"I-I'm sorry?" Byun Baekhyun's perplexity was palpable. A rare instance of him, known for his quick wit, being entirely at a loss for comprehension. He settled on the grass near her, maintaining a respectful distance as a result of her inebriated state.
Her enigmatic smile only deepened his mystification. The space between them dwindled as she leaned in, leaving mere inches of air between their faces. The faint glow of a streetlight was a silent witness, revealing the glimmer in her intoxicated eyes up close. Baekhyun felt the mingling scents of mint, chocolate, and liquor, a heady combination that stirred a slight dizziness within him.
Her voice carried the weight of revelation. "You heard me..." Her breath brushed his skin, the warmth sending a tingle down his spine. He hung on her words, his heart quickening.
"I've been utterly foolish, only realizing it now. The truth is... This person means more to me." Her gaze wandered from his eyes to his lips, an almost imperceptible gesture that caught his attention.
"Feel free to brand me as a heartless person, I've come to terms with that possibility. But would you like to know a secret?" She leaned even closer, her lips almost touching his ear, a delicate electric current passing between them.
"All those men I dated after this guy?" Her voice dropped to a near whisper, the words hanging in the air. Her breath against his skin sent a shiver through his body, a sensation that was both unsettling and exhilarating.
"I used them as distractions, ways to erase his memory from my mind. In short, they were rebounds." Her words were a breath carried by the wind, a confession shared in a hushed tone that held his rapt attention.
He couldn't be certain if he was the person she referred to, but a seed of doubt and hope took root within him. Was he the 'guy' she spoke of, or merely another chapter in her story?
Breaking the proximity, Taeyeon turned her gaze to the cityscape, her exhale a mixture of relief and reflection. "That's why, among those rebounds, I loved Dean most deeply. When we meet again, I'll do whatever it takes to apologize to him. You may see me as a heartless woman, perhaps I am. Yet, one thing remains certain—I did love them all. It just so happens that this person, this guy, was the one who taught me the depth of enduring affection."
Baekhyun's mind was a whirlwind of emotion. 'This guy' echoed through his thoughts, and he yearned for the possibility that he might be the one. Hope intertwined with uncertainty, reminding him of the vulnerability that accompanies such longing. The realization that he might indeed be the person she referred to brought both elation and apprehension. For the moment, he held onto the words she shared, attempting to decipher the intricate puzzle of her feelings.
"Y-you're drunk. You should rest, we both have schedules tomorrow." Baekhyun's voice was gentle as he avoided meeting her eyes. Once more, he extended his hand, a silent invitation for her to rise from her seat.
"Can't we just take a break from everything?" Her words were tinged with a sense of yearning, accompanied by the soft cadence of her sobbing.
A faint smile graced Baekhyun's lips, though his eyes held a depth of emotion. "No, we can't. Life doesn't grant us that luxury. We have to face our responsibilities, even when they weigh heavily upon us." His words carried a touch of resignation, a melancholy born of the moonlight that enveloped them.
"It's only a fleeting respite, though. Soon enough, we'll awaken to a world brimming with obligations once more." She spoke, but Baekhyun chose to remain silent, the silence stretching between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Her voice pierced the quiet like a whispered secret. "You think I'm oblivious to the fact that you have feelings for me? Your intentions are far from subtle."
Once again, Baekhyun found himself at a loss for words. Yes, his feelings were evident, laid bare before her.
"Are you content that I'm your girlfriend now?" The arrogance in her tone was a byproduct of the alcohol coursing through her veins.
Surprised and caught off guard, he stuttered, "W-what if I said yes?" The question was a complex one, tethered to the happiness he felt being close to her. But her presence was both a dream and a potential nightmare, a duality that perplexed him.
"That's good for you... I only wish for your happiness." Her gaze dropped, her fatigue evident. Beside her, Baekhyun was left in shock.
The weight of her revelations was a heavy burden to bear.
"W-what?" His eyes widened in astonishment.
"Could you take me home?" Taeyeon shifted the conversation abruptly. "I don't have a true home... But I want you to take me to a place that feels like home," she murmured, her eyelids drooping with the weight of weariness. Her words hung in the air, laden with unspoken emotions that left Baekhyun speechless.
Byun Baekhyun complied with her request. As she accepted his offered hand, he gently guided her to her feet, supporting her swaying form. He couldn't help but wonder how she had managed to consume half a bottle of champagne. Her reputation for having a low alcohol tolerance was at odds with the current state she was in, and the confusion gnawed at his thoughts.
Just as they were about to begin their walk, Taeyeon surprised him by pulling him into a tight embrace. His body tensed, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. The whirlwind of his thoughts collided, leaving him momentarily speechless. His heart pounded in his chest, a wild rhythm that Taeyeon could undoubtedly feel.
"Can we stay like this for a moment, please?" Her voice was a soothing melody, luring him into the vulnerable intimacy of the moment.
Baekhyun hesitated, his uncertainty palpable. Should he reciprocate the hug? Should he pat her back? Withdraw from the embrace? Remain still as a statue? Slowly, tentatively, his arms began to rise, inching closer to her back. But before he could fully commit, a surge of hesitation took hold. His internal struggle culminated in closing his eyes tightly, his hands suspended in mid-air.
Yet, as Taeyeon's embrace tightened around him, as if urging him to bridge the gap between them, his arms responded instinctively. They encircled her, pulling her closer in an embrace that spoke volumes where words faltered. Amidst the night's shimmering stars, their unspoken emotions found solace, their true feelings laid bare.
"Take your time..." His whispered words were a promise, a whispered breath suspended in the fragile space between them, a testament to the quiet plea for this moment to last, to savor the fleeting connection they shared.
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from afar | baekyeon
Fanfiction"We already parted our ways... But as I think about it, I can't forget you... so let me still look after you, watch you... From afar." -Byun Baekhyun
