Somewhere Between Us ft. Childhood Friend!Hongjoong
A/n: WARNING, super dense and oblivious Hongjoong who doesnt no what love is, incoming!
Genre: Childhood friends au, Romance, angst, fluff, one sided love
Pairings: Childhood Friend!Hongjoong x Minju (fem oc/ named reader)
Warnings: Hongjoong is kind of an ass here
Minju had loved Hongjoong for as long as she could remember. She didnât even remember her life before he entered it. She knew it had always been him.
But Hongjoong was dense â painfully, hopelessly dense. He had never dated anyone, never flirted, never even noticed when someone liked him. So she told herself that was the reason he never saw her that way.
But sometimes⌠sometimes she wondered if he really was that oblivious, or if he just didnât want to see her that way.
Because currently, he was pulling the empty chair next to him for Sohee â one of the girls who had joined their friend circle in college.
Minju had wanted to sit beside him earlier, but when she arrived, he had already placed his jacket and bag on that seat.
Sheâd smiled and told him she wanted to sit there, but heâd laughed softly and said,
âI just want to keep my stuff here for tonight.â
So sheâd nodded and sat across from him instead.
And now here he was, moving that same jacket and gesturing for Sohee to sit.
It wasnât just about the chair. Not really.
It was the meaning behind it â or maybe, the lack of it.
Sohee had liked Hongjoong since college. Everyone knew it. Even the guys had told her countless times to stop, because Minju liked him. And still, she hadnât stopped.
And Hongjoong⌠didnât seem to mind.
The laughter around the table grew louder, filling the restaurant with warmth Minju couldnât feel. She ate quietly, keeping her eyes on her plate, pretending she wasnât listening to the sound of Hongjoongâs laughter â that soft, bright tone she hadnât heard from him in months.
The tone that had never belonged to her.
He never talked to her like that. Not once.
Sheâd tried to talk to him earlier â a small comment here, a joke there â but he only nodded absentmindedly before turning back to his own world.
He sat right across from her, yet he had never felt so far away.
It was like he was slipping farther out of reach with every second that passed.
When she finally lifted her gaze, her eyes met Mingiâs â her older brother, sitting a few seats away, watching her quietly.
His expression was soft but worried, like he could see straight through her. He always could.
Her throat tightened, humiliation prickling under her skin. She looked away before he could say anything.
A little while later, Sohee got up, brushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled at the group.
âI should get going,â she said.
Hongjoong looked up, eyes widening.
âAlready? Stay a little longer,â he said, voice gentle. âWe havenât seen you in ages.â
âItâs okay,â Sohee laughed. âYou guys have fun. Iâll see you next time.â
He stood halfway as she waved goodbye, even offering,
âWant me to walk you to your car?â
âNo, itâs fine,â she replied quickly. âIâll be okay.â
And just like that, she left â with him smiling after her, watching until she was out of sight.
When Sohee left, the table felt quieter for a moment â just the six of them now.
But even in that quiet, Minju felt invisible.
It was like Hongjoong had forgotten she was there.
Wooyoung was the first to break the silence, grinning.
âHyungggg, she totally likes you!â he teased, dragging out the words.
Hongjoong laughed, waving him off.
âI donât like her,â he said, smiling. âBut sheâs cute.â
Minjuâs fork froze halfway to her mouth.
Yeosang leaned in with an easy grin.
âYou should go for it. Sheâs totally your type.â
San nodded in agreement.
âYeah. Iâve never seen you that happy with any girl before.â
That did it.
The sound of their laughter started to blur around her, like glass cracking quietly in her chest.
Because they knew.
They all knew.
They knew she had adored Hongjoong since they were kids â since before any of them even knew what love really meant.
They knew how much sheâd loved him, how many times sheâd stayed behind just to walk with him, how she always waited.
Theyâd promised her once that theyâd be her wingmen, that theyâd help her one day.
But now they were teasing him with someone else.
And maybe it was because they were adults now, and it wasnât their place anymore.
But it still hurt.
It hurt so much she could barely breathe.
She tried to laugh along with them, to pretend it was fine, but it felt wrong â the sound catching in her throat, her lips trembling with every forced smile.
Across the table, Mingi stayed quiet.
Her older brotherâs eyes didnât leave her.
He looked sad. Angry. Worried.
But she didnât dare meet his gaze.
Every time she did, she felt humiliated â like the biggest fool sitting in plain sight.
Like everyone could see just how pathetic she was.
The laughter around her started to feel suffocating. Every second that passed, the air grew heavier, pressing down on her chest.
She couldnât stay any longer.
If she did, sheâd cry right there â in front of all of them.
So she began packing her bag quietly, hoping no one would notice. But Wooyoung, who sat beside her, caught on first.
âHey, youâre leaving already? Stay a little longer!â he said, eyes wide.
Before she could answer, Hongjoong finally looked up.
âOh, youâre leaving?â he asked, his tone casual â almost distracted.
She nodded, forcing a small smile.
âYeah. Need to get to work early.â
The others protested softly, telling her to stay, but Hongjoong just nodded once.
âOkay then. See you,â he said, already turning back to his food.
That was it.
She almost laughed at herself.
He hadnât even looked at her twice before going back into his little bubble â the one that seemed to exist only when she was there.
He didnât ask her to stay longer.
He didnât offer to walk her out.
Of course, he didnât have to â but it hurt anyway.
Because heâd said all those things to someone else tonight.
And when it came to her, he didnât even think twice before looking away.
Maybe he was just hungry â after all, heâd spent the entire evening laughing and performing every little stunt that shattered her heart piece by piece. After all that work, who wouldn't be exhausted and hungry?
She stared at the top of his head, at how easily he smiled at his plate, as if she wasnât even there.
The others noticed then â noticed the way she looked at him, the way realization crept across their faces too late.
Wooyoungâs voice softened.
âMinjuâŚâ he called quietly.
But she just shook her head, slinging her bag over her shoulder before walking away.
Her footsteps echoed against the tile as she left the restaurant, each step heavier than the last.
The laughter behind her faded, replaced by the quiet hum of the city outside.
She walked through the dim streets toward the parking lot, blinking back the sting in her eyes.
She told herself not to cry. Not here. Not now.
Then she heard a familiar voice.
âMin!â
She turned, and there he was â Mingi, her older brother, looking like heâd stormed out after her.
She looked down quickly, her lips pressing together, trying to hold herself together.
âHeâs stupid,â Mingi said softly, stepping closer. âYou didnât deserve any of that tonight.â
That was all it took.
The walls sheâd built all evening cracked and broke. Her knees gave out as she crouched down on the sidewalk, burying her face in her hands.
And she finally let herself cry.
Her sobs started to quiet a little, but her chest still heaved as she pressed her palm against her face. When she pulled it away, she stared at it â wet with tears.
"Itâs not fairâŚ" she whispered, voice trembling.
Mingiâs heart clenched. He crouched beside her instantly, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and gently pulling her up to stand. She let him, leaning against him as her tears continued to fall in quiet streams.
âItâs okay,â he murmured softly, rocking her just a little. âItâs okay. He doesnât deserve you. You donât deserve this treatment. Iâm so sorry. I shouldâve said something back there.â
She shook her head against his chest, muffling her sobs.
âI⌠I tried to laugh, Mingi. I tried⌠but it was too much.â
He held her tighter.
âI know, Min. I know.â
For a moment, the world felt still around them. The city noises faded, the distant honks and chatter of people felt far away. All that existed was the small figure of his sister shaking in his arms, and the tight, protective squeeze he offered.
âYou donât have to explain,â he said softly. âYou just⌠let it out. You donât have to pretend for anyone. Not tonight. Not ever.â
She sniffled, wiping at her cheeks, but she didnât pull away. Instead, she let herself cling to him, finally letting someone see just how much it had hurt.
â
Two weeks later, it was her birthday.
She had originally planned to call everyone over for dinner, but the guys â guilty as ever â had suggested that she just call Hongjoong. No distractions. No one else. If it were just the two of them, maybe heâd actually talk. Maybe sheâd finally see that he really did care. Maybe â just maybe â it could ignite something between them.
It was the afternoon of her birthday. She had called him multiple times in the days leading up to it. Sheâd tried three, maybe four days in advance, but he hadnât picked up once. Not even a missed call notification.
He never forgot her birthday. Not once, not ever. Since they were kids, it had been a ritual â a text, a call, a small gesture. Heâd definitely remember⌠right?
She had spent the whole day preparing. Cooking. Making sure everything was perfect. She set the table for two, polished the silverware, and made sure the house was spotless. Every detail mattered, even though her hands shook with anticipation.
Night fell. Still, he hadnât called. Her heart started to thump nervously, but when her phone finally rang at 7 PM, she forced a small, hopeful smile and answered.
âSorry I couldnât pick up. Iâm out having dinner with colleagues,â he said casually.
Her chest sank. Speechless.
âFor⌠three days, huh?â she asked, her voice colder than intended.
He chuckled.
âWhoops. I guess our timing didnât align.â
She rolled her eyes, the urge to scoff bubbling up.
âYou didnât even think of calling bacâforget it. Nothing. I just wanted to ask something, but itâs already dealt with.â
He didnât even pause.
âOh, alright then. Maybe next time you should call me when Iâm out from work rather than during my work hours.â
Her lips pressed together, and she stayed quiet. She couldnât find the words. It sounded so wrong â so snarky, so indifferent, so mean â and yet, he said it like it was nothing.
âHello? Minju? Hello?â he called before ending the call.
The moment it disconnected, she got up, switched off her phone, and threw it onto the couch. Her hands trembled as she cleared the cutlery and set up the table again. Her laptop called to her from the counter. She clicked the email sheâd been putting off for weeks and accepted the job offer in Jeju.
She had originally planned not to take it. It was too far. She wouldnât see him. Sheâd miss him. But⌠fuck Hongjoong.
If he was going to treat her like this â if he was going to remain indifferent while treating everyone else better â she didnât care anymore.
The tears came in full force, blinding her. She let them fall freely, sobbing as if she were drowning, before clearing her throat and telling herself to breathe. To stop crying.
She sniffled and wiped at her cheeks, shaking hands lighting the candles on the cake Mingi had gotten for her. She plated up the food she had made, carelessly, without worrying about presentation. She tied her hair back and let out a shaky breath, sitting down and closing her eyes.
She made a wish, quietly, internally:
Take these feelings away from meâŚ
It wasnât about the birthday. It wasnât about the recent events. It wasnât even about what he had said.
It was the indifference. The way he had always pushed her aside, treated others better than her, smiled for everyone but never for her. It was painfully obvious, and it hurt like fire.
If he hated her so much, why couldnât he just say it?
She sniffled again and wiped her tears, digging her spoon into the cake without care, eating it straight from the plate. She let the tears fall freely as she ate, shoving forkful after forkful of the food she had made into her mouth.
It wasnât elegant. It wasnât perfect. But she didnât care anymore.
She just let herself feel.
A while later, she was slumped over the dining table, staring at the more-than-half-eaten cake. Her lips still had remnants of frosting and crumbs clinging stubbornly, and she didnât bother wiping them away. She just sat there, blankly staring at the plate, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across her face.
Her back ached from sitting in the same position for too long, but she didnât move. She let herself linger in the quiet, the weight of the evening pressing down on her like a physical thing.
Finally, she pushed herself upright, shoulders stiff, and rested her chin in her hands.
Hongjoong.
The thought of him twisted in her chest. The Hongjoong who had never dated anyone. The Hongjoong who never seemed to have the slightest idea about romance.
It was becoming impossible to understand him.
It was becoming impossible to brush off the way he had treated her tonight â as if she were invisible, as if she didnât matter, as if he only existed in a world where everyone else came first.
For years, she had told herself, He doesnât know any better. Heâs just dense. He canât help it.
But now⌠it was becoming harder and harder to convince herself of that.
Because density didnât look like this.
Indifference didnât look like this.
And no matter how much she tried to rationalize, her chest ached with the same old truth she had buried deep down:
She had always loved him.
And he had always let her hurt.
â
A week later, they sat across from each other in a quiet little cafĂŠ. Minjuâs sunglasses hid most of her expression, and her lips were set in a straight line, giving away nothing.
Hongjoong studied her carefully, guilt knotting his stomach. He had missed her birthday. Her birthday. He had never missed it before, not once. Seeing her now â distant, closed off, different â made his chest tighten painfully.
âI⌠Iâm so sorry, Minju,â he said again, voice heavy with regret. He couldnât stop apologizing. âI donât even have words for how sorry I am. I shouldnât have⌠I canât believe I missed it.â
She didnât flinch. Didnât respond. She just pushed her sunglasses slightly up the bridge of her nose, staring at her hands folded neatly on the table.
He looked at her. Really looked. She seemed smaller somehow, quieter, but also⌠distant. Unreachable. The warmth heâd always taken for granted in her eyes was gone.
âI thought⌠maybe lunch would⌠I donât know. I just wanted to see you,â he said, his voice cracking slightly.
Minju finally spoke, her words low, almost indifferent:
âIâm leaving soon.â
Hongjoong froze, confusion flashing across his face.
âLeaving⌠what do you mean?â he asked, leaning forward. âWhere⌠why?â
She lifted her gaze briefly, meeting his eyes through the tinted lenses of her sunglasses.
âGot a job offer in Jeju,â she said, calm but firm. âSo I leave in a month.â
His heart skipped a beat. A month. That was so soon. He could feel the sharp edges of his own guilt and regret cut deeper. Words failed him. He wanted to say something â anything â but all that came out was a strained whisper:
âJejuâŚ?â
She nodded once, turning her head slightly toward the window, as if letting him see that there was no room for negotiation.
The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating, filled with everything he hadnât done, everything he had taken for granted, and everything she had silently endured for years.
Hongjoong ran a hand through his hair, frustration and guilt battling in his chest. He had never felt this helpless before.
âMinju⌠please,â he started, voice low and earnest. âI know I messed up. I⌠I should have remembered. I should have called, I should haveââ
She cut him off, her tone flat.
âItâs not the birthday Iâm angry about,â she said quietly, her voice steady but sharp. âItâs⌠everything else. The way youâve treated me all these years. The way Iâve been here, always, and you⌠you never noticed. Not really.â
His chest tightened. Everything else? The words hit harder than he expected. He had always assumed sheâd forgive small things, that her love would somehow make up for his obliviousness.
âI⌠I brought you out today because I wanted to see you. To explain. Toââ He hesitated, swallowing hard before continuing. âTo make it right, somehow.â
Minjuâs gaze flicked to him briefly, then back down at her hands. She didnât smile, didnât soften.
âThereâs nothing to make right about the past. Youâve been⌠indifferent. Youâve taken me for granted for years. And now⌠now itâs too late to just fix it with an apology.â
He flinched at the words, the sting sharper than he expected. He reached across the table, hesitating only a moment before lightly touching her hand.
âI do see you. I always have. Youâve been right there, Minju, my whole life. I just⌠I didnât realize how much I needed to show you that, until now.â
She pulled her hand back slowly, almost reflexively.
âItâs too late,â she murmured. âI canât⌠I canât keep waiting for something that might never happen.â
He swallowed, desperation creeping into his voice.
âPlease. Donât decide yet. Let meâlet me show you. Just give me a chance. One chance to fix this before you go. Before Jeju.â
Her lips pressed into a thin line. Her gaze dropped to the table again. A small part of her wanted to hope, wanted to believe him. But another part â the part that had been hurting quietly for years â knew better.
âI donât know if I can,â she whispered.
Hongjoongâs eyes softened, but the intensity didnât fade.
âThen let me try. Thatâs all Iâm asking. One try. Please, Minju. One try.â
She stayed silent for a long moment, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. Her heart thumped unevenly in her chest. Could she risk it? Could she let him in after all this time?
Finally, she lifted her sunglasses slightly, her eyes meeting his.
âOne try,â she said softly, almost reluctantly.
A flicker of hope lit his face, and for the first time in days, he allowed himself a small, careful smile.
âThatâs all I need,â he said, voice gentle, but steady. âJust one try.â
And though she didnât fully trust it yet, a tiny part of her â the part that had always loved him â stirred with the faintest whisper of hope.
Hongjoong sat back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to make sense of the whirlwind inside him.
He didnât understand what he was feeling exactly. It wasnât just guilt. It wasnât just regret. It was⌠something else, something heavier, something that made his chest tighten and his stomach twist into knots.
But what he did know was this: the thought of her leaving â of Minju leaving, moving to Jeju, disappearing from his life â was unbearably uncomfortable.
Extremely uncomfortable.
Every scenario he imagined â her packing her things, closing her apartment door for the last time, stepping onto a plane â made his stomach churn and his heart pound in a way he had never experienced before.
It wasnât just fear of losing a friend. It wasnât just loneliness. It was her. The thought of a life without her near him, without her presence, without her laugh, without her constant quiet energy filling the spaces he didnât even realize needed filling⌠it was too much.
His chest felt tight, as if it might collapse inward at any moment. His hands clenched and unclenched, fingers tapping nervously against the table.
He realized, suddenly and terrifyingly, that this discomfort â this aching, twisting, relentless discomfort â wasnât going away.
Because he had never considered that she might leave.
He had never thought about a life in which Minju wasnât there.
And now⌠the idea of that life was unbearable.
Hongjoongâs gaze fell on her, and for a long moment, their eyes locked.
He stared at those eyes â the ones that had quietly carried so much over the years, the ones that had been patient, forgiving, and unwavering. And the more he looked, the heavier the guilt settled in his chest.
He didnât understand what had made him treat her the way he did. Why had he ignored her, brushed her off, acted like she was just⌠there? It had been uncalled for. He was a jerk. A selfish, thoughtless jerk.
And as he thought back, memories he hadnât consciously considered before started surfacing. More than once, he had ignored her, failed to notice her, not paid attention to what she wanted or needed.
Maybe it was because he had always known sheâd be there. Always.
She had never left. She had always shown up. And that⌠that had made him careless. Complacent.
But now, looking at her â really looking â he realized just how wrong he had been.
He saw it in her eyes: the quiet patience, the constant support, the unwavering loyalty.
Whenever he had failed, she had been there to pick him back up.
Whenever he had succeeded, she had been there to celebrate with him.
And along the way⌠he had become selfish.
He had become rude.
He had taken her for granted.
Every past action, every careless word, every moment of indifference crashed down on him like a wave he couldnât fight.
He had hurt her.
He had let the one person who had always loved him quietly, fiercely, entirely⌠go unnoticed.
And now, facing her, the weight of that truth was undeniable.
Hongjoongâs chest tightened, and he swallowed hard, words tumbling out before he could second-guess them.
âMinju⌠Iâm so sorry. Not just for your birthday⌠for everything. For all the times I ignored you, or brushed you off, or acted like you were just⌠always going to be there. I didnât see you the way I should have. I didnât treat you the way you deserved. And I⌠I was selfish. So selfish.â
His voice broke slightly, raw with regret. He reached across the table, but hesitated, not wanting to push her away further.
âYouâve always been there for me, Minju. Every time I failed, every time I needed someone, you were there. And every time I succeeded, you were the first person I should have celebrated with⌠and I didnât. I took you for granted. I didnât appreciate how much you loved me, how much you gave⌠how much you are. And IâGod, Iâm so sorry. I donât even know how I let myself treat you like that.â
He stopped, taking a shaky breath, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. His eyes never left hers.
âI donât want to lose you. Not like this. Not after everything. I⌠I donât know what I was thinking before, but I know now. I see it. I see you. I see everything youâve done for me, everything youâve been to me⌠and Iâm terrified at the thought of losing you, Minju.â
For the first time, there was no teasing, no casual laughter, no lighthearted deflection. It was just him, stripped down, vulnerable, desperate to make her understand.
âI donât expect you to forgive me right away. I just⌠I need you to know how truly sorry I am. And that I see you now. I see you. Youâve always been the most important person in my life, and Iâve been too blind to notice. But I⌠I donât want to be blind anymore.â
The words hung in the air, heavy with everything he hadnât said in years â every time heâd been dense, every time heâd taken her for granted, every time heâd failed to notice what had been in front of him all along.
For the first time, Minju could see the raw sincerity in his eyes. And for the first time in a long while, the walls around her heart quivered.
Hongjoongâs eyes softened, and a small, almost crooked smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
âYou can get super angry at me,â he said, his voice low but steady. âYou can throw me off the roof if you want. You can⌠even torture me slowly and painfully. I deserve it. I know I do.â
He reached for the jug of lemon water on the table and gently took her hand, wrapping it around the handle. His own hand covered hers, guiding it. Then, without hesitation, he lowered himself onto his knees beside her, his eyes never leaving hers as he pointed at himself.
âDrench me. Throw hot coffee too if you want. Iâm⌠Iâm asking you to let it out. All the anger, all the hurt youâve been holding onto for years⌠let me take it. Iâll take it all.â
He gave a small, rueful laugh, but it didnât hide the seriousness in his eyes.
âIâm not afraid of it. Iâm not afraid of you being angry at me. I need you to be. I deserve it. Minju⌠I deserve this.â
There was no shame, no pride left. Just honesty. Just him, kneeling beside her, willing to face whatever she had bottled up inside â the years of neglect, the indifference, the moments he had taken her for granted.
His eyes searched hers, waiting, silently begging her to let herself be angry, to let herself release all the pain sheâd carried for him.
Minju froze, her hand still trapped in his around the jug handle. Her eyes widened as she suddenly became aware of the murmurs and stifled laughter from around the room.
Everyone was looking at them.
Hongjoong, kneeling beside her like that, holding her hand and offering himself to her anger, was impossible to ignore. And Minju⌠Minju, caught in the moment, felt her cheeks heat instantly.
She pulled her hand back slightly, instinctively, but he held it gently, giving her a small, encouraging squeeze.
âIgnore them,â he murmured softly, voice just for her. âItâs just you and me right now. All that matters is that I⌠I let you be angry. That I take this from you.â
She bit her lip, feeling a strange mix of shock, embarrassment, and⌠something else she couldnât quite name. Her hand trembled slightly in his grip.
âEveryoneâs staring,â she whispered, still taken aback.
He gave a small, wry shrug, still kneeling, still looking up at her with those serious, pleading eyes.
âLet them stare. Let them see what I deserve. I donât care whoâs watching. I care about you. Only you.â
Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. She could feel the weight of his sincerity pressing down on her â heavier than the embarrassment, heavier than the awkwardness.
For the first time, Minju realized just how much he was willing to humble himself for her. To face her anger, to acknowledge every wrong he had done.
And⌠maybe, just maybe, that was the first crack in the wall she had built around her heart.
Minju shook her head immediately, tugging her hand back from the jug.
âNo! Iâm not⌠I canât! I wonât drench you!â she exclaimed, her voice half-shocked, half-indignant.
Hongjoongâs eyes widened for a split second, then a determined look spread across his face.
âNo! Throw it at me!â he shot back, leaning closer, still kneeling, his hands hovering over hers like a challenge. âI said I deserve it! Donât let me get away now!â
âI⌠I canât!â she stammered, her cheeks heating even more. âEveryoneâs watching! And⌠itâs water! Itâs just⌠ridiculous!â
âExactly!â he argued, pointing at himself theatrically. âItâs ridiculous because I deserve ridiculous! Youâve been holding onto all that anger and frustration for years, Minju! Nowâs the time to use it! Donât deny me this!â
She huffed, crossing her arms, pretending to look away, but he leaned even closer, insistence in his eyes.
âCâmon, Min! Drench me! Pour it all over me! Hot coffee too! Anything! I said I deserve it!â
She groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically, but couldnât stop a small laugh from escaping despite herself.
âYouâre insane,â she muttered.
âMaybe,â he said, hopelessly, âbut youâre going to drench me anyway.â
She narrowed her eyes, glaring at him mockingly.
âYouâre going to regret this,â she warned, though the corners of her lips twitched as she prepared to take aim with the jug.
âBring it on,â he said, spreading his arms like a martyr ready for his punishment. âIâve been waiting for this moment for years.â
Minju huffed, her fingers tightening around the jug.
âFine. You asked for it,â she said quietly, tilting it over.
Water poured steadily over him, soaking his hair, his clothes, running down his face.
But there was no exaggerated yell, no dramatic flailing. He didnât act comical.
He simply closed his eyes, letting it fall, and when he opened them, he looked at her with a calm, almost reverent intensity.
âThank you,â he said softly, his voice quiet but steady. âI⌠needed this. Needed to feel it, to know that I⌠deserved it.â
Minju blinked, stunned. She had expected anger, or maybe protest. But there was none. Just sincerity.
He reached out with one wet hand, gently brushing a strand of her hair from her face.
âI know I hurt you, Minju,â he said, voice low, warm. âAll those times I ignored you, all the times I didnât notice⌠Iâm so sorry. I didnât realize, didnât understand, but I see now. I see you. And I see what Iâve lost, what Iâve almost lost.â
She felt her chest tighten. His eyes, wet and earnest, held hers as if trying to speak everything he couldnât put into words.
âI donât deserve your patience. I donât deserve your love. But⌠I want to. I want to be better. I want to notice you. Appreciate you. Cherish you. And I⌠I donât ever want to let you go.â
The air between them felt thick, warm, and fragile. Minjuâs hand lingered near his, and for the first time in years, she felt the walls she had built around her heart begin to soften.
No more jokes. No more teasing. Just him â drenched, humbled, and entirely sincere â showing her how much she truly meant to him.
And for the first time in a long while, Minju felt⌠hope.
â
They walked together in silence after the incident, the streets quiet around them. The night air was cool, brushing against their damp clothes, carrying the faint scent of the city. Minjuâs hand instinctively went to her bag, and she pulled out a tissue, holding it out toward him.
He stopped mid-step, shaking his head gently, his eyes soft but intense.
âMinju⌠no,â he said quietly, his voice steady but trembling slightly. âDonât have mercy on me. Let me suffer. Please.â
Her brow furrowed.
âWhat⌠what are you saying?â she asked softly.
He looked at her, drenched hair plastered to his forehead, water still dripping from his clothes. But there was no trace of humor in his expression â only honesty, regret, and a deep vulnerability that made her chest ache.
âIâve hurt you for years,â he said, voice low, almost a whisper. âIâve been careless, selfish, blind⌠and I need to feel it. I need to feel the weight of your anger, the weight of your disappointment. I deserve it, Minju. I deserve to suffer for the way I treated you.â
She faltered, unsure whether to laugh, cry, or be frustrated. But instead, she stayed silent, watching him with a mixture of sorrow and something she hadnât let herself feel in a long time â the stirring of hope.
âSo donât give me the tissue,â he said again, a small, wry tilt to his lips despite the seriousness in his eyes. âDonât forgive me yet. Let me sit with this. Let me understand, really understand, the pain Iâve caused you. Then⌠maybe I can start to make it right.â
Minjuâs hand trembled slightly as she lowered the tissue, letting him choose how to face his guilt. Her heart thumped, conflicted â a mix of frustration, lingering hurt, and a deep, reluctant desire to see him truly see her for the first time in years.
Minju sighed, the sound low and weary, but not unkind. She reached up and gripped his shoulder, turning him so he faced her. The streetlight haloed the wet strands of hair stuck to his forehead; his eyes were still earnest, a little raw.
She dug a handkerchief from her bag, the fabric soft with years of use, and began to dab at his face and hair with careful, steady motions â not harsh, not hurried. Her fingers moved as if they remembered how to comfort him long before they remembered how to hurt.
âYouâre so stupid sometimes,â she muttered, the words half scold, half affection. âYouâll get sick.â
He let out a small, half-laugh, half-breath. âI know,â he said, voice quiet. âI deserve to be stupid. I deserve this.â
She paused, pressing the handkerchief a little harder to the corner of his lip, making sure it was dry. Her fingers brushed his skin and, for a blink, everything that had been jagged between them softened at the touch.
âDonât make me do things like that again,â she warned, tone brittle but warmer than it had been earlier. âNot for drama. Not for prizes. For realânotice me. Remember things. Donât let it get to this point.â
He nodded, earnestness pouring from him. âI will. I mean it, Minju. I donât want to be the kind of person who makes you cry in the middle of the street.â He swallowed. âIâll try. Iâll actually try.â
She folded the handkerchief and slipped it back into her bag, fingers lingering close to where his hand brushed hers as if neither of them wanted to be the first to pull away. For the first time that night, she let herself believe, just a little, that he might mean it.
Minju reached up again, her fingers gently moving the wet strands of hair stuck to his forehead back into place. She brushed them aside with care, almost unconsciously, as if the simple act could smooth out everything between them.
No matter how much I try to hate you⌠she thought, her lips twitching into a small, reluctant smile.
She shook her head slightly and muttered under her breath, almost to herself, almost to him:
âNo matter how much I try to hate you, I always end up⌠coming back to be in love with you again.â
The words hung in the air, soft and fragile, but they carried years of truth.
She chuckled quietly at herself, the sound warm and a little embarrassed.
Hongjoong blinked at her, momentarily stunned, before a slow, small smile spread across his face â the kind that was both relieved and full of awe, like he could hardly believe she had just said that.
âMinjuâŚâ he whispered, voice thick, as if saying her name aloud reminded him of everything he had ignored for so long. âI⌠I donât deserve you.â
She shrugged lightly, still brushing the last stray locks of hair from his face, her eyes meeting his.
âMaybe not,â she said softly, âbut you get me anyway.â
For a moment, there was only the two of them â the quiet hum of the city fading around them, the past tension lingering but softening, and the truth of their feelings standing stark and undeniable between them.
And in that silence, drenched, tired, and finally honest, they both realized that no amount of mistakes could erase what had always been there.
They walked side by side, quiet footsteps echoing softly against the empty street. Hongjoong stole a glance at her, his expression tentative, almost vulnerable.
âYou knowâŚâ he began, voice low, hesitant. âI never really knew what love was⌠not properly. Not like this, not until now. But⌠I always knew that what I felt for you⌠wasnât platonic.â
Minju froze for a moment, letting the words settle. She looked at him, her expression unreadable, though her chest tightened.
âAnd yet,â he continued, voice thick with regret, âIâve been horrible. Horrible at showing it. Horrible at noticing. Horrible at⌠appreciating you the way I should have.â
She tilted her head slightly, the corners of her mouth twitching as she let out a dry laugh.
âExtremely horrible,â she muttered, shaking her head, her voice edged with both amusement and lingering hurt.
He flinched, half-smiling at her words, half-wincing at the truth in them.
âYeahâŚâ he admitted softly. âI know. Iâve been selfish, dense, blind. I didnât realize what I had until now. And I⌠Iâm sorry, Minju. More than I can ever put into words.â
But before he could continue, she stepped closer and pressed her palm over his mouth, stopping the words in their tracks. Her hand lingered there, warm against his skin, her eyes burning into his.
âStop apologizingâŚâ she murmured, her voice low, husky from all the emotions sheâd been holding in. âJust stop.â
He blinked at her, stunned, his breath warm against her palm.
Her fingers trembled slightly but she didnât pull away. Instead, she leaned in just a little closer, her eyes searching his.
âStop apologizingâŚâ she whispered again, softer this time, âand just kiss me before I become crazy.â
The words hung in the air like a challenge, like a plea. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought he might hear it.
Hongjoongâs eyes widened, the realization hitting him all at once, his pulse racing under her touch.
Hongjoongâs eyes widened for a heartbeat, but then, without a word, he slowly lifted her hand from his lips, keeping it in his own, fingers curling around hers like he never wanted to let go.
His gaze locked onto hers, unblinking, searching, desperate. Time seemed to stretch between them, the world around them fading to a blur.
He raised his free hand slowly, cupping her cheek with a tenderness that made her chest tighten. His thumb brushed lightly along her jawline as he leaned in just a fraction, eyes still locked on hers, memorizing every detail, every flicker of emotion.
Her breath hitched. Every instinct screamed, every nerve felt alive, as if the night itself was holding its breath.
Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he closed his eyes and tilted his head, leaning in the final inch. Their foreheads brushed for a fleeting moment before his lips met hers, soft at first, testing, almost fragile, yet full of everything he had never said â every apology, every confession, every long-suppressed feeling.
The kiss deepened, slow, deliberate, tasting years of longing, of unspoken love, of all the moments theyâd wasted ignoring what had been there all along. Her fingers twined into his damp hair, holding him closer, her body pressed forward as if trying to make up for lost time.
Every hesitation melted away as they clung to each other in that moment, the tension snapping, replaced by heat, warmth, and a raw, undeniable connection that had been simmering for far too long.
When they finally pulled back slightly, just enough to breathe, their foreheads rested together, eyes closed, hearts racing in perfect sync.
âFinally,â she whispered against his lips, voice shaky but full of relief.
âFinally,â he echoed, the word a vow, a confession, a promise â and for the first time, neither of them doubted the otherâs feelings.
She felt his hand still cupping her cheek, thumb brushing gently along her skin, grounding her. The world around them had faded completely â there was only this quiet, shared space between them, where the city noises, the streetlights, and even the years of hurt no longer mattered.
Slowly, he lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, soft and reverent, as if he were sealing a promise in that one touch. Her breath hitched, chest tightening with the sheer tenderness of it.
Then their foreheads met again, skin warm against skin, his eyes never leaving hers. He studied her face, the way her lips still trembled slightly, the faint shimmer of tears lingering in the corners of her eyes. Every detail was etched into him, as if he was trying to carry her with him, always.
That's it for this one đ
I hope y'all liked it đ
Not my best work but I still like it đş
Likes and rebloggs are appreciated đ â¨ď¸















