"What are you writing?"

His sudden voice interrupted the brunette's thoughts. She smacked his arm with her pen, "Oppa, you made me forget what I wanted to write!" she pouted. He pretended to look hurt as he rubbed the area where the stationary hit him.

The last week had been wonderful for both of them. Naeun's recovery was progressive, and he could sense she was doing her best to stay positive and strong for everybody. She went outdoors more often too - eating with friends, helping her family manage the restaurant, even going to the cinema with Taemin once. It was nerve-wracking at first, but as they hung out more, the awkwardness eventually faded. 

Naeun was at Taemin's place, accompanying him as his parents had gone for another business trip and wouldn't be back until the end of the week.

After five minutes of trying to recall what she wanted to jot down, she threw her pen down and leaned back on the chair.

Taemin asked her again, "What were you writing?" as he looked at the paper.

"My testimony," she whispered, and that's when it dawned on Taemin; the trial was tomorrow. The court had given Naeun an extra week to recompose herself after the sudden memory shock. He didn't realize how fast seven days could fly.

He saw her fiddle with her bracelet again. As Taemin got closer to Naeun, he realized that these gestures were signs of her getting nervous, or scared. He crouched in front of her and took her hands. Physical contact was no longer an issue for Naeun, but Taemin still went slowly with her.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this," she confessed. The thought of L still sent shivers down her spine. She'd been grateful that for the past week - her friends and family had been distracting her from thinking about him or her past. To describe the incident to the judge would mean reliving the nightmare again. She couldn't tell if she was mentally prepared for that.

"How about a stroll?" Taemin suggested, "You've been sitting around for too long."

Naeun shook her head. She wasn't in the mood to go out, much less endure the cold. Taemin then pulled her out of her seat and into his bedroom.

"At least get some rest," he said, eyes full of concern. Taemin could be doing many other things like researching about his university choices or getting internships or even joining his family on business trips to prepare him to take over the company one day, but no, he decided to stay with her.

I need to tell him, Naeun thought.

"Oppa, there's something we need to talk about."

"Not until you get some rest," he replied gently.

Knowing there was no way out of his stubborn little head, Naeun complied. She felt awkward sleeping in his room, but the house didn't have any guestrooms for her to borrow (to her surprise). It didn't take a minute before Naeun felt herself slipping away.

~~~

Taemin stayed with her until he was sure Naeun had fallen asleep before going out to his balcony with a warm cup of tea in his hands. The chill breeze of winter greeted him openly.

The last week had been one of the happiest moments in Taemin's life. Going out with Naeun, texting her, and calling for hours on end, he wondered if that's what it was like to be in a relationship. He glanced at the sleeping angel.

Is that what we are now, he thought, are we considered as one?

Taemin's feelings for Naeun continued to grow stronger every day, no doubt, but was it the same for her? She reciprocated his feelings, but what if her past had intervened with Naeun's feelings for Taemin? What if she would never be ready for another relationship any time soon? Graduation was only a few months away. What would happen to them after? He shivered under the endless wind hitting him, and quickly headed back in. He didn't want to dwell too much on his doubts and what-ifs. What mattered was that she was with him now and that she needed him.

Normally, Taemin would grow restless and impatient under these situations, and he'd force his way to get the answers as quickly as he could. But with Naeun, he could wait; he wanted to. As he took in her peaceful and innocent expression, he couldn't help but smile.

If only she was always this calm.

Tomorrow's trial worried Taemin too. Naeun was a strong girl, but would she be strong enough to speak out her testimony? Strong enough to look at L straight into his eyes even if it's for the last time?

A soft whimper escaped . Taemin leaned in closer to her and saw her face wrinkled into a frown.

Nightmares again, he assumed. He then proceeded to pat her shoulder. His mother used to do it for him whenever he had difficulties sleeping or was frightened by the dream he had. It seemed to work - Naeun's shoulder relaxed a little - but his heart ached as a single tear trickled down her beautiful face.

He clenched his other fist tightly, "If only I could take your pain away," he whispered.

I'd do within seconds.

Never had Taemin felt so protective over someone he cared for; it suffocated him. He wanted to be there for her, always. To be the light in her darkness; the light that would lead her out of her nightmares that threatened to consume her. He failed to protect his friend, he wasn't about to make the same mistake to the girl he loved. 

His hand froze midair.

Was it considered love now? Was that what love does to you - to endlessly think about the person? To hold the person till your arms ache? To be the first one the person would look for? To protect the person at all costs?

Childhood stories and movies taught Taemin about a thing called, 'eternal love'. He never believed in those shenanigans. But now, he wanted to. He wanted to protect Naeun, nurture her, and stay by her side till the end of time. He felt silly admitting all these, but the heart could never lie - he wanted Naeun to be in his life. He couldn't think of a more fitting girl for him than her.

Taemin leaned in closer and whispered, "I'll protect you," and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, "Always."

Taemin remained with Naeun, refusing to leave her side.

 

~~~

 

(A/N: I couldn't choose between Rain or Shine by Elaine, & Just Look for You by Ailee - they both match this scene so well T^T)

The sound of a soft snore awoke her from her slumber.

Her eyes fluttered open.

He slept soundlessly, his breathing slow and consistent.

Has his fringe always been this long, she wondered as she reached out to it. The edges touched just above his eyelashes.

She chuckled, he'll get pimples on his forehead if he doesn't shorten it.

"That feels nice," he mumbled and opened his eyes. She wondered how someone's eyes could be so enchanting. A common color, yet it pulls her in like a moth drawn into the flame. A color that matched her own.

Her beauty never failed to put him under a spell. Everything about her - her eyes, her nose, her lips, her heart - stunned him. How could someone of such beauty and innocence exist in a world like theirs? He took her hand that continued to play with his fringe, caressing it ever so gently, like a bubble so fragile it could pop at the slightest pressure of his fingers. 

She played with the silver ring similar to hers.

The absence of sunlight in the room signaled to Naeun that it was past five in the afternoon, but she didn't want to leave. Not yet.

When else was she going to experience such serenity in her current troubled life?

"Oppa," she whispered as he hummed in reply, "What am I to you?"

He looked straight at her.

"Was that what you wanted to talk about?" He didn't seem surprised by her question. She nodded in reply.

"You are my day and night," he answered, "Not a second goes by that you aren't on my mind and when you are, I could never stop myself from smiling and wishing you were next to me. Your smile, your giggles, your laughter, everything about you makes my heart flutter in ways I never knew it could."

She listened intently at the boy's swift confession.

"We've only met, yet I feel like I've known you for years. You mean so much to me that I just want to keep you in a tiny shell that only I can open. You make me strive to become a better man who is worthy of your kindness and affections."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"And I am so blessed to have met you, Son Naeun."

He chuckled, "It's so unlike me to confess all this, I'm creeping myself out too, but I guess love makes you say crazy things, huh?"

Her eyes widened, "Y-you love me?" And his eyes widened as well. He cursed himself.

Well, there's no going back now.

"Tell me, is love what makes people go crazy for someone? Makes them want to stay by each other's side, and do everything they can to see them smile and laugh every day? Is love what makes us want to become better people than who we were before?"

She thought for a moment.

"I suppose?"

"Then yes," he affirmed, "Ne salanghae, Naeun-ah."

She was at loss for words, but he wasn't finished.

"I don't expect you to return my feelings much less the same words now, at least not until the situation is resolved. So, I'll wait...as long as it takes."

She could feel her lips trembling, her heart thumping, and her tears threatening to fall down her face again. Her mind was still in pieces that have yet to be solved. He was right - she couldn't say those words back now, not under the turmoil she was in. If she were to say those words back, she'd want to do say them genuinely, and with certainty.

"Stay," she whispered. It sounded more of a plead than a request.

He pulled her in closer, one hand over her waist and the other under her neck. 

"Always."

She buried her head in his neck, her hands fitting perfectly on his chest. She didn't want to be afraid of his touch anymore, not when they're meant to bring her comfort.

He's always so warm...

There were no disturbances that night. No nightmares to haunt them, no fears to doubt their feelings for each other. There was just him and her. Two people lost in the comfort of their presence. They were each other's support, both holding on to each other dearly, worried about what tomorrow would bring them. But they refused to let the problems consume them

At least not for tonight.