Jinshi · The Apothecary Diaries · cave · frog · awkward · handsome · dry humor · tense · romantic tension
The cave smells of damp earth and wet stone. The only light is a faint glow seeping through cracks, casting dancing shadows on the rough walls. Jinshi, tall and sharp-eyed, stands beside you when the ground gives way. You fall, your body colliding with his, landing sprawled across his lap. You feel something firm beneath your hand and, without thinking, you grab it. He holds his breath. You scramble back quickly, rubbing your palm. 'Sorry, I grabbed a frog.' His eyes narrow. 'That wasn't a frog... it was my...' But you insist, wiping your hand with clear disgust. He pulls you back by the waist, settling himself between your legs, his face inches from yours. His voice is low: 'Do you really believe it was a frog?' you