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Nol had spent most of the night looking away from her. On purpose.
She’d crack a joke or two because, what the heck, it was Friday and most of all, it was their Friday. It was an absolute tradition that the third Fridays of the month were reserved exclusively for video games, fried chicken, and Soushi bashing. It was perfect. They’d promised to leave whatever bullshit outside Dieter’s door, as soon as the lock clicked.
But why did her jokes, that would’ve had Yeong-gi on the ground, prompt silent huffs. Little, that’s funny so-and-so, in a completely monotone voice.
She’d steel herself against the oncoming glare of his faked smiles, when she asked, once again, if he’d eaten something bad earlier.
“ It’s okay Shin-ae, I’ve been eating fried chicken all night. If anything, my body’s been purified!”
And just like that, a quick flash of his toothy grin and he was gone. Idling by Dieter’s kitchen, snagging another donut, or sitting by Dieter and Soushi playing video games, staring ominously out the window.
And that was fine or whatever. He was a free man with a messed up family. But...
It was a pattern: eat, grin, sulk, and repeat. He had no off button and they were only a few hours in. The sun had already set, giving way to the noisy, rising traffic below. And she knew that wasn’t the most beautiful thing to stare at.
“ Hey… hey Yeong-gi,”
Fuck. Maybe it did bother her.
Shocked out of his little trance, Nol’s eyes dragged over to Shin-ae’s, “ What’s up?”
Her stare held a bit longer than it should have, noting the subtle shift of his arms. Her eyes quickly swept over him, his once cross-legged form. Now both his arms and legs were crossed as he… slightly leaned away?
From her?
Her gaze slightly cracked as she came to realization, her lip aching against the pressure of her unconscious bite. Yeong-gi’s came a second too late, his mouth already forming an incoherent oh, as she abruptly rose to her feet.
“ Let’s talk,” she held her stare now, with no hesitation.
He was fucked, his eyes seemed to whisper, his mouth finally wiped clean of his plastered smile. “ Okay…” he let go of a defeated breath, relieved almost, “ the roof-top?” “ Yeah,” she scooped up her nearby coat, stepping between a gaping Dieter and Soushi towards the door, “ Let’s go,”
---
“ I have an interview with Oxford next week actually!”
Shin-ae gulped down her endless stream of questions with her conveniently placed soda in her hand. When? How? Why? It left a harsh sting down her throat, trailing the faint taste of chocolate. She slammed the empty can down, immediately cutting off all trains of thought. There was only one thing on her mind.
“So,” she quietly whispered, “ You’re leaving,”
The howling wind swallowed any uneven notes in her voice, at least she hoped. Her grip on the rail tightened as she locked eyes with him, her breath leaving smoky trails in the icy air. She already knew the answer but she had to make sure.
Nol could only stare back, slightly surprised by the sudden urgency of her voice, her question. He quickly looked away because seriously, how could he face her with this news? as he leaned against the railing. His bright smile slowly faded, “Well…’’, he sighed, tiredly, almost deflating, as he released all the tension in his shoulders, “ Yeah, I am.”
The bustling traffic below filled the silence between them. Yeong-gi’s fingers quietly traced the rusting edges of the rail. Shin-ae’s were hidden, securely, in her coat pockets.
“ Don’t…,” Shin-ae hesitantly began, “don’t forget about us.” Shin-ae nervously peeked to her left, towards Yeong-gi, and surprisingly caught a glimpse of his warm, affectionate smile. It caught her off guard, his smiles were becoming more and more rare by the day. Yet his eyes seemed warm, inviting even. As if they were saying, trust me I won’t. I won’t forget about you.
Yeong-gi was still in there.
Shin-ae immediately turned away, towards the faded skyline, as she said, “Or I’ll come to England to beat you up myself,” with more bite than she intended. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably. “ And don’t make me either, you know I hate the cold” she added, just to break the literal ice, when she sneaked a glance towards him and realized he was doubled over in silent laughter.
When they locked eyes, his familiar chuckle immediately bubbled onto the surface, Shin-ae couldn’t help but laugh a little too. How long had it been since it was just the two of them like this? Just laughing and talking? And why did she kind of like it?
Would she miss it?
“ You know, you’re pretty small,” Yeong-gi sighed as his chuckle faded into distant notes, slowly turning back towards her, “I think I could take you,” he smirked. Challenged, almost.
Fuck this, she took it back, she really didn’t like him at all.
Shin-ae quickly smacked his arm in response, ignoring the amusement on his face. “ Or maybe you’re just too tall that you’re lacking in other categories,” Shin-ae huffed as she maintained her gaze, locking eyes with him. Two could play at that game.
Nol’s mouth fell open for a split second out of pure shock before a familiar smile crept back onto his features, “You know, I don’t think my dick falls into other categories Miss Yoo,” he countered, surprisingly keeping his voice level. Again, he locked eyes with her, almost daring her into action.
Shin-ae immediately shoved him away, “ I meant strength, you dick!” Shin-ae sputtered, immediately regretting her word choice. She quickly turned back towards Nol, “ Wait shit, I meant asshole!”
Another mighty laugh ripped through him as he enjoyed her little meltdown, “I could’ve sworn you just said dick though? Perhaps the medical term pe -,”
Shin-ae slammed her hand over his mouth, cutting off whatever vulgarity he would imagine next. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“ Maybe,” Nol arched an eyebrow cloyly, not breaking eye contact once. Shin-ae was distantly aware of how close she was, intent on not losing whatever game they were playing.
She leaned closer, “ Fuck you,” she spat, genuinely annoyed. Until he grabbed her coatsleeve and pulled her closer, so close she could feel his breath over her face as he whispered,
“ Please,”