Min Yoongi rubbed his hands together and then shoved them into the pockets of this dark, fitted coat. Though spring was in full swing, the lightly scented breeze held enough bite to chill his bones. With determined steps, he made his way through the tree-lined path, weaving in and out of the crowd, unheeding the delicate, pink petals twirling in the air like tiny ballerinas. At the moment, he only had one thing in mind—one person to be exact.

After a few twists and turns, he finally reached a narrower path, which skimmed around the perimeter of a lake. His breath quickened, not just from the exertion of his fast-paced walk but also from the sight of a small pagoda floating by the water's edge. Its curved roof, made from blue-gray clay, was just a tad darker than the sky in the background, while its pillars and railings, painted with vibrant green and red patterns, made it stand out from the otherwise muted scene. 

What drew his attention most, though, was the figure gazing intently at the sky. Her white coat lovingly hugged her slight figure, while its pale fur collar framed the delicate lines of her face. With her head tilted back, her hair floated down her back in dark, shiny waves. Though there were other people around her, she shone like a spring angel gracing mere mortals with her ethereal presence.

Yoongi's steps faltered as he stumbled on something and only barely kept his balance. He looked down and kicked the offending piece of rock to the side. When he looked up, he almost fell once again as the force of Kim Yeoreum's smile fully directed his way took him aback. Even though they'd known each other for years, he still couldn't immune himself to the sheer beauty of her smiling face. It took him by surprise each time and the usual symptoms occurred: heavy breathing, heated face, and clammy hands. 

"Yoongi-ya!"

The faint sound of her sweet tone tickled his ears. Yoongi cleared the blockage in his throat and then tentatively raised his hand for a wave. "Yeoreum-ah." 

When she bounded towards him, each step was like a stone skipping on the surface of still waters. Yoongi chuckled under his breath. Until now, he was in awe of the bright energy she emanated wherever she went. 

The closer she became, the faster her pace. 

"Be carefu---" Yoongi called out, but before he could finish his sentence, she crashed into him. Thankfully, his arms worked faster than his mouth, automatically lifting to catch and secure her into place. 

"What took you so long," she exclaimed, tilting her head back to stare at his face, her lips forming a pink pout.

Yoongi checked the watch on his wrist. "What do you mean? It's not even 10 in the morning yet. Technically, I'm early."

"Well, I was here a full ten minutes before you."

"Well, I didn't know we were competing on who'd arrive first. If I had known, I would have been here at midnight."

She gave him a sly look, eyes glittering beneath her curled lashes. "Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course. For you, I'd do everything." Though he said the words lightly, they rang with the weight of certainty. He'd really give her everything in his power to give.

Seemingly satisfied with his answer, she looped her arm around his and started dragging him forward. Yoongi trudged along, happy to follow where she led. Moments like this made him think about how lucky and foolish he was. To think he almost lost her! Not because they didn't love each other enough, because the love he felt for her would surely overflow for lifetimes ahead, but because of pride and insecurity. 

He recalled everything now. 

That summer before he graduated from university, they both went back to their hometown and got caught by her parents, who then confronted his because how dare the son of their biggest rival have anything to do with their precious daughter. His parents, although well-intentioned, tried to talk him out of pursuing his relationship with Yeoreum. In turn, Yeoreum's parents forced her to go on a vacation with their family friend, the Jungs. 

For weeks, he couldn't reach her, so after learning from a mutual friend about where she went, he decided to follow her, too. It was already horrible feeling like a stalker to his own girlfriend, but then he saw her seemingly having a great time with Jung Hoseok. Something in that moment shattered—his heart and consequently, the faith he had in her. 

What followed remains a blur to this day. 

Most likely, in his muddled state of depression, he decided to drink that blasted "forget me" soju to erase her and his misery. Recently, Yeoreum told him what really happened. Her parents had confiscated every means she had to contact him. That time he saw her was when her best friend, Hoseok, promised to help her reach him, instead. Apparently, Jung Hoseok had texted him to meet her at the Han River bridge park. He vaguely remembered something in that regard, but by then, it had been too late. The soju had worked its magic, and he dismissed the message as spam. 

Seriously, how foolish he had been!

Yet at the same time, how fortunate because although he'd given up too quickly, she didn't. 

Unlike him, she'd clung to hope as tightly as possible and refused to let go, though he treated her so terribly, so shamefully. A rush of emotions engulfed him, filling his chest and constricting his throat. Without warning, he stopped, pulled her close, then captured her lips with his own. He poured every complicated thought and conflicting emotion into the kiss. Gratefulness mingled with a tinge of regret, joy poured with a measure of sadness, and finally, a dollop of shame spilled with boundless pride. 

Though she must have been surprised, Yeoreum reciprocated his every move with the same intensity he gave. She was that kind of person, the kind who lived and loved fully, without any hesitation. 

When they finally pulled apart, breaths colliding as they formed white puffs in the space between their bodies, Yoongi decided that the perfect moment had come. This was it. He sank his hand into the depths of his coat pocket and then pulled out something he'd been carrying for a while. 

Yeoreum gasped, eyes widening.

Kneeling down, Yoongi carefully opened the box and its velveteen depths sparkled the brightest diamond, rivaled only by her glittering eyes.

"Kim Yeoreum, will you marry me?" 

Without a pause, she shouted, "Of course, I will! Now and a thousand lifetimes after." 

The sound of applause drew their attention to the crowd that had gathered around them. Yoongi whose world had previously shrunk to only include the woman in front of him was shocked at how many had witnessed a moment so intimate. Yeoreum, however, was unfazed. She cupped his face between her hands and bent down for another kiss. The cheers grew louder. 

With wobbly legs, Yoongi got up, lifted Yeoreum off the ground for a few seconds, then placed the ring snuggly around her finger. It fit perfectly. She giggled, wiggling her fingers, then bowing in the direction of the crowd who were shouting their good wishes. Yoongi did the same, mumbling his thanks. He was surely beet red with embarrassment, but for once, he didn't really care. He felt weightless, free from the worries that usually plagued him. A wide grin spread across his face. 

"You have the most beautiful smile," Yeoreum said, turning away from their dispersing audience and guiding him towards a more secluded spot behind a huge cherry tree.

He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes, you! Your eyes get crinkly at the corners and you smile so wide your gums appear. Sounds weird when I describe it, but it's really pretty. You only smile like this when you're genuinely happy." 

"I am genuinely happy," he said wistfully, unable to stop himself from tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You just agreed to marry me."

"Did you ever doubt I'd say yes, though?" 

"Not really," he teased, "but still, I was nervous. I don't deserve you." 

"Don't say that! After everything we've gone through, we deserve to be together. We deserve each other so much, we found our way back together even after enduring years of separation. I deserve you and you deserve me." She paused to catch her breath, then pressing her palm to her heart, Yeoreum declared, "I love you, Min Yoongi!"

"I love you, too," he said softly, once again choked up by the depth of feeling she inspired in him.

"What did you say?" she asked, that mischievous twinkle back in her eye. "I don't think I heard you."

"I love you," he repeated. Then, in his loudest voice, shouted, "I love you, Kim Yeoreum!"

A raft of nearby ducks quacked their protest at the disruption of their peace, while a sudden breeze caused a shower of pink petals to fall around them. Yeoreum threw her head back and laughed. Yoongi followed right after.

Though it felt like they'd reached the end of their story, it was more like the closing of a chapter. He could already foresee the beginning of the next one and the ones that would come after. All of them hinted at happy days with the woman he loved most. 

--- END ---