Eye to eye ( Heeseung ff)

Chapter 6: Between the Lines

The next few days passed like a dream for Fei, though her heart and mind were anything but quiet. She couldn't stop thinking about that night in the park with Heeseung. Every word he'd said, every look they'd exchanged—it all replayed in her mind like the sweetest of melodies. Yet, beneath the glow of their connection, doubt began to creep in.

Could something so simple and beautiful really fit into his complex world?

It was that thought that lingered in her mind as she sat in her studio one rainy afternoon, her sketchbook open on the table in front of her. She had been trying to work on a new piece all day, but every time she started drawing, her thoughts drifted to Heeseung. Eventually, she gave in, her pencil moving almost unconsciously.

When she glanced down at the page, her breath caught.

She'd drawn a silhouette of him, standing beneath a tree with stars scattered above. The faint outline of his profile was unmistakable. Fei smiled to herself, shaking her head. You're in trouble, she thought.

Her phone buzzed on the table, breaking her reverie. She glanced at the screen and saw Heeseung's name. Her heart skipped a beat as she picked up the phone, swiping to open his message.

What are you up to?

Fei smiled, typing a quick response. Just trying to sketch... and failing miserably.

The reply came almost instantly. Want some company?

She hesitated for only a moment before replying. Sure. Come over.

~

An hour later, there was a knock at the door. Fei hurried to open it, her heart pounding in anticipation. Heeseung stood there, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, his face lighting up with a smile when he saw her.

"Hey," he said, his voice warm.

"Hey," she replied, stepping aside to let him in.

He looked around the studio as he walked in, taking in the shelves lined with sketchbooks, the easel in the corner, and the scattered pencils and paints on the desk. "This is... amazing," he said, his eyes wide. "It feels like you."

Fei laughed softly. "Messy and chaotic?"

Heeseung shook his head, his expression serious. "Creative and full of life."

Her cheeks warmed at his words, and she busied herself tidying up the desk to hide her reaction. "It's nothing fancy," she said. "Just a place to work."

Heeseung picked up one of the sketchbooks, flipping through the pages. His eyes softened as he took in her drawings—delicate portraits, intricate landscapes, and abstract designs that seemed to pulse with emotion.

"You're really talented," he said, his voice quiet but sincere.

"Thanks," she murmured, feeling both flattered and vulnerable under his gaze.

As he set the sketchbook down, his eyes fell on the drawing she'd been working on earlier. He picked it up, studying it closely. "Is this... me?" he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Fei froze, her cheeks flushing. "I—it just happened," she stammered. "I wasn't even thinking about it—"

"It's beautiful," he interrupted, his gaze still on the drawing. "You captured something... real."

Fei relaxed slightly at his words, though her heart was still racing. "Thanks," she said softly.

He looked up at her, his expression unreadable. "You see things differently, don't you? The way you look at the world... it's like you find meaning in the smallest details."

Fei shrugged, feeling shy under his intense gaze. "I guess I just... try to pay attention. There's beauty everywhere if you look closely enough."

Heeseung nodded, his eyes lingering on her. "That's what I like about you."

Her breath caught at his words, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to hum with unspoken emotion. But before she could say anything, Heeseung smiled and stepped back, breaking the tension.

"Show me how you work," he said, gesturing to the desk.

Fei blinked, her mind still spinning, but she nodded and moved to the desk. She picked up her pencil, glancing at him. "What should I draw?"

"Anything," he said, sitting on the edge of the couch. "I just want to watch."

She hesitated, feeling a little self-conscious under his watchful gaze, but soon her pencil began to move across the page. As she sketched, the world around her seemed to fade away, leaving only the rhythm of her hand and the image taking shape on the paper.

When she finally stopped, she glanced up to find Heeseung watching her with a soft, almost reverent expression.

"That was amazing," he said quietly.

Fei smiled, setting the pencil down. "It's just a sketch."

"It's more than that," he replied, standing and moving closer to look at the drawing. "It's... you."

She looked at him, her heart aching at the sincerity in his voice. In that moment, she felt an overwhelming urge to tell him everything—to let him know how much he already meant to her, how much she was drawn to him. But the words caught in her throat, held back by fear.

Instead, she smiled and said softly, "Thanks, Heeseung."

They spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, the hours slipping away like minutes. By the time Heeseung left, Fei felt lighter than she had in weeks.

But as she watched him walk away, a part of her couldn't help but wonder how long this delicate balance could last.

Because as much as she wanted to believe in the connection they were building, she couldn't ignore the differences in their worlds—the challenges that might come with trying to bridge the gap between them.

Still, as she closed the door and leaned against it, a soft smile touched her lips.

For now, she would hold onto these moments, these small glimpses of something beautiful and real.

And maybe, just maybe, that would be enough.
-
Thank you for reading!
Written: November 15th, 2024.