ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀᴛᴀɪɴꜱ| ateez

✭𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄✭

-WOOYOUNG-
- TWO WEEKS LATER-

After a cozy snuggle session with Seo Jun and Nari, I gently settled them into their cot. Their rhythmic breathing and the occasional baby coo always managed to warm my heart, regardless of the challenges the day brought.

As I straightened up, the soft buzz of my phone interrupted the room's serenity. Two notifications flashed: one from San and another from Jihoon.

San's message was simple: "Checking in. Need anything?" His reliability had been a source of strength, especially given our complicated past.

Jihoon's message tugged at my heartstrings: "Missing you and the twins. Talk soon." It was a brief note, yet it conveyed the depths of his longing.

A quick reply to both and I was off, ready to whip up dinner before the evening rituals with the twins began.

A gentle glow emanated from the soft lamp, casting a serene ambiance across the kitchen. As I began gathering the ingredients for dinner, the rhythmic chopping and the simmering sounds created a familiar, comforting tune.

However, a soft knock on the door disrupted this melody. A bit surprised, as I wasn't expecting any visitors, I made my way to the entrance. The familiar face of the mailman greeted me, an envelope in his hand.

"Evening delivery for you," he said with a friendly nod.

I took the envelope, feeling its weight and texture. The handwriting on the front instantly caught my attention: "From Jihoon to Wooyoung." The elegant curves of Jihoon's handwriting evoked a rush of memories, a bittersweet mix of longing and nostalgia.

"Thank you," I murmured to the mailman, who simply nodded and went on his way.

Closing the door, I held the envelope close, feeling its significance. What could Jihoon possibly want to say in a letter that he hadn't said on calls or texts? With a mix of anticipation and anxiety, I decided to sit down, making sure I was in the right frame of mind before delving into his words. As the aroma from the kitchen wafted in, a new chapter in our story was about to unfold.

Resisting the immediate urge to tear it open, I made my way to the living room. I settled into my favorite armchair, the soft cushion embracing me, the muted sounds from the bustling kitchen acting as a gentle backdrop. With a deep breath, fingers trembling slightly, I began to unveil Jihoon's penned thoughts, preparing myself for a journey through his emotions and reflections. Every word, every pause, was about to bridge the distance between us, drawing our hearts closer despite the physical miles apart.

Dear Wooyoung,

As I sit down to pen this letter, I find myself lost in a whirlwind of emotions. The weeks are hectic, and the hours just rush past. I barely find a moment to call, to let you know just how much you and our little ones are on my mind. The spaces between us might be miles long, but my thoughts always find their way back to our home - its warmth, its laughter, and its love.

I hope you're holding up well, and I often find myself silently praying that Seo Jun and Nari are being their adorable best without giving you too much trouble. Those two are our miracles, our bright stars in this vast universe.

Perhaps it seems old-fashioned or even out of the blue to write a letter in this digital age. But there's something profoundly intimate about putting pen to paper, about leaving traces of one's soul in handwritten words. I wanted to give you something tangible, a keepsake, a memento for those moments when you need a reminder of our love. And admittedly, I also wanted to inject a bit of romance into our weeks apart.