Nɪ-Kɪ Oɴᴇsʜᴏᴛs

-37-Sᴜɴᴋɪ(💗)

The late afternoon sun spilled through the windows of the café, casting golden streaks across the wooden tables. Ni-ki sat with his hands wrapped around a mug of steaming tea, his fingers trembling slightly from the chill in the air. He glanced towards the door every time it swung open, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sunoo. The bell jingled as someone entered, but it wasn’t him. Ni-ki sighed, a soft, defeated sound that blended with the low hum of chatter around him.
“Come on, Ni-ki, you know he’ll show,” a voice chimed in from across the table.
“Yeah, but what if he doesn’t?” Ni-ki replied, his gaze dropping to the table. “What if this time… it’s different?”
“Different how? You two always find your way back to each other. It’s like a freaking rom-com,” his friend teased, nudging him playfully.
Niki managed a weak smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “This isn’t a movie. Our parents—”
“Forget about them! You guys love each other. That’s what matters!”
Just then, the door swung open again, and Ni-ki’s heart raced. Sunoo stepped inside, shaking off the cold and scanning the room. Their eyes met, and a wave of warmth washed over Ni-ki, momentarily dispelling his worries.
“Sorry I’m late,” Sunoo said as he approached, his voice smooth like honey, a grin stretching across his face. “Traffic was horrible.”
Niki felt a flutter in his chest. “You’re always late,” he teased, trying to inject some lightness into the moment.
“Yeah, but I’d never miss seeing you.” Sunoo leaned down, brushing his lips against Ni-ki’s cheek, sending a thrill through him. He could smell the faint scent of cologne mixed with the crisp air.
“Do you want to order some food?” Ni-ki asked, suddenly nervous as he pulled away from the warmth of Sunoo’s presence.
“Let’s just get dessert. It feels like a day for sweets,” Sunoo replied, his eyes sparkling. “What do you want?”
“Maybe the chocolate cake?” Ni-ki suggested, already imagining the rich flavor melting in his mouth.
“Chocolate cake it is!” Sunoo beamed, and for a moment, everything felt right. The weight of their reality lifted just a little.
As they waited for their order, the conversation flowed easily, with Sunoo recounting a funny incident from his classes, his laughter ringing out like music. “And then the professor actually tripped over his own feet! I thought he was going to faceplant right on the floor.”
Niki couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound mixing with Sunoo’s laughter. “That’s amazing! I would’ve paid to see that.”
Their dessert arrived, a decadent slice of chocolate cake with a generous dollop of cream. Sunoo dug in first, his fork poised dramatically. “Okay, but I get the first bite.”
“Hey! That’s not how it works!” Ni-ki protested, but Sunoo merely laughed, shoving a piece of cake into his mouth.
“Delicious! You have to try it!” Sunoo offered, leaning closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Fine, but only if you promise not to hog it all,” Ni-ki said, leaning in as well, their faces inches apart.
“I make no promises,” Sunoo teased back, their laughter echoing off the café walls.
But as the sweetness of the cake melted away, the weight of their situation settled back in. The smiles faded, and Ni-ki found himself staring out the window. “We should probably talk about… you know, everything.”
Sunoo’s expression shifted, a shadow passing over his features. “Yeah, I guess we should.”
Niki took a deep breath, his heart pounding. “My parents are still pushing me to focus on my studies. They don’t want me to be distracted. And then there’s—”
“Your bully,” Sunoo finished, his voice low.
Niki nodded, his stomach twisting at the thought. “He’s been relentless. I’m just so tired of it.”
“I wish I could do more,” Sunoo said, biting his lip. “I hate seeing you like this.”
“I know. But it’s not just about me. It’s about us too,” Ni-ki replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “If my parents find out… if they see us together…”
“They won’t. I promise I’ll keep it a secret. We can figure this out, Ni-ki,” Sunoo insisted, his eyes fierce with determination.
“But what if they find out anyway? I can’t risk it. I love you, but I can’t keep hiding,” Ni-ki said, feeling the pressure rise in his chest.
Sunoo reached across the table, taking Ni-ki’s hand in his. “We’ll find a way. We always do.”
Niki felt a surge of warmth at the gesture, but doubt still gnawed at him. “What if this is it? What if we can’t be together anymore?”
Sunoo’s grip tightened. “I won’t let that happen. I refuse to lose you.”
A silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. The café buzzed around them, but it felt like they were in their own world, isolated in the chaos. Ni-ki’s heart ached. “I don’t want to break up… but I feel like it’s the only way.”
Sunoo’s eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them. “No. We can’t just give up. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
“Then what do we do?” Ni-ki asked, his voice trembling. The tears threatened to spill over, but he blinked them away, determined to stay strong.
“Let’s run away,” Sunoo blurted out, as if the idea had just struck him. “Just for a little while. We can go somewhere together, somewhere no one knows us.”
“Run away?” Ni-ki echoed, incredulous. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Why not? We can take a weekend trip, just us. Forget about everything else for a bit. We deserve that,” Sunoo urged, his excitement infectious.
“But what about school? What about your family? My family?” Ni-ki protested.
“Let me worry about that. Just say yes. We can leave tomorrow morning,” Sunoo pressed, his eyes glimmering with hope.
Niki hesitated, his mind racing. The thought of running away, even for a little while, was exhilarating. “You really think we can just… escape?”
“Absolutely. Just for a couple of days. We’ll figure it out as we go,” Sunoo replied, his smile brightening the dimming light of the café.
Niki bit his lip, his heart pounding. “Okay… okay, let’s do it.”
Sunoo’s face lit up, and he squeezed Ni-ki’s hand. “Yes! I promise you won’t regret it.”
The decision hung in the air, a thrilling secret that felt both terrifying and liberating. They spent the rest of the afternoon planning, laughter and whispers mingling with the clinking of cups and the hum of life around them. Ni-ki felt lighter, the weight of their reality momentarily forgotten.
As dusk fell, they left the café, their fingers entwined, a silent promise between them. The world outside was cool and crisp, the streetlights flickering to life. Sunoo leaned closer, his breath warm against Ni-ki’s ear. “Let’s make this unforgettable.”
The next morning, they slipped out of their homes, hearts racing with the thrill of rebellion. They took a bus to a nearby town, the scenery blurring past them, a tapestry of greens and browns. Ni-ki felt a rush of freedom as they left their worries behind, if only for a little while.
“Look at that view!” Sunoo exclaimed as they reached a small overlook. The landscape stretched out before them, rolling hills bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
“It’s beautiful,” Ni-ki breathed, his heart swelling.
Sunoo turned to him, a serious look in his eyes. “This is our moment, Ni-ki. Promise me you’ll remember this.”
“I promise,” Ni-ki replied, and as Sunoo leaned in for a kiss, the world faded away. The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, but it deepened as they melted into each other, the taste of adventure mingling with the sweetness of chocolate cake.
They spent the next few days exploring, laughing, and talking late into the night. Each moment felt precious, a stolen piece of happiness, but the reality of their lives loomed in the background.
One evening, as they sat on the beach watching the waves crash against the shore, Ni-ki turned to Sunoo, his heart heavy. “What happens when we go back?”
Sunoo’s expression shifted. “We deal with it. Together.”
“What if they don’t let us?” Ni-ki asked, his voice shaking. “What if they try to keep us apart?”
Sunoo took a deep breath. “Then we fight. We’re stronger than they think.”
Niki nodded, but doubt still lingered. “I just don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t. I promise,” Sunoo said, his voice steady and reassuring. “This is just the beginning.”
As the days passed, the thrill of their escape began to wear off, replaced by the weight of their reality. The conversations about the future became more frequent, each one tinged with a sense of urgency.
“We can’t keep running away,” Ni-ki said one night as they sat on the bed of their small motel room. “We have to face our parents.”
Sunoo ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. “I know, but I can’t bear the thought of them tearing us apart again.”
“Then we figure it out. Together,” Ni-ki insisted, feeling a fire ignite within him. “We can’t let them control us.”
Sunoo looked at him, a mixture of admiration and fear in his eyes. “You’re right. But what do we say?”
“We tell them the truth. That we love each other, and we’re not going to let anyone take that away from us,” Ni-ki said, his voice firm.
Sunoo took a deep breath, his features softening. “Okay. We’ll do it, then. Together.”
The next day, they packed their bags and headed back home, the anticipation and dread swirling within them. As they arrived, Ni-ki’s heart raced, knowing the confrontation that awaited them.
“I’ll be right here with you,” Sunoo said, squeezing his hand tightly as they stood outside Ni-ki’s front door.
“Okay,” Ni-ki whispered, steeling himself. He pushed the door open, the familiar scent of home washing over him.
“Niki! Where have you been?” his mother exclaimed, worry etched on her face.
“We need to talk,” Ni-ki said, his voice shaking.
Sunoo stepped in behind him, a steady presence. “We’re together, and we want you to know.”
Silence fell over the room as Ni-ki’s parents exchanged glances. “Together?” his father finally asked, disbelief written all over his face.
“Yes,” Ni-ki affirmed, his heart pounding. “We love each other, and we’re not going to hide anymore.”
His mother’s expression softened, but his father’s face darkened. “This is unacceptable. You need to focus on your studies, Ni-ki.”
“I can’t keep living for you,” Ni-ki shot back, his voice rising. “This is my life, and I want to live it with Sunoo.”
“You’re too young to understand,” his father said, crossing his arms.
“Maybe you’re the ones who don’t understand,” Sunoo interjected, his voice steady. “We’re not children. We know what we want.”
The tension in the room thickened, and Ni-ki’s heart raced. “Please, just listen to us.”
His mother stepped forward, her eyes softening. “We just want what’s best for you.”
“And what’s best for me is being with Sunoo,” Ni-ki replied, his voice cracking. “I love him, and I’m not going to let anyone take that away.”
After what felt like an eternity, his father finally spoke, his tone begrudging. “You’ll need to prove that you can handle this. School comes first. No exceptions.”
Niki felt a mix of relief and anxiety wash over him. “I will. I promise.”
Sunoo’s hand tightened around his, a silent vow of support. “We’ll make it work. Together.”
As the days turned into weeks, the tension between them began to ease. Ni-ki and Sunoo navigated their new reality, balancing their relationship with the expectations of their families. It wasn’t easy, but they fought for each other, finding strength in their love.
One evening, as they sat on the rooftop of Ni-ki’s house, the stars twinkling above them, Sunoo turned to him, a soft smile gracing his lips. “We did it, didn’t we?”
“Yeah, we did,” Ni-ki replied, a sense of triumph swelling in his chest. “I can’t believe we actually survived that.”
“Together,” Sunoo reminded him, leaning in for a sweet kiss.
Niki felt a rush of happiness as they pulled away. “I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.”
“Me neither,” Sunoo said, his eyes shining with affection. “This is just the beginning for us.”
As they sat together, the world felt lighter, the weight of their struggles transforming into hope. They had fought for their love, and it was stronger than ever. With the stars as their witness, Ni-ki knew they could face anything that came their way.