Less Than a Hundred Years
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Prompt: Poison
Choi Young's back to her. Eun Soo had woken up, baby cradled tenderly over her breasts while a loud whistling wind crossed outside their window, making the temperature drop considerably for her; upon finding herself alone with her child she turned them both, wishing to snuggled with her husband and his warmth… and found he was tuckered away to the farthest side of the bed, leaving a valley of uncertainty between them. She was so shocked to look at the broad back turned to her that tears suddenly stung her eyes. For the last month, or perhaps for longer, Choi Young had been acting strange, and she had been picking up the subtle changes, but wasn't sure exactly when they had started. Maybe it was something he usually did, maybe she was over reacting, or maybe it was truth; but Eun Soo was sure her husband was up to something. Whatever it was made her feel uneasy, her heart slowly freezing to the temperatures his heart was oozing. She'd have a really happy first year of marriage, their child was strong and healthy, but still her husband's mood seemed to be worsening with the passing of weeks.
At first the idea of been parents had been novel, and frightening, and confusing, yet warming and exciting and so many other things; they dove into the task with joy and simply learning about their child was the order of the day. He'd been willing to learn so much; form diaper changing to feeding, and bathing… they even took baths together, taking turn in holding the baby as he suggested! Then they were forced to stay in this small apartment with all the baby furniture crowding the space, while waiting for her to get better…
Normalcy was within reach for them now; and it was askew, so terribly twisted…
Fifteen days before her release from this involuntary recovery period she'd fallen into Eun Soo realized that her husband was pulling away from her. At first she could not believe it; Choi Young had suffered so much while she was away, bringing it up involuntarily through their marriage with pained words, that Eun Soo simply could not fathom the idea. But it was happening, and she had just noticed when it was probably too late, at least it felt like it was too late. Insomnia started shortly after that night and between her fears for her child falling from the crib or any other accident, and having Choi Young pulling slowly away from her, as if planning to leave her, she could feel her heart starting to crack.
The matter of her realization was simple; because of the dropping temperatures of winter she had brought the child to sleep between them, cuddled in their warmth so Tae Hyun would not suffer a faith worse than falling from the crib. She was adamant of the child's presence there, and Choi Young simply followed her lead, knowing that a mother knows better and the importance of this child; his own cares for the child were obvious. Choi Young would cuddle the child close, making sure the covers were warm before even setting the child over the cushion, caressing the baby's back as he slept… Then Eun Soo would lie down next to them, and he would relinquish his responsibilities to her, allowing mother and child to cuddle together in the space he had warmed for them. At first it was cute, really; the father moving away as his family safely rested in the warm pocket he'd created… yet at some point during the night he would get up, and spend the rest of the night sitting, watching either the sleeping pair, or staring out the snowy fields, tense and considering his options as to whatever problem he currently had.
He of course denied he did this, blaming this dreams of hers on the tired off-clock activities of feeding and calming the child day and night; but Eun Soo was sure of what she saw, when she saw it and how she felt when she saw it.
The first to notice her discomfort (surprise, surprise) was Lady Choi. The older woman was aware of his nephew's actions, but had remained quiet; attempting to learn from any of his subordinates what was going on; so far none had spoken. Eun Soo was obviously very tired, and while feeding the child had felt a little faint overcome her. Lady Choi quickly gathered the child, and was able to somehow place her over the bed.
"I'm tired, I'm so tired." Said Eun Soo, eyes barely open, as the child cried in the sudden separation. Lady Choi ordered water be delivered, and feed it to the woman, while the child was soothed by one of the maids helping them. Choi Young, who had wanted to be aware if anything happened to his wife or child, was called in and within minutes he arrived. He was panting, having run form the barracks to the apartment, and upon setting eyes on his wife hurried to her; he lifted Eun Soo to his chest, and sat her against him taking the water to feed her.
"What happened?" His aunt related the details and Eun Soo's hand lifted to ask for more water, which he provided.
"I'm not sure this is normal, her recovery is complete, but she seems so tired. Is she sleeping well?" Choi Young didn't answer immediately, not sure himself, so he shook his head. Lady Choi furrowed her brow, but relaxed her features quickly; "I will bring her some rice soup, maybe she just needs something stronger than seaweed soup."
Eun Soo hid against her husband's chest, suddenly aware that it had been so long since he'd been this close.
.
.
The baby's crying woke her up. Eun Soo was a little bewildered, confused as to why she was napping and why it was dark… She ignored everything else and hurried to the child; Tae Hyun was been lifted from his little crib by one of the maids, probably to be brought to her, and Eun Soo blinked at her. The lady smiled at her. "Lady Choi asked for us to watch over the child as you rested. The general was adamant we brought the child to you when he started crying."
"The general, where is he?"
"He said the King had summoned him, he was not sure if he could come in tonight. Please go back to bed; I will bring the child to you." There he was again, although using the King's summons as excuse Eun Soo could tell it was not the truth. If it were any other moment he would still be here, he would have been the one to deliver the child, he would not have allowed her to get up… What was Choi Young thinking?
He was lying now, or has there really been a summon? Had he gone to see the King, finished his meeting and had not returned home for some reason? Why was she so confused by this? It was a given he was expected to be busy; he was the Commanding General, practically the King's eyes, hands and ears outside the palace walls. He had so many people to command and watch over it was ridiculous he could spend so much time with her and the child… but still; he had managed to do it so far. Why stop now?
"No, just… give him to me, I'll return to bed." She extended her arms and the maid handed Tae Hyun over to her, Eun Soo kissed his hairy head and turned back to her room, sitting on her favorite spot to feed the child; feeding the child was something that registered to her subconscious level, without looking she undid the bindings of her clothes, then fixed the child's position and feed him, all the while her mind was going insane with ideas and scenes from all those actions movies she had watched while growing up. Spies and betrayed agents of the government filled her head quickly; the explosions and running, the car chases… but the plot and main betrayal somehow eluded her. Probably because this was Goryeo and she wouldn't be witnessing such action-movie scenes. Yet the essence of the situation was there; he's acting as a spy from the movies and she seemed to be the unsuspecting target of the plot Choi Young himself was orchestrating and trying to keep her safe from.
The dark of night brought coldness to the room; and the maids hurried to bring in the small pots of warmth (as Eun Soo has come to call them), placing them in strategic locations to keep the room warm. Of course Eun Soo would have preferred central heating, but given the circumstances she was grateful for the number of pots around. She set the child beside her on bed, making sure he was well covered, and then dropped on her side, still feeling very tired. No word of the general had reached her and she had waited for longer than usual. Her eyes fluttered closed, because she could not help feeling so tired, and breathed in…
Just one last peek, Eun Soo, see if he came back… Her subconscious asked hungry for his presence.
The darkness of the room shadowed his body, he sat across the room, leaning his head against his bent arm; he was staring at her, his eyes quiet and full of something she could not recognize because he was, after all, too far away.
The scene finally broke her heart.
.
.
"Did you know your wife hides in the closet to cry?" Asked Lady Choi directly to his nephew, knowing he was the one guilty for the woman's behavior. She wasn't sure on why or how, but all pointed as him as perpetrator. Choi Young turned to her surprise, arching an eyebrow and looking her up and down.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said; your wife hides in the broom closet to cry." He was tempted to hurry out of the room he was currently in to find Imja, to see if he could find her doing such a thing, but he couldn't; he had to still his heart and shrug his shoulders with a deep breath. "I know it's your fault." She continued, bothered by his lack of reaction.
"How can I be the one to cause her crying?" He asked absentminded, or at least hoping he sounded so; his heart was in his mouth, wishing to leave right now to find his bride.
"Don't play smart with me, punk, I know you are up to something I just can figure out what." Choi Young shook his head, obviously not wishing to talk about whatever it was he was doing. "You can stop it; it's simply stupid for you to attempt to do this…"
"It's not stupid; it's for Imja's safety."
"So you are up to something!" He stood from his desk, his legs moving the desk as he did so, his Aunt stared at him, as if wanting to scold him, but simply continued in a passive tone. "The last time you acted this cryptically the High Doctor came running after you, showed you some way of heaven by laying down her life; think about those words she say and probably you'll desist."
"Aunt you want me to think about my wife killing herself so I won't do something stupid?"
"If that gets your brain to function, yes, do so."
"You are nuts."
"And you are an idiot." The two members of the Choi family turned away from each other, both of them annoyed by the small exchange.
"The problem is that is I…"
"The problem is!" Interrupted Lady Choi, turning to look at him; she was angry at him and Choi Young was brought to silence by the tone she took. "The problem is," She said again, this time gently. "That is you continue to act like this your words and actions will become a potion that will slowly eat at her and your child's hearts. And forgive me for speaking so brutally; but I would rather watch you die than have that child so small and poisoned against you."
"Eun Soo would never allow…"
"There is a very thin line between hatred and love, punk, you should already know this. Now get yourself together and figure out what is more important, understood?"
That said, the woman lifted her skirts enough to escape the small office, and left Choi Young sitting beside his desk, the words drilling holes in his perfectly set schemes and plans.
