The day I rescued you and everything changed (TxT's Soobin Fanfiction)

Chapter 7: Tell me about love

"Soobin?", I heard a slightly tired but clearly surprised voice. It made me smile. "I hope I didn't wake you?", I said. "No, not at all. I couldn't sleep anyways and tried to make myself fall asleep by listening to music", she answered. "Kasumi... Could you help me out?", I asked shyly. Silence for a second. "What do you need?", she wanted to know. "How much time do you have?", I gave back. She sighed. "All the time you need", she then assured me, "It seems quite serious, after all." I started to tell her about Ari's suggestion about the restaurant and that I wasn't sure what to do since it's so expensive. "I mean, I could afford it", I confessed, "I somehow just don't think I want it." "So?", she yawned. I furrowed my brows. "What?", I asked. "Where's the problem?", she wanted to know, "If you don't want it, tell her. She can't force you to do anything." I sighed.

"What more is there?", she asked, catching on every single detail from me. "I... I feel like her owe her", I said. "Then do it", she replied. Silence. "You really don't want to, huh?", she continued. I didn't answer. "Soobin", she began softly, "Don't let others decide what you want to do and what not. They must respect your boundaries. You can't let her-" "I think...", I interrupted her and she went silent instantly, "I think what I really want to know is... Kasumi, I hate to remind you but... What was your relationship with Minhyuk like? What makes you think it was real love?" She took a deep breath. It sounded shaky and I almost wanted to apologize as she spoke up again: "Don't worry about bringing it up. It's a legitim question. Well, then, let me tell you..."

--- Flashback ---

With sparkling eyes, I watched the people dance to the music. I didn't realize my friend grinning at me. She had almost forced me to get my ass up and join the dance class with her and I never knew that dancing would be so much fun. Jive, Discofox, Waltz – whatever came my way, I always was in. "I'll go dancing", I told her and she laughed. "I already was wondering how long you would be able to stay still this time", she gave back. I jolted up and walked over to the table my dance partner sat at. He sighed as he saw me coming. "I know nobody said anything about lady's choice, but I want to dance", I stated. "Kasumi, I really need a break", he said. I pouted. "I'll dance with her", someone else offered and stood up. Curiously I eyed the other one. He was my dance partner's friend and as far as I knew only two years older or so. And he was a good dancer, I had figured during the class. "Okay then", I said and took his offered arm as he led me away to the dance floor. That was the first time I talked to Minhyuk.

I laughed, blushing as I realized that everyone turned to me due to my habit of laughing too loud. Minhyuk grinned. "Don't worry about them", he told me, "I enjoy your laugh." I lowered my eyes flustered and he chuckled, taking my hand in his and blowing a kiss on it. "More food?", he then asked casually. I shook my head and let myself fall back into the grass. "I'm full", I announced. He had picked me up earlier this day and we went to the nearby park to have a picnic. He poked my stomach and I squeaked. "Seems like there is some more space left", he said, jokingly surprised. I laughed and hit him playfully. "That's the space I reserve for dessert", I gave back. "Dessert?", he smirked, "You mean me?" I blushed but bravely held eye contact as I shook my head. "I meant real snacks." He just laughed and lay down next to me. "I wanted to invite you for some ice cream afterwards anyway", he mumbled while playing with my hair. "Sounds good", I gave back with a soft smile. "But I do think I'm a good dessert too", he grinned at me. I glimpsed at him. "Sure, whatever you say, sweetheart", I answered, intentionally indifferent, and stretched myself before closing my eyes. "You surely are playing hard-to-get, huh?", I heard his voice and a second later, he suddenly started a tickling attack. "Minhyuk! Stop it!", I screamed, trying to get a hold of his hands while laughing. "First you have to agree to me", he gave back with a chuckle. "Okay, okay, you're a good dessert for sure", I said breathlessly and he finally stopped. I caught my breath. "The best dessert maybe even", I added grinning. "You bet. Only the best for you, after all", he laughed softly and leaned down to kiss me. That was the first time we were on an official date.

"What troubles your mind, sweetheart?", he asked right after sitting down next to me. "Do you think this is the right thing to do?", I gave back. "What do you think?", he replied. I shrugged. Then he took my hands in his. "Kasumi, I believe in us, but know that you can't make a wrong decision. I will go with whatever you decide. Yet I think we can dare it." I looked at him and sighed. "I wish I wouldn't have to decide it just now", I confessed. "Well, then let's stall it for only this one night. We can still decide tomorrow, how about that? Mornings are usually wiser than evenings", he suggested and before I could even say something he got up and walked into his kitchen. I curiously looked after him but didn't catch what he was doing. Until he came back, two glasses in his hands. "What is this?", I asked as he gave me one of them. "Whisky", he said. "I don't drink whisky", I answered with a grimace. "Try it", he chuckled, "One glass of whisky in good company is quite enjoyable. You'd be surprised." Hesitantly, I took a sip and frowned. He laughed and pulled me into an embrace. "Wait until the ice melted. It's watery then so it won't taste that strong anymore", he told me. I nodded obediently and leaned onto him, just enjoying his presence in joint silence. "Minhyuk?", I suddenly spoke up. "Yes, darling?" "I love you." A short moment of silence again, then: "I love you too, princess." That was the first time I told him I loved him. And it was the evening I decided to move to the city with him.

"Are you sure about it?", my brother asked me and I nodded. "Kasumi, moving in together is quite a big step. The closer you let someone to you, the harder it will be to let him go in case he's not the right one. Or whatever else", he thought out loud. I put my hand on his arm. "I can't imagine not doing it", I said calmly, "See, I realized one big truth lately. I love Minhyuk with all my heart. And the reason for realizing it is not because he's about to move away. It's not because he said it first either. Not even if he would have bought me an expensive ring I would have realized it so clearly as I did. No, it was in the way his eyes make me feel, in the way how much I crave being with him, how much I love his voice, his laugh and his smile. How much I appreciate the talks with and the advice from him. How comfortable and free I feel around him. How much I melt whenever his hands brush over my skin or he kisses me. He still makes me blush when he opens doors for me or surprises me with a bouquet or snacks just like that, out of nowhere. When he carries me to bed after I fall asleep on the couch. How he respects my boundaries and lets me be who I am but also challenges me to leave my comfort zone because with him I feel brave everywhere I go. He reminds me to eat enough, sleep enough, drink enough and to not forget catching up with old friends every now and then. He's not even jealous about my other male friends because he decided to trust me. And he's always honest. I know I can trust his words. Believe me, I love him. And I have to go with him this time. I would regret not doing it. Sometimes we have to take risks." My brother looked at me and sighed. "I guess I have to let you go then", he said, "Good luck."

--- End of flashback ---