Unit 1902 – Late Afternoon
Wrapped together under a warm blanket, they lay side by side on the couch, a phone between them.
"Look at this place. They sell fried chicken combo. 1.8 million views… God, that sauce looks insane."
Celeste tilted the screen toward Jinwoo.
Her head rested on his arm, and he lazily turned his neck to see.
"Mmm... wait. Isn't that the new place right around the corner?"
"You're right. Check the map."
Jinwoo suddenly sat up and pulled up the map app.
"Do you want some? It's a five-minute walk. Let's go."
Celeste pulled the blanket up higher.
"Now? You want to go out now?"
"We'll be quick. You in?"
At that, she tossed the blanket aside and sat up just as quickly.
A Backstreet in Gangnam
Wearing black baseball caps and masks, they walked briskly through the narrow alleyway toward the shop.
Celeste had thrown on a coat without a scarf.
Jinwoo, noticing, unwound his own gray scarf mid-step and casually wrapped it around her neck.
"It's cold…"
"So it must be cold for you too."
"I'm fine. Let's just take care of my baby."
Celeste lowered her head, a quiet smile hidden under her mask.
The line was shorter than expected.
They stood in line and placed a to-go order.
Ten minutes might mean nothing to an ordinary couple—but for them, it was a rare, bold little escape.
As they exited the alley, food bags in hand, a voice suddenly piped up.
"Wait… are you…?"
A few heads turned.
Ripples of recognition spread like a wave through the quiet alley.
"Oh my god, it's really them…"
"Is that Celeste?"
"No way… wow…"
Jinwoo instinctively stepped in front of her, shielding her ever so slightly.
Celeste lowered her head calmly, unfazed.
"Hi. We're just passing through,"
Jinwoo said gently, taking her hand.
They turned back into the alley, walking calmly.
Someone was already filming.
Others whispered their names from a distance.
But they didn't run. They didn't panic.
They just kept walking—fingers laced tightly, quietly holding onto each other's warmth as if nothing else mattered.
Early Sunday morning, 2 a.m.
Celeste stepped quietly into the living room, a white slip gown draped in a thin knit cardigan.
The lights were off.
The only glow came from a small candle on the table—and the man's eyes reflecting its flicker.
Jinwoo paused mid-pour and looked up at her.
"Hey… you're up?"
"Yeah... You didn't sleep?"
"Nah… Want some?"
She nodded softly, and he smiled, sliding a second glass toward her.
The deep aroma of wine rose gently from the rim.
She took a slow sip, letting it linger on her tongue.
"It's quiet,"
he murmured.
"It's nice… being quiet,"
she replied, turning her gaze to the window.
Her voice drifted through the still air, and his eyes paused on the line of her profile.
The curve of her neck, the soft silhouette beneath her gown, the subtle reveal of her thigh between folds of silk—in that moment, she was more honest than any words could ever be.
He set his glass down and moved toward her.
From behind, his lips traced a line along her jaw.
"…Should we make a little noise?"
She didn't laugh.
Instead, she drew in a breath—just enough to say yes without words.
He pulled her close, and their lips met in a kiss that sank deep.
His heart erupted in silence, and the world shrank down to their shared breath.
On the sofa, she lay back quietly as his hands moved slowly, unmistakably, unwrapping the fabric between them.
Skin met skin—and warmth flooded in.
She gasped softly, his fingertips sliding deliberately closer to her center.
Breath damp with longing.
Hunger, quiet and undeniable.
Her legs parted slightly, and Jinwoo lowered himself between them.
His lips moved along her neck, past her chest, and paused just before her most tender place.
In a silence that felt like holding one's breath—
he finally entered her.
The first motion was gentle.
The next, deeper.
When his body was buried completely within hers, Celeste wrapped her arms around his trembling waist, her lips whispering his name.
Jinwoo moved within her slowly, deliberately, their heat melting together, breath tangled with soft gasps and moans.
A rhythm found them.
Pace built.
Her legs locked around his waist, their foreheads pressed together, breath flowing as one.
He filled her—slow, deep, relentless—and she never let go.
Each thrust landed with more certainty than the last.She arched into him, and he groaned softly against her lips.
"Celeste…" he breathed, voice rough and breaking.
"I can't—God, you feel too good."
She only gasped in reply, her arms curling tighter around his shoulders.
"Don't stop," she whispered, barely audible.
"Never," he said, and kissed her—hard.
After several fierce strokes, his body began to tremble, rhythm faltering as tension coiled tight.
Her fingers dug into his back, anchoring him closer, as if afraid the moment would vanish.
Then came her name again, raw and reverent.
"…Celeste."
She shuddered.
The world had fallen silent, leaving only warmth—and the quiet promise beneath the blanket that covered them.
Jinwoo left a kiss on her forehead, then gently took her hand.
Only after a long, quiet stillness did Jinwoo whisper—
"…Just like this. That's all I need."