I'M (NOT) MARRIED || YUCHAE

TWENTY-EIGHT

chp. 28

The blare of her piercing alarm had jolted her awake, causing her to reach over to the nightstand, turning the obnoxious noise off.

Chaeryeong squinted her eyes, attempting to make out the parts of her bedroom.

It had been a week since Yuna was discharged from the hospital, she got the cast off just yesterday and was told to not drive for the meantime. Many of her family and friends were happy to see Yuna back to normal, not having to get even more familiar with the hospital corridors and doctors.

She was about to sit up and stretch her limbs as usual, but the shot of pain in her back and a limp arm draped over her waist had stopped her. Chaeryeong groaned quietly at her aching muscles.

The previous night, she was up late helping Yuna with her physical therapy exercises, trying to ensure a smooth recovery. Chaeryeong had been by her side throughout the entire hospital stay, offering support and comfort, but the toll on her own body was starting to become apparent.

With a sigh, she carefully maneuvered herself out of bed — despite her longing to stay in Yuna's arms —, wincing at the sharp twinge in her back. As she shuffled towards the bathroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror – dark circles under her eyes, disheveled hair, and a weariness that seemed to have settled into her very soul.

Splashing cold water on her face, Chaeryeong tried to shake off the exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy cloak. Today was going to be an interesting day, as her friends were supposed to arrive in the early afternoon, so she was pretty excited yet nervous about the upcoming clash of the groups.

After feeling refreshed, she exited the bathroom only to find Yuna rolling around the bed like a child. Chaeryeong could feel the flutters in her stomach, a fond smile growing on her face as she watched.

"Hi, sweetheart," she called out, chuckling in amusement when she saw the actor suddenly freeze in her spot, embarrassment enveloping Yuna like a hug. "What are you doing?" Chaeryeong questioned with a playful tone as she walked over to the bed, lifting one knee to hover over her fiancée in order to see her face.

Yuna turned her face away the moment they made eye contact, her cheeks pained with a light shade of pink. "I was... bored. Waiting for you."

"Is that so?" Chaeryeong's eyes sparkled with amusement and mischief, her fingers flying the the side of Yuna's waist, gently tickling her.

Yuna gave her best efforts to not laugh out loud, but when Chaeryeong added another hand, she couldn't resist any longer. The room soon filled with her light laughter and her attempts to stop the writer.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Yuna cried out, rolling away before tears could form in her eyes from how much she had laughed.

What a great way to start the morning, no?

Chaeryeong, satisfied from the other's reactions, sat back down on the comfy mattress with a proud grin, watching how Yuna wrapped the duvet around her body like a burrito, as a shield.

"You're so cute," Chaeryeong giggled. She then patted the spot beside her. "Come here."

Yuna glanced at her with a cautious and skeptical look, Chaeryeong could even see her mind going back and forth about whether or not to accept.

The writer shook her head with a smile, "I'm not going to tickle you anymore," she chuckled. "Come on."

Yuna slowly unwrapped herself from the duvet burrito, a mixture of hesitation and curiosity evident in her eyes. She tentatively scooted closer to Chaeryeong, maintaining a safe distance just in case.