STARSTRUCK LOVE || [MxM]

15. Together

Seo Joon's POV

My mind is trying to process all that Ki Seok has told me. What had started as a holiday has suddenly turned out to be a full-fledged emotional turmoil. I was expecting Ki Seok to unwind for a few days, away from Seoul; he had the perfect escape from his busy life and more importantly, the stalker. I did not expect him to express his childhood trauma or his love for me. I am utterly confused right now. When did he actually start liking me? Or is it just that he has received love for the first time in his life? Whatever it is, I will have to figure it out tomorrow.

I let him rest on my shoulder for a while. My shoulder is feeling wet now. I pull Ki Seok away to look at his face, he is crying, but he is not awake. I bring him back on his bed. He is still sobbing. I hold him in my arms trying to soothe him. He goes quiet after a while still asleep. I lay his head on the pillow and pull a blanket over him.

I sit near his head, moving his hair from his forehead. I cannot believe that this man sleeping in front of me has been through so much in life. If our relationship does last or even as long as it lasts, I will make sure to make each day a happy one for him. I will try to give him all that he has never received. I am thankful to God for my loving family. Everyday things that we take for granted are a luxury for some. I realize it today, how little I know about Ki Seok, and how little the world knows about him. This handsome face hides so much pain and insecurity.

I cannot imagine my life without my parents' love and here is a person who does not know what the love of parents mean. I admit that life was not always easy for my family. There were times when we struggled financially but we were always there for each other in those difficult times. My father made sure that we were loved and cared for. We always had hot meals even if they were simple.

I keep watching him, his face is calm just like the calm that appears after a storm. I don't remember falling asleep. I am woken by the sound of sobs, and find Ki Seok crying in his sleep. I touch his forehead to soothe him but it feels burning hot. I quickly head to the mini fridge in our room and take out some ice. I look around and find a bowl with petals in it. I quickly rinse it, transfer some ice and water to it, and bring it to the bed. I then grab a hand towel from the bathroom. I remove Ki Seok's t-shirt and start wiping his body with the cold water. He keeps mumbling in his sleep, but I cannot figure out what he is saying. I finally find his fever reducing. I cover his body with the blanket and lie by his side. I fall asleep again.

I open my eyes when the sun's rays fall on me. This morning seems different- Ki Seok is looking at my face lovingly. I touch his forehead to check his fever. It has not come back, but his face looks a bit pale.

"Are you feeling better?" I ask. "You had fever last night and kept mumbling in your sleep. Sorry I had to take off your t-shirt to wipe your body." I keep ranting trying to hide my excitement.

He is still looking at me, showing no response. I try to get up, throwing the blanket on the other side. Ki Seok pulls me back on the bed. I try to look away.

"Do you remember what I told you yesterday?" he asks.

"What?" I feign ignorance just to hear those words again.

"That I like you."

"Are you sure or is that just your drunken confession?" I am not giving in easily. I have liked him for years. I deserve to hear the confession again.

"Even when I get drunk, I remember everything I say and do to you."

"So you remember that you have kissed me earlier?"

"Yes, and I also remember that you had kissed me on the forehead the first night I spent at your home."

"So you have known all along and still kept me close." I blush at the thought of that kiss when I first touched his forehead my breath all hot.