"Some journeys are measured not in miles… but in moments."
The hum of the plane filled the luxurious business-class cabin, a low, calming vibration beneath layers of velvet seats and hushed murmurs. Choen glanced out the oval window — clouds drifting like soft thoughts against a canvas sky — but her own thoughts were louder, messier, and tangled.
She wasn't new to this kind of travel. Korea to France, France to Tokyo, Tokyo to Seoul — she'd floated between countries with ease in her past life as a designer's muse. But this time, she wasn't just flying. She was leaving. Her comfort zone, her shadows, her past. Everything felt new. Too new.
And then — a soft tap on her arm.
She turned. Choel, sitting beside her, offered her one of his AirPods with an easy smile. "You look tense," he said, his voice a notch above the gentle whirr of the aircraft. "This song always helps me breathe."
She accepted it without a word, placing it into her ear. A piano melody trickled in — calming, nostalgic, a lullaby from another universe. Her shoulders relaxed, but her heart didn't. It beat louder. Stronger. Why now? Why him?
As Choel excused himself to the restroom, the member seated behind them — Jack — leaned over with a mischievous grin.
"You know," he said, "he doesn't let anyone touch his stuff. Not even the members."
Choen blinked.
Jack chuckled. "You're lucky, Choen. That guy's the bias of like, half the country's teenage population. And he gave you his AirPods." He winked. "Don't break 'em — they might be worth a fortune."
Choen laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's just a pair of earbuds."
"No," Jack smirked, settling back into his seat. "It's a sign."
Later, as night fell across the clouds, Choen drifted into sleep beside Choel, the soft music still playing in one ear, his presence grounding her like gravity.
Hours later…
A quiet announcement stirred them awake. They were descending into Los Angeles. The city glittered below like spilled stars.
Customs, cameras, fans — it was all a blur. But Choel walked beside her, calm, steady, reassuring. In the midst of the chaos, he leaned closer and said with a smirk, "Welcome to the City of Angels, guest star."
They arrived at their hotel — sleek, towering, and modern. The kind of place that smelled like leather, lavender, and luxury.
Choel waited as she got her room key. Before she turned to leave, he stopped her.
"Freshen up," he said, his tone low but full of promise. "I'm taking you somewhere. Special."
She met his gaze. Something about it made her heart skip. Not in a rom-com kind of way — in a real way. In a this is about to change everything kind of way.
🌸 A Glimmer from the Creator's Cabin! 🌸
Hey Aurablooms!! ✨
Tell me — what do you think Choel's special place is? Is he opening up? Are we sensing the softest hint of something more? 😳
If you were sitting next to your favorite idol on a flight, what would you talk about? Would you dare share earbuds? 🎧💬
Let's light up the comment section like LA at night — your thoughts are golden and I'm always reading 🌆💖
Until next time, keep blooming.
— Your writer in the clouds & chaos 💻🌙