y.jw || strawberries and chocolates.

05 | strawberry with chocolate

❛ don't worry, i won't hold it against you. ❜

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I woke up to the sound of someone calling my name. My head pounded like a drum, the room spinning even with my eyes barely open.

"Hey, wake up," a familiar voice said, firm yet gentle.

I blinked, trying to focus on the blurry figure crouched in front of me.

"Jungwon...?"

"Yeah, it's me. Why are you sleeping in the hallway?"

The words hit me like a splash of cold water, and I jolted upright, immediately regretting it as my head throbbed in protest.

"The hallway?" I mumbled, glancing around.

Sure enough, I was slumped against the wall next to my door, my shoes still on and my bag haphazardly leaning against my leg.

How did I even—oh no.

Flashes of last night hit me: the bar, the drinks, the endless frustration swirling in my mind. I must've made it to my apartment but never actually went inside.

Jungwon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "What happened to you?"

"I... um..." I trailed off, not ready to explain the entire mess of my life to him.

"Never mind. Let's get you inside," he said, standing up and extending a hand to help me. "Where's your key?"

Still half-asleep and mortified, I fumbled through my bag, finally fishing out the key and handing it to him. He unlocked the door, pushing it open before helping me inside.

"Careful," he muttered as I stumbled slightly.

He guided me to the couch, easing me down like I was made of glass. I leaned back, closing my eyes to fight the dizziness.

"Thanks," I whispered.

"No problem. Stay put," Jungwon said, his tone soft but firm.

I heard him rummaging through my cabinets, muttering under his breath. After a few moments, he spoke up. "You don't have anything for a hangover, huh?"

I opened one eye, watching him glance around my nearly empty kitchen.

"I'll be back. Don't move," he instructed, grabbing his phone and heading out.

I barely registered the sound of my front door closing before I let my head fall back against the couch. My eyelids felt like they weighed a ton, and I drifted in and out of a hazy half-sleep until the door clicked open again.

Through my foggy vision, I saw Jungwon walk in, carrying an eco bag filled to the brim. He placed it on the counter, pulling out items one by one—bottles, containers, and something that looked suspiciously like fruit.

I tried to sit up, only for the motion to send a wave of nausea crashing over me. I froze, clutching my stomach, hoping it would pass.

But it didn't.

I staggered to my feet, the room spinning wildly, and stumbled toward the bathroom. Before I could even make it halfway, Jungwon appeared beside me, steadying me with an arm around my shoulders.

"Easy," he said, guiding me quickly toward the toilet.

I didn't have time to be embarrassed. My stomach twisted, and I leaned over, the contents of last night's misery spilling out. Jungwon held my hair back, his other hand resting lightly on my shoulder.