All this time, it was calmness and comfort when it comes to Ki-Ryeong. She stopped looking for the butterflies and the fireworks, because she got used with the ease he gives. She slowly understood that that was the definition of love for some—for them. But the moment their lips collided, her mind just went;

Here you go.

Everything she was looking for right from the very start, came alive. Maybe the butterflies were just waiting to hatch from their cocoons, because they need to make sure the flowers had fully bloomed. Maybe the fireworks took their time to set off, because they need to be certain the night is perfectly still so they could be seen at their fullest. Maybe her heart needed to know she felt safe in his arms first, before it starts beating erratically for him.

He was frozen during the first few seconds, his lips shut tight but eyes wide as saucers. She didn't dare close her eyes, anticipating what he will do and how he will react. When he still stayed unresponsive for a couple more seconds, she slowly moved her head away, but that's when he woke up from his trance.

Kio chased her, like her lips were magnetic and his were made of iron. In no time, their mouths were battling in a hungry kiss. He redeemed himself by showing her how much he'd wanted to kiss her all this time. His arms circled her and pulled her closer, one hand supporting the back of her head while the other stayed heavy on her hip.

She also clutched him like her life depended on it. Her right hand gripping the the front of his shirt, and her left, buried in his hair. Her heightened emotions intensified her need to feel him more. She didn't know when it happened, but he apparently adjusted her position during the kiss, and now she's straddling him.

"God..." she heard Kio faintly drawl the short moment their lips separated. It made her giggle, but it was immediately cut off by forced coughs.

Her shoulders went rigid as shame slowly filled her entirety. Oh shit. She hurriedly pushed Kio away and looked around, only to be greeted by the stupefied faces of the four other guys seated around them.

Did I just make out with Ki-Ryeong in front of my seniors? Holy—

She can't even finish berating herself, because she just automatically hid her face on Kio's shoulder and let him handle the mess—wait, no. Mess? No, never. That kiss shouldn't be called a mess, ever. That kiss was pure bliss, and calling it a mess makes it sound like a mistake—which is not. She will do it over and over again, preferably without the presence of the other guys next time.

"Uhh... I think we should go. Yeah, yeah, we should. Should we?" It was Hei-won, sounding quite unsure, followed by sounds of shuffling feet and the couch moving a bit.

"Well, you two are consenting adults. We trust you both know what you're doing and—"

"Yohan, let's just go," Haneul said exasperatedly.

"Where's my coat? My coat! Quick, hand it to me!"

Asher might be aiming to leave quietly because he was whisper-shouting those words, but still, it didn't escape her ears. She also felt Kio's shoulders shaking a bit, like he's actually having fun! Although she can't see his face, she can feel how relaxed he is at the moment, there's not even a drop of embarrassment in his current stance.

As expected for a playboy! He must be proud! She thought, rolling her eyes.

"We'll leave you two alone, and we're not gonna tell the managers. You know the consequences of your actions so—"

"Yohan," Hei-won was the one to call the leader out this time, followed by the sound of the front door being opened.

"Enjoy! Go ahead and multip—" Asher's teasing voice was the last one they heard, before the door shut close.

Lilac let a few moments of silence pass, before taking a deep breath and finally speaking. "That was so embarrassing!" She groaned as she leaned away to face him. To say that he looked thoroughly kissed is an understatement. She almost gasped seeing his swollen lips and messy hair. How hard were they making out earlier? In front of everybody?!

"It's fine, it's not a big deal. They know I like you, they'll just think... you're finally giving us a chance." She heard reassurance in his voice, and with only those words, her mind was put at rest. This guy's effect on her is kind of scary sometimes. "Are you?," he abruptly added.

"Am I what?"

"Giving us a chance? Is that what this means?"

She smiled, "idiot. What else could this mean?"

He shrugged, fighting off a smile but failing miserably. "I don't know... it might just be your hormones because you're on your period or something..."

"What the?," she frowned in disbelief, playfully slapping his chest. But of course, the guy is too muscular to even feel it. "You're still annoying as hell!"

"I mean, if it's indeed your hormones then I'm still willing to offer my body." The jerk even wiggled his eyebrows like the pervert that he is.

"Shut it, playboy."

Their eyes, both full of undeniable exhilaration, looked straight into each other, and they are rendered speechless. It's like there's a mutual understanding between them that happened. At that certain point, they cease to think about any other things and relish in the presence of one another.

They both gave up. They both surrendered themselves to fate. They both let go of all their 'what ifs,' and starting today, they will allow time to tell what their love is bound to be, and how it will become.

She knew there will always be a possibility of regretting it someday, or getting hurt, or crying so hard because of heartbreak, but she can't always let those stop her from being happy. She's only human. She dreams of being loved, and being taken care of—being the main character of her own story—so who can blame her for taking this risk?

She won't trust Kio not to hurt her, because he will, he's not perfect. She is, too. Instead, she will just trust herself to get over the pain and never lose herself because of it.

"Thank you," his breathless voice pulled her from her reverie. She focused back on him and instantly noticed his unshed tears.

"Why are you thanking me?," she laughed a bit, trying to lighten the mood. "This is a two-way thing, remember? No need to thank me, just make sure not to make me regret this."

"No... believe me, I needed this more. You're not only giving me a chance, you're saving me, baby. You're saving me from... from the misery."

Tears welled up her eyes as well, mirroring his. She tried stopping them just like him, but he has always been better at doing it than her, and in no time, a drop of tear fell. She decided to blame her period this time as well.

"Let's not talk about it starting today, okay? Will you promise me that?"

"I promise. I will get better, I promise."

Let's see, let's see if you will. Then maybe, I won't need to ask you to take therapy anymore, and I can convince the others that you actually don't need it.

°.•⏳.°•

It is true when they said that time flies by faster when you're enjoying yourself, because that's what happened to Lilac. Well, there was only one remaining day before her flight to China in the first place, so it really is too soon.

After the kiss, they ended up finishing the thriller series he originally started with his members. They cuddled on the couch until evening and just ordered food for dinner. They also ended up sleeping side-by-side on Kio's room, still in each other's embrace.

They are not innocent teenagers, and the playboy said it himself; a little bit of blood can't stop him—which earned him slaps on the chest from her, by the way—but they knew it wasn't the right time for sex.

They can do it, yes. Right place, right companion, and God knows they both want each other—the make out session was enough proof—but they will have all the time in the world once she's back. So for now, they opted to cuddling and kissing here and there, like two high schoolers exploring the pleasures of first love.

In the morning, around four hours before her manager pick her up for their flight, she was eating breakfast with her boyfriend when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone?," she asked.

Kio frowned, "no. No one texted, too." He stood up to check, and out of curiosity, she followed. When he opened the door, she still can't see who it was from the spot she's standing, but she recognized the voice.

"Hey bro, I heard Li's here. Can I talk to her?"

She stepped closer to the door and the guest's eyes immediately went towards her.

"Soonho?"