.ICE HEART; sunsun ✔

(45: la dolce vita)

SUNGHOON

The last day in Italy started with a bittersweet feeling. I wasn't ready to leave, but at the same time, I knew this trip had been exactly what Sunoo and I needed. It was like pressing pause on our chaotic lives back in Korea, giving us a few days to just...be.

As usual, Sunoo was the first to wake up. I found him on the balcony, wrapped in a blanket, sipping coffee while the sun rose over the city. His messy hair and half-asleep expression were unfairly adorable.

"Good morning, Sunshine," I greeted, stepping out into the crisp morning air.

"Morning, Park." He smiled at me over his cup. "I was starting to think you'd sleep the whole day away."

"I wanted to give you some alone time with your thoughts," I teased, leaning on the railing beside him. "But you look too good to leave alone for long."

He rolled his eyes but didn't argue, instead offering me a sip of his coffee. It was warm and slightly sweet, just the way he liked it.

"Any plans for our last day?" he asked, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Plenty," I replied. "But first, breakfast. Then, we'll see where the day takes us."

☼

Breakfast was quick, with Sunoo devouring his pastries while I planned out our final adventure. By late morning, we were strolling through a bustling marketplace, Sunoo stopping at every stall to admire handmade trinkets and local art.

"This is so cute," he said for the tenth time, holding up a tiny ceramic swan.

"Do you want it?" I asked, reaching for my wallet.

"No—"

"Too late." I handed the vendor the money before Sunoo could protest, handing him the swan.

"Sunghoon!" he whined, but the way he clutched the little figurine told me he was secretly thrilled.

☼

The afternoon was spent on a gondola ride through Venice, a last-minute addition to our itinerary. Sunoo was practically glowing, his eyes darting around to take in every detail of the city.

"This is all so pretty," he whispered, leaning over the side to watch the water ripple beneath us.

"Not as pretty as you," I said without thinking.

He turned to me, his face flushed, and for once, he didn't have a witty comeback. Instead, he reached out to hold my hand, his fingers lacing perfectly with mine.

We stayed like that for the rest of the ride, the silence between us comfortable and warm.

☼

That evening, we found ourselves back at the hotel, the city lights twinkling outside our window. Sunoo was lying on the bed, scrolling through the hundreds of photos he'd taken over the past few days.

"This trip was amazing," he said, glancing up at me.

"I'm glad you think so," I replied, sitting beside him. "We needed this."

"We really did." he murmured, his voice soft.

I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You ready to head back tomorrow?"

He sighed dramatically. "Do I have to be?"

"Unfortunately, yes." I chuckled. "But we'll come back. I promise."

"You'd better keep that promise, Park," he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

"I always do."

With that, he pulled me down beside him, resting his head on my chest. The trip might have been coming to an end, but I knew this was just the beginning for us.

And I couldn't wait to see where we'd go next.

☼

My last dinner in Italy was as impeccable as it could get.

Sunoo and I ordered maybe a bit too much four-cheese pasta and gnocchi for our stomachs to the point where we had no space for dessert, but it was worth it. And no way in fucking hell was I giving up my tiramisu just for savory shit.

"Say 'ah'!" Sunoo cooed, picking up a gnocchi and feeding me with the widest grin on his face. Fucking adorable.

"Yum." I breathed out, my stomach clearly overfilled from how much pasta I had. Still worth it.

"Holy," Sunoo leaned back, looking at our finally empty plates. "Are you sure we need dessert? We haven't paid ye—"

"Yes, we need dessert," I immediately sat up straight, making him laugh out loud at the sudden act. "I need my tiramisu while I have the chance. I'd give up everything for it."

"Even me?" he joked.

"Nope. Who else is going to make me stuff while I'm away?" I smirked.

"Park Sunghoon!" he scoffed, throwing a napkin at my face, to which I just laughed. God, he was cute.

After what felt like an eternity of playful banter and laughter, dessert finally arrived. My beloved tiramisu sat in front of me like a holy grail, while Sunoo had opted for a custard budino.

"Moment of truth," I murmured, cutting into the tiramisu with my fork and taking a bite.

There it fucking was.

The rich, creamy texture melted in my mouth, the perfect balance of coffee and sweetness. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. "This is heaven."

Sunoo just chuckled, digging into his own pudding. "You look like you're having a spiritual experience."

"Because I am," I said, taking another bite. "You don't get tiramisu like this back home."

"My turn!" he said, leaning over to steal a bite from my plate.

"Hey!" I protested, pulling it away. "Get your own."

"I literally just did." He rolled his eyes, taking a bite anyway. His face lit up immediately. "Okay, this is good."

I smirked in victory. "Told you."

☼

By the time we finished dessert, we were both too full to even move properly. Sunoo leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on his stomach.

"I'm never eating again," he declared dramatically, making me laugh.

"Yeah, right," I teased, signaling for the check. "You'll be hungry again by morning."

"Shut up," he muttered, though the smile on his face said otherwise.

☼

Walking back to the hotel under the soft glow of the streetlights, Sunoo looped his arm through mine, resting his head on my shoulder. The streets were quiet, the sounds of the city winding down for the night.

"Today was perfect," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper.

I glanced down at him, my heart swelling at the sight of his relaxed expression. "It was."

He stopped walking for a moment, turning to face me. "Thank you, Sunghoon."

"For what?"

"For this trip. For being here. For...everything."

I smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear. "You don't have to thank me, Sunshine. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat."

And with that, I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his lips under the faint glow of the Italian streetlights.

The perfect ending to a perfect trip.