nichozzy

You let out a quiet sigh, fingertips pressing against your temple as the headache behind your eyes worsened. The room felt heavy with exhaustion after hours of studying. Quietly, you pushed your chair back and stood up. Nagi barely noticed you, too focused on the game, and your slow steps carried you toward him until you were standing right behind his chair.

Then, without saying anything, you rested your chin gently on top of his head, arms slipping around his shoulders from behind. The tension in your body melted the second you felt him lean back into you instinctively.

His hands paused mid-game.

"Tired?" he asked softly, voice quiet. You hummed in response, tightening your hold around him slightly.

Nagi tilted his head back just enough to look up at you, his expression immediately softening when he noticed how drained you looked. He reached up with one hand, lazily intertwining his fingers with yours where they rested against his chest.

"You should take a break." he murmured. "Come here, baby."

One hand slid around your waist while the other rested behind your thigh, guiding you gently onto his lap until you were facing him comfortably. Your arms wrapped around his neck, legs resting on either side of his hips as you tucked yourseld closer, burying your face into the warmth of his shoulder. Nagi let out a quiet laugh through his nose, hands slowly rubbing up and down your back in lazy motions.

You breathed him in deeply, the familiar scent of his offering comfort after the exhaustion of many tired days were playing with you.

Your eyes fluttered shut and without thinking, you pressed a soft lingering kiss against the side of his neck. Nagi went still for a half second. and then his arms wrapped around you tighter. His chin rested against the top of your head while he leaned back in his chair with you still clinging to him. One of his hands slipped under your hoodie, fingertips tracing slow circles against your waist soothingly.

He carefully adjusted you on his lap, one arm keeping you secure while the other reached for the controller again. The game sounds filled the room quietly, low enough to not to disturb you. But even while playing, his attention never left you. Every few minutes, he'd glance down at you curled up against his chest, checking if you were okay.

Your cheek was squished against his hoodie, lips slightly parted as you slept against him so trustingly that it made his chest ache. He leaned down carefully and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead and started playing with one hand while the other stayed wrapped around you the entire time.

—🐼

You were about to call her again and suddenly, “Y/N!!”

You quickly turned around only to see her sprinting toward you through the empty station, her backpack bouncing against her back as she struggled to catch her breath. Her hair was messy, face flushed from running, and she nearly crashed into you when she finally stopped. 

“I’m so sorry, I  was late.” she panted out between breaths. “I slept too much- come on, let’s go, let’s go!”

Before you could even properly scold her, she grabbed your wrist and started dragging you toward the train while laughing breathlessly.

It was your first ever annual trip, and you had been excited about it for weeks. Even if you didn’t really have many friends, you still wanted to enjoy it. Well… You did have your friend. But she was a complete social butterfly. In every few steps someone would wave at her, call her name, or pull her into a conversation. And meanwhile, you mostly stayed beside her quietly, holding your bag straps and smiling politely whenever her friends looked at your way.

As both of you walked through the crowded train, trying not to bump into other students rushing around the aisles, you finally found your assigned seats. Thankfully, it was one of those four-seat sections facing each other. 

“Finally.” Your friend sighed, before throwing herself onto the seat. You laughed softly at her dramatic antics, and helped her lift her heavy backpack onto the overhead rack before grabbing your own bag. Standing on your toes slightly, you tried pushing it up properly, but suddenly, someone collided into your side.

Your grip slipped and the bag fell straight back down with a loud thud onto the seat. “OH- shit, I’m so sorry.” 

“No, no, it’s totally-” You blinked in surprise. A tall boy stood there awkwardly, his backpack hung loosely from one shoulder, slightly crooked from rushing through the train. 

A messy blonde mullet framed his face, giving him a soft, but boyish look. Some strands fell over his sharp coffee brown eyes, the colour warm like the sunrays that were peeking through the windows. There was a small silver hoop earring for one year and a few rings decorated his hands. 

He wore a white oversized sweater that made his broad shoulders look even wider, sleeves slightly covering his hands. His expression carried this lazy confidence, but the faint blush dusting across his cheeks and the awkward scratch at the back of his neck made him look boyish at the same time.

and he was staring at you.

The sunlight pouring through the train windows landed perfectly on your face, making your eyes brighten so beautifully. your hair framed your face effortlessly, slightly messy from rushing through the station, but somehow making you look even prettier. His gaze traveled over every little detail shamelessly, standing this close made him realize how much smaller you looked compared to him, and for some reason, he liked it. For a moment, he got lost in your eyes, making the background noises fade.

A clearing of a throat suddenly cut through the strange tension hanging in the air between you two.

"Right, we still have to search for our seats. Shall we go?" the guy standing behind him said slowly, amused by whatever expression was on his friend's face.

the boy blinked, snapping back into reality, and let out a quiet breath through his nose. "Yeah," he muttered slowly.

You shifted slightly to the side to let them pass, pressing closer toward your seat, but the aisle was cramped and there was barely enough space for one person to walk through comfortably. His friend squeezed past first with a quick apologetic smile. But the boy paused in front of you for a second.

You could smell the faint scent of coffee lingering from his sweater. His broad frame practically blocking the light for a moment, and you instinctively held your breath as he glanced down at the narrow space.

"Sorry." he murmured softly. One of his hands landed carefully on your waist, warm, his fingers spread slightly against your side as he gently guided you enough for him to pass through. Even through the layers of clothes, his warmth stayed lingering making your stomach twist. You let out a soft gasp, his eyes flickered to you at the sound, and for a second his lips twitched upward. He moved past you slowly, his shoulder brushing lightly against yours.

“What was… that?” 

Your friend’s voice came out between a whisper and a gasp, her eyes wide as she stared after the two boys disappearing further down the carriage.

The little bubble you’d drifted into burst instantly, the background sounds of the train coming back to you instantly. You cleared your throat. “What?”

“What do you mean ‘what’?” She whisper-yelled, trying not to attract the attention of the other students around you. You frowned at her expression before shaking your head.

“Stop overthinking, will you?” 

With a quiet grunt, you grabbed your backpack again and pushed it deeper into the overhead luggage rack, making sure it wouldn’t tumble back down again. Satisfied, you dusted your hands together before lowering yourself into the window seat beside your friends. 

Ignoring your friend’s lingering stare, you rested your elbow against the window frame, letting out a small breath. Some students were still hurrying along the platform, some laughing loudly and some waving goodbye. With a long excited whistle cutting through the station, the train slowly began to pull away from the platform.

—🌷🪽

You leaned comfortably against the window, resting the side of your head against the cool glass as you reached into your pocket and pulled out your headphones. The familiar click echoed softly in your ears as you slipped them on, the outside world slowly fading into the rhythm of the song.

Tall buildings gave way to smaller homes, laundry fluttering lazily on clotheslines as children waved excitedly whenever the train rushed past. The scenery transformed into endless paths of green fields, swaying gently beneath the warm breeze, rows of trees stood, their leaves dancing softly whenever the wind brushed through them. 

Lost in the scenery and the music flowing through your headphones, you felt the gentle poke against your arm. You blinked and turned toward your friend, slipping one side of your headphones off your ear. She subtly tilted her head toward the entrance of your seating section. Following her gaze, you looked up. 

Two boys stood at the entrance to your entrance. One of them rubbed the back of his neck as he stared down at the small ticket clutched between his fingers, an embarrassed smile tugging at his lips. Beside him stood a taller guy, one hand tucked into the pocket of his oversized sweater as he watched his friend getting scolded by the Train assistant.

The older man let out a weary sigh before speaking loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. 

“These kids don’t know how to find their seats. How did you even get into university??”

The boy let out an awkward laugh as a faint blush appeared across his cheeks. “...Sorry, Sir.”

The attendant snatched the ticket from his hand, glanced at it, then pointed directly toward the empty seats across from you.

“Here.”

Oh…

—🌷🪽

Two boys exchanged a quick glance before stepping into the seating section. The blonde boy quietly took the seat directly across from you, letting out a small sigh as he settled against the cushion. Beside him, his friend dropped into the seat, stretching his long legs out slightly before pulling them back in.

The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels against the track filled the awkward silence. You kept your eyes fixed on the passing scenery, pretending to be absorbed. But then curiosity had a funny way of winning.

I couldn't even see his face properly last time...

Now that he was sitting directly across from you... Your eyes traveled across the small table between the seats before setting on him.

The afternoon sunlight spilled through the train window beside him, tracing a soft golden outline along his blonde hair. A few loose strands fell carelessly over his forehead, casting soft shadows. He was... annoyingly pretty.

How can someone look so effortlessly put together while doing absolutely nothing… urgh…

Your gaze lingered for a second longer and then his amber eyes met yours.

Embarrassment rushed through you so quickly that it felt like your entire body heated up at once. You snapped your head back toward the window so fast without thinking and a quiet chuckle reached your ears. Against your better judgement, your eyes shifted slightly toward his reflection in the train window.

The corners of his lips had curled into the softest smile ever, his shoulders rising ever so slightly as he let out another amused breath. His eyes still lingered on you for another second before he finally went down, biting lightly on the inside of his cheek. You, on the other hand, wished the train would somehow swallow you whole.

The rest of the journey passed surprisingly quietly. Your friend had long since buried herself in conversation with someone over text, while the two boys occasionally exchanged a few words of their own. Outside, the endless fields gradually disappeared, replaced by clusters of buildings and the steady speed of the train slowly eased, with one final jolt, the train came to a stop. 

You slipped your headphones into your bag before standing up, stretching slightly after sitting for so long. Looking up, you reached for your luggage resting on the overhead rack. 

“Wait, let me help.” The blonde boy stood, one hand already resting on the edge of the luggage rack. His eyes met yours briefly before flicking toward your suitcase. His fingers wrapped around the handle, and he carefully pulled your luggage free with a grunt.

“There you go.” he said, offering you a small smile as let go of the handle.

—🌷🪽

Nicholas knew it was you the moment he stepped into the classroom. He hadn’t even made it halfway inside before a burst of laughter cut through the usual morning silence, stealing his attention from whatever Euijoo had been saying beside him. He turned his head instinctively toward the sound.

You were sitting beside your friend, your shoulders shaking with silent laughter. One hand covered your mouth, while your friend laughed just as hard beside you. 

Your eyes had shaped into crescents, the corners crinkling so beautifully that he found himself staring at you with adoration. A soft peachy flush dusted your cheeks, brought on by laughter. The dull fluorescent lights of the classroom warmed the moment they fell across your face, filling with a warmness that Nicholas failed to explain. 

He didn’t notice Euijoo had stopped walking until his friend lightly nudged his shoulder and only then did he realize that he was done for.

If you asked someone, more like a young-adult, what love meant to them, they’d probably have an answer ready. Maybe they’d describe the butterflies in their stomach, the warmth of holding their lover’s hands or the comfort of having a person to come home to. But then, Nicholas never knew what he ever wanted. 

He had spent years watching the way his father looked at his mother, like she was an angel in the middle of a yellow tulip flower field. He watched the small gestures, the flowers for no special occasion, the lingering stares across the dinner table, the way his father searched for the warmth of his mother’s eyes after a tiring day. 

Nicholas always wanted a love story like his parents. A love he could wear proudly, never feeling the need to hide it. But then, still he had never been able to answer that question.

What exactly did love mean to him… 

Watching you laugh silently from across the classroom, he found himself wishing something simple for someone who waited almost all his life for an answer. 

He wanted to be the reason your eyes crinkled like that. He wanted to make you laugh every day so he could see your cheeks flush. Nicholas finally found the answer. Love was not a feeling he could define… It was you. 

Watching you and your friend step off the train, Nicholas couldn’t help but follow you with his eyes. The two of you walked side by side through the platform, your conversation flowing without pause. Your friend animatedly waved her hands around as she spoke, and every now and then you’d throw your head back with a laugh, gently nudging her shoulder. Nicholas’s lips curved into the tiniest smile before he finally tore his gaze away. He turned his head towards Euijoo, he was already looking at Nicholas with a knowing smile.

“What?”

—🌷🪽

After settling into their rooms and freshening up, all the students were informed to gather at the hotel’s restaurant before heading to the flower fields. The corridors buzzed with excitement as everyone went downstairs in groups, while the scent of freshly baked pastries drifted through the hallways. The moment Nicholas stepped through the entrance, his eyes instinctively began searching the room. Rows of round tables filled the restaurant, occupied by students laughing and chatting with each other. His gaze swept from one end of the restaurant to the other but he couldn’t find a trace of yours and the disappointment settled quietly in his chest. 

Then among the unfamiliar faces, his eyes landed on your friend, but she was completely immersed in a conversation with another girl from your batch. His brows knitted together.

Where are you?

Nicholas tore his gaze away and looked at Euijoo. 

“You go ahead.” he said, nodding toward the table where the rest of their friends had gathered. Without saying a word, Euijoo nodded with a smile and walked away. Nicholas took a quiet breath before making his way over to your friend’s table and she happened to look up just as he approached. 

“Excuse me… Do you know where Y/n is?’ He asked politely, offering a small smile. For a second, your friend blinked at him and then her expression turned into a barely contained excitement. 

“OH, SHE WENT TO THE FLOWER FIELDS.” She exclaimed, straightening in her seat.

“She said she wasn’t hungry. So she decided to head there first.” Your friend explained seeing Nicholas’s tilted head.

“Oh, I see… Thank you.” He gave her a grateful nod, and just as he turned to leave, your friend called out for him. Your friend wore a gentle smile, “She went to the pink tulip section.” 

—🌷🪽

You didn’t believe in love. It wasn’t because you hated it, you just couldn’t understand why people chased after something so uncertain. Love has always seemed so temporary for you. People promised forever so easily, only to leave when forever became inconvenient, So what was the point? Why give someone the power to become the sunshine when they could just as easily become the thunderstorm of your opened window. 

And you couldn’t understand love in any of its forms. Growing up, your house was rarely quiet. Raised voices echoed through the walls than loved laughter did. You’d sit in your room, hugging your knees to your chest, hoping the shouting would end before the dinner. Little by little the home that was supposed to feel your safe place, became just a house that you wanted to escape the most. 

And when you asked your mother one day, why she still stayed with your father, she said that she loves him while offering a sad smile. 

If that was love… If love meant draining your beautiful soul into a hollow space just because you didn’t want to ruin your “lover’s” happiness, then what was so beautiful about it?

Still, you never let that hollowness show. No matter how heavy your heart felt, you refused to let it become someone else’s burden. If anything, you tried even harder to become a source of warmth for the people around you. Maybe that was your way of protecting others from the kind of loneliness you knew so well. Perhaps, that was why you got along with animals so naturally.

There was a little stray cat that wandered around the university everyday. Every morning, you’d stop by the convenience store near the entrance and buy a small packet of cat food. Between the lectures, you’d find the cat curled up beneath the same old tree, waiting for you patiently and the moment it spotted you, its ears would perk up. 

One day, the rain had started just before your afternoon lecture. At first, it was only a light drizzle tapping gently against the windows. And after a few hours, rain started slamming against the glass. Thunder rolled across the sky, loud enough to make a few students jump in their seats. Your grip around your pen tightened, you knew how terrified the cat became whenever it rained. That was why, a few weeks ago, you’d spent an entire afternoon gathering old cardboard boxes, a wooden pallet, to make it a small shelter, at least it would give him warmth. 

The moment class was finally dismissed, you grabbed your bag and hurried outside. Rain drops soaked through your clothes within seconds as you sprinted across the ground. From a distance, you could already make out the familiar shape of the tiny wooden cage, but someone was there too. In front of it was a crouched down figure with fluffy blonde hair, damp from the rain. His back was turned toward you as he crouched beneath the tree, one hand resting gently near the little cage. 

You slowed your pace as you approached the little shelter, careful not to startle the frightened cat curled up inside. He noticed you and he slowly looked up. The moment his eyes met yours he froze. 

His wide, doe-eyed eyes blinked twice, rain clung to his long lashes, making them darker, while tiny droplets slid down the soft curve of his cheeks. His fluffy blonde hair, now damp from downpour, falling messily across his forehead. A faint shade of pink gradually spread across his cheeks. He looked away for a second before his gaze found yours again, almost shyly. 

“I-I saw him… scared in here, so…yeah” he mumbled, gesturing awkwardly toward the little cat tucked safely inside the shelter before slowly pushing himself to his feet. He was… tall.

He looked down at you with those same soft eyes. The only sounds were the relentless rain drumming against the ground and the occasional rumble of thunder. You simply nodded, not knowing what to say. He glanced down awkwardly, wiping his hands against the front of his pants before licking his lips. 

“Right… uhm…I’ll go.” He hurried off into the rain, after offering a shy smile. You lowered your gaze to the little shelter and beside it sat a small, unopened pouch of cat food.

The rain continued to pour around you, soaking through your clothes but for some reason you didn’t feel cold. A small smile tugged at your lips and your hand unconsciously came to rest against your chest. 

…Why do I feel so warm and why am I liking it so much?

—🌷🪽

Nicholas followed the narrow stone path that drew through the flower fields. The chatter from the restaurant had long faded behind him, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and wind. 

Endless rows of delicate pink blossoms stretched as far as the eye could see, their pale pink petals swaying gently in the evening breeze. Beyond them, mountains rested quietly beneath the sky painted in soft shades of gold, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the flower field. 

And right in the middle of it all… you walked slowly along the small path, fingertips brushing against the tulips. The golden sunset glow caught the edges of your hair, making you look breathtaking. 

Nicholas came to a complete stop, his mind so full of rehearsed conversations emptied suddenly. Standing there, watching you admire the beauty of the fresh summer, looking so peaceful… his heart beat so loudly in his chest. 

A cool droplet landed against the back of Nicholas’s hand. The softest drizzle began to fall from the sky, barely enough to call it a rain. He blinked, instinctively lifting his upward, and his attention quickly returned to you. 

You tilted your face slightly toward the sky, letting the gentle drizzle kiss your skin. Warm sunrays poured across the field through the drizzle until a faint rainbow appeared behind you.

An angel in the middle of a pink tulip flower field.

Nicholas took a hesitant step forward, making the gravel shift with a crunch and the peaceful little bubble you’d been living in shattered as your attention was pulled away from the flowers. You turned your head toward the sound and flinched out of pure surprise. He cleared his throat softly, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped beside you. You looked up at him, eyes meeting briefly and quickly looking away. 

A small sigh escaped him, drawing your attention back to him. His eyes remained fixed on the mountains. “Do you know the meaning of pink tulips?” he asked. 

“...No.”

Nicholas let out a breathy laugh through his nose, shaking his head slightly. “I really didn’t expect you to get flustered so easily.”

“...Anyways… Pink lips are often considered as the symbols of affection. They symbolize gentle love… admiration… happiness…” 

“They are a way of saying…  ‘I like the person who’s in front of me’.”

The sentence slipped from his lips so naturally, and his eyes slowly drifted toward you. The gentleness of his eyes frightened you. He was looking at you like you were something special and you had never been looked at like before. A strange warmth spreads through you, settling in your heart. 

“Nicholas…?” 

He looked at you with a sad smile. “It’s okay. I understand.” 

“Wait.” Your voice stopped him before turning away. 

“I’m sorry. I-I don’t know why… But whenever you’re around, my heart feels strangely warm. I find myself looking for you without realizing it. When you're near I feel comfortable. When you smile I want to smile too.” You finally gathered courage to meet his eyes. 

You took a slow step toward him, voice trembling slightly, “I don’t know if this is love… I don’t understand this feeling yet… but… I’d like to understand it with you."

Maybe love wasn’t as uncertain as you had always believed. 

Maybe it wasn’t something that would disappear the moment you reached for it. 

Maybe it wasn’t exhausting. 

Maybe it wasn’t a thunder storm after all. It was you who had been standing behind closed windows, convinced that the sky outside would always be dark. You opened it, despite the fear, only to realize there had been warm sunlight waiting patiently on the other side all along.

divider: @enjinsprettydoll

Perm taglist: @yumangel, @fumakiluvr , @euijoo1sidechick , @aquas-heart , @ikigaijo , @sh1n3-4h4na

But before you could move, you felt a muscular arm draped around your waist and your forehead resting against a firm chest. You slowly lifted your head, blinking away the scraps of sleepiness and as your eyes adjusted to the dim light of the lamp behind you, they landed on the sleeping face of your boyfriend.

His plump lips were pushed into a faint pout, and one of his cheeks was squished against the pillow, making him look far softer than he usually did. A few strands of messy hair had fallen on his forehead and the adorable sight made you smile.

Carefully, not wanting to wake him, you lowered your head once more and settled comfortably against his arm. The warmth and the slow rising of his chest surrounded you again, and his arm instinctively tightened around your waist as he buried his face deeper into your hair.

But as if he sensed your movements earlier, he let out a soft whine. "Y/n...?" he mumbled, voice deep with hours of sleep.

A fond smile immediately spread across your face.

"Hm...?" You answered softly.

His nose scrunched slightly against the pillow.

"...Hi" The sleepy greeting was so random and adorable that a quiet laugh slipped from your lips. "Hi, bunny."

You nuzzled closer against his chest, your cheek sinking into the soft fabric of his shirt. "Wake uppp" You whined playfully. A low groan rumbled from his chest.

"Noooo..."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

You tilted your head back, smiling so hard, to look at him, cheeks growing warm with love, only to meet his half lidded eyes looking down at you, filled with nothing but love.

His hair was a complete mess, Cheek still had pillow marks pressed into it.

"I love you... so much." He shifted closer and presed a lingering kiss against the top of your head and when he pulled away, he rested his chin on top of your head. The rain continued its steady patter against the windows like a lullaby while the bedroom remained wrapped in warmth and comfort. His arms remained wrapped around you while yours rested against his chest, still tracing different shapes.

"Bunny..." you whispered softly, your voice barely audible over the sound of rain. He hummed, his fingers running through your hair.

"Yes, my angel?"

The nickname made your heart bloom with affection.

"I love you more."

A quiet chuckle escaped him. He pulled back to look at you properly. His hand found your chin, his gentle touch tilting your face upward.

"That can't be true, though. I love you more than anything?" A sleepy smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Then he leaned down, pressing his lips against yours for 5 seconds. When he pulled away, a shy smile appeared on his face and he leaned down again to press a quick peck.

The sight below him made his heart swell with happiness and overwhelming joy.

His entire world was cuddled up to his chest, tucked safely in his arms like the cutest doll. You looking up at him through your lashes with an innocent shy look. A pretty pink shade decorated your cheeks, trying and failing to hide your shyness.

Carefully, he brushed a loose strand of hair away from your face, "You're adorable, you know that?"

You buried your face in his chest with a whine and his laugh echoed through the room.

He laughed at you before wrapping both arms around you. "Good night, adorable."

"....Good night."

why do i feel like this is too boring...

“Woon baby, come here lil bit!”

Woonhak immediately groaned. “She only calls me that when she wants something,” he said, as he stood up.

“Okay, Mom - yo, I’ll be back in a sec.”

He disappeared down the hallway, leaving Maki alone on the floor with his sandwich and the soft, homey quiet of the house.

From the kitchen, he could hear Woonhak’s mom talking animatedly, Woonhak responding with his usual half-whining, half-affectionate tone. Maki smiled to himself. And then, out of nowhere-

“Oh- who are you?”

Maki nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned around, startled, only to find you standing a few steps away, arms crossed, clearly amused by his reaction.

“Um- who are you?” Maki blurted out, still processing the sudden appearance.

You raised an eyebrow. “Dude, not you coming to my place and asking who I am.”

Before Maki could respond, Woonhak walked back in, wiping his hands on a towel.

“Oh - Maki, this is Y/n. My sister.”

Maki froze. “Oh.”

Your lips curved into a knowing smile. “Ohhh, so this is that friend of yours, huh?”

Maki nodded a little too fast, still confused, his brain clearly lagging behind the conversation.

“I thought she was in Canada,” he whispered to Woonhak, leaning closer.

“Yeah,” Woonhak whispered back. “She came back yesterday.”

Maki blinked. “But you didn’t tell me.”

Woonhak shrugged, completely unbothered. “Surprise?”

You laughed softly, watching the two of them, your eyes lingering on Maki just a second longer than necessary.

A few minutes later, Woonhak’s mom called out from the dining area,

“Food’s ready! Come eat before it gets cold.”

You all gathered around the table, plates already laid out, the smell of home-cooked food instantly making Maki sit up straighter. He slid into his seat beside Woonhak, still low-key processing the whole surprise sister situation.

Just as they were about to start, You walked in, eyes lighting up.

“Wahhh, I missed your cooking, Mom,” you said dramatically, leaning down to kiss your mom’s temple.

Your mom laughed, patting your cheek. “You say that every time you come back.”

“It’s because it’s true,” You replied easily, taking the seat across from Maki.

Maki suddenly became very aware of his posture. And his hands. And the fact that he didn’t know where to look.

As they ate, your mom looked over at Maki with gentle concern.

“Maki, dear, how are your parents doing?”

Maki paused for a second before answering, then smiled politely.

“They’re good. They went to Germany again - work stuff. They’ll be back in a month or two.”

Her chopsticks froze mid-air. “Oh my god,” she said immediately. “Does that mean you’re going to be living alone?”

Maki nodded, the same small smile still on his face.

“Yeah.”

Woonhak frowned. “Again? You’re way too used to this.”

“I’m fine,” Maki said quickly, almost automatically. “Really.”

Your mom set her spoon down, thinking for a moment, then looked straight at Maki.

“The guest room is free, you know,” she said casually. “Why don’t you stay here while your parents are away?”

Maki’s eyes widened. “Ah - no, it’s okay, auntie, I don’t want to-”

Before he could finish, Woonhak leaned forward immediately. “No, seriously. Stay. It’ll be fun. We can actually eat proper food instead of instant noodles every day.”

Maki hesitated, glancing around, unsure- until his eyes met Yours. You just shrugged lightly, a small smile on your face.

“I don’t mind,” you said. “You already passed the surprise-guest test.”

Maki let out a quiet laugh, then shook his head. “I don’t want to intrude.”

Your mom waved her hand dismissively. “Nonsense,” she said firmly but kindly. “You’re not intruding. You’re like a family member to us.”

Something in Maki’s chest tightened at that. He looked down for a second, then nodded slowly.

“Okay,” he said, smiling, softer than before.

Woonhak grinned triumphantly. “See? Done. You’re stuck with us now.”

You laughed under her breath.

Well, since Maki and Woonhak had already been planning a sleepover that day, Maki ended up staying over without much more debate.

After dinner, Your mom started clearing the table. “Don’t stay up too late,” she warned, already knowing they wouldn’t listen.

“Yes, ma’am,” Woonhak said automatically.

You stretched as you stood up. “I’m exhausted. Jet lag is actually trying to kill me.” you glanced briefly at Maki before heading down the hall. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Maki replied, a little quieter than intended.

Soon, it was just the two of them again. The lights in the living room dimmed, a movie queued up, blankets pulled over their legs. Woonhak sprawled across the couch while Maki sat cross-legged, bowl of popcorn balanced in his lap.

“Movie night,” Woonhak said proudly.

Sometime during the movie, Maki’s throat went dry. He shifted, then whispered, “I’ll be right back,” even though Woonhak was already half-slumped beside him.

He waited a second.

Nothing.

Woonhak was completely knocked out, mouth slightly open, the movie still playing to an audience of zero. Maki smiled to himself, carefully pulling the blanket up over him before standing.

He padded quietly to the kitchen, trying not to make a sound.

And then he froze.

You were sitting on the kitchen counter, one leg swinging lazily, a glass of water in your hand. The overhead light was off - only the soft glow from the fridge and the hallway light outlined you.

“Oh, hi,” you said, sounding just as surprised and not surprised at all.

Maki blinked. “Oh - hi.” He paused, then gestured awkwardly toward the cabinet. “I was just getting water.”

“Same,” you said, lifting your glass slightly.

Maki grabbed a cup of water and leaned against the counter next to you, close but relaxed. He took a sip, then spoke like it was the most casual thing in the world.

“By the way, I was gonna ask something,” he said.

You looked at him. “Yeah?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

You blinked, clearly caught off guard. The shy, quiet boy from earlier - the one who barely knew where to put his hands at the dinner table - was suddenly gone.

"Wow,” you said, laughing a little. “That was unexpected. Why?”

Maki tilted his head, completely unfazed. “God forbid a guy being interested.”

You chuckled, shaking you head. “Okay, fair enough. Well - nope. Nope. I’m single.”

Maki nodded once, like he was filing that information away. “Interested in anyone?”

You raised an eyebrow at him, amused. “Straight to the follow-up question?”

“Just curious,” he said, shrugging.

“No,” you replied easily. “Not interested in anyone either.”

“Oh,” Maki said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

You stayed like that for a moment, just holding eye contact. Maki’s gaze drifted ever so slightly, down to your lips. You noticed immediately and smirked, a teasing sparkle in your eyes.

“Well then,” you said, hopping off the counter, “I’mma go sleep. Finish the movie, baby.”

With that, you sauntered down the hallway toward her room, the faint echo of her footsteps fading.

Maki watched you go, a small, amused smirk tugging at his lips. Then, shaking his head slightly, he smiled to himself, feeling lighter than he had all day.

Turning back to the living room, he sank into the couch beside Woonhak, grabbed the remote, and let the movie play - except now, he couldn’t stop replaying that little smirk in his mind.

Morning came faster than Maki realized, sunlight spilling through the curtains and warming the living room.

“Hey, sleepyhead!” Woonhak’s voice rang out, slightly louder than necessary. Maki stirred, groaning, still tangled in the blanket. “Ugh five more minutes,” he mumbled, eyes barely open.

“Too late,” Woonhak laughed, shaking him gently. “You have to wake up. Breakfast’s ready.”

Maki rubbed his eyes, finally sitting up. “Alright, alright I’m up,” he said, a small smile creeping onto his face despite the morning haze.

The smell of toast and something sweet drifted from the kitchen, making it impossible to resist getting out of bed. Even half-asleep, Maki felt that warm, easy comfort of being at Woonhak’s place - like the night before hadn’t just been a sleepover, but a little moment he didn’t want to forget.

After brushing their teeth and taking quick showers, Woonhak and Maki made their way to the dining table.

You and your mom were already there, sitting close together, deep in what looked like a serious conversation. But the moment you heard the boys coming in, both immediately straightened up and smiled.

“Oh, good morning, babies!” your mom greeted warmly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of them.

Maki nodded politely, trying not to look too sleepy. “Good morning, auntie.”

“How was your sleep, Maki?” she asked, leaning slightly forward, genuinely curious.

Maki smiled softly, his hands folded neatly on his lap. “It was really good, auntie. Thank you for asking.”

You glanced up from her plate, giving him a small, amused smile, and Maki felt his cheeks warm ever so slightly - but he kept his expression calm, trying not to look too flustered.

this fic was supposed to posted in february and i lost the motivation to write cause i started out of nowhere without even planning a plot? but yeah im gonna post this cause the no. of drafts are stressing me out. and its bad i know.

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