It wasn't me

Chapter 25

Rose

The cliffside where we stood was a cathedral of nature, echoing with the hushed reverence of the city's whispers. The sunset had left a soft afterglow, a painter's final stroke on the canvas of the day. Eunha turned to me and wrapped his arms around me to bring me closer to him, offering me a bit of comfort and warmth.

"You know butterfly." He started softly, his arms still around me and gently caressing my back. "You've got a million reasons to hesitate, I can't make a lot of promises but I'm trying to get better every day. For you. I know you hesitate because well...I did some really messed up things, but I swear I'm trying to quit and you should know it better than anyone. At one point I got so so so tired of strawberries." He says in a scoff and for a moment I am confused as to how he went from talking about love to strawberries but he was right. I did know him better than anyone and I also got used to his way of talking and he was not talking about strawberries. So I continued to listen. "I wanted coffee. Craved it. Didn't care what. Just plain, with milk, tiramisu, ice cream- didn't care. Just wanted it. But no there were strawberries every fucking time, in every menu but I didn't want it, I wanted coffee. And now I'm here and there's coffee. In every market, café, every shop and just- everywhere. And haven't had any because...I feel guilty. But I just want some."

I know he's not talking about the beverage but I still listen to him, eyes fixated on the twinkling lights below us. He doesn't really know how to articulate his feelings and has a little trouble with that but at least he's trying.

"I could have brought you coffee." I say quietly. We both glance at each other, our eyes meeting.

"You're already bringing me breakfast, coffee would be too much."
I stay silent because I have to remind myself that it is not coffee that we are talking about.

"I could try." I assure.

"You could get burned." He says back.

"I could wear gloves or if I do...honey soothes burns."

Eunha stays silent after that because I know that he knows what I'm talking about.

"I want to do so many things...hold your hair when you drink too much, carry you home when you can't stand up...you helped me when I was at my lowest, when I was a criminal and...I promise I'll build a house out of the mess I made, out of all the broken pieces. I'll make up for your tears too. I love you so much butterfly, please, give me a chance." He pleaded, eyes boring into mine.

In that moment I gave up all the insecurities that I have ever had because there is no point in lying to myself that I didn't like him too. And we both knew it.

His confession hung in the air, a sacred vow, as he stepped even closer, erasing the last inches between them. "I love you," he whispered, "not just for the joy you bring into my life, but for the peace you offer. You are my solace, my sanctuary. In your eyes, I find home."

As the last light of day surrendered to the velvet night, Eunha stood besides me, the gentle evening breeze teasing his beautiful black hair. Strands fell softly across his forehead, a delicate veil that only added to his enigmatic allure. I watched, and softly I reached out towards his face to brush the hair from his face. My fingers trembled slightly, not from the chill of the evening air, but from the electric current that seemed to spark inside me, just like thousands of butterflies, at the mere proximity to him.

Tenderly I swept the errant locks aside, my touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. His hair, as dark as the raven's wing, was soft and cool under my fingertips, I felt like I always wanted to touch it, a stark contrast to the warmth that radiated from his skin. It was a moment of vulnerability, an unspoken trust as he allowed me to see him, truly see him, without the shield of his disheveled bangs.