Butterfly [j.jk]

이십칠

크리스마스

"guk-ah! over here!" she shouts from across the room, waving her arms with a smile of flowers. their gazes lock, both eyes sparkling of joy seemingly brightening the room.

"ho ho ho, welcome to café camellia" the handsome man in the apron exclaims, welcoming the boy with a warm grin. "merry christmas eve, hyung." he replies with a chuckle as he makes his way to the girl waiting by the fireplace. his gaze meets with hers, "merry christmas eve!" the boy greets, sounding a tad more bubbly than the last.

the two rosebuds sit by the table beside the big window, overlooking the winter night. a blanket of darkness accompanied with sprinkles of snow and dancing lights of red and green.

café camellia was no exception to the christmas spirit. seokjin has the tendency to over-decorate the shop for the holidays. each year being more extravagant than the last.

this year they were greeted with a big christmas tree in the corner topped with the brightest star, twinkling lights that hugged each wall, fake snow on the floors, and an inflatable santa by the door that cracked a laugh from the boy. it was no secret it was seokjin's favorite occasion. however, despite all the blinding lights, the quaint building ignites a warmth in their hearts with its comforting ambience.

"two cups of hot choco topped with tiny marshmallows, on the house." seokjin arrives at the two's table, serving their drinks with a wink. the girl's eyes twinkle at the steamy mug of her favorite drink. "thanks jin!" she replies with a chuckle. the two take a sip, a trail of warmth down their throat at the taste of sweet chocolate. "didn't you say hot chocolate was just for kids?" she asks, seeing as the boy had already taken more sips than her. "i take it back." he giggles, downing another take of choco nostalgia.

everyone sits in peace at the brink of midnight, generous smiles and cheerful chatters fill the room sparked by christmas spirit.

yet one smile seemed to be outshining the rest. a flower that enlightened the room the moment he stepped in with the beam of his grin.

"nari-ah," the boy calls out, grabbing the girl's attention. "merry-almost-christmas!" he exclaims, shyly pulling out a little box from his knitted coat, placing it in front of nari. a tiny case covered in butterfly stickers, similar to those on her notebook, as well as a pretty bow atop the quaint box that shocked the girl.

"i didn't know we were doing gifts..." eyes glued to the box, she stays wide-eyed with a surprised face.

he sits still, "well, it's really nothing much—" he scratches his head as he watches her unravel the ribbon.

a tiny gasp is heard, and jeongguk watches her as her eyes grow wider. she opens the frail box and it seemed that her world came to a halt. inside revealed a bracelet. nothing extravagant. just a simple bracelet of red thread.

yet something else catches her eye. a special twinkle that seemed to touch the girl's heart with warmth. a sight of silver that danced along the piece of string.

"this charm," she pauses, "it's a—"

"blue clipper butterfly." the two say in unison. both gazing at the trinket that hung upon the bracelet. "how'd you know?" she asks.

"i see it in your journal a lot." he lets out a bashful chuckle, "also, your aunt told me it was your favorite. but you've never seen one in person, so as a thank you for being my friend, i thought i'd bring the butterfly to you." he said, and his face lights up.

she looks up, a soft smile meeting her gaze. "thank you, i love it— a lot."

those were the words that jeongguk had anticipated all night. a wave of relief washes over him. what was once anxiousness was replaced with a blooming smile.

and she melted at the gesture, grateful to have met a friend as thoughtful as guk. but what was this unfamiliar feeling that was sinking in her chest?

heart racing, face feeling hot. all she could see was the the the blossoming daisies that gleamed in his eyes. all she could hear was the thumping of her chest.

why was it she felt like melting in the middle of winter?