PIGGYBACK RIDE
Saint POV
Shin blinked, startled. "Wait... what?"
"Piggyback ride," I said matter-of-factly, glancing over my shoulder. "Unless you'd rather crawl home."
"Come on," I urged. He hesitated, glancing around. "Saint, people will stare."
He hesitated, clearly torn between his dignity and the offer.
"Let them," I shrugged. "You tired or not?"
He crossed his arms stubbornly. "I am, but I have my dignity—"
I didn't wait for him to finish. Grabbing his wrist, I yanked him onto my back with ease, ignoring his yelp.
"Saint! Put me down!" he protested, flailing.
"Too late," I grinned, adjusting my grip as I stood up. "You're stuck with me, Honey."
He huffed, still struggling. "This is so undignified."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, rolling my eyes. "Hold on tight, or you're gonna fall off."
Despite his protests, Shin's arms eventually wrapped around my shoulders, his breath warm against my ear. "You're so annoying," he muttered.
"And you're ridiculously cute," I shot back, grinning as I carried him down the road.
"If anyone sees this, I'm never living it down." He threatened.
"Relax," I grinned, adjusting his weight. "I'll tell them you're just obsessed with me."
"Ugh. You're insufferable," he groaned, burying his face in my shoulder.
"And you're heavy," I teased as I carried him.
"Stop saying that! I'm delicate, you brute."
"Delicate? Please. You're like carrying a fully loaded backpack."
He flicked my ear. "One more comment and I'll make you regret this."
Laughing, I started walking down the bridge. "You're cute when you're mad, you know that?"
"I'll cut off your allowance," he deadpanned.
"Joke's on you—I don't even get an allowance."
"Figures. You'd blow it all on haunted house therapy anyway," he teased, his voice softer now.
I couldn't help but smile. Despite the chaos and teasing, having him this close felt perfect. His warmth against my back, his steady breath near my ear—it made me forget the mishaps of the day.
.
The cool night breeze brushed against us as we walked down the quiet street for a while. Streetlights flickered softly, casting a warm glow on the pavement. Shin clung to my back, his breath warm against my neck. It was peaceful, but I knew that wouldn't last long with him.
"I still can't believe your car broke down," Shin muttered near my ear making me tickle.
"Not exactly my fault," I defended. "It's a machine, not a psychic."
Shin snorted. "You sure it didn't break because of all the haunted house trauma you put it through yelling?"
"Ha ha. Real funny."
"I'm just saying," he continued, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Maybe it sensed your fear and gave up on life."
"Pretty bold words for someone who made me carry his lazy butt."
"I'm not lazy!" he protested, tightening his grip around my shoulders. "I'm conserving energy for—uh... romantic purposes."
I almost choked on my laugh. "Romantic purposes? Seriously?"
"Yep." He rested his chin on my shoulder with a smug grin. "Gotta stay fresh for when I charm you later."
"You're ridiculous," I said, though my heart fluttered at his words.
"Yet, here you are giving me a piggyback ride like the devoted boyfriend you are," he sang playfully.
I sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. I'm whipped. Sue me."
He poked my cheek. "You love it."
"Debatable."
Shin gasped theatrically. "Saint, how dare you? After everything I did for you today—cheering you on, protecting you from scary haunted house monsters—"
"Protecting me?" I interrupted with a laugh. "Pretty sure you were the one who laughed his ass out without doing anything."
" What can I do when You were screaming louder than a toddler at a dentist's office," he shot back.
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Shin."
He chuckled, and we fell into a comfortable silence, the sound of our footsteps filling the space between us.
After a few moments, his voice softened. "Saint... thanks for today."
"For what?"
"For trying so hard to make me happy," he said quietly snuggling to my neck. "You didn't have to go through all that chaos, but you did anyway."
I glanced back at him halting in mid step. "Of course I did. I love seeing you happy, Shin."
He smiled, his expression tender. "Even if it means facing your greatest fears?"
"Even if it means facing my greatest fears," I confirmed. "Though next time, maybe we pick a date that doesn't involve haunted houses, Maybe more romantic."
"No promises by me," he teased, but his voice was filled with warmth.
We walked a bit further when Shin suddenly wriggled on my back. "Okay, put me down."
"Nope," I said, adjusting my grip on him. "You're staying right here."
"I'm serious, Saint. My pride is at stake."
"Too late. Pride's already gone," I teased.
"You're impossible," he grumbled.
"And you're stuck with me, anyway" I grinned.
He sighed dramatically. "Fine. But you're never living this down."
"Fair trade," I said. "You're worth it."
Shin's arms tightened around me. "You're such a sap, you know that?"
"Only for you."
He fell silent for a moment before whispering, "I'm really lucky to have you, Saint."
My chest tightened at his words. "Nah," I said softly. "I'm the lucky one."
As we walked toward his house under the night sky, with Shin on my back and laughter between us, I couldn't help but feel like this was one of those moments I'd cherish forever.
And just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, Shin whispered teasingly, "By the way... you're sweating like crazy. Romantic, my ass."
"Because you're heavy," I teased, walking and adjusting his weight.
"Excuse you! I'm delicate," he huffed playfully.
I groaned. "Sure, delicate like a sack of potatoes, Remind me to drop you next time." I said, earning a flick to my ear.
.
We laughed and our banter continued as The evening breeze brushed against us as I carried him down the quiet street. Despite the chaos, there was something peaceful about this moment—just the two of us, tangled in playful banter and surrounded by the soft hum of the city
"You know," Shin murmured near my ear, "this date was... perfect."
I smiled. " Are you sure? Even with the haunted house and the broken car?"
"Especially because of all that," he said softly. "You made today special for me, Saint. Thank you."
My chest tightened at his words, and I found myself squeezing his legs gently. "Anything for you, Shin."
We walked in comfortable silence, the world fading into the background. And as we neared his house, I realized something profound—no matter how chaotic or imperfect things got, Shin made everything worth it.
"Hey," Shin suddenly whispered. "You better carry me up the stairs too."
"Don't push your luck, my drama king," I laughed. But deep down, I knew I'd do it if he asked. For Shin, I'd do anything.
His laughter echoed into the night, wrapping us in warmth as we approached his road. The perfect chaotic end to a perfectly chaotic day.
.
We finally reached Shin's doorstep, the soft glow from the porch light casting a warm hue over his face. I gently set him down, lingering for a second longer than necessary, reluctant to let go. My legs might thank me later, but my heart ached at the sudden loss of his warmth.
Shin stumbled slightly as his feet hit the ground, and I instinctively reached for his arm, steadying him.
"Careful, your royal laziness," I teased, smirking.
"Shut up." He shot me a playful glare before breaking into a grin. "You're stronger than I expected, Saint. I should make you carry me everywhere."
I snorted. "Don't push your luck, Your highness"
He laughed, the sound rich and infectious in the cool night air. It was the kind of laugh that settled deep in my chest, wrapping around my heart and refusing to let go.
For a moment, we just stood there, the world quiet around us, our breathing the only sound filling the space between us. The weight of the day's chaos melted away, leaving only this—just him and me, in the soft stillness of the night.
Then Shin's expression shifted, the teasing fading into something quieter, something more vulnerable. His gaze lingered on me, his usual mischief replaced with something deeper, something raw.
"Thanks for today," he said, voice soft but filled with meaning. "It really meant a lot to me."
"Anytime," I murmured, searching his face, trying to decipher what lay beneath those words." But You already told me that more than once now."
He hesitated for a moment, then let out a small chuckle. "Noted." He smirked, but his voice was just as soft, just as filled with unspoken emotions.
Silence stretched between us—not the awkward kind, but something comfortable, something charged. The kind of silence where words felt unnecessary because everything was already being said in the way we looked at each other, the way we stood so close, as if parting was the last thing either of us wanted.
I was about to say goodnight when Shin broke the silence.
"Hey… Saint?"
"Yeah?"
He hesitated, biting his lip, his fingers twitching at his sides like he was debating something.
"Stay tonight?"
My heart skipped a beat. My breath caught. I blinked, trying to process his words, trying to convince myself I hadn't misheard him.
"Are you serious?" I asked, my voice low, unsure.
He nodded, his expression steady but laced with nervousness. "Yeah. I just… I don't want tonight to end yet."
And just like that, I felt something inside me unravel.
There was no teasing in his tone, no hint of mischief in his eyes. He was serious. And that realization hit me harder than anything else.
I swallowed, feeling a rush of warmth spread through my chest, something soft and overwhelming all at once. My lips twitched into a small smile.
"Alright," I said, my voice just as soft. "If that's what you want."
"It is," he said, his voice steady, his eyes locking onto mine with a quiet intensity.
For a second, neither of us moved. The air felt heavier now, charged with something new, something that made my heart pound in my chest.
And then he turned, opening the door, motioning for me to follow.
As I stepped inside, the warmth of his home wrapped around me, but it was nothing compared to the warmth that came from just being near him.
This night wasn't over.
It was only just the beginning.
.
To Be Continued.......