Painted Love | Hwang Hyunjin

9

The following week, Hyunjin and I continued to see each other. One evening, as we were sitting on the rooftop of my apartment building, gazing at the city lights, he turned to me with a thoughtful expression.

"There's something I want to ask you," he began, his tone serious yet hopeful.

"Sure, what is it?" I asked, curious.

"The boys really want to meet you. They're asking me to bring you around constantly," he said, watching my reaction closely. "We've been spending so much time together, and I also feel like it's important for them to know you. And for you to know them."

I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Meeting his bandmates was a big step, and it showed how much he valued our relationship. "I'd love to meet them," I replied, smiling.

"Great! How about this Saturday at our dorm?" he suggested.

"Sounds perfect," I agreed, feeling a flutter of anticipation.

Saturday arrived quickly, and I found myself standing in front of the mirror, trying to decide what to wear. I opted for a simple outfit. Just a black skirt with a simple shirt and a leather jacket. As I finished getting ready, my phone buzzed with a text from Hyunjin.

"Can't wait to see you," it read, followed by a heart emoji.

I smiled and grabbed my things, heading out the door. The taxi ride to the dorm felt like a blur, my mind racing with thoughts of how the evening would go. When I arrived, Hyunjin was waiting outside, looking as handsome as ever in a casual t-shirt and jeans.

"Hey," he greeted me with a warm hug. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'm excited to meet everyone."

"They're excited to meet you too," he assured me, leading me inside.

The dorm was bustling with energy, filled with laughter and music. As we entered the common area, I was greeted by a group of smiling faces.

"Everyone, this is Mui," Hyunjin introduced me, his arm around my shoulder. "Mui, meet the guys."

His friends greeted me warmly, all curious to meet me I guess.

"We've heard a lot about you," Chan said, pulling me into a hug. "It's great to finally meet you."

"It's great to meet all of you too," I replied, hugging him back surprised. "Hyunjin talks about you guys all the time."

"All good things, I hope," Felix chimed in with a wink.

"Of course," I laughed, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie.

We settled into the living area, where snacks and drinks were laid out on a large coffee table. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and I quickly felt at ease among Hyunjin's friends. They were kind, funny, and genuine, and it was clear that they cared deeply for one another.

As the evening progressed, we played games, shared stories, and laughed until our sides hurt. At one point, Han and Changbin challenged me to a karaoke battle, and despite my initial hesitation, I found myself belting out tunes alongside them, much to everyone's amusement.

"You're a natural," Han declared, giving me a high-five as I finished my song.

"Thanks, but I think you guys are the real performers here," I said, feeling a rush of adrenaline from the fun.

As the night began to wind down, Hyunjin and I went to his room. "I'm really glad you came tonight," he said, his eyes sincere.

"I'm glad too," I replied. "The boys are amazing. It's easy to see why you're so close."

"They're like family," he said softly. "And I wanted you to be a part of that."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words. "Thank you for including me."

"Of course," he said, reaching for my hand. "You mean a lot to me, Mui."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while and I felt a deep sense of belonging, not just with Hyunjin, but with this new group of friends who had welcomed me so openly.

As the evening came to an end, Hyunjin pulled me close. "Do you want to stay here tonight?" he asked, his eyes looking at me in a pleading way.

"I don't want to bother you," I mumbled, even though I really wanted to stay.

"It's already dark outside. You're not going home alone," he insisted, his protective side showing. "You're not bothering me. I want you to stay."

I smiled softly. "Okay, I'll stay," I agreed. He grinned and held me closer for a moment longer.

Reluctantly letting go, he walked to his closet. "Let me find something for you to wear..." he mumbled, rummaging through his clothes.

He handed me a hoodie and some sweatpants that were slightly too small for him but still oversized on me. It was a cozy alternative to my outfit.

I changed in the bathroom and returned to his room. Hyunjin was already lying in bed with his eyes closed. I slid under the blanket next to him. He opened one eye and smiled as soon as he saw me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close to his chest.

He gently brushed through my hair. "I'm really happy you're staying," he murmured. I smiled and snuggled closer to him, our legs tangled together. "I'm really happy you're letting me stay, Hyunjin," I whispered, closing my eyes. He pulled the blanket tighter around us, making me feel warm and safe, causing my eyes to grow heavy.

"Good night, beautiful," he whispered. I wanted to reply, but I was too tired, so I just squeezed him a little, drifting off to sleep moments later.