at you for a lingering second before tilting his head expectantly at your ex.
“Yeah.” He doesn't say anything else and Minho scoffs.
“Finish the job, you look like you're quick. C'mon.” You laugh this time. Hard. So hard that you snort. Your hand comes up to cover your mouth and the corner of Minho's mouth turns up just a touch. He likes that more than he expected.
Your ex hates this, his face says it all. “They're to the right down the hall.”
“Single stalls? One room?”
“Stalls.” he answers, fed up.
“Am I bothering you?” Minho asks, voice a little meaner now. “Cause I can take my pretty girl to the bathroom and leave you to your lonesome.”
He glares between you and Minho, then again. “No sex allowed in the bathrooms.”
Minho hums, standing straighter with his hand nearly on your ass. “Who said anything about sex?” You're just impressed by how well he's showing off. This is money well spent. Minho fixes his jacket, flashing the Gucci stripes a bit and enjoying your exes glare. “But don't worry, she'll be quick.” You look up at Minho at that one. You'll be quick? Not him? You don't miss that distinction.
Minho slaps some bills onto the counter and waves your boyfriend off. Once he’s gone he turns back to you, he doesn’t get to say a thing before you bring it up. “I'll be quick?” You turn into him, standing impossibly close now. Minho looks at you, eyes on yours.
“If you're as sensitive there as you are on your spine, yeah, you will be.” You're sure your neck is starting to flush, ears too. It's hot, maybe it's your drink that you haven't even tried yet. You just need an excuse.
“What's your plan here?” You bite your lip and Minho's eyes drop to it. He takes a second, just a quick quiet second before cupping your chin and tilting it up a bit. Just a bit.
“The plan's to make you come.” Yeah. You're definitely flushed. “If that's what you want. I think I can make it worth your money.”
You finally lay a hand on his chest, messing with the buttons on his jacket. “You think you can?”
Minho raises an eyebrow, hums an amused laugh then looks out to the dance floor for a second, just a second. “Don't challenge me, I'll get carried away.
Your hand slips inside his jacket, so close to the warm skin beneath his shirt. Teasingly close. “Maybe I want you to.”
That does it. “We're going. Now.” He doesn't have to tell you twice. You let him take your hand again and lead you towards the hall opposite the bathrooms. You look back, confused.
“Where are we going?” He doesn't slow, just calls back an answer.
“I'm not fucking you in a bathroom.” Aw, he's considerate.
Minho leads you towards an empty VIP booth with a half cleared table. There's barely a curtain and it's busy enough that none of the drunk partygoers around you would be able to tell that you're ruining your panties. Minho slides in first, guiding you behind him and shifts you onto his lap. There's more than enough room and you're more than comfortable taking up space like this.
“Be honest.” Minho looks up at you with eyes that shine unfairly bright. “Does this cost extra?” He scoffs, hands smoothing up your waist. He watches his fingers brush over the curves of your dress.
“I'm not guacamole.” You laugh again, hard just like before. Minho smiles, actually smiles. “That damn laugh.” Then he's kissing you. His mouth seals over yours in a hot wet kiss that makes you moan into him. His hands slot on your waist and yours on his chest. Your hips move in small rocking motions with every kiss. You can't help it.
Minho breaks the kiss first, laying his forehead against yours while guiding your rocking into full on riding. “Pretty girl.” He situated you so that you're straddling one thigh, hips rocking over the rough denim. Your panties are growing stickier by the second. The pressure feels like sex itself. “Pretty laugh makes me wanna hear her moan.”
“Wanna hear you too.” Minho smiles, kisses you harder just cause that was so damn cute of you.
“We're gonna take care of you tonight, kitten.” Then his hands start guiding firmer. Your sopping core is dragged forward, back, forward. Your panties roll to the side themselves and Minho presses up for perfect pressure.
You swallow a sound and he squeezes your hip. “Nuh uh.” he starts bouncing his leg a bit, making himself vibrate against you. “Let me hear it, right in my ear, c'mere.”
You lean close enough for your lips to brush the shell of his ear, close enough to smell his shampoo and cologne—and you moan. Sweet and a little deep and Minho swears it's perfect.
“Oh, baby.” He guides you faster, your grinding turns into dry humping and moans turn into whines. There's a wet spot on Minho's jeans from his cock leaking through layers of fabric, then another from your flooding cunt.
“Minho—” that gets a groan from him. His hands cupping your ass now, kneading and squeezing while you whisper and babble against his neck. “I'm gonna cum.”
He keeps pace, doesn't change it, something your ex could never seem to do. That alone makes you wet his jeans. It's a gush, not squirting but just as messy. Minho fucking loves it.
“She's so messy.” You pull back and look at him with dazed eyes and wet lips. “Let's see”
His hand finds wet flesh under your dress, swiping his fingers over your clit, then small circles. Your spine bows, hips bare down, still sensitive from your high. You whimper, he hums.
“Pretty kitty is sensitive, huh?” The tips of his fingers press inside then back. “Can you take two?” You nod before sense can catch up.
Minho likes that. “Good girl.” Then he's pressing in. His fingers sink deep into gooey flesh and your mouth parts with no sound. It's sensitive. It's tight and burns so good.
“Minho, m’ gonna make a mess.” He looks at you like he's waiting to be told when he asked. His fingers move once, pull back and sink.
“Give me something to clean up.” It's over after that. He moves like he wants to see you split in two.
You're straddling both his thighs now, spread open by him. The squelch your cunt cries out is obscene, so much so, that someone at a neighboring booth looks up to the ceiling like they heard it. You can't help but chuckle, and Minho stops completely.
“Do that again.” You tilt your head, mutter a small “huh?” But he's already tickling your spine. You yelp and chuckle, nails digging into his shoulder.
Minho's teeth sink into his bottom lip and his fingers curl inside of you, deeper, perfect. “So tight when she laughs.” You're holding on by a thread. Your foreheads on his again, he's talking you through it with sweet names and praise.
“That’s it, keep it up, baby.”
“Gonna make me cum, looking so pretty...”
“Gimme another one, kitty, c'mon.”
Your orgasm is creeping up on you, each and every methodical curl of his fingers is bringing you closer and closer, you're close, so close.
“Min—” you hide your face in his neck and let out a wet and long moan. Drooling a bit into the collar of his jacket. Minho's fingers keep going, helping you ride it out, but his rhythm falters. His breath catches and he groans something broken deep in his chest. “Did you just…”
His breathing picks up just a touch uneven. You pull back, look down, and both wet spots are spreading. He came in his jeans. Finished untouched. Unreal. Impressive.
Minho looks up at you, eyelids fluttering like he's still a bit dazed when he says— “kiss me.”
You do. You meet him in the middle and kiss him softly. Soft enough to hear his slight hum when your warmth settles. “Perfect.” He murmurs then kisses you again.
“He's” kiss “an” kiss “idiot”
That makes you chuckle against him, soft and sweet. Minho pulls back then, looking at you for a moment. You’ve cracked him a bit. He blames that laugh. He loves it a little too much for this to be fake.
“So.” You murmur, rubbing the tip of your nose over his. “Venmo or Zelle?”
Minho hums, face serious, humorless. “Your number.” You lift your brows at him, smile a bit and he gives you that damn smirk. “I'll take that instead."
a/n: I have been soooooo in my head about this series. I hope that you enjoyed!
> genre | friends to lovers, fluff, smut, pregnancy, the tiniest bit of angst
> warnings | none, besides this being the end, MDNI.
> ttots masterlist
20. epilogue. spring again
There was a lot to celebrate.
Stray Kids had just completed another year together. Over the past few months, 3Racha had their debut as a unit, all of the members took some time off to work on side projects or just relax and do nothing for once in their life. Relationships had started and ended, but that’s a completely different story. Miseol grew strong and healthy and was reaching all her milestones in stride. Minho had joined the group back to release a special song as a thank you to Stay and also perform e few special concerts to mark their anniversary.
The reception to his family news was mixed at first but, as time went by, with the continued support of the rest of the group, fans slowly but surely weaned out the bad people. Now fans would always ask him about Miseol under Minho’s posts, calling her Bun too as the nickname was accidentally shared by a - very regretful - Jeongin. You were not the happiest about it but, as long as her true name and face were kept from the public until she could have the discernment to make those decisions for herself, you were okay.
As for you, you were starting to feel restless at home, and had started working on some side projects whenever you had the time. Your own friends at your company had kept you updated on your old team’s ups and downs, your presence being greatly missed. You would go back, eventually, but maybe just as a stepping stone for a possible career change. Something you could maybe have more autonomy and not feel so drained all the time. You had different priorities now in terms of where to spend your energy.
“You ready?” Minho calls for you, Miseol already on his arms, hands reaching out trying to snatch the sunglasses he has pushing his hair back.
They were doing a small get together at Chan’s and Jeongin’s place. Just the members and significant others - when applied. Chan had recently found himself single but Jisung was finally bringing his girlfriend for everyone to properly meet - having the dorm for himself really did wonders for his love life. Their place had a nice balcony and Minho suggesting getting a grill out to enjoy the sunshine. You had spent the better part of the last hour convincing him Miseol had enough sunscreen on to handle being outside for a little bit.
He had gotten better at driving with her in the backseat though, behaving like a sane person again and not driving you insane with his slow pace. You took turns meddling with the radio, discussing where to start food prepping when you got there, sharing gossip you got recently from your own little pockets of friends. It was comfortable, like life had always meant to be like that.
Hyunjin was on the underground parking lot with Changbin when you pulled over. They were bringing coolers with some stuff Chan had forgotten to order. When Hyunjin spotted your car, however, he dropped the heavy box he was helping Changbin unload immediately, to the older member’s displeased murmurs.
“Hi pretty girl!” he had his arms open wide, ready for Miseol as he approached. You free her from her car seat but she hides her little face on your neck when she sees the man coming towards her.
Miseol was generally a happy giggly baby, but she was very fussy about who could hold her - to Minho’s delight.
There was no point discussing for so long who the favorite uncle would be, that decision landed completely on her tiny hands, and she had a very strong opinion about it.
“Aigoo, who’s here?” Jeongin steps out from the elevator nearer to the cars.
The change to Miseol is immediate. She lifts her head away from you, searching for his voice. When she finds him, her arms extend to reach him, smile already gracing her features as you allow the younger member to take her from you. He babbles to her and she giggles in response, Hyunjin’s shoulders drop down in defeat.
“You’d think he’d be used to that by now”, Minho joins you, carrying Miseol’s bag with him.
“I still think it’s a bit unfair but even I got over it”, Changbin adds, after finally getting the help he needed unloading the cooler.
Jeongin doesn’t even look back as he starts for the elevator, your daughter completely unfazed by your distance too. You try not to feel hurt at that and do a better job at it then Minho.
“Are you sure he didn’t talk to the bump while you were not looking?” your boyfriend asks you, but starts to follow the other members nonetheless.
“Absolutely”, you nod emphatically, “maybe that’s exactly why she likes him best, less of a fuss”.
It was funny, from the moment the members were first able to visit and meet your daughter, her attention seemed to gravitate to the maknae. When she started to be able to hold her focus, when she started to interact with the world around her, he was the one that would get her grabby hands. It was ironic, considering how much of a distance he kept from your pregnant belly, but your baby knew who she wanted to reach for and the favoritism still remained. Chan and Felix were the other members she was comfortable with, most of the time. The rest were a roll of dice.
“It doesn’t count if she can’t speak yet, for all we know this is her great scheme into inheriting IN’s expensive clothes”, Changbin is voicing as you all step out of the elevator and into the apartment, already bustling with life with everyone else that was invited.
The attention turns to your arriving party at once, with everyone else slowly approaching to say their hellos and try to catch Miseol’s eye. Jihye stepped out victorious, with your daughter accepting her offer of outstretched hands, hopping from Jeongin’s embrace to hers.
It was organized chaos, some were busy in the kitchen while other remained at the balcony. Chan was already looking blushed with a beer in hand, Changbin quick to join him. Hyunjin did his best helping out Minho with the food, while you took turns between everyone, trying to coordinate who should be doing what. Miseol sometimes made her way back to your embrace, but you looked around and realized that everyone present held your trust with your little girl. A relief and something you were very much grateful for. So you allowed yourself to relax.
Food was served and drinks of all kinds went around. Sunscreen was reapplied and sunglasses were stolen. Laughter filled the air, mixed with non stop music ranging between the tastes of everyone present. Photos were taken and shared, some with glimpses of Miseol’s back as the boys held onto her, the reception online positive with the new set of “boyfriend pictures”, as Stay called them. The afternoon turned into evening, the day lasting longer but not forever.
Miseol had long ago fallen asleep, tucked on a corner of the sofa where you could keep an eye on her while still hanging out with your friends. No one really wanted to leave. Why should your time together end when you were having such fun?
You stepped in for a second, only to find Minho already with your daughter. You approached them gently, he was adjusting a few pillows around her and you tapped his butt to let your presence be known. He finishes his action before turning to you, arms wrapping around your waist, a peck on your lips that tasted like orange juice.
“We should probably head out soon”, he says.
You hide your face on his chest but nods your agreement. You don’t really want to go but it was growing late.
“If we leave the rest of them will start heading out too, we should help clean”, you murmur, not wanting to leave the two guys with all the work.
“I already cooked most of the food, they can handle it”, he tickles you lightly and you wiggle to avoid it, containing your laugh as to not wake your baby.
“She will cry if we try to take her now”, you reason again.
“I’ll send Jeongin in then”, is his alternative.
“We should probably wait to make sure no one needs a drive though, I think-” you stop when you see his expression, amused with a glint of humor.
“Just say you don’t want to leave yet”, he tickles you again, you yelp and your baby stirs. You lightly hit his chest in reprimend.
“I don’t want to leave yet”, you roll your eyes.
He chuckles, kisses you again, makes his way out first while shaking his head. He knows you too well.
Miseol stirs a bit more but doesn’t wake up. You readjust the same pillows Minho had just arranged, just to do something with your hands, to allow yourself to take her in, to appreciate that she’s here and happy and safe. To appreciate the man you had loved all your life. To appreciate your friends, your family.
When you rejoin the group you take a second by the door, just watching everyone.
You don’t remember the last time you felt lonely.
> a/n | So this is it, the end. How is everyone feeling? I started to write this fic around November of last year so it’s been quite a journey, I’m usually a fast writer so I had my ups and downs when the story started to drag me to a much fluffier path than I had anticipated, it was quite a challenge - but one I’m very grateful for. Most of all, I’m so so so thankful for your support over here and on AO3, I’m not the best at staying online but I see and appreciate every single comment and like you guys drop me, it means the world and encourages me to keep using writing as a creative outlet <3 Not to repeat myself from last week, but I am working on two other stories already - and hope to get them to you as soon as possible. One of those may or may not be a spin off inside the universe of ttots, and I may or may not have plans to keep expanding this little timeline, you will have to wait and see. I don’t know which will be posted first, they’re both already way longer than I wanted them to be but I will give you little WIP sneak peaks soon so you can help me decide on what do you guys want to read first hehe I think this is it for now, I promise not to be a stranger and to come back soon, but I’ll probably take until the end of the month to work on those side projects before I commit to posting again. Oh!! and let me know if you want to be tagged when I post those WIPs hehe Thats it for now, thank you for reading, I’ll see you sooooooooon :)))
> taglist is closed.
➥ Contains: Chris the girl dad causing simultaneous ovary explosions everywhere all around the world, Missha debut, "That's not very nice", Bang twins as roastmasters, Chrissha origin story
➥ The news of the hot guy moving into 1546 Ocean Drive takes the entire neighborhood by storm. While you're not indifferent to his impossibly good looks, you would have appreciated a heads-up that he would also be moving into your life.
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚢 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝙼𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝙸𝚗
Super chill Saturday morning in progress on the quiet, pine-lined street. Sun shining, birds chirping, squirrels squirreling…
And a tortoiseshell cat stalking them by the kitchen window like a sharpshooter.
“They know you don’t intend to be friends with them, Missha,” you picked up the sassmeister and gently spanked her fluffy thighs, guiding her towards the very heated Call of Whatever game taking place in the living room. “Look, there are many eligible bachelors for you over there!”
The super chill part was a massive understatement, of course. When Ryder started high school, you had invited his friends over for breakfast one time, and three years later, Saturday Pancakes was still going strong with the exact same set of kids. No, sir, you were NOT going to acknowledge these rascals were about to be of age in the eyes of the law very soon. They were teething just yesterday, when the FUCK did they even start applying to colleges?
Somebody make time stop ASAP.
“Oh, shit!”
“RYDER, LANGUAGE!!!” you growled, pointing the detergent-covered spatula at him.
When you had ‘the talk’ with your son, your first words were basically threatening to disown him if he got a girl pregnant at least before college graduation. While your parents did not approve of the emotional blackmail with their snotty tsks, you were hellbent on not having some girl live through the same fate you did. No one was ever ready for the responsibility of a child at such a young age. What responsibility when you’re a child yourself? Of course it wouldn’t work out if you got married just because you gave birth out of wedlock.
Nevertheless, life had a way of making up for what seemed like the biggest fuckups at the time. You’d been blessed with a wonderful boy who might have matured a bit too early. Although it used to give you the worst case of cuteness aggression when he said stuff like “I’m the man of the house,” he was still eight when he first said that. Ten years later, however, nothing much had changed, really. Still a menace. Still so protective of you. Still your reason to live. On his way to becoming a wonderful man.
“NOPE, no becoming a man till you’re 30, brat, sit your ass down,” you mumbled under your breath, scrubbing the spatula harder like it offended your entire lineage.
You would have loved to share your heart with one more person, of course, but you were getting a bit sick of your blind dates’ reaction to your motherhood. As if you were telling them you had a litter of eight. It wasn’t like you had a vast selection to pick from in a town as small as this, either. Anyone would eventually give up, and so did you, not that you were dying to trap someone in the first place. Your nuclear family of two finally expanded when you adopted Missha five years ago, and that was pretty much your life now. Uneventful, definitely chaotic, but at least happy.
Genuinely happy.
You heard some commotion outside, growing even louder than the one in your living room. So much so that even the boys hit pause on their excessively stressful digital warfare and crowded the kitchen window.
“What the hell is happening over there?” you lowered your head to get a better view.
There was a moving van parked by the house across the street, which had been on the market since January. A man was standing at the front door, talking to a small crowd made up of the entire single population of the neighborhood as well as a few moms. They were trampling each other to welcome this extremely good-looking new resident, and he was politely nodding at each of them, though slightly scared.
“Noooice, Khaleesi, you finally got your match,” Trevor smirked once he spotted the man among the trees. “We approve.”
“Who the fu—?”
You shot an instant death glare at Ryder, your eyes psychotically widened.
“Fine, I’ll keep it PG,” he sighed. “Who the heck are you to approve, my guy?”
“What? She’s our mom, too.”
“I think the goshdarn not!”
“It doesn’t have the intended effect when you have the kids mode on, FYI,” Trevor patted Ryder’s back, then turned to you with the most up-to-no-good smile he could flash. “Go say hi.”
“EW, NO!” you immediately protested.
“Why the goshdarn not?!”
Because that would be desperate? Even you were judging the crowd about to swoon at that doorstep; who the fuck knows what people would think of you if they saw you among those groupies. Christ!
“It’s not something you can understand unless you’re a divorced woman, little man,” you pointed your Saturday regulars in the direction of their duffel bags. “Go get your butts ready. I’ll drive you to practice.”
Twelfth time that day…
Chris was going to have to replace the front door at this rate because people have been knocking on it all day to introduce themselves. With no regard to decorum, at that. Yes, it was hell degrees outside, and his personal uniforms consisted of tank tops and shorts, too. Nevertheless, with kids living under this roof, it was hard not to get uncomfortable when complete strangers showed up at his doorstep in nothing but swimwear, so revealing that they might as well have been naked.
“Daddy, it’s Singing Giraffe time!”
Two girls clung to their father’s legs as he was in the middle of getting acquainted with yet another neighbor.
“Oh, you have… kids,” the blonde who looked like the latest Playboy centerfold grimaced. “Is their mother home? I’d like to say hi.”
Smooth, Chris internally scoffed while the twins glared at the woman. Before he could produce an answer, however…
“Why? Are you going to ask us to go away because we don’t have a mom?” Harper hijacked the mic.
“Girls!”
“Oh, it’s alright! Kids say the darndest things, don’t they?” the clearly early-twenty-something laughed way too loudly. “So you’re… single, huh?”
“Daddy, what does single mean?” Piper looked up with gigantic eyes.
“It means go upstairs and get ready for bed,” Chris led his girls inside. “Say bye to Lisa.”
“Bye, Lisa,” they deadpanned in unison, and Piper added with no sense of self-control.
“Your boobies are out, Lisa. That’s not very nice.”
Chris was absolutely mortified, and if the ground had any plans of splitting open and swallowing him whole, right now would be ideal.
“I am… so sorry,” he bowed his head in embarrassment.
“It’s fine. Really,” Lisa giggled, subtly touching Chris’s arm. “I’ll see you around then, Daddy.”
Yup, Chris might have been guilty of enjoying a certain address back in his glory days, but ever since the day he learned he was going to be a father, it was now just… Well, it was no longer something he wanted to hear from girls barely above the legal drinking age. He mustered his very last drop of energy to drag himself to the twins’ room, but before he could take two steps, he heard yet another knock behind him.
“I swear to fucking GOD I’m getting a ‘Closed’ sign tomorrow,” he marched back to the front door and harshly opened it. “WHAT?!”
“Chill, man. I was just going to ask if you’ve seen a cat around,” a boy in his late teens stared him down, then gestured something like a rock in the air. “A small tortie, about this big, yellow collar around her neck?”
“Oh, I’m… so sorry, I thought you were… No, I haven’t seen any cats around, unfortunately,” he shook his head. “I’ll be on the lookout.”
“Thanks,” the boy bolted as quickly as he had appeared.
Instead of going inside, Chris heaved a deep sigh and walked out, plopping on the porch swing for a moment’s peace. What a day. Yes, he had chosen this town himself because he’d heard great things about its people, but he certainly wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome. He couldn’t even get to unpacking, let alone finishing it.
The pine-lined street was finally calm. He was trying his best to resist the lullaby of crickets chirping and waves crashing in the distance, but when the warm night breeze started rocking him to sleep, he just gave in. Just five minutes. But he needed to put the girls to bed first. But five minutes. No, he needed to get up right now. But five—
“OW!”
A phantom punch in his stomach made him cough his lungs out. Ready to knock down some raccoon that manifested out of thin air, Chris immediately assumed a fighting stance. Well, at least he tried to, but that sleep paralysis demon weight wouldn’t budge an inch, sinking its claws deeper into his favorite sleeveless shirt to stay in place.
A cat.
“Oh, wow, you’re beautiful,” he scratched under her chin, “even though you scared the bejesus out of me just now.”
When he turned the collar charm around, he saw a phone number engraved in there with a little message that said ‘I’m lost. Please call.’
“Smart. Maybe I should get one of these for my girls, too, yeah?” he giggled to himself and sat up.
The cat got super comfortable in her new location, kneaded some biscuits, and curled up into a croissant to sleep. Fondly smiling at the little furball, Chris spent quite a while petting her. He couldn’t help but wonder if this marble cake was sent by some divine power because it seemed to have some freakish healing powers. The more she happily purred in his lap, the more he felt this block of lead weighing him down for years on end…
…shrinking.
“HARPER! DADDY GOT A CAT!”
The scream of severe cuteness aggression startled the new couple on the swing to death, effectively concluding the peace-and-quiet time. As the cat tried to hide away inside his shirt, Chris very carefully pulled her out, earning himself a few scratches as souvenir tattoos.
“Shh, easy,” he pacified his girls. “She’s not ours, baby. Be very, very gentle, okay?”
As the twins were petting the cat like they were entrusted with delicate china, Chris reached for his phone and dialed the number on the collar, admittedly a bit reluctantly.
“Hi, is this the human of… Missha?”
The window between returning from your carpool duties and Ryder coming home like a miniature Hulk was all the time you had to tend to work affairs on Saturdays. The stampede danger was finally eliminated with the crowd dispersed. You could hear yourself think again.
“Oh my god, like, you’re so cuuute! Is your dad home?”
Why would you jinx yourself like that? Just why?
You looked through the kitchen window to spot the source of the shriek that disturbed Missha. Someone was calling on your new neighbor again, but instead of him, there were twin girls at the door, looking visibly annoyed.
“Yes,” the one in sun-patterned pajamas answered, though with the exasperation of a woman who had been through five divorces.
“Can I see him?”
“No.”
“But why not?”
“You’re a stranger.”
“My name is Lisa. Now can I see your dad?”
“Girl, you just do not get father-infant daughter relationships at all, do you?” you contorted your face in cringe, sipping on the coffee you had started brewing before leaving home.
“You don’t even know our names!” the one in the moon-patterned pajamas yelled this time.
“Okay, what are your names then?”
“Daddy says plastic is harmful. You can’t come in.”
SLAM!
“Jesus christ, is that what he teaches these girls?!” you tsked to yourself, then settled down at the kitchen table to get to work.
You thought you had a solid few hours to complete the day’s checklist, but alas… You could recall blinking at some point, then all of a sudden, it was nighttime. If it weren’t for Ryder’s majestic entrance, you weren’t even going to realize it was dinner time already.
“Hey, Mom! I’m hitting the shower. I’ll be right down,” he stormed in and immediately dashed towards the stairs.
“Ryder, door first,” you called out to him to close it, your eyes still on the screen.
But no clank was heard.
“Ryder!”
Not a peep.
“I swear to fucking god. Every time,” you grunted to yourself and closed the door on His Majesty’s behalf. Considering the immense pain right below your right shoulder blade, it was probably time you called it a day anyway.
Per the commandments of your household, the cuntress had to have her meals first. You refilled Missha’s bowl, which she could normally hear from ten miles away and teleport herself to the kitchen, but the entire house was completely still. You scoured each room, looked inside all the cracks large enough for her to pour herself through, but…
“RYDER, GET DOWN HERE! MISSHA’S GONE!!!”
You took the left side of the street while he took the right, but the door-to-door search yielded no results. Damn this girl’s camouflage coat that made her blend into any backdrop. You started to freak out even harder when you returned home empty-handed. It was dark out; who knows what the hell kind of wild animals were out there. The street wasn’t super well-lit, either. What if a passing car didn’t have its headlights on?
“What’s the protocol for lost cats? DO WE CALL THE POLICE?!” you started frantically pacing in the kitchen.
“First, we calm down,” Ryder held your shoulders and sat you down on a chair. “I’ll go grab my computer, and we’ll look into this, okay? I promise we’ll find her.”
You were taking deep breaths, which, apparently, was a total bullshit recommendation being perpetuated. It had zero impact on calming you down. Your hands were still trembling, and you were nervously shaking your legs under the table.
You almost knocked over the entire table when you lunged at your phone to pick up the call from an unknown number.
“Hi, is this the human of… Missha?”
“YES!” you screamed, already grabbing your car keys and heading out. “Could you give me your address, please? I’ll be right over.”
“Uh… I was going to offer to bring her home, but sure,” the man on the phone answered. “1546 Ocean Drive.”
You stopped dead in your tracks, then slowly turned around to look at your door with 1545 written next to it. When you narrowed your eyes and stared into the darkness, the only thing you could make out was some white shirt of sorts thanks to the streetlights ricocheting off of it.
“Are you the dude on the porch right now?”
He turned to his left to spot someone on the phone and eventually saw you standing by the front door.
“Oh, hi!” he waved at you as a makeshift location pin. “Yes, I w—”
You immediately hung up and booked it towards the white shirt guy. The approaching stomps were growing so loud that even Missha’s fur was standing on end out of fear.
“THERE YOU ARE!” you hugged the crap out of the poor animal. “You scared the bejesus out of me. Don’t run away like that again!”
The man looked at you with something akin to surprise in his eyes, then flashed a bright smile.
“I am so sorry. She gets really feisty when she’s stressed. I hope she didn’t scratch too deep,” you addressed your lord and savior at long last.
“Feisty?” he cocked a brow. “She’s been sleeping on my lap the whole time.”
“Girl, did you have something against me all along?” you gasped at Missha’s betrayal.
“Can’t we please keep her, Daddy?”
Only then did you realize that you weren’t alone on that porch. The twins, and frankly the best roastmasters you’d ever seen, were pulling on their father’s hands, with eyes so huge that you had half a mind to offer joint custody to these girls.
“They’ve been begging for a cat forever,” he scratched his nape.
“But she’s my little girl,” you kneeled at their eye level. “You would be very sad if someone took away your daddy, too, right?”
They nodded in unison, still pouting.
“What are your names?” you asked with a smile.
They looked at their father for permission. When they received the approving nod, they graced you with an answer.
“I’m Piper.”
“I’m Harper.”
“Nice to meet you, Piper and Harper. I’m Missha’s mom,” you shook each of their tiny hands.
“Are you a teacher, too, Missha’s mom?”
“I own a bookstore,” you replied. “Do you like books?”
“Daddy reads Singing Giraffe to us every night.”
“Daddy might need an update on his repertoire,” you looked him up and down, then pointed at your house. “Tell you what. If your dad gives permission, would you like to be Missha’s new friends?”
“PLEASE DADDY, CAN WE?!”
“Only if I can be her friend, too. I mean, we already got a situationship going on, so…” the man set forth his sole condition. “But NOT if you don’t go to bed right now!”
“Good night, Missha’s mom!” the twins bolted inside right away.
You waved them goodbye, unable to control your endeared laughter. They reminded you of the day you learned Ryder’s gender all of a sudden. If the doctor said ‘It’s a girl’ then, would this be your reality by any chance?
“Welcome to the neighborhood, by the way,” you extended your hand to the man still staring at you with a smile. “Sorry, I couldn’t drop by earlier. Your front porch was like a meet and greet.”
“Chris,” he warmly shook your hand. “I apologize for the scene. The neighborhood is a little… friendly.”
“What an interesting spelling for DILF hunter,” you uttered with a completely straight face. Even though he burst out laughing, he seemed a bit flustered.
“Is it… that obvious that I’m single?”
“Hmm,” you squinted and started checking out the surroundings. “Sedan in the driveway, zero plants on the front porch, your wife would have killed you already if she saw the porch this muddy, so yeah, you’re basically glowing in the dark.”
“Wow, you’re good,” he let out a heartfelt laugh.
That sound reached your ears, and you felt something flutter in your chest. Something familiar, but not quite. Something you seemed to have long forgotten.
Still on the tip of your tongue somehow.
“Good night, Chris,” you excused yourself. “Thank you once again.”
“Anytime,” he nodded, smile still intact.
Once your door closed in the distance, Chris finally went inside to take the stage for his daily Singing Giraffe performance. Unlike any other evening, however, the girls seemed to be extra alert this time, whispering stuff to each other in absolute glee.
“What are you giggling about so much?” he asked as he took his seat by the bed.
“Daddy?” Harper clung to his arm.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Missha has a mom.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Can’t she be our mom, too?”
Of course, she didn’t mean any ill by that; they were just tiny, pure souls. They had no way of knowing how crushing it was for one parent to hear this when they were trying so hard to be both.
Knowing full well they were never going to be a match for the missing half.
“I don’t think she’d want that, baby,” he caressed his girl’s curls that were identical to his. “Shall we continue Singing Giraffe now?”
❥ Reblog & drop your feedback to read Singing Giraffe to twins with Chris.
I asked you who your Comfortopher is, and you said you wanted the DILF dude, so here he is. Time to make your metaphorical ovaries explode.
Welcome to Summerland!🏝️
Summerland is part of an emotive project Mari and I started alllll the way back during Rockstar era, and it's finally seeing the light of day. It's the "happiness" installment of the collection, so I'm legally obligated to put a cw here:
CAUTION: DISGUSTING AMOUNTS OF TOOTH-ROTTING FLUFF AHEAD!
Bring out your polaroid cameras and enjoy this wholesome journey that has no other purpose than giving you the warm and fuzzies. Let me know what you think! ^^
P.S: Missha is my goddaughter, and she is as unamused irl as she is in the story.
Synopsis: It starts as joke and have been running between you and Minho for a while — until it isn’t anymore. (2,4k words)
It starts as a joke.
The first time you say it is when he cooks dinner.
You’re sitting at the kitchen counter, chin in your hands, watching him move around and looking annoyingly good doing something as mundane as stirring a pan. His focused, dark brown eyes. The strands of hair falling over his forehead. The sharpness of his jaws. The slope of his nose.
He wipes his hands on a cloth when he’s done. Then slides a plate toward you.
“Eat before it gets cold,” he says without the slightest of zest.
“Thank you, my beautiful, private chef,” you teasingly say.
You pick up the fork, taking a piece of the pan seared salmon and shove it into your mouth. It tastes exactly as it looks. As you expected.
“Oh my god,” you gasp, eyes widen dramatically.
He rolls his eyes immediately. “What.”
“This is amazing,” you gasp, clutching your chest like you’ve just been emotionally wounded by good food.
The compliment doesn’t seem to faze him much as he continues eating his own dinner. Yet he looks just as attractive when he’s eating.
You put your hands under your chin, tilting your head slightly to the side as you dreamily sigh, “You’re hot and good at cooking…”
He only looks at you, unimpressed. And yet, his indifference is the biggest part of his charm.
You lean forward and sweetly say, “Please, marry me.”
He doesn’t even look up from his own plate of dinner. “No.”
Your lips curl into a pout. “No?”
“I already cooked for you. That’s more than enough commitment,” he simply answers and ever so casually, taking a sip of water.
The answer comes out so smoothly, so unexpectedly but at the same time, it’s so Minho. You burst out laughing, completely amused. And ever since, you can’t help but teasing him with the same joke, anticipating what his answer will be.
-
A week later he comes home with a fresh haircut.
You’re on the couch scrolling through your phone when he walks in, casually kicking off his shoes like he didn’t just drastically increase the apartment’s attractiveness level.
It amazes you how Minho losing a few inches of hair makes you stare and feel warm all over.
He notices as he walks to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. “What?”
“You look hot,” you say, biting your lower lip like it would help supress the dirty thoughts forming in your head. “Like… illegally hot.”
“It’s just a haircut,” he says, matter-of-factly.
You wait until he’s sitting on the sofa with you, scooting closer until you’re right there next to him and stare at him all over again with heart in your eyes.
“Gosh, I have the hottest man in the world as my boyfriend,” you sigh, a finger playfully tracing the prominent vein on his arm.
As usual, Minho is unfazed. He’s on his phone, typing on the screen with so much focus. You lean in closer, close enough to place light, little kisses along the side of his jaw and then a final one on the skin behind his ear, catching the hint of his perfume there.
“I’d destroy the world if you married someone else,” you feign seriousness as you whisper into his ear. “So please… marry me.”
That gets him turning his head toward you and stares at you for a long second. Then he shrugs and says, “Sounds like a you problem.”
With that, he turns his focus back on his phone, ignoring the way you pout and glare at him from the side.
But after a while, you smile as you soften around him again. You wrap your arms and legs around him, clinging to him despite him rejecting your playful proposal for the second time.
-
One evening you’re both sprawled on the couch. Minho is lying on his back with a cushion propped under his head and you — you lay on top of him with his muscular chest as your pillow, your legs are tangled with his. His arm wrapped around your back, fingers absentmindedly playing with the end of your hair.
Even doing something mundane like this — just watching a movie, cuddling on the sofa in a contented silence — feels special with him. It really is not about what you’re doing but who you’re doing it with.
You glance up at him and find him so focused on the TV, looking comfortable and warm and frustratingly boyfriend-shaped.
You sigh contentedly and softly call his name, “Minho.”
“Hm.”
“Please marry me.”
He doesn’t even look away from the screen. His tone flat and uninterested as he asks, “Why should I?”
You subtly shrug and say, “So we can do what married people do.”
One hand glides down to the base of your spine, threading his fingers there. He turns his head slightly. “Like what?”
You think about it seriously for a moment, humming in solemn. “We can open joint bank accounts.”
“Terrible idea.”
“Getting a mortgage.”
“Even worse.”
“Buying matching coffins.”
He finally turns fully toward you. “What?”
“So when we die we can be buried next to each other,” you explain matter-of-factly.
He stares at you like he’s reconsidering every life choice that led him here. “You skipped a lot of steps.”
You coyly shrug and grin.
“I’d prefer to be cremated though,” he says, putting both hands on your back now.
“Oh?” You softly gasp, slightly surprised. Then, a second later—
“Oh!” you gasp again, the kind that comes with an idea. A strange, weird idea. “We can have our ashes pressed into diamonds and inherit it to our future children.”
Minho’s lips quirk into a half smirk. “That’s actually a good idea,” he agrees.
You beam and snuggle closer, feeling proud of yourself. You burrow your head into the crook of his neck and softly whisper, “So let’s get married, yeah?”
He pats your head like you’re an overly affectionate cat. “No.”
The proposal isn’t that serious but your head lifts anyway when he rejects you for the third time. “No?”
This time, he looks at you when he says it again. “No.”
“Why not?”
He holds your face with both hands like you’re a fragile object but the answer he gives you is nothing like it. “Cause you’re getting harder to tolerate,” he flatly replies.
Instead of feeling offended, you crack a laugh and bump your nose with his. “I hate you,” you say, affectionately.
“See? Hard to tolerate,” he says, smirking.
But with each rejection, you find yourself falling harder for him. And a tiniest bit of hope that he’ll marry you. For real.
-
The joke continues.
Every time he does something nice.
When he brings you coffee.
“Please marry me.”
When he fixes the loose cabinet door you’ve been ignoring for months.
“Please marry me.”
When he wordlessly hands you a blanket because he noticed you were cold.
“Please marry me.”
His responses are always the same level of unimpressed.
“Unlikely.”
“No thanks.”
“Absolutely not.”
Or his personal favorite:
“I’m not in the mood.”
Even when you’re already tucked in bed, drowsy and tired, ready to sleep. You look at Minho who’s peacefully lying beside you with eyes closed. You lean in to his ear, whisper while half asleep.
“Please marry me, Minho.”
Minho’s eyes snap open and slowly, he turns his head toward you. He gives you a look of disbelief. Then he runs his fingers down your face to force you to close your eyes.
“Go to sleep.”
“But—”
This time, he cuts you off with by pressing a sudden, hard kiss on your lips. When he pulls away, he mutters, “Your proposal has been postponed.”
And you can’t really complaint when he shut you up like that. So instead, you snug closer to him and try to sleep. At the same, you’re already planning on proposing again tomorrow.
-
Weeks pass.
The joke never really stops. It just becomes part of your routine now.
As Minho is busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, you hug him from behind. You wrap your arms around him, resting your head on his shoulder and feeling comforted already by the mere feel of his body against you.
Minho continues cutting ingredients like this is just another Sunday afternoon. The sounds of his knife hitting the cutting board are the only thing filling the silence. Until—
“Please marry me,” you say, voice a little muffled as your mouth pressed to his neck.
Minho sighs but continues cutting the carrot now. “You’ve proposed to me twelve times today.”
You grin and teasingly say, “So?”
He turns his head, looking at you like he’s both impressed and bewildered that you haven’t given up already.
You don’t waver. Instead, you feel encouraged. “Statistically one of them will work eventually,” you confidently say.
He smirks and simply says, “Good luck with that.”
-
One night you come home exhausted. Work had been long and irritating and your brain feels like it’s running on fumes. When you open the apartment door, the smell of food greets you immediately.
Minho stands in the kitchen, the sleeves of his dark sweater rolled up to his elbows, putting too much focus on plating dinner.
Just the sight of him is enough to make the weight of the day vanishes into thin air. “I’m home,” you weakly announce.
“You’re late,” he says without looking up.
You walk up to him, giving him a quick hug while letting out a sigh. Like you’re trying to exhale all the heavy, worried minds out of your head. When you pull away, you offer him a small smile.
“I’m just going to put my bag away and wash up,” you say.
He seems to notice that you’re more exhausted than usual. He gives you a quick kiss on the lips before letting you go.
When you return, he’s already set everything on the dining table and now, filling your glass with red wine. You take your seat, stomach grumbling at the mouth-watering smell of the food in front of you.
It’s when Minho takes his seat, you finally allow yourself to start eating. It feels good to come home to the man you love and eat the food he cooked. You couldn’t be luckier than this.
“Good?” he asks.
You have to stop yourself from shoving more food to properly answer him. “So good,” you say with stuffed cheeks.
He smiles at that, warm and affectionate, before getting back to his own plate of dinner.
At the end of the dinner, you feel so content. Literally. Figuratively. You have a small sip of wine before leaning in to the side until your shoulder meets his and stay there.
You tilt your head, meeting his eyes. “Thank you for dinner,” you genuinely mutter.
Minho puts an arm around your shoulder. “Glad you enjoyed it,” he says, followed with a quick kiss to the top of your head.
You have another sip of wine and feeling playful when you look at him again. Then you hesitantly ask, “Marry me?”
For once, he doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looks back at you. He studies your face for a moment. Then, finally answers, “Okay.”
Wow! That’s a first.
But you know him too well to know that he’s only saying that as a joke, to boost your ego. Or lighten up your mood after a long, tiring day.
“You’re not supposed to say yes. You’re supposed to reject me,” you tell him, half-laughing.
He tilts his head slightly and blinks his eyes a few times. “Well, I changed my mind.”
You can’t tell if he’s being serious now or just messing with you. You nervously laugh and decide to entertain the idea. “Okay, let’s go to the city hall tomorrow and get a marriage certificate.”
“Okay,” he repeats.
Your heart starts beating faster. “You’re joking, right?” you carefully ask.
“I’m not,” his voice is calm. Serious.
Your stomach flips. “Minho…”
The arm around your shoulder feels warm and steady. He looks you in the eyes as he says, “I though you always wanted me to say yes.”
Your brain struggles to catch up. “Wait, are you actually—”
“Yes.”
You sigh, a part of you still struggling to believe this. “Minho, I need to know if you’re serious.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Why would I joke about that.”
You stare at him, completely stunned. “But I thought—”
“That it was just a joke?” he finishes.
You nod weakly.
He nonchalantly shrugs. “It started that way. But I thought about it.”
“And?” you whisper.
He looks at you like the answer is obvious. “And I decided I wouldn’t mind doing those things with you.”
Your voice comes out small. “Even the cremated part?”
He sighs like he’s fed up of you doubting his proposal. “If that’s what you want.”
A shaky laugh escapes you, half disbelief and half overwhelming emotion. “You’re really proposing right now?”
“You’re the one who proposed first.”
“That was a joke!”
“And this isn’t.”
The room feels very quiet suddenly. Despite the confusion, the suddenness of this moment, and the fact that it hasn’t sunk into you… your eyes start to sting.
“You’re serious…” you mutter to yourself while laughing in disbelief.
He gently squeezes your shoulder. “Do you want me to ask properly?”
You nod quickly.
He takes a small breath. Then, in the most Minho way possible, he says, “Do you want to marry me so we can open a joint bank account, get a mortgage and have our cremated ashes turn into diamonds?”
You burst into tearful laughter. “Yes. A thousand time yes,” you say immediately.
He nods once, satisfied. “Okay.”
With that, he pulls you into his arms like this was the most normal conversation in the world. That this is not him finally asking you to marry him and said yes to marrying you.
You cling to him, still laughing in disbelief. “Told you, one of them will work eventually,” you mumble into his shoulder.
“I know.”
You tilt your head up, looking at him in love and disbelief that you’ll have your forever with him. “Marry me, Minho,” you softly murmur it’s almost a whisper.
He leans in and places a chaste kiss on your lips. when he pulls away just enough to look at you, he smiles and says, “Already working on it.”
-
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Synopsis: When you signed up for a paid product testing program, you expected free samples and money. What you didn’t expect was to be paired with Hwang Hyunjin and assigned to test a series of increasingly questionable sexual wellness products together. (26,1k words)
Author's note: It's here. The final chapter is here. Thank you to each and every one of you who have been following this series. I hope you enjoy this one last one ❣️
You wake slowly. Your lashes flutter, the world still soft around the edges as you shift slightly against the bed, the sheets tangled somewhere around your legs. For a second, you don’t move, just lying there, letting sleep cling to you before you put your hand reaches and fumbles blindly across the bedside table, grabbing your phone, bringing it close enough to squint at the screen.
You slightly jolt at the realization that half of the day went by. “What—?” Your voice comes out hoarse, disbelieving.
You push yourself up slightly, brushing your hair away from your face and just sit there, back leaning against the headboard to give your brain time to catch up. You turn your head to the side and find Hyunjin still asleep. He’s sprawled across the bed with arms stretched, one leg half hanging off the mattress, the duvet completely kicked aside. It’s like he’s making snow angel in his dream.
You shake your head as a soft laugh slips out of you. You move his arm, setting it beside him as you shift closer. Your body naturally finding its place against his, and you nuzzle your face into the warm curve of his neck.
“Hey, wake up,” your voice comes out low and a little hoarse.
He’s too deep in his slumber to even respond. You try again by gently poking his cheek with your finger, followed by small, ticklish kisses along his jaw. Still, nothing. Not even a twitch.
You pull back slightly, narrowing your eyes at him as you sigh in annoyance, “Unbelievable…”
Well, if he won’t wake up, you will make him. You slide off the bed and walk over to the window, fingers gripping the curtain before pulling it open in one swift motion. Daylight instantly floods in, filling every corner of the room with bright, unforgiving late afternoon sun.
You turn to look at him, waiting if it does something to him and to your surprise, nothing. You exhale sharply through your nostrils and march back to the bed. You don’t even hesitate to jump and the mattress sinks as you land beside him, bouncing slightly as you lean over him.
“Come on! Wake up!” You say, pulling at his arm.
Finally, he stirs just slightly and groans. Then his arms moves as it reaches for you, wrapping around your waist and pulling you down with him. You let out a small sound of surprise as you collapse onto his chest.
Hyunjin is already settling again, eyes remain closed, breathing slow and even. Like he’s already halfway back to sleep again.
You huff softly and stack your hands together on his chest, resting your chin on it. Then you just watch him, all his beautiful features that complement each other perfectly. At the sight of his lips, an intrusive thought pops in your head and almost without thinking, your fingers lift, tracing lightly over his soft, plump lips.
Another intrusive thought pops and you cave in immediately — you lean down to press your lips against his, placing a gentle, lingering kiss on him.
You pull away just enough to put an inch between your lips. “Wake up. I’m hungry…” you mumble with coaxing tone.
He doesn’t answer, but his arms tighten around you, holding you closer. A bit later, he shifts and lifts his head to close the inch between your lips for a soft, sleepy kiss. Then he drops back onto the pillow.
He takes a moment to gather his senses and then his eyes fluttering open. When they meet yours, he breaks into a lazy grin. A gentle hand lands on the top of your head, thumb tucking away a strand of hair on your temple.
“Room service?” he murmurs.
You shake your head. “No. Let’s go out.”
He stares at the ceiling, like he’s thoughtfully considering it. Then he nods. “Okay.”
You smile and place a quick kiss on his lips. “I’m going to get ready,” you say.
You press your hands into the mattress, about to push yourself up when all of a sudden, his arms tighten again and holding you in place.
“Hey—”
“Five more minutes,” he mumbles, voice thick with sleep.
You glare down at him. “Just five?”
“Mmm-hm.”
“Just five more minutes,” you warn as you let yourself sink back down, melting into him.
However, five minutes turn into… more than five. By the time the two of you step out of the hotel for a late lunch and it turns into an early dinner. Despite it, the food tastes better and maybe because you skipped an entire half of the day with sleep. Or maybe it’s just him. Either way, you both finish the meals rather too quickly.
On the bright side, it gives you and him time to walk down to the beach, just in time to enjoy the sunset.
By the time you’re sitting on the sand, side by side, the sky is already starting to shift, the blue deepening, warm colors slowly bleeding into the horizon as the sun lowers itself toward the water.
You pull your knees up slightly, arms wrapped loosely around them as you watch. “Can’t believe we just wasted another day like that…” you sigh with a pout.
Hyunjin leans back, hands propping against the sanding behind him. “We didn’t just waste it,” he mutters in disagreement.
You turn your head and narrow your eyes at him. “If only you weren’t scowling and upset with me all the time,” you say, teasing him.
He scoffs at that and without looking at you, he says, “Pfft… I told you I wasn’t upset.”
“Yeah, but you were scowling.”
“I wasn’t.”
You softly laugh and then playfully bump his shoulder with yours. “Yet you’re the one who says why I’m the girl with the adorable scowl,” you casually say, glancing sideway to see his reaction.
It takes him seconds to process your words and realizes where they came from. Yet, he decides to act oblivious and coyly says, “What are you talking about?”
You glare at him, giving him another shoulder bump. “Oh, don’t act like you don’t know.”
He just looks at you, feigning innocence like he never heard it before. Or that those exact words firstly came out of his own mouth.
“I know you recommended me to Jane. For the test program,” you tell him.
Hyunjin pauses for a second and then smirks. Like you figuring it out just now is entertaining.
Offended, you elbow his side, but he barely reacts. “You acted so convincingly at the seminar. Like you didn’t know we were paired.”
That gets him bursting into laughter, his head tilting back slightly, shoulders shaking as the sound escapes him freely.
It annoys you even more so you elbow him again, a little harder. “Stop laughing.”
“Sorry,” he says, not sounding sorry at all.
You cross your arms slightly, turning more serious now. “Why did you choose me anyway?”
That question lingers a little longer than the others. Hyunjin simply shrugs and says, “Because I wanted to annoy you.”
You elbow him again. “Be serious!”
He laughs again, dodging slightly this time. “Okay, okay—”
He thinks for a second and then tries again. “Because it’d be fun. Doing it with you.”
The answer is more honest than before but you elbow him anyway. Harder. “Try again.”
“Hey—” he winces, hand coming up to his side. “That one hurt.”
“Good.”
He exhales, rubbing his ribcage. This time, he looks at you as he seriously answers. “Because I always wanted to get close to you and I just didn’t know how.”
You go quiet. Your gaze softens without you meaning it to. A smile starts to form anyway and you look away before he can see too much of it, looking back to the horizon where the sky is now painted in orange and pink, the sun dipping lower, reflecting across the water.
“You should’ve chosen Gabe,” you say, almost absentmindedly.
“What’s the fun in doing it with someone who already likes me?” he says without a beat.
You let out a scoff of disbelief. “Yeah, sure, the girls go crazy for a cocky guy like you,” you sneer.
He turns to you and beams as he lightly says, “See? Who needs affection when I have blind hatred?”
You try not to fall in easily but a soft laugh slips out before you can stop it. And when he puts his arm around you, you instantly lean into him, fitting there easily.
Hyunjin leans in to press a kiss on the top of your head and then brings his mouth close to the side of your head. “I know you like this cock,” he whispers with a teasing edge.
You tilt your head up, meeting his eyes and letting him see the way yours widen in surprise. You elbow him again, but this time is more like a nudge.
He laughs in satisfaction and draws you closer to his side. “I mean, I know you like this cocky guy,” he corrects, still laughing.
A beat later, he corrects again, “A charming, cocky guy.”
You shake your head at that but at the same time, can’t help the way your lips curve into a smile.
He looks at you, still with that grin on his face and then he presses a gentle kiss on your lips, long enough for the warmth of it to spread all over you.
When the kiss breaks, the two of you turn your head back to the way the sun sinking deeper into the horizon, the sky darkens and the air cooling. The way everything else feels like it’s slowing down around you.
Aside from the fact that everything happened before this is not as accidental as you think.
But this, here, right now — you’re both here because you chose to be with each other.
In this moment.
-
The elevator is empty when you step in. Hyunjin hurriedly presses the number to your hotel floor without letting go of your hand and soon, the doors slide shut. Before the elevator even starts moving, you reach for him. Your fingers gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him forward until he’s standing right in front of you, your back pressing lightly against the wall.
He doesn’t resist. Instead, his hands come to your waist, holding you steady as his eyes drop to meet yours. “So, what’s our plan for the night?” he casually asks, but there’s something underneath it.
You glide your hands up his arms, hands resting on the nape of his neck, playing softly with the strands of hair there. You don’t answer. You just keep looking at him and that alone is enough to create tension between you and him.
His grip tightens just slightly at your waist. “Are you hungry already? Should we get room service later?” he asks, a smirk threatening to show.
With the hand rested on the back of his head, you pull him closer and without the slightest bit of hesitation, you kiss him.
It catches him off guard for a fraction before he melts into it, kissing you back like he’s been waiting for it with one hand stays on one side of your waist, the other trailing up your spine.
You open your mouth wider just to let him have as much taste as he can, letting him deepens the kiss and then slowly, you pull away. But he follows, chasing for your lips, for another kiss.
Before he can execute it, the elevator dings and the doors slide open. Then a group of people steps inside. And just like that, Hyunjin stops and straightens, but he stays where he is, close to you.
You can’t help but chuckle seeing his exasperated expression and the way he tries to compose himself. But his eyes— His eyes are still on you.
Feeling mischievous, you tilt your head just slightly, gaze dropping to his lips before flicking your eyes up and stare deeply into his eyes. You pull him close, close enough that only he can hear you when you speak.
“I have a plan for us tonight.”
This time, he stops himself from hiding his smirk. “Yeah?”
You rise onto your tiptoes, allowing you to speak right into his ear. Your lips lightly grazing the shell of his ear as you whisper, “Trust me. It’ll be fun.”
You linger there for a few more seconds before pulling back and look at him. The smile you give him is flirtatious and knowing. Like you didn’t just leave him there, caught between curiosity, intrigue… And something else entirely.
The elevator continues to climb, floor by floor and you can tell that Hyunjin is wondering what you have planned for tonight.
-
The second Hyunjin closes the door behind him and then turns, you run to him. Your hands grabbing onto him, your body colliding into his hard enough that it pushes him back a step and at the same time, your lips crash into his.
Hyunjin lets out a soft, surprised sound against your mouth, caught off guard by the force of it, but it only takes him a heartbeat before he’s kissing you back. Eagerly, like this is the only thing he thinks about since the elevator.
Your bodies tangle immediately, moving clumsily that your feet stepping over each other, as you push him backward, guiding him toward the bed without breaking the kiss. The kiss is messy and breathless, desperate in places. Yet you don’t stop, you keep steering until the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed. And then, you pull away, gasping for air when your mouths finally detached.
You flash him a smirk as you put both hands on his chest and then push him, hard and he falls back onto the mattress. A soft exhale escaped his parted as he lands, eyes already on you with excitement flickering in them. His smirk returns like a tell that he’s already enjoying this. Like he wants to see what you’ll do next.
You don’t make him wait for it. You climb onto him, straddling him easily, your knees settling on either side of his hips as you lean down and put your lips on him again. This time, you kiss him harder and deeper, teeth gently biting at his lower lip, tongue twirling around his.
Hyunjin’s hands coming up to your waist, gripping, pulling you closer like there’s even space left between you. You let him yourself get drawn to the temptation, feeding in on his hunger for you.
When your lungs start to burn and your breath turns uneven, only then do you pull away. Reluctantly. Your hand comes up beside his head, bracing yourself as you hover over him, looking down.
He’s already looking back at you with dark, lustful eyes and solely focused on you. His hand lifts, brushing your hair away from your face, tucking it back gently like he doesn’t want anything in the way of seeing you.
“Is this the fun plan?” he asks, voice a little rough.
You seductively smile and then lean down to press a quick, innocent kiss to his lips. “No.”
That throws him and you immediately see the confusion on his face. You pull back with a small smirk and cup his jaw. “Give me a few minutes as I get things ready,” you say.
His eyebrow lifts and you can almost see every thought running through his head, every possibility stacking on top of each other. It almost makes you laugh at how much you enjoy this. Instead, you lean in again, stealing one more kiss before pulling away completely.
“Now, wait here and don’t come out until I call you.”
With that, you slide off him, off the bed, leaving him there watching you as you step back. You walk toward the sliding doors, each hand reaching to pull them closed. Before you shut them completely, you pop your head in between and warn him one last time.
“Stay and wait here.”
You doubt that he hears you right or that he’d listen to your warn anyway. You lift a finger and pointing it at him. “Don’t come out until I call you,” you warn again, firmer but with a playful smile decorated your face.
Hyunjin doesn’t answer or confirm, he only grins at you. You choose to trust him that he’ll be a good boy and does as you instructed. Then you take one last step back and close the doors
-
Hyunjin stays where you left him. He’s lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling and patitently waiting for your call. It’s only been a minute, he’s sure he needs to wait longer so he lets out a quiet sigh, a disbelieving huff slipping past his lips as one hand brushes his dark locks to the back.
What just happened?
Hyunjin slowly backtracked everything he did together with you. Waking up to your soft, loving call of his name. Ate late lunch/early dinner together. Enjoyed the beautiful sunset together. You found out that he recommended you to Jane and wasn’t upset about it as he thought you would. You whispered that you have a fun plan prepared for tonight. You kissed him, pushed him hard onto the bed. You kissed him more, straddling him and pining him under. And now, you’re making him wait as you’re preparing something behind those doors.
He lets his arms stretch out before tucking them behind his head and stares up as his mind slowly catching up with everything.
It’s a lot to process all at once, but strangely, he doesn’t feel overwhelmed. If anything… He feels good that everything is out and that it doesn’t make things awkward or complicated. He feels really, really good.
And while he waits, his thoughts drift back to you, to whatever you’re doing behind those doors. There’s only so many directions his brain wants to go and none of them are exactly innocent. He exhales through his nose, a smirk forming as he shifts slightly on the bed as he lets himself indulges in the imaginations.
Maybe you’re changing into something… nice. Something you know would surprise him in so many ways, except innocently. Or maybe, you’re going around the room, setting a few things to be more ‘in the mood’. Or maybe—
Oh, man. The longer he waits, the more his imagination fills in the blanks and the more impatient he gets.
With a small groan, he rolls onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow, eyes fixed on the doors like he can somehow will them open faster. But nope, they’re still closed, still quiet.
“Few minutes are up,” he calls out, voice just loud enough to carry through.
A while later, he can hear the faint sound of your laughter. “Just a little bit more,” you reply.
He smiles just from hearing your voice and laugh — Which honestly is kind of insane. He shakes his head slightly, amused at himself before deciding to push it further.
“I’m getting sleepy,” he says, dragging out the words.
“Then go to sleep,” you answer without a beat.
Hyunjin breaks into laughter as he’s dropping his head back onto the bed again, one arm falling over his eyes. God. Love is so silly and embarrassing.
A moment later, you finally call for him. “Okay, you can come out now.”
Hyunjin scrambles to get up, swings his legs off the bed and stands. He pauses for a brief moment by the doors, hands on the handles like he’s bracing himself for whatever’s on the other side.
After a deep inhale of air, Hyunjin parts the doors open and his eyes automatically sweep over the room, looking for the ‘fun plan’ you’ve been talking about. He notices that the lights aren’t dimmed, no candles surrounded the space or the sofa has not been cozied up for a certain activity. And when his eyes land on you, you’re still wearing the same dress, more covered than what he imagined earlier. He only sees you there, sitting on the carpeted floor right in front of the low table.
Your arms thrown wide in the air, beaming at him like you’ve just revealed something spectacular. “TADA!”
He gives it another look-around, scanning the room like maybe he’s missing something, but no. But when his gaze return to you, he finally notices something on the table. Some kind of board game.
He takes a slow step forward, still processing. “This is your fun plan?”
You grin as you nod in confirmation.
He steps closer, like proximity might somehow change what he’s seeing. “Board game?”
You nod again. “Yes.”
Hyunjin just stands there for a second, staring at you and at the board. And then back at you. A breath escapes him. Half disbelief. Half laughter threatening to break through. “You made me wait for this?”
There’s no real complaint in his voice. He’s just… slightly baffled yet amused. But also, he knows this is just so you.
You smile as you pat the space on the carpeted floor beside you. “Come. Sit.”
He obeys, lowering himself onto the carpet, crossing his legs as he settles in, his gaze flicking from your bright, expectant grin to the board in front of him. Still confused.
“What kind of board game is this?” he asks, brows slightly drawn together.
Before you can answer, there’s knocking on the door. You’re moving, quick on your feet as you hurry to the door, leaving him sitting there, blinking after you like this whole thing just keeps getting stranger.
When you return, you have a bottle of champagne cradled in one arm and carrying a tray with both hands. His eyes follow every step as you lower it onto the table, two champagne flutes with a wine opener and then, something mysterious hidden under a metal lid.
As if you know he’s curious with what’s inside, you lift the lid to reveal a bowl of strawberries and melted chocolate in the other smaller bowl. The memory of that one movie night hits him instantly.
You hand him the bottle of champagne, along with the wine opener. “Will you please open it?”
“Certainly,” he says as he takes them. His hands skilfully working with the cork until it loosens and pops open. A soft fizz follows, bubbling at the neck as he quickly pours into both glasses, careful not to spill a drop. He quickly clinks his glass gently against yours and takes a big sip to not let it spill over. The wine is slightly fruity and smooth, instantly refreshing him.
He exhales quietly, setting the glass aside before leaning forward again, eyes back on the board. It looks like a game of monopoly but he knows for sure that it’s not it.
“What kind of game is this?” he asks again.
“It’s a fun game,” you simply answer with a grin.
He lets out a small sigh, already half-exasperated. “I mean, how do you play it?”
You softly giggle and then patiently explain that it’s just like any other board game. He only needs to roll dice and then moves the pieces according to the number he gets, but even that feels vague, like you’re intentionally leaving things open.
“Let’s just learn as we go,” you finish, waving it off.
He doubts that that’s all it is. But he chooses to trust you, for now. “Okay.”
You take another sip of wine, then glance at him. “Ready to play?”
He mirrors you, lifting his glass for a quick sip before setting it down. “Yeah.”
He straightens a little, focus settling in and gets his head in the game. But then, you look at him again.
“To start, we have to look lovingly into each other’s eyes,” you carefully instruct, setting the two pieces on the starting square. “And whoever blinks last gets the first turn.”
He scoffs lightly, a competitive spark lighting up immediately. “Just so you know, I’m good at staring games.”
You smile like you already know something he doesn’t. “Let’s begin by close our eyes first and open them at the count of three.”
Hyunjin closes his eyes right away and across from him, he hears the subtle shift of you turning to face him fully.
Your voice slower and softer now as you start to count down. “One… two…”
He breathes in and as soon as the word “three” is out of your mouth, he opens his eyes. and it startles him just a little to find you leaning in so close. Your face right there, merely an inches away from his with a sly smile playing on your lips as you look straight into his eyes.
Suddenly, this isn’t a game anymore. Something about the way you’re just looking at him and the unspoken words flickering in them — It does something to him. Because all he can think about is how easy it would be to close the gap between your lips. It’s a test on his restraint.
“We’re supposed to lovingly look into each other’s eyes,” he mutters, trying to hold onto some control.
You giggle and when you stop, your teeth fainty biting at your lower lip. Then, you lean in even closer. “What do you think I’m doing?” you murmur.
He knows you’re baiting him, knows you’re pushing him right to that edge on purpose.
And still, he holds onto his restraint just a little longer, a little stronger. But god, the way you’re looking at him. The way your eyes don’t waver, almost daring him. The way your lips are right there. He feels his restraint slipping and eventually, he gives in.
He lifts his hand, cupping your face as he closes the distance and finally, kisses you. Like that’s what this was always leading to. The kiss is gentle yet deep
“I won,” you triumphantly declare as soon as he pulls away.
He exhales, dropping his head back slightly as he rolls his eyes. “Yeah, okay. Take the first turn. Whatever.”
But as he turns toward the board, there’s a smile tugging at his lips anyway. Because honestly? He doesn’t feel like he lost at all.
-
Hyunjin leans forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees as he watches you take the dice.
You shake it in your hand in confidence and then toss it onto the table. It rolls and then stops on a five.
His eyes follow your hand as you move your piece across the board, counting softly under your breath until it lands on a square marked with a small cherry. He tilts his head, curious. “What does that mean?”
“It means I get a sweet treat,” you answer, reaching for the tray. You pick up a strawberry and dip it slowly into the melted chocolate. Then take a bite.
His eyes stay on you, watching the way your lips wrap around it, the chocolate catching slightly at the corner of your mouth.
You chew and smile a little to yourself. Then glance at him. “It’s your turn.”
He quickly snaps himself out of it. He grabs the dice, rolling it between his fingers before tossing it onto the table. Three. He moves his piece and it lands on a square marked with a pair of lips.
His brow lifts slightly in confusion. “And what this one means?”
“You get to kiss.”
His mouth twitch but before it can form into a smile, you place a different dice into his hand. This one is red and eight-sided, there are words written on each side of it.
“Now, roll this one,” you instruct.
He barely has time to read what’s written on each side of the dice. He rolls and then tosses it onto the table. It lands on… Hand.
“Hand?”
You nod, like this is completely normal. “That means you get to kiss me on the hand.”
He scoffs lightly. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he wants to kiss you somewhere else. But still, a kiss is a kiss, it counts when it’s with you. He takes your hand and brings it up. Then gently presses a kiss on the back of it and another on your wrist. He doesn’t stop there as his lips trail upward, making a trail of ferocious, little kisses up your arm.
You giggle in reaction, trying to pull back. “You only have to kiss my hand!”
“I am,” he says, half-laughing, not stopping. “I’m kissing your whole hand.”
You laugh harder, finally tugging your arm away, but he’s already smiling to himself, satisfied.
He picks up the red dice again, this time actually reading it. Lips, cheek, forehead, neck. His eyebrow lifts when he reads, ‘Free’.
“Free?”
“That means you can kiss wherever you want,” you casually answer.
His lips curve into a seductive smirk. “Wherever?”
“Wherever,” you repeat.
You roll again before he can say anything else and this time, your piece steps on a square with a question mark on it. You reach for the stack of card with identical mark, picking up a card and flipping it over to read what’s written on it.
“What’s the sexiest part of your partner’s body?”
His gaze slightly intensifies. A slow smirk forming as he leans back slightly, waiting in anticipation for your answer.
He suddenly aware of the way your eyes travel down his body. Not just looking, but scanning, taking him in. He notices the way your eyes linger around the lower half of his body before flicking back up to meet his eyes.
You flash him a cryptic, naughty smile before finally say your answer. “Your eyes.”
He lets out a quiet chuckle, doubting your answer. “My eyes? Really?”
You nod, certain.
Hyunjin leans in, leaning in too close that his breath ghosts your lips. “I thought you’d say something else.”
Your head tilts slightly, eyes daringly stare back at him. “Huh? What did you think it is?”
His gaze dips for a second and instead of answering, he chooses to show you. He takes your hand again, bringing it up, brushing your fingers lightly against his lips. His voice is dropping lower now. “Are you sure it’s not my lips?”
You smile as he continues to use your fingertips to feel the softness of his lips. “Your lips are sexy too. But…”
“But…?”
You catch his chin in your hand and then turn his face back toward the board game. “But it’s your turn now.”
He huffs out a laugh and then takes the dice again, rolling it with a small shake of his head.
It lands on a martini glass.
“You get to drink,” you quicky explains.
“That’s boring,” he grumbles. Yet, his hand reaching for his glass, taking a sip of the bubbly wine, feeling refreshed once again.
You’re already rolling again. Six. You waste no time to move your piece forward, landing on a square marked with a chili pepper. You take a card from another stack with the same drawing on the, and read it out loud.
“Give your partner a passionate kiss for 15 seconds.”
Oh. That’s how this game works. Each square is a command but the cards are specified commands depend on their signs. So far, the question mark is for questions. The chili pepper one is for spicy commands. Then, there’s another stack with a heart on it and that one is still unknown.
But wow! Finally! Something exciting.
You dramatically sigh as you prop a hand under your chin. “Why does this feel like a punishment?”
He doesn’t even try to hide his smile, turning his body slightly facing you and patiently wait for you to come to him.
You let out another sigh before crawling your way toward him and then, you climb onto his lap like you’ve already accepted your fate. His heart starts beating faster as your hands come up, cupping his face as you look down at him.
For a second, you just look, letting the anticipation builds and builds. When you close your eyes, he does the same. The first touch of your lips is light, testing and you pull back just slightly, just enough to tilt your head to the side. You part your mouth open before leaning in once more, kissing him deeper yet slower, letting him feeling every brush of your lips on his, the way you suck on his lower lip and coaxing him to open his mouth by gently biting at it. Of course, he caves in eventually and the kiss grows more certain, more consuming.
The tension keeps building with every second as you lean more into him, your tongue brushes his and twirling it with his, enough to pull a quiet breath from him before you latch on him again, kissing him with everything you’ve got.
Fifteen seconds suddenly feels way too short. Because just when he’s getting lost in it, you pull away.
You’re smiling as you mutter, “Time’s up.”
He chases after your lips, wanting more, needing more. “Just a bit more…” he breathlessly whine, almost pathetically.
You only give him a quick peck on the lips and then slide off his lap, settling back to your spot like nothing happened. He almost shakes his head at the way you mercilessly tease him and act like you didn’t just do that.
You grab the dice again and he stops you by wrapping his hand around yours. “Hey, it’s my turn.”
“I got six,” you say, opening his grip on your hand. “So I get to roll again.”
Hyunjin reluctantly lets go and you toss the dice onto the table. Five. Your piece lands on the cherry. He sighs because it’s the boring one, but he quickly reaches for the bowl of strawberries.
“I’ll do it for you,” he says.
You let him and watch as he takes one, dipping the strawberry into the chocolate, holding it up to your lips. Once you take a bite of it, he shoves the rest into his mouth and licks the chocolate off his fingers.
When you look at the board, you grin and clap your hands together. “I finished one lap.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“First to finish three laps wins.”
Okay, now that he understands how the game works, —well, most of it— he realizes that winning the game is not really the point.
Hyunjin takes his turn, still feeling the warmth of you lingering in his arms as he rolls the dice. Four. His piece stops on a square with the heart on it.
You point at the stack of card. “Pick a card.”
He eyes you suspiciously before reaching for the stack, picking one from the top and flipping it over. He reads the command loud enough for the two of you to hear.
“Hug your partner for 30 seconds.”
He puts the card down and mumbles, “Only 30 seconds? That’s cruel.”
You softly laugh at that but don’t seem to mind as he’s already moving. He stands on his knees and offers you his hands, helping you up with him until you’re facing each other. First, he puts his hands on your waist and then slowly, he pulls you in until there’s no space left between you. And just like that, you’re in his arms.
Your arms loop around his shoulders, one hand drifting up to the back of his head, fingers lightly scratching there. It makes him relax and leans in further, burying his face into the crook of your neck like he’s just found the most comfortable, safest place for him to be.
Time flew by and when you murmur softly that time’s up, he only tightens his hold.
“Give me like…” his voice is muffled by your skin. “…thirty more hours of it.”
You chuckle at that and let him, your hand sliding to his back, landing comforting rubs there. And for a moment, he forgets everything else, including the fact that this is a part of a game.
You pull back just enough to look at him and say, “We have to continue.”
Reluctantly and with a dramatic pout, he lets you go and the two of you settle back onto the carpeted floor.
You take your turn and you land on the chili pepper. Again. His interest peaked as you grab a card and read it. “Sit on your partner’s lap until your next turn.”
The grin on his face is so wide that his cheeks hurt. He folds his legs together and pats his lap. “Come, girl. Come on!” he calls for you like he’s summoning his pet puppy.
The annoyed sigh makes a return as you move and sit on his lap. His arm wraps around your waist immediately, holding you close like you’d float away if he didn’t. He leans in without thinking, sneaking a kiss on your neck. You sharply glare at him for it, but he ignores it as puts his focus on the game.
His piece lands on the question mark and he confidently picks up a card from the stack. “When do you find your partner the most beautiful?”
Hearing the question, you turn your head, looking at him over your shoulder, putting all of your attention on him.
He tosses the card aside, both arms wrapping around you now as he thoughtfully thinking like this is a question that will alter his life. “You’re the most beautiful when… you’re working.”
Your expression is pure confusion for one second and turns a little surprised in the next one.
“When you’re focused… serious… you have that faint little scowl on your face,” He can see the way you’re holding yourself back from smiling as he continues. “You’re too busy taking care of… everything else you don’t even realize how beautiful you look.”
You let your smile shows and then narrow your eyes at him. “Correction! It’s an adorable scowl,” you playfully say with a grin.
He nods at that and before your smile disappears, he kisses the corner of your mouth.
“It’s my turn now,” you say, sliding off his lap. You give a dice a good shake and roll it onto the table. Five. The piece lands on the kiss square.
His eyebrow perks up in excitement as you take the red dice and roll it across the table. It stops just on the edge and on the word, ‘Neck’. Before he can even tease you for it, you lean in to place a quick, fleeting kiss press of your lips against his neck. Barely there.
“Hey, that doesn’t count,” he instantly protests.
“But it was a kiss. On the neck,” you say, matter-of-factly with a faint grin.
“That was nothing.”
You crack a laugh and this time, when you lean in, you lean in slower and more deliberate. Your lips press to his neck, warm and soft, and then, your tongue brushes over the skin in a light, teasing lick. It’s quick but enough to make his eyes fluttering and sending a shiver down his spine. A quiet inhale slipping from between his parted lips before you pull away, smiling like you know exactly what you just did.
You place the dice in his hand. “Your turn.”
Hyunjin is still reeling from the kiss and he inhales air to recover from it, shaking the dice in his palm, eyes already locked on a specific square. The chili pepper square. Three steps away. He brings his fist to his mouth, blowing on it like it’ll bring him luck and then tosses it.
Three. He lets out a quiet, satisfied hum. He keeps his calm as he picks up the card from the stack and reads it silent.
“This is fun,” he mutters with a slow, dangerous smirk stretches across his face.
You lean in, trying to read what’s written on the card. “What does it say?”
He reads it aloud for you. “Take one piece of your partner’s clothing off.”
You groan immediately as you look down and realize there’s not much to undress as you’re in a dress. “Great. I should’ve worn layers.”
He leans back slightly, considering his options and watching your cute, annoyed face. It seems obvious to you that he’d go for the dress and he lets you think that by reaching for the hem of your dress, lifting it slowly.
Your eyes lock with his as your thighs are now exposed and you slightly lift your hips off the floor as he lifts the hem higher and higher and then—
He changes direction, letting go of the hem and slips his hand under, and then higher until his fingers meeting the waistband of your underwear. Your eyes widening in reaction, a low gasp contained behind your pressed lips and that alone is enough to push him further.
He takes his time as he hooks his fingers in the fabric and then pulls it down, slowly and deliberately. He lets out a sigh when the silky fabric comes into sight and keeps his eyes on it as he continues to pull it down your legs until it’s off of you. He shamelessly takes a quick sniff and shoves it into the pocket of his shirt after. Then leans back with a satisfied look, like he just won something.
You shake your head at him, taking a sip of your drink like you’re suddenly thirsty from the little stunt he pulled. You breathe in air before taking the dice in your hand again and roll it. Your piece stands on the square with the heart on it.
You pick up a card from the stack and read it. “Whisper three compliments to your partner.”
You put the card away with a sigh. “Oh, man, I wish I have something nice to say to you,” you jokingly mutter, giving him a side glance.
Hyunjin only smiles at you and calmly says, “You can say I’m charming. I’m fun to be with. Or that I’m good at annoying you.”
“The last one sounds about right,” you say with a smile. You scoot closer, bringing your mouth close to his side and get quiet as you think.
When you’re ready, you lean in closer and he tilts his head to meet you halfway. Your lips brushing near his ear as you whisper, “I think you’re a talented artist.”
He smiles and nods. “A hundred percent agree!”
You hum as you pause and think again. “You’re very good at annoying me,” you whisper.
He opens his mouth to protest but you quickly add, “… As good as making me smile and laugh.”
And he can’t help but smile at that. He doesn’t expect that one to make his heart fluttering inside his chest.
“And…” you whisper as you continue.
He softly gazes into your eyes and echoes, “And…?”
“You’re good at…” your words trail off as your finger playing with the button on his shirt, intentionally making him wait for it. When your eyes meet his again, you finally finish the sentence. “You’re good at making me feel good.”
That compliment has double entendre and he knows you did that on purpose. Because now he can’t decide whether he should be touched or aroused, or both. But one thing for sure, the compliment gives him a boost of confidence.
You hold his gaze for second longer, letting him read the intention behind your compliments before taking the dice and put it in his hand. “Okay, time to roll.”
With a sigh, Hyunjin takes the dice in his hand and gets four. The piece lands on the kiss square and he knows his way around the game now. He grabs the red dice. His eyes darken slightly as the dice stops on the word, ‘Free’.
“Kiss wherever I want…” he mutters with a look of mischief.
You only shake your head in defeat, a smile supressed to hide your amusement.
He crawls to you, taking your legs and turning you to face him. He uses his hand to part them open, the hem of your dress covering what’s in between but not the fact that you’re bare underneath.
You stay where you are, calmly leaning back with your hands propped against the floor, legs parted open. A faint smirk lingering on your lips.
Hyunjin flashes you a seductive smile before lowering his mouth, lower and lower until his head buried between your legs. He presses his nose against your inner thigh, drinking in the scent that clings to your skin.
You remain still as he trails up your thigh and not stopping until his mouth meeting your bare sex, warm and wet. He hums as he inhales the arousing smell and then leans in to kiss your clit. Your body jerks for a fraction as he uses his tongue next, just the tip, circling on your bundle of nerves and then taking it into his mouth again. He got you. He got you good. But the truth is he’s just as affected. Maybe more.
A breathless gasp falls out of your mouth as he continues kissing at your clit. Like he’s making out with it. A hand comes to tangle it in his dark locks, gently tugging at it. “It says a kiss,” you tell him.
Hyunjin smiles against your heating cunt and drags his lips to the side, kissing on the skin around your arousal. “It is a kiss.”
Then he pulls back just enough to put his tongue out. “It’s one—” he pauses to land a lick between your folds. “…long—” a lick. “…continuous—” another lick. “…kiss.”
A soft, amused chuckle escaped your lips as one knee bends higher than the other, toes curling against the carpet. But you manage to stay calm despite the way his tongue and lips hungrily eating your cunt.
“I’m going to take my turn anyway,” you casually say.
A hand stay tangled in his hair while the other reaches for the dice, shaking it in your palm and toss it onto the table. He can hear the way you shift and move your piece on the board. Then—
“I won.”
With his head buried between your legs and the hem of your dress cloaked over it, Hyunjin couldn’t care less about anything else, whether he wins or loses. He’s got everything he wants and needs right here, on his mouth.
You tug harder at his hair, forcing him to pull away and he reluctantly detaches his mouth, looking up at you with his mouth glistening wet with your essence. “Didn’t you hear me? I won,” you tell him.
Hyunjin innocently shrugs and says, “So?
“That means I get to do whatever I want,” you say with a triumphant grin.
His brows knitted into a questioning look. “You didn’t mention it earlier,” he grumbles.
You cup the side of his face and coyly smile. “It’s not like you care about the rules and all that.”
Hyunjin kind of expected that you kept something from him and that whoever wins get to have that privilege. But then again, he doesn’t really care about it. He has you and therefore, he won. Without thinking, he throws himself at you and taking you with him, collapsing onto the carpeted floor. Then wastes not another second to plant his mouth on yours.
The game completely forgotten now as you kiss him back, legs wrapping around his waist as you draw him close until there’s not even an inch left between your bodies. You let him put his weight on you, arms wrapped around his back as he deepens the kiss, kissing you without restraint now.
When he deems you need a second to breathe, he lets go. His big hand frames the side of your face, keeping you still so he can stare at your face as he pleases.
“I won,” you say again, a hand braced against his chest.
“Yeah, I heard the first time,” he waves you off while continuously gazing into your eyes.
You glide your hand up to his neck, feeling his pulse there and smiles. “It’s time for the real fun plan,” you declare.
His brows lift in curiosity. “What is it?”
Your hand reaches under the table and pulls out the box. He immediately recognizes it as a welcome gift from the pharmaceutical company. You lift the lid, put your hand inside to look for something without looking. Once you found it, you lift it up.
Furry handcuffs. His eyes slightly widen at it while you tilt your head slightly, a teasing smile tugging at your lips. “The fun plan.”
-
The bed makes a soft creak as you get on top of him again, straddling his hips, your weight grounding him into the mattress as your lips crash into his. The kiss is unlike ones you’ve given him before. It’s heat and urgency and something reckless threaded through it. His breath catches against your mouth as he tries to keep up, hands feeling you through your clothes.
You’re just as impatient, clumsy fingers working on his shirt, tugging at buttons like you don’t have the patience to do it properly.
He huffs a quiet laugh into the kiss, half breathless, half wrecked by it. The sound dissolves when your mouth presses harder, stealing whatever thought he had left. So he gives in, pushing himself up just enough to shrug the shirt off his shoulders, tossing it somewhere behind him without looking.
You don’t even pause. Your lips are back on his instantly, coming at him like you’ve been waiting for it and he lets himself fall back again, fully pinned beneath you as you take what you want, and he gives it just as eagerly. His hands tighten on you, pulling you closer, like there’s still space left between your bodies when there isn’t.
When you finally pull away, his chest rises and falls a little faster, eyes already searching yours.
“It’s fun time,” you breathlessly murmur with a wicked smile.
“Is that necessary?” he asks, head tipping back slightly as you bring the handcuffs back into view.
“Yes,” you answer without a beat.
“I swear I’ll keep my hands off. All the time,” he assures though his eyes hinting at mischief.
You drop your head to the side, eyes staring into his. “Why? You don’t trust me?”
He scoffs lightly, a playful edge to it. “Yeah. I don’t.”
“Exactly.”
Despite his reluctance, he doesn’t move, doesn’t stop you when you reach for his hand. Instead, he watches the way your fingers wrap around his wrist, the way you put too much focus as you secure one cuff and guide his arm up, looping it around the headboard until there’s a soft click and then another. His other hand follows and just like that, his movement is limited. His arms stretched, restrained and the faint clink of metal echoing in the room.
Hyunjin tests it once, just enough to feel the resistance. Then he sees you, catching that look on your face — of satisfaction and amusement.
He tilts his head, voice softening, tone coaxing. “You could at least let one of my hands free.”
You shake your head immediately. “No. Can’t do.”
The answer sounds final and non-negotiable. Your hand comes up to cup his jaw, thumb brushing along his cheek as you look down at him like you’ve already decided everything.
“It’d be fun to blindfold you too,” you add, almost thoughtfully. “But… I want you to see everything.”
Oh, you really do know how to drive him crazy. How to get him aroused and excited and waiting for you in anticipation. Before he can guess what you’re going to do next, you lean down and kiss him again before pulling back with a grin that feels like a secret.
“First things first,” you say as you shift back, your gaze dropping, and his follows without thinking. “I kind of made a mess.”
Hyunjin glances down, bending his leg slightly and yeah, there it is. A darkened, wet patch on his jeans. He guesses you’ve been rubbing yourself against his thigh. He lets out a breath through his nose, half amused, half… fucking aroused.
You don’t look sorry at all, if anything, you’re pleased by it. “So let’s take these off first,” you say, reaching for the waistband of his jeans.
His chest caves as he holds his breath, watching as your fingers work the button open, then the zipper in such calmness that somehow arouses him. He lifts his hips instinctively to help you get it off, watching the way you don’t hesitate or falter.
Once the jeans are out of the way, your eyes automatically land on the evident proof of how aroused he is. To his hardening member, flushed and pulsating with so much desire. A small lift of your brow is enough to say that you’re impressed by what you’re seeing. And you just have no idea what it does to him, do you?
You sit back then, taking in the sight of his naked body against the white sheets with hands chained up and all of him, restrained and aroused under you. Just for you. “I’ll make it fair,” you say.
It gets him clueless for a second until you reach for the zipper at the back of your dress. He doesn’t realize how still he’s gone until the sound of it sliding down fills the room and the fabric slips away. Your hands reaching to the back again, unclasping your bra and then toss it away.
And just like that, there’s nothing left between his gaze and you now.
The cuffs clink softly as his hands shift, instinct pulling against restraint, a quiet frustration threading through the want that hits him all at once. He wants to touch you, kiss you, feel you whole. He wants to be all over you. He didn’t even realize how much he missed this. You and your heavenly body. His eyes darkening as he looks you, eyes trailing every line, every curve of you.
You notice. He knows you do from that little smirk flickers across your lips before you brush it off like it’s nothing, already moving on. “Now for the fun part.”
Your voice turns low and sultry, enough to make his stomach tighten. You reach toward the nightstand, dragging the box onto the bed, pushing the lid aside that it falls onto the floor.
Hyunjin watches with curiosity as your hand disappears inside for a second and then comes back holding a small bottle.
You lift it, tilting it just enough for him to see it. “I’m sure you remember this.”
From the familiar package, he recognizes it right away. Edible lubricant. He huffs a quiet laugh, head tipping back for a second before he looks at you again with double the intensity in his gaze. “Of course I do.”
The way you smile after that tells him he’s in trouble. You open the bottle and tilt it over the back of your hand. The small, clear drop glistens against your skin, you lean in and taste it.
“It tastes just like watermelon,” you say, almost surprised.
That pulls a low chuckle out of him, amused. “What were you expecting?” he asks, voice warm, a little rough.
You shrug, entirely unfazed. “It’s not as good as the cherry one, but… not bad.”
The casual way you say it does nothing to ease the tension curling tight in his chest. If anything, it makes it worse. He notices the way your gaze shifts lower, to the noticeable erection and his breath dips when you bring the bottle closer, positioning it over him without hesitation.
“Oops…” you lowly gasp as you squeeze lubricant onto his cock. But the way you say it doesn’t sound like you’re sorry at all.
Hyunjin grips at the chain on his handcuffs, bracing himself for what’s coming for him. Yet a shiver running through him as the cool sensation hits him as you add a little more and watch it drips down his length.
Your lips curve as you toss the bottle away like it’s already served its purpose. You look at him and keep your eyes on him as you’re using your hand next, lathering the lubricant down his shaft. Your fingers lightly tickling the crest and tighten when it goes down. By the time your hand wrapped around the base, he sharply exhales through his nose.
Your hand trailing over him once more before settling into steady movements, slowly and deliberately, like you’re learning the reaction, memorizing it.
Hyunjin swallows, eyes locked on yours, the tension in his body pulling tighter with every second you take your time. The way you hold his gaze while pumping him, the way you don’t look away, not even for a second—says everything. And it’s the eye contact that gets to him more than anything.
His fingers curl uselessly against the restraint, metal knocking softly against wood as his body reacts, every instinct telling him to reach for you, to pull you closer, but he can’t. The fact that you notice his struggle and do nothing about it is cruel, but it only sends another wave of heat through him.
When you lean down, he stops breathing for a second, half-lidded eyes watching you as you smearing some more lubricant around the head and then lick your fingers after.
“Are you going to put it into your mouth?” he asks, voice heavy with lust.
You put your index finger into your mouth and slowly pulls it away. “Should I?”
Hyunjin forces himself to stay calm after watching that and manages to put on a smirk. “Not sure you can take it though,” he says with a challenging tone.
You only reply with low, flirty giggles and you drop your body lower until your chest hovering above his thighs. You put a hand over him, resting your head on it as your hand mindlessly playing with his cock, taking your time with it. Finger lightly tracing the shape, thumb pressing on the little slit on the tip as you watch it with almost bored eyes.
He scoffs a laugh, watching you treat his cock like a mere toy but fuck, that is just so fucking hot. He doesn’t know you have this wild side of you and wishes he’d see it often in the future.
“You’re making a mess of it,” he protests, voice rough around the edges. “You should clean it up.”
You lift your head and then nonchalantly shrug. “Maybe I should.”
And with that, you lean in and start licking the tip. Your tongue swirls around it repeatedly, licking the lubricant clean before dragging it down his shaft. You tilt your head to the other side, doing the same thing on the other side. The hold around him tighten just slightly as you lift his length, keeping it up as you head for the base, teasing his knob by lightly sucking on it.
“Fuck, baby,” he blurts out. He’s pretty sure you feel him twitching in your hand just now, clearly not expecting that.
You pull back with a sly smile on your face and you give him no time to recover as you put him into your mouth. You don’t go easy on him, you hollowed out your cheeks and suck him hard. A hand compensates the rest that you can’t take.
“Oh, fuck, look at that mouth…” he hisses through his gritted teeth. There’s a hint of a smile in his voice. A surrender he didn’t mean to give. Hands straining against the handcuffs like he could break away from the sheer will alone.
Just as he starts to sink into it, to the feel of your mouth around him and the way you please, just as he’s about to give in completely, you stop and pull back. He almost sighs out of frustration. Almost.
“Wait,” you say lightly, like you’ve just thought of something. “I need to get on a better position.”
You don’t wait for him to ask or say anything, you crawl over him and turn, straddling him again, knees bracing each side of his waist, but this time, your back is facing him. You glance over your shoulder, eyes glinting with something playful, something a little wicked.
“Enjoy the view.”
Hyunjin’s fingers curl again, instinct taking over as he strains against the restraint only to be met with the sharp, unyielding reminder of metal against wood. “Fuck…” he exhales under his breath, half a groan, half a laugh, because you’re right there and he can’t even touch you.
A soft, almost mocking laugh slipped out of you as you turn your head back and then, you lean down. Again, not giving him time to brace himself as you take him into your mouth.
The feeling of your mouth alone is enough to drive him mad but god, you know how to take it further by intentionally jutting your ass higher, exposing your cunt, soaking wet with arousal, giving him a view you know he can’t do anything about.
Instinctively, he lifts his head, leaning forward as much as he can, just enough to put his mouth on you, but failed. He swears under his breath, strained laugh following right after.
His head falling back for a second before lifting again, strained his neck forward, trying to reach you, even just a little. He barely gets anywhere before gravity wins, dropping him back onto the pillow with a frustrated groan. And it frustrates him so much because you’re so close, yet out of his reach.
“You’re so wet, baby. You’re dripping for me,” he sighs, voice rough, edged with something dangerously close to desperation.
The chain rattles again when his hands flex, a sharp inhale catching in his chest as he fights the urge to just grab you, pull you down, close the distance himself.
You seem to have finally noticed his struggle as you pause for a second and glance over your shoulder. “You okay back there?” you ask too casually.
He lets out a breathless laugh, eyes narrowing slightly. “You think?” he shoots back, but there’s no harshness to it. Just heat, just frustration tangled up with want.
You only smile and then you’re right back to it, like nothing happened. Mouth sucking hard, tongue tickling the tip, hand wrapped tightly around the base, endlessly pleasing him.
Hyunjin’s head falls back again, a deeper groan slipping out now as his control starts slipping through his fingers. He shifts under you, restless, unable to stay still anymore, the tension in him coiling tighter and tighter.
When he opens his eyes, the sight of your dripping cunt tantalizes him once more. “Let me have you on my mouth. Let me taste you,” he says in a rush, voice rough and barely held together like he needs it. Urgently needs it.
You pause again, letting go of him with a loud pop and looking at him with your lips glistening wet. “What was that?” you ask, like you didn’t hear him.
He lets out a disbelieving huff, almost laughing despite himself. “Want you on my mouth,” he says without stuttering.
That gets you smirking and swiftly, you turn anyway, shifting until you’re facing him again, straddling him like before—except now, his view is filled with you, your face, your eyes, that expression that tells him you’re enjoying every second of this. Your hand comes up, thumb brushing lightly over his lips, tracing the shape of them in a way that makes his breath quivers.
“You want me on your mouth, you say?” you murmur softly.
He nods immediately, no hesitation, lips parting slightly beneath your touch. “Yeah, I do.”
You lean closer, hovering just above him, close enough that he can feel your breath. “Say it properly,” you whisper.
Hyunjin’s patience has run thin and he breaks whatever composure he had left. “I want your wet pussy on my mouth and ride it endlessly,” both his voice and his gaze don’t waver as he says it.
You smile, satisfied with what you heard but you take your time after that, making him wait, to let it sink in, to let the anticipation stretch until it almost hurts.
“Okay,” you finally answer and a beat later, you add, “But only for a bit.”
He nods immediately, almost too quickly, like he’s afraid you’ll take it back if he hesitates. And when you move closer, when his world narrows down to just you, his eyes darkening and completely focused on you.
You slowly lower yourself on him and his head tilts up instinctively, meeting you halfway, taking whatever you give without question, without restraint. There’s no hesitation in him now—only want, only the need to feel you, to be this close.
His hands pull again against the cuffs, useless, but he doesn’t even care anymore. Not when he finally gets what he wants. Not when he finally has you like this. Not when your wet pussy presses on his mouth.
A hand gripped the headboard to steady yourself and the other grabs at the crown of his hair, tugging at it as you’re moving your hips, riding his mouth as you please. When he darts his tongue out, you switch into pulsating your hips against him, letting his tongue fucking your little hole.
“Oh, god…” you breathlessly moan with your head tilted back, overwhelmed.
He smirks against your flesh and opens his mouth wider, taking more of you, letting your essence flooding his mouth. Breathing become second in his priorities and what comes first is you, you and you. And just as quickly as it builds, you pull away.
Hyunjin exhales sharply, a quiet protest slipping out before he can stop it, his head falling back again, chest rising and falling unevenly. “Just a little bit more,” he breathlessly mutters, licking at his lower lip after.
You don’t submit to his wish but instead, you get off of him and lay down beside him. Half of your body overlaps him, hand reaching for his chin and turn his head your way, leaning in to press your lips against him. Then you’re kissing him, slowly yet passionately, like you’re making up for it.
He responds immediately, kissing you back and deepening it, tasting himself on you as you’re tasting yourself on him, and it does something to him that’s almost overwhelming. His hands flex again, frustrated, wanting to hold you properly.
As your lips continue locked with his in a heated kiss, your hand moving down south, finding his stiff member and begin slowly stroking on it
When the kiss breaks, he exhales against your lips, still close, still hovering. “Are you going to let me out of these now?” he asks, hopeful, but still edged with that same heat.
You softly smile at him and for a second, he thinks you might. But then you pull away and say, “Not yet.”
He lets out a soft groan, head dropping back again. But you completely ignore that, already reaching for the box again, pulling something else out this time. A pack of condom.
“Let’s put this one first,” you say, holding it up. “Just to be safe.”
Hyunjin watches every second of it. The careful way you tear the foil, slower than necessary like you’re aware he’s looking. His head rests back against the pillow but his eyes continue tracking your hands as you put it on him next.
You put so much focus on it, a crease formed between your brows like you can’t mess this up. Using your finger, you roll the rubber down his length.
“You’re getting good at that,” he mutters, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
You don’t even look up. Just finish what you’re doing with that same quiet concentration before answering, almost casually, “Well, I’ve had a lot of practice.”
That earns a low chuckle from him, something amused and disbelieving, but it fades the moment you crawl back over him and your lips meet his again. There’s something about the kiss now, it’s not rushed, not frantic, just… warm and deep and consuming in a different way.
He melts into it despite himself, tilting his head, chasing it when you shift, trying to pull you closer even when he can’t.
When you pull away, he chases after your lips. “Are you going to let me out of these now?” he asks, softer now.
You press a quick kiss to his lips only to say, “No.”
And just like that, he drops his head back with a helpless groan. But he doesn’t fight it anymore. Not when you settle over him again and grab the bottle of edible lubricant, squeezing the content onto your palm. Then you rub it all over his cock.
He shudders, hips jerking for a fraction and every reaction only seems to amuse you more, and he can see it now. The way your lips curve, the way your eyes flick up to check on him like you’re studying him. And yeah, he’s done for.
He exhales sharply when you begin stroking him again, hands tightening uselessly against the cuffs, the soft clink of metal punctuating the moment as he sinks back into the pillow.
There’s no winning here. Not when you’re like this.
“When are you going to let me go?” he asks, almost like a whine, like he knows it might get to you.
You lean in, close enough that he thinks you’re going to kiss him, but you stop with your lips hovering just a breath away from his. “Until I’m done,” you murmur.
Something about that certainty, the confidence undoes him. His gaze stays locked on yours, unwavering, even as you scoot closer, allowing you to rub his length against your wetness, pressing the tip on your clit.
Then, you slightly lift yourself as you positioning his cock into your entrance. Without the slightest of hesitation, you ease yourself down on him, pausing after an inch or two, letting out a breathless moan of pain and pleasure.
Hyunjin can’t look away. His eyes stuck to the way you’re taking more and more of him into you. The tension coiled inside him now, jaw tightening briefly before relaxing again, eyes focused on the way he’s disappearing into you. He lets himself fall into the feel of you, the warmth and tightness, into the way you easily take all of him like you were made for him.
To calm himself down, Hyunjin deeply inhales air before letting it out in one long, shaky exhale. “Look at you now… you take me so damn well,” he sweetly praises.
Instead of answering, you’re putting your hands on his chest, lowly giggling and moaning like something tickles you. A foolish, satisfied grin filled your face.
“Have you always been this tight,” he sighs, subtly rolling his hips to feel you around him. “Or it’s because I haven’t fucked you in so long?”
You don’t deny nor confirm, but you suddenly clench around him, earning a raw groan from him. A smirk tugging at you lips as you begin rolling your hips in slow, circular motions, making his groans grow louder and unrestrained now. A moment later, you move by pulsating your hips against him.
Hyunjin keeps his eyes on you, the way his cock slips in and out of you, the way your breasts bouncing along to your movements, making him once again, uselessly trying to break away from the cuffs that restrained him.
The sound of your breathless, sultry moans that’s echoing in the room doesn’t help, he’s completely into this intimacy that feels less physical, more emotional. And because it’s not just the feeling—it’s you. The way your expression shifts, the way your confidence flickers into something more vulnerable for just a moment, the way you stay right there with him, holding his gaze like this is something shared, not one-sided.
He stays where he is, telling himself to be present in this moment with eyes looking at you in admiration and want. He puts aside his needs, letting you have him, letting you take what you want from him. And he can see the way you tirelessly moving, chasing for it.
When the tension finally peaks and you come around him, he watches you through it, doesn’t look away, doesn’t miss a second of it. Because that’s what he wanted, just you, like this, with him.
When you melt against him, your body warm and pliant on top of his, your breathing uneven, matching his in soft, staggered rhythm. He lets his head fall back for a second, eyes closing, trying to steady himself but it doesn’t last long. Not when you’re right there. Not when he can feel you like this, close and real and his.
He needs to touch you, holds you so he nudges his forehead lightly against yours. “Can you let me go now?” he murmurs, voice turning breathless at the end of the sentence.
You lift your head just enough to look at him, eyes heavy-lidded, lips curved in that slow, knowing smile and he already knows you’re going to say yes before you do. “Okay.”
You grab the keys from the nightstand, eyes half-focused as you unlock it until there’s the soft click of the cuffs.
The second they fall away, his hands are on you. He wraps his arms around you and pulls you down against him, holding you tight like he’s been waiting for this, like he’s been patient for far too long. His lips find yours again, kissing you deeper, claiming.
As he keeps your mouth busy with kisses, his hand reaches down between your bodies, taking his cock and slips it between your legs, rubbing it against your heating wetness. He feels the little, breathless gasps you make against his mouth. It drives him further, impatient to be inside you again and he does, slipping his stiff member back into you in one smooth slide until he’s completely buried in you again.
He softly groans into your mouth, feeling you still quivering from your previous orgasm. His hands slide along your back and move sideways, taking your hands in him and then folds them together. He keeps them there, grounding you against him as his lips trail the column of your throat and jaw, and only to return to your lips, hastily kissing you.
You laugh softly against his mouth and mutters, “Been waiting for that, huh?”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he begins moving his hips, bucking into you from under. Soon, the sound of your shared breaths mixing with the squelching sounds of his cock ramming into you, slow but purposeful.
“Missed you. Missed the way you feel,” he sighs into the curve of your neck, breath hot and tickling. “And the way you cling to my cock.”
From those words alone, you clench around him tighter, moaning his name in incoherent, breathless pleads for more —of this, of him. And of course, he’ll give it to you. Anything for you.
Everything that follows feels less like a game and more like something inevitable. Like all that tension, all those moments before, have finally found somewhere to go. His movements are no longer restrained, no longer careful in the same way—they’re certain, driven by the way you respond to him, the way you cling to him, the way your breath turns ragged.
And honestly, Hyunjin can’t hold himself back anymore so he finally, finally lets himself go with your name caught somewhere between a breath and a whisper.
Afterward, he brings your hands and lets them fall round his shoulders as he puts his around you, holding you close like you’re not already pressed onto him.
You lift your head, mouth instinctively finding his and taking it for an earned, slow kiss, a kiss that guides him to gradually come down from his high. When you pull away, you pull away with a soft smile. “Have you always come this fast or is it because we haven’t fucked for so long?”
This is your way to get back at him and he lets out a breathless laugh in response, a little tired and still undone. “Both,” he shamelessly answers.
You laugh at that, sending his body shaking along with your laughter. It feels warm and nice as his arm stays wrapped around you, hand resting at your back, thumb tracing slow, absentminded patterns against your skin. You fit there too easily. Like you’ve always known the shape of him.
Hyunjin tilts his head slightly, cheek brushing against your hair, eyes half-lidded as he stares at the ceiling. “You’re a lot to handle, you know that?” he says with a smile still lingering on his lip. A lazy, satisfied smug.
He feels your quiet laugh against his chest before he hears it. “You’re just saying that because you lost.”
His scoff is more breath than anything. His fingers pause for a second before resuming their slow drawing on your skin. “Lost?” he echoes, like the word doesn’t quite sit right with him.
You shift just enough to look at him, chin propped lightly against his chest, eyes curious but already amused—like you’re waiting for whatever nonsense he’s about to say next. “Yes. You lost, sir,” you playfully say.
Hyunjin looks at you, the way your hair is a little messy, lips still soft and flushed, eyes warm and bright in a way that makes him take a second to imprint this into the back of his head. He exhales through his nose, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Still unfair though,” he says after a moment, tone light and teasing. “You set me up from the start.”
You scoff softly, nudging his chest. “You agreed to play.”
“Didn’t know the stakes were this high.”
“That’s because you don’t read the rules.”
He chuckles at that, the sound rumbling beneath your ear. “Wouldn’t have changed my answer anyway.”
“Since when do you care about the rules anyway,” you conclude, easily resting your head on his chest like you’ve decided that it’s your safe place.
For once, Hyunjin doesn’t feel the need to fill the silence. He just stays with you. His hand drifts lazily along your arm, then back again, grounding himself in the simple fact that you’re here, still close, still warm against him.
“Next time, I’m picking the game,” he suddenly declares.
You tilt your head slightly, smiling against his chest. “Sure you are.”
He smiles too, eyes closing for a second as he rests his cheek against your hair again.
But his arm doesn’t loosen. If anything, it tightens just a little like he’s not quite ready to let you go yet. And maybe he won’t be. Not anytime soon.
-
The next morning, you wake up to the warmth seeping from behind you, the weight of an arm draped securely around your waist and then the faint brush of lips against your shoulder… your neck… light and almost lazy, like whoever’s behind you has nowhere else to be.
You hum softly, still half-asleep, shifting just enough to tuck yourself closer.
Noticing it, Hyunjin exhales against your skin, amused. “So you’re awake,” he murmurs, voice still thick with sleep, lips ghosting along your shoulder again.
You don’t answer right away. Just tilt your head slightly, giving him more space without even thinking about it. “Mm… depends. Are you going to keep doing that?”
His low chuckles vibrating through you. “Probably.”
That’s enough of an answer. You turn slowly in his arms, eyes still heavy with sleep, and find him already looking at you with messy hair, eyes soft, lips curved into that small, sleepy smile that feels too attractive for how early it is. Or late. You don’t even know what time it is anymore.
His hand comes up, brushing your hair away from your face, thumb lingering along your cheek. “Morning,” he says.
You huff a quiet laugh. “Pretty sure it’s not morning.”
“Still counts.”
You don’t argue because he leans in and softly kisses you like he’s easing into it instead of chasing anything. It lingers just long enough to make your chest feel warm before he pulls back, forehead resting lightly against yours.
And just like that… the day starts.
-
The rest of the vacation turns into a blur after that.
You’re in the passenger seat with the windows down, wind tugging at your hair while Hyunjin drives with one hand on the wheel and the other lazily resting on your thigh. Music plays low in the background and every now and then, he glances over at you like he’s checking you’re still there. Like you might disappear if he doesn’t.
But here you are, choosing to stay. In this. With him.
You wander through little streets you’ve never seen before, duck into random shops just because something in the window catches your eye. You try things on, hold things up to him, laugh when he gives you opinions you didn’t ask for.
“You’re unhelpful,” you tell him at one point.
“I like everything on you,” he easily replies.
You roll your eyes, but you don’t put the item back.
-
In every place you visit, Hyunjin makes sure to take photos, documenting everything, every moment. Of the sea, of the sky, of random corners that feel oddly beautiful and of each other. He catches you mid-laugh more than once, camera lifted before you can hide it, and you groan every time.
“Delete that.”
“No.”
“Hyunjin—”
“It’s good.”
“Because you like my annoyed face more than anything, huh?”
“Yep.”
When it gets too hot and the sea looks too tempting, you both end up in the water. The ocean water somehow feels cool against your skin but not biting. You splash him first this time, unprovoked, and he stares at you like he’s offended. Then immediately retaliates.
It turns into a mess of laughter and water and hands grabbing at each other to stay upright, neither of you really trying to win anything.
Just trying to stay close.
-
By the time night falls, you’re both exhausted in the good kind. Yet, you always get each other in the best way. In the best, most seductive way.
Some nights, he has you bent over the edge of the bed, lips making a trail of kisses down your spine before he enters you from behind, one hand pressed onto your shoulder, pining you down as he thrusts into you, and not stopping until you fall apart around him.
Some other nights, you barely make it back to the bed. Once, you settled onto the sofa, clothes littering the hotel floor, limbs tangled, a cushion propped under you, giving him that delicious angle to thrust into you deeper. Though it doesn’t stop you from asking him to get deeper inside you.
The second him, your hands braced against the floor-to-ceiling window, your breath fogging the glass as you moan from the way Hyunjin hungrily eating you from behind, tongue jamming into your hole as one hand curve around, fingers skilfully circling on your clit. Your legs shake as you come into his mouth and he doesn’t wait, he turns you around, an arm lifts you and keeps you off the floor, one hand impatiently lining his cock with your entrance and once he’s fully sheathed in your warm, tight walls, he fucks you tirelessly, making you loudly moaning that you sure whoever stays in the next room could hear it.
And in each time, the room eventually fades into background noise and you end up in each other’s arms. You learn that the only thing that matters is the way he holds you, the way he stays close and most importantly, choosing to stay.
And each time, before sleep gets to you, you think about how easy this feels. How right.How you wish, just for a second, maybe longer… That life could stay like this.
-
You don’t realize how quickly it’s ending until you start gathering your things. It hits you somewhere between folding a shirt and setting aside the small souvenirs you’ve picked up over the past few days. You move slowly, almost reluctantly because something in you resists finishing it.
“Already packing?” Hyunjin’s voice drifts from behind you.
You glance over your shoulder, offering a small shrug. “Just… putting things together. I’ll pack later.”
He leans against the wall, watching you in silence like he understands exactly what you’re doing and why. After a moment, he offers you a comforting smile and asks, “Want to go out and watch the sunset?”
You keep your suitcase open, half-packed and ditch it entirely. “Sure,” you answer without thinking, already getting on your feet.
The beach greets you again like it always has. The sand is cool beneath you as you sit, shoulders brushing, hands naturally lacing together like it’s something you’ve always done. The sky is painted in warm hues, the sun slowly dipping lower, stretching the moment as if it’s giving you time.
You lean slightly into him and softly sigh. “Can’t believe this is the last day,” you say, a little incredulous, a little reluctant.
Hyunjin lets out a quiet breath beside you. “Yeah.”
You turn your head just enough to look at him. “We spent it well though, right?” There’s a hint of something in your voice like you need to hear it.
“Yeah,” he says again, softer this time. Then he leans in, pressing a quick kiss to your lips, offering comfort as best as he can.
You smile into it and when you pull back, you rest your head on his shoulder, watching as the sun sinks lower and lower until it finally disappears beneath the horizon, marking that another day has gone.
-
The two of you decide to have dinner out, probably something special to commemorate the moment. You walk side by side, fingers loosely lacing together until they eventually intertwine without either of you making a big deal out of it.
After browsing through some restaurants and their menus, you settle on one that seems exactly like what you’ve been craving.
“I’d love the chicken pesto pasta for dinner,” you mutter, getting hungry just from the picture of it.
Hyunjin’s eyes are still scanning the menu as he comments, “Yeah, that looks nice.”
“We could share the steak,” you add as he flips into a new page.
“Good plan,” he says with a smile.
After a mutual agreement and strategically planned dinner meals, the two of you walk up to the waiter. “Table for two, please!” Hyunjin politely says.
The waiter offers an apologetic smile as she says, “Sorry, we’re fully booked tonight.”
The excitement inside you deflates and turns into a frown, turning to Hyunjin like he somehow could fix it. “I really wanted that…”
He patiently and softly smiles at you. “I’m sure we’ll find somewhere else to have dinner.”
You let out a short, heavy sigh before accepting it. “Okay.”
He doesn’t miss the way you’re still frowning so he leans in and kisses you without warning.
You lowly gasp in surprise and crack a laugh, feeling lifted up already.
“Let’s go,” he says, taking your hand, fingers threading through yours again. “We’ll find something better.”
You let him pull you along but three steps later, you hear a voice calling for you. “Hey!”
You and Hyunjin turn almost in sync and the second you recognize them, your face lights up.
“Jules—Diane!”
They look just as delighted, already moving toward you, arms open for quick hugs that feel oddly familiar despite how little time you’ve actually spent together. “Well, look at this! Our favorite couple,” Jules beams.
You and Hyunjin laugh at the same time, instinctively. “It’s so nice to see you again,” you say with a bright smile.
“Aren’t you guys getting dinner?” Diane asks, hand vaguely gesturing toward the restaurant.
“Well, yeah. But it’s fully booked,” you answer.
“We have a reservation. We can share the table,” Diane immediately offers.
This time, Hyunjin cuts in by kindly refusing the offer. “Oh, no. It’s okay. You guys should enjoy your dinner.
“Oh, nonsense,” Diane waves it off immediately. “I’m sure they can arrange something and make it dinner for four.”
You kindly refuse again, smiling as you do. “Oh—you should enjoy that then, we can—”
“Also, because we’re sick of each other. We really need to talk to other people,” Jules playfully says with a serious face.
“No, it’s okay,” you insist gently, shaking your head. “Really, we don’t want to—”
“It’s settled,” Diane says, already turning back toward the restaurant like the conversation is over. “We’ll just tell them.”
“Diane—” Jules laughs, but she’s already hooking her arm through yours, tugging you along anyway. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
You glance back at Hyunjin, caught between protest and amusement. He just shakes his head lightly, lips curved into a small smile like he saw this coming and then follows without a word.
-
Dinner settles into something easy and comfortable in a way that feels almost surprising, considering how all of this started.
The four of you sit around the table, laughter woven in between bites of food and sips of wine, stories overlapping, little interruptions that don’t feel rude—just… lived-in. You find yourself leaning in more than you usually would, listening, talking, laughing without overthinking it.
Jules dabs the corner of her lips with her napkin before smiling at the two of you. “So, what have you two been up to all week?” she asks, eyes bright with curiosity.
You glance at Hyunjin instinctively before answering, like the memories are shared between you. “A bit of everything. Beach, shopping, exploring… eating way too much.”
Hyunjin hums in agreement beside you. “She’s not exaggerating.”
You nudge him lightly under the table. “This is actually our last day. We’re flying home tomorrow,” you share with a melancholic smile.
Jules’ expression drops into something genuinely sympathetic. “Already?”
Diane sighs, shaking her head. “That’s just rude. Time shouldn’t move that fast on vacation.”
You laugh softly, but there’s a quiet truth in it. “I think it’s because we enjoyed it too much,” you admit.
There’s a brief pause and then Diane leans forward slightly, eyes flicking between you and Hyunjin, a playful glint returning. “So…” she says, dragging the word just a little, “are you two still co-workers?”
You choke slightly on your drink. Heat rushes to your face instantly, your mind flashing back to earlier where Hyunjin kissed you and they must have seen everything. You glance at him, letting him answer this one.
“Yeah,” he says casually, reaching for his glass. “Still co-workers.”
Then, without missing a beat, he adds, “Sadly, I still need the paycheck.”
The table bursts into laughter. Diane shakes her head, smiling knowingly. “Oh, please. There’s definitely something going on here.”
You skip on answering again. You just smile a small, shy smile, a little caught.
“There is,” he says lightly like it’s no big deal. “I’ve liked her for a while but she didn’t know it.”
You keep your calm, eyes on the glass of wine you’re holding as you’re listening to his side of story.
“But once she did,” he continues, like he’s telling a harmless story. “She’s playing hard to get.”
Your head automatically turn toward him and stare at him in disbelief. “Excuse me?”
Jules and Diane laugh again, clearly enjoying every second of this. Diane looks at you then, softer this time, her smile warm as she says, “You’re doing the right thing.”
You smile at that before looking at Hyunjin again and give his knee a gentle slap under the table, a playful warning. But you can see that it doesn’t affect him whatsoever as he only grins in reaction.
By the time dessert comes, you’re comfortably full, but you still take another bite anyway. It’s too good not to.
Hyunjin excuses himself to the restroom and you’re watching him go for a second before turning back to your plate.
Jules notices your expression immediately. “Glad you’re enjoying the food,” she says with a soft smile.
You quickly wipe your mouth with your napkin, a little embarrassed. “Everything is just… really good.”
Diane nods approvingly. “Worth the trouble earlier.”
Jules looks at you, there’s hesitation in her eyes but she eventually leans in anyway. “I hope you don’t mind me asking. But … what took you this long?”
You put down your dessert spoon. “Pardon me?”
“I mean, I don’t know him that well but I can see that Hyunjin is great. And that boy is in love with you,” Jules explains, rather too seriously.
You’re a little taken aback by the mention of that word. Love. “I wouldn’t say—”
“He’s got these twinkles in his eyes every time he looks at you,” Diane cuts in before sipping her wine.
“So why do you hesitate much?” Jules asks again.
Your fingers curl lightly around your glass as you take a sip of water, buying yourself a second to think. You look at Diane and Jules and realize that you’ve only known them in matter of hours, but you feel comfortable to share openly.
“I think…” you start slowly, eyes dropping to the table for a moment, “I had this idea in my head that I’m… hard to love.”
The words come out lighter than you expect despite the fact that you’ve never shared this with anyone before. “And like… easy to leave.”
The table quiets like your openness, your honestly dazzle them. Jules reaches over without hesitation, her hand resting over yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know it can feel that way. But that’s not the truth,” she says, voice as soft as her gaze. “There’s no such thing as someone being hard to love. Sometimes people just don’t try hard enough. Or they’re not patient enough to learn how.”
Something in your chest loosens at that. You hadn’t realized how tightly you were holding onto it and how you let it held you back from getting what you want, what you deserve.
“You’re not hard to love,” Jules assures you once again, her other hand tapping gently at the back of your hand now.
“You know, I believe Hyunjin would give you the world,” Diane suddenly says, slightly off topic. But then she adds, “All you have to do is ask for it.”
You take a second to process their words and let them sink into you. Then you nod. “Thank you,” you genuinely say in gratitude.
You let out a short laugh of disbelief because you didn’t think that you would hear these words from two strangers and yet, they seem to know what you needed to hear. Like it’s meant to be.
“Were you talking about me?” Hyunjin says when he returns, sliding back into his seat and looking the three of you, suspiciously amused.
Diane doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
You and Jules burst out laughing. Diane follows after sipping her wine.
Hyunjin blinks, caught off guard for half a second before he laughs too. “Wow.”
“We also talked if we should do a round of drinks since this is your last day,” Jules adds, already opening the cocktails menu.
“That might be a problem,” Hyunjin says with a faint grimace.
You glance at him, sensing that he’s doing something. Something that is most likely mischievous. “What did you do?”
He shrugs and then digs into his dessert. “I already paid for everything.”
Jules and Diane immediately soften at that.
“That’s very kind of you,” Jules says.
Diane turns to you dramatically. “Marry him already.”
You laugh, shaking your head.
Jules flags down a waiter anyway. “Well, the drinks are on us,” she insists.
Hyunjin doesn’t even argue and instead, he playfully says, “Let’s make it three rounds then.”
“Deal,” Jules says in agreement, holding her hand out at him.
Hyunjin takes it and shakes it. “No takeback,” he says.
The table fills with laughter again and you realize that this is exactly how you wanted the night to end.
-
There’s another couple in the elevator, standing near the panel and rapidly talking to each other in a language you don’t understand, and you can’t tell if they’re just talking or arguing. You decide not to mind someone else’s business and focus on how content you feel tonight, how the night couldn’t have ended better than this.
Then you feel the way Hyunjin’s hand finds yours and laces it together with yours. You turn to meet his eyes only for him to begin steering you toward the corner until your back meets the wall.
He steps in close and your breath catches just a little as he stops right in front of you, leaving only inches between your bodies. You look up at him and he’s already looking at you. A smile etched on his face, knowing and a little dangerous.
You swallow, trying to keep your composure. “That was…” you start, forcing your voice to stay light, “a really nice way to end the last day.”
He nods once, eyes never leaving yours. “Yeah.”
You try again, grasping for something normal, less intense. “It’s a shame we still have to pack after this.”
He slowly shakes his head and then, leans in until his mouth hovers near your ear, close enough that you feel it before you even process the words. “There’s a better way to end the night,” he murmurs, voice is low and warm, sending a quiet shiver down your spine.
You try not to react, try not to give in so easily. But then he leans in again, just a fraction closer, and this time, his breath brushes your ear as he whispers, “Way better.”
When he pulls back, just enough for you to see his face again, that grin is still there with mischief written all over it, like he already knows exactly what he’s doing to you. And worse,
like he knows it’s working.
-
After everything that’s already happened between you. After the way his eyes have seen and admired your body, hands have learned the shape of it. You don’t expect to the nerves, they’re subtle yet slowly creeping in as you stand in the bathroom, fingers fixing the ties of your bikini. You exhale slowly to calm yourself down and reach for the bathrobe, wrapping yourself in it before stepping out.
The balcony doors are open and the night air greets you first, cool and salted, brushing against your skin. You linger there on the doorway, one hand braced against the glass door as you find Hyunjin is already in the tub. His arms are stretched along the edge, posture relaxed. Water glows softly around him under dim lights, tracing the line of his back muscles, the broad shoulder, the slope of his back. His hair is tied up, messy, a few damp strands clinging to the nape of his neck.
You stay there and take a moment to take him in, the way he looks like a Greek God with the sea stretches against him, dark and endless, catching the half-moon in broken reflections.
It’s like he senses your eyes on him, he slowly turns his head and lights up when he sees you. “You made me wait,” he says, turning to the side, one hand draping over the edge of the tub.
You suddenly get flustered, like you’ve been caught doing something you shouldn’t. You recover quickly, stepping toward him, lifting a brow. “Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”
His grin answers that for him, running his wet hand through his hair.
You untie the robe, letting it fall open before slipping it off, and his eyes slightly widen at the reveal — the white bikini you’re wearing underneath.
He hurriedly holds his hand out, guiding you into the tub and you take it, kicking your slippers off your feet before finally putting a foot into the tub and then another. The water welcomes you instantly, a soft sigh leaving your lips as you lower yourself into it, heat curling around your body until you’re submerged, weightless in a way that feels almost unreal.
You barely settle before he pulls you onto his lap, your back meets his solid chest and you melt into it without thinking like your body already knows the shape of him, the way you fit.
His arms wrap around you, one draped low across your abdomen, the other circling you fully, holding you in place. Holding you with him.
All of a sudden, the nerves vanish and fade into the water.
His lips brush your shoulder first and then higher, along your neck, each touch lingering just enough to make you feel it twice. You lowly giggle as he places ticklish kisses on that sensitive skin behind your ear. Instead of stopping, he gently grabs your chin to turn your head to the side, allowing him to capture your lips in his.
The kiss is deep and unrushed in a way that steals the air from your lungs more effectively than anything hurried ever could. His tongue tirelessly coaxing you to part your lips open, the second you don, he sucks on your tongue before twirling it with his. He deepens the kiss once more and it gradually softens from there. By the time he pulls back, you’re gasping for air, chest rising and falling against his.
He lets you settle again, arms tightening, keeping you close to him.
You sink into him, head tipping back against his shoulder, eyes half-lidded. “This feels nice,” you murmur.
He hums, low and pleased, lips brushing your neck again like punctuation.
Your hand lifts, finding his jaw blindly, fingers grazing his skin. “We should’ve done this every day.”
Another hum. Agreement. Or maybe just contentment. He shifts slightly, turning his head to the other side of your neck, burying his face there like he’s claiming the space and you let him.
For a long moment, the two of you stay like that. The water laps quietly. The ocean beyond mirrors the sky. The world narrows to warmth, to the steady rhythm of two people not needing to say anything.
Until Hyunjin opens his mouth and curiously asks, “What makes you think you’re hard to love?”
You stiffen just a little, realizing that Hyunjin probably listened in on the deep talk you shared with Jules and Diane earlier. Your head turns sharply, eyes narrowing in a playful glare. “You’re not supposed to eavesdrop on our talk. Our girls’ talk.”
He grins, unapologetic. He probably didn’t mean to and just happened to be there when you shared.
You click your tongue at him. You’re not actually mad, just surprised that he heard it, that he heard it this soon. But he’s not a stranger and eventually, he’d know and you want him to understand.
So you sigh softly, gaze drifting out toward the sea. “I used to think… that love is something you have to earn. That you have to give… more. Do more. Be more. That you have to greatly sacrifice yourself for it.”
You rest your hand on his forearm, fingers tighten slightly over it. “Otherwise… they leave.”
He lets go of your hand only to catch it in his, intertwining them together and rests it over your chest. And to your surprise, he says, “Yeah, you weren’t easy.”
You huff a quiet laugh, slightly offended. “Huh?”
“You know… with your plans,” he adds, brushing his nose lightly against your temple, “your schedules… your rules.”
You smile despite yourself, feeling called out and slightly embarrassed.
When he speaks again, he waits until your eyes looking at him. “But you you’re not hard to love,” he says, voice is as soft as his gaze.
You nod, slowly. Because you’re starting to believe that. Because maybe it was never about being hard to love. Just being loved the wrong way.
His lips press gently to your temple. “All you have to do is let it happen.”
You turn your head slightly, looking at him. “Okay,” you say, and really mean it.
“And yes, I’d give you the world if you ask for it,” he adds with a playful grin.
You softly smile at that and before it can fade, he captures it with a kiss, so soft it almost feels like a promise rather than a kiss. It lingers long enough to make your chest tighten. Long enough to make something inside you shift.
When he pulls away, your hand comes up to cup his cheek, thumb brushing lightly over his skin.
“This vacation changed you,” you tease.
He scoffs softly, dramatically correcting you. “Free vacation.”
“Right,” you say, kissing him again.
This time, you turn on his lap, shifting until you’re facing him, straddling him now, water rippling around you both. You put your hands on his shoulders, staring into the brown of his eyes and Diane was right, you can see the twinkles in them as he looks at you.
A hand comes up to his jaw and tenderly holds the side of his face. Then slowly, you lean in, kissing him with your heart open and letting the content pours into the kiss, into him.
His hands sliding along your sides, over your waist, mapping you out like he’s allowed to now. Like he knows he is. He’s pulling you closer, holding you tighter.
You let yourself fall into it easily. Because it’s him. Because it feels right. Because you don’t want to stop.
When he breaks the kiss, it’s only to drag his mouth lower, lips trailing along your neck. He trails lower still, opening his mouth slightly wider as he places searing little kisses down your chest until he’s buried between your soft mounds.
Instinctively, your hands trail along his shoulders and gather in the back of his neck, fingers tangled in his damp hair. Your breath stutters as he plants his soft lips on the skin before his mouth opens slightly wider to take a mouthful of your flesh and lightly sucking on it.
A low, breathless gasp falls out of your mouth as he yanks down the cup of your bikini, wasting no time to take your hardening nipple into his mouth, tongue circling on it. your hands tangled deeper in his hair, mouth buried in his dark locks as you cradle his head close to your chest.
You’re humming from the feel of his mouth devouring your breast and yet, it doesn’t quite satisfy his hunger. So impatiently, a hand trails up your spine, finding the knot of your bikini straps there, tied on the nape of your neck and clumsily pulling at it until it snaps open. In the end, he takes the whole thing off of you, tossing your wet bikini top aside.
Hyunjin pulls back just enough to look at you, at your bare chest and the way your breasts hung beautifully on your chest, inviting him to touch, to feel. He doesn’t stop himself for using both hands, each one kneading, fingers pinching at the sensitive buds.
You shake your head, looking down at his wide eyes, dark with lust. Half-amused, half-aroused. “Are you trying to put on a show?”
He presses a warm kiss on your sternum and then pulls away with a dazed smile, eyes glinting. “Maybe.”
The answer sends a small, unexpected thrill through you. So you lean in and kiss him, but it only lasts for a few seconds as he breaks the kiss. He shifts his focus back to your chest. Hands pushing them to the middle so he can greedily take both nipples at once.
“Hyunjin…” you breathlessly call, uselessly trying to stop him.
But of course, he pretends not to hear or decides to ignore you completely, his mouth too busy sucking on your breasts, teeth lightly tugging at your nipples just to tease you, making you whimper in reaction.
You gently cup his jaw, tilting his head up just enough for his eyes to meet yours. You run your hand through his hair as you look at him and say, “What don’t we go inside… and I’ll put on a good show for you?”
That works to make him pause, eyebrow raised in curiosity. He slowly detaches his mouth, leaving your nipples wet with his saliva and raw from all of his sucking. He looks at you, lips curving into a smirk.
“Then what are we waiting for?”
-
You barely make it out of the shower without touching him again. It’s ridiculous how quickly the tension comes back, how the heat clings even after the water washes everything clean. Your robe sticks lightly to your skin and Hyunjin’s the same, hair still wet and brushed to the back.
The second you step into the room, your hand finds his, guiding—no, steering—him straight to the bed. He drops onto the edge of the mattress, looking up at you like he already knows he’s about to lose whatever control he thought he had.
You climb onto his lap, knees settling on either side of his hips, and the moment your bodies meet—he exhales, like he’s been holding that breath since the hot tub. Your hands find his face first and then your lips. The kiss lands deep, immediate, like you’re trying to pick up where you left it.
He responds just as quickly, hands coming up to your waist, pulling you closer like he needs to feel all of you at once. The kiss goes on, long enough to blur the line between breath and touch. Until he breaks it and then rests his forehead against yours.
“So… when does the actual show start?” he asks, voice low and a little hoarse.
You click your tongue softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. “You’re not even ready for it.”
His plush lips curve into a sly smirk. “I’m always ready.”
“Yeah?” you murmur, fingers slipping to the edges of his robe. “Let’s see.”
Your hands work slowly as you untie it and then pull it open just until it drapes around his shoulders. You place a hand on his chest, still warm and damp from the shower. Yet, you lean in without hesitation, placing kisses along his neck, down to his collarbone, letting each touch of your lips on his skin linger just long enough to make him react.
He does. He reacts in sharp inhales and quiet hisses, his grip on your waist tightening.
You pull back and slip the robe off your shoulders until it’s falling away completely, and for a second, his hands just stay on your waist. Like he’s still deciding where to start.
Once he’s decided, his hands move without hesitation. They’re on you, all at once, warm and little greedy. You’re joining him as he once again fondling on your breasts, feeling the way he touches you, feeling yourself. Your head tilting side to side as you humming in delight.
You let go as he leans in, burying his head between your soft mounds and let him stay there, shivering just slightly as he inhales your skin like he couldn’t get enough of your scent.
When he tilts his head up, looking at you again, you catch him off guard with a haste, messy kiss. As you keep his mouth busy, your hand slips between you, finding his cock strained and hot to the touch. His breath stutters against your mouth as you stroke him slowly, thumb circling around the head, feeling him pulsating for you.
A small hum escapes you. Your half-lidded eyes locked with his as you mutter, “Yeah… you’re ready.”
He lets out a soft laugh that doesn’t quite sound like a laugh anymore.
Your hands move to his shoulders, gripping at them firmly as you lift yourself just slightly, positioning his cock to your entrance and then, slowly taking him into you.
Hyunjin stills, his grip tightening on you, mouth dropping open like he’s about to say something but the pleasure overwhelms him, knocking the thoughts out of his head. His eyes flick down, widening at the way you easily ease down yourself on his cock. And then, it hits him.
“Wait,” he says in a rushed tone, his grip is impossibly hard now. “The condom.”
You hush him softly, while continue taking more of him into you. “It’s okay,” you murmur.
There’s a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, like he’s not convinced yet. “But—"
You press a kiss to his lips. A gentle, reassuring kiss. “I’m on the pills. It’s okay,” you calmly say.
Slowly, his grip loosens as he decides to trust you and you do the same, wrapping your arms around his shoulders, leaning in closer as you take the remaining of his length. You let the distance disappear in a way that feels less like urgency and more like choice. Like you’re both stepping into it together.
Hyunjin’s mouth stays open the whole time, eyes dazed and dark, continuously locked in a heated gaze with yours. A low sound caught somewhere between surprise and something deeper.
The second he’s fully sheathed in your warm, velvety walls. You wrap your arms tighter around his shoulder, drawing yourself closer to him until there’s no gap left between your bodies. You press your forehead against his, letting out breathe that more like a soft laugh of relief.
“My god, you feel so good inside me,” you mutter in a hint of disbelief, lips grazing his as you speak.
Hyunjin, still overwhelmed, swallows air and forces himself to say something, do something. A beat later, he glides his hands up, holding you by the ribcage now, thumbs absentmindedly rubbing over the skin. “Is it really okay?” he asks again, voice barely audible, like he’s still processing this.
You laugh softly and then place a soft kiss on his lips. “More than okay,” you answer with a smile.
That seems to be all what he needs to hear. His hands slide up your back, holding you closer. A hand gently curves around the nape of your neck, angling your head slightly to the side as he leans in and kisses you, slower this time, like he’s trying to give himself a chance to catch up.
When you pull away, you put on the softest smile and ask, “So, how does it feel?”
He lets out a quiet exhale, almost a laugh. “You feel… so fucking perfect. So perfect for me.”
That makes you smile and you tilt your head, eyes softly gaze into his eyes. “How much would you rate it?” you ask, playful but edged with curiosity.
He captures your lips in a slow, heated kiss. “Infinite out of ten,” he finally answers after pulling away, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
That also makes you smile and you hastily kiss him, conveying that words couldn’t. You shift slightly on his lap and the slightest movement is enough to remind you of his whole size inside you, filling you, stretching you deliciously.
“I’m going to move, mmh?” you say.
“No, wait,” he says, gripping at you like he wouldn’t let go. “If you move now, I think I’m done for.”
You chuckle at that and kiss him again instead of answering, slow and reassuring, giving him a moment to adjust, to compose himself. And when you finally move, you move just a little, just enough but it draws a reaction out of him that he can’t hide, his head tipping back slightly, grip tightening again.
“You’re driving me crazy,” he sighs, half scolding, half in pleasure.
You keep your rhythm slow and steady, moving your hips in rolling motions and somehow, without the layer of protection, you feel even more sensitive around him. And oh, he just feels so good. Hot and hard, penetrating you deeper and deeper in each passing second.
“You feel so good,” you say again and again, not caring how much you’ve said it before.
It’s so easy to fall into it, into the feeling of him and the way his eyes stay on you, heavy and focused, like he doesn’t want to miss a single second of it. The way your name almost slips from his lips but doesn’t quite make it out.
It’s clear that it’s getting overwhelming for both of you so you pause. You kiss his mouth, deep and messy, lips and tongues crashing together. Once you pulled away, you lean back with one hand still gripping his shoulder as support and then continue moving.
Seeing your breasts bouncing merely inches away from him, he doesn’t skip the chance but cling to it, mouth sucking hard on your nipple like he’s one thirsty man.
You gasp when he sucks too hard, but the added stimulation keeps you going, keeps you moving and tirelessly chasing your high. Your hand slides up to his neck, grounding yourself there as you lean in again, pressing your lips against the top of his head, on his temple and then forehead. Then pull away just slightly, just enough to look down at him.
“I want this to last,” you whisper, voice small and quivering on the edges.
He pulls away with a gasp before lifting his head, looking back into your eyes. A soft smile pulling at his mouth despite everything. “Then let’s stay like this,” he murmurs back, pressing a kiss to your lips. “Forever.”
There’s something in the way he says it. Playful? Yes. But not entirely. You feel that thread of something real, woven into all the heat and closeness. You let yourself believe it that maybe this could last longer than just tonight.
-
You stay there with him, moving slowly, letting the rhythm build instead of chasing it, letting yourself feel every shift, every reaction he gives you. And he gives you plenty.
His hands tighten around you, fingers digging into your skin like he’s trying to keep you right where you are—like he already knows you’re getting close.
You are.
It creeps up on you in waves, soft at first, then stronger, until your breath starts to falter and your grip on him changes without you meaning to.
His arms wrap tighter around you, pulling you flush against him, his face dipping into the curve of your neck as if he wants to hide there, breathe you in, anchor himself to you while everything starts to tip over.
“You’re close, mmh?” he lowly asks, almost swallowed against your skin.
But you’re already there, already slipping.
When you hit your high, it pulls a soft, unfiltered sound from you and he holds you through it, closer than before, like he’s not letting you drift too far from him even for a second.
His lips find yours again almost immediately, kissing you deeper. Like he’s chasing you through it. Like he wants to stay right there with you, even as you’re still catching your breath.
“You look so beautiful…” he pauses, brushing his thumb across your cheek, gaze heavy and soft all at once. “Coming around me like this.”
You can only manage a small, breathless smile as you cling to him and trying to steady yourself again.
But his grip shifts, and before you can fully process it, he’s guiding you back until your back meets the bed. He moves with utmost care, almost protective, like he’s making sure you land softly, like nothing about this moment is meant to be rushed.
He hovers over you, eyes searching yours and then he kisses you again. His mouth drifts from yours, trailing down your jaw, your neck and each kiss lighter than before, but somehow just as intense. It’s not about urgency anymore. It’s about staying.
Your fingers find his hair, brushing it back, holding him there when he dips lower, making a long trail of kisses down your front and only stopping when his mouth lands on your still sensitive, still pulsating clit.
He burrows onto the mattress, arms curve under your thighs and makes himself comfortable there, on the space between your legs. Like this is where he lives now.
He takes his time to please you with his mouth, tongue landing small, featherlight licks, lips capturing your clit in soft kisses while his mouth occasionally sucking on it. Just enough to make you restless. Just enough to make your legs tremble and your toes curl.
He lets go only to place kisses on your inner thighs before crawling over you, hovering above you once more. He takes a moment to just admire, one hand gliding down your torso and then settles on the curve of your waist.
“So beautiful, so perfect…” he murmurs in a mix of disbelief and awe. Then he crashes his mouth onto yours, taking your breath away in every brush of his lips against yours.
When he finally settles between your legs again, the tension is thicker and heavier now. He doesn’t rush back into you. Not yet. Just rubbing his length between your slick folds, letting your essence lubricating it. He lets the moment stretch, lets you feel him how hard he is, lets you want it until you can’t help but touch him, guiding his cock to your clit and circling the tip around it. You keep your eyes locked with his as you do and there’s something in the way he looks at you now — he’s almost gone. In the best way.
You push the tip down, aiming it toward your entrance and push it just an inch. And yet, it’s enough to elicit a quiet, low sound he doesn’t even try to hide. You arch your body, letting him feel the way you wrapped around him once more.
Hyunjin sighs, like he’s trying to calm himself down before finally does the rest, pushing forward and penetrating you again. His eyes don’t stray, they focused on the way his length sliding into you little by little. By the time he’s fully bottomed out, he stills. Like he needs to adjust, to steady himself, to not lose it right then and there.
You feel it the way he trembles slightly, the way his hands flex at your sides, the way his breathing changes. And then—
“You take me so easily now,” he murmurs, rough around the edges. His thumb presses on your clit, gently circling and applying just the right pressure on it
You slyly smile in return, lifting your knees higher and cupping your breasts in your hands, giving yourself the extra stimulation your body seeks.
The sight arouses Hyunjin so much that for a brief moment, he just stays there, watching you touching yourself. His hips begin moving then, ever so slowly but the motions only allow him to feel you more. More intense than before.
Hyunjin’s eyes screwed shut for a second like he’s struggling to keep up with what he’s feeling and seeing. When he opens them, they meet you right away. “I fucked you so many times that you’ve taken the shape of me, yeah?” he murmurs, followed by a shaky exhale.
Instead of answering, you put your legs down and around his waists, hands reaching for his shoulders to bring him close until he’s settled on top of you. You kiss him and he kisses you back in the same eagerness, almost sloppy.
And at the same time, Hyunjin keeps moving his hips in rolling motions and it always impresses you how he moves like his body made of fluid, flowing and unrestrained. Each motion measured, like he’s trying to hold onto control while still giving into it.
Praises slipping between kisses—soft murmurs that make you flutter in a way that has nothing to do with the physical anymore. You’re too deep in it now. Not just the feeling.
Him.
The way he’s looking at you. The way he’s holding you. The way this doesn’t feel like just a shared intimate moment—it feels like something more.
Your hands find his, and he laces your fingers together, pressing them into the bed as he quickens the pace, enough to pull another breath from you, enough to bring you right back to that edge again.
“Hyunjin…” you whisper his name.
He hums against your lips, barely pulling away. “Yeah?”
“I’m close…”
The words come out softer, more vulnerable than you expect.
He exhales, pressing his forehead to yours for a brief second before kissing you again. “Just—stay with me a little longer.”
You nod, even if you’re not sure you can. And when he deepens his thrusting, it becomes harder to think about anything else. Harder to hold back.
“I can’t—” you mutter breathlessly, body squirming and quivering. “I can’t hold it back anymore.”
When you finally let go, it takes him with you. There’s no holding it this time, no stopping it. He breaks with a rough, guttural groan that spills out of his mouth as he pulls you closer, burying himself against you, the moment crashing over him just as hard.
The soft, quiet stillness comes after. His forehead rests against yours, breath still uneven, a small, disbelieving smile tugging at his lips. He looks at you like he’s seeing something new. Something important.
He waits until your eyes are focused and meeting him. And the he says it.
“I love you.”
The words hang between you for a moment, you let them sink in, let them seep into somewhere deep in your chest. you have the answer but the words feel strange, feel heavy on your tongue. You try anyway, opening your mouth, but he stops with a kiss.
“You don’t have to say it back,” he murmurs, thumb swiping across your lips.
You smile lazily at that. “Well, I don’t want to,” you playfully say.
He huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Then don’t.”
But your hand comes up to his cheek, thumb brushing lightly across his skin, your gaze steady on his. And this time, you don’t hesitate.
“But I love you.”
He stills for a second. Like he didn’t expect it. Like he’s not sure he heard it right. And then he breaks into laughter as if he’s trying to release the nerves, the worries and concerns.
And with that, he leans in and kisses you again, body lowering until he’s settled on top of you. Until your bodies fit together. Until your hearts are lying close to each other with mere bones and flesh in between. The hearts that have chosen each other.
Hopefully—
Forever.
-
Hyunjin doesn’t think he’s ever been this aware of silence before. The kind that hums softly, wrapped around the steady drone of the plane, tucked between the quiet breaths you take beside him. The kind that feels comfortable, content.
He shifts slightly in his seat, shoulder brushing yours, just to make sure you’re still there, still real. Because a part of him keeps whispering that this was all too good to be true. Like something his mind would make up just to torture him later.
He exhales slowly, running a hand through his long hair before turning his head and there you are, sitting beside him with legs tucked in just a little, scrolling through your phone with that faint crease between your brows—the one he’s grown ridiculously fond of. The one he used to call annoying. The one he now thinks about at the most inconvenient times.
As if you feel him looking, you glance up and softly smile at him. And just like that, the noise in his head quiets.
You lean closer, talking so low that it feels like it’s just for him. “The pharmaceutical company emailed. They want a review for the couple’s test program.”
“Really?” he asks, one brow lifted.
You nod, already shrugging it off and shoving your phone into your bag. “Let’s just do it later.”
Later. He lingers on that word for a second.Later means this continues.Later means you’re not… done.
You nudge him lightly, already leaning close to his. “Wanna watch something?”
He nods, clearing his throat a little. “Yeah. Let’s finish that movie we didn’t get to watch.”
You hum, already leaning forward to scroll through the in-flight screen, mumbling under your breath. “I don’t even know if they have it…”
A moment later, you look at him and shake your head, lips slightly curled into a pout. “They don’t have it.”
And god, that face. He smiles without meaning to, something soft and helpless slipping through before he can stop it. “Just pick anything.”
You drop your hand to your lap. “No. You pick this time.”
He huffs out a quiet laugh, like he’s been handed something far more serious than choosing a movie. “Alright.”
He scrolls through the options, squinting like he’s studying for an exam. Then, he jokingly mutters, “I don’t think they have porn on this thing.”
Your hand flies to his mouth, muffling him as you half-laugh, half-scold, “Are you insane? There are kids around.”
His eyes widen in mock innocence as he glances around, deliberately dramatic. “I don’t see any.”
“Just pick a movie,” you tell him while gently patting his cheek. “A normal, flight-friendly movie.”
Another moment passed with him scrolling through the movie selection and ends up with something light, a teen comedy movie. You both slip on the headsets, and before the opening scene even finishes, you link your arm through his, head settling comfortably against his shoulder. Like you’ve done it a hundred times. Like you’re going to do it a hundred more.
Hyunjin presses play and for the first half of the movie, the two of you share quiet commentary, soft chuckles, the occasional glance at each other when something particularly dumb happens on screen.
He lets himself sink into it this time, lets himself believe that just because the vacation is over, doesn’t mean it’s over. It’s still happening. You and him.
Somewhere in the middle of the movie, you get quiet and he notices it a little too late. He tilts his head, looking down and as expected, you’re fast asleep. Your face slightly smushed against his arm, lips parted in the softest pout, brows relaxed now, all that focus and awareness melted into something unbearably soft.
He exhales a quiet laugh. “Again?” he murmurs under his breath. But his voice is fond. So, so fond.
Carefully, he leans in and presses a gentle kiss to your pout. The kiss lingers there for half a second longer than he intended to before pulling back, eyes soft as he stares at your face. Then he reaches up, slipping your headset off, then his.
The movie keeps playing silently for a moment before he pauses it altogether. He straightens on his seat, wrapping an arm around you, pulling you closer until you’re properly tucked against his side, your head resting more comfortably now against his chest.
You instinctively curl into him, like even in your sleep, you know he’s safe. Like you trust him. Completely. And that means more than anything.
The restlessness fades. Not completely. Because maybe things will change when you land. Maybe work will get in the way. Maybe reality will creep back in. But this isn’t something that disappears the moment the plane touches the ground. He knows that now. He presses his cheek lightly against the top of your head, eyes drifting shut for just a second.
Some things stay the same.
And some things change.
And for once, he’s not afraid of either.
-
Hyunjin doesn’t realize how tightly he’s been holding onto that quiet, fragile feeling until the door clicks open. You step in first and he follows, wheeling both suitcases in with a soft thud against the floor. He turns back to close the door, hand lingering on the handle a second too long like he’s sealing something in, or maybe trying to keep something from slipping away.
When he turns around, you’re already looking at him. Your smile is soft and content, a little tired too, but that’s understandable.
“It’s so nice to be home,” you sigh.
Yeah. It is.
You don’t give him time to sit in it, though. You walk right up to him, slipping a hand to his waist, tugging him closer. The kiss you give him is a quick brush of your lips against him, but his heart flips anyway.
Then you look at him, casual as anything. “Are you hungry?”
He huffs a small laugh, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Yeah.”
You grin, reaching up to pat his cheek lightly like he’s done something right. “Can you please order something delicious for us?”
How can he say no when you look at him with a soft gaze and a soft smile?
“Of course,” he answers without argument. He pulls his phone out immediately, scrolling through options while you disappear briefly to set your things down.
By the time the food arrives, you’re both settled at the dining table, still in your travel clothes, too comfortable to care. In between bites of food, the two you talk about the vacation — the rocky beginning, the fun bits, the unexpected things you encountered and discovered.
You talk with such zest and Hyunjin finds himself watching you more than listening sometimes. The way your eyes crinkle, the way your hand gestures mid-story, the way you lean back in your chair when you laugh like you’ve forgotten everything else exists.
He wants to stay here, right in this version of things. Where it’s just you and him, a table between you, shared food, shared stories, no expectations pressing in from the outside. A small, selfish part of him wonders if it’s possible to stretch this moment, make it last just a little longer before reality starts knocking again.
But eventually, the plates are empty and you push your chair back with a quiet sigh, stretching slightly as you stand.
He gets ahead of you, collecting plates and stacking them together. “I’ll do it,” he offers.
“Thanks,” you murmur before walking up to him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
And when you pull away, you look at him like you know exactly what that did to him. “I’ll be waiting for you upstairs.”
You say it so casually and don’t say anything else after, but let him figure it out himself.
Hyunjin just stands there with dirty dishes in hand. Brain lagging behind. He watches you cross the living room, grab your bag from the sofa, then head upstairs without a second glance back. Your footsteps fade, followed by the soft sound of a door opening and then closing.
Upstairs? Does that mean you want him in your bedroom?His eyes flick briefly toward the staircase, then back down at the dishes in his hands.
“You’re definitely inviting me,” he says to no one, shaking his head in disbelief.
There’s no point pretending otherwise. Still, he forces himself to finish cleaning, faster and a little rushed, his thoughts already halfway upstairs with you. Because all he can think about is you, up there, waiting for him.
-
Hyunjin pushes the door open with his shoulder, backpack hanging loosely from his hand. He steps into your room, slower than he needs to, like he’s taking it in properly this time.
You’re not there, but he hears the sound of water running from the bathroom.
He lets out a quiet breath, something between relief and anticipation, and walks further in, setting his backpack down by the nightstand before lowering himself onto the edge of the bed.
The room already feels familiar. It’s still in the same layout. The same sheets. The same faint scent that lingers in the air, something that’s just… you. But it feels different.
Last time he was here, he wasn’t supposed to be. He remembers moving around quietly, careful not to leave a trace, like he was borrowing something that didn’t belong to him.
Now? Now he’s sitting here because you told him to come. Because you want him here. Because this is no longer something hidden between moments.
He leans back slightly on his hands, eyes drifting around the room, a small smile tugging at his lips before he even realizes it.
The bathroom door creaks open and he turns his head instantly to find you standing in the doorway with your hair down, dressed down in a simple night dress that somehow does more to him than anything else you’ve worn all day.
“Hey!” you call out with an edge to it. Like you’re seeing something that doesn’t belong in your room.
Did he—? Did he get it wrong? Did he read too much into everything?
But before the thought can even settle, you walk toward him, stopping just close enough to look down at where he’s sitting. “That’s my side of the bed.”
God. He overthinks it again. He shakes his head at himself, dragging a hand through his hair. “Right. Of course it is.”
You cross your arms, still holding onto that mock glare, but there’s a grin threatening at the corner of your lips.
He plays along, letting out an exaggerated sigh as he grabs his things. “I come all the way here and I don’t even get a good spot.”
You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling now.
He walks around the bed, dropping onto the other side, tossing his things down like he’s been doing this forever.
You watch him for a second before nodding toward the bathroom. “Go wash up. Hurry.”
He groans softly, dragging himself up again. “Bossy.”
“Go. Now!”
“Okay, okay,” he mutters with hands lifted in defeat, already heading toward the bathroom.
Soon enough, Hyunjin comes out of the bathroom with a towel slung over his shoulder, hair still slightly damp, the warmth from the shower clinging to his skin.
The first thing he sees is you, sitting comfortably against the headboard, legs stretched out under the blanket, phone in your hands as your thumbs move quickly across the screen. The warm glow of the bedside lamp lights up your face, softening your features.
You glance up the second he steps into view and smile. It hits him instantly that he should get used to it now.
“Well,” you say, a teasing edge in your voice, “thank you for not taking forever in there.”
He huffs out a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he walks over. “You’re welcome. I tried my best not to inconvenience you.”
You narrow your eyes playfully, but the smile stays.
He sets his things down on your nightstand while you lock your phone and put it aside without a second thought. Then you shift, sliding further down into the bed, patting the space next to you. “Hurry. Get in.”
He rolls his eyes, dragging out a dramatic sigh like he’s being forced into it. “So demanding.”
He takes his time anyway, pulling the covers back, settling in beside you, but the second he’s there, you snuggle up to him. Like it’s where you’re meant to be.
He doesn’t even think about it but offers his arm, letting you rest your head on it, adjusting slightly so you’re comfortable. Your body melts into his side, and he feels the soft hum you let out against him.
His fingers drift to your hair, brushing through it gently, slow and absent-minded. His other hand finds yours, threading your fingers together before softly kissing the your knuckle and resting your laced hands over his chest.
The room is quiet except for the sound of your breathing, the faint rustle of sheets shifting with every small movement. This is nice and he is relaxes, and yet, one thing sitting in the back of his mind, refusing to stay quiet.
He swallows, then nudges you slightly. “Hey.”
You hum in response, eyes already half-closed. “Mmh?”
“You’re not gonna get weird tomorrow, right?”
You let out a small scoff of laughter against him. “Get weird how?”
He keeps his voice steady and the tone casual. “Like… you’re not gonna go back to how you used to be with me.”
You tilt your head up to look at him, brows lifting. “And how did I used to be with you?”
He grins, a little sheepish now. “You know. Like you’re always annoyed by me. Like… I’m just your test partner.”
A quiet chuckle leaves you and your eyes flutter, forcing them open to look at him. “First thing first, I’ll always be annoyed by you,” you murmur with a playful smile.
Hyunjin rolls his eyes and sighs, but he knows that part is true. He doesn’t think he’ll stop annoying you sometime soon.
“Secondly,” you continue, looking and sounding a little serious now. “Congratulations, you just got promoted as my long-term booty call.”
He lets out a breath that should turn into a laugh. But your answer is not quite the one he wants to hear, not the kind of assurance he seeks. Before he can say anything else, you suddenly burst into laughter, shifting over him until you’re half on top of him, looking down at him like he’s the most ridiculous person alive.
“We’ve been—” you cut yourself off with another laugh, shaking your head, “—we’ve been fucking each other for days, said ‘I love you,’ and now you’re here, in my bed… and you’re still asking what we are?”
He presses his lips together, trying to hold it in and fails. A laugh escapes him out of embarrassment. “Just making sure,” he mutters while nodding to himself.
You roll your eyes and then drop your head to the side, quietly chuckling.
He looks at you and carefully asks, “Can I tell people about it?”
“I’d rather keep it low-key,” you eloquently answer like you expected that question from him.
His brows knit slightly. “Why?”
You reach up, brushing a strand of his hair back. “I don’t want to mix work and personal stuff. And I definitely don’t want to give the office something to gossip about.”
He gets it. He fully understands it. But still, he pouts because a part of him wants to the tell the world that you’re his. “So… I can’t tell anyone?”
You smile, amused. “You can.”
His eyes light up slightly at that, but then you quickly add, “Only if someone asks.”
The pout comes back immediately and you barely have time to laugh before he suddenly rolls over, flipping you onto your back beneath him. You let out a small sound of surprise, but you’re smiling.
He hovers over you, looking down with that familiar mix of mischief and something softer underneath. “Do you really love me?” he asks.
You grin instantly. “Do you really love me?”
He leans down, nudging his nose against yours. “I asked first.”
You hold his gaze and just to make this difficult, you answer, “Sometimes, I do.”
He narrows his eyes, leans in and gently bites your nose.
You shriek, laughing, hands flying to his face as you cup his jaw, pressing a quick kiss there.
“I want to take things slow. I want to keep this between us for a bit longer.”
He nods in understanding. But then—
“Can I at least tell our CMO?”
You laugh immediately, knowing that Seungmin will be likely the first person Hyunjin would declare this relationship to. “Yes.”
He nods, satisfied. “That’s enough.”
And just like that, he leans down, giving you a long, lingering kiss. A kiss that says more than he bothers putting into words.
“No more questions. I’m tired,” you half mumble with eyes closed.
“Okay,” he says, tangling his hand in your hair and gently brushing it. But not even a second later, he asks, “How about one more kiss?”
You sharply exhale air through your nostrils before tilting your head up. “Just one more kiss,” you murmur.
Hyunjin makes the best of it, capturing your soft lips in his and kissing you. Less heat, more intent. With his whole heart. When he pulls away, he smiles and lowly murmurs against your lips, “Goodnight.”
You smile with your eyes closed. “Goodnight,” you say back, just as softly.
Then he rolls back onto his side, pulling you with him, tucking you close like before. You fit there perfectly. His arm wraps around you, hand resting at your back, holding you close as your breathing slowly evens out.
And this time, his mind is quiet because when morning comes, he knows you’ll still be right here.
-
The moment you open your eyes, you see him.
Hyunjin, right beside you. So close that you can feel his breath, soft and even against your skin. His face is slightly smushed into the pillow, lips parted in the faintest pout, hair a mess in the way that makes him look softer and unguarded. And somehow, a lot more attractive.
There’s something about seeing him like this that makes your chest feel a little too full and your lips curve into a smile
Carefully, you shift closer. Your fingers hover for a moment before brushing lightly along his jaw, tracing the line of it. Then you lean in, pressing small, lingering kisses there—one, two, three—slow and gentle, just enough to feel the warmth of his skin under your lips.
He doesn’t stir. Not even a little as you smile against him. So you press one more kiss and this time to his lips and to no one surprise, still nothing.
It’s only when you start adjusting the blanket and shifting your leg, he finally reacts. A low groan slips out of him as he burrows deeper into the pillow, voice rough with sleep. “What time is it?”
You reach for your phone, squinting slightly at the brightness before answering, “Six seventeen.”
He groans louder like he has issues with those numbers, and immediately turns his face further into the pillow. “Wake me up in an hour,” he mumbles.
He sounds so serious about it. Like it’s a real plan. You can’t help the smile that spreads across your face.
Then, after a beat, his voice comes again, slurred and drifting. “Actually… don’t wake me up at all.”
You let out a soft chuckle, shaking your head a little as you hum in response. “Noted.”
You lean down again, pressing another gentle kiss to his lips. And this time, he reacts, just barely. As you pull away, his lips follow yours, chasing for a second before he catches you in a lazy, lingering peck. It’s clumsy, half-asleep, but warm in a way that settles in your chest. Then just as quickly, he’s burrowing back into the pillow, arm loosely draped where you were moments ago and go back to sleep.
You watch him for a brief moment before willing yourself to start moving. You stretch slightly, easing yourself out of bed, careful not to disturb him again. Morning is here and for once, you don’t feel like you have to brace yourself for anything.
You fall into your routine almost instinctively—shower, clothes, skincare and by the time you’re in the kitchen, the sun is already filtering in through the windows, warm and bright. You set breakfast together from whatever you have left in your fridge. Oatmeal, a few extras on the side and pour yourself a cup of coffee.
You’re halfway through your first sip when you hear his slow, dragging footsteps. You glance up just as Hyunjin appears at the bottom of the stairs with messy hair and eyes barely open, one hand rubbing at his face like he’s still negotiating with the idea of being awake. Yet, his expression changes instantly the second he sees you. He smiles as he walks into the kitchen.
“Morning,” he murmurs, voice still heavy with sleep.
“Morning,” you softly say back.
He passes by you, leaning in to press a quick kiss to the top of your head before reaching up to the cabinet. It’s so natural, like it’s always been part of the routine. You don’t even hesitate to grab his mug as he takes it down, pouring coffee into it for him.
He glances at you, grin tugging at his lips. “Thanks.”
You nod toward the counter. “Want some oatmeal?”
He pauses mid-sip and grimaces. “I’m pretty sure I still have cereal left,” he says, already turning to rummage through your cabinet where he last put it.
Not long after, he finds the cereal box and pulls it out, opening the lid to peek inside. His brow furrows and slowly, he turns his head toward you. “Why is there barely anything left in my cereal?”
You lean against the counter, keeping your expression neutral, lifting your cup for another sip like you have no idea what he’s talking about.
His eyes narrow as he takes a step closer. And you can feel the way he’s looking at you, like he’s waiting for the crack to show.
You tell yourself to stay calm but it only lasts for two seconds and then your lips twitch. “I might’ve eaten it. Occasionally,” you admit, rather casually.
He scoffs, shaking his head as he closes the distance. “You’re still bad at lying.”
You grin, completely unbothered. “Oatmeal?” you offer again, just to annoy him.
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he cups your face with both hands and then leans in, kissing you. The kiss is quick, but it lingers just enough to make a low gasp escaping you when he pulls aways.
He looks at you like he’s already decided something and says, “No, thank you. I’ll stick to my cereal.”
A few minutes later, you sit across from Hyunjin, one leg tucked under you, spoon lazily circling your oatmeal while he crunches through his cereal. But every now and then, he glances at you like he’s checking you’re still there.
You pretend not to notice. Instead, you reach for your phone resting beside your bowl, unlocking it and sliding it across the table toward him.
“Hey, we should probably do this now before we forget,” you begin.
He pauses mid-bite, spoon hovering in the air. “Do what?”
You tap the screen lightly, where the form is pulled up. “The couple test program review. They asked for it.”
He leans forward, squinting a little as he reads, then lets out a quiet ah of realization before leaning back in his chair. “Right. That thing.”
He shoves a spoonful of cereal into his mouth, chews on it and then, he asks, “We’re filling it together?”
You raise a brow at him like it’s obvious. “We were in it together, weren’t we?”
That earns you a soft huff of a laugh. He nods, scooting his chair a little closer, elbow coming to rest on the table as he angles your phone toward both of you. “Okay, let’s see,” he says, suddenly a little more awake.
You take your mug, sipping your coffee as your eyes scan the first question. “How would you rate your overall experience?” you read aloud, then glance at him. “Be honest.”
He tilts his head, considering it for a brief moment like he’s weighing something heavier than the question itself. “Good. Not excellent.”
You narrow your eyes slightly. “Not excellent?”
His gaze flicks to you, slow, deliberate, the corner of his mouth tugging. “Well, we had… complications.”
You scoff under your breath, already tapping “Good” anyway. “You mean you couldn’t stay professional.”
“I stayed professional,” he counters, completely unbothered. “You’re the one who—”
You kick his foot lightly under the table. “Next.”
He laughs and lets you move on.
You go through the aspects together, taking your time with it. You read them out, and he answers, sometimes immediately, sometimes after a pause, sometimes after a quiet debate between the two of you that ends in a compromise and a shared glance that lingers just a second too long.
“Partner coordination,” you murmur, tapping the screen. “Four?”
“Four,” he agrees. Then, after a beat— “Could’ve been a five.”
You hum, pretending to think about it. “You complained a lot.”
“You liked it.”
You don’t answer that. Just press the rating and move on. And each time, your lips curl into a smile.
“Did the program have a positive impact on your relationship?” you ask, voice softer now. You don’t look at him right away like you did before. Your thumb hovers over the screen.
“Yeah,” he says before you can ask.
You glance up then, and he’s already looking at you. You nod once, almost to yourself, before tapping “Yes.”
Neither of you says anything for a second after that. Then you clear your throat, nudging the moment forward. “Favorite part?”
He leans back in his chair again, dragging his spoon lazily through the empty bowl now. “Working together,” he says, like it’s obvious. Then, after a beat, quieter— “Getting to see you like that.”
“Like what?”
“Focused and bossy,” he answers without a beat. A grin blooms on his small face as he adds, “A little scary.”
You roll your eyes, but your fingers hesitate over the screen before typing it in. The rest comes easier from there until you reach the last new question.
You tilt the phone slightly toward him. “Would you be interested in joining another couple test program in the future?”
He doesn’t even pretend to think about it. “Yes.”
You smile a little at how fast that was. “That was quick.”
He shrugs, but his eyes don’t leave you. “Depends on the condition.”
You raise a brow. “Oh?”
He leans in, raising his eyebrow as a flirty gesture. “For an instance, same partner.”
Your fingers still for a second over the screen and you try to fight it, but the smile tugging at your lips anyway. You nod as you tap the answer in, exactly like that. Then you set your phone down and reach for your coffee again.
He watches you over the rim of his mug, quiet for a moment. Then—
“So… we’re doing another one?”
You meet his eyes over the table, sunlight catching in them, in yours, in everything that’s changed without either of you saying it out loud. You tilt your head, a small smile pulling at your lips.
“Looks like it,” you say.
And maybe this time, it won’t feel like a test at all.
-
COUPLE TEST PROGRAM
PARTICIPANT REVIEW FORM
Participant 1 ID: P-260319
Participant 2 ID: P-260320
Program Duration: 30 Days
1. Overall Experience
How would you rate your overall experience?
☐ Excellent ☑ Good ☐ Average ☐ Poor
2. Program Aspects (Rate 1–10)
Product Quality & Variety: 9
Clarity of Testing Instructions: 9
Ease of Use (Products): 8
Reporting & Documentation Process: 8
Partner Coordination & Task Balance: 8
3. Relationship Impact
Did the program have a positive impact on your relationship?
☑ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure
If yes, how? (optional)
It encouraged consistent communication, cooperation, and adaptability. We became more aware of each other’s preferences, working styles, and boundaries through repeated interactions.
4. Highlights & Challenges
Favorite part of the program:
Testing products in a shared setting and comparing perspectives. The process felt interactive and allowed for genuine reactions and discussions.
Any challenges or concerns:
Maintaining objectivity while working closely as partners could be challenging at times. Differences in opinions occasionally affected the evaluation process.
5. Recommendation
Would you recommend this program to other couples?
☑ Yes ☐ No ☐ Maybe
6. Future Participation
Would you be interested in joining another couple test program in the future?
☑ Yes ☐ No ☐ Maybe
If yes, under what conditions? (optional)
Preferably with the same partner to maintain consistency in evaluation and communication.
7. Additional Feedback
The program is well-structured and effective for observing real-time partner dynamics. Slight improvements in reporting flexibility and clearer expectations for subjective evaluations would enhance the experience.
8. Final Comment
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Couple Test Program. The experience was insightful, engaging, and unexpectedly meaningful for both of us. Beyond product evaluation, the program encouraged stronger communication, teamwork, and understanding between partners in everyday situations.
We appreciate the effort put into creating realistic testing environments and activities that allowed authentic interactions and feedback. Overall, it was a valuable experience that we would gladly participate in again.
Submission Status: ✔ Successfully Submitted
-
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For once, you get to take care of the one who takes care of everyone.
The keys jingled in Chan’s hand when everyone spilled out of the restaurant in a laughing, stumbling mess.
Not drunk drunk – just loose with the night. Warm from soju and beer, cheeks flushed pink, voices louder than usual, every joke suddenly the funniest thing anyone had ever heard.
Three rental cars waited beneath the streetlights, still dusty from the beach parking lot earlier that afternoon.
“Okay,” Changbin announced from the other side of the lot, pointing dramatically. “Strong team with me.”
“You mean loud team,” Seungmin said.
“You mean nightmare team,” Jeongin corrected.
You ended up in the second car exactly where you’d expected: Han was already climbing into the backseat, somehow still carrying snacks in his hoodie pocket (and probably in his cheeks as well), Felix sitting beside him with his seatbelt half twisted, and Chan standing by the driver’s door, rubbing one eye with the heel of his hand.
He looked beautiful in the soft, ugly parking-lot lighting. Which was unfair.
Cap low over his forehead. Sleeves pushed to his elbows. Hair messy from wind and seawater. His smile was there, touched with the kind of tired happiness that comes after a day well spent.
He’d only had one drink hours ago and switched to water after, but the day had been long – sun, swimming, driving, making sure everyone was where they needed to be, checking maps, checking reservations, checking on members, checking on you every ten minutes like you might evaporate.
You stepped closer. “Baby.”
His head lifted immediately. “Hm?”
“Let me drive.”
His eyebrows rose. “You wanna drive?”
“You're tired. And I'm sober too.”
“It’s okay. I can do it.”
“I know that you can,” you said softly. “But you don’t need to. You’re tired.”
“I’m fine.”
“You just tried to unlock the car with the house key.”
Chan let out a soft laugh, head dropping for a second, and you saw it then: the real exhaustion under the playful refusal. The kind he always ignored.
You reached for his wrist.
His fingers turned instinctively, fingers sliding through yours like they belonged there.
Your voice dropped so only he could hear.
“Chris.”
That did it. It always did.
His eyes flicked to yours.
You reached up, face leaning in towards his, and smoothed a thumb under one of his eyes. “You’ve been taking care of everyone all day. Please let me take care of you for twenty minutes.”
Something in his expression shifted.
Small. Barely there.
That look he only got when you slipped past the leader everyone knew and spoke to the man underneath it all.
He glanced down at your joined hands, thumb brushing once over your knuckles. Then he sighed through a smile and leaned his forehead against yours.
From the backseat, Felix made a scandalized little sound. “They’re being cute again.”
“They can do that any other time,” Han whined. “I wanna fall into bed.”
Chan huffed a laugh through his nose and pulled back.
“You sure?”
“Mhm.”
“You know the route?”
You nodded and held out your hand.
After a second, he dropped the keys into your palm.
“Okay.”
You smiled and tipped your head towards the passenger side. “Go on then.”
Chan blinked at you once, clearly too tired to argue, then shuffled around the front of the car without protest.
As he turned, you gave him a light, friendly smack on the butt.
He stopped mid-step and turned back, scandalized. “Hey.”
“Passenger princes don’t talk back, baby,” you said sweetly, opening the driver’s door.
Chan shook his head under his breath, smiling now despite himself, and slid into the passenger seat.
You settled behind the wheel, adjusting the seat back from where Chan had it too far for your comfort. His cologne lingered in the fabric, mixed with salt air and the faint scent of sunscreen.
From the backseat, Han gasped dramatically. “She’s driving?”
“Oh, you’ll survive,” you said, fixing the rearview mirror until Han's face appeared in it. “If not, you’re also welcome to walk back.”
He slumped lower in his seat, arms folding across his chest in exaggerated sulkiness. “ ‘was just saying, your driving is kind of scary.”
“You don’t even have a license,” you said, starting the engine. “Seatbelt, Jisung.”
“That’s why my opinion is pure,” Han said, reaching for the seatbelt with a pout. “Unbiased. Untainted by experience.”
Felix laughed so hard he immediately yawned afterward, eyes watering.
Chan’s mouth twitched, trying not to smile.
–––––
Five minutes later, Han was dead aleep.
The road curved dark and quiet along the coast, the sea only visible in flashes between trees.
Chan sat in the passenger seat with the chair leaned farther back than he ever let himself do.
But he kept looking at you.
Every time you glanced over, his eyes were already there.
He had one arm folded across his middle, the other tucked between you on the center console where his fingers occasionally squeezed yours. Not out of nervousness, but out of habit.
The boys in the back had gone from loud to silent with shocking speed.
Han was asleep first, cheek smushed against Felix’s shoulder, mouth slightly open.
Felix lasted another three songs before his head tipped sideways onto Han’s hair.
You glanced in the rearview mirror and nearly laughed.
“Look.”
Chan turned his head.
His smile came slow and helpless.
“They always act tough,” he said quietly, “then become babies after one drink.”
You smiled as well. “You gonna carry them inside later?”
“The hell I will.”
You hummed innocently. “But they’re your babies.”
“They’re adults,” he said at once. “Heavy adults. They just happen to complain a lot and expect to be pampered.”
“You raised them that way.”
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
He gave a soft scoff but didn’t argue harder than that.
Sleep was already pulling at him now, loosening every sharp edge. Without the need to steer, navigate, count heads, answer questions, make decisions, remind people to hydrate, remember where everyone left their bags—
There was nothing left for him to hold up.
No leader face.
No responsibility voice.
Just your boyfriend, warm, happy and slowly falling asleep in the passenger seat.
His thumb traced over your knuckles once. Twice.
“You’re staring,” you murmured.
“I’m appreciating.”
“You should rest those eyes, not look at me.”
“Can’t help it. You look really pretty when you drive.”
You laughed under your breath. “That’s the sleep talking, babe.”
“No.” His eyes were half closed, voice low and certain. “Been thinking it for ten minutes.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting?”
He leaned his head back against the headrest. “Can’t.”
“Why?”
“Like looking at you.”
You stopped at a red light. The intersection was empty, traffic signal glowing red over the quiet road.
You looked over at him again.
He was already looking at you.
Slowly, he lifted his free hand.
His fingers brushed your cheek first, palm settling there gently like he wanted to hold your face for a second before anything else. His thumb swept once across your cheekbone, slow and absentminded.
Then, he leaned across the console and kissed you.
Soft.
Unhurried.
Sleepy in the sweetest way.
You froze for half a heartbeat before kissing him back, one hand tightening on the wheel, the other moving to rest on his shoulder.
He was warm, lips slow and gentle on yours.
As he pulled away, your stomach flipped so hard it made you forget where you were.
When you opened your eyes, it took you a second to remember the car, the road, the sleeping passengers.
You turned your head.
Han was still dead asleep against Felix, entirely unaware of the world.
Felix hadn’t moved at all, breathing deep, arms wrapped around his folded jacket like a stuffed animal.
You let out a slow breath and looked back at Chan.
Who looked impossibly soft like this.
Hoodie half-zipped. Curls messy beneath his cap. Lips parted slightly with sleepiness.
And his eyes – so full of love – it made something in your chest ache.
“Tired?” you asked softly.
“No.”
“Close your eyes.”
“Can’t.”
“Why?”
“Need to make sure everyone gets home safe.”
Your chest ached in that familiar way.
Even now.
Even here.
Even with his members unconscious in the back and the day finally over, he was still holding the invisible strings of everyone else’s comfort.
You reached over and squeezed his arm.
“I’ve got them,” you said. Then softer, “I’ve got you too.”
He went very still.
Then exhaled like he’d been waiting all day to.
When the light changed, you gave him one last smile before turning back to the road and easing the car forward.
“You’re cute,” he mumbled after a minute.
“You’re delirious.”
“Probably.”
“You happy?” you asked.
“Mhm.”
“Why?”
He leaned his head against the window, still watching you.
“My girlfriend’s driving me home~”
You snorted. “That’s all it takes?”
“She’s pretty.”
“Christopher.”
“She smells nice too.”
“You’re half-asleep.”
“I’m in love.”
The words came so simply, so sleep-heavy and sincere, that your chest tightened.
You squeezed his hand.
“Go to sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He squeezed your hand back once, then his grip loosened as sleep began pulling him under, yet still holding onto your hand like he didn’t know how not to.
pairing: idol! hyunjin x artist! reader
genre: friends to lovers, so much angst, smut, fluff, set in the idolverse, mutual pining, unrequited love, forbidden romance, slowburn (!!!) soulmate au, star-crossed lovers
synopsis: working in a quaint little art store, you’ve had the honor of meeting all kinds of people, but you’ve never met somebody like him. there were many reasons hyunjin returned to his hometown; a getaway from the ephemeral and fast-paced life of the city, so he could fall in love with life again. he thought he was prepared for everything, to study art in the way that he’s always wanted to, but what he didn’t anticipate was meeting you. hwang hyunjin realises that sometimes, the best things in life happen unplanned.
word count: 38K
warnings: explicit content, angst, sexual tension, dual pov, making out, multiple explicit scenes, dirty talk, drinking, grinding, dry humping, unprotected sex, fingering, quite a lot of jealousy, mature language, fluff, mentions of the word cock
a/n: im so excited for this part, one of my favorites to write and definitely a big one for their story arc. very big for hyunyn. it gets down and dirty but also very cheesy. no spoilers but the happiest chapter ive written so (the name of the chapter is i wanna be yours)... i even made a pinterest board specifically for it. please ignore any inconsistencies with van gogh museum and all the real locations. please get comfy and enjoy this and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. you can listen to my star lost playlist that i curated like crazy here!
important: all works are fiction, and do not in any way represent the real personalities or real people, they exist only as faceclaims, and are fictional characters.
masterlist
There was an imprint on your couch in the shape of his body. It was a cheap couch, and maybe the only thing that it was good for was memorizing your lover's presence.
It had been irresponsible not to sleep, to stay awake kissing him, but you knew not much of restraint. When it came to Hyunjin, not much at all.
The buzz of last night had not worn off yet. His flight was only in a few hours, and he spent every last minute on your couch, tangled up in your pillows and blanket.
Paint had dried in uneven patches on the floor, your canvases left unfinished. You couldn't feel too guilty about leaving them undone, not when he felt you up the entire night instead. His head was resting in the crook of your neck when he dejectedly mumbled, his voice muffled by your skin, "I should go home now, get my things."
"I'll miss you." You managed to say, and you'd made your home on his lap. Being so close to him, so casually, felt like coming undone after a lifetime of waiting. Something sweet bloomed in your chest, and you'd never felt fulfilment of this kind before.
The boy of your dreams had kissed you then, and his lips were perfect on yours. Like puzzle pieces, they fit together, slotting themselves so wonderfully between yours. You had been kissed many times in your life, but never like this.
"Get some sleep. I'll see you in a few days when I'm back." His hands settled on your waist, and you were surprised there wasn't an impression of them on your body, with how long and carefully he'd held you.
You had to conceal your sadness at seeing him go, but he'd just surprised you with the best gift ever and the happiness of that spilled through all your cracks of sorrow. In the space between you, he'd pulled you even closer, squeezing your thigh, "Don't miss me too much on your trip, okay?"
After he left, you waited by your kitchen window, pulling your blanket tighter around yourself, barefoot on the cold floor.
If you stood in the corner, you could see where his car was parked.
It was at the end of the street, away from prying eyes, far enough away that no spectators should connect it to you or your apartment building. ⠀
You wanted to crack your window open, call out his name, but that would be stupid so you bit your tongue. In the light of dawn, he walked over to his car, hand hovering on the handle but he didn't go in, not yet. You wondered if something was wrong. If he forgot something.
But then, he turned around, eyes searching your apartment building's facade. You could see him do the math in his head, figuring out your floor and apartment number and then to your surprise, his eyes met yours.
You doubt he could truly see you, so far away, your silhouette only lit by the kitchen light. But it was as if he knew you could see him. As if he could feel your presence from even so far away.
His gaze lingered on your window, on you, and he faintly smiled.
»»————-
Your neighbour Jeongin was home at odd hours of the day. So, you knew you could count on him to be there when you knocked early in the afternoon of a work day, a big batch of jajangmeyon in your hands. He opened the door, a wide smile plastered on his pretty face. His eyes lit up, "I was wondering what smelled so good."
"Hope you didn't already eat. I'm travelling tomorrow and thought I'd make use of my leftovers." You said, holding the bowl up like a prize. Jeongin laughed, "I just got off a work call, and I was starving. Perfect timing. Come on in."
You slipped off your boots and followed him in like you had a dozen times before, moving easily through the space.
By the time he grabbed bowls, you were already in his kitchen, pulling out chopsticks with familiarity. “So." He said, leaning against the counter as he poured you both soda, “Where are you going?”
"A trip for my birthday." You couldn’t stop the smile. It had been sitting on your face for days now, and you weren't one to brag but you wanted to scream this from the rooftops.
His head snapped up, “No way. When were you planning on telling me it was your birthday?”
“Trust me, this is not a usual thing. I haven’t properly celebrated in years.” You laughed.
“Well.” He said, already digging in, “Good for you. Seriously. I hope it’s amazing.”
It didn't feel like your life. These kind of things didn't happen to you. "Thank you." You sipped on the soda, looking at him, "I…I'm very excited, kinda anxious like something's gonna go wrong, but I think that's just my overthinking."
He slurped through his next bite, and you're happy he's comfortable with you enough to do that, sauce staining his lips, "Hey, at least you're self-aware. I'm sure it'll be great, and I can't wait to hear all about it."
He talked about work as you ate, about all the troubles of corporate life, and work drama that you never fully understood, but you listened anyway, offering him advice from what you knew best. After all, you'd dealt with a fair share of drama recently.
"So…I have a question." He started to say as he finished his bowl. You glanced up, curious, "Yeah?" You'd like to say you were comfortable enough to just ask each other what was on your mind, instead of prefacing it like that.
"The guy that visited you last week…" He started, "The one I met in the stairwell a few months ago, are you dating him?"
You swallowed your bite, thinking it through. There were only two other people who knew about you and Hyunjin.
Jeongin was smart enough to put two and two together, and even if you denied it, he'd probably figured it out already. He wasn't really a threat. In fact, his knowing might be a good thing.
"You don't have to tell me. I'm just curious." He added. You nodded, trying to not make it a bigger deal than it was but who were you kidding?
You could never be casual about Hyunjin. "Yeah. I am."
Recognition flashed through his eyes, almost a satisfying feeling sinking into his stature, like he just needed that confirmation from you, "I've seen his car around a lot. It makes sense. Although, he shows up in a different car everytime. At first, I thought you were just seeing multiple guys but…" He laughed, "This makes sense."
"Oh my god, no." You felt embarrassed, staring down at the leftovers in your bowl. "The cars belong to his company and…yeah. I'm surprised you noticed. So I have to assume you've been spying on me?"
He laughed, throwing his head back, "I have nothing else to do but look out the window wistfully all day. Work isn't nearly as interesting as your life seems."
"Oh, my life is not interesting." You stated, taking a long sip of the soda, feeling the bubbles on your tongue. He raised an eyebrow, "If you say so."
You finished the last of your ramyeon, settling against his couch, wondering what Hyunjin was up to now. You hadn't talked in a few days, except for the rare texts exchanged in the middle of the night. He'd been so busy with all of his responsibilities and schedule. It seemed like Fashion Week was a beast to tackle, even for someone like him. It also didn't help that he was in a completely different timezone, on the other side of the world.
"What does he do for work?" Jeongin asked. He definitely seemed like the type of person who couldn't care less about idols.
"He's in… entertainment." You offered a morsel of information. He nodded, considering it, "He has one of those faces."
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged, a smile pulling at his lips, "Like the kind of guy…you'd walk past in a mall and nudge your friends about. Someone you'd hear got scouted on the street, and everyone would wonder if that really happens to real people. Symmetrical. Tall. Well-dressed. I mean, I only saw him for a few seconds, but I can tell that much."
"Symmetrical?" You laughed, "I suppose you're right."
"And, have you redecorated your apartment yet after you threw out all your artwork?" He asked.
You shook your head, feeling a twinge of guilt at your breakdown all those months ago. Maybe you had overreacted, but in that moment it had felt like your biggest heartbreak. "No. But I'm in the process of it. He's actually helping me out. I think I want to do a crazy project like paint my walls a different color, and I know I'll probably lose my security deposit, but I'm a bit tired of the beige. Maybe he can help me with that."
"Oh, he's perfect for you." Jeongin grinned. You smiled, getting up to wash your empty bowls of ramyeon, "And what's going on with you? Did you ever talk to the cute girl from work?"
He shook his head, coming to join you in the kitchen, "Dating is hopeless in the city, Y/N. You're one of the lucky ones."
"Really?" You asked. He nodded, handing you the second bowl, "Yeah, nothing's exclusive. I'm not an old-fashioned guy but some things should be sacred. Literally everybody's dating everyone. All of my friends have dated each other. It's strange. Which is why I assumed you had a line-up of guys."
"That would not even be me." You laughed, as you ran the utensils under water, "I can only be in love with one person at a time.”
Jeongin's eyes widened, "Wow. You're serious about him.”
You looked up at him, suddenly feeling like you might have overshared, "I…I just mean—"
"You look pale. Relax." He laughed, coming to stand next to you, "Is it your first time saying that out loud?"
"No, it's just…I haven't told him yet." You admitted. Jeongin frowned, curious, “Why?"
You'd said it in so many ways, just never directly, never in the way it truly mattered. If he did something like this for you, buying you a freaking trip to your favorite art museum in another city, he obviously must feel the same right?
But nobody had ever told you they loved you, not romantically, not in that way. Nobody but Felix. But Hyunjin and Felix were so far apart, and to compare them would be an exercise in futility. So how could you say it to him, and hope to hear it back?
"He might not feel the same. Love is a big word." You said, pretending like this wasn't the most important thing to you. Maybe that ramyeon you'd shared had been spiked with the truth serum as you blurted, "I'm scared of saying it. It feels like I've bared my soul to him, and that's the last thing I have left to give." You shook your head. Jeongin didn't want to hear any of this. You shrugged, "Like you said, dating is hard."
"That's different. I mean, this guy could be your soulmate." Jeongin beamed, his eyes crinkling in a teasing way. You stilled at the term, gut twisting at the intensity of it.
Soulmate.
Your friends had joked about it to you often, regarding your summer infatuation with the boy. They hadn't meant it though. It was an exaggeration, clearly. You didn't really believe in it either.
Then why did your heart just jump madly at just the thought? It would be naive to think he was the one for you, so early into dating, and you'd tried to leave silly thoughts like that behind in your teenage years.
But surely, some people had soulmates. And if the concept were real, who's to say he wasn't yours?
The way everything had led you to him couldn't be a mere coincidence . All those years ago you'd seen him…and you'd loved him since then. You'd never had a flair for the dramatic, but your souls really did feel intertwined.
It was a lot, especially for a casual afternoon with your neighbor. You glanced at the soapy foam on your hands, "I wouldn't say that. That's…a big word."
Jeongin laughed, "I was joking, obviously. That's the stuff of fairytales. It isn't real.”
He then kept talking, divulging into the terrible dates he'd had, but his voice blurred into your thoughts.
All you could think about was that word - soulmate - and how it was supposed to be bullshit but Hyunjin embodied all of it for you. It settled somewhere deep, somewhere you couldn’t quite justify, no matter how hard you tried to push it away. You trusted that things would work out between you, but believing this might be the fastest way of jinxing it. Of hexing the lovely relationship you'd built with Hyunjin. You would only set yourself up for heartbreak by thinking things like this.
You'd always embraced your feelings for him. It had been second nature, but for the first time, the extent of how intertwined your being was with him didn't thrill you, it terrified you.
»»————-
Karina owned many art galleries across Seoul. You'd heard it from everyone. Your ex-professor, Nate, and even Hyunjin, but when she invited you to meet her at Seoul Arts Center, you realised just how much of a big deal she was. You'd been meaning to visit the gallery in all the months you'd been here, but time slipped away from you, and now this all felt pretty serendipitous.
Karina was already waiting for you in the foyer. She smiled when she saw you, "Thank you for coming in to see me. I know it's a weekend, and you probably have better things you could be doing.”
For the first time in your life, that was right. You had so much going on now.
You were leaving for your trip tonight, and it came with a whirlwind of preparation. It had all snuck up on you. You hadn't traveled like this in a while, the furthest being your trips to Jeju Island with Yongbok. There was so much to do in such less time but you'd spent years of your life whiling away in Daejon, so you cherished being busy now.
You walked over to Karina, unravelling your scarf, the one Hyunjin had lent you that night on the rooftop and bunched it tightly in your hands. It had been snowing on your way here, and you're glad you had a piece of him to keep you warm. You smiled at her, "I'm very happy to be here. I should be thanking you for finally giving me an excuse to visit this gallery."
Karina was really pretty, and if she weren't an art gallery curator, you could almost see her as an actress. Dark hair, pink cheeks, she was classy in a way you would expect a city artist to be.
When Hyunjin had first mentioned her, the prodigy Karina, the envy had crawled into you and you hadn't even known what she looked like. She represented the epitome of what you'd aspired for, like all the artists who visited the Chateau for all those fancy events.
Today, she had prepared a little tour for you, and the gallery was beautiful. It's modern, yet whimsical. People were unloading art from crates, in preparation for an exhibition, unwrapping them from their bubblewrap.
This is the first time you're so close to actual expensive, precious art and you watched the process in awe. Karina was smiling at all the employees in passing as she said, "We're a small team here, but we make it work."
You'd brought your drawings for her to see, and you reached into your bag, handing it off to Karina. It was such a routine part of the process, for her to evaluate your portfolio, but as you stood in the center of the gallery and she looked through your life's work, it felt like you were giving her a piece of your soul.
You tried not to let it get to you, as she flipped through. All of your sketches were a window to who you were, glimpses of your personality and she was judging them. You wish you could read her mind as she paused on certain pages, hands hovering over the sketches like trying to recreate your strokes.
So many of your recent pieces were drawn after you'd met Hyunjin. They were so cheesy, so hopeful, so in love. Could she feel him through your art? To you, they screamed his name. They couldn't have been about anybody else.
After what felt like an eternity, she smiled, "I almost wish I could recruit you as an artist. You…you have a talent, Y/N."
You were in disbelief, when anybody complimented your art especially someone as important as her. But you'd learn to take them as they meant, trying not to overthink them, "Thank you. That means so much coming from you."
"I mean, I wouldn't expect any less. You were in the apprenticeship. It's one of the most competitive programs in the country." She said, handing you your book back.
Your memories of the apprenticeship and the Atelier are bittersweet, but it's certainly done great for you in terms of recognition.
You nodded, holding your book tightly in your hands, "Right. I certainly feel like I worked my entire life to get there, but it just didn't work out. Since then, I've been trying to figure out where I fit in the art scene in the city. There's so much going on and…I would love to be a part of growing it, and contributing to it."
Karina smiled as she listened to you, leading you to the gallery cafe, "It seems like you'd enjoy talking to people. We have so many events here. We could definitely use some of that here."
"What kind of events do you have?"
"A lot of exhibitions." Karina handed you an iced coffee, "We feature a different artist every month, it's a very selective and arduous process to get into this gallery. I think you could be great at helping me run those events, interacting with people, making sure they're having a good time. I know it's not ideal, but it's a great way for you to meet other artists."
"That sounds perfect." You smiled, and you're not one to reject a blessing. You've been struggling to find your footing for months, and this opportunity couldn't come at a more perfect time.
You asked her, "When could I start? I'm travelling for a few days, but I could begin on Wednesday."
She sipped on her coffee, a smile at your eagerness and you hope she doesn't mistake it for desperation, "That sounds good. And to be transparent, I am speaking with a few other people but I have no doubt you'd be perfect for it. By the time you're back from your travel, you'll have a clear answer."
You weren't expecting to compete with others but nothing comes easy in this city. It will give you something to be anxious about, but also something to look forward to.
You fucked up your chances at the Atelier, and this is your way to prove yourself, to really feel like you belong. You're going to cherish this second chance and give it everything you've got.
»»————-
Airport anxiety is real. That has to be why your stomach feels like this. Definitely that, and not the TV in the airport bar with your boyfriend’s face on it.
Your grip on your suitcase tightened as you moved closer, staring at the small television that nobody but you seemed to notice. The bar was crowded, even at five in the morning. One of those moments where time doesn't feel real.
A group of friends sat inside, drinking beer and they have a lot of luggage next them, and they're in matching soccer jerseys. The air smelled of tortilla chips and guacamole.
They seemed to be having a good time, which is why no one cared about Hyunjin's face on the airport TV.
It's muted, so you can only read the headlines.
International star Hwang Hyunjin arrives at Copenhagen Fashion Week.
They're playing a video of him on repeat. He's surrounded by hundreds of people, as he's walking into a venue. For half a second, you hadn't even recognized him.
The stylists have completely transformed him. His hair was different, and his makeup is so intense. He looked like an alter ego version of himself. He's completely surrounded by security and press and cameras. There's at least six security guards around him, matching his every step and move. Their presence in itself would have made you nervous. It's overwhelming to even watch.
You don't know how he does it, and how he does it looking so good. For your sake, you hope they change the channel so you don't end up missing your flight. You would shamelessly stare at him for hours.
"Excuse me." The voice cuts through your thoughts, but it takes you a second to register it’s meant for you. He has to tap your shoulder before you finally turn. A boy around your age was standing there, smiling. Headphones hang around his neck, a camera bag slung over his shoulder. You blinked at him, a little thrown off, unsure what he wanted. He tilt his head, "You in line?"
You glanced behind you and realized you’re blocking the entrance to the bar. You were so captivated by the man on the TV. You can't help it. The stranger was staring at you expectantly, and he had a kind face. The words took too long to come to you, and you blurted, "No, I'm not in line. Sorry, I was just…looking."
Something akin to amusement settled into his features, and he quipped, "Right. Probably smart to not drink before an international flight."
"How do you know that?" You asked, almost defensively. A smile overtook his features, "Your baggage tag. I'm flying there too. Well, Paris actually for work, but I have a layover in Amsterdam.” Your eyes flicked back up. “Oh."
Work in Paris sounded fancy, and you wondered what he did. Before you could even ask, he walked into the bar, joining the soccer team. You glanced back at the TV, but a baseball match was on now. It looked like someone had changed the channel after all. Hyunjin wasn't on anymore.
There was a strange feeling in your chest. It felt surreal to see him like this, out in the open, for everyone's eyes to feast on. He clearly had so much going on. It's a good thing you'll get busy too, so you can occupy your thoughts with something other than him.
You're only taking a small suitcase with you, most of it filled with your sketchbook and your brushes. It's cold this time of year, so your sweaters, skirts and a new pair of tights are crammed into your backpack.
You're wearing your thickest coat, and it's a deep burgundy and falls to your thighs and it definitely looks more expensive than it is. You don't know the definition of travelling light, but you make sure to leave some space. You’ll want to bring things back for your friends.
Nobody knows you're leaving the country. Holding onto such a big secret makes you feel mysterious. You'll tell them, when you're back, when you surprise Yeonjun with a souvenir, when you show Minnie and Nate all of the Van Gogh postcards you bought them.
But for now, holding onto this secret excited you. This break is exactly what you needed, to clear your head, and come back a better artist. You texted Hyunjin to let him know that you'd made it to the airport. He's obviously busy so you don't expect him to reply right away.
When you're at your gate waiting, there's only so much you can do. You can't stop thinking about the video on TV. The way his hair was styled, strands falling into his face while the rest of it was slicked back, his extravagant outfit, the effortless smile he greeted all the people with. He knew the effect he had on them. It was all so sexy. He was so charming.
It was only for a few seconds but you feel a withdrawal. So, you downloaded an app you never use.
All you have to do is type in his name. You don't ever do this.
Dozens of pictures and videos flooded your phone, as if he'd been captured every second he breathed. You can understand, because if you were a photographer you'd also want to capture each second of Hwang Hyunjin, to remember that moment for all of time.
A new video popped up.
It was from inside the venue, and he's sitting in the front row. Your brain is working on overtime, registering all you can about him from the little clip.
Hyunjin sat in the front, designer sunglasses pushed atop his head, as he watched every model walk by. He looked so effortless, like he belonged there and there was no question about it. Dressed in a leather jacket, a loose tie hung around his neck bedazzled with silver brooches. He tugged at his tie, adjusting it casually, hand resting on his thigh as his eyes followed the models walking. Goosebumps rippled up your arm, and you tugged your hoodie around yourself tighter.
He looked so incredibly hot, like a rockstar reincarnated from the 80s.
He's surrounded by A-listers, a supermodel and an actress on each side of him. You don't know much, but one of them looks like exactly like a Victorias Secret angel. They're insanely beautiful and your stomach twisted with a new kind of envy. God, they're lucky to be sitting next to him. They probably don't even realise how incredible he is.
And Hyunjin certainly knew how important they were. You could see it in the way he talked to them, so respectful as usual. He said something, and the girls by his side laughed. What was so funny? You can't hear it because the music is far too loud.
A strange jealousy overtook you. You sank further into your seat as your feed filled with more videos. Hook, line and sinker you took the bait — you watched every single one. His charisma felt so different. More for show, more outgoing, more… flashy. It suit him.
This is the first time you'd seen the true effects of Hyunjin's fame. Yeah, you knew about the sold-out shows, had seen enough billboards in Seoul, but this was different. He was a superstar, in every sense of the word. Watching him felt like a drug. Sinful, to be able to observe your lover from so far away. He didn't have his phone on him, but you texted it anyway, so he could read it after.
i wish you could see yourself.
i saw some pictures of you at the show.
you're absolutely perfect.
The flight announcement pulled you out of your trance.
Your thoughts were still fuzzy with him as you boarded your plane.
So much for him not distracting you.
You were wheeling your suitcase down the narrow aisle, the plastic wheels stuttering every few steps. A flight attendant's voice weaved through the cabin. But you're thinking about all of those pictures. You wish you saved some of them, so you could look at them on the plane over and over for the next eight hours.
Suddenly, it felt unfair.
The access you'd just had to him. Watching him like that. Like you were keeping tabs on him.
Was it weird? One of the first things Hyunjin liked about you was how unassuming you were of that world. How you never treated him like something to consume.
You pulled your phone out again, staring at the messages you’d sent him.
They looked frustratingly stupid now.
Invasive, even.
Maybe you shouldn't have texted him all of that.
Someone bumped into you, with enough force that the phone slipped from your fingers, clattering against the floor with a thud.
"Shit, I'm so sorry!" He said. You looked up and recognized him immediately. The boy from the bar. The headphones still hung around his neck, slightly askew now, like he’d rushed over. He was already on his knees, reaching under the seats.
“You don’t have to—” You said, kneeling too, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“It’s my fault.” He said quickly, retrieving your phone and holding it out to you. You glanced at it, and sure enough the screen was shattered. “That’s fine.” You said, a little too fast.
“Is this your seat?” He asked, standing, glancing at the row. You straightened, suddenly aware of the line backed up behind you, people waiting, "Yeah. 4D."
"Would you look at that?" He held his boarding pass up to you, with a big smile, "I'm 4C. Need help with your bag?” You shook your head quickly, “I got it.”
You lifted it into the overhead bin, arms straining slightly, regretting the massive paint supplies you'd packed, then dropped into your seat by the window. “Shit.” The stranger muttered beside you as he sat down, glancing over. “It did break.”
“It’s fine, it's not your fault.” You couldn't let yourself be upset about this, not when you had so much to look forward to.
You glanced out the window, at the runway.
It was still dark out, but the sun was rising in the distance. You could only imagine the sights you'd see.
Hyunjin knew you so well. Even with something so simple as picking your seat, he knew you'd want to stare out at the world below.
You tucked your phone into your pocket and pulled your sketchbook out of your bag. You should probably rest, it was a long journey ahead, but the anticipation kept you awake for hours.
»»————-
"Hyunjin. Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"
The passing city of Copenhagen, through his car window, was far more interesting than anything his manager could be saying right now. It was all tall glass buildings, like home, but it was also historical, cathedrals bigger than anything he could dream up.
He'd seen rows of houses of all different colors and he wondered why home wasn't so whimsical. If he lived here, he could be happier and inspired every day.
He glanced at his manager across him. They'd rented a big car, the kind that allowed people to sit facing each other. He almost wished it wasn't so because the disappointment on Eunwoo's face was new. Hyunjin asked, "Sorry. What did you just say?"
"Where's your head at, kid?" Eunwoo's eyebrows furrowed. He looked more put together than Hyunjin, in his three-piece suit and he wondered why he chose to dress so formally when he didn't even have to take pictures. Eunwoo continued, "I was saying they want some more interviews tonight. You might have to do some in English. Is that okay?"
"Oh. Sure." He nodded, and Eunwoo typed away on his phone, probably RSVPing to everyone. Hyunjin could tell how stressed his manager was, there was a lot to organize and he would give him grace for well he'd managed everything until now.
Eunwoo's fingers flew over the phone as he sent some emails and said, "There's a long line of media outlets dying to speak to you."
He nodded, squeezing his own thigh, grounding himself to the moment, "Yes. Yes, that's okay."
He then looked back out at the city. He hadn't had a chance to step out on his own, but he wasn't complaining, not when he's instead been getting to dine inside castles and in the company of legendary artists.
It was cold, and he could imagine how perfect the city would feel if it was the summer. He heard the days were 18-hour long in the summers, and they must be grateful to experience something very few humans could. Still, it'd be hard for any summer to beat the one that he'd just spent in Daejon with you. Eunwoo followed his gaze, "Isn't the city so pretty?"
They were in the van on their way to another Fashion Week event.
The main show had already happened but the obligations were far from over. He was meant to attend an afterparty, a dinner for the talent, and yet another afterparty. Hyunjin was exhausted, but he wouldn't complain. His job forced him to party. He was thankful, that even though it was demanding, it wasn't impossible. People had tougher and more dangerous jobs, and he was lucky as hell.
He shot Eunwoo a smile, "Will we get time to explore, you think?"
"Not sure. For your sake, I hope you do." He sighed. If he wasn't much older than him, and if he wasn't his boss, they could have been great friends.
Hyunjin looked away from the view long enough to glance at his phone.
There was a pit in his stomach as he stared at it. He knew you must have already arrived and he hadn't had a single second to talk to you since he'd seen you at your apartment.
His life for the past few days had been ruled by Eunwoo and the company. Even what time he woke up, what time he ate and went to the hotel gym. Eunwoo was there for all of it. If it was up to him, he'd follow him into the shower.
He should be able to make time for you. But he couldn't let his guilt ruin his night. He's a professional and he can separate his personal life from his job. He was sure you'd understand. You knew what you were signing up for, even if a few days of no communication drove him insane.
"We're here. Fix your hair." Eunwoo said. Hyunjin pushed his phone in his pocket, and glanced at his reflection in the window.
His hair was disheveled.
He must have ran his hands through it. He fixed it, and immediately felt bad for the stylist that spent an hour on it this morning. They'd been up at four a.m. just for him, and he had absentmindedly ruined their work.
His reflection blurred, and his eyes fell on the enormous castle outside.
Frederiksborg Castle was beautiful.
The building rose in layers of red brick, with green copper roofs.
He wondered how people had the skill and patience to create this. He couldn't imagine doing something like that. The symmetry of it felt intentional in a way that bordered on obsessive, like someone sketched it over and over until it finally aligned with whatever lived in their head.
It remind him of you.
The lake bordering the castle extended far. In the reflection of the water, the castle walls blurred, trembling as the water moved. It was so peaceful. His pulse calmed down, and he couldn't wait to explore.
The car came to a stop and Eunwoo hopped out first. As soon as the door opened, the peaceful silence was gone.
A deafening amount of screams pierced his ears.
He should be used to it by now, but he was always surprised. Eunwoo held the door open for him, waiting. Hyunjin stepped out, smiling at the excitement of the crowd through the endless flashes.
He felt out of place, such a small artist in such a grand place yet there were easily hundreds of people here, screaming his name.
They dropped everything else they were doing, to wait for hours just to get a glimpse of him. It was a kind of sacrifice he wouldn't ask anybody to make. Back when he was younger, he might have considered doing the same for his favorite artists, but he didn't have the same patience.
He smiled at the crowd, trying to remember every face, trying to read every poster as they walked to the castle. He reached out, brushing his hand against the ones stretched toward him, but Eunwoo kept him moving, guiding him through too quickly. Guilt washed over him when he missed people, when he didn't make eye contact and didn't get time to talk to anyone.
His gaze fell on a little girl in the crowd.
She couldn't be more than 7. She must have been here for hours. He immediately stopped walking. She held out a picture of him, one from his earlier days of being a star and she had sketched it herself. She was adorable, holding a pink marker in her other hand. He smiled at her, bending down to her height, and he could tell she was nervous.
His voice dropped, trying to tune out all the noises, "What's your name? Don't be nervous."
"Freya. I drew this for you." She smiled. He grinned, drawing a heart on the poster, "Unfortunately I can't take this, but that's such a pretty name."
Eunwoo must have realized Hyunjin wasn't behind him because he suddenly felt a sharp tug on his arm, "Come on, Hyunjin! We can't stop."
Hyunjin stood up, realizing there were others looking expectantly at him, and he couldn't possibly do that for everyone here.
Maybe he made the wrong decision, but the little girl seemed so happy. Before he could ponder on his choices, Eunwoo tugged him away from the barricade, "Everyone's inside. We can't keep them waiting too long."
"But, they've been waiting too." He said, hopelessly. Eunwoo sighed, "And that's great for them, but they didn't pay for you to be here. We have to go inside and meet everyone. You can't just walk into a crowd. Someone could have the wrong intentions."
Hyunjin resisted the urge to roll his eyes, because there were far too many cameras on him, whispering, "Nobody here is trying to hurt me."
He followed Eunwoo inside the castle. The party was in the Great Hall. It didn't even need any decoration, the architecture itself was insane. He couldn't help but gape at the tall ceilings, being led by Eunwoo through the crowd of celebrities and press. It was loud, abuzz with chatter in at least ten different languages.
He greeted everyone with a warm smile. But he kept getting distracted by the art around him. The small plaques beneath them he tried to read as he passed, catching only fragments before being pulled along again. He wondered if the entire castle was open to them, to explore.
After what felt like hours of small talk and photos, he finally found a moment to step away, slipping toward the corner of the room. Like a wallflower, he watched the party. Everyone was busy greeting, posing, talking over each other. So many familiar faces. His manager was across the hall with the press, mid-conversation.
For the first time that night, no one was looking at him.
The perfect time to slip away.
So he followed the grand corridors, until he found himself in a chapel of sorts. The ceilings were grand, and a gasp left him at the beauty of it. He felt like the smallest person ever in the grandeur of this castle.
He probably was trespassing, and this room was surely closed off to party guests, but he couldn't find it in himself to care.
He itched to have his camera with him, to capture this. When else would he be the only human in a structure this sound?
Still, there was beauty in having no way to remember it other than his memories. He stood on the gallery, hands resting on the railing to take in the view.
From the gallery, the chapel unfolded beneath Hyunjin like a painting. Gold was everywhere. It wasn't loud or gaudy, but delicately carved into the structure. It climbed the columns and threaded through the ceiling like light frozen in space and time.
He wished you could see this. If you were here, you could have probably pointed out all the details he was missing. Hopefully one day he could come back here with you.
The further away he was from you, the more discombobulated he felt. As if the cavity in his chest felt your absence, it ached. It wasn't normal to feel this way for someone. He was certain that he'd never felt anything of the sort before, and the more he spent time with you, the more he was trying to wrap his mind around it.
He let out a sigh, leaning against the railing, careful not to put his weight on it. This place was so fragile and he didn't want to break it.
He needed to talk to you, so he pulled his phone out, and maybe now was the perfect time. If you were sleeping, he'd wake you up. He missed your voice.
"Hyunjin." A familiar voice interrupted his peace.
He turned, and Eunwoo stood at the end of the corridor.
He immediately hung up, pushing the phone back in his pocket.
"Hey."
"I thought I'd find you here. You snuck away." Eunwoo said, stepping into the room, for only a moment. He didn't awe or gasp at the beauty of this place, his entire focus on Hyunjin, "People are missing you. "
"Sorry. It was so beautiful. I had to see it." Hyunjin explained. Eunwoo smiled, "I'm sure it is. Let's go back into the hall, okay?"
"Yes." And Hyunjin almost felt like a toddler, being guided back to his duties. He shouldn't have ran off, especially to a restricted area. He adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, footsteps in sync with Eunwoo, echoing against the stone floor. He'd strayed so far from the party, the music was a distant noise.
"You seem content." Eunwoo commented, watching his face. Hyunjin glanced at him, "I am. This place is unreal. I can't believe they invited me here."
He laughed, "They knew you'd appreciate it."
Hyunjin suddenly stopped, hand reaching out to Eunwoo's arm, "Thanks for making this happen, I know I don't always show it but I'm grateful to you."
Eunwoo's eyebrows shot up, "You okay?"
"I just feel like most people don't get the opportunity to be in places like this, unless they're extremely lucky. I'm sorry I act up sometimes. Or a lot. And I complain and stress you out."
"You don't stress me out, Hyunjin." Eunwoo smiled, "You're one of the better artists I've been responsible for. You've only had one scandal so far, I mean. That's a dream."
He laughed, "Well, I just went home for a few months. I would hardly call that a scandal."
Something flashed through his gaze that Hyunjin couldn't place. Eunwoo nodded, "Right. Of course. And I'm sorry if I come off like an asshole sometimes. Artists are so temperamental, and it's a tough job to manage them. But you're a good person, genuinely, and I think you're going to be very successful."
"Really?" Hyunjin looked down at the floor, and he had never heard anyone from his company praise him like this, so candidly, "I guess it's obvious that I always wonder if I'm up for the job. I just wanted to be a singer, everything that comes with it…is a lot."
"Well, we're here in this lovely castle because of everything that comes with it." Eunwoo laughed, "The frills are fun. Don't take it so seriously. You're at the prime of your life. And I'm truthful when I say that you're only gonna get bigger from here. Your group has so much potential, and after this next album…I have no doubt you'll be globally known."
"That's kind of scary." He said, slipping his hands in his pockets, "But I look forward to it."
"Isn't it your dream, kid?"
Hyunjin looked around him, taking in the magnificence of the place and nodded, "It is. Only dream I ever had."
Eunwoo shot him a smile, genuine, "Come on, the creative director really wanted to meet you and we still have interviews to film."
Hyunjin hadn't expected a moment like that with his manager. But in moments like this, Eunwoo felt less like an authority figure and more…human. He would learn to give them more grace. They were just doing their jobs — to make Hyunjin and his best friends look better. He couldn't imagine this success without Eunwoo by his side.
So, they walked back into the Great Hall.
Classical musical filled the room. He recognised a cover of Swan Lake. Of course.
As soon as people noticed he was back, a flurry of crowd gathered around him. It was a lot of people and cameras, but he welcomed it. The reminder from Eunwoo had been much needed.
He was living his dream.
The prime of his life.
He met everyone — actors he's only seen on TV, people that Jisung would kill to see. The evening passed by, as he filmed a series of interviews. They were all for social media. They all asked the same questions so by the third one, he had the perfect answer memorized.
Eventually, he was introduced to the creative director, Grace. She smiled as she looked him over. “You look incredible.”
He ducked his head a little, almost embarrassed, "Thank you for inviting me. This is beautiful. I don't have enough words."
“Thank you for coming.” Her hand brushed his sleeve, smoothing the fabric. “You wear the collection really well. It suits your vibe.”
He glanced down at himself, a small smile forming. “The designs are amazing. You did a great job.”
“It’s my first fashion week as creative director. I’m trying not to look nervous.” She let out a breath, half-laughing.
“You don’t.” He said quickly, hoping he sounded genuine, “You really don’t.”
She smiled at that, “There’s a huge crowd outside for you, by the way. They’ve been here since dawn. Security tried to move them, but… they’re not going anywhere.”
Hyunjin’s smile softened. He glanced over at Eunwoo, who was already watching him from across the room.
And then because he really should enjoy this, his way, he asked her, “Would it be okay if I stepped out for a bit? I just don’t want them to have waited all this time without seeing me.”
Grace hesitated, her expression shifting slightly. “We’re about to serve dinner.”
“Right.” He said, nodding. “Of course.”
"But I think you should do it. No wonder you're so loved." She said. Hyunjin blinked, a little surprised by her permission, before breaking into a grin. “Thank you, Grace. I’ll see you at dinner.”
She pulled him into a quick hug, and he slipped away toward the main doors. Eunwoo caught up to him almost immediately. “Hyunjin. What do you think you’re doing?”
“Grace said I could step out.” He pushed the door open. “You don’t have to come with me.”
“Like hell I don’t.” Eunwoo muttered, already following him. The look on his face was something else. Hyunjin almost smiled.
The moment he stepped outside, there was a wave of screams and flashes. And because he was hellbent on enjoying every moment, he didn't leave until he'd met everyone who showed up. Countless pictures, and his hand hurt from signing every poster but the smile on their faces was worth it. What was the point of being famous if he couldn't give back to the reason he was?
Eunwoo stood with him, monitoring for threats, but Hyunjin could see the smile on his face too. Despite all his feigned annoyance, he loved this too. It was just as much his hard work.
Later, at dinner, he'd built up his appetite for the oysters and caviar. They were seated at a gorgeous table, under candlelights and chandeliers. The guest seated next to him nudged him, "You must be Hyunjin, did I say that right?"
He recognised her as a popular actress, Naomi, he remembered. She had a cool haircut and outfit on. He nodded, finishing up his bite, "Yes. You did."
"My friend's daughter is a huge fan of you." She smiled, twirling the spaghetti on her fork.
He laughed, feeling a spurt of confidence, "Ah. I take it you're not?"
Her eyes widened, and she laughed nervously, "Stop. No, I just haven't heard your group's music. Don't call me out like that!"
"My friend Jisung's also a fan of you. He's the guitarist in my group." He told her.
She smiled, "Well, if I'm ever in Korea, I'd love to meet your friend Jisung."
"He would love that." He smiled back.
After dinner, he made his way around the room, circling back to people, staying longer than he needed to. He even went back for seconds, lingering over the Key Lime Pie dessert. He did everything he's supposed to, and he was satisfied with the effort he made.
When they're in the car going home, Eunwoo asked him, "How do you think tonight went? The interviews you did were great."
Hyunjin smiled at him. already taking off his tie, and he was a little wine-drunk, "Thanks. The dinner was amazing."
"Everybody loved you, you know?"
His eyebrows shot up, and his heart skipped a beat because hearing that always felt good. On schedules as overwhelming as these, he needed the validation, "Really?"
"Really. I'm not just saying that as your manager, you were the most liked person in that room, which is saying a lot. There's a lot of famous people in there. A lot of them can be assholes."
Hyunjin laughed, glancing at the passing river, "I suppose. But everybody I met tonight was sweet."
"That's because they wanted to impress you. A few even asked me if they could work with you, they want you in their music video or on their song."
Hyunjin sat up straighter, and this conversation was suddenly far more interesting than the view. Almost everyone in that room was more famous than him, so that was an insane opportunity, "Holy shit. Seriously?"
"Seriously." Eunwoo laughed, "But don't be so surprised, kid. You're talented and they clearly know that."
Hyunjin's heart bloomed, and he couldn't stop the smile from coming on. He leaned back into the seat, exhaling softly, hoping that he could talk to you soon enough. None of this excitement would even matter, if he couldn't share it with you.
»»————-
The city was cast in a glow of luminescent yellow lights. It had just rained, and like something out of a watercolor painting, all of the edges of the landscape were blurred. You watched it whiz past you in the taxi.
If Seoul and Daejon were worlds apart, then being in Amsterdam was like being in outer space.
Even from inside the taxi, you could see a lifestyle unfold that was foreign to you, architecture and outfits you'd only seen in coffee table books.
You were jet-lagged and so tired after the flight but you didn't want to look away for even a second. If someone had told your teenage self that the boy you loved would do something like this for your birthday, you wouldn’t have believed them. Honestly, you wouldn't have believed it a year ago either.
"First time?" The taxi driver asked you. You glanced up at him, playing with the brochures in your hands, "Is it obvious?"
"You can open the window, but I have to warn you it's cold out there."
You rolled the window down and the wind woke you up. Now that the barrier was gone, the sounds of the city spilled in.
You passed by a street sign. Broek, Waterland. Population 2,400. You were just on the outskirts of Amsterdam, and even the small towns were so picture-postcard perfect.
Hyunjin had booked an apartment for you to stay here. You trusted his choice and it must be perfect. Thinking about everything he'd planned for you secretly, gave you butterflies. He must like you a lot to make that kind of effort. It was silly but just the thought of him thinking about you, outside of the time you spent with him, made you giddy.
All of the houses felt too perfect. Small, slanted roofs, water dripping down onto the cobblestone. Painted wood in pale blues and whites, edges trimmed neatly, like something you'd create as a kid in The Sims.
The taxi pulled up to a quiet, cobblestoned street. There were flowers everywhere. Pink clusters spilling over the edges of canals, and it's all so perfect. The driver hopped out first, jogging around to open your door and he's so kind to you. You appreciated him, as he unloaded your suitcase and a card with his number on it 'in case you need him'.
When you stepped out, the scent of the canal water hit you.
It was warm, earthly and a little like Daejon.
The clouds were reflected in the water, shimmering in the trail of a passing boat. The apartment building you're outside was narrow and tall, ivy curling up its brick facade. You're positive he didn't want you to stay in a stuffy touristy hotel, but instead like a local.
Your driver pointed up at an entrance by the alleyway, “That’s you, I think. It's supposed to rain a lot tomorrow, stay warm, kid.”
You waved at him, as he drove away. You didn't immediately rush inside, wanting to absorb this into your mind.
This place was so far away from your life, but somehow felt like it had been made for you. Like every street sign, canal, house was carved to your preferences.
You crouched by the canal before you could stop yourself, dipping your fingers into the water. It was colder than you expected. The ripples distorted the sky, before settling back into place.
You have the urge to burst into tears.
You pulled your sketchbook out before you even got upstairs, sitting on the curb like a tourist. You were feeling so much, and you just have to capture it before you lose the inspiration.
Your suitcase still stood on the cobblestone. The lines in your sketches came out messy, impatient, but it captured the view and this moment.
After you sketched to your heart's content, you arrived at the second floor apartment through the narrow staircase and winding stairs. The owners had left the keys in the mailbox for you. You couldn't imagine doing that in Seoul.
The apartment door opened with a soft click.
You stepped in, still a little out of breath from bringing the suitcase up the stairs, but you couldn't focus on that, not when you're looking at the prettiest apartment you saw. It looked like it belonged in a magazine.
The first thing you noticed was the skylight above the bed.
It was so romantic. Even if you were only going to be here by yourself.
Warm light bathed the wooden floors, and wooden beams ran across the ceiling. It was a small space, but it felt lived in, knick-knacks scattered across the room.
The bedcovers were a light blue, and there was so much more color in here than a hotel would have had.
A sheer white curtain blew with the wind, drawing your attention to the window, the panel cracked open a little to let the air in.
There was a lot to take in, and you glanced out at the view. This was a quiet neighbourhood, far enough from the city, and boats bobbed in the water like ice cubes.
After your first exploration, you kicked your boots off by the door, and laid on the mattress to stare up at the skylight.
Instinctively, you pulled out your phone to call Hyunjin. But his phone was on do not disturb, and he must be at an event.
You sighed, tossing your phone to the side, and when you can't talk to him your chest hurts in strange ways.
The tiredness of the journey was hitting you in waves, slowly and then all of a sudden. But you don't want to waste any time sleeping.
There was a knock on your door, and it's only then that you realised you fell asleep.
It made you immediately sit up in bed. You were not expecting anyone. Nobody even knows you're here. You're only a little nervous, but this is such a small town, and you're sure there's a reasonable explanation.
The clock above the kitchenette read half past three. You've been asleep for hours, and that too, in your travel clothes. You felt a little gross and head to the door, still groggy.
There's a chain on the door, and you opened it up, hoping for your sake, there are no serial killers on the prowl. A girl stared back at you, her fist held up in motion to knock again. When she made eye contact with you, she flushed, "Oh. Hello!"
"Hi." You smiled back, trying not to yawn in front of her.
"Are you Mrs. Hwang?" She asked. Your eyes widened, and you shook your head, "Uh, is that what the reservation is under?"
She looked confused, and looked at her notepad. It's sweet that she's using a pen and paper and read it out, "The reservation is under a Hwang. I just assumed. Sorry."
"That's fine." You said, even though your heart is pounding at being called that. You are so easy and lovesick.
She nodded, "Yes, my mother told me to give you these." She then handed you a set of keys, through the opening of the door, "The bike is parked downstairs. You're free to use it."
You grabbed the keys, "Thank you. What was your name?"
"Alice." She smiled, and then handed you a slip of paper, "If you have any trouble when you're here, this is my number. I'm in the downstairs apartment. My mother is usually always busy, so I'll be here for any questions."
"Oh, I'll try not to bother you too much." You smiled. She laughed, and said, "Don't worry about it. I could use the company. We hardly ever have guests."
She's about to leave, but then you said, "Alice. I actually did have a question. Do you have any suggestions for dinner? I was planning to go to the city, but I didn't realise how tired I am from the flight. Maybe something closer?"
"Oh! There's a cafe not too far. I could give you directions." She said, and then immediately started scribbling in her notepad. You suggested, "Maybe you could show me?"
She looked up at you, eyes wide, and her lip twitched into a smile, "Oh. Of course. Maybe I can meet you outside around six."
You smiled, "Six is perfect."
While you waited to join her for dinner, you sat on the steps outside the apartment, staring at the canal. It's already your favorite spot to sit in, and you're only here for three days, but you're going to make the most of it.
You'd finally had time to unpack everything. But you still hadn't had a conversation with Hyunjin in days. You wanted to thank him. Again. You pulled out your phone, and he hadn't been online in hours. Still, you pressed call.
It rang once, twice, and then kept ringing. Suddenly, he picked up.
"Hello?" His voice was so sweet, and all of your earlier tiredness melted. It's like you hadn't heard his voice in years. "Baby?" You missed his voice so much, "I arrived safely, I was trying to get in touch with you and I know you're busy, I'm sorry for calling you so much."
"Y/N?" The energy in his voice shifted, and he said, "Oh my god. I missed you. I've been thinking about you this whole time. Are you at the apartment already?"
Hearing his voice had suddenly made everything better. "I'm great. The apartment is wonderful, Hyun. It's so perfect and I'm having such a good time already."
And I love you for doing this. I would love you even if you didn't do this. You just had to gut up and say it. Over the phone wasn't the most romantically grand gesture, but it was building up in you like a pressure cooker.
"I'm happy to hear that. But I'm so sorry, I can't talk long, I'm at a press event and I stepped into the bathroom to talk to you."
Another time then.
"Oh. Of course, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. I'm going to the art museum tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you the entire time."
You heard his manager's voice in the background, and then the call cut out. You sighed, dropping your head against your knees.
"Who was that?" Alice asked, and you looked at her. She stood by you, hands in her pockets, curiosity painted expression. You stood up to join her, "A friend."
Her eyebrows shot up and she led the way, along the canal, "Is it the guy who booked this place? Because he emailed my mother almost everyday asking for this. Said it was your birthday and he would pay anything to get it."
"Seriously?" You looked at her. She glanced at you, casually shrugging, "Yup. My mother said he was very kind, unlike the other tourists she interacts with. Some people just trash the place, and this is a quiet neighborhood as you can probably tell."
You hadn’t realised how much effort he’d put into this, and how long he must have planned this. The thought sat heavy in your chest.
The next time you saw him…you wouldn’t hold back. Telling him your true feelings, would be the least you could do. There's no point in hiding it anymore. He must know already. He must see it in your eyes when you look at him, when you speak to him, the way you act around him. It couldn't be more obvious.
"You look much more awake now by the way." Alice commented, bringing you back to the present. You nodded, watching the sights by you, "I was so tired. I don't feel like a zombie anymore. Thank you for showing me the way to dinner. I hope you weren't too busy."
"Busy is a word that literally does not exist in my life." She groaned, "I graduated university a few months ago…and I've been bored ever since."
The cafe is not too far a walk, and even though it's chilly, you both sat outside, watching the boats pass by and trying bitterballen. You watched the lights reflect off the water, and soon enough the town is getting ready to go to sleep.
You didn’t expect to get along with a stranger this easily. It usually takes you a while to open up, but you're stepping out of your comfort zone and maybe here you can be the version you wish you were.
It was strange how much you had in common, even though you grew up on different parts of the world. You wonder how many more people there are like you in the world that you just haven't met yet.
When you're walking back to the apartment, you spotted a convenience store on the way. To your joy, they sold Peach Soju and you bought a bottle for you and Alice. She'd never tried it before, and you sat on a bench, sipping on it. You laughed as she insisted it was the best drink she’d ever had.
You then drank, and talked until late in the night, watching the full moon. She gave you suggestions of all the places you should try in the city, and she's a wonderful host already. You couldn't have asked for a better one.
"So what are your plans tomorrow?" She asked you, crossing her legs to get comfortable. You told her about the Van Gogh Museum and how you would finally visit it. You talk for hours, and you can't hold in your excitement. It's hard to go to sleep that night.
»»————-
The hotel room was to Hyunjin's liking, but he couldn't get himself to enjoy it. He lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, tracing the carved patterns with tired eyes. The bed was too soft, and he'd spent far too long trying to fall asleep.
After all he'd been through today, sleep should have come easy. He'd been on his feet all day, buttoned up in a tight suit, smiling at people. He grabbed his phone, staring at your contact. He didn't want to bother you, you must be having such a good time and he would bring you down with his melancholy. But he missed you so much. He'd stay up all night to talk to you if you were available.
There was a knock on his door, and Hyunjin blinked, sitting up slowly. He dragged himself out of bed, putting on a bathrobe as he made his way to the door. He'd taken a bath before bed, hoping it would relax him. When he opened the door, Eunwoo stood there, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "No way you're in bed already."
Hyunjin leaned against the frame, offering a small smile, “Sorry. Yeah. I’m just tired. What is it?”
“You know the actress you met earlier, Naomi? She wanted to get drinks with you. Her and a couple of other artists from the party. Her agent just texted me.”
For a moment, Hyunjin just stared at him. Naomi. The one Jisung liked. He tried to picture her face clearly, but all that came to him was the blur of polite conversation he'd made over dinner.
“...What?” He asked, confused. “Why?”
"Like I said they loved meeting you, but didn't get a chance to get to know you, or something."
“Am I…allowed to do that?” He asked, though his voice lacked any real curiosity. Eunwoo laughed lightly, “Well, obviously. It’s a big opportunity. The company’s good with it. It’ll be at the hotel bar.”
Hyunjin’s grip tightened slightly on the edge of the door.
Of course this was allowed.
They'd compromise for this.
“I…” He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know what I’ll talk to her about. I'm already dressed for bed."
“You’re a charming man,” Eunwoo said easily. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
Hyunjin let out a quiet breath, something close to a laugh but not quite. Right.
This obviously wasn't a choice.
Eunwoo wasn't asking him, out of courtsey.
He was telling him.
Eunwoo was looking at him expectantly, and if the company had allowed it that meant he'd already asked them.
“Yeah.” He said finally, though it sounded distant even to him. “I'll be there in twenty.”
"Make that ten." Eunwoo smiled, leaving him alone. He glanced back into the room, at the bed that seemed suddenly so inviting even though he'd spent all night awake.
By the time he stepped out of the elevator, nine minutes later, he looked exactly like himself again. His hair was tied up, because he had no energy to style it, and he'd put on the first shirt he could find. Putting on jeans this late was annoying, but he did it anyway.
The hotel bar was dim, and Hyunjin paused for half a second at the entrance, scanning the room.
And then he saw her.
Naomi sat tucked into a corner booth with two others, her posture relaxed, and they were already a few drinks in. She noticed him almost immediately, her face lighting up as she waved him over. He smiled back.
“Hyunjin!” Naomi stood as he approached, pulling him into a quick, easy hug. She smelled faintly of something expensive. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Of course.” He said, voice polite, and he hoped it didn't show how tired he was, “Thank you for inviting me.”
He slid into the booth next to her, and she ordered another round of drinks for him.
“I hope we didn't drag you out of bed." Naomi said, leaning forward slightly, chin resting on her hand. He met her gaze, "No, don't worry about it. I was meaning to check out the hotel bar anyway."
"Did you have a good time the other night?” She asked. He nodded, “Yeah. It was fun. Everyone was very kind, and the castle was beautiful."
Naomi smiled, laughing with her other friend, “You’re being modest. You were the highlight of the evening. Everyone kept talking about you after you left.”
His lips curved, "I hope good things."
If he was here, he might as well enjoy it. He settled into the plush booth, and he could feel the eyes of everyone on him. Eunwoo was by the bar, drinking, unbothered.
She laughed, "Of course. How long are you in town?"
"A couple more days. I'm trying to convince my manager to let me explore the city. It would suck to come this far and not see it." He told her. She nodded, glancing over at Eunwoo too, "Your manager. Right. Do you have to do everything they say?"
He smiled, realising the culture difference between them, "Yeah. Mostly."
"Wow." She scrunched her nose, "Is that annoying?"
He took a sip of his drink, glancing at her. She looked so put together, and her stylists must really love her. If Jisung knew he was here with her, he would freak out. He used to have the biggest crush on her. He nodded, "It can be." Then his voice dropped, "Between us, I'm trying to rebel more. I think it's about time."
She laughed, loudly, "You are so cute."
Hyunjin smiled, at the compliment, looking around the bar. There was a couple stood by a vintage photobooth, making out.
His heart twisted.
What was he doing here?
Naomi pulled his attention again, and they talked for a while. About work, mostly. About movies, schedules, and her music. That was part of why she wanted to meet him. She wanted to feature him on a song. It was a big opportunity.
Naomi was easy to talk to, more than he expected, and confident. The kind of person he should’ve been more present with in the moment, but his thoughts kept drifting.
His phone buzzed.
It was subtle, just a vibration against his thigh, and he shouldn't have been waiting for it.
He pulled it out, holding it under the table, but when he stared at the screen, there was a text from an unknown number.
It read just one thing.
who is she?
He immediately looked up at the bar and around him.
There was hardly anybody here.
She. Did they mean Naomi?
They couldn't mean you.
How could anybody know about you?
His best bet was to ignore it. If they were threatening him, they would demand something in return.
"Everything okay, Hyunjin?" The woman asked.
He looked up, forcing a small smile as he slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Yeah. Just work stuff.”
She frowned, "You work too hard."
She turned toward him, her knee brushing his under the table like it meant nothing.
He smiled, shifting away slightly, trying not to offend her. He wanted to be honest and tell her he wasn't interested, but he didn't have the liberty of doing that.
Across the table, someone was telling a story, animated, hands moving as they spoke. He exhaled, glancing down at the condensation gathering on his glass, tracing it absently with his fingertip.
The text worried him. If it was about you. If they have his phone number, they probably have yours too. He felt like you should know, but that would worry you so much. It would ruin your birthday, for sure.
His chest suddenly felt heavy.
How could he make sure you were okay from so far away?
“I don’t want to be rude.” He said quietly, moving to get up, "But my manager's calling me."
"Noo!" She pouted, standing up to hug him goodbye, "Thanks for coming down here anyway. Let me know what you think about being on the song." She slipped him her number, "Or, you could tell me in person. I'm in room 205."
Hyunjin nodded, not failing to see her intent. She was so bold to invite him to her room. He nodded, forcing a polite smile because despite everything, she was a kind person, "Right. I'll let you know. Goodnight, Naomi."
He walked over to Eunwoo, who sat at the bar, slowly drinking Gin. He was definitely already tipsy by the way he talked to Hyunjin, "Jinnie. How was she?"
Hyunjin stood by the bar for a few moments, "Good. She wants to do a song with me."
"I hope you said yes already." He said. Hyunjin nodded, hands pushed in his pocket, "I…I told her I'll think about it. Since we're going to be busy with the next album, I didn't want to promise anything."
Eunwoo laughed, "You're definitely making that song, Hyunjin. It's going to be a great opportunity. We'll make time in your schedule. Speaking of, tomorrow's your day off. We can finally go explore the city. You've earned it. Plus, I have a feeling Naomi's agent will want to set up lunch with you."
Hyunjin stared at him, surprised, "Seriously? No schedule?”
Eunwoo nodded, looking at him over the rim of his glass as he took in another big gulp, "Yup."
Hyunjin only a second to formulate a plan.
His voice dropped, "Actually that's good, because I think I might be coming down with something."
"What?" Eunwoo asked, leaning forward, "Something you ate?"
"I don't know. I might have caught something." Hyunjin was tired, so he didn't have to fake much, "Maybe a fever."
"Hey, you really have to take care of yourself. I don't know any doctors here. We can find one." Eunwoo twisted in his chair to face him. Hyunjin squeezed his eyes shut and he doesn't want to make this Eunwoo's problem, "That's really not needed. I…I just need a few hours to rest."
"I'll bring medicine to your room tonight."
"No, no, whatever it is, I don't want you to catch it. Thank you for…taking care of me." He swallowed, and he's never been good at lying.
It helped that Eunwoo wasn't all in his senses, because he didn't suspect a thing, pinching his cheek, "It's my job, kid."
Hyunjin smiled at him faintly, heading back up to his room.
With any luck, Eunwoo would drink until late and that would give Hyunjin enough time to slip away. They didn't have any schedules tomorrow, and maybe he wouldn't even notice he was gone.
»»————-
It felt like you're meeting someone you've admired forever, a legend.
The art museum rose out of Museumplein in sharp lines, the glass catching the morning light in a way that seemed fantastical. You stood there longer than you meant to. The building was beautiful, and this was just the outside.
You dug into your bag for your camera. It was a cheap disposable one you’d picked up at a 7/11 before your flight. Everything looked better on film. You snapped a picture, when a man came up to you, holding a sunflower. He smiled at you, "Ma'am, a flower for you?"
“Oh, hi.” You smiled back. The vendor seemed sweet, he grinned at you, "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Sure is." You smiled. He then extended the sunflower for you, "Van Gogh's favorite."
"Oh, no that's fine, I don't need it." You smiled, trying to politely decline but he pushed the flower to you, "Just ten euros."
"Ten euros?" You can't hide your surprise, "That's…one expensive flower."
"Matches your dress." The vendor smiled.
He was right. You'd chosen to wear your black dress, the skirt's made of lace and it falls perfectly over your boots. It's tight in the top, strappy, not weather appropriate but when you'd seen it in the window in Gangnam, you couldn't resist it. There's a small sunflower stitched at the neckline, and so it's perfect for this occasion. At least your coat kept you warm.
"It's only ten euros, freshly picked." He repeated. You've never been good at saying no, so you smiled at him, "Sure."
You dug into your purse, searching for your wallet, and looked around the museumplein, wondering if you're the only one getting scammed out of ten euros. Your eyes landed on tourists taking pictures, street vendors, some dressed like Van Gogh which might even be in poor taste, and then you spot someone familiar.
His back was to you, and he's taking a picture on the big camera of his. The guy from the plane.
You wondered if that's really him, cause last you knew he was headed to Paris for work, and what are the odds that he would be here, same time as you?
"Ma'am." The vendor repeated, and he's clearly run out of patience. Your hands finally grabbed the wallet, and you pulled out a ten euro note. You handed it over, hesitant and then he handed you the single flower. You nodded, trying to not be irritated, "Thank you!”
But before you could finish thanking him, he's walking off, clearly not interested in holding a conversation anymore. You sighed, staring down at your little sunflower. It was pretty. You turned it slowly between your fingers.
"Oh no. They got you." Someone said. You looked up, and sure enough, it was the boy from the plane. He was walking over to you, holding his camera in his hands. You laughed, lifting your hands up to show off your newly acquired flower, "Guess they did."
"Smile." He said, and then suddenly took a picture of you. You flinched, caught off guard. Then he put his camera down, noticing your expression, "Sorry."
"It's fine. I just wasn't expecting that. What are you doing here?" You asked him, "I thought you'd be in Paris by now."
"Yeah, my flight isn't until later this evening. Hell of a layover, huh? The team I'm travelling with is dead asleep at the airport hotel. But, I thought I'd be brave and venture out. Plus, there was a last-minute ticket to the museum and I couldn't skip that."
"There's worse places to be stuck." You tucked the flower into the pocket of your coat. He nodded, "Exactly right. And I have enough time to kill to see the museum. Heard so much about it."
"Yeah." You smiled, looking back up at the gorgeous building, "I was just heading in, before I was accosted by the vendor."
"You gotta start learning to say no. Especially in the touristy districts." He tilt his head, "Are you meeting friends later?"
"Oh. No. I…it's just me." You said, watching his face, "I probably shouldn't be telling you this. Seeing as how you're a total stranger and I just told you I'm traveling alone." You rolled your eyes, "Never mind."
He laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, well we can change that then."
"Change what?” You asked.
"Being strangers." He extended his hand to you in a handshake, "I'm Jake."
You hesitated for a second before taking his hand. “Jake.” you repeated, a small smile tugging at your lips, "So, you're a photographer?"
"Yup. The soccer team I'm traveling with, I do their official stuff. But sometimes I like to do architecture. It really depends on the day. I don't try to pigeonhole myself. I capture what I find beautiful, and what inspires me." He explained, as you walked into the museum.
You nodded, "So… everything."
He laughed, "Yeah. You could say that. So now that you know everything about me, are you gonna tell me your name?"
"Oh. I didn't realise I haven't yet. I'm Y/N." You smiled at him. Jake walked alongside you, his camera bag swinging by his side as you went through the lobby, "So what kind of girl are you?"
"Excuse me?" You grabbed a map of the museum, glancing at him. He smiled, "I mean, do you stop and take in at every painting, or do you speed through? God knows there's not enough time in the day to see everything."
You stared at the map, and the museum was three floors and you fully intended to see all of it, "I think I'm probably gonna take a long time, so I wouldn't want you to wait for me."
"Oh, I don't mind." He smiled. When you finally make it past the lobby, your chest tightened with anticipation.
It felt strange to finally be here.
Almost sacred.
Inside, the air hummed with hushed voices and footsteps.You followed the timeline instinctively, drawn into his early work first. You leaned in, studying the brushstrokes like it was the most important thing in the world. You’d seen these paintings a thousand times—online, in books, in magazines. But here, the paint had weight. Dimension. It felt alive. You could almost trace the movement of his hand, the urgency in every stroke.
You found yourself imagining it—how you’d paint it, where your hand would go next. You've chosen to skip the audio guide because there's only so much stimulus you can take.
You moved slowly through the rooms. Jake lingered around you. Sometimes you lost him, and then you bumped into each other, staring at the same painting. You're not sure how to make conversation with him. He's a stranger, and you're not in the mood to talk.
You know he's probably just trying to befriend you. After all, the odds of you two being here at the same time are low. You're sure he's a lovely person, he seems talented and he's friendly, but he's caught you at a bad time. You're overwhelmed by all your emotions. You felt inspired, and sad, and strangely at peace all at once.
All you can think of is how if Hyunjin was here, you wouldn't even have to think about it. You could both live in silence, or maybe not. Maybe you'd talk his ear off.
You spent longer than you meant to in every room, drifting back and forth, returning to paintings you weren’t ready to leave. You studied the letters and fragments of his thoughts, that made him feel less like a legend and more like a person who desperately needed to create in order to survive himself. Just like yourself.
Your throat tightened as you reached the end of Van Gogh's work, of his life. He lived so long before you, and still, you saw yourself in him. It made something in you ache. Your fingers itched to work. To fly home and throw yourself into your art, to become someone you could be proud of.
Jake caught your eye from across the room. You cleared your throat, giving him a small wave, the sunflower still in your hand. You were exhausted in the best way. Your feet ached.
Even the gift shop felt meaningful, not capitalistic as you'd expect. You ran your fingers over sketchbooks, postcards, prints, like touching them would keep the feeling from fading. Jake hovered around you, buying a souvenir as well and mostly commenting on how much stuff you got. You got a bit of everything, for all of your friends, for Hyunjin and for yourself. You don't know when you'll see them all next, but you want to bring them a gift of how magical this place was.
The best part was still left.
The field of sunflowers.
He casually fell into step with you, reading the brochure, "Did you know they don't open this exhibit much? Apparently, they only did it once before. So, guess we came at the right time."
You're sure Hyunjin probably knew about this exhibit, and surely wanted you to see it. You stepped out, and it was hard to hide your shock. The field stretched endlessly, sunflowers in every direction. It felt like a labyrinth, narrow paths winding between walls of flowers.
Jake started reading from the museum brochure, "So, Van Gogh made his first still lifes of sunflowers in Paris. His friend, the painter Paul Gauguin was impressed by them and called the paintings 'completely Vincent'. His fellow painters thought that sunflowers were perhaps somewhat coarse and unrefined. But this is exactly what Vincent liked. So guess he saw the beauty and potential in them that nobody did."
Tears pricked your eyes. You tightened your grip on your bag, moving slowly through it. Tourists drifted in and out, but the maze was so big you often found yourself alone. You had to stop, just to breathe. Jake walked beside you. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Do you think I’m allowed to touch them?” Your hand hovered near the flowers. He shrugged, “Does it matter? Do it anyway.” You glanced at him — you'd made an unlikely companion in him— before brushing your fingers against the petals. They were soft. You let out a quiet breath. “It makes me want to grow a sunflower field back home.”
“In Seoul?” Jake laughed. You corrected him, “I’m from a small town in the south. Daejon.”
“Well. You’ve got a head start.” He nodded to the flower in your hand. You laughed, lifting it slightly. “One very expensive head start.”
You turned a corner, stopping at a patch where the flowers seemed even brighter. Jake nudged you. “Come on. Let me get a picture.”
“No, I’m good. I’ll take one of you though.” You shook your head. He whined, “Come on. Are you planning on coming back here?”
You hesitated, then sighed. “Fine.” You held the flower up, smiling despite yourself. “Wow.” Jake said. “That’s a good one.”
“Okay, I’m done now. Please.” You laughed, already stepping back. He groaned, but let you go. You glanced out at the maze stretching in every direction. “There must be thousands of these.”
"I read that there's almost 100,000." He told you, and you blinked at him, "That's a crazy number.”
"Look at this picture I got of you." Jake laughed, "It looks good, but you look so awkward." You leaned in, peeking at his preview screen, "Wow, but the camera quality is so good."
“It should be. Cost me two months’ rent.” He said. Your eyes widened. “Can I try?” He didn’t hesitate. He placed it in your hands, guiding you through the buttons. “Just press here.”
You lifted it, peering through the viewfinder. It felt different and cinematic already. Far better than your disposable. You zoomed in, focusing on the details of the flower, the petals and how light was catching in them. You then captured Jake, zooming into his face and he laughed, hiding his face with his arms, "Stop, Y/N! I gave it to you to film the flowers, not me."
You laughed, just wanting to get back at him for all the times he filmed you, teasing, "Doesn't feel so good to have the camera on you now, does it?" You turned around, adjusting the focus. Then through all of the flowers, the camera fixated on a single person watching you. You knew that silhouette.
Your breath caught in your throat, as he came into focus.
A bouquet of flowers in his hand, Hyunjin was standing at the end of the trail.
"Oh my god." You lowered the camera immediately, needing to see him with your own eyes. "What?" Jake laughed, nudging you, "It is beautiful, isn't it?"
You barely heard him.
Hyunjin was here.
Somehow.
His eyes were fixed on you and then briefly on Jake.
The brim of his cap shadowed his face, but you would’ve known him anywhere. Bundled up in a brown corduroy jacket, he stood tall in the field of flowers, towering over the vastness of its beauty and his hands tightened around the bouquet in his hands. Sunflowers.
For a second, neither of you moved.
Then you stepped forward, your things slipping from your hands onto the gravel, forgotten. “Oh my god.” You breathed, “What… what are you doing here?”
He was waiting for you.
"Y/N. I…" He stepped forward. He laughed, but it came out like a nervous chuckle, "Surprise."
"You're here." You managed to say. He nodded, "Yes. I am…I'm here to see you. Is that okay?"
"Is that okay?" You laughed, and then pulled him into a hug, arms wrapping around his waist. He stumbled slightly, then settled into it, his chin resting on top of your head. “You’re crushing the flowers.” He murmured. “I got them for you.”
“I’m sorry.” You pulled back, looking up at him. His gaze didn’t stay on you for long. They drifted to Jake, who was awkwardly standing behind you. The question was on his lips, but Hyunjin was far too proud to ask. "Oh—" You cleared your throat, "This is…Jake."
"Hey, man." Jake extended his hand. Hyunjin looked at it for a second, like he wasn’t sure what to do with it. His lips were tight, and then finally he smiled politely, "Hi. How do you know each other?"
"Ah…She was my only entertainment for 14 hours." Jake laughed. Your grip tightened slightly around Hyunjin’s arm. Jake then clarified, "We sat next to each other on the plane."
“Oh.” Hyunjin nodded once. “I see.” His hand found yours again, almost instinctively. His eyes were back on you, “Did you see everything you wanted to?”
You laced your fingers with his, “Yeah. And more. When did you get here? Have you been waiting long?”
"Doesn't matter. Did you like the museum?"
“I loved it.” You had the sudden urge to kiss him. But not here. Not with Jake here. So instead, you squeezed his hand, fingers threading tighter through his. Maybe that was just as obvious. Jake didn’t seem to notice anyway. He was busy scrolling through his camera.
“I’ll text these to you.” He said. You nodded, “Oh, yeah. That’d be nice.”
“I don’t have your number.” He laughed, handing you his phone. You typed it in quickly, handing it back. “It was nice meeting you.”
Jake smiled. “Yeah. When you’re back in Seoul, hit me up. We should catch up.”
“Hope you make it to Paris.” You said, giving him a small wave. He nodded, then walked off.
You waited until he disappeared around the corner before turning back to Hyunjin. Your eyes were wide, you couldn’t help it. Your surprise was obvious. He watched you for a second, a smile pulling at his lips, “What?”
You pulled him into another hug, burying your face into his chest, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
He laughed, hugging you back, "What are you thanking me for?"
You breathed in his scent, his cologne, his warmth and looked up at him, "You're here. In person. I wished for that, but I thought it was impossible. You just made this trip like a million times better."
His lips curved into a smile and his hand reached up to tuck your hair back, "I mean…it seems like you had company already, but—"
"Hyunjin. That's nobody." You exhaled, hands curled in the front of his jacket, "You just keep surprising me." And so I just keep loving you.
"I got this for you." He smiled, handing you the flowers. The bouquet smelled so good, and you showed him your single sunflower, "Now I can give this one a home."
"I…I was worried about you." Hyunjin's hand came to rest on your arm, stroking it lightly. Your heart squeezed, "You were?"
Something flickered through his gaze, "When I couldn't talk to you, everything was so crazy busy, and it's your birthday tomorrow and selfishly I just needed to see you."
"That's okay, Hyunjin. I wanted to see you too." You smiled, squeezing his arm in reassurance, "But what about the fashion week? Your schedule…? I thought you were fully booked until the end of the week."
"I'm taking a sick day."
"A sick day?" You asked, incredulous. He nodded, "I'm allowed, aren't I?"
"They're really not gonna fire you or something?" You asked. He smiled, "They can try. Nobody knows I'm here."
"Not even Chan…?"
"Not even Chan." He repeated, a small smile on his lips, "He would have surely talked me out of it."
"How did you pull that off? Don't they have like a tracker on you guys?" You asked. He laughed, "They wish. I'm thousands of miles away overseas. So, we're…essentially invisible."
Your eyebrows shot up, "Invisible?" You pulled him closer, hands curling in his collar, "That might be the hottest thing you've ever said."
His voice was hesitant, "You happy I'm here? I didn't want to crash your vacation."
"Of course. You can't tell?" It was hard to hold back from kissing him, but you had to remind yourself you were still in a public place. Still, it didn't stop you from being pressed to his body, arms around his neck. You can't tell how much I love you?
You were at the point of no return, where you should just say it to him just so it's out of you, so the words exist separate from your body. They'd been held in you for so long, and you were used to keeping your feelings close to your chest, but you could only do that for so long.
Hyunjin loved a lot of things. Performing. Art. His friends. But those were all different from you. You might die if you said it and he didn't feel the same. Even just thinking of saying it to him was scary, and your pulse quickened.
His hand caressed your cheek, "I made dinner reservations for us. The restaurant is by the water, and it has the most beautiful views. I went there with Changbin once a few years ago. Did you wanna have dinner there? …With me?" There's a nervousness in his tone, that you're not used to. It's so sweet. Him asking gives you butterflies.
"That sounds amazing. You can take me anywhere, don't even ask." You smiled up at him. His gaze was kind, "You trust me that much?"
"You could literally blindfold me, walk me to the edge of a cliff and I'd trust you." You sighed. His grip on you tightened, "You can't say things like that."
"Sir…? Ma'am…?" A voice interrupted you, and you snapped out of your reverie to see a museum employee. She had a sheepish look on her face, "I didn't mean to interrupt but the sunflower exhibit's closing in 5, and all guests have to make their way to the exit."
"Right. Sorry. We'll be on our way." Hyunjin gained his composure, and then grabbed your hand. You squeezed your bouquet, other hand holding his as he led you out of the garden back onto the museumplein. "I wish I could have seen the museum with you."
"I know. That would have been perfect. Have you ever been?” You asked him. He shook his head, "No, I haven't. Last time we were here on tour, I couldn't get tickets. They sell really fast and…yeah. I only got yours because it was weeks in advance."
"What?" You stopped walking, looking up at him, "Let's go back."
He glanced at where you'd just exited, laughing, "Y/N. They're closing…we won't be able to."
"But…" You were disappointed. You know he would have loved to see it. He tugged you closer, "You had a good time right? Tell me all about it, and it'll be like I'm there."
"I guess." You weren't really happy with that outcome. He nodded, "Besides, if we were in the museum together, we might have never left. They would have to kick us out, and…we wouldn't have gotten anything else done today."
"Yeah but I got to see it instead with Jake from the plane. Great." You sighed. Hyunjin's expression faltered, for only a second, but then he tugged you along, "Yeah."
It was a beautiful day out and you walked alongside the water, letting him lead you. There were crowds all around, but nobody seemed to look at the two of you. It probably also helped that his face was obscured by his cap, to everyone but you.
You glanced at your interlaced hands, peering at his fingers and black-painted nails, "They painted your nails for the show?"
"Actually, I did." He admitted, holding it up to show you, "Did I do well?"
"Yes, you did such a good job. Better than I could have." You smiled, running your hand over his fingers, and how dainty they were. He had new rings on, different shapes and bands on each finger.
You shouldn't, in this sweet moment, get distracted by how long his fingers were, and how good they would feel touching you.
It's as if Hyunjin could see right through you, and he tilt his head at you, "You like it that much?"
You looked up at him, embarrassed, leaving your hold on his hand, "It's pretty. But this one's chipped."
He sighed, "Yeah. Maybe you can help me fix it later."
He led you over a little bridge, and you stood in the middle, staring at the water below. You don't want to snap out of this beautiful dream, even though it just has begun. You're quiet for too long, and all you could think of is how beautiful the art you've just seen is. It lives on in you. Hyunjin rest his hands on the barrier, watching the ducks in the water, "So, tell me about it. About the museum."
You stared at the ripples in the water below, "It was so beautiful, Hyunjin. I really wish you saw it. The almond blossom was the prettiest shade of blue. When I was there all I was thinking was that I want to paint my bedroom that color. Maybe that's superficial of me, but the colors were so gorgeous. Oh my god, wait and they had Irises on display! Have I ever told you that I always wanted to see that painting and…?" You trailed off at Hyunjin's amused expression as you talked, "What?"
He shook his head, a small smile on his lips, "Nothing. Tell me."
"I'm rambling."
"No…I…I love listening to you." He smiled, and his hand came to rest on your jaw, cupping your cheek, "Even if you were, I could listen to you for hours. Anyway, I'm vicariously living through you right now so tell me everything."
Your heart beat faster as you looked up at him.
At the look in his eyes.
Fondness.
He looked beautiful.
It was so different from how he was at the fashion show. Bare-faced, he glowed in the sun. It always caught you off guard how perfect he was. How in the hell did you get so lucky?
"Y/N?" He asked.
"Yeah? What was I saying?" You were embarrassed again. How were you so easily taken by him? Even after all this time, he captivated you like the first time you saw him.
There was a glint of amusement in his eyes, he knew the effect he had on you, even when he casually spoke with you. His hands found their home on your waist, and he turned you around to face him, pinning you against the bridge, "You were talking about Irises."
You don't know how this position was supposed to help you focus, his hands tucked inside your coat, holding you, but you swallowed, "Yeah, yeah they had Irises on display and it is just a flower vase but it feels so profound."
"I know what you mean."
"And Hyun, there were so many people there. Like…it was so crowded. I even saw families and tour groups from Seoul, and a lot of people on dates. It was nice to see so many people care about his art. I still couldn't help but feel sad."
"Why were you sad?" His voice was soft, fingers splayed against your waist, playing with the lace of your top.
"When he was still alive, he didn't know how loved he was. He had such an unhappy life and…I wish he knew how loved he was. It was really hard to see what he expressed through his art." Your chest hurt, "Maybe it's silly but…he only sold a single painting in his life and now, now people come from all around the world to see his work. Which is amazing but I just wish he could see that."
"It's not silly." Hyunjin's expression was earnest, and his fingers slipped under your top, comfortingly stroking your skin, "You're right. It is sad, but…isn't it a good thing that people love his work now?"
"But when it mattered, he didn't know. It's only after he died."
Hyunjin pulled you closer, voice dropping low, "He inspires other people, people like you, amazing… talented, thoughtful artists like you…and his work lives on in that. That makes it immortal. Isn't that so much more special?"
"I guess you're right." The knot in your chest loosened, and you stared up at him, "You always know the right thing to say."
He smiled, a dimple in his cheek, "I don't want you to be sad. Not when I'm here with you, not when we're in this beautiful place."
"I can never be sad when you're with me."
Because I love you so much. Like a devil on your shoulder, your brain told you to say it.
"Excuse me?" A voice interrupted the two of you.
A girl approached you on the bridge, smiling, glancing between the two of you. Your heart dropped. For a second, you wondered if she’d recognized him. Hyunjin didn't move away from you though, or stop holding you. He stood as he was, relaxed, curious. She started to explain, "My friends and I saw saw you from across the street. You guys looked super cute. I took a few pictures of you that I can send, if you don't mind."
You waited for Hyunjin's reaction, and he smiled at her, "Can I see them?"
"Sure!" She stepped closer, showing you the pictures, tilting her phone towards you. She was right. It looked like a scene from a movie. How Hyunjin towered over you, holding you close on the bridge as boats passed underneath you in the canal.
You glanced over, and her friend group was waiting for her by the edge, giggling. You wonder if they dared her to come over here. It remind you of your friends back home. She sent them to his phone, and he smiled, "Thank you. You're a great photographer."
"Are you guys on vacation?" She asked. Hyunjin nodded, "Mmh. We are."
"Well, I just wanted to tell you that you guys make a cute couple! I should get going." The girl laughed awkwardly, then ran off to her friends.
Hyunjin laughed, glancing at you, "That was funny. She was really sweet."
All of her group was giggling as they looked at Hyunjin, and your eyebrows shot up, "Pretty sure she only came here because they thought you were handsome."
"Well. Then it's a good thing they know I'm yours." He squeezed your waist, nails digging into your sides. You studied his face and how there was not an ounce of worry on it. In fact, you'd never seen him look so relaxed. So you asked, "Does that stuff not scare you? What if they post it online or something?"
"Well, it seemed innocent. Her reasons. I don't want to assume that everyone that approaches me has some ulterior motive, or is out to get me. That mindset is what pushed me away from you at the start and I'm trying to get over it. Her intentions seemed genuine enough."
"That makes sense."
"And it would be really narcissistic of me to assume everyone in the world knows who I am." He said, a pink flush in his cheeks, "Even when it is a fan, if I'm by myself, I welcome it. I know I would be scared going up to my idols, so…if someone approaches me, I think it's really brave."
"Does that happen to you a lot?"
"Yeah, it does. I find it cute when they talk to me. It's always so nice to meet them up close, especially when they take time out of their lives to support me, I mean I'm a total stranger to them, aren't I?"
You smiled, "They're so lucky to have you, you know. Not every celebrity would be so welcoming. I've heard a lot of them are dicks, but what do I know? You're the only famous person I know."
He smiled, looking over you at the boats passing, "I chose this life for myself, and…the people that support me, I never want to push them away. They're the reason I'm here, the reason I can take you out, and why I can live my dream."
"Wow. Seemed like you really enjoyed the fashion week." You said. He laughed, "I just realised how lucky I am to have what I have. I've been taking it for granted too often."
You couldn't help the smile on your lips. Hyunjin had so often been hurt by the life he lived, and to see him be grateful for it was the most special thing. You knew how hard he had worked for this. He tucked your hair back, "Anyway, do you want to get some coffee? There's a good bakery down the street."
"If my answer to that question is ever no, you'll know I've been possessed by someone else." You joked. He laughed, grabbing your hand again to lead the way. You don't know how he knew the way instinctively and didn't even have to look it up. It was hot.
The sky stretched pale blue over the town.
You tried to take it all in, but it was hard to focus on anything but the boy by your side. At one point, he switched hands so he could hold your waist, as you crossed the street over, watching bikes go by. The city was so alive, and you talked endlessly, telling him all about your day.
It felt unreal to have this freedom with him.
"By the way, how was the fashion show? You haven't told me yet." You asked him. He glanced at you, "It was amazing. We were in a castle, which was pretty insane in itself. You would have loved it so much. The clothes were really beautiful. The creative director that invited me, she treated me well, which doesn't always happen. Sometimes it can feel just transactional but…she was so sweet. Inspiring how successful she was."
"That's nice." You smiled, as you approached the cafe.
A chalkboard sign outside read 'Fresh Stroopwafels & Koffie | Cash Only'
It looked adorable, a green and blue awning extending out, bikes parked by the front. Hyunjin held open the door for you and you laughed, commenting on his chivalry.
The scent of warm cinnamon and butter was strong. He went up to the counter to order, and you observed a wall full of postcards. You peered at them, reading all of the notes scribbled on them. The stories people had written were honest and funny. You read a postcard: i met my husband at this coffee shop fifteen years ago! we still come here every year for our anniversary
It made you smile. Fifteen years was a long time, but if you spent it with Hyunjin, it would go by in a blink. You wanted to put one up too. There was an adorable vending machine next to it, with postcards on display to buy, some hand-drawn, some photographs.
"Hyun?" You looked back at the counter. He was grabbing some stroopwafels in neatly packed brown paper, laughing with the coffee shop owner. The older man seemed sweet, handing Hyunjin your coffees. “Your girl is calling you.” The man gestured to him. Hyunjin turned to you, “What is it, darling?”
You blinked. It caught you off guard completely, and your stomach flipped. You were suddenly very aware of the room, of the glances from people nearby. Heat crept up your neck. “Um…” You tucked your hands into your sleeves, “Do you have any change? I want to buy a postcard.”
He nodded, with a small smile, and tossed you his wallet, “Of course.”
It seemed like he couldn't care less that other people had heard him. It felt like a different him, one you'd never experienced in Seoul. Is this what he was like, with no restrictions and no stress?
You smiled, trying to pick out what postcard you wanted. There was one with a watercolor print on it. It was perfect. It was only 50 cents. You reached into Hyunjin's wallet for change, and an unfamiliar crinkling got your attention.
You peeked inside.
Fuck.
There were four condoms tucked neatly into Hyunjin's wallet.
Your head snapped up to his, unable to hold in your surprise. He was busy in conversation. But to you, everything else faded away.
He ran a hand through his hair as he talked to the cafe owner. The bracelets on his wrist collided with each other, falling to his forearm, only stopped by the sleeve of his jacket.
The hair that he'd just pushed back was stubborn and it fell back into his eyes.
Your gut twisted in pleasure, and you clenched around nothing.
Did he always carry these? Or did he bring them especially for this?
You don't know which one was worse. They both made you feel insane.
You imagined him purchasing it, thinking about the fact that he planned it, and you were heating up.
"Did you find one you liked?" Hyunjin asked you, suddenly close to you. The bubble popped, and all of the sounds of the world came flooding back. You blurted, "Yeah."
If you said anything more, you would embarrass yourself. You input the change into the machine, and the postcard fell out. Hyunjin stood behind you, hand reaching out to grab it and he was standing too close. His voice was low as he looked at the postcard, "Oh, that's gorgeous."
"Mmh." You stared at it, and you suddenly didn't know what to write on it. Your mind was drawing a blank. Hyunjin nudged you, handing you your coffee. You grabbed it from him. Your fingers brushed his, and the contact lingered longer than it should have. Heat flickered up your arm, sudden and sharp, your body reacting before your mind could catch up. Your emotions are suddenly tenfold, and even when he's yours, you feel driven insane by your desire for him.
"What are you gonna write on it?" He asked. You were finding it hard to breathe, his body hovering over yours, so casually.
I should write that I love you and maybe that's the best way to tell you so I don't have to find the courage to say it. "I…I don't know. Maybe I can come back later."
"Of course. Don't rush yourself, baby." He said, grabbing your hand. Your palms must be sweaty, but you followed him out of the cafe, trying a sip of your coffee to calm yourself.
The setting sun was turning the sky into a beautiful purple. He watched you closely, smiling at your expression but he didn't know that you were wrecking him in your mind, "It's good, isn't it?"
"Yeah." It was one of the best you'd ever had, and Hyunjin sipped on his too as he said, "We should probably get going to dinner. It's a little further out from here."
He tossed his cup into a trash can, and then found your hand again. He's holding your things in his other hand, the souveniors from the museum and the bouquet he got you. "You bought a lot of things." He looked inside your Van Gogh bag. You smiled, "They are mostly for my friends…there's some for you too. Jake, that guy you met, he actually helped me pick some out."
He looked up at you, "Am I allowed to see it?"
"Of course."
He rummaged through the shopping bag, and pulled out a set of postcards, "This for me?"
"No…that's for Felix."
You felt his stance falter, and then he moved on, hand digging through the rest of the bag. You wanted to ask him what that meant. Why he had that reaction, but you're not stupid. You know he's always felt a certain way for Felix, but he also knows how you feel about him. And your feelings for Hyunjin are stronger than anything you've ever felt in your life.
He let out a sigh, and you think he's going to say something about it, his lips searching for the words but he doesn't. So, you said, "The sketchbook is yours."
Hyunjin's eyes widened when he saw it, "Oh my god." He flipped through it, a quiet laugh leaving him, "It's perfect."
"I thought you could use it for when you travel." You explained. He looked at you, "How is it that it's supposed to be your birthday but you're the one getting me gifts?"
"I can't think of a better gift than us being here together."
Suddenly your phone rang, startling you.
Yongbok was calling you. It's crazy. You were just talking about him. "Do you mind if I take this?" You asked Hyunjin. He nodded, "Of course, but we're almost at the tram stop."
"I'll hurry." You told him, picking up the call, "Hey."
"Oh my god, you finally picked up. I was going crazy and thought you were going to break our midnight tradition." Felix said. Right. He had a habit of seeing you on the dot at twelve every year on your birthday. It must already be midnight there in Daejon. He didn't know you weren't home. You smiled, "I know, I'm sorry, I missed your call I think."
"Phew. Scared me. Well, Happy birthday, love. I know we've had our ups and downs, and last year was particularly…trying for us but you're the greatest girl I know and nothing changes that, even if we had a crazy summer. I can't wait for you to come home in summer. I promise I'll be a little less toxic." He laughed. You smiled, "Thank you. You're so sweet, Yongbok. How's Minho and the others? You guys miss me?"
Hyunjin glanced at you at that, realising who you were talking to, his expression shifting. Felix continued, "Obviously we miss you. I hope I was still the first one to call you. Oh, also I know you're not in touch with Hyunjin but…god I'm so fucking jealous of him. How is he always so lucky? I should have stayed friends with him."
'"What do you mean?" You were confused. Felix sighed, "You know, that picture of him with Naomi Scott. The actress? She's so fucking hot. You don't remember I had the biggest crush on her when we were teenagers? And of course he met her!"
"Y/N. We have to go. The tram's here." Hyunjin motioned to you, and you were still a block away.
Your gut twisted, and you asked Felix, "How do you know that?"
"Of course you're out of the loop. She posted about it on her Instagram." He mumbled.
You looked up, and now the tram was pulling out of the station, "Sorry I gotta go, Lix. I'll talk to you later."
Hyunjin was staring at you expectantly, almost disappointed that you missed the tram. You hung up, and then smiled apologetically at him, "I'm so sorry about that. He wanted to be the first one to wish me."
You had no idea who that actress was, but you'd heard Felix talk about her when you were teenagers. Hyunjin nodded, leaning against the tram stop, "Is this your first birthday away from him?"
You glanced up, trying not to think about it. This wasn't the time and place to feel jealous over a faceless woman. You didn't even know her or what she looked like. Just that she was an actress and somehow had posted a picture with Hyunjin. Why hadn't he mentioned it? You thought hard about his question, "I guess, yeah. We've always been together ever since I was a kid and…even though I didn't ever go all out in celebrating it, Felix would always do something for me."
Hyunjin crossed his arms as you waited for the next tram, "Like what?"
You tried not to focus on your feelings, but instead on the moment, answering him, "When we were still in school, we had a curfew, which sucked and I was very upset about it on my 16th birthday. So later that night, he snuck out so he could come to my house at midnight. He showed up with my favorite cake from this bakery that we definitely couldn't afford…and…I'm pretty sure he stole it, which is just not like him." You rolled your eyes at the memory.
"Did he get in trouble?"
"So much trouble after. He said it was worth it… for me. Everyone was pretty mad at him for a week." You laughed, "But they all forgave him pretty easy, he's the golden boy."
"That…that sounds really nice." Hyunjin said.
"Yeah…" You sat down on the bench to rest, "Sorry. I made us miss the tram."
"No, it's not your fault." He said, a little too quick, eyes wandering to his phone. "Glad you got to talk to Felix. I think the next tram is in twelve minutes."
You frowned at his lackluster response, but Hyunjin stayed quiet. You wanted to ask him about Naomi and whatever the picture was. This wasn't the time.
You looked at a pair of ducks in the canal, swimming along perfectly. A little girl crouched by the canal, holding out a piece of bread for them, right next to the 'No Feeding' Sign.
You hugged your coat tighter to yourself, "Well, There's worse places to be waiting. Like how is this real?"
Hyunjin didn't respond, and when you looked at him, he was busy looking at something on his phone. "Our dinner reservation is in thirty minutes. Hopefully we make it on time."
"Are they gonna hold the table for us if we're behind?"
"No. Probably not. They're very popular."
"Right."
Hyunjin was uncharacteristically quiet, and reserved. You didn't want anything to taint this perfect day, so you asked, "Are you okay? I'm sorry I took that call, I know I probably could have waited—"
"It doesn't matter, Y/N."
You weren't prepared for that response.
He seemed upset at you.
You would apologize, if Hyunjin admitted what he was really upset about. He was your entire world and you couldn't have him be mad at you, for even a second.
It had to be your phone call with Felix that upset him. That could be the only reason, but you knew if you asked him that, you'd probably hurt him more. That was the last thing you wanted to do.
You didn't want to push him, but you weren't going to prolong this tension so you said, "But it's okay if you're upset at me. Just tell me and we can—"
"Not everything is about you, Y/N. I'm not upset."
What the hell?
Your heart twisted, and you stared at him.
But he wasn't looking at you.
It seemed like he didn't want to talk.
You crossed your arms, staring at the display that still showed ten minutes. You were so confused. You couldn't go to dinner with this tension brewing underneath. You looked back at him, "If it's not about me, then why aren't you talking to me?"
He looked right at you, hands tucked in his pockets, "What do you wanna talk about?"
You blinked, "I…you can tell me if something's wrong."
"I know that. My manager's just…asking me where I am."
"Oh." That explained his frustration, "What are you going to say to him?"
"I don't know, Y/N." He chuckled, irritation in his tone, "You got any ideas?"
It was clear he didn't want to talk to you right now. So you shook your head, staring at the pattern on your tights, waiting for the tram. You didn't want to get hung up on this argument.
Right on time, the tram slowed to a stop in front of you.
Hyunjin gestured for you to get on first, and you did, slipping into the crowd of people. No seats so you moved toward the middle, careful not to brush against anyone, one hand curling around the metal pole to steady yourself.
You waited for him to come up beside you. By the time you turned, he’d stopped a few steps away, separated from you by a wall of strangers. There wasn’t enough space for the two of you to squeeze in together.
Your chest tightened yet again. He said he wasn't upset, but he wasn't even looking at you.
Outside, the world slid by. It was beautiful and you wanted to enjoy it. The tram jerked to a stop, and the doors opened with a chime. A woman struggled to manoeuver a stroller through the crowd, muttering apologies as people shifted. Before you could move, Hyunjin was already helping her. He reached for the front of the stroller, lifting it carefully, guiding it past the narrow space with practiced ease. The woman smiled, clearly relieved. “Thank you… you’re so sweet.”
He smiled back, soft, polite. A small dimple appeared in his cheek. You forced your gaze away from him.
Relationships were always so fucking confusing and it was your fault for not being too experienced in one.
Your thoughts circled back, unhelpfully, to her. That actress Yongbok had mentioned.
You looked at Hyunjin, but he was already looking at you. Before you could say something, he said, "This is us."
"Okay." You nodded, but your voice hardly came out. You were getting too upset over all of this and you weren't going to start crying because of a stupid disagreement, and a slight change in his mood. You were an adult and you'd navigate this like one. You were more mature than that.
The tram eased to a stop, and Hyunjin let you step off first, his hand hovering at your back for just a second. Immediately, you felt the wind on your skin, cutting through your tights, under your coat. The scent of seawater was unmistakable. You hadn't realised how far you'd traveled.
The sky had turned darker, heavy clouds gathering.
In the distance, perched near the water, was the restaurant. Warm light spilled from its windows, glowing against the pebbled pathway leading up to it. You could tell why he made such a big deal of it. The restaurant seemed beautiful, and there was a standby line to get in.
The Beacon, the sign read.
You followed Hyunjin past the line, to the hostess desk. Hyunjin looked at you, his voice low, "Give me a second."
He stepped up to the hostess stand, leaning in slightly so she could hear him over the live music and the chatter. She flipped through her book, her finger tracing down the page before she shook her head. Of course. There was a line and you should’ve expected that.
And suddenly all you could think about was how much this seemed to matter to him, how carefully he’d planned it. If they turned you away…he would be so upset. But he kept talking to her, and her expression shifted, she looked up at him and laughed. Then, they both turned to you, and she said, "You can follow me to your table."
She led you through the restaurant, until you were right by the window facing the water. Your gaze caught on something in the distance, just beyond the curve of the water.
A lighthouse.
It looked abandoned.
It stood out, like a relic of a different time, amongst the landscape. “That's beautiful,” you murmured, glancing out toward the water. Hyunjin glanced at it absentmindedly, shrugging off his corduroy jacket, revealing his white-button up shirt. "Yeah."
"Oh, yes. That used to be in use like a hundred or so years ago. Our restaurant is named after that." The hostess smiled at you, as you sat down, taking your coat off. Hyunjin pushed his sleeves up to his arm, taking the seat across you. His gaze lingered on your dress, for a second too long. You looked around, it seemed so popular. You'd never been to a restaurant this nice. Nobody had ever taken you to a date like this before.
"Would you like to start off with some wine?" The hostess asked. Hyunjin nodded, "Definitely. Are you in the mood for red? I can pick one that I think you'd like."
"I trust you."
He gave you a small nod, continuing to read through the menu, "Perfect."
The time to talk it out seemed to have come and gone, but you didn't want that to stop you. You hated the simmering tension, and you just wanted to resolve this. But perhaps the mature thing to do would be to act normal, and move on. It seemed like that's what he was doing. The hostess returned before you could find the courage to speak.
You watched her for a second. The restaurant was packed, yet she kept circling back to your table like it was the only one that mattered. It definitely was because of Hyunjin. She leaned in slightly, curls bouncing as she smiled. “Have we decided?”
“Yes,” Hyunjin said, without hesitation. “Could we get the Château Margaux? That one’s not too bitter, right? I want something a little sweeter for her.”
The hostess’s smile widened as she looked at you, amused. “I think she’ll love it.”
"Thank you." Hyunjin smiled, and then she left you alone again. You smiled, hoping to make a joke, "Are we gonna keep getting interrupted like that the rest of the night, you think?"
Hyunjin's eyebrows shot up, "I…I guess so. Until we order."
"Right." You placed your hands in your lap, pulling at your dress, wondering how to get to it, "That lighthouse seems cool. I've never seen one this close."
Hyunjin’s expression softened almost immediately, something in his shoulders loosening. His lips parted, and he said, "Yeah."
He looked at you, really looked at you, for the first time in a while, and he did look so attractive in this light. It was distracting. The glow from the candle over his face highlighted his cheekbones, his lips, his jaw. It flickered over his face in shadows, and his eyes peered into yours.
This was ridiculous. You weren't going to fight him. You said, "Hyunjin. About earlier…"
At the same time he said, "I'm sorry for what I said to you."
But before he could continue, he was interrupted, “For the lovebirds!” The hostess’s voice cut through. She appeared at your side with a bottle of wine and two glasses, setting them down between you. She poured his glass, asking him, "Have you decided what you'd like to start with? I recommend the house special, but of course, anything on the menu you prefer."
He was still looking at you, lost in thought, so you spoke up, "Could we have a few minutes to decide? We haven't had a chance to look at the menu yet."
"Of course." She smiled, giving you space. You glanced at the menu, and it didn't even have the prices on it. You flipped over, and everything was in Dutch. You glanced up at him, and he was quietly reading the menu. He had been trying to apologize. You just wanted to talk it out with no interruptions and put this in the past.
Your phone buzzed, and you turned it over for a second. Yongbok had sent you a link.
he's one lucky son of a bitch
But you put your phone in your lap, your fingers moving before you could think too hard about it, opening the link. It was the actress's page.
She had eleven million followers.
How was that even possible? The number didn't feel real. You didn't even really have to scroll. Her last post was from the Fashion Week. Hyunjin was in it.
You barely noticed when the hostess came back to get your order, and she was only talking to Hyunjin, not to you. She was flirting with him clearly, but their conversation faded away.
You stared at the picture.
Of course, it was so normal. Yongbok made such a big deal out of everything. Hyunjin was smiling, like anybody does, with her at the bar. They were surrounded by a few other people. They all looked famous. His hand was around her waist, tight.
You took a long sip of your wine, hoping it would relax you.
"Y/N." Hyunjin called your name, "Is that okay with you, or did you want to order something else?"
God. Never mind. Yongbok was right. She was the most beautiful girl you'd seen. And from the comments, it seemed like eleven million other people thought the same.
He was having such a good time at the fashion week. Would he regret coming here to see you? You definitely couldn't compete with the things he must have done, the people he would have met, the sights he saw.
Now he was stuck with you.
Your grip tightened slightly around the stem of the glass. How could a setting this romantic suddenly feel so frustrating?
You needed air.
"Can you give me a minute? I just need to go to the…You can order for me." You stood up, the seat creaking as you did. Hyunjin looked up at you, brows furrowed, "Yeah. Sure."
You made your way through the restaurant, walking past all the happy couples and the crowd. It was really so beautifully lit and in any other circumstance, you would have appreciated it more. You needed air, and to calm down. After that, you'd go back to a dinner of what sounded like amazing food.
A glass door led outdoors, and without thinking, you stepped through.
You rubbed your arms, goosebumps rising instantly, your dress no match for the wind. You wished you’d brought your coat. The view was beautiful, and you grounded yourself in its beauty. Your boots were digging into the mud, and that probably wasn't a good look for when you went back.
From here, the lighthouse was even closer.
The door to it swung open with the wind, a loud creaking as it banged against the white brick.
You stared at it, as it eerily stood out against the backdrop.
Fuck. You should be overjoyed.
Hyunjin, the love of your fucking life, had brought you out on a date to the best restaurant in the city. He certainly didn't have an obligation to. But the night was spiraling, or maybe it was just you.
You stepped towards the water. The pebbles shifted beneath your feet, damp and uneven, and you barely thought about your boots sinking into them. They were already ruined. What did it matter now?
A low rumble of thunder rolled through the sky, and it made you flinch, your shoulders tensing. You glanced up at the sky, a droplet falling from the clouds, making its way down to you. You felt it on your forehead, and it trailed down your cheekbone, down your neck.
There had to be a reason your past relationships never lasted. Maybe this was it. Maybe you just… did this. Took something good and picked at it until it fell apart.
"Y/N?" Hyunjin's voice interrupted your reverie.
Oh.
He had followed you.
Of course.
You turned as he approached, the wind tugging at his clothes, at his hair.
“Hey…what’s wrong?” He asked, a little breathless. “They said you went to the restroom and I…” He swallowed, “I thought you left.”
Your chest twisted at that. You would never leave him like that. You would be insane to.
“Hyunjin.” You said, quieter now, “I told you. I just needed some air.”
You hadn’t realized how far you’d walked until now. The restaurant lights felt distant behind him.
"It's about to storm. You shouldn't be out here." He stepped closer.
His hair had fallen out of place, pushed loose by the wind, strands brushing against his forehead. A flash of lightning followed and Hyunjin spoke, "Y/N. We should really— Fuck, what are you doing?"
You pushed open the door to the lighthouse and it creaked loudly as you stepped inside.
You don't really know what you were doing. Escaping. Trying to talk about anything else. Distracting yourself.
You gaped up at the structure. It surprised you, despite your sadness. The spiral staircase coiled upward endlessly, disappearing into the dark.
He stepped in behind you, and the door slammed shut behind him with a thud that echoed up through the tower. "We really shouldn't be here." He said, but his wonder escaped him and he too was looking around.
Light bled through the boarded windows in thin strips, scattering across the floor. Your footsteps echoed when you moved, sharp against the stone floor. His next command was half-hearted like even he didn't believe it, "We should get back to dinner before the rain starts. I don't want to be stuck here."
"We're not gonna be stuck here, Hyunjin."
"I think the restaurant used to do tours here." He stated, "I remember seeing this when I was here with Changbin."
The air inside felt colder. It was a good distraction from your inner turmoil. You glanced back at him, "Really?"
"Hmm." He walked over to the staircase, running his hand over the metal railing, "The view up there was beautiful. I guess they don't do tours anymore. We're probably trespassing."
"Yeah, doesn't look like anybody's been here in a while." You said, hugging yourself and then glanced at him. Guess he was distracting himself too.
The distance between the two of you felt astronomical.
It was rare for you two to be so far apart.
You don't know what you were doing here. He was still upset. You still felt at fault.
Hyunjin was so quiet, staring at you. He had been trying to apologize before he was interrupted, but he was silent now.
Maybe you'd just go back and get dinner and pretend nothing was wrong. You weren't in the mood for confrontation.
You swallowed, "You're right. We shouldn't be here."
Something in his gaze shifted.
You glanced toward the tall windows.
Rain.
It had come down all at once, heavy and relentless, streaking the glass. The wind roared loud enough that you could hear it even through the walls, like the storm had wrapped itself around the tower.
"Well, shit." You mumbled, watching the downpour outside, "I take that back."
“We could make a run for it.” He said, still watching you.
You considered it for half a second. Another flash of lightning lit up the tower. It didn't feel like the best option. You looked up at the coiling staircase.
“I’m going upstairs.” You didn’t wait for his reaction, your foot already on the first step.
“Y/N. What?” He moved quickly this time, closing the distance between you easily, his hand catching your arm before you could go any further. “You can’t do that.”
You looked back at where his fingers gripped your arm, "Why? You said the view was good. We're here, might as well, right?"
"It could be dangerous." He stated. You tipped your chin upward, trying to see where the staircase led, "I've never been inside a lighthouse before."
He tugged at your arm, "And maybe that's for a reason."
"If it was dangerous, they wouldn't leave the door open." You narrowed your eyes at him and eased out of his hold, taking another step up, then another, the metal stair groaning beneath your weight. "You can stay here."
"There's no way I'm letting you go by yourself." He said, and he was just as stubborn as you, so he followed you.
Each stair creaked with your weight, and Hyunjin followed closely behind you, as you got closer to the top. The staircase got tighter the higher you went. You gripped the railing with one hand, the other holding the hem of your dress up to keep you from tripping. Maybe you should've worn something more practical. You just really wanted to see the view.
"This is stupid." He mumbled, "We should get back to dinner."
"I didn't ask you to follow me., and we won't be gone long." You glanced back, and at the top step, your heel caught in the wooden board. You stumbled, losing your balance for a second. Before anything could happen, Hyunjin immediately grabbed you, hands coming around your waist. His eyes were wide. "Are you okay?" He asked, holding you to him.
Your eyes searched his, "Sorry. That must be…the wine."
"You're going to kill me." He swore under his breath. You tried to shake it off, feeling the dip in your stomach and said, "We're here."
You stepped out into the little room at the top. The lantern room. In the center of the room was the broken light, a wooden ledge around it and then the windows on all sides that looked out at the sea. The waves were so high.
You were still feeling the adrenaline from your almost-fall so you steadied yourself against the railing. It took your breath away. "It's so beautiful."
The intensity of the storm could be felt from up here, like you had almost climbed right into it, protected by only the glass of the lighthouse. It felt fragile. The wind roared against the glass, and if you stayed still enough, it would feel like you were swaying. You smiled, "That's gorgeous. I'm glad I saw this."
"Are you gonna tell me why we're here?" Hyunjin asked. You turned to face him, and your head was spinning less now, watching him against this backdrop.
"The view isn't enough?" You asked him. He sighed, "You stepped away from dinner. Do you…not like the place?"
"That's the fanciest place I've ever been, Hyunjin. I like it a lot. Thanks for bringing me here. I was just feeling really overwhelmed." You crossed your arms, looking out at the view, and you had both been skirting around the topic this entire evening.
You were wound up too tightly and if you were finally talking, you would talk about everything. This is the opportunity you'd been waiting for, and you weren't going to drag things on any further. You weren't too proud of yourself, and you could take accountability. You took a breath, turning to face him, "I ruined tonight, didn't I?"
Hyunjin's expression shifted so quick, like out of all the things in the world, he didn't expect you to say that. "What are you talking about? You didn't ruin anything."
"I didn't? But you're upset. Or mad at me. I don't know."
"Fuck." He ran a hand over his face, like replaying the night in his head, "You're right. I am upset, but I'm not mad at you, Y/N."
Your stomach sank, "I don't understand. Is there a difference?"
He looked at you like it was the craziest question to ask him, "Of course there is. I could never be mad at you.” He swallowed and paused. “That wouldn’t even be me. I'm sorry if I acted otherwise. There's just been a lot on my mind."
You stepped towards him, "Because of your manager? I'm sorry that happened."
He was quiet at your words, like they upset him. It must have really been bothering him. You continued, "I..I wish I knew how to fix things, or had better advice to give but your world is so confusing to me, and I'm trying my best, I promise."
"Y/N…" He inhaled, running both hands over his face, "I really didn't want to be doing this right now."
Maybe he was right. This certainly wasn't the time and place to be doing this. The rain raged on in the background, and your table was waiting for you. Still, if you didn't talk now, you couldn't make it through an awkward dinner. This day was so special to you. You couldn't ruin that.
You shouldn't push, but you didn't want to hold things in, not with Hyunjin. He was the one person you could be honest with, and know that he would understand you. Your eyebrows shot up, "Then what do you suggest we do? If you have to leave, we don't have to be here. I don't want this dinner to feel like some kind of obligation like everything else in your life—"
He shook his head the more you talked, "You're missing the point, completely."
"And what is the point?" There was an edge in your voice that you wished you could take back but you had so much to say, "Because you're sitting there, ignoring me, pretending like everything is fine and I thought I could do that too but I can't. You weren't even looking at me on the tram, like I'm some stranger. I know your manager is freaking you out, but you can't take that out on me. I didn't even ask to be here! I would never want you to risk your job for me. I care about that more than anyone, you know that. I didn’t ask you to come here.”
"So you're saying I shouldn't have come?"
You immediately regret it, guilt flooding in like a massive headache, "That's…not what I'm saying. Why won't you just tell me what's wrong?"
"This isn't the time to have this conversation. We should go back. I already ordered us duck confit and more wine." He sighed.
You didn't want fucking duck confit. You needed to talk to him. The rain was about to let up. You felt panic in you. The storm had been the only thing keeping you in here, and you wished time would stop so you could resolve this.
"I can’t.” You said, the words leaving you, “I can’t just go back to dinner and pretend everything’s fine.” You tried to steady your breath, “I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I understand that your manager's trying to get to you and I—"
"I don't give a fuck what my manager says, Y/N!"
You blinked. “What? But…you said—"
"That wasn’t true. I just said that because it was easier, fuck." He let out a short laugh, dragging a hand through his hair like even he couldn’t quite believe what he was admitting. “It sounds stupid,” He said, shaking his head. “That’s what I should be stressed about, right?”
You were confused, "But if that's not what you're upset about..."
His eyes found yours again, "That's what I should be stressed about. Yet all I can think about is the fact that you were in the museum with a stranger instead of me. I can't stop thinking about it since this morning, that if I'd got on an earlier flight, I could have been with you instead."
Your eyes widened, understanding sinking into you.
"And if anything…" He continued, "I'm the one ruining tonight because I forget how to act when I'm around you. And I know what you're gonna say. That stranger, the one you met on a plane, is just that, a stranger. That he doesn't matter to you. I know he doesn't. But it kills me still."
"Hyunjin…." You were taken aback at his outburst, at the passion with which he suddenly spoke. He was jealous about something that hadn't even occurred to you. It had been so insignificant. Only a coincidence that you'd met Jake in the Van Gogh museum.
He finally, finally admitted it. Out loud.
Another flash of lightning lit up the room, scattering over his face, and he moved away from the railing, towards you.
Up close, you could see how this affected him. The faint flush climbing up his neck, across his cheeks, like he was embarrassed by the very thing he couldn’t stop saying.
"And I'm having the most perfect day with you…" His voice got louder, restraint unraveling thread by thread, "And then— Felix! He…he's such a lovely person. He was so kind to me, but I can't help but hate him. I hate him because he's known you for every birthday, and I only have you for this one. I don't care that he's your best friend, I care that he had the guts to tell you his feelings before I can even wrap my head around them."
Your heart was going to beat out of its chest as you looked at him. You couldn't hold back, “That’s why you were upset?”
He stepped closer, and the space between you shifted, tightening as you circled each other in the narrow lighthouse.
"God, it sounds stupid saying it out loud. The thing I should be worried about, this job, my entire life, I couldn't care less about. But I feel like a fucking teenager, and I didn't want to talk about this because it's so…juvenile. I don't get jealous. It's easier to pretend my manager is the enemy. I like to think I'm more mature than that but thinking about you with anybody else, kills me. Thinking about someone else having your attention drives me insane."
Is he crazy?
You want to tell him how nobody in this world could even stand a chance next to him.
He's had your soul captured since the day you saw him. Nothing can even come close. But of course, you know exactly what he means, because you felt the same when you consumed all of the pictures of him at the fashion show.
"But I'm here with you, Hyunjin."
His voice softened, "I know, I know you are. And…this is everything I ever wanted. I wish I had a better handle on my emotions and I'm trying to work on it, you obviously do it much better than me."
You almost laughed, "No, I don't."
At those words, he stepped closer as if asking you to explain. It was hard to focus on what you wanted to say, when he looked like this. But all you could think about was how clueless he was. How did he still not realize what he meant to you?
You tried to find the words for all the feelings you'd suppressed, "When you were at the show, I saw everything from it. I know I probably shouldn't have. That's always been a side I've kept separate from myself, from us. But I couldn't avoid you even if I wanted to. You were literally on the airport TV, and it made me realise how everybody knows you. Everybody loves you. Which is…so stupid because I've known that from the moment I met you."
His eyes widened, like he didn't expect that.
And you weren't done talking, it felt good to finally say everything that was on your mind. You kept so much to yourself but Hyunjin should know, "You fit right into that world, and that world is so far away from who I am, but you're molded to it. You're built for it. And how could anything else compare to that high? And after meeting all of those people, like…like that actress, Naomi. Now you're here with just me. Do you not regret it? Leaving that behind? You could be doing something so much better than being here."
Hyunjin's stance changed, "How…how do you know about her? Actually, that's not important. She asked me to get drinks with her, and I didn't really have a choice."
"But…everybody thinks you should be together."
"You can't let that get to you, Y/N. People are going to talk like that online. They make up a lot of stuff. That doesn't mean it's true."
"I know how the internet works, Hyunjin. I'm not stupid. I just don't like how that made me feel." You crossed your arms again, and confessing had made you feel slightly better.
His expression softened, and it's like relief had flooded him, "What did it make you feel?"
You felt embarrassed to admit any of this, and saying all of this out loud felt like mirroring what he'd just admitted. That none of this should matter but it did. There were bigger things to worry about, but you were hung up over these stupid, uncontrollable feelings. For a second, it felt almost unsettling.
As if your thoughts, your reactions, your instincts had been running parallel this whole time without either of you saying it. Were you only feeling this way, because he was? Or was he only feeling this way because you were? As if your souls were intertwined, and you felt everything he did. Except you just handled it ten times worse.
God, he was just like you.
It scared you so much.
This wasn't normal, to be so attached to a person that you couldn't even control your own emotions.
You swallowed your words, "That doesn't even matter anymore. Let's just go back to dinner and get through this night."
Hyunjin watched you walk to the stairs, "Y/N. Wait—" He followed you, again, and his voice dropped, "Tell me how it made you feel."
You turned around, suddenly feeling so vulnerable, "Why? I'm embarrassed."
His voice was soft, "After everything I said? You shouldn't be. At least now it makes sense why I was feeling that way."
"It does?"
"I feel everything you feel." He took a step towards you, "And no, I don't regret coming here at all. If only you knew what I was thinking."
You looked up at him, heart shaking and no words came out. His eyes studied your face.
He stepped even closer, "All I could think about when I was there was you. I left everything to be closer to you. I'm sorry I was distant. I'm sorry I acted like an asshole. When I couldn't contact you at the show, I literally couldn't focus on anything. All I do, every waking moment, is think about you. It's annoying actually, how you can't stay out of my head."
Your back hit something cold and metal. You barely registered moving, only that you’d been guided, until you were pressed against the center of the room. The broken light stood behind you, its glass dull and scratched, as you instinctively leaned against it for balance. You felt unsteady on your feet.
You glanced up at him, watching the way he looked at you, and your voice came out so weak, "But you must have been having such a good time there."
"Yeah, it was great." He towered over you, pressing you into the ledge, and his voice was so soft, "But I don't care about the show. Or the people there. I don't want any of that."
"You don't…?"
Staring at him now, you'd give up your life for his happiness and this was just insane. It was so terrifying.
"Y/N..." He leaned in closer, "Can I tell you something? You're just gonna have to take my word for it, and trust me on that."
"Yeah?" You're holding your breath.
He grabbed your hand, his fingers big over yours, curling over your palm, and his voice was so low, "And I know that you trust me. So trust me when I say this."
He tightened his grip on your hand, like he was grounding himself. For a second, it looked like he was going to say something — but nothing came out. His jaw clenched, eyes flicking away from yours, like he couldn’t hold your gaze.
“Fuck…” He exhaled under his breath, bracing himself, "You make me so fucking nervous. I feel like I'm going to die. I know this is probably going to shock you. And maybe I’m fucking overstepping."
Then he looked right at you, "But...I need to tell you. Even if you don't feel the same. I don't want to be anywhere but here, with you. "
"Hyun…"
"All I want is to be yours." His gaze locked on yours, intense, “I am so in love with you, it kills me.”
The words hung between you, swallowed by the storm.
For a second, you didn’t understand what he’d said.
Your breath caught somewhere in your chest. You stared at him, searching his face, like maybe you’d misheard, like maybe the thunder had twisted it into something it wasn’t.
But he wasn’t looking away.
Your pulse stuttered, loud in your ears, drowning everything else out.
“Hyunjin…” Your voice came out thinner than you expected. “What? Are you serious?”
Hyunjin was staring at you, like it was inevitable, like he hadn't spoken something unbelievable.
Your fingers tightened slightly in his without you realizing.
…He loved you?
There was no air in your lungs.
A sound left him, half laugh, half exhale, "Am I serious….? Fuck. Do you think I would lie about something like that?"
You stared up at him, and how he'd beat you to it, and the relief on his face was unmatched. "No... No, you wouldn't."
"Right." He said, and you felt electricity all the way down to your toes. He leaned in, and his face was inches from yours, "Is that crazy? Does it scare you… how I feel about you?”
Hyunjin loved you.
The thought didn’t settle.
It hit, and hit again, like your body didn’t know where to put it.
It didn't feel real. Of all the people in this world he could have met, he loved you.
"That doesn't scare me." You felt possessed by a strange bravery, "Because it’s the only thing in the world I know for certain. I've been in love with you ever since—”
He didn't let you finish.
His mouth crashed against yours, unrestrained, urgent like he couldn’t hold himself back a second longer.
His hands gripped your waist, fingers tightening around your dress as he pulled you closer, closer until you were lifted, sitting on the ledge. He'd never kissed you like this. Like something was breaking loose inside him.
He pulled back, lips wet, staring at you, "Fuck. You're serious."
You nodded, out of breath, "I am."
His gaze was half-lidded, "Say it again."
You blinked up at him, and all of this newfound courage had replaced all your fear, "I've loved you for as long as I've known you. It's eaten me alive.
A beautiful smile came on his face, disbelief in his eyes, "That's not real."
You frowned, mirroring his earlier words, "Do you think I would lie about something like that?"
He laughed louder now, eyes crinkling in the way you loved, "Yeah?" He was holding you so close, but not close enough, "Why did you never tell me?"
You grabbed his hands where they rested on your waist, "I don't know... I'm not as brave as I think I am. I was afraid you wouldn't feel the same."
His gaze softened, "You don't have to be brave with me."
"That's easy for you to say." You said. He tilt his head, hair falling into his eyes, "I almost told you so many times, but chickened out before I could. The way I feel about you terrified me. But now, it's like breathing."
"God. You are so fucking romantic, Hyunjin."
You pulled his face down to yours, closing the distance between you. You kissed him with everything you had, hands slipping into his hair, tugging at it. He liked that, you felt it in the way his body shifted, the low sound that slipped from his throat.
You can't believe this is what your dinner had turned into. It was so ridiculous you couldn't help but laugh. He frowned, the scrunch in his eyebrows beautiful, hands moving up your body, "What?"
"Just that…they must be wondering where we are." You giggled, "The…people at the restaurant. The hostess who definitely had a crush on you."
"Ridiculous." He mumbled, head dipping into your neck. Your head fell back, eyes closed as he left open-mouthed kisses down your neck, "No. She really did. I don't know how you don't see it, you're the most attractive man on the planet."
His kisses led him to your mouth, "I only care if you think that."
"Well, then that should be easy." You laughed, staring at him, nonchalant. His hair fell into his face, soft waves grazing his cheekbones. His mouth had your lip gloss all over it, and you mumbled, "I'm obsessed with you."
He stood between your legs, your dress hiked up to your thighs and you're sure the position would rip your tights but you couldn't care. "You have no idea what that does to me, when you say stuff like that."
Your gaze fell to his jeans, where you could see how hard he was, "I think I have an idea." You kissed him again, feeling him up through his shirt, pushing your tongue in his mouth and it was like a burden had been lifted from your chest. The only way to celebrate was to make out with him until you couldn't breathe.
"Y/N... We have to go back to dinner." He glanced behind you, "It's stopped raining."
You looked out the tall windows of the lighthouse, "It has." Then back at him and you still couldn't believe it. He'd been your dream for so long. You kissed him again, softly, cherishing it.
"Baby." His voice was hoarse as he kissed you back, "You're going to get us in trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Your hand drifted lower, nails grazing over his jeans, and his hands immediately stopped yours before you could continue. His gaze darkened, but the lust in his voice was unmistakable, "You know what kind."
Your core tightened impossibly and he wouldn't even have to touch you in this state for you to come. The way he stood, his crotch was pressing into yours, and he was so hard. Your dress was history, bunched up at your hips so the only thing between you and him was your sheer tights, your lace underwear, his jeans. Three layers too much. Torturous.
Even with three layers between you, you could feel him. You could feel the shape of his cock, pressing into your core as it got harder each second and you got wetter.
You leaned forward to kiss him, and you grind up against him clumsily. "Y/N..." He let out a whine, "Wait until we get home."
"I'm sorry." You mumbled, and you were. You truly were sorry that you were always rushed. That you wanted him badder than anything on this world. So much so that you didn't care about the dinner anymore. How could he restrain himself so well? Your fingers moved up to his collar, "I'll stop. I'm sorry."
Hyunjin's gaze was intense, "You and I both know that you won't stop. And you're not sorry."
And then he was kissing you again, giving into you, grinding into you the same way.
His hands sank into your hair again, tilting your head back to kiss you at a deeper angle and you wanted him to fuck you the same way.
Your hands had a mind of their own and you unbuttoned his shirt, fingers messily taking each button out of its loop. Why were there so many? You pulled it apart, with much too much force and a button clattered across the floor.
He kept kissing you, body moving of his own accord, crotch rutting against yours for any semblance of friction. You moaned loudly, when it hit you just the right way and you squeezed him between your legs even more.
"Wait." You whined, pulling back so your fingers could unzip his pants. Adrenaline guided you and your hand slipped inside his pants, wrapping around his bare cock. His moan matched yours, a low groan, "Shit."
You kissed his neck as you felt him, hand moving over his cock in the way that he'd so patiently taught you before. His hips bucked with every touch and clumsily, you pushed his jeans down, out of the way. Your mind was on overdrive. You let go so you could take your tights off, fingers reaching under your own dress.
He realized what you were doing. His gaze was intense on yours and his voice shook as he said, "Baby, we can't here. You deserve better than that."
You knew that he would say that. You could have bet on it.
But you decided what you deserved and after all this time and all this pining, you think you did deserve this.
"But…I want you." You almost cried. You were dizzy from desire. You deserved him. You deserved to feel good and to make him feel good.
He was trembling from being so close yet holding back. But still he kissed you, voice soft, "We can't here. You have to wait, my love."
Your voice was shaky, desperate, "All this time…I've waited."
His eyes widened, the emotion in him shifting as he registered your words.
You had both waited forever. He knew you were right.
His fingers gripped you tightly as if what you said just woke him up. The question left his lips before he could even think about it, "What do you want me to do?"
"Just let me feel you. Only for a second. I just want you inside me." Your lip quivered from how bad you needed him. His gaze drifted over you, your parted lips, down to your chest and how fast you were breathing, your legs pushed apart
His hand reached into his pocket, but then his face fell.
"What?" Your voice was small, shifting closer. He suddenly sounded upset, "My wallet. I left it in my coat...at the table."
His wallet.
It had the condoms.
"Oh."
He didn't have them.
You would have to wait.
You don't know how you'd be able to, not when your body was fighting to be with him. You would implode another second without.
You fixed the straps of your dress, pulling them back up onto your shoulder. Only a little embarrassed at the things you said. It was fine, it was fine, it was fine. A feeble attempt to bury your desire. Hyunjin watched you closely. The disappointment in your face, the furrow in your brows, your upturned lips.
If there was one thing Hyunjin hated more than anything, it was seeing you upset.
"But…" He said, and you looked up at him, curious.
If he could do anything to take your sadness away, he would sell his soul for it.
He swallowed like he was nervous about voicing his thoughts, gaze thick on yours, "But…if you still want me...you can have me."
Your core tightened at his suggestion.
He couldn't mean that.
Raw.
Your heart sped up, and you were already dizzy from thinking about it. You'd dreamt about this for the better half of a year, and you'd talked about it to him in stolen kisses in photobooths. It had only been hypothetical then. It was real now.
You nodded, afraid that no words would escape you, but you managed to utter, "Yes, yes, I want you. I need you so bad—"
And it was all he needed to hear.
He kissed you, pushing you back against the ledge, cradling your head in his hands with an unbearable gentleness despite the animalistic way his hips rut against yours. You kissed him back, pushing your tongue in his mouth. He tasted so fucking good. You were addicte.
His fingers crawled up under your dress, and now that he had your permission, his restraint was lost. With one hand, he ripped your tights apart. The rip was loud and easy. His urgency sent a shockwave of pleasure through you, and you let out a loud moan.
With your tights out of the way, he had you just how he wanted. His fingers pushed aside your lace underwear, and you couldn't help but watch. His fingertips brushed against you, and you were already so turned on. He could feel it. Your head was spinning and you thought you'd pass out.
He looked back up at you, to make sure you still wanted this as he moved closer, lining up his cock with you. Making sure you were ready, his eyes flickered over yours. You don't know what he saw. The lust, the impatience, all the years of waiting for him.
"Baby?" He asked.
It wasn't even a question.
"Yes."
And you both watched as he disappeared inside you. It was like gravity, him sinking into you. It was inevitable, like fate. Slowly, he pushed into you. His grip on you tightened, "Fuck. Oh my god."
"Y/N…" His chest rose and fell once, deep and shaky, like he’d been underwater his entire life and just come up for air.
It had been a long time since you'd done this with anyone. It had never felt this good. You tried to focus on the things you'd want to remember, every twitch on his face, and lift of his lips as he pushed himself deeper inside you. He was trying to do the same, watching your face, but getting distracted by how your body took him.
"Fuckkk." He mumbled, struggling to be coherent, and each word was desperate, "You feel…perfect."
You clenched around him, you weren't trying to, but his words were getting to you. You could feel your heartbeat in your ears, and your entire being felt on fire, and it felt like finally coming home. He was bigger than you'd ever had. Your body was literally molding to him, to fit him, and you wish it would remember this forever.
He hadn't even moved yet. He was still adjusting, pushing in deeper inside you. He held on tightly to your waist, fingers gripping the fabric of your dress. The other hand rested on your jaw so he could cradle your face because he was so sweet. He was so gentle even when his cock was buried in you.
It was so much to handle. You could cry from how good it felt to feel him. You could cry because this is how things should always have been, from the day you met, and this was only a natural state of being for the two of you. His voice was sweet like candy, "You're doing so good."
It was only supposed to be for a second, but you were both liars.
This is how it felt to be complete. He squeezed your waist, "Baby. I'm gonna move, okay?"
"Yes, please god move." Your hands settled around his neck, so you could anchor yourself to him. His lip turned up into a smile, "So polite." He slowly pulled out. The movement drew in a sharp breath from the both of you. The feeling of him dragging across your walls so sweet, so slow.
"Oh." You mumbled. You’d imagined this so many times, but nothing could have prepared you. There was something instinctive in the way he held you, like his body had memorized this before it even happened.
Your head fell onto his shoulder, unable to take how good it felt. So perfect. So big. He let you dig your nails into his neck, letting you use him as your anchor. He kissed you messily and he slid in so easily, "Shit. You're so tight, you're squeezing me.
You were already falling apart. You weren't sure how you'd survive much more of this. He looked at you like he was memorizing your face in this moment, "You okay, baby?"
It was terrifying how much you felt, how quickly it consumed your whole being. How quickly Hyunjin had taken over your entire life. It was still not close enough, you wanted to crawl inside his skin and breathe his breath and feel his heartbeat like your own.
You nodded, squeezing your eyes shut as he moved again, and he was much stronger this time as he pushed into you. The force of his thrust shifted you against the ledge. You squeezed his shoulder blades and mumbled, "You feel so good in me. You're so big."
"Yeah?" His voice got lower, cock twitching at the compliment, "I've wanted you for so long."
Your eyes locked with his, "Really?"
His eyebrows shot up in the hottest way, "Really." Then he moved again, deeper than he had before, and you couldn't control the moan that escaped you. His fingers moved down your jaw, fiddling with the straps of your dress, "And you are so beautiful."
"Hyun—" You mumbled, tightening your arms around his neck, as he set a pace that would kill both of you. The ledge you were on wasn't made for passionate lovemaking so it shook with every thrust and you trust that Hyunjin could break it with his intensity. You tugged at his hair too harsh, and he whined desperately, "Kiss me, please."
So you did. You kissed him as he fucked you like no one else had before. You tugged at his lower lip. He let out a whine as you bit it, pulling at it. Something deep had been unleashed from within you.
You tightened your legs around him, and you were both a mess of half-removed clothes and passion. He mumbled, grinding into you, "You know that when we get back, I'm going to… fuck, I'm going to fuck you for real."
"Yeah." You nodded, kissing him in little pecks, "But I wanted you now."
"I know." He laughed, breathless, "And I'm always going to give you what you want." Another thrust. "Always."
He was faster now, rutting into you and you'd never been this turned on in your life. You clenched around him, squeezing him so tight as he buried himself to the hilt. His kisses were so sweet but he fucked like a man denied of all of his life's pleasures until this very moment. He pushed your dress back up to your hips. Your core tightened, an intense feeling deep in your body. He whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm not gonna last long, baby."
Each word was music to your ears, and the sound of him thrusting into you, it was like heaven. You kept his face close to yours, noses bumping every so often and you'd given up on trying to kiss him because you couldn't even think. His hair fell into his eyes messily, and his lips were parted as he concentrated only making you feel good, pounding into you. You were barely holding on, "I'm...I'm so close too."
He didn't break eye contact for a second as he fucked you even harder. Half-lidded eyes on yours, moans leaving his lips in desperation. It was all you needed to push you over the edge.
You wanted to scream at how good it felt. Sex had never been this intense to you, orgasms had never been this explosive. Your eyes squeezed shut, legs locking around him as desire flooded you. He swallowed every moan, his tongue exploring your mouth like it was its home. "Hyun." You cried, "Don't stop."
And it only motivated him, so focused, so intense. "I won't." He promised, kissing you again, "God, I'm so in love with you."
You couldn't breathe. Nothing in your life could compare to this feeling. His hips moved against you in a way that was innate. You stifled your moans at your lasting desire, burying your head into his neck, and he held onto you tightly as he slowed his pace, "Baby."
Your hands settled on his cheeks, "I love you, Hyun. Come inside me, please, please, please."
It was as if your words were tied straight to his heart, to his arousal. His face twisted into pure pleasure as he came inside you, a low moan escaping his swollen lips. You watched the intricacies of his expression, the hoarseness of his moans, the desperation as he still thrust into you, filling you up. You gripped onto him tightly, until he was done and you could paint a picture of his gorgeous face.
He was so beautiful like this. A sheen of sweat down his neck, down his body. You felt reborn. Even as he finished, it wasn't enough. You wanted more of him already.
You were sensitive as he stayed in you a moment longer, cherishing you. You caressed his cheek, and he was standing unsteady, looking at you. He didn’t say anything right away, like words would fall short. Like you couldn't believe what just happened. You stared at each other. How had you known life before him? You couldn't imagine a life without him.
"Fuck." He spoke first, cheeks flushed, catching his breath. You kissed him, before he could say anything else. He gave into it, kissing you back, soft. You stayed there, like the moment would disappear if you let go of each other.
Hyunjin dropped his head on your shoulder, "Baby..."
The realization of where you were sank into you at the same time. The dinner. The restaurant. They must have noticed you were gone.
"We have to go, don't we?" You asked him, and your voice was beat. He smiled, and the drops of sweat dripped down his neck, "Yes. We…we have to get back. But only if you want to. If you don't want to eat here, I can take you somewhere else, or I could take you home. Whatever you want." He was still inside you as he spoke so kindly.
It was tempting. How could you possibly go back to a state when he wasn't in you? But you laughed, "What about the duck confit?"
Hyunjin laughed too, his shoulders shaking, and his whole body was relaxed and tense at the same time, "Yeah. The duck confit...was number one in the city."
"Let's go." You decided, hand resting on his cheek, and your eyes fell to where your bodies met, "Will you be okay?"
He nodded, "I…just need a second."
He had to pull out now, and you weren't looking forward to that but he slowly did. Even that felt so good, you had to bite your knuckle to not moan obscenely. It was going to be difficult to go out there like nothing had happened, and not act like a feral animal in the way you craved him.
In the dim light of the lighthouse, you watched him as he buckled up his pants again, and it must be difficult with how hard he still was. You don't know how he'd possibly make it through the rest of the dinner. But there was no time to worry about that. You adjusted your underwear, and pulled your dress back down. Your tights had been torn so you decided to take them off.
He looked at you as you did that, a quiet longing in his gaze. He buttoned his shirt up, and one button was missing, and he said, with no disdain but only amusement in his voice, "You ripped my shirt apart, Y/N."
"I'm sorry." You realized, "I'll fix it later."
"Come on." He helped you off the ledge, back onto your feet. He gripped your arms for balance and said, "You feel okay?"
"Yeah. Do I look fine?"
He tucked your hair behind your ear, thumb wiping off your smudged lip gloss, "You look perfect."
What you wanted to ask him was if it would be obvious to everyone how your boyfriend had fucked you in the lighthouse.
But you bit your lip, smiling at his compliment. Despite what just happened, you felt a flush taking over you, nervous in his presence. Now that you knew what he looked like in his most vulnerable, you couldn't stop imagining it every time you looked at him. He led you back downstairs, hand in yours, and you felt so special.
Back at the restaurant, the hostess was happy to have you back, and she believed Hyunjin when he told her that you were caught in the storm, taking refuge in the lighthouse. Your flushed faces, and wet clothes certainly lent to that narrative.
Your dinner was still warm, and as amazing as he described it. Maybe you hadn't been gone that long, but it felt like a lifetime had passed between who you were before and after the lighthouse.
He sat across from you, and every time his leg brushed against yours under the table, you felt it to your core. Yeah, the dinner was good, but you couldn't really focus on the food, not when he was there.
Still, because you were a good girlfriend, you drank the wine he got you, and you enjoyed the duck but mostly you enjoyed how your lover looked, sitting across from you.
»»————-
"Be careful, I don't want you to lose your shoes."
Your legs dangled off the side of the canal, and you were staring at the water below, your boots hovering over the surface. You giggled, "I'll be careful."
"If you drop them, I'll have to jump in after them and I'd really prefer not to swim in this jacket. I just bought it, and it's very, very special."
"Then maybe you should take all your clothes off." You said. He laughed, "You had three glasses of wine and you're already tipsy."
"I'm just happy.” You sighed. You looked at him. He was sitting with one leg crossed, his jacket still on him, face tilted at you in the moonlight.
You glanced at the passing boats. You'd dreamed about things like this forever. What happened in the lighthouse was explosive and intense, but even just sitting here with him, your body was burning.
You glanced at him, suddenly feeling honest, "I always wondered why none of my relationships worked out. It's so obvious now." Maybe he was right and you were wine-drunk. He looked at you, surprised at the topic, "Why?"
"Because they weren't you. No one has ever treated me like you have."
His eyes lit up, "What did I do?"
You laughed, pulling one knee up to rest your chin on it, "You're just you. So kind.”
You stared at each other, for a few moments. The moonlight struck his cheekbones wonderfully. The humidity had curled his hair. His lips were still red from when you'd kissed him.
Then you reached over in the space between you, grabbing his hand over the cobblestones. You squeezed it in yours, and he returned the gesture, a light smile on his face.
Did he feel the same things you did? Did he notice the same details? Did he memorize the same moments? Maybe now that you'd confessed your true feelings to him, you could just ask him.
"What are you thinking?" Your voice came out low, unsure. Despite the events of earlier, reassurance helped you, and you wanted that from him. His eyebrows lifted, just slightly, and then he swallowed, "Thinking about what you said. Not sure if you wanna hear that."
"I'm listening."
He took in a breath, thumb playing with your hand, "I'm thinking about…how happy I am that all of your other relationships didn't work out. Which is so wrong because…you had your heart broken by so many guys, but I'm thankful to them because it was only then that I could meet you."
Your heart beat erratically at his words, and from where your hand met his, you could feel his pulse race too. He licked his lips, continuing, "In fact, it's so wrong of me but I think that even if you were in a serious, happy relationship when I met you, I would have hoped everyday that it didn't work out for you. So that I could have you. Isn't that…evil?"
"It's not evil. It's honest." You sat up straighter. He nodded, "Maybe honesty isn't always the best thing. Doesn't it make me a bad person to wish that on you?"
"I mean, it's all hypothetical, Hyunjin. It doesn't matter. I wasn't in a relationship when we met. I probably would've been the same if the roles were reversed."
"But you were so supportive…of me and Hana. She told me about how much you helped her, how you even suggested date ideas to her. I don't think I could ever have done that for you, if the situation was reversed. I would have probably lost my mind and confessed my feelings to you even if you had a boyfriend. But you were such a good friend to her."
You recalled the early weeks when Hana and Hyunjin had been a thing. It had tortured you, every second that you saw them together, but he was right, you had supported them. If they had continued to be together and fallen in love, you would have still supported them your entire life, because Hana was your best friend.
You thought over his words, tracing a heart into the cobblestones by the canal, "I…guess you're right. But all that says about me is that I'm willing to give up my happiness. It just makes me weak. But it seems like you would fight for it. I like that about you."
Hyunjin's brows furrowed, "Nothing about that makes you weak."
"I guess." You shrugged, "I probably should have fought harder for you. I knew she wasn't…right for you. And selfishly, I liked you a lot then."
"Yeah?" He moved closer to you. You nodded, looking at him, "Yeah. When you showed up to the double date at the bowling alley, I thought you were my date. I hoped for it."
He watched you closely, drawing patterns on your skin, "But you were still respectful to your friends. For a minute there, I thought you disliked me. I was so… fascinated."
You looked at him, remembering the early days and how stressful and crazy they had been. "I kinda miss when we were all together in Daejon, even though my friend group kind of turned into a shit show."
"Yeah." He sighed, "But you're on better terms with them now, right?"
"I don't think Hana will ever forgive me…but yeah, the others have."
"I'm sorry. I never wanted to come between you and your friends."
You grabbed his cheek, pulling him closer, "Don't be. I love my friends, they were my entire life, but I'd go through all of that again a million times over just to meet you."
There was an intense look in his eyes, guilt behind them, "I'm really sorry about what I did to you. I never should have changed my number when I moved away. I…I'm so sorry, Y/N."
"Hyunjin." You moved closer to him, kissing him, "I already forgave you for that."
"But I didn't. I was so stupid, and I was only thinking about myself, about what was easier for me. I can't imagine what you must have felt." He said. You kissed him again, "It's okay. We're here together now. That's what matters."
You could feel his smile through the kiss, and your heart kicked in your chest. He pulled back, "So, did you wanna get drunk with me tonight?"
You laughed, "What did you have in mind?"
"There's…a really nice speakeasy not too far from here. I think you'll like it. Have you ever been to one?" He asked. You shook your head.
"Come on." He tugged at your hand, helping you stand. It was getting late, and Hyunjin led you through the streets of the city. The entire way there, he made you laugh and you were so obnoxiously loud. Maybe everybody here could tell how in love you were, and that was okay. You'd never had that.
The speakeasy looked unassuming, just a hole in the wall next to a big residential building. Easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it. But the line spilling out onto the sidewalk said otherwise.
You stood in it, leaning back against the cool brick wall, your fingers laced with Hyunjin’s. “This place was recommended to me by everyone at the show,” He said, glancing toward the door. “Apparently the cocktails are insane.”
“It already looks cool,” You said, scanning the people around you. Couples pressed close together, and groups of friends. You hesitated, glancing down at your hands. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to hold your hand?”
Hyunjin squeezed your fingers lightly. “No one’s paying attention. Don’t worry about it.”
You smiled, "If only they were like that everywhere."
Soon enough, it was your turn at the door and the bouncer asked for a secret code. Hyunjin told him, and he let you in. You laughed under your breath as you slipped inside. "How'd you know that?"
"One of the girls at the show told me." He said, pulling you through the dimly lit hallway. Your eyebrows shot up. “What girls?”
He glanced back at you, amused. “One of the models. She said she comes here all the time with her friends. You can’t get in unless someone tells you the password.”
"Wow. That's nice of her." You said. Hyunjin laughed, "Yeah. That's the kind of shit we talk about when we're waiting for the show to start."
There was another bouncer, and he asked for your phones so he could put a sticker over the cameras. He smiled, "Have a great night, you two."
You stepped through a red lace curtain, revealing the speakeasy. The space opened up in warm, low light. A glowing bar stretched across the room. You followed Hyunjin to the bar, reading all the neon signs about sex. "Wow."
On a small stage, a musician played while dancers moved around him, the glitter on their skin glowing under the neon lights. Hyunjin helped you onto the bar stool, his hands steady at your waist as he lifted you up, "Yeah. I think we're in the Red Light district."
"That makes sense." You laughed, settling into your seat as he stood by you. You waited for your drinks, taking everything in. Even the bartender looked like a freaking model.
The musician on stage was performing stripped-down versions of pop songs. You found yourself completely drawn in, barely noticing when Hyunjin slid your Mezcal toward you.
It was only when the musician paused that you turned to Hyunjin, a soft smile already forming about how good it was.
In the red lighting of the speakeasy, he really looked so good. It wrapped around him, the sharp features of his face, the piercings in his ear. You licked the salt off your drink, and his gaze stayed on your mouth a little too long. You sighed, "I never want to wake up from this dream. I wish we could do this back home."
Your legs brushed against his, then stayed there, tangled without either of you pulling away. He smiled, jokingly, "If we put on really good disguises, we can."
"God. You'd have to invest in a really good fucking disguise then."
"Maybe I could shave all of my hair off."
Your eyebrows shot up, "Really?" Then your hands slipped into his hair, "Are you thinking of changing it?"
"I don't know. Maybe for our next album. But I like having it long."
You laughed, tugging at it to demonstrate, "Oh. I enjoy that too." He leaned in close, and his hand slid up your thigh, "I know you do."
"Mmh." You mumbled, suddenly nervous at how close he was to you. Even though not even a few hours ago, he'd had you on the counter, putty in his arms. But now, in the dark lighting of the bar, he looked so different from the softness of the lighthouse. Intimidating. He'd pulled his hair back, tying it up, showing off his cheekbones. You stared at each other, and surely everyone else could tell how badly you wanted to rip his clothes off. His eyebrows shot up, "Stop looking at me like that."
"I didn't do anything." You feigned innocence. He leaned in, so he could whisper in your ear, "We're forty five minutes away from the apartment, so you can't do that to me."
Your heart pound faster, and you were getting riled up from just his words. The music was so loud, it was in your veins. It was so dark, light flashing over your skin.
"You guys here on vacation?" Someone asked. You turned, slightly dazed, to find a couple seated beside you.
But Hyunjin didn’t look away. He was still watching you, as if tempting you to kiss him.
“Um… yeah.” You said. Before you could say anything else, Hyunjin's lips brushed your cheek, slow. The man raised his drink toward you. “Ditto! I’m Theo, this is Emily.”
“Right.” You nodded, trying to focus, though Hyunjin hadn’t pulled away. His mouth hovered near your skin, like he couldn’t quite let go. You shot a smile at the couple, trying to ignore how turned on you were from his little touches and kisses, “Nice to meet you. Where are you guys from?”
You don't know what came over him. He couldn't let go of you for a second. You loved it so much. You used to only think this stuff was possible in movies, about someone who loved and wanted you this much. The woman, Emily said, "London. What about y'all?"
You answered them, and Hyunjin finally, reluctantly pulled away, paying attention to them, saving you from the conversation.
They told you all about their vacation, and all of the places you just had to go. They were easy to talk to, and funny.
At some point, Hyunjin bought them a round of drinks over stories of how you met. Hyunjin was careful in the details he disclosed, and you enjoyed watching him talk. He was so hot, and so funny. He was usually so introverted, it was fun to see him side of him.
And then the musician came back for his second set and you drifted closer together, watching him.
You hadn't realized how long you were there, until the speakeasy turned into a danceclub. The bass was loud, pounding through your body, and the last round of shots had probably been one too much. Still, this was the greatest night of your life so you weren't complaining. Emily jumped off her seat, pulling Theo towards the dance floor, "You guys wanna dance?"
Your eyes met Hyunjin's, and he read your mind. He leaned in, mumbling against your ear and his teeth grazed your skin, "You want me to take you home, right?"
"Yes, please." You squeaked. His hand laced through yours as he said to them, "I'm sorry, I don't think we're staying long."
You bid a quick farewell to your new friends as Hyunjin pulled you through the growing crowd of people.
He led you through the red lacy curtains, and you had barely made it halfway through the neon-lit hallway when he pushed you against the wall, kissing you. Hard. Like he’d been holding back all this time. You stumbled back from the force, leg catching on the carpet but Hyunjin held you up. You kissed him, staring up at him, "What should we do now?"
"I'll do whatever you want to." He said.
"I…really want ice cream." You blurted. His smile grew, like it wasn't the stupidest demand ever, "Okay, let's get you some."
It was late so you don't even know what would be open. But Hyunjin was magical, and somehow found you a gelato store, a few streets over from the speakeasy.
It was by an alley, and you waited outside, leaning against the wall to catch your breath. The shop was small and cute, a blinking ice cream sign in the window. You were the only people here. Hyunjin brought you a cone, "You good?"
"Mmh." You smiled, "Just…a little lightheaded."
His hand settled on your waist, extending the cone to you, "Try this."
The mint chocolate ice cream looked so good. You leaned forward, licking some off the top. You knew that the cone was his favorite part, but he was giving it to you so easily. Hyunjin watched you closely, a tender look on his face, "You like it?"
"Mmh." You nodded, licking it off your lips, "Yum."
He laughed, "Yum."
"That couple was fun, right?" He mumbled, enjoying the treat. You nodded, "Yeah, they were. I don't really remember half the things they said though."
"Why?" He laughed, handing it to you. You sighed, licking some off the top, "I was watching you the entire time."
His head tilt, "Yeah? You do that a lot."
You laughed, holding your hands up, "I mean, everybody in the world loves watching you. So, I'm guilty. Sorry."
His smile grew, and he handed you the cone so you could finish it, "I like watching you too."
The expression on his face dropped, and you watched it closely, knowing what it meant. Your arms wrapped around his neck, "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Yes." He leaned in, gaze so intense. You smiled as you confessed, "I'm really tipsy."
He laughed, hands moving down your body, "I know. Me too. We should…go home."
"That seems impossible." You said, and then he had you pushed up against the alley wall, mouth locked to yours, tongue in your mouth. You would have made out there all night, giddy from how bad he wanted you, until you felt a raindrop on your head and pulled back, "Did you feel that?"
Hyunjin's eyes were still closed, chasing your mouth, "Feel what?"
"Hyun. Wait." You laughed, looking up at the sky, "I don't get it. It literally just rained earlier!"
"Well, maybe it hasn't had enough of you." He chased your mouth for another kiss, hand drifting down your body, touching you through your coat, "Maybe it misses your body, and misses how it felt on your skin, and craves to be dripping down you again."
His desperation and low voice shot a pulse right through your core, but you felt another drop on your arm and then another and it was drizzling, "Hyunjin…"
"Fuck it. We'll get a taxi home." He said, texting a number on his phone. He then let go of you, and you immediately missed the warmth of his body but he was taking off his jacket, leaving him in just his shirt.
"What are you doing? You're going to get sick." You realized. Your protests were for nothing because he held his very new, very expensive jacket over your head to protect you from the drizzle.
But he did it all so he could keep kissing you. His white shirt was getting soaked, his hair, all of him, and you stood under the jacket, kissing him.
You were sheltered from the rain, even though it didn't matter if you got wet, and he probably held it up for ten whole minutes. Until a taxi stopped right next to you. You pulled back, watching the water kiss his face as it gave into gravity, making its way through the crevices of his skin. Was it possible to be jealous of water?
The driver was an older man who smiled at you, and as soon as you were inside the car, Hyunjin mumbled something to him, handing him a note. You don't know what he said.
"What was that about?" You asked, curious. He looked back at you, voice dropping, "Come here."
And then in half a second, he was kissing you again. Instantly, you kissed him back. You didn't even have to think about it. Your hands went into his wet hair, tugging at it, and he pulled you closer. You didn't expect to spend the ride making out, but Hyunjin seemed to have trouble pulling away from you. He pulled your thigh onto his leg, tugging at it so he could slot himself closer to you.
"Hyun." You giggled, leaning back, "Are you sure it's okay?"
His eyes were full of adoration, "Yes." And he chased your lips, pushing his tongue in your mouth. Hyunjin, usually so quite and so innocent and so classy, was driving himself crazy to kiss you and you didn't know how to handle it.
You untucked his shirt. It was hard to see what you were doing but you just wanted to feel his bare skin, so you pushed your hands under his button-up. The wet shirt stuck to him like a second skin.
He shivered with how cold your hands were, but didn't stop you. You felt up his muscles, his toned stomach, the piercing he still had for the sole purpose of driving you mad.
"We're here." The driver cleared his throat, and it wasn't his voice but the movement of the car that made you stop.
You pulled apart, breathing heavy and your cheeks flushed. Hyunjin looked at you for a second, and then to the taxi driver, "Oh, thank you."
The driver then looked to you, "Have a good night, you two."
Hyunjin helped you out of the car, and you stumbled onto the curb with him, laughing, "Did you pay him extra so he'd let us make out?"
"Just for his discretion."
"That's so hot." You groaned, taking shelter under a bus stop. Your apartment was an alley over, and you'd have to run through the rain to get to it, and you looked at him, "Race you back?"
"Yeah? And what do I get when I win?"
"You'll find out." You smiled, grabbing your dress in your hands.
And before Hyunjin could answer, you took off, running under the rain. The downpour was loud against the cobblestones, and you held your dress up, trying to get to the safety of your apartment as soon as you could.
It was hard to run in your boots over the uneven streets but you were drunk off him and all of the adrenaline coursed through you.
You heard Hyunjin laugh, running after you, "You're gonna hurt yourself!"
The apartment was right in front of you, and you almost made it. Even though you had a head start, he caught up to you, grabbing you right before you could make it inside.
He pulled you by his hands on your waist, and you screamed laughing.
"You cheated!" He exclaimed.
You laughed, looking up at him. You were both completely drenched from the rain and you couldn't find it in yourself to care. So much for seeking refuge in the lighthouse earlier. He tucked your hair back, amused, "You are so wet."
"I look like a mess." You laughed, shouting to be heard over the rain. The streetlight reflected off the rain in refractions and it looked beautiful against his skin. He mumbled, "You look perfect."
You stared at him, and you were both quiet for a moment. The moon was gorgeous tonight but you couldn't find it in you to look. Not when the most beautiful thing in the world was right in front of you. His lips tugged up into a smile, making you nervous, and you asked, "What?"
"I won."
That was all he said before your back hit the wooden door from the force of his kiss.
Your hands settled at the nape of his neck, brushing through his wet hair, and he let out a soft groan, separating his mouth from yours, “Inside.”
“Keys. In my jacket.” You mumbled. His hands slid inside your coat, but instead of grabbing the keys, he squeezed your tits through your dress. You let out a light moan, “Babe.”
Then his hands found the set of keys, and he was barely looking as he inserted them in the door. Touching him and being so close to him was like breathing. Each time you pulled apart from each other made you breathless. You heard a click, and Hyunjin pushed the door open. You didn’t know how you made your way up the flight of stairs.
"Keys, again." You mumbled, and Hyunjin let out a groan, unlocking the door with mild effort. Then you were finally inside your apartment. Once in, he stared at you, hands on your waist, "Didn't think I'd be able to make it home."
You smiled, tugging at his shirt, "We did it."
"Are you cold?" His eyes gazed your body and you were soaked through your clothes. You pulled him closer by his belt buckle, "No, I'm perfect."
In the moonlight, standing in the apartment he'd found for you, you felt crazed. You kissed him, slowly, sweetly. He separated from you for only a second, to take off his jacket. Then, you unbuttoned his shirt, less patient than him, tugging each button out as quick as you could.
You stared at him in the moonlight, feeling dizzy all over again, the water droplets on his chest, his abs. You spoke quietly, fingers grazing over his chest, "You're so handsome. Fuck."
He laughed, a flush rising up his neck and then helped you out of your coat, and then out of your dress. He got more impatient the longer it took, and then you stood in just your underwear, looking up at him. He didn't even give you a second to feel shy. His eyes fell to you, "Don't know how I held back from you all this time."
His hands wrapped around your thighs, picking you up so he could sit on the edge of the bed, with you in his lap.
He was kissing you gently, hands pushing your hair back as it stuck to your skin. Your bodies were still wet, water dripping down you, and you could feel him getting harder through your underwear.
You deepened the kiss, your tongue finding his and you could have spent your lifetime like this. He tasted sweet, and for a moment, it was gentle. It was soft. It was almost innocent. He whispered, "I could kiss you forever."
And then, you shifted your hips over his bulge and it changed. It was all impatient now. His grip on you tightened, and your kisses were harsher, rougher. You pulled back to breathe, and Hyunjin's gaze was fixated on the way your chest moved, breathing heavy. You tugged out the hairtie from his hair, letting his hair fall and frame his face, "Want you."
He turned you around, so he could be on top. Your legs wrapped around him as the weight of his body pressed you into the soft mattress. You grazed your nails over the muscles in his arms, studying his body. There were so many freckles on his skin, and you ran your hand over them gently. Hyunjin watched you, quietly, letting you explore his body. Your hands trailed over his abs, stopping at the band of his boxers. Calvin Klein. Then, you grabbed his hands, staring at the way your hands intertwined. He was so calm, and he was so turned on as you touched him. Silently, you guide his hands to your underwear. His lips pulled up into a smile, "You want my fingers?"
You looked up at him. His hair fell into his face, silver chain around his neck hanging. You caught the skylight above him, the stars, and the night sky. He sat up, and you wanted to whine at the loss of body heat but he just took his rings off, putting them on the side table. Then, he was back on you, kissing you, hand running down your body as he felt you up.
You tried to control your moans but you couldn't, not when he slid your panties to the side, slowly pushing a finger in. You squeezed your eyes shut, head thrown back on the pillow as he lazily fingered you. "Look at me please, baby. I wanna see what I do to you." He kissed the side of your mouth, and you did your best to keep your eyes open, watching him.
He kissed you for what felt like hours, as his fingers pumped into you. He started with just one, and then worked his way up to three. You were so light-headed, and he was edging you. You tugged at his boxers, whining. He chuckled at your silent desperation. “You want me to take them off?” You nodded, chest rising fast, tugging at the silver chain around his neck to pull him closer, "Yes. Please."
His lips tugged into a carnal smile, so pleased with his effect on you. “Are you sure?”
“Please.”
“Is that all you can say?” He mumbled. You frowned, and he laughed, “I’m sorry. You’re just really adorable right now.”
He kissed you again as he tugged his boxers off, and he grabbed your thigh, pulling it up around his leg, "What do you want, baby?"
You were so past resisting your insanity for him. You looked up at him, "I want you to fuck me like you always said you would. "
A crazy temptation swirled in his expression. Lips puffy and swollen, eyes half-lidded, he held on tightly to your thigh, pushing your legs further apart. He swallowed your moan when he pushed into you, deep.
He struggled to speak or say much of anything. It seemed like all of his earlier confidence had disappeared into a strange yearning. He pulled out only a bit before pushing back in, and you were floating. He wasn't kissing you anymore. You just stared at each other. His eyes were almost black, pupils dilated. He set a torturously slow pace, hips rolling slowly, enjoying the way you wrapped around him. His gaze was intense, eyebrows furrowed and lip trembling.
You reached up to cradle his jaw, whispering, "You're doing so good, Hyun." His face relaxed and he pushed in deeper. He fucked just like he danced. Just like he painted. Like he did much of anything in his life. With grace. With perfection and precision. So much feeling. No room for error.
"I'm so in love with you. It drives me mad." He mumbled, thrusts timed to your breathing, holding your waist. You struggled to speak, you'd never taken someone this deep before, but you spoke in pauses, "You drive me crazy too. You're so good at this."
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Am I making you feel good?” His voice shook, almost like he was emotional. You didn't blame him. You wanted to cry at how perfect he was making you feel. His fingers slid down your body, digging into your hips, and he was faster now, but still in time with your breath, with your pulse. This felt so much more than just sex. You couldn’t explain it.
His hair fell messily into his face. He looked so ruined, beads of sweat and rainwater still dripping down his neck onto your body. You kissed him, "I love you so much."
Like he would never get used to hearing that, he groaned into your kiss. You lift your hips, to meet him midway and his eyes widened. "Baby…" You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him down to you, whispering, “You’re so perfect. No one has had me like you have.”
“Fuck.” He was stuttering, his pace faster than before. His breathing quick. His hand dropped to your core, touching you ever so slightly. Your muscles clenched, tightening up, and surely you would pass out. Nothing human could ever feel this good. He dropped his head in the crook of your neck, "I could fuck you for hours."
"Fuck, please do. You can have me all night." You mumbled, hands threading through his hair, nails scratching his scalp, and then his bare back. There was so much of him to touch but you only had two hands. He tilt his head, "You just got so tight."
“You can go faster. I can handle it.” You mumbled. He cursed under his breath. Suddenly, he was pulling you up so you were on his lap, holding you up in his arms. The new angle rocked your world, and your world was spinning on a new axis. You sat on him, and he was deeper than you'd ever taken. Like he had something to prove, he thrust up, harder and faster every time, whispering, “I know you can handle it. You're perfect. You're so fucking beautiful."
His words pushed you over the edge, and he kissed you through your cry, hands caressing your face, thrusting up into you. You pushed your tongue into your mouth, and it was a mess of spit and tongue.
You let the feeling wash over you, the knot in your body uncoiling. He was watching every shift in your expression, drinking you in, committing this to memory. Everything faded away into tunnel vision. He moved messily now, all precision lost to chasing his high. The feeling of you clenching around him was what he needed, his cock twitching inside you, and he let out a load groan, hips stuttering. He was shaking, his eyes squeezed shut, hips trembling.
“You stopped.” You realized. He was deep inside you, staying still. He looked so beautiful like this in the moonlight, vulnerable like he'd stripped his entire soul to you. Post-coital Hyunjin was the most beautiful. He was drowning in sweat, and it was the hottest sight ever. He opened his eyes to you, “I…I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You could never…” You reached up to push the hair out of his face. He was glowing, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, and life flooded through him again, cheeks reddening, "Fuck. That was…I almost blacked out. Do you feel okay?"
"I feel amazing." You pulled him back down to you, your back hitting the mattress, faces inches apart, and then laughed, "We're gonna have to do that a couple more times."
His smile grew in satisfaction, breathing softly, and he kissed you, holding you close to his body, "Happy birthday, baby."
»»————-
Even in sleep, you dreamed of him. Of his voice. Of his touch. You were so tired, your body spent from the crazy day you'd had. You lulled in and out of sleep as Hyunjin cuddled with you, legs entangled.
You woke up to realize he was speaking, like he was talking to someone. He had moved away, sitting up and you let out a whine, hand blindly reaching towards him.
The bed shifted, and immediately he was holding you again, head resting in the crook of your head, "Baby. Sorry, did I wake you?"
"What time is it?" You mumbled, shifting under the blanket to be closer to him. His voice was laced with sleepiness, "A little before six. Go back to sleep, darling."
You turned your face slightly to look at him, eyes half-closed still, "But you're awake."
His hands slipped under your shirt, to warm your skin, resting on your stomach, "I just got a call from my manager, I didn't want to wake you, I'm sorry. We can sleep a little longer."
"Is everything okay?"
"Hmm. He was just worried about me. He thinks I'm sick and in my hotel room."
"Won't he realise you're not in there?"
"Probably." Hyunjin sighed, kissing your cheek, "I'll tell him I went for a walk. I'll be back before evening, anyway. He won't realise I was gone."
The thought saddened you, that he was leaving so soon and your chest constricted. It really had been been such a short time that you'd had with him. You stared out at the window, at the wind blowing the curtain, silent for a few moments.
"Baby?" Hyunjin asked, hand curling around you, "Are you sad?"
"Yeah." You mumbled, shifting in bed so you could face him, "I am. But I shouldn't say that."
"Why?" His voice was soft. You swallowed, "Because I'm grateful you were able to come. Even if just for a little while."
"If it were up to me, I'd stay forever."
"Are you excited to go back though?" You asked, and sleep still clouded you but you were slowly coming back to life. He nodded, hand slipping around your waist, "I am, actually. As sad as I am to leave you, there's really some fun stuff planned, and I get to meet the fans again before I fly back home. I always look forward to that."
You smiled, "You love this life, don't you?"
He laughed, "I…suppose that's obvious. I do. Despite all it's troubles, I feel like I'm living my dream finally. When I was a trainee, I gave up on it. So many times."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It wasn't a good environment to grow up in, it was…toxic…and resentful. There was one time I almost quit. It was the closest I got to giving up."
"What happened?"
His eyes locked with yours, intense, "I had all my bags packed and ready to go. I'd even called my aunt to come pick me up, because I thought my parents wouldn't understand. I'd enrolled in classes for school too. But…before I could abandon my dream, I changed my mind. I'm grateful it did."
"Something changed your mind?"
His lips curved up into a soft smile, like he was living in the past, "I saw a new perspective on things."
"Well, thank god that happened. Or what would you be doing now?"
"I don't know." He sighed, and as he talked, his fingers played with your skin, drawing circles on your back, "I can't imagine my life doing anything else. Maybe as an artist, but I don't know if that would give me fulfillment the way this does. I love making music. I love being on stage, as narcissistic as that sounds. "
You shifted closer to him, entangling your legs with his, "It's not narcissistic. It's your life."
"And I even met my best friends through it. I don't think I could do life without them. Especially Jisung. I would be so lost."
You smiled, hand wrapping around his waist, "I'm so glad you found him. I'm sure he feels the same way about you."
"Yeah." He nodded, "When things get hard, I always wonder if it's worth giving this life up…but if anything, I've realised I can't live without it. It makes me so happy. I love the stage. I love everything about it."
You listened intently, even though you had just woken up, but everything he was saying embedded deep inside you. It was obvious how much he loved living like this.
"And you're so good at it too, Hyunjin." You told him, hand caressing his cheek, "You were born for this. You should do this as long as you can."
He smiled, "Thank you, baby. We should probably go back to sleep, right?"
"Right."
His face was inches from yours, and his lips looked so plump, glistening in the dark. But sleep wasn't on your mind anymore. You inched closer to him, kissing him. He sighed into the kiss, like it was your natural state of being. You lay like that, making out for so long, sleepily, in a tangle of pillows and blankets.
In the horizon, the sun was slowly rising, dark blue light filtering in through the skylight. He whispered, "Can I try something?"
You were in a daze, "Do anything to me."
His hand explored your body, and he tugged your thigh up, over his hip. In this position, his crotch pressed right into your underwear. Experimentally, lazily, he rolled his hips against yours, grinding into you.
"Fuck." You mumbled, feeling him through his sweatpants and your underwear. The friction was intense. You were addicted to this feeling. Shivers running down your spine, and you were too tired but this was perfect.
"You like how that feels?" He whispered, rolling his hips into yours. Everything felt so much more heightened, and you didn't even take your clothes off.
"I love it." You kissed him. He held your leg up over his hip, giving him the perfect angle to grind right into you, into your core. You were a mess of moans, like you were drifting in and out of the most wonderful dream. He stared right at you, lips parted, eyes heavy, "I could never have enough of you."
You tilt your head back, resting on the pillow as you watched the morning sky. A landscape of disappearing stars. It was so beautiful. He grind into you like that for so long as you kissed, and you were both still half-asleep, and that just made it feel better.
He made you come like that, three times over, just that morning, and you devoured each other like you'd never had anyone like this before. You could imagine a lifetime of this intimacy with him and it wouldn't be enough. You were so fulfilled. You were so satisfied.
You were so in love.
»»————-
Hyunjin had to leave. You stood under the apartment, reluctant to say goodbye.
He hadn't brought a suitcase with him, just his bag slung over his shoulder, freshly showered and dressed. You hugged him tightly, "I still don't know how to thank you."
His hands rested on your cheeks, caressing your face, “I needed this break just as much as you."
You laughed, trying to hold back your emotions, "Why do I want to cry? I'm just bad at goodbyes, I guess."
"This isn't that. We'll see each other very soon." He kissed you, and you tried to drag it on for as long as you could, so he wouldn't have to go.
When he was gone, you stood where you were, enjoying the morning sun on your skin. It had finally decided to stop raining.
The sky was bright and clear. You shouldn't feel this upset, your flights were tomorrow and you'd be back in Seoul soon.
"Was that your boyfriend?" You realised Alice had been watching from the doorstep. You nodded, "Yeah."
"He's so good looking."
You laughed, "He is."
You spent the rest of your afternoon exploring as much of the town as you could. You sat by the water for most of it, watching the life pass you by.
You couldn't stop thinking about the lighthouse about his confession. He really did feel the same. It had been silly to worry otherwise this whole time. Your chest tightened, but it wasn't the same ache as before. It was full, heavy with love and want.
And after everything, you went back to the cafe with the postcard Hyunjin had bought you. You finally had the right words.
You scribbled on it, pinning it up and you wish you could come back to look at it one day. You stared at the postcard amongst all of the hundred others. It blend in with all of the stories of strangers.
You were the happiest you'd ever been, and your note reflected that.
"This place will always be special. We finally stopped pretending."
»»————-
Getting off the plane felt like a shitty hangover.
Seoul hit you all at once — too loud, too fast. Your head was pounding from the hours of travel. You pushed your sunglasses up your nose as you hauled your suitcase through the airport.
Your feet ache, and you were tired, but in the best way. But despite everything, you're also excited to be back.
Karina's supposed to call you today and you'll find out if you got the job, and you have to meet your friends and give them all the souvenirs you bought them.
You're happy to be back in your favorite city in the world.
Your suitcase is much heavier than when you brought it, and you can only blame yourself and all of your gifts. You texted Hyunjin to let him know you'd made it. His flight was supposed to land earlier this afternoon.
You waited for your taxi, thinking about the morning of your birthday. Somehow, he'd slipped out while you were sleeping to bring you a chocolate cupcake in bed, with a pretty pink candle on it. He'd surprised you with it, and licked the frosting off your lips. A grin came over your lips at the memory, and anybody here must think you insane for smiling so wide.
You're surrounded by countless people, and the airport is so crowded and you glanced over everyone, wondering what trip they were coming back from and if it changed their life as well. Everything was so much more chaotic here. But nothing can replace the feeling of Seoul.
The man standing next to you shot you a smile. He said something to you, so you tugged out your earphones, "I'm sorry, I missed what you said."
He smiled, stepping towards you, "I didn't mean to bother you. I couldn't help but notice your bag. How was it?"
You looked down at your Van Gogh museum bags, they were peeking out of your handbag but you don't mind being a walking advertisement for your favorite place in the world. You laughed, "Oh. It was lovely this time of year. Kinda rainy, but I hear it's always like that."
He was dressed casually, but his sunglasses seemed expensive. He nodded, "I've been meaning to visit. Just can't find the time with work, you know how it is."
"Right." You smiled, "Where did you fly in from?"
"Oh. Nothing special." He laughed, shrugging, "I was just on a work trip."
The airport pick-up was so busy as you waited for your turn. You couldn't wait to get home, and you grabbed your suitcase, pulling it along the line.
"Are you waiting for a taxi too?" You asked him.
"I was actually waiting for you."
Your eyebrows shot up, "Oh. You must have me confused with someone else."
"No, I don't think I do."
You were confused, pulling your suitcase further up, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"It'd be in Hyunjin's best interests if you talked to me."
You stopped in your tracks. Your grip on the bag tightened, and you looked back at him, over your shoulder.
Don't freak out.
Everything is fine.
"I'm sorry. You must be thinking of someone else." You swallowed, forcing a smile, "I should go. My cab is here."
"I'm not thinking of anyone else." He repeated, and extended his hand to you in introduction, "Eunwoo. I trust Hyunjin's mentioned me? Well, I sure hope he has, seeing as how I've managed him for the past eight years." He added a laugh.
You stared at his hand.
Your throat tightened so suddenly you almost choked.
Eunwoo. You'd heard that name a lot. His manager.
What does he want from you?
How did he know you'd be here?
You have so many questions, but you're worried about Hyunjin, first of all and there's no point in denying the truth. He seemed to already know you.
"Is everything all right? Is he okay?" You asked him, turning towards him and your heart was pounding so fast.
He smiled, "That's sweet. He's fine, Y/N."
"How do you know my name?" You couldn't stop yourself from asking, and your skin felt tight. You're suddenly feeling very sick.
"Hyunjin's mentioned you before. He didn't mean to, of course. It was an accident, but he talked about you at a party. I've been very curious about you since then."
"Did he send you here?" You asked, and the parking attendant tapped you on your shoulder, "Miss. Your cab is here."
You nodded too quickly. Relief hit so fast it made you dizzy. But Eunwoo was staring at you intensely, and he said, "Hyunjin doesn't know I'm here. It's sweet how much you care about him. I understand because I'm the same way. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you Y/N."
You stared at him, and you're thankful you're wearing your sunglasses because there's only fear in your eyes.
You don't know what this meant.
You don't know how he knew you would be here, or what flight you'd be on or how long he'd been waiting for you.
You're scared, and you're feeling sick to your stomach.
You forced another smile, pulling your bag, "It was great to meet you, but I really have to go. My cab is here and my friends are waiting—"
"There's no need for that, my driver can take you home. Don't worry about that."
You're barely breathing right, and your hand was gripping the suitcase so tight, your knuckles are turning white, "I don't understand. Why are you here?"
He walked until he was standing in front of you, blocking the sun from your eyes. The noise of the city felt distant all of a sudden.
Suddenly, it's very clear to you that the dream you'd been living in is over. His voice was nonchalant and nothing about him is threatening, but you're terrified as he said, "We should talk."
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masterlist ⇒
thank you for reading and for still being here <3 i would love to hear what you thought of it! your favorite parts, lines or absolutely anything.
