Into the Blue

Only You

This is a mini BINJIN scenario I posted on Twitter to celebrate Hyun Bin's birthday this year. It's a mere product of my imagination; please don't take it seriously.
-

"How do they do this every year," he mutters to himself, astounded yet again by the ocean of gifts and cakes from fans now flooding their villa.

But the only gift that matters to him is somewhere in their kitchen, where she had banned him from.

As dinnertime rolls by, he finally hears her lovely voice ringing throughout the house, drawing his dimpled smile to come out.

"Come here, birthday boy," she calls out in a lovely singsong tune that has him almost running to where she was in sheer excitement.

When he enters, the first thing his eyes land on is not the exquisite table setting, not the candles and flowers arranged prettily at the center, not the endless plates and bowls of steaming-hot delicious dishes, not even the dainty gift box sitting by the counter.

He also doesn't hear the wonderful notes of the jazz song playing through the speakers, for, compared to her voice, everything is just noise to him.

He doesn't notice anything but her.

His eyes soften into a smile at the sight of her, with her hair up in a bun, wayward strands falling out all over her face, the white apron hung over her body stained with splashes of colours, letting him know how much she had slaved over the last few hours just to prepare everything for him.

She pushes away a lock of hair from her smiling eyes, before beaming up at him, holding her arms out.

"Tadaaa!"

With her eyes twinkling in clear delight and pride at her handiwork, she starts telling him about how she tried to perfect all his favourite dishes, but the words die on her mouth as, in three long strides, he suddenly takes her in his arms, not minding the wet stains on her apron that, for sure, will have dirtied his white shirt.

Sighing into her neck, he rubs the side of his head against hers.

"Thank you," he whispers softly in her ear. "You didn't have to do this."

He feels her sliding her hands up his chest, before wounding them tight around his neck. She rocks them gently as she answers, "of course I did. It's your birthday."

Leaning back slowly, she coaxes him to bring down his head so she can press their foreheads together.

"Did you take a good look at the table, at least? Is there anything else that you'd like?" She asks lovingly, her warm breath tickling his skin, and he almost melts at how ready she is to give him anything, if only he would ask.

Shaking his head, he cups her small face in his hand, running a thumb over the corner of her mouth to wipe off what appears to be flour. He leans forward to give her a kiss that's so light, so sweet, so tender, their lips graze but almost don't touch, and he can feel her trembling in his arms.

"None. Everything I need is right here," he tells her, but just before he can give her a real kiss this time, she manages to slither out of his arms.

Shocked, he watches her take a step back and plant her hands firmly on her hips."You mean I slaved away in the kitchen for hours, and you don't even want anything?!"

He stammers to come up with a coherent reply. "Jagi-ya, of course I want—"But her hearty laugh soon has him shaking his head at what he deems to be one of her classic antics.

"C'mon birthday boy, I know you're famished." She grabs his hand to lead him to the table where he now sees how she truly managed to prepare all of his favourite dishes — and more.

He pulls her down to sit next to him, before immediately sliding his chair closer to her.

"Happy birthday, my love," she greets him for the nth time, leaning sideways to give him a peck on his cheek.

He thanks her, also for the nth time, but he knows, in his heart, that he can keep thanking her for everything she is to him — his strength when he's weak, his joy when he's sad, his clarity when he's confused, his light in the dark, his cheerleader, fan, partner, etc. — but it may never be enough.

"I love you," he says simply, sincerely, and she says it back just the same.

The two of them quietly enjoy each other's company by the table where they've spent many dinners together, their dirtied clothes belying the sheer purity that is their love.

_
Photo from tvN, edited by me