“Where exactly are we going?” Chaewon finally asked, her breath slightly uneven from trying to keep up with Niki’s pace. The irony wasn’t lost on her—he was the one leading now, though she hadn’t the faintest idea where to. Still, she was relieved that his mood had softened, if only slightly.
“Patience.”
Or maybe not. His clipped response made her roll her eyes. Chaewon resolved to break through the walls he was still trying to keep up. If he wasn’t going to open up willingly, she’d have to figure out how to make him.
They had been walking for nearly twenty minutes, Niki moving with steady determination while Chaewon lagged behind, struggling to match his speed.
“How are you still part of the cheer team with stamina like that?” Niki teased, glancing over his shoulder at her.
Chaewon groaned, leaning against a wall with her hands braced on her knees. “Are you serious? Who can walk this far, this fast, without gasping for air?”
“Me,” he replied simply, coming to a stop beside her.
“Niki,” she started, her voice softer now.
“Hmm?”
“What were you going to say about Sun?” She turned to look at him, her curiosity evident.
Hearing the nickname made something twist uncomfortably in Niki’s chest. He’s still ‘Sun’ to her. He exhaled slowly, trying to maintain his composure, but the unanswered question that had haunted him for days refused to stay buried.
“Why did you defend me?” he asked at last, his tone quieter but no less urgent. The question had eaten away at him, leaving him restless and confused. He needed to know—needed clarity on the emotions he was too afraid to name.
Chaewon dropped her gaze, avoiding the intensity in his eyes. Why did I defend him? The question echoed in her mind, and the answer felt both simple and complicated.
“Because I wanted to,” she finally said, looking back at him with a sincerity she hoped he would understand.
Niki studied her expression, his heart clenching at how genuine she looked. But there was still more he needed to know.
“What were you going to say? About Sun, before he interrupted you?”
Her heart skipped a beat at the way he said her name—low and steady, yet with an edge of vulnerability. She hummed softly in response, signaling for him to continue.
“Can you stop calling him ‘Sun’?” The annoyance in his voice was subtle but unmistakable. It wasn’t just a request—it was a plea.
Chaewon blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected bitterness in his tone. “Oh.” She felt a smile tugging at her lips, warmth bubbling in her chest at his reaction.
“Sure,” she replied lightly, managing to keep her tone neutral even as her amusement lingered.
Niki, however, wasn’t as amused. His jaw tightened, still bristling at the fact that Sunwoo had once meant enough to her to earn a nickname like that.
Later, they found themselves at a bustling food stall, the savory aroma of freshly cooked street food wafting through the air.
“Can we get two servings of tteokbokki and two corndogs?” Chaewon asked the vendor brightly, turning to Niki with a mischievous grin. “And let’s get something to drink, too. How about—”
“Milk tea,” he cut in, his voice surprisingly enthusiastic.
Her eyes lit up. “Ah, yes! Perfect!”
Niki couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as he watched her excitement. He didn’t even realize how much he was smiling until his cheeks started to ache.
They found a spot to sit, the food spread out in front of them. Chaewon took a bite of her tteokbokki, her face lighting up with delight. “Hmm, this is so good!” She reached out, holding a piece in front of Niki’s mouth.
“Here, try it,” she urged, nudging him until he parted his lips.
He hesitated for a moment before leaning forward, her hand brushing lightly against his lips as he took a bite. The heat of the food warmed his tongue, but the way Chaewon giggled softly at his reaction made his chest feel warmer still.
“Good, right?” she asked, her smile contagious.
Niki nodded, his usual stoicism slipping away as they continued eating. Their laughter came easily, like a melody neither of them wanted to interrupt.
They didn’t notice the way their smiles lingered, or how their gazes met and held a little longer than necessary. For a while, it was just the two of them, their shared joy casting a bubble around them that nothing else could penetrate.
Niki didn’t realize it yet, but something in him was shifting. And if Chaewon noticed, she didn’t say anything. They simply enjoyed the moment, unaware of how much it would mean to them both later.
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little fluff cause why not? also an early chp because i may post another tomr
