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Sunghoon spends one too many sleepless nights dreaming of a distant figure. A distant figure with dark hair and crescent moon eyes.
His arms hurts. Almost as if a thread was coiled tight around it, cutting off blood and turning it pale.
Swinging his legs off the bed, Sunghoon leaned on his elbows and stared at his hands. There’s no thread. So why did it feel like he’s being pulled taught every time he dreams of a pretty smile and fair skin.
He dreams of a ghost, and his body reacts as if the memories are real.
Sunghoon ran his hand down his arm a couple times, as if it would brush away the feeling of the phantom threads. It doesn’t, so he ignored it like every other day and went about his morning.
Park Sunghoon lived his life with routine and discipline. He never strayed from it. Gym in the morning, quick breakfast at home, subway to work, lunch, and then straight back home. His friends will drag him out on weekends sometimes, but otherwise, Sunghoon lived his life like every other 25 year old.
But then again, not every 25 year old had recurring dreams of the same person they could not put a name to.
Sunghoon doesn’t like straying from routine. But his gym session ran an extra 30 minutes and he wouldn’t have enough time to make breakfast at home.
So spotting a coffee shop not too far ahead, Sunghoon quickly stepped in, eager to get out of Seoul’s cold morning air.
The bell above the door chimed, and with it— the first shift in Sunghoon’s routine rippled like a quantum wave through time.
A small line had formed, so he scrolled through his phone as he waited. When it finally came for his turn to order, Sunghoon put his phone down and faced the barista. She asked how his day was, asked if he was interested in their special menu for the day.
Never one for casual conversation with people he didn’t know, Sunghoon quickly cut in with an awkward apology.
“That’s okay,” the barista said with a knowing grin, “Not many people like mint chocolate anyway. We make a new variation every season, it’s always a hit or miss.“
Sunghoon nodded, hoping she would stop talking so he could put in his order already. But he didn’t want to cut her off again, thinking it would come off as rude.
“—The guy before you, though, was ecstatic. Ordered two larges just for himself!”
It was pure curiosity and the human body’s innate reaction to linguistics that made Sunghoon look back.
Time seemed to… slow down. The girl behind the counter continued to rant about something but he could no longer hear her. Even the chatter in the cafe seemed to idle down to a hum.
Through the glass of the shop, Sunghoon could make out a figure. A young man. He was with someone, holding up the two large drinks in his hands with a sparkle of excitement.
But Sunghoon could only focus on one thing. He had a mask on his face and a thick scarf high around his neck that left only the top half of his face visible.
Smiling crescent eyes.
Sunghoon’s heart thudded in his ears and he swallowed hard.
“Sir? Is everything okay?”
He snapped back.
“Yeah, I’ll… I’ll have a medium coffee with two sugars, please. And a croissant.”
When Sunghoon looked back again, the man was no longer there.
His arm hurts.
-x-x-x-
The subway platform couldn’t be busier. A weekday morning, early enough that half of Seoul had gathered here to head towards their seperate destinations. Sunghoon stood near the yellow line, hands tucked into his coat pockets, head lowered as the train approached.
He hadn’t slept much again. The dreams came back, somehow more vivid than the last couple weeks. The same figure, same smile, same feeling of being pulled from the inside out. His arm still ached faintly, a dull pulse beneath the skin, but he ignored it.
The train slowed to a stop and people rushed to get in. It was almost full when Sunghoon noticed a mother behind him, struggling with her baby stroller.
His conscience nudged him aside. He stepped back to let her pass, and only then realized the car had filled completely. It was packed. He couldn’t squeeze in even if he tried.
Sunghoon never missed his 9.15 train. But it looks like he’ll be taking the next one now.
A voice cracked over the intercom, announcing the next train’s arrival in 16 minutes, and with it— the second shift in Sunghoon’s routine rippled outward.
Stepping away from the yellow line, Sunghoon began pacing around for a couple minutes when his phone began to ring. Jay.
“Hello?”
“Sunghoon-ah! What’re you doing? Are you busy?”
“I missed my first train, just waiting for the next one right now. What’s up?” Sunghoon kept his eyes on the clock, counting down the minutes.
“Jungwon’s planning a little get together over the weekend. Riki is visiting, so he wants the entire group at the restaurant on Sunday for lunch. You in?”
“Uh…” Sunghoon scratched the back of his neck, thinking, “This Sunday?”
“Yup. And don’t even think abut saying no. I called you as a formality— I would’ve dragged you myself anyway.”
“Alright man… I’ll see you guys on Sunday, I guess.” Sunghoon sighed, huffing out a small laugh, “Not like I have a choice or anything, huh?”
“Glad we came to an agreement.”
A couple more minutes went by and Sunghoon continued to chat with his friend. The sound of rushing air filled the station as another train arrived on the opposite track. Sunghoon’s eyes strayed away from the clock to the other platform.
Through the glass of its windows, a blur of faces passed by: commuters, students, men in suits and then—
Sunghoon’s breath caught and he could no longer hear Jay.
A man stood across from him in the other train. Through the thick glass he could recognise the dark hair falling over his eyes. He didn’t have a mask on this time, but his scarf was still high on his neck and it revealed to Sunghoon the most beautiful face, with the most serene expression: fox eyes, blushed cheeks, fair skin.
The train doors slid close with a hiss, and for one impossible heartbeat, the two of them looked directly at each other, across the tracks, through glass and distance.
The man’s eyes widened slightly and Sunghoon felt it instantly: the same tightening in his arm, sharper this time, coiling and constricting. His fingers twitched.
Without thinking, he stepped forward.
The man mirrored the motion, just slightly, pressing closer to the window. A mirrored reflection, a thread stretching between them.
Then came the chime, the voice over the intercom spoke again and the train took off, carrying the man with it.
Just who is he? Why did he feel familiar? Did he… recognise me?
He recalled the crescent eyes from his dreams… but surely that was a coincidence, no?
Sunghoon stood there with his phone gripped tight in his hand, his friend’s voice a distant echo.
“Park Sunghoon!”
Sunghoon snapped back into reality. He blinked, and the tightening in his chest uncoiled a little.
“S-sorry,” he said, clearing his throat, “What were you saying?”
-x-x-x-
There’s laughter, good food, and drinks around him. Everything one may need to get out their head for a little while. So even with Heeseung’s arm thrown over his shoulder, and Riki doubling over in laughter beside him, why could Sunghoon only manage a small smile and nod along to their antics.
The familiar feeling of thread coiling cut at him and Sunghoon looked down. But there was nothing on his arm or hand. There never was.
He shook off the sensation, raising his glass when Jungwon made a toast. Everyone clinched their glasses and chatter boomed anew.
It was a good time, for sure. Sunghoon just felt sorry to his friends for not fully being present— his mind being caught up on mysterious figures and confusing phantoms and such.
They settled the bill, promised to keep in touch, and said their byes. Jungwon and Jay lived in the apartment above the restaurant, Riki was staying with Heeseung for the remainder of his visit and Jake had left a little earlier so that he wouldn’t miss his bus.
That left Sunghoon with a little time on his hands and he decided to take a short walk before heading home. It was nice outside, with clear skies and singing birds.
Sunghoon snuggled his face closer to the scarf around his neck and sighed out softly, the warmth of his breath caressing his cold skin. With his hands tucked in his pockets, he walked aimlessly, no specific destination in mind.
The streets were calmer here, away from the restaurant district. A few cars passed, a couple walking their dog, kids going home after school. Ordinary things, ordinary sounds.
And yet, with every few steps, the faint tug in his arm returned. Subtle at first, then firmer, like something was guiding him forward.
He frowned, clenching his fists in his pockets. The sensation pulsed once more before fading entirely. Maybe it was just the cold. Maybe.
He turned a corner without thinking, following the narrow street that sloped gently downward. Someone walked past him in the opposite direction, and a waft of honey and sweetness swept over Sunghoon.
He slowed down before stopping completely.
A couple heartbeats later, he turned around. The man who had walked past him had also frozen in place a few paces ahead, his back facing Sunghoon.
He observed his dark hair and long coat, taking in a shaky breath before speaking.
“Excuse me…”
The man turned sharply when he spoke, and Sunghoon’s breath caught in his throat. His body ached.
He stared at Sunghoon with the prettiest, most twinkling eyes— the same eyes Sunghoon dreamt about almost every night.
The world around them stilled, going silent except for the blowing wind between them.
He didn’t speak, waiting for Sunghoon to continue.
“Do I…” Sunghoon swallowed thickly, tilting his head slightly, unsure, “Do I… know you?”
Even from a short distance, Sunghoon could see the faint sheen of gloss over the man’s eyes… he looked teary, as if the simple question affected him greatly.
He didn’t answer for a long moment, and Sunghoon let out a small, helpless laugh, “I didn’t mean to stop you to waste your time or anything— I’m sure you’ve got places to be, it’s just that… I feel like I know you.”
A heavy sigh fell from the mans pink lips and his eyebrows twitched, “We’ve never met.”
As sweet as his voice was, the words weirdly disappointed Sunghoon and he nodded with a clenched jaw, ready to just walk away and brush this entire thing under the rug.
“But…” The man suddenly spoke again, unsure and a little shy, “I feel like I know you too…”
Sunghoon unconsciously took a couple steps closer, his voice barely above a whisper, “You do?”
“I… I think so?” He murmured, tilting his head up slightly when the taller man got near, “I don’t know how but… I recognise certain things about you. I’ve seen them in my…”
He trailed off, pursing his lips but Sunghoon understood.
“Dreams,” Sunghoon finished for him, a soft smile curving his lips, “So have I.”
The wind howled quietly as they stared at each other on this silent street, unsure about where to go from here.
Leaving didn’t feel right.
“Can I ask for your name?” Sunghoon asked, his smile turning almost boyish. It was a start.
The man nodded gently, a smile tugging at his lips, “Kim Sunoo… and you are?”
“Park Sunghoon.”
And like warmth seeping into frozen fingers, the coiling around his arms eased away, vanishing completely.
“Uhm,” Sunoo spoke, pointing down the street, “There’s a cafe down this street. Do you, maybe, want to grab something with me?”
“Yes,” The word slipped out before the question even fully registered in his head. Sunghoon bit the inside of his cheek, certain he’d embarrassed himself, but the soft giggle that escaped Sunoo’s lips soothed the sting left by his teeth.
They headed to the cafe together, side by side, and when the bell above the door chimed— the thread that interlinked them as one rippled like a wave, burning at both ends and setting their hearts ablaze.
Inside, they sat, a little too close for it to be called casual, yet neither of them willing to create distance. Words tumbled softly between them about the dreams dreamt, threads felt, and all the nothings and everythings of their quiet lives.
It was within the warmth of this cafe that their heartbeats synced, like two rivers finding the same current. Fate would carry them into the years ahead as one: their first date, first kiss, first anniversary, first night under the same roof, another anniversary, before finally: a ring.
And when their bones soften and their souls wither away, it would be as one again— for even in an afterlife, the thread that bound them would hold fast, keeping them forever close, never apart.