Holiday Blackout #5
“People are gonna wonder why I keep coming over here and sitting on your couch with a stupid grin on my face,” he said.
This was good. Joking around was good. Yoona waited a few minutes to see if Ian would freak out, would regret this happening.
She needed to read the situation. Which made her very aware that she, alone, was completely naked, while Ian lay in his shirt and boxers.
She sat up, taking the blanket with her to cover herself.
“I should get dressed,” she said.
“One more kiss first,” he said, giving her arm a gentle tug. She leaned down and met his lips.
“Thank you,” he said. She wasn’t sure for what, but she smiled and kissed him once more before getting up to get her clothes.
While buttoning her blouse, Yoona snuck a glance over her shoulder at Ian. They’d both gotten up to dress themselves. He was turned away from her, tucking his shirt into his slacks. She thought he might be almost as gorgeous from the back as he was from the front.
As she adjusted her clothes, and he stayed silent behind her, she couldn’t help but worry how he would react now that they’d come down from the high.
Would it be like last time—him ignoring her, barely speaking to her, hardly looking at her afterward?
She’d come to accept that he’d pretty much ghosted her, but it hurt and confused her nonetheless.
Despite how much she still wanted him, yearned for him and for something real, she was determined not to expect anything after tonight either. What happened in the darkness of a blackout and the emotions of a missed holiday, could stay there.
She let out a resigned breath just as the lights of her office turned back on.
Ian squinted as the harsh overhead lighting of their offices blinked on.
Various beeping and buzzing filled the once-silent air as equipment reset itself.
He found Yoona looking out the windows. He joined her there, standing shoulder to shoulder, taking in the outside world.
The streetlights once again illuminated the block, looking almost too bright compared to what had just been a completely black night.
Various windows of neighboring buildings glowed, and the sound of people cheering even reached up to them on the sixteenth floor.
The world outside looked untouched, a moment of blissful peace in a usually busy city that wouldn’t last long. But the storm and the blackout made it feel like a fresh start.
“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Yoona said wistfully.
He reached for her hand, interlocked his fingers with hers, and squeezed.
“Yoona,” he started. He turned to face her, but she kept her gaze forward, out the window.
Her shoulders were pulled back like she was preparing for bad news.
Ian knew he had to get this right. He cleared his throat and continued, picking his words carefully.
“Last time we were together, my life had been really complicated. I was on my own and scared and stressed and I”—he hesitated—“well, happiness was a luxury I didn’t think I could afford—or deserve. ”
She finally turned to face him, not letting go of his hand. She peered up at him with softness. He was grateful she was giving him a chance to explain.
“Being with you ignited something inside me that scared the shit out of me. I couldn’t allow myself to feel it again.
I had to focus on work, nothing else. Maybe it wasn’t fair, to either of us.
But, I’m sorry I never talked to you about it.
I’m sorry I pushed you away. Shit… I’m so, so sorry if I hurt you. ”
Yoona stepped closer to Ian, taking his hands and wrapping them around her waist. She put both hers on his chest and met his eyes. He knew she could probably feel his heart beating wildly.
“It’s okay,” she said at last. “I was confused and, yes, a little hurt. But I wasn’t expecting declarations or promises from you. I just, well, I liked you and hoped you liked me too. So maybe just a little bummed we couldn’t explore that.”
Ian closed his eyes and dropped his head, shame and regret weighing down on him for how he’d handled the past.
Yoona reached out and lifted his chin, forcing him to face her. He opened his eyes and was met with the warmth of a small smile.
“But I’m gonna be honest with you, Ian. This time, I want more. I want to give us a try. So I need to know, are you willing to do that now?”
Ian bent down till he was a hair’s breadth away from her. “I am,” he whispered without hesitation against her lips, and kissed her. He felt her mouth stretch into a smile under his.
He placed tender kisses on each of her eyes, her cheeks, her nose, and back to her mouth.
She let out a contented sigh.
“Merry Christmas, Ian,” Yoona murmured against his lips.
“Merry Christmas,” Ian replied, kissing her again.
She pulled back a tiny fraction. “You ready to get out of here?” she asked.
Ian was more than ready. For once, he was excited to see what would come next. He nodded, rubbed his thumb against her cheek, grabbed her hand, and led the way.