Opposing Hearts - Kwon Jae-Sung x Reader

Chapter 16: Too late

You couldn't deny it. After all, it was true. You loved Kwon, and he loved you.

You remained there, wrapped in Kwon's arms, for what felt like hours. The world was passing by, everything moving, apart from the both of you. You wished you could stay like this forever.

A small ball of golden light began to warm the horizon as the dimness gradually dwindled. You scarcely shifted your position, not wanting to escape Kwon's embrace, to allow you to check your phone briefly.

Your eyebrows raised simultaneously. "It's 4:00 am! We have to go back to the hotel; training is in three hours. Neither of us can turn up exhausted, let alone tipsy too." You exclaimed with a sigh of exasperation.

Kwon reciprocated your sigh. "You're right, y/n; we better get back now." He declared.

Kwon gently released his grip around you, famishing you from the warmth and tenderness, as he rose from the flower field. With a smirk, he held out his hand invitingly and brought you to your feet.

"What a gentleman." You mocked with a chuckle, causing a smirk to grow onto Kwon's face.
"I think you mean-thank you, Kwon." He retorted smugly.

The walk back was serene; the streets were bare and thick with silence. Everything was still, which was rare to observe in the usually bustling city of Barcelona. Your footsteps were soft as if you were trying not to interrupt the peace.

Arriving back at the hotel, you both entered the lift.

"I have to go back to Tory's room; I left my gi in there." You remarked as you pressed the number of her floor.

"So we are going to wake her up in the middle of the night? What a nice friend." Kwon teased, a smirk plastered onto his face.

In response, you rolled your eyes in exasperation. "I am not being selfish if that is what you are trying to get at. Tory is not in her room tonight; she said she was training all night with Yoon or something." You retorted, the mention of Yoon causing Kwon to raise his eyebrows.

"Yoon, you say? Interesting." Kwon chuckled.
But before you could interrogate him any further, the lift came to a halt and opened its colossal doors. You headed to Tory's room, with Kwon following close behind you.

In one swift swipe, you grasped the spare keycard that Tory gave you from your pocket and unlocked her door. Determinedly, you began searching for your gi, which you were almost certain was sprawled on the floor-somewhere.

As you hurriedly began looking for your gi, Kwon observed you with a patronising smirk. "Are you not going to help me?" You questioned irritably.

Kwon shrugged his shoulders in response. "There's no point in panicking; it will get you nowhere." He smugly suggested, causing you to clench your jaw in response.

After what felt like hours of hectic searching, Kwon held up your gi. "Told you." He chuckled with a grin. As you attempted to retrieve it, Kwon lifted it above you, shaking his head teasingly.

"I don't think so. You haven't thanked me yet. You know, for finding your gi." Kwon asserted with a mocking expression glued on his face.

A scoff left your lips, not wanting to entertain Kwon's childish games. But you needed your gi, and you didn't want to argue back and forth with him. After all, Kwon would not give up. Ever.

You raised your arms in defeat. "Thank you, Kwon. Would you like a kiss to show my gratitude, too?" You tauntingly suggested.

Before Kwon could eagerly take you up on your offer, a thumping knock pierced the amorous silence. You instantly locked eyes with Kwon, both sharing a simultaneous glance of perplexion. It was four in the morning; who in their right mind would knock at this time of night?

A pleading voice arose from the other side of the door. "Tory, are you in there? Is y/n there? I need to talk to her."

The voice sounded ever so familiar, but you couldn't work out who it was. Turning to Kwon, he offered an encouraging nod, eager to find the culprit of the knock himself.

"Quick, go hide in the bathroom or something!" You mouthed to Kwon as you approached the door. Kwon rolled his eyes before casually strolling to the bathroom and shutting the door behind him. With one final deep breath, you turned the doorknob.

Meeting your bewildered gaze, exhausted eyes locked onto yours with a slight hopeful smirk.
"Y/n, I'm glad you answered." He admitted, relieved.

It was Robby. A scoff left your lips in distaste. "Robby, it's 4 in the morning. What the actual hell are you doing here?" You spat accusingly.

Robby gave you a remorseful look. "I needed to talk to you. I wanted to apologise."

"Save it, Robby." You scowled, crossing your arms in an intense grip.

Before you could slam the door, Robby had squeezed himself inside, closing the door forcefully. "No, y/n. It can't wait."
He paused for a moment, briefly scanning the room for any sign of Tory. Satisfied that you were alone, Robby released the heavy breath he was holding. Little did he know there was a certain someone in the bathroom, listening to his every word.

"Look, y/n, I'm such an idiot. I let Zara get in my head, and I believed her over you. I knew you would never cheat on me." Robby continued, each word in a more desperate tone than the last.

You stayed silent. There was nothing you wanted to say to Robby.

"I did something stupid, but I'm not ready to throw away our relationship. I can't stop thinking about you; you're constantly on my mind, even when I'm fighting.
Y/n, please, we have something special, and you know that too." Robby pleaded, attempting to fix things with you.

But it was too late.

A sudden clatter from the bathroom echoed across the room, piercing the deafening silence. Knowing Kwon, this was intentional. But you did not want another fight to break out between them, not when you needed as much rest as possible before your training.

Robby's eyebrows raised simultaneously as he slightly tilted his head. Your heart overwhelmingly thumped in your chest as your breathing became hitched and sharp.

"Is someone in there?" Robby accusingly enquired as he clenched his jaw.

You swallowed. "No, just leave it." You defensively hissed.

Sceptically, Robby's glare was fixed on the bathroom door as he determinedly approached it. However, you swiftly stood in front of him, blocking his entry.

Robby gritted his teeth. "Y/n, move out of the way." He demanded, his tone dripping with frustration.

You firmly shook your head. Your apprehension was now evident on your face, making it obvious you were hiding something or someone from Robby.
Animosity encompassed the air as you reciprocated Robby's scrutinising glare.

A vexed Robby let out a heavy scoff and shoved you out of the way in a harsh push, causing sharp, stinging pains of agony to pulsate from your shoulder. This caused you to lose your balance as you stumbled helplessly against the wall.

Robby pulled open the door in a flaring rage, which only intensified as he diverted his glare to Kwon. Robby's eyes burnt with outrage as he clenched his fists furiously. The colour had stubbornly washed out of his face, replaced by utter paleness.

Each word Robby spat out was more relentless than the other, cutting the lingering silence like a sharp blade. "You have got to be joking me."

Kwon shrugged his shoulders, a smirk blossoming on his face. "What's wrong, Keene? You've had your turn; she's mine now." Kwon declared with a shove.

Robby regained his footing as he positioned himself closer to Kwon. "Say that again." Robby challenged, his rage dominating his instincts entirely.

Kwon clenched his fists fiercely, ready to attack. But he found his gaze had diverted to you. Kwon's assertive expression faltered slightly. He knew you didn't want him to fight Robby on your behalf. You were worth more than a pathetic fight. Kwon gradually unclenched his fists and leaned his head closer to Robby's ear.

"I'm not going to fight you now. It's what's best for her. But don't take this as an act of showing mercy. Next time I see you even look in her direction, I will destroy you. Mark my words." Kwon whispered threateningly with pure venom, leaving Robby shaken.

Kwon reappeared beside you, aiding you to your feet. "We're done here."
Kwon interlocked your fingers with his and gave you a satisfied smirk as you both walked out of Tory's room and back into the lift. You gave Robby one final incredulous look before following Kwon out of the room.

Not wanting Kwon to notice, you let out a hushed wince at the gnawing ache in your shoulder. But Kwon noticed. He always noticed. A slight frown was painted onto Kwon's face as he studied you thoroughly.

"Did he hurt you?" Kwon questioned. His expression was unreadable, but there was a slight glimmer of concern in his gaze.

Not wanting to cause a scene, you sheepishly shook your head. "No. Not really? He just pushed into me. I'm fine, don't worry." You replied reassuringly. Though you were vaguely stunned at Kwon's sudden interest in your pain.

A scoff left Kwon's lips. "That 새끼 (bastard) will pay for it next time I see him on the mat. I promise you, y/n." Kwon scowled with a glint of vengeance in his eyes.

You gave Kwon a small smile in return as he continued, speaking in a more soft and toned-down manner.
"Let me see your shoulder." He urged as you firmly pulled down one strap of your dress. Your shoulder was now a more scarlet hue, a bruise already starting to cloud over your reddened skin.

Kwon turned to you. "You need to ice it so it doesn't swell. I'll help you do it." He offered, with a glint of something unfamiliar glistening in his eyes. Was it sympathy, care, or love?

What was it about you that made him feel this way?

The last few days of training would be intense, forcing you over limits you never thought would be possible. But it would all be worth it. It would be priceless to see Samantha Larusso weakened and defeated. The victory was in your hands; you just had to fight relentlessly for it. And then there was Kwon, standing by your side, helping you train, rather than focusing on himself. You were his only exception, but he had to be careful not to turn you into his weakness, too.