𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒆

[44]

After the long and exhausting exam, Namra and Sooheon made their way to her house. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft golden hue over the streets as they walked. Sooheon had been in an annoyingly good mood since they left school, grinning from ear to ear like a kid who had just been told he could buy anything he wanted from a toy store.

Namra already knew why.

The moment they stepped into her house and closed the door behind them, she turned to him, crossing her arms.

"Alright, spill it. What do you want?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sooheon leaned against the wall, his grin widening. "Maybe… a kiss?"

Namra rolled her eyes. "That's easy." Without hesitation, she stepped closer and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. It was short but sweet, and when she pulled away, she was already turning to walk toward the living room when—

"Not here though."

She stopped mid-step and slowly turned her head to look at him. Sooheon was smirking now, and Namra could already feel irritation bubbling inside her. "I gave you one," she said flatly.

"I didn't finish speaking," he said, completely unfazed by her deadpan expression.

Her eyes narrowed. "Sooheon—"

He pointed at his neck.

Namra blinked, then immediately sighed in frustration. "Are you serious?"

"Very," he said, grinning like a menace.

"You want me to kiss you there?" she asked, just to make sure he wasn’t joking.

He nodded without hesitation. "Yep. Right here." He even tilted his head slightly to expose more of his neck, the smooth skin looking far too inviting.

Namra let out a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment as if trying to find patience. Then, she opened them and took a step forward. "Fine. Stay still."

For once, Sooheon actually obeyed.

She placed her hands lightly on his shoulders, steadying herself before leaning in. Sooheon’s smirk softened slightly, his breath hitching just a little as Namra’s lips brushed against his skin. The warmth of her touch sent a shiver down his spine, and for the first time today, he wasn’t the one in control.

Namra lingered for a second longer than she intended before pulling away. She stared at him, her expression unreadable.

"There. Happy now?" she asked, her voice quieter than before.

Sooheon didn’t respond immediately. His usual cocky grin was still there, but his eyes held something different—something softer.

"Yeah," he murmured. "But I might need another one later."

Namra groaned. "You're impossible."

"And you're adorable when you're frustrated," he teased.

She huffed and walked past him, heading toward the couch. "No more rewards for you."

Sooheon just laughed as he followed. "We'll see about that."

The kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of jajangmyeon, a deep, savory scent that curled into the air and clung to their clothes. Namra stood by the counter, stirring the thick, glossy black bean sauce while Sooheon hovered beside her, peering over her shoulder.

"You sure it's supposed to look like that?" he asked, leaning in closer, his breath brushing against her ear.

Namra rolled her eyes. "Do you think I’d mess up jajangmyeon?"

Sooheon smirked. "No, but I also didn’t think you’d let me cook, and look how that turned out."

She turned her head slightly to glance at him. "You barely did anything."

"Excuse me?" He scoffed. "I chopped the vegetables."

"Almost cut your finger off, too," she retorted, stirring the sauce.

"That’s a small detail," he muttered.

Namra sighed but smiled to herself. It was moments like these that made her realize how much she enjoyed his presence—the way he could be both annoying and endearing at the same time.

"Alright, taste test," she said, grabbing a spoonful of the sauce. She turned to him, holding the spoon up to his lips.

Sooheon looked at her, then the spoon, then back at her. "Feed me properly," he teased.

Namra let out a sharp breath but obliged, lifting the spoon to his lips. He took the bite, humming in approval.

"Not bad," he admitted, swallowing. "Not bad at all."

She smirked, pleased with herself. But just as she turned back to the stove, she felt his fingers graze the hem of her shirt, barely there, but enough to make her pause.

"What?" she asked, looking at him over her shoulder.

Sooheon tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable for a moment before he simply said, "Nothing."

But it wasn’t nothing.

She could feel the shift in the air, the way his presence suddenly felt heavier, closer.

And then, just as she was about to step away, he reached for the back of her hand, his fingers brushing against hers. The touch sent a spark up her spine.

Namra turned around completely now, facing him, her heartbeat suddenly just a little too loud in her ears.

"You’re staring," she pointed out, trying to sound unaffected.

He didn’t deny it.

Instead, he stepped in, closing the remaining distance between them. His hands found her waist, resting there lightly as if waiting for permission.

She swallowed. "Are we… still cooking?"

Sooheon chuckled. "I think we’re done."

Namra wasn’t sure who leaned in first, but suddenly his lips were on hers, slow and warm. She melted into him almost immediately, her hands sliding up to his shoulders. The kiss was soft at first, a careful exploration, but it didn’t stay that way for long.

Sooheon deepened it, his arms tightening around her as he pulled her closer. Namra responded with just as much urgency, her fingers gripping onto his shirt.

The kitchen was forgotten.

The heat of the stove had nothing on the warmth between them.

Sooheon broke away just long enough to whisper, "I knew cooking together would be fun."

Namra huffed a breathless laugh before pulling him back in.

The food could wait.

A/N
I just got a idea for a new NAMHYEOK ff, so it'll be coming up right after this ends!