pied piper

Epilogue I | Deja Vu

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Music companion : My love all mine all mine by Mitski

The sound of heavy-duty boots stomping on thick gravel resounded in the background, my grin widening only more. Looking over my shoulder, I watched Jeongguk resist against all his urges and principles, taking each agonizing slow step with a regret individually packed and gifted for every movement he made. His face harbored a frown which more or less was a cute pout but I would never say it out loud (specially after I called him my star baby candy crush already).

"C'mon, hurry up champ!" I cheered, "We haven't got all day. For the first time ever you let-" he glowered, "I convinced you to-" his eyes squinted infinitesimally, "I gently urged you to-" and more, before they began to widen with disbelief filling his gorgeous chocolaty irises, lips hollowing.

I sighed, unable to throw off the smile that simply had found its home on my lips ever since he helplessly acquiesced. "Fine! I forced you to go on a date I decide and threatened I'd run away if you didn't, but still!"

The afternoon sunlight wasn't directly on our heads, having melted off to the side like a sunny omelet, only more as evening indicated a hasty visit, sending hints of pink and orange in all directions to the plain blue sky.

"And Miss Rosa helped me make sure everything is safe and steady!" His eyes began to narrow again, as if meaning to tell me he didn't trust his right hand woman more than any street vendor with a criminal record. Well, she did have a criminal background and a record of so many kills I'd need another few pairs of hands to count on.

"Besides, not everyone is pinned on K wording me, y'know I'm not that special, especially not more than money or gold." I tried to reason with rationality, but in a flash, he walked over to me, expressions indifferent and aloof. "That's right, it would be a crime to compare you with gold."

My my… now don't get me wrong, I'm super glad I was able to get my point across… but to such a magnificent extent?

"Because you are simply worth everything that I am."

I gulped, suddenly feeling a nerve tug at my heart. Jeongguk was never the expressive type. Albeit the early phase of our relationship would greatly argue, it had to be categorized all under the term of pretend. It wasn't until he began peeling parts of himself, and letting me see his true self, I couldn't say I even knew him. Which would be wrong to say even now, but oh well, Jeongguk had become like an onion to me, I just had to be patient and slowly let him unravel himself at his own pace and time.

Hearing him drop such heartfelt words during the most random times and situations wasn't a stranger to me. And so I smiled, taking his warm hand in mine, raising my eyes to align with his.

"Good attempt, Jeon. But we're still going there! It's not like a good handful of your bodyguards haven't already secured this place." Before Jeongguk could deny the allegation, I pulled on his hand, forcing his big boy built to walk fast as we entered through the flamboyant gates of the theme park, my eyes gleaming in delight as the vibrant colors caught my attention.

Adrenaline seemed to be already fusing with my blood seeing the huge twisted roller coaster tracks, a myriad of multiple very amusing rides, varying degrees of screams resounding in the cherry background packing everything with a giant ferris wheel like a bow strand.

The roar of an incoming roller-coaster akin to that of a growling storm came at full speed, making me chuckle in excitement as I watched it race full speed. "That looks so fun!" I pointed, turning my head but finding Jeongguk nowhere.