When I Loved You

Muyeol wrapped her legs around his waist, holding her firmly before climbing out of the tub. He opened the glass door and walked out, and immediately, the two felt the drop in temperature. But their bodies did not grow cold at all. Drops of water slid off their bodies onto the floor as they made their way to the bedroom. On their way, the two caught a glimpse of themselves in the mirror.

Muyeol’s eyes were burning with passionate desire. He gazed at Yiyoung through the mirror; she was totally relying on him, having given all the control to him. Only the sound of the heavy breathing pervaded the atmosphere, along with the loud thumping of their hearts as they beat in sync.

‘Oh, I should…’ he thought.

Yiyoung opened her eyes as she felt cold granite touch her thighs; Muyeol had put her down on the countertop of the basin.

Yiyoung gulped because of her dry mouth, wrapping her hands around Muyeol’s face. “Why are we not going to the bedroom?”

“I want to protect you,” Muyeol said as he turned to press his lips against her palm.

“Huh?”

“I said, I want to protect you.”

His seductive gaze made it hard for her to breathe. But the confused Yiyoung tried to think of what had gone wrong. “Did I make a mistake?”

Muyeol caressed her pale skin. “Don’t get me wrong. I just want to protect you.”

Yiyoung frowned, unable to comprehend what he meant. She was unable to think anything past the fact that they had stopped just when their bodies had heated up with desire. Something was wrong.

“You just got released from the hospital. And I don’t even have a condom.” Muyeol patted her with his huge hand, as if trying to cheer her up.

Muyeol pressed a long kiss on her lips. “And… I want to protect you. I want to protect every part of you.”

His calm voice completely sunk into her heart. Yiyoung leaned against his shoulder. “Oh, so you like me that much?”

“I know, right?” Muyeol whispered as he buried his face in her neck.

His almost-confession sped up her heart to a rate that she had never experienced before.

* * *

When Yiyoung opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar environment, her breath turned shaky. But when she felt a familiar warmth wrap around her, she was able to calm down.

Muyeol’s breaths blew her hair softly. Yiyoung lifted her head and stared at his sleeping figure. She hadn’t seen him up close while sleeping before. She looked at him carefully, not to breathe too loudly. “So this is what you look like while sleeping…”

He looked so handsome, with his dark eyebrows, and eyelashes which left soft shadows on his face. His usually taut mouth had loosened up a bit, giving him a less anxious look.

“It’s like you’re an onion. Even after peeling off multiple layers, I still don’t feel like I know you. It’s like everything I know about you is my imagination,” Yiyoung whispered, gently putting a hand on his face. But Muyeol didn’t move an inch, seemingly very tired. “I’m grateful that you’re here.”

Whenever she needed someone, he was always with her by her side. She had always been drawn to him.

Suddenly, he shifted close and pulled her into a hug, gently patting her as he mumbled in his sleep, “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay…”

Yiyoung felt the abrupt urge to cry. Was Muyeol comforting her even in his sleep? Yiyoung buried her face into his chest.

Muyeol was still muttering, “Yeah… It’s alright. It’s okay…”

“Okay.” She put her arms around him and hugged him back.

Her naked skin pressed against his—the two had gone to bed without any clothes on after the shower. Muyeol’s skin felt as smooth as silk.

Yiyoung recalled what he said to her earlier. “And… I want to protect you. I want to protect every part of you.”

Yiyoung closed her eyes and whispered, “Fine. Let’s do it slowly. It’ll be a waste if I devour you all at once.”

* * *

It was Saturday morning, and Muyeol could hear it raining outside. He shifted—feeling well-rested now—and reached out to the other side of the bed, finding the asleep Yiyoung clinging to his waist. He let out a deep breath before turning to face her, her own breath brushing against his chest.

Muyeol quietly listened to her sleep. He lowered his head and breathed in her scent, carefully maneuvering one hand to stroke her unclothed back.

Yiyoung stirred in her sleep, moving even closer to him. And Muyeol shifted downward to hug her.

Settled into a rhythmic pattern, her breathing sounded so peaceful. Muyeol’s lips curled unnoticeably; It was unlike the time when he had slept next to her on the hospital bed. He had paid constant attention to her small, anxious movements then, but this was absolutely different.

The warmth of her skin lingered on his fingertips as he touched her. He was able to feel it all: the curve of her body, her scent, her smooth skin, everything.

His heart thudded against his chest.

As he continued to stroke her, he asked himself, ‘Everything is okay now, right?’