Blooming ᯓ Ateez Hongjoong

25 • You only

Hongjoong has something to confess.

When it comes to Hyemi, it is never difficult to put him at ease. He is just as easy.

Because? He knows his borderline. He is so used to fitting himself as her friend; and their friendship is what has been keeping his hidden feeling in check.

It's Emi who says Jang Hyemi is so in love with Kim Hongjoong - he can totally hear. Though he knows it's not Hyemi who says so, he needs a moment to register.

Because? She doesn't even deny those words at all. Does it mean she agrees? Does it mean his feeling is finally reciprocated?

"Is it true that you... Fall for me?"

The way his voice comes out sounding fervent yet desperate makes her gulp. She feels embarrassed and exposed by his candid question. This is not the prospect of a confession she means to tell him.

To be more exact, Jang Hyemi's yet to think of letting her feeling known. Not this soon.

Unlike her who wants to ditch her seat, one thing she notices is that Hongjoong doesn't move from the spot where he appears - behind the sofa - in the middle of her call with Emi.

Wait. Emi.

Immediately, Hyemi turns back to her phone that is sitting on the coffee table. Heat rises on her face as she finds Emi still being on the other end of the line, practically witnessing the scene. Hongjoong follows suit, peeking at the phone screen. It's fair for him to say he feels (a little) embarrassed knowing another person is watching them.

Still, the need of an answer is above anything else.

Realising unwanted attention shifts towards her, Emi quickly waves a dismissive hand out of fluster. "Go ahead. Do what you two need to do. I gotta go!" Then the video call ends in a heartbeat.

"Answer me," Hongjoong speaks again, desperation comes to the surface as their eyes meet again. "Please."

Breathing suddenly turns out impossible. Despite the same old shyness, Hyemi's eyes never waver from his face even for a second. The sofa is no longer a barrier as she comes to him closer and closer, until they're in a distance where one is able to hear the other whispers.

My my. She feels like melting into a puddle in his expecting gaze.

"Everything you've just heard is right."

Heart is on the verge of bursting. This endearing moment, Hongjoong fails to find the right words in response. So his body decides to make a move on his behalf.

Hyemi stumbles backward as Hongjoong unexpectedly inches forward; and soon she finds herself being enveloped in his embrace. She knows she would never fall onto the ground; absolutely not when his arms around her are so firm yet delicate. Everything about this embrace is much more different from the one when he proudly told her he made it into the exhibition or the one he offered when she cried endlessly after Emi's wedding.

Something blooms in her chest - a form of ecstasy she never wants to withdraw from.

"I think I love you." Her voice flutters, weaving with shyness after a short while of immersion.

"You think?"

She can clearly feel the movement of his chin on the crook of her neck. His question, it does catch her off guard. Nonetheless, she can't blame him for asking. He has the right to know after all.

So, it's love.

"I love you, Kim Hongjoong. You only."

Eyes go wide, Hongjoong abruptly breaks himself off from their shared hug, but still holds Hyemi close enough to look at her in the eye - in a way that causes her stomach to sink.

Is it impulsive of her for giving those words away this soon?

"You have no idea... My heart has been yearning for you, waiting for you."

With his hands warm against the small of her back, every ounce of doubt is swept away as soon as she listens. In response, one of her hands leaves his waist, reaching for his cheek to catch a gleam of his tear that escapes the corner of his eye. She smiles brightly before realising tears start welling up in her eyes as well.

Love it is.

Tonight, only the two of them know their tears are out of happiness.

The days onwards, they wonder what's yet to come, not as friends, but as a couple.

**********

I'M BACK (again)~

I had A LOT OF thoughts for this specific scene so I kept switching until the outcome met my expectation. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do ✌️

Until next time.