Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

THIRTEEN 🌶

On the way to my room, nobody said a word, even though a thousand questions burned on my lips. What had just happened? Why had Mingi flown off the handle, and why did it seem like they were used to such outbursts from him? What had San done to make Mingi collapse in front of him? My head buzzed with the many questions and the lingering effects of the alcohol.

Yeosang still supported me, just in case, even though the turbulences had sobered me up a bit. Seonghwa, who was walking ahead of us, suddenly stopped and turned to face us.

"Yeosang, do you think you can manage to get our wild beast here to her room alone?" he asked with a playful smile in my direction. Charmer. "I need to see Hongjoong; he shouldn't be alone right now."

Yeosang nodded in affirmation. Seonghwa walked past us and paused beside me. "That was quite a punch, princess," he said with a gentle smile. "Next time try to take it easy. Sleep well, Aurora." He gave my shoulder a light squeeze before disappearing down the hall.

Yeosang and I covered the last few meters and entered my room. The only light came from the oil lamp on my table, which I had lit earlier when it got too dark to read. I stood awkwardly in front of him and looked up to meet his gaze.

His beautiful eyes locked onto mine, and I was terrified of losing myself in them, so deep and dark yet radiating warmth. Being so close to him made me incredibly nervous, causing my heart to race wildly in my chest. Embarrassed, I looked away.

I was about to speak when he placed his thumb on my lips, silencing me. "Shhh." His index finger and thumb gently but firmly held my chin, lifting my face so I had to look into his eyes again.

His gaze shifted to my lips, tracing their outline with his thumb, then slowly moved his hand to my cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. A delightful shiver ran down my spine, and my skin tingled where his fingers had just touched my skin. My knees felt like butter left out in the sun, and I feared they might give way at any moment.

"You're stunning when you're so wild and free, you know that?" Oh God, I'm about to drown in the vast depths of the ocean. He called me stunning. The man whose beauty was otherworldly. Can someone please pinch me? Blushing, I lowered my gaze, only to be drawn back to his lips. Those lips.

A faint smile played on them, and I longed for nothing more in that moment than for him to lean down so I could feel them. His hand still rested on my cheek, his fingers toying with a strand of my hair.

As the longing became unbearable, I stood on tiptoes to close the remaining distance between our lips. But he deftly avoided me, pressing his lips to my forehead instead. Surprised, I paused and settled back on my heels. Slowly, he lifted his lips from my forehead.

"You've had too much to drink, love. And you're too flustered for me to take advantage of this situation," he said, his voice husky, making it even harder for me to pull away. I could tell he was struggling too, but his will was stronger.

"Please, Yeosang. It's just a kiss," I whispered, almost pleading.

"We both know it wouldn't be just that," he said, his hungry gaze making my heartbeat stutter.

My God, where was the shy Yeosang I had met, the one who used to smile at me so bashfully? Where did he get these lustful, intense looks from?

Frustrated, I exhaled. "You should get some rest now, enough agitation for one day." His lips brushed my forehead again, then he turned towards the door. Pausing in the doorway, he added, "Practice patience, love," before leaving me both disappointed and yearning. I was all too familiar with this feeling.

"They're doing this on purpose," I grumbled softly to myself as the door closed and let myself collapse onto my bed. I grabbed my pillow, buried my face in it, and screamed out all the emotions the day had brought.