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Summary: Your bestie met a cute guy in a bar and decided to give him *your* number, because she thinks you'd be great together.
You've had a rough time with dating in the past, no one ever really clicking like you wanted them to, but maybe this was a sign from the universe that this guy was meant for you.
Hopefully.
A/N: AND THAT'S A WRAP!! Sorry this one took a bit longer, life lifes sometimes! But here it is now! Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me <33 I hope you all enjoyed!
(SMAU masterlist) | (part 7) -> (back to the beginning)
Your trip to Seoul was the longest travel time you’d ever done. Well, intentionally, at least. You’d had similar travel times before because of flight delays, but not without them.
Your total travel time, with one short layover, was nearly 20 hours. You did manage to sleep for a while between both flights, but you knew you'd crash hard later today.
As the plane touched down on the runway outside of Incheon International Airport, however, you'd never felt more awake in your life.
You flipped your phone off of airplane mode the moment you could, although you and Chan had been talking plenty through Discord during the flight.
Incheon was huge. With the help of directions from Chris, as well as an airport map you found online, you eventually made it out of your wing of the airport and over to the checked luggage claim area.
It was currently late evening in Seoul. When you and Chan were figuring out the logistics of your trip over, you decided that you would land on a Saturday evening, as that worked best with Chan’s schedule.
But that, of course, was an ideal travel time for a lot of people, so the crowds by the many luggage carousels were large.
You glanced up at the signs to try and see if your flight's luggage had been delivered yet.
It hasn't yet, of course.
You shifted from foot to foot, feeling a bit antsy knowing that there was a car waiting for you.
A car that had your boyfriend inside of it.
You glanced up from your phone, as if Jihoon was going to immediately materialize in front of you.
He didn't, but you did eventually spot a sign with your name on it. You hiked your bags up onto your shoulder and walked over to him.
“Hi,” you greeted, “Jihoon-ssi, right?”
Jihoon looked you over quickly and gave a small bow. “Nice to meet you, Y/N-ssi. Can you remind me which flight you were on so we can find your luggage?”
You told him your flight number and he led you over to one of the carousels. You felt a bit like a duckling, hovering by his side, but he didn't seem phased at all.
Finally, you spotted your luggage. You moved over to it and Jihoon followed, grabbing it despite your protests.
“Follow me,” he told you before turning and walking towards the exit.
The doors to the airport swished open and the sounds of the city rushed in. You picked up your pace as you followed Jihoon down the line of cars.
When he finally turned and headed between two cars, you hesitated for a moment. Should you take your other bags to the back, too? Should you just put them at your feet? Why did this feel like some major decision when it really wasn't?
Jihoon held out his hand to you, thankfully answering the question. You gave him the bigger of your two bags, keeping your backpack on you, before opening the backdoor of the car.
Which revealed your boyfriend's smiling face to you.
You had the overwhelming urge to jump into his arms, which wasn't the most possible in the back of a car. Instead, you scrambled inside and immediately went in for a hug.
God he gave just as phenomenal of hugs as you always thought he would.
“I can't believe you're actually here,” he said as he tightened his arms around you.
“I can't either,” you admitted with a laugh. “It feels surreal honestly.”
Chan pulled back after a moment, but he still kept one hand lingering on your waist, the other moved up to cup your cheek. “I’m not gonna lie… I really want to kiss you right now, but also…” A blush starts to creep up his face, “I kinda hoped it’d be more romantic than in the backseat of a car.”
You couldn't help but coo at that. “I mean, I also really want to kiss you right now, but I could be persuaded to wait as long as it's not gonna be days from now.”
Chan shook his head, grinning sheepishly. “Absolutely not. I couldn't wait that long either.”
“Good, because otherwise I'll just drop a kiss on you when you least expect it,” you said with a wink as you shifted back into your seat to buckle up.
“That's hardly a threat,” Chris laughed.
You grinned cheekily. “I never said it was.”
The ride back to his place was comfortable. It still hadn't quite clicked in your brain that you were actually here, in Seoul, with Chris.
But you were.
“I hope you're hungry,” Chris said as the car began to slow down, “because Minho sort of insisted on making dinner, and all of the boys may or may not be there, too.”
You snorted. “May or may not, huh?”
He grinned sheepishly. “I tried to stop them, but they're all pretty excited to meet you.”
“They have met me,” you countered.
“Not in person. By that logic, we’d also met before,” Chris replied, his expression shifting from cheeky to bashful. “I was just as excited to see you, you know.”
You stifled a grin. “Yeah, I was pretty excited to see you, too.” You huffed. “Can I at least run a brush through my hair first?”
“I mean, I think you look incredible,” Chris said, “but don't worry, I told them we were at least going to get your luggage sat down, first.”
The car pulled into a parking space in a parking garage. The moment it stopped, Chris was hopping out and heading around to the back of the car to grab your luggage.
This man.
“Chris, I can carry it,” you told him as you stepped out of the car as well, hiking your backpack up onto your shoulder.
“Nope, this is my boyfriend privilege,” he told you.
“I literally carried it all into the airport myself,” you argued playfully as you followed him into the building.
“And if I had been there, you wouldn’t have had to do that,” he said over his shoulder as he led you to the elevator.
One elevator ride and a walk down the hallway later, Chan was opening the door to his apartment. Yes, you’d seen it before through several video calls, but walking through with your own two feet was entirely different.
“It’s nothing you haven’t seen before but,” Chan laughed, swinging his arm out to gesture to the apartment, “this is my place.”
You toed off your shoes near the door, following Chan’s example. “Well,” you said, looking back at him with a smile, “go on then, give me the tour.”
“You’ve gotten a tour before,” Chan teased as he started to lead you further into the place.
“Yeah but that was over the phone,” you countered. “I need tour 2.0: the live special.”
So Chan gave you a quick run down of the place, or most of the place.
You were currently in his bedroom and Chan was helping you unpack some of your stuff as you freshened up a little in his en suite.
“Wait,” you said, peering back out at him, “what about your studio?”
“What studio?” Chan asked, feigning ignorance.
You raised an eyebrow. “Don't act like we haven't video chatted before with you in that exact studio. Plus, you guys have talked about it before in some of your pre-album podcast chats.”
“Well,” he said slowly, “maybe I had plans for us to actually spend time there later and I didn't want to rush it before dinner.”
You looked at him fondly. “We can just skip dinner, right?”
Chan laughed. “Minho would not be too happy with me if we did that.”
“Fine,” you sighed playfully, finishing up your hair, “I guess I’m ready then.”
Chan grabbed your hand as the two of you walked out of the apartment. As he closed the door behind the two of you, he smiled. “I can’t believe I finally have you here with me.”
You smiled back, squeezing the hand he was holding gently. “I can’t really believe it either.”
His eyes flicked over your frame quickly. You saw his tongue dart out between his lips for a moment before quickly disappearing. “Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
You giggled. “Man, I don’t know…” You drawled. “I might be gaming with Felix or something.”
He snorted, looking down for a moment before composing himself again. “Well, if you’re free, I’d like to take you on a date.”
“I think I can pencil you in,” you replied with a wink.
“I promise to make it worth your time,” he responded sincerely.
“You’re making it really hard not to kiss you right now, you know.”
He blushed. “Maybe it’s a bit silly-”
“No,” you said, stepping forward and placing your hand lightly on his chest, “tomorrow afternoon, right?”
That stupid tongue of his darted out again for a fraction of a second. “Yeah, tomorrow afternoon.”
“That’s not too long,” you reassured, “but…” You leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, trying hard to force down your blush. “Maybe that can tide you over for now.”
Chris was not successful in hiding his blush. Immediately his cheeks and ears were bright red. He stared at you for a moment, blinking rapidly, before clearing his throat. “Y-yeah, I think that’ll hold me over.”
You giggled. “I warned you I was gonna flirt back.”
He huffs, still looking endeared. “Yeah, you really did.”
You stepped back, tugging on his hand. “Now come on, lead the way. I want to try Minho’s cooking. I’m starving.”
He laughed as he began leading you down the hallway. “Yes ma'am.”
You ended up hanging out at Minho and Jisung's place for a few hours after dinner was done. It felt natural being around all of the boys, joking and talking. You'd been mildly nervous, even though you'd spoken to most of them in one way or another already, so you were relieved with how well it went.
You only ended up leaving whenever you'd started to list into Chris's side. And if you ended up playing it up a bit to get Chris to carry you back to his place, well that was between you and god.
You’d thought you’d already gotten over the surrealism of the whole trip, but waking up snuggled up with Chris in his bed.
Yeah that was nice.
You nuzzled closer to him as the sun peeked through his curtains. Chris grumbled, his arms tightening around you as he let out a soft sigh.
“Waking up like this…” he mused, brushing his forehead against the top of your head, “it almost makes waking up bearable.”
“I know you’re a morning person,” you grumbled. “Don’t lie to me, you’ve texted me way earlier than this before.”
He shrugged. “Well normally I don’t have any reason to stay in bed and every reason to get out, but not this time.”
So the two of you had a nice lazy morning, in no rush to leave the bed. Eventually, you had to give in to the day when your body said it couldn’t be ignored anymore.
You groaned as you rolled over to sit up.
Chris just chuckled, rubbing a hand over your back. “The bathroom’s all yours. I’ll go get started on breakfast, okay?”
You went ahead and threw on some comfortable pants while you were in the bathroom, snatching up one of Chris’s shirts before heading out to the kitchen. You plopped down on a stool at the island as Chris worked at the stove.
“You know, I forgot to ask how you like your eggs,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at you.
You could see the moment he realized you were wearing his shirt, his body buffering for a second before he tried to act like nothing happened.
You just smirked at him. “Over easy is fine, but I’m not too picky.”
His gaze stayed on you for a moment longer before he cleared his throat, turning back to face the stove top. “Over easy it is.”
Jeongin ended up popping in and making a smoothie, letting you know he was headed to the gym with Changbin this morning. You wished him well as he walked out the door.
“So,” you started as you and Chris settled in to eat, “what are the plans for today?”
“Well,” he paused as he finished chewing his food, “I didn’t want to make the plans start too early, so we could sleep in a bit, especially after your day of travel. But I mean, we could head out whenever you want?”
“How should I dress for these plans?” You asked playfully.
Chris blushed. “Well, I’m going to make sure I look a little nice at least. Nothing too fancy.”
You laughed. “I think I can swing that.”
Neither of you rushed to finish breakfast, just enjoying the quiet of the morning together before you split up to get ready.
Chris ducked into his room to grab his outfit. “You can have my room to get ready in,” he said as he quickly rifled through his shirts.
“Chris, it's your room,” you protested. “I can just grab my bag and use the bathroom in the hallway.”
“Nope, too late,” he said, winking. “Take your time, no rush. You can use whatever products I have, too, if you want.”
You huffed. “Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he replied before closing the door behind him.
You had, of course, packed outfits for this trip knowing that you’d likely being going on a date or two. Plus, you just wanted to look cute while you were hanging out with your boyfriend, was that a crime?
The real trouble was picking the right one for today.
After checking the weather and asking Chris if you were going to be more outside or inside today, you finally landed on something and got to work putting it together.
With one last glance in the mirror, you grabbed your shoes and opened the door.
You spotted Chris leaning against the kitchen island, checking on his phone. You made sure to step carefully until you were close to him before clearing your throat.
“Ready?” you asked.
“I am,” he replied, typing something on his phone. He hit one more button before moving it to his pocket and looking up.
For the second time that morning, you got to watch his brain buffer in real time.
It sure made a girl feel special getting a reaction like that.
You smiled, knowing full well that you were blushing. “Do I look okay?”
“More than okay,” he blurted out immediately. “You know, I always get a little worried about being ‘recognized’ when I leave the house, but with you beside me? No one will be looking at me.”
“Chris,” you grumbled bashfully.
He shrugged. “It’s just the truth.” He replied, stepping forward to stand beside you. “Now come on, we have a date to go on.”
The day ended up being perfect, not in the sense that it was flawless, but in the fact that you smiled the whole time.
You started by just walking around some of his favorite spots, being a bit of a tourist, which Chris happily played along with. Then, when the restaurant he’d been hoping to go to was closed for a “family emergency,” you found a street vendor who sold some of the best food you’d ever had in your life, hands down.
You were now walking through the park near the Han River, hand in hand as you finished up your drink from your meal.
Chris’s eyes never left you as you walked and talked. His expression was so fond it made your heart ache.
“What?” You asked playfully. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No,” he said. “I just still can’t believe you’re here with me, honestly.”
“I get it,” you reassured him softly. “It’s pretty surreal.”
You paused, turning to face him. “You know what would make it feel more real?”
“What’s that?”
“A kiss.”
Chris’s eyes immediately went down to your lips and then back up to your eyes.
You smiled. “If you think this moment is romantic enough, that is.”
He nodded quickly. “Yeah, no this is good.”
He stepped closer to you, one hand immediately coming up to cup your face. His eyes searched yours for a moment, looking for something. Whatever it was, he must’ve found it, as he leaned in to close the distance between you.
His lips finally touched yours, and my god, they were just as soft as you had imagined.
The world around you could’ve exploded, or disappeared entirely. All of your attention was focused on him, this moment, the feeling of his skin against yours.
It was magical. 11/10. Definitely worth the wait.
You felt his hand on your waist, his thumb lightly tracing patterns on your side. Your own arms were up around his neck and a part of you wanted to never let go.
But eventually, he pulled back. Not far, just enough that the two of you could look each other in the eyes.
“Worth the wait?” You asked softly, playfully.
He smiled, his ears a lovely shade of red. “Yeah, it was.”
His tongue darted out between his lips as his eyes searched your face. “You know, I’m really glad your friend gave me your number. You’re everything I could’ve wished for and more.”
You smiled back. “I’m really glad too, Chris.”
And how could you not kiss him again after that confession?
You knew you wouldn’t be here in Seoul forever, but everything about this moment confirmed what you’d been hoping.
This was the best thing that had ever happened to you, and you knew you were going to do everything in your power to keep it that way.
hanji who fingers u roughly after guitar lessons . . ૮꒰◞ ˕ ◟ ྀི꒱ა also hello fellow filo!! (≧▽≦) idk if u do emoji anons but if u do can i plz be 🐇 ? ^_^
yay another fellow filo !! & ofc you can be 🐇💞
── ⟢ ・⸝⸝
FINGER WORK 🎸
HAN JISUNG x READER
.𖥔 ݁ ˖🛸── .✦ smut. fingering. mdni.
It was just supposed to be guitar lessons between you and Jisung. So why were his fingers thrusting deep inside you?
❛ ━━━━━━･❪🐿️❫･━━━━━━ ❜
The studio was quiet after hours, just the low hum of the aircon and the occasional strum of guitar strings. You’d asked Han Jisung for help weeks ago—casual, professional.
You sat on the wide couch with the acoustic guitar across your lap. Jisung was right behind you, his chest lightly pressed to your back so he could see the guitar from your angle. His thighs bracketed yours, caging you in without quite touching.
“Try again,” he said, voice low and close to your ear. “Fourth string, index finger. Don’t rush it.”
His hand covered yours, guiding your fingers into position. His touch lingered longer than necessary, warm and slightly rough from years of playing.
When you strummed the chord correctly, his thumb slowly brushed over your knuckle before he pulled away.
“Good girl,” he murmured.
The praise slid down your spine like warm honey.
You swallowed hard and tried to focus, but every time you shifted, your ass brushed against the front of his sweats. He never moved back.
If anything, he leaned in closer.
The lesson continued like that—torturously slow.
Every correction came with his body pressed tighter against yours. His breath fanned across the side of your neck when he spoke. His fingers would trail down your arm under the excuse of fixing your posture, or rest casually on your waist when you played a longer progression.
At one point you messed up a transition and laughed nervously. Jisung chuckled, the sound vibrating against your back.
“You’re distracted tonight,” he observed, lips barely an inch from your ear. “Something on your mind?”
You shook your head, but your voice came out quieter than you wanted. “Just… trying to get it right.”
“Mhm.” His hand slid from your waist to your thigh, resting there heavily.
Your breath caught.
When you didn’t answer, he hummed softly and leaned in until his lips ghosted along the shell of your ear.
“Keep playing,” he whispered.
You tried. Your fingers trembled on the strings as his palm slowly rubbed up and down your thigh, inching higher each time.
The heat of his body behind you was overwhelming. You could feel him getting hard against your ass, the firm outline pressing insistently every time you shifted.
“Han…” you breathed.
“Shh. Focus on the guitar, baby.” His voice was velvet and sin. He kissed the sensitive spot just below your ear—barely a press of lips, but it sent electricity straight between your legs. “You’re so fucking pretty when you’re trying to concentrate while I touch you.”
His hand finally slipped between your thighs, cupping you over your shorts. He groaned quietly at how warm and damp you already were.
He didn’t pull back. Instead, his gaze dropped to your lips for a second before returning to your eyes. “Tell me to stop and I will.”
You didn’t.
His fingers left the guitar strings and slid slowly up your thigh instead, warm and deliberate.
The instrument was gently set aside.
“Been thinking about this,” he admitted, voice husky as he leaned in and brushed his lips against your cheek. “Every time you bite your lip when you concentrate.”
He kissed your jaw, then lower, open-mouthed against your neck while his fingers slipped under the waistband of your shorts and panties. The first touch of his bare fingers against your slick folds drew a soft gasp from you. He groaned quietly against your skin.
“Fuck, you’re wet already,” he whispered, lips brushing your ear.
Two fingers glided along your entrance, teasing, coating themselves before he slowly pushed one inside.
You clenched around him instinctively. Jisung let out a shaky breath and kissed you properly this time—deep, slow, and hungry—his tongue sliding against yours as he began to move his finger in and out.
He added a second finger, curling them just right, stroking that spot that made your thighs tremble. His thumb found your clit and circled it with steady pressure. All while he kept kissing you—your mouth, the corner of your lips, your flushed cheek, then back down to suck lightly at your neck.
You moaned into his mouth as his pace quickened. The wet sound of his fingers pumping into you filled the quiet studio, obscene and intimate. Jisung pulled back just enough to watch your face, forehead resting against yours, eyes half-lidded and dark.
“Look at you,” he breathed, voice wrecked. “So pretty when you fall apart on my fingers.”
He kissed you again, harder this time, swallowing every whimper and moan while his fingers fucked into you faster, deeper. His other hand lightly on your neck, keeping you close as your hips started rolling to meet his thrusts.
You were close—embarrassingly close already—and he could feel it in the way you tightened around him.
“Come for me,” he murmured against your lips, thumb pressing firmer on your clit. “Let me feel it.”
Your orgasm hit hard, pulsing around his fingers as pleasure crashed through you. Jisung kept kissing you through it—soft, lingering presses on your mouth, your cheek, your throat—while his fingers slowed but didn’t stop, drawing out every last wave until you were trembling and breathless in his arms.
He finally eased his hand out, bringing his glistening fingers to his mouth and tasting you with a low, satisfied hum.
Then he smiled, that familiar Han Jisung grin, now dangerously satisfied.
“Still wanna keep practicing guitar?” he asked, voice rough. “Or should we move on to the next lesson?”
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. (18,7k words)
Author's note: In case you haven't heard, the next chapter will be the final one. Pls enjoy it while it lasts 😝❣️
The ballroom glows like it’s trying too hard. Gold light spills from chandeliers overhead, scattering across polished glass and sequins and silk, catching on every surface like it wants to convince you this is where you’re supposed to be.
You sit among it all, posture perfect, fingers lightly curled around the stem of your glass.
And you feel… nothing. Or maybe that’s not true.
Because beneath the surface, your mind isn’t here. It’s back there. Back in the house, back where Hyunjin had you pressed against the wall. You can still feel the way his hand braced beside your head, the way his voice dropped, rougher than you’ve ever heard it before.
“I’d love you better.”
The memory hits like it’s happening all over again. It sinks into your chest, settles somewhere it shouldn’t, and suddenly breathing feels off. Like your lungs don’t quite know how to properly breathe. You swallow, forcing your expression to remain neutral as someone across from you laughs at something you didn’t hear.
You should be fine. You are fine. Whatever this is, it’s not supposed to get to you like this. Hyunjin says things. He’s always said things. Confident, careless, a little too sure of himself. It’s part of him. You know that.
So why did that feel different?
Your chest tightens because it almost feels like— No. You shake the thought off immediately, lifting your glass to your lips just to have something to do. The drink tastes smooth and expensive. Completely wasted on you right now. Because your mind keeps circling back not just to what Hyunjin said, but how he looked when he said it. That’s the part that won’t leave you alone.
Hyunjin doesn’t do serious. Not like that. Not with you. So why does it feel like he crossed a line neither of you acknowledged was even there?
You shift in your seat, the fabric of your outfit pulling slightly as you adjust, suddenly too aware of yourself, of your body, of the ghost of where Hyunjin’s hand had been.
It’s ridiculous. You’re at a gala. Surrounded by people who matter, conversations that matter, a night that’s supposed to matter. And yet, all you can think about is Hyunjin. About the way your name sounded in his low, hopeless voice. About the way your heart reacted to it. The confusion would be manageable on its own. But this? This strange, quiet ache sitting in your chest… It feels like hurt and you don’t understand why.
Then, a hand settles over yours followed by a soft call of your name and the reality rushes back in, reminding you of where you actually are when your head was drifting elsewhere.
“Hey,” Seungmin says, quiet enough that it doesn’t carry past the table. “You okay?”
You look at his hand and then at him. And for a second, you consider telling the truth. That your chest feels off. That your thoughts are tangled somewhere they shouldn’t be. That a single sentence from someone who isn’t supposed to matter like that has been looping in your head all night like a glitch you can’t fix.
But you remind yourself why you’re here in the first place, a commitment you can’t just walk away from. So you gather yourself instead with a quiet inhale of air to reset your mind.
“I’m okay,” you easily say with a faint smile.
Your fingers shift under his, subtle enough not to draw attention as you straighten in your seat, posture aligning, expression settling into something composed.
Seungmin watches you for half a brief moment and decides not to push. Maybe not in public. Instead, his thumb brushes against the back of your hand before his attention shifts to somewhere three tables away from yours.
You follow his gaze and there, three tables away from yours, is James Luck. Even from a distance, he stands out, effortlessly, because people around him seem to orbit without realizing it. You remember him differently because the version you first met years ago was less polished, less certain, when everything still felt like a gamble rather than a guarantee. He had been ambitious then with his start-up company, hungry in a way that was almost visible. Now? Now he looks like someone who’s already won. Billions does that to a person.
This. This is why you’re here. It’s him. A reconnection. A foot in the door. A conversation that, if handled right, might turn into something much bigger. A business deal.
That’s the objective number one. It always has been. That’s why you agreed when Seungmin called you to his office, talked about this gala and used the chance to talk to James Luck because apparently, it’s almost impossible to even have five minutes with him. You agreed to it because it’s work and not personal.
Also, your favorite author is in attendance and is somewhere in this room. You told yourself you’d find her later. That you’d say something about her book, about the part that resonates with you. That you’d let yourself have that moment. And that is the objective number two.
Seungmin’s hand tightens slightly around yours, reminding you that the objective number one comes first. You meet his eyes briefly and there’s no need for words. You know that it’s time.
“Ready?” he asks, already halfway there.
You give him a subtle nod in respond.
He stands first, still holding your hand as he does, guiding you up with him in one smooth motion. He waits as you fix the hem of your dress before finally slip into step beside him easily, your hand still in his, your expression composed, your mind… Still not entirely here. But it doesn’t matter. Because you know how to perform even when you’re fractured.
Step by step, the distance between your table and James Luck’s closes and by the time you reach the table, your smile is already in place—polished, effortless, convincing enough to fool anyone who doesn’t know you well enough to look closer.
“James,” Seungmin greets, voice smooth and confident. “Pleased to meet you here!”
James looks confused as he looks at Seungmin but Seungmin handles it well, he offers his hand and introduces himself. Then he turns to you, placing his hand on the small of your back as he gestures you to take a small step forward as he introduces you next.
You don’t expect him to recognize you right away, but you put on your brightest smile as you introduce yourself. “I’m not sure if you remember me but I was a part of the team handling your launch event two years ago,” you say with just the right amount of modesty and politeness.
The recognition hits as James’s face brightens and starts nodding repeatedly. “Oh, yes, I remember you. You were the assistant to the project manager, right?”
This. This is what you don’t expect to hear from someone like him. “That’s right,” you say, completely pleased.
And just like that, the conversation flows, casual at first and then it turns into something measured, intentional, layered with meaning beneath the surface. Seungmin is good at this and always has been. Calm, articulate, never pushing too hard but never losing direction either.
You catch only pieces of it and only step in when needed. You talk about the events you’ve handled with an easy, confident voice. You don’t oversell because you don’t need to.
And somewhere in the middle of it, Seungmin places his hand on the small of your back again and lightly says, “She’s being modest. She’s handled some of the biggest launches we’ve had. She doesn’t miss.”
Hearing that, James’s attention settles more fully on you now. You don’t wave. Instead, you return it with a polite smile, offering just enough detail to support the image Seungmin’s building. Not too much or too eager.
By the time Seungmin casually threads the idea into the conversation—“we should sit down properly sometime, explore this further”—it doesn’t feel like a pitch. It feels like the next logical step.
James pauses, thoughtfully considering it and then, he nods, genuine interest flickering across his expression. “I’d like that,” he says.
Objective one: secured.
The business slowly melts into something lighter now, something more casual and you play along. You smile. You respond. You exist exactly how you’re expected to. But after a while, you take the first opening you get.
“Excuse me,” you say softly, already rising before either of them can question it. “I’ll be right back.”
Neither stops you and you slip away easily, the noise of the ballroom fading slightly with each step until the restroom door closes behind you with a soft click. You place your purse on the sink, turn the faucet on and put your hands under it, letting the cool water run over your wrists. You breathe in and out. In and out.
One of the stall doors creaking open and from your peripheral, you see someone stepping out of it, catching the dark of her dress. And then—
“Do you, by any chance, have ibuprofen?”
The voice comes from behind you before the figure settles beside you against the sink. You glance up instinctively and you pause because you know her.
Another unexpected thing has just happened tonight because Jane Woods is standing next to you with one hand pressed lightly against her lower abdomen, the other rummaging through her purse. She doesn’t recognize you as she talks while glancing at you through the mirror.
“Of all days, I forgot to bring my pillbox and this period cramp is killing me.”
“I… uh—” you start, still processing. Hand gropes around the sink for your purse. “I don’t have ibuprofen, but I have aspirin?”
“That works. I’ll take anything at this point,” she says, still not recognizing you.
You nod, reaching into your purse, pulling out the small strip and handing it to her.
She takes it with a grateful smile, already twisting open a small bottle of water. “Thank you, you’re a lifesaver—”
You watch as she takes the aspirin and gasps after taking another sip of water. Hesitantly, you ask, “Do you… remember me?”
Jane looks at you, puzzled. She’s clearly too embarrassed to say no, afraid of making this awkward.
“I handled the launch event for your aphrodisiac pills,” you say.
She gets quiet now, eyes narrowed just slightly like it would help her to look at you better and recalls your face from her memories.
“I—uh… you approached me that night,” you continue, trying to piece it together for her. “About the test program?”
Her eyes widen as the recognition slowly settles in and then fully. “Oh! The girl with the adorable scowl.”
This time, you’re the puzzled one. “The what?”
“That’s what he said,” she explains vaguely, gesturing toward your face.
You stare at her, unsure if you should feel called out or offended. “Okay.”
“But I remembered you,” she assures you with a grin, taking out a compact powder from her purse and exhaling like the medicine is already working. Then her head tilts slightly. “So—how’s it been?”
“The test program?”
She nods.
“Actually, it just finished.”
“Oh?” she hums, looking into the small mirror in the compact powder, fixing the corner of her eyeliner with the end of her long nail.
You hesitate to say because it already happened and you no longer hold grudges over it. But you feel the need to address it. “You didn’t say that the program was for couples.”
She doesn’t look surprised and instead, she lightly says, “I didn’t?”
“No.”
“Hm.”
She leans back just enough to inspect her makeup. Then meets your eyes through the mirror. “Well, to be fair. I didn’t approach you first.”
You frown. “What?”
She closes her compact powder, setting it down neatly. “I approached him.”
You hesitate to ask. “…Who?”
“The pretty guy,” she clarifies, like it’s obvious. “Your partner.”
Hyunjin. You go still when the pieces start to come together.
“When I asked if he could recommend someone,” she continues casually, like she’s recounting something insignificant, “he told me to approach you.”
Your fingers curl around your purse. “He… what?”
Jane glances at you again, finally picking up on the shift in your expression. “He told you’d be there at the launch event. Told me to look for the girl with the adorable scowl.”
You swallow air because all of a sudden, your throat tightens just a little. Because that means, it wasn’t a coincidence. It wasn’t accidental. He asked for you, chose you from the start and knew all along.
Jane, completely unaware of the way that information settles into you, just moves on, picking up her purse again like the moment didn’t just shift something inside your chest.
“Anyway—thank you for the aspirin. I think I can survive the rest of the night now.”
You can only nod in respond because you’re still… a little elsewhere.
Jane puts the strap of her purse on her shoulder and offers you a smile. “I hope things are going well with you two,” she says with genuine kindness.
You nod again, because that’s what you’re hoping for but not what’s really happening right now.
“Yeah.”
That’s the only thing you can manage to say. Not quite an answer. Not a denial either.
Her smile softens and she hoists the strap higher on her shoulder. “Take care,” she adds, already heading for the door.
Then, she’s gone, leaving you there standing in front of the mirror and staring at yourself. But this time, seeing something different. Because now you know that Hyunjin chose you and you didn’t choose him back.
-
The ballroom greets you like nothing ever shifted. But in your heart, something did.
You quietly make your way through the crowded ballroom, eyes moving toward James’s table, but you don’t see either James or Seungmin. You stop walking but your gaze continues searching until you spot Seungmin back at your table instead. You move toward him and your steps slow when you notice someone is sitting in your seat. A girl. No— a woman.
You consider to turn away and come back to the table later, but Seungmin notices you before you can act on it.
“Hey,” he says as you approach, rising slightly. “Perfect timing.”
By the time you make it to your table, your gaze shifts back to her and pause when you realize it’s not just some woman taking your seat, it’s your favorite author. The objective number two is here.
Seungmin glances between the two of you, clearly pleased. “I told her that you’re a big fan of her book so I invited her to join our table.”
You have everything prepared in your head beforehand. The book, compliments, parts that resonate with you — they seem to have all vanished from your head as you awkwardly stand there, tongue-tied.
“I—yeah,” you manage to say after a minute, a smile breaking through before you can stop it. “I really am.”
The author smiles back at you, inviting you to sit so the two of you can talk. And Seungmin hurriedly and kindly gets up, moving to the chair next to him so you can have his seat.
“Go ahead,” he says, nodding toward it. “I’ll let you two talk.”
You hesitate for the briefest second before finally take a seat next to your favorite author and the two of you get into it right away. You tell her everything you’ve been meaning to convey and try not to stutter, or sounding nervous and ignore it whenever it shows. And Seungmin stays beside you, letting the moment belong to you without stepping away completely.
It’s perfect. Or it should be. Because somewhere, in a different version of this night, this is exactly how it would’ve gone. Seungmin beside you, hand on the small of your back, talking great things about you in such loving. But sadly, that’s not the reality you’re living in because two years of absence that doesn’t just disappear because the moment lines up nicely. Especially not after someone else came, chose you and promised you that he’d love you better.
-
Lights stretch into long, blurred lines against the window as the car moves, gold and white, a speck of red smearing together like something half-remembered. You slightly lean your head against the glass, cool against your temple, watching it all pass without really seeing it.
Tonight sits heavy in your chest, layered and complicated in a way that doesn’t sort itself out no matter how much you try to make sense of it. It was great. Objectively, undeniably great.
Tonight, two objectives have been successfully achieved. And another thing has been gained into your knowledge.
But first, let’s asses the man sitting next to you and how out of everything, out of all the details he carries, all the things that fill his days, Seungmin remembered something as small as the author you once mentioned liking. He didn’t make a show of it, didn’t bring it up beforehand and just… made it happen.
You finally glance at him then, just briefly and catch the way the soft glow of passing streetlights cuts across his face in intervals. His expression is calm and composed in that familiar way.
There’s something in the way he makes you feel tonight, something dangerously close to how it used to be. But that’s the problem, isn’t it? It almost feels the same. Almost, but not quite.
Then, there’s Hyunjin and it’s ridiculous how easily he slips into your thoughts now, how quickly everything circles back to him no matter where you are, who you’re with. Of course, you remember the annoying grin, the witty remarks, the way confidence oozes out of him when he walks into sight. But now, the first thing that comes to your mind are these words:
“I’d love you better.”
The words settle deeper the more you replay it in the back of your head. Because you remember exactly what you said back.
“I’m sorry.”
You shift slightly in your seat because recalling it unsettles you not just emotionally, but also physically.
Why did you say that?Because it was the right thing to say.Because it is the truth.
Because whatever Hyunjin thinks this is, you can’t give that back. And yet, your chest aches in a way that doesn’t line up with that logic at all.
Tonight was great. It really was. And somehow, it wasn’t.
Because Seungmin still knows you in ways that feel too familiar.
Because Hyunjin said something that felt too real.
Because you answered in a way that should’ve ended it, but didn’t.
It all sits there, layered deep in your chest, pressing inward from all sides.
-
The cool night air greets you as you step out of the car and you wrap your arms loosely around yourself, heels clicking faintly against the pavement as he falls into step beside you, walking together toward your house. It’s a short walk but every step feels like something inching closer to the surface, something you’ve been holding down all night. By the time you reach your door, it’s right there, waiting at the tip of your tongue.
You turn to face him, your voice steady and polite as you say, “Thank you for tonight.”
Seungmin’s eyes are on you as he smiles a soft smile. “I should be the one thanking you.”
You nod. A small, contained movement. No room for misinterpretation. And you decide it then that maybe this is how you should end the night. With everything stays contained and unconfronted.
You almost take it as you look at him and say, “Goodnight.”
You turn on your feet, but his hand finds your arm before you can take a step, enough to stop you.
“Wait.”
You don’t want to and that’s the first clear thought that cuts through everything else. You don’t want to turn back, but somehow, you do.
Seungmin steps closer, the space between you closing too easily. His hand slides from your arm to your waist, resting there like it belongs there. Your body stills, caught in the suddenness and the familiarity of it.
His gaze drops to yours as he quietly says, “Tonight felt special to me.”
It feels wrong to hear it, but you let him continue talking.
“Everything about it just reminded me of how… right this feels. You, next to me. Like you fit there.”
You swallow air because you felt the same, once and for the briefest of moment.
“Like nothing’s really changed,” he adds.
Something in you disagrees with him but before you can say anything to it, he leans in. There’s no hesitation in him, not even the slightest of doubt as he presses a kiss to your lips. And for a second, you close your eyes and let him, because your body remembers before your mind catches up. The shape of it. The feeling. The history. It’s all still there, sitting just beneath the surface, waiting for a moment like this to resurface. But that’s all it is. Memory.
As soon as he realizes that you’re not kissing him back, his lips pause and then slowly, pulls away. He looks at you, dark brown eyes staring into yours and you can see the moment the realization settling into him, piece by piece, that something is off. That you’re not who he thought you were. That you didn’t want the same thing you wanted two years ago. That you’re not his anymore. Or anyone’s for that matter.
A small, humorless laugh slips out of you without you intending to. You shake your head, gaze dropping for a second before lifting back to him.
“I’ve been trying to figure out how to say this,” you continue, exhaling softly. “I thought maybe there was a… nicer way to put it.”
Another small shake of your head. “But I can’t find it.”
You inhale air as you steady yourself, gathering everything that’s been building all night. Then you let it out. “All of this—tonight—it’s nothing personal. I agreed to it because it’s work. Because I wanted to help you. Help the company.”
A bitter edge creeps in as you let out another quiet, humorless laugh. “But I’m curious to know what exactly made you think you could just… walk back into my life like this?”
His expression shifts, lips parting open but nothing comes out of it. Caught off guard.
“What made you think I’d still be here? Waiting for you? Loving you the same way after everything you did?”
You don’t stop, instead, you stare deeply and intensely into his eyes. “You broke me. You hurt me in ways I didn’t even know I could be hurt. You made me feel like I’d never be okay again.”
You swallow, jaw tightening slightly before the last piece falls into place. “It’s great if you think this is personal because then I’ll use this moment to make it clear.”
You lift a hand, finger pointing at you and then at him. “You and me? It’s over.”
You see the surprise on his face. The disconnect between what he expected and what he’s getting instead.
“I’m ending this and I’d appreciate it if you just… leave me alone from now on.”
You don’t wait, don’t give him the chance to respond because you know him. You know what that smart mouth can do, how he talks his way in, how smoothly he can shift things, reframe them, pull you back into something you already fought your way out of.
This time, you turn and push the door open. You step inside and turn just enough to look at him just to say, “Goodbye, Seungmin.”
And with that, you close the door on him, on your past and the pain it carries.
-
For only God knows how long, you’ve been sitting there in the dining table, hands resting loosely on the wooden surface, eyes closed. Your lips press together, like you can hold it back if you try hard enough, like you’ve done every other time.
But tonight, there’s too much. It spills in the form of a quiet, broken sound that slips past your lips. Your hand lifts instinctively to your mouth, like you can muffle it, contain it but all it takes is a breath and you break all over again. You fold forward slightly, elbows pressing into the table as your face drops into your hands, shoulders trembling as the first real sob breaks free.
It’s everything you didn’t let yourself feel before. This is everything underneath the calm, controlled façade you put on day after day since the day he left. This is everything you swallowed down night after night, every piece of hurt that never really left and festering in places you stopped checking.
The heels of your palms pressing into your eyes as another sob tears through your chest and it hurts. God, it hurts. Your crying fills the space around you, echoing softly against the walls, the empty house holding every sound, giving it nowhere to go.
You don’t try to stop it because it wasn’t just the breakup or what he did. It was everything that came after. The doubt. The fear that maybe you wouldn’t come back from it fully. That maybe something in you had been altered in a way that wouldn’t fix itself. That maybe that version of you, the one he left behind, would permanently resides in you.
But somewhere between the pain and the release, you feel relief of knowing that this finally ended and feel assured now that you’re not her anymore.
You lift your head slightly, hands sliding down your face, dragging away tears that keep coming anyway. It feels less suffocating and more… open. Like something that’s been locked for too long finally gave way.
“I’m okay,” you whisper into the silence that surrounds you.
You’re not completely healed. But okay. More than okay. And for the first time in a long time, you feel free.
-
Your eyes feel heavy when you wake up the next morning. You bring a hand to your face, pressing lightly under your eyes and yes, as expected, they’re swollen from all the crying you did last night. A small exhale leaves you, but it’s not frustration, or regret. Because underneath it all, you feel good. Good in a way that you no longer feel that tight, suffocating weight in your chest.
You swing your legs over the side of the bed, sitting on the edge and stretching your arms in the air and then, you smile. A soft smile that marked a new beginning. Then you stand, moving through your morning routine slower but steadier.
After bathroom, you head downstairs and go straight for the kitchen. Coffee first as always. You turn on the machine and reaching for the top cabinet to take out a mug. You pause for a millisecond when you notice Hyunjin’s mug, it’s still there, untouched for how many days already. Out of curiosity, you open the next cabinet and his cereal is still sitting exactly where it always has.
You take a step back and juts stare at it, because that means, he didn’t come to collect his things. He came for you. He chose you again and again.
You reach for the cereal box almost absentmindedly as memories from last night push their way forward—what you said, how you said it, the way you shut the door without looking back. And the truth you learned later that night.
You hesitate for a second before taking it. You pour yourself a bowl and put in milk after, bring it with you to the dining table. You take a spoonful and smile at the sweetness that floods your mouth, a taste that stupidly comforting.
Your gaze drifts across the table and lands on your purse, right where you left it. Because at some point last night, after everything, after the crying and the breaking and the quiet that followed—you must’ve dragged yourself upstairs without thinking, too exhausted to care about anything else. You barely remember anything except the way you collapsed onto the bed and passed out completely after.
You set your spoon down, reaching for your purse, pulling it closer before slipping your phone out. You first instinct is to contact Hyunjin, you think of sending him a text, asking him to meet, giving you a chance to explain. Because last night feels unresolved. Not in a way that lets you just move on without looking back. There’s more there.
You unlock your phone, already halfway into forming the message in your head when a notification cuts through your thoughts. It’s an email from the pharmacy company.
Your brows knit slightly as you tap it open, fingers moving fast in curiosity and your eyes widen as you read, the words sinking in slower than they should. You read it again because the first time, your brain hardly catching up to what you’re reading with your mouth.
The next thing you know, you shoot up from your seat, so hard, so fast that your body knocking the edge of the table and the milk in your cereal sloshing out of the bowl.
“Oh my god?!!” you lowly gasp before it turns into a full shriek that echoes through the house.
Your hands fly to your mouth, your heart racing now for an entirely different reason as the realization settles fully into place. You won. You won the free vacation. The one you didn’t even care about whether you got it or not. And yet, you’re this happy to know you’ve won?
You laugh and shake your head in disbelief. You drop back into your seat, phone still in hand, scrolling through the details now just to be sure. And it’s real.
Your mind starts moving again because this isn’t just a free vacation, a trip. This is exactly what you need, a chance to fix things between you and Hyunjin.
-
The sound of your footsteps echoes too loudly against the polished airport floor as you run and weave through people, your suitcase rattling behind you like it’s protesting every second of this chaos. Your bag keeps slipping down your arm, your grip tightening around the strap, adjusting and not stopping. You can’t miss this flight. Not this one. Not when everything in you feels like it’s riding on it.
The hallway stretches longer than it should, the final turn coming into view and thank God, the gate is still open.
Relief hits you so fast it almost makes you stumble. You wave your hands in the air as you mutter, “I’m here—I’m so sorry—”
Your voice comes out breathless as you reach the desk, trying to steady yourself, pushing your hair back from your face as the flight attendant looks up.
She doesn’t scold you, doesn’t even look annoyed. Instead, she offers a small, understanding smile. “Just in time,” she says gently.
You let out a shaky laugh, nodding quickly as you hand over your boarding pass, gratitude spilling through every hurried movement. “Thank you—really, thank you.”
She waves it off lightly, already stepping out from behind the counter. “Let me help you.”
Your legs feel wobbly as she takes your suitcase, guiding you down the jet bridge and into the plane.
“Right this way.”
You follow her, still catching your breath, your pulse gradually slowing as you move further inside, toward the front. First class.
Your steps stutter for a second when you see him, Hyunjin. He’s already there, obviously. He’s sitting with his long legs stretched out comfortably in front of him, one ankle crossed over the other. Headphones rest over his ears, and his hat is pulled low, almost covering his eyes completely like he doesn’t want to be seen. Or doesn’t want to see.
“Thank you,” you murmur quickly to the flight attendant as she helps with your suitcase, your voice steadier now, but your heart? Not even close.
She gives you one last polite smile before stepping away, leaving you standing there for a brief second too long.
You don’t know if he’s noticed that you’re here. If he’s awake. If he’s pretending. You swallow, shifting your bag onto the seat before lowering yourself into it, slowly and quietly, like if you move too suddenly, you might disrupt something fragile in the air between you.
You sit, back straight at first, hands resting in your lap like you’re bracing for something that hasn’t happened yet. You glance at him and there’s no reaction, nothing. But you notice the way his chest rises and falls steadily beneath his jacket.
Hyunjin is sleeping. Maybe. You want that to be true. God, you want that to be true. Because it’s better than he knows you’re here and choosing not to acknowledge it. But even if that the case, you must accept the fact that he has every right to be angry.
That night, you didn’t just reject him. You shut him out and left him standing there with no chance to say anything back. The memory unsettles you now that he’s right beside you.
Don’t spiral. You tell yourself. You can work with this. You don’t need everything to be fixed right now. You don’t need him to look at you, to talk to you, to forgive you immediately. You just need time and now, you have it.
-
“Miss?” The flight attendant’s voice cuts through the line you quietly read to yourself, well, you barely read anything as your mind is busy thinking of ways to interact with Hyunjin when he wakes up from his sleep.
The flight attendant politely smiles as she hands you the menu. “May I take your meal preference?”
“Oh—” You straighten slightly, reaching for the menu you barely looked at. “Um…”
She nods toward the seat beside you. Her hand moves, like she’s about to gently wake Hyunjin.
“No—wait.” The word slips out quicker than you intend. You glance at him, then back at her, offering a small, apologetic smile. “I’ll do it. I’ll… wake him.”
“Of course,” she says with a smile before standing up straighter and moves on to the next passenger.
You turn your head to the side, finding him still asleep with his hat still tilted low but his headphones slightly askew now. You almost don’t want to wake him because he looks so peaceful, so still and—
Hyunjin shifts, one shoulder lifts higher than the other before it drops as he exhales air through his nostrils, his head tilting up, just enough for the light to hit his eyes.
You look down immediately, flipping open the menu like you didn’t just watching him sleep. You hear the faint rustle as he stretches, arms lifting, legs shifting and the big, long exhale that follows. The headphones come off first and the hat next. You glance up and your eyes meet almost immediately.
For a second, he just looks at you, eyes fluttering like his brain hasn’t quite caught up yet. But more than that, he looks confused like he didn’t expect to see you here. And maybe he does.
You smile anyway and softly murmur, “Hey, you woke up just in time for the meals.”
He doesn’t respond but stares at you for a second longer, like he’s trying to place you here—next to him, in this space, in this moment. Then he blinks again, dragging a hand through his hair, pushing it back messily before pulling his jacket off.
“What?” he mutters under his breath, more to himself than to you.
You bite back a smile at the sight of this clueless, disoriented Hyunjin.
He leans back into his seat, still adjusting, still waking up properly.
That’s when you lean slightly toward him, holding the menu up between you. “Salmon or beef?” you ask.
He looks at you again with eyes dazed and soft and God, you have to hold in the urge to smile. Because the way he rubs his eyes with his knuckles like he’s still halfway between asleep and awake — it’s too adorable.
He eventually sighs. His voice rough with sleep as he says, “Beef.”
You nod at that. “Okay.”
A while later, he unbuckles his belt, muttering something about the restroom before standing and walking off. By the time he comes back, he looks more awake now, more present. His posture straighter, his gaze clearer as he settles back into his seat.
You glance at him and say, “The food should be here soon.”
He doesn’t answer but runs his fingers through his hair again, pushing it back, smoothing it out like he’s trying to reset himself.
You don’t let the silence stretches too long so you smile and say, “It’s impressive that you can sleep through take-off.”
“I didn’t sleep much last night,” he simply and honestly shares.
It’s funny that you used to wish that he isn’t annoying like this, but now, you wish for the opposite. “Too excited for the trip, huh?” you tease gently.
Go ahead, annoy me. You scream inside your head, but the words just hang there between you before they fade into silence.
Thankfully, the flight attendant arrives just then, placing the trays down in front of you, breaking the moment before it stretches too far.
You thank her quietly, focusing on the food in front of you instead and for the next few minutes, it’s just the quiet clink of cutlery, the low hum of the plane, the distance that widen and widen the longer you let it.
Without thinking, you reach over and steal the piece of steak he just cut, hurriedly shoving it into your mouth.
“Hey—” he says, brows furrowing.
But you’re already chewing, pretending innocence.
He reaches toward your tray in retaliation, hand hovering over your bread.
“No,” you stop him, swatting lightly at his hand. “Don’t even think about it.”
He huffs and you smirk. And you end up placing your bread on his plate like a peace offering.
For the rest of the meal, it’s easier. The two of you chat about the flight, how you nearly missed it and him talking about how he thought he forgot his passport. You laugh and he does too. And for a moment, it feels like everything is okay again.
By the time the trays are cleared and the tables folded away, the space between you isn’t as heavy as it was before. You glance at him and then at the screen in front of you.
“Hey, they have that movie. The one we were watching that night and didn’t finish watching,” you pause to make sure his attention is still on you. “Want to watch it together?”
He looks at you and you think he’s going to say yes, you can see it from the hesitation, the flicker of something that almost leans toward you. But then, he leans back and sinks into his seat instead.
“Actually, I’m going to sleep more,” he says.
Despite his rejection, your smile stays intact and you manage a nod. “Okay.”
And that’s how you know for sure that he’s still upset, still holding onto what happened, still not ready to just fall back into this like nothing changed. That’s more than fair.
You lean back into your own seat, your fingers tap lightly against the armrest as you settle on something random to watch, deciding not to worry. Because you know this isn’t the end of the conversation.
-
It’s a honeymoon suite. They assigned you and Hyunjin into a honeymoon suite. And there’s nothing wrong about it, considering that the test program was meant for couples thus make the prize also meant for a couple.
You and Hyunjin step in at the same time, your footsteps slowing instinctively as your eyes take in the room. It’s… big.
A living space stretches out in front of you, a low table placed neatly between a plush sofa and armchairs and then, almost immediately, you notice the flowers, carefully arranged and placed beautifully in a glass vase, sitting right at the center like it’s meant to be seen first. Next to it, there’s a plate of dessert which you assume is a welcome gift from the hotel and on it, written in chocolate sauce: Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Hwang!
You press your lips together, trying not to smile too much at the ridiculousness of it, but the amusement lingers anyway as you take a few more steps in. You part open the two sliding doors, revealing the bedroom and as expected, flower petals arranged neatly into a heart shape right at the center of the bed like something straight out of a cliché you never thought you’d actually walk into.
Your cheeks warm immediately, stepping back like you’ve seen something you weren’t supposed to. You don’t even look at Hyunjin and just continue moving, exploring the space. Because if you linger there for too long, you’re going to start thinking about it and that’s dangerous territory.
The room opens up toward the balcony, and when you slide the glass door open, the ocean greets you again, it’s dark to see but it’s there, the sound of the waves carries up faintly, carrying the heat and the salt in the air and you take a second to just breathe it in, take another second to take in the view next and your cheeks warm again at the sight of the hot tub. You almost can’t believe that there’s a hot tub on the balcony but once you remember it’s a honeymoon suite, it makes sense.
You step back inside and slowly close the glass door like you’re concealing a secret. You decide to return to the sofa, dropping your bag beside you and planning to take a better look at the welcome gifts.
You lean forward, immediately reaching for the box you didn’t pay attention to earlier. A card sits on top and you pick it up, reading the handwritten words on it. It’s a welcome message from the pharmacy company, wishing you a pleasant stay, hoping you enjoy the experience.
“…with it, we would like to spoil you one more time with our Lover’s toolbox, curated to spice up your summer time…”
Your brows lift slightly as you slide it closer, curiosity sparking immediately. You glance around and find Hyunjin busy dragging his things to the bedroom before turning your attention back to the box. Then slowly, you lift the lid and—
Oh. Your eyes widen at the selection of products they put into this. You get it then why it’s called Lover’s toolbox because— You don’t even get to finish the thought because suddenly, Hyunjin drops down beside you and immediately reaches for the dessert plate sitting nearby.
“Wait—” you stop him a little too late.
Hyunjin is already scooping up a big piece with the fork, completely ignoring the delicate welcome message written in chocolate sauce across the plate.
“I haven’t taken photos of…” your words trail off as he takes a bite anyway.
He shrugs, chewing like it’s not a big deal.
You grab the fork straight from his and take a big piece for yourself, you don’t wait to shove it into your mouth. You triumphantly grin as you chew.
He scoffs, reaching to take the fork back immediately. “Oh, it’s like that?” he mutters.
“Oh, it’s absolutely like that.”
You don’t even wait but reach forward, snatch the cherry from the top and pop it into your mouth.
His eyes widen in disbelief. “Seriously?”
You just chew, smiling smugly.
He retaliates immediately, shoving another exaggerated bite into his mouth like he’s proving a point.
You break into laughter and then lean back into the sofa, letting out a soft sigh. “Do you want to grab dinner?” you ask, turning your head toward him.
“Room service?” he asks back, still chewing.
You sit up slightly, folding a leg under you. “No. Let’s go out.”
He glances at you. “Why?”
You gesture vaguely toward the balcony. “Because—there’s the sea. And it’s nice out there.”
“You can see the sea from here,” he says plainly.
“That’s not the same.”
“It’s dark. You won’t see much,” he counters.
You cross your arms together. “We’ve been sitting the whole six hours of flight.”
“Yeah. And we’re tired from that flight.”
You pout and he just stares at you, none of you backing down.
“Room service,” he firmly says.
You fully, blatantly pout.
“You can do whatever you want,” he adds, done arguing as he leans back on the sofa.
You grab his arm and whine, “I’m hungry.”
He sighs and shifts slightly, glancing toward the balcony before looking back at you. “We’ll get room service and eat it on the balcony. How about that?”
You consider it for exactly two second and your expression softens immediately as you cave in, nodding repeatedly.
When the dinner arrives, the two of you barely wait for everything to be set properly before you’re already reaching for your food, settling into the chair on the balcony as the night air wraps around you.
The view, the atmosphere, the soft glow of lights from the shoreline— it’s nice. But you don’t pay any attention to any of it because you’re too hungry. And apparently, so is Hyunjin.
For a while, neither of you speaks. The two of you are too busy stuffing food into your mouth like the food might disappear if you don’t keep up.
You steal a glance at him mid-bite and immediately laugh at the sight of ketchup smudged at the corner of his mouth. “You got ketchup all over you,” you say, pointing.
He frowns slightly. “What?”
“You’re eating like a hungry goblin.”
He scoffs, barely even pausing as he chews. “You’re not any better.”
Instead of replying back, you reach for a napkin and lean in, gently wiping the mess around his mouth. Once you’re done, you pull back slightly, meeting his eyes and for a second, he just looks at you.
“Thanks,” he mutters.
“You’re very welcome,” you say, getting back to your own food.
As you eat, you keep watching him as he takes another bite of his burger, bigger this time that his eyes squeeze shut as he tries to fit it in, chewing immediately like he’s committed to it now, consequences be damned.
You let out a soft, amused sound. It’s ridiculous and somehow, endearing. You lean in again without thinking, napkin still in hand, catching the edge of ketchup that didn’t survive round two.
“You eat so well,” you coo lightly, unable to hide the warmth in your voice.
He doesn’t respond but keeps chewing, slower and quieter now as the night air drifts between you, the sound of the ocean filling the spaces where words aren’t needed. And for a moment, it’s simple. It’s just you and him in this quiet that doesn’t ask for anything more.
You lean back slightly in your chair, finally slowing down now that the initial hunger has settled, your gaze drifting lazily around the balcony, tucked just at the corner is the hot tub.
You turn back to him, a small grin forming as you point at the hot tub and say, “We should try it.”
All of a sudden, Hyunjin chokes on his food. A sharp cough bursts out of him as he hits his chest lightly, eyes widening in surprise as he struggles to swallow what he just tried to inhale instead.
“Hey—hey—” you lean forward quickly, grabbing his glass and refilling it with water. “Slow down.”
You push the glass toward it and he takes it without argument, still coughing lightly as he brings it to his lips, taking a few quick sips. You watch him, the concern fading almost immediately into amusement.
“I mean, we don’t have to jump in right now,” you lightly tease with a smile. “I’m just saying—we could.”
He keeps drinking but you notice the way his ears reddening. You lean back again, crossing one leg over the other, watching him over the rim of your glass and enjoying this just a little too much.
You know he’s still mad and he won’t forgive you easily. But he’s softening just a little, he got flustered. You’re getting there.
-
“I’m done,” you announce the second you walked out of the bathroom while lathering lotion to your hands.
Hyunjin is by the bed. His suitcase lies open, clothes already half-unpacked in that careless but efficient way of his. He’s crouched slightly, pulling out a toiletry bag, barely glancing up when you walk over and drop onto the bed instead, the mattress dipping under your weight.
God. It’s soft. You stretch out on your stomach, arms folded under your chin as you let your head hang just slightly off the edge, peeking down toward his suitcase.
“Hey, can you hurry in the bathroom? We have something to discuss,” you say.
He zips up the toiletry bag and stands, turning toward you. “I’ll use the bathroom as long as I please.”
Your brows knit immediately and pout. “I’ll wait anyway.”
But he’s already turning away, walking past you and disappearing into the bathroom without another word.
You stare at it for a second, lips jutting out more. “Rude.”
You huff and sit up on the bed, deciding to collect the flower petals in your hands and then toss the whole thing into the trash bin. You keep the one whole flower to yourself, tucking it in your ear before scooting further up the bed, settling against the pillows this time.
Since Hyunjin will be in the bathroom for only God knows how long. You decide to do something as you wait. You take your phone from the nightstand and start browsing the internet, searching through places to visit, things to do, recommendations, reviews. The list grows so you quickly narrow it down, filtering through what actually makes sense. Just enough to fill the week without turning it into something exhausting.
Once in a while, you glance up and look at the bathroom door still closed. Then frown. “Is he—building a house in there or what…”
You go back to your phone, adjusting your list, refining it further, but slowly, your focus shift and blur. Because your exhaustion finally catching up to you and the bed is too comfortable. You shift slightly, pulling the duvet over yourself without even realizing it, your body curling just a little as warmth settles around you.
“Just… a few minutes,” you murmur, promising yourself that you’re just going to close your eyes for a few minutes.
And the next thing you know, your phone slips out of your hand, screen dimming as the room falls quiet again and you fall into a dreamless sleep.
-
Hyunjin steps out of the bathroom with one hand still running through damp hair, the other loosely holding the edge of his sleeve as he pushes it down. He’s braced himself to hear your protest for making you waited too long for him and he’s ready to argue.
When his eyes land on you, you’re already sleeping and he just stands there, the words he had lined up dissolve before they even reach his mouth.
He exhales slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing without permission as he takes a few careful steps toward the bed. You’re curled slightly into the duvet, phone barely held in your hand, breathing slow and even like you dropped into sleep without a fight.
He sits on the edge of the bed, watching you as you sleep soundly for someone who ran through the airport, pushing through conversations, holding things together like you always do.
Without thinking too much about it, he climbs onto the bed carefully, careful not to make sudden or loud movements. He crawls closer and stops just right next to you. He takes your phone first, putting it away and then the flower tucked in your ear next, he gently brushes it away before tossing it recklessly onto the floor.
He sinks lower onto the mattress and continues brushing the strands of hair away from your face, doing it with utmost care like you might break if he isn’t. then, he daringly places a hand to frame the side of your face and a small breath escapes him as his gaze lingering on you. Because you look so different like this and yet, at the same time, exactly the same.
He thinks about earlier on the plane, about the moment he woke up and saw you there. The confusion. The disbelief. The way his chest quietly flooded with relief and joy. Then he thinks about the car ride earlier, you by the window, the way your face lit up at the sight of the sea. And now, even this. You, asleep beside him and just looking at you like this makes him… happy. It settles in his chest too naturally, like it never left in the first place and it makes him forget why he was upset and how you walked away from him that night.
Everything comes back into him like a harsh reminder that whatever this is, it’s not safe. He knows better. He should know better that he’s only setting himself up for another disappointment, another heartbreak.
A quiet exhale leaves him and just like that, he pulls back, carefully shifting away, creating space where there wasn’t any before. He settles into the spot beside you instead, not too close, not too far, pulling the duvet up to his chest like a shield. He reaches over, switching off the light until the darkness settles in.
The sound of the ocean fills the silence as Hyunjin stares at the ceiling, because even with the distance, even with the reminder—
You’re still right there beside him and it complicates everything.
-
It feels like he just fell asleep. Like his eyes only closed for a few minutes instead of hours.
But when Hyunjin wakes up, the room is bright, sunlight flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling window, making him squint almost immediately,
He closes and opens his eyes a few times, trying to adjust, dragging a hand over his face as he shifts slightly and notices that your side of the bed is already empty. His brows furrow, the remnants of sleep slipping away faster now as he pushes himself up onto his elbows, glancing toward your side of the bed like you might just be… hidden under the duvet somehow.
His hand gropes around the empty space and it’s cold, you’ve been gone long enough. He sits up slowly, running a hand through his hair again as his gaze drifts toward the bathroom but you couldn’t possibly keep the door open if you’re inside. He doesn’t bother checking and steps out into the living area. Still, no sight of you.
His jaw tightens slightly as he walks toward the balcony next, pushing the door open just enough to glance outside. Still nothing. Just the ocean stretching endlessly ahead, waves rolling in slow, steady rhythms. People scatter along the beach below, looking like dots from this height.
He exhales softly, stepping back inside, running a hand over the back of his neck. “Why am I even—” he mutters under his breath, almost annoyed at himself. Because obviously, you didn’t leave. Your things are still here. Your bag, your clothes, everything. You couldn’t have just… gone.
He lets out a quiet, breathy laugh, shaking his head slightly as he drops onto the sofa, legs spreading, one arm slung across the back while the other rubs at his eyes. He’s overthinking it when there’s other possibilities. Maybe you’re out on a morning walk on the beach, that’s the kind of thing you would do. Even if that’s the case, you could’ve woken him up, taken him with you. But you didn’t, you chose to leave him alone in the hotel room.
He scoffs quietly to himself, reaching for the menu on the table to redirect his thoughts. He flips it open, scanning through options without really reading them, just letting his eyes move over the words as his mind lingers somewhere else. He’s halfway through deciding when the door beeps open and his head lifts immediately.
You walk in smiling and greet him, “Good morning.”
Hyunjin glances at you and then straightens slightly on his seat. “Morning,” he replies.
He flips the menu, eyes focusing a little too hard on the words as he casually asks, “Where’ve you been?”
You slip off your long cardigan as you walk further in, revealing that you still have your night dress on underneath, like you woke up and decided to go for a walk on the beach.
“I went for a walk on the beach,” you say, moving toward the counter. You grab a bottle of water, leaning back against the counter as you take a sip.
He nods because it’s just like what expected. He forces his focus back on the menu again and asks, “Do you want to order something for breakfast?”
“Oh, I already ate. At the buffet,” you say simply.
So you’re not only went for a morning walk, you also had breakfast without him. He tries to remain calm, like that doesn’t bother him at all, flipping the page again even though he already knows what he’s going to order.
Fine. Whatever. He picks up the phone, placing his order quickly and by the time he hangs up, you’re sitting on the low table in front of him, your knees nearly brushing his.
Your smile is brighter now, eyes focused solely on his. “Okay, we have to discuss something.”
He raises a brow slightly, leaning back just a bit. “Discuss what?”
“The discussion we didn’t get to have last night,” you simply answer.
“Oh, yeah, because you fell asleep.”
“No,” you immediately deny. “Because you were in the bathroom for far too long. What did you do in there anyway?”
He doesn’t answer and leans back on the sofa, putting a space between you and him. But you grab the front of his t-shirt and pull him close. “We have to discuss our plan for today.”
He keeps his face neutral even though he notices the way your hands drop to his thighs and holding him there. “I don’t know about you but I plan on going to the pool and just… lounging, relaxing. Order a cocktail or two.”
You drop your head to the side and sigh, “That’s your plan?”
“You have better plan than that?”
“You can’t just stay in the hotel all day,” you say, matter-of-fact. “There’s so much to do here.”
He stares at you. Then down at your hands gripping at his thighs now. Then back up again. “What are you suggesting?”
Your eyes light up like you’ve waited for him to ask you that exact question. “Well, I asked the hotel earlier and they have a trip to a waterfall—”
He opens his mouth and you quickly cover it with your hand, allowing you to finish talking. “And I signed us up.”
Hyunjin narrows his eyes at you and puts your hand away from his mouth. “This is not a discussion. It’s a persuasion.”
You grin, unapologetic. You tilt your head the other way as your hands slide up to rest lightly on his arms now. “We’re on a free vacation. We have to enjoy it to the fullest.”
He exhales slowly because here you go again, looking at him like that, with bright eyes, a bright smile like you already know the answer. Like you’re not even giving him the option to say no. And honestly, he doesn’t really want to.
“Yeah. Okay,” he finally mutters like it’s the hardest decision he ever made when, in fact, it’s the opposite.
Your face lights up immediately and out of excitement, you lean in, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Then pull away like it’s nothing. “I’m going to shower and get everything ready,” you say, already moving, energy buzzing through you.
He watches you stand, still processing, still… a little stuck on that kiss. “Wait—” he calls out, slightly stammering. “When are we leaving?”
“In an hour!” You answer before disappearing into the bedroom like a burst of energy he can’t quite keep up with.
Hyunjin stares after you for a second and then exhales, dropping back into the sofa, one hand pressed to his cheek where you lips marked his skin with a kiss. It’s warm but searing from the inside. He should be annoyed and he kind of is, but a small smile tugs at his lips anyway and he doesn’t bother hiding it.
-
The minibus is already waiting by the time you and Hyunjin get to the lobby. He lets you go first, hand hovering near your back as you step up into the minibus, making sure you don’t trip, even if you don’t need the help. Then he climbs in after you.
Some people have already taken their seats inside. A father and his daughter take the front row. Two middle-aged ladies sit a few rows behind them with matching sun hats perched on their heads. You choose the two-seaters and Hyunjin slides into the seat next to yours.
A few minutes later, the last group piles in. Three guys take over the back seats immediately, their voices bouncing off the walls of the bus as they laugh, shove each other, talk over one another like this trip revolves around them.
About an hour in, the minibus finally slows, tires crunching softly against uneven ground before it comes to a stop. Soon, everyone steps out one by one and grouping around the wooden gate that says: Welcome to Iridis Waterfall!
Hyunjin straightens slightly, glancing around in curiosity and sees the trees, lots of them. Suddenly, has a bad feeling about it.
The guide stands at the front, clapping his hands lightly to get everyone’s attention.
“From here, we’ll be hiking for about thirty to forty-five minutes through the woods to reach the waterfall,” he announces cheerfully.
Hyunjin turns to you slowly, eyes narrowed. “You didn’t mention that there’ll be hiking,” his tone is flat, but accusing.
You just smile like that’s supposed to fix it. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
Of course you’d say that. Of course, you’d drag him into something like this without the very important detail that it involves actual physical effort.
“I’m sure it’ll be worth it,” you assure once more as you’re digging through your bag, completely unbothered by his silent judgment.
A while later, you finally find the one you’re looking for and hand it to him. “Here.”
He takes it and then looks at it. “Mosquito repellent?”
“There are definitely meaner ones here than the ones in my backyard,” you say with a sheepish grin.
“Great,” Hyunjin says as he lets out a big, dramatic sigh. And yet, he notices the way you care about him even to the small thing like this.
All of a sudden, you take the spray bottle from his hand. “I’ll do it.”
It’s too late to stop you as you start spraying his arms, thoroughly like you’re on a mission. And Hyunjin stays still as he lets you, eyes squeezing shut instinctively as he holds his breath when you spray his neck and the back next. Then you crouch slightly to spray his legs.
“Done,” you say brightly.
He opens one eye. Then the other. “You’re enjoying this.”
“A little.”
One of the middle-aged ladies approaches you and politely asks, “Oh! Dear, could I borrow that?”
You immediately hand the spray over. “Of course!”
The second lady joins her, and within seconds, they’re both standing near Hyunjin, looking at him like they’ve just discovered something interesting.
“Oh my, you’re very handsome,” one of them says.
“Such nice features,” the other adds.
Hyunjin is caught off guard and doesn’t know how to react. “Uh—thank you?”
Nex to him, you’re smiling and laughing, absolutely no help whatsoever. Before the situation escalates any further, the guide calls out that it’s time to start the hike and Hyunjin doesn’t even get the chance to move properly before he’s swept forward. The two ladies latch onto him, one on each side, chatting away like they’ve just decided to adopt him for the day.
“Oh, you should walk with us!”
“Yes, yes, come along!”
Hyunjin looks over his shoulder and you’re following closely behind, grinning. You wave him forward slightly, clearly entertained as the two ladies start chatting, asking him things while dragging him into the woods.
Twenty minutes of hike and the guide tells everyone to stop for a short break. Hyunjin exhales air, wiping the sweat on his neck as he scans for somewhere to sit. He spots a fallen log and makes his way over, taking the two ladies with him. They sit on either side of him like it’s been prearranged, already pulling out their water bottles, chatting like they’ve barely broken a sweat.
Hyunjin barely has time to even think about asking before you’re there with a bottle of water for him. He looks up and you’re already unscrewing another one for yourself.
“Thanks,” he mutters, taking it.
You just nod and because the log is full, you take a step back to look for somewhere to sit. That’s when one of the guys steps forward and calls for you. “Hey, you can sit with us,” he says to you, gesturing toward another log nearby.
You hesitate for a second before walking over and have a seat. “Thanks,” you politely say.
Hyunjin watches as they chat with you, offering snacks and talking over each other again just like in the bus. Loud and animated, trying too hard. He scoffs quietly knowing that they don’t stand a chance. They’re young and reckless, definitely not your type.
He takes another sip of water, eyes still drifting over and catches you laughing and talking, getting comfortable with them. And something in his chest tightens just a little.
The guide calls everyone back, announcing the break’s over. Hyunjin stands immediately, brushing his hands against his pants before turning back to the two ladies.
The path turns into a rocky one and the guide constantly tells everyone to watch their steps. The little girl now hoisted on the father’s back, the two ladies relying on Hyunjin to navigate, offering his hand and making sure neither of them trips. But he can’t help the eyes drifting to the back, toward you and the three guys eagerly helping you, making sure you don’t slip.
Hyunjin tries not to think much about it and focuses on helping the ladies making it safely down the path. Soon, the sound of waterfall could be heard from behind the trees, faint at first and it grows louder the further they walk.
When the waterfall comes into view, everyone halts to a stop and just watch the way the water cascading down from above, crashing into the pool below with a force that echoes through the entire space. Mist rises lightly, catching the sunlight filtering through the trees, turning everything soft and glowing.
Everyone is in awe, including him. He looks over his shoulder at you and catches your eyes shine at the sight so that includes you too.
When everyone moves again, they move with a boost of energy, their steps quicker now as they make their way down the last stretch of the rocky path, stopping just beneath the trees where the shade offers relief.
Hyunjin doesn’t wait. He turns and walks straight over to you. “Here,” he says, offering his hand at you to help you walk down the last of the rocky path.
“Guys, we’re here!” The guide announces with a proud smile, “Go ahead and enjoy your time.”
Everyone scatters off almost immediately, picking their own shelter and Hyunjin, still holding your hand, guide you toward a large boulder a little further off. He climbs up first, steadying himself before turning back and offering you his hand.
You take it and let him pull you up. And then you’re both there. You stretch your legs out in front of you, letting out a soft sigh as your gaze lifts toward the waterfall again. “Whoa…”
Hyunjin doesn’t look at the waterfall. He looks at you and the way your face softens. The way your eyes light up again and how it’s still new to him seeing this bright, carefree version of you.
You turn your head toward him and smile. “Told you that it’s worth it.”
Yeah, it is. He answers inside his head and it’s not because of the hike or the waterfall. But because of you, because of that smile.
A loud splashing sound cuts through the serenity, followed by shouting and laughing from the three guys as the jump into the water. Soon enough, more people follow.
You reach for your bag, slipping your water bottle back inside before glancing at him. “Are you going to swim?”
He doesn’t answer but looks at you instead. “Are you?”
You stand and start pulling your t-shirt off, already putting on a swimsuit underneath. “Of course I’m going to swim.”
You reach down for your denim shorts next, undoing the button and pull it down your legs.
Hyunjin tries not to look but he does anyway, catching you fixing the straps on your shoulders and then you glide your hands down your front, smoothing the fabric. And that’s when he looks away.
Then, you toss your denim shorts at him and cheerfully say, “Race you to the water!”
Before he can react to it, you’re already running and laughing as you head straight for the water, not even looking back.
Hyunjin takes his time. He takes his clothes off, putting his and your things into a neat pile under the shade before getting off the boulder. The rocks are hot from being exposed to the sun when he steps on them, and he hurriedly put his feet in the water to cool them down.
He sees you then, just playing on the shallow water, chatting and laughing as the little girl from earlier holding onto your hands, keeping her steady on the surface.
“Like this—yeah, you’re doing it!” you encourage.
The girl giggles, kicking her feet clumsily against the water.
You look up and lights up when you notice him. “Get in here already!”
“Yeah, get in here!” the girl repeats with her giggly voice.
Feeling mischievous, Hyunjin jumps in and the water crashes around him, sending a splash big enough to soak both of you. When he surfaces, he finds you both squealing and laughing. He moves closer, the water settling around him as he floats near you.
Then suddenly, you lift the girl and place her on his back. “Hyunjin will take you for a swim,” you say, like it’s already decided.
The girl immediately wraps her little arms around his shoulders, giggling. There’s not other option for him but starts swimming. He makes a small loop around the area, keeping her steady, letting her laugh echo against the water until he brings her back.
“Thank you,” she sweetly says as she hops off onto a rock nearby, running back toward her father.
Hyunjin barely has time to turn as you jump onto his back. “It’s my turn now,” you say, already clinging to him, arms looping around his shoulders.
He huffs a laugh despite himself. But his hands come up instinctively, steadying you anyway. He swims slower, moving closer to the waterfall. The sound grows louder, the mist cooler against his skin as he stops just at the edge where the water crashes down hard enough to ripple everything around them.
You don’t let go but shift, turning around and pulling back just enough to face him, your hands resting on his shoulders now, your body still pressed close.
“I have something to tell you,” You murmur with a serious face.
He tilts his head slightly, confused but mostly, curious. “What?”
You lean in close and bring your mouth close to his ear, then whisper, “I can’t swim.”
He looks at you with genuine surprise now. “Are you serious?”
You sheepishly smile and nod.
That’s new. He stares at you for half a second and the mischief in him returns. He smirks before he dips, pulling you down with him until you’re both engulfed in water and the world is muted for a brief moment until you both resurface.
You gasp immediately, clutching onto him tighter as you cough lightly. “Are you crazy? I told you I can’t swim!”
He laughs, clearly enjoying this too much. “You’re floating just fine.”
“This is not funny—” you grumble, legs wrapping around his waist instinctively, holding onto him like your life depends on it.
He steadies you, still smiling as he reaches up and gently brushes the strands sticking to your face to the back. He looks at you and the way the sunlight catching on the water droplets clinging to you, the way your lashes stick together and just the way you cling to him. All of a sudden, he’s aware of how close you are, how your hands are gripping his shoulders and how your face is right there, merely inches away from his.
Instinctively, he puts his arms tighter around you, a hand holds you by the nape. His gaze drops briefly to your lips and then back to your eyes. And before he can think too much about it, he leans in slowly, like he’s giving himself time to stop. But he doesn’t.
And instead, a voice slices through the moment.
“HEY!”
Both of you turn and the guys, they’re up by a smaller waterfall now, dragging a tube up the rocks, laughing like idiots.
“Come try this!” one of them calls out, waving at you.
You look at them and then back at Hyunjin. And grin. “Let’s try it!”
“No,” Hyunjin refuses immediately.
“Come on. It’ll be fun,” you coax again, shaking his shoulders.
He doesn’t want to. Because he prefers to stay right here. In this moment with you. but you’re looking at him like that again — shining eyes and a bright smile.
“Please?” you whine softly.
He groans and helps you back toward the edge, steadying you as you climb out, but he doesn’t follow this time. He stays in the water and intently watching as you climb the rocks, joining them at the top of the smaller waterfall.
They help you onto the tube and make sure you’re settled on it before they push the tube down the water stream and you’re off. You’re sliding down fast, your scream echoing through the space, a mix of fear and excitement that makes his worry for a split second. You hit the water hard, creating splashes on the water and the tube flips, you disappear under.
Hyunjin rushes to swim toward you but before he gets there, you’re rising to the surface, breathlessly laughing. “That was so fun!”
Relief hits him but he quickly reaches you, hands finding your arms, steadying you again. “You okay?” he asks, softer now.
You nod quickly, still grinning. “Yeah.”
By the time you both climb back onto the boulder, the adrenaline has worn off just enough to leave behind a pleasant kind of exhaustion.
Hyunjin sits first, catching his breath, water still dripping from his hair and all over his body. You follow right after, hugging yourself slightly as the breeze hits your damp skin. Without thinking, he reaches for his shirt and drapes it over your shoulders.
But you’re too busy rummaging through your backpack again to notice, fingers digging around until you pull a small bag of food. You smile at him, a little apologetic. “I only packed apples and biscuits.”
Hyunjin leans back slightly, peeking into the bag. “That’s more than enough,” he honestly says because he didn’t even think of packing anything at all.
So he doesn’t complain. Instead, he reaches in, grabs an apple, and takes a bite. You grab a pack of biscuits, tearing it open as you sit beside him, quietly snacking.
For a moment, it’s peaceful again, just the sound of the waterfall and the rustles of trees, the occasional splash from below. Then—
“Hey!” The two ladies waving enthusiastically from under the shade. “Come over here!”
You and Hyunjin glance at each other. He hops down first and helps you next, stepping carefully off the boulder as he steadies you.
And together, you walk over to the small picnic they set up under a tree. Beach towels spread over the ground, containers opened, food laid out like they planned for a small party instead of just the two of them.
“We packed too much for the two of us,” one of them says.
Hyunjin stands there and takes it in. Yeah. They definitely packed too much.
“Come, come!” the other says, gesturing him to take a seat.
You sit down first and he follows after, sitting down next to you.
One of them pushes the food containers toward him and says, “We went a little overboard.”
“A little?” Hyunjin mutters under his breath.
You nudge him lightly and shoot him a glare. Then you turn toward them and say, “Thank you for having us.”
Hyunjin eats whatever they offer him — sandwiches, fruits, bottled juice while sharing stories about their trip and that this it’s a girl’s trip they took to commemorate their forty years of friendship.
Next to him, you’re beaming and warmly smile. “Forty years? Wow, that’s incredible,” you say in genuine awe.
“We’ve been friends since we were fourteen.”
“Oh, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves,” the one with short hair and doe eyes says, “I’m Jules.”
The other one with strawberry blonde hair smiles and raises her hand in a small wave. “And I’m Diane.”
You introduce yourself and he smiles when you introduce him next, offering a polite nod at the two ladies.
Jules leans forward slightly, eyes twinkling. “So, are you two on your honeymoon?”
You and Hyunjin exchange a glance and then break into a soft laugh. “Sorry—no. We’re just co-workers,” you say politely, shaking your head.
Hyunjin stays quiet and lets you handle it, focusing on finishing his sandwich instead.
“Oh! I’m sorry—I assumed—” Jules sheepishly says.
“It’s okay,” you reassure her easily.
But Diane tilts her head, curiosity sparked her heart-shaped face. “Then why are you here together?”
Jules immediately smacks her lightly on the thigh. “Diane! People are allowed to go on vacation!” she softly scolds her friend.
Hyunjin snorts quietly, lifting his bottle of water for a sip. He glances at you and notices that you need help answering this time. “We won a free vacation,” he says simply.
All three pairs of eyes turned to him, two of them in curiosity and the other one in slight horror.
“We won it from the company raffle. Anniversary event,” Hyunjin further explains.
Your brow raises, impressed with the way he lies so smoothly while Jules and Diane gasp almost in sync.
“No way!”
“That’s incredible!”
“So lucky!”
They gush immediately, the excitement contagious as they go on about how rare that is, how it must be fate, how things like that don’t just happen.
“I think we’re just lucky,” you say, being modest.
Jules grins as she looks at him and then at you. Then she says, “I hope something happens between you two after this.”
Hyunjin doesn’t miss the chance and lightly says, “I hope so too.”
Everyone laughs, including you. When he looks at you again, your smile lingers, wider yet softer now. And the way you’re looking at him, it does something to him.
So he looks away, takes another bite of his sandwich and pretends he doesn’t feel it settle somewhere deep in his chest.
-
By the time everyone is settled into the minibus, they’re too tired to talk, too content to fill the space with noise. The father and daughter in the front have gone still, the girl slumped against him, fast asleep. Jules and Diane are leaning into each other, chatting softly before falling into their own silence. Even the three guys in the back have gone quiet for the first time today. One of them half-asleep, the other two staring out the window like they’ve run out of energy to even say a word.
Hyunjin leans back in his seat and beside him, you shift closer. He glances down and you turn your head slightly, meeting his eyes. “I’m tired,” you mumble.
Yes, he can see it from the way your face dim a little from exhaustion. Yet, you still manage a small, sleepy smile for him.
“I’m going to nap,” you mutter, drowsy.
He nods. “Okay.”
With that, you take his arm without asking, guiding it around your shoulders and then rest your head against him. You keep snuggling to him to find the comfort you seek — a hand rests on his chest, head nuzzles further into the crook of his neck.
Hyunjin stills for a brief moment before he relaxes into it. His arm settles more securely around you, pulling you just a little closer so you don’t slip with the movement of the bus.
Soon, your breathing evens out and when he looks down, your face is relaxed, lashes resting softly against your cheeks, lips parted just slightly as sleep takes over completely.
Something in him softens at the sight and instinctively, his thumbs brushing lightly against your arm where it rests under his hand in tender circles. He feels you sink deeper into him like this is the safest place you could be.
He shifts his head back against the seat, letting his gaze linger on you for a moment longer before looking out the window. The trees thinning out and the sky starts fading into evening again.
But his attention keeps drifting back to you and the way you easily fit in his arms, like it’s always been. For the first time, he doesn’t overthink it and just holds you, letting himself enjoy this tender moment
-
Hyunjin stirs, brows knitting slightly as he shifts against the seat, still half-drifting in that in-between space when he hears your voice softly calling his name.
“Hyunjin....”
He opens his eyes slowly and you’re right there, leaning into him, one hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him awake. Your face is steady, a small smile tugging at your lips like you’ve been watching him for a while.
“We’re almost there,” you murmur.
It takes him a second to realize that he’s still in the minibus and he must’ve fallen asleep somewhere along the way. He stretches, arms lifting above his head, back arching slightly as he exhales.
You’re already digging into your bag and pull out a bottle of water. “Want some water?”
“Yes, please,” he says, taking it without question, twisting it open and taking a long sip. He didn’t know he needs it until the water touches his dry throat.
A shadow falls over your seat and then—
“Hey!”
Hyunjin looks up and one of the guys from earlier, leaning in a little too comfortably.
He glances at you, not even acknowledging Hyunjin at first. “Do you have plans tonight?”
A little caught off guard, you let out a light chuckle. “Not really.”
The guy grins and cheekily says, “Well, now you do.”
You chuckle again. “Really?”
“I’m DJing at this club tonight,” he says, pulling out a card from his wallet and handing it to you. “You should come.”
Hyunjin watches as you take the card, look at it and then at him. Like you’re asking something without saying it. Permission, perhaps. Or opinions. Instead, he keeps drinking his water, not giving you anything to read.
You turn back to the guy and politely smile. “I’ll try to be there,” you say.
The guy doesn’t leave right away but offers his hand at you. “I’m Dane.”
You take his hand for a quick handshake and introduce yourself. Then you gesture toward Hyunjin. “And this is Hyunjin,” you add.
Hyunjin gives a small nod just to be polite and Dane nods back, also just to be polite. Dane looks back at you and smiles. “See you later.”
Finally, he retreats and back to his seat as you slip the card into your shorts pocket like it’s nothing. Like it doesn’t mean anything. And maybe it is or it isn’t. Either way, something settles uncomfortably in his chest.
The minibus slows down soon after, pulling into the hotel driveway as everyone starts gathering their things. One by one, they step out. Hyunjin follows closely behind you, stretching slightly as his feet hit the ground again.
Jules and Diane are already standing nearby, waiting just to say bye and exchange a quick hug with you and him.
“Take care, dear!” Jules says warmly.
“See you around,” Diane adds.
You and Hyunjin stand side by side as you both wave your hands at them.
“Buh-bye,” the little girl says, voice heavy with sleep, head still tucked against her father’s shoulder.
A small smile tugs at his lips as he waves back at her. “Bye-bye!”
As the two of you about to walk toward the entrance, another voice cuts in again.
“Hey! See you tonight!” one of them calls out, grinning.
“Don’t forget!” another adds.
You just wave and politely smile. Then, you grab Hyunjin’s arm and start pulling him along with you toward the elevator. You turn your head and smile. “Told you it’s going to be fun,” you say.
Hyunjin has no energy left to deny and holds himself back from smiling. “Yeah, it was fun.”
-
Hyunjin has changed into comfortable clothes and he’s full from dinner. And now, he sinks into the sofa with one arm tucked behind his head and the other lazily scrolling through his phone. The room is quiet which makes your absence from the immediate space noticeable even though you’re just in the other room, probably relaxing as well after a long day.
He’s halfway through loading the game on his phone when you appear in front of him, holding a dress up against yourself.
“Does this look good on me?” you ask, tilting your head to the side.
His eyes dragging from your face to the dress and back again. Then he drops his phone onto his stomach. “Where are you going?”
You shift your weight slightly, still holding the dress up, one finger playing with the thin strap. “Well, we don’t really have plans tonight. And someone invited me, so I figured it might be fun to go out.”
He puts down his phone on his stomach. “You mean the kid DJ?”
“He’s not a kid,” you say with an amused chuckle, walking closer to him. “He’s of age so don’t make it sound like I’m doing something illegal.”
You sit down near his legs, turning slightly toward him, still holding the dress like you need his answer. “So? Does it look good?”
He barely glances at it this time. “It’s fine.”
You drop your hands and hold the dress close to your chest. “Are you coming with me?”
He shakes his head almost instantly. “No.”
“Come on,” you say, softer now, nudging his leg lightly. “Let’s have a fun night out.”
“I’m tired.”
“There wasn’t even that much hiking,” you argue, pouting slightly.
He finally looks at you properly. “You’re not tired?”
You shake your head without hesitation. “Nope.”
He reaches for his phone again and looks at the time, it’s a little after midnight. “But it’s late.”
You snort. “You’re supposed to go to the club late at night.”
“I’m not going,” Hyunjin says one more time and picks up his phone, continues loading the game.
You lean in again, closer this time, your shoulder brushing his knee. “Come on. Don’t let me go alone,” you try again.
And for a split second, he almost says yes, because it’s you asking and looking at him like that again. But instead, he shakes his head. “No.”
Because what he really wants isn’t that. It’s the opposite. He wants you to stay here with him. He wants you to choose him, instead of going out to see some kid DJing.
You pout again as you look at him and he sees the retreat in your eyes. He thinks that’s it, you’ll give in. But then—
“Well,” you say, shrugging lightly as you stand. “Have fun playing with your phone then.”
His gaze flicks up, watching you as you’re already walking away with the dress in hand and then disappear into the bedroom.
The room turns quiet again and he decides to pass the time on his phone. He manages to distract himself long enough that he almost forgets that you’re still deciding to go until the doors slide open and you step out.
He looks up and finds you there, dressed in a short dress that accentuates the shape of your body and the straps that not less thicken than your pinkie finger. Your legs bare, the heels adding just enough height to change the way you carry yourself. Your hair is pulled into a messy ponytail, strands falling loose in a way that looks unintentional, but isn’t. Your makeup is subtle, but intense around the eyes.
In other words, you look dangerous tonight. Not just to him, but to every pair of eyes that land on you.
He swallows, having a hard time comprehending the way you look tonight. “You’re—… You’re really going,” he says, instead of delivering the praises he has in his mind.
You walk toward the table, grabbing the hotel keycard and slipping it into your purse. “Don’t wait up,” you say casually.
With that, you walk past him and toward the door.
Hyunjin knows that he should say something, convincing you to stay but nothing comes out of his parted mouth. His voice stays stuck somewhere between his chest and his throat.
Your hand lands on the door handle and you pause to look over your shoulder. Your smile bright and easy, hand waving at him. “Bye, bye”
And then, you’re gone. The door clicks shut behind you and the silence that follows is louder than before.
-
It’s only been half an hour since you walked out of that door and Hyunjin tells himself that you’re a grown woman, certainly capable of taking care of yourself and that he shouldn’t worry much. You’re probably still on the way to the club anyway, probably queuing to get your ID checked.
He slouches deeper into the sofa, phone in hand, thumb moving across the screen as he opens a game. The sounds are one, intentionally so to fill the silence you left behind. Another half an hour passed and his mind somehow drifting back to you. You must be in the club already, moving through the crowd and with the way you look tonight, heads will be turned wherever you go. Including that kid DJ. Shane? Kane? Whatever. Him waving you over and asking you to join him, near his booth, dancing to the music he plays.
The game keeps going without him as Hyunjin’s focus is now out there, with you. at the thought you having fun without him, dancing and having the time of your life, drinking—
Oh?!
You don’t handle alcohol well and he knows what happens when you drink too much. And the way you get a little too loose, a little too trusting when you do.
He sits up and the phone drops onto his lap. Because now he’s thinking— Who’s watching you? Who’s making sure you’re okay? That guy? His friends?
He lets out a quiet scoff, doubting that they’d take care of you or make sure you get back safely. He decides it then that he’ll be that person. He’s moving now, standing up, running a hand through his hair as he paces once, twice and then his eyes land on the denim shorts you wore earlier. He picks them up and checks the pockets, one after the other. He remembers you slipped the card into one of the pockets. “…Where did you—”
He turns and continues scanning the room. Then heads to the bathroom. There, next to your makeup pouch is the card. He grabs it and reads the club name, typing it into the search bar to know how far it is from the hotel. Turns out, he only needs a taxi ride there.
Hyunjin doesn’t wait but call the front desk to order a taxi for him and hangs up before they can say anything else. He moves back into the room, grabbing a shirt, shoes, not even bothering to check if they match, if they look right. It doesn’t matter — he’s not going there for that.
There’s only one thing on his mind right now and that is finding you.
-
The club is bigger than he expected and thus, making the search a little harder. The place is packed with bodies and people notice him as he moves through them, throwing him a flirty glance, a shameless call to join their table, an offer to buy him a drink and on any other night, he’d respond because this is something he thrives in. But tonight, he doesn’t even register it properly. He’s not here for that. He’s here for you. And you’re nowhere in sight.
He pushes forward anyway, slipping between people, shoulders brushing against strangers as he moves deeper into the crowd. His eyes flick toward the stage and the kid DJ, Lane? Bane? Ugh, whatever. He’s playing the booth, hands moving across the deck, completely in his element.
Hyunjin narrows his eyes slightly, searching for your face but you’re not anywhere he can see. So he keeps looking, turning slowly in the middle of the dancefloor, scanning faces and still, nothing.
He tilts his head, scanning the upper level where the booths are and he doesn’t find you, but he spots the other two guys, drinking and bobbing their hands to the upbeat music. Hyunjin doesn’t waste another second to push through the crowd again, heading straight for the stairs, taking them two at a time before reaching the upper level. He spots their booth immediately and walks straight up to it. there’s a girl sitting there and for a second, he thinks it’s you so he grabs her shoulder. His expression drops the second he realizes that it’s not you.
“Sorry,” he mutters quickly, already letting go.
Hyunjin walks up to the two guys standing by the metal railing. “Where is she?” He asks immediately.
One of them looks at him with dazed eyes, too loose to focus. “What?”
“The girl. Where is she?” he presses.
The two of them exchange a look. “What girl?”
Hyunjin exhales, irritation creeping in. “Where’s my girlfriend?”
One of them leans forward, squinting slightly. “Oh—wait, it’s the guy from the waterfall, right?”
The other one’s eyes widen and gasps in recognition. “Oh! Yeah, yeah—I remember!”
“So where is she?” Hyunjin repeats, slower now but no less urgent.
They glance around. Then one of them shrugs. “She went to the restroom about ten minutes ago,” he says.
Hyunjin doesn’t wait but turning around, going down the stairs and following the signs. The hallway leading to the restrooms is just as crowded—people lingering, talking too close, some pressed against the walls, others too wrapped up in a heated kiss to even notice anything else. He pushes through and stops right outside the women’s restroom. Because obviously, he can’t just walk in.
Okay, new plan. He’ll patiently wait and asks whoever comes out of it. He exhales air and leans against the wall when all of a sudden, he feels a hand on his shoulder. He slowly turns and finds you grinning at him like nothing’s wrong. Like he didn’t just tear through half the city looking for you.
Hyunjin doesn’t say anything at first. He just looks at you. From your face, to your posture, to the way you’re standing a little too loose.
“Were you looking for me?”
There’s no point denying it. Not when he’s literally standing outside the women restroom like some kind of guard. He gives a small nod and weakly answer, “Yeah.”
He stands straighter, turning fully to face you now. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” you answer a little too fast.
He doesn’t buy it so he steps closer, just to lean in slightly, eyes locking onto yours, studying you more carefully now. Your gaze holds for a moment before it falters. Gotcha!
“You’re lying,” he says flatly.
“I’m not,” you insist quickly.
As if to prove a point, you step back and spin on your feet, doing a full turn without losing your balance. “See?”
Hyunjin is not yet convinced and he’s right to feel so because the second you step forward, you wobble and almost fall on your face. Thankfully, he is quick to catch you in his arms, pulling you steady against him.
But you laugh in reaction like it’s funny. Like you didn’t just prove his point perfectly.
Hyunjin exhales sharply through his nose. “That looks fine to you, yeah?”
You huff at the strand of hair still sticking to your lips, trying to blow it away. “I only drank a little,” you mumble.
He raises a brow. “A little?”
You nod. “A little. But like… five times.”
He lets out a tired, disbelieving laugh. “You’ve been taking shots, huh?”
You grin while nodding. “Yeah.”
He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair before taking your arm, guiding it around his shoulders, steadying you properly this time. His other arm wraps around your waist, pulling you close to his side so you don’t tip over again.
You instantly lean into him as you mumble, “I swear, I stopped drinking after five drinks.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Because if I had one more, I’d be done.”
“Good to know you have limits.”
You pout and glare at him. “I’m serious.”
“I know.”
He adjusts his grip slightly, making sure you’re steady before starting to move, guiding you through the crowded hallway. “Let’s get out of here first,” he says.
-
The two of you move to a convenience store just down the street. You sit on one of the stools, waiting for him as he gets you a bottle of water and anti-hangover drink, paying for them before returning to you.
When he reaches you, his hand lands gently on your shoulder and you slightly jolt, head snapping up, eyes unfocused for a second before they land on him.
You smile a soft, lazy smile. “Oh… hi.”
Hyunjin holds himself back from smiling from how adorable you look right now. “Yeah. Hi.”
He uncaps the water and hands it to you. “Here. Drink this.”
You take it from his hand and gulp it down like you’ve been thirsty all night.
He opens the next bottle and hands it over. “Finish this too.”
You obey without question. Then immediately wince at the taste, face scrunching up. “Ugh—what is that?”
“Something you need,” he says simply.
You ‘re still wincing but gulps the whole thing down. Your body shakes as you force yourself to swallow it down.
He watches you closely and places a hand on your shoulder. “Better?”
You look at him, still thinking and processing. “I think, what’s going to make me sober… is cup noodles.”
You don’t wait but slide off the stool, about to go get it yourself but he immediately stops you. “Just sit here. I’ll get it for you,”
You slump back down and give him another soft, lazy smile. “Thank you,” you say, slightly slurring the words.
Hyunjin gets off his stool and turns toward the noodle aisle. He goes through the same route, grabs the cup noodles you pointlessly decided you need, pays for it, and prepares it at the hot water station. It takes him a few minutes to finally return with the cup noodles for you.
He carefully sets it down in front of you. “It’s hot. Let it sit—”
You obediently nod as you stare at the cup noodles but something about it makes him suspicious. Because the second he looks away, you grab it and stand.
“Hey, where—”
You ignore him and keep walking toward the door. You push it open with your shoulder, stepping out into the night air with cup noodles cradled in your hands.
Hyunjin groans under his breath and follows immediately. “Where are you going?”
You turn your head side to side, planning to cross the street. “To the beach.”
“What?”
“I want to eat it there,” you answer, crossing the street while trying not to drop the cup noodles.
He exhales sharply, doubling back for half a second. He grabs the water bottle you left behind and then he’s after you again.
A few minutes later, you’re sitting on the cold sand, legs crossed, shoulders wrapped in his jacket that keeps slipping off every few seconds and every time it does, he reaches over and fixes it again without thinking.
Hyunjin continues watching you eat, slurping noodles like you’ve been starving for days. The sea is barely visible, just a stretch of black blending into the sky, but you keep looking at it anyway, like you can see something more. Eventually, you finish with a loud gasp, tipping the cup to drink the last of the broth.
“Unbelievable…” he huffs quietly, rather affectionately.
You lower the empty cup with a satisfied sigh and he hands you the water in exchange of it. you take a long gulp of it and when you’re done, he also takes the bottle from you, stands, and walks over to the nearest bin to throw everything away.
When he comes back, he finds you hugging your legs now, chin resting on your knees, staring out at the dark sea again. The crescent moon reflects faintly on the water, just enough to break the darkness.
He settles beside you again and asks, “Okay?”
You let out a soft sigh. “I think I’m sober now.”
He nods once, pulling the jacket up your shoulder again. “Then let’s go home.”
You shake your head immediately. “No.”
He glances at you. “No?”
“Let’s just stay here.”
He exhales lightly. “And do what?”
You reach for his wrist, turning it just enough to check the time on his watch. “There’s only like… an hour until sunrise.”
“So we just sit here until then?”
You nod and a moment later, you look at him. “Or we can talk about why you’re so mad at me.”
Hyunjin freezes because it feels like he’s being put on the spot. “I’m not mad at you,” he calmly says.
You glance sideways. “Yeah, but you’re upset with me.”
Hyunjin doesn't respond because that part is true. That he's still upset about that night, about you leaving him for Seungmin, about you choosing someone else over him. But he decides not to say it out loud but let the silence answers it for him.
You understand anyway and nod slightly. “I get why you’re upset.”
You dig your toes into the sand and let out a soft sigh. “And I’m sorry.”
When you look at him, your eyes are soft and open, like you’re finally done acting you’re fine and everything is under control. “I can’t justify what I did to you but there was just so much to explain. So much you don’t understand.”
Hyunjin doesn’t expect for things to turn serious all of a sudden, not after he found you half-drunk. Not after you crossed the street while holding a boiling cup noodle and ate the whole thing in under ten minutes.
“But just so you know…” you say, turning to face him now. “I’m not getting back with Seungmin.”
Something in his chest caves, like it’s opening up for something.
“The gala thing wasn’t a lie. It really was for work,” you further explain, holding his gaze as if letting him see for himself that you’re telling nothing but the truth. “He needed help approaching someone… and I agreed.”
Your fingers dip into the sand, absentmindedly tracing patterns as you speak. “But I wouldn’t lie either. That at one point of the night, it felt good to be with him again.”
Hyunjin’s jaw tightens just slightly, suddenly unsure of where are you going with this.
“But I knew better. It was exactly what he wanted me to feel. The whole night, he was deluding me to think that it’d be like that again.”
You shake your head and pause to deeply inhale air. “So at the end of the night, I ended things with him.”
Yes, Hyunjin feels relieved that you finally ended things with him but he also realizes that it must be not easy for you. You used to love this person and he knows that a part you is hurt for doing it.
He hears you sniffle and he turns to see tears sliding down your cheeks. You quickly brush them away with your shoulder, like you don’t want to make a big deal out of it.
“I’m just… sad,” you say, voice breaking at the edges. “I let myself get too hung up on him.”
Your voice trembles as more tears streaming down your face. “I waited. And waited. Like a damn fool… thinking he’d come back.”
You press the back of your hand against your eyes like it would stop the tears from keep flowing. “I wasted so much time. On him. On someone who doesn’t want me back.”
Something in him tightens painfully because this isn’t about Seungmin anymore. It’s about you and what you went through.
You inhale deeply and then let it out in one shaky exhale. “I’m just sad it took me this long to end this.”
Hyunjin is no stranger to bad choices, probably made a lot more than you did. So he understands why you were so hard on yourself because some choices are harder to bounce back.
You wipe your face again, breathing steadying little by little. “This is the last time you’re crying about it,” you remark, wiping your cheeks with the heel of your hand.
When you look at him again, your eyes are still wet, but you’re smiling a bright, hopeful smile. “And from now on, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of this vacation.”
You nudge him then, shoulder bumping against him. “And I want you to do the same.”
He softly chuckles at that, gaze turning affectionate now as his hand lifts, running gently through your hair. Then pats your head.
“Yeah, let’s do that,” Hyunjin says, making a promise to you and himself.
You hold his gaze for a second longer like you’re making sure he meant it and break into another smile. You scoot closer to his side, linking your arm with his and resting your head on his shoulder.
This time, he doesn’t hesitate but let himself feels everything. The fragility of this moment and how it significantly changes something between you and him.
When he looks down, he notices the wat your hand settles on his lap, palm turned slightly upward like an invitation. Without the slightest of doubt, he takes it, sliding his fingers between yours and lacing them together. And whatever this is, whatever it’s becoming, he doesn’t question it. Not yet.
For now, you and him sit there, watching the sky slowly shift. Dark blue fading into a shade lighter with each passing moment until the first hints of morning stretching across the horizon.
And with it, a new beginning.
-
The sun lifts higher in the horizon when you and Hyunjin step out of a taxi. Instead of taking the elevator, you both make a turn to the hotel buffet, planning on having a breakfast before heading back to the hotel room. The two of you sit across from each other, plates filled like you’re making up for everything you didn’t eat last night, both of you too busy actually eating to talk.
With stomach full of food and eyes heavy with sleep, you and Hyunjin get onto the elevator. He leans back against the wall, arm draped loosely around your shoulders, keeping you tucked into his side without even thinking about it.
“I’m so full…” you sigh, dropping your head to his shoulder.
He hums in agreement.
“So sleepy…”
“Same.”
But once you both step into your hotel room, you both drift toward the bathroom at the same time, sharing a space by the sink. Brushing your teeth side by side while exchanging glances through the mirror.
You finish first and continue rinse your mouth with a scoop of water. You pat your face dry after, then disappear into the bedroom. With the bathroom door left open, he watches as you changing out of your dress and slip into a t-shirt with nothing underneath, but your dark underwear.
Before he forgets, he makes way to the door to hang the Do Not Disturb sign outside. When he comes back in, you’re on the bed, fluffing pillows and making space for both of you.
He does his part by reaching for the curtains, pulling them shut until the room falls into a soft dimness, only a sliver of morning light slipping through the edge. Then he climbs in.
The second he settles into his side of the bed, you move closer. Your body turning toward him, hand resting on his chest as you lie on your side, looking at him through heavy-lidded eyes.
The smile that blooms on his face is soft and unguarded. His hand lifts, brushing along your cheek, thumb tracing gently against your skin. “Good morning,” he murmurs.
You let out a quiet chuckle. “Good morning.”
And when he leans in for a kiss, you’re already there, waiting. Your soft lips and his soft lips, melting together like the rest of the world doesn’t exist beyond this bed, this room, this moment.
He pulls back slightly, just enough to look at you, tilting his head as he mutters, “Ooo, you taste like peppermint.”
You giggle, hand moving to his waist and resting it there. “Thanks. It’s my toothpaste.”
Hyunjin shifts, propping an elbow against the mattress, allowing him to hover above you. But his hand stays there, framing the side of your face as he leans in again. At first, it’s just an innocent press of his lips on yours but the moment he opens his mouth, the kiss turns deeper and you kiss him back with the same eagerness.
The two of you continue to show perfect cooperation. He focuses on your lower lip as you focus on his upper lip. When you part your mouth wider, he doesn’t waste time to twirl your tongue with him and deepen the kiss. It’s slow, wet and intimate. More than that, it feels like you mean it. Like you’ve chosen it.
The moment stretches but the exhaustion pulls you under. When he finally pulls away, your eyes are closed, drowsy.
He lets out a quiet laugh, playfully nudging his nose with yours. “Can barely keep your eyes open, huh?”
Already halfway gone, you slowly nod and hum. “Mmh-hm.”
Something about how safe you look, how comfortable you are in this moment, with him, makes his chest warm. So he leans in one last time, presses a long, lingering kiss to your lips.
“Sweet dreams,” he mutters when he pulls away.
Then he shifts, settling onto his side, pulling you with him until you fit against him perfectly. You melt into him instantly, head tucked into the crook of his neck, hand still resting over his waist, falling asleep slowly and then all at once.
Hyunjin holds you close and tightly like something he doesn’t want to lose. His lips brush against your forehead for a sweet kiss.
And as the room settles into a peaceful silence, he lets his eyes close too with his arms still holding you.
Into sleep.
Into something new.
-
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Summary: Jeongin, being the spoiled maknae he is, isn’t used to not getting what he wants—especially not when it’s a pretty girl like the maknae of ITZY.
Jeongin was never told no.
Not once. Not ever. Not in any universe he was currently aware of.
“Chan hyung, can I get this?”
He had held up a watch once—sleek, expensive, something he didn’t even really need.
The watch was ordered before he could even finish explaining why he liked it.
“Felix hyung, can you help me build my new setup?”
Felix didn’t even hesitate. Just smiled, ruffled his hair, and spent hours putting everything together like it was the most normal thing in the world.
“Ahh, Minho hyung, can you cook me something?”
A small whine, a tilt of his head—and suddenly dinner was being plated like he was royalty.
Jeongin was used to warmth. To yes. To people giving in before he even had to try.
So yeah—he was completely and utterly unprepared for this.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
“No.”
Simple. Straightforward. Easy.
Her Training bag slung over her shoulder, strands of hair sticking to her face, cheeks flushed from practice.
The company hallway smelling faintly of cleaner and sweat.
And Jeongin went quiet.
Actually quiet.
Y/N blinked a few times, like she was making sure he heard her right. “I don’t want to go on a date with you.”
“What do you mean… no?” he asked, slower this time, like maybe the word would change if he said it differently.
But it didn’t.
She gave him a small, polite smile—the kind that didn’t reach her eyes—and adjusted the strap of her bag. “It just means no, Jeongin.”
Jeongin looked dumbfounded at the maknae from ITZY when she left.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
He was pouting.
Not a little. A lot.
“Aaaah, Innie, what’s wrong?” Hyunjin asked, immediately reaching over to pinch his cheek as they sat in the company canteen.
“Y/N won’t go out with me,” he muttered.
Silence.
All the boys looked at him at once.
“…what?” Jisung blinked.
“Do you want me to ask Yeji to set something up?” Hyunjin offered immediately, suddenly very invested, leaning forward.
“She already said no to me,” Jeongin whined, dragging the last word out.
They all visibly deflated.
They couldn‘t see their maknae like this.
“Maybe…” Jisung started carefully, tapping his fingers against the table, “maybe you should try being a little more romantic. Like, get to know her first before asking again.”
Jeongin looked at him like he had just spoken a foreign language.
“Girls like that,” Jisung added with a shrug.
“…how do I do that?” Jeongin asked, genuinely lost now.
“Before I dated my girlfriend, I got her flowers every Friday,” Seungmin said casually, taking a sip of his drink.
Jeongin’s head snapped toward him.
“Are you serious? What flowers? How do I know what she likes? What if she hates flowers? What if I pick the wrong ones?” he started rambling, panic slowly creeping in.
Hyunjin laughed softly and patted his shoulder.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
“So…” Hyunjin started carefully, turning the piece of meat with his chopsticks as it sizzled on the grill between them. “Can I bribe you with something?”
Yeji looked up from across the table, already suspicious. “What is it about?”
“Your maknae.”
Yeji slowly pointed at him with her chopsticks.
“No.”
“I’m not asking for myself, yah.”
She raised one brow. “That somehow makes it worse.”
Hyunjin let out a dramatic sigh and leaned back in his chair. “Come on, Yeji. You know Jeongin likes her.”
“I know,” she said flatly. “She told me he asked her out.”
“And?”
“And she said no.”
Hyunjin pressed a hand to his chest. “Look, they would be a cute couple.”
“She doesn’t know him well enough,” Yeji said, reaching for her drink. “And he is trouble.”
“He is not!”
Yeji didn’t even answer.
She just stared at him.
That long, unimpressed stare that made Hyunjin immediately feel like he was losing.
He exhaled. “Fine. I’ll pay for every dinner we eat together for the next five months.”
That made her pause.
Her expression changed just enough for Hyunjin to notice.
“…what do you want to know?”
Hyunjin sat up instantly, like he had just won a national negotiation.
“What are her favorite flowers?”
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
Y/N could not believe her eyes.
The delivery man had barely stepped out of the dorm before all six girls were already staring at the enormous bouquet now sitting in the middle of their living room table.
It was ridiculous.
Huge.
Soft cream roses mixed with pale pink peonies, delicate white ranunculus tucked between them like something straight out of a romance movie. The whole arrangement looked expensive enough to pay someone’s rent.
Ryujin reached for the small card tucked between the flowers.
She read one line.
Then snorted.
Then immediately burst into laughter.
“Oh my God,” she said, already handing it over. “This is for you, Y/N.”
Y/N slowly took the card from her.
Her eyes scanned the neat handwriting.
No flower could compare to your beauty.
—Sincerely, your fox.
She stared at it for a second.
Then at the flowers.
Then back at the card.
“This guy…” she whispered under her breath.
From the kitchen, Yeji suddenly became very interested in her water.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
The boys had just sat down for their canteen break when Y/N appeared.
Jeongin looked up first.
His whole face brightened.
“It worked this fast alrea—”
He barely made it halfway out of his seat before the letter smacked straight against his chest.
“You punk.”
The entire table went silent.
Jeongin blinked, clutching the crumpled card in his hand while Y/N stood over him, eyes narrowed.
“Are you not used to hearing no?” she asked. “Are you that spoiled?”
The smile on his face disappeared.
And before he could say anything, she turned around and walked away.
Again.
Leaving him staring after her.
Again.
The table stayed dead silent for a full three seconds.
Then Chan cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Well…” he muttered. “That did not go as planned.”
Across the table, Seungmin completely lost it.
He leaned back laughing so hard he nearly dropped his drink while Jeongin slowly turned to glare at all of them.
“No,” Jeongin said flatly. “I actually think it went worse.
“Maybe… she’s not materialistic,” Felix said thoughtfully, leaning back against the chair.
“What do you mean?” Jeongin asked, already tired but still desperate.
Felix just shrugged. “Maybe she doesn’t care about gifts. Maybe you have to… I don’t know… show effort differently.”
That was all Jeongin needed to hear.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
“Y/NNNNNNNNNNNNN—!”
Y/N almost dropped her training bag.
Inside the practice room, all other five of her group members froze mid-move.
Slowly… very slowly… they all turned toward the door.
Jeongin was standing on a chair in the middle of the hallway.
With a guitar.
Where he got it from? No one knew.
Why he thought this was a good idea? Even less clear.
But he was committed.
Deeply.
“YOUR BEAUTY IS HAUNTING MY DREAMMMSSSS—
YOUR EYES NEVER LEAVE MY MINNNDDDD—!”
“This is painful to look at,” Chaeryeong muttered.
Jeongin saw her coming and—oh—his confidence SKYROCKETED.
He sang louder.
More dramatic.
Fully in it.
She stepped closer.
Closer.
Got on her tiptoes—
—and took the guitar out of his hands.
Jeongin stopped mid-note.
“…oh.”
Y/N didn’t say a single word.
She just turned around and walked away.
With the guitar.
“…that’s Nayeons guitar,” he said quietly, watching her disappear.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
The dorm was dead silent.
Jeongin sat in the middle of the couch, staring into nothing again.
He had entered a new level of rejection.
Hyunjin sat across from him, visibly struggling to find something supportive to say.
“…well,” he started, scratching his neck, “we don’t know… maybe she really just doesn’t want you, Innie.”
“Leave me alone,” Jeongin mumbled.
“Aaah, Yongbok, you can have every girl,” Changbin sighed dramatically.
Felix turned his head slowly. “Changbin… I’m still Yongbok.”
“…right.”
A pause.
“Well… maybe you could write her a poem?” Minho suggested casually.
“A poem?” Jisung frowned. “What are you, a court poet?”
“Don’t get all cocky,” Minho shot back.
Jisung shut up immediately.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
So Jeongin wrote a poem.
A full page.
Messy in places, rewritten lines, a few ink smudges where he pressed too hard. He even sprayed a bit of his perfume on it—because apparently he was that far gone now.
He found her in the canteen.
Walked up to her.
Held it out.
Y/N looked at it.
Then at him.
Then back at it.
She took it.
Jeongin held his breath.
She read it.
Every single line.
No reaction.
Nothing.
She folded it once.
Looked at him.
Didn’t say a word.
Turned around—
—and left.
Again.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
“At least she didn’t throw it away,” Hyunjin mumbled under his breath.
No one laughed this time.
Jeongin just stood there.
Still.
His expression had changed again.
No pout.
No whining.
No dramatic reactions.
Just quiet.
And for the first time—
it didn’t look like he was planning his next move.
It looked like he was finally starting to understand that her “no”…
actually meant no.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
They were packing up.
Cables being wrapped, stage lights cooling down, staff calling out last instructions across the venue. The energy from the performance still lingered in the air, but everything else was winding down fast.
Jeongin slung his bag over his shoulder, exhaustion settling into his bones as he stepped outside.
It was dark already.
Cold.
He exhaled, breath visible in the air, ready to finally go home—
“Don’t act all shy,” a voice cut through the quiet. Male. Low. Wrong. “You’re wearing a little skirt and expect me to ignore you?”
Jeongin stopped.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
“…stop it.”
Her voice.
He turned.
Fast.
Down the side of the building, near the loading area where the lights didn’t quite reach—
Y/N.
And a man easily twice her size, towering over her, leaning in way too close.
Something in Jeongin snapped.
He didn’t think.
Didn’t hesitate.
He just walked.
Straight toward them.
“Hey.”
Both of them turned.
Jeongin’s expression was different now. No softness. No pout. Nothing playful left.
“She said stop it.”
The man looked him up and down, unimpressed. Smirk spreading across his face.
“And who are you?”
Jeongin let his bag slide off his shoulder.
It hit the ground with a dull thud.
And in the next second—
he moved.
Fast.
Grabbing the guy by the collar, shoving him back with full force until his body slammed against the wall. The sound echoed sharply in the cold air.
“STOP IT.”
Not loud.
But sharp enough to cut.
For a split second, everything froze.
Then—
“JEONGIN—!”
Chan’s voice rang out behind him.
Too late.
Jeongin’s fist connected.
Clean.
The impact echoed through the alley.
Silence followed.
Footsteps rushing in.
Staff. Managers. Voices overlapping.
But Jeongin didn’t look at any of them.
Didn’t look at Chan.
Didn’t look at the man.
He turned.
Immediately.
His eyes finding Y/N.
“Are you okay?” he asked, voice lower now, steadier—but there was something under it. Something raw.
Y/N stared at him.
A little shocked.
A little breathless.
But she nodded.
“…yeah.”
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
“We had to pay him so he would stay quiet about Jeongin punching him,” the CEO mumbled, clearly exhausted.
Chan let out a long, frustrated sigh from across the table, rubbing his temples.
Jeongin didn’t react.
Didn’t defend himself.
Didn’t apologize either.
He just sat there, quiet.
His gaze drifting—
to the other side of the room.
Y/N was sitting with Yeji, both Maknaes had their group leaders nearby, going over what had happened.
She looked fine.
Safe.
That was all that mattered.
Jeongin exhaled slowly.
And then—
she looked up.
Right at him.
For a second, he thought she’d look away like always.
Ignore him.
Walk off.
But she didn’t.
She smiled.
And then—
her cheeks turned pink.
Jeongin blinked.
Once.
Twice.
…she was blushing?
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
He sat on his bed, phone in hand, scrolling without really seeing anything.
Knock.
“Open,” he said, not even looking up.
The door clicked shut.
“Chan said you’re under house arrest.”
Jeongin’s head snapped up so fast it almost hurt.
Y/N.
Hoodie. Sweatpants.
Not put together.
Not distant.
Just… her.
“I came to say thank you,” she said, quieter now.
For a second, he didn’t say anything.
Didn’t move.
Like if he did, she’d disappear again.
She stepped closer.
“Can I sit down?” she asked.
Jeongin nodded immediately, sitting up straighter, clearing space beside him without even realizing he was doing it.
“Yeah… yeah, of course.”
She sat down next to him.
Close.
Closer than she’d ever been before.
Close enough that he could feel the warmth of her through the fabric of her hoodie.
Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… heavy.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said after a moment, looking down at her hands.
“I know,” he answered.
That made her look at him.
Really look at him.
Not like before. Not guarded. Not dismissive.
Something softer.
“You could’ve gotten into serious trouble,” she added.
“I don’t care.”
That came out too fast.
Jeongin swallowed, running a hand through his hair. “I mean—I do care but… not about that. Not if—” he stopped himself, exhaling sharply.
Not if it’s you.
He didn’t say it.
But it hung there anyway.
Y/N’s gaze dropped to his lips for half a second.
Then back to his eyes.
“You’re different,” she said quietly.
Jeongin frowned slightly. “From what?”
“From what I thought.”
That… hit harder than anything else.
Because suddenly all those “no’s” made sense.
She really didn’t know him.
Not really.
“I’m not—” he started, then stopped, shaking his head. “I’m not just… that spoiled kid you think I am.”
“I know,” she said softly.
And the way she said it—
like she actually meant it—
made his chest tighten.
Silence again.
Y/N shifted slightly, turning toward him more fully now.
Close.
Too close.
Jeongin’s breath hitched, just barely.
“You scared me yesterday,” she admitted.
His expression changed instantly. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Not like that,” she interrupted quickly, shaking her head.
Her eyes softened.
“You scared me because…” she hesitated, then let out a small breath, “…no one’s ever done that for me before.”
That did something to him.
Something deep.
“You don’t have to—” he started again, quieter now, but she cut him off.
“Stop talking.”
Jeongin blinked.
“…what?”
“Just—” she shook her head, a small, almost nervous smile appearing, “for once, just don’t talk.”
And then—
she leaned in.
Slow at first.
Like she was giving him time to pull away.
To mess it up.
To say something stupid.
But he didn’t.
He just sat there.
Completely still.
Heart racing.
Watching her.
And when her lips finally touched his—
It was sudden. Hot. Immediate.
Like all the tension from before—all the rejection, the frustration, the build-up—snapped at once.
Jeongin froze for half a second.
Then his hand came up to her waist, pulling her closer without thinking.
Like he needed to make sure she was real.
Like she wasn’t about to walk away again.
She kissed him harder, her lips pressing firmly against his, tongue slipping past to taste him with a hunger that surprised even her.
Jeongin's hand tightened on her waist, pulling her body flush against his side.
He responded with his mouth moving with hers, deepening the kiss until breaths mingled in short, desperate gasps.
Y/N's hands found his shoulders, fingers digging in as she shifted closer, her knee brushing his thigh. The room felt smaller, the air thicker, charged with the unspoken need that had been building between them for so long.
Jeongin broke the kiss first, just enough to trail his lips along her jaw, down to the soft skin of her neck. She tilted her head back, a quiet whimper escaping her lips as his teeth grazed lightly.
She couldn‘t believe that Jeongin made her feel this wet.
"Y/N," he murmured against her pulse, voice rough and low.
His free hand slid up her back, under the hoodie, feeling the warmth of her bare skin.
She shivered, not from cold, but from the intensity of his touch—the way he held her like she was something precious yet devoured her with every kiss.
She pulled back slightly, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and vulnerable. "Jeongin... I..." Her words faltered, shyness creeping in as the reality of what was happening sank deeper.
But the ache between her legs, the way her body responded to him, overrode the hesitation. She wanted this. Needed it.
He searched her face, his protective instinct flaring. "We can stop if you want," he said softly, though his body screamed otherwise, his erection straining against his pants from the mere press of her against him.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. Her hand cupped his cheek, thumb brushing his lip. "Don't stop. Please."
That was all the encouragement he needed. Jeongin kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the way her mouth yielded to him.
His hands moved to her hips, thumbs circling the waistband of her sweatpants.
He tugged gently, testing, and she lifted her hips without a word, helping him slide them down her legs. The fabric pooled at her ankles, and she kicked them off, leaving her in just the oversized hoodie that barely skimmed her thighs and her simple panties.
Jeongin's gaze darkened as he took her in—legs bare, skin smooth and inviting.
He hooked his fingers into the sides of her panties, pulling them down slowly, exposing her completely.
Y/N's breath hitched, her thighs pressing together instinctively, a flush of embarrassment heating her face.
No one had seen her like this, not up close, not with such raw intent.
"You're beautiful," he breathed, his voice reverent, pushing her knees apart with gentle hands. She let him, though her heart pounded wildly. He settled between her legs, the bed dipping under his weight, his broad shoulders nudging her thighs wider.
The hoodie rode up, bunching at her waist, leaving her pussy bare to his hungry eyes—soft folds already glistening with arousal.
Y/N bit her lip, watching him through half-lidded eyes, shy but unable to look away. "Jeongin..." Her voice trembled, vulnerability mixing with the growing heat in her core.
He looked up at her, eyes locked on hers, caring and intense. "Tell me if it's too much. But I want to make you feel good. Let me take care of you." His words were a promise, protective as always, even in this moment of pure desire.
She nodded, whispering, "I want this..."
That ignited something in him. Jeongin leaned in, his breath hot against her inner thigh, kissing the sensitive skin there before moving higher.
His tongue flicked out, tracing the edge of her folds, tasting her for the first time. Y/N gasped, her hands fisting the sheets, body arching slightly off the bed.
He groaned at the flavor—sweet and musky, all her—and dove in fully.
His mouth covered her pussy, lips sealing around her clit as he sucked gently, tongue swirling in firm circles. Y/N's moan filled the room, shy at first, then louder as pleasure sparked through her.
His hands gripped her thighs, holding her open, thumbs pressing into the soft flesh to keep her steady.
Jeongin devoured her like a man starved, tongue lapping broad strokes from her entrance to her clit, slurping noisily at the wetness gathering there.
He pushed inside her with his tongue, fucking her shallowly, tasting every inch.
Y/N's hips bucked, her shyness warring with the ecstasy building, but she didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers threaded into his hair, encouraging him closer.
"Oh god, Jeongin... that feels... don't stop," she panted, voice breathy and needy. Her body trembled, seeing stars already from the way he worked her over.
He hummed against her, the vibration sending jolts up her spine. One hand slid up, fingers teasing her entrance before slipping one inside, curling against her inner walls.
She clenched around him, wet and hot, and he added a second finger, pumping slowly while his mouth focused on her clit—sucking harder now, tongue flicking relentlessly.
Y/N's head fell back, eyes squeezing shut as heaven unfolded in waves.
His fingers thrust deeper, scissoring to stretch her, while his slurping grew messier, lips smacking against her soaked pussy.
He pulled back just enough to watch his fingers disappear inside her, coated in her arousal, before leaning in again to lap at where they joined, tongue swirling around his own digits.
"You're so wet for me," he murmured between licks, voice muffled against her skin. "Taste so fucking good. I could do this all day."
Her cheeks burned at his words, shyness flaring, but the pleasure drowned it out. "Jeongin…Keep... keep eating me like that. Please….." She encouraged him, voice soft but insistent, her hips grinding against his face now, chasing the building pressure.
He obliged, devouring her with renewed fervor. His fingers curled faster, hitting that spot inside her that made her cry out, while his tongue flattened against her clit, rubbing side to side.
The sounds echoed obscenely, his mouth greedy, swallowing her juices as they flowed. Y/N's thighs quivered around his head, her body tensing as the orgasm approached.
"I'm... oh fuck, Jeongin, I'm close," she whimpered, shy vulnerability cracking through her moans. But she didn't hide it—she pulled him closer, telling him exactly what she needed. "Don't stop fingering me. Your mouth... it's heaven. You make me so horny, I can't think."
Jeongin growled low, the sound vibrating through her core.
He sucked her clit between his lips, teeth grazing just enough to tease, while his fingers plunged deeper, thumb now circling her entrance to add pressure. Tongue delving between his fingers to taste more, lapping up every drop.
Y/N shattered, her pussy clenching hard around his fingers, waves of pleasure crashing over her. She cried out his name, body convulsing, seeing pure bliss as he worked her through it—mouth never stopping, fingers slowing but still curling, drawing out every tremor.
He didn't pull away until she went limp, panting and spent.
Only then did he kiss her inner thigh softly, withdrawing his fingers with a wet pop, licking them clean while watching her with protective eyes.
Y/N looked down at him, flushed and shy, but smiling.
"That was... incredible," she whispered, reaching for him. "You... you're too good to me."
Jeongin crawled up, kissing her gently, letting her taste herself on his lips. "told you so,"
Silence.
"I kept your poem."
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
Felix peeled his banana while they all walked out of the canteen.
“I forgot to shave my left leg,” he said casually, inspecting it. “It looks really weird.”
Chan let out a laugh, shaking his head.
They kept walking.
And then—
the ITZY girls.
Right in front of them.
Both groups slowed down automatically, exchanging greetings, small nods, the usual passing-by politeness.
And then it happened.
Y/N stepped a little closer to Jeongin.
She leaned in—
and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
Silence.
Immediate.
Dead.
Every single member—from both groups—froze.
Felix stopped mid-bite.
Chan blinked.
Hyunjin’s mouth literally fell open.
On the other side, Yeji’s brows shot up while Ryujin looked VERY surprised.
Jeongin?
Jeongin stopped breathing.
Actually.
Stopped.
Y/N pulled back like it was nothing, she only blushed—
and walked off with her members.
Just like that.
Leaving chaos behind.
“…what just happened,” Jisung whispered.
No one answered.
Because Jeongin was still standing there.
Frozen.
Hand slowly coming up to touch his cheek—
like he needed to check if it really happened.
───୨ৎ────────୨ৎ───────୨ৎ───
Later. Gym.
His mind was somewhere else entirely.
The door opened.
Chan walked in.
He walked straight over and tossed a small package onto the bench next to Jeongin.
“You better use condoms.”
Jeongin’s brain short-circuited.
He looked down.
Then at Chan.
Then back at the package.
“HYUNG—!”
He grabbed it immediately and shoved it into his bag like it was illegal.
STRAY KIDS REACTION — to you waking up from anesthesia
.𖥔 ݁ ˖🛸── .✦ crack. requested!
Fresh out of anesthesia, you say the most weirdest things—and Stray Kids are there to hear it all.
❛ ━━━━━━･❪skz❫･━━━━━━ ❜
: ̗̀➛ bang chan
The second your eyes flutter open, he leans forward instantly, his chair creaking under the sudden shift, his voice a gentle hum that vibrates in the quiet air.
“Hey… hey, you’re awake. How do you feel?”
You stare at him for a long second, your vision swimming as you try to process the world.
“…why are there two of you.”
Chan freezes, his brow furrowing in a mix of confusion and sudden concern. “There’s—there’s only one of me, I promise.”
You squint harder, the anesthesia and exhaustion is making your vision blur.
You reach up, your movements clumsy and slow, and grab his face with both hands, squishing his cheeks together.
“Stop duplicating. That’s illegal.”
He chokes out a laugh, his dimples deepening as he gently grabs your wrists to keep you from accidentally scratching him. “I’m not duplicating, I promise—”
“You are. I saw it. You blinked wrong. One eye went zip and the other went zap.”
Chan is already smiling now, relief bleeding into soft amusement as he realizes you’re just high on recovery. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to blink correctly next time. I'll sync them up just for you.”
You nod seriously, your hands dropping back to the blanket. “…good. Because I trust you. But not… your clones. They look suspicious.”
He has to look away for a second because he’s laughing too hard, his shoulders shaking. He takes a deep breath and looks back at you with that fond, soft expression that makes his eyes crinkle.
“Alright. No clones. Just me.”
You relax immediately, the tension leaving your body. “…okay. You can stay then.”
Chan’s heart? Absolutely gone.
He gently brushes your hair back from your forehead, his touch lingering. “I wasn’t planning on leaving. Not for a second.”
Five seconds later—
“Did you know… clouds are just sky marshmallows?”
“…yeah?” he humors, leaning his chin on his hand as he watches you with pure adoration. “Where did you learn that?”
“Basic knowledge, Christopher. Keep up. It’s in the manual.”
He BURSTS into laughter, his head dropping onto the edge of your bed as he tries to catch his breath. “Christopher,” he repeats under his breath like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
When you finally get quiet, your eyes drooping again, he leans closer to whisper in your ear.
“You did really well, okay? I’m right here.”
You mumble, already drifting back into the haze—
“…don’t let the clones take my snacks.”
“I won’t,” he whispers, tucking the blanket around your shoulders and smiling. “I’ll protect the snacks with my life.”
: ̗̀➛ lee minho
The moment you wake up, your eyes snap open and you immediately point a shaky finger at him, as if accusing him of a crime he hasn't committed yet.
“You.”
Lee Know raises an eyebrow, his expression unreadable but his eyes dancing with a hidden spark. “Me.”
“You look like a cat that pays taxes.”
The room goes silent for a beat. “…what?”
You sit up slightly, driven by the urgency of your realization, but he immediately reaches out and pushes you back down with one firm, steady hand on your shoulder.
“No sudden movements, genius. Your brain is clearly still buffering.”
“But listen,” you insist, leaning in as much as the bed allows. “You look like a responsible feline. You probably have a little briefcase for your receipts.”
He stares at you for a second, absorbing the sheer absurdity of the statement… then a slow, wicked smirk spreads across his face. “I do, actually. I’m very thorough with my deductions.”
“I KNEW IT.” You gasp, your eyes widening in shock.
He leans closer, resting his chin on his hand, mirroring your intensity. “What else do you know, oh wise one?”
You narrow your eyes at him, trying to read his aura through the post-sleep fog. “You have… three cats. But one of them is secretly the leader. You’re just the muscle.”
“That’s… not wrong,” he mutters, a genuine flicker of surprise crossing his face at how accurately you've described his home life.
You grab his sleeve, your grip surprisingly tight. “And you—” a dramatic, heavy pause falls between you “—would betray me for fried chicken. In a heartbeat.”
He doesn’t even hesitate. “Correct.”
You look absolutely betrayed, your lip wobbling. “I trusted you. I thought we had something special.”
He snorts, shaking his head at your dramatics. “You just met me again five seconds ago. Your memory is a sieve right now.”
You squint, trying to piece the timeline together. “Have I? You look like you've been haunting my dreams.”
“Yeah. And you’ve already accused me of tax fraud and betrayal. It's been a very productive five minutes.”
You nod solemnly, settling back into the pillows. “You’re suspicious. I’m keeping an eye on you.”
He actually laughs—a soft, real, rare sound that warms the clinical air of the room. “Sure. I’ll accept that. Being suspicious is my brand.”
You suddenly reach out and grab his face, your palms warm against his skin. “Don’t die.”
He blinks, caught off guard by the sudden shift from nonsense to raw, unfiltered concern. “I wasn’t planning to.”
“Good. Because I just decided I like you. Tax-cat and all.”
He pauses, his gaze softening just a fraction, his hand reaching up to hover near yours. “Took you long enough.”
You beam, the clouds in your head clearing for just a second. “We’re best friends.”
“Don’t push it,” he remarks, though his voice is devoid of its usual bite. He doesn’t pull away when you keep holding his hand, his thumb tracing small, absentminded circles over your knuckles.
: ̗̀➛ seo changbin
The moment you wake up, you don't even say hello. You just squint at him, your gaze traveling from his face down to his shoulders and back again.
“You’re buff.”
Changbin freezes in the middle of reaching for a water bottle. “Thanks? I try.”
“No like—” you gesture weakly with a floppy hand “—suspiciously buff. Like you're hiding boulders under your shirt.”
He bursts out laughing, the sound booming in the small space. “What does that even mean? Suspiciously? Am I a gym-based conspiracy theory?”
“You look like you fight refrigerators.”
“I—WHAT?!”
You nod seriously, your expression deadpan. “Like if a fridge disrespected you, or hid the milk, you’d win.”
He’s laughing so hard he has to sit down, gripping the edge of the bed for support.
“I’ll keep that in mind next time the freezer acts up.”
You suddenly reach out and grab his arm, your fingers digging into his bicep. “Oh my god it’s REAL.”
“What is real?”
“THE MUSCLE. IT’S NOT CGI.”
He wheezes, his eyes disappearing into crescents. “Why would my muscles be CGI?! Do you think I walk around with a green screen behind me?”
You pat his arm approvingly, as if checking the ripeness of a fruit. “…you’re honest. I like that. You're a high-definition man.”
“Thank you???”
You lean closer, gesturing for him to come near, then whisper loudly— “Protect me from the fridge war. They’re cold. They’re calculating.”
“I will,” he says immediately, playing along with a wide, entertainted grin. “I’ll defeat all refrigerators. No one is getting chilled on my watch.”
You sigh in relief, closing your eyes. “Thank you… strong man. My hero.”
He grins, his gaze turning incredibly soft as he watches you settle back down. “Anytime. I'm your personal security guard.”
Then, out of nowhere, “Also… you’re cute.”
He chokes on his own breath. “…what?”
“You look like a dumpling that lifts weights. A very sturdy, very adorable dumpling.”
He SCREAMS laughing, burying his face in his hands. “I don’t know if that’s a compliment?”
“It is,” you insist, your voice getting sleepy again. “I would trust you with my soup. That's the highest level of friendship.”
He stops laughing just long enough to look at you, his heart swelling. “That’s the highest honor I’ve ever received. I'll guard your soup with my life.”
: ̗̀➛ hwang hyunjin
You open your eyes slowly, the light catching on the figure sitting beside you, and you just stare at him in a trance-like silence.
“Are you real...”
Hyunjin blinks, tilting his head with a confused, ethereal grace. “yes? Last I checked, I’m very much here.”
“You look like… a painting that escaped.”
He freezes, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “A what?”
“A painting,” you repeat, your voice thick with emotion. “Like someone cried over you in a museum.”
He presses his lips together, desperately trying not to smile at your drugged-up poetry. “That’s… very poetic.”
“I think you’re famous,” you continue, your eyes wandering over his features.
“You know me.”
You gasp softly, the realization hitting you like a freight train. “I knew it. You’re that prince from the history books.”
He laughs quietly, reaching out to brush a stray hair back from your forehead, his touch as light as a feather. “How do you feel? Does your head hurt?”
You ignore the question completely, too focused on your own agenda. “Your face is… illegal.”
“Illegal?”
“Too pretty. Someone should report you. You're distracting the public.”
He actually turns away, laughing into his shoulder, his ears turning a bright shade of red. “I’ll try to be less illegal. I'll work on being ugly for a few days.”
“Don’t,” you mumble, grabbing his hand. “It’s important for society. For the morale of the people.”
He looks back at you, his gaze softening into something so tender it could melt. “Cute. You say the strangest things when you're tired.”
You shake your head firmly. “No. You’re the art. I’m the… museum bench.”
“What does that mean? Why a bench?”
“I sit and admire you. I'm just here for the view.”
He breaks. Fully laughing now, a melodic sound that echoes in the room. “You’re unbelievable. Truly one of a kind.”
You reach out, poking his cheek with a shaky finger. “Stay pretty. Don't let the museum catch you.”
“I’ll do my best,” he promises, catching your hand and kissing your knuckles. “I’m staying right here.”
: ̗̀➛ han jisung
You wake up and the moment your eyes lock onto his face, you react with the intensity of someone witnessing a miracle—or a crime.
“OH MY GOD IT’S YOU.”
Han jumps nearly a foot out of his chair, his eyes wide. “WHAT—yes—it’s me?! Why are we screaming?! Are you okay?!”
“You’re the guy.”
“What guy?!”
“The guy who looks like he owes me money. I remember those eyes.”
“I DO NOT OWE YOU MONEY—I literally paid for your coffee yesterday!”
You gasp, your hand flying to your chest. “DENIAL. The first sign of a chronic borrower.”
He’s already laughing, hiding his face in his hands as he rocks back and forth. “I just got accused of debt the moment you woke up?! This is how you greet me?”
You point dramatically at him, your finger wobbling. “You have the face of someone who says ‘I’ll pay you back’ and then disappears.”
“I WOULD NEVER—I am a responsible adult!”
You narrow your eyes, unconvinced. “you would. You’d buy with my rent money.”
He collapses into laughter, nearly falling off the chair. “This is slander. I’m calling my lawyer. I’m being bullied by my girlfriend.”
You suddenly grab his hand, pulling him closer. “but I like you anyway. Even if you're a flight risk.”
He pauses, his laughter dying down into a wide, breathless grin. “even though I’m a scammer?”
“Especially because you’re a scammer. It keeps life spicy.”
“I’m not—” he laughs again, softer now, his thumb rubbing over your palm. “What else do you like about me, since I’m apparently a criminal?”
You think hard, your brow furrowing with the effort of a deep philosophical thought. “you look like you’d panic over pigeons.”
He just watches you, his expression turning so soft and fond, shaking his head. “You’re weird. You know that? Totally weird.”
You nod proudly, closing your eyes. “Thank you. It’s my best quality.”
: ̗̀➛ lee felix
You open your eyes, the soft light of the room filtering through the curtains, and you immediately let out a breathless gasp of wonder.
“…angel.”
Felix blinks, his golden hair catching the light as he tilts his head. “Oh—hi—you’re finally awake.”
“You’re an angel. Where are your wings? Did you hide them in your jacket?”
He smiles shyly, a faint blush dusting his freckled cheeks. “I’m just Felix—no wings, I promise.”
“No. Don’t lie to me. I see the glow. You’re radiating light.”
He laughs softly, a deep, melodic sound that rumbles in the quiet room. “There’s no glow, it’s just the hospital lights—”
“There is. It’s aggressive. It’s very bright, Felix. My eyes are offended.”
“Aggressive glow?” he repeats, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Yes. Like you came here to emotionally support me and also bake cookies. That’s an angel move.”
He laughs, covering his mouth with his hand to stifle the sound. “I would bake cookies. I actually have some in my bag for when you’re allowed to eat.”
“I knew it,” you whisper, your voice full of awe. “Divine. You’re a baked-goods deity.”
He leans closer, his eyes searching yours for any signs of pain. “How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”
You reach up and touch his cheek, marveling at how smooth his skin feels. “…soft.”
He freezes a little, his breath hitching, but he doesn't pull away. He just smiles, leaning into your touch. “You’re very soft too.”
“Thank you… I try.”
“Like bread.”
“Bread?” Felix asks, his eyebrows jumping in surprise.
“Good bread. Expensive bread. Like a brioche bun that’s been kissed by the sun.”
He laughs again, his whole face lighting up. “I’ll take that. Being compared to a brioche bun is a first for me.”
You suddenly look very serious, your grip on his hand tightening. “Don’t go back to heaven. They have enough angels.”
“I won’t. I’m staying right here.”
“Stay here. We need bread.”
He nods, playing along with a heart-melting grin. “I’ll stay. For the bread. And for you.”
: ̗̀➛ kim seungmin
You wake up, blinking slowly as you find him sitting perfectly upright in the chair next to you. You stare at him for a long, silent minute.
“You look like you’d remind me to drink water even if I was drowning.”
Seungmin blinks, completely unfazed. “I would. Hydration is key to survival, even in a flood.”
You nod, impressed. “Responsible.”
“Thank you? I try to maintain a certain standard of care.”
You squint, looking closer at the way he’s watching you. “…but also judgmental. You’re judging my heart rate, aren't you?”
He smiles, a sharp, clever glint in his eyes. “Also correct. It’s a bit fast. Are you nervous, or just naturally erratic?”
“I’m scared of you.”
“You should be.”
You gasp, pulling the blanket up to your chin. “I KNEW IT. You’re the secret boss.”
He laughs quietly, a dry, amused sound. “Do you want some water, since you’re so observant?”
“Yes. Please, Mr. Boss.”
He helps you carefully, his hand steady behind your head as he holds the cup to your lips. You sip, then point a finger at him the second the cup is moved.
“You’re like a golden retriever who goes to school and got a PhD in being a menace.”
“I did go to school, yes. Though my degree isn't in 'menace'—that was an elective.”
“No like… emotionally. You have the ears but also the attitude.”
He chuckles, setting the water down. “I’ll accept that description. It’s fairly accurate.”
You suddenly lean in, your voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “If I commit crimes… will you still support me? Like, if I'm on the run?”
“Depends on the crime. I have a reputation to uphold.”
You think hard, your eyes rolling back as you consider your options. “Stealing snacks.”
“Unacceptable. I’d turn you in myself for a bag of crackers.”
You gasp, clutching your heart. “TRAITOR.”
“I stand by my morals. No snack is worth a criminal record.”
You stare at him in betrayal, your eyes narrowing… then you slowly nod, conceding.
“You’re a good man. A boring, snack-protecting man.”
“Thank you,” he says, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Now go back to sleep before you confess to any more felonies.”
: ̗̀➛ yang jeongin
You wake up and the first thing you see is his bright, youthful face. You immediately break into a wide, slightly dazed smile.
“…baby.”
I.N freezes, his eyes going wide. “I’m not a baby—I’m a grown man! I’m sitting in a hospital chair!”
“You’re a baby. Look at those cheeks. They’re for pinching.”
“I’m literally not—I have a driver's license!”
“Tiny. So tiny.”
“I’m not tiny! I’m taller than you think!”
You squint, tilting your head to the side. “…emotionally tiny. Like a little fox in a big sweater.”
He bursts into laughter, his nose scrunching up in that way it always does. “What does that even mean?! How can someone be emotionally tiny?”
“You’re small… but brave. Like you’d fight a bee for me.”
“I—okay, I’ll take that. I would definitely fight a bee. Maybe even a wasp.”
You reach out and grab his hand, squeezing it with all your might. “You’re my baby now. I’ve decided.”
“I’m older than—” he stops, laughing too hard to finish the sentence. He looks at you with a mix of exasperation and pure fondness.
“No arguments. I’ve adopted you. You’re in the system now.”
He plays along, bowing his head in a mock show of respect. “Yes, mother. I shall obey your commands.”
You nod proudly, satisfied with your new acquisition. “Good. You’re a fast learner.”
Then, your voice softens, your grip on his hand becoming more grounding. “…protect me.”
“Of course. Why are you asking?”
“From… everything. The loud noises. The mean nurses. The concept of mornings.”
“I will,” he promises, his voice turning surprisingly steady and sweet. “I’ll guard the door.”
You smile sleepily, the world fading out again. “Good baby.”
He shakes his head, smiling so soft it actually looks like it hurts, his eyes never leaving yours. “Go back to sleep. I’m right here.”
“hmm…okay.”
And he stays there, still holding your hand, watching over you with a devotion that is anything but tiny.
( 뮤즈 ) ⃕ ωhen chan gets invited to GQ for an interview, he gets to answer online questions from stay — “incognito”. he can’t help that most of the questions he answers, somehow, gets you involved.
এ smau fluff fem reader public relationship idol chan real tweets from real fans chan pov
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. (16,8k words)
Author's note: Ok guys, brace yourself for impact* and hope you enjoy it (*reads angst 🫣)
The email comes in quietly. Just a soft ping somewhere between the clutter of unread messages and half-finished drafts.
Hyunjin almost ignores it. He’s slouched in his chair, one leg stretched out under the desk, the other hooked loosely around it, pencil spinning lazily between his fingers while his screen glows with a half-done sketch he hasn’t touched in the last ten minutes. His mind isn’t there. It hasn’t been all morning. Not since—
He exhales through his nose, stopping the thought before it finishes and the ping comes again.
This time, he glances at it and the subject line catches his attention:
Final Submission Deadline – Product Testing Program
The pencil slips from his fingers, rolling across the desk until it bumps against his phone with a dull tap. For a second, he just stares at the screen and considers not to open it. Like maybe if he just let it sits there, unread. It won’t be real.
At one point, he caves in with a sigh and clicks it open.
Dear Participants,
This is a reminder that the final product evaluation must be submitted by the end of this week. Please ensure all testing sessions are completed and documented accordingly. Late submissions will not be accepted and therefore, will not receive full compensation and ineligible to enter the drawing for main prize.
Hyunjin slowly leans back in his chair as the weight of it settling somewhere uncomfortable in his chest. The test program ends this week and then… that’s it. No test schedule. No product testing. Just— done.
His jaw shifts slightly as he reads the email again, like maybe the words will rearrange themselves into something less absolute. Instead, his mind drifts to you and all the times he’s shared with you and with it, the chances he let slipped away.
His tongue presses against the inside of his cheek because to him it means more than just a test. More than the compensation and the mere promise of a free vacation. More than he’s comfortable admitting.
Hyunjin huffs out a quiet breath, dragging a hand through his dark locks before leaning forward again, elbows resting on the desk as he stares at the email.
“One more,” he mutters under his breath.
One more test. One more night. One more excuse. And then what?
His gaze flicks to his phone and he hopes that you’d have sent him something. But nothing. Nothing after that night. But that’s how you are. Clean lines. Clear boundaries. He used to like that but now— now it just irritates him.
Hyunjin reaches for his phone, unlocking it without thinking, thumb hovering over your name and thinks that at least, he has a reason to text you now.
So when are we going to do the final test?
He stares at the message for a second. It’s casual and normal, but… detached. So not what he’s actually thinking and wanting to say. Still, he hits send.
The message goes through instantly, delivered and Hyunjin grabs his pencil back, trying to continue working but his mind won’t quiet. He thought this would be simple and fun. Something temporary, but somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling that way. And the next thing he knows, the end is here — looming, inevitable and he finds himself dreading it. Because once it’s over and so are you. Or at least, the version of you he gets to have like this.
Hyunjin manages to force himself to work, mostly because he needs the distraction. An hour passed in a blink of an eye and he allows himself a break, or rather, a chance to check his phone. His fingers work fast to open the messaging app and the last message he sent you just… sits there. Delivered and seen, but no reply. Which is worse.
Hyunjin refreshes and refreshes it again, like that’ll somehow speed things up. Your chat stays exactly the same. No answer.
He exhales, pushing himself up from his chair. “Alright, guess I’m coming to you,” he mutters.
And at least now, he has a reason to see you.
-
Once the elevator doors slide open, Hyunjin makes a turn to the right, toward your office and he notices right away that you’re not on your desk. He continues walking as he spots Gabe is there, hunched over her laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard like she’s in a race against time.
“Morning,” Hyunjin calls out.
“Mm,” she half-heartedly replies without looking up.
That’s new. He arches a brow but doesn’t comment, instead making himself comfortable by perching on the edge of your desk. He takes a look at your things on the desk and impressed by how organized they are. His fingers reach for a bowl of candies without asking, fishing one out, unwrapping it lazily before popping it into his mouth.
He patiently waits as he sucks on the sweetness of caramel in his mouth, letting the silence stretch, only filled by the rapid clicking of keys and the occasional frustrated sigh from Gabe.
When she finally stops, she looks up and just like that, her expression brightens, like she’s remembered her manners. “Oh—hi, when did you get here?” she says properly this time, smiling.
Hyunjin shrugs, chewing slowly. “Long enough.”
“So, what are you doing here?” There’s a playful lilt to her voice as she asks it. Then her eyes light up, her smile brightens. “Wait—are you here to tell me you’re taking me as your plus one for the hotel voucher?”
God, she makes this too easy. Hyunjin grins and leans back slightly, slipping into the lie without hesitation. “Actually, my friend just got married. I gave the voucher to him as a wedding gift.” he says, dragging it out just a little.
Gabe’s smile falters. Just a little. “Aww… what a shame,” she mutters, deflating.
For a second, Hyunjin almost feels bad. Almost. “I’ll make it up to you with a lunch. My treat,” he adds quickly.
That works to make the smile on Gabe’s face widens and brightens. She perks up instantly, eyes lighting again. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Hyunjin answers without the slightest of hesitation.
She holds his gaze and grins. “I’m holding you to that.”
He raises a hand, putting it over his chest dramatically. “Please do.”
Hyunjin pushes himself off your desk then, wandering over to hers like this was his plan all along. He mindlessly plays with little figurine on Gabe’s desk and then too casually, he asks, “Where’s Miss Perfect Planner?”
Gabe props her chin on her hands, elbows on the desk, clearly slipping into her favorite mode now—gossip. “She got called to the CMO’s office about fifteen minutes ago,” she says.
Hyunjin pretends to be busy playing with the figurine to care. If only Gabe is clever enough to notice, there’s a flicker behind his expression before he smooths it over.
“Ah,” he hums.
Instead, Gabe leans in slightly, lowering her voice like she’s about to share state secrets. “I wonder what they’re talking about in there.”
Hyunjin lets out a small, dismissive chuckle. “Work, probably.”
Gabe scrunches her nose. “Yeah… probably.”
When he thought she’s about to drop the conversation there, she takes a sip of her coffee, eyes narrowing slightly in thought as she adds, “Could be something else...”
Hyunjin laughs again, lighter this time, like it doesn’t matter. Like it doesn’t bother him at all. “Wow. You’re really invested in this.”
Gabe holds his mug with both hands and then shrugs, unapologetic. “I like a good story.”
Honestly, Hyunjin can’t ignore that possibility too. But you can’t be, right? You’re all about rules and professional, you couldn’t be talking about something other than work with Seungmin.
“Anyway, what did you come here for?” Gabe asks, snapping Hyunjin out of his thoughts.
Hyunjin opens his mouth, ready to lie again but he stops when he hears the clicking sounds of heels against the floor. He turns his head to the side and there you are.
You step in, mid-thought, mid-motion and pause when you see him sitting there like he’s been waiting. Your brows knit together slightly, confused. Caught off guard, maybe.
“Oh, there you are,” he says easily, getting off Gabe’s desk.
Before you can question him, Hyunjin closes the distance, his hand landing lightly on your shoulder as he steers you away. “I need to talk to you,” he adds, already walking.
“About what?” you ask.
“The invitation design we talked about the other day,” he lies smoothly, still steering you away.
He opens the door to the empty meeting room and you don’t resist as he gently pushes you inside. Then he steps in after you.
The second the door shuts behind him, you turn on your feet to face him and still convinced that it’s about work. “What design are we talking about? I don’t think—” you stop talking when you see his grin.
Your face drops instantly into annoyance and flatly say, “Don’t joke about work.”
He shrugs, completely unbothered. “But it’s fun seeing you like that.”
You glare, arms crossing over your chest. “Then what do you need?”
He leans back against the table, hands resting along the edge. “Did you get my text?”
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“I was in a meeting.”
Right. Hyunjin nods slowly. “With Seungmin?”
“With the CMO, yes,” you correct him.
“What kind of meeting?” he asks it casually, but the intention is not.
Your eyes narrow just slightly. “That’s not your business.”
There it is. The line. He decides to let go. “Did you see the email about the test program deadline?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
You nonchalantly shrug. “I’m not worried because we’ll finish it on time.”
Hyunjin studies you for a second before asking, “And when are we doing the final test?”
With a tilt of your head and a playful glint in your eyes, you tease, “Ooo, someone’s impatient.”
Hyunjin is thrown off for a second because that’s not what he expected. He recovers quickly, a grin sliding back into place. “Of course, I am. We’re going to win that free vacation, remember?”
You nod like that makes sense and think for a second. “How about tomorrow then?”
“No.
His answer is too fast and rather, suspicious. He quickly schools his face to remain calm, not willing to let it show that tomorrow is too soon for him. That he’s not ready for it. And that he actually doesn’t want it to end soon.
“Didn’t you just say we need to finish it on time?” you ask with eyes slightly narrowed.
Hyunjin opens his mouth and then closes it. Then scrambles to explain, “Well—yeah, but… It’s the last one. It should be special.”
You let out a long, tired sigh. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
He scoffs. “Why not?”
“Because you’re the one planning it.”
He grins at that, stepping closer, hands finding your arms without hesitation. “You’ll like it this time.”
You roll your eyes. But you don’t pull away from the idea. “When, then?” you ask.
Hyunjin thinks quickly, but carefully. Since they only have to submit within the duration, he can definitely push it to the final date. “This weekend,” he decides.
You take a second to consider it and then nod. “I’ll see you then.”
And just like that, you’re turning toward the door.
Hyunjin straightens slightly as he calls after you. “It’ll be special,” he assures you.
You open the door, glancing back over your shoulder and offering him a faint smile. “Can’t wait,” you flatly say.
The you step out of the door and Hyunjin stands there for a second with a smile slowly rises on his face. Because you said can’t wait. But the way you said it? Yeah. You’re not the only one pretending.
-
The days slip past him faster than he expects. Everything feels… suspended, like he’s just waiting for something to arrive and then, it does.
The weekend is here and by the time he pulls up in front of your house, the late afternoon sun is dipping low, casting everything in that soft golden light that makes things feel warmer than they actually are.
He cuts the engine, reaches into the backseat, grabbing what he needs—a backpack slung over one shoulder, a paper bag hooked in his fingers.
For a second, his gaze flicks to the door. He still has your spare key. He could just walk in. But, no. Tonight deserves more than that.
So he steps out, shuts the car door, and walks up to the front door like he doesn’t already know this place inside out. Then knocks on it. Once. Twice.
He doesn’t have to wait long for the door to open and there you are, leaning against the frame, casual, like you’ve been expecting him—but not this early.
Hyunjin’s grin comes easy as he lifts the paper bag in his hand and cheerily announces, “Dinner’s here.”
It earns him exactly what he wants— that faint, reluctant smile tugging at your lips. “You’re early. That’s new,” you say, one brow lifting.
He shrugs, shifting the bag in his hand. “I’m full of surprises.”
You don’t even bother entertaining that. Just step aside, opening the door wider for him.
Hyunjin steps in, crossing the threshold and dropping his things in the living room without much thought before following you toward the kitchen.
You stop there, turning slowly, hands braced against the counter behind you. “So, what’s for dinner?”
Hyunjin watches you for a second. Then smiles. “There’s something you have to do first.”
A flicker of confusion crosses your face. “What?”
He jerks his chin toward the chair. “Sit. Wait here.”
You sigh immediately, suspicion written all over your face. “If this is another one of your experimental cooking techniques—”
“It’s not,” he cuts in quickly. His grin widening as he adds, “It’s worse.”
Your eyes widen in horror and that’s enough to make him laugh. “Relax,” he quickly assures you, shaking his head. “Do you want dinner or not?”
“Yes. And I’d like to have it now,” you say in a firm, impatient tone.
“Then sit and I’ll tell you when it’s ready,” he simply says.
Another sigh escapes you, in defeat this time. “Please, hurry.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He steps closer before you can move, hands finding your shoulders easily, guiding you back into the chair. You let him even if you roll your eyes while doing it.
Hyunjin lingers behind you for a second longer than necessary, bending down just enough so his mouth hovers close to your ear. “Sit still and be patient,” he murmurs.
Before you can stop him, he presses a quick kiss to your cheek and triumphantly grins when he sees your surprised, slightly flustered expression. He quickly straightening himself, grabbing his things and heads toward the back.
When you see him walk past the kitchen, you shout, “You don’t want to mess with a hungry girl.”
He chuckles under his breath, stopping for a second to shout back, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He continues walking toward the back door. Toward whatever ridiculous, over-the-top plan he’s cooked up this time. And as he steps out into the backyard, Hyunjin can’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. Because if this is how it ends, he’s making sure it’s anything but forgettable.
-
The sun hangs low, dipping toward the horizon, painting everything in warm gold and soft orange. Hyunjin gets to work, setting everything up for his special night. He lays the picnic mat first—right in the middle of the yard where the view is best. The projector takes him a minute to set up, adjusting the angle, stepping back, squinting, stepping forward again until the image lands cleanly against the blank wall of your house. He leaves the garden lights off and instead, he flicks on the back porch light, letting it spill softly into the yard.
He steps back once more, scanning everything and a quiet breath leaves him.
“Not bad,” he mutters.
Satisfied, Hyunjin turns and heads back inside. He walks into the house like he has springs on his feet but he abruptly stops on his track when he sees you’re not in the kitchen where he told you to wait. He pauses, glancing around briefly before moving toward the living room and finds you curled on the sofa, a book in your hands, completely at ease like time moves slower around you. His steps slow without him realizing and admires the sight for a bit. Because you look… soft like this. Untouched by everything that’s been circling between the two of you.
When you notice him, you stretch—arms lifting above your head, back arching slightly as you set the book aside. “Is it ready?” you ask.
He doesn’t answer right away. Just walks up to you, a smile already tugging at his lips as he holds his hands out.
You slip your glasses off first, putting it away along with the book. Then place your hands in his with no hesitation at all
Hyunjin helps you up, his grip steady, one hand lingering around yours even after you’re standing. “Come on,” he says.
He doesn’t let go. He leads you through the house, toward the back door with that quiet anticipation building with every step. Right before opening it, he stops and turns slightly toward you. “Don’t be too surprised.”
You tilt your head, putting on an exaggerated, almost mocking expression—wide-eyed, smitten. “Wow, I’m already impressed,” you say dryly.
He knows you’re teasing but it doesn’t matter. You’re cute even when you faked a delighted expression. He smiles anyway, then turns the knob and pulls the door open. “After you.”
You step out first and stop right there on the porch, taking in the picnic setup in the middle of the backyard, the soft light, the sky melting into evening hues. You turn your head slightly, glancing at him.
“The forecast says it’s going to rain tonight,” you inform.
Your tone is light, matter-of-factly but he catches that quiet, reluctant approval underneath. “Nope, not going to let you ruin it,” he decides, taking your hand in his and then guides you down the steps, toward the mat, steadying you without making it obvious. He waits until you’re comfortably seated before taking his place beside you.
When you look at him again, there’s that question in your eyes. “This what you meant by special?”
Hyunjin grins, proud and completely unashamed. “And by special, it means…” he says, gesturing loosely around, “…romantic.”
He pauses for effect and then proudly declares. “That’s the theme for tonight. Romance.”
Your lips part slightly, probably ready to protest, but he cuts you off immediately. “Now—for dinner.”
He reaches for the brown paper bag, setting it between you both like it’s something grand.
And then ruins the illusion completely as he pulls out a burger and hands it to you. Then another for himself. He rips open the bag, dumping the fries right into it without ceremony before grabbing two soda cans from the side.
When he looks back at you, you’re staring at him. Unimpressed. “Burger and lukewarm soda? Really?”
Hyunjin just smiles. Unbothered. “It’s not about the food. It’s about who you’re eating it with.”
He gestures upward and continues talking, “Together. Under the stars.”
You follow his gaze, looking at the sky and… there are no stars. Just fading light and clouds slowly gathering. “There’s no starts because it’s going to rain soon,” you point out.
He gives you a small shake of head and ignores that. “And I prepared a movie.”
“Oh, no,” you groan immediately.
“I found the dirtiest, nastiest porn on—”
You don’t wait for him to finish, but rise from the mat.
Hyunjin quickly stops you, grabbing you by the wrist and stopping you from leaving the mat. “I’m joking,” he says, half-laughing.
You sit back down with your lips curl into a pout.
“I actually have something worse,” he says proudly. Then, quickly add, “But on theme.”
“Romantic?”
“Very.”
You relax slightly at that and then glance back at the food. “Can I eat now?”
He holds up a finger. “Wait.”
Hyunjin pops the tab on your soda first, handing it to you, then opens his only for it to fizz violently, foam rising too fast. “Ah—hurry, lift your can!” He mutters in a rush.
You do, confused.
He rushes to clink his can against yours in a rushed, uneven toast. “To—whatever this is—”
“To a romantic night,” you correct with lack of enthusiasm.
“Yes, that,” he says and hastily takes a long drink before it spills over.
Hyunjin catches the way you let out a small soft, amused chuckle before sipping yours and the soda feels warms as he swallows it down. He leans back slightly, looking at you, then at the sky, then at everything he’s set up around you both.
It’s simple, a little chaotic, far from perfect but, it feels like it might be. And Hyunjin has a feeling that tonight is going to be a beautiful night.
-
Hyunjin barely registers the movie anymore because you’re right here next to him. Close enough that your knee brushes his every now and then, close enough that he can hear the quiet rhythm of your chewing, the small hums you make when you take a sip of your soda.
He pops another fry into his mouth, glancing at you as you do the same—bite of burger, sip of soda, repeat, like some unspoken rhythm the two of you have fallen into.
“It’s good, right?” he asks, mouth half full, already knowing the answer.
You nod, chewing.
Hyunjin leans back slightly, smug. “Of course it is. You’re eating it with me.”
You nod again, like you’re entertaining him, like you might actually. “Could be that,” you say lightly.
And then you swallow, tilt your head just slightly, and ruin it. “But I think it’s mostly because I’m hungry,” you cheekily add.
His cheeks puff out, full of food, as he stares at you in disbelief. “You never let me win,” he mumbles around the bite, a soft, offended whine slipping through.
You just grin and it’s unfair. The way you look tonight—relaxed, softer, brighter than he’s used to seeing you. It throws him off in the best way.
After a moment, he swallows and gestures vaguely. “You done?”
You nod, brushing your fingers together.
Hyunjin moves immediately, gathering the wrappers, the empty containers, shoving everything into a plastic bag. Then he pauses, digging into his bag again. “Wait,” he says, already pulling out wet wipes.
You don’t argue. You just sit there, letting him take your hand and gently clean your fingers.
The gesture is simple, but something about it says otherwise.
“Thank you,” you murmur with a soft smile.
He shrugs like it’s nothing, even as something quietly flips inside his chest. He wipes his own hands next, then straightens, clapping once. “Alright, time for dessert,” he announces.
Your brows immediately lift in interest and that alone makes him grin.
He pulls out the container, flips it open with a little flourish, and offers it to you. Chocolate-covered strawberries. The chocolate glistening, melting from the warmth of spring night.
Your face lights up, already reaching for one. “They look so good,” you beam.
Hyunjin watches you take a bite, watches the way your expression brightens instantly, the delighted hum of approval that slips from you.
“And they’re so sweet too,” you murmur.
And God—he could live in that expression. Right there. That ease, that warmth. He leans back slightly, studying you and then carefully says, “You’re tame tonight.”
You lick a bit of chocolate from your thumb, slow and absentminded, then sigh softly.
“Maybe because it’s the final test tonight,” you honestly answer and then briefly glance at him. “This nightmare is almost over.”
Hyunjin lets out a loud, dramatic gasp. His hand clutching at his chest like you’ve just offended him.
You laugh and the sound is crisp, almost melodic and he feels something fluttering in his stomach.
“I’m just relieved we’re finishing on time,” you say with a soft sigh. Then, a second later, you look at him and add, “And safely.”
“You’re forgetting that one incident on out first test,” he mumbles, then bites into his strawberry.
You laugh again and this time, with your mouth full of food. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“My mouth was numb for hours,” he insists.
“You’re so dramatic.”
He huffs, but he’s smiling. He always is, around you. Without thinking, he reaches over, thumb brushing the corner of your lips.
“Hold still,” he murmurs.
You do and even lean in close enough so he can wipe the smudge of chocolate away and then, without breaking eye contact, licks it from his thumb.
“You should admit though that this has been fun,” he says, too casually after what he’s just done.
You take your time finishing the strawberry, like you’re thinking, like you’re deciding whether to give him the answer he wants.
He leans in slightly, gaze locking onto yours, challenging you to lie to his face.
A soft chuckle slips from you and you finally admit, “Yeah, it’s been fun.”
A grin slowly rises on his small face and he leans back onto his elbows, stretching out. “We should do it again sometime.”
You shake your head immediately, laughing. “No.”
He turns his head, slightly offended by the immediate rejection. “No?”
You keep shaking your head.
He tilts closer and his tone flirtatious as he asks, “Not to the test program… or no to the sex?”
You lean in then, daringly close an inch or two between your faces and Hyunjin tells himself to stay cool.
Your lips curve into a sly smile and say, “No to you.”
He gasps again, louder this time. Scandalized. But he recovers quickly, grin slipping back into his plush lips. “At least you said yes to the sex.”
You scoff at that but you don’t argue. And he takes that as a win.
“Feed me,” he says, nudging the container toward you.
You stare at him. “No.”
“Come on, romance me for once,” he whines.
You roll your eyes but you reach for a strawberry anyway. You hold it by the stem as he opens his mouth, waiting. You shove half of it in and he bites down, the sweetness bursting across his tongue, chocolate melting after it—and before he can even finish, you pop the other half into your own mouth.
You lick your fingers clean and chuckle when you look at him. “There’s chocolate on your lips,” you say.
He leans in immediately. “Clean it for me then.”
Your hand lifts but he’s quick to catch it, lowering it. “Not with your hand.”
You pause for a second to finally get what he demanded and to his surprise, you go ahead with it. You lean in closer and closer until your breath brushes his lips. You gently hold his chin, keeping his head turned slightly to the side and then land a soft lick, tongue barely grazing but enough to clean the smudge of chocolate on the corner of his mouth
Hyunjin doesn’t want to miss this chance. He turns his head to meet your lips and crash them against yours. He takes the hand holding his chin, pulling you in and deeper. You don’t fight it, but melt into it. He feels the way you give in, the way your body leans into his instead of pulling away. And oh, your lips are so sweet, so soft, so… fucking addictive. And he chases it again and again. And again.
His hand slides along your side, feeling the warmth of you through the fabric, the subtle curve beneath his palm. You shift closer, and suddenly the space between you disappears entirely. He moves without thinking, guiding you down onto the cushion, hovering over you as his mouth finds yours again.
The movie? Forgotten.
The dessert? Left behind.
It’s just you and him.
Until all of a sudden, you break the kiss and look at him with a questioning look on your face. “Did you drool?”
He looks at you, eyes blinking innocently, caught off guard. “What—”
A drop hits his cheek, cold and wet, and for a second, both of you exchange a look. Another drop lands on the top of his head. Then another.
“It’s raining,” you mutter.
Chaos erupts. You scramble up, grabbing the edge of the picnic mat, dragging it toward the house while he fumbles with the projector, nearly dropping it in the process.
“I got it, I got it—!” he assures as he’s forgetting the bag of food still sitting there, on the process of getting soaked by the rainwater and runs for it.
You don’t got it, he absolutely does not got it and by the time you both make it inside, slightly breathless, a little damp, the rain has already picked up outside.
You turn to him immediately. “I told you it was going to rain.”
He breathlessly laughs, unbothered and you try to stay annoyed, but you break, laughing with him.
The sound fills the room, mingling with the sound of the rain outside and eventually, the hilarity slowly fades. The silence returns. Not the awkward kind, but the kind that sets the sparks alive between you and him.
Hyunjin looks at you, at your hair slightly damp, strands clinging together. Your lashes stuck together from the rain. The wet marks of rain on your powder blue dress. You look softer like this, like something he can hold close and treasure all night.
Your voice drops, quieter now. “Guess the romantic night is over.”
“Not really,” he mutters, stepping closer and before you can say anything else, his arms wrap around your waist, pulling you in, lifting you effortlessly off the ground.
You gasp in surprise, hands instinctively grabbing onto him and Hyunjin just grins as he carries you toward the guest bedroom.
-
A laugh spills out of you as Hyunjin tosses you gently onto the bed and you land with a soft bounce.
“Wait, that’s not romantic at all,” you complain between breaths.
He climbs over you immediately, caging you in, one knee sinking into the mattress beside your hip, hands braced on either side of your head. A grin blooms on his face as he simply retorts. “It is in my head.”
He leans in, a hand reaches for your chin. His thumb lightly tracing your lower lip, pulling it down and that’s when he kisses you again. He feels the hint of chocolate and rain on your lips, and the way your laughter fades into it, adding a different kind of sweetness into it.
His mouth moves against yours, deeper, hungrier. His hands begin to wander, impatiently so, finding the seams of your dress, the zipper at your back. He fumbles with it as he’s having a hard time to split his focus in two: kissing you and unzipping your dress.
You break the kiss with a low breath, reaching behind you to help, your fingers quick and practiced where his aren’t. Soon, the zipper gives, the fabric loosens, and suddenly the space between you feels thinner.
You push at his shoulders, just enough to flip the dynamic for a second, fingers working at ease as you unbutton them. When you part it open, you gasp.
“What?” he asks immediately, a flicker of panic cutting through the haze.
You sit up slightly, eyes narrowing as you lean closer to his neck. “You have a mosquito bite.”
“What?” he says, still puzzled. His hand cluelessly rubbing over his neck.
“This one is even bigger,” you say, fingers moving to his shoulder, tracing lightly over the raised skin.
The soft gaze and the genuine concern make something warm curl in his chest. He has to bite back a smile. “Now that you’ve pointed it out. I can feel it itching,” he mutters playfully.
Your hand doesn’t stop rubbing over it and you say, almost sweetly, “Good. I hope it itches so badly.”
“Hope it itches so badly,” he repeats with a quiet laugh and then retaliates.
He dips his head into your neck, pressing ticklish kisses, teeth lightly nibbling on your skin, and you immediately squirm beneath him, laughter breaking out again.
“Hyunjin—stop—!”
He doesn’t stop. Not until your laughter softens, until your body settles again under his, until the space between you crackles with sparks again. Then his mouth finds yours again and just like that, the heat returns. Stronger.
His jeans become the next obstacle as your hands fiddle with the button but not long after, the sound of zipper opening echoes between you, obscenely louder than it should. He flips to the side, removing the whole thing until he’s bare beside you.
Before he can react, you get on top of him, body pressing from above him, warm and soft all over. Your mouths automatically locked again in a kiss, hands going all over your back and eventually meeting the strap of your bra. He works slowly as he unclasps it and he feels your low gasp against his mouth when it snaps open.
You break the kiss to sit up, taking the bra off of you, exposing your bare chest and soft mounds to him, only to him. For a brief moment, you just sit there straddling him, a smirk tugging at your lips as you look down on him, a seductive, dangerous smirk.
You lower your mouth on him again and Hyunjin is more than eager to welcome it, a hand settles on the back of your neck. The rest of your body follows after, slowly molding into his shape and your crotch somehow burrowing deeper, seeking heat though there’s the flimsy layer of your underwear separating them in between.
The hand on the back of your neck moves, tracing down your spine and resting for a bit on the arch of your back, fingers edging the elastic band of your underwear before slips them inside. He doesn’t stop himself from fondling on your ass cheeks, feeling the flesh gives in to his greedy touches.
Impatient, he yanks your underwear down just as far as his arms let him and they stuck somewhere around your thighs. He brings his hand upward, fingers running between your ass cheeks and a little lower to the source of heat. He sighs against your mouth at the feeling your wetness welcoming his fingers. And oh, it’s just good to know that he’s not the only one wanting this, burning from this.
You pull away just enough to give an inch or two between your faces, allowing him to see your expression shifts as he pushes two fingers into you — the way your brows furrowing just slightly, the way your face tenses just for a fraction before it loosens, the way your mouth falls open with a breathless gasp escaping it.
He continues, pumping his fingers in and out of you, drawing your essence to flood and eventually drips onto him. As if drawn by the heat, he pulls away only to reach down between your bodies, hand wrapping around his semi-hard and put it between your legs. You instinctively close your thighs around it and he feels it, your wet, hot cunt pressing against his shaft.
Through his half-lidded eyes, he notices the way you’re watching his face for reaction as you cross your legs together around the ankles to give him that tightness he seeks. He doesn’t hold himself back from letting a groan slips out of his mouth and you quickly capture it with a kiss, a haste, deep kiss.
It’s just you and him now. Skin to skin. Heat meeting heat. Your bodies fit together like they’ve already learned each other, like this isn’t new anymore—and maybe that’s what makes it more intimate. More dangerous. More… real.
Then Hyunjin moves, subtly moving his hips enough to rub his length against your wetness. Hands gripping each side your hips, keeping you still as his moves turning into pulsating motions. He loses himself in it for a moment. In the way you respond, in the way your hands braced on each side of his head, in the way you lowly moan into his mouth.
This alone feels so much to him and he doesn’t want to stop. If he could, he would stop the time and stays in this—
But then, you break the kiss with a gasp and shift, dropping to his side. Eyes dazed and a little unfocused as you mutter, “We should start.”
Right. It’s a test. He stops for a second, trying to redirect his focus to the main reason why the two of you are here in the first place. “Yep, I’ll get on it,” he says.
Hyunjin exhales, dragging a hand through his hair before sitting up and reaching to the bedside table. The product sits there, waiting. Unopened.
You settle back into the bed after removing your underwear and then watch him with a small, knowing smile tugging at your lips. “You must be excited for this.”
He glances at you, already tearing into the packaging. “Very.”
You softly giggle under your breath. “Do you even know how to put it on?”
He flips the box over, reading the instructions with exaggerated seriousness, brows slightly furrowed like he’s studying for an exam. “Tucks the two little wings under the labia—"
“Give me that,” you cut in with a light laugh, taking it from his hands before he can overthink it.
He allows himself to watch you for a moment, the ease in your gestures, the quiet confidence as you put the device on you. Then he busies himself too with the condom, practicing the same cautiousness as he puts the thin rubber down his length. He checks once more before rejoining you on the bed.
There’s a beat where you just… look at each other.
You’re the first one to break into a soft laugh. “You did a good job,” you praise, eyes briefly glancing down at his length.
“We did a good job,” he corrects you with a smirk.
You laugh again and put a hand on his neck, bringing his head close. “Good job, you two,” you playfully mutter before crashing your lips against him.
Soon, it’s your bodies tangling in heat again, slithering against the bedsheets, limbs around each other. When he finally pulls back just enough, your legs part instinctively for him, welcoming, and something sparks within him from the silent invitation.
He glances down at your wetness, glistening and tantalizing him the longer he looks. He uses his fingers next, brushing over the device still attached to you, right on the clit with the little wings tucked under the labia per instructions said on the manual sheets. There’s a small, discreet button there and he presses on it.
You gasp softly as the device starts to vibrate, the sudden sensation catching you off guard
“Just testing,” he cheekily says with a crooked grin.
“Well, it works just fine,” you say, already pulling him back into a kiss, like you’re trying to distract him from his own mischief.
As your lips move together again, he finally gives in to the pull between you. He uses his fingers first, two digits barely pumping, just enough to draw more essence out of you. He lets the moment stretch, letting you melt into his touch before finally shifting.
Without looking and relying more on instinct, Hyunjin aligns himself with your entrance. He pushes just barely yet you gasp against his mouth as the blunt head of his cock pressing into you. It’s not the first, but each time, it feels like it. He still finds himself overwhelmed by the feeling of being inside you.
He takes his time despite the urge to feel you all at once. He knows better to not force you, to treat you gentle. With utmost care and patience. He eases into you little by little, hands braced on each side of you, lips continuously placing kisses on your skin if not on your lips.
He notices the way you glance down to where your bodies joined, how most of his length has disappearing into you, wrapped tightly in your velvety walls and sigh, a breathless, arousing sigh.
Out of instinct, your legs parting wider like an unspoken permission to enter you further and he takes it. He allows himself to move forward, pushing the remaining length into you until he’s fully sheathed in that delicious tightness. Until he feels the device pressing against him and the buzzing sensation it offers. He gets it then, the purpose of the product. How it offers the same sensation to both of you, at the same time.
Hyunjin lingers there for a second, letting the closeness settle, letting you adjust, letting himself feel the warmth, the connection, the faint hum of the product caught between you.
“Oh,” he breathes against your lips, a grin tugging through it. “Yeah… I feel it now.”
You smile an almost shy smile, but it barely lasts before he’s kissing you again, deeper this time, his body beginning to move with slow, steady intent.
Your back arches beneath him, instinctive, giving him more depth, allowing him to launch deeper into you, and he takes it easily, like his body already knows how to find that rhythm with yours.
The room fills with the soft sounds. Warm breaths. The quiet, building tension that wraps around both of you and pulls tighter with every movement. He loses track of time of everything.
Until the rhythm breaks. Something off. He stills, frowning slightly as the device slips out of place, disrupting the moment in the smallest but most irritating way.
“Wait,” he mutters.
He adjusts it, making sure he puts it on properly and resume. He wills himself to forget that small inconvenient, not wanting to ruin this perfect moment. His hips moving in rolling movements now, like he’s swimming into the depth of ocean, the depth of you and the rhythm picks up, the tension climbs higher.
Then, the device slips again.
You slowly sit up on the bed, fixing it for both of you. You lay back down after and wrap your legs tighter around him, not letting anything to go wrong, to go out of place. You hastily kiss him as if you try to erase the seconds of interruption off his memory. In a way, it does.
“You can move now,” you mutter against his lips.
Hyunjin doesn’t want to waste time by lingering on it. He moves, thrusting into you carefully now. Not too slow. Not too fast either. He realizes that his purpose slightly shifting from pleasing you, to testing, to making sure that the device stays where it is.
But on the third time it slips again, you both can’t ignore the interruption. The frustration. He exhales sharply, pushing himself up slightly, trying to fix it again but it doesn’t stay, doesn’t cooperate, doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.
And just like that, the moment breaks. You both pause, breathing uneven, the heat still there but tangled now with annoyance and disappointment.
Hyunjin stills completely, then slowly pulls back, the space between you returning inch by inch.
You look at him, a little apologetic. “I can’t— it’s not… I don’t think we can continue.”
“Yeah,” he says with a small nod.
“I’m sorry,” you meekly mutter with a gentle hand on his arm.
“Hey, it’s not you,” he cuts in with a soft smile, shaking his head. “It’s the product.”
He lets out a quiet huff of a laugh, running a hand over his face. “Wow, that’s—” he can’t even find the word to say, but know that he doesn’t want to ruin it further. And yet—
“What a letdown,” he says with a humorless laugh.
Silence settles after that. The kind that doesn’t quite know where to go next.
Hyunjin looks at you and for the first time that night, he realizes he didn’t plan for this part where it doesn’t go as he imagined it in his head. The part where the night turns into a big disappointment. And he has no idea what comes after.
-
The bathroom light feels too bright as Hyunjin stands there for a second too long, palms braced against the sink, staring at his own reflection. His hair’s a mess, his lips still a little flushed, his breathing not quite steady yet and yet the room behind him feels… empty. Like something got cut off halfway through, like a song that never reached its chorus.
So that’s how it ends?
The final test. The last night. The one he kept building up in his head like it was supposed to mean something bigger, something more —and it fizzles out because of a faulty product.
He lets himself feel it for a second. The disappointment. The irritation. The quiet, stubborn frustration that it didn’t go the way he imagined. That it didn’t feel the way he wanted it to. Then he exhales again, straighter this time, like he’s forcing himself to let it go.
It’s just a test. Right?
Still, he lingers for one more second, eyes flicking up to his reflection again, like he’s trying to catch whatever thought keeps slipping just out of reach. Then he pushes off the sink and heads out.
His feet halt to a stop, hand lingers on the knob of the bathroom door when he finds you still there, sitting at the edge of the bed with his shirt draped over your frame, fingers working through the buttons like you’re in no rush at all.
This is rare. You usually leave the second the test ended. Like staying longer than necessary would complicate something neither of you wants to address, but not tonight.
You glance at him over your shoulder, still buttoning up, and say casually, “Since the test finished early—”
You pause to huff out a laugh. “No pun intended.”
His lips twitch despite himself and finally let go of the door knob, body turning fully facing you now.
You don’t look embarrassed. If anything, you look… lighter. Like the awkward ending didn’t stick to you the way it did to him. “I was thinking,” you continue, finishing the last button, “we could just… continue the movie?”
It’s just a suggestion but to Hyunjin, it feels like a second chance. A second chance that falls right onto his lap.
You fold a leg under you as you shift and casually say, “Well, I think we should just watch the movie from the start.”
“Yeah,” he says quickly—too quickly. Then clears his throat, trying to smooth it out. “Yeah, we can— I’ll set the projector again.”
You nod at that, already pushing yourself off the bed. “I’ll get the snacks.”
And just like that, you’re heading for the door.
Hyunjin watches you go, the faint sound of your footsteps fading down the hall, and only when you’re out of sight does he let the smile fully settle on his face. Because tonight isn’t over yet and maybe it doesn’t have to end like that.
He falls into preparation right away. He sets the projector on the small shelf mounted to the wall behind the bed. He turns it on, aligning the screen on the blank wall. Once he’s done, he moves to smooth out the sheets, fluffs the pillows to make it cozy, comfortable. The room still holds traces of what happened earlier but he pushes past it, focusing on small, tangible things. By the time he’s done, the bed looks almost untouched.
He hears your footsteps before he sees you and when he turns, you’re already there in the doorway, balancing a bowl of sliced fruits in one arm, a bottle of wine and two glasses in the other.
“Careful—” he starts, already moving toward you.
You barely get a step in before he takes the bottle and the bowl from your hands, steadying the rest as he nudges the door shut behind you with his foot. You both climb onto the bed after that, settling into opposite sides like you’ve done this a hundred times.
You pop open the cork and pour the wine one glass at a time. The earthy, aphrodisiac smell of wine instantly filling the room. You hand the glass you have filled to him and then pour another for yourself.
Hyunjin puts the bowl on his lap, a brow raised in question as he looks into the sliced fruits inside. “Do you have better snacks?”
“These are healthy late-night snacks,” you simply reply. To end the argument, you pick up a grape and then shoves it into his mouth.
For a second, he just looks at you in disbelief. Then he bites on the grape and chewing on it, smiling as the sweetness flooding his mouth.
You put the bottle of wine away then lift your glass slightly, a small tilt of your head. “To romantic night part two?”
He lifts his glass and smiles as he repeats the words, “To romantic night part two.”
The glasses clink quietly and almost at the same time, you both take a sip, exchanging a warm gaze after. Hyunjin almost forgot about it. He quickly reaches for the remote and then presses play.
This time, you both actually watch as the movie flickers across the wall, soft light dancing over your faces as you settle deeper into the pillows. It’s surprisingly easy how the conversation flows between scenes, between sips of wine and bites of fruit. You comment on the characters. He disagrees, dramatically. You shove a slice of fruit into his mouth mid-argument just to shut him up. He laughs around it.
At one point, you glance at him, eyes narrowing slightly like you’re studying something. “You must’ve taken a lot of girls to do this.”
“What?” he asks while refilling his wine.
“This,” you gesture vaguely toward the movie, the wine, the setup. “Watching romantic movies. Dates like this.”
Hyunjin scrunches his nose immediately. “Nah.”
You look at him like you don’t believe a word of it.
So he adds, quieter this time, “It’s my first time, actually.”
Your brows lift. “With a girl?” you joke.
He huffs a small laugh. “First time watching a movie with a girl and actually paying attention.”
That earns a snort from you. “Wow, lucky me,” you flatly mutter.
He grins, but it fades quicker than usual. Because the room goes quiet after that. Not uncomfortable. Just full, content.
You shift, sinking deeper into your pillow, eyes fixed on the screen for a moment before you speak again. “Since you know all about my dating history…” you start, voice lighter than the words that follow, “what about you?”
He already knows where this is going and usually, he’d quickly shift the conversation to something else. Yet, he doesn’t do it. Instead, he lets you.
“When was the last time you were in a relationship?”
He doesn’t hesitate, but he doesn’t really answer either. “A long time ago.”
It’s vague. Intentionally so. And you understand right away that he’s reluctant to share more than that. Your eyes narrow slightly, a teasing edge returning. “She must’ve done a number on you, huh?”
He doesn’t respond, doesn’t look at you. Just takes a sip of his wine instead.
You don’t push like the good person you are. But you sigh, slumping lower on your pillow, and when you speak again, your voice is quieter. “I get it, though,” you murmur, eyes still on the screen but they’re distant. “Some experiences just… mess with you.”
Hyunjin looks at you then. But you don’t look at him.
“It makes you question everything,” you continue, almost to yourself. “Like… if you’re just not someone worth staying for.”
His chest tightens at that. Like you’re hearing the voices that haunt him whenever emotional feelings show up.
“Or if it’s too much to ask,” you add, voice dipping just slightly, “to be loved properly.”
There’s a long pause. You sink further into the pillow, letting out a small, humorless laugh. “Sometimes I wonder if I even allowed to want love at all.”
Hyunjin’s mouth is open but nothing comes out of it. Because for once, he doesn’t have anything clever to say, to tease you or to at least, lighten up the moment. Just the weight of your words, hanging there between you, heavier than anything that happened earlier tonight.
He can’t focus on the rest of the movie after that and when he finally turns his head again, you’re curled slightly into yourself, sleeping soundly like none of it ever left your lips in the first place.
Hyunjin watches you for longer than he means to, soft and peaceful, untouched by the things you just said, and something shifts in his chest again, something heavy and unsettling. He can’t help the thought that creeps in.
Do I even deserve this? Do I have anything real to give you?
He exhales slowly, like he’s trying to push the thought away. He doesn’t let himself linger on it and reaches for the duvet, pulling it gently up to your chest. His fingers brush your hair back from your face, almost reverent.
God. You’re beautiful like this. Too beautiful. Too easy to want something more with.
He knows he shouldn’t. He knows this ends soon. But still, if there’s one thing he wants to do for the last time, it’s this. He leans in and then innocently, softly presses his lips against yours, a quiet, fleeting kiss that doesn’t ask for anything in return.
When he pulls back, he lingers close for a second, eyes tracing your features like he’s trying to memorize them. “Goodnight,” he whispers.
He reaches for the remote, turns the movie off and the room suddenly falls into darkness, lit only by the faint glow from outside.
Hyunjin settles back beside you, the space between you smaller than before and as sleep finally pulls him under, it’s your face that follows him there.
-
Hyunjin slowly opens his eyes, the ceiling coming into focus as his body stirs, still heavy with sleep. For a second, he doesn’t move, just lies there, listening and realizes that there’s no soft breathing beside him. No warmth pressed into his side.
He turns his head and your side of the bed is already empty. It doesn’t surprise him anymore, he’s gotten used to it—but still, something in him pauses there for a second, eyes lingering on the faint crease your body left behind.
Then, slowly, a smile pulls at his lips as he recalls last night. The picnic, the rain, the way you both scrambled to get back inside and that darn product. The way you two continued to part two. The movie, the wine, the way you fell asleep mid-thought like the weight of everything finally let you rest.
He exhales softly through his nose, pushing himself up and he immediately spots the shirt you wore last night, draped carelessly over the chair, exactly where you must’ve left it. He reaches for it without thinking, fingers brushing over the fabric before he lifts it, bringing it close to his nose. He smiles because it smells like you now.
He puts the shirt back on the chair, doing it carefully like the scent of you would vanish if he drops it. Then heads to the bathroom after that.
He washes up, brushing his teeth, splashing water over his face until the last traces of sleep are gone. He changes into something more comfortable, running a hand through his hair one last time before he steps out.
He enters the kitchen and walks straight into you. Well—not literally. But close. You’re sitting at the dining table, a laptop open in front of you. A plate of breakfast in one hand, fork in the other, like you’ve been up for hours.
You notice him immediately and smile. “Morning.”
The gesture is simple and sweet. He lets himself savor it before returning it. “Morning.”
Hyunjin moves like he belongs there—because at this point, he kind of does. He grabs his cereal, takes the milk from your fridge without asking, pouring the two into a bowl. He brings it to the table, sits across from you.
For a while, there’s nothing but comfortable quiet. He continues eating but his eyes are glancing at you once in a while, catching you enjoying your avocado toast while reading something on your laptop. This version of you is also soft, but last night, you were much softer.
“You fell asleep last night,” he teases between spoonful of cereal.
You don’t even look embarrassed. You just nod, taking another bite before answering, “I was really sleepy.”
He hums, thinking that’s it. But then you add, almost absentmindedly. “Probably the best sleep I’ve had in a while.”
Something in the way you say it pulls tight in his chest. He doesn’t react but shoves a spoonful of cereal into his mouth, chewing a little slower than before. “Mm.”
Another moment later, you finish with your toast and now nursing a mug of coffee. Then you turn slightly toward him.
“Are you ready to give your feedback?”
Ah. Right. The evaluation form. Hyunjin exhales through his nose, then picks up his bowl and drinks the milk straight from it before setting it down with a quiet clink. “Yeah.”
He scoots his chair closer until he’s right beside you, shoulder almost brushing yours. The setting is intentional, allowing him to see your laptop screen and noticing that the evaluation form is already open. Of course it is. You’re always prepared.
“Okay, comfort rating?” you ask.
He doesn’t expect you to go right into it. He leans back and thinks for a second. “Five.”
You nod, typing it in. Then add your own. Four.
His head snaps toward you. “Change mine to four too.”
You shoot him a look. “It’s not a competition.”
He glares right back. “We’re a team. We should have matching answers.”
You sigh—but there’s no real annoyance behind it. Still, you obey and change his answer into four. “Stimulation rating?”
“Six,” he says, this time without hesitation. “It has potentials.”
You nod, typing. You write the same number for your answer. “Describe your experience while using the product,” you prompt.
He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “It is promising. The concept’s good. But it doesn’t stay in place. Keeps slipping off during use.”
You hum in agreement, typing it all down. Then adding your own touch.
He notices the way you refine things, polish them and make it sound better than it came out of his mouth.
“Additional feedback?”
“Adjustable wing size. More vibration levels too.”
You type. Then add your own after. Great material but the design needs further improvement.
Hyunjin nods, approving.
“Final comment?”
He takes a second before answering this one. “The intention is good. There aren’t many good couple vibrators in the market. But this one needs a lot of improvement.”
You glance at him, then nod, fingers moving again. “Give me a second,” you murmur, already editing, refining, making it seamless.
He watches you, clicking his tongue softly. “You’re scary good at this.”
You flash him a quick, smug smile. “I know,” you confidently say.
A moment later, you turn the laptop toward him, letting him take a good look at it before submitting it.
Honestly, he barely scans it because he knows that you’re good at this, better even so he gives you two thumbs-up. “Approved.”
You smile faintly, turning the laptop back to you.
It hits him then. This is it. One click. And it’s done. He leans back slightly, exhaling through his nose, watching as your finger hovers over the trackpad.
All of a sudden, you stop and turn the laptop toward him again. “You do it.”
“What?” he asks, puzzled.
“I’m letting you do the honor,” you say, making a dramatic gesture toward the laptop.
He huffs a laugh and stares at the screen, at the looming end. And to be honest, he’s not ready for this to be over. Not for everything to just… go back to normal.
Beside him, you look fine and calm. Like this is just another task on your list. And maybe, to you, it is.
Hyunjin swallows. Then, because he’s him, he lifts his hand dramatically, blowing on his fingers like he’s about to perform surgery. “Blow on them for good luck,” he says.
You stare at him for a second and burst into laughter. But you lean in anyway, softly blowing over his fingers.
And just like that, he clicks on the button and a small notification pops up. Submission successful.
Something in his chest just… caves. And then drops. He leans back in his chair, quietly processing what he’s just done.
You close the laptop with a soft sigh and push it aside. “Such a shame the last product was a disappointment.”
He nods, but it’s not what’s bothering him. Not really. Before he can think too much about it, your hand reaches for his.
You squeeze gently, smiling at him. “Hey, we did well.”
And just like that, he lights up again. He squeezes your hand back and says, “Yeah. We did.”
He lifts your joined hands slightly, confidence slipping back into his voice. “And we’re going to win that free vacation.”
You chuckle and give the smallest nod at that. “Yeah… free vacation.”
But the way you say it makes him realize how distant you already seem to him.
-
Hyunjin doesn’t expect anything when he drops into his chair after returning from a meeting. Just know that he has to finish his design soon but first, he checks his emails. There, a notification sitting neatly at the top of his inbox.
Test Program - Transfer Fund Receipt.
Hyunjin clicks it open, eyes scanning the details and then his brows lift at the sum of money he received from the test program. The number is… generous. A slow grin spreads across his face, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek as he leans back in his chair. His mind jumps to you immediately because you must’ve gotten yours too.
The thought comes easy, but the decision— the decision comes easier. He’s already pushing his chair back before he can question it—already on his feet, already heading out of his office.
It’s just to confirm, just to ask whether you have received the money and nothing more. Not that he wants to see you or anything. Or that annoyed expression on your face that he grew fond of. No, not really that. And yet, the balls of his feet won’t stop bouncing as he rides the elevator down to your floor.
The elevator doors slide open and he’s about to turn toward your office when he spots you in the pantry. His feet pivot the other way, walking up to you as you’re standing by the coffee machine, phone in hand, brows slightly drawn together like whatever you’re reading matters more than anything else around you. Including the coffee that’s already done.
Hyunjin watches for a second, sighing when you don’t even notice him there standing next to you. He reaches past you without a word, pulling the cup out of the machine before it overflows or goes cold, placing it neatly on the counter in front of you.
That’s when you finally look up and there it is — that tired, faintly annoyed expression you always pull when you see him. That one thing he’s secretly missed of seeing.
“Thanks,” you simply say and then drag the cup toward you, phone shoved into the pocket of your blazer.
“You’re very welcome,” he replies with a bright grin, leaning against the counter facing you. “Got your compensation yet?” he asks casually.
“Yes,” you answer without looking at him.
Something about it makes his grin falter just a little, but he smooths it over quickly. “Pretty nice, right?”
“Yes,” you answer again, reaching for a sugar packet, tearing it open and dumping it into your coffee.
He watches you stir and the way you avoid looking at him. But still, he won’t back down just yet. “What are you going to do with it?” he asks, tilting his head to the side and teasingly add, “A whole carton of chia seed, perhaps?”
You snort softly but you answer seriously. “I’m thinking of getting a bigger bookshelf.”
Hyunjin immediately blows a raspberry and gives you a thumb-down. “Bo-ring!”
“It’s my money. I can do what I want with it,” you calmly say but the glare you give him as you reach a pack of creamer is sharp and cutting.
He scoots closer and loosely crosses his arms in front of him. “I have a better idea,” he says in a whispered tone, conspiratory.
“Not interested,” you flatly say.
He clicks his tongue at you. “At least, hear me out first.”
You don’t say anything but grab a spoon to stir your coffee with.
He leans in just slightly and still in whispered tone, he says, “Why don’t we spend it together? On a fancy dinner? You know, celebrate our…” he trails off for a second to find the right word to say. “…success.”
You scoff and finally turn your head his way. “You mean… splitting the bill?”
He scoffs back and retorts, “No. It means celebrating our excellent teamwork.”
You shake your head immediately and flatly reject the suggestion. “No.”
“Fine,” he amends quickly. “My treat then.”
He notices the way you pause and your stirring slows just a little, seriously considering it like it’s a business deal instead of an invitation for a dinner.
He presses, softer this time. “I can get us a reservation at Farfalle.”
Your eyebrow perks up at the mention of the renowned Italian restaurant. “When?”
Hyunjin holds himself back from smiling yet. “This Friday.”
The lights in your eyes dim just a little and then you sigh. “No, I can’t.”
His brows knit together. “Why not?”
You take a sip of your coffee before answering, like you’re buying time. “I have something to attend Friday night.”
“Something?” he echoes, narrowing his eyes slightly. “What something?”
“Work-related.”
The answer is vague. Too vague. He leans in closer, grin creeping back, but there’s an edge to it now. “Or, you could take me with you,” he smoothly says.
You glance at him and he holds your gaze.
“We get to celebrate. None of us have to spend money on it,” he proudly says like that’s the issue here. “It’s a win-win.”
You shake your head. “You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s invitation only.”
He doesn’t miss a step. “I’ll be your plus-one then.”
That’s when you hesitate and he feels something tightening in his chest as he waits. He kind of already guessed the answer in his head, but needs you to say it.
“I’m the plus-one,” you finally answer.
Hyunjin’s grins falter for a second because his mind doesn’t even consider other possibilities. It goes straight to one name. Seungmin.
“Let’s have dinner some other time, yeah?” you say, taking your coffee and stepping past him like nothing just shifted.
Hyunjin nods, accepting it. “Yeah, sure. Just text me when.”
You move to leave and he tries so hard to not show how annoyed he is, but something pushes him to move. He reaches out, takes your cup from your hand and takes a long sip until half of it gone. He lets out an exaggerated gasp and then hands it back with a grin.
“Thanks for the coffee.”
You stare at him in disbelief but he doesn’t wait for a response.
He turns and starts walking like the decision makes itself before he can think it through. And, Gabe is right where he expects her to be. Head down, fingers flying across her keyboard, a phone wedged between her shoulder and ear.
Hyunjin walks straight over with determination. A plan. He doesn’t interrupt as Gabe talks into the phone and just waves his hand at her, letting her know that he’s here.
Gabe looks up, startled at first—then her face lights up almost instantly. “Oh—hey!” she lowly mutters, making a small wave of hand.
He patiently waits until she finishes talking and puts down the phone. Then a hand on her desk and put on a sweet smile like he didn’t just storm out of the pantry with something sour sitting in his chest. “Hey, you remember that lunch I owe you?” he asks.
Her brows lift, pleasantly surprised. “Of course I do.”
“Good,” he says, pushing off the desk. “I’m taking you now.”
The surprise on Gabe’s face settles into something brighter—excited, even—but before she can say anything, he’s already moving.
“Wait—now?” she asks, half-laughing as she glances around.
Hyunjin doesn’t give her time to process. He reaches behind her chair, grabs her jacket, and drapes it over her shoulders in one smooth motion before she can even stand.
“Hyunjin—” she starts laughing a little more now, flustered.
He picks up her purse next, handing it to her like it’s all already decided. “Let’s go.”
“I—hold on, I should tell—”
“The place is going to be packed. We go now or we don’t go at all,” he cuts in smoothly.
Gabe hesitates and her eyes flick instinctively toward your desk. She pushes her chair back slowly, half-standing. “I should at least let—”
Right on cue, you walk in with what he safely assumes a new cup of coffee since he’s drained half of what you made earlier.
Hyunjin doesn’t hesitate. He reaches for Gabe’s wrist and gently tugs her along as he closes the distance between him and you.
You barely have time to register what’s happening before he’s right there. “What is—”
“I’m taking your assistant for lunch,” he cuts in with a grin. Not exactly asking for permission.
Your eyes flick between him and Gabe, confused. “Right now?” you ask.
“Right now,” he confirms easily.
Gabe lets out a small, awkward laugh beside him. “I was just about to—”
But Hyunjin’s already moving again, turning and pulling her along. “Don’t wait up,” he tosses over his shoulder and keep dragging Gabe with him before you can say anything else. Before he can second-guess it.
-
Hyunjin and Gabe made it right on time before the restaurant gets flooded with people and orders alike. They secured a table near the window and the second they’re seated, Gabe is already losing her mind.
“Oh my god, I’ve been wanting to come here forever,” she gushes, practically bouncing in her seat as she flips through the menu with bright eyes, bright smile. “Do you know how hard it is to get a table here?”
Hyunjin only smiles, leaning back in his chair. “Order anything. It’s my treat.”
Her head snaps up, eyes wide. “Anything?”
He nods, amused. “Anything.”
And just like that, she’s completely absorbed in the euphoria. No suspicion. No second-guessing. Just pure, unfiltered excitement.
Good. That makes this easier.
When the food arrives, it’s… a lot. Stacks of fluffy pancakes, glossy with syrup and topped with sunny-side up egg with crispy bacons on the side. The other are on the dessert side — the pancakes basked in caramel, sliced mangoes on the side and whipped cream piled like clouds.
“Wait—don’t touch anything,” Gabe quickly says, already grabbing her phone.
Hyunjin snorts under his breath, watching as she leans over the table, angling her phone this way and that. Click. Click. Click.
“Here. Let me take the pictures for you,” he kindly offers.
“Yes, please!” she lights up.
He takes her phone, patiently snapping a few photos while she poses—smiling, tilting her head, adjusting her hair, holding a plate of pancakes with her hands.
“Let’s take one together!” Gabe excitedly suggests.
Hyunjin doesn’t argue. He leans in just enough as she holds the phone up, both of them fitting into the frame. He hands the phone back. “Are they good?” he asks, lifting his drink and have a sip with a straw.
“Very,” she grins, already scrolling through them.
“Let’s eat before they get cold,” Hyunjin says with a smile.
Gabe eagerly nods, picking up her fork and knife, hesitantly cuts through her pancake like she’s tearing through an artwork. She stabs a piece with her fork and eats it. From her delighted expression, he can tell she likes it.
Hyunjin picks up his fork as well and starts digging into his own and waits for the right moment to casual drop a question.
“How is it?”
Her face lights up instantly. “So good.”
“Yeah?”
She nods quickly, mouth full, then swallows just to say it again. “So good.”
“Worth the hype?”
“Absolutely.”
“Glad you like it.”
“Thank you for this. Seriously.”
He waves it off. “Don’t mention it.”
She does anyway, a few more times after that and he lets her enjoy it and only when she’s settled, that’s when he slips it in.
“So,” he says, cutting into his pancakes like it’s nothing. “I heard Miss Perfect Planner got something on Friday.”
Gabe nods immediately. “Yeah, probably the dinner.”
He keeps his expression neutral. “What dinner?”
She pauses mid-bite, like she just realized she’s about to explain something. Then shrugs. “You know—there’s this business magazine…”
And she’s off. There’s talking and explaining, a lot of rambling. Something about rankings, features, recognition—words that blur together because Hyunjin’s only half-listening. He nods where he should and hums when it sounds right. And waits until she comes to a point.
“There’s this list—30 young leaders. And guess who made it?”
He doesn’t answer. Doesn’t have to.
“…Seungmin.”
There it is. Hyunjin presses his tongue against the inside of his cheek and continues to casually shoving food into his mouth.
Gabe keeps going, energized now. “Do you remember when she got called to the CMO’s office?” she asks.
He nods.
“Well,” she leans in slightly, lowering her voice like it’s gossip, “I checked her schedule after that.”
Of course she did.
“And she had dinner blocked off for Friday.”
Hyunjin keeps his eyes on his plate. “Okay.”
“So I’m pretty sure—like, pretty sure—she’s going to the gala dinner.”
Oof, he missed something in her ramble. He finally looks up and asks, “What gala dinner?”
Gabe pauses chewing, then quickly swallows. “The one for the 30 young leaders thing. They’re hosting this big event to celebrate them or something.”
Hyunjin doesn’t respond right away but chewing on the pancake that tastes like Styrofoam now. He washes it down with water. “So you’re saying that Seungmin is taking her to that event?”
Gabe doesn’t confirm right away but grabs her phone. She types something quickly, then turns the screen toward him. “Here. Look!”
It’s an Instagram post for the upcoming event held by the business magazine. Annual Gala Dinner honoring the Top 30 Young Leaders.
The date and time match perfectly. Hyunjin stares at it for a second longer than necessary. Then nods once. “Yeah.”
Gabe pulls her phone back, completely unaware. “See? I told you.”
She goes back to her food like nothing just happened, humming softly as she bites into a strip of bacon. Then, mid-chew, she glances at his plate. “Can I try yours?”
“Yes,” he answers too fast, too eager and doesn’t even realize it until he’s already pushing the plate toward her.
She grins as she digs into his food. “Thanks!”
Hyunjin leans back in his chair, hands resting idly in his lap. He doesn’t touch his fork again.
Doesn’t even look at the food. Because suddenly, he’s not hungry anymore.
-
Hyunjin knows he shouldn’t be doing this. He knows it the moment his fingers tighten around the steering wheel, the moment he ignores the turn that would take him anywhere else—anywhere that isn’t you. It’s not his place. It’s not his business. But it feels like it is.
So he drives and the city blurs past him in streaks of color and light, but he barely registers any of it. His mind is somewhere else—already at your house, already replaying the image of you in his head, already building excuses before you can even ask.
I’m just here to collect my things.
It’s simple and harmless. He repeats it in his head often enough that he almost believes it. By the time he turns onto your street, something in his chest loosens. He gets that same familiar sense of relief, like he’s pulled into a place that knows him, that lets him in without question. Like home.
Hyunjin exhales slowly as he parks, fingers tapping once against the steering wheel before he kills the engine. He lingers there, dragging it out, slowing time down in the only way he knows how.
When he finally steps out, the evening air greets him softly, carrying a faint scent of the last of spring days. He shuts the door with a quiet click and walks up to your place with an ease that feels practiced.
The spare key opens the back door without much problem and he lets himself in. The house is exactly the same—and not. He slowly moves through the hallway, footsteps muted against the floor. His gaze drifts instinctively to the guest bedroom as he passes, the door slightly ajar. He pauses just long enough to glance inside. There’s a faint, clean scent in the air of fabric softener and he guesses that you must have changed the sheets. The room already feels like his and that realization sits strangely in his chest. He swallows and keeps moving.
The kitchen is empty when he reaches it, the silence settling around him in a way that makes everything feel suspended. He leans a hand against the counter, glancing around like he expects you to just appear.
You’re probably upstairs. Getting ready. For whatever’s waiting for you tonight. His jaw tightens slightly at the thought, but before he can go any further down that line, he catches movement in his peripheral.
He looks up and for a second, Hyunjin forgets how to breathe, how to think. You stand at the top of the stairs, framed by the soft light behind you, and it hits him all at once how the dress clings to you in all the right ways, how the cut traces your shape like it was made for you, how the color pulls something out of you that makes it impossible to look away. Your hair is swept up, neat and elegant, with a few loose strands softening everything. You look—
He almost moves without thinking, almost walks right up to you, hand already half-lifted in his mind, already imagining the way you’d place yours in it, the way he could just… take you and keep you, have you selfishly for himself tonight.
By the time the thought finishes, you reach the bottom step and reality snaps back into place. You jerk slightly when you see him, surprise flashing across your face before you let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
“God! Hyunjin!” you shriek and shake your head, recovering quickly, “you could’ve told me you were coming.”
Hyunjin forces himself to breathe and just get it together. “I—” his voice comes out tighter than he wants, almost mechanical, “I came to collect my things.”
It sounds flat. Even to him. But you trust the lie anyway, accepting it, moving past him toward the kitchen like it makes perfect sense. Your scent hits him, soft and intoxicating in a way that makes something in him lean closer without permission, makes him drawn to you.
By the time he realizes it, he’s standing behind you as you reach for a glass. He shifts quickly, leaning against the counter to ground himself, to make it look casual.
You step back, turning slightly as you pour water into the glass, and glance at him with a teasing look. “Afraid I’ve been eating your cereal, huh?”
He huffs out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
“I assure you that I have no interest in your cereal,” you state like it matters, like any of this is actually about the damn cereal.
He watches you take a sip. And then, before he can stop himself, he blurts out, “You look beautiful tonight.”
It comes out softer and honest. Too honest.
You lower the glass, a small smile touching your lips. “Thank you.”
It does something to him. Something dangerous. So he pushes forward, keeps it light, keeps it moving. “Where are you actually going?”
You don’t answer right away. You move toward the dining table instead, picking up your phone like it’s more interesting than the question. “To some… boring event.”
He lets out a faint scoff, but his gaze doesn’t soften. “You look a little too prepared for a boring event.”
“It’s the dress code,” you barely glance at him as you talk and type on your phone. Then, almost absentmindedly, you add, “It’s a gala dinner, after all.”
And there it is. The confirmation. His jaw tightens as he says his name. “With Seungmin?”
It slips out sharper than he intends and you freeze for a second. Then, he sees how you weren’t expecting him to know.
“Yeah,” you say eventually, like it’s nothing. Like it’s easy.
Something in him snaps into place. Hyunjin closes the distance in a few quick steps, stopping right in front of you, forcing you to look at him. “Are you… getting back together with him?”
You let out a quiet laugh, trying to brush it off. “It’s for work,” you say, not quite answering his question.
He doesn’t believe you and asks again. “Are you?”
This time, you hesitate. Your expression shifts, slipping into that reserved, guarded version of you. “It’s not your business.”
The words land hard. Hyunjin shakes his head, something restless, something frustrated building under his skin. “How can you just—let him back in? After everything?” his voice tightens, broken in places.
Your brows knit, confusion flashing across your face.
“He hurt you. He made you feel like you weren’t enough, like you didn’t deserve—”
The shocked, disbelief look on your face cuts him off like he’s crossed a line he wasn’t supposed to even see. Your hand presses against his chest, pushing him back just enough to put a safe space between you. Like you’re drawing a line and tells him to stay behind it.
“That’s enough,” you firmly say, leaving no room for anything else.
Your phone rings and the sound slices through everything. You answer it without looking away from him, your voice clipped as you talk but focused somewhere else.
He doesn’t need to hear the other end because he knows, he hears a car pulls up outside.
You hang up, shove your phone into your purse, and look at him. “Do what you came here to do and don’t even think of taking that spare key with you,” you warn and then turn, heading for the door.
And Hyunjin—
He could stop here. He should. He’s never had any problem doing so — staying behind the line because it’s easier, uncomplicated, untouched by anything real. But tonight, he can’t.
He moves before he thinks. His hand wraps around your wrist, stopping you just before you reach the door. You turn, startled, and the next second you’re pressed back against the wall, his presence closing in around you.
“Don’t go.”
It’s not a suggestion. Not a tease or a witty remark. It’s something else entirely.
“Let go,” you say, but there’s something unsteady under it.
He doesn’t let go but closing the last inch of gap. “Please, don’t go.”
You open your mouth but he doesn’t let any word out. His lips crash into yours, urgent, desperate, like this is the only language he has left. The kiss is everything he’s been holding back, everything he shouldn’t be feeling, everything he doesn’t know how to say.
You fight it at first but eventually, your resistance softens and breaks. Your purse slips from your hand, hitting the floor with a dull sound he barely registers.
He kisses you through it all—your anger, your hesitation, the mess of it—and when your phone starts ringing again from inside your purse, he only pulls you closer, like he can drown it out, like he can keep you here if he just—
Then, the knocking comes and a voice, Seungmin’s voice, calling for your name.
Reality crashes back in and Hyunjin pulls back just enough to look at you, breath uneven, eyes searching yours. “Stay,” he says again, softer now, but somehow more desperate.
You don’t answer. You just stare into his eyes like you’re trying to see past everything he is, into something deeper.
He leans in, forehead resting against yours. His voice fragile now, fraying around the edges. “Stay.”
Another knock. Another call of your name, louder and urgent this time.
You shift and he senses that you’re about to slip away. Out of frustration, desperation — the words just come out of his mouth.
“I’d love you better.”
The words hang there, raw and hopeless.
“Better than he did.”
Something flickers across your face and he can’t tell what it is. Hope. Doubt. Fear. All of it. He can’t tell.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” you talk so low it’s almost like a whisper.
“I do,” he insists, voice breaking at the edges. “I know I would.”
You hold his gaze for a moment that stretches too long and he thinks— Maybe. Maybe you’ll stay.
But then your hands press against his chest, gently and that’s worse than anything. “I’m sorry.”
The apology is soft, almost merciful. And final. You step to the side and pick up your purse from the floor.
This time, he doesn’t stop you as you get the door and he stays there, listening as Seungmin’s voice greets you rather sweetly and asks if you’re ready. You don’t answer but grip your purse tighter and then steps out of the house.
The door closes yet Hyunjin stay there, standing and listening to your footsteps, to Seungmin’s voice, to the way your footsteps eventually fall into a shared rhythm as you walk away from him. Each step quieter than the last until there’s nothing but silence.
And the sound of his heart breaking.
-
Hyunjin doesn’t remember the drive home. Not the traffic lights, not the turns, not the way the city folds into itself at night. It’s all blank like his body moved on instinct while his mind stayed behind, stuck in your hallway, stuck on your voice, your eyes, that quiet I’m sorry that keeps echoing like it refuses to fade.
His apartment greets him in silence and he doesn’t bother with the lights. The door shuts behind him with a dull click, and for a moment, he just stands there like he’s waiting for something to catch up to him.
It does. All at once. He exhales sharply and moves, shrugging off his jacket, tossing his keys somewhere he won’t remember later. His steps are restless, carrying him straight to the kitchen like there’s only one place he knows how to go.
The cabinet door swings and he takes whatever’s closest. A bottle of whiskey he plans to have for special occasion. It’s not a special occasion but the situation calls for a hard liquor like this. The cap twists off with a rough jerk, and he brings it straight to his lips, no glass, not even a small sip but a long, burning swallow that hits his throat like punishment.
Good. He wants it to hurt. He moves to the couch, dropping onto it with a heavy exhale, one hand dragging over his face before reaching blindly for his headphones. They slip over his ears, and he turns the volume all the way up to drown out everything. Or at least, that’s the plan.
It doesn’t work because his mind is louder. It cuts through the music, through the noise, through everything. He sees it again in the back of his head. You—standing there, framed in the doorway, your eyes searching his like you were trying to find something real in him.
Stay.
The way your lips parted. The way you almost. Almost did.
“I’d love you better.”
His own voice, raw and exposed. God!
Hyunjin lets out a short, humorless laugh, the sound swallowed by the music blasting in his ears. He tilts his head back against the couch, bringing the bottle up again and taking another long drink. It burns worse this time. Or maybe he just feels it more. Because it doesn’t matter how many times he replays the moment, it always ends the same.
Your gentle hands on his chest, pushing him away. “I’m sorry.”
He squeezes his eyes shut, jaw tightening as the memory hits again like it just happened seconds ago instead of hours ago. He exhales shakily, dragging a hand through his hair.
Why did he think—
Why did he actually think—
That you’d choose him?
A bitter laugh slips out, harsher this time, cutting through his chest. He brings the bottle to his lips again, swallowing hard, chasing something that won’t come but it just settles in his chest, heavy and weighing him down.
Because the truth is for a second… For one stupid, reckless second, he believed it. Believed that you’d stay. Believed that what was between you was enough to pull you back, to make you choose him over everything else, over Seungmin. The name alone feels like acid that burns his tongue.
Hyunjin lets out another quiet, broken laugh, shaking his head as he stares at nothing. “I’d love you better,” he mutters under his breath, repeating it like it’s something foreign now, something ridiculous.
Who is he kidding?
He takes another drink and this time, he doesn’t even flinch at the burn. Just lets it drag down his throat, lets it sit heavy in his stomach, lets it do nothing at all. Because no matter how loud the music is, no matter how much he drinks, no matter how many times he tries to replay it, the pain doesn’t dull. It stays exactly the same.
And the worst part? He still sees the way you looked at him. Like you almost believed him. Like you wanted to. That’s what’s going to ruin him. Not the rejection. Not even the way you walked away. But that one fragile, fleeting moment where it felt like you might not.
His grip tightens around the bottle and for the first time since he walked in, he doesn’t take another drink. He just sits there, listening to the music he can’t hear and thinking about you anyway.
-
Hyunjin wakes with a headache, the kind that pulses quietly but insistently, like a reminder of everything he tried to drown the night before. For a moment, he just lies there, staring at the ceiling, letting the light seep in through the curtains.
He lets out a long exhale and makes a decision — he’s not going to think about it. About last night—what he said, what you said, the way it ended—he tucks it away somewhere out of reach, like shoving a mess into a drawer and forcing it shut.
Out of sight. Out of mind. Yeah, that’s the plan.
He gets up and lets the routine takes over. First is the bathroom, a few splashes of cold water to his face, brush his teeth, then slip into something comfortable. The kitchen is next. Breakfast is cereal and milk. Same as always. He moves in autopilot and that’s okay. If he just keeps moving, he won’t have to stop and feel anything.
He sits, takes a bite and slows. The spoon lingers in the milk, circling lazily. Because, of course, this reminds him of you. The way you looked at him across the dining table, watching him eating his cereal like he’s doing something fundamentally wrong just by existing.
“That milk and cereal ratio is insane.”
“Do you even taste the cereal at that point?”
Or worse—
“You know that’s basically sugar and food coloring, right?”
He lets out a small breath through his nose, something almost like a laugh but not quite. He’s barely started his day and he’s already failed on following the plan.
How is he supposed to do this? How is he supposed to walk into work and act like nothing happened—like he didn’t stand in your house and ask you to stay, like you didn’t look at him like that, like he didn’t—
He exhales sharply and drops the spoon into the bowl with a soft clink. He leans back in his chair and he knows he said he wouldn’t think about it. So why is it the only thing sitting at the front of his mind?
He sighs and forces himself to move again, deciding that his phone will be the ultimate distraction. He picks it up, thumb scrolling through notifications that piled up overnight because he was busy drowning his sorrow with alcohol and then hunched over the toilet bowl at the end of the night until there was nothing left to throw up.
He winces when he recalls his bad decision. “Yeah, great night,” he mutters to himself.
He scoffs when he opens his emails because apparently, some people have the nerves to send work emails on the weekends. He flicks past them and his thumb pauses when he notices the familiar pharmacy company email address.
His chest tightens instinctively and for a second, his mind jumps to irrational fears. Did they find something wrong? Did he mess up the submission? Are they asking for the compensation back?
He knows it’s ridiculous, but his heart still picks up as he taps the email open. This time, he promises himself that he won’t skip anything but reads everything, line by line.
Congratulations!
It’s literally the first word in the email but his mind jumps somewhere else entirely— somewhere tropical with lots of sunlight, ocean, exotic cocktails and far away from everything that feels heavy right now. He reads the rest and it confirms everything as they attached the details and instructions on how to claim the prize.
Hyunjin won the free vacation. He won. The free vacation. For a moment, he just sits there, phone in hand, the quiet stretching around him as it sinks in.
A grin slowly blooms on his face, small and disbelieving at first. Then wider and wider until it turns into a full, triumphant grin.
His fingers move before he can stop them, opening your chat because, of course, that’s the first thing he does. Because who else would he tell? Who else would understand what this means—what it took, everything the two of you did to get here?
His thumbs hover over the screen and then stop, his grin falters and fades. Because reality catches up. Because last night exists, whether he wants to ignore it or not. Because you— You’re not his person to share things with anymore. If you ever were.
Hyunjin stares at the screen for a long second, something tight pulling in his chest. He hates it. Hates that the first instinct—the only instinct—is you. Happy, sad, frustrated, drunk—it always comes back to you.
He lets out a quiet breath and locks his phone, setting it down like it suddenly weighs too much. You probably got the email too. Right? Maybe you’re already reading it. Maybe you’re smiling about it. Maybe you’re—
He cuts the thought off. No. He’s not doing that. He shouldn’t care if you claim it, or deciding to go. He shouldn’t care about any of it. He picks up his coffee instead, taking a slow sip, letting the bitterness settle on his tongue.
This is a win and it’s supposed to feel like one.
But sitting here now, in the quiet of his apartment, with your absence louder than anything—
It doesn’t feel like a win.
It feels like an escape.
-
Hyunjin earned this. He deserved this. That’s what he’s been telling himself as he packed his things and the whole taxi ride to the airport. More than that, he needs a few days away from everything that’s been sitting too heavy on his chest.
He repeats it in his head like a script as he steps onto the plane, boarding pass still in his hand, eyes scanning the cabin until he finds his row.
Wow. First class. He huffs a quiet breath through his nose, almost amused. The pharmacy company spoiled him too much.
He adjusts the strap of his backpack as he’s taking it in, then steps forward and settles in like he belongs there. Because he does. His bag goes into the overhead compartment then he drops into the seat, leaning back slightly, testing the comfort. It’s soft, spacious, too nice for how restless he still feels.
Then, his eyes flick to the empty seat beside him which he believes booked for you. Because it was supposed to be a couple trip. He looks away, not giving the chance for the thought to settle, doesn’t let it grow into anything bigger than it needs to be. Maybe it’ll stay empty the whole flight. Maybe no one booked it at all. Maybe—
He exhales quietly and shakes his head to himself. It doesn’t matter whether you’re coming or not. It’s not his business. Not anymore. He forces his focus elsewhere, adjusting the seat, loosening his shoulders, trying to sink into the moment instead of everything he’s been carrying.
A flight attendant approaches, offering him a selection of drinks and he settles on a glass of champagne. He takes it without hesitation. “Thanks.”
The glass is cool in his hand, the bubbles rising lazily to the surface. He stares at it for a second before taking a sip even though it feels a little too celebratory for how he actually feels.
Still, he drinks again. Because he’s supposed to celebrate it. For winning, for getting the one thing he wanted since the start of the test program and worked hard on it. He leans back further into the seat, exhaling slowly, letting his head rest as he brings his headphones up and slips them over his ears. The world dulls immediately, replaced by music. The kind of sound that doesn’t demand anything from him.
He closes his eyes for a moment, letting himself settle. He tells himself he’ll relax and that he’ll enjoy this. He doesn’t look at the seat beside him again, doesn’t think about who could be there. He doesn’t let his mind wander to what it would’ve been like—
No. He doesn’t.
Instead, he sinks deeper into the seat, exhales slowly, and get ready for take-off.
-
Product Evaluation Submission
Participant Product Testing Program
Product Name: VIBE – Hands-free Couple Vibrator
Product Code: VBH-0810
Participant 1 ID: P-260319
Participant 2 ID: P-260320
Date of Evaluation: Friday, April 17.
1. Rate Comfort (1–10)
Participant 1: 4
Participant 2: 4
2. Rate Stimulation Intensity (1–10)
Participant 1: 6
Participant 2: 6
3. Describe Your Experience Using the Product
The product shows strong potential in concept and intention. The vibration is present and noticeable, offering a decent level of stimulation. However, during use, the device fails to remain securely in place, frequently slipping out of position. This significantly disrupts continuity and overall experience. While advertised as suitable for various body types, the fit does not adequately accommodate movement, leading to repeated interruptions.
4. Additional Feedback
The material quality is good—soft, body-safe, and comfortable on contact. The design requires improvement, particularly in stability and fit. Adjustable wing sizes or a more adaptive structure may enhance usability. Additional vibration levels and customizable intensity settings would improve user satisfaction. Overall construction is promising, but functionality does not yet match the intended experience.
5. Are you satisfied with the product? (Rate 1-10)
Participant 1: 4
Participant 2: 4
6. Would You Buy This Product? (Rate 1-10)
Participant 1: 4
Participant 2: 4
7. Would You Recommend This Product To Others? (Rate 1-10)
Participant 1: 3
Participant 2: 3
Final Comment
The product has a compelling concept and fills a gap in the couple-oriented category. However, execution falls short due to design limitations that affect stability and consistency during use. With refinement—particularly in fit, adjustability, and performance—it has the potential to become a strong contender in its category.
Submission Status: ✔ Successfully Submitted
✨ COCKY: FINAL CHAPTER is available on Patreon ✨
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