Chapter Text
Jungwon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, sheets kicked somewhere near his feet.
No matter how many times he flipped his pillow to the cool side, no matter how many positions he tried, sleep just refused to come.
He blamed Sunoo.
Obviously.
His mind kept replaying everything: the skating, the diner, the photobooth, the hug after training, the ice cream…
And worst of all, every time he closed his eyes, he heard Sunoo laughing.
Which, in hindsight, was absolutely unfair of his brain.
With a frustrated groan, Jungwon rolled over and grabbed his phone.
Maybe—just maybe—if he texted Sunoo something small, like a “thanks again,” or “get home safe?” he’d relax enough to sleep.
He opened their chat.
☀️
“Sweet dreams, Jungwon :)”
Jungwon’s heart did the thing again.
The fluttery, traitorous thing.
He hovered over the call button, just thinking that hearing Sunoo’s voice might calm him down—
But then his thumb slipped.
And the screen lit up with
Calling Sunoo…
Jungwon sat up so fast he nearly launched himself off the bed.
“Nononononono—”
Too late.
A soft click.
“…hello?”
Jungwon froze.
Sunoo’s voice was low—raspy and warm and definitely-sleepy—and Jungwon felt his soul leave his body.
“S-Sunoo?” he squeaked.
A quiet rustle of blankets.
A tiny, half-asleep hum.
“Mm… Jungwon? It’s late…”
He sounded like he had his face buried in a pillow.
“I—uh—I didn’t mean to call you!” Jungwon blurted, already wanting to curl up and die. “I pressed the wrong—my thumb just—I wasn’t—”
Sunoo let out the softest laugh.
Foggy, exhausted, unfairly cute.
“You called me by accident…?”
Jungwon hid his face in his hands even though Sunoo couldn’t see him.
“Yes,” he whispered miserably.
A pause.
Then—
“I’m glad.”
Jungwon’s breath caught.
Sunoo shifted again, voice even sleepier now.
“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”
Jungwon swallowed.
“…yeah.”
“Wanna stay on the phone for a bit?” Sunoo murmured, gentle.
“I don’t mind. I… kinda like hearing you this close.”
Jungwon’s heart absolutely combusted.
The silence stretched, warm instead of awkward.
Then, softly—
“Jungwon?”
“Y-Yeah?”
“If you can’t sleep… just talk. I’ll listen.”
Jungwon smiled helplessly into the dark, warmth blooming in his chest until it ached.
“Okay,” he whispered.
“I’ll talk.”
Sunoo hummed again—small, tired, trusting.
“Good… I’m right here.”
“Me neither,” Sunoo mumbled. “I keep thinking about tomorrow. I almost forgot to pack my neck pillow”
Jungwon blinked once. Twice. Then his soul left his body.
“...Towel?”
“Yeah. For the trip? We’re supposed to bring one.”
Jungwon stared at his empty backpack in the corner.
“…Sunoo.”
“Hm?”
“I haven’t packed anything.”
There was a beat of silence, followed by a muffled little laugh—soft but teasing.
“You’re hopeless.”
Jungwon could imagine Sunoo’s sleepy smile even without seeing it.
“Okay,” Sunoo murmured, voice dropping softer, “I’ll stay with you. Go on. Pack.”
And so Jungwon did.
He walked around his room, phone on speaker, gathering clothes while Sunoo’s low, drowsy commentary filled the quiet.
“Don’t forget extra socks… you always complain when your feet get cold…”
“You remembered that?”
“Mhm… and bring your power bank… and snacks… and…” Sunoo’s voice trailed off into a long exhale.
“Sunoo?”
“…I’m here…” Sunoo mumbled, but it was barely coherent now, like sleep was tugging him away word by word.
Jungwon smiled to himself as he zipped up his bag.
“All done.”
There was no response.
“Sunoo?” he whispered again.
This time, he heard it—gentle breathing, steady and slow.
Sunoo had fallen asleep.
Jungwon climbed into bed, leaving the call running. He pressed the phone beside his pillow, the faint sound of Sunoo’s breathing filling the room like a lullaby.
“…Goodnight, Sunoo,” he whispered, finally letting his eyes close.
Sleep washed over him easily this time.
They drifted off together, still connected—two soft heartbeats on opposite ends of a quiet line.
.
.
.
.
Jungwon woke to a strange sound—rhythmic, scratchy, familiar.
…brushing?
His eyes cracked open. His phone was still beside him, screen dim but unlocked. The call hadn’t ended. The timer read 6 hours, 42 minutes.
The brushing sound got louder.
He squinted at the screen.
“Sunoo…?” he mumbled, voice still thick with sleep.
The sound paused.
Then the camera shook a little, and suddenly Sunoo appeared on screen—hair messy and damp at the ends, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, bare shoulders exposed because he was still half-naked from just waking up and grabbing whatever towel was closest.
Jungwon shot upright like he’d been burned.
“S-Sunoo?!”
Sunoo blinked at him through the screen, toothpaste foam at the corner of his lips.
“Oh—morning,” he said, voice muffled around the toothbrush. He stepped back a bit, giving a full view of his towel around his waist, water trailing down his collarbone.
Jungwon immediately looked anywhere but the screen.
“I—uh—you’re— you’re on video. You— you turned on your camera.”
“Hm?” Sunoo glanced at his phone. “Oh. I guess I did.”
He laughed lightly. “Sorry, did I wake you? You fell asleep kinda cute.”
Jungwon’s brain malfunctioned. Shut down. Disconnected from the server.
“I— I— what—”
Sunoo rinsed his mouth as if he hadn’t just casually assassinated Jungwon at 7 a.m. When he came back into the frame, he was toweling his hair, the towel slipping lower on his hips.
“You should probably get ready too,” Sunoo said, smiling. “Trip starts at eight, remember?”
Jungwon forced himself to breathe. “Y-Yeah. Right.”
Sunoo raised an eyebrow.
“Are you blushing?”
“No!” Jungwon blurted. He was absolutely blushing.
“Mm-hm.” Sunoo smirked, not pushing it further but clearly enjoying it.
They stayed on the call as Jungwon got up, stretching and rubbing his eyes. Sunoo moved around his room too, setting his phone on the dresser while he picked out clothes.
Jungwon grabbed his own uniform.
“You slept early last night, huh?”
“But it was nice,” Sunoo said softly. “Waking up and you were still there.”
Jungwon felt the warmth settle in his chest—soft, real, gentle.
Sunoo buttoned up his shirt, smoothing the fabric neatly.
“I’m heading out soon,” he said. “I’m driving today. Sunghoon’s already texting me to hurry.”
“Oh… okay.”
“But,” Sunoo added quickly, “I’ll wait for you at the gate. Don’t be slow.”
Jungwon smiled, shy but bright. “I won’t.”
Sunoo reached for his keys, then glanced at the screen one last time.
“See you in a bit.”
“Yeah… see you.”
The call ended.
Jungwon stared at his blank screen for a moment, feeling his heartbeat flutter with something warm and new.
Then he grabbed his bag, his jacket, and practically flew out of bed.
Today was going to be a good day.
It would be a good day because Sunoo would be waiting.
.
.
.
.
The school front was louder than usual—students dragging luggage, teachers shouting reminders, buses lined up like a chaotic parade. Jungwon tucked his phone into his pocket and entered through the gate, eyes scanning automatically.
He didn’t even have to look long.
Sunoo was leaning against the wall near Bus 3, arms crossed, bag on the ground, lips pushed into the saddest pout known to mankind. He looked like someone had just told him the world was ending.
Jungwon blinked, then walked over.
“What’s with the face?”
Sunoo lifted his head, and the moment he saw Jungwon, he pushed off the wall dramatically.
“They didn’t assign us to the same bus,” he announced, voice heavy with betrayal.
Jungwon stared at him.
And then—he laughed.
He tried to hold it in but failed miserably. His shoulders were shaking.
Sunoo gasped. “Why are you laughing?! This is tragic!”
Jungwon wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Sunoo… you act like they separated us forever.”
“We’ll be on different roads for two whole hours,” Sunoo insisted, pointing between Bus 3 and Bus 1 like it was some tragic distance. “What if something happens? What if you get bored? What if I get bored? What if my seatmate talks too much? Jungwon I can’t—”
Jungwon put a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey. Relax.”
He squeezed gently. “We’ll meet up at the theme park. First thing. I’ll look for you the moment we get off.”
Sunoo’s pout softened into something closer to a sulk.
“You promise?”
“Promise.” Jungwon held out his pinky.
Sunoo hesitated—then hooked his finger with Jungwon’s, eyes flicking up to meet his for a second too long.
“Fine,” Sunoo sighed. “But if my bus is boring, I’m blaming you.”
“Fair enough,” Jungwon grinned.
A teacher shouted, “STUDENTS, ENTER YOUR ASSIGNED BUSES!”
Sunoo groaned dramatically. “That’s my cue to suffer.”
“Go,” Jungwon laughed, nudging him lightly. “I’ll see you there.”
Sunoo grabbed his bag, walking backward toward Bus 3, still staring at Jungwon like he was trying to memorize him before the great two-hour separation.
Jungwon shook his head and headed to his own bus.
He found his seat on the bus quickly, spotting Ni-ki already waiting by the window, knees pulled up slightly, earphones in but not playing anything. The younger brightened the moment Jungwon appeared.
“You’re late,” Ni-ki said, though his tone was soft, almost relieved.
“I literally went to put my bag up,” Jungwon laughed as he slid his backpack into the overhead compartment before settling into the aisle seat. “Relax.”
Ni-ki muttered something indistinct but amused, shifting to make space. The bus slowly filled with noise—chatter, excitement, rustling bags.
To pass the time, the two talked about what rides they wanted to tackle first.
“The drop tower, definitely,” Ni-ki said, eyes gleaming. “Then the coaster that goes upside down like—”
He drew a messy loop in the air.
Jungwon rolled his eyes. “Sure, but just KNOW we’re riding the carousel.”
Ni-ki froze, then cracked up. “The carousel? Seriously? Out of all the rides?”
“It’s my favorite! It’s cute! It’s relaxing! It’s—”
“Man,” Ni-ki laughed, “you sound like Sunoo-hyung.”
Jungwon shoved him lightly. “You’re annoying.”
Ni-ki kept teasing him, but his smile was half-hearted. Every time Sunoo’s name slipped into the conversation, Ni-ki looked away—just for a second. Just enough to hide the tiny ache tugging at his expression.
Despite the excitement buzzing around them, Jungwon soon dozed off, head leaning against the seat. His phone slipped onto his lap, screen facing up.
Ni-ki noticed, but didn’t think much of it. He was unscrewing his water bottle when the cap suddenly rolled off his fingers and disappeared under the seat.
“Tch—seriously?” He crouched down to grab it.
As he stretched his arm toward the floor, Jungwon’s phone vibrated. The bright screen lit up directly in Ni-ki’s line of sight.
A message.
From his Sunoo. He knew it was him despite the single emoji that served as his name in Jungwon’s phone.
Ni-ki froze.
new messages
☀️
Im soooo bored. I’m stuck at the back with no seatmate :(
Then the phone buzzed again.
☀️
Bet you’re sleeping rn… you could’ve been next to me rn >:(
Ni-ki’s jaw tightened.
Ni-ki’s grip on his bottle tightened slowly… until it crushed with a sharp crack.
The plastic buckled under the pressure, water sloshing dangerously close to the rim.
He didn’t move for a moment—just stared at the glowing message.
Sunoo almost never messaged him during trips.
Sunoo never complained to him that he was bored.
Sunoo never sent playful texts like that to him.
Why Jungwon?
Why not—
Ni-ki snapped upright too quickly, hitting his head lightly on the seat above. He hissed under his breath.
Jungwon slept peacefully beside him, completely blind to the fact that Sunoo—the Sunoo Ni-ki couldn’t stop thinking about lately—was texting someone else.
Ni-ki glared at the dimming screen, heart sinking in a way he wished it wouldn’t.
Jungwon shifted slightly in his sleep, his cheek pressed against the cool bus window. Ni-ki glanced at him, then at the phone still resting on Jungwon’s lap.
The screen lit up again.
Incoming call: ☀️
Ni-ki froze.
His first instinct was to wake Jungwon.
His second instinct — the one driven by the twisting jealousy still stuck in his chest — stopped him.
Before he could talk himself out of it, Ni-ki reached over and picked up the phone.
“Hello?” he said carefully.
There was a brief pause.
“…Ni-ki?” Sunoo’s voice came through soft and sleepy. “Why’d you pick up?”
Ni-ki forced a neutral tone. “Jungwon’s knocked out. He’s been asleep for a while.”
“Oh.” Sunoo’s tone dropped. “Okay. I’ll… hang up then. Can you tell him something for me?”
Ni-ki’s grip tightened. “What is it?”
“When we get there, I want him to meet me at the photobooth near the entrance. I just—”
Sunoo hesitated.
“Nevermind, I’ll tell him myself.”
Ni-ki’s breath hitched.
Go there with… Jungwon?
Why Jungwon? Why always Jungwon?
Something ugly twisted in his throat before he could stop it.
“Really?” Ni-ki said, voice low. “I thought Jungwon would be going with Jay.”
The silence on the line was immediate.
“…Oh.”
Sunoo’s voice came out small.
“Oh. I didn’t know they were going together.”
Ni-ki wasn’t proud of the way something in him liked how Sunoo’s tone dimmed.
Was it petty? Yes.
Did he care? No.
He swallowed. “If you want… I can go with you instead.”
There was another long pause — the kind where you could practically hear Sunoo thinking, weighing, hoping, doubting.
“I should… I should ask Jungwon first,” Sunoo finally murmured, polite but suddenly distant.
Ni-ki forced a small scoff. “He’s asleep. Might as well make plans now.”
“…Ni-ki.” Sunoo’s voice cracked, just slightly. “I don’t want to bother him. I’ll just—just see later.”
Ni-ki pushed. “Come on. It’s not a big deal. I’ll go with you.”
Sunoo exhaled quietly. “...Okay. If Jungwon’s busy… then sure. We can go.”
A reluctant agreement. A soft disappointment hidden under the words.
“Great,” Ni-ki said quickly, before Sunoo could change his mind. “I’ll see you when we arrive.”
“Mm. Yeah… see you.”
Ni-ki’s chest tightened — with guilt, jealousy, longing, all of it tangled together.
“Bye, Sunoo-hyung,” he forced out.
“…Bye.”
The call ended.
Ni-ki slowly lowered Jungwon’s phone back onto his lap, watching the screen dim.
His heartbeat felt too loud.
Too heavy.
He leaned back in his seat, staring out the bus window with a storm swirling behind his eyes.
But he didn’t care.
He couldn’t care about anything else right now when he was going to spend the day with his Sunoo hyung.
And beside him, Jungwon slept peacefully — completely unaware of the trouble waiting for him when the bus finally stopped.
.
.
.
.
Jungwon woke slowly, blinking away the fog of sleep as the teacher’s voice echoed down the bus aisle.
“Wake up, everyone! We’re five minutes away from the theme park!”
He sat up straight, rubbing his eyes.
Ni-ki was already awake — sitting stiffly in his seat, eyes bright, fingers tapping restlessly against his thigh.
More excited than usual.
Jungwon smiled a little. He must really like theme parks.
“Sleep well?” Ni-ki asked casually, not looking at him.
“Yeah… kinda. Did I miss anything?”
Ni-ki shrugged, gaze fixed forward. “Not really. But, uh—just so you know… I won’t be able to come with you later.”
Jungwon blinked. “Huh? Why?”
Ni-ki flashed him a grin — wide, too wide.
“I have a date.”
Jungwon’s brows shot up. “A date? With who?”
Ni-ki leaned back and stretched, voice light and teasing.
“Well, anyway—since you’ll be alone, I did you a favor.”
“A favor?”
“I heard Jay hyung was looking for someone to ride the drop tower, so I volunteered you for it.”
He nudged Jungwon’s arm.
“Thank me later.”
Jungwon stared at him. “Actually… I’m gonna go meet up with Sunoo.”
That made Ni-ki freeze.
Just half a second.
Barely noticeable.
But Jungwon saw it.
Then Ni-ki exhaled dramatically and rolled his eyes.
“Sunoo? Ah—right. Him.”
A small smirk tugged his mouth.
“He’s my date, actually.”
Jungwon’s heart dropped into his stomach.
“…What?”
“He’s my date,” Ni-ki repeated, slow and firm. “Why do you look so shocked?”
Because it didn’t make sense.
Because Sunoo said he wanted to meet with him.
Because just last night they fell asleep on call.
Because—
“No,” Jungwon snapped before he could think. “No—Sunoo’s coming with me.”
Ni-ki finally turned to face him fully, one eyebrow arched in amused challenge.
“Aren’t you happy for me, hyung? I finally landed a date with my crush,” Ni-ki emphasized, letting the words twist like a knife,
“and you can’t even appreciate me landing you one with yours?”
Jungwon’s chest tightened.
“I don’t… like Jay anymore.”
He swallowed hard.
“I like someone else.”
For a moment, Ni-ki’s expression flickered — something sharp, something jealous, something hurt.
But then his phone rang.
He immediately picked it up.
“Hello?”
Just like that.
Ignoring Jungwon.
Cutting him off.
Jungwon sat there frozen, jaw clenched.
His heart felt like it was beating too fast, too loud.
While Ni-ki talked on the phone, Jungwon slipped his own out of his pocket.
He opened Sunoo’s messages.
Me
Are you already there? I’m coming to the photobooth when we arrive.
No reply.
He typed again.
Me
Sunoo?
Nothing.
Sunoo wasn’t like this.
He would never be like this, to him at least.
Jungwon stepped off the bus and the sunlight felt… too bright.
Too warm.
Too loud.
Too cheerful for the way his stomach was twisting itself into knots.
The moment his feet hit the pavement, every word Ni-ki said started replaying in his head on a loop.
He’s my date actually.
My crush.
Why do you look so shocked?
And worst of all—
Sunoo’s mood falling when he thought Jungwon went with Jay.
Jungwon swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.
Did Sunoo believe that?
Did Sunoo think he really chose Jay?
Did he think Jungwon was just playing around…?
Or worse—
Did he already figure out the potion thing?
The thought hit him like ice water down his spine.
What if Sunoo realized all the feelings between them started with that stupid potion?
What if he now thought Jungwon didn’t take him seriously?
Didn’t mean anything he said?
Jungwon’s chest tightened.
He kept rubbing his thumb over his palms, a nervous habit that wouldn’t stop.
The group started moving, teachers calling out instructions, students chattering excitedly as they lined up to get their wristbands.
Jungwon could barely hear any of it.
He scanned the crowd again.
And again.
No Sunoo.
He kept replaying every sign — Sunoo being sad this morning, leaning against the wall… the disappointed look when the hoodie wasn’t on Jungwon… the silence in the messages…
Has he figured it out…? Does he think I’m lying? Did Ni-ki tell him something? Did Jay—
“Jungwon, your wristband,” a teacher said, snapping him out of his haze.
“Oh—sorry,” he mumbled, slipping his hand forward.
The band clicked around his wrist.
Everyone else cheered, running toward the gates.
But Jungwon barely registered it.
His eyes kept scanning.
His steps kept hesitating.
He was so deep in his own panic that he didn’t even notice Ni-ki leaving with his group, humming happily like nothing was wrong.
All Jungwon knew was one thing:
He needed to see Sunoo.
Now.
He headed straight toward the photobooth area — the one Sunoo told him about.
The meeting place Sunoo wanted.
The one thing Jungwon was sure wasn’t a lie.
He reached it.
Bright neon lights.
Pink and blue curtains.
People laughing as they posed.
Jungwon stood there.
Waiting.
Heart beating painfully in his chest.
Jungwon refreshed his messages for the twelfth time.
No reply.
He typed again.
Me
are you here already? im at the booth
Nothing.
He tried calling.
One ring…
Two…
Three…
It went to voicemail.
Jungwon exhaled shakily, gripping his phone tighter.
Was Sunoo ignoring him?
Was he busy?
Was he—
was he actually with niki?
He typed again, fingers trembling.
Me
sunoo? are you coming? did something happen?
Still nothing.
He stared down at his screen, willing those three dots to appear.
Instead—
“AHA! There you are!”
Someone slammed into him from the side, nearly knocking his phone from his hand.
Jungwon jolted.
Jay wrapped an arm around his shoulders brightly, grinning as if the entire world was perfect.
“Ready?” Jay laughed. “We’re hitting the drop tower first, right?”
Jungwon blinked.
Drop tower.
Right.
Jay.
The plan Ni-ki forced on him.
He completely forgot.
“Oh—uh, Jay, I’m kinda waiting for—”
The words died in his throat.
Because over Jay’s shoulder, emerging from the crowd…
…Jungwon finally saw him.
Sunoo.
And next to him—
matching pace, too close, smiling lightly at something Sunoo said—
Ni-ki.
Jungwon’s heart sank.
So it was true.
Ni-ki wasn’t lying.
Sunoo really came with him.
His stomach twisted, cold and sharp.
But Sunoo had frozen too.
His eyes moved from Ni-ki
to Jungwon
to Jay’s arm around Jungwon’s shoulders.
And Jungwon watched the moment Sunoo’s expression shifted.
Confusion.
Hurt.
That small, quiet sadness he always tried to hide.
And then—acceptance.
A soft, resigned smile tugged at Sunoo’s lips, but his eyes dimmed.
Like he finally convinced himself of something he didn't want to believe.
Jungwon felt his chest collapse in on itself.
He opened his mouth—
“Sun—”
—but Sunoo looked away first.
Down at the ground.
Then at Ni-ki, who was watching Jungwon with a tiny victorious smile.
Then back to the path ahead as if he had decided something.
Something painful.
And Sunoo whispered, almost to himself,
“…Right. Jay.”
Jay was talking.
Jungwon wasn’t listening.
He followed anyway—step by step, dragged along by Jay’s excited chatter—until they stopped in the long, winding line for the drop tower.
Jay kept going on about how high it was, how fast it fell, how fun it would be.
Jungwon stared at the ground.
Everything felt muted, distant—like someone pressed a pillow over his ears.
He hated this.
He hated all of this.
But today was the third day.
The very last day.
Tomorrow,
Sunoo wouldn’t like him anymore.
Tomorrow the potion would wear off.
And Sunoo would forget every soft look, every smile, every hoodie, every moment they shared.
Or worse—
Sunoo would remember everything but hate him for it.
For leading him on, even accidentally.
For letting him fall.
For falling back.
Jay nudged him, laughing.
“Earth to Jungwon? We’re almost halfway through the line already.”
“Right,” Jungwon murmured.
But his thoughts spun again.
Sunoo seeing him with Jay.
Sunoo thinking that Jungwon still liked Jay.
Sunoo thinking that Jungwon chose Jay.
Sunoo walking away.
Sunoo not replying.
Sunoo giving up.
And Jungwon’s chest squeezed so hard he almost stepped out of the line.
He needed to talk to him.
He needed to explain everything.
Why he was standing beside Jay right now.
Why he didn’t ask for Sunoo’s hoodie back—Niki took it.
Why he wasn’t with Sunoo the moment they stepped off the bus.
Why he still ran with melting ice cream just to see him.
Why this hurt so much.
The line shuffled forward.
Jungwon moved automatically.
Jay kept talking.
Jungwon kept drowning.
Because if this really was the last day—
He couldn’t let Sunoo walk away thinking Jungwon never cared.
Before he forced a smile and walked past Jungwon without another glance.
.
.
.
.
Jay must’ve noticed it—
the way Jungwon kept glancing at his phone, then at the direction where Sunoo and Niki disappeared, then back at nothing again, like he was looking for something he couldn’t name.
Because Jay paused, studying him with a small frown, before saying softly,
“Wait here, okay? I’ll be right back.”
Jungwon blinked, confused.
But Jay was already jogging off into the crowd, leaving Jungwon standing in line for the drop tower, surrounded by chatter and laughter he couldn’t feel part of.
He let out a long, shaky exhale and leaned back against the metal railings.
His head tipped toward the sky, eyes falling shut for just a moment.
Even with the sun warm on his face, all he could think about was Sunoo.
Sunoo, who wasn’t answering his messages.
Sunoo, who was probably with Niki right now.
Sunoo, who maybe—just maybe—already realized that everything between them was caused by a potion.
Today is day three, Jungwon reminded himself bitterly. The last day. After this, everything ends.
His chest tightened painfully.
He didn’t know which thought hurt more—
that Sunoo might forget the way he smiled at Jungwon…
or that he might remember everything and hate him for it.
He swallowed hard.
He wanted to explain.
He needed to explain.
Why he was with Jay right now.
Why he didn’t have Sunoo’s jacket.
Why everything kept getting messed up.
But Sunoo wasn’t here.
And Jungwon was starting to accept the awful possibility that he might have already lost his chance.
He rubbed his eyes once, trying to calm the stinging behind them.
Footsteps approached.
When he lifted his head, Jay was walking toward him with a bright smile—and two ice cream cones in hand.
The déjà vu hit him like a physical ache.
“Thought you could use something sweet,” Jay said, offering him one. “Vanilla or chocolate?”
Jungwon stared at the ice cream.
He remembered a different moment—
running breathlessly to get mint chocolate…
holding it out with trembling fingers…
Sunoo hugging him first, warm and breathless…
the way they both laughed at melted edges and toothpaste jokes.
But that wasn’t today.
And this ice cream wasn’t for Sunoo.
Jungwon forced himself to smile, even though it wobbled.
“Chocolate’s fine,” he murmured.
Jay grinned and handed it over, completely unaware of the storm inside Jungwon’s chest. “Good. I was hoping you’d pick that. The vanilla’s kinda mid.”
Jungwon let out a small laugh despite himself, taking a slow lick of the ice cream.
The sweetness tasted… wrong.
Not bad—just not what he wanted.
Still, Jay was looking at him expectantly, hopeful in a way that made Jungwon’s guilt twist deeper.
So Jungwon straightened up, forced himself to brighten, and said,
“Thanks, Jay. Really.”
Jay bumped his shoulder lightly. “Anytime, dude. I missed hanging out with you.”
Jungwon smiled again.
And tried his very best to enjoy today.
.
.
.
.
Somehow—against all odds—Jungwon did end up having fun.
After the drop tower, Jay dragged him onto two more rides in quick succession: one that spun them until Jungwon’s legs felt like jelly, and another that had them screaming into the wind. By the third ride, Jungwon found himself laughing for real, breathless and dizzy, the knot in his chest loosening just a little.
He checked the time as they stepped off.
4:00 PM.
The sky had begun to soften, the sun dipping lower, painting everything warmer and slower.
Sunset would be at 5:30.
Fireworks at 6.
The thought settled somewhere heavy in his chest.
Jay stretched beside him, hands on his hips. “Okay, I think I officially lost feeling in my legs.”
Jungwon smiled. A genuine one this time.
Before he could reply, Jay’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, groaning.
“Sunghoon,” Jay said, then laughed. “And Heeseung. Oh—and Jake too. they want to meet up at the fountain, apparently.”
Jay looked at Jungwon before he started typing.
”Can’t help it, I’ll say I’m busy or something.” he says while typing with one hand on his phone.
”Hey, don’t mind me, I'll be fine” Jungwon replies with a soft laugh.
”You sure?” Jay replies, reluctantly.
“Yes now go on! They’re probably waiting for you already” Jungwon says pushing Jay off the bench.
He nudged Jungwon lightly. “I’ll be right back, okay? Don’t move.”
Jungwon nodded, watching Jay jog off toward a cluster of familiar faces.
Left alone, Jungwon exhaled and let his gaze wander.
That’s when he noticed the booth.
Bright lights.
Racks filled with ridiculous, adorable accessories.
Cat ears.
Dog ears.
Bunny ears.
Mouse ears.
Angel halos, devil horns, glittering headbands.
Without thinking too much, Jungwon drifted toward it.
He picked up the cat ears first—soft, black, with a little bell attached.
Then the mouse ears—round, gray, slightly crooked.
He held them up alternately in the small mirror provided, tilting his head, frowning.
“…cat or mouse,” he murmured to himself.
He was so focused—so stuck between the two—that he didn’t hear footsteps behind him.
Didn’t hear someone stop.
Didn’t hear the quiet smile in the voice that spoke.
“This suits you. A lot.”
Jungwon froze.
His heart dropped.
Slowly, he turned.
Sunoo was standing right behind him.
The world felt like it tilted.
Sunoo reached forward gently, plucking the cat ears from Jungwon’s hand before he could react. Without asking, he lifted them—and placed them on Jungwon’s head.
The little bell chimed softly.
Jungwon’s breath caught.
“Sunoo, I’m—”
“It suits you,” Sunoo cut in, smiling softly. Like nothing had ever gone wrong. Like there hadn’t been silence, or misunderstandings, or hurt.
“You remind me of Wani with that on.”
Jungwon’s chest ached.
“Sunoo, I’ve got to talk to you—”
“I’m sorry,” Sunoo interrupted again, his voice quieter this time.
“I wanted to give you and Jay some time alone.”
He looked down, then back up at Jungwon, eyes warm and a little sad.
“But I couldn’t resist being far from you anymore.”
Something inside Jungwon snapped.
“No—Sunoo, listen,” he said quickly. “I thought you and Ni-ki were on a date. He said you were. I didn’t want to get in the way, so I—I stayed with Jay.”
Sunoo blinked. “What…? A date?”
“And Jay and I—we weren’t on one,” Jungwon rushed. “We never were. I swear.”
Sunoo turned, confused. “Then why—?”
The pieces clicked into place in Jungwon’s head.
Ni-ki.
The phone call.
The insistence.
The timing.
Before he could say it—
“Sunoo!”
Ni-ki appeared from the side, slightly out of breath, like he’d just come back from the restroom.
“I’m back—” He stopped short when he saw Jungwon.
“Oh. Jungwon? What are you doing here?”
Jungwon opened his mouth. “We just—”
“We ran into each other,” Sunoo started.
Ni-ki didn’t listen.
Instead, he grabbed Sunoo’s wrist gently but firmly.
“Come on,” he said lightly. “We were supposed to go somewhere, remember?”
Sunoo hesitated, glancing back at Jungwon—confused, conflicted.
“Ni-ki, wait—”
But Ni-ki was already pulling him away, smiling over his shoulder.
“See you around, Jungwon.”
The cat ears slipped slightly on Jungwon’s head as he stood there, unmoving.
The sun continued its slow descent.
5:30 was getting closer.
Jungwon stood there for a moment after they disappeared into the crowd.
The noise of the park slowly returned—laughter, music, the distant hum of rides—but it all felt far away, like he was underwater.
The cat ears were still resting crookedly on his head.
He reached up, touching them absently.
Then, almost on instinct, he turned back toward the booth.
“I’ll take these,” he said, pointing to the cat ears.
The vendor smiled, ringing them up.
As Jungwon waited, his gaze drifted over the display again—and that’s when he saw them.
Fox ears.
Soft, warm-colored, the tips just a little darker.
Something in his chest tightened.
Sunoo.
The shape of his eyes, sharp but gentle.
The way he smiled like he knew something you didn’t.
Playful. Bright. Soft when it mattered.
They would suit him.
A lot.
Jungwon didn’t think.
Didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll take those too,” he added quietly, nodding at the fox ears.
The vendor slid both headbands into a small paper bag.
Jungwon took it carefully, fingers curling around the handles like it was something fragile.
As he stepped away from the booth, he glanced toward the crowd again, scanning instinctively—searching for a familiar face, a familiar smile.
He didn’t know when he’d get the chance.
Didn’t know if Sunoo would even want them.
But Sunoo wasn’t that type of person. He appreciated even the smallest things.
Maybe that’s part of the reason why he fell for him.
Jungwon jumped when a voice spoke right behind him.
“You should go with him.”
He turned so fast he nearly dropped the bag in his hands.
Jay stood there, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, wearing a knowing smile.
“What” Jungwon said, still startled.
Jay nodded once, eyes drifting toward the direction Sunoo and Ni-ki disappeared into.
“I saw the way you look at him. And the way he looks at you.”
Jungwon opened his mouth to deny it, but nothing came out.
Jay laughed softly.
“There’s something there. It’s obvious.”
Jungwon looked down at the paper bag, fingers tightening around it.
Jay continued, gentler now.
“You should message him. Before sunset.”
Before Jungwon could respond, Jay stepped back, already turning away.
He paused just long enough to glance over his shoulder, a smug grin tugging at his lips.
“Oh by the way. You guys look cute together.”
Then he disappeared into the crowd.
Jungwon stood there for a heartbeat longer, heart racing, before pulling out his phone.
His thumbs moved before he could second guess himself.
Me
Meet me at the ticket booth. Two minutes stat.
.
.
.
.
Jungwon waited by the ticket booth, leaning back against the cool wall like it might keep him steady.
He checked the time.
His leg bounced.
The paper bag crinkled softly in his grip.
Then—
“There you are.”
Jungwon looked up.
Sunoo stood in front of him, breathless, eyes soft the moment they met Jungwon’s.
Sunoo didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward and pulled Jungwon into a hug.
Jungwon stiffened for half a second before hugging him back just as tightly, finding comfort in the familiar warmth.
“I missed you,” Jungwon said quietly.
“Me too,” Sunoo replied without hesitation.
Jungwon pulled back first, suddenly energized, like a switch had flipped.
“Okay,” he said, trying to sound composed but failing. “Let’s go.”
Sunoo tilted his head, amused.
“Go where”
Jungwon grinned, lifting his hand and revealing the two tickets pinched between his fingers.
“The Ferris wheel.”
Sunoo’s eyes widened just a little, surprise melting into a smile.
“Right now” he asked.
Jungwon nodded.
“Right now.”
.
.
.
.
They ended up second in line for the Ferris wheel.
The cabins swung slowly above them, lights flickering on one by one as the sky deepened into soft oranges and pinks. The air was cooler now, comfortable, filled with quiet excitement.
Jungwon rocked back on his heels, then hesitated before asking,
“How did Ni-ki feel about you leaving him”
Sunoo blinked, then laughed lightly.
“I didn’t really notice. He was in the restroom when I left.”
Jungwon stared at him.
Sunoo tilted his head, grin widening.
“You’re kind of an asshole, you know that”
Jungwon burst out laughing, relief flooding through him.
They leaned against the railing, shoulders brushing as Sunoo launched into a dramatic retelling of his bus ride, complaining about cramped seats and how boring it was being stuck in the back.
“I swear,” Sunoo sighed, “I thought I was going to lose my mind.”
Jungwon smiled.
“I’ll sit with you on the way back.”
Sunoo brightened immediately.
As the line inched forward, Jungwon’s fingers brushed against the paper bag he’d been holding the entire time.
“Oh,” he said softly.
He reached inside, pulling out the cat ears and slipping them onto his own head.
Sunoo gasped.
“You actually bought them”
Jungwon shrugged, trying to act casual.
Then he reached back into the bag again.
“Hold still.”
Sunoo paused, confused, as Jungwon pulled out the fox ears. Jungwon rose onto his tiptoes, carefully placing them on Sunoo’s head, fingers brushing Sunoo’s hair in the process.
Sunoo blinked.
“Fox ears”
“Yeah,” Jungwon said, smiling. “Cute, right You kind of look like a fox.”
Sunoo’s ears went red before his grin widened.
“Thank you,” he said softly, then reached out and pinched Jungwon’s cheek.
Jungwon whined, batting his hand away.
“Hey—”
“Next riders,” the operator called.
Sunoo’s eyes lit up.
“That’s us.”
The cabin door slid shut with a soft click.
Jungwon felt the slight jolt as the Ferris wheel began to move, the floor humming faintly beneath their feet. The city lights below started to shrink, slowly, steadily, until the noise of the park dulled into something distant.
He glanced at Sunoo.
Sunoo was trying to hide it, but Jungwon could tell.
His hands were curled tightly in the fabric of his sleeves.
His shoulders were stiff.
His gaze kept darting anywhere except down.
“You okay” Jungwon asked gently.
Sunoo laughed under his breath.
“Yeah. Just—don’t really love heights.”
The cabin rose higher, swaying just enough to make Sunoo inhale sharply.
Jungwon stepped a little closer without thinking.
“Hey,” he said softly. “Look up.”
Sunoo hesitated.
“Not down,” Jungwon added quickly, smiling. “The sky.”
Sunoo followed his gaze.
The sun was sinking now, low and glowing, painting the clouds in gold and rose and something softer in between. The light filtered through the glass, wrapping around them like warmth.
Sunoo’s shoulders relaxed, just a bit.
“…Wow,” he breathed.
Jungwon smiled, watching the sky.
“See It’s nice up here.”
Sunoo didn’t respond right away.
Instead, Jungwon felt his eyes on him.
He turned.
Sunoo was looking at him, not the sky. His expression was quiet, fond, something almost reverent.
“…Right,” Sunoo said softly. “So beautiful.”
Jungwon’s breath caught.
He swallowed, words spilling out before he could stop them.
“You know,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, “I thought moments like this only happened in my dreams.”
Sunoo’s eyes softened.
“You’re not dreaming,” he said gently. “I swear.”
Jungwon let out a shaky laugh.
“With you… you never know.”
Sunoo stepped closer.
“So,” he murmured, “will this prove it”
Before Jungwon could answer, Sunoo lifted his hands and cradled the back of Jungwon’s head, fingers warm and steady.
Then he kissed him.
It was soft at first. Careful.
Like Sunoo was giving Jungwon time to pull away.
Jungwon didn’t.
The world faded until there was only warmth and light and the quiet hum of the Ferris wheel above the city.
When they finally pulled back, Jungwon laughed breathlessly, forehead resting against Sunoo’s.
“…This makes it feel more like a dream.”
Sunoo smiled, thumb brushing gently against Jungwon’s cheek as the Ferris wheel carried them higher into the glowing sky.
They stayed like that for a while, foreheads touching, sharing the same quiet space as the Ferris wheel reached its highest point. Sunoo’s thumb traced slow, absent circles against Jungwon’s cheek, grounding him in a way nothing else could.
Below them, the park glittered to life.
Lights flickered on one by one, rides glowing brighter as the sun finally dipped beneath the horizon. Somewhere in the distance, music swelled, laughter carried upward, but inside the cabin, everything felt hushed and small and perfectly theirs.
Jungwon laced his fingers with Sunoo’s, squeezing gently.
Sunoo squeezed back, smiling like he was trying to memorize this moment.
They stepped out of the Ferris wheel cabin with their fingers still intertwined, reluctant to let go even as the operator ushered them forward.
Sunoo stretched, looking oddly pleased.
“You know what sounds really good right now”
Jungwon smiled.
“What”
“Churros.” Sunoo grinned. “Stay here. I’ll be back.”
Before Jungwon could protest, Sunoo was already walking off, fox ears bobbing slightly as he disappeared into the crowd.
Jungwon shook his head fondly and pulled out his phone.
5:30.
Thirty minutes before the fireworks.
His heart still felt light. Unreal. Like it might float away if he didn’t hold onto it carefully.
Then—
Someone grabbed his wrist.
Hard.
“Jungwon.”
He was yanked into a narrow corner between stalls, the lights dimmer here, the noise muffled.
Ni-ki.
Jungwon’s heart dropped straight into his stomach.
“What—Ni-ki, let go,” Jungwon hissed, trying to pull his hand back.
Ni-ki didn’t.
“I tried,” Ni-ki said quietly. Too quietly. “I really tried to ignore it.”
Jungwon froze.
“I told myself you and Sunoo were just friends,” Ni-ki continued, jaw tight. “That I was overthinking. That it would stop.”
His grip tightened.
“But I can’t stand it anymore.”
Jungwon swallowed hard.
“What are you talking about”
“You,” Ni-ki snapped softly. “And him.”
Ni-ki continued, voice shaking despite the smile he forced. “Watching you look at him like that.”
Jungwon’s chest ached.
“I don’t want to stay away from him,” he said, voice shaking but firm. “I like Sunoo too. I really do.”
Ni-ki’s eyes darkened.
“Then you should stop.”
Jungwon stared at him.
“I won’t.”
For a moment, Ni-ki said nothing.
Then he leaned in slightly, voice dropping.
“I don’t want to stay away,” he said quietly. “I like him too. I didn’t plan it, but I do.”
Ni-ki’s jaw clenched.
“If you keep this up,” he said softly, dangerously, “I’ll tell Sunoo.”
Jungwon froze.
“…Tell him what”
“You know,” Ni-ki replied. “About the potion.”
The world tilted.
“That everything is fake. That everything was all because of a mistake that was never supposed to happen.”
Jungwon felt the blood drain from his face, his fingers going numb.
Ni-ki watched him carefully, then sighed, frustration bleeding through the sweetness.
“I don’t want to do that,” he said. “I don’t want to hurt him. Or you.”
He took a step back.
“So please,” Ni-ki added quietly. “Stay away from Sunoo.”
Footsteps passed nearby. Laughter. Music.
Ni-ki finally released Jungwon’s wrist.
He stepped back, eyes softer now. Almost pleading.
“Please,” he said quietly.
Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Jungwon stayed there, alone in the corner, wrist aching, heart pounding, staring at nothing—
And not knowing what to do anymore.
Sunoo came back from the snack line, his hand raised high, waving energetically while balancing two churros in the other. He looked a little disheveled from running through the crowd, strands of hair falling across his forehead, cheeks flushed from the excitement and the mild chaos of the festival.
“The seller was so rude!” he exclaimed, handing one churro to Jungwon. “I paid for chocolate dip and they acted like I was asking for something extra. Can you believe that?”
Jungwon laughed softly, taking the churro and giving him a small smile. “You okay?”
Sunoo shrugged, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… hungry, I guess. Let’s head toward the middle. Best spot to see the fireworks.”
Jungwon nodded, trying to push away the knot of anxiety coiling in his chest. He forced a smile, letting himself get swept up in the energy around him, though the memory of Niki’s threat lingered like a shadow: If you continue this, I’ll tell Sunoo about the potion.
He shoved the thought down, willing himself to ignore it. He needed to be here, with Sunoo, right now.
“I’m kind of thirsty,” Sunoo said suddenly, glancing down at the churros and his paper bag. “I’ll go buy drinks first.”
“I got it,” Jungwon said immediately, stepping forward. “You’ve got too much already. Let me do this.”
Sunoo hesitated, one eyebrow raised. “Are you sure?”
Jungwon nodded quickly. “Yeah. Hurry though. They’re starting.”
Sunoo handed over the small paper bag he had been holding—the churros balanced carefully inside—and with a small, reluctant nod, he let Jungwon take over.
Navigating through the crowd was harder than he expected. People jostled past, and the booming sound of the fireworks starting overhead made it feel impossible to focus. Yet he kept moving, ignoring the sweat prickling at his back. When he reached the drink stand, he carefully set down the bag and ordered two milkshakes—one chocolate for Sunoo, one strawberry for himself.
He reached into his pocket for his wallet.
And froze.
It wasn’t there.
Jungwon’s stomach sank.
Then he remembered: he had handed it to Sunoo earlier while he carried the churros. Sunoo probably still had it. A sharp pang of panic hit him. What if Sunoo was already in the middle of the crowd? What if he couldn’t find him before the fireworks were too overwhelming?
“Wait a second!” he shouted to the vendor, holding up the milkshakes. “I’ll be right back!”
Jungwon pushed back into the crowd, moving as quickly as he could without tripping. The sky above erupted with gold and crimson bursts, streaks of violet lighting up the clouds. Music from the festival mingled with the laughter of people around him, the scent of fried food and caramel drifting through the air. Everything should have felt alive and magical.
And yet Jungwon couldn’t see it.
Because there, a few feet ahead, he saw Sunoo. Head down, his posture tense. And beside him—Niki.
Jungwon froze, his heart hammering in his chest.
The crowd pressed around him like a river, the fireworks booming above, but he didn’t need to hear their words to know what was happening. Every gesture, every twitch of muscle in their bodies, the sharp glint of frustration in Niki’s eyes, the conflicted softness in Sunoo’s—all of it spelled disaster.
They looked up. Their eyes locked on him.
And in that instant, everything inside Jungwon fell apart. Shame, guilt, fear—they collided inside him like a storm.
He couldn’t move. He couldn’t think.
Then, almost instinctively, he ran.
Shame burned in his chest, hot and heavy. His legs felt like lead, but he pushed against the crowd, away from the scene, away from the sight of Sunoo being spoken to by Niki, away from the threat of the potion being exposed. His heart pounded in his ears, drowning out the fireworks, the music, the laughter.
“Jungwon!” Sunoo’s voice called out, distant but cutting through everything.
Jungwon didn’t stop. Not even for a moment. Not even when he heard Sunoo moving after him.
A firm hand grabbed Sunoo’s wrist, yanking him back.
“Why?” Niki’s voice was sharp, trembling with restrained frustration. “After everything I just said? Why him? I’ve always been here. I’ve always waited. I’ve always—”
Sunoo didn’t hesitate. With one smooth motion, he removed his wrist from Niki’s grip. His eyes were steady, unwavering, shining with conviction.
“It’s always been him,” Sunoo said quietly, but firmly, each word ringing like a promise.
Niki blinked, momentarily stunned, before letting go completely.
Sunoo didn’t waste another second. He turned, sprinting after Jungwon through the crowd, the fireworks exploding above them in brilliant, chaotic streaks of color. The noise of the festival faded into the background.
Sunoo weaved desperately through the crowd, pushing past people and dodging excited kids, his eyes scanning every direction. The fireworks roared above, the explosions of light and color masking the chaos around him, but all he could think about was finding Jungwon.
Minutes felt like hours, his chest tightening with every step. He darted left, then right, craning his neck, calling out softly, “Jungwon!”
And finally, he spotted him—standing alone at the front of the carousel, the ride motionless, lights reflecting softly on the polished floor. No one else was there; everyone else was probably watching the fireworks. Relief and worry collided in his chest.
“Jungwon!” he called again, quickening his pace.
But Jungwon raised a hand before Sunoo could get any closer.
“Stop! Stay there!”
Sunoo skidded to a halt, about four meters away. They faced each other, both shoulders slightly slumped, chests tight, the silence between them heavy but full of unspoken emotion.
Jungwon’s voice cracked, raw and desperate, breaking the quiet.
“I wanted to tell you! I swear to God I did— I just didn’t know how, I didn’t know when, and I didn’t know how I could manage losing you.”
Tears ran freely now, glinting in the soft light of the carousel. His hands trembled as he wiped them roughly from his cheeks.
“Three days, Sunoo,” he continued, his voice rising with both frustration and vulnerability. “It took me three days before falling stupid all over you. Why did you have to follow me? It was already embarrassing enough—seeing me like this… and now you… it makes it worse than it already is.”
Sunoo’s chest tightened, his own eyes glimmering, but he stayed rooted in place, waiting for Jungwon to continue.
Jungwon swallowed hard, forcing out words through the lump in his throat.
“You probably won’t believe anything else that I’ll say anymore, but just this—just believe me here. I like you, Sunoo. I like you for real. And I understand if you’re mad—and I don’t blame you! I would be too. But I want to say thank you. Thank you for giving me the best three days that anyone’s ever given to me.”
The tears had soaked his cheeks now, but his voice was steadier, filled with honesty and longing.
He stepped back, lowering his gaze for a moment, trembling slightly.
“I’m sorry, Sunoo.”
The words hung in the air like smoke, and Sunoo felt his chest tighten even more, his heart aching with relief and love and the overwhelming desire to just close the space between them.
Sunoo didn’t rush toward him.
Instead, he took one careful step forward, his voice soft but steady.
“I knew.”
Jungwon’s head snapped up, red eyes widening.
“Huh…?”
“I knew,” Sunoo repeated, a small, bittersweet chuckle leaving his lips. “I knew about the potion. The Gatorade.”
The words settled between them, heavy but strangely gentle.
“God— Jungwon,” Sunoo continued, shaking his head softly. “Freshman year… I was new to the team. I felt more out of place than anyone else, like I didn’t belong anywhere. It was one of the weakest points of my life.”
He took another step closer.
“You probably don’t remember,” he said quietly, “but you handed me a bottle of red Gatorade one day. You said I looked like I needed it.”
Sunoo smiled faintly, eyes glossy with memory.
“I fell. Right there. I didn’t know someone so pure, so kind—someone who was true to themself—actually still existed. Until I found you.”
Jungwon’s breath hitched, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
“Jungwon,” Sunoo went on, voice firm now, “the stupid potion. Fuma told me about it.”
Jungwon’s shoulders tensed.
“I didn’t want you using it on anyone else,” Sunoo admitted, laughing softly through the ache. “I wanted you for myself. So I drank it.”
Another step. Then another.
“I drank it, and guess what?” He shook his head. “It didn’t have a single effect on me. Because I already liked you the moment you gave me that red Gatorade.”
They were close now. Close enough for Jungwon to feel the warmth radiating off him.
“I don’t like you because of a stupid potion, Jungwon,” Sunoo said, voice unwavering. “I liked you for you. And these past three days…”
He stopped right in front of him.
“…were the best thing you could’ve ever given me.”
Jungwon’s tears fell freely again.
“Maybe I used the potion as an excuse,” Sunoo continued gently, “just to get the courage to talk to you. To stop looking at you from afar when you watched our training. To stop being reminded of you every time I drank red Gatorade. To stop thinking about that stupid smile you wear every single day.”
He smiled then—soft, warm, sincere—as fireworks bloomed behind him, painting the night sky in golds and reds.
“I like you, Jungwon,” Sunoo said. “For three years I’ve liked you. Not three days.”
Jungwon didn’t think.
He didn’t hesitate.
He stepped forward and leaned in, crashing their lips together in a kiss full of relief and emotion—eyes squeezed shut, mouth smiling through the contact, nose red from crying, cheeks burning with a deep blush.
Sunoo startled for only a second—
Then he kissed him back, just as hard, just as real, smiling into the kiss as fireworks exploded above them, louder and brighter than ever.
And for the first time, Jungwon didn’t feel like he was dreaming.
Jungwon pulled back slightly, his chest rising and falling, trying to catch his breath. “Wake me up if I’m dreaming,” he whispered, his voice still trembling, eyes glistening with leftover tears, cheeks flushed and warm from both crying and the intensity of the moment.
“You’re not,” Sunoo replied softly, his hands gently cradling Jungwon’s face, thumbs brushing away stray tears. Before Jungwon could say anything else, Sunoo pulled him back into the kiss, slow and steady, warm and reassuring. Around them, the Ferris wheel lights cast a soft glow, and the fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant bursts of gold, red, and violet, their reflections shimmering across the carousel below. The scent of sweet churros and the faint smell of the summer air filled the space between them, grounding Jungwon in a reality he had almost thought impossible.
Time seemed to stretch infinitely. The fireworks boomed overhead, but all Jungwon could hear was the sound of Sunoo’s heartbeat, steady and real beneath his hands. He wrapped his arms around Sunoo, holding him as if letting go could erase everything they had survived in the last three days—the confessions, the guilt, the potion, and the chaos of other people trying to interfere with what was theirs. Every shaky step, every miscommunication, every moment of fear led to this, and Jungwon realized he didn’t care about the past, only about the present, here and now, in Sunoo’s arms.
Sunoo’s lips curved into a smile against his, whispering into the kiss, soft and warm, “You’re mine. Always.” And in that moment, Jungwon believed it without question. All the worries, the guilt, the threats, the lingering fear that everything had been manipulated—they dissolved under the warmth of their connection. He could feel it in the way Sunoo’s fingers tangled in his hair, in the way his body pressed closer, in the simple, unshakable certainty that they belonged to each other.
They finally pulled back, foreheads resting together, breaths mingling, laughter spilling out softly as they looked at each other through the glow of the fireworks. Jungwon’s hands traced Sunoo’s jawline, memorizing every feature he had spent three years admiring from afar. Sunoo’s hand found the small of Jungwon’s back, anchoring him to the reality that this was theirs, untouchable and real.
The sky exploded in a cascade of glittering lights, the Ferris wheel spinning slowly behind them, creating the perfect frame for a moment that would last forever in their memories. Jungwon’s heart swelled with something fierce and tender, a love that had been nurtured over years and solidified in just three days of courage and vulnerability.
And as the fireworks faded into the night, leaving sparks of light dancing across their entwined hands, Jungwon leaned his head against Sunoo’s shoulder, whispering, “Thank you… for everything. For waiting. For not giving up. For being you.”
Sunoo pressed his lips to Jungwon’s hair, soft and gentle, and said, “And thank you for finally letting me in. For letting me love you.”
In the quiet that followed, with the crowd celebrating somewhere far below and the last echoes of fireworks fading into the dark sky, they simply stood there together. Holding on. Breathing together. Laughing softly. Smiling, knowing that nothing—no potion, no misunderstandings, no interference—could ever change the truth that had been written in their hearts all along.
It was the start of everything. A love that began in secrecy, tested by chaos, and strengthened by honesty. And in that moment, beneath the stars, the Ferris wheel lights, and the lingering scent of summer, Jungwon and Sunoo didn’t need anything else. They had each other. And that was enough.
Both of them were truly under a spell of each other.