in love, legally || CHOI YEONJUN

Chapter 18

a/n I am genuinely tweaking rn over this chapter muhahaha

A loud knock on the door jolted him awake. Yeonjun woke up, shuffling between the comforter. As his eyes adjusted to the sunlight flooding in, he noticed her mattress neatly folded in the corner. Her phone and purse were still on the low-legged table, making him sigh in relief. He got up, and getting outside to see the old lady sitting on the porch. She was sorting through fresh green onions and radishes. Probably making her next batch of kimchi for the winter. There were two more couples also, who were living in the inn eating their breakfast as they spoke in soft whispers among themselves.

"Looking for your wife?" she asked without turning around.

"Yes," he replied politely, putting on his shoes and getting out of the room.

"She went for a walk I think," she said, pointing out, "It's been an hour she should be back though,"

Yeonjun looked in the direction she pointed. Last night it was too dark to catch the view. The ash-brown field stretched endlessly, merging with the soft blue of the horizon. The hills were dotted with wild white flowers clustering as they created a path. The woman got up, ruffling in a bag, taking out two fresh cream buns, wrapping them in a tissue, and handing them to him.

"Take these to her, she went without breakfast," she said in a warm tone.

Yeonjun hesitated, glancing at the buns in her hand. There was something about the tone she was using—like the grandma knew far more than he had expected. Did she find out they were a fake couple?

His lips parted to speak, but she cut him off, "It's a good weather to ride the bike also," her eyes glanced behind him.

Turning around he saw a rusty silver bike. He walked to it, checking its chains which were unexpectedly in good condition. He took the buns with a small bow, mumbling 'thank you' and hopped onto the bike.

"Go on. She won't wait forever"

Yeonjun nodded, gripping the buns carefully as he turned toward the path. The cool breeze kissed his face. If anyone asked, he'd probably admit he wasn't just delivering sweet cream buns—his heart might as well be tucked in there too, wrapped in that same delicate tissue, ready to be handed over to her.

...

Hyemi turned around to the screech of tires. Yeonjun. His bed hair was a mess, the wind gently blowing them back. His crispy shirt from last night was creased now, the first few buttons undone and the sleeves shoved up. His hands were in the back as he walked towards her.

"Good view?" he asked sitting beside her on the muddy patch. The sun had already risen, its golden light spilling over the horizon and glimmering on everything it touched.

"Hmm." she hummed in reply, "It was nice watching the sunrise,"

"Why didn't you wake me up?" he asked.

"It looked like you were having a nice dream," she shrugged, a teasing glint in her eyes, "Whispering my name a lot on top,"

He choked mid-breath, he didn't remember having a dream. "I- wait no..."

His words trailed, interrupted by the grumbling of her stomach. Hyemi's cheeks heated, and she turned away, the embarrassment quite plain.

Yeonjun held back a laugh, "Here," he held the cream buns in front of her, gently nudging her to take one.

Glancing between him and the buns, she picked one timidly with a small thanks.

The two sat there in silence, bathing in the sun and taking small bites. It wasn't long before giggles bubbled up between them, the ridiculousness of the moment. For a while, they were inside this warm bubble of the approaching winter sun—the worries of getting back to the hotel and work slipped their minds.