Gentle Forest

Chapter 119

The early summer lake was still cold. As Aiden held me, carrying me into the water, he slowed his steps when the water started to touch my feet.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm fine"

Although we were both naked, it wasn't embarrassing since no one else was around. Having lived in Korea for a long time, I was always worried about brain-eating amoebas, but Aiden didn't seem bothered at all. It took quite a while for the water to reach our chests.

Clinging closely to Aiden made the coldness bearable.

A crescent moon rose in the completely darkened night sky. As we ventured into deeper waters, I had nothing to hang on but Aiden's shoulders, since I couldn't swim. Clinging to him like a gum, I focused on deep breaths as he quietly swam through the water.

"Are you scared?"

"No."

I used to swim in the river in front of my house, so it wasn't something unfamiliar to me. Though everything around us was dark, making me feel scared, I pretended not to. Aiden, looking down at my pale face, kissed me. The back of his head, which I touched absentmindedly, was slightly damp from the water.

It was a delicate darkness, indistinguishable whether it was the forest, the earth, or the universe. No one could disrupt this silence but us. Glancing up at the cascading stars, I tightened my legs around Aiden's waist.

Aiden asked again, "Are you scared?"

This time, I didn't hide my smile as I replied, "Why would I be scared when you're here?"
As I whispered in his ear, Aiden's shoulders flinched pleasantly.

He headed towards a deeper part of the lake where the moonlight spread wider. At some point, I instinctively realized that my feet could no longer touch the bottom. Aiden didn't seem to mind my weight as he swam leisurely. Gliding through the water effortlessly, it felt like riding on the back of a dolphin. We played around, alternating between him carrying me and me clinging to him. Despite my earlier bravado, my shoulders tensed up as something kept brushing against my calves. After enduring it a few more times, I finally spoke up.

"I think there are fish. Now I'm a bit scared."

"Then you should hug me tighter."

Being said that, Aiden swam back to where my feet could touch the ground, to reassure me.

As a brief silence settled, the events of the day flashed before my eyes like a montage: the stunning formal attire, the simple yet beautiful ceremony, and the ride here in the wedding car.

"I'm sorry that you do everything for me, but there's not much I can do for you..."

The words, blurted out suddenly, were heartfelt. I gently stroked Aiden's wet hair, frowning slightly.

"No matter how strong you are, carrying me around every day can't be easy."

"......"

"It's not just about physical strength. You did most of the planning for our honeymoon..."

Just because I was used to receiving didn't mean my gratitude diminished. The more grateful I felt, the more my sense of guilt grew, yet there weren't many ways I could repay Aiden.

"So what I'm saying is, if you keep doing everything for me, you'll get tired too."

"Why?"

Aiden tilted his head, looking puzzled.

"Why would I get tired?"

"It can't be easy to constantly support someone..."

Aiden laughed at my mumbling words.