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The night had settled over Seoul, rain tapping softly against the windows of their home. It wasn’t a storm, just a gentle drizzle, the kind that made the world slow down. Hyunwoo loosened his tie as he stepped inside, the scent of home wrapping around him. He was exhausted, but the moment he saw Haein curled up on the couch, scrolling through her phone, something in him eased. “Hey,” she greeted, glancing up. “You’re late.” “Long day.” He sighed, dropping his bag and jacket. “Soobin asleep?” Haein nodded. “She was out the moment her head hit the pillow. She played too much today.” Hyunwoo chuckled. “She said I don’t have enough fun.” Haein laughed softly. “She’s not wrong.”
Hyunwoo walked over and collapsed beside her, his head resting against the back of the couch. For a moment, they just sat there, the sound of rain filling the space between them. Then, Haein reached out, her fingers running through his hair. Hyunwoo closed his eyes. “That feels nice.” She hummed. “You should get changed.” “Too tired.” Haein rolled her eyes but continued stroking his hair, her touch slow and gentle. “Do you want to eat something?” Hyunwoo turned his head, looking up at her. “Are you going to feed me?” Haein smirked. “You wish." But she stood up anyway, stretching as she walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll make something light." Hyunwoo watched her go, feeling that familiar warmth spread through his chest.
The kitchen was quiet, the soft glow of the stovetop light making the space feel cozy. Haein stood at the counter, sleeves rolled up, attempting to cut fruit. It should’ve been simple, but the knife felt awkward in her grip, and the apple kept slipping on the cutting board. She frowned, adjusting her hold, only for the slice to come out uneven. Hyunwoo, casually leaning against the counter, grinned. “You look like you’re planning a battle.” She huffed. “I’m concentrating.” He walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. “You’re struggling.” “No, I’m not.” He rested his chin on her shoulder, eyeing her latest attempt. “That’s the thickest apple slice I’ve ever seen.” Haein scowled, picking up the piece and holding it up. “It’s fine.” Hyunwoo bit back a laugh. “It’s a chunk.”
She rolled her eyes and reached for another slice, but before she could cut, his hands covered hers, steadying them. “Like this,” he murmured, guiding her grip. Haein sighed. “I can do it myself.” “I know.” His lips brushed against her shoulder. “But it’s more fun this way.” She huffed but didn’t argue, letting him linger, the warmth of his body a steady presence behind her. After a moment, she sighed. “Sometimes I think about how different life was before.” Hyunwoo hummed. “Before what?” “Before you.” He leaned back slightly, narrowing his eyes. “Are you saying life was better before me?” She smirked, finally turning to face him. “I’m saying it’s different.” “Better or worse?” She tilted her head, biting her lower lip as if considering. Hyunwoo scoffed. “Just say you love me and save us both the trouble.” Haein laughed, looping her arms around his neck. “I do.” He grinned. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.” She tilted her head up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “I know.”
**The Rain Continues**
Later, after finishing the fruit and stealing a few more kisses, they ended up on the couch again. Hyunwoo lay stretched out, his head in Haein’s lap, while she ran her fingers through his hair. The rain outside hadn’t stopped. “You remember how we ended up at that school?” Haein asked suddenly. Hyunwoo hummed, eyes half-lidded as he rested against her lap. “Of course I do.” “You suddenly grabbed my wrist,” she mused, her fingers idly stroking his hair. “You were running ahead too fast,” he murmured, voice thick with drowsiness. “It was raining. I was afraid you’d slip.” Haein’s hand paused for a moment before continuing its gentle motions. “And then I did.” Hyunwoo let out a quiet sigh, turning his face slightly against her. “I felt terrible.” She glanced down at him, resting her hand lightly against his chest. “You didn’t even say anything.”
Hyunwoo chuckled, eyes still closed. “You were already sulking. If I mentioned it, you’d have gone on about how it wasn’t actually a fall.” Haein’s face turned pink, but she quickly masked her embarrassment with a playful pout. She straightened her shoulders, trying to look dignified despite the sparkle of mischief in her eyes”. “It wasn’t a fall. It was a very controlled, dignified stumble. Hyunwoo let out a quiet chuckle. “Oh? A ‘dignified stumble’?” “Yes.” She lifted her chin. “My foot just temporarily lost contact with the ground, but I maintained my composure. There was no flailing, no panic. I landed with grace.” He raised a brow. “You landed on your hands and knees.”
She shot back, eyes twinkling with playful defiance. “That was part of my recovery strategy!.” He laughed, eyes still half-closed. “A ‘tactical recovery.’ Is that what you’re calling it?" Haein smirked, rolling her eyes in mock defiance. “You know, I didn’t need saving.” Hyunwoo opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Haein suddenly cupped his face in her hands. Her fingers slid gently over his cheeks, and then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she pinched them, causing his lips to pout slightly. Hyunwoo blinked, his expression caught somewhere between surprise and amusement, but he didn’t protest. He simply let her have her moment, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched her. “Still so serious,” Haein teased, her lips curving into a playful smile. She released his cheeks, but her fingers lingered, tracing the line of his jaw.
Hyunwoo, still grinning at the attention, leaned into her touch. “I think it’s adorable,” Hyunwoo teased, his voice warm. “That you can’t even admit you’re defensive about it.” Haein narrowed her eyes at him, trying to hold her ground. “I’m not defensive,” she insisted, though she could feel her heart racing at his words. He tilted his head, his smirk widening. “You are. You just get all flustered when I call you out on it.” Haein felt the heat rise in her face and quickly looked away, but her fingers nervously toyed with the hem of her sleeve. She tried to look serious, but her blush betrayed her. “Oh, but you are,” Hyunwoo teased, gently tapping her chin with his finger. “And I think it’s incredibly cute.” Her breath caught at his touch, and she froze, feeling her cheeks heat up even more. “Stop,” she muttered, but it came out softer than she intended. Her voice trembled as she looked up at him, meeting his eyes. “This isn’t the time for compliments.”
Hyunwoo let out a soft laugh, catching the faint blush on her face. He didn’t need to say much, the look in her eyes said it all. “You’re cute when you’re pretending not to be,” he teased, his voice low but affectionate. She rolled her eyes playfully, though she couldn't keep the smile off her face. “I’m not pretending,” she argued, though the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve betrayed her. “Oh, but you are,” Hyunwoo said, leaning in slightly. His hand gently brushed against hers, his touch subtle but comforting. “I can always tell when you’re trying to hide something.” Haein sighed, the warmth from his presence making her feel both calm and flustered at the same time. “You really think so?” she asked, her voice a little softer now, not quite matching the feigned annoyance. “Of course I do,” he replied, his voice a gentle tease. “I know you better than that.”
Haein looked down at Hyunwoo as he lay with his head in her lap, his eyes closed in relaxed contentment. “Maybe I’m just not used to being caught so easily,” she said softly, her fingers lightly brushing through his hair. Hyunwoo let out a low chuckle, his voice soft and sleepy. “You’re too easy to read,” he said, shifting just slightly so he could rest his arm around her waist, pulling her closer in a subtle yet intimate gesture. “You’re impossible,” Haein whispered, but the affection in her tone was unmistakable. “Impossible, huh?” Hyunwoo smirked, his arms tightening slightly around her waist, feeling the warmth of her against him. “I think you secretly love it.” She felt her cheeks warm at the closeness, but she didn’t pull away. “Maybe,” she said softly, her fingers brushing his cheek before settling gently at the back of his head. Hyunwoo’s smile softened as he closed his eyes, his grip on her waist tender. “Maybe is enough for me,” he murmured, his voice full of contentment as he snuggled deeper into her lap.