Chapter 5: A Day by the Sea

Iris lay still for a few more moments, savoring the quiet warmth of Luke's embrace. His breathing was slow and even, his face relaxed as he nuzzled against her neck. His long lashes cast delicate shadows on his cheekbones, and despite his broad, muscular frame, he looked so… soft.

She traced her fingers lightly through his hair again, amused by how he unconsciously leaned into her touch. This guy… how does he look so intimidating awake but like a baby bunny asleep?

She thought about waking him up, but there was no rush. The house was still quiet, the morning just beginning. Instead, she let herself relax, her fingers lazily playing with his dark strands.

Luke stirred slightly, tightening his grip around her waist, murmuring something unintelligible before his lips brushed against her shoulder.

Iris stiffened.

"Luke," she called softly.

No answer.

"Luke."

This time, his grip loosened just a little, and he let out a deep, sleepy groan. His brows furrowed before his eyes slowly blinked open, dark brown still clouded with sleep.

For a second, he just stared at her, as if trying to process where he was. Then, realization dawned.

Instead of pulling away, he smirked. That smirk.

"Good morning, sunshine," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Iris exhaled, resisting the urge to shove him off the bed. "Get off me, you overgrown baby."

"But you were playing with my hair," he teased, stretching but still refusing to let go. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did. Until I woke up with a human-sized teddy bear attached to me."

Luke chuckled and finally pulled back, giving her space to sit up. "You didn't seem to mind," he pointed out, running a hand through his messy hair.

Iris rolled her eyes, throwing a pillow at his face. He caught it effortlessly, grinning.

By the time they made it downstairs, Luke's mother was already in the kitchen, humming a soft tune as she prepared breakfast. She glanced up when she saw them.

"Good morning, you two," she greeted with a knowing smile. "Slept well?"

Luke stretched, his shirt riding up slightly to reveal his toned abdomen. "Like a baby," he said with a smirk, sending Iris a wink.

She ignored him, sitting down at the table. "It smells amazing, Mrs. Jeon."

Luke's mother beamed. "Oh, dear, I told you—just call me Mom if you want."

Iris blinked in surprise before laughing softly. Mom. It had been a while since she had someone refer to her like that.

Breakfast was lively, filled with stories of Luke's childhood—many of which were embarrassing enough to make him groan while his mother laughed.

"Luke was such a little troublemaker," she said. "He used to bring home stray animals all the time."

"Mom, please," Luke whined.

"Oh, don't 'Mom' me. You once hid a puppy in your room for a whole week before I found out."

Iris laughed, imagining a younger Luke sneaking food upstairs for a hidden puppy. "You big softie."

Luke huffed. "I just have a big heart, okay?"

His mother smiled. "That, you do."

After breakfast, Luke took her to the beach.

Busan's coastline stretched endlessly, the waves rolling in and out in a rhythmic lull. The salty breeze tousled Iris's curls, and she closed her eyes, inhaling deeply.

"It's beautiful," she murmured.

Luke walked beside her, hands tucked into his pockets. "Yeah. I used to come here a lot when I was younger. It's peaceful."

They walked along the shore, their boots leaving temporary imprints in the damp sand.

At some point, Luke nudged her. "Wanna race?"

Iris raised a brow. "On foot?"

"Unless you think you'll lose."

That was all it took.

"Count us down," she challenged.

Luke grinned. "Three… two… one—"

She took off before he even said 'go.'

"Hey! That's cheating!"

Laughter rang out as they sprinted down the shore, the ocean a blur beside them. Luke, being the athlete he was, caught up easily, but Iris was quick, her smaller frame giving her an advantage in speed.

He almost overtook her—almost—when she suddenly veered toward the water.

Luke's eyes widened. "Oh no, you wouldn't—"

She kicked a wave of seawater at him.

The shock on his face was priceless.

"Iris!"

His voice was half a yell, half a laugh. He didn't even hesitate before charging straight at her.

She tried to run, but it was too late.

Luke grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the ground like she weighed nothing.

"No—Luke, put me down!" she shrieked between laughs, kicking her legs.

"You asked for this."

Before she could react, he ran straight into the waves with her in his arms.

The cold water hit them both at the same time. Iris let out a gasp, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as the wave crashed over them.

When they surfaced, she was breathless from both the cold and laughter. Luke was grinning like a madman, his black hair dripping wet, eyes gleaming.

"You're impossible," she huffed, pushing her wet curls out of her face.

Luke simply shrugged. "You started it."

Their laughter echoed across the shore, blending with the crashing waves.

By the time they returned to his house, soaked and grinning like idiots, Luke's mother took one look at them and sighed.

"You two."

Luke grinned. "She started it."

Iris scoffed. "Liar."

His mother just shook her head fondly. "Go dry off before you both catch a cold."

Luke handed Iris a spare set of clothes—his clothes. "Here, wear this."

She raised a brow. "This will be huge on me."

"You'll look cute."

She rolled her eyes but accepted them anyway.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, the sleeves of his hoodie completely covered her hands, and the sweatpants barely stayed on her waist without being rolled up.

Luke took one look at her and smirked. "I should let you wear my clothes more often."

Iris threw a towel at him.

That night, after dinner, they went back to his room. Iris sat cross-legged on the bed, flipping through an old photo album of Luke's childhood pictures.

"You were adorable," she teased, pointing at a picture of a chubby-cheeked Luke.

"I still am," he said smugly.

She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.

Eventually, they settled into bed, just like the night before. Luke didn't hesitate to drape an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"Comfortable?" he murmured.

Iris sighed, relaxing into his warmth. "Yeah."

She felt his lips press lightly against the top of her head—a small, barely-there gesture.

"Good night, sunshine."

She smiled softly. "Good night, Luke."

And as she drifted off to sleep, she realized that for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel alone.