Chapter 7 - Promises in Twilight


The day unfolded under the brilliant sun, mirroring the radiance in Yuna's heart. She adorned herself in a charming Sunday dress, accentuated by a cute matching hair clip. As Taeyang's eyes caught sight of her, he found himself once again starstruck, captivated by her timeless beauty. Yuna's face lit up with a beautiful smile that cast a spell, imprinting itself on Taeyang's heart.

Carrying a white tote bag, which held her laptop and a stylish floral mat, Yuna was ready for the day's adventure. In tandem, Taeyang arrived with a basket filled with delightful treats. He had meticulously prepared a feast - jumeokbap, gyeran mari, mandoo, kimbap, yubu chobap, oi-yi muchim, and bulgogi. To add a touch of sweetness, he also brought along gamgyul, gam, sagwa, and bae.

As they strolled leisurely, the echoes of the previous night lingered in the air, creating a delightful undercurrent of shared memories. They ambled along until discovering a charming spot beneath the comforting shade of a towering pine tree. Gracefully, Yuna unfolded the mat, creating a cozy space for them to share. Sitting side by side, they held hands, their eyes absorbing the lively scenes around them. 

Bikers cruised by, pedestrians strolled, and joggers maintained their pace along the roadside. A field nearby hosted people engaged in a spirited game of frisbee, while others took leisurely walks with their dogs. The field echoed with the laughter of people engaged in various activities, and couples dotted the landscape, reveling in their own private picnics. In the distance, the inviting aroma from food trucks wafted through the air.

In this harmonious atmosphere, it was another opportunity to discover each other, sharing in the simple pleasures of laughter and joy that painted the day in vibrant hues.

"Taeyang, you like to play video games, right?" Yuna initiated.

"Yup," he replied, "I like to play Yugi-Oh Card game. The victory after such strategy is so satisfying!"

"Let's try something different," Yuna suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ever heard of Feeding Frenzy?"

"Loser obeys the winner's command," she declared, setting the playful stakes.

-~o*o~-

Yuna guided Taeyang through the gameplay, teaching him the art of navigating the aquatic world, where a fish grows by consuming others. As they played, she would take a bite of their picnic, sharing the rest with Taeyang. Observing his efforts, Yuna found herself contemplating her own decisions, realizing that Taeyang was the type to give his all.

"Taeyang," she said, "you're really bad at arcade games." The result was obvious, Taeyang lost.

"So, Yuna," he said, "what would be your command?"

For a moment, Yuna remained silent. Then, she slowly moved closer to Taeyang, her breath almost mingling with his. With unwavering eye contact, she delicately placed her fingers on his hand. Her gaze delved deep into his eyes, as if reserving her command for the perfect moment, intending for Taeyang's compliance. Taeyang braced himself, feeling the subtle shift of dominance. As Yuna secured Taeyang's silent obedience, she gracefully retreated.

"I'll go get some ice cream," Yuna announced, gracefully making her way to the nearby store to retrieve her favorite flavor of cookies and cream. It provided Taeyang with a moment to gather his thoughts.

"You should eat this with me," Yuna declared upon her return, holding out the cold treat. "I love having this while watching movies."

Taeyang, ever agreeable, nodded in approval. It was indeed a delicious flavor.

They decided to watch the movie "My Sassy Girl" on Yuna's laptop, creating an intimate atmosphere that stirred their hearts.

-~o*o~-

At one point, Yuna paused the video, turning to Taeyang with a sentimental question, "Taeyang, what would you give your girlfriend on the 100th day?"

"Definitely something she wants, whatever she desires. Why?" Taeyang responded, genuinely puzzled.

Smirking, Yuna threw a playful curveball, "If I wanted a baby, would you give it to me?"

"What?!" Taeyang stammered, caught off guard and blushing at the unexpected question.

Yuna burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying Taeyang's flustered reaction. "Just get me a pink stargazer," she calmly suggested, soothing Taeyang's bewildered thoughts.

As they continued watching the movie, Yuna, moved by the dramatic scenes, decided to open up.

"Taeyang, what if we suddenly stop seeing each other? What would you do?" she inquired.

"I'd wait for you," Taeyang responded with unwavering assurance.

Yuna pushed further, "What if I stopped communicating with you too?" her tone carrying a hint of intensity.

"I'll find a way to get to you," Taeyang replied, his determination evident.

Yuna, with a deeper emotional probe, questioned, "What if you can't find me?" as her feelings intensified.

"I will find you," Taeyang declared, cupping Yuna's cheek in his hand. "It was destiny that brought us to where we are now. It will be the same destiny that will lead me back to you."

-~o*o~-

They continued to watch the movie side by side, their hands intimately intertwined, their emotions stirred by the film's journey. As the movie reached its conclusion, they found themselves enveloped in a poignant conversation about the hypothetical scenario of separation.

Yuna had Taeyang rest his head on her lap as she brushed his hair gently, adoring his features. Then softly, she asks, "Taeyang, what would you do if we got separated like that?" her eyes searching for the depth of his sentiments.

As Taeyang gazed up at the vast expanse of the clear sky, he pondered Yuna's question while uncertainty lingered in his mind. The unknowns of the future played out like shifting clouds, casting shadows of doubt. Yet, amidst the unpredictability, he responded with a quiet resolve, "Maybe I'll write our shared moments together too."

"Taeyang, what would you write in the time capsule letter?" Yuna asked as her heart yearned for an answer about a possible future together.

"When you read that letter," he says, looking at her deeply and placing her hand on his heart, letting her feel his heart beating. "It will tell you how much I cherish you with every heartbeat."

Yuna, touched by the poetic and romantic expression, couldn't help but draw closer, teasingly asking, "Taeyang, is it possible you were from the future, traveling to my present?"

In this twilight of their shared moments, in a realm where time lost its grip, Yuna's yearning unveiled itself. She hesitated for a moment, then posed a question that revealed her selfish desires, "Will you stay in my present and not go anywhere else?"

Taeyang understood the feelings in Yuna's question, and a deep longing resonated within him. Despite only a few days passing since they met, the events seemed too purposeful to be mere coincidences. It was as if fate had conspired, deliberately weaving the threads that connected their hearts. The destination beyond the bridge remained uncertain.

In that suspended moment, as their gaze locked and time seemed to stand still, Taeyang let the whispers of his heart guide him. The words, a solemn pledge, escaped his lips:

"I'd stay with you as long as you want me to."

"I'd leave you when you command me to."

"I'd come back to you at once when you call my name."

A force beyond their control drew them closer, and their hearts' vows were sealed with a tender, lingering kiss.

-~o*o~-

With hearts brimming with contentment, they settled into a comfortable quietude. It was Taeyang who broke the silence.

"Yuna," he called her, and Yuna's heart raced with anticipation for the next revelation. "Mom will be here tomorrow. Let's meet her," he suggested.

Yuna pondered the invitation, "I guess we'll have to miss each other for a day. I have plans for tomorrow too."

Sensing Taeyang's disappointment, she swiftly recovered the mood by whispering into his ear with the sweetest voice she could muster, "Distance makes the heart fonder, okay?"

Accompanying her words with an irresistible gaze, she retrieved Taeyang's prized cap from her bag and playfully placed it on his head, momentarily obscuring her face from his view.

Then she followed up with, "How about we have our date later tonight?" as she embraced him, resting her head on his chest to listen to Taeyang's heartbeat. "Same place, okay?"

"Also, Taeyang," she said, looking directly at him, holding his hands tightly with both of hers. "Whatever happens, we'll go, okay?"

She concluded by expressing, "I trust you," guiding Taeyang's hand to rest on her chest and inviting him to feel her heartbeat.

In that moment, Taeyang, recognizing the vulnerability Yuna had just shared, chose respect over desire. As he felt her heartbeat, a subtle realization struck him, leading to a momentary blush on his face. Swiftly recovering, he offered a warm smile and replied, "Okay," confirming their plans for the evening with a sense of mutual understanding and connection.

-~o*o~-

Yuna and Taeyang continued their date, exploring various games at the arcade. They engaged in fierce battles in Tekken 5, cooperated to defeat enemies in Time Crisis 3, and tested their rhythmic skills in Slash Symphony. Yuna was impressed by Taeyang's quick reflexes and gaming prowess.

As they moved to the section with prized games, Taeyang took up the challenge to win something special for Yuna. After trying their hand at various attractions, their journey led them to the Stacker game machine, where Yuna's gaze was captivated by the grand prize—a beautiful couple ring.

Having tried his luck in various arcade games, including the notorious claw machine, Taeyang now faced a new challenge at the Stacker game machine. Taking a deep breath, he stepped up to the plate, fueled by the anticipation of seeing the joy on Yuna's face if he could secure the grand prize.

Confidently, he initiated his first attempt, displaying his impressive reflexes as he expertly stacked the pieces. However, as the climactic moment approached, an unexpected twist unfolded. On the last piece, his precision faltered, and he missed the mark. Shocked by the unforeseen turn of events, Taeyang tried again, hopeful that the second attempt would yield success. To his dismay, the outcome mirrored the first—a miss.

Undeterred, he made a third attempt, determined to conquer the challenge. Yet, the elusive last piece continued to slip through his fingers, resulting in yet another failure. Frustration and uncertainty lingered in the air as Taeyang contemplated his fourth try. However, Yuna, sensing his growing dismay, gently gestured to him—it was okay, and perhaps enough for now.

-~o*o~-

Yuna led Taeyang into a tranquil open-air space. The tranquil night sky, adorned with twinkling stars, and the gentle caress of the cool breeze provided a soothing backdrop to dispel the lingering frustration from the arcade.

Fueled by his desire to make amends and discover an alternative victory, Taeyang turned his attention to Yuna. "Yuna," he began, "I realize there's so much I don't know about you, like your favorite things."

Yuna, with a subtle hint of playful reproach, replied, "That's because you never asked," nudging him gently about his previous passiveness.

Determined to bridge the gap, Taeyang asserted, "Well, now I'm asking," his eyes reflecting sincerity. The desire to gift Yuna something special on her birthday lingered in his mind, though the exact date remained a mystery.

In her cold, sweet voice, Yuna softly responded, "Anything would be nice; it doesn't need to be expensive." She retrieved Taeyang's handkerchief from her bag, returning it to him. As Taeyang noticed the initials L.Y. embroidered on it, a realization dawned on him about the kind of gifts that held value for Yuna.

As they concluded their date with a meal at a fancy restaurant, fulfilling Taeyang's desire, he reveled in the happiness of the moment, unaware of the thoughts lingering in Yuna's mind. Unbeknownst to him, Yuna's phone beeped, momentarily interrupting her own enjoyment. Despite the conflicting emotions swirling within her, Yuna chose to conceal her concerns and lingered a little longer, ensuring Taeyang could relish the last bites of his meal with undisturbed happiness. In this delicate dance of emotions, Yuna silently navigated her own turmoil, prioritizing Taeyang's joy in that fleeting moment.

-~o*o~-

The night still held its breath as they returned to the university. They reached the familiar stretch of the dormitory street. Yuna, stepping a couple of paces ahead, left Taeyang trailing behind by two steps. Without a glance backward, her words cut through the silence with solemnity.

"Taeyang, my command is," she pronounced, "I forbid you to come to the dorm to see me until I tell you."

The new moon, a silent witness to their unfolding drama, seemed to cast an enigmatic spell. In that moment, Taeyang's world crumbled as he absorbed Yuna's words, his efforts rendered futile. The night, once brimming with possibilities, now played a confusing game of wheels, leaving Taeyang lost in the shadows. Amidst the lunar mystery, the painful realization lingered—there was still no 'them' at the end of this bewildering night.

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Some points to comment :)

What was Yuna reserving her command for?

Did Taeyang really lucked out?

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