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MORNING BROKE WITH AN OBNOXIOUS DISPLAY OF CHIRPING BIRDS, their relentless symphony echoing down the mountain. The storm from the previous night had all but vanished, leaving the landscape dripping with dew and patches of sunlight piercing through the thick canopy. Inside the small, damp cave nestled into the side of the mountain, the remnants of an extinguished fire lay scattered—charred wood, damp ashes, and a faint smoky smell that mingled with the earthy scent of the cave. It wasn't much of a shelter, more like nature's sad attempt at a studio apartment. 

Cramped, musty, and just barely enough to keep the rain out, it had served its purpose.

Against the jagged rock wall sat two figures, huddled close. Kwon, the oh-so mighty, intimidating fighter who had scared countless opponents into submission, was softly snoring like a baby hippo. His head rested against y/n's forehead, hair messily sticking up in all directions like a disheveled mop. His muscular arms were wrapped around her tight as if she were some kind of human-sized plushie he'd refuse to let go of even under threat of death. 

And y/n's face was buried in the crook of his neck, her breath tickling his skin. Her y/b/t frame perfectly fitted into his arms—as if it was sculpted for his arms specifically, like two mismatched puzzle pieces finally clicking together.

Together, they looked peaceful. Adorable, even. 

Romantic? If you squinted. 

In reality, the whole thing would have been heartwarming if not for the smell of sweat, soggy socks, and the faint musk of their soaked clothes.

Outside the cave, the boys stood watching this masterpiece of accidental romance unfold. They were trying, and failing, to keep their reactions subtle.

"Dude," whispered Lee, elbowing Yoon in the ribs. "Tell me you're seeing this. Look at them. LOOK AT THEM."

Yoon had not only seen it but had also been recording for the past two minutes. His phone, held discreetly at an angle, captured every millisecond of Kwon and y/n's sleepy cuddle-fest. "Oh, I'm seeing it," Yoon muttered, his grin widening with every second. "And it's going straight into the group chat. This is premium content."

"Do you think they kissed?" Park, always the nosy, asked, his eyes glimmering with hope. "Oh my God, what if they kissed in the rain? What if they confessed their love right here, in this cave? What if they--"

"Shut up, Park," Yoon hissed, though he was struggling to keep from laughing.

"Shh!" Lee waved his hand dramatically, tears welling up in his eyes. "No, don't ruin this for me. This is art. This is poetry in motion." He sniffled, clutching his notebook as if it were his lifeline. "Kwon and y/n, destined by fate, brought together by the cruel storm, forced to rely on each other for warmth and survival. Their hearts beating as one, their souls entwined..."

"Lee, shut up before I throw you off the mountain," Yoon cut in, though even he couldn't keep a straight face.

Meanwhile, Park, was dramatically whispering his own version of events. "It was a night of passion," he murmured, hands gesturing wildly as if he were narrating for an audiobook. "The storm howled outside, but inside this cave, their hearts were set ablaze. His strong arms, her delicate frame. Together, they--"

"Together, they snored like two hibernating bears," Yoon deadpanned, zooming in on the girl's slack jaw and the faint line of drool trailing down her chin.

Lee, however, was unbothered by reality. He was furiously scribbling in his notebook, his lip trembling as he thought about Mimi, his girlfriend. "This reminds me of Mimi and me," he muttered, voice thick with emotion. "I miss her so much."

"Bro, you saw her yesterday," Park said, rolling his eyes.

"Doesn't matter," Lee sniffled. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

As the boys snickered and whispered, their attention briefly flickered to the events of the previous night. The storm had hit like a freight train—cold, relentless, and absolutely miserable. Their tents had been no match for the torrential downpour, and their food supply had been rendered inedible. Kim Da-eun, however, had been as sympathetic as a brick wall.

"You think an enemy's going to hand you a dry tent and a hot meal when you're on the brink of defeat?" she had barked, standing stoically in the rain while the rest of them shivered. Her piercing gaze swept over them, daring anyone to complain. "Stop whining and eat the soggy rice. Rain is just water. You won't die. But if you're weak enough to let a little weather defeat you, you don't deserve to stand here."

The memory of her brutal motivational speech sent shivers down their spines, though it could've also just been the lingering cold. Regardless, they'd toughed it out, though not without a lot of quiet grumbling and cuddles with one another, Do-jin having the misfortune of being sandwiched between the two clingy boys.

Now, as they stood outside the cave, the mood was lighter. Yoon snapped a few more pictures, angling his phone to capture Kwon's surprisingly tender grip on y/n's shoulder. Park whispered more nonsensical poetry, and Lee wiped at his eyes sentimentally.

"Should we wake them?" The boy finally asked, though he didn't sound too eager to end the scene.

"No way," Park said, shaking his head. "This is gold. Let them have their moment."

"And let me have my content," he added with a grin, tucking his phone back into his pocket.

The boys trudged away, their laughter echoing through the forest as they began their descent down the mountain. Inside the cave, oblivious to the chaos outside, Kwon and y/n remained fast asleep, their world blissfully silent. For now, they had no idea about the photographic evidence circulating among their peers—or the increasingly ridiculous fanfiction being written in real-time just outside their cave.

A sharp voice shattered the delicate harmony of the morning.

"Have any of you found the two missing captains?"

The boys froze mid-step, their laughter dying instantly as they turned toward the source. Sensei Kim figure emerged from the forest like an avenging specter, her crisp voice cutting through the chirping birds and rustling leaves. The faint sunlight glinted off her sharp features, and her cold, assessing eyes scanned the area.

Her footsteps quickened as she approached, the sharp crunch of twigs underfoot only amplifying the tension. "Well?" she snapped, fixing Yoon with an icy glare. "I asked a question."

Yoon, ever the opportunist, had his phone halfway out of his pocket. But Kim's stare could melt steel. He shoved it back in and stammered, "Y-yes, sensei. They're... they're safe." He gestured vaguely toward the cave.

Da-eun's eyes flicked to the dimly lit entrance, her brows knitting together. Without another word, she marched forward, brushing past the boys as if they were insignificant trees in her path.

"Wait, Sensei!" Lee whispered urgently, tugging at her sleeve. "You might not—uh—want to disturb them."

She shot him a look so withering that he instantly let go and took a step back, mumbling, "Never mind."

Da-eun approached the cave with her usual commanding presence, though her pace slowed slightly as she reached the mouth. Her sharp eyes adjusted to the dim interior, taking in the sight before her.

Kwon and y/n. Wrapped around each other like tangled ivy. His head still resting against hers. Her face buried in his neck. The faint rise and fall of their chests, perfectly synchronized.

The woman stopped dead in her tracks, her expression betraying the faintest flicker of surprise. For once, she didn't bark an order or throw out a cutting remark. She just... stood there, staring.

It was an odd sight—Kwon, the untouchable asshole, feared by all, holding someone with such unconscious gentleness. y/n, the drama queen, whose every move spoke of survival and independence, now leaning on him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The silence stretched uncomfortably long. The boys held their breath, exchanging wide-eyed glances as they waited for the inevitable explosion.

But Sensei Kim didn't explode.

She blinked slowly, her lips parting as if to say something, then closing again. For a fleeting moment, her stern gaze softened, an almost imperceptible warmth flickering in her dark eyes.

The moment passed quickly. She straightened, the brief crack in her armor vanishing. Turning on her heel, she muttered just loud enough for the boys to hear:

"Teenage love. Tch. At least it's better than killing each other or becoming prey for the storm."

The boys, unsure whether this was approval or thinly veiled scorn, exchanged bewildered looks.

"Sensei, should we..?" Yoon began hesitantly.

"Wake them," She cut him off sharply, her tone brisk. "We don't have all day."

Her eyes flicked back to the two sleeping forms one last time, lingering for just a second too long before she stepped away from the cave. She gestured for the boys to resume and began walking back toward the trail without waiting for a response.

As the boys' eyes trailed after her, Park whispered under his breath, "Did she just... approve of this? Like, actually?"

"She didn't kill us," Yoon whispered back, already reaching for his phone again. "That's close enough to approval."

"And she called it love," Lee added, his voice dreamy. "Teenage love. I knew it. I knew this was destiny."

"Lee, shut up before she hears you," Yoon hissed.

But Da-eun, for once, said nothing. Her pace was brisk, her expression unreadable, but there was something different about her silence. Something... thoughtful.

Back at the cave, the peaceful moment was about to be shattered like glass under a hammer.

Yoon crouched at the entrance, his grin as sharp as the crisp morning air. His phone glinted ominously in his hand as he leaned closer to the sleeping pair. "Well, well, well," he drawled, voice dripping with mischief. "Morning, lovebirds. Hope I'm not interrupting... whatever this is."

No response.

Kwon's arm was still draped over the girl, their forms unconsciously snugged together closer due to the interruption.

Yoon's grin widened. "Rise and shine! Unless you're waiting for me to film part two of this nature documentary."

When neither stirred, the boy leaned in and jabbed Kwon's shoulder. "Oi, Captain Cuddles! You're missing your big moment."

Kwon stirred, muttering something incoherent. His fingers twitched against y/n's side, brushing the fabric of her shirt.

Still half-asleep, y/n shivered and reflexively grabbed his hand, her lips parting in a groggy mumble.

"Oh my God," Yoon snorted, biting back a cackle as he pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. "Guys, you're making this too easy. This one's going viral."

Kwon's eyelids fluttered open. He blinked blearily, his disoriented gaze landing first on Yoon and then on the phone in his hand.

"...What the hell?" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Yoon chirped, waving the phone like a trophy. "Guess who's officially TikTok famous?"

"Famous for what?" Kwon groaned, sitting up slightly—only to freeze as y/n shifted against him. His gaze shot down, his pupils shrinking in horror as last night's events came rushing back like a tidal wave.

Y/n, still groggy, rubbed at her eyes. "Ugh, what's happening? Why is it so..." She blinked, her hand pausing mid-rub as she realized Kwon's arm was still slung across her waist. Her eyes darted up to meet his, both of their faces erupting in a mutual explosion of red.

"What the—!" The girl shot upright, scrambling backward as if Kwon were made of lava. "Were you—were we—" She choked on the words, her brain short-circuiting.

Kwon groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Relax. It was for warmth. You were freezing. It's not like—" He paused when he realized that it was indeed what he was going to deny, the memories of last night playing in his mind.

"Oh, this is gold," Yoon interrupted, gleefully holding up his phone. "The sheer panic. The scandal. The seggsual tension. Academy Award-worthy."

Y/n whipped around to glare at him, her eyes narrowing. "Delete it. Right now."

"Yeah, not happening," Yoon replied, stepping back with a casual shrug. "This masterpiece is already on the group chat. Don't worry, the others think it's cute!"

"You WHAT?!" The girl shrieked, her voice echoing through the cave.

Kwon surged to his feet, facing Yoon with a thunderous scowl. "Do-jin," he started, his tone dark enough to make the boy flinch. "Give me the phone."

"Yeah, about that—"

Before Yoon could finish, Park and Lee strolled in, both wearing sheepish grins—and their friend's clothes.

"Wait a minute," y/n snapped, pointing accusingly at Park's sweatpants and Lee's cropped hoodie. "Why are you all wearing my stuff?!"

"They were dry!" Park said quickly, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"You mocked me for overpacking!" y/n seethed. "And now you're raiding my bag like it's Black Friday!"

Lee shuffled awkwardly. "Uh, yeah... thanks for saving my legs. These shorts are surprisingly comfy."

"Comfortable and stylish," Yoon agreed, gesturing at his borrowed ensemble. "You've got taste, y/n/n. Who knew?"

"I hate you all," she muttered, burying her face in her hands.

"And yet," Yoon said, grinning wickedly, "you didn't hate Kwon's cuddles."

"THAT'S IT!" the girl lunged at Yoon, but he ducked out of reach, sprinting toward the cave entrance with a laugh.

Kwon followed with a furious roar. "Get back here, you little—!"

From outside, Yoon's laughter echoed. "Catch me if you can, Captain Cuddles!"

Y/n collapsed against the wall with a groan, muttering under her breath. "I am surrounded by idiots. Wet, freezing idiots in my clothes."

Park grinned at her, shrugging innocently. "But admit it—you're a little flattered."

Her growl could have scared off a bear...

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