Less Than a Hundred Years Approved
Prompt: Sleep
Author's Ramblings: At first this story was a pointless bit, then it turned out to talk about in-laws… it wasn't so pointless, but it's pointless at the end of all things… I'm off to find cashews and ponder how pointless this chapter is…
Wonder of wonders! Provided his brain as he entered the room and found the particular scene unfolding before his very eyes. The High Doctor is taking a nap!
Through the morning many had been wondering and asking Choi Young about the High Doctor, how was she? Where was she? Was she healthy? Why was she absent at work? And the questions started to worry him, only when Deo Gi neared him, as to greet him, and with her clumsy hand signals asked about the High Doctor. He turned then, leaving her with the proverbial words in her lips, and walked back to the barracks, finding Deok Man sitting outside their room, snoring. Choi Young kicked the chair's leg, making the body over it fall to the ground and wake up surprised.
"What are you doing here!?"
"High Doctor said it was alright to stay in." He said, bashful and looking down, yawning afterwards.
"Why? Was she not feeling well?"
"No, she said she wanted to clean the room up for spring." Choi Young took a deep breath, and opened the door to the room. No matter how much he told his wife, the woman continued to do her own housekeeping. No matter how many servants were appointed to her… If she wanted to do her own housework then fine, Choi Young would give her that little pleasure, but he hoped she complained. He closed the door, calling her name softly, getting no response. So he walked deeper into the room…
Indeed there she was, the room clean and his armor; which he'd left early morning with the complaints of having to clean it up, dangling from its usual spot, clean as if brand new. All their clothes were clean and folded between desk and chairs, and the smell of freshly washed clothes caressed the air. The bed was a mess, actually the only mess in the room, and over it the pale High Doctor. No matter how much sun she took while walking around the gardens, the winter had paled her skin; bringing out the fire of her hair and making her shine like the thick rays of sunset. She usually complained about his napping, but there she was, napping herself.
Had she worked herself that hard? Anger now placated, Choi Young let out a sigh, and a quiet smile. Outside a spring shower was starting, and Choi Young set down his sword, and sat by the bed, staring down at his sleeping bride.
Five months of marriage. It was amazing they hadn't killed each other. He had to admit it hadn't been easy, but if they survived the first year they would be fine; or so he believed. Just look at the King and Queen… no, probably they weren't the best example. And he couldn't remember his parent's marriage so…
A cold breeze made the woman over the bed tremble and frown in her sleep, and Choi Young simply unfolded the thick bindings around his writs and took off his shoes, shaking himself with the coldness of the wind. Quietly, gently, he wrapped around his bride, and hoped to warm her body with his own. Her head settled against his shoulder, even when she was asleep Imja managed to snuggl close to him, and kissing her temple Choi Young rested against her, and allowed her to rest against him.
.
.
Eun Soo could find her husband napping almost everywhere. Over the bed, on the chairs, with his legs over his desk, in the infirmary waiting for her… He was a like a tall black cat, with haunting eyes and enigmatic features, fixed on trailing her every step. It made her smile.
But when she found him, wrapped and snuggled around her, she wondered if he was really some sort of cat-like person. Just look at how those limbs were holding her down and warm! Eun Soo struggled to be set free, making him open his almond eyes as if nothing; he had been asleep, but he looked as if he just came down from a meeting with the King. She smiled at him and literally rolled on top of him, merging her curves with his planes and together they created a beautiful warm valley, where their children could grasp the hand of their love and stroll quietly in. His hands landed on her hips, keeping her on top of him, but they didn't do anything further.
They simply rested against aech other.
"Am I heavy?" She always asked that silly question, and Choi Younj always smiled. A bag of cotton could be heavier than her.
"Not at all."
"Are you sure? You can breathe fine?"
"Imja, wouldn't I push you off if I couldn't?" It was truth; he didn't like to have people touch him. And he was honest enough to do such things; Eun Soo kissed his chin, and sighed.
She'd been so tired when she dropped on bed, but she had wanted to get spring cleaning done before Spring actually left the country; she had been procrastinating in such things. "Did you rest?" He asked suddenly, making her kiss his neck.
"Yes." Her sigh made him look down at him. "I was so tired, maybe because a certain gentleman wouldn't let me sleep at night."
"Tell me who it is, I shall have said gentleman punished."
"Daejang, always so worried about his children." She murmured, making him chuckle. "Actually I don't think you won't be able to punish him, Daejang. He is very sneaky and has managed to force me into enjoying this night time escapees."
"Is that so?" His eyes finally found her, narrowed. "Who dares steal my bride away?"
"Should I tell you? I think he would hear us."
And finally he laughed, quietly, but he laughed. His head fell back over the pillow, and one of his hands released her, covering his eyes. "Fine, I grant victory to this man, who has stolen you away, but with a heavy heart." A kiss was delivered to his Adam's Apple, making him sigh. "Imja, next week…"
"Hmm?"
"Next week a few things will happen, I hope you don't get too angry."
Eun Soo frowned, and looked up at him; the hand over his eyes lifted to caress her back, finding skin there, for some odd reason, and enjoying the little rivulets of delight it produced in him. He moved to help her off of him, setting her on bed as he turned to take her hand and kiss it; the limb warm and still. "Next week my Aunt and I will leave early, I am not sure the day, Lady Choi never tells me the exact day; and we will go to the mountain…"
"What for?"
"My father's death anniversary. We will conduct the usual rites and come back before breakfast…"
"Can I come? I want to greet your father."
He looked at her for a second, and then chuckled, leaning his eyes away from her. "It's not necessary, my father already knows you." Eun Soo's eyes blinked, and Choi Young swallowed hard. Then her eyes narrowed and she grinned.
"Like your old master, does he come to your dreams to?"
"Yes."
"And you told him about me?"
"He found out on his own."
"Then he likes me?"
"He likes the fact that you opened my heart, yes." And she squealed in delight, reaching up to kiss him, while Choi Young held her and frowned a happy smile; why was she do delighted. "Does that make you so happy?"
"Of course! If we can get at least your father's approval I would be delighted!" They sure were weird, but they were coping with the fact that they were together; on their own, without approval from anyone… He took a deep breath, kissing her hair. "I will go and greet your father too, I'm sure Aunty Choi won't mind, after all I'm offering my deepest and sincerest respects." She quickly got up and searched about the freshly clean clothes, setting the dark wine colored ones for easy access. Neither was sure when they would be called for the task, so it was better to be prepares; Choi Young watched her move about, with a smile, and then suddenly gave a frown.
"Imja, what do you think your parents would have said about me?" That got her to turn, and smile at him.
"My mother would have adored you. Omo! My lovely daughter got a perfect gentleman, those would have been her words. It's hard to find gentlemen in Heavens in you know?" He inclined his head, as if to ask really? While Eun Soo continued. "My father… uff my father I'm not very sure, he was the spontaneous kind you know?"
"Sound familiar."
"Yeah, I'm sure that if he'd heard of your attack, frontal breakthrough, he would have agreed at any moment. He was sharp too, but gentler."
"No doubt your mother's doing."
"Yeah, probably." And she continued to save clothes away.
"Then he would have liked me." He said after a minute of pondering. Eun Soo turned to look at him, amazed.
"Aigoo!" She cried sweetly, moving towards the general with a big grin. "Our General is so sure of this?"
"Of course, I'm a gentleman, I saved you from kidnappers, robbers, poison and I house you and give you all you want; what else could be asked for?"
"Wow! Our general sure is humble."
"I imply the truth, nothing further than it." That got her back in track.
"Do you love me?"
"That's granted."
"Do you feed me well?"
"Don't I?"
"Then my mother would have loved you."
"Yes, well, but what of your father?" He was pressing the thought of her father because after all men in these times valued more the opinion of a father, than a mother; so Eun Soo smiled and nodded. "Of course he would approve of me, I'm a gentleman." That got Eun Soo to turn, watching him get up. "Eun Soo-ya," He said, taking the tone very similar to her father's voice. "I approve of this brute." And kissing her forehead she held her shoulders. "He is good looking too, so do not, ever leave him for someone else."
"Is that my father, or our General talking?"
"It's a toss-up."
She gave him a playful frown. "I have to get back for a little while, just to see if those fools living around us haven't concocted any troubles. I shall be back within the hour." And having fixed his clothes, picking up his sword and fixing his hair, the general walked to the door…
"Wait, wait, wait!" she said quickly grabbing his sleeve. "You said a few things will happen next week, what else?"
That got Choi Young to take a deep breath; "I leave for battle next week." And that got Eun Soo's face to fall, her lips to pout. It was the usual expression she sported after been told he was to leave, and it was heartbreaking to deal with it. Choi Young sighed. "We'll talk when I come back, alright?"
"Alright." She answered pouting and sadly, making the man curse inwardly at the King; and they were so having such merry talk.