♫ : i like me better - lauv 

The morning started with a struggle. Literally.

Your reflection in the mirror looked back at you with pure frustration as you fumbled with the straps of your fake wings, twisting them this way and that, arms cramping from the awkward angles. You huffed, nearly giving up.

This wasn't how you pictured Valentine's morning to be like. It's not going well. In fact, it's going terribly.

You caught Heeseung's reflection in the mirror just as he stepped closer. Before you could even think of a reply, his fingers brushed against your shoulder blades, adjusting the straps with a kind of ease that made you scowl.

Heeseung, as always, was irritatingly good at everything, even at things that should be difficult. At least, mildly difficult.

A low chuckle sounded from behind you. You couldn't help but compare it to melted dark chocolate, smooth and rich. "A Cupid who can't wear wings? How will you survive the day?"

You turned to glare at him but he was already grinning, annoyingly pleased with himself.

"You're enjoying this way too much," you mumbled, adjusting the wings as he watched, still standing just a little too close.

"What can I say?" He shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "It's cute seeing you struggle."

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" you grumbled, trying to ignore the way his breath fanned against the back of your neck.

"I could say the same to you," he teased, giving the wings a final tug before stepping back. "But I guess you're lucky. You have me to make sure you don't look ridiculous."

💘🍪

The day was chaotic, to say the least. The campus was full of couples exchanging chocolates and friends swapping gifts.

AND of course, your job as a designated Valentine's Day Cupid meant running around helping the hopelessly in love people find their courage. Delivering love letters and discreetly nudging confessions in the right directions and you barely had time to breathe.

That was when you spotted Heeseung.

He was standing under a tree, hands in his pockets, his head tilted slightly as he watched the crowd. He isn't doing anything. Just... standing there.

You narrowed your eyes at him.

Suspicious.

"What are you doing?" You asked, walking up to him. "Loitering? Stalking? Being generally annoying? You're slacking."

Heeseung raised a brow, smirking. "I'm working, just like you. My methods are... subtler."

You blinked, crossing your arms and looking at him. "Subtler?"

Instead of answering, he nodded toward a nearby bench where two students sat awkwardly, stealing glances at each other.

Then, as if on cue, one of them suddenly took a deep breath, gathering the courage to strike up a conversation. The other smiled. And just like that, they started talking.

Your mouth fell open slightly as your gaze snapped back to Heeseung, who watched with quiet satisfaction. "You're-"

"Helping?" Heeseung finished the sentence for you, his tone smug. "Shh, I don't do it for credit."

Your lips parted in surprise. Heeseung was actually helping people...? Without taking any credit for it? You were about to question him even more, but before you could, he was already walking away, hands in his pockets, whistling a happy tune.

The day full of pink and red passed quickly and before you knew it, night had fallen. That was when Heeseung found you again, tugging at your sleeve with an easy "Come with me."

You hesitate. "Where?"

"You trust me, don't you?"

You didn't answer that question because honestly, you weren't sure. And you were too tired to argue. But you took his hand anyway and followed him, walking through the city until he led you to the rooftop of a nearby building.

The view there was breathtaking. The city spreaded out before you, the street lights and neon signs glowing in the dark, and the stars overhead seemed to burn brighter than it normally did.

Then, Heeseung casually pointed across the street.

You followed his gaze, and your heart stopped.

The windows of the apartment complex opposite you flickered one by one. The lights switched on and off before slowly forming a shape. A glowing heart.

Your jaw dropped. "Did you just...?"

Heeseung shrugged, looking innocent as ever. "What? Must be a coincidence."

You didn't believe him for a second and shot him a glare, but it was useless. You were too busy trying to fight the grin that was about to spill across your face.

He suddenly turned to you.."You know," he murmured, "I've been pairing people together for years. It's kind of my thing. But for the first time, I think I might've found someone for myself."

Your breath hitched. You opened your mouth only to be interrupted by a soft breeze carrying a handful of rose petals between you. The petals swirled in the air, brushing against your skin.

You smiled at him. "Was that you?"

Heeseung grinned, all mischief and charm. "Maybe. Or maybe it's the universe agreeing with me."

Your heart does something dangerous in your chest. The next moment, Heeseung was already stepping closer. He took your hand and intertwined your fingers gently. It sent shivers down your spine.

"I've seen love in all its forms," he said softly, "but it's never looked as beautiful as it does right now, with you."

Your heart stuttered and it took you a moment to register what he had just said. For a moment, the world faded. The city lights, the traffic below... everything. It was just you and him, standing under the stars.

And then, Heeseung leans in, his lips brushing against your ear. "For someone playing Cupid, you're awfully bad at noticing when someone's aiming for you."

You barely had time to process his words before he pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead. He squeezed your hand as he whispered, "I have something to tell you."

The world stilled.

"I'm cupid."

You blinked. "Come again?"

Heeseung chuckled, stepping back. His wings - the real ones, shimmering under the moonlight - spreaded out behind him.

And like that, you realized that maybe, just maybe, this whole time, he had been playing the long game. For you.

You thought back to the first time you read those words. A week or two ago, on a love letter meant for someone else, in a life that felt so far away now.

Dear my Valentine.

This time, the words are yours. And so is he.

Fate had been set in motion long before you realized it. Maybe from the moment Heeseung appeared, all teasing smiles and knowing glances, or maybe from the first time your name rolled off his tongue.

Heeseung was never just playing matchmaker with a smirk and a flick of his fingers. He had been waiting. No, hoping. That one day, love would turn its aim on him.

That when the bowstring trembled, when destiny finally let go, it wouldn't be for someone else. It would be for him.

The arrow has already been loosed. And maybe this is what they meant when they said that love is inevitable. That once an arrow is set free, there's no stopping where it lands.

Cupid does not choose love. Love chooses him.

And tonight, it chooses you.