You Make Me Better

As We Dream

The long cold halls of the mostly empty aquarium felt like you were swimming for the first time in years. Chaeyeon's warm hand and bright smile kept your heart and mind afloat amidst this atmosphere. You must have been nervous at some level though, as Chaeyeon felt your hand grip hers tighter than before.

She looked at you with those caring eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's alright." You weakly smiled at her. "I'm just not the greatest around water."

She stopped walking, concerned. "Oh, I'm sorry, we can leave if you want."

"No, I'll be alright. Normally I wouldn't be able to come this far, but your presence grants me great strength."

She looked down and half smiled, still feeling bad about unknowingly bringing you into this situation. "We'll be quick then." She patted your hand affectionately and began to led you onward, taking you into a tube structure, where you could observe the marine life all around you. It was beautiful yet terrifying.

"(Y/n), I've been wondering. Last night at dinner you said you were going to tell me something after we left the restaurant, but you never did. What did you have on your mind?"

You took her other hand and looked her in the eyes. "Before I tell you, I need you to answer a question of my own. How much do you want to know about me?"

Chaeyeon seemed flustered by your question. Her face became serious. "Is there something I wouldn't want to know?"

"I haven't done anything wrong if that's what you're asking. I'm just—well, I suppose there's no other way to say it—I'm a mess." The both of you sat down on a bench, wrapped in the deep blue light. "This morning as I washed up, I had some sort of... incident... before I knew it I was on my back."

Chaeyeon's eyes widened.

"I haven't known these feelings ever since..."

"Ever since three years ago?"

"Yeah..."

The air grew solemn.

"I don't mean to be so grim, but I really care about you, Chaeyeon, and I feel like I'm so lucky that I don't want to mess this up."

Her thumb rolled over the back of your hand. "I like you a lot, (y/n). I'm not looking to run from this."

"Now that that is done and away with, I believe I owe you an answer." You smiled.

Chae's lips curled slightly, jarred by the sudden shift in tone.

"You know how a sight can spark the imagination in ways that feel like you're seeing the future?"

She laughed, wide-eyed. "No, I can't say I do. Could you explain?"

"Yeah, maybe that's not so common... Sometimes I see something and it's almost like the rest of my life flashes before my eyes. I don't think I actually saw the future or something, it just felt like a possibility."

"So what did you see last night?"

"You.. a moonlit street behind you. Beyond that, it was as if I could see us walking to the store to pick up some groceries. Perhaps we were going to the post office to mail something. I don't know what exactly I saw. I just know that if you're willing, I want you in my future."

"(Y/n)..." she blushed.

Soaked in blue, alone together, Chaeyeon leaned in towards your face, closing her eyes. You matched her movements with your own. When you lips first met, it was more than you could imagine. There is no memory that can do the sensation justice, it simply must be experienced to comprehend. The warmth you felt, the happiness of that moment, you wanted time to stop, felt you could die happy in that moment. There were no thoughts in this, just connection, pure and happy. This is the completion you had longed for.

Breaking apart your eyes opened to that gorgeous smile. Of course, you were smiling too. You both stood up and made your way out of the aquarium. As you passed the park again, Chaeyeon seemed a tad restless.

"It's about lunchtime, no? How about we get something to eat?"

"I'd like that." You said.

Continuing onwards the both of you suggested places to eat, back and forth. Perhaps it wasn't about eating and more about getting to talk more.

"Oh, how about this place a few stops away? They make really good hotpot." She offered.

"Hmm. I could go for some hotpot."

Because the train ride was a straight shot to your target destination, the two of you were able to relax a bit in transit. Holding the safety rail with one hand and still attached with the other, Chaeyeon seized the moment and leaned her head upon your shoulder. You smiled, leaning your head back over hers. She smiled in turn.