Tides of the Heart 🥟❤️ (COMPLETE)

Tides of the Heart 🥟❤️

The morning after Stray Kids' electrifying concert in Milan, the city was quieter. The hustle and bustle of the previous night had faded, and now, the air felt calm, almost serene. The members of Stray Kids had a few days to themselves in the city before their next stop, and for once, there was no rush.

While most of the group chose to relax in the hotel, Hyunjin woke early, feeling the pull of the city outside. The familiar hum of excitement still lingered in his veins, but he needed something to ground him, something that wasn’t the stage or the crowded hotel room. He had always found peace in his art.

Quietly, he packed his painting supplies, determined to find inspiration in the city’s beauty. His love for painting was something few knew about, and though it was something he kept mostly to himself, Milan felt like the perfect place to let his creativity flow.

He slipped out of the hotel and into the crisp morning air. The city was just waking up, with sunlight spilling over the cobblestone streets, creating a soft glow that made everything look magical. He made his way to Lake Como, drawn to its calm waters and picturesque surroundings.

Upon arrival, he found a quiet spot near the water, where the scenic views seemed almost too perfect to be real. As he set up his canvas, the tranquil atmosphere around him settled his mind, and he began to sketch the beautiful landscape in front of him.

But it wasn’t long before he noticed her.

Sitting on a bench a little further down the path was a girl. Her golden, curly hair framed her face, and though she wasn’t traditionally striking in a way that would make her stand out in a crowd, there was something about her—something quietly captivating. She was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a cute top, holding an ice cream cone in one hand, her eyes closed as she swayed gently to the rhythm of the music playing through her headphones.

Hyunjin glanced at her again, feeling a curious pull. There was something so peaceful about her, something he couldn’t quite place, yet it felt like she belonged in this moment—just like the lake and the city around him.

Trying to focus on his painting, Hyunjin stole a glance here and there, his attention constantly drawn to her calm presence. The girl seemed so absorbed in her own world, unaware of the quiet stranger watching her from a distance.

As Hyunjin painted the serene landscape before him, his thoughts kept drifting back to the girl on the bench. Her golden curls, the soft way she swayed to the music, the simplicity of her presence—it was all so peaceful, so unassuming. And yet, there was something about her that made her seem like a part of the scene itself. It felt like she belonged there, her energy blending with the calm of the lake.

His brush slowed as he hesitated, staring at her once more. He wasn't used to this kind of impulse. Usually, his paintings were about landscapes, cityscapes, or abstract emotions. But today, something was different. There was a certain allure to the way she looked, so natural, so effortless, like she was part of the world around her.

Without thinking much further, Hyunjin set his palette aside and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper. He was going to try something different this time. Something more personal. Something alive.

He studied her for a few moments, noting the way the sunlight played in her hair, the curve of her lips as she smiled softly to herself, lost in the music. Her eyes were closed, and she didn’t notice him sketching her. The peacefulness in her face intrigued him—the way she seemed content in her own space. Hyunjin wasn’t usually one to draw people, but today, he felt an overwhelming urge to capture this moment.

His pencil moved across the paper, carefully outlining her figure—the casual pose on the bench, her relaxed posture, and the ice cream in her hand. He focused on the details—the softness of her curls, the way her outfit seemed so effortlessly put together, and how the light highlighted the edges of her face. Every line he drew felt like it was unlocking a story, one he wasn’t sure he understood yet but couldn’t resist pursuing.