(M) Unspoken Affection - MilkLove Fan Fic - Completed

2. I fell deeper for you

Milk Pov

Milk sat alone in her dimly lit kitchen, the glow of her laptop screen casting a soft light on her troubled expression. The familiar scenes of love and longing played out on Netflix, a bittersweet reminder of her own unrequited feelings. She sighed, closing the laptop with a click that echoed in the stillness of her apartment.

"I just can't get her out of my head," Milk muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. She ran a hand through her hair, frustration and sadness mingling in her tired eyes. It had been months of this silent torment—watching Love slip further away into the arms of someone else while Milk buried herself in movies that offered brief escapism but little solace.

The thought of Gun spending the night at Love's apartment clawed at Milk's heart, a sharp pang of jealousy and longing she couldn't ignore. She knew it was futile, even rude, to dwell on such things, but tonight was different. Tonight, the ache in her chest refused to be ignored.

With a sigh, Milk pushed herself off the kitchen stool and wandered to the fridge, her footsteps heavy with weariness. She grabbed the last remnants of her sushi dinner, the taste a bland reminder of her dwindling appetite. As she chewed mechanically, her thoughts drifted back to Love—her laughter, her kindness, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about Gun.

"It's always Gun," Milk murmured bitterly to herself, tossing the empty container into the trash with more force than necessary. She knew Love would never see her the way she wished to be seen. It was a truth she tried to bury beneath layers of resignation and false indifference.

Returning to her bed, Milk collapsed against the pillows, the weight of her unspoken feelings pressing down on her chest like a leaden blanket. She stared up at the ceiling, the silence of the night punctuated only by the distant sound of rain against the windowpane.

"I should just let her go," Milk whispered, her voice wavering with a mix of determination and despair. "Find someone who can love me back."

But even as she uttered the words, Milk knew they were hollow—a feeble attempt to steel herself against the inevitable. Love had woven herself into every corner of Milk's life, a presence that lingered in the empty spaces between their shared moments.

She glanced at her phone, the screen dark and silent. Normally, she would send Love a simple goodnight message—a small gesture that felt significant in its simplicity. Tonight, however, she couldn't bring herself to type the words. The ache in her chest threatened to overwhelm her, leaving her feeling raw and exposed in the quiet of her room.

"Maybe eating will help," Milk mused aloud, pushing herself off the bed with a resigned sigh. She trudged back to the kitchen, the familiar routine of making instant noodles a comforting distraction from her turbulent emotions. As she waited for the water to boil, her mind raced with scenarios she knew would never come to pass—Love choosing her, Love staying the night in her arms instead of Gun's.

"What flavor should I cook today?" Milk muttered, her fingers absently tracing the labels on the packets. It didn't matter. The taste would be as insipid as her attempts to numb the ache in her heart.

Milk stood in her kitchen, the rhythmic clinks of the spoon against the side of the instant noodle bowl echoing the turmoil in her mind. Each stir seemed to churn up emotions she tried so desperately to suppress—longing, sadness, and a bitter sweetness that hung heavy in the air.

"She's with Gun anyway, why would she bother?" Milk's thoughts spiraled as she mechanically prepared her late-night snack. Her heart clenched with each passing moment, replaying scenes from their shared moments together, knowing all too well that Love belonged to someone else.

The doorbell's incessant ringing shattered her thoughts, pulling her from the whirlpool of emotions. Irritation flickered across her face as she marched towards the door, frustration mingled with an unexpected pang of hope.

"Love?!!" Milk exclaimed, her surprise evident as she swung open the door. Raindrops splattered against the entryway, thunder rumbling ominously in the background. Love stood there in pajamas, a small, sheepish smile gracing her lips.

"Hey Love, why are you here?" Milk's voice softened, her concern mixing with the ache in her chest.

"Can I stay here tonight, Milk?" Love's request hung in the air, her eyes pleading as thunder rumbled once more. "It's... it's storming outside, and you know how I am with thunder."

Milk's heart wavered, torn between the comfort of having Love near and the pain of knowing it would never be enough. Despite her inner turmoil, she nodded silently and stepped aside, allowing Love to step into her sanctuary.

As Love settled onto the couch, Milk couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She watched Love make herself at home, her heart aching with the familiarity of their shared routines—the Netflix marathons, the playful banter, the way Love's laughter filled the room.

"Where's Gun? Did he not spend the night with you?" Milk's words slipped out involuntarily, her jealousy flaring up before she could stop it. She regretted the question almost immediately, but it hung in the air between them.

Love turned to her, a mixture of surprise and concern flickering across her features. She reached out, her touch gentle as she cupped Milk's cheeks in her hands, searching for answers in Milk's eyes.

"Is something wrong, Milk?" Love's voice was soft, tentative, as if afraid of what she might uncover.

Milk felt a lump form in her throat, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her chest. "No, Love, nothing's wrong," she replied quickly, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I was just... curious."

Love studied her for a moment longer, her gaze probing yet gentle. "Alright then," she finally said with a nod, her smile warm but tinged with a hint of sadness that mirrored Milk's own.

As Love settled onto the sofa, Milk couldn't tear her eyes away. She watched Love, her heart swelling with a mixture of affection and sorrow. They fell into their familiar pattern effortlessly, watching a show on Netflix, trading jokes and stories, yet each moment felt like a bittersweet reminder of what could never be.

Milk found herself stealing glances at Love, her heart clenching with every smile, every laugh that escaped Love's lips. She wanted to hold onto these fleeting moments, to etch them into her memory, even as they carved deeper into the ache within her.

When Love yawned and stretched, signaling the end of their impromptu evening together, Milk's heart sank. She walked Love to the makeshift bed she had prepared, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet apartment.

"Goodnight, Love," Milk murmured, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Love turned to her, her gaze soft and lingering. "Goodnight, Milk," she replied softly, her smile tinged with a melancholy that mirrored Milk's own.

Milk stood in the doorway, watching as Love settled under the covers, the weight of the night settling around them both. She lingered for a moment longer, wanting to say so much yet unable to find the words.

"I think I've fallen deeper for you, Love," Milk whispered into the darkness, her voice barely a whisper against the storm outside. Tears trickled down her cheeks, silent witnesses to a heart breaking slowly.

"I don't know how to undo it," she continued softly, her words barely audible over the sound of rain against the windowpane. "But for tonight, let me just watch over you as you sleep. Let me pretend, just for a moment, that this could be enough."

With a heavy heart, Milk retreated to her own room, the silence of the night wrapping around her like a shroud. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, the echo of Love's presence lingering in the quiet corners of her mind.

"How do I stop loving you?" Milk whispered to the empty room, her voice cracking with the weight of unspoken desires and shattered dreams.