Looking at Each Other

Ross leaned against Luna as if collapsing, spat out the blood pooling in his mouth, and after a moment, he gasped for breath and opened his mouth with difficulty.

,…I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to go back together.

,Ro, Ross….

Luna opened her mouth reflexively, but trailed off, not knowing what to say. Ross, trying to soothe Luna, stroked her back with difficulty, his hand falling powerlessly to the floor, and the rough breathing that tickled her ear stopped as if it were a lie – *tteok*.

Before Luna could leave any last words to Ross, whose heart was no longer beating, the dream ended.

Luna, awakened from the dream, opened her heavy eyes. Her mind was still dazed by the clash of dream and reality. Luna closed her eyes tightly again, waiting for the slight dizziness to disappear.

Last night, Luna was so excited about her reunion with Ross after a long time that she had a hot reunion to the point where her body couldn’t handle it. As a result, the muscles all over Luna’s body were screaming.

The slight dizziness and headache, and the muscle pain felt all over her body, had a very large effect, even making Luna, a diligent morning person, dawdle in bed.

Even though she slept soundly without waking up once in the middle, she was still tired, so Luna blankly thought about sleeping in a little longer today… then she remembered Ross when she felt someone else’s warmth right next to her and hurriedly turned her head to the side.

Luna was able to find blue eyes looking at her. As if observing, the eyes fixed straight on Luna’s face contained a gaze full of affection for the person she loved.

Whether he had been watching her sleeping next to her while Luna was sleeping, Ross was resting his head in a comfortable position with one arm raised on the pillow and was wearing a happy smile.

Luna and Ross looked into each other’s eyes for a while without saying anything. Although they hadn’t been dating for a long time, they knew each other’s affection in their eyes so well without saying anything.

The headache that seemed to be heavily pressing down on Luna’s head with just affectionate eyes disappeared without a trace, and her tired body was revitalized. Luna couldn’t hide her happy smile, thinking how good it could feel just to have Ross by her side when starting the day.

,Why are you smiling so prettily?

Ross’s lips and voice were also filled with a deep smile as he said that. Luna hesitated for a moment before answering with a shy smile.

,Because I see the person I love as soon as I wake up.

Ross chuckled at Luna’s words. Ross, who was smiling happily, frowned slightly as if trying to hide his emotions.

,If you’re so lovely from the morning, I can’t stand it.

Luna felt her heart beating faster than usual at the sight of Ross smiling even more deeply than before. So, she was worried that she might have drooled while sleeping.

While removing the hair stuck to her face and checking around her mouth, Luna belatedly realized that she was naked without a single thread on and hurriedly pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Ross, who was watching the scene, asked with adorable eyes.

,You were so passionately in love yesterday… are you embarrassed now?

,…The morning is too bright.

As Luna murmured as if whispering, Ross burst into laughter.

,I like it even more because I can see Luna’s pretty face in detail.

At those words, she felt like something had sunk not only in her chest but also *teok*. Luna thought that it was such a heart-fluttering thing to have someone in this world who looked at her straight more than anyone else, and changed the subject for no reason.

,How long have you been watching?

,What?

Unlike asking that, the corners of Ross’s lips were slightly raised as if he was about to play a prank. Luna answered, wondering if Ross might have a slightly sadistic tendency.

,I was watching you sleep.

,Not long.

,…Really?

Luna, who had been looking into his eyes, lowered her gaze and looked at Ross’s body. Unlike Luna, whose traces of last night remained all over her body, Ross was not naked, but was clean and neatly dressed as if he had even taken a shower.

As Luna narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously, Ross smiled and shook his head.

,I clearly warned you that I couldn’t stand it.

Saying that, Ross brought his face closer and lightly kissed her lips, and after a while, he took his lips off and said in a voice full of affection from a close distance where their breaths would mix.

,Actually, I don’t know. How much time has passed.

Saying that, Ross lightly touched Luna’s lower lip again and continued speaking in that state.

,Your sleeping face is also pretty and lovely, so I just stared blankly.

Feeling the presence of her pounding heart, Luna gently bit Ross’s upper lip without hurting him.

Then, Luna was suddenly swept away by the urge to leave bite marks on Ross’s arms, neck, and waist, and while she was wondering why, Ross took out a bottle filled with cool water from the space warehouse.

Luna, who received the water that Ross handed her like a baby bird, leaned closer to Ross as they looked at each other. And without either of them saying anything first, they shared a hot kiss.

After the kiss that fully conveyed each other’s love, Luna looked into Ross’s eyes again and belatedly realized Ross’s change. It wasn’t a minor change, but something that could be recognized at a glance, but Luna realized it after a long time.

,Ross, your eyes have returned to their original blue color.

,Huh? Really?

At the sight of Ross scratching his head as if he didn’t even know, Luna looked into his eyes and explained the changes.

,Yesterday, your eyes were a mixture of light blue on a black background, but today, your eyes are a bright blue color like before. No, it seems to have become more transparent.

,Was yesterday better?

,No, Ross is always more handsome today than yesterday.

At those words, Ross smiled brightly as if he couldn’t beat her.

,If you say such lovely things, I can’t stand it twice as much.

Luna raised Ross’s chin with her finger at the sight of Ross lowering his gaze slightly towards her chest.

,And you’ve become more lovely.

,I don’t think we can ignore the effects of last night.

At the sight of Ross smiling slyly, Luna smiled and grabbed Ross’s face with both hands.

,That’s partly true, but not entirely.

,Then?

Ross’s change wasn’t just his eyes. The biggest change was the inner flame that Luna felt when she looked at people. In Ross’s inner self, whom she had met after a long time, was full of a terrifyingly fierce flame like a volcano that seemed to burn and devour anything.

But today’s Ross reminded her of a comfortable fireplace in a club room. Luna felt a sense of relief at the sight of him full of kindness that seemed to warm everyone warmly.

It wasn’t because Ross’s eyes had returned to their original blue color, but because it was the kind Ross she remembered. Luna couldn’t resist the warm warmth and hugged Ross tightly, burying her face in his chest.

,Isn’t it because of Ross’s kindness?

,…I’m hearing that for the first time, but I can’t help it. I’ll admit it.

Luna laughed without realizing it at the happiness that only Ross could give her in this world. Ross also smiled happily at the laughter and gently stroked Luna’s back.

While they were feeling each other’s warmth so closely for a while, Ross opened his mouth in a cautious voice.

,Hey, Luna.

,Yeah?

,I’m thinking of going back to the capital at noon.

,Su, suddenly?

Luna, surprised, raised her head from Ross’s arms. Ross, who received Luna’s gaze, rubbed his forehead with a sorry expression. Luna pouted, feeling strangely more upset at the sight. They hadn’t even had a proper date, and she never expected to break up so quickly.

,I met Luna’s family and realized for sure. If I want to be with Luna for the rest of my life, I have to work harder than I do now.

,Pe, perhaps did my father say something to Ross…?

Luna, who was worried that her father might have said something bad to Ross, looked at him with shaking eyes, and Ross hurriedly raised both hands.

,No. Luna’s family was all good to me. I was really happy to know how much Luna is loved by her family.

Ross, who smiled sincerely, nodded slightly and said.

,I just wanted Luna to be happy by my side, so I just wanted to do my best a little harder. I’m sorry.

Luna, realizing that Ross’s eyes were filled with apology as he said that in a serious voice, pushed her disappointment to a corner of her heart.

,I was really happy that Ross took the time to come and see me like this. I know better than anyone that Ross is working hard for our future, so it’s okay.

Luna said, giving Ross a light kiss on the cheek.

,Like Ross said, I love Ross the way he is now the most. So, if you’re having a hard time, come to me for comfort anytime. I’ll always be the most comfortable person for Ross.

Ross, who had been looking at Luna silently for a moment at Luna’s heartfelt words, sighed and said.

,How can you make me not want to break up even more?

,What can I do if I don’t want to break up either.

Ross, who had been hit by Luna’s brazen answer that Ariana would have said, laughed for a long time and hugged Luna tightly, whispering.

,I love you, Luna. Enough to give you my everything.

At Ross’s confession, Luna smiled softly and answered in a gentle voice.

,No, Ross has already given me everything.