flicker of flame|| KTH X JJK

4.Hearts Entwined"

"What? Are you serious?" Fathima's eyes widened in shock as she locked eyes with Vyn. They gazed at each other for what felt like an eternity, forgetting the time and place. She was frozen by his words.

The sudden blare of a horn broke their intense stare. Vyn bit his lip, smiling as Fathima placed her hands on her cheeks, feeling the heat of her blush.

"I... I need to think," she stammered, hiding her face with her soft hands.

"Yup! Take your time, baby," he said, leaning casually against a street lamp.

*Baby? What's wrong with him? Why did he call me 'baby'?* Fathima thought, her mind racing. *God, what do I do now? Should I say no? No way-I can't. I love him, but I don't have the courage to say yes... God, save my heart. And thank you... Because of you, I met him, and now I've been proposed to by my crush. Oh, it's Vyn!* She marveled inwardly.

Vyn gently took her hand, and she looked up at him. "What happened?" she asked.

"I know you feel what I feel," he said, crossing his arms around her and pulling her hand close to his chest, letting her feel the rapid beating of his heart.

She bit her lip, nervously stepping back, but he pulled her closer. Her eyes widened in surprise. "We're in public," she whispered.

He smiled playfully. "So, would it be okay if we were in a private place?" he teased.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow, flustered.

"Wanna eat?" Vyn asked again, a grin spreading across his face.

**The Current Situation**

"When are you going to say it?" Vyn asked, his voice steady but filled with anticipation.

Fathima met his gaze, her eyes softening. "If you find me within a year... I won't hesitate to say yes."

Vyn didn't ask why or what she meant. Instead, he simply smiled, gently cupping her cheeks. "I will. I'll definitely find you, and I'll love you more than the sun loves the moon."

Her heart swelled at his words, tears welling up in her eyes. After dinner, they stood in front of her home.

Fathima held his hand tightly. "I trust you. Don't be late."

He smiled, leaning close, their breaths mingling. "Don't worry. I love you."

As she turned to go inside, he stopped her, a playful glint in his eyes. "If I'm not supposed to be late, I'll need some stamina," he teased.

Blushing, she ran back to him and kissed his lips-just for a fleeting moment.

He raised an eyebrow, teasing, "What was that?"

"A kiss..." she replied, her cheeks warm.

"I know that, knucklehead. But does anyone kiss like that?" He chuckled.

She looked up at him, and before she could react, he pulled her close, pinning her gently against the wall, and kissed her deeply.

A few minutes later...

Fathima was rolling restlessly in bed, her thoughts swirling. Lena entered the room to help pack her clothes.

"What's wrong with you?" Lena asked, noticing her friend's unusual behavior.

"Lena... Lena... Lena..." Fathima repeated, her mind lost in the moment.

"Wae geurae?" Lena asked, clearly frustrated. Fathima looked at her, puzzled. "Why are you so frustrated?"

"Aaish... Nothing, I'm just normal, but you keep calling my name without saying anything," Lena replied, her tone sharp with irritation.

Fathima's face fell a little. "Fine, what happened?" Lena asked more softly, smiling playfully.

Fathima glanced at her, then started to recount everything that had happened.

Lena's eyes lit up with joy for her friend. "Really? He did that?" she asked, almost in disbelief.

"Mmm..." Fathima nodded, smiling shyly.

"And what did you say?" Lena prompted, eager to hear more. As Fathima explained the kiss, Lena's eyes widened in shock. "What...? Are you serious?"

"Why are you screaming, Lena?" Fathima asked, a bit startled by her reaction.

"I can't believe it-who kissed first?" Lena asked, still processing the news.

Fathima smiled shyly and raised her hand. "Ah ah... It's frustrating! How could you go first? He should've done all that!" Lena said, clearly frustrated but teasing her friend.

She came closer, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "But you know what?"

"What?" Lena asked, intrigued.

"He tastes really good," Fathima teased.

Lena's eyes flared with playful anger, and she chased Fathima from the hall to the room.

Despite her own feelings for Vyn, Lena was genuinely happy for her friend. She knew that Fathima deserved someone like him. Now, Vyn belonged to Fathima, and that was enough. Lena would always see him as an idol, but her love for her friends was greater, a love that would never fade.