Waterfalls || Yeonbin

chapter 22: librarian

June 12, 1940

Soobin cuddled closer to me as I brought the blankets over us. Whenever we have intimate relations like this, Soobin gets very sleepy afterwards. Even though we're going to have to go back to work at some point, we can at least relax a bit before we have to leave. I always want to have the chance to hold him, especially after we do this. It's like I get really concerned and really protective of him, wanting to make sure he's alright in this vulnerable state. I mean, I always worry a lot about Soobin, and I think I'm in love with him.

I've felt this way for a while, but Soobin hasn't brought it up in the slightest, so I don't want to scare him away. But we've been together for over seven months. Are we even technically together? We've never really discussed labels other than being lovers, but doesn't this make us boyfriends? Isn't seven months enough time to tell whether you love someone or not? I don't think I've ever been in love before, so I really have no idea. All I know is that I can't lose Soobin. I would never let that happen.

"Darling? May I ask a question?" I asked, hearing him hum in response.

"Are we boyfriends?"

He hesitated, "What do you mean?"

"Like when a man and a woman are together before engagement."

He sighed, not even tilting his head up to look at me, "We can never get married, Dan."

I pouted at the thought, "I know, but I'm not having relations with anyone else. I just want to be with you."

I could see the dimple forming in his cheek, knowing he was smiling as he replied, "I'm not either. I only want to be with you."

I smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of his head, "Then boyfriends it is, hmm?"

"Yes, I would assume so." He replied, noticing how the dimple in his cheek went in further, like he was smiling wider.

I gently slid the tips of my fingers along his bare upper arm, feeling his soft skin for a moment before asking, "Does it hurt when we have sex?"

He giggled, tilting his head a bit to look up at me, "A little bit in the beginning, but then it fades away. And then the next day I'm sore sometimes."

My eyes went a little wide, quickly bringing my hand up to his cheek, "Why have you never told me?

He giggled again, "I didn't want you to worry like this."

"Are you alright? I-I could get you some—"

"Yeonjun, I'm fine..." Soobin said, cutting me off, "I just want to be next to you. That's all... You're the one who's hurt in the first place."

I was still concerned, "Are you sure? Because anything you need and—"

"I promise, I'm fine." Soobin said, interrupting me again as he smiled, looking like a little bunny.

I sighed, holding him closer to protect him as I mumbled, "Alright."

He giggled again, his angelic little laugh flowing through my ears, "Speaking of which, you should put your sling back on."

"I'm fine..." I replied, even though it wasn't the truth. My shoulder doesn't hurt nearly as bad as a week ago, but it definitely still hurts. I leaned down and kissed his forehead to reassure him, "Don't fret."

Soobin smiled and tilted his head back down, rubbing his hand over my stomach. He started tracing the outline of my muscles a minute later, making me chuckle as I looked down, "Do you like them?"

"Like what?" He asked, still using his index finger to outline my abdominals.

"My muscles you're currently tracing."  I replied, making him go still.