SHIN, I LOVE YOU
Saint POV
Rain fell in relentless sheets, soaking through my clothes and chilling me to the bone, but I didn't care. My only focus was on the figure retreating further and further away as if he was trying to escape something far more unbearable than just me.
"Shin!" I shouted again, louder this time, my voice hoarse and desperate.
Still, he didn't stop. If anything, he quickened his pace, his movements rigid and unyielding, like a wall I couldn't break through. My chest ached with each second he pulled further away.
The rain blurred my vision, or maybe it was the sting of guilt and fear welling up in my eyes. I forced my legs to move faster, pushing past the burn in my muscles, my footsteps splashing through puddles.
"Shin, just stop!" I yelled again, my frustration mixing with the cold rain biting at my skin.
He didn't falter, didn't glance back. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a sudden bolt of lightning illuminated his retreating figure. Panic surged through me, my legs moving on instinct as I sprinted after him.
He kept walking, each step pulling him further from me. The thought of losing him—not just in the moment, but forever—gripped my chest like a vice.
"Shin, stop!" I shouted, sprinting through the puddles until I caught up to him.
When I caught up, I didn't think—I just grabbed his wrist and yanked him back around to face me. His eyes, wide with surprise and fury, met mine. He glared at me, his wet bangs sticking to his forehead, his jaw clenched and before he could protest, I wrapped my arms around him tightly.
"Let go," he said coldly, his voice sharp enough to cut.
I didn't. Instead, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close, hoping to anchor him before he drifted too far. His body stiffened against mine, his wet clothes clinging to his tense frame.
"Why are you following me, Saint?" His voice was cold, each word sharp enough to cut.
I flinched, my breath hitching. "Because—” I faltered, my voice cracking. "Because you didn't wait for me. You didn't even let me explain."
He wrenched himself free, stepping back as his eyes met mine. They were stormy, filled with anger and something that cut even deeper—hurt. His eyes, usually warm and lively, were dark, a reflection of the chaos between us.
"Explain?" he scoffed, his voice rising over the rain. "Explain what, Saint? That you're having cozy little confessions with Peeta while I—" He stopped himself, his jaw tightening as if he'd said too much.
I stepped closer, my hand reaching out instinctively. "Shin, it wasn't what you think—That's not what happened." I said, shaking my head.
"What I think?" He laughed bitterly, his voice trembling with barely contained emotion. "You think this is about what?? Huh?? Jealousy? About me being mad because someone else wants you? To be honest, I don't care!...." he snapped, trying to pull away, but I held firm. The words hit me like a slap, but I didn't back down.
"You should care!" I shouted back, my voice breaking with frustration. "Peeta confessed to me, Shin. She told me she liked me, but I turned her down."
Shin froze, his expression unreadable as the rain poured down between us.
"I told her no," I continued, my voice softer now. "I told her that my heart... It is not available. That it hasn't been for a long time."
His eyes narrowed, the anger flaring again. "So what? You want a medal for rejecting her? Do you think that changes anything between us? Newsflash—it doesn't."
"It does!" I argued, my voice rising again. "Because the reason I said no—"
"I don't care why!" Shin interrupted, his voice raw and trembling. "You think this is about Peeta? It's not. It's about you being a selfish idiot who can't see what's right in front of you!"
The words hit me like a slap, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him. His chest heaved with the effort of holding himself together, but his eyes betrayed him—burning with anger and something deeper.
"You don't care about anyone but yourself, Saint," he continued, his voice quieter now but no less sharp.
"That's not true," I said, my voice cracking. "I care about you, Shin. More than anyone."
"Then why does it feel like I'm always the last one to know?" he shot back, his voice trembling. "If you care so much, why didn't you tell me, you like someone? Am I not your best friend at all..Tell me???"
He asked grabbing in my collar angrily,
"BECAUSE I WAS SCARED!" I yelled, the confession ripping out of me. "I was scared that if I told you how I felt, you'd walk away. That I'd lose you forever." His eyes widened, the anger giving way to shock as my words sank in.
"I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU, SHIN," I said, my voice trembling.
"I know I'm an idiot," I said, my voice is cracking now. "I know I've hurt you, and I'm so..... so sorry. I was scared, Shin. Scared of losing you. Scared that if I told you how I felt, you'd leave.
"I know you probably hate me right now, I said as tears freely falling mixing with rain drops. But I couldn't keep it in anymore. I love you, Shin. I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember. And I know you don't feel the same way, But please... don't leave me, Shin. I can't lose you. My chest tightened in fear of losing Shin.
I'll take whatever you can give me—Please just don't leave me. I beg you...
I can't even think of a life without you..."
.
Shin POV
The rain fell harder, soaking through my clothes, but I barely noticed. His words hung in the air, heavy and raw, cutting through the storm like a lightning strike.
"I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU, SHIN."
How many times have I dreamed of hearing those words? How many nights had I stayed awake, wrestling with feelings I couldn't even begin to name? And yet, standing here now, with his confession echoing in my ears, all I felt was a whirlwind of emotions—relief, anger, disbelief, and something far deeper that terrified me.
For a long time, I'd convinced myself it was one-sided. That I was the only fool stupid enough to fall for his charm, his laugh, the way he made the world feel a little less heavy. And yet here he was, confessing like he had nothing to lose, while I felt like my entire world was tilting on its axis.
"You're an idiot," I muttered, my voice thick with emotion.
His face crumpled, his lips parting as if to protest, but I didn't give him the chance.
"How can you think I don't feel the same way? How could you think I could ever walk away from you?" I continued, my voice rising with every word. "How can you stand there and say all of this like it's news to me when I've been in love with you this whole damn time, idiot?"
His eyes widened, his lips forming a soft "oh" but no sound came out. His vulnerability was laid bare in the way his shoulders sagged, the way his hands trembled at his sides, and it broke something in me.
"For years, I've been trying to push it down, to ignore it," I said, stepping closer, the anger in my chest mixing with a desperate, aching relief. "I hated myself for wanting more than what we had. I hated you for making me feel like I wasn't enough. And now you're telling me you were scared? Do you even realize what you've put me through?"
The storm inside me reached its peak, the rain streaming down my face indistinguishable from the tears I refused to acknowledge.
"But even now," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Even now, when I'm so mad at you I can barely breathe, all I want to do is hold you. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, SAINT. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU, IDIOT..."
His eyes softened, his lips trembling as he tried to respond, but I couldn't wait any longer. I couldn't bear another second of hesitation.
I stepped closer, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him toward me until our foreheads almost touched.
"You make me crazy," I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion. "You make me so angry I can't think straight. And I hate how much I need you. But I do. God, I do."
Before he could say a word, I closed the distance between us, my lips crashing into his with all the pent-up emotion I'd been holding back for years.
The kiss was messy and desperate, a clash of teeth and trembling lips, but it was everything I'd ever wanted. His breath hitched, his hands gripping my arms as if afraid I'd pull away, but I had no intention of letting go.
In that moment, the storm around us faded into nothing. The only thing that mattered was him—the way his lips softened against mine, the way his body leaned into me like he'd been waiting for this just as long as I had.
When we finally broke apart, I kept him close, my forehead resting against his as I tried to catch my breath. His eyes were wide, his lips slightly swollen, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something I hadn't expected—hope.
"You're my idiot," I whispered, a small, shaky smile tugging at my lips.
He let out a breathless laugh, his hands sliding up to cup my face. "And you're mine."
The rain continued to pour, but neither of us moved. I didn't care if the whole world was watching. For the first time, everything felt right. For the first time, I wasn't scared.
Before I could process, His fingers brushed my lips softly and pulled me back to him. This time, the kiss was rougher, more frantic—like we were both trying to make up for all the time we'd wasted.
Saint POV
The kiss stole the air from my lungs, leaving me drowning in him. His lips moved against mine with a ferocity that left me breathless, his desperation matching my own. It was messy and chaotic, teeth clashing and breaths mingling, but it was perfect in its imperfection.
His hands gripped the front of my shirt like I was the only thing keeping him standing, and I clung to him just as tightly, afraid to let go. The storm around us was relentless, the rain soaking through our clothes and chilling my skin, but I didn't care. The only thing I felt was him—his warmth, his presence, the way his entire body leaned into mine as though he couldn't bear to be apart.
When he finally pulled back, I felt the loss instantly, like something vital had been ripped away. His forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and uneven against my face as we both struggled to recover. His hands slid up, trembling slightly as they cupped my cheeks, grounding me in the reality of this moment.
His voice was soft, trembling with emotion as he spoke the words that made my heart skip a beat. "You're my idiot," he whispered, a small, shaky smile playing on his lips.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. The love in his eyes, the raw honesty in his voice—it was enough to make the world around us fade into nothing. All I could see was him, standing there, so close .
A laugh escaped me, breathless and light, as if it carried all the emotions I couldn't put into words. My hands found their way to his face, my fingers gently brushing against his skin as I cupped his cheeks. He was warm, real, and mine. ONLY MINE.
"And you're mine," I murmured, my voice steady even as my heart raced.
I didn't think. I couldn't. Before I could process the overwhelming flood of emotions coursing through me, my fingers moved on their own brushed against his soft lips...
I pulled him back to me, my lips crashing into his with a force that made him stumble slightly. This time, the kiss was rougher, more frantic, fueled by the fear of losing him and the overwhelming relief of knowing I didn't have to.
It was everything I'd been holding back—the longing, the frustration, the love I'd buried so deeply it had become a part of me. I poured it all into the kiss, hoping he could feel the depth of what I couldn't put into words.
His hands slid down, gripping my waist as though afraid I might disappear, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. My fingers threaded through his damp hair, tugging gently, eliciting a soft, desperate sound from him that sent a shiver down my spine.
When we finally broke apart again, it wasn't far. My lips hovered over him,
his breath mingling with mine in the small space between us. His eyes searched mine, wide and glassy, as though he couldn't quite believe this was real.
Shin POV
His lips were warm, demanding, and utterly relentless, pulling me under like a riptide I didn't want to escape from. His hands tangled in my hair, his grip firm yet trembling as though he was terrified I might disappear. I let him take control, my knees threatening to give out under the weight of his intensity, his desperation, his love.
When he finally pulled back, I gasped for air, my chest heaving as I tried to steady myself. The world around us seemed to blur, the rain and wind fading into the background until there was nothing left but him.
His eyes met mine, searching, pleading, his vulnerability laid bare. Relief and fear warred on his face, but it was the love shining through that stopped my breath. He didn't have to say it again—I could feel it in every touch, every look.
"I hate you," I muttered, though my voice cracked on the words. A shaky, breathless smile tugged at my lips despite myself.
He blinked, startled for a moment, before a quiet laugh escaped him. His forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and uneven as he whispered, "You drive me insane."
I couldn't hold back a grin, even as my throat tightened with emotion. "Good," I said, my voice low and steady despite the storm raging inside me. My hands slid up to his waist, pulling him closer until there wasn't a breath of space left between us. "Because you're stuck with me now."
His lips crashed against mine again, softer this time but no less insistent. It was a kiss filled with promises, with unspoken words and emotions that words could never fully capture. My hands splayed against his back, holding him as close as I could, as if I could keep us locked in this moment forever.
When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine once more, our breaths mingling in the cool, rain-drenched air. My fingers traced the curve of his jaw, lingering on the soft line of his lips, swollen and red from our kisses.
"You're mine," he whispered, his voice raw and filled with quiet determination.
"I always was," I admitted, my voice barely audible over the rain. My heart felt like it might burst, but for once, it wasn't from fear or anger—it was from love.
"But I hate you," I repeated, louder this time, though my lips betrayed me by quirking into a small smile. His brows shot up, his mouth opening in surprise.
"For making me feel like this, for making me run through the rain like some idiot in a bad romance movie. Who even does that?"
He blinked, then let out a laugh—a real, genuine laugh that made my chest tighten.
"Me" he replied, his voice trembling with laughter. "I do that. And clearly, so do you."
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face, though I couldn't keep the grin off my lips. "You're unbelievable."
"And you're adorable when you're mad," he shot back, his tone teasing now.
I glared at him, though there was no heat behind it. "You're impossible."
"And yet you're stuck with me" he said, stepping closer, his grin softening into something far more tender. "Forever"
I rolled my eyes, though my heart skipped at his words. "You're lucky I like you," I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" he teased, leaning in with an exaggerated tilt of his head.
"I said I hate you," I shot back, shoving at his chest half-heartedly.
He caught my wrist, pulling me back into his arms with ease. His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered, "Liar."
Before I could respond, his lips were on mine again, silencing any retort I might have had. This kiss was softer, slower, but no less overwhelming. I gave in, wrapping my arms around his neck, my resolve melting away like the soft drizzle showering around us.
When we broke apart, I couldn't help but smirk. "Fine, maybe I don't hate you," I admitted, my voice dripping with mock irritation.
He grinned, his eyes sparkling like a kid with something that felt like pure joy. "I knew it."
"Don't push your luck," I warned, though my words were softened by the smile tugging at my lips.
He just laughed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt... right.
Suddenly his hands cupped my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks.
"Shin... " he said, his tone suddenly earnest. "You're it for me, Shin. There's no one else. There never will be. I only love you... "
My throat tightened, and all I could do was nod. My hands slid up his chest, gripping his soaked shirt as I leaned in again, this time slower, softer.
The kiss was different—gentler, full of promises we didn't need to say aloud. His hands slid down to my waist, holding me like I was something precious, something he couldn't bear to lose.
When we finally broke apart, I rested my head on his shoulder, my arms looping around his neck.
"Don't let go," I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.
"I WON'T," he murmured, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "NOT NOW. NOT EVER."
The drizzle continued to fall, wrapping us in a cocoon of warmth despite the chill in the air. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.
He pulled me closer, his arms tightening around me like he was afraid I'd disappear.
"Shin," he whispered, his voice soft but resolute.
"Yeah?" I murmured, my cheek pressed against his shoulder.
"Stay with me tonight."
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, his eyes dark and unwavering as they searched mine.
"Okay," I said softly, my heart pounding in my chest.
His lips curved into a small, almost shy smile as he leaned in, brushing a feather-light kiss against my forehead.
And just like that, the rain outside seemed quiet, leaving only the two of us standing in its wake, holding on to each other as if we were the only thing keeping the world together. For the first time, I didn't feel the cold or the fear. I felt safe.
I felt like I was home.
.
.
.
To Be Continued.....