It only feels real when held in your arms.
"Welcome home, Jiyong."
These words, like the softest feather, possessed the greatest power, completely soothing the last trace of unease in G-Dragon's heart. He held the person in his arms even tighter, as if trying to meld her into his very bones, to confirm that none of this was a hallucination born from his excessive longing.
Su You let him hold her, feeling the strength and warmth of his embrace, until she felt a dampness on her shoulder. She was slightly taken aback, a surge of affection welling up inside her, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist more gently and whispered, "Are you tired? Go take a hot bath and relax."
Kwon Ji-yong gently nuzzled her shoulder, and when he looked up again, apart from a barely perceptible redness in his eyes, he had regained his composure. However, his eyes, which were always filled with art and aloofness, were now clear and focused on her figure, as if they had been washed by spring water.
"Together?" He raised an eyebrow, a tired yet still charming smile playing on his lips, a smile that possessed a unique allure, somewhere between boyish mischief and masculine sensuality.
Su You's face flushed, and she gently pushed him: "Dream on, go on. I'll find you some clean clothes."
Kwon Ji-yong chuckled softly, obediently letting himself be "pushed" away, but his gaze remained fixed on her, watching her walk into the bedroom as if she were the lady of the house—she truly was—familiarly preparing his clothes. This everyday, mundane happiness moved him more than any grand welcome ceremony.
The sound of running water filled the bathroom. Su You, in the outer room, listened to the sound, feeling a sense of peace and tranquility filled with the warmth of the water. She tidied up briefly, dimmed the living room lights, leaving only a warm yellow wall lamp to create a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
When G-Dragon emerged, still damp with moisture and smelling of fresh shower gel, this was the scene he saw. Su You was curled up on the sofa, a magazine in her hand. Soft lighting outlined her serene profile, her long hair casually draped over her shoulders, like a warm still life painting.
He walked over, sat down naturally beside her, pulled her into his arms, gently rested his chin on the top of her head, and inhaled the familiar, light fragrance of her hair.
"What are you looking at?" His voice was relaxed and hoarse after a shower.
"Just flipping through it." Su You put down the magazine, looked up at him, and reached out to touch his still slightly damp hair. "Why didn't you dry your hair? You'll catch a cold."
"Too lazy to move." He closed his eyes, enjoying the gentle touch of her fingertips. "Want me to blow on it for you?"
Su You smiled helplessly yet indulgently: "Alright, Young Master Quan."
She got up to get the hairdryer, and Kwon Ji-yong leaned lazily against the sofa, his gaze following her, his eyes incredibly tender. As the hairdryer's warm air and buzzing began, and Su You's fingers gently ran through his hair, he almost sighed aloud. In the military, everything had to be done manually—fast, efficient, but devoid of warmth. But now, this feeling of being carefully cared for was an addiction he couldn't break, a magic unique to Su You.
After drying their hair, the two leaned against each other on the sofa, neither speaking. The television was on, playing irrelevant late-night news, but their attention was elsewhere. Kwon Ji-yong's hand remained firmly in Su You's, idly stroking her knuckles, as if confirming her presence.
"Are you leaving next month?" He suddenly brought up the previous topic again, his voice low.
"Mmm." Su You leaned on his shoulder. "The formalities are almost done. It's a great exchange program, a rare opportunity."
"I know," Kwon Ji-yong said softly. Of course, he was proud of her; his girl was so outstanding, never stopping moving forward. It was just that the taste of separation was too bitter. He had just tasted the sweetness of reunion, and now he had to start preparing for the next separation. "It's just... I'll miss you so much. Even more than when I was in the army."
In the military, longing is a suppressed, unattainable luxury. And in the future, longing will be a torment that is within reach but temporarily unattainable.
Su You looked up at him earnestly: "Zhilong, we promised each other that we would become better versions of ourselves together. Look, you did it, and I'm working hard too. A short separation is for a better reunion. And—" She paused, a sly glint in her eyes, "Didn't you say you would visit me often and stay for a long time each time? I'm waiting to see what you do, Mr. Quan."
She mimicked his childlike, domineering tone from before, making Kwon Ji-yong laugh, which lessened the sorrow of parting in his heart. He lowered his head, his forehead touching hers, their noses brushing against each other, their breaths mingling.
“Okay, I’ll definitely keep my word. I’ll make sure all the paparazzi in Boston know me and keep taking pictures of me until they get tired of it,” he said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"That won't do. I don't want my campus life to be disturbed." Su You smiled and dodged away.
Amidst their playful banter, G-Dragon's gaze was drawn to an upside-down photo frame on the coffee table. He reached for it, flipped it over, and saw a picture of them together taken last summer on vacation in Jeju Island. In the photo, he was wearing a straw hat, grinning from ear to ear, while Su You leaned against him, her smile radiant, against a backdrop of azure sea and brilliant sunshine.
He remembered that the photo frame had always been placed face up. During his absence, did she put it up to avoid being reminded of those painful memories?
Noticing his gaze, Su You quieted down and said softly, "Sometimes I miss you so much that I don't dare to look at you."
A simple sentence, yet like a pebble thrown into a still lake, it stirred up ripples. Kwon Ji-yong put down the photo frame and pulled her tightly into his arms again. He couldn't imagine how she had endured this longing during the days and nights he was fulfilling his national duties. She had been so strong and supportive, silently processing so many emotions.
"I'm sorry for leaving you alone." His voice was full of apology and tenderness.
"No need to apologize." Su You shook her head in his arms. "This was our mutual choice. Look, aren't we doing just fine now?"
Yes, everything is fine now. And everything will be fine in the future. G-Dragon silently vowed in his heart. He would make up for the time he had lost and missed with double the time spent with him and with love.
As the night deepened, Seoul outside the window remained brightly lit, but inside the apartment, there was only a warm tranquility.
"Go to sleep, you must be exhausted today," Su You suggested softly.
This time, G-Dragon didn't object. Back in the familiar bedroom, lying on the soft bed, with the woman he loved beside him, the familiar, comforting scent of her and the room filling his nostrils, all his fatigue and tension finally dissipated.
He turned to the side and pulled Su You completely into his arms, like a child who had found a lost treasure and let out a satisfied sigh.
Goodnight, Yoyo.
Goodnight, Jiyong.
The time apart is over, and the challenges of the future may still exist, but at this moment, in the arms of their loved one, they possess the most authentic present and a steadfast heart to move forward together into the future. Their story, like this quiet and profound night, is gentle and long.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com