radiance | baekhyun

44

18:46.

she liked berlin.

she liked the way it offered adventure and made her forget temporarily, and how the streets shone with a brightness that differed so much from their previous location. it made her think of nothing but baekhyun's smile and the wind sweeping through his brown hair and the way he'd watch her move excitedly from shop to shop and window to window.

she liked its tall, silver buildings and glass structures and the way the golden rays would reflect from it, casting shadows of rainbow light onto the large slabs of pavement; dancing remnants of what she knew was held deep within the burning irises of baekhyun's glimmering eyes.

that lop-sided, smirking grin that, when he properly grinned, bared his teeth and made his eyes crinkle at the corners and the sun shine brighter and roma wanted nothing more than to fall lazily into his taller frame, and revel in the feeling of him bringing his arms up to protectively wrap around her.

couldn't resist the urge.

she liked berlin: but she liked baekhyun more.

roma had woken up later on that same day, maybe mid-afternoon, or even late afternoon. she couldn't really tell. she'd woken to the warmth of another familiar body resting by hers, strong arms and low, heavy breathing.

she'd sat up, bringing her knees up to rest her chin on, observing baekhyun with drooping eyelids and adoration. mesmerised by him doing nothing. it was hot, because it was summer, and he'd taken his t-shirt off. bare skin and torso bared to the small, boyish room. her eyes only.

took in a deep breath and failed her attempts to refrain from staring further down, the blanket not doing much to protect her view of him. each muscle and each scar and each sculpted line proving her point that baekhyun was beautiful. too much. another deep breath. his form rose and fell as he slept deeply. at peace.

roma always knew that she paled in comparison. any boy she'd ever shared something more with, she'd been more than conscious of that fact. always hiding behind thick layers of cover-up and mascara, acting the way she was supposed to, polite and forgiving, allowing herself to be pushed around, giving a small nod and a forced, accepted expression as an answer.

she'd built up this façade, this odd persona that she'd created, in which she'd communicate through soft smiles and clear eyes and quiet speech.

it worked. and roma hadn't intended for it to be permanent, or a part of her that defined her, or anything like that. but it had. she'd accepted people's words for what they were, took them as the way the world rotated, didn't question the sometimes commanding remarks or insensitive comments.

baekhyun had made her subconsciously open up to him; she'd told him her passions and strange ideas, and he'd laughed with her, not at her, watching her with those golden, fiery eyes. watching him now, asleep and here with her, seemed unreal.

she was happy they were back, but didn't want to think about how long it would last until the next thing. didn't want to imagine the next reason for him leaving. which, she knew, was a pathetic thought, but she couldn't help it.

it wasn't that she relied on him. she just wanted to be with him, because he made her feel all these emotions that were impossible to define.

she reached forward to lightly stroke her arm across his arm. skin was warm, emanating heat, and baekyun sounded a slightly deeper breath, eyes remaining closed as he turned over onto his front, bringing the white duvet with him.

roma watched in the quiet of the room for what seemed like hours.

after he'd woken up, arms stretching above his head to hit the headboard, a loud yawn ensuing from his mouth, they'd both sat in minseok's bed for a while. baekhyun's facial expression transformed from one of exhaustion to that of a beaming, comforting smile when he saw her.