Array
(
[text] =>
Sooho woke up in the room to complete silence, with no one by his side. His brows furrowed as he carefully got up and stepped out, glancing around, hoping to spot Hyeori somewhere.
“Hyeo?” he called, opening the bathroom door, even more confused when she wasn’t there either. With a slight frown, he let himself fall onto the couch, staring at the dark TV, his leg bouncing up and down from the anxiety.
It was way too late at night—where was she?
Sooho looked around, searching for a phone or anything he could use to contact someone, but it was like everything had disappeared, which only made his anxiety worse. Just as he was about to leave and go looking for her, the apartment door opened.
He rushed over, stopping in his tracks when he saw Hyeori carrying an injured Juntae. She was whispering to him while he nodded weakly, both trying not to make any noise.
“Hyeo?”
She froze for a second before looking up, spotting Sooho standing there, his brows knitted and shoulders tense. She cursed internally, shutting her eyes briefly before continuing to help Juntae to the living room couch.
“Don’t move too much. I’ll get the stuff… Sooho, could you grab some ice for his face, please?”
He watched her run off to the bathroom, still confused, but did what she asked. He grabbed a frozen piece of meat, wrapped it in a small cloth, and approached the younger boy, who thanked him softly, placing the cold compress on his swollen cheek.
“What happened to you?” Sooho asked, noticing all the bruises on his face.
“Ah, just a few punches… It’s nothing.”
Sooho didn’t push, but he couldn’t help the discomfort he felt seeing him like that. The memory of Sieun and Hyeori being hurt came rushing back. He hated that scene. It made him angry—so angry it twisted something inside him.
Moments later, Hyeori returned with a first aid kit. She seemed to know exactly what to do. He wondered if this was something she did regularly—the way she cleaned wounds and applied small bandages, so gently, so patiently, like someone used to this kind of pain.
“It’s okay… You don’t have to go home if you don’t want to. The couch is comfortable,” Hyeori said while Juntae mumbled that he was fine.
“I don’t want to be a bother, noona,” he murmured. “It’s hyung’s first night here with you and—”
“Stay,” Sooho interrupted, his voice warm. “You could pass out in the street.”
He gave Hyeori a look, and she smiled slightly before going back to treating Juntae’s face.
“Sleep here, and if you feel better tomorrow, you can leave. Or we’ll take you to the hospital. We’ll sleep better knowing you’re okay.”
Juntae looked at Hyeori, who nodded and gently ran her fingers through his hair, making sure he wasn’t hurt there, before standing and joining Sooho with a small smile.
“I’ll grab some blankets, then we’ll unfold the couch so it’s more comfortable.”
Sooho watched her walk toward the bathroom. Out of nowhere, Juntae spoke, catching his attention.
“Hyung… Are you guys having problems?”
“Problems?”
“Noona seems kinda tense,” he said quietly, not wanting to sound nosy, but he couldn’t hide his curiosity. Sooho didn’t respond, but the silence was answer enough.
Juntae adjusted his glasses and shifted with some discomfort, thinking.
“It’s normal for her to be tense,” he started, making Sooho frown slightly. “During the time you were in a coma, I think noona went through hell. She saw you fall, bleed, almost die. Then she spent months not knowing if you’d wake up.”
Sooho felt his nose sting as the boy kept talking like it was nothing.
“She blamed herself. She didn’t sleep. Barely ate. I heard she took meds just to keep from collapsing. But pills don’t fix the kind of pain you carry inside, you know?”
“But… things are better now… I’m okay, I’m with her… But it feels like she doesn’t want me close and—”
Juntae gave a small, almost amused smile but shook his head. “It’d be great if it were that easy… But now that you’re back, her brain can’t just go, ‘Okay, all good now.’ Her body and mind are still trying to protect her, even though the danger’s gone. That’s why she gets frustrated, tense, scared. It’s not that she doesn’t want you near. It’s called hypervigilance. She’s stuck in survival mode. Her brain is still saying, ‘Don’t relax. Remember what happened the last time you felt safe.'”
Sooho winced, because yeah—it hurt. He didn’t want her to lose her peace. Not now. He didn’t want her life to shrink around fear.
“It’s like she was trapped in a storm for months, not knowing if she’d survive. And now that she’s out, she still trembles at thunder, even if the sun is shining. Fear doesn’t vanish just because the clouds are gone.”
* * *
The night was quiet, silence wrapping around everything, broken only by Juntae’s soft snores from the couch—not even loud enough to hear from the bedroom.
Sooho was watching his girlfriend closely. Hyeori had been folding the same two shirts over and over, like she couldn’t get them right. Her shoulders were tense, her movements robotic.
“Hyeori,” he said gently from the doorway, voice soft and low. He didn’t want to startle her. If Juntae was right, anything could do that.
She didn’t turn right away. She froze for a few seconds, took a deep breath, put down the shirts, and looked at him. She smiled faintly… but not the way she usually did. This smile didn’t even reach her eyes.
“What’s up?”
Sooho walked toward her slowly, carefully. “Come sit with me for a bit.”
“I’m fine,” she replied quickly. Too quickly.
“I know,” he said, even though he knew it wasn’t true. He held out his hand. “Still. Just for a minute.”
She hesitated. Her hand trembled a bit as she lifted it, but she gave it to him. He led her to the bed, where the light was softer, warmer than the rest of the apartment. They sat side by side—no touching at first.
“Do you want to read something together?” he asked, trying to sound casual. It was something they used to do—she’d read aloud for twenty minutes while he lay with his head on her lap, slowly falling asleep.
She shook her head lightly. “No. I don’t feel like it.”
Silence. The kind that didn’t use to bother them, but now felt heavy. Like neither of them knew how to be in the same space anymore.
“Are you mad at me, love?” he asked, not looking at her directly, fidgeting with his fingers.
Hyeori looked confused. “What? No. Is this about earlier? Look, I’m sorry, I—”
“It’s not that… it’s just…” he started. “Sometimes I feel like… I’m not helping. Like I’m here, but you still feel so far away. Like… like I’m not really with you.”
She pressed her lips together. Looked away. Her breathing quickened a bit.
“It’s not about you. It’s just… hard. Really hard.”
He didn’t say anything. He just waited. He’d learned by now that pushing only made her shut down more.
“I saw you,” she began quietly. “When it happened. When they hurt you. You were on the ground. Not moving. I thought…”
Her voice broke. She took a shaky breath.
“I thought you were going to die.”
Sooho moved closer, carefully, and took her hand in his. She didn’t pull away, but she did tense up.
“Every time I close my eyes,” she continued, “I go back to that moment. Every loud noise scares me. Every small thing makes me panic. Everything stresses me out. Everything annoys me. And I don’t do it on purpose… I don’t want to be like this, but I can’t help it… it’s…”
“I know,” Sooho said calmly. “You’re not alone in this, my sunshine.”
“But I don’t know how to feel okay again. I feel trapped in that part of my mind. Like I never left. You woke up. You came back. You’re fine. But I… I’m not. I’m still there.”
Sooho leaned in and gently caressed her cheek with his fingers, as softly as he could.
“I don’t expect you to be okay right away. I don’t want you to fake it either. I just want to be with you. Heal at your pace. If you need to cry, cry. If you want to talk, I’m here. If you need silence, I’ll shut up. I’m not going anywhere just because this is hard.”
She blinked rapidly. Her eyes shimmered, but no tears yet. She looked down.
“I don’t want to wear you out. I don’t want you to get tired of me.”
“I’ll never get tired of you, love,” he said firmly. No hesitation. Because he meant it.
That was enough. The tears came. Not loud or dramatic. Just quiet crying, shoulders curled inward. She covered her face, but Sooho pulled her into his arms and held her tight, but gently.
Like that hug alone could take all the weight off her.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled against his chest. “I don’t know why I’m like this now.”
“You don’t need to be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re dealing with something really hard. And you’re doing your best,” he whispered in her ear, pressing soft kisses to her cheek while rocking her slightly.
She nodded, barely. Her fingers clung to his shirt. “I’m scared all the time.”
“It’s okay to be scared. I was scared too,” he admitted, letting out a soft sigh when he felt her body start to relax against his. “But I’m here. I’m not leaving you alone in this. Not again, okay?” He kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent. “We’ll heal together, like we always do. It’ll take time, but we’ll make it… know why?”
“Because you love me…” she murmured, her face still buried in his chest.
Sooho smiled, nodding, planting another kiss in her hair. “That’s right. I love you so much, my beautiful sun.”
* * *
The golden afternoon light filtered lazily through the half-closed blinds of the apartment. Juntae had gone home after breakfast, and now Sooho was watching Hyeori from the living room doorway. She was sitting at a small desk, staring blankly at a chemistry book—but he could tell she wasn’t actually reading.
She’d been there for over an hour, claiming she was doing homework, but her tense shoulders and fidgety hands said otherwise.
Everything Juntae had said last night… it wasn’t a lie.
Ever since Sooho had woken up from the coma, several weeks ago now, Hyeori had been living in a state of constant alert. Like she was afraid he might vanish again at any moment. Her emotions were a rollercoaster: relief one minute, quiet panic the next.
Sooho approached her slowly, careful not to startle her. He’d started moving differently around her—more gently, more thoughtfully—aware of how fragile her calm had become.
“Hey,” he said softly, almost a whisper, as his hands found her shoulders and pulled her into a slow hug from behind.
Hyeori flinched slightly, but then relaxed noticeably when she felt his familiar touch. Her body leaned into his chest, releasing a trembling sigh Sooho could feel more than hear.
“Hi…” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“What are you reading?” he asked, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. The scent of her strawberry-vanilla shampoo wrapped around him.
She shook her head, not wanting to explain the anxious thoughts swirling in her mind. “It’s nothing. Just… stuff.”
Sooho hugged her a little tighter. He knew that “nothing” meant “too many terrible things to say out loud.” It made his heart ache for her. She had gone through so much—because of him.
“I have an idea,” he said, trying to lighten his tone. “How about I draw you a bath? Hot water. Lots of bubbles. And maybe some of those lavender things you love.”
Hyeori turned to look at him, a spark of surprise in her tired eyes. “A bath?”
“Yeah,” Sooho smiled, brushing her cheek with his thumb. “So you can relax a little. You deserve it. We both do, my love.”
A small smile crept onto her lips. The idea sounded almost magical. She’d been so tense lately that even the thought of sinking into warm water sounded like heaven.
“That sounds… really nice,” she admitted.
“Perfect. You pick the music, I’ll take care of everything else,” Sooho said and gave her a quick kiss before jogging off toward the bathroom.
As the hot water filled the tub, Sooho gathered everything he could to make it perfect. He added foaming soap that formed fragrant white clouds, lit a couple of scented candles he found in Hyeori’s cabinet—sandalwood and jasmine—and set a calm piano playlist on her phone.
A few minutes later, Hyeori appeared in the bathroom doorway, wrapped in a fluffy robe. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on the lit candles and steam rising from the tub.
“Sooho, this is… really sweet,” she said, her voice full of quiet gratitude.
He beamed with pride. “Only the best for my sunshine. Come on, get in before it cools down.”
She let the robe slide off her shoulders and stepped cautiously into the tub. A small “ah” of pleasure slipped from her lips as she lowered herself into the hot water. A long, deep sigh followed as she sank in up to her shoulders and closed her eyes.
Sooho watched her from the doorway, a soft smile on his face. Seeing the tension melt away from her body, watching her frown fade—it filled him with a warm, peaceful kind of joy.
“Need anything else?” he asked playfully. “A sponge? A rubber duck?”
Hyeori opened her eyes and gave a quiet giggle, barely a whisper, but it was a sound he had deeply missed.
“Actually… I’d like you here. That would make it perfect.”
Sooho’s smile softened. He nodded and began undressing slowly, carefully avoiding any sharp movements that might stress his healing legs and back. He folded his clothes with more care than usual and placed them on the hamper.
He approached the tub, braced himself with both hands on the edge, and bent his knees gently with a nearly invisible wince. He dipped one leg in, then the other, and slowly eased himself behind her.
The water rose slightly as he slid in. It was warm and inviting. Hyeori leaned back against his chest naturally, her wet back meeting the solid comfort of his body. Sooho wrapped his arms around her, gently, feeling her soft, damp skin against his.
They stayed like that for a while, quiet, just enjoying the heat of the bath and the feeling of each other. No words needed. Just the occasional drip from the faucet and the soft music playing from the sink.
“Mmm, this feels… amazing,” Hyeori murmured after a while, eyes still closed. She rested her head on his shoulder, and Sooho inhaled the scent of her favorite shampoo.
“I’m really glad you like it,” he replied, pressing a soft kiss to her wet hair. “I just wanted you to feel a little better. You’ve been carrying so much.”
She turned slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her eyes looked clearer now, calmer.
“You always know what to do to make me feel better. Even when… well, when you were in the hospital…” Her voice trembled slightly. “Thinking about you, remembering our good moments… it was one of the only things that kept me going. That and Sieun, who came almost every day, even if it was just to sit beside me in silence… Sometimes I really thought I wouldn’t make it.”
Sooho felt that familiar ache in his chest—hearing her pain through her words—but he took a deep breath. It was in the past. He was here now.
“You were incredibly strong, Hyeo…” he said, his voice a little rough. “And I’m not just saying that. Sieun told me some things… I don’t know how you did it. Waiting for me, surviving all of it. You’re the second strongest woman I know.”
“Second?”
“My grandma’s first. She once broke a broomstick on my head. I’m surprised I’m not brain-damaged. That thing hurt.”
Hyeori burst out laughing through her tears, imagining tiny Sooho getting smacked by a fierce grandma. Her tears mixed with the bathwater, but these weren’t like the others. These were lighter. Healing.
“I had to be strong… I didn’t want your grandma to lose faith. You’re the only one she has. And Sieun… if I wasn’t strong, maybe I wouldn’t be here either… He would’ve been alone…” A tear slid down her cheek. “But I was so scared. Terrified of losing you…”
“Shhh, it’s okay. That’s all over now,” Sooho whispered, gently stroking her wet arm, barely grazing her skin. “I’m here. It’s really me. And I’m not going anywhere, okay? I promise. I’m staying.”
She nodded slowly, closing her eyes, more silent tears escaping. Sooho leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her wet cheek.
“Hey…” he said after a moment, looking for a smile. “Do you remember our first real date?”
Hyeori let out a shaky giggle, grateful for the change in subject.
“How could I forget? I spilled Coke all over your pants.”
Sooho laughed. “They were my favorite ones… I even asked my grandma to add extra fabric softener to make them smell nice. I ended up smelling like soda all day.”
“But you were so sweet about it!” Hyeori laughed, rubbing his hand gently over her stomach. “You said something like, ‘Don’t worry, they needed a wash anyway.’ Liar.”
“Come on, I was trying to impress you,” he said with a sheepish grin. “And it worked, didn’t it? You agreed to a second date. Though I had to beg a little.”
“And a third, and a fourth… and look at us now,” she added, her voice full of warmth. She took one of his hands resting on her stomach and intertwined her wet fingers with his. She gave it a gentle squeeze.
They stayed like that a little longer, remembering things: study nights at Hyeori’s house where Sooho would fall asleep at the table with their cat Nala curled next to him, or how he always asked for double servings when she cooked, pretending it was so he could take leftovers to school. Every memory was like a new thread tying them even closer together.
They stayed like that a little longer, remembering things: study nights at Hyeori’s house where Sooho would fall asleep at the table with their cat Nala curled next to him, or how he always asked for double servings when she cooked, pretending it was so he could take leftovers to school. Every memory was like a new thread tying them even closer together.
Sooho reached for the sponge and squeezed some of her strawberry-scented body wash onto it.
“Alright, pretty girl. Let me scrub your back,” he said with a teasing tone.
He gently ran the sponge along her back and shoulders in slow, circular motions, massaging out the tension in her muscles. She melted into the touch, eyes still closed, humming quietly.
“Mmm, were you always this good at this?”
“Only for my special girl,” he replied with a soft grin. He loved taking care of her like this, offering comfort in small, loving gestures.
When he finished, Hyeori took the sponge from him. “Now me. Carefully, okay?”
Sooho sat up a little to give her access, and she washed his chest and arms with just as much gentleness. There was no pity in her touch, only love—calm, grounding, steady.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked softly, noticing the thoughtful look in his eyes.
He looked at her. “The future. All the things we’re going to do… once I stop walking like a baby giraffe.”
Hyeori let out a delighted laugh. “I think about that a lot too.”
“I want us to go to the beach, like we planned,” Sooho said. “We could invite Juntae. He’ll definitely say yes. Maybe even get Sieun to relax a bit. He’s always so serious with his notebooks.”
Hyeori giggled. “That would be a miracle—Sieun relaxing at the beach. But I’d love that. And we could have a barbecue, invite Baku and Gotak… although I’m sure they’d vote for pizza instead.”
“Pizza sounds good too,” Sooho agreed. “What matters is that we’re all together. I also want to take you to that fair I promised… before all this happened. Once I can stand longer… I swear I’ll take you. Just us, or with the whole group—whatever you want.”
Hyeori’s eyes sparkled, locking onto his. Her gaze glistened with fresh tears, but she didn’t look away.
“Sooho… I love you. So, so much.”
“And I love you, my sweet sun. More than you could ever imagine,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. He leaned in with great care and kissed her—soft, lingering, full of quiet intensity.
When they pulled back, they rested their foreheads together.
“I think… the water isn’t that warm anymore,” Hyeori whispered.
“No, it’s not,” Sooho sighed. A mischievous sparkle lit up his eyes. “If my legs were back to normal, I’d challenge you to a race to the towels. Loser has to dry the winner.”
She snorted a laugh, and together, with gentle movements, they helped each other out of the tub. Once out, Hyeori wrapped a towel around Sooho and carefully dried him off. He did the same for her, their hands slow and affectionate.
Wrapped in their robes, Hyeori unplugged the tub while Sooho blew out the candles.
They walked hand in hand to the bedroom. Sooho’s steps were slower, more measured, and Hyeori matched his pace without a word, supporting him with her quiet presence.
They crawled into bed. Sooho pulled her close with a gentle motion, and Hyeori curled up against his chest, exactly where she belonged.
“Thanks for the bath, Soo…” she whispered, half-asleep. “I really needed it.”
“Whenever you need it, love,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. “That’s why I’m here. To take care of you.”
“And me of you, my moon…” she breathed, her voice barely audible before she slipped into her first peaceful sleep in months—because this time, the reason for her dreams and insomnia was finally with her.
Not a pill. Not a memory. But him.
And he wasn’t going anywhere.
[text_hash] => e72fb524
)