The night air nipped at your cheeks as you walked beside Jongho, your breath curling in little clouds between you. The city was mostly asleep, lights dimmed and traffic quiet. Only the glow of the 7/11 sign a few blocks ahead pulsed gently in the distance — your shared destination, and honestly? The best part of your week.

Jongho’s hands were tucked into his coat pockets, hood pulled up, his eyes flicking to you every so often just to make sure you were keeping warm. “You okay?” he asked softly, voice gentle against the hush of the street.

You nodded, shoulders brushing. “Yeah. I like this. The cold, the quiet... you.”

He smiled without turning fully, but you could hear it in his voice. “It’s peaceful, huh?”

The two of you kept walking, boots crunching softly against dry leaves and the early frost forming on the sidewalk edges. He glanced over again, then without a word, unzipped his jacket just enough to loop his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer inside the warmth of it.

“You always forget gloves,” he murmured, taking one of your hands in his.

“I don’t forget. I just like yours better,” you said with a small grin.

The automatic doors of the 7/11 slid open with a soft whoosh, and suddenly the cold gave way to warm fluorescent lights and the familiar scent of instant noodles, coffee, and floor cleaner. Jongho made a beeline for the hot bar, lifting two cans of warm coffee off the shelf without even asking what you wanted — because of course he remembered.

“You’re getting banana milk again, aren’t you?” he asked, already pulling open the fridge.

You laughed. “Like clockwork.”

Minutes later, you stood just outside the doors again, coffee warming your hands, Jongho beside you, sipping slowly. The night wrapped around you both like a quiet lullaby — the start of winter, the hush of the world, and a love that needed no announcements.

“Let’s do this every week,” he said suddenly, voice low, eyes on the sky.

“Even when it’s freezing?”

“Especially when it’s freezing,” he said, nudging you gently. “That way, you have no choice but to stay close.”