cherry talk

the door clicked shut gently, almost silent.

sungchan came in without saying much, dragging his feet like the day had weighed him down. he looked at you with those tired, sad eyes he couldn’t quite hide.

he came straight from the outside world—the one that demands him to always shine, always smile. but now… he was just him.

you didn’t ask anything. you know there are days when he doesn’t need words—he just needs to be.

you sat on the bed and opened your arms, silently inviting him in.

he — nearly twenty centimeters taller than you — walked over slowly, like the exhaustion had sunk deep into his bones. and without a word, he collapsed face down on top of you, resting his head against your chest, arms loosely wrapping around your waist.

there was no rush. just that quiet warmth you both share when the world outside fades away.

you ran your fingers gently through his hair, drawing soft circles.

“it’s okay… i’m here now,” you whispered.

he sighed into you, letting his whole body relax, like he could finally drop that invisible armor he wore all day.

you noticed how he tried to hide his face a little, almost embarrassed to seek comfort like this. but you didn’t pull away. You held him closer instead.

“with you… i feel safe,” he mumbled, voice low and sleepy.

his breathing slowed, chest rising and falling against yours.

and that was it—you melted a little more.

because you know being strong is automatic for him.

but with you, he lets himself be just Sungchan.

not the tall guy, not the one who’s always smiling… just him.

for a while, nothing else happened. just the sound of his breath, your fingers in his hair, and that soft, quiet love that fills the air when someone finds home in another person.

then you felt his fingers tracing lazy shapes on your side, like he was trying to memorize you through touch.

he lifted his head just a little, resting on one elbow to look at you better. His hair fell messily across his forehead and his expression…

“can i stay like this… a little longer?” he asked, like even the thought of moving away might break him a little.

it was the perfect mix of tenderness and something else.

something that made your heart skip.

you could only nod. your voice was lost in the fullness of the moment.

then, with the gentleness of someone holding the most precious thing they’ve ever had, he leaned closer.

sungchan smiled. that shy little smile you love so much.

he reached for your hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it—long and soft—like sealing a secret promise into your skin.

your noses brushed first—so delicate it felt more intimate than any kiss.

he looked into your eyes, seeking permission.

and when all he found was love—and a hint of adorable nervousness—

he closed the distance.

when he pulled back just a little, he whispered against your lips:

the kiss was so, so sweet it made your chest ache.

slow, unhurried… as if he wanted to tell you everything words couldn’t:

"thank you for being here. thank you for being you."

“i don’t want tonight to ever end…”

he mumbled something against your collarbone—half a word, maybe your name. you weren’t sure. but you kissed the top of his head and whispered: “sleep, baby. i’ve got you now.”

he settled back down, this time hugging you like his life depended on it.

you stroked his back in slow, calming motions.

and there you stayed—

with soft kisses, quiet touches, and little i love you’s whispered between barely-there giggles.

nothing else happened that night.

it didn’t have to.

it was like his body knew the way to you by heart. no matter how late, no matter how quiet he came home—you always left a space for him in bed. a soft, unspoken promise: “you can always come back.”

you were so connected, so tangled up in one another,

love hanging in the air—warm and real.

you reached for the blanket and tucked it around the two of you. his hand found yours beneath the covers, fingers threading together as if to say: “don’t let go.”

and that was the night Sungchan realized...