Yuri

Stretching my arms, I yawned, “Aaah, okay I understand noww!! It’s getting latee… I think we should gooo?”

I reached out for my bag, already feeling the weight of the hour.

But of course, the universe had other plans.

Rain began to pour outside. Jungwon looked toward the window, then at me. “Do you wanna stay in for the night?”

I choked on my own breath.

Stay in?? In his house? Without extra clothes?? In his room? In his bed??? Most importantly—with him?

“Oh, no, it’s fine! I’ll wait for the rain to stop!” I said, too quickly.

I turned to the window again. Yeah… no. That rain wasn't stopping anytime soon. Not even close.

Jungwon noticed too. “I don’t think it’s letting up. Do you want me to contact your parents? I can ask my mom. Or lend you some of my clothes if you’re uncomfortable staying in your uniform.”

I sighed. Deeply. Let’s be honest, his mom would never let me leave in this weather.

“Alright… just for the night. But… where will I sleep?”

He was already pulling out clothes—an oversized T-shirt and some jeans that looked way too big for me. He paused mid-folding.

“Where else? In this room. On the bed.”

He dropped the clothes onto the mattress and casually gestured for me to change while he left the room.

“But—”

Click. The door shut behind him.

Oh god. Here? In his bed? Okay—no. Calm down, Yuri. Calm down. You’ve survived worse. Maybe.

I shook myself out of the nerves and changed into his clothes. The oversized shirt practically swallowed me whole, and the jeans kept sliding down unless I rolled them twice. Still, they were soft. Comforting.

Knock knock.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah, come in!”

He walked in casually and plopped down on the bed, sliding in one earbud and playing music on his phone like it was no big deal. Meanwhile, I stood frozen. Awkward. Unsure. Panicked.

Not that we weren’t close—our tutoring sessions made things comfortable. But this? This felt… different.

He noticed.

He pulled one earbud out. “Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you gonna lie down already?” He patted the space beside him.

Kill me. Just. Kill me now.

Then his eyes sparkled in mischief. “Oooh, is someone shy?” he teased, smirking.

“No!” I snapped back, flustered.

He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll put a pillow in the middle, happy?”

Thank god. At least I could breathe again. My heart was still racing, though, as I finally climbed into bed and laid down facing the ceiling.

“Thanks…” I murmured.

He turned to me and—God—his eyes softened.

“You’re welcome, angel.”

I smiled softly.

Then everything faded.

———

The world felt softer somehow. Quieter.

A pair of tiny shoes beside mine tapped the ground. White sneakers. A little scuffed. I looked up.

There he was.

A boy—around my age, maybe seven or eight. Messy hair. Soft brown eyes that seemed to hold secrets too big for a child.

He smiled at me like he knew me.

“I told you I’d find you again,” he said, sitting under the tree beside me.

I blinked. “Did you?”

He didn’t answer. Just leaned back, eyes following the clouds like he had all the time in the world.

Leaves rustled. Birds chirped. And somewhere far, children laughed faintly. My heart thudded against my chest for no reason I could name.

“You always look sad when you’re quiet,” the boy said.

“I’m not sad,” I replied too quickly.

“Then why do your eyes look like that?”

I opened my mouth, but no answer came.

He turned toward me again, brushing a leaf off my shoulder. His fingers moved so gently I almost forgot how small we were.

Then the light began to fade. The warmth dimmed. Like someone was turning the world off.

“Wait—” I said, breath catching.

And just like that—
I woke up.

Panting. Staring at the ceiling. My chest heaving.

“Yuri?” Jungwon’s voice pulled me back. He sat up instantly, concern darkening his face. “Are you okay?”

I glanced between us. The pillow that had separated us was gone. We were so close now—but neither of us had noticed.

“Y-yeah,” I whispered. “Just a nightmare…”

He didn’t look convinced. He reached out, gently wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

“I’ll get you some water—”

“No. Wait—can you just… stay here? Please?”

Thunder cracked outside.

His expression softened. “Of course,” he murmured, pulling me closer as we laid back down.

My body slowly relaxed. His hand caressed my back, fingers tapping softly against my head. Like a lullaby. Like a spell.

We were practically cuddling now.

Thunder roared louder. I unconsciously held onto him tighter. He didn’t pull away.

His hands found my waist. He hugged me back.

“Goodnight, angel…” I barely heard him whisper.

———

I woke up again, slower this time. My head throbbed slightly. My eyes opened—and I saw him.

Jungwon.

I froze.

Then remembered everything. Oh… right.

I quietly scooted away to give myself space and glanced at his sleeping face. He looked… soft. Calm. Like a giant teddy bear.

I smiled without thinking.

But then—his eyes fluttered open.

Crap—! I shut mine fast.

I couldn’t see him now. But something in me told me to look again.

I didn’t.

And then… I felt something press gently against my forehead.

I froze.

Did he just… kiss my forehead?

No, Yuri. Don’t assume. That’s dangerous thinking.

He slowly got up. I heard the sheets shift. Then footsteps. The door creaked open—and closed.

Gone.

I opened my eyes.

I grabbed my uniform, changed quickly, and neatly folded his clothes on the bed. I grabbed a sticky note and scribbled:

“Thank you again for the night!”

Then I headed downstairs.

Jungwon was chatting with his mom—laughing like nothing else mattered. And for a moment, I just… watched. In awe.

They were close. Really close.

"I wish I experienced that too..."

Then Jungwon noticed me. “Ange— Yuri? Where are you going? Let’s go to school together.”

I shook my head lightly. “I’m heading home first. Thank you, Jungwon. Thank you, Ms. Yang!”

Jungwon whispered, “I’ll walk you.”

I didn’t argue.

We walked side by side, quiet but comfortable. We stopped at my front door.

“I’m heading in now,” I mouthed, smiling.

“See you at school later!” he waved.

“See you!”

I watched him walk away. He turned back once more, calling out, “Make the tutoring sessions worth it! Don’t forget what I taught you for the math exam later!”

Ugh. Pressure.

I groaned internally. Guess I really have to ace it now.

Turning back to the door, I reached for the knob—only for it to swing open before I could touch it.

And standing there was—

“...Father?”

────୨ৎ────

Word count : 1142.
SOTD : Given-Taken by Enhypen.
QOTD : Who in enhypen do you think would be like ur ultimate bestie realistically?

-JAKE FOR SOME REASON OR SUNOO, JUST FEEL LIKE I COULD VIBE WITH EM THE MOST 😭😭