Annyeongz One-shots

81. Dear

The alarm rang softly at 4:00 a.m., but Yujin was already awake.

He always was.

The world outside their apartment was still wrapped in darkness, the city silent, untouched. He liked it that way. It felt like those hours belonged only to him.

Carefully, he slipped out from under the blanket, making sure not to disturb the warm weight beside him. Wonyoung was still asleep, her hair spilled across the pillow, her breathing slow and even. For a moment, he just stood there, watching her.

His wife.

Even after years of marriage, the word still made his chest tighten in the softest way.

He leaned down and brushed a few strands of hair away from her face before heading to the bathroom. A quick shower. Cold water. It helped him wake up fully. By 4:15 a.m., he was in the kitchen, quietly preparing warm lemon water for himself, checking the fridge, tidying the counter, setting aside ingredients for breakfast later.

He moved efficiently, disciplined — like everything he did.

But every few minutes, his eyes drifted toward the bedroom door.

At 4:30, he peeked in again.

Still asleep.

He smiled faintly.

Back in the living room, he wore his fitted jogging shirt and lightweight shorts. His smartwatch blinked alive on his wrist as he fastened it. He stepped onto the treadmill for his usual warm-up — fifteen minutes of steady walking that slowly turned into a light jog.

His breathing became controlled. His muscles loosened. His mind sharpened.

Routine. Structure. Focus.

When the warm-up ended, he stepped down, wiped the light sheen of sweat from his neck, and reached for his running shoes. He laced them tightly, slid his AirPods into his ears — but didn’t play anything yet.

Instead, he walked back to the bedroom.

The room was dim, curtains barely letting in the faintest hint of dawn. He approached the bed and crouched beside it.

“Wonyoung,” he whispered gently.

She didn’t move.

He leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

“I’m going jogging,” he murmured near her ear.

Just as he started to pull away—

A hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.

He blinked.

Slowly, she opened one eye, her voice sleepy and soft. “You’re leaving…?”

He couldn’t help it. He chuckled quietly at her clingy tone.

“I’ll be back in an hour,” he said, brushing his thumb across her knuckles.

But instead of letting go, she tightened her grip and tugged him slightly.

He exhaled in amusement. “Ah… so this is how it is?”

With a small shake of his head, he removed one AirPod and sat on the edge of the bed.

“What do you want?” he asked softly.

She shifted closer, her hair messy, eyes half-closed. “Hug.”

That was all.

Just one word.

He melted immediately.