PJ (Hyunjin) short story collection

Charging

The white fluorescent lights in the long waiting room hallway shine especially brightly. I’m smiling while looking at Hyunjin’s pleading texts that keep buzzing nonstop on my phone screen when, far away, the practice room door swings open with a loud bang.

While the managers are outside checking the schedule, Hyunjin slips out through the crack in the door and, the moment he spots me standing in the lobby, runs over with his eyes shining. Having just finished an intense choreography practice, his hair is slightly damp, and a playful smile unique to him is on his face as he pants for breath. The perfect, cool idol image he has onstage is nowhere to be seen; in front of me stands only a mischievous boy.

"Ah, seriously, I thought my legs were going to snap..."

As soon as Hyunjin arrives in the waiting room, he hooks his chin over my shoulder and throws his whole weight against me. The deep dimples on his face catch my eye, curving gently. The warmth seeping from his whole body, the faint smell of sweat, and the familiar scent of the cologne he always wears wrap around me in an instant. He wraps his large arms tightly around my waist and whispers in a complaining voice. "I’m seriously drained. I need to be held like this to recharge."

My heart starts pounding helplessly at the sudden closeness and his unabashed display of affection. When I feel the stares of the staff passing by, my face flushes hot. Flustered, I gently push at his solid back and whisper softly.

"Hey, there are people here. They can all see us..."

At my shy voice, Hyunjin shakes his shoulders and lets out a low laugh. He buries his face deeper in my arms and adds a little more strength to the arm around my waist.

"Let them. Who’s going to say anything when I’m holding my girlfriend?"

He slowly lifts his head and looks at me. Under the bright lights, his eyes are full of mischief but dripping with affection, and that gaze lands on my face. Maybe my flustered expression is amusing, because his smile grows even deeper. Hyunjin pulls me into another tight hug, quiets the teasing tone he’d been using, and whispers in a gentle voice.

"Okay, okay. I’ll stop here for our shy princess."

He loosens the hand that had been around my waist and carefully cups my cheek. Then, looking down at me tenderly, he leaves a deep, soft kiss on my forehead. The spot where his lips touched feels scorching hot, and my heart pounds like it’s about to burst.

Hyunjin pulls away from my forehead and, looking satisfied, smiles brightly before threading his long fingers through mine and clasping my hand tightly. The warmth from his big hand spreads through my whole body.

"Come on, let’s go home."

Still holding my hand tightly, he leads the way down the hallway. Watching the back of him lightly swinging our joined hands back and forth, I match my steps to his. Our quiet, happy way home together, finally after a busy day, is beginning.