It's almost 8 PM when Donghyuck stirred awake. He let out a big yawn and rubbed his face, stretching his limbs along the way. His senses slowly flicked active and his energy cruised on his body.
The smell of food immediately trickled his empty stomach, motivating him to get up and look around.
It took a few seconds for him to remember what happened earlier– head immediately craning around to look for the girl.
Donghyuck only saw how the place is– though not the same size as his unit, the space is still enough for two people to freely move around.
"Oh you're up.", Gayoon showed up from the kitchenette, "Come here and eat."
Donghyuck looked at her first, trying to read her as she place the utensils on the dining table.
Next, he focused on the subconscious feeling inside him, trying to figure out her current strongest emotion.
Donghyuck was confused at first, cannot feel anything.
The first thing he could ever think of is the punishment for failed bonds. It made him snap to her again and walked towards her.
"What's this?", Donghyuck spoke, "Why can't I feel anything?"
Gayoon only looked at him in confusion.
Donghyuck shut his eyes tight and took a deep breath, "I can't feel anything."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't feel you!", he exclaimed and grabbed her hand, "Have you given up... too?"
Gayoon's eyes widened, "I didn't?", she pulled her hand away, "If I did, I wouldn't even cook for two."
Donghyuck then looked at the prepared foods then at the utensils– all served for two.
"Sit down and eat."
Though Donghyuck remained standing, eyes directing at nowhere.
"Was it hard?"
Gayoon looked up at him
"Getting along with me. Was it hard?"
"What do you think?", Gayoon mumbled, "You're burning me everyday, Hyuck."
"I didn't know what to do."
"Then at least be nice?"
"I am so used on this kind of life. Of this freedom.", he sighed, "You can't expect me to change that easily."
"You can if you want to.", she retorted, "If you really care about me, that is. No matter how hard it is to leave the life you once embraced, you'll do your best to correct it all and show that you're trying– I would see it, Donghyuck. By then, I could help you. Not bringing me around and shove your tongue inside one's mouth in front of me."
"I have my reasons."
"Valid enough to disregard my feelings? Deny us being soulmates?", Gayoon's eyes slowly brimmed in tears.
She sighed and blinked it all off, shifting her gaze on the table.
"Let's eat, the food will–"
Though she was cut off when a hand held her chin and raised her head up, at the same time a pair of lips crashed onto hers.
It was a short press and they pulled away, yet with their longing eyes meeting, Donghyuck claimed her again.
Slowly, their lips moved. The male took the lead as he urged the girl to follow, nipping her lower lip in the process.
It was their first proper kiss– a gentle touch, which lingered on their skin.
Like magic, it washed away the heaviness on their chest, and with the deepening of each press, the bond strengthens.
They stopped from the lack of air. Donghyuck pecking for one last time before completely pulling away.
"My parents separated, they were soulmates.", Donghyuck whispered, "I witnessed how mom lost her empathy."
It was short, yet it was concise.
That's when Gayoon knew. Donghyuck didn't hate the soulmate bond, he is scared.
They are in front of Donghyuck's car; Gayoon is walking him outside.
It's almost 10 p.m., and the dorms will close at 11.
Thankfully, the male parked at the corner, so no one could possibly walk past them this time around.
"Are you going home for weekends?" Donghyuck asked, cutting the long silence.
"This weekend? No."
"You're preparing for exams?"
She nodded. "Just reviewing in advance."
"Tomorrow." Donghyuck hesitated. "Can I see you tomorrow?"
"Why?"
"Just..." he cleared his throat. "Lunch, I guess? We could review together if you want."
Gayoon can feel herself smiling. "Where?"
"We could go to the library if you want."
"That's public," she said. "I thought you didn't want others to know about us."
"We can invite our cousins—actually, no."
Gayoon quizzically looked at him.
Donghyuck could just sigh and flash a small smile. "I prefer us alone," he handed his hand. "Can we get along properly?""
Now Gayoon can't hold back her smile, and rather than accepting his hand, she went to hug him, surprising the male.
First kiss, first hug.
Donghyuck can feel the cruise of happiness flowing through his system.
He wrapped his arms around her, securing her in his embrace, and kissed the crown of her head.
"Go back now and sleep." he said.
"Oh right, how's your sleep from awhile ago?"
Donghyuck smiled, "Most comfortable I had for a long time."
"But you slept on the couch?"
I can smell your scent around it.
Donghyuck only chuckled and pulled away. "I'll pick you up tomorrow at eleven."
Gayoon nodded. "Safe roads, Hyuck."
"Thanks"
And that was the start.
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