Dance Partners || N.NK ||

Part 58/S2

After finishing breakfast , you decided to take a walk around town to get some fresh air as usual.
You slipped your shoes on and were just about to head out when Ni-ki appeared, a curious grin tugging at his lips.
"Heading out alone already? Without me? That's new."
"Well it's not like I'm going out to meet my second boyfriend" you joked, rolling your eyes once more.
"Who knows? With that kind of beauty—those heart-shaped, plump lips that make me wanna kiss you every moment I lay my eyes on them, and those eyes that always pull me in—you could catch anyone's attention... even that guy Hyunjin." he said casually, still leaning back against the wall with his arms folded, eyes watching you closely for a reaction.

"Jealous much are we still?" you couldn't help but laugh once again.
Ni-ki had never been so jealous before, atleast not in the recent months you've already spent together.
"No. Why would I be" he said, his gaze diverting away from you almost immediately.

You raised a brow, stepping closer to him.
"Oh really?" you leaned a bit forward to peek at his face.
"Why can't you look at me then?"

Ni-ki clenched his jaw.
"You are imagining things," he muttered, eyes locked firmly at the blank wall behind you.
"I'm not jealous."

"Yeah sure, not once would I believe that, not even in my dearest dreams" you sarcastically said while trying to hold a laughter in.
"Your choice, I'm coming with you. Don't leave me alone in this big house" Ni-ki spoke, while putting his shoes on before grabbing the house keys from the key hanger as you walked out the door.

"Awhh my baby's scared" you grinned teasing him while walking backwards, your eyes were only laid on him, on his face that you could sit all day admiring.
"Yah! I am older than you!! Besides, since when do you even call me that?" he questioned, twirling the keys around his fingers.
"Hmm since today i guess" you mumbled, still walking backwards.

"Okay but can you please stop walking backwards?" Ni-ki called out, a flicker of concern crossing over his face.
"NOPE!" you grinned widely, refusing to stop on your tracks.
It had been months since you'd last walked backwards for fun and the thrill of it was too good to give up now.
"You are gonna crash into the pole if you don't!!" he tried warning you but his words reached your ears muffled due to the sudden gush of wind that just whipped past you.

And then—
THUNK.

Your head collided with something solid.
Very solid.
A sharp jolt shot through your body, like your nerves had been set off all at once.

You froze.
Your steps stopped.
Your brain malfunctioned.

For a second, everything went quiet, as if the world pressed paused.

"YN!" his voice—Ni-Ki's voice pierced through the silence.

You blinked.
Once.
Twice.

Then the throbbing pain settled in.
"Oww..." you groaned, reaching up to rub the spot where your head had met the pole.

Ni-ki was already in front of you, his hands gripping your shoulder, his eyes wide.
"Are you okay?? God, I told you...why didn't you listen?!?!" he asked, his worried tone quickly shifting to one laced with angst.

"I forgot poles exist..." you mumbled, while still processing his previous words.
When suddenly, he pulled you in a firm embrace.
His arms wrapped around your waist tighter than ever before.
And he tucked his face into the crook of your neck, hiding himself and his beautiful features away from the world—seeking solace in the only comfort he had : you.

"Why do you always make me feel like this?" he mumbled, his voice cracking as a tear slipped down his cheek—landing warm against your skin.
"Always worried sick..."

You froze.
Again.
The warmth of his tear against your skin lingered longer than it should have.
You didn't know what to say or how.
Words felt useless when his pain was written all over his face that now was hidden.
His hands were still around you, tight and trembling.

The guy who had been brushing off his jealousy from years before and playing it cool just minutes ago was now clinging to you, like he couldn't bear or think of the thought of losing you all over again.

"I'm sorry—" you began, your voice, fragile.
You wanted to apologise.
Truly.
You wanted to apologise, sincerely, for making him always carry the weight of worry behind that mask of cool composure he always wore so well.
For all the times he'd suffered in silence, when you left your career behind without sparing him a word just because you were too scared to face him.
For all the times he'd suffered trying to find you again.

For every little thing that you did to pierce his heart like a sharp blade—unintentionally.

But the words caught in your throat.

~ To be continued....

Sorry for the sudden change up...this chapter was hurried...