Toxic Summer | Kwon Hyuk.

Finally Feels Right.

"I just want to make sure I'm providing a safe environment for him you know? He wants to be around Hyuk and Hyuk wants to have him around but ... I don't know." She chewed on the inside of her lip to prevent herself from saying she couldn't control her emotions around him.

"It might not be what you want to hear but for the sake of Riley, put your feelings aside. You've said it before he deserves to know his father." Tyler stated truthfully

"You don't know Hyuk like I do." She shot back defensively

"You're basing all of this on shit that happened an entire 6 years ago? I still don't know what happened because you refuse to tell me and I can't force you to, but all I can say is that people change. Priorities change. Thought processes change. Give him a chance." Tyler's input always acted as the rational one that she needed whenever her inner voice failed to react accordingly.

Jasmine went quiet in thought after that. When was she supposed to draw the line between past and present? When did she give him a chance to prove himself and his change of character?

All of that led to her making the decision to pay him a visit. In Jasmine's usual organised manner, she called Jiho to check for a time when Hyuk would be available and at home. She had been a mess just thinking about being there, in his presence and in his house, but nothing could really get her ready for actually pulling up in front of his house with Jiho.

All she could envision were the shades of white black and grey that covered his extremely minimalistic old house. While she was bubbling with anticipation to see what his new place looked like, she was on edge with the vibe. What if the vibe was still exactly the same? Iffy, tense and over all dangerous? She couldn't possibly go ahead with what she had planned. That wasn't safe at all for Riley.

"Are you okay? You look like you're about to spit chunks." Jiho asked with concern but a touch of humour stopping Jasmine from overthinking more than she already was.

"I'm fine. Just a little out of my comfort zone." She spoke clearing her throat

"You can come in behind me. You don't have anything to worry about." Jasmine nodded feeding off of jiho's reassuring smile.

Slowly walking in she observed his open plan living room from the wide hallway. Much different from before it was decorated and looked like... someone was actually living there. As she walked deeper into his house behind Jiho, Hyuk's slightly raspy voice grew louder causing the hairs on her arm to stand at attention.

"What are you doing here?" He asked standing to his feet in shock.

"I just wanted to come and speak to you that's all. If you're busy I could always come back." seeing that he wasn't alone made her nervous and she quickly turned on her heels to leave but Hyuk wouldn't let her.

"No no, we can talk" he quickly called after her

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" Hyoseob asked flipping his attention between Jiho and Hyuk

"Uh Crush ... this is Jasmine" Hyuk stated scratching the back of his neck out of nervousness

"The Jasmine? It's great to finally meet you. Hyuk talks about you nonstop, all day everyday..." Hyoseob said with a light smirk on his face

"Hyoseob." Jiho sternly called so he would stop talking

"What? I finally meet the girl Hyuks been depressed over for the past 5 years, the same girl he's hurt himself over and you think imma be on hush mode? i've got way too many questions to ask." There was an aggressiveness in his tone that Jasmine immediately picked up on, as did his friends.

She receded in a state of terror, not knowing how to respond or react and Hyuk could see how nervous his actions made her. He felt it was his fault that his friend had reacted this way and regardless of the fact that he would have never imagined it, it was his responsibility to diffuse the hostility in the air. The four of them stood staring at each other awkwardly though Hyoseob had no regrets.

"Jasmine, do you wanna go and talk outside?" He asked confidently.
For a second she had froze, overthinking everything hyoseob had said. Hyuk took her silence as the initiative he needed to hold her hand and lead her outside, an act that once again caught her off guard.

"I'm so sorry, I never expected him to act like that."

"It's alright. I'm sure my friends would do the same if they got close enough." She chuckled breaking down the tension as she watched the sunset

"How's Riley?" He hummed

"That's who I wanted to talk about. Well, since you stayed over that night he's been speaking about you non stop. I'm not really sure how to go about ... any of this, but if you wanted to, I could give you some time with him. Just the two of you? That's only if you want. Obviously if you can't I understand, you're a busy man and you have other engagements. I get it." she rushed through her proposal barely giving Hyuk enough time to respond.

Maybe her request was slightly outlandish, too out there and as a result she felt a wave of embarrassment that she tried to run away from.

Hyuk grabbed hold of her hand in a reassuring way. On his part there was no longer any hesitation to touch her or be close to her. Since that moment they shared at her house he knew this was what he wanted. Both of them being scared and apprehensive to make the first move would get them nowhere. Hyuk was... still in love with her and that made him forget all about any fear he felt.

"Jasmine, relax. You've asked me a question so let me answer it." He lightly chuckled and used his thumbs to send reassuring rubs on the back of her hands
"I'd love that Jas. Nothing would make me happier."

"Great" she gently smiled. Moments like this made Jasmine want to crawl into his arms and hide for cover. Hide from her own negative feelings and the voice in her head that constantly told her to be cautious around him.

The two were transfixed on each others eyes not wanting to break away, not wanting to lose the precious moment. They had already kissed but each time felt new. Each time felt like the first time.

"I really wanna kiss you" Hyuk whispered and caressed her cheek completely captivated by how the sun hit her dark brown eyes and lit them up like amber gemstones. Jasmine too was in a state of wonderment as she stared at his compact but utterly beautiful features.

"Then do it." She blurted out. It was too late to retract the confident statement but she also didn't want to. It finally felt right. Being with Hyuk was starting to feel right.