Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Perfectly Real

The kitchen was bathed in the soft glow of the early morning light, a quiet peace settling over the room. Outside, the rain still drummed against the windows, though it was no longer the furious storm it had been before. Now, the rain felt like a distant echo—calm, subdued. Inside, it seemed as though the world had quieted, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble.

Hyejin and Minho were caught in this suspended moment, neither of them eager to break the delicate stillness between them. Hyejin sat on the kitchen counter, her arms looped around Lee Know's neck, while his hands rested firmly on her waist, holding her close as if he never wanted to let go. Their foreheads met, both of them with soft smiles on their faces, eyes locked in a silent exchange that said everything and nothing at the same time.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Hyejin pulled back just enough to fix his collar, her fingers trembling as they smoothed out the fabric. She couldn't bring herself to believe this was real—Lee Minho, the man who had always seemed so close yet so distant, was here, holding her like she'd always dreamed.

Without saying anything, she pulled him back into a tight hug, as if afraid that this moment might slip away. His arms wrapped around her instantly, one of his hands moving to her back in a comforting gesture. Hyejin's voice was barely a whisper when she spoke, the words tumbling out before she could stop herself. "Don't leave me alone tonight, Lee Know. Please stay with me."

At her plea, Minho didn't hesitate. He scooped her into his arms with effortless ease, carrying her toward her bedroom as if it were second nature. He gently laid her down on the bed, kneeling in front of her as he met her gaze. "I don't have any backup clothes with me, honey," he said, the word 'honey' carrying a warmth that made her heart skip a beat.

The sound of that word made Hyejin's breath catch in her throat. She leaned in, wanting to feel his lips against hers again, and Minho didn't waste a second. He cupped her face with his hands, leaning in to kiss her softly, tenderly. When they pulled apart, Hyejin suddenly remembered something and quickly got up. "Wait here," she said as she headed to her closet.

She returned with a large white bag, handing it over to him. Minho took it without question, his curiosity piqued. As he opened it, he was met with a few familiar items—his hoodie, the leather jacket he had given her years ago when she'd complained about the cold, and his loungewear that he had handed to her just days ago. He chuckled softly, holding up the hoodie, the memories rushing back to him.

"So, this is where all my clothes went. Thief," he teased, though his tone was playful.

Hyejin tilted her head, giving him a mock-innocent look. "Technically, I just borrowed them."

He leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing, "Funny, I wasn't talking about my clothes."

Her breath caught again, this time for a different reason. Lee Know's gaze was full of warmth, his eyes filled with a love that made her heart race. Before she could respond, he moved in again, his lips claiming hers in a kiss that spoke volumes about his feelings, his regrets, and his love for her.

When they broke apart, he brushed his thumb over her cheek. "Give me a few minutes," he murmured. "I'm going to change."

Hyejin nodded, still a little dazed from the kiss, as he made his way to the washroom. She lay back on the bed, pulling the blankets up around her, a smile tugging at her lips as she stared at the ceiling. It felt like everything had shifted, and she couldn't help but replay every little moment in her mind. His kiss, his words—it all still felt like a dream, one she wasn't ready to wake up from.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open, and Minho returned, now dressed in a crisp white shirt and black track pants. He saw her tucked into bed and let out a soft chuckle.