Chapter Text
The transition from best friends to lovers was, to put it simply, very seamless.
Ikjun was in her office as usual whenever they were both on duty, while she prepped coffee for both of them. When she looked up, her gaze fell onto the droplets on her window.
"It's raining!" she murmured giddily, hastening in her process in making coffee. She shot a quick glance at an oblivious Ikjun, who was busy playing games on his phone. Her cheeks pinked as she recalled the last time they were alone here; if it weren't for that phone call, Songhwa didn't know if she could stop herself from reaching out to Ikjun. He looked particularly warm and irresistible that night. It also didn't help that the lazy smile on his face made her heart race.
She took a deep breath and grabbed their mugs, placing Ikjun's carefully on the coffee table. "Enjoy some coffee, Professor," she said in a teasing tone, grinning at a surprised Ikjun.
"Thank you, Professor," he quipped, an amused smile on his lips.
She flushed slightly, and hastily turned to the window above her couch. "It's raining now," she told him, a hand reaching out to unlock the window.
Once she settled herself, she momentarily forgot about his presence. She inhaled deeply, relaxing at the soothing scent and noise, and smiled at the slight breeze entering through her window. For a moment, it was peaceful. For a moment, Songhwa remembered the way she saw rain as the manifestation of her hopes and dreams. For a moment, she reminisced the nights she allowed herself to be weak and open her heart to the only person she loved.
Until she felt the warmth of his body next to her.
She didn't turn, but she could feel his smile and look of awe towards the sky. Her heart was pounding as she fidgeted with her mug, mustering all the courage to say the words that had been forming in her heart for a while now.
She glanced at Ikjun from the corner of her eye, and prayed that she wouldn't make the same mistakes this time.
"Ikjun-ah."
He hummed.
"When we're free… let's spend time together like this."
He turned to her, a little puzzled.
"Whether it's raining… or not… let's just be together like this," she told him, with more confidence than she currently felt. Finally looking him in the eye, she added, "Just the two of us."
I want to be with you, she tried to say with her gaze. Please stay with me?
His eyes widened. He stared at her long and hard, his expression went from disbelief, hope, and finally happiness.
Songhwa's heart skipped a beat as a slow smile began to form on his lips. "Can Uju come too?" he asked, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
Can my son be a part of this too? Can you accept part of my past as your present and future?
Songhwa laughed, her heart swelling from happiness. "Uju is welcomed anytime, anywhere."
She could see his eyes start to fill with tears, as if he was still in disbelief that this was happening for real. Her heart clenched in guilt for planting this doubt in him, but she was here now, not running away or pretending he had stopped loving her because she told him to. She reached out to hold his hand, deliberately touching him, and squeezed it gently.
He looked down onto their hands, and shifted her hold until their hands intertwined. He was smiling, brighter than she'd ever seen, and she started to smile too at the beautiful sight.
"Yes, Songhwa," he eventually answered her untold question. "My free time is yours."
As I am.