Scandalous ( Arin X Soobin ) AKKONG

9

Soobin grunts when he hears his phone ring, and he answers the call, not seeing the caller ID. He hears Arin on the other end. The temptation to cut the call was strong, but he resisted it until he heard that she had a nightmare. And that's why she had called him.

His head was throbbing as he cut the call, frown lines formed on his forehead as he turned and lay on his stomach, burying his face between the soft pillows.

He grinds his teeth, vowing to block her - wait, he can't possibly do that. He needs her.

He forces himself to get up and throws in a t shirt and joggers, grabbing his wallet and car keys he heads towards the parking.

Once he reaches his car, he drives to a 24-hour bingsu place and buys 2 bingsu's. It's all automatic movement. His mind is barely coordinating with his body. It seems like some sort of muscle memory, driving all the way at 4 am. just because Arin had a nightmare?

Soobin could see that Arin wasn't well. She had talked less than usual. Her words ended in full stops rather than her usual brightness.

Even during interviews, she didn't give much of a reaction, Stood far from Soobin. The familiar touch of the shoulder was non-existent that day.

Soobin tried hard not to think about it. He was there for his work, and he shouldn't care too much about her. That's what he kept telling himself, trying to drown himself in useless things during break so that his mind doesn't divert and go back to the sad look in Arin's eyes.

He was probably part of the reason she was sad. Last week, they were being themselves in front of the camera without most restriction. They were having fun as usual, and there was skinship involved. Knetizens were quick to attack Arin, questioning her character and calling her names.

Soobin hated it. There was nothing against him online. Yet they kept blaming Arin for something as pure as their comfort with each other.

As they wrapped up their last interview for the day, Arin headed to her crew van without a goodbye.

Soobin wasn't done with her just yet. After he reached the dorm, he was quick to change and get his car and drove to the bingsu place that Kai had once suggested to him.

He got strawberry bingsu and drove to Arin's dorm. He called her.

"I have brought bingsu for you. Come down quickly." Soobin said. He heard Arin gasp before he disconnected the line.

Arin came down in a few minutes' time. Her eyes widened, seeing Soobin. Her hair was wet, as if she had just showered. As she got closer to Soobin, the scent of roses deepened. He closed his eyes, feeling his heart beat faster.

"I know you're not here just for giving me the ice cream." Arin said, crossing her arms. He could tell she didn't want to get friendly. In fears.

"So much for a hi." Soobin smiled kindly. He saw her eyes soften, yet her body was still stiff. She raised her eyebrows, wanting an explanation from him.

"It's a give and take in this world. Nothing is ever free." Soobin said, smirking.

"You can keep the bingsu." Arin said as she turned and started to walk away. Soobin's eyes widened as in a single stride, he held her exposed arm and pulled her close, preventing her from leaving him.
In the quick succession, her wet hair brushed his face as she turned due to him, pulling her closer.

Their eyes met. For a moment, it's just too long. Too long for them to be just colleagues.. too long for them to just be friends.

Arin looked away as she backed off.