Hello dear readers. I might be able to post one or two more chapters this week to try and make up for the lost time. Thanks for all the responses and I'm glad that you are having fun together with CY and his trusting shopping companion. Make sure to review, I love reading your reactions.
Choi Young was extremely upset and disturbed. An innocent shopping trip turned into a crazy encounter - with him at the center of it all, drawing too much interest in his persona, and on top of it, getting into a fight with a person who had nothing to do with his past. Were his senses losing their sharpness? Was he getting too soft next to a woman, in a warm and cozy place they managed to create for themselves? Was it a mistake to relax? Danger was something he lived with all the time; it became his second nature to be on guard continually. He could not even sleep deeply, needing to be constantly alert, ready for defense. Such was his life ever since he was fifteen and he joined the special forces unit of "Red Crescent Moon". The first thing he was told – sleep with one eye open. But he slept well lately; he did not have nightmares that made him scream at night and he did not wake up at the slightest rustle, because he was safe, because he was loved, because he was with her. Was being happy or in love such a crime for a man like him? Was he not allowed a small dose of happiness in his pathetically sorrowful life that only had pain, suffering and loneliness? Was not there a chance to have normalcy?
He really was not asking for much, he thought. But this world, although seemingly less dangerous, was actually scarier, as the unknown waited for him at every turn and he was not sure when and whom to expect to be an enemy or a friend. Like tonight, Choi Young hurt a man because he erroneously assumed he meant harm. What if he kills somebody by mistake? That was not alright. He lived by a strict moral code, each human life he took, was not treated lightly. He had an obligation to take responsibility and right this wrong…
Only now, he suddenly felt that something important was missing – his sword! He panicked, looking at his empty hands and turned to run back to the store, in utter disbelief that he parted from his weapon without even realizing it. It was the worst news, because it confirmed what he feared – he was no longer who he thought he was. He was no longer a warrior first, a man second. It was the other way around, as if carrying a sword was an afterthought, a habit that apparently was easy to break by such an insignificant occurrence, shaken from his comfort zone by confusion at the store. "Damn you, Choi Young. How could you?" he chastised himself, ashamed and also terrified that the sword might be gone by the time he gets there.
"Heung, hold on, wait," a familiar voice nearby. "Just stop already. It was hard to run after you as it is." He saw the man's figure, carrying a couple of bags. Choi Young was out on the street, in cold, not paying attention that he was not dressed for the weather.
"Your coat and your cool sword, dude. I brought it." And Hee Jun handed him his most prized possession. Choi Young exhaled, straining the weapon to his heart. "Sorry, teacher, never again," he promised. Hee Jun's caring hands placed a coat on his shoulders and the general pulled the coat down, for once grateful that his friend was here to help. "Thank you," he bowed slightly to Hee Jun, who just blinked and smiled, having earned honest gratitude of his Heung. Choi Young walked the rest of the way home in silence, making his young friend wonder what was on the mind of the man, who obviously had a lot to think about. Whatever his troubles were, he wanted to shield Eun Soo and protect her from the turmoil created by this incident. He will think about everything, but she need not to know.
The light package weighed heavily on Eun Soo. Walking home she stopped before the entrance to the building, the light in the bedroom was off. Choi Young was probably shopping, having fun, enjoying himself. She wished she could make this world a home for him. Even if for a few hours, he could forget where he came from; if the burden on his shoulders can be lifted, then she would pay any price.
She gave herself a promise to make sure that as long as he is with her, she will create small pockets of happiness in the thread of time, where they would hide together, just the two of them; and every day, she would try her hardest to make him feel loved and cherished. She wanted to give him a world where he did not have to bear scars or kill for living; the world where danger was not lurking at every corner, and the illusive assassin should not be feared; the kind of world where his only concerns should be about work and spending time with her, like other men of his age. She wanted to pretend he was a regular guy, not shrouded in mystery of time travel and Mr. Kim.
Choi Young never told her about his life. As if he had none before he met her. Their chance meeting turned his world upside down and tore him away from everything and everybody he knew. While she was in a comfort of her home, having all the things familiar, her job, her parents – everything here, she only have gained. But he has lost. How much - she may never fully comprehend. The only thing he gained was her. He never promised (and she understood that he never could) that he would stay forever, but he chose to cast his life aside in order to be next to her. She absolutely had to try to make it worth his while, to provide a measure of comfort that the modern living offered. Truthfully, she was afraid to ask about the "other" Choi Young, about the General, the man from the past, and open up Pandora's box. That's why the package from Mr. Kim was a threat to this fragile status quo.
She did not expect to find anybody home. As she came in, Choi Young rushed to the door, taking her bag and helping her with the coat, startling her. He kissed her cold cheek and took her in his embrace, "I missed you. I have a surprise for you, come," and he dragged her into their room. "Look," he gave her a shy smile and stood in front of her. "I bought new jeans, Hee Jun suggested this style, he thought you might approve."
Eun Soo glanced at him, appreciating the contours that the tight skinny jeans offered, and asked him to turn around.
"Why?"
"Just do it," she could not miss a chance to admire the view from the back.
"Eun Soo-ya," he was obviously completely embarrassed, turning his head back, trying to read her expression.
She knitted her brows and pressed her lips, checking his every inch thoroughly.
"So you don't like it. I knew it was stupid!" He sounded disappointed, while Eun Soo still maintained a straight face.
"I'll take it off right away." And he immediately started pulling the pants off, which was not a small fit, since they clung to him and the stretchy fabric was pretty stubborn. He tripped, falling backwards onto the bed, legs flung in the air, bare soles of his feet flashing, his hands fighting with the resilient pant, his forehead wrinkled and lips tightened from the diligent effort he was putting in order to win the struggle with this feisty pair of skinny jeans. Eun Soo could not hold it in any more and finally broke out into a loud laughter, causing her to bend over and kneel on the floor in front of him. Choi Young's long legs lifted high above his head, dangling midair, he also arrived at the ridiculousness of the situation, laughing carefree and brightly, his pants are half down at the knees and he is in the most preposterous position, exposing extremely yummy behind. He dropped his limbs, now lifting his lower back up, arching and showing quite remarkable flexibility while managing to pull the pants up again, he lowered himself, lengthening his legs, the fingers fisting with the zipper and a button to close. One of his legs casually bended, his upper body propped against the pillow, head slightly turned toward Eun Soo and his arm, hanging off the side of the bed, while another is placed across his hip. His hair slightly messy, cheeks rosy, eyes sparkling mischievously and plump lips of the mouth ajar – Eun Soo's eyes caught the view and she stopped laughing instantly. He took her breath away – he was a boy, yet a man, sexy and innocent at the same time. In his simple t-shirt and jeans, barefoot, relaxed, happy and comfortable with her, on this bed, in this room, he looked like he completely belonged here, this is where he was meant to be.
"I love these jeans," she gave him a compliment and climbed onto the bed, his arm gently wrapping around her and kisses placed on her hair.
"So, you like it."
"You are so handsome, stranger. The pants are just fine, keep them." Confirmed Eun Soo, blushing at the thought of having him all to herself.