Chapter Text
“I think I’ll miss you…”
He looked at her longingly as he let out those words. His fingers itching to tuck the stray of hair that got loose behind her ear. The tension between them palpable as they said their goodbye’s that night, neither one willing to let the other go. He saw sadness and longing in the pair of eyes that were staring straight back at him. He decided to rest his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, but then it felt heavier, slowly going down her arm, languidly caressing her elbow down to her wrist, feeling the softness of her palm up to the tips of her fingers. It lasted mere seconds but felt like an eternity as they tried to convey emotions that they could not speak out.
I’ll miss you more. She thought, but she had no courage to say it out loud. They just finished their last day of taping and as a thank you for being such a good partner, Yoon Seok offered to drive her home. He rarely drives himself to work but it so happened that this morning, knowing it will be their last filming day, he thought of driving himself without the hassle of people waiting for him to wrap up his farewell. When she came to set that evening, with her hair down, with very little make up on, in the most simplest of clothes, and looking most breathtakingly possible, he knew he wanted to spend more time with her.
Now here they were. In front of her apartment door. Mere inches apart. Should he hug her? Kiss her? Shake her hand after saying good bye, it’s been great working with you? Instead of giving in to his inner debacle he decided to do what his instincts were telling him. His smile reached his eyes as he opened his arms to her. And to his surprise, she closed the gap between them burying her face at the crook of his neck. She took a deep breath, taking his scent in, ingraining in her memory this familiar feeling of being in his arms.
This reminded him of their last scene in the hospital where he took comfort in her arms in the fire exit staircase. But this felt different. More intimate. This felt like a goodbye but not yet. It felt like a surrender to all the hesitations they both had. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, resting his chin on her shoulder. As he felt her relaxing in his embrace, he felt her tilt her head back in an attempt to look at his face. As he moved his head to look down he felt it. The most lightest of touch, of her lips grazing his chin. It was enough to break his resolve. His hands moved to cup her face and he was lost in those eyes that were telling him a thousand words that he could not figure out.
She was at a loss for words. It was merely an accidental touch of her lips. But the moment she felt the soft stubble on his chin, she decided to linger for a few seconds. And when her eyes met his, she gave up all hope of keeping this goodbye friendly. He was looking deep in her eyes searching for an answer to a question she knew he was trying to convey. She gave the slightest nod and then felt his hands cupping her face, his fingers caressing her neck and that place behind her ears that would always send tingles down to her spine. And he felt his face inching closer until they were only breaths apart.
This scene too felt familiar. Like that scene in the garden where they had to kiss multiple times waiting for the train to pass by. However, this too felt different. It felt like time was slowing down and every touch was electric.
She decided to close her eyes as he moved closer. His lips a hairs breath away from hers. He was lingering, as though asking her if she was sure. There was no going back from here. She tilted her head further closing the gap. It was soft at first, gentle, the way she knew he kissed. Then she pulled him closer deepening the pressure between their lips causing him to give a soft moan. He opened his mouth, taking in her upper lip, grazing his tongue, inviting her to open up to him. And she did, mirroring the actions his lips and tongue were doing to her.
The exchange of breaths was exhilirating, there was urgency but also gentleness in his kisses. And she was spiraling. No more double guessing. No more hesitating. Come what may.
When it felt like they were both out of breath, he rested his forehead on hers. He took both of her hands in his, took a deep breath, and gave her one last peck. The smile he was giving her was blinding. She dared not look at him back, she knew her face was crimson and looking at him would only turn her beet red.
“Hey…” He was trying to make her look at him. “Hyun Beenah…” the sound of her name from his lips was so soft that she decided she had to face him.
“This isn’t a good bye is it?” She dared ask. Bringing to light the fear of what that kiss meant.
“No…more like, I want to see you again.” He was being playful this time. “So….does your answer mean that you want to see me again too?”
She gave him a shy smile. But it made the dents in her cheeks deeper. “Yes…I want to see you again…soon.” Yoon Seok could only laugh at her response. He was extremely happy at this moment, which was a confession of sorts for both of them. From flirtatious banters and casual touches to taking this leap. He couldn’t feel more excited.
“Do you want to come in? I have some really good coffee..” Better to be daring tonight after that kiss she thought. She wasn’t expecting anything. She just wanted this night to last longer. It felt like she was in a bubble and did not want to end this floating sensation just yet.
“I do…I really do….” He paused. This was it she thought. Maybe he realized he shouldn’t have kissed her. “---but I’m afraid that if I go inside we won’t end up having coffee.”
“Ah…” Men and women do think differently she thought. She just wanted a deeper conversation with him about this path they were about to tread. She had no idea he was thinking of something entirely different. But to be honest, if he were to do anything to her that night she might have just followed his lead. Which may be too premature for them, without knowing what they ‘were’ exactly.
“This isn’t goodbye.” As if he just heard her internal debate. “It’s just a good night.” He still hasn’t let go of her yet. He squeezed both of her hands reassuringly.
“When do I get to see you again?” She asked with a pout. Her lips still a bit swollen from earlier.
“We have to shoot the variety show starting tomorrow. That will take a week. So maybe after that?”
“Hmm…Ah…” She suddenly remembered something but decided against saying it. “So I will see you in a week?” She decided to say instead. Thankfully he didn’t notice her slip. She was scheduled to shoot something tomorrow but was sworn to secrecy by Shin PD. Even she did not know the details. She was just instructed to bring a weeks worth of clothes and to come early to the set tomorrow.
Yoon Seok was still smiling ear to ear. “I really have to let go of your hand now…” Hyun Been couldn’t help but giggle at the aigoo face he was giving her. “But it seems like I cant let go..”
“How about this..” It was 3 am, they have to let go eventually. She slowly pried her right hand from his but was still keeping a tight hold on the other. This made Yoon Seok pout a bit more, feigning sadness. She gave him a quick peck on the lips which earned her a smile from the beautiful man in front of him. “Good night Yoon Seok-shi…”
“Before I say good night, I want you to know that I’m all in for this…” His face turning serious but his tone gentle as always. “Whatever this is we’ve started…I’m all for it.” He felt like he needed to assure her that this kiss, this elated feeling, it wasn’t just a one time thing. But something he wanted to explore further with her.
“Me too…” and there it was again, that bright smile plastered on his face. “Let’s take this one step at a time…” Her lips were inviting, and as if he couldn’t resist, he leaned down and captured her lips for a kiss. A little deeper than the one she gave him. A kiss that carried a promise. A promise of moving forward together.
“Good night Hyun Beenie.”