𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗞𝗘𝗡 | park sunghoon. ✓

▎018

☂︎

SARIM & SUNGHOON walked side by side, the winter afternoon sun casting a warm glow around them. The chatter of students slowly faded as they made their way to a small sandwich shop a few blocks away. Sunghoon had insisted it was the best place in town, and Sarim was excited to try it.

As they entered the shop, the scent of freshly baked bread and savory fillings enveloped them. Sunghoon's eyes lit up as he scanned the menu. "You have to try the fried chicken sandwich. It's legendary," he said, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"Okay, I trust you," Sarim replied, smiling at his enthusiasm. They ordered their sandwiches along with two cups of hot kakao, then found a table by the window.

Once they settled in, they took their first bites, and Sarim's eyes widened in delight. "Itsh sho yummy" she exclaimed with chip munk cheeks, savoring the flavors. Sunghoon watched her, a sense of warmth blooming in his chest at her reaction.

"See, I told you!" he grinned, taking a bite of his own sandwich. After finishing their sandwiches, they lingered over their hot chocolate, sipping the hot drink. Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, watching Sarim as she held the cup of hot chocolate.

Just then, they finished their drinks and stepped outside, the cold air a refreshing change from the warmth of the shop. Sunghoon glanced at Sarim and noticed a bit of whipped cream from her kakao smeared on her lip. "Wait sarim, you've got something on your mouth," he said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"H-Huh?" Sarim replied, her hand immediately flying to her mouth. She attempted to wipe it off but only managed to smear it further.

Sunghoon couldn't take his eyes off her. The way her cheeks flushed a soft pink, her lips parted slightly in surprise—it all stirred something deep within him, and before he could stop himself, his hand moved.

He stepped closer, his presence enough to make the air feel heavier, more charged. She froze as he lifted his hand, his thumb brushing lightly across her lip. The touch was slow, deliberate, and achingly gentle.

His thumb lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, his touch warm against her cool skin. Her eyes widened, darting up to meet his, and in that instant, the world around them seemed to fall away.

His heart pounded in his chest, a rhythm so loud he was sure she could hear it. Her gaze was soft but uncertain, like she was trying to make sense of the sudden closeness. He let his hand fall back to his side, but the warmth of her lingered on his skin, a phantom touch he couldn't forget.

"Got it," he said softly, his voice dipping into a tone so low and intimate it sent a shiver down her spine.

The silence between them wasn't awkward—it was thick with tension, the kind that made the air feel electric. His eyes searched hers, as if trying to read her thoughts, trying to understand the emotions swimming just beneath the surface. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if she felt it too—the invisible thread pulling them closer, tightening with each passing second.

Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling as if she'd forgotten how to breathe. He noticed everything about her in that moment— the subtle quiver in her lower lip, the way her gaze flickered down to his mouth before darting away.

He swallowed hard, forcing himself to take a small step back.

But even as he pulled away, the moment didn't fade. It lingered between them, a fragile yet undeniable connection that neither could fully put into words.

Sarim's breath caught in her throat, the unexpected intimacy sending butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She could hardly believe how something so simple felt so significant. "T-Th-Thanks," she managed, her cheeks flushed.

"Do you want to head home?" he asked, his voice steady but soft.

"Y-Yeah," she replied, her heart racing as they began walking together.

As they strolled through the neighborhood, they exchanged smiles, but words felt unnecessary. The warmth of their connection filled the air around them.

When they arrived at her apartment building, Sarim felt a sense of reluctance wash over her. Standing at her door, an unspoken tension hung in the air.

Without thinking, Sunghoon stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. Sarim's breath hitched as she melted into the embrace, the warmth and comfort enveloping her completely.

"Bye, Sarim," he murmured softly against her hair, his voice low and sincere.

"B-Bye Sunghoon," she replied, her heart pounding in her chest as he slowly released her.

As Sunghoon turned to leave, Sarim stood there for a moment, feeling the lingering warmth of his hug. She touched her lips, still buzzing from the unexpected intimacy, a smile spreading across her face as she watched him walk away.

authors note :
heyy guys. im sorry for the lack of updates, school really drains me, i hope you can understand. this chapter got a bit short but i promise the next chapters will be longer! also i'll try to update more often :)
ricarda