Chasing the final ride

The ride to Busan felt like an adventure all on its own. The day was bright and clear, and the cool breeze against my skin made me feel alive in a way I hadn't in a long time. I couldn't remember the last time I'd done something this spontaneous, this carefree.

Luke had mentioned his family several times, but I hadn't expected the trip to come so soon. There was something about the idea of meeting them—of stepping into his world in a way I hadn't before—that felt like crossing a line I wasn't sure I was ready for. But then again, there was something about Luke that made me feel like maybe I didn't need to be ready. Not with him. Not yet, anyway.

When we arrived at his family's house, I was struck by how perfect it looked. A cozy two-story home nestled in the peaceful outskirts of Busan, surrounded by trees and mountains in the distance. The kind of place that looked like it belonged on a postcard.

Luke smiled at me as we parked the bike, his helmet under his arm. "Welcome to Busan."

I gave him a playful shove. "I'm already impressed, Luke. Your house looks like it came straight out of a K-drama."

He chuckled. "Maybe I'm the lead, huh?"

"Not sure about that," I teased back. "I'm pretty sure the lead has to be better looking."

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Sunshine. You're gonna make me blush."

As we walked inside, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Meeting someone's family always made me jittery, but I tried to push that aside. The moment I stepped into the house, I was greeted by a warm, inviting smell of home-cooked food. I already felt comfortable, and it was clear that Luke's family was just as kind as he was.

Luke's mother, a petite woman with kind eyes, met us at the door. "Luke! You brought Iris! Come in, come in! We have lunch ready."

"Mom, this is Iris," Luke said, his voice soft and affectionate.

I smiled, offering my hand to shake hers. "It's so nice to meet you."

She smiled brightly. "It's wonderful to meet you, dear. Luke talks about you all the time. He's very fond of you."

I felt my cheeks flush slightly at her words. "He does?" I said, not really knowing how to respond.

She chuckled. "Of course. My son isn't exactly the talkative type, but when he does talk, it's about you."

Luke groaned, clearly embarrassed, but I could see the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "Mom, stop," he muttered, but I could tell he wasn't truly annoyed.

His mother led us into the kitchen, where a beautiful spread of traditional Korean food awaited us. I couldn't help but marvel at the feast laid out before me—fresh fish, kimchi, rice, and various side dishes. It felt like a warm embrace, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a meal that made me feel so... at ease.

We spent the afternoon with his family—talking, laughing, and eating. His mom and dad were both so warm and welcoming, and I felt my nerves melt away with each passing minute. It was easy to see why Luke was the way he was—his family was so loving and genuine. Even though I tried not to let it show, it made me feel a little envious of the bond they shared.

Later that evening, when it was time for bed, Luke led me upstairs to his room. I wasn't sure what I expected, but his room was cozy, with a bed piled high with blankets and a guitar resting against the wall. A few posters of bands I didn't recognize were pinned up, and I noticed a few old trophies on a shelf—probably from his childhood.

"This is where I grew up," he said, his voice a little quieter. "It's not much, but it's home."

I smiled, sitting down on the bed. "It's nice. It feels like you here, if that makes sense."

He nodded, but there was a strange look in his eyes. "Yeah, I get what you mean."

His mom had insisted I take a nap after the long ride, and I was happy to oblige. The bed was comfortable, the blankets warm, and soon I found myself drifting off.

Luke sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, just watching me, before he said, "You can have the whole bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

I turned toward him, frowning slightly. "No way. You're not sleeping on the floor. We'll just share."

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

I laughed, sitting up. "Luke, we're friends, right? It's not a big deal."

He hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

We both climbed into the bed, but there was an awkward silence at first. It was the first time we'd shared a bed, even though I knew it was just for sleeping. I had always been used to my own space, but something about being in the same bed with Luke didn't feel... strange. It felt natural.

I wasn't sure how long it had been when I woke up in the middle of the night. The room was dim, the only light coming from the soft glow of the streetlamp outside the window. At first, I thought I had dreamt it, but then I realized—Luke was next to me. His arm was draped across my waist, his body pressed against mine as he slept soundly, his face buried in the crook of my neck.

His hair was messy from sleep, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. He looked like a baby bunny, so soft and peaceful. Without thinking, I reached up and began to gently pat his hair, running my fingers through the messy strands. It was a quiet, comforting motion, one I had done without thinking.

Luke didn't stir, but I could feel the warmth of his body against mine, the steady rise and fall of his chest. There was something so tender about the moment, something that made me feel safe and... happy. I wasn't sure how long I stayed like that, just playing with his hair, but it felt good—too good to pull away from.

Finally, after a while, I carefully shifted away from him, not wanting to wake him up. I couldn't help but wonder what this meant—how easy it had become to be near him, to share moments like this. But for now, I let it go. Whatever this was, I didn't need to figure it out. Not yet.

I grabbed the blanket and settled back down on the other side of the bed, still smiling softly to myself.