thirty seven

"i think we could work it out." -wyd now? , sadie jean.

——

misun stirred the pot of soup she had made, the smell of garlic and vegetables filling the small space.

"here," she said softly, carrying the steaming bowl over to jihoon.

he looked at her, pale and bundled in blankets. "careful..." his voice was hoarse.

"i am," she said, placing the bowl on the table beside him. she grabbed the cool fever pad from the fridge and pressed it gently to his forehead.

"ah..." he sighed, closing his eyes. "that feels... better."

"of course," she said, smoothing his hair. "you need to rest."

he blinked at her. "you don't have to... i can manage."

"no," she said firmly. "i'm here. let me take care of you."

he exhaled slowly and let himself relax. she watched him, heart tightening. he looked so small, so fragile. yet familiar, like he had never really left.

"sleep," she whispered. "i'm not going anywhere."

his eyelids fluttered, and soon he drifted into a soft sleep. misun stayed nearby, making tea, checking the soup, adjusting his blankets, brushing a misted window to look at the city lights.

hours passed. then he stirred. his eyes opened slowly, meeting hers.

"hey..." he whispered, voice hoarse.

"hey," she smiled faintly. "feel a little better?"

"a little... thanks to you."

she handed him a spoon. "soup's warm. drink slowly."

he nodded, sipping carefully. "you... you didn't have to stay."

"i told you," she said, brushing her hand over his. "i'm not leaving. not now."

he swallowed, eyes soft. "i've missed this... missed you."

"i've missed you too," she admitted, voice catching. "but... it's complicated."

"i know," he whispered, leaning slightly closer. "and i'll wait. however long it takes."

she watched him, the faintest smile forming. for the first time in a long while, they were alone. no distractions, no past pressing too hard. just them.

and in that quiet space, the possibility of something real began to feel possible again.