★ | #56 | moon
"let me prove myself worthy of you."

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moon river • frank ocean
"moon, river and me."

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FINDING them listening to the soft sound of the waves in the water, sitting out by the river as the full moon reflected prettily on it — acting as a spotlight.

There was a lingering silence between the pair, as she pulled her knees to her chest, eyes lingering over the small ripples. Her gaze only shifted as he nudged her softly with his shoulder, averting her attention to him.

“Are you okay?” Heeseung questioned, arms draped over his knees as he stared down at her features, illuminated by the moonlight. “That was rough.”

“Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry.” Haewon breathed out with a gentle laugh, shaking her head as she shrugged the situation off as best as she could.

The boy hummed, not fully convinced given her tensed shoulders, and the slight twitch of her brows as they furrowed, knitting together.

Another moment of silence passed by, the faint whispers of the wind brushing past them until she spoke up once again, her words coming out slowly and hesitantly.

“You— uh, didn't kiss her?” The girl uttered, lips tucked into a thin line as she stared down at her knees, her fingertips grazing against the exposed skin as she traced small circles to ground herself.

The boy listened attentively to her words, doe eyes settling on the starry sky that dazzled above them. He scoffed quietly, blinking slowly as he replied.

“Why would I?” He raised a brow. Haewon turned her head, eyes wandering over his side profile — his lips, curved into a small smile.

“I mean— I don't know.” She admitted sheepishly, averting her gaze away as she let out a sigh, pausing as she tried to voice out her train of thought.

“I was just thinking,” Haewon began once more, pausing briefly as she swallowed the lump in her throat, “I don't want to hold you back, if that is the case. Even so, I don't know why I would.”

Heeseung's eyes softened, coming to the realization that the words spoken from Kim Miyoung's lips had gotten to her head, planting seeds of unnecessary guilt and worry deep within her mind.

He turned his head, shifting closer to her as he chuckled gently, shaking his head off to the side.

“I would never kiss someone, let alone befriend someone who treats you horribly for no reason, Haewon.” Heeseung muttered, tilting his head off to the side.

“And, we shouldn't have ever joined such a game to begin with. I don't like the idea of kissing someone at the control of a bottle. I’d much rather kiss someone I love, and I care about. With meaning.” He emphasized, scrunching his nose up slightly.

“Call me boring, but I've never liked games like that.” He added on in a quiet confession, as she hummed and shook her head.

“No, it's okay, I agree.” Haewon said, pursing her lips. “Honestly, I didn't want to play in the first place.” She confessed, a sigh falling from her lips as she let her hand fall down, plucking strands of grass.

“I only agreed because I thought you wanted to. Nobody seemed opposed to it. And, I thought I'd disappoint you all had I not agreed.” She continued on, as he tilted his head, nodding as he hummed occasionally, letting her know he was listening.

“I only played because you did. Otherwise, I would've just followed you and we'd go off and do our own thing.” Heeseung laughed, eyes curving slightly with the smile spread across his face.

“We should probably communicate better next time, yeah?” Haewon voiced out, earning a soft nod from the boy.

“Let’s not even let there be a next time, honestly.” He chimed in, as she hummed, shifting slightly on the ground in an attempt to grow more comfortable.

Noticing, Heeseung paused, pondering for a minute or so before he fixed his own position, sniffling slightly as he tapped her arm.

“Here, come here.” He mumbled, as she tilted her head. Her heart couldn't help but to grow softer, feeling grateful for his actions. She pushed herself up slightly, guiding herself to lay between his legs.

Her back pressed against his chest, as her best rested back on his shoulder. His arms settled around her waist, holding her close and ensuring her comfort at the same time.

“Better?” He asked, as she smiled slightly, nodding.

“Thank you.” Haewon expressed, allowing herself to relax back into his hold, as he hummed, brushing it off.

“No worries.” He smiled reassuringly, letting out a sigh of content as he stared off into the river, as the water continued down the stream endlessly, a peaceful ambience to the night.

“How did you enjoy the trip, Haewon?” Heeseung asked, sparking a new conversation between them. “Minus all of the unnecessary drama and stuff, of course.”

“Hm?” Haewon let out, pressing her lips together as her eyes narrowed slightly. “It was nice, actually. It's pretty here. The air is fresh.”

Heeseung nodded in agreement with her words, staying silent as he listened intently to what she had to say as she continued on quietly.

“And, it was definitely nice to get away from home, even for a short while. I could actually relax without having to hear muffled arguments till one in the morning or so.” The girl added with a huffed out laugh, rolling his eyes slightly.

Heeseung hummed, a breathy laugh slipping from his own lips as his hands ran up and down the sides of her arms soothingly. “Oh, yeah, I'm sure it's nice.”

In better words, she was relieved to be on a trip, coming at the perfect timing as she grew restless as her parents troubles bounced off of the walls of their home, clouding her mind with stress and the weight of the argument.

She was tired, exhausted and drained of hearing the disputes that would break out in the dead of the night, when her father would finally come home — using the same old excuse that he was at work, despite being well past midnight.

It seemed to only grow worse between her parents, leaving a slight ache in her heart.

Of course she didn't have a good relationship with her father, let alone one in the first place. But the idea of not being a full family scathed her soul.

Days of her youth lingered, the feeling of happiness, the nurturing and care she felt from her father. When he used to take her out to playgrounds, to when she used to draw little pictures and run to give them to him excitedly.

When he made her feel cared for, like he actually loved her. Things have changed since she grew older. Now, the only interactions she exchanged with her father were nothing but arguments, or words of distaste.

If you asked her, she'd say there was no way he'd change. No way he'd return to what he was, to be that figure she needed and yearned for in life.

But, deep within her heart, resided a childlike innocence — holding onto threads of hope that it would all be okay again.

As she had fallen silent for quite some time now, Heeseung hummed softly, creating a soothing and tranquil nature for her. Easing her mind with his gentle touch, and familiar voice.

Heeseung sucked in a small breath, his heart skipping a beat as he pieced together a string of words to utter out to her. A subtle confession, to express himself

“Haewon?” Heeseung began quietly, as she hummed, her eyes tracing as many constellations as she could find hidden amongst the stars.

“I hope you know that I care for you.” He said, as she paused, her heart growing heavy with such few words.

“And, I wanna be someone you can rely on, always. No matter how silly it is, or now serious. I hope you can always come to me comfortably for help. Because I'll always want to be there for you.” He continued shyly, a nervous smile pulling at his lips.

"I've come to realize that although I joke around a lot, and I annoy you sometimes, you're still someone I cannot see myself living without. I think life would be totally different had I not met you, or we separated for some reason.”

“So, I hope that when I'm around, you can feel as fulfilled and happy as I feel when I'm around you. I wanna be of comfort to you, no matter how little.” Heeseung concluded, as she shifted up in his arms.

Struggling slightly, she managed to turn to face him, a tender look in her eyes as she met his gaze, a soft, shy smile playing on her pink lips.

“You’re too sweet sometimes.” Haewon let out, her first initial response to his kind words, as he breathed out a small laugh and shook his head.

“Thank you, Heeseung.” She said, her hand rising to brush his hair out of his face, exposing more of his forehead as she gave him a gentle smile.

“But, you are that for me, already. I know I can rely on you when I need to. You're already a source of comfort for me. You are what I need you to be, even when I don't ask for it.” Haewon spoke gently, sighing softly as she tilted her head.

His eyes roamed over her features, admiring them silently as he felt his cheeks heat up due to their close proximity. “Am I?” He chuckled breathlessly, his hand settling on her waist. “I'm glad.”

Haewon smiled lightly, nodding her head in return as he tugged her closer, if even possible. A dusty pink color spread across her cheeks, but she did not care anymore.

Heeseung hesitated, eyes flickering down to her lips for a split second before he quickly looked away, connecting with her softened gaze as he swallowed the lump in his throat.

“You— uhm,” Heeseung started, stumbling over his words nervously as the tips of his ears grew pink. “Can I be honest with you?”

Haewon nodded her head slowly, processing his words as she kept quiet, waiting for him to continue.

“I— uh, Haewon, I really, really want..” He let out, pausing as he pressed his lips into a thin line momentarily. “To kiss you, if you're okay with it.”

Haewon's eyes widened slightly in surprise, cheeks flushing pink completely as her heartbeat sped up, lips parted as she was at a loss for words.

Heeseung grew nervous, embarrassed when she stared blankly at him — worried he had messed up. However, with the slight movement of her head, a gentle nod soon turned frantic as she breathed out a nervous giggle.

“I am okay with it.” Haewon replied in a soft mumble, as he tilted his head, a sheepish grin spread across his lips as he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers.

“Gosh,” He breathed out, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. “You scared me. I was afraid I had messed up.” He admitted.

“Sorry. I was just surprised. I think I forgot how to speak for a second there.” Haewon admitted, as he hummed and first, kissed her cheek, then the corner of her lips.

“So it seems.” Heeseung uttered, giving her a small smile. He leaned close yet again, eyes meeting with her as he paused, lips hovering just over hers.

She gave a small nod, assuring him as he took in one final breath.

Heeseung closed the gap, soft lips meeting with hers atlas as they both seemed to melt into the kiss. Sweet, and slow. Taking their time to savor the gentle feeling.

He cupped her cheek with one hand, as the other remained on her waist, tilting his head ever so slightly as he gave her waist a soft squeeze.

Butterflies erupted in her stomach, her heart pounding in her chest as her hand raised, lingering over his own that rested tenderly on her cheek.

The world around her that once felt like it was falling apart completely, seemed to mend together. An unfamiliar feeling, one that she was experiencing for the first time with him.

Seong Haewon wouldn't trade it for the world.

Out of breath, they pulled away. Though, in the process, he stole a few short kisses, pecking her lips numerous times.

Her hands trembling ever so slightly, nerves spasming as she let out a soft laugh, cheeks flushed a bright pink as she leaned forward, nuzzling her head in the crook of his neck  as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

“You're incredible.” Heeseung mumbled, his hand cupping the back of her head as he shifted slightly, allowing her to lean against him as he held her close. “Thank you. Thank you so, so much.”

“Why on earth are you thanking me, Heeseung?” Haewon questioned, lips tingling with the lingering feeling of his lips pressed against her own, the moment replaying in her mind as she felt a rush of happiness, like nothing else around her mattered.

“I don't know. I guess, I'm grateful. I’m grateful that I could experience that with you. I'm grateful, because you are who you are and that is all I will ever need.” Heeseung cooed, threading his fingers through her hair delicately.

Slowly, the boy lowered himself, allowing himself to lay on his back, facing the staring as he guided her along with him, letting her rest comfortably on top of him.

Haewon shifted slightly, rolling off of his body as she instead opted to cuddle up against him, laying her head on his chest as she was met with the starry sky, the sight breathtaking in its own right.

The girl hummed, unsure of what to respond with as she stared up at the sky, her mind a cluttered mess as she struggled to find a way to express just as she felt in that moment.

“I don't know what to say.” The girl sighed out, as he hummed, his eyes lingering over the sight of the moon, directly above them.

“And you don't have to.” Heeseung assured, shaking his head. “To be honest, I'm kind of struggling myself.”

“I can't fully comprehend that just happened. But, I wouldn't change anything about it at all, even if given the chance. It was perfect, but unfamiliar.” He confessed, taking a deep breath.

“But unfamiliar in a good way, you know? Like, I want to discover more. To make an unfamiliar feeling turn familiar. In simpler words, I want to stay with you forever.” Heeseung rambled on, his tone of voice filled with nothing but genuine care.

“I understand. I feel the same way, quite frankly. I just struggle to put that into proper words, like you do.” Haewon joined in quietly, pursing her lips.

“Then, since we appear to be on the same page, will you allow me to court you? Let me take you out, and treat you well. Let me prove myself worthy of you.” Heeseung asked in a soft whisper, as her eyes fluttered shut.

“You don't have to prove yourself to me. I already know you, and I trust you.” Haewon muttered.

“I know. But, I want to prove to you completely that I will treat you the absolute best. I want you to be one hundred percent certain about me. So please, allow me.” Heeseung requested softly, as she smiled and nodded.

“Okay. You may court me, Heeseung. But I believe I already know the outcome.” Haewon sighed out, shaking her head softly as she clicked her tongue.

“Thank you. I won't let you down, I promise.” Heeseung hummed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head.

And so, time carried on, laying comfortably in the presence of one another as she eventually found herself rambling on about constellations.

She traced them with fingers pointing to the sky as she pointed them out to the boy, who followed along confusedly yet curiously, paying attention to her interests.

“Did you know,” Haewon began, clearing her throat. “When my time comes around, I wish to become a star. I want to brighten the world, even in the wonders of the afterlife.” She said, tilting her head.

Heeseung chuckled, pulling her closer as he shook his head, kissing her forehead as he released a breath, closing his eyes.

“Hey, don't you speak about death so casually.” He complained quickly, snickering. “You're stuck with me now, for as long as time goes on.”

Haewon hummed, a small string of giggles bubbling from the back of her throat as she pressed her lips to his cheek, nodding. “Mhm. I wouldn't change a thing about it, either.”

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★﹐authors corner ．﹗﹑2.8k words.
heard you all like fluff so here is this 😚

long(er) chapter too, because i didn't want it to be short considering what is conveyed in it.

usually, i don't like writing kiss scenes so i can't say i enjoyed writing this chapter too much but i can say that i am overjoyed to be reaching such a point in the story

i'm so happy that i stumbled upon the word ephemeral that day, ages ago. and have since put together this story in my head. writing it out is so fun and something i enjoy doing endlessly

i don't think i have experienced such attachment to any of my stories like i have with ephemeral, and i think when the time comes that it is to be wrapped up and completed i am going to be a mess

thank you all so much for reading! i hope you're enjoying reading this as much as i am writing it

i love you all so much! would not be here without you 🫶
july 26th, 2024 — 11:46pm.
not proofread.