SURPRISE
Shin POV
The night was calm, the distant chirping of crickets filling the quiet streets as Saint and I walked hand in hand. The air smelled faintly of jasmine, and the moon cast a silver glow over the path ahead. Despite the serene atmosphere, my mind was buzzing.
Saint hadn't let go of my hand since we left the court, and honestly, I wasn't complaining. His thumb brushed against my knuckles absentmindedly, in small circles over my knuckles, a simple yet intimate gesture that made my chest ache in the best way . I glanced at him, his face illuminated by the streetlights. He looked content—peaceful even, though there was still that mischievous glint in his eyes.
But the quiet? The quiet was weird.
"Okay, what gives?" I blurted, turning to him abruptly. "You've been all... soft and quiet since we left. Where's my Saint? The smug idiot who always annoys me?"
Saint blinked at me, clearly surprised by the outburst. A slow grin spread across his face. "Are you... mad that I'm not teasing you?"
"Obviously!" I huffed. "This sad puppy thing you're doing is creeping me out."
He laughed, the sound rich and familiar. "Wow. Most people would love a calm, affectionate boyfriend. But you? Nope. You want chaos."
"Exactly. Chaos is the glue of our relationship," I said with a straight face.
Saint shook his head, amused. "You're something else, Shin."
"And you're acting weird. Spill."
"You know," he said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I've been thinking."
"Uh-oh." I grinned. "That's dangerous."
He rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, Shin.
He stopped walking, tugging me gently until we faced each other. His expression softened and for a moment, the teasing disappeared. "You really don't get it, do you?"
"Get what?"
"What you did today." His voice was quieter now, filled with something raw. "Shin, you stood up in front of everyone and told them you love me. You don't do public declarations. Hell, you barely admit things to yourself. The king of ‘no public affection,’ just made a love declaration in front of the entire school."
I opened my mouth to argue but... okay, he wasn't wrong. So I shrugged, though my ears burned at the memory. "Well... desperate times call for desperate measures."
Saint chuckled, his voice low and rich. "Desperate? For me? Sounds like someone couldn't live without their cute boyfriend."
I groaned. "Don't let it go to your head, Saint. You were insufferable before. I can't imagine the monster you'll become now."
Saint chuckles softly "But you did that for me," he continued, his eyes glimmering under the streetlight. "You know what, though? That was the most beautiful thing anyone's ever done for me. Thank you, Shin. You don't know how much that meant to me. I can't stop thinking about it."
I swallowed, feeling a little overwhelmed. "It was no big deal, Puppy" I mumbled, looking away. My heart did that annoying stutter it always did when he got all soft and emotional. I nudged his shoulder, trying to keep things light. "Just don't get used to it."
"Too late," he said, pulling me into a quick hug. Saint cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "It was a big deal. And I love you for it."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut—in the best way possible. My chest tightened, and my throat felt weirdly constricted.
"You're such a drama queen," I muttered, trying to deflect the emotion bubbling inside me.
"And you're my drama king," he shot back, a playful glint returning to his eyes.
"Good save," I smirked.
He laughed before leaning down to press his lips against mine. The kiss was soft at first, but it quickly deepened, filled with all the things we couldn't put into words. My fingers curled into his shirt as I pulled him closer, the world around us fading until there was only Saint.
When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, I grinned. "See? There's my chaos."
Saint chuckled, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're obsessed with me."
"Guilty," he whispered, leaning in for another kiss.
.
We continued walking, my heart lighter than it had been in days. As we reached my house, Saint paused at the gate, his fingers still entwined with mine.
"Hmm...Shin!!" he said hesitantly, "tomorrow's the weekend."
"Yeah?" I prompted, already sensing where this was going.
"So... how about a date?" His voice was hopeful, almost shy. "An actual date. As boyfriends."
My eyes widened. "Saint, are you—did you just ask me out?"
He grinned sheepishly. "Maybe."
I pretended to think. "Hmm, let me check my busy schedule."
He rolled his eyes. "You're free."
"Okay, fine. I'll grace you with my presence."
Saint laughed, pulling me into a quick hug. "You're impossible."
"And you're lucky I love you."
"Yeah... I really am." His voice softened, his gaze steady and filled with something that made my chest tighten. "I love you, Shin."
The words hung between us, raw and real. I squeezed his hand, my own voice a little shaky. "I love you too, Saint. Always."
His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest ache in the best way. He leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead—a gesture so tender it made my knees weak. "Tomorrow's going to be perfect," he whispered.
"It already is" I murmured back.
As we stood there under the stars, holding onto each other , I knew one thing for sure—whatever came next, we'd face it together. Tomorrow is going to be perfect. But tonight? Tonight is already unforgettable and everything I needed.
.
Saint POV
Planning the perfect date for Shin was no easy feat—mainly because Shin was like a ball of unpredictable energy, while I preferred things controlled . But today wasn't about me. It was about him and I wanted to give him a day he'd never forget. Shin wasn't the type to be easily impressed but I knew what made his eyes sparkle—adventure, thrill and a touch of chaos. So naturally, the amusement park was a no-brainer.
But there was more to this choice than just rides and cotton candy. Shin hadn't stepped foot in this place since his parents divorced years ago. I remembered the way his voice softened when he mentioned it in passing, his voice unusually soft as though the memory was a fragile thing he kept locked away like it was a beautiful memory buried under painful rubble. I remembered how his eyes had dimmed, and it had stayed with me.
Today, I wanted to give him that joy back.
I parked my car near the entrance, glancing at the gift bag on the passenger seat. Inside was something special—a custom keychain shaped like the mascot of the amusement park, one Shin used to carry everywhere as a kid, back when life seemed simpler for him.
The door opened, and Shin stepped out of his house, my breath caught. He is looking effortlessly breathtaking in a white hoodie and ripped jeans. His messy hair caught the morning sunlight, and his smile was the kind that could wreck me if I let it.
"Why are you grinning like an idiot?" he teased, tilting his head.
"No reason," I smirked, hiding the gift bag behind me. "Ready for the best day ever?"
"That depends," he said suspiciously. "What are you up to, Saint?"
"You'll see," I promised, guiding him into the car.
.
The drive was filled with our usual teasing banter, but my chest tightened as we neared the park. When we reached the entrance, I glanced at Shin, who had gone completely still. His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the towering roller coasters and colorful booths in the distance.
"Wait... we're here?" His voice was filled with disbelief.
"Surprise" I said softly, handing him the gift bag.
His brows furrowed as he accepted it, opening it with careful fingers. When he saw the keychain inside, his expression cracked wide open. His lips parted, and his fingers trembled as he traced the familiar shape, his expression shifting from shock to something warmer, more vulnerable.
"You remembered this?" he whispered.
"Of course, I did," I said, my voice gentle. "You loved this place, Shin. I know it's been a long time, but I thought maybe... today we could make some new memories here."
For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, in a move that caught me completely off guard, he launched himself at me. His arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and I stumbled slightly from the force of it.
"You're unbelievable," he muttered against my shoulder, his voice thick with emotion.
"I'll take that as a thank you," I teased, hugging him back tightly.
When he pulled back, his eyes were glistening. Before I could say anything, his hands cupped my face, and he pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft at first, tentative, as though he wasn't sure if he should be doing this right here in public. But I didn't care who was watching. My hands found his waist, pulling him closer as I kissed him back with everything I had. The sweetness of it melted into something deeper, more desperate.
His fingers tangled in my hair, and I forgot about the world around us. The noise of the park faded away until it was just Shin—his warmth, his scent, the way he fit perfectly against me.
When we finally pulled apart, his breath was ragged, and his cheeks were flushed.
"You really know how to plan a date, huh?" he teased, though his voice wavered slightly.
"I do my best, for my Shin" I said, grinning as I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "But you made it easy by being perfect."
"Stop it," he muttered, though the smile tugging at his lips was undeniable.
"Never."
He laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.
"Alright, let's do this," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm ready to make some new memories."
.
We stood by the park entrance, the vibrant colors and joyful screams creating an electric atmosphere around us. Shin's gaze swept over the rides and stalls, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips.
"It feels... weird," he admitted. "Being back here after everything. But good weird, you know?"
"Yeah," I said, taking his hand. "I just want you to have fun today, Shin. No worries, no bad memories. Just us."
His grip tightened around mine. "You always know how to get to me, don't you?"
"It's my job," I said with a grin.
He laughed, and the sound was pure magic.
The amusement park stretched before us, vibrant and bustling with life. Bright banners flapped in the breeze, the scent of caramel and popcorn wafting through the air. Shin stood beside me, his eyes gleaming with childlike excitement. I hadn't seen him this happy in ages, and it did something strange to my chest—like it was about to burst from joy.
"Saint, look at that!" Shin practically bounced on his feet, pointing at the towering rollercoaster that twisted high into the sky. "We have to go on that first!"
My stomach churned just looking at it.
"You sure we can't start with, I don't know, the Ferris wheel?" I suggested weakly.
He shot me a mischievous grin. "Ferris wheel? Really? Where's your sense of adventure, Mr. Tough Guy?"
"Probably hiding behind common sense," I muttered.
But his excitement was contagious, and before I knew it, he was tugging me toward the rollercoaster line.
.
.
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To Be Continued....