crocheted flowers
hyunjae x reader
when hyunjae, the man who you hate and who hates you in return, becomes your temporary bodyguard, the two of you surprisingly grow closer through misunderstandings and... flirting.
genre: enemies to lovers, royal au, bodyguard hyunjae, flirting, slow dancing, he's very strong, and very protective, yet so gentle, misunderstandings, past mistreatment mentioned
notes: hahahahahaha
word count: 13k
Even with your head resting on your palm, it still lolled down. Were your eyes being taped shut? Why couldnโt you keep them open? Maybe it was because you were crocheting late into the night. Still, this meeting couldnโt be any more boring.
โAre you listening, Your Highness?โย
Immediately, you jerked up, blinking your eyes rapidly. You looked around, squinting through your exhaustion. Everyone sitting around the table had their eyes on youโsome looked concerned, some amused, and someโฆ disappointed.ย
โWhat? Yes, yes,โ you stammered. โIโm listening.โ
The stern-looking woman stared at you for a second before eventually nodding. She was horribly intimidating, though you understood why. She was the event organizer (you liked to call her party planner instead) so she had to ensure everything was perfect.
โThe ball is confirmed to be two weeks from nowโฆโย
You yawned, adjusting your clothes which were very uncomfortable, dare you add. When you looked around, you made eye contact with Haknyeon, your bodyguard. He grinned and mocked your sleeping form with exaggerated hand signs which you scoffed at quietly. When you moved your head to the side, your eyes landed on Hyunjae, your other bodyguard.ย
Quickly, your mood soured just at the sight of him. You try to avoid speaking his name or addressing him at all, but whenever you do, itโs spoken with a harsh, uncaring tone. Itโs not like he didnโt share the same feelings.
He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward and tilting his head. Then, he glanced down at the papers set in front of you that you were supposed to be looking over right now.
Focus, he mouthed.
Your jaw clenched and you tore your gaze away from him stubbornly. Th2ough, you did actually decide to tune into the meeting. You were pretty sure you heard your name about three times.
โAs requested by the King, Y/nโs escort will not be a prince from another land. At least for now. Instead, her escort shall be her personal bodyguard.โย ย
You perked up at that. Youโve always despised the possibility that you would be forced to walk into a ball with some stuck-up prince that you had met just a minute ago. With a smile, you turned to look at Haknyeon. He was your personal bodyguard, the one who follows you around all day. Hyunjae on the other hand, had the role of guarding your door. So thankfully, your escort was Haknyeon and not him.
But to your surprise, Haknyeon quickly looked away with a sheepish look. You furrowed your eyebrows. Did he not want to be your escort?ย
Please no, I canโt go with Hyunjae. Anyone but him.
After the meeting, you walked out, still slightly groggy after your mid-meeting nap. Instantly, Haknyeon was by your side like the perfect bodyguard that he was. You sighed, holding your stomach as you turned to him. โDo you want to eat lunch with me during your break?โย
Yet again, he gave you a guilty look. โI have somethingโฆ to do.โย
โOh,โ you breathed. โThatโs okay. Just make sure to make it up next time,โ you playfully replied.
โOf course, Y/n.โ He grinned back. That was another thing you liked about Haknyeon. He didnโt often call you โYour Highnessโ which you always felt was too proper. You liked it when he called you just by your name.ย
โWant me to save you dessert?โ You giggled.
He hummed, his eyes sparkling just at the thought. โYou know me so well.โ He glanced back at one of the staff calling him over. โIโll be right back.โ
You nodded and watched him jog over to pick up some equipment. Haknyeon would always be your favorite bodyguard. He was kind and had a great sense of humor. Especially after following you around and protecting you for a few years, he knew a lot about you compared to reallyโฆ anyone else.
You heard a shift behind you and you whipped around. Your alert state quickly dissolved into an annoyed one as you faced Hyunjae who was leaning against the wall, right next to you.ย
You narrowed your eyes. โWhy are you here? Arenโt you supposed to go back to your post?โ
He turned to look at you before turning to face the wall. He liked to do thatโignore you rudely. โHaknyeonโs occupied right now. You canโt be alone.โ
You roll your eyes and clenched a fist. Oh, how you hated his stupid, unimpressed expression and his even stupider arms that were crossed over his chest. โI donโt need your help,โ you gritted out.
โAnd I donโt want to help you. This is just my job.โ He merely glanced at you.ย
You swore you saw red as you stepped forward. โYouโโย
You were then startled by Haknyeon who appeared behind you, gently guiding you back from possibly pouncing on one of your bodyguards. โY/n,โ he laughed nervously as he pulled you along in the direction of your room. โI think youโre tired. How long have you been crocheting?โ
โA few hours,โ you muttered. โBut still, Iโm not tired. Heโs just soโฆ obnoxious. And mean! Andโโ You just groaned, completely frustrated.
Being born into a royal family, you naturally already had enemies, most of them being from other lands or old classmates you used to argue with. But you didnโt pay them any mind. The only enemy that you did pay mind was Hyunjae, your own bodyguard. You hated him so much.
He was strict with you and never treated you nicely. He never even gave you a reason for doing so. It was like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, every single day. He always had these snarky responses and annoyed glares directed only at you. You just couldnโt stand him.ย
And that is why you would like to sincerely thank whoever invented hot showers. You didnโt care if it practically burned your skin, it always let off those knots in your muscles whenever you interacted with your arch-nemesis bodyguard. With damp hair and your sleepwear on, you headed back to your room.
Usually, at this time, Hyunjae was on his break, meaning he wouldnโt witness you without your usual attire and with messy, disheveled hair. You were always expected to look your best in front of others, whether you liked them or not.
But just as you turned the corner, you stopped abruptly in your tracks, almost slipping on the floor. His post was supposed to be empty yet he was standing right there.ย
Cautiously, you approached your door with an annoyance already creeping up your spine. โWhy are you here?โ
โFunny, thatโs the second time you asked.โ His eyes narrowed when he noticed you tensing at his words. โAgain, itโs my job. My break got pushed back.โ
You took in a deep breath as if that would do anything to calm your anger. โYouโre soโฆ rude. What would your boss think?โ
โTechnically, youโre my boss.โ
You blinked in realization before quickly schooling your face neutrally.
โAnd even soโโ He paused when he heard a sound from down the hallway. He almost becameโฆ alert. Sometimes, you forget that he was still a bodyguard. When he realized it was just a broom that had simply fallen over, he relaxed and turned back to you. โI couldnโt care less.โ
โYouโll care when I fire you,โ you spoke through your teeth. Yet, he only stared at you unimpressed.
โBut you know that Iโm the best option. How could you let me go?โ He faked a pout. You stayed quiet, knowing that he was right. The other bodyguards were a bit tooโฆ energetic and admiring for your liking.
You sighed, glancing at your door. โStill, you shouldnโt see me like this.โ You eyed yourself who was the opposite of put together right now. โThereโs a reason why I wanted you on break.โ You looked away, slightly embarrassed.
You could feel his eyes on you, or more specifically, traveling over you. Then he hummed, almost amused.
โI see no difference, Your Highness.โ
โAh, so youโre a liar too.โ
He looked like he was about to refute but he eventually sighed and gestured to your room. โJust go to your room.โ
โ
The next day, you stood at the entrance of the same meeting room. When the door opened, you were met with the sight of your two bodyguards as well as the event organizer standing, seemingly waiting for you. You gulped. Were you in trouble for falling asleep? No, that canโt be.
โWhatโs this about?โ You spoke nervously. Your eyes landed on Haknyeon, who was frowning and giving you pitiful eyes. You furrowed your eyebrows. โAre you okay?โ
The woman cleared her throat. โEverythingโs perfectly fine. Your bodyguard hereโฆโ She gestured to Haknyeon. โWas granted a month of vacation to go back home.โ
You immediately brightened at those words, bounding over to Haknyeon and hugging him tightly. โThatโs great!โ You exclaimed. โYou deserve it. So much.โ
Haknyeon smiled back but frowned afterward. โIโll miss you though,โ he whined.
โHey, itโs only a month. Besides, you should enjoy yourself.โย
โโฆand,โ the woman continued. โThat will mean that Hyunjae will temporarily take his place as your personal bodyguard.โย
That was when you froze, going so silent you could hear a pin drop. You turned to her with your mouth agape and your heart fallen to the floor. โWhat.โ
She only offered a measly smile while you could only stare in disbelief. Was this possibly your punishment for taking a nap during the meeting? Have you been chosen for torture on this planet? Whyโ
โWhy couldnโt you choose anyone else? It could be anyone but him.โ You glared at Hyunjae who also seemed surprised and agitated.
She pinched the bridge of her nose with a long sigh as if she expected this response. โBecause Hyunjae knows more about you than any of the other bodyguards. Heโs the best choice who is aptly strong and calm, especially for someone of your energy.โ
โBut you know we donโt get along,โ you refuted.ย
She frowned but eventually nodded, understanding your argument. โYour Highness, if you would really like to request a change then let me know. But if you were to keep your relationship with him strictly professional, then there should be no problems.โ
โIโฆโ You bit your lip. You wouldnโt lie and say you didnโt want to change, but you also hated the idea of being a burden, especially for someone who was so preoccupied with setting up the ball. Shutting your eyes with a wince, you groaned quietly in defeat. โFine. I guess we can manage for a month.โ
โGreat!โ She clapped enthusiastically while Haknyeon snorted in amusement. โIโll be off now.โ
Once she was gone, you could hear your now former bodyguard laugh, clearly enjoying the show. Then he stepped forward and turned to Hyunjae with a knowing look.
โWhat are you waiting for?โ His tone was nothing but teasing. โGo stand by Y/n.โ
Hyunjae stared at him, obviously annoyed before reluctantly going to your side. You looked up at him before rolling your eyes. He was awfully tall, which made it a lot harder to really argue with him.
โWhat a view,โ Haknyeon laughed even louder.ย
โI donโt want to do this either,โ Hyunjae whispered, looking at you with a harsh demeanor.
โAt least we agree on something.โ
โ
You stalked through the halls, your mood completely ruined. What exasperated you even more was the footsteps trailing behind you, belonging to your new temporary bodyguard, the one man that you despised.
You stopped abruptly and turned around.
โCan you just not follow me? I think I can manage on my own. I especially donโt want to be with you.โ
He simply looked at you without budging. โYou know I canโt do that, Your Highness.โ
You sighed at his mocking tone, exasperated before turning around and beginning to walk again. Well, before you stopped abruptly once more, causing Hyunjae to almost bump into you. Something just dawned on you, leaving your chest seizing for air.
โDoes that mean youโre myโฆ escort for the ball?โ You seriously contemplated somehow pushing back the ball until next month. There was no way it would be in two weeks when you would have to enter the ballroom with your hand on his arm.
He nodded wordlessly, obviously not happy about it either.
โGod, I hate this,โ you mumbled, leaning your head back. โYouโre going to be the worst bodyguard ever.โ
โAnd do you think I really consider that important?โ He stared back at you condescendingly.ย
โYouโโ Stepping forward, you completely forgot that there was still that broom on the floor. How come no one picked it up? Maybe you should have been more aware. Being the clumsy person you were, your foot quickly caught onto it, leaving you stumbling forward. This was why it was important you had a bodyguard following you around.
You were about to accept your fate of a broken nose until you felt a cool hand grasp your wrist that was flailing mid-air, holding you up. You blinked in surprise, looking up only for you to realize that you were alarmingly close to Hyunjaeโs face.ย
He didnโt seem at all fazed though, watching as you, on the other hand, were incredibly shocked over his sheer strength of being able to hold you up with one hand.ย
โI wouldnโt advise stepping there.โ If you looked closely, you could see the corners of his lips lift slightly at his own remark. โThereโs a broom on the floor.โ
You scoffed, pulling away harshly. โThank you so much for the warning.โ
โAnytime.โ He faked a bow.
โOh, youโโ You paused before you would fall over again. โYou know what? Just shut up. Letโs just not talk for a month.โ
โFine by me.โย
As you walked, you were surprised to hear that there were no footsteps behind you anymore. With curiosity getting the best of you, you turned around, only to see that he had stopped to pick up the broom and set it back up.
โHuh,โ you breathed, slightly surprised.
(Hyunjae sighed, sitting down on the couch and throwing an arm over his eyes. He was exhausted and he had only followed you for an hour. How was he going to do this every day and for a month at that?
He heard a creak and the weight of someone else sitting beside him. Looking over, he was met with Haknyeon, again with a gloating expression. It seemed that he had brought his luggage over, already packed and ready to leave him with you. Alone.
โExcited?โ The shorter grinned smugly.
โDonโt kid me,โ Hyunjae sighed with a frown. โI honestly wished they would have requested another guard at this point. All I was supposed to do was guard the door, not follow them around all day.โ
Haknyeon hummed thoughtfully before leaning back with him. โCan I ask you something?โ When Hyunjae offered no response, the younger continued. โWhy do you hate Y/n so much? What did they do to make you despise them that much?โ
Hyunjae paused before letting out a low sigh. โNothing. I justโฆ Iโve had my fair share of royalties.โ His mind flashed back to when he used to be in one of the lower ranks of the staff. He was never treated right, always pushed around and spoken to harshly by none other than the royal family who promised that they would protect him with all their being. Lies. He had always wanted to be a bodyguard. But in the process of becoming one, he realized just how cruel people can be.
And so, when he was actually promoted to be one, he already entered the position with low hopes and crushed dreams. He expected the exact same treatment from you.
โY/nโs probably just the same.โ
Haknyeon looked at him sympathetically, as if to tell solely through his eyes that he understood where he was coming from. โBut Y/nโs different. I promise you that. After spending so much personal time with them, trust me when I say that theyโre not like the others.โ
Hyunjae could only shut his eyes before mumbling a quiet, โEnjoy your vacation. Iโll be suffering.โ)
โ
โPlease stop staring,โ you forced out. You knew that just the day before you had suggested not talking, but something about hisโฆ face as he looked at you through the reflection of your mirror bothered you so much to the point that you had to say something. His eyes were different than you expected as if he was almost interested in you getting ready for an outing.
But then, as obnoxious as he was, he faked a smile, leaning back against the wall. โI canโt do that, Your Highness. What if someoneโs out there to hurt you?โ
โThatโs unlikely. So please stop whatever it is youโre doing.โ
โIโm merely looking at you. Does that make you nervous?โย
Your face contorted with anger at his words. โHyunjae!โ You groaned, setting down your makeup brush with a loud thud and turning around to glare at him.
โWhat?โ He muttered.
โThis is just for one month.โ You straightened and walked over to him. You tried to look somewhat intimidating but knowing that he was the one whose job was to protect you, it was a bit difficult. โCanโt you be the least bit tolerable? I donโt even know why you hate me so much.โ
He stared at you wordlessly before looking away with his jaw clenched. โI have my reasons.โ
You huffed. โWell if you would tell me, maybe we could have worked this out.โ Your shoulders hurt with how tense they were as you began to walk backwards. But yet again, you tripped. This time, it was on the carpetโthe fancy type that seemed impossible to walk on.
Unlike before though, you fell backwards. One day you were going to end up with a broken bone. Your life flashed before your eyes until you felt a strong hand wrap around your waist.ย
Quickly, he pulled you up and right against his body. Without you realizing, you had planted your hands on his chest, creating the distance that was very minimized considering how firmly he was holding you. You could feel the wind get knocked out of you, out of breath as you stared at Hyunjae with wide eyes.
His eyes searched your features carefully. His expression was mostly the same except for how the harsh lines on his face had disappeared for some reason.
โI said you canโt get hurt.โ His voice was alsoโฆ less harsh.
You gulped as you lifted your hands off his chest. But some part of you kept your fingertips there, feeling his heartbeat drum against them. Your cheeks felt warm as you stared at him wordlessly, trying to come up with some sort of response.
โIโฆโ Your voice wavered. โI wish you were bad at your job.โ
And to your surprise, he smirked. โOh? Are you saying that Iโm good at protecting you?โ
Your hands wandered down to his which still grasped your waist. You squeezed it, reminding him to let go because, for some reason, he forgot. He raised an eyebrow suggestively.
โDo not put words in my mouth.โ And when he still didnโt let go, you grabbed hold of it instead, pulling it off and ignoring the spark you felt at his touch.
โ
It would no longer be Haknyeon following you around the whole day. It would be him. Oh, how you hated him. You hated your clumsiness as well, considering that he kept on saving you by holding you with the sheer strength of just one arm.
Refreshed after a good nightโs sleep, you opened your door before jumping at the sight of Hyunjae standing before you. Yet again, you were reminded of how annoyingly tall he was as he stepped aside for you.
โYour Highness,โ he greeted with a lazy voice.
You stared at him silently before turning on your heel and heading down the hall. But no matter how fast you walked and no matter how many turns you took, he remained behind you.
(Hyunjae followed silently as you traversed through the never-ending halls. He had never seen a royal member willingly walk through the whole castle before, or even leave their section at all.ย
He watched, intrigued and curious as you turned every corner, occasionally knocking on doors and peeking in. You seemed to be having conversations with whoever resided inside. That was what perplexed him more. You were in the section of the castle where the staff stayed.
If he walked closer or you would slow down slightly, he could hear you mumbling to yourself, as if to make a to-do list.
โMakeโฆ soupโฆno!โฆsheโs allergic.โย
He couldnโt help but raise an eyebrow in pleasant surprise.)
โWhatโs the rush?โ He remarked, just as you were finished speaking with one of the maids.ย
You glanced back at him. โI have much to do. If you donโt want to follow, then go as you please.โ
โHow many times do I have to tell you that I canโt do that?โ
You stared at him for a moment before sighing. At least he was dedicated. โThen hurry up youโฆ turtle.โ
You must have been dreaming because why did his lips lift up into a smile for a second? And how come you heard a chuckle?
And then, to your slight shock, he sped up so that he was walking by your side. Even if you tried to confuse him by taking shortcuts, he continued to accompany you.
โYouโโ
โJust doing my job, Your Highness.โ
You rolled your eyes at the way he always addressed you.
โ
First, he followed you to the kitchen. He guarded the doorway, as always leaning against the wall.ย
You felt his eyes on you as you moved past each cabinet, pulling out ingredients for your most beloved specialty: pancakes! You knew the measurements by heart and soon enough, the batter was already mixed and being poured into a pan.
You could see him tilt his head in the corner of your eye.
โWhat are you cooking for?โ He spoke up. โYou do know we have chefs for that.โ
โI know that.โ You flipped the pancake successfully for once. โJustโฆ one of the staff fell sick so I wanted to make her something.โ
His eyes widened slightly as he straightened up at your words. It seemed like something you said had shocked him, though you had no idea what. And when you glanced back at him, you realized that his stiff demeanor had slightly softened. Was it because you were simply cooking for a staff member? Was that so odd?
Brushing off the hair that fell over your face, you jerkily turned back to the pancakes before they burned. It was silent for a while yet you couldnโt help but shake off the feeling of Hyunjae staring at you as if trying to decipher what you were doing.ย
(Hyunjae watched and watched, yet continued to become more and more perplexed. You were spending your energy cooking for a staff member rather than ridiculing them for every mistake they made? His eyes followed you around the room, completely shamelessly as you moved back and forth, making what looked like fluffy pancakes.
But slowly, his gaze moved from your movements to, well, your features. Something about how you looked was almost mesmerizing. Gone were the prim and proper, perfectly hair-sprayed styles. Instead, your hair was messy, falling over your eyes constantly which he couldnโt help but hum with amusement.ย
You were also void of any heavier makeup, allowing him to see your features more clearly. Your eyes were focused yet shone without any glitter and your lipsโฆ pursed butโฆย
He awkwardly cleared his throat. What was he thinking? He wasnโt supposed to look at you in that way.
Luckily, you hadnโt noticed his staring.)
He was staring. He was definitely staring.ย
Why? You werenโt too sure. Maybe he was plotting a plan that would lead to your demise. Typical of him. But, you were too focused on cooking that you decided to pay it no mind, hurriedly brushing your hair out of your face once again.ย
A few minutes later, you glanced up, solely for the reason of shooting him a glare. A bit immature, but that was how you two usually regarded each other anyway. But, to your surprise, he was nowhere to be seen. And you expected to feel a sense of relief, but for some reason, something shot through your heart.
You were aloneโwithout him to catch you. You gulped nervously and hesitantly turned back to your pancakes. Just as you finished the second-to-last batch, you felt a warm presence behind you. Before you could turn around, a hand brushed against the nape of your neck, sending shivers down your spine. And for some reason, you could immediately tell it was Hyunjae.
โWhat are you doing?โ
He didnโt respond. Instead, you felt another hand grasp your hair, pulling it up and away from your face. He leaned closer from behind, peering at the side of your face to make sure he didnโt miss any strands. Suddenly, the room felt ridiculously hotter than before. You stayed utterly still and completely unsure of what to do.ย
He was tying your hair for you.ย
Once you felt your hair being fastened, you tried to whip around but you felt a gentle grip on your shoulders that made you face the counter once again. โTurn back around,โ he muttered with a chiding tone. Bewildered, you stared at the wall, your heart pounding. Your hands gripped the side of the counter as you shut your eyes and cringed.
And if you thought he was done, he certainly wasnโt. His hands had left your hair and wandered down to your waist. Though he didnโt completely grasp it, that brief brush with his gentle hand sent you spiraling. You felt your apron tightening as he tied it again. It must have come loose earlier. Still, that didnโt answer your question as to why he was doing this all in the first place.
(Hyunjae did not enjoy this. He certainly wasnโt biting back a smirk as he noticed your reddening ears and your hands holding onto the counter for dear life.ย
And just for a bit more fun, as he tightened the knot of the apron, he yanked you backward, sending you stumbling and falling back against his chest where he kept you steady, his hand ghosting just over your hip. He could tell you were trying to look angry as you looked up at him with a frown that looked more nervous and confused than intimidating.ย
Slowly, he lost his battle with holding back a smile. But just before you could catch him, he leaned toward your ear and whispered, โYou wouldnโt want to ruin your clothes would you?โ
You gulped and he could see how flushed your cheeks were.ย
โWhy would you care?โ You replied.
Hyunjae blinked and he quickly leaned away from you. He steadied you but created that distance that the two of you were most familiar with. Why did he care?)
Your mind was befuddled. The two of you were supposed to be arguing, throwing insults, and doing everything that had to do with hatred. But what was that? That was nothing like what you two were supposed to do. That wasโฆ
You shook your head out of your trance. He was probably just messing with you, trying to find your weakness to use it against you in the future.ย
โDonโt startle me like that again,โ you said shakily, flexing your hand nervously. You turned back to your unfinished batter and picked up the whisk, beginning to stir its contents. You would have been done with this already if it werenโt for hisโฆ assistance.
โCan I assist you once more?โ He asked, this time appearing at your side. Your gaze hardened as you turned to him. Your hand came up to mindlessly swipe the hair off your face, only to find nothing because the very man right next to you had already tied it up. You scoffed and tilted your chin up, yet he only gazed back without emotionโexcept for that small bit of amusement behind the twinkle of his eyes.
โFine, if you would be so kind.โ
Hyunjae reached over, takingโprying, because you were that stubbornโthe whisk from your hand and moved the bowl over. He began to mix and to your large dislike, he was much more efficient when doing so. You set your hands on the counter and watched. You tried to keep your eyes solely on his obnoxiously handsome face or on the batter being mixed in the bowl, but instead, your gaze wandered to hisโฆ arms.
Bodyguards always wore simple black and white suitsโeasy to move around, yet form-fitting enough to look formal. And that was what bothered you so much. Why, under his suit, could you see the muscles of his arm flex so clearly as he used the mixed? And why, with his suit on, did you start imagining it offโleaving him only in a white dress shirt and a loose tie? Your mouth went dry.
Your thoughts were rudely interrupted by his breathy laugh. You looked up, only to be met with a small smirk, barely visible, but enough to leave you embarrassed anyway.
โEyes on the bowl, not my arm.โ He nodded towards the bowl, already fully mixed for a while now, which you didnโt notice.
You suppressed a groan, elbowing him so that you could finish cooking. โShut up, Hyunjae. Youโre distracting me.โ
โIn what way?โ
โYouโre face is unbearable.โ
โHm, could have sworn it was my arms.โ
โ
After dropping off the pancakes to various staff member rooms that quickly filled with grateful smiles, you led Hyunjae out to the garden. He trailed behind you as you wandered the various, intricately carved trails, searching for the prettiest and brightest flowers. When you found the perfect patch, you immediately knelt down, slightly adjusting your hair. Carefully, you picked the flowers, bunching them into a basket.
Just like before,ย it was silent. Well, up until Hyunjae decided to start a conversation again, as weird as it was. You would never get used to it.
โYour Highness.โ His voice was softer.
You squinted up at him. โWhat?โ
He gestured to the flowers being held in your hand. โYour hands will get dirty.โ
โI know,โ you sighed. You never particularly enjoyed the feeling. โBut I noticed that some of the vases were empty. Iโm going to refill them again.โ
When there was no response, you looked up, only to see Hyunjae staring at you in surprise. His lips parted and his head was tilted ever so slightly. You noticed he did that often when he was confused. Almost like aโฆ puppy.ย
(Hyunjaeโs chest felt tight. You had specific workers to fill up those vases and cook pancakes yet youโฆ did those tasks on your own accord. Maybe Haknyeon wasnโt all too wrong. Maybeโฆ)
You yelped. Immediately, Hyunjae was kneeling down, taking your arm, and pulling you up to stand. โAre you okay?โ
You searched his eyes with bewilderment. โI-โ
His touch was gentle and careful as he brought your hands up for examination. โYou should have used gloves, Your Highness. I knew you would get hurt.โ His thumb pressed comfortingly into your palm.ย
โNo!โ You blurted out, causing him to jump. He looked up from one of your hands, completely missing the fact that he was so close that if he leaned any closer, he would be kissing the back of it. โIโm not hurt.โ
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. โYouโre not?โ
โNo,โ you argued with a scowl. โDid you not hear the loud thunder a few moments ago? It startled me thatโs all.โ
โThunder?โ He furrowed his eyebrows. And then he looked at you like something dawned on him. โThunder,โ he breathed. โYou need to go back inside.โ
โWhaโ why?โ You exclaimed, already being dragged down the trail. You stumbled after his strides as you silently cursed his long legs. Soon enough though, your question was answered with the sudden pour of rain over your heads. It was so heavy that it began to seep through your clothes, sending a shudder through your whole body. And that meant that Hyunjae, who was holding onto your hand, would feel it tremble.
He stopped abruptly and turned back around to face you.ย
โWhat are you doing?โ You asked hurriedly. โWe still have a long way toโฆโ Your voice trailed off once you realized what exactly he was doing. He was taking off the jacket of his suit, leaving him only in his white dress shirt and a messed-up tie. Huh. Didnโt you just imagine that back in the kitchen?
He stepped forward and he held the jacket up over your head, acting as an umbrella. โReady, Your Highness?โ Yet again, his face lacked any emotion.
โYes,โ you breathed. The two of you avoided running so as to not slip on the forming mud, but everything felt incredibly fast-paced anyway. Hyunjae, who continued to shield you from the rain, kept on stealing glances at you to make sure you were okay. Everytime you caught him, you would scrunch your nose and silently gesture for him to focus on getting back.
As you got closer, it was you who decided to steal a glance. You inhaled sharply when you realized that most of Hyunjaeโs body was soaked by rain. His wet hair fell over his eyes and his shirt stuck to his skin. He was keeping you dry while heโฆ
You hadnโt even noticed that you two were indoors already. Hyunjae let out an exasperated sigh, brushing a hand through his soaked hair.
โDid you not check the weather before youโโ
You ignored his words, instead storming over and smacking him plainly on his shoulder. He stared at you, clearly unimpressed. He never seemed to flinch.ย
You frowned, looking around for a towel, only for there to be none in sight. With a groan, you turned back to him. โYouโll catch a cold, you idiot.โ
โIโve had worse,โ he replied.
โLike what?โ
โLike when I had to work while having a fever.โ
You gasped and your frown deepened. โThatโs so mean, who made you do that? I must have a talk with them.โ
โI donโt think you must. Not when the person is none other than your own cousin.โ
You felt your heart drop to your stomach. You were always aware that Hyunjae wasnโt always a bodyguard. But to learn how he was treated previouslyโฆ
You huffed and shook your head. โCousin or not, that wonโt change anything. If he treated you unfairly, then he deserves to be ridiculed.โ
Hyunjae looked at you yet again, in surprise, his eyes slightly widened. So thereโs finally more emotion in his face. โThereโs no need, Your Highness. You do know that youโre supposed to hate me, right?โ
You swallowed thickly. It hit you then. The two of youโฆ hadnโt insulted each other in a while. It was weird but not something you were against.
โI donโtโฆโ You sighed. โYouโve helped me a lot recently, so Iโ I donโt know. I want to repay you.โ
โOkay,โ he whispered. You looked up, trying not to pay attention to how attractive your bodyguard looked when soaked with rain. He was a lot more muscular than you thought, considering his shirt was see-through. โBut this is my job, Your Highness. Thereโs nothing to repay.โ
You grumbled. โI get to decide that.โ
And to your pleasant surprise, he laughed. It was a nice sound and an even nicer change of pace with his usual stoic personality.ย
โBut thank you.โ He smiled softly. โI appreciate it, Your Highness.โ
You couldnโt help but smile back. You looked down to examine your picked flowers. But then you slapped your hand over your face.
โAh, my basket. I forgot it.โ
โWould you like me to get it for you?โ
You glanced out the window. The rain was still pouring. โDon't be ridiculous.โ
โI wasnโt. You spent a lot of time picking those flowers. I can get them for you.โ
Your cheeks flushed as you looked away. You never thought he would go to such lengths forโฆ you. Then again, it was his job. But it felt different either way. It felt like your heart was racing.
โShut up,โ you muttered. โGo dry yourself off instead.โ
โOf course, Your Highness.โ He tilted his head with a teasing smile.ย
And for some reason, that smile and that soft gaze left you breathless.
โ
After Hyunjae was all dryโnow only wearing just a dress shirt and tie this time (much to your quiet enjoyment)โhe followed you to your last stop of the day. The library. It was large and filled with rows upon rows of books that almost everyone couldnโt understand. You werenโt any different. You simply enjoyed the peace and quiet of the atmosphere, where you could crochet to your heartโs content.
You sat on a chair and tried to focus, but your mind was distractedโdistracted by your bodyguard who was standing by your side silently. When Haknyeon accompanied you, he would start conversations or try to read one of the books. To say this was uncomfortable was a huge understatement.
You set down the needles and patted the chair next to you.
โDo you want to sit down?โ You looked up at him. He gazed at you before reluctantly sitting down, facing you slightly.
There definitely was progress in your relationship with him but it was still painfully awkward. Every time the two of you would make eye contact, it would quickly break. Fidgeting hands, darting eyes, shifting in your seatโit was just so graceless.
โIโm not that bad,โ you whispered, facing him with a soft smile. โYou can talk to me.โ
Hyunjae leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly. โI guess youโre not. But hm, Iโm not too sure.โ
โHey.โ You glared. This time though, your glare was playful and you even struggled to hold back a smile. โSay anything. Start a conversation. I promise I wonโt bite.โ
He huffed out a quiet laugh. โI never thought you would bite. You practically trip over air every time I look at you.โ
You stuttered and your cheeks quickly started to feel warm as you quickly stared down at your lap. โIโ I donโt mean toโฆโ When you looked back up, you saw Hyunjae staring at you with sparkles of amusement in his eyes. โYouโre making fun of me.โ
โSorry,โ he laughed with clearly no trace of an apology. โFine, Iโll talk.โ He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his thighs as he gestured to your crocheted piece of work. Which hopefully, he could tell it was a scarf. โWhoโs this for?โ
You stared at him, slightly confused. But then you realized, oh, he had witnessed you cooking and picking flowers for others. He must have assumed you were making this for someone as well. You shyly shook your head, gripping your work in progress tightly.
โOh,โ you laughed nervously, tearing your gaze away with embarrassment. โItโs just for me actually. This is my favorite hobby.โ Your voice gradually became quieter and quieter. The only person who was well aware of your love of crocheting was Haknyeon. So to share it with Hyunjae isโฆ
He hummed quietly and you could tell he was interested, rather than judging. He didnโt say anything after, instead choosing to watch you crochet. Usually, you were great at crocheting. Amazing actually! But something about his silent gaze on your hands left them shaking causing you to make a lot more mistakes than usual.
After your nth mistake, you sighed and placed the unfinished scarf in your lap with a frustrated groan. You needed to do somethingโanythingโto steer his eyes away from your hands. It wasnโt uncomfortable per se, but it wasโฆ nerve-wracking. For some odd reason, you felt your heart beat faster than usual.
Abruptly, you turned to him. โDo you want to learn?โ
He froze as he eyed your intricate work. Then he shook his head softly. โThis isnโt my type of thing.โ
โThen what do you like? Or are you just a boring guy?โ
He rolled his eyes. โI like to workout.โ
You scoffed. โThatโs such a you thing to enjoy.โ Except, you didnโt make that statement just because you knew he was a bodyguard and had to be strong enough anyway. Really, you said it because you could not, for your life, get the image of him, rain-soaked with a tight shirt that clung to his body out of your mind.
He was quiet for a moment before he tilted his chin downwards, looking you straight in the eyes. You gulped nervously. Why was he staring at you so intently? When you looked closely, you could see a small teasing smile appear on his lips.
โThen how else do I catch you when you fall?โ He paused and his voice lowered. โYour Highness.โ
Now, it felt like your heart was in your throat. You cleared it desperately as you quickly turned away, hoping you were fast enough to hide your reddening cheeks.ย
โ
โCanโt I do something?โ You complained. You twirled around and wandered through the various set-up tables. There were staff members everywhere, intricately putting up centerpieces and making sure that every tablecloth had not a single wrinkle, every plate was without a singular smudge and every flower was placed perfectly.
The head organizer, who was busy checking things off her important-looking clipboard, glanced at you before shaking her head in disapproval.
โNo, you canโt.โ
โWhy?โ You gave your best pleading look but she wasnโt even looking at you.
โThis is our job, Your Highness. We donโt want to bother you.โย
โButโโ She was already long gone, chasing down a guy who accidentally put a napkin backward.
Biting your lip, you glanced around and your eyes quickly landed on Hyunjae who was nearby, helping move things around for the upcoming ball. It was drawing near and you still werenโt completely sure about walking in with Hyunjae on your arm.
You hurried over to him and he was quick to notice you approaching.ย
โCan I help? Please?โย
He looked you over. You were dressed in your more expensive attire which would make it harder for you to move around and help. But you still wanted to try anyway. He sighed and shook his head, much to your demise.
โNo, Your Highness. I canโt afford you getting hurt.โ You pursed your lips. But, before you could come up with some sort of snarky response, he suddenly leaned in. โBesides, I donโt think youโre strong enough,โ he whispered before pulling away with a mischievous smile.
You shut your eyes and leaned your head back, annoyed. โI definitely am.โ
He raised an eyebrow but didnโt say anything. Instead, he walked past you to pull out one of the nearby chairs. โThen sit here for a moment. Weโll find something to do after Iโm done.โ
You nodded and sat down. You tried to look around but quickly found that your head began to hurt the more you tried to comprehend the chaos that was called setting up for a ball. And so, you decided to turn your focus back to the only person you could mostly comprehend.
Hyunjae was busy lifting heavy boxes. His sleeves were rolled up and his hair was slightly messy. But despite his disheveled look, he certainly was a very attractive man, you came to realize. Your eyes widened, as you looked him over. You studied his prince-like features and his broad build. You hadnโt even noticed that your whole face began to feel warm.ย
You coughed awkwardly and quickly turned your gaze away. You focused instead on the utensils on the table nearby. What were you thinking? Staring at Hyunjae like that?ย
Adjusting the fork countless times quickly became boring. You bit your lip and winced.ย
It wouldnโt hurt to take one last glance, right?ย
Slowly, very slowly, you turned your head, only to find that Hyunjae was nowhere to be seen.ย
But then you heard a shift next to you and you startled, turning and looking down. And of course, there he was, kneeling before you. He was out of breath but god, he looked so handsome. His eyes were gentle and his lips lifted slightly as he looked up to you.
โEnjoying the view, Your Highness?โ
Your lungs seized and you felt yourself go dizzy. As if you were stung by his words, you abruptly stood up and quickly turned away. You were sure you werenโt being that obvious...ย
You heard him laugh fondly from behind as he stepped in front of you. No matter how many times you tried to avoid his eyes, he would bend down and force you to look anyway.
โYou werenโt supposed to notice,โ you muttered quietly.
โI guess.โ He nodded. โBut I like your eyes on me.โ
If you werenโt at your breaking point then, you were now. You cringed with an incoherent sound and tried to walk away but you felt a gentle hand take yours. You whipped around, only to meet his expectant look.
โYou said you wanted to find something to do, right?โ
You sighed and reluctantly let him lead you through the ballroom. Hyunjae easily found a table that still needed to be set up while youโฆ you were more focused on that whole situation from before. Every time you thought about it, you had to look away with reddening cheeks.
You glanced over to the empty spot in the middle of the ballroom which was designated for dancing. โDo you know what kind of dance there will be?โ
Hyunjae looked at you as if you were joking. โThe slow dance, is it not?โ
โStill, thatโs disappointing. I want something more fun.โ
โFunny that you think thereโs anything remotely fun at these types of royal events.โ He abruptly paused and looked at you regretfully. He was staring at you like a deer in headlights over the fact that he just said that to you, a royal member. โUh, I didnโt meanโโ
You burst out laughing. โDonโt worry, I get what you mean.โ You grinned mischievously. โWe should leave early if thatโs what you would like. I know a spot.โ You led him out of the ballroom and began to walk through the halls.ย
โThatโs up to you.โ He looked at you in amusement, easily catching up with your fast strides. โNot me.โ
You pretended to think like you didnโt already have your decision in mind. โThenโฆ I say we escape as soon as we can.โ You gave him a playful wink.
To your surprise, Hyunjae smiled. It was a wide one this time, unlike the subtle or teasing ones from before. You tilted your head, slightly endeared. โHas anyone told you that you have a nice smile? You should do it more.โ
โAs you wish, Your Highness.โ
You grimaced. โThis is weird.โ
โWhatโs weird?โ
โYou being soโฆ obedient,โ you whined. โI was just getting used to your insults.โ
He huffed, slightly flustered. โIโฆ I guess itโs because Iโve been wrong about you, thatโs all.โ
You widened your eyes and looked at him. โReally? How so?โ
His gaze lowered. He looked almost embarrassed. โIt was nothing too serious. I justโฆ had past experiences when I wasnโt a bodyguard yet. I assumed you would be the same.โย
Your wide eyes immediately softened. You already knew who he was talking about and you never once agreed with them.
Your voice was quiet. โIs that why you hated me all this time?โ
โYes,โ he whispered. โAnd I sincerely apologize.โ
You gave him a soft smile and lightly bumped into his shoulder, making him look up from the floor. He still wore an ashamed face but you could see that his stern eyes had melted. โItโs okay. Iโm sorry too.โ
โThereโs nothing to be sorry for.โ
โWhat do you mean?โ You snorted. โI argued with you too. I should have tried to understand you first.โ
He leaned closer to you as the exit came into view. โAnd I should have told you earlier. We werenโt the most mature, huh?โ
You laughed loudly and you didnโt know what came over you but you suddenly grabbed onto his arm as you two walked through the door and out to the private garden. This one was different than the one you were in previously. It was closed off by glass walls, rather than out in the open. But most of all, it was romantic and even more beautiful with dim lighting and colorful flowers lining a trail.
Holding onto his firm arm, you felt a sudden sense of peace. You felt like you were truly safe and protected.
Who knew that the man that you would refuse to look at would become your bodyguard who made you smile more times than you expected?
He stared quietly at your arms that were looped around his and he cleared his throat nervously. You could see that he had even straightened up and became more alert.
You smirked at him teasingly. โWhy, do you feel more important now?โ
He rolled his eyes fondly but shook his head. โItโs not me. Itโs you. I feel like youโre the most important person at the moment.โ
You choked on air and promptly turned to face forward, afraid that Hyunjae would notice your embarrassment. The two of you silently walked through the garden, admiring the various flowers.ย
โAnd just so youโre aware,โ you started. โI hope that you feel comfortable with me. I promise that I wonโt treat you like how they did. I hope you can trust meโฆโ Your voice trailed off once you noticed Hyunjae staring down at you with a stupidly handsome smile. You furrowed your eyebrows. โWhat?โ
โNothing.โ Despite his response, he wouldnโt stop looking at you. Something about how he always stared at you and never failed to look away made you feel your own pulse in your ears.ย
The two of you arrived at the center of the garden. Yet again, it was beautiful. But what you found most beautiful was the light feeling in your chest as you leaned against Hyunjae.
โHyunjae.โ
โHm?โ His gaze was warm even in the cooler atmosphere.
You eyed the empty space around you. There was no one else around. Just you and him, standing in the center of a garden that sparkled with dew. โDo you know how to dance?โ
He gave you a skeptical look. โWhy do you ask?โ
โYouโre my escort to the ball, of course!โ You giggled. โYou have to slow dance with me at some point.โ
There was a slight blush that appeared on his cheeks. โThat neverโฆ crossed my mind,โ he said.
You gave him a teasing look. โSo you donโt know?โ When he didnโt give you a response, you couldnโt help but laugh, hopelessly endeared. He was always the tough one, but it seemed that when it came to the small romantic things, he was clueless. The more you noticed just how flustered he had become, the harder you laughed. You doubled over before almost falling straight into his chest.ย
Two hands grasped your waist, holding you steady. You were still laughing but it had quieted down. Hyunjae couldnโt even look you in the eye yet he continued to hold you from falling.
โDonโt be soโฆ clumsy, Your Highness,โ he muttered, tripping over his words slightly at how close you were to him. โNot knowing how to dance shouldnโt be so funny to you,โ he later grumbled quietly to himself.
You smiled and straightened up. You moved one of your hands to his shoulder as the other held onto one of his, pulling it away from your waist. โI donโt think itโs funny. I think itโs cute.โ
Hyunjae blinked before clearing his throat and turning away. But then, without a warning, you began to lead him through the basic slow dance. He slowly looked back at you in surprise.
โWe can simply sway side to side,โ you explained gently. Then, you eyed where his hand was still holding onto his waist. โAnd donโt let go.โ
Hyunjae was silent before he adjusted his hand to yours, intertwining your fingers. Then, he whispered quietly, โI was never planning to.โ
You laughed bashfully. There was no musicโjust the shuffle of your clothes and the distant ruffle of nearby flowers and bushes. But you could hear it in your ears, feel it in your fingertips, see it through your eyes, the fondness and admiration that you both began to share.
Hyunjae was still a bit awkward with dancing. Sometimes, he would stumble or tighten his hold on your waist. Every so often, he would whisper a small apology.
You hummed fondly and shifted just a bit closer. He inhaled quietly and stared down at you with fluttering eyes. But despite his distractions, he slowly became more and more confident in slow dancing with you, even pulling you closer so that you could rest your cheek on his chest.ย
Except there was something else you could hear. The loud beating of his heart. It was fast and it was almost pounding. You smiled softly.
โYouโre quite handsome when youโre like this, Hyunjae.โ You pulled away to look up at him. He bit back a smile and shook his head.ย
โAnd if I may tell the truthโฆโ His voice lowered as if he truly only wanted you to hear what he was about to say. โYou look truly stunning right now, Your Highness.โ
Your eyebrows raised in surprise. He smiled smugly. And then, like a perfect harmony, the two of you started laughing at the same time. The sparkles in his eyes and his bright smile perfectly mirrored. And you were sure that the pounding of his heart did as well.
Suddenly though, you were interrupted by your own yawn. His gaze looked you over in slight concern. โWould you like to stop now?โ He looked up and out to the evening sky, littered with faint stars.
โMhm,โ you sighed, glancing down. โThese shoes are not comfortable for dancing. They hurt.โ Slowly, as if you didnโt want to let goโyou truly didnโtโyou stepped away from him. Your waist still felt warm with his touch and your hand tingly from his palm.
Then, he leaned down to look you in the eye. โWould you like me to carry you?โ
Almost instantly, your mind flashed to an image in your mind. You quickly shook it away with a growing blush on your cheeks.
โNo! Iโm fine,โ you blurted out, making your way back to the door. You could already feel his teasing smile and so, despite your uncomfortable shoes, you began to run down the hallway. But yet again, he was your bodyguard. He would always be following you.
โThe offerโs still on the table,โ he called out.ย
โNo!โ
โ
You shifted nervously as you stood in front of your bedroom door. You played nervously with your hair as you glanced down at your formal wear. You never expected to be so anxious for a ball until you were dressed up in something so sparkly and stunning that you began to doubt if you even worth wearing such a thing.ย
With a shaky sigh, your hand hovered over the doorknob. Hyunjae would be standing outside and you didnโt know what to think. All that really was on your mind were the possibilities. Would he smile at the sight of you? Would he look you over? Would heโฆ say something?
But when you opened to the door, you faced an empty hallway. It was bustling downstairs with everyone preparing the food and drinks to be served. But upstairs, it was quiet. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion and stepped out. You glanced on either side, only for Hyunjae to be nowhere in sight.
But then, there was one other room that had its light on. The library. You slowly approached it and opened the door. There Hyunjae wasโor specifically his back as he seemed to be working on something. As soon as he heard your footsteps, he hurriedly put it away and stood up quickly.
โThere are you are,โ you breathed in relief. โI was looking for you.โ Your gaze travelled across his whole body. He looked handsome in his suit and ever so charming with his hair done up preciselyโexcept for that one piece that stuck out, giving him a more youthful and playful look. You felt like you could just swoon at the moment.
You hadnโt even noticed his absolutely smitten look as his eyes wandered over you as well.
โWell donโt you look beautiful,โ he muttered quietly, staring at you with a soft gaze.
Immediately, you were sputtering out sounds that didnโt form a single word. You tried to bring your hands up to cover your face but he took them and set them down gently. You frowned at his knowing smile.
โWhy? Are you shy?โ
You scoffed, trying to play it cool. It obviously wasnโt working considering how he chuckled quietly. โI miss when you hated me.โ
He leaned in, brushing a thumb across your cheek. โI donโt. Because then, Iโd miss seeing your smile.โ
โSh-shut up, you stupid flirt,โ you whined, pulling away and making a beeline to the door.ย
As the two of you walked toward the ballroom, you turned to ask Hyunjae something, only to find that he was deep in thought about something. His eyebrows were furrowed and his lips pulled into a small frown.
โIs there something bothering you?โ
He startled slightly and glanced at you before immediately denying, โNothing to concern you, Your Highness.โ
โPlease tell me.โ You smiled. โI might be able to help.โ
He eyed you skeptically before letting out a defeated sigh. โItโs foolish. I think I have a crush on someone. Andโฆ I donโt know what to do about it.โ
You nodded. โSo itโs that type of situationโฆ then why donโt you confess?โ When he stared at you like you were crazy, you laughed, completely unfazed. โJust get it out there.โ
โEasier said than done.โ And you didnโt know why but the way he looked at you as he said those words was soโฆ different. His gaze was full of longing, you realized. But why at you? โI donโt think I can do that.โ
โHmmโฆโ You bit your lip as you pondered. โThen until youโre ready to tell them, continue to take care and protect them in the meantime.โ
He gave you a soft smile and you gasped quietly when you felt your hand being placed on his arm. He held you close to his side as you two faced the entrance to the ball. You could already hear the bustle of guests and the clink of wine glasses inside. Hyunjae turned to look at you with a reassuring smile. You would think that you didnโt need it considering you were so used to these events. But really, it was your hand on his arm that made you feel nervous.
โReady?โ He interrupted your thoughts.
The hushed whispers and interested murmurs were deafening to your ears as the doors opened. You blinked profusely as the lights came shining upon the two of you. Once your eyes adjusted, your heart raced at the faces of awe at the sight of you and Hyunjae, walking into the ballroom with your hand on his arm.
โIs that a prince?โ You could hear one mutter in admiration.
โThey look like the perfect coupleโฆโ
You grinned and looked up to Hyunjae. He gave you a slightly forced smile. You could tell he was nervous yet he still remained protective over you, holding you close to his side.
The two of you wandered out of the spotlight and began to join the other guests. You tried your hardest to ignore the looks of others. They were always gossiping and always had something to say. Instead, you chose to focus on Hyunjae.
Hyunjae.
You could sigh dreamily like one of those characters in the romance books you used to read. How could a bodyguard be soโฆ prince-like?ย
โYour Highness?โ
You shook your head out of your trance. โHyunjae?โ
โHow are you doing on this beautiful night?โ He smiled, bowing down politely. You burst out laughing. The two of you had been together for the past twenty minutes yet now, he decided to act like this. He tilted his head teasingly. โI saw you were a bit distracted.โ
โHm?โ You grinned knowingly. โDistracted? By what?โ
โMe,โ he whispered into your ear.ย
โReally?โ You stepped closer, reaching your hands to fix his collar. It was perfectly ironed already but you relished in the way his ears tinted red when your fingertips grazed his neck. Then you looked up and straight into his eyes. You could hear his breath hitch. โIs it that obvious?โ You whispered, with a teasing smile.ย
You didnโt care if there were hundreds of guests surrounding you, possibly staring at the two of you flirting. All that you could see was Hyunjae and only him.ย
โIt is,โ he muttered, quickly regaining his composure. โBut Iโm no better. You distract me all the same.โย
His hands were gentle as he tucked a piece of hair behind your ear. His eyes wandered over your features and then down to your whole body. He didnโt say anything but through his soft gaze, you could read what his mind was thinking like a book.
Pretty.
Then he stepped away. For a moment you felt disappointed until you saw him holding a hand out for you to take.
โMay I have this dance?โ He bowed slightly, looking up at you with expectant eyes. It didnโt help that the one hair strand still adorably stuck out like a puppyโs hair would.
โOf course,โ you giggled, taking his hand. He smiled fondly as he led you to the dance area. Seamlessly, the two of you blended in with the other couples, slow dancing with lovesick smiles.
Hyunjae held you tenderly by the waist and his hand fit with yours perfectly. Just a look at his handsome face was enough to leave you breathless. He seemed like he was incredibly skilled in holding eye contact with his soft gaze that never left yours. You on the other handโฆ were not faring very well.
You bit your lip, struggling to look him in the eye. Why was he making you so nervous? Why did his hand on your waist make you feel jittery? And whyโฆ
โLook at me,โ he whispered, grabbing your attention.
You snapped your head up. โItโs hard to.โย
He chuckled. โIsnโt slow dancing about trusting your partner? Do you not trust me?โ
โI do.โ
โThen look at me,โ he repeated with a teasing voice. โI like when you do.โ
You had to resist the urge to shut your eyes in embarrassment. You swallowed nervously. When you said you trusted him, you meant it. You allowed him to lead you throughout the ballroomโallowed him to guide you through the several people you couldโve bumped into. But instead, he kept you safe. He protected you.
โYour Highness.โ
โHm?โ
He gave you a slightly embarrassed look as he glanced around. You couldnโt help but think it was cute how fast his flirty demeanor could fall. โIf I may be honest, I do feel a bit out of place here.โ
Your heart sank. It was understandable how he was still hesitant, especially with what he had confided in you recently. โThen please, focus on me just like you want me on you.โ
His hand tightened on yours. โI already am.โ He gave you an earnest smile. You smiled back.ย
The two of you were lost in each otherโs eyes, naturally moving to the calming yet romantic music that surrounded you. Your heart beat faster than the pace of the violin but you didnโt care, knowing that Hyunjae wasnโt any different. You knew because of when you laid your head on his chest that time in the garden.
But, like a record scratch, you heard your name from behind you, spoken by a snarky voice.
โWhatโs their name, Y/n?โ A man spoke to another. You could tell by his tone that he would have nothing good to say. โThey arenโt even all that special. And they were the only reason why I came to this ball.โ
Hyunjaeโs face hardened as he glanced behind you, already pinpointing the two men talking about you. You stared up at him with wide eyes.
โHave you seen the way they act?โ The other griped. โSoโฆ improper and nothing like a royalty.โ
You gulped and looked to Hyunjae. His jaw was clenched and his hand on your waist had tightened. Though, it was never enough to hurt.
Suddenly, the music was too loud. Your feet hurt and the chatter of others was painfully blaring. But most of all, it was the two menโs voices that scratched your eardrums the most. You two were still dancing but it had slowed down.
โIโd still take them out on a date,โ The other laughed mockingly. โBut only to inherit their fortune.โ And god, how their cackles stung your very soul.
You gasped and furrowed your eyebrows. Hyunjae kept you from ever facing them, always switching the direction so your back was turned. But he was mad, you could tellโfurious to be exact. Then, he looked down at you and his gaze softened at your hurt expression.ย
And like something snapped in him, he let go of your waist and pulled you around so that you were right behind him. โStay here with me,โ he whispered. He shielded you protectively as he walked over to the two men, standing near the drink bar, swirling their glasses obnoxiously with their even more irritating smiles.
โHyunjaeโโ
โWe can hear your loud voices from here,โ Hyunjae spoke condescendingly. โI hope that youโre aware of that.โ The two men jumped and stared at him. You couldnโt help but marvel over how Hyunjae so easily towered over them. One of them was already cowering, backing away while the other huffed stubbornly.
โAnd who might you be?โ The man gave him a twisted smile.
You peeked out from Hyunjaeโs side and answered for him, โMy bodyguard.โ
And that seemed to be what did it for the man. His eyes widened and his voice stuttered. โY-your Highness! What a pleasant surprise!โ He laughed nervously, glancing around with fear.
Hyunjae tilted his head and he stepped forward, further towering over him. His broad shoulders loomed like a shadow that was awfully intimidating yetโฆ attraโ
โSay anything about them again and I will personally do anything to ruin your life,โ he muttered with a low voice. Your heart skipped a beat as you tightened your hand on his.
โWhat can you do?โ The man lifted his head high which frankly, didnโt do much. You could tell by how his hands shook that he was terrified. โIโm a prince. And youโre just a lowly bodyguard.โ
You winced and tried to pull Hyunjae away. You didnโt want him to get hurt again, not after you promised him that he would be treated right. But instead, Hyunjae stayed where he was as his jaw clenched.
โA bodyguard whose job is to protect them. Something that you clearly cannot do,โ Hyunjae replied, looking over the prince with an unimpressed look. โSo, I donโt see the problem here.โ That was when he turned around and led you away. Or, at least tried to, until the man called out again with a loud voice.
โYouโre protecting someone who barely acts like a proper royal member,โ he growled. โY/n doesnโt deserveโโ
You felt your hand being let go, causing you to gasp and whip around. Soon enough, you were met with the sight of Hyunjae, his hands grasped around his collar, so tight that his knuckles were white. The man now was clearly full of fear, his eyes pleading as he tried to scramble away. But Hyunjae didnโt let go, instead tightening his hold with a threatening look. It was subtleโhis eyes darkened and jaw tight.ย
Everyone was looking now, murmurs and shocked gasps filling the room. You stumbled forward but were stopped by one of the staff members holding you back to keep you safe. You watched as other guards came rushing forward to break everything up. The princeโs collar was crumpled and he could barely speak out of sheer terror. Hyunjae on the other hand, was standing there with clenched fists. Then, immediately he looked to you to make sure you were okay.
You quickly escaped the staff memberโs hold and approached him. Gently, you took his wrist because you could tell he still wanted to punch the prince square in the face. Then you pulled him close so that you could whisper into his ear.
โDo you want to get out of here?โ
โButโโย
You smiled, slightly amused. โItโs okay.โ
He froze and his tense muscles softened as soon as his eyes took in your smile. He quietly nodded.
โCome on,โ you laughed fondly, pulling him along and out of the ballroom. The two of you ran down the same path to the garden with your hand wrapped around his wrist the whole time.ย
You led him to sit on a 1bench, a beautiful spot surrounded by gorgeous flowers lit by the nearby lamps. The night sky was scattered with twinkling stars and it was a calming quiet. Immediately, you took his hand and opened it.
โLook,โ you whispered with a worried expression. You frowned, taking in the gash on the palm of his hand where the sharp button of the princeโs outfit had cut him. โYou got hurt. You shouldnโt have done that for me.โ
You reached under the bench and pulled out a first-aid kit, typically for the gardeners who got cut from rose thorns and such. You quickly cleaned the wound and began to wrap the cut with a rolled bandage.
All the while, Hyunjae was staring at you with a straight mouth but with a soft, loving gaze. Then, he huffed and gave you an adorably angry frown as he rolled his eyes. You could tell he was still being protective.
โI couldnโt ignore it. He hurt you.โ
You laughed warmly, as you secured the bandage around his hand, patting it lightly. You looked up, only to inhale sharply at the way he was staring at you so intentlyโsoโฆ passionately.
โIโveโฆโ You gulped, trying to find your voice again. โIโve heard far worse. But thank you, Hyunjae.โ
He smiled. If he was handsome in the ballroom, he was even more handsome now. The dim light perfectly emphasized his features and his hair no longer was in that perfect updo. It was messy yet it fit him perfectly.ย
โBut seriously!โ You whined, slightly startling him. โWhy did you protect me like that?โ
He narrowed his eyes. โItโs my job. Iโm a bodyguard.โ
โHm,โ you thought for a moment, looking up to the stars that so beautifully mirrored the sparkles in Hyunjaeโs eyes that only seemed to appear when he was looking at you. โI thought that meant physically. Not standing up for me. You know I can handle myself right?โ
Hyunjae looked down at his lap.
โJustโฆ let me take care and protect you.โ
You stared at him blankly. Your lack of response caused him to look up at you nervously and regretfully as if he was scared you would realize something. And then it hit you. What you said earlierโฆ
โThen until youโre ready to tell them, continue to take care and protect them in the meantime.โ
You straightened and you could feel your heart seize. โThe person you were talking about. Itโs me, right?โ
He choked. โIโโ
Immediately, you were giving him a teasing look as you scooted over to lean into his side. โThereโs no use in hiding it now,โ you sang.
He stared at you with adorably wide eyes before he let out a defeated sigh. โFine, yes. I may have a crush on you.โ
You slapped your hand over your mouth exaggeratedly as if you hadnโt already figured it out before. โFor how long?โ You cut yourself off with a gasp. โDonโt tell meโฆ you were mean to me to actually hide your feelings?โ
โNo, no, I did actually hate you.โ
โOh.โ
โI-Iโm sorry,โ he blushed. โI didnโt mean for it to come out that way.โ
You giggled. Oh, how you loved teasing him. โItโs okay. I get it.โ
โBut I saw how kind you were andโฆ I realized you were different.โ He gave you a fond look. โAnd Your Highness, you are so beautiful. Youโre the most beautiful person Iโve ever gotten to know.โ
Your cheeks were warm, even under the cool night air. You leaned into his side, staring up at him with a stupidly giddy smile.ย
โAnd my dear Hyunjae,โ you spoke, your voice teasing yet sincere either way. โYou have won over my heart.โ
โReally?โ You could see that he was truly relieved, even past his smug smile.
โMhm,โ You hummed. โReally.โ And then you leaned in to press a soft kiss to his cheek. He stared at you with wide eyes before practically melting and smiling like he had truly fallen for you. And it seemed, based on what he said, he did.
Then, he straightened and reached into his pocket. โI have something for you.โ He pulled out a crocheted flower. It was a rose. A few of the stitches were messed up but it was beautiful anyway.ย
Your eyebrows raised. โFor me? Youโฆ made this?โ
He cleared his throat, trying to look nonchalant and tough. โI tried.โ
Instantly, you were smiling so wide your face hurt. You twirled the rose around, admiring the effort he made. โThis is so cute!โ Your eyes softened. โThank you.โ
He stared at you, still slightly dazed by your kiss on the cheek. โYouโre welcome.โ
You paused and then gave him a sly lookโone that sent him looking away nervously. โYou know I could just kiss you right now.โ
He watched quietly as you set the rose gently down on the bench and turned to him. You noticed how his eyes struggled to stay on the upper side of your face. Rather, they kept wandering down to your lips.
โOn the cheek?โ His voice was so quiet that you had to lean in close to hear him which in turn, made him blush furiously.
You shook your head, peering up at him with doe-like eyes that made him swallow thickly. โNo. On the lips.โ
He inhaled sharply and tried to act normal but he was nothing like it. Rather, it seemed like he was losing it, his eyes darting across your features with a look of want and infatuation. โIโฆ I wouldnโt be opposed to that.โ
โReally?โ You grinned.
He nodded and as if he couldnโt get any more endearing, he shut his eyes and leaned forward. His lips slightly pouted as he waited expectantly for you to press yours on his. But instead, you giggled, your breath fanning over his lips, causing him to blink.
He immediately was filled with embarrassment as he cleared his throat, almost choked, and tried to hide his face somehow.
โWhy didnโt youโฆโ
โBecause first, you have to do something for me.โ You scrunched your nose, poking his cheek.
It seemed that he had momentarily forgotten that he was a bodyguard who served under you. He immediately straightened and gave you a stern look that seemed to be on the verge of melting if you ever so smiled. โWhat is it, Your Highness?โ
You suppressed a laugh. Then, you placed a finger under his chin, lifting it up.
โYou need to call me by my real name first. Not Your Highness. My name.โ
โThatโs a bit unprofessional,โ he replied hesitantly.
You raised an eyebrow. โDo you think that what we have is at all professional?โ
He chuckled and quickly, the tables turned as he set your hand down and instead wrapped a hand around your waist. He pulled you close, earning him a surprised gasp.
โTruly professional, Y/n,โ he whispered, glancing down to where you were almost sitting in his lap.
You were so focused on his gentle hold on you that you almost missed the name that had left his lips. You brightened and stared up at him with wide eyes. โHyunjae,โ you breathed. โSay it again.โ
โY/n.โ He leaned closer, cupping a hand around the side of your face.ย
โAgain,โ you whispered, your heart pounding.
โY/n.โ
You were silent and he stared at you as if waiting for a cue. And finally, you whispered once again, his name.
โHyunjae.โ
And just like that, you felt two hands cup your face this time and a pair of lips being pressed to yours. The sheer passion he put into that first kiss sent you reeling and your balance completely off if it wasnโt for the hand around your back that steadied you. His other hand wrapped around your legs, pulling them over his lap so that he could hold and kiss you like it was his sole duty.
You didnโt know what to do with your hands for a while until you ultimately wrapped them around his neck and tangled them into his hair. You could feel him breathily laugh against your lips and if you peeked an eye open, you would see him smiling dearly.
So he wasnโt just a good bodyguard but a goodโnoโgreat kisser too?
And to make you even more flustered, he pressed another kiss to your forehead before he pulled away.
Dumbly, all you could say was another weak, โHyunjae.โ
โY/n?โ He offered you a knowing smile as he noticed the way your breath hitched at your name being spoken from his lips. You could tell he was proud of his effect on you.ย
โHyunjae, I hate you.โ You feebly tried to slap him but he caught your hand with ease, instead intertwining your fingers with his.
โI hate you too, gorgeous.โ Then, he led you up to stand with him. Yet another thing you hated: how he made your legs horribly weak. Your ears tuned into the music that leaked from the ballroom and it seemed that Hyunjae could hear it too. Then, he began to slow dance with you, much to your surprise. โI believe our little dance was interrupted before.โ
โYeah, because you did something stupid.โ
He tried to protest but when you gave him a warning look, he sighed and nodded. โFine, Iโm sorry for worrying you.โ
You humphed. โThatโs what I thought.โ Before you could add anything else, he quickly leaned in to press another kiss on your lips.
โFor safe measure.โ
โSafe measure for what?โ
โTo make sure that I was right that you taste sweet.โ
You groaned and hid your face in his chest. But of course, he played along and pulled you into a tight hug.
โAre you free tomorrow?โ
You snorted, pulling away to look up at him. โHey, you already know my schedule. And youโre following me around anyway.โ
โExactly.โ He gave you a soft smile. โSo letโs go on a proper date.โ
Your eyes sparkled before you closed them and leaned your cheek back on his chest. His heart thumped in rhythm with yours. It thumped in perfect harmony with the rustle of the nearby flowers. It thumped with something akin to warmth.
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out of style
hyunjae x reader
genre: opposites attract ..?, lil relationship backstory, flirting, teasing, blah blah, author hates physics with all of her life, flustered reader and hyunjae because he's more shy than one would think, this barely has a plot
notes: as per request, based on taylor swift's style! also based on the fact that for some reason people thought that hyunjae looks cold like bro is the sweetest looking guy ever but ok
word count: 2.2k
โLook at youโฆโ Your friend sighed to herself. โSmiling like an idiot just because you got dropped off by the love of your life.โ
You gawked at her. โBecause he is the love of my life?โ You turned briefly to glance back to where your boyfriend was walking off. You had told him that he didnโt have to wait but he insisted, saying that he had errands to run. He literally just needed to buy a sandwich.
She clicked her tongue, gesturing you to sit down.
โFocus,โ She warns. โWe have a project due in two days.โ
โRight,โ You breathe, smoothing down your outfit. It consisted of many light colors, much like a garden of flowers. Meanwhile Hyunjae, with his dark hair and his leather jacket contrasted you comically.
Your friend sighed, looking you over. โSee, I never expected you two to get together. And last over a year at that.โ
โWhy?โ You pouted.
She sat back in her chair, looking at you in disbelief. โYouโre just soโฆ different.โ
You paused and took the time to actually think about it. And you did find yourself silently agreeing. You and Hyunjae were different. It wasnโt just from your style choices, but also personality-wise. While you were the more cheerful and โapproachableโ one, he was the guy on campus who supposedly looked โcoldโ and was an overall quiet person.
But even if he often had an intimidating look on his face, you always noticed the way his eyes always softened when they landed on you.ย
You noticed that on the inside, he was a complete softie at heart.
He was always the one to go out of his way to buy you food when you were craving it at the worst time in the middle of the night. He was always the one to tell you that you looked pretty whenever you seemed the least bit insecure.ย
โWere you not even a bit scared when you first met him?โ She tilted her head curiously.
You shook your head, smiling fondly. โNo, not once.โ
โ
Truthfully, it all started when he showed up to a lecture late. He looked completely disheveled and he had an annoyed furrow of his eyebrows that even made the professor keep quiet. He only earned a stern look.ย
With a frown, he searched the room for a seat, only for his eyes to very conveniently land on the one right next to him. Awkwardly, you moved your stuff over so that he could sit down. And then you turned back to the lecture, aptly deciding to forget his presence right next to you.
But that was when you noticed a small piece of paper in the corner of your eye. Raising an eyebrow, you picked it up and folded it open.
hi
You turned to the side, staring at the man completely unimpressed. He gave you a small smile and that was when you realized that closer up, he was handsome. Even through his tousled hair, he had kind eyes and pretty lips. And even under his black shirt, you could see that he was broad and tall.
With a confused shake of your head, you scribbled on the note.
hiย
When you passed it to the side, you felt the warmth of his hand brush against yours. Not even a second later, the paper was placed in your hand again. Feeling a small sense of excitement now, you unfolded it, only to sigh.
do you understand whatโs going on
You scrunched your nose and looked at him. He only chuckled leaning closer, intrigued.
yes because i actually came here on time
He read it over your shoulder, and you took the time to realize that he smelled nice. And also that he was literally leaning over you, causing you to feel a bit nervous. When he read your words, he nodded, leaning back in his chair. Then he pulled out another piece of paper.
This time, he wrote for a good while.ย
He took so long that for a second you thought that he was actually paying attention and taking notes. But then, he smiled shyly at you and slipped the note over. You bit back your own smile and opened it.
wanna teach me after this?
You eyed him skeptically.
why should i?
He read your words and laughed quietly. You could see that the tips of his ears were red as he wrote his response.
because i think youโre pretty
You felt your cheeks heat up for a moment and in order to cope with the embarrassment, you crumpled up the note and turned back to the lecture, trying to ignore the small glances he would steal at you.
After the lecture ended, you tried to grab your bag and run off as fast as you could. You knew that if you found out his name, it would be even harder to forget him in your mind. But before you could even take a third step, he was stepping forward, looking at you with an amused smirk.
With a groan, you gave up.
โFine, whatโs your name?โ You scowled.
โHyunjae,โ He immediately replied, smiling even wider.
โAnd are you going to stare at me if I do teach you?โย
โI sure am.โ
And that was what it became. Multiple times of the week, you would meet him in various places to tutor him on the course. It started at the library, then moved to cafes, and eventually, it became his apartment.
And yes, he would stare. He was a flirty person at heart. Whenever he wanted a break from learning, he would just stop and let his eyes wander over your facial features until you squirmed and ridiculed him for being unfocused.ย
โI really do think youโre pretty,โ He would bluntly reply. You always brushed it off as him teasing.
But most of all, he was a sweetheart.
One time, you showed up late to one of your tutoring sessions after oversleeping. You were sure that you looked like a mess and your mind was flooded with stress of other projects and assignments to finish. When you sat beside him, he immediately noticed your change in mood.
โOkay?โ He asked, his voice soft.
โWhat?โ You swallowed thickly, the lump in your throat becoming more painful by the second. โYeah.โ But you knew how unconvincing that was when you literally had tears welling up in your eyes.
His eyes softened and he shifted even closer to you.
You looked at him and then back down into your lap.
โIโm sorry for being late. Andโฆโย
He shook his head, regarding you only with a kind, gentle look.
โYou donโt have to be sorry.โ
You opened your mouth to speak but he silenced you gently by taking your hand in his.
โAnd you donโt have to tell me whatโs wrong,โ He continued. Leaning forward, he gently cupped your face to wipe away the tears cautiously with his thumbs. You found yourself smiling shyly at his kind actions. It looked odd, seeing such polar opposites sitting together and smiling stupidly at each other. But to you, you found it perfect.
โHyunjae,โ You whispered, holding back more tears. โYouโll make me cry again.โ
He laughed. โDo you wantโฆโ He trailed off, instead finishing his sentence by holding his arms out. Immediately, you were falling forward and allowing him to take you into his embrace, accompanied by a soft kiss to the top of your head. He looked cold but he was always warm.
โ
The day that you two got together was the same day that you saw him with another person. He was laughing and smiling and you felt a sour feeling in the very bottom of your gut. And you werenโt the type to deny that it was jealousy. You just didnโt know why you felt it in the first place.
And so when he was walking you home after a late-night tutoring session since he was oh, so busy with someone else, you did the stupid thing of inviting him in.
As you watched him take off his coat, you did yet another dumb thing.
โI heard that youโve been out and about with some other person,โ You suddenly blurted out. He froze and turned to you, observing you quietly. You gulped, taking a step back and immediately regretting every decision youโve made to this very moment.
But to your surprise, his lips tilted into an amused smile, his eyes sparkling dearly.
โWhat you heard was true,โ He replied nonchalantly. Instantly, you felt a pang in your heart as you trailed backward. Except, you must have forgotten the layout of your own apartment because you were almost tripped over the nearby table. But of course, Hyunjae just had to reach forward and pull you in by the waist.
You breathed out shakily, refusing to look him in the eye.ย
โBut you know that I canโt stop thinking about you and I,โ He whispered, tilting his head ever so slightly.
That was when you paused in your tracksโthough, you couldnโt move anyway with his arms wound around you.ย
โAlso,โ He continued, grinning slyly. โThat was my cousin.โ
Embarrassment flamed throughout your body and you jerked in his hold.
โSo tell me something.โ Hyunjae leaned ever so closer. โDo you do the same? Think about us?โ
You blinked at him, your hands fidgeting nervously. And then, shutting your eyes with mortification, you bowed your head down and whispered, โI do.โ
The only thing you could hear after was a teasing huff of laughter before your surroundings were immediately deafenedโdeafened by the feeling of his lips on yours. You remembered his hand cupping the side of your face as he tilted your head up and how his other hand rested on your lower back to keep you from stumbling.
He was always a gentle kisser, much unlike how he looked on the outside.
โ
โThinking about something?โ A familiar voice interrupted you out of your thoughts.
You shook out of it, coming face-to-face with none other than your boyfriend, sitting beside you on the floor. His notebook and computer were sprawled out on the table, completely untouched as he had abandoned them toโฆ admire you apparently.
โAh, justโฆโ You trailed off then, narrowing your eyes at him. โHey, focus.โ
Hyunjae sighed, letting his hand trail down your side even though he knew you were ticklish there.
โCanโt I kiss you instead of learning about keyboard energy?โ He looked at you pleadingly.
โKinetic energy.โ
โSame thing,โ He groaned.
โAnd no,โ You grumbled. โAt least do one problem first.โ
He frowned before turning back to his notebook. You watched, amused as he did in fact complete every single step of the problem. After he was done, you were about to congratulate him on getting the first right answer in about two weeks, when he suddenly turned around, pinned you against the couch, and kissed you like his life depended on it.
โWere you that excited?โ You laughed when he pulled away, lips reddened.
โAlways.โ He smirked. โSo tell me what you were thinking about.โ
You internally sighed, hoping he would have forgotten by now. But, he always remembered things about you. Like how you secretly liked it when he kissed you instead of listening to your tutoring.ย
โItโs nothing. Just that my friend says that weโre very different. And that itโs odd that weโre dating.โ
โIt is odd.โ
ย โOh.โ You looked at him in surprise.
โBut thatโs what makes it fun.โ His eyes wandered over you. Yes, you still squirmed awkwardly. โI like that weโre different. You and your pretty outfits,โ He explained, toying with the hem of your clothes as he smiled at the way you blushed. โAnd the fact that you get flustered so easily.โ
โThatโs because of you,โ You shot back weakly.
โPrecisely.โ He leaned in before whispering, โAnd that you make me smile like an absolute idiot.โ
โI do?โ You bit back a smile.
โDonโt act all surprised,โ He grumbled.
And this time, you let your smile break free. โWell, you do the same to me.โ
โSo did you also fall in love the day we first met?โ His eyes widened almost hopefully.
โNot reaโโ You gasped, it suddenly dawning on you. โDid you?โ
And this time, he was the one who was blushing, even coughing awkwardly as he pulled away. Bringing a hand up to his face to cover his reddening cheeks, he stuttered over and over again.
โIโ I just didnโt know how to act around you,โ He desperately tried to defend himself. But this time, you could see right through him.ย
โWow, this isโโ You laughed in disbelief. โCrazy. The man whoโs supposed to be cold and โmeanโ falls in love on the first day.โ When you noticed that he was leaning back and fully covering his face, you smiled fondly. โAnd heโs shy now.โ
He peeked an eye through before muttering a small, โShut up.โ
โNope,โ You sang.ย
And this time, you wound your arms around his neck and allowed him to shut you up. With a kiss of course. His lips were roughly on yours again, his eyes shut adorably in concentration and embarrassment. That became a thing for the next few minutes. Every time you would try to tease him for his red cheeks, he would kiss you again, which would cause even more blushing.
โItโs an endless cycle,โ You teased.
โShut uโโ
โOkay, go ahead.โ You raised an eyebrow.
โOh, youโre getting it.โ
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