Shore To Be || Hong Eunchae

Houdini |Chapter 14|

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite."

‿︵‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣୧ - - - - - ୨˚̣̣̣୧‿︵‿︵‿︵

The first thing I noticed as I began to wake up was the warmth. It wasn't the familiar warmth of my blanket or the faint sunlight filtering through the curtains. No, this was different—softer, more comforting. As I gradually became more aware of my surroundings, the realization hit me: I wasn't alone.

I was snuggled up against Eunchae.

The realization senta rush of conflicting emotions through me—surprise, warmth, and a flutter of something that felt a lot like nervousness. But I couldn't deny how comfortable and right it felt. Her body was pressed against mine, her soft breathing steady and rhythmic. The scent of her shampoo, something light and floral, filled my senses, grounding me in the moment.

For a moment, I didn't move. I didn't want to disturb the peacefulness of it all, the tranquility of the morning. I could feel her heartbeat, steady and calm, and it was oddly soothing, lulling me back into a state of contentment. My mind, still foggy with sleep, struggled to piece together how we had ended up like this, but the details were blurry. All I knew was that I wanted to savor this moment for as long as I could.

Carefully, I shifted slightly to get a better look at her. Her face was so close to mine, and I could see the faint outlines of her features in the dim light. Her eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted as she slept. She looked peaceful, completely at ease, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

What should I do? Part of me wanted to stay like this forever, to keep holding her close and pretend that the outside world didn't exist. But another part of me knew that this was a fleeting moment, one that would inevitably end sooner rather than later.

As if sensing my thoughts, Eunchae stirred slightly, her hand twitching against my chest. My heart skipped a beat as she let out a soft, sleepy sigh, her eyelashes fluttering as she began to wake up. I held my breath, wondering how she would react when she realized the situation we were in.

Slowly, her eyes opened, and for a moment, she looked confused, as if she was trying to make sense of her surroundings. Then, her gaze met mine, and I saw the realization dawn in her eyes. Her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, and I could feel her tense up slightly in my arms.

"Good morning," I whispered, my voice barely more than a murmur. I didn't want to break the spell of the moment, but I also didn't want her to feel uncomfortable.

She blinked at me, her expression a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place. "Good morning," she replied softly, her voice still thick with sleep.

We lay there for a few moments in silence, neither of us quite sure what to say or do next. The awkwardness of the situation was palpable, but at the same time, there was a strange sense of comfort in it. It was as if we were both acknowledging the unusualness of our position without letting it ruin the moment.

Eventually, Eunchae shifted slightly, her gaze dropping to where our bodies were pressed together. "I... I didn't mean to fall asleep like this," she mumbled, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of pink. "I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," I reassured her quickly. "It's actually kind of nice."

Her eyes flicked back up to mine, and I could see the uncertainty in them. "Really?"

I nodded, offering her a small smile. "Really."

A shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she seemed to relax a little, her body sinking back against mine. The tension that had been building between us dissipated slightly, replaced by a quiet understanding. We didn't need to say anything more; the simple act of being close to each other was enough.