𝘗𝘺𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 | 𝘺.𝘫𝘸 𝘹 𝘬.𝘴𝘯

💌 44 - charm

"Hey, we should go check out the arcade," Sunoo suggested, glancing at Jungwon.

Jungwon raised an eyebrow, a grin tugging at his lips. "You're really going to drag me into an arcade?"

Sunoo shrugged playfully. "What, you're telling me you've outgrown it? I thought we used to have a blast in these places."

Jungwon chuckled, shaking his head. "I haven't outgrown it. Just didn't expect to be here with you, that's all."

With a nod, Sunoo led the way inside, and they spent the next few hours rekindling old memories. They played everything from racing games to claw machines, and Sunoo found himself laughing more than he had in a long time. He felt a sense of ease he hadn't realized he'd missed. The games were silly, but the real fun came from being around Jungwon again, the person he had once been so close to.

After a few rounds of bowling, they grabbed a booth and shared a pizza, the conversation flowing naturally between them, as if the tension from earlier never existed. It was easy and effortless once they finally opened up to each other again, and Sunoo found himself enjoying the simplicity of it. But as they headed to the basketball arcade game at the back of the room, something unexpected started to stir in Sunoo's chest.

"Come on, I know you used to be good at this," Jungwon said with a teasing smile, passing a basketball to Sunoo.

"I haven't played this in ages," Sunoo replied, tossing the ball awkwardly in his hands. "I'll probably embarrass myself."

Jungwon's smile widened, clearly amused. "I'll help you out."

Before Sunoo could react, Jungwon was right behind him, positioning himself in a way that felt oddly intimate. Jungwon's hands gently guided his own, taking hold of the basketball with him. He could feel the warmth of Jungwon's chest against his back, his body so close that it made Sunoo's heart race.

Jungwon's voice was steady, soft in his ear. "Just like this, aim for the hoop. I've got you."

Sunoo's breath hitched as Jungwon steadied his hands, their fingers brushing in the process. He tried to focus on the game, but everything felt so different now. He could feel Jungwon's presence—his warmth, his breath, his hands guiding him—and it was hard to ignore the way his heart fluttered. It was as if they had never broken up, as if nothing had changed, and yet everything had.

"Try now," Jungwon said, his voice close, his hands still gently guiding Sunoo's. Sunoo took a deep breath and let the ball fly. It bounced off the rim, but it was close.

"Not bad," Jungwon commented, stepping back and smiling at him.

Sunoo, though flustered, couldn't help but smile back. "I guess you were right. I just needed some help."

"You always did," Jungwon said softly. There was a certain warmth in his tone that made Sunoo feel like they were still in sync, as if the years apart hadn't really created that much distance after all.

Sunoo quickly turned away, trying to hide the heat rising to his cheeks. He didn't want Jungwon to notice, didn't want to acknowledge how much the moment affected him. But as he turned, something else caught his eye.

A plushie fox, sitting neatly inside one of the claw machines, its wide eyes staring back at him.

Without thinking, Sunoo said, "I want that fox."

Jungwon raised an eyebrow, looking at the machine. "That one?"

"Yeah, it's cute. I used to love foxes when we were together." Sunoo's voice softened at the memory, though it was almost bittersweet.

"Alright then," Jungwon said, grinning. "Let's get you that fox."

Sunoo didn't expect it, but Jungwon was soon focused on the claw machine, working the controls with ease. A few attempts later, and the claw grabbed the fox plushie, lifting it up and dropping it directly into the prize chute. Jungwon grabbed it with a triumphant smile, handing it over to Sunoo.

"You got it!" Sunoo laughed, clutching the plushie to his chest. "I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"I'm full of surprises," Jungwon replied, his grin widening.

The two of them left the arcade a little later, with Sunoo holding the plushie in his lap as they made their way to Jungwon's car. The drive back to Sunoo's place was filled with easy conversation, but something was different now. The atmosphere had shifted. Sunoo's mind was racing, his thoughts tangled in the way Jungwon had helped him, the way he had made him feel so cared for, so... safe.

When they pulled up to Sunoo's apartment, he felt a flutter in his chest again as Jungwon parked the car and turned to him with a soft smile.

"Well, I guess this is it," Jungwon said, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "It was good seeing you again."

Sunoo nodded, not quite ready to say goodbye. "Yeah... it was really fun today. Thanks for hanging out."

Jungwon's gaze softened as he looked at Sunoo, his eyes lingering a little longer than usual. "Anytime, and thank you for giving me another chance to being friends." he said, his voice almost too gentle. "Take care of yourself, Sunoo."

As Sunoo stepped out of the car, his fingers brushed against Jungwon's for a split second. The fleeting contact sent a jolt through him, a reminder of the connection they once shared. As he walked toward the building, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

When he reached his house, he stared at the fox plushie in his hands, his thoughts scattered. It had been so easy to pretend he had moved on, to convince himself he was fine. But now, after seeing Jungwon again, after spending time with him like they had never been apart, Sunoo realized the truth. He hadn't moved on. He still liked Jungwon, maybe even more than before.

And as he sat on the couch, holding the plushie close, Sunoo couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, Jungwon felt the same way too.