My smart girl 3. Rewriting our stars

I wrapped my arms around Jay and nuzzled into his neck. Out of habit, I threw my leg over his thigh, but he suddenly fell silent and gently squeezed my leg under the knee, holding it in place. In a hoarse voice, he breathed out: “Better not do that, sweetheart.” “Why?” I lifted my head in surprise, looking at him from under my lashes. The corners of Jay’s lips twitched into that familiar mischievous half-smile. Without any shame, he whispered confidentially: “I don’t want a wet spot on my jeans. And if you keep pressing your leg against my crotch like that, it’s inevitable.” As usual, it took my brain a few seconds to process his suggestive words — like a giraffe, not a deer. A stupid “Wha… oh…” had already escaped my lips before it finally clicked. I immediately bit my lip, blushing furiously again. But better late than never, right, Bambi? The mischievous brunet just smirked lazily and raised a dark eyebrow, giving me a meaningful look from under his lashes. “Exactly, Bambi. I’m not made of steel, you know.” I had mostly regained my composure and forced the treacherous blush from my face. Deciding not to stay in his debt, I leaned over the still-relaxed, smiling Jay. I slowly slid my index finger from his neck down his chest and whispered against his beloved lips: “How can I help you then?” My fingers paused right above the waistband of his jeans. I bit my lip, watching with interest as his enchanting eyes flashed and darkened. I was about to slide my hand lower when Jay moved faster. He caught my wrist, gently wrapping it in his warm, strong fingers, and shook his head in disapproval. “Someone’s feeling bold today… But you’d better not play with me, doll, unless you want to get into trouble.” His threat didn’t impress me at all. I smirked, leaning over him and whispering, my lips almost brushing against his: “Who said I don’t want to?” His sigh was so heavy that I instantly regretted teasing him so openly. Still, I couldn’t resist finishing my little revenge. I pulled back, batted my lashes innocently, and asked: “But… if it’s so hard for you when I’m this close, maybe I should move away?” Jay’s arms tightened around me instantly, not letting me move an inch. With one swift motion, he pulled me back and flipped me onto my back, once again hovering over me like a solid, hot mountain. “Where do you think you’re going, Bambi? I didn’t say you could leave,” he breathed hoarsely against my lips, searing them with his hot, minty breath and smiling like the devil himself. It took every ounce of my willpower to stay calm and not pull my beloved troublemaker down to close the almost nonexistent distance between our lips. I forced myself to keep a straight face, smiled innocently, and said: “But it’s hard for you when I’m this close…” Jay smirked and playfully rubbed his nose against mine, whispering tenderly: “Silly girl… When you’re this close, I feel incredibly good. There’s no other place in the world I’d rather be right now. So, remind me… where did I stop?” he purred seductively, staring at my lips with an openly hungry gaze as he slowly and inexorably leaned closer. He was clearly no longer talking about the fairy tale. I pressed my palm against his velvety lips and shook my head with a teasing smile: “No-no, Jae. Story first — kisses later. And only if I like the ending.” Jay let out a low groan and dropped his head onto my shoulder. I laughed softly and stroked his back, whispering: “And you had just reached the part where the knight found the princess’s tower.” The cocky brunet’s sigh sounded more like the moan of a dying swan, but he pulled himself together, lay down beside me again, pulled me close, and — clearly exerting titanic effort — finally finished the story. Lying on his chest and almost falling asleep from the feeling of his gentle fingers in my hair and his quiet, calm breathing, I finally voiced something I had wanted to tell him for a long time, but the right moment had never come up. Before I learned about my illness, it had seemed like a small thing, but now it felt incredibly important. I opened my eyes slightly and called softly: “Jae?” “What is it, baby?” he responded immediately, gently and slowly stroking the back of my head. “This might sound stupid to you, but… I’ve always wanted to watch a meteor shower and see at least one falling star. In December, there will be three of them — all incredibly bright and beautiful.” This seemed to catch his attention. With a soft smile, he whispered: “Which ones, bunny?” Encouraged by the genuine interest in his voice, I continued: “The Orionids, Taurids, and Geminids. They say the best place to watch them from is Namsan Tower.” Jay was silent for a moment, as if thinking over my words. Then he pulled me closer, kissed the top of my head, and promised: “Alright, sweetheart. I’ll take you there when you get better. We’ll watch the falling stars together. And now, sleep… it’s very late…” I sighed happily, feeling another feather-light kiss on my temple, and closed my eyes, finally letting sleep pull me into its dark, calm waters. But back then, I still didn’t know that Jay and I would almost exactly repeat the fate of the characters from our favorite movie. *** Sleeping in the arms of the person I loved was deep and peaceful, and morning came almost unnoticed — though somehow too quickly. I lazily opened one eye, feeling light, almost weightless kisses on my temples and cheeks. I smiled sleepily and whispered: “I wouldn’t mind waking up like this every morning.” Jay chuckled quietly, kissing the tip of my nose, and promised: “When we cure you, you’ll move straight from this clinic to my place, and your dream will become reality, Bambi.” “I see you’ve already decided everything for me, as usual. But fine, I’ll allow it,” I stroked his cheek and closed my eyes happily, forgetting about harsh reality for a while. With Jay, everything felt warm, safe, and peaceful. No matter what, I couldn’t feel anything but happy when I was with him. He gently held my chin with his fingers, placed a tender kiss on my smiling lips, and whispered with a smile: “How did you sleep, baby girl?” I smiled, meeting his adoring dark gaze. “Well… As always when you’re near.” Jay smiled softly and kissed me again. Then he pressed his forehead to mine and whispered quietly: “I’m glad to hear that, kitten. But I hope you’ll let me go for a little while?” At those words, I immediately tensed up. It felt like something bad might happen the moment he left. Unconsciously, I pressed myself even closer to him and breathed out: “Where?” Jay soothingly stroked my back and whispered: “Home, Bambi. I need to change and take care of a few things at the university. It won’t take long, and I’ll come back right away. I promise.” “Oh… well, then… okay…” I exhaled quietly and sighed. I understood that I had no right to keep him by my side 24/7, but instead of letting him go, I pressed even closer, not wanting to part with my source of warmth and peace. Perfectly sensing my mood, Jay wrapped his arms around me. His strong arms closed like a reliable protective ring as he breathed into my hair: “Baby… Listen to me… Your condition is stable right now thanks to yesterday’s IV drip, but… if you suddenly feel bad or anything happens while I’m gone, call Jisoo and Tae immediately, okay?” I closed my eyes for a moment, filling my lungs to the brim with his now-familiar scent. Then I forced myself to calm down and assured him with a weak but genuine smile, drowning in his tender, bottomless eyes: “Okay, my love. Don’t worry. Take your time with your things. I’ll be fine.” Jay smiled and whispered softly, stroking my cheek: “Then sleep a little more, my girl. It’s still very early. And while I’m gone, mini Jae will keep you company.” “He still won’t be able to replace you,” I smiled sadly. Jay pulled me so tightly against him that it felt like he wanted to give me all his warmth and peace, to wrap me in them like a protective cocoon so he could guard me from all troubles and worries even from a distance. His warm lips gently touched my temple, and he breathed out hoarsely: “I’ll be back so fast you won’t even have time to miss me, my love.” But he lied. I already missed him… from the very second he walked out the door.