Soobin had always imagined his first day in Paris would feel magical. The cobblestone streets, the distant sound of accordion music, the scent of fresh croissants drifting through the air. He didn’t expect it to start with crashing straight into someone at the airport.
Your shoulder knocked into his chest with a quiet thud, bags tangling for a second. His hand shot out to steady you.
“Oh— sorry,” he said quickly, voice warm but flustered. “I wasn’t looking.”
His grip on your arm lingered a beat longer than it needed to. Then he stepped back, brushing his hair from his forehead, flashing a sheepish smile. You nodded, mumbled something polite, and kept walking. So did he. That should’ve been the end of it.
Hours later, after the flight, Soobin stood near the baggage carousel, earbuds in, hoodie pulled halfway over his head. Jetlag was catching up fast. He scanned the belt absently, and froze.
You again. This time, hunched slightly as you tried to drag a suitcase with one wheel refusing to cooperate. It bumped and squeaked with every pull.
Soobin hesitated. Then pulled his earbuds out and made his way over. “Hey,” he called, voice low but light. “That suitcase… kind of seems like it hates you.”
You looked up, caught off guard, and he caught the faintest spark of recognition in your eyes. His smile widened, softening the edges of his exhaustion.
“I’m Soobin,” he added, reaching for the suitcase handle without waiting for permission. “Figured I owed you a proper apology. And maybe some help.”
You let him take it. “Thanks,” you said finally.
He nodded, eyes scanning your face. a little too long, but not in a bad way. “Least I can do. I mean, first impressions matter, right?”
There was something soft in the way he said it. Easy. Kind. Soobin didn’t usually talk like this. Didn't usually get thrown off. But something about this — about — you made him want to stay longer. Walk slower. Say more.
“Wherever you’re headed,” he said, “hope it’s something good. Paris deserves to be special.”
And maybe, just maybe he was hoping to be part of it.