Woven by Moonlight, Stitched by Sunshine

This story was written for @Jasz - YoongiObsessed as part of the BangtanWHQ Exchange Event "Sweet Tricks & Wicked Treats"

Park Yujin

Since she was a baby, Yujin was always drawn to the night sky, often cooing and reaching out to the moon. As a child, she loved to spin and twirl in the moonlight, the evening breeze sweeping under her shin-length cotton dresses, sending them to dance along with her on the wind.

"Yujin. Come inside, dear. The sun has long since retired, and you've yet to have your supper," her mother often called out to her, not allowing her to stay out too late and watching her like a hawk. Her mother believed that the hoodlums of the moonlight realm would emerge from the shadows on the earth with only torment and ill intent in mind.

One of the most modern myths that spread throughout the kingdom was that the barren Moon Kingdom actually resided underground, beneath the sunlit realm, instead of across the outlawed old, deteriorating bridge nearby. They believed it made sense for the Moon Kingdom to be below, as even their moon literally fed off their sun; their brighter kingdom, obviously, being superior.

"Yes, mother. Coming!" Yujin replied.

Her mother never stifled her free-spirited child, allowing her to express herself as she saw fit. However, she was concerned that her child, born to the Sunlit Realm, showed such a strange interest in the moon. While the other children made their way inside as soon as the sun began to sink in the sky, Yujin could be found sitting or lying in the grass, watching the night sky. By acting this way, others considered her odd, but her beauty was undeniable. Often compared to their revered sun, her golden skin shone the brightest among anyone else; almost abnormally so. Since she had come of age, the gentlemen of the surrounding villages had no qualms about making their interest in her known.

"Yujin, would you like to accompany me for a picnic under the large willow tree? The sun will be highest in the sky at noon. I would be most delighted to witness the new dance routine you've been perfecting."

"Such beauty as yours is seldom seen. I've yet to behold anyone more fair."

"Your beauty and bronze complexion could induce me to forgive your unusual behavior."

These comments meant nothing to her, even when the elders in the villages spoke of the lack of soulmates and encouraged her to entertain those foolish men. Something deep down inside urged Yujin to wait, knowing that her soulmate was out there. She would know it and believed that she would feel it instantly when she finally met them. Until then, she would continue to perfect her craft: dancing. Aside from her beauty, she was also renowned in the area for her gift. Everyone praised her gracefulness and fluid movements that seemed to flow like the sun's rays. But Yujin always felt like something was missing and continued striving for what her mother called "fantastical ambitions."

"Perfection, my love, is merely an illusion. But your skill, as it is, is unmatched. Your talent lacks nothing, dear. You are truly marvelous, but I fear that your pursuit is unattainable."

Yujin knew that her mother's words were meant to be encouraging, but they were far from that. They felt more like backhanded compliments, as if to say "lower your expectations" or that this was as good as it gets. After one of their many talks, Yujin would sneak out, aware of how her parents would react if they knew where she was going. She always found herself wandering to her favorite spot in the kingdom, near the river. She could always find peace there and would either dance or simply gaze up at the night sky in the field next to the old bridge.

On one of those fateful nights, Yujin spun and twirled right next to the rickety bridge, the closest she had ever gotten to the forbidden place—just out of arm's reach while avoiding the gravel path. Mid-twirl, her barefoot met with something sharp, causing her to drop to the ground to find what had scraped against her skin.