Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

28

I just stood there. The whirlwind of thoughts had simmered down to an aching guilt. I took in his droopy eyelids, his tousled hair as if he had freshly rolled out of bed, his disarrayed pyjamas.

I don't know what I expected, anger, some shouting or silent treatment perhaps? But not what he did. I watched cautiously as he held my hand with a whisper of relief.

Until next moment, he smacked my hand lightly.

"Yah Chae Ahrin! You might be the sweetest, prettiest woman to exist but don't think you can just run away like that! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! "

I could only whimper an apology, feeling the acute stab of guilt worsen as I recalled how messily I left. Yeonjun pulled me inside his place and made me sit on his couch.

"I'm so sorry, Jun. I, I don't even know what came over me... "

"Hueningkai might have shared the problem a bit with me. But I still want to know your thoughts. "

At first I stumbled over my words, peeking at him through my lashes. But he gave my hand an encouraging squeeze. Then the words came tumbling. I could tell how shocked Yeonjun was, especially when I mentioned his friend.

"I don't want to invalidate your feelings, Rin. But I take care of you because I want to, because I like it. I take care of my Mom, I even care for Hueningkai, my cousins and nieces and nephews. It's my... uh what do you call that?.. Right Love language! It's how I am. You didn't see me do that with Bitna, because while she's still an acquaintance she's nowhere near that important to me. But you are! So my first instinct is the need to shield you from all problems and take care of you.

But in no way does it mean that I won't take your advice or come to you with my problems."

I sniffled again, feeling how much I had let him down. He patted my head than pulled me on his lap, hugging me closer.

"It's just me showing my love, Rin. I don't know any other way to do it. And it's time you start accepting it, that you don't always have to compensate me in some way for caring after you. I do it on my own will, not expecting anything. "

"Why don't you Jun?! Please show me your problems and worries too. You didn't even tell me you weren't feeling well from a few days. Don't you think I want to know these things? I want to spoil you too, buy you things, make you little gifts—"

"Do it. I will not stop you anymore. I'll tell you what bothers me and if something's on my mind. Now, babyyy~"

His sudden shift in tone almost threw me off guard as I looked at him startled. He was smiling slightly then nuzzled into my neck.

"I'm hungry. I couldn't cook. Please make me kimchi stew like last time. "

I immediately stand up. Yeonjun gets up but I shove him back down and hand him the tv remote to occupy himself. He chuckles and settles down to watch some drama. I head into the kitchen and take out the necessary ingredients from the pantry cupboards and fridge, starting the work.

In an hour and half, I had the stew bubbling away, the rice perfectly steamed, pickled cucumbers, and made some fresh side dishes. I looked on, happy at the results. My cooking had tremendously improved these days. I called him after setting the table.

"Woahh!!... "

I smiled and beckoned him to sit. He picked up his chopsticks and started digging in. He kept on singing praises of my cooking.

"Ah.. I'm so full. I didn't even have an appetite in the morning and here I'm chowing down. "

"Don't say it like that! You should eat more. "

He hummed, looking pleasant and smug.

"So we are fine, right? No more fighting? "

I nod, unable to speak. I get up to hug him again. I breathe in his comforting, fresh detergent scent of his pyjamas.

"I'm so sorry, Jun. I was being so childish. "

"It's okay. Look at you being so cute. "

I pouted. Yeonjun suggested we watch some movies. He didn't want anything too exciting, so I suggested some Disney classics. I made some light popcorn and we settled on the couch after Yeonjun put on some extra pillows and a blanket. He gave me his tshirt and shorts to change into. I washed up in his bathroom before joining him on the couch. We cuddled and watched Tangled, Princess and the Frog and Aristocats.

Through the middle of Aristocats, I felt the weight of his head settle on my shoulder. Soft snores filled up the quiet atmosphere. I switched off the tv. I couldn't move him to the bed, so I just shifted him to lay him down on the couch. I observed his delicate features, a small content smile on his face. I pressed my lips to his forehead, wishing him peaceful sleep full of sweet dreams.

I sat there staring at him. I could feel the tiredness from the stressful day seeping in. I didn't realize when my eyelids droop and I drifted into sleep.