To love

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Seasons- Wave to earth ♬♪

For an entire month and 15 days, they were inseparable, forging an unbreakable bond. They were each other's pillars of strength, unyielding in their companionship. Days blur into nights as they navigate life's challenges, side by side. When Yuna falls ill, he becomes her caretaker, tending to her needs with the tenderness of a guardian. Occasionally, he entrusts her care to his mother, unknowingly enabling her to hide the truth beneath the guise of a mere fever.

In this shared time, they accomplish a remarkable feat: completing 80 of Yuna's cherished wishes.

Yet, amidst the joy of accomplishment, a bittersweet realization takes root. Yuna, even in her weakest moments, perceives the subtle shifts. Completion breeds emptiness; her fear of becoming expendable is an unwelcome specter.

The truth materializes as the days press forward, casting shadows on their once-seamless camaraderie.

As her illness advances, he remains oblivious to its true nature. And in her heart, Yuna bears the weight of her silence, her reasons known only to herself.

The connection they've woven remains unblemished, but a subtle distance begins to settle, an echo of what once was.

As Sunghoon strides through the company's corridors, his steps exude an air of dominance and purpose. His every movement seems to demand attention and respect.

As he approaches the meeting room, the embodiment of his company's success, he's met by the founder, the visionary who laid the foundation for their achievements.

"Sunghoon, our bank has woven its fate with a New York counterpart, and they're entrusting you to lead the Korean section of this alliance."

The statement hangs in the air, a mix of opportunity and obligation.

Confusion furrows Sunghoon's brow, his voice edged with curiosity as he seeks clarity.

"What does that mean?"

The founder's reply is delivered with the certainty of a man who has shaped empires. "It means that in the span of 5 years or less, you'll etch your name in history as the youngest international bank owner."

Sunghoon's pulse quickens, but it's not solely from the prospect of monumental achievement. His gaze, once focused and resolute, shifts as the weight of the announcement sinks in. He hesitates, the gravity of the situation dawning upon him.

"Pack your bags; you'll be departing for New York in just 2 days," the founder continues. The impending journey beckons with possibilities, but Sunghoon's mind is wrapped in an embrace of uncertainty. He ventures to inquire about the duration of his stay, hoping for a glimmer of grounding familiarity.

"Perhaps 2 weeks, maybe even a month," the founder replies

Sunghoon's façade of professional composure wavers, revealing a flicker of emotion beneath the surface. The news, though undoubtedly a remarkable achievement, carries the weight of separation, of stepping into an unfamiliar world.

In those moments, as Sunghoon absorbs the magnitude of the opportunities laid before him, his heart bears the subtle burden of leaving something precious behind—a connection he's come to cherish deeply.

____________________________

As night descends, Sunghoon returns to his mom's house, eager to share the monumental news with Yuna. He sits across from her, her form curled as she listens intently.

He unravels the details with a mix of excitement and determination, his words a river flowing with dreams. Yuna gazes at him, hugging her legs as if seeking comfort in the embrace of her own vulnerability.

"I have to go," he declares, his voice a blend of resolve and acknowledgment.

"I've worked my entire life for this."

Yuna, striving to maintain an understanding façade, replies softly, "Of course, I agree. You're obliged to go."

Their conversation is interrupted by Sunghoon's mom, who sets down a tray of fruits before them. Yuna apologizes, her voice laced with a hint of guilt. Sunghoon's mom offers a gentle touch to Yuna's head, assuring her,

"It's no bother, my dear."

Yuna's heart stirs at this simple display of care, and she finds herself marveling, her thoughts whispering, 'So, this is the embrace of motherly love.'

Sunghoon's voice breaks the reverie, his words a balm for the apprehension in the air.

"Don't worry; it's not an extended absence. They project a month, but I'm aiming to conquer it in just two weeks. Two weeks isn't an eternity, right?"

They lock eyes, the silence between them becoming a language of its own. In that shared quietude, an unspoken understanding takes root, each heartbeat a testament to the connection they've nurtured.

Two days have slipped by, their passage too swift for either of them to fully grasp. Time has become a thief, stealing moments that they long to savor together.

Yuna stands outside his home, on the porch, a silent observer to the scene. Her gaze follows the rhythmic motions of Sunghoon as he places his luggage into the waiting cab. The decision not to accompany him to the airport is a conscious one, a choice made to save them both from the heartache of parting.

They hug, their bodies holding onto each other as if trying to freeze time itself. Words hang unspoken, understood within the tenderness of their touch.

"I don't have to go with you because you'll bawl your eyes out," she murmurs, a gentle tease that carries a deeper truth. Sunghoon's eyes glisten, a sheen of unshed tears revealing the emotions that lie beneath.

As Yuna steps into her cab, her heart clenches with a bittersweet ache. Sunghoon watches her, his gaze lingering as the cab drives away, taking her out of sight.

"I'll be fine when you come back,"

In the back of the taxi, Sunghoon rubs his neck, his fingers tracing a restless pattern. His composure wavers as he wrestles with the tears that threaten to spill. The taxi moves forward, but his mind remains locked in a moment that is now beyond reach.

Meanwhile, Yuna sits on her porch, her heartache a storm that cannot be contained. Tears stream down her cheeks as she cradles her emotions, allowing the pain to wash over her in waves. The mental landscape she inhabits is a tempest of longing and sorrow, the weight of his absence pressing upon her chest.

In their separate spaces, both Sunghoon and Yuna grapple with the void left in the wake of their separation. Time, once their ally, has become a cruel adversary, stretching out ahead of them, a vast expanse to traverse before they can reunite.

On the airplane, Sunghoon's gaze lingers on an elderly man engaged in a fervent phone conversation. The man wears an oxygen mask, his voice muffled yet loud. He's heatedly discussing matters of business, his cough punctuating his sentences. The flight attendant beseeches him to refrain from using his phone, but the man insists,

"Just wait a second, I have lots of work."

Sunghoon fidgets, his fingers tapping restlessly as thoughts whirl in his mind. The airplane's engines hum, and it ascends into the sky.

Meanwhile, Yuna's tears still flow in front of her mother, a torrent of emotions pouring out. Her gaze is arrested when she spots Sunghoon alighting from a car. He rushes toward her, enveloping her in an embrace so tight, it's as though he fears losing her in the next heartbeat. Reluctantly, he releases her, and Yuna's voice quivers as she questions,

"Why did you go?"

His fingers tenderly caress her hair, then her cheeks, and he murmurs,

"Why didn't you say that earlier?"

Her eyes fall to the ground, a mixture of emotions in her gaze. Slowly, she confesses, "I... I realized I liked you when we ran together on the streets, hand in hand." Her words gain momentum, her voice gaining strength, "When you found me in the rain, I was head over heels for you. But when you left, I knew I was in love with you."

Sunghoon regards her with a mix of admiration and affection. The sunlight paints her eyes with a greenish hue, a sight that captivates him as much as her words. In her perspective, the world seems to blur, and she feels a warm glow around him.

He takes a deep breath, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions.

"Yuna... marry me."

Her laughter dances on the air, and he presses further,

"Is that a yes?"

She nods, a joyous giggle escaping her lips. Before another word can be spoken, he captures her lips in a kiss, a seal upon the promises they've silently made.

As the airplane soars above, and Yuna and Sunghoon share this sacred moment, their stories, once separate, now intertwine with a profound sense of belonging and love.

Author's note:
Am i the only one that didnt want them to get married? but idc it's good for the plot