cherish | lee heeseung

°˖➴ #𝟭𝟴

Late Night Talks

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AS THE SUN began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow through the library windows, Haneul meticulously organised the last few returned books on the cart. The familiar scent of aged paper and the gentle hum of the library's air conditioning filled the space around her. She took a moment to glance around at the rows of neatly aligned books, each one holding a world of stories and knowledge.

Haneul's heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty and turmoil she had been carrying was noticeably absent, replaced by a profound sense of relief and contentment. Her decision to end things with Minho, though difficult, had been the right one. She knew she deserved better, and today she had taken a significant step towards reclaiming her happiness.

As she pushed the cart towards the storage room, she exchanged a smile with Chaewon, who was tidying up the reading area. "Hey, you look like you're in a good mood," Chaewon said, raising an eyebrow.

Haneul laughed softly, nodding. "Yeah, I guess I am. It's been a good day."

Once the cart was stored away, Haneul gathered her things, taking one last look around the library. She turned off the lights, locked the doors, and stepped out into the cool evening air. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, a perfect backdrop for her newfound sense of peace.

Walking down the steps of the library, Haneul felt a gentle breeze brush against her skin. She took a deep breath, savouring the moment. She had faced a difficult decision head-on and come out stronger for it. The relief and happiness she felt now were undeniable proof that she was on the right path.

With a smile on her face, she made her way home, the promise of a brighter future ahead of her, and the comforting knowledge that she had made the right decision guiding her steps.

Once home, she greeted her parents briefly before heading upstairs to her room. The familiar comfort of her space enveloped her as she closed the door behind her. She peeled off her work clothes and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the tension of the day. The steam and heat were soothing, and she felt her muscles relax as she lathered up and rinsed away the remnants of her day.

After her shower, she wrapped herself in a plush towel and slipped into a pair of cozy pyjamas. She dried her hair, brushed her teeth, and finally, feeling refreshed and clean, she curled up in bed. The soft blankets and pillows welcomed her, creating a cocoon of comfort.

She picked up her phone from the bedside table, her fingers hovering over the screen. Haneul felt a flutter of nervous excitement as she opened her contacts and found Heeseung's name. The events of the past few days had brought them closer, and she realised she wanted to hear his voice, to share her feelings and thoughts with him.

Taking a deep breath, she tapped on his name and hit the call button. The phone rang a few times before he picked up.

"Hey, Haneul," Heeseung's voice came through, warm and welcoming.

"Hi, Hee," she replied, a smile forming on her lips.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.

"Yeah, everything's great." she said softly, still smiling.

Heeseung chuckled. "I can hear you smile from here. What's going on?"

Haneul couldn't help but laugh. "I...I broke up with Minho today."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "Wow, Haneul, that's huge. Are you really okay?"

"I am," she said, the smile evident in her voice. "It was hard, but it was the right thing to do. I just needed to talk to someone who understands."

"I'm glad you called," Heeseung said sincerely. "You deserve to be happy, and it sounds like you made a really brave decision."

Haneul felt a deep sense of comfort in their conversation, a connection that had been rekindled after all these years. She started to spill everything, telling Heeseung about the confrontation, how Minho tried to gaslight her, and how she finally stood her ground.

"He actually tried to tell me that I was overreacting," she said, rolling her eyes. "But I knew I wasn't. It was just time."

"That's classic gaslighting," Heeseung said, his voice tinged with frustration. "I'm so glad you saw through it. You deserve so much better."

"Thanks, Hee," she replied. "It means a lot coming from you."

They continued to talk, sharing their thoughts and catching up on each other's lives. As they talked late into the night, Haneul realised just how much she had missed this bond, and how grateful she was to have Heeseung back in her life.

"Do you remember the time we went to the carnival and got soaked on the log ride?" Heeseung asked, laughing.

"Oh my gosh, yes! We were shivering for hours afterward," Haneul replied, giggling. "And you insisted on getting ice cream anyway."

"Well, ice cream is always a good idea," Heeseung said with a grin in his voice. "And remember that time you dragged me into that haunted house attraction?"

Haneul laughed. "Oh, yes! You were so scared, you held onto my arm the entire time!"

"Hey! It was terrifying," Heeseung defended, laughing along. "But I guess that's what made it fun."

Haneul smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "You know, Hee, I think this is the most I've laughed in weeks. Thank you for that."

"Anytime, Hana," Heeseung replied gently. "I'm really glad we're talking again. It feels right."

"It does," she agreed. "I've missed this, missed you."

Heeseung could feel his cheeks flushing with heat at her words. He was grateful she couldn't see his reaction through the phone. "I missed you too," he admitted, his voice softer. "A lot."

There was a comfortable silence as both of them let the moment sink in. Haneul realised how much she valued their friendship and how important it was to nurture it.

When they finally said goodnight, Haneul felt more at peace and hopeful about the future than she had in a long time. She put her phone down, snuggled into her blankets, and closed her eyes, a smile still lingering on her lips as sleep embraced her.

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