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Heeseung & Aera
The group left the restaurant, walking back to the car under the twinkling Barcelona night sky. The city lights cast a romantic glow over the streets, and as they walked, Aera spotted a couple holding hands, their faces lit with smiles. She watched them with a pang of longing.
Aera craved that. She craved love. The kind of love described in books, the love her grandparents had shared, where one would die for the other. Byun wasn't like that. All they ever did was hook up; there was no real connection, no warmth. She wanted more. She needed more.
They returned to the ship, the night now cloaking them in its quiet embrace. Everyone was tired and ready for bed, the day's adventures having taken their toll. Aera felt a restlessness, a need to talk, to pour her heart out.
Minju was in the shower when Aera slipped out of their room and headed to the deck. The alcohol she had consumed at the restaurant left her a little drunk, her emotions teetering on the edge. She pulled out her phone and called Byun. He didn't answer at first, but she tried again. Eventually, he picked up.
"Hello?" Byun's voice was cold and distant.
"Byun," Aera began, her voice shaky. "I miss you. I just... I need to talk to someone."
"What the hell do you want, Aera?" he snapped. "It's late."
"I know, but... I just needed to tell you how I feel," she said, tears already forming. "I want love, real love. The kind that's in books, the kind where someone would die for you. But we don't have that, do we?"
Byun sighed heavily. "Aera, you're drunk. And you're being ridiculous. We're fine the way we are. Stop dreaming about this fairy tale bullshit."
"But I want more," she cried. "I want someone who loves me, really loves me. Not just in bed."
"Jesus, Aera, get a grip," Byun spat. "You're good for one thing, and that's it. You think anyone's gonna love you like that? You're delusional."
Aera felt a stab of pain at his words, her heart shattering. "Why do you say that? Why are you so cruel?"
"Because it's the truth," he sneered. "You're a mess, Aera. You always have been. No one's gonna want you for anything else."
Aera hung up, her hands trembling. She leaned against the railing, her tears falling freely now. She pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with shaky hands, desperate for something to numb the pain.
"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, his voice stern but soft.
Aera looked at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Just leave me alone, Heeseung. Please."
Heeseung shook his head. "Not a chance. What's going on?"
Heeseung took away her cigarette, and Aera whined, though her tear-streaked face betrayed her attempt at bravado. She grabbed another cigarette, lighting it up and taking a deep puff. Heeseung sighed, realizing he couldn't stop her. Instead, he grabbed his lighter and lit the one he had taken from her.
"You smoke?" Aera asked, shocked.
"Yeah," he replied, taking a drag and exhaling slowly. "Not often, but sometimes. Helps me think."
They stood in silence for a few moments, the night air filled with the soft crackling of burning tobacco and the distant sound of waves against the ship. Heeseung broke the silence first.
"So, what's up?" he asked, his voice gentle but probing.
Aera hesitated, staring at the glowing tip of her cigarette. "I don't really want to talk about it."
Heeseung nodded, leaning against the railing. "Fair enough. But sometimes, talking helps."
She took another drag, the smoke swirling around her. "Have you ever been in love, Heeseung?"
He looked thoughtful, the moonlight casting a soft glow on his face. "I don't know. Maybe? What about you?"
Aera sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I don't think so. I mean, I've been with Byun, but that's not love. That's... something else entirely."
Heeseung raised an eyebrow. "Something else?"
She nodded, her eyes distant. "Yeah. It's just physical. There's no real connection. I've always wanted my first time to be special, you know? Something more than just pleasure. Something with love."
Heeseung listened intently, his gaze fixed on her. "I get that. Love should be more than just... whatever that is."
Aera smiled sadly. "I don't even know what love feels like. I want to figure it out, but it seems so elusive."
Heeseung took a deep breath, the smoke blending with the night air. "You're not alone in that. I think a lot of us are trying to figure it out."
Aera looked at him, the moonlight highlighting her features. Her eyes were shimmering pools of emotion, her hair cascading around her shoulders like a silken waterfall. She looked ethereal, almost otherworldly under the soft light. Heeseung found himself captivated by her beauty, seeing her in a new light.
"You look beautiful tonight, Aera," he said softly.
She blushed, the color rising to her cheeks. "Thanks, Heeseung. You're not so bad yourself."
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "I mean it. I'm starting to see you differently."
Aera took a final drag from her cigarette, flicking the butt over the railing. "I'm just tired, you know? Tired of feeling like I'm not enough. Like I'll never find what I'm looking for."
Heeseung nodded, his eyes softening. "I get that. But you are enough, Aera. More than enough."
They stood in comfortable silence, the weight of their confessions hanging in the air. Heeseung felt a connection forming, something deeper than the superficial interactions they'd had before.
"So," Aera said, breaking the silence with a small smile. "Ever done it with someone?"
Heeseung nearly choked on his cigarette, laughing. "Wow, straight to the point, huh?"
Aera shrugged, her smile turning mischievous. "Just curious."
Heeseung shook his head, still chuckling. "No, I haven't. Not yet."
Aera nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Good. It should be special, right? Not just some random thing."
"Yeah," Heeseung agreed, stubbing out his cigarette. "It should mean something."
They talked for hours, sharing their fears, dreams, and insecurities. Aera felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Heeseung listened with an openness she hadn't expected, and she found herself drawn to his sincerity.
As the night wore on, their conversation turned to lighter topics, peppered with jokes and laughter. Heeseung's quick wit and Aera's sharp humor made for an easy rapport.
