¹³┆𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦˚✿˖°

⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔

The kiss was desperate, rough, filled with everything we'd both been holding back. My body went rigid, then melted into his, my arms wrapping around his neck. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, closer, as though he could never let go.

We stumbled into my apartment, the door slamming shut behind us. My back hit the wall, his lips trailing fire down my neck, his hands sliding up my thigh beneath my dress. My breath came out in gasps, his name falling from my lips like a prayer.

Sohee:"Jungwon..."

He groaned softly against my skin. Jungwon:"You don't know how much I need you."

We stumbled toward my bedroom, shoes kicked off in haste, his weight pressing me gently into the mattress. Our mouths found each other again, hungry, unrestrained, as though we'd been starving for this moment.

His lips traveled from my jaw to the golden sun pendant resting against my chest. He paused, breathing ragged, his eyes dark as they flicked up to meet mine.

I whispered his name again, softer this time.

Sohee:"I need you, Jungwon."

His lips curved faintly. Jungwon:"Oh yeah?"

I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him back to me.

The world outside disappeared. There was only him, only us, our bodies and hearts finally giving in to what we had denied for so long.

When it was over, we lay tangled together, my head resting against his chest, his arm wrapped tightly around me as though he feared I might vanish.

Silence stretched, but it wasn't empty it was full.

I looked up at him, eyes soft. Sohee:"Jungwon... why were you even there? Why did you come?"

He exhaled slowly, brushing his thumb across my hand. Jungwon:"I... had a bad feeling about Kai. I couldn't ignore it. I had to make sure you were safe."

My cheeks burned, my heart racing.

He hesitated, then his voice dropped lower. Jungwon:"The truth is... I've liked you since the very first day I saw you."

I froze.

Liked me?

Sohee:"But... you told me you didn't feel anything," I whispered, my voice breaking.

His jaw tightened. Jungwon:"I lied. Because I was scared. Because... I thought if I let you in, I'd hurt you."

I cupped his face gently. Sohee:"Why, Jungwon? What are you so afraid of?"

He shook his head, avoiding my eyes. Jungwon:"It doesn't matter."

He pulled me closer instead, burying his face against my hair, holding me tighter than ever.

And though I didn't understand everything yet, I knew one thing for certain this was real. His heartbeat against mine, his warmth, his kiss.

For the first time in a long while, I felt whole.

And in that quiet night, tangled in his arms, I realized I had never been happier.

That night, after the kiss, I found myself sitting with Jungwon on my bed, carefully tending to the cuts and bruises scattered across his face and arms. My hands trembled slightly as I dabbed at a particularly nasty scrape on his cheek with a cotton pad.

Jungwon:"Careful," he muttered softly, flinching as the disinfectant touched his skin.

Sohee:"Oh my god, I'm sorry! Does it hurt a lot? Tell me where it hurts—" I panicked, leaning closer, my eyes wide with worry.

But then, suddenly, he chuckled. Jungwon:"I was just kidding."

I froze, blinking at him. Sohee:"You're kidding?!" My face burned in frustration. Sohee:"Jungwon, you can't joke about things like that! You scared me, I thought—"

Before I could go off on a rant, he leaned forward and pressed a small, quick kiss against my lips. My words cut off immediately, replaced by a stunned silence. My face grew hot as my heart skipped violently inside my chest.

He pulled back, smirking slightly. Jungwon:"Better than an apology, right?"

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting away. Sohee:"J-just... don't joke like that again," I whispered, my voice softer than I intended.

When I finally finished taking care of him, I got up to remove my makeup. Standing in front of the mirror, I tried to calm myself, but when I returned to the room, Jungwon's gaze immediately fixed on me. His eyes widened slightly, a rare flicker of surprise crossing his usually calm face.

Sohee:"What?" I asked nervously, self-conscious under his stare.

He shook his head, his lips curving faintly.Jungwon:"Nothing... you just... you look even prettier without it."

My entire face turned red. I grabbed a pillow and playfully shoved it at him. Sohee:"Don't say things like that out of nowhere!"

He only laughed, scratching at the back of his neck before averting his eyes.

The silence that followed was awkward but warm. Finally, gathering all my courage, I asked shyly, Sohee:"Do you... want to stay here tonight?"

His head jerked slightly in surprise, his hand going up to scratch the side of his neck again a nervous habit I had noticed. Jungwon:"If... if it's okay with you."

I nodded quickly. Sohee:"Of course."

I rummaged through my closet and handed him the set of clothes he had lent me once, back when I had stayed at his place. He looked at them with a faint smile before disappearing into the bathroom to change. When he returned, wearing the soft shirt and sweats, I couldn't help but feel my heart skip again.

We both climbed into bed, keeping a safe distance, our bodies stiff with shyness. My heart was pounding so loudly, I was sure he could hear it.

Sohee:"Maybe..." I blurted, desperate to break the silence, Sohee:"we could watch a movie? Just until we fall asleep?"

He glanced at me, then nodded. Jungwon:"Sounds good."

I picked one without paying much attention, and only realized too late it was a horror film. My stomach dropped. I hated horror films. But I didn't want to admit it now, not when I was trying to act normal in front of him.

So I sat there, tense, clutching the blanket as the eerie music filled the room. Every time the shadows shifted on screen, my fingers twitched closer to him. When the first jump scare came, I instinctively grabbed onto his shirt, burying my face against his arm.

I heard him inhale sharply, and when I dared to glance up, his lips were curved in a small, amused smile, though his ears were tinged pink. His heartbeat was rapid under my touch, betraying the fact that he wasn't as calm as he looked.

Jungwon:"You're scared," he whispered.

I pouted. Sohee:"Don't laugh..."

Jungwon:"I'm not," he said softly, tugging me closer until my shoulder rested against his chest. Jungwon:"You're cute when you're scared."

My heart nearly exploded at those words, and I didn't dare to move for the rest of the movie, letting his warmth and steady breathing calm me.

By the time the credits rolled, it was already late. Tomorrow, we both had the afternoon shift at the café, which meant we could at least sleep in. But sleep didn't come easily for me.

We lay with our backs to each other at first, stiff and unsure. My heart raced with the thought: I'm really sharing a bed with Jungwon. The idea was almost too much to handle. He had even offered to sleep on the couch, but I refused I didn't want him away from me, not tonight.

I thought he was asleep already when I felt the mattress shift. Slowly, unknowingly, he rolled over in his sleep and draped an arm around me, pulling me against his chest.

I froze, my face burning, my heart hammering wildly. His arm was heavy, secure, protective, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his breathing against the back of my neck.

For the first time in years, I felt completely safe.

I clutched his arm gently, my lips curving into a faint smile in the dark. Eventually, after what felt like forever, I drifted into sleep, my body curled into his warmth, my dreams sweet and full of him.

.° ༘🎧⋆🖇₊˚ෆ

I was still asleep when Jungwon stirred awake. By the time I finally opened my eyes and stumbled sleepily into the living room, I froze on the spot.

There he was Jungwon wearing nothing but a simple black undershirt, his hair messy from sleep, his skin faintly glistening with sweat as he held himself steady in a set of push-ups. His arms flexed with each slow movement, his biceps tightening, his broad shoulders shifting under the fabric. I felt my face ignite instantly, my breath catching in my throat.

I spun around on my heel, mortified.

But it was too late. He noticed me.

Jungwon:"Oh sorry," he said quickly, pushing himself up and standing, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. His voice was slightly breathless from the workout. Jungwon:"I didn't realize you were awake already."

I dared to glance at him again, but regretted it almost immediately. His muscles, defined and taut, looked even more distracting now that I was aware of them. My lips parted before I could stop myself. Sohee:"It's... it's fine."

His eyes flicked to mine, and he gave the smallest of smirks before clearing his throat. Jungwon:"Mind if I take a quick shower?"

I nodded too quickly. Sohee:"Y-yeah, of course. Go ahead."

As he disappeared into the bathroom, I pressed both hands to my face, trying to calm my racing heart. Why does he have to look like that this early in the morning?

To distract myself, I headed into the kitchen. It was already ten o'clock plenty of time before our shift at the café, which started in about four hours. I laid out slices of bread, spread some jam, poured orange juice into glasses, and scrambled a few eggs. By the time Jungwon emerged from the bathroom, I was just setting the table.

And then I nearly dropped the glass in my hand.

His damp hair clung to his forehead in soft,blonde strands, water droplets still running down his neck. The plain shirt he wore clung faintly to his frame, and he looked so effortlessly good that my stomach twisted.

I swallowed hard and forced my voice steady. Sohee:"B-breakfast's ready."

His gaze lingered on me a little longer than usual before he smiled faintly. Jungwon:"Thanks."

Was it just my imagination, or was he blushing?

We sat across from each other at the table. The atmosphere was quiet but comfortable, filled only with the clink of cutlery and the occasional sip of juice. Still, my heart wouldn't calm down. Every time I looked up, his eyes darted away, and that simple little dance between us made my chest warm.

After half an hour, we finished eating, and I gathered the plates. Jungwon stood immediately, wordlessly joining me at the sink. His shoulder brushed mine as he handed me the dishes, his sleeve damp from the water. Neither of us spoke much, but the silence was gentle, almost intimate.

When we were done, we drifted to the couch. I pulled out an old photo album, flipping through pictures of my school days, my family, little pieces of my past. Sohee:"This was me in high school," I said, pointing to a photo where my hair was much shorter. I laughed at myself.

Jungwon leaned in, studying each page quietly, nodding, listening intently. His reactions were subtle, but he laughed at the silly moments, his smile softening the edges of his usually serious expression.

Sohee:"And you?" I asked carefully. Sohee:"What was your past like?"

He grew still. For a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer. Then he shrugged. Jungwon:"Nothing special. Just... nothing worth talking about."

I tilted my head, puzzled. His eyes had clouded over, distant, as if he'd locked those memories away. I wanted to push, to ask why—but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I gave a small smile.Sohee: "That's okay. You don't have to tell me yet."

He glanced at me then, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes, though he didn't say anything more.

Time slipped by faster than I realized. Soon, it was past noon, and we had to get ready. I went into my room, pulling out a fresh outfit and fixing my hair while Jungwon sat waiting quietly in the living room. At exactly one o'clock, we stepped out the door together.

And then my heart sank.

Standing right outside my apartment building was Kai. He held a bouquet of flowers in his hands, his expression immediately shifting when he saw us emerge together. His jaw dropped, his eyes flicking from me to Jungwon in disbelief.

Sohee:"Kai?" I asked, feigning nonchalance even though the tension prickled at my skin. Sohee:"What are you doing here? Didn't you already finish your shift this morning?"

Kai:"I..." He faltered for a moment before forcing a smile. Kai:"I came to apologize. For yesterday."

I laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. Sohee:"It's fine, really. Don't worry about it." The air between us felt unbearably heavy.

But Kai wasn't finished. His eyes narrowed slightly as they darted toward Jungwon, who stood silently beside me. Kai:"Wait a second. Did Jungwon... sleep here?"

My heart nearly stopped. Sohee:"No!" I blurted too quickly. Sohee:"No, of course not. He just... he just came by to grab something he left at my place."

Kai raised an eyebrow, his gaze dropping pointedly to Jungwon's clothes. Kai:"Really? Then why is he wearing the exact same thing as yesterday?"

I felt my stomach drop. I opened my mouth, scrambling for an excuse. Sohee:"Uh—it's just a coincidence! Total coincidence." My laugh was forced, high-pitched, betraying me completely.

Jungwon, of course, said nothing. He simply slipped his hands into his pockets, calm, unreadable.

Kai's lips tightened, but before he could press further, I cut in. Sohee:"Anyway, we need to get going. We're late for work."

He shoved the bouquet into my hands. Kai:"These are for you."

Sohee:"Th-thanks," I murmured, taking them reluctantly.

As we walked away, I glanced back once. Kai stood frozen in place, his jaw clenched, his grip tight around nothing. But Jungwon, just as we turned the corner, looked back too. He met Kai's glare head-on, smirked faintly, and winked before turning away.

The flicker of rage in Kai's eyes was unmistakable.

By the time we arrived at the café, I tried to shake it off. Yujin and Mina were already waiting, looking exhausted from their long morning shift. They handed over their aprons with relieved smiles, eager to go home.

Mina:"Good luck with the afternoon rush," Mina said, stretching as she headed for the door.

As soon as it was just Jungwon and me, the café felt different. The hours passed quietly, filled with stolen glances, lingering smiles, and the kind of lightness in my chest I hadn't felt in a long time.

For once, even the most ordinary day felt extraordinary.

The shift passed faster than I had expected. Maybe it was because Jungwon was there. Maybe it was because every stolen glance, every quiet word exchanged, made the hours feel less like work and more like a secret world only the two of us shared.

When the café finally closed, the street outside was bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun. The shop was quiet now, the air filled only with the faint scent of coffee and the echo of our footsteps as we cleaned. We joked a little, shared small stories nothing too deep, but every laugh between us felt like another thread pulling us closer.

By the time the last table was wiped and the lights were dimmed, we stood at the entrance together. I hugged my bag to my chest, expecting him to simply say goodbye. But instead, Jungwon looked at me, his voice calm and steady.

Jungwon:"I'll walk you home."

My heart skipped.Sohee: "You don't have to—"

Jungwon:"I want to," he said, cutting me off gently.

I nodded, too flustered to argue.

We stepped out into the night. The air was cool, crisp, filled with the faint sounds of the city winding down. Our footsteps echoed softly against the pavement. For a moment, it was quiet between us so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat drumming in my ears.

And then... I felt it.

Jungwon's hand brushing against mine. At first, it was subtle, almost accidental. But then he slipped his fingers between mine, his palm warm, his grip firm yet careful.

I froze for a second, my breath caught in my throat. I looked at him quickly, but his gaze was forward, calm, as if this was the most natural thing in the world. My heart, however, was anything but calm.

His hand was so warm. Comforting. Steady. Like it had always been meant to hold mine.

Sohee:"Look," I whispered suddenly, pointing ahead.

The trees lining the street were budding, their branches tipped with pale pink petals that swayed gently in the breeze. The first signs of spring. Sohee:"The sakura blossoms... they're almost here. Isn't it beautiful?"

Jungwon followed my gaze, a small smile curving his lips. Jungwon:"Yeah. Really beautiful."

I hesitated, my voice dropping softer. Sohee:"We should go see them together. When they're in full bloom."

His head tilted slightly, and then he glanced at me. His smile widened just a little, enough to make my stomach flutter. Jungwon:"I'd like that. Very much."

The promise lingered between us like a secret vow.

We kept walking, our steps slower now, as if neither of us wanted the moment to end. The world around us blurred the streetlights, the faint hum of passing cars, the cool night air. All I could focus on was the warmth of his hand in mine, the quiet rhythm of our footsteps in sync, the rare softness in his expression.

When we finally reached my apartment building, I turned to him, unsure of what to say. For a moment, we just stood there, the silence stretching between us, heavy with unspoken feelings.

He didn't move to leave right away. Instead, he lingered, watching me as I unlocked the door.

Jungwon:"Goodnight, Sohee," he said quietly, his voice low and warm.

I bit my lip to hide my smile. Sohee:"Goodnight, Jungwon."

I stepped inside, but before closing the door, I looked back one more time. He was still standing there, waiting, as if to make sure I got in safely. When our eyes met, he gave a small wave, almost boyish, and then turned away into the night.

I leaned against the door once it shut, my chest rising and falling with a mixture of relief and disbelief.

Was this real? Was this... us? Were we dating now?

So many questions spun in my mind, each one louder than the last.

But then, like a shadow creeping into the edges of my happiness, my thoughts drifted back to earlier that day when I had asked about his past. The way his eyes had darkened. The way he had brushed it off with a vague, "Nothing special."

It wasn't nothing. I could tell. Something was there. Something he didn't want to say.

I hugged myself, my gaze falling to the golden pendant resting against my chest. What happened to you, Jungwon? I wondered silently. What's the story you're not telling me?

Even with the warmth of his hand still lingering in mine, a quiet ache stirred inside me.

Because no matter how close we had gotten today...

a part of him still felt impossibly far away.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦