Page 14 of Melt His Heart

“Of course.” I make my way back around to the side of the counter where Carson stands and seems to be taking everything in with curiosity. He walks over to my vase full of flowers and runs one of the petals between his fingertips.

“So you like plushies, huh? I knew you were a little softie inside.” He pokes at my cheek drunkenly, biting his lip.

“I am not! I just like them, and a lot of them are from fans ok.” I swat his hand away, but he’s just standing there laughing.

Fans would always give us gifts like these and other small items. I guess I just grew to really love collecting them on my own, too over time. It’s one of the only things from home I had to have come along with me wherever I go. I don’t know why I’m so attached to these stuffed animals. It’s the little things like this that keep me sane, I think. Or maybe insane because sometimes I do talk to them.

“It’s ok, it suits you,” Carson says before walking over to my bed. Which shares the open space with the rest of my flat, so I’m glad I made my bed this morning, or else I would be embarrassed. I wasn’t expecting to have a man over, let alone Carson Young.

“Shit. I feel so tired, probably shouldn’t have tried to save your ass during all those drinking games. Can I lie here for a bit?” He asks with a breathy laugh. His cheeks are kind of flushed, his lids low. He does look like he’ll pass out any minute now.

“Excuse me? Save me? And no, because I wanna lie down myself, I’m drunk off my ass right now, and if I keep standing I’m gonna fall over.”

I can tell by the sway of my body as I try to make it to the bed that the water is clearly not helping either of us.

“We could always just lie together.”

“Carson, you’re literally a huge hockey player, going to take up all the space.”

There already wasn’t much space left in the first place because of the shit ton of stuffed animals that also occupy my bed. I can’t help that I like to feel cocooned at night. Ok, maybe I have too many, but still. If we both lie down, we’d definitely be almost on top of each other.

Warmth blooms across my skin just thinking about it.

“We’ll be fine, a little cuddling can fix that, friends cuddle all the time.” He says, and we’re both definitely drunk.

“But we’re not friends.”

“Oh? Then why am I in your room?” Carson laughs and pets one of my stuffed animals.

“Well, because my flat is obviously one big room, goofball.” I shake my head and walk over to him.

“And I’ve never cuddled before.” I blurt out before I can stop it. Clearly, intoxication is getting the best of me. Because what am I even saying right now? He doesn’t need to know that. It’s embarrassing enough how inexperienced I am compared to him, probably.

“You’ve never been hugged before?” Carson laughs.

“I didn’t say hug, I said cuddle! Stop it.” I squeak.

“I know I’m just teasing you, come here.” Carson lies down on the bed before pulling me down right into his arms.

“Relax a little, you’re always so wound up all the time. Is this ok?” He asks, nuzzling softly into my fluffy hair. I washed it this morning with a peach shampoo.

I hope he thinks it smells nice.

“Yeah.” I feel my entire body heating up and my mind fading into bliss, and I’m pretty sure it isn’t the copious amount of alcohol we had at the party. But I’m still going to blame it on that for my sanity.

“Julian..” Carson mumbles into my hair as he wraps his arms around me tighter. They’re so strong.

“Hmm?” I hum, feeling somewhere in between wanting to run away and wanting to never leave this man’s arms again. I can’t believe we’re doing this right now. I sigh and let my body relax into his. I’m sure if I were sober, I wouldn’t allow myself to enjoy this, so might as well feel good while I still can.

“What’s your name?” Carson says, breaking my thoughts up.

“Are you that drunk idiot?” I chuckle.

“No, your Korean name, you never told me.”

“Juyeon, Song Juyeon. Happy?”

“Juyeon…” He says my name like he’s tasting it, and I like it on his tongue.