Annyeongz One-shots

42. Date crushes ( 2 )

The street was empty except for the occasional flicker of a streetlight and the distant hum of a car passing far away. Yujin leaned against the cold glass of the bus stop, shoulders slumping, eyelids heavy, every muscle in his body begging for rest. His phone vibrated again in his pocket.

> Wonyoung: Don’t fall asleep on the street. I’m almost there.

He smiled faintly, a little amused and a little tired. “She really does show up when I least expect it,” he murmured to himself.

A few minutes later, the quiet was broken by the soft sound of approaching footsteps. He didn’t recognize the silhouette at first—the night and the dim streetlight made everything look hazy. Then she stopped right in front of him.

“Wonyoung…” he said, voice rough with exhaustion, blinking to focus.

She smiled, a little out of breath, holding a small thermos in her hands. “I couldn’t just leave you like this. You’re too stubborn.”

He shook his head, half in disbelief. “It’s… really late. You shouldn’t have come out.”

“I wanted to,” she said softly. “You worked all night, and you’re exhausted. Let me at least make sure you get home safe.”

Yujin let out a long breath. He could feel his body trembling slightly—not just from tiredness, but relief. “You really don’t have to do this. I’ll be fine… eventually.”

Wonyoung held out the thermos. “Here. Warm tea. It’s not much, but maybe it’ll help while we wait for your bus.”

He accepted it, fingers brushing hers briefly. The warmth from the thermos seeped into his hands and somehow into his chest, easing some of the tension he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.

“You’re… really persistent,” he murmured, taking a careful sip.

“I could say the same about you,” she replied, smirking slightly. “Refusing to let anyone pay for anything… twice in one night. You’re impossible.”

Yujin let out a small laugh, tired but genuine. “Maybe… I just don’t like feeling like people owe me.”

She tilted her head, studying him for a moment. “Well… you don’t owe me anything either. But I do care if you’re okay.”

He looked at her quietly, the city lights reflecting faintly in her eyes. “…You really have a way of showing up when it matters.”

She shrugged, smiling softly. “I guess… I don’t like leaving things unfinished.”

He shook his head, leaning back slightly against the bus stop pole. “…I could get used to that.”

Wonyoung laughed lightly. Then, after a small pause, she asked, “Can I text you tomorrow? To make sure you actually sleep?”

He smiled faintly, the first real warmth of the night settling in his chest. “Yeah… I’d like that.”

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The night was still, the air cool but not uncomfortable, and the weight of exhaustion felt a little lighter with her there. Yujin sipped the last of the warm tea and finally let his body relax against the pole, feeling… less alone than he had in a long time.

And Wonyoung, standing quietly beside him, couldn’t help but feel that somehow, two ruined first dates had led them to exactly where they were supposed to be.

Yujin finally pushed himself upright, rubbing his tired eyes. The warmth of the tea lingered in his hands, but his body was still screaming for rest. He looked at Wonyoung, her silhouette softly lit by the streetlamp, and felt a pang of worry he couldn’t ignore.