CRIMINAL LOVE||L.HS X S.JY

T H I R T Y O N E

CHAPTER THRITY ONE: CALM BEFORE THE STORM

'AURTHOR'

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the city streets as Heeseung and Jaeyun walked hand in hand down the bustling avenue. It had been a while since they had a quiet day out together; their lives had been full of turmoil and tension lately, and they were both eager to enjoy a rare moment of peace.

Heeseung turned to Jaeyun, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and affection. “It’s nice to finally have a break, isn’t it?”

Jaeyun squeezed his hand gently. “It really is. I’ve missed this—just being together without any interruptions.”

They wandered aimlessly through the lively streets, past quaint cafes and elegant shops. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked pastries and coffee, and the sound of people enjoying the afternoon sun provided a gentle, soothing background. Every now and then, they would stop to admire a shop window or share a laugh over a funny sign they’d spotted.

Eventually, they found themselves in a charming park at the edge of the city. The park was a serene oasis, with lush green trees, winding pathways, and tranquil fountains. They decided to sit by the edge of a pond where ducks glided gracefully across the water.

Heeseung reached into his bag and pulled out a blanket they had brought along. He spread it out on the grass, and they sat down, their fingers still intertwined.

“This place is so peaceful,” Jaeyun said, looking around at the idyllic surroundings. “It’s hard to believe we’re still in the middle of the city.”

Heeseung nodded, resting his head on Jaeyun’s shoulder. “It feels like we’re in a different world entirely. I could stay here forever.”

They talked about their favorite memories, reminiscing about their early days together. They laughed about their awkward first dates and marveled at how much they had grown since then. They shared stories of their travels and dreams for the future, savoring each other’s company.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Heeseung pulled out a small picnic basket filled with snacks they had prepared earlier. They ate a simple yet delicious meal of sandwiches, fruit, and cheese, paired with sparkling water.

“Remember when we first tried to cook together?” Heeseung said with a chuckle. “We nearly burned down the kitchen.”

Jaeyun laughed. “How could I forget? We ended up ordering takeout that night, but at least we had fun.”

They ate slowly, savoring both the food and the moment. As the sky turned shades of pink and orange, Heeseung pulled out a portable speaker and played a soft playlist of their favorite songs. The gentle music, combined with the serene setting, made the evening feel even more special.

After their picnic, they decided to take a leisurely stroll along the park’s winding paths. The evening air was cool and refreshing, and the streetlights began to flicker on, casting a warm glow over the paths. They walked close together, occasionally pausing to admire the view of the city lights reflected on the pond’s surface.

“I’ve missed this,” Jaeyun said softly. “It feels so good to just be together, without any of the usual stress.”

Heeseung squeezed Jaeyun’s hand. “Me too. We needed this time to reconnect, especially after everything we’ve been through.”