Note : This chapter is slightly mature.

Chapter 37: Prayer

“Naeun… You know… I've always liked you.”

“You're drunk.”

“Naeun. Why did we end up like this ? Why do you like him more than me?”

“Kai, stop!”

“Naeun!”

She jolted awake, clutching her chest and gasped.

“Hey, it's alright. I'm here.” Myungsoo said, pulling her close so her head rested on his shoulder.

“Did I wake you?”

“You were moving a lot in your sleep.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It's fine. Are you okay?”

“I'm okay. Did I say something in my sleep?”

“No… All your words were muffled and I was sleepy, but it seemed like you were having a nightmare.” He said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

He was lying. He had heard her say something. She could tell because he was not looking at her, he was purposefully distracting her.

She gulped.

“I'm sorry. I feel like I intruded on you.”

“I beg to differ. You've been great company.” He smiled, gathering her in his arms.

“I'm sure you've said that to all the girls who end up in your bed.” Naeun laughed.

“Maybe once or twice.” He shrugged nonchalantly. She hit his shoulder.

“Yah! Don't tell me I'm just one of many.”

“No… You're more like the last of many.” He joked and she hit his shoulder again, blushing pink and hiding in his shoulder.

“Since when were you so shy?” He chuckled, a deep rumble from his chest.

“I'm not, you're just making the butterflies in my stomach flutter harder than usual.” She whispered, clutching his shoulders as he ran his fingers through her hair, eventually pushing the straps her nightgown down her shoulders.

Instinctively, she shivered under his touch. Her own hands went behind his neck, combing through his hair. Myungsoo groaned and his lips connected to the base of her neck, lavishing kisses onto her decolletage and collarbone. Naeun moaned and it was all too foreign to both of them as they let each others hands roam.

“I'm beginning to understand why Hoya sleeps over so much.” Naeun laughed.

“Would you like me to sleep over to? I wouldn't mind entertaining you.” He said in between kissing her bare shoulder and pulling up the hem of her nightgown.

“I'm sure you wouldn't.” She said breathlessly.

“Naeun-” She blushed at the way he said her name.

“Well someone seems to be excited.” She burst into laughter and he jerked back, suddenly aware of how his body was reacting.

“S-Sorry. I didn't realise.” He stuttered, afraid of what she might think of him .

He got up from the bed, dragging the blanket with him, covering his bottom half. She didn't think she has seen him this embarrassed or flustered. His face was red for goodness sake.

“Do you want help with that?” Naeun was feeling bolder than usual, throwing him an innocent-like smile. He gulped and his pants constricted even more.

“No thank you… I'm sure I can handle it myself.” He murmured the last sentence.

Naeun threw her head back laughing and he growled in frustration.

“You're killing me, Son Naeun.” He looked away.

Naeun sat at the edge of the bed and tugged him by his shirt, pulling him down into an eloquent kiss.  But this was a different kiss, she was trying to say something.

“What was that for?” He asked when they finally pulled away.

“Thank you. For last night. For comforting me. For understanding.” She sighed softly.

“It's okay.”

“Thank you.”

“Naeun, I love you. But I really need a cold shower right now.” He answered sheepishly before untangling himself from her whilst she smiled cockily, somewhat triumphant that she aroused him.

He retreated to the bathroom, still dragging the blanket.

The cathedral was so quiet with no tourists, considering it was too early in the morning. The light streamed down the windows with lines of golden light. Naeun sat on the pew alone. Not that because she didn't want to sit with Myungsoo but because she wanted to be alone. To have time to at least think.

Myungsoo sat near the back, his eyes watched Naeun. Yet, he took the time to contemplate as well.

Kai. Kim Jongin. She had called out in her sleep. Twice already. He stared at the back of her head and wondered, if that person had hurt her out of spite, or out of love. He sighed and closed his eyes,

Her hands were clasped together in prayer. She whispered the words but they are swallowed by the emptiness. She hopes whoever will hear her because her words are meaningless yet meaningful.

She prays for whatever that is in store for her, she can face. Because right now, the image of Kim Jongin is burned into her mind.

Of how he has wronged her.
Of what happened.

But she wishes deep inside that it is some untouchable nightmare. That it did not happen. That she could forgive him. That he could forgive himself. That she could forgive herself. Such grievous thoughts echoed in her head. But what was most painful was thinking of the man she loved. What she felt was the highest degree of guilt.

“I don't expect him to stay but if he does... If there's the smallest chance he does… p-please … Don't make him leave. I can't imagine a life without him. Not when everything has become so impossible without him. Not when I love him so.”  She says in soliloquy, like her words are nothing more than that. Words.

But they are a prayer. To the heavens. That he does not leave her when she tells him the truth.

Because even though Kim Myungsoo is lost in so many ways, he is her guidance. The light at the end of the tunnel.

Naeun didn't know any other way any more.
She couldn't afford to lose him, when she has lost all of her.

When Naeun raised from the pew, she brushed away the tears she didn't know she had shed. She glanced one last time towards the altar before turning back and walking towards Myungsoo who was waiting for her by the entry.

“Let's go back.” He held out her hand and she took it without hesitation. And he pulled her into the morning light, the wind caressing her hair, the sun greeting her in a new dawn.  She looked towards Myungsoo and hoped they could stay like this forever, with hands clasped as they strolled.

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A/n:

I gotta say... I'm loving all the complicated theories... I'm hinting a lot now though. I hope everyone's patient and sticks around for the big reveal!

Thank you to everyone who read and commented! I would love to hear more of your thoughts!  ^^