Rekindled relationship

Part 2

Hyunwoo's POV

Haein and I were walking towards the forest with Soocheol and my brother tailing us from behind. They insisted on coming with us to collect more firewood for our campfire later.

"Hyunwoo yah we're going this way, make sure to get back before dinner!"

My brother shouts while pointing at an opposite direction. I nod and make a thumbs up thanking him for the heads up.

"Noona see you!"

Soocheol shouts to get Haein's attention but she doesn't dare look back and just walks faster.

She has been distancing herself from me since the bathroom incident. I can't blame her though, I would have done the same if I was in her shoes. All she wanted was to know what we were, probably some assurance that I love her and that I was grateful for her but no, when she asked me I just froze like a deer caught on headlights.

How can I have the capacity to be very smart and yet behave like an idiot at the same time.

What's worse is that I made her feel temporary, like she was a mere plaything that I could simply throw away. I feel horrible, enlightenment flooded my mind.It struck me how my incompetence affected her dearly.

"Yah, what are you doing?"

I was too absorbed with my thoughts to realize that I had stopped walking, I think fast and pluck a flower from a bush nearby.

"Here, it's for you"

She stares at me with a blank expression as she takes the flower from my hand and walks away without saying a word. I surged forward to close the gap between us, I tried to reach for her hand but she was quick to swat mine away.

After an hour of searching Haein grows impatient, I calmly told her that some animals may have altered their routines, becoming more nocturnal to avoid the heat. Making them harder to find. It amuses me how determined she is to catch something.

"Do you need help with that?"

I pointed at the 22 long rifle draped across her shoulder, the gun is meant to kill small game pieces and is definitely lighter than the center rifle I had but it still looks too big and heavy for her.

"Shh, you're too loud, and no, I don't need your help"

Haein snapped, irritation clear in her voice.

"I was just-"

"Trying to help? Yeah I know, you always assume that I need your assistance."

Haein trudged through the dense forest, leaving Hyunwoo behind, their voices reverberating off the tall pines and thick underbush. Haein felt the weight of their unresolved issues bearing down on her with every step, but she also felt a thrill of excitement at being out in the wild.

I quickened my pace to match her stride.

"Haein ah about earlier , I'm sor-"

"You're never serious about anything,"

she accused, her voice rising in pitch.

"Everytime I try to talk about us, you always find a way to divert your attention. Why do you keep giving me false hope?"

Haein stopped abruptly, turning to face me with an exasperated look.

"I'm not giving you false hope. Why would you even say that?-

Before Hyunwoo could contnue, a sudden rustling in the bushes behind them silenced him.

Hyunwoo's demeanor shifted instantly, his muscles tensing as he raised his rifle. His eyes narrowed, scanning the area with laser-like precision. Haein couldn't help but notice the transformation,his muscles tensing with focus. Commanding and confident with the weapon in his hands.

For a moment, the tension between them evaporated, replaced by the raw excitement of the hunt. Hyunwoo's focus was absolute, his body poised and ready.

Haein watched him, her breath catching in her throat as she felt an unexpected surge of admiration. Despite their arguments and uncertainty, seeing him like this, strong and protective, stirred something deep within her.

"Stay close to me"

He whispered, his voice low and steady. She nodded, stepping closer to him, her hand brushing his arm for reassurance. The rustling grew louder, Hyunwoo's grip tightened on the gun.

Author's note: Hiii, thank you for reading my story! I hope you enjoy this update, 😍😍 should I write smut for this? 🫣🫣