Chapter: 34

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The night sky had never looked as enchanting as it did tonight.

To Jeonghan, it felt as though the stars were burning a little brighter, while the moon whispered sweet nothings to them, coaxing them into a soft, radiant glow. The cool night breeze carried these silent conversations, swirling around him with a comforting warmth.

Everything about this night felt magical, yet grounded in a series of unexpected moments-none more unexpected than the kiss with Miyeon.

That kiss-

Jeonghan's fingers grazed his lips unknowingly as he stared at the slowly dying campfire. His thoughts drifted back to when Mingyu casually let slip the dare. The moment the words left Mingyu's mouth, his eyes had immediately sought out Miyeon. Her face betrayed nothing but a gentle, composed smile, though her eyes, dark and gleaming under the moonlight, carried something else- hesitation. Worry, even.

It was subtle, but Jeonghan noticed. That flicker of concern had gnawed at him since then, leaving him with questions he couldn't shake.

Why had she looked so troubled? Why did she hesitate?

He hadn't wanted to make her uncomfortable, especially not with something as intimate as a kiss. In fact, the thought of it stirred something in him-something deeper, something unfamiliar. It wasn't that he hadn't been in relationships before. He had. But none of them ever felt this consuming.

The connection he felt with Miyeon was different, deeper, and far more complicated. His hand moved unconsciously to his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heart. She had a strange power over him, and though it confused him, he didn't hate it.

He was left wondering if something more between them could ever truly happen.

His gaze shifted to Miyeon, who was sitting by the fire with her back against a wooden log. She was laughing with Mingyu, her soft giggles carrying across the quiet night. Her laughter made something in him tighten, but in a good way. She looked carefree, radiant even, like someone who hadn't a worry in the world.

As her laughter echoed in the still air, Jeonghan caught sight of a falling star streaking across the sky. He found himself silently wishing- hoping- that maybe, just maybe, his feelings could one day become something real.

His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Nari standing beside him, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. Her gaze followed his, landing on Miyeon, who was still giggling with Mingyu over something trivial. Nari let out a soft chuckle as she sat beside Jeonghan, her eyes never leaving Miyeon.

"They're drunk," Jeonghan said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. The sounds of crackling wood, rustling leaves, and Miyeon's occasional bursts of laughter filled the air.

"She doesn't hold her alcohol well," Nari replied, a soft smile playing on her lips. "But she only really lets go when she feels safe around people. It's rare for her to feel this free."

'-only really lets go when she feels safe around people-'

Jeonghan nodded, watching Miyeon with a mix of admiration and concern but he was glad that his group wad able to make her feel comfortable enough to this extent. However, he couldn't help but wonder if her carefree laughter masked something deeper. That made his thoughts go back to few hours back as he slowly turned around.

"About what Seungcheol asked earlier..." Jeonghan began hesitantly, glancing at Nari, hoping for some kind of explanation.

Nari's smile faltered, her shoulders tensing at the mention of it. She took a slow breath, her eyes distant as if she were recalling something painful.

"She's never been in a real relationship before," Nari started, her voice barely above a whisper. "At least, not until she went to China."

Jeonghan's brows furrowed. "China?"

Nari nodded, her gaze now fixed on the dying embers of the fire. "She met someone there. They fell in love."

Jeonghan's heart sank, sensing where this was headed.

"Eventhough I don't know much detail but I know that she lost him in an accident," Nari continued, her voice heavy with grief. "It shattered her. It took her years to recover, and even now, I'm not sure she's ever fully healed."

The words hit Jeonghan like a punch to the gut. He turned to Miyeon, watching her laugh so freely, and his heart broke a little more. The girl who seemed so full of life and joy had carried so much pain- pain that she hid behind her radiant smiles and soft laughter.

"I didn't know..." Jeonghan whispered, his throat tightening. Stupid as it was to say it but he still wanted to let it slip and with the many emotions swirling in him, he did.

Nari sighed softly, her gaze now on him. "No one really does. She doesn't talk about it. I never met him or really knew who he was, but I could see the impact he had on her. They were deeply in love, and losing him shattered her.

I wasn't there for her when it happened, but I'm grateful Jeon Wonwoo was. It took her two years just to start picking up the pieces of her broken self, and even now, she still struggles to let go of the past."

Jeonghan clenched his jaw, feeling a deep urge to protect Miyeon, to take away whatever remnants of pain she still carried. But he knew that wasn't something he could simply do. She had to let him in and if ever that day comes, he would never let go of her side.

"I know you care about her, Jeonghan," Nari said, turning to him with a soft, almost bittersweet smile.

"Nari, no-"

"Don't lie to my face idiot.", she chuckled, "I can see it. But if she ever lets you in, be gentle with her. She's already been broken enough."

Jeonghan swallowed hard, his emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of longing and empathy. He returned Nari's smile with a determined nod. "I won't hurt her. I promise."

"Good."

"Guys!" Seungcheol's voice cut through the night air, pulling Jeonghan and Nari's attention toward where he and Joshua stood, both leaning against the side of the car. The two had taken it upon themselves to clean up the remnants of the night's chaos, and the exhaustion was evident in their slouched postures.

"We should head out now. Can someone grab those two?" Seungcheol gestured toward Mingyu and Miyeon, who were still in their own world, giggling softly. "We'll wait for you guys in the car," he added before turning and walking towards the vehicle, with Joshua trailing closely behind.

Nari stood, offering him a hand. "Come on, let's get those two. It's getting late."

Jeonghan took her hand and stood, the two of them sharing a soft smile and then walking over to where Miyeon and Mingyu sat, both clearly intoxicated, their heads resting against each other. Miyeon's heels lay discarded next to her, and the empty beer bottles in front of them told the story of their drunken camaraderie.

As they approached, they overheard Miyeon whispering to Mingyu, who nodded seriously in response.

"Why are you two whispering?" Nari asked, raising a brow as she crouched beside them.

"Shh!" Miyeon placed a finger to her lips, her face flushed from the alcohol. "The aliens in the other galaxies might hear us."

Both she and Mingyu erupted into fits of laughter while simultaneously slamming their hands to eachothers mouth to muffle their laughs, their giggles contagious. Jeonghan chuckled at their ridiculous behavior, shaking his head.

"I can't believe these two used to hate each other," Nari muttered, though even she couldn't suppress her amusement.

Jeonghan, with a fond smile, bent down to help Miyeon up. "Come on, let's get you home before the aliens come looking for you."

Miyeon giggled again as she tried to stand, wobbling slightly before Jeonghan steadied her with a gentle hand on her arm while one of his arm went to her waist to stabilize her. She blinked up at him with wide, confused eyes, byt then her lips curved in that carefree smile that tugged at his heart.

"Thanks, Jeonghan," she slurred, her head tipping to one side. "You're always so nice to me... like, really nice."

Jeonghan felt a warmth rise in his chest at her words, but he kept his tone light as he replied, "Well, someone has to keep you from getting abducted by aliens, right?"

Miyeon giggled again, leaning against him for balance as they slowly made their way towards the car, with Nari and Mingyu trailing behind.

The stars overhead twinkled in their quiet dance, the breeze cool and gentle against Jeonghan's skin, yet he barely noticed. His focus was solely on the girl beside him, whose weight pressed slightly against his side, and whose laughter, though tipsy, still held a melody that soothed him.

'When did I become such a lovesick teenager?', he wondered.

As they reached the car he parted ways with Nari who took a drunk Mingyu to her car with Joshua as they all had on destination to stay the night. Joshua's home since his mother was out for work and his place was the nearest and it was late.

Jeonghan helped Miyeon into the back seat, making sure she was buckled in before stepping aside. She leaned her head back against the headrest, her eyes half-lidded and her smile lazy but content.

"Thank you," she murmured, her words almost lost in the soft hum of the night.

Jeonghan paused, meeting her gaze for a moment. "For what?"

"For... being here," she said softly, her eyes fluttering closed. "For not pushing too hard. Just... being you."

His heart clenched at her quiet words, understanding more than she probably realized. She needed space, needed time, and he could only hope that one day, she'd let him in a little more. But for now, just being there for her, just supporting her in moments like these, felt like enough.

With a faint, almost invisible smile, Jeonghan was just about to close the car door when he heard her soft, slurred voice calling his name.

"Jeonghan?" Miyeon whispered, her eyelids heavy, barely able to keep them open.

He froze, his hand still on the door handle, before he leaned in closer to hear her better. "Yeah?" he asked gently, his voice tender.

"Don't leave me alone... please," she mumbled, her words slow and slightly unsteady from the alcohol. Her half-lidded eyes, glazed but filled with a quiet plea, glanced up at him, and something about that look-so vulnerable, so fragile-sent a wave of sadness through him.

He hesitated, his heart squeezing painfully at how small and delicate she seemed in that moment. Jeonghan's gaze flickered toward Seungcheol, who was already watching them from the driver's seat with a knowing smile. Despite his usual tough demeanor, Seungcheol was soft when it came to Miyeon, like an older brother quietly watching over her.

"You should sit with her in the back," Seungcheol said softly, nodding toward the backseat. His eyes were warm, offering silent encouragement. It wasn't a suggestion-it was more like a silent understanding between friends.

With a slight nod, Jeonghan slipped back inside the car and gently closed the door behind him. He slid in beside Miyeon, and almost instinctively, she leaned into him, her head finding his shoulder as though it had always belonged there. The scent of alcohol lingered faintly around her, and her body relaxed against his in a way that told him she trusted him, even in her intoxicated state.

"Thank you, Jeonghan," she mumbled, her words trailing off as her eyes fluttered shut, drifting into the haze of sleep.

Jeonghan's heart softened as he looked down at her, her features peaceful despite the earlier chaos. He adjusted his position slightly, making sure her head was comfortably resting against his shoulder. His lips curved into a tender smile as he watched her drift off, her breathing deep and even now.

"Sleep well, Miyeon," he whispered under his breath, though she was already far gone.

"Everyone set?" Seungcheol asked, glancing at the rearview mirror as he started the engine.

Jeonghan nodded, his eyes flicking back to Miyeon, her head now resting on his shoulder. The car was filled with a gentle, soothing quiet as Seungcheol started the engine, and the hum of the vehicle lulled everyone into a calm silence.

He couldn't stop the small smile from tugging at his lips as the car pulled away from the campsite, the night sky a blanket of stars above them, the cool breeze carrying them back home.

But his mind wasn't on the ride or the stars anymore. It was on her- on the girl who made his heart race with just a smile and who, even in her brokenness, was the most beautiful thing he'd ever known.

Though she was drunk and fast asleep, her words still echoed in his mind. Something about her plea, the way she had asked him not to leave, tugged at his heart in a way that felt almost inevitable.

As the car sped down the road, leaving behind the embers of the campfire and the laughter of the night, Jeonghan silently made another wish on the stars, hoping that one day, he could help her heal.

Maybe, just maybe, they could turn the possibility into reality.

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Jeonghan feels it but does Miyeon too?

I'm NOT ready for tomorrow. I thought I was but I'm not.

Though , I wish all the health and luck to Jeonghan 🤧❤

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Thank you for reading!📚 🤍