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sneaking out at the middle of the night with kuchen gave you some thrill you never expect; eyes gazing at the car window, watching as the scenery changes in every minute. glancing to kuchen in your left who was driving the car with one hand on the stirring wheel with a stern expression plastered on his face while his other hand resting on the window sill of the car.
a wave of overwhelming emotions washed over your whole being as your eyes linger to his entrancing visage; his soft brown locks slightly blowing out of his face from the breeze outside, his scintillating hazel brown orbs flickering towards your figure every now and then to check on you whether you're alright.
the reason why the two of you were out in the dead of the night was because you couldn't sleep; repeatedly tossing and turning in your bed—resulting of the decision to roam around the guild with only a lamp and warm comfy blanket hanging over your shoulders; also wondering about the possibilities of phantoms roaming alongside with you.
then suddenly bumping to kuchen in the halls, you nearly scream in bloody murder at the unexpected sight of him. he asked why you were still out late at night with slight concern in his tone but like the oblivious fool you are—you didn't noticed.
you voiced out your concerns to him in which he suggested to drive you around anywhere you want to go; just to ease your worries away and you agreed.
suddenly, your eyes slightly widen when his palm cupped your cheek and his thumb brushed over the obvious bag underneath your eye; his eyes flashed with unknown glint then he pulled away as he walked ahead of you while you blinked in confusion as why did that; ignoring the fact that your traitorous heart beating faster than usual in his previous gesture.
now here we are—driving in the middle of nowhere with him, the stars, and the moon. still, you tried to think back about what happened earlier and what made him do that.
it was really surprising that the two of you managed to be friends. as you recall a year ago, his mere sight infuriated you to the core—always glaring at him with great disdain and it made emma question your slight hostile behavior towards kuchen but you only huffed and walked away that time; mumbling about hating the likes of him who only fools around.
from that day after meeting him, you didn't know if destiny was trying to make fun of you and aggravate you even further—wherever you go, he was always right there to annoy you with his teasing remarks.
but that changed when emma assigned you to observe the gastronomy guild for a while and witnessed the sight what people always talk about kuchen being a prodigy in making chocolates—his expression was stern and focused as he pour the chocolate ganache over the cake with great precision, his hazel brown jewels that glint with pride over his successful craft again. that's the first time you've ever seen him in action and how his passion can be seen through his work.
you admired him for that.
the way your heart pounded unexpectedly as kuchen locked his eyes with you—a shiver ran down through your spine as you met his alluring gaze. he sauntered towards your direction with a slice of chocolate cake he just made, placing the plate in front of you.
"for you."
"why?"
"you were despondent earlier. i made this to cheer you up."
you wouldn't forget his expression when he answered your question—gazing at you with a swirling hint of fondness as if he's looking at you like his lover, so different to his usual stoic demeanor.
that day, something within you stirred and you were afraid to acknowledge it.
snapping out of your reverie when the car halted, it seems the two of you finally reach your destination.
"are you okay? you were distracted." kuchen ask as he turns to you with a raised eyebrow.
"yes, i'm okay. just lost in my thoughts."
kuchen seems satisfied with your answer and both of you got out of the car. the sound of ocean waves resonated around the area and it instantly calms you down, inhaling the scent of ocean breeze and exhaling it as your eyes found its way up to the bright moon hovering above with stars strewn across the night sky—it made you feel so nostalgic for some reason.
kuchen decide to give his black leather jacket to you and hangs it over your shoulders, making sure it wouldn't fall and comfortable enough for you. giving him your thanks, you let out a sigh as you rest against the trunk of his car—seemingly deep in thought.
"penny for your thoughts?"
he situated himself beside you, close enough to feel his warmth and get a whiff of his enticing scent—he smells like grapefuit but there's a hint of white wood and blackberry mixed in his scent.
"just admiring the stars and reminiscing the times when i was a little." you answer, letting out a heavy sigh.
"thank you, kuchen. for taking me here." you added, chuckling a little bit with slight embarrassment, "i'm sorry for taking up your time. i feel so awful."
kuchen clicked his tongue and brought his hand to mess up your hair as he completely faced you.
"i did this on my own accord. i don't think that you're a bother at all. besides, i know you have a habit to overthink things so i suggested this."
your eyes widen at this, "you... noticed?"
kuchen leans even closer to you and your breath hitched at this sudden closeness between the two of you; his hand, which was in your hair earlier, travels down to cup your cheek completely like he did earlier in the halls—his hazel eyes swirling with obvious affection towards you. your stomach dropped at the sight whether in a good way or bad way, you don't know.
"i always noticed everything about you." he uttered this words in a hushed tone as if he's sharing a secret solely to you.
"with the way you smile and laugh, to the way you move, your eyes crinkling in delight when doing silly things. i know about your favorite food and dessert. the songs and books that made you cry and many more. everything about you were all etched in my memory. it's impossible to get you out of my head now." he chuckled deeply.
hearing him say that with his eyes gazing at yours intensely made you completely flustered and the butterflies in your stomach wants to burst out of their cage, your heart fluttering at his words.
the both of you continue to stare at each other, completely mesmerize to one another. suddenly, kuchen hold the back of your nape as he leans forward and close his eyes; pulling you to a kiss filled with so much longing—his brows furrowed in concentration as he kisses you with so much fervor and passion; pouring out his untold feelings into the kiss.
so many thoughts running through your head in this moment and you pulled away from the kiss, gripping his shirt as your head facing down with your eyes closed; trying not to be emotional.
you felt him resting his forehead against yours. opening your eyes to reveal your tears gathering at the corner of your eyes.
"why? why did you kissed me?"
"isn't it obvious? i ardently fell in love with you, [name]."
your silence made him worry as he felt his heart dropped at the possibility of rejection—but if you reject his feelings, kuchen is willing to step back because he doesn't want to force himself on you.
"do you truly mean it?"
asking him with desperation in your voice, searching through his eyes to detect any lies within them yet you saw none of that.
cupping your cheeks with both of his hands as you feel his lips planting a kiss on your forehead—sealing his promise of devotion to you.
after that, he interlocked his hand with yours and planting a kiss on your knuckles as he stares deeply into your eyes with lidded eyes and a soft smile forming on his sensuous lips.
"i truly mean what i said." he assured you, then placing your palm on his chest where you could feel his heart racing—not breaking his gaze away from you.
"can you feel my heart racing for you? you always made me feel this way whenever you're around. i'm really glad that i met you and i have to say that—i've been envisioning my future with you by my side."
an earnest expression plastered on his face as he professed his genuine feelings to you.
letting out a sigh of relief as you look at him with a soft smile, "i'll look forward to that."
his eyes widen at your response and one look in your face—eyes twinkling in satisfaction and contentment paired with lovestruck smile in your delectable lips that makes him want to kiss you again—he knows that you reciprocate his feelings.
wrapping one arm loosely around your waist as the other hand cup your cheek once again, leaning towards your face making you lean forward too. the two of you shared a passionate kiss, lips moving against each other with ardor—your hands slightly gripping his dark brown locks and messing it.
pulling away from the kiss as both of you pant heavily; your eyes trailing over his slight swollen lips then travelling up to his eyes—your heart aching with so much affection and love towards this man.
"i'm going to spoil you a lot more from now on." kuchen said as he pull you closer to him and brushing back some of your hair.
"in return, i'll spoil you too and support you to chase your dreams." you declared, planting a kiss on his jawline.
kuchen whispered the sacred three words in your ear along with his promise of forever.
with that, the two of you spent the night away in the trunk and occasionally sharing a kiss to each other every now and then without any worries—just you, him, and the moon witnessing the shared love between the two of you along with the sound of waves crashing against each other.