Choi Mujin Imagines

All too well - Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3: First Touch

17 – Aera, 19 – Mujin

We're singing in the car, getting lost upstate
Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place
And I can picture it after all these days
And I know it's long gone and that magic's not here no more
And I might be okay but I'm not fine at all
'Cause there we are again on that little town street
You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me
Wind in my hair, I was there
I remember it all too well

One day, Junghoon came running to Mujin's home looking for Aera when he heard noises from her home earlier that day. During Mujin's stay in this neighborhood for over a year, he knew of her father. Everybody does. He's not exactly a loving father and husband.

He found her sitting by the river just close to their neighborhood.

Though the smell of the river isn't exactly pleasant, the water's gentle sound helped her calm her mind and her emotions. But it didn't last for long because she suddenly heard the rustling of leaves behind her. She looked over her shoulders, knowing all too well who it was. Her eyes locked with Mujin's, and she could visibly see how he breathed in relief.

She smiled, finding his expression funny once again.

Mujin might usually have cold eyes because he wants himself to appear cold. But when he lets go of this little 'act,' Aera realized that he actually has such expressive eyes. That's why she can't help but smile every time she sees them look angry or worried, those times when he let himself be vulnerable. And when he's happy or amused, she can swear that he's got the most beautiful eyes she's ever seen. Of course, not everyone knows this about him. Luckily for her, she was one of the few people who were able to witness them all, and a small part of her felt proud about that.

"Why do you look so worried?" She tried to wipe off the smile on her face, scared that his worried eyes would turn into angry ones.

But Mujin only kept his eyes on her, catching his breath. He's been running all over their neighborhood to look for her. Just then, a sudden realization dawned on him; he cared for her, a little more than he was aware of, a little more than he could admit.

"I thought you'd do something stupid." He made his way to her and scanned her from head to toe, looking for anything. When he was satisfied, he sat beside her, still staring.

This is another side of him that only a few people know, Choi Mujin is overprotective with the people he cares about. He is a guarded person, barely letting other people in his life, but when he finally lets someone past his walls, he easily gets attached with them, and soon enough, they will have his trust. And he would be willing to do anything for them, though he would never admit that.

Watching him stare at her, still with worry. Aera just shook her head with a smile on her face, averting her eyes from him. "You know me. That's probably the last thing that I would have in mind."

He nodded. He's aware that she would never, but still, he can't help but worry.

They sat there for a few minutes, no one was talking, but it still felt comfortable. When it comes to them, they don't really have to talk to understand and comfort each other. He knows that she will open up to him when she's ready.

This is why Aera likes being around him in her most vulnerable moments. He never asks what's wrong, and when he does, he would only ask her once or twice and wait for an answer. He'll just stay with her and wait until she decides that she's ready.

After a few more minutes of silence, Mujin abruptly stood up, knowing that this won't do. "Let's go,"

She stared at him, clearly confused.