Dark Shades x Seonghwa FF

Chapter Twenty-Six

Once Hyosonn manages to convince Seonghwa to eat at least a little meal for lunch hour when they've gotten to the city of Gwangju, she then continues the journey to the temple of Daewonsa. This isn't the only temple at this area, either. The site has several, named Jeongsimsa and Wonhyosa.

They ate in Burger Bridge, located in the perfect neighborhood for a night out, but that would have to be on another occasion. There's tons of restaurants, cafes and shops nearby, too.

Seonghwa may have been a bit reluctant to eat, but when he saw how delicious the burgers were and chocolate milkshakes, he wasn't capable of resisting. Hyosonn couldn't help grinning at how he seemed like he'd drool.

Daewonsa is dedicated to the Tibetan school of Buddhism, and the weaving traditional temple design in with the beautiful natural surrounds, it's truly a picture of tranquility when it's very needed.

When Hyosonn and Seonghwa arrive to the grounds, they stepped through an intricately carved wooden arch which acts as the entrance to Daewonsa. Immediately they were presented with a pond. Hyosonn is a fan of bodies of water, they always seem to produce a soothing effect inside her. Even if it's slightly cold outside, but the cool coming off the water and the bright colors that surround it did the intended effect.

She looked over to see Seonghwa's reaction, and his expression showed a combination of awe and wonder, his eyes wide and she saw them glimmering brightly. A total contrast to earlier when they looked stormy and only rage and sorrow could be seen.

"Did I succeed?" Hyosonn murmurs, smiling at how he resembled more a younger boy who's visiting the amusement park for the very first time.

He firmly held her hand, squeezing gently sometimes without realizing it.

"This actually exists in Korea? It's like entering some kind of scene from a fictitious fairytale," he breathes, looking around him where the usually green vegetation has changed into all shades of fall colored leaves, and only a few patches of green were left.

"That was my first thought when I was ten-years-old," she laughed gently. "Then let's do some exploring if you're up to it?"

"Lead the way, babe. I am already amazed and we've only seen the entrance." The perfect grin of Seonghwa left Hyosonn momentarily stunned, but recovers and nods.

She took him down wooden paths, and steers him to where a pagoda stood above a bubbling stream, the therapeutic sounds were just like the massage music you'd hear at a spa. Daewonsa was a no-cost spa, you might say.

"We can sit there a while before continuing our stroll," Hyosonn mentions, and leads him into the ancient-looking pagoda where it has a spot to rest your feet and just allow yourself to be filled with the bliss of soothing nature music from the running stream.

The pagoda is surrounded by more vegetation and big rocks sometimes stacked one on top of the other like if they are steps to head down to the low stream waters, where it also has more medium-sized flat and round stones.

"Yes," Seonghwa whispered, his voice portraying how he's marvelled with the temple grounds.

He quietly takes a seat and lightly tugs her on his lap, arms locking around her and presses his lips at her coated shoulder. "This place is beautiful, Hyosonn. It's more blissful being with you here. The temples are relaxing, but having my angel with me, that's what's doing its work," he murmurs, making her smile in delight.

"It's a pleasure to be your company and got to take you to Daewonsa. Would've been better under more good circumstances, but these temples are definitely for moments like today," she replies, snuggling closer into him and breathing autumn's air and Seonghwa's succulent cologne.