Sudden Change┊Huening Kai┆彡

-ˏˋtwelveˊˎ

[Name]'s pov

The sky is a velvet canvas, stars blinking lazily as waves whisper along the sand. I let the cool breeze brush past me, walking along a path beside the ocean. The house is quiet behind me, everyone asleep. All I hear are crickets chirping from who-knows-where and the soft rustle of grass.

"Sweetheart, aren't you cold?" a voice asks.

I flinch. "Hyuka?!"

"Shh," he hushes, pressing a finger gently to his lips, reminding me how loud I was.

I cup a hand over my mouth, mouthing, Sorry.

The moonlight glazes his skin, perfectly framing his already perfect face.
"You looked like some sad indie movie protagonist walking out here alone," he says. "Had to check if I should cue the emotional soundtrack."

I roll my eyes, turning back around. "I came out here to be alone, genius." I make my way toward the ocean.

"Too bad," he says, falling into step behind me.

I sit on the sand. Hyuka plops down beside me.

I sigh, not bothering to tell him to leave.

I guess his company isn't too bad.

We sit for a while, the moonlight gleaming on the waves as they lap quietly against the shore, the night folding around us. The silence feels warm.

From the corner of my eye, Hyuka shifts closer.

I edge away slightly.

"Hold still. I won't bite."

Before I can fire back, his fingers brush my hair aside, tucking my bangs behind my ear with unexpected gentleness. I don't notice I've stopped breathing until my lungs ache.

His arms move around me, his chest almost brushing the tip of my nose. I freeze, confused and still.

Then—something cool touches my collarbone.

He backs away.

I look down.

The wisteria necklace. The one from the market.

My eyes widen. "How—?"

"I was behind you long enough to watch you stare at that necklace for five minutes straight," he snickers.

"Creep," I mutter.

My fingers play with the pendant. "Thanks, Hyuka."
A small smile ghosts across my lips. Not annoyed. Not sarcastic.

Just soft.

"If I get that reaction from you every time," he says, grinning, "then I'll buy everything you look at, sweetheart."

God, what is he doing to me?

I can only stare at his eyes, glimmering in the moonlight. His dark brown hair flutters in the breeze. His lips shimmer faintly with sea salt.

How can someone be so perfect?

I snap out of it, furrowing my brow and shoving him just enough to knock him off balance. He tumbles onto the sand.

"Hey!" he laughs, pretending to be mad.

I snicker, trying not to laugh too hard.

"C'mon. We should probably head back. At least get some sleep," I say, brushing the sand off my legs as I stand.

"Please no," Hyuka groans. "I deadass can't sleep with those zoo animals."

"Is it that bad?" I ask, raising a brow.

"They snore like there's no tomorrow. And Beomgyu keeps grabbing onto me in his sleep like it's not already boiling in there."

I wince. "Okay yeah, I feel bad for you. You can try sleeping in our room—or we can set up a bed in the living room."

He gets up too, brushing sand off his pants and hoodie.

"Sure."