ᴡʀᴏɴɢ ꜱᴇɴᴅ ┆|| ┆ni-ki

~forty~

Eunha shivered slightly as she sat on the park bench, her arms wrapped around herself. The evening chill seeped through her white long-sleeve top, the fabric doing little to keep the cold away.

She glanced around the empty park as she checked her phone for any messages, but there was nothing from Niki yet. A small sigh left her lips as she rubbed her arms, trying to keep warm.

Suddenly, something soft and warm draped over her shoulders. She flinched, startled by the sudden warmth, her fingers gripping the edge of what she quickly realized was a jacket. She turned to her right, expecting to see Niki, but found no one there.

Before she could make sense of it, a gentle touch on her cheek made her freeze. Fingers brushed lightly against her right cheek, sending a shiver down her spine, not from the cold, but from the unexpected softness.

She quickly turned left this time, and there he was, standing with a small, teasing smile playing on his lips.

"Did I scare you?" Niki asked, his voice light with amusement, hands casually shoved into his pockets.

Eunha's lips parted, but for a moment, no words came out. She pulled his jacket tighter around her shoulders, feeling the warmth seep into her skin. "You... you shouldn't sneak up on people like that." she mumbled, but the small smile tugging at her lips gave away that she wasn't really mad.

He chuckled softly, moving closer until he was just a few inches away. "Couldn't help it. You looked too cute being all cold." He gave her a playful nudge, and she rolled her eyes, though the pink in her cheeks wasn't just from the cold anymore.

Eunha glanced away, trying to ignore the fluttering in her chest, but Niki gently grabbed her hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here. I've got my car parked nearby. How about a drive?" He tilted his head towards the park exit.

Eunha shifted awkwardly as Niki's hand lingered on hers. The warmth from his touch spread through her, but her mind raced with nerves. She glanced at his car parked nearby,

"You drive?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Her voice came out a little more unconvinced than she meant it to, but she couldn't help it. Most of the guys she knew didn't have cars yet.

Niki flashed a lopsided grin, letting go of her hand as he stepped back, giving her a playful shrug. "What, didn't think I'd have my license?" He arched an eyebrow at her, a teasing look in his eyes that made her cheeks flush again.

Eunha rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile from tugging at her lips. "It's just... surprising, that's all." She adjusted his jacket around her shoulders.

Niki opened the passenger door for her, bowing slightly. "Well, you get to be surprised tonight. Now, get in before you freeze out here."

She huffed, playfully pushing his shoulder before slipping into the seat. "Fine, but if you drive like a crazy, I'm getting out."

He laughed, closing the door behind her before jogging around to the driver's side. "Deal," he said as he slid in, starting the engine.

The car hummed to life, the heater kicking in immediately and flooding the space with warmth. He glanced at her, smirking. "Ready?"

Eunha nodded as she showed him a small smile.

With that, they pulled out of the park, leaving the quiet streets behind them. Niki turned on the radio, some soft kpop music playing as they drove through the city.

The conversation was light and easy, filled with little jokes and teasing nudges.

As they reached the outskirts of the city, the beach came into view. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the water. Niki parked the car near the shore, and they both got out, the cool breeze hitting their faces.