𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 | 𝙗𝙨𝙠

The clock glowed dimly in the darkness of the bedroom, the numbers glaring back at her-1:23 AM. She had lost count of how many times she had turned over, the sheets twisted uncomfortably around her legs, the pillow offering no solace. Sleep remained elusive, slipping through her grasp like grains of sand.

With a sigh, Y/N threw back the covers and padded downstairs, her bare feet making no sound against the hardwood floors. The apartment was modern, sleek in its design, yet undeniably warm with the soft glow of city lights seeping in through the curtains. Still, the silence, the emptiness-it pressed against her, settling heavily in her chest.

Nights like these were the hardest. When exhaustion clung to her bones, yet sleep refused to come. When loneliness crept in, filling the spaces he usually occupied. She knew he wasn't away by choice; his work had taken him from her side, and she would never hold it against him. If anything, she admired his dedication, his drive. But that didn't make the nights feel any less endless.

Resigned, she moved into the kitchen, deciding that if sleep wouldn't come, she might as well embrace the wakefulness. The familiar ritual of making coffee soothed her, the quiet drip of the machine filling the still air. Just as she reached for a mug, the front door creaked open, followed by the soft thud of shoes against the entryway.

"I'm home, love."

His voice, thick with exhaustion yet laced with warmth, melted away the weight on her chest. She turned, her heart swelling at the sight of him-Seungkwan, standing there in the dim light, his jacket barely hanging onto his shoulders, his bag slipping from his grasp. Even at this ungodly hour, he smiled for her, a small but genuine gesture that made her throat tighten.

"Hey, Kwan," she murmured, but concern flickered in her eyes. He looked utterly drained, dark circles shadowing his gentle eyes, his frame weighed down by fatigue. Before he could even set his things aside, he all but collapsed into her arms, his body seeking solace in her warmth.

She caught him easily, holding him close, the scent of his cologne mingling with the faint remnants of the city air. His head rested against her shoulder, his breath warm against her skin, and she ran her fingers soothingly through his hair.

"Tired?" she asked softly, already knowing the answer.

"Mm," he hummed, barely mustering the energy to reply. But even in his exhaustion, his concern for her didn't waver. "What about you?"

"I was waiting for you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

At that, he pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands coming up to cup her face, thumbs brushing against her cheeks with a tenderness that made her heart ache. Even in his exhaustion, he was always thinking of her first.

"Love," he sighed, his voice filled with gentle reproach. "Please don't wait for me next time. You need to sleep."

She cast her gaze downward, feeling a little guilty. "I tried. I just... couldn't. It was one of those nights."

Understanding flickered in his expression, and he pulled her back into his embrace, his hold even firmer this time. "Then let's fix that," he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Go back to bed. I'll be right there."

She hesitated for a moment before nodding, letting the warmth of his promise guide her back upstairs. She settled under the covers, though sleep still felt distant, the anticipation of his presence keeping her awake.

Minutes passed, maybe longer. But then, at last, she felt the mattress dip beside her, the warmth of him settling in. He didn't hesitate, immediately wrapping his arms around her, pulling her flush against him as though he, too, had been waiting for this moment all day.

"Go to sleep, my love," he whispered, his voice a balm to her restless thoughts. "I'm right here."

And as his fingers combed gently through her hair, his heartbeat steady beneath her ear, the exhaustion finally took over, lulling her into the peaceful sleep she had been chasing all night.

No matter how chaotic their lives became, how many late nights and exhausting days they faced, it was these moments-these quiet, sacred moments-that would stay with them forever.