Anecdotes

iii. selenophilia ~ dal × haejun

Ship : Park Dal × Kang HaeJun

Drama : Family By Choice

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Haejun and Dal strolled side by side under the gentle glow of the streetlights. It was late, the world around them hushed in the embrace of the night. The soft breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine, mingling with the sound of their footsteps on the quiet path. Dal, her cheeks slightly pink from both the chilly air and the proximity to Haejun, clutched her hands together nervously. She couldn't believe she was finally here, walking beside him, after years of silently admiring him from afar.

Haejun glanced at her, a soft smile tugging at his lips. There was something about Dal tonight that made his heart feel... full. It wasn't new, he realized, but it was as if he was noticing it for the first time. The way her short curls framed her face, her fair skin glowing under the moonlight, and that content smile she wore-it all felt comforting and familiar, yet strangely electrifying.

The path took them past a small convenience store, and Haejun abruptly stopped. "Wait here," he said before disappearing inside.

Dal blinked in confusion, watching him through the glass. A moment later, he emerged with a small tub of strawberry ice cream in hand.

"For you," he said, handing it to her casually, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Dal froze, staring at the tub in her hands. She had mentioned liking strawberry months ago-just a passing comment she hadn't expected him to remember. Warmth spread through her chest, her lips curving into a small smile.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

They continued walking, the ice cream now nestled in Dal's hands. Her heart felt lighter, the gesture meaning more to her than she could ever put into words.

Haejun, on the other hand, was lost in thought. Memories of their time together flooded his mind-her quiet support during his basketball games, the way she always seemed to notice the little things about him, her laughter that always seemed to brighten his day. He felt like a fool for not seeing it before.

He stole another glance at her and felt his heart skip a beat. How long had he felt this way? How had he been so blind?

Dal looked up at him just as he was looking at her. "What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Haejun hesitated for a moment, then glanced up at the sky. "The moon looks beautiful tonight," he said, his voice soft.

Dal blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in his tone. "It really does," she agreed, though her gaze lingered on him rather than the sky.

"What did you mean, though?" she asked again, trying to read the expression on his face.

Haejun simply smiled, a warm, almost knowing smile, and instead of answering, he reached for her hand. His fingers laced with hers, and a quiet sense of calm washed over her.

They walked like that, hand in hand, their steps in sync, saying nothing but understanding everything. For the first time, Dal felt like her unspoken feelings didn't need words-and maybe, just maybe, Haejun felt the same.