"we should stop spending time together." these were your words, which surprised and confused him.

you didn't explain anything to him. all you did was send him a stupid text message, and then when he wanted to ask for a meeting, your phone was turned off.

he had questions in his head: why? what happened? did I do something wrong?

It was clear that there was something between you. it's not just a feeling, it's a fact.

maybe he was too persistent when his fingers intertwined with yours as you walked in the park and discussed something unrelated to work.

he wondered if he had crossed the fine line he was so afraid of every time he walked you to your door or dropped you off, making sure the door was firmly closed before he left with a smile on his face and a heart rate like a schoolboy in love.

arriving at your studio apartment, he came inside uninvited and immediately realized that something was wrong. Pil-Do saw a black backpack on the bed and quickly grabbed it, examining the obsessive with the most necessary things.

”put it back.” your voice sounded demanding when you entered your room to see him there. It's not that you were surprised, you knew he was coming, but you just didn't have time to leave.

”no, first explain what's going on.” his voice became just as demanding in return, as if it wasn’t him who broke into your house.

”I asked you not to interfere in my affairs.”

”and I already said that I can’t do that. all I’m asking for is your permission to help you.”

”no, you can’t—”

he didn't let you finish, cutting you off in mid-sentence when he unknowingly raised his voice, “maybe because you won't let me? all you do is keep quiet and then run away, sending me a fucking text message without giving me the honor of talking to you in person.”

”we have nothing to talk about. that's what I decided.”

the next thing you did was try to grab the backpack, but taking advantage of the height difference between you, he raised his hand high, preventing you from doing so.

”if something happened, just tell me. I have connections in the police, I have everything I need to solve your problems.”

you snorted, not taking his words seriously (as always). ”why do you even care?”

his eyes widened. your words sounded like a sincere insult.

”why? maybe because I thought I would never see you again? that you'll never look at me like I mean anything to you again?”

”I don't want you to be bothered by my problems. you're going to get in trouble if you keep following me.” your voice became calmer because his words affected you in a way you didn't want to.

in an instant, he threw his backpack on the bed, instead cupping your cheek with his palm, and squeezing your hand with his free hand, knowing that you would try to pull away.

”I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth with you, don't you understand? as long as you're safe.”

the room became so quiet that you felt like the only sound was your rapid heartbeat, and for the first time in your life, you felt a sense of wanting to stay.