Within the spaces

Episode 17

As the morning wore on, they fell into their usual routine, but the subtle tension from their earlier interaction lingered beneath the surface. Their laughter was quieter, their smiles more fleeting, as if both were holding back.

The shoot began, and the weight of the moment immediately took hold. Faye slipped into Neung's heartbreak with great precision. Her character had just lost her grandmother. Now, with her gone, Neung was left alone, grappling with questions she could never ask and regrets she could never fix.

At first, Neung tried to maintain her composure, holding back tears as Aneung entered the apartment. She forced a stoic expression, her trembling hands betraying the storm inside. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, she turned away, her body stiff as she faced to the other side, desperate to conceal her vulnerability.

Aneung, however, saw through the facade. Her gaze softened, her own heart breaking for Neung's pain. Taking careful steps, she approached, her presence steady. Neung didn't respond at first. Her shoulders hunched forward, and her arms wrapped around herself as though shielding her emotions from the world. But Aneung didn't press. Instead, she reached out slowly, placing a tentative hand on Neung's shoulder.

That touch was the crack in Neung's armor. Her body tensed, and she let out a shuddering breath before the tears came. The sobs started quietly, but they grew, each one heavier than the last, until she was trembling. She turned to Aneung, her face streaked with tears, and buried herself in her arms.

Aneung tightened her hold on Neung, wrapping her arms around her as though to shield her from the weight of her own grief. She didn't know what to say, so she simply held her, stroking her back with a gentle rhythm. The moment stretched on, and as Aneung pressed a soft kiss to Neung's cheek, she suddenly noticed the sobs had quieted.

Neung stilled in her arms, her breath hitching as the kiss lingered. Aneung hesitated, her lips brushing Neung's skin. The air between them shifted, thick with something unspoken yet deeply felt. Acting on instinct, Aneung shifted slightly, her hands moving to cup Neung's face as she whispered, "I'm here."

Neung's eyes glistened as she looked at Aneung's face, her vulnerability laid bare. Aneung leaned forward, kissing her forehead, her touch tender and deliberate, as though offering a balm for every unspoken hurt. Neung closed her eyes, leaning into the comfort Aneung provided, her body beginning to relax.

What began as a gesture of comfort slowly evolved into something deeper. Aneung's hands moved gently down Neung's arms, her touch deliberate and reassuring. Neung leaned into Aneung's embrace, her trembling fingers clutching Aneung's dress as though it was the only thing anchoring her at the moment.

Aneung guided Neung to the bed with quiet resolve, her hands steady even as her heart raced. She cupped Neung's tear-streaked face, her thumbs gently wiping away the tears of her sorrow. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Aneung's gaze seemed to ask for permission, for trust. Neung answered by leaning forward, her lips brushing against Aneung's in a soft longing kiss.

The kiss deepened, soft and slow at first, until it grew more urgent, a raw expression of their need for connection. Aneung's hands moved to cradle Neung's back, pulling her closer.

Yet, as the intensity grew, Aneung paused, breaking the kiss with a shaky breath.

"This isn't right," she murmured, pulling herself away from Neung. "Not now, not like this." Her voice was thick with hesitation and a lingering guilt.

But Neung wouldn't let go. Her hands reached for Aneung, her grip firm yet gentle as she pulled her back. Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with both vulnerability and longing. "Stay... please. Please help me." Neung wanted to feel something - something that is not regret, not pain, something to distract her from her grief.

Aneung's resolve wavered, her conflicted emotions showing up in her expression. She looked at Neung, her eyes searching for something - permission, reassurance, or maybe just the courage to give in. When Neung nodded softly, her lips trembling but resolute, Aneung closed the gap between them with a passionate kiss that left no room for doubt.

Aneung's lips moved from Neung's mouth to her jaw, trailing down her neck with careful reverence. Each kiss was deliberate, a slow exploration as if Aneung wanted to make sure Neung felt every ounce of care she couldn't put into words.

Aneung's hands moved with purpose, caressing Neung's arms, her shoulders, her waist. She paused, her fingers lingering as she met Neung's gaze, silently asking if this was still okay, if she should continue. Neung's fingers curled into the fabric of Aneung's dress, her answer clear in the way she arched toward her, wordlessly pleading for the connection to go on.

With deliberate care, Aneung began unbuttoning Neung's shirt. The moment the fabric parted to reveal Neung's smooth skin and the delicate curve of her black bra, Aneung froze for a beat, her breath catching. Her gaze softened, but the desire in her eyes was undeniable, a quiet storm of longing and restraint. She knew she had crossed a line, one they could never uncross. There was so much at stake, yet retreating now felt impossible.

Neung reached for her, her fingers brushing against Aneung's arm as she whispered, "Please help me." The vulnerability in her voice, the unspoken need, sent a jolt through Aneung. She hesitated, her mind warring with her heart, but the way Neung looked at her - pleading, trusting - left no room for doubt. Seeking one last confirmation, Aneung's eyes searched Neung's, as if to say, Are you sure?

Neung didn't look away. She leaned in, closing the distance, and Aneung understood. When she kissed her again, it was with more fervor, her lips exploring Neung's with unspoken promises. She trailed soft kisses down Neung's collarbone, her shoulders, and every inch of skin she could reach. Each touch was tender, deliberate, as though Aneung was piecing Neung back together with every caress.

Neung's breathing grew uneven, her body trembling beneath Aneung's touch. Aneung moved lower, her lips leaving a trail of warmth and devotion along Neung's skin. The room seemed to hold its breath, the only sounds the faint rustling of sheets and the soft murmurs of comfort they exchanged.

When Aneung reached Neung's waist, she paused again, her fingers tracing gentle patterns on her sides. The weight of the moment settled over them, heavy and electric. Then, with a quiet certainty, Aneung pressed another kiss, this time lower.