The next few weeks were a strange kind of bliss. Changbin and I didn't have the conversation again—not the big, looming one about what we were or where we were going—but things felt lighter. Easier. There was no more tension hanging in the air, no more space between us that felt forced. We'd found a new rhythm, one that I wasn't sure I was ready for but was willing to lean into.
We spent more time together, but it wasn't overwhelming. We didn't need to be attached at the hip, and Changbin never pushed for more than I was ready to give. He made me feel like I could be myself, like I didn't need to have all the answers. That kind of security was something I hadn't experienced in a long time.
One Saturday morning, after a long week at work, Changbin texted me with a surprise plan.
Changbin: Pack something comfy. I'm picking you up in an hour.
I laughed when I saw the message, my curiosity piqued. I quickly replied.
Me: What are we doing?
Changbin: It's a surprise. Just trust me.
An hour later, true to his word, Changbin pulled up outside my place, a grin plastered on his face as I climbed into his car. "You look suspicious," I said, eyeing him playfully.
"I just have a feeling you're going to love this," he said, not giving anything away.
As we drove, the cityscape began to give way to more open roads, and soon enough, I realized we were heading out of the city entirely. The air outside became clearer, fresher, and the sight of trees and open fields was a welcome change from the usual urban chaos.
"Are you kidnapping me?" I joked, leaning back in my seat as I watched the scenery roll by.
"Would you be upset if I said yes?" he teased, his hand brushing against mine on the center console.
I smiled, feeling the warmth of his touch. "Depends on where you're taking me."
He shot me a wink but said nothing more, keeping the mystery alive.
We finally arrived at what looked like a nature reserve, and as soon as I stepped out of the car, I could feel the tension in my body begin to melt away. The air was crisp, the smell of pine and earth filling my lungs. There were trails winding through the forest ahead, and I could hear the distant sound of water, maybe a river or a waterfall.
"You brought me to the woods?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
Changbin nodded, his grin widening. "I figured you could use a break from the city. Plus, I thought it'd be fun to just... disconnect for a while."
I smiled, touched by his thoughtfulness. It was exactly what I needed, though I hadn't realized it until we got here. The constant grind of work and city life had been weighing on me, and this felt like a much-needed escape.
We started down one of the trails, the sound of our footsteps crunching on the dirt path mixing with the distant chirping of birds. It was quiet, peaceful, and for a while, we didn't say much, just walked side by side, enjoying the stillness around us.
After about an hour, we reached a clearing where the trail opened up to a small river, the water rushing gently over smooth rocks. Changbin found a spot near the edge of the water, and we sat down on a patch of soft grass, the sun warming our faces.
"This is perfect," I said, closing my eyes and letting the sounds of nature wash over me.
"I thought you'd like it," he said, his voice soft and content.
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the kind where you don't need to fill the space with words. And then, without thinking, I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. He didn't say anything, just wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer.
It felt natural, being there with him like this. There were no expectations, no pressure to define anything. Just us, in this moment, away from everything else.
After a while, I broke the silence, my voice quiet as I spoke. "I haven't done this in a long time."
"Done what?" Changbin asked, his hand absentmindedly tracing patterns on my arm.
"Let myself relax. Disconnect from everything."
He nodded, understanding. "I get that. Life can get... heavy. It's hard to take a step back sometimes."
I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. "Yeah. It's been hard to find that balance. Especially with work and... well, everything else."
Changbin glanced at me, his eyes filled with a gentle understanding. "You've been through a lot," he said quietly. "But you don't have to carry all of it alone."
I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. He wasn't just talking about work. He was talking about the walls I had built up, the ones I had been too afraid to let down. But here, in the quiet of the woods, with his arm around me, those walls didn't feel as necessary.
"I know," I said softly. "It's just... hard to let people in sometimes."
He didn't push, didn't ask for more than I was ready to give. Instead, he just nodded, his hand still tracing slow circles on my arm. "Whenever you're ready. I'm here."
His words, so simple yet so meaningful, made my chest tighten in the best way. I wasn't used to this kind of patience, this kind of quiet understanding. And it made me realize just how much I had been missing out on by keeping people at arm's length.
As the afternoon wore on, we eventually made our way back to the car, both of us feeling lighter than when we had arrived. The drive back to the city was filled with the same kind of easy conversation that had become so natural between us, and by the time we reached my apartment, I felt more at peace than I had in weeks.
Changbin walked me to my door, his hands shoved in his pockets as he gave me that familiar, lopsided grin. "So, was it worth the kidnapping?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "It was. You know me better than I thought."
"Good to know," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
There was a beat of silence, the air between us filled with something unspoken. I didn't know if it was the calm of the day or the way he had made me feel so safe, but for the first time in a while, I didn't feel afraid of the emotions swirling inside me.
Without thinking, I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. It wasn't rushed or desperate, just a quiet moment between us, filled with all the things I hadn't said yet but knew I would, eventually.
When I pulled back, Changbin looked at me with a mixture of surprise and something else—something softer, more vulnerable.
"I'll see you soon," I whispered, not ready to say goodbye just yet, but knowing I needed to.
Changbin smiled, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Whenever you want."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing at my door, my heart full and my mind finally, blissfully, quiet.
