#soft nct

It was sharp 3:55 pm by the clock when you opened the door to the arena. As it should have been, you were the first to arrive. It had never been a habit of yours to be late.

Providing part-time swimming lessons was something that could make you some money, and you badly needed it for college. You see, there was no wrong with utilising one’s talents for monetary profits.

You stepped out of your zipper jacket and trousers, leaving you solely in your blue nylon swimming gear while glancing at the clock again. It was about time your students started showing up.

"Hey! Y/N!" Just as you were about to jump into the pool, you heard a timid yet deep voice. That position was exceedingly uncomfortable, so you straightened yourself out and returned to the source of the call.

"Hi!" The boy repeated. "Say hi!" he said, suggesting a little boy who you assumed was barely five or six. "Hello!" The little one giggled.

"Hey, Jisung!" You started, "You’re quite early today." Ever since you started with this job, this boy struggled with time. It was quite rare to see him before time. Although you did not know him too well, you were sure he juggled many jobs and responsibilities.

"Oh." He started off with a small pout on his face. His grey hoodie obscured his hair, which was only visible on his forehead, where it glinted. His hands were firmly placed on the shoulders of the youngster. "I didn't mean to cause you any inconvenience, but..." He went on, pointing at the boy once more. "Hwan, he's my nephew."

"Hey there, Hwan! How have you been?" You interrupted in between, Jisung could simply nod at it. "Six." Hwan was the one who responded..

"Is it okay if he can be around here just for today? I’m actually babysitting him, and there is just nowhere else he could go at the moment." Jisung pleaded as you hummed your approval in the middle.

"Of course he can!" You agreed, further questioning Hwan, "Would you like to swim, little one?" You adjusted your gaze up to meet Jisung’s, requesting his approval. You'd always been awful with kids; you didn't know whether six-year-olds swam in the pool or not. "Ahh, Y/N, Hwan is actually rather excellent at it!" He swims quite well for his age!" He extolled the virtues of his adoring nephew.

"Unlike you, I guess." You guffawed.

You couldn't help but tease Jisung; the shy blush that appeared on his face every time you said something snarky was the finest part.

His gaze shifted to the ground, with the same expression as he scratched the back of his head. "Umm.. well.." He giggled timidly.

"Okay, It’s almost time, get changed up and then we’ll begin with everyone." You announced, noticing the arrival of the rest of your students.

Approximately half an hour later, you find yourself in the pool, struggling with Jisung. He could not help but crash into the lane ropes. Despite trying his best, there was still this problem with getting his strokes right.

"Just keep your chest in the same place while you push the water, and don't change the angle." You were going about your daily routine. Jisung had been attending these classes for about seven months, and he had never missed a single one. It was only natural for you to be genuine when instructing him.

"Let’s take a break." You suggested, He halted, pushing his black hair out of his face and to the back, getting rid of those swimming goggles, meanwhile you stared at his body. His white shirt was practically adhered to his skin, giving the impression that it was see-through. Interesting. His adorable face was at odds with his abdominal muscles.

"Y/N?" Jisung snapped his fingers, earning your attention. "Oh. Yeah. Right. Umm. You.." You stammered after being caught red handed. Your brain thought of all possible things that could revert to just like Jisung, you were trying your best. Trying your best not to embarrass yourself.

"Hang on! Where’s the baby!?" You shrieked.

"HWAN!" His face turned pale as he started to move around, his eyes in search of his nephew. You could not tell apart the sweat from the panic and the liquid from the pool. This was the first time you saw the otherwise calm and composed Jisung in a vulnerable state.

You both rushed out of the pool, which was large enough to accommodate a significant number of people at once and was divided into sections, as was the case at the time.

"I can not lose him like this! Where did he go?" He spoke with a worried tone in his voice. His eyes began to well up with tears. He continued, hyperventilating, "I am such an awful uncle!" His head was filled with pessimistic, fragmented notions.

"Hey hey hey! Jisung!" You leaned in closer, taking his hands in yours, encouraging him to take deeper breaths.

"Hwan.." He wept.

"Is right behind you." You implied.

Jisung's mouth was open as he glanced at you. This was possibly the first time he appeared to be offended by your humour. It wasn't a joke, though.

You held his arm and turned him around, pointing your finger. “There he is!” You made a gesture with your hand, pointing to the tiny child splashing through the water with his baby yellow fins, adding to his vivacious chuckles. Hwan wanted to be surrounded by babies his age rather than typical teenagers, or perhaps he despised the concept of being a third wheel.

"Hwan is terrific at it, already!" You appreciated. "Maybe I should start taking lessons from him instead."  Jisung teased, his fingers interlocked with yours. This was the first time you've seen Jisung in this light.

Today was a day of many firsts.

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as he walked through the path of the gardens, jaemin couldn’t help but feel envious of the hidden love stories that he knew surrounded him. he always joked that he didn’t need to fall in love, that he was happy to wait for fate.

as he walked down the footpath a rumble of thunder loomed in the distance, closing his eyes in frustration he hurried further down, he knew there was a small gazebo further down the track, his cousin had gotten married there merely weeks prior. 

the one day jaemin wanted to take out his new camera to get some shots, it had to rain, just his luck.

arriving as the rain began to fall he hid the camera and lenses under his shirt, praying that he would reach the gazebo in enough speed. but upon his arrival he halted, seeming as he wasn’t the only person to get caught in the rain.

on a little mat, surrounded by pencils and some pictures taped to the ground, sat a girl that took his breath away. her hair fell neatly down her back, her fingers lightly danced across the page, by the looks of it she hadn’t noticed his arrival.

upon closer inspection he saw the white in her ears, letting out a small breath he realised she had music playing. she probably hadn’t even noticed that the rain had started.

sitting in the opposite end of the rounded gazebo, he watched the rain fall, it wasn’t heavy but soft, falling like waited tears. it was constant but there wasn’t a harsh feeling, it was oddly comforting. 

he sat going through the pictures he had taken from when the sun was shining, admiring how the colours seemed so real even in the stills.

“oh, hello” a voice broke through the calm of the rain, looking up he made eye contact with a girl that he swore made his heart stop. 

“..hi, sorry i didn’t mean to crash your creative time, the rain just started and I didn’t want to get caught out in it is all” he felt the need to explain that he didn’t mean to disturb you.

he probably sounded like the biggest creep just mumbling on and on about the rain, the rain he was sure that you were now aware of.

“really it’s fine, you can move closer if you like, less risk of getting hit by any,” my god jaemin had never heard a voice as beautiful as yours. it was soft yet melodic, calming but carried strength. 

he had barely spoken to you and he was falling harder than he knew was possible, it was like every dream he had ever had about love at first sight came true in every possibility and boy he was hoping that he never had to see the sun again if it meant being with you.

“you seem lost in your thoughts” you looked at him with the kindest eyes, he felt his lips lift with every passing syllable, 

“slightly, is this your work? the pictures taped to the ground” shifting the focus from him to your art seemed to work wonders, you smile began to grow

“mmmhmm, I was just passing sometime, practicing shadings and such, although I wasn’t able to find a reference photo I really wanted” the pout growing made jaemin furrow his brows, looking troubled even in the slightest way wasn’t something he was fond of seeing on your face

“it looks beautiful regardless, if you don’t mind me asking what kind of photo did you want?”

he watched as you looked out into the rain, “there’s a flower bed, next to a statue at the end of the path, it’s got the most beautiful colours and I’ve never been able to get a picture that does it justice”

smiling to himself, he looked down at the current photo he had showing on preview screen, “do you mean like this?”

as he handed you his camera he let out a breathy laugh as your face lit up, “that’s exactly what I meant... do you mind if I take a quick photo on my phone, so I can reference it?”

jaemin looked out to the sky, the rain certainly wasn’t easing anytime soon, if anything the clouds grew darker, looking at you and then laying on the ground with an arm behind his head 

“how about this, you can just use my camera so you can see the image clearly - it doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere soon. but, you owe me” as he opened one eye he could see the way you looked down at him, god he could look into your eyes for eternity. 

“deal”

as an hour turned into two jaemin laid on the ground, listening to the rain fall onto the roof and your pencils scratching the paper in front of you, he didn’t know when he fell asleep but he felt your hand lightly shaking him back to reality.

“here, thankyou for that. you know I never got your name, I’m [name]”

taking his camera back he turned it off, noticing the low battery, “jaemin, it’s a pleasure”

as he sat up, subconsciously moving closer to your side, you both welcomed the new silence between you, you broke the silence as you turned to face him

“what is your part of the deal?” turning his head he smiled again, he felt like he was constantly smiling at you

“don’t worry about it” you huffed and completely turned your body towards him, “come on jaemin... you let me use your photo, trusted me with your camera”

he let out a laugh, “how do you know it won’t be a weird request then? you’re willing to trust me?”

“..I am” 

closing his eyes he thought of the perfect thing, “dance with me”

letting out your own laugh you gave him a look of doubt, “a dance? really?”

nodding his head, he pulled you to stand with him, “I would like to have a dance with the pretty artist, here in the rain. do you still trust me?”

walking further from the mat that the two of you had migrated on, you held out your hand, “play a song then”

he came out of his daydream as he heard the familiar melody flow through the home, quietly he made his way to your side,

“I think we took a weird turn somewhere...” he trailed off, turning to look at the buildings and streets behind him, then ahead of you two, still holding your hand. 

He was right. You had been so busy enjoying the cool evening that you didn’t focus on your last couple of turns. This part of the neighbourhood, if you were lucky enough to still be in the same neighbourhood, was sparsely lit, empty, just the moonlight bouncing off the windows of the old stone buildings. 

“And we left our phones on charge back at the guesthouse...”, you add with a slight whine, frustrated at yourselves, and now also attempting to analyse the buildings around you for any sign of familiarity. “Should we try and trace back?” 

He takes a moment to think about it, subconsciously tightening his hold on your hand. “I-I think so. Yeah. Let's try that. I think we took 2 lefts and a right... no wait… 2 lefts and 2 rights…wait no one left...one right?...right?...” He bit his bottom lip, frowning, a lost look in his eyes, as he tries to remember. 

You knew it was a serious situation, lost in an unfamiliar city at well past midnight, but a part of you couldn’t help but just be happy to be with him like this. Just the two of you, exploring and adventuring together, seeing each other in a different context outside your normal daily routine.

“Don’t worry, let’s just turn back and take it one turn at a time, okay?”, you smile calmly in an attempt to keep your own growing panic and nerves hidden and start walking in the direction from which you came, lightly tugging on him to follow. He smiles weakly, clearly a bit panicked as well, and so pulls you in closer to him, steps in sync.

After a few corners, you think you know where to go next as you step to take the turn to one direction, but Jaehyun steps to take the other.

"This way."

"No, it’s this way."

"It’s this way. I feel it."

"You feel it?"

He nods and tries to pull you to follow him. But you stand firm, sure it was the other way. You don't recognise any of the buildings or objects in that direction.

"Jae, I really think it's this way. Look, I don't remember seeing those benches lined like that. We would've had to walk past them. I would've remembered having to get out of their way."

He sighs, scrutinising both directions again. He remembered benches. You didn't.

After looking at both roads repeatedly, you also start to question if you didn’t remember any benches. Truthfully, you weren’t all that focused on your surroundings before. You could easily have been oblivious to any obstacles.

You sigh, lifting your hand up in defeat muttering “Okay, okay you win, you win but you better be right.”

Jaehyun smiles, turning you to face him completely, stepping closer and wrapping his arm around your waist. He leaned down to give a quick kiss on your cheek.

“And what if I’m wrong, mhh? You going to punish me?” he teases playfully, holding you even closer. You turn your head in an attempt to hide your efforts to supress a grin and pray he can’t feel your racing heart. “Mmh? Mh? Mh?” he repeats teasingly, leaning in closer to your lips each time. Still with your face turned to the side, you feel yourself about to give in to him completely, as you usually do. When he gets into these playful moods, you always find yourself feeling nervous, overthinking how to keep up with his games and teasing, never knowing what the right way to respond would be.

“No kisses.” You blurt out, just as his lips are about to graze yours. He pulls back, slightly confused.

“No kisses?”

“Yeah, if you’re wrong then no kisses.” You slowly turn to face him with a small smirk. A spark of unfamiliar confidence mixed with competitiveness rests in your chest. Jaehyun was clearly rubbing off on you.

“For how long?” he asks cautiously.

“Mmhh….” You feign having to contemplate. “As long as it takes for us to get back home.”

He catches on that you’re trying your hand at toying with him and it causes a massive grin on his handsome face. He looks off to the side, trying to reel in his thoughts and hide the effect its had on him, and you are fully aware. You rarely tease, or take the lead, never having the assurance to do so, usually just going along with everything. But there’s something about the atmosphere of the evening, the uncertain circumstances giving you a dose of adrenaline.

“Actually, make hugs and any form of physical affection off limits too.” You taunt as you pull out of his embrace and your hand out of his grip on it, backing away from him. He laughs, shaking his head before reaching out a hand for you but you dodge him by taking quick steps backwards. A playful, competitive glint shimmers in his brown eyes. He strides towards you with determination, but you turn around and start running down the dimly lit cobblestone street, giggling but trying not to make too much noise to not wake the residents.

The scene plays out in slow motion in your mind. You look back and find him laughing while chasing you, hot on your heels. You sprint forward, but there is no chance that you could ever outrun him, but you’re going to make him work for it a little.

You run as fast as you can down to the end of the long street, wind whipping around you, through your hair, your side stinging, but just as you're about to turn a corner you’re yanked back by an arm wrapped around your middle, pulling your back into a hard chest, lifting you slightly off the ground with the motion. You can hear his heavy breathing behind your ear and feel his heart racing just like yours. You tilt your head back to rest it against him, closing your eyes and focusing on calming the burn in your lungs. The run had warmed you up, the cold breeze now fresh relief against your flushed face. He kisses you on your jaw repeatedly.

“So mean.” He mutters with a smile. “And surprisingly fast.”

You scoff lightly. His innocent kisses trail down, wet, soft, to your naked shoulder, and you hum happily.

Hands back to being entangled, the two of you continue your stroll. At another crossroads, you remembered square windows, while he remembered rounder ones. This time he’s the one to give in.

After every disagreement about which way to go, the loser would get a soft, warm kiss, either on the forehead, or cheek, nose, or lips as a sort of compensation.

As much as you liked getting kissed at nearly every corner, you tried, really tried, to find your way back to the guesthouse but in the end a friendly local, just arriving home themselves, had to give you directions, albeit it took a few minutes through all the broken English and very broken Italian. And to be fair, you took quite a few wrong turns in your absent-minded wandering and playful, light-hearted bickering about which way was home, and ended up on nearly the opposite side of the neighbourhood.

With a clear path in mind of how to get home, you both calm down, the nerves of feeling lost completely gone, and the calmness of the night settling in again. Still holding your hand lovingly, rubbing small circles on the back with his thumb, he leans down to whisper with a happy smirk "We should get lost together more often."

Xx

I have never been to Italy, and so have very limited knowledge of the architecture, weather and landscape of the cities and villages there, so please excuse any inaccuracies on that part. (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`)

If I made a few errors with grammar or spelling, feel free to correct me~ Also, if you need credit for the photos used please let me know :)

Hope you have a lovely day!