In Taehyun and Nari's daily life, a big chunk was often taken up by work and studies. Well, now it was work since Taehyun had graduated and earned a job as a school counselor at the high school he and Nari had attended.

But they still had some measure of routine for their personal life together. For example, Taehyun took her out on dinner dates on weekends no matter how busy they were. It was required, Nari claimed, for their peace of mind. "All work and no fun is just boring," she had said serenely three years ago, the first time they realized they barely spent any time together.

Oh, sure, they lived together and saw each other every day. But that didn't mean they did anything together as a couple too often, and Taehyun couldn't stand it. It was Nari who suggested their weekly dinner dates. From then, they always looked forward to it the whole week, the most routine thing in their five or so years together.

Another thing they did without fail was to spend one of their free days off work reading for a couple of hours, always lying on the sofa or bed together. Nari quickly lost herself in the book as she always did, but Taehyun usually ended up snuggling into her side and relishing in the warmth he felt with her. While Nari finished a book by the end of the day, Taehyun would be so distracted, alternating between cuddling her and admiring her in between reading, his book would be less than halfway done.

"You do realize that I won that bet about twenty times already," Nari had said about two weeks ago when they were driving to work, "and that you owe me boba tea, right?"

Taehyun glanced over at her, confused. "What bet and what boba tea?"

"The bet we made when you were fifteen," Nari said with a wicked grin. "The one where you bet that I couldn't finish a full-length novel before you did and the day I did, you would buy me boba tea for a week?"

"How do you remember a simple bet we made roughly," he did the quick calculations, "almost ten years ago on your eighteenth birthday?"

"How do you remember that it was my eighteenth birthday specifically?"

"Because that was the day that I realized I was in love," he said casually, grinning in triumph when she went red. "But really, how do you remember the bet now?"

She shrugged. "Maybe because I took it very seriously," she mused. "I do love boba tea, so how about it? Will you honor a bet that's basically invalid?"

"Sure, why not?" he said. "I am a man of my word."

And he had. He never told Nari, but he secretly loved seeing the delight on her face when he picked her up after work and handed her the plastic cup. He loved seeing the expressions she made as she sipped the drink. To be honest, he just loved making her as happy as he could.

Now, snuggled beside her on his bed as they held books in their hands, his mind was wandering in an entirely different direction from boba tea or magical lands, although still focused on Nari, who didn't notice him fidgeting at all. She was happily wrapped up in a new book, though on her phone, since they couldn't afford to buy new books that month. Taehyun was just rereading one he hadn't read for a while.

"Say, noona," he began. "Can I ask you something?"

Nari glanced up, only half-interested. "Hm?"

"What would be the perfect date for you?"

That caught her attention. "Well, that's really out of nowhere," she said. "I don't particularly have anything in mind. Maybe somewhere quieter?"

"I can do that," Taehyun said, "but is there anything else?"

"What's with your insistence?" she tilted her head, clearly confused. "There is one thing. Promise not to laugh at me?"

"I solemnly swear that I am not going to laugh," he raised his right hand.

"When you put it that way..." she hesitated for a second and then plowed on. "I've always wondered what it would be like to dance with you. Not just any regular dancing, I mean like, um...on a rooftop. At night. Just the two of us."

Taehyun blinked. "That's...rather sweet. How did you get the idea?"

"I just had a dream once," she said, embarrassed. "I don't know where I got the idea, but it appealed to me. Is this because our anniversary is coming up?"

"Nope, I was just curious," he said with a straight expression. Nari studied him for a few seconds, then went back to her book, but he caught her eyes hovering on the phone, unfocused, like she was lost in thought, several times. Good to keep her guessing.

Their fifth anniversary was coming up, but that wasn't the exact reason Taehyun was so insistent on figuring out what she would like. Now he had a faint idea, and...

Another idea struck him and he turned his head towards his book to hide the grin on his face. I hope this doesn't fall through, he prayed. This is the best I can do.

***

"So," Nari grinned impishly, "when does the dancing commence?"

"Soon enough, it's only sunset," Taehyun returned her grin with an even more mischievous one. "What do you think of the view?"

"It's amazing," Nari admitted. "I'm honestly really happy with this, you know? Just the two of us, sitting here together. It beats dinner at a fancy restaurant, for sure."

The pair were sitting on a beach together, on a blanket spread out on the sand. Taehyun had admitted that at first, he was thinking of a dinner date at the restaurant they always ate at, but then decided it wouldn't be special enough. Nari liked sitting on the beach with their little picnic dinner better, if dinner can be eaten at sunset.

The setting sun cast rays of blood-red and golden orange of light across the glittering ocean, like millions of sea stars twinkling on the surface in the brilliance. It was difficult to look at for too long, but the sight was one Nari never, ever got tired of. Not even when she read about such sceneries in stories all the time.

"I feel like we're victims of King Midas but like, better," Taehyun suddenly said in the silence that ensued, looking down at his arms and legs, bathed in the final golden-orange beams of sunlight. "And kind of orange-colored."

"Of course you'd say something like that," Nari laughed, reaching up to ruffle his hair. Even after years, that habit still hadn't died out. She remembered that when they were still teenagers with their own struggles, reading, laughing, and strengthening their bond together in that library, she often did this when he made her laugh or said something stupid. She still wondered how she never realized that she cared for Taehyun.

It was like with Yeonjun, she knew. Taehyun made her feel warm, safe, and protected. The butterflies were sometimes invasive but gentle, too. He made her feel like everything was better when they were together. That adorable smile always left her feeling like she had an instant energy boost. That want to stay with him. All of that combined, she wondered how she had been blind.

Probably because Yeonjun and then Soobin, she also knew. But that had been in the past, like Taehyun said. It was better to focus on the present and look forward to the future instead of dwelling on the past. Instead of obsessing over your past mistakes and blunders, it was always better to try to do better in the future. To be a better person.

"Hey, Taehyun?" Nari said, suddenly overwhelmed with a need to say it. "I love you. I really love you so much."

Taehyun blinked. "Uh...I love you too?" he tried, studying her. "You alright? Why do you sound so weird?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she waved it off, "but I just had to say it to you."

"Somehow that makes me think that you're thinking about when we were kids."

"Actually, yes," she admitted with a sheepish grin. "I was pretty blind back then, wasn't I? It's kind of embarrassing."

"Don't blame yourself," he chided, putting an arm around her shoulders. "You know it wasn't really your fault. What did I say?"

"I know what you said," she said, scooting closer to him. "And I'm still keeping it in mind."

She didn't even know how to explain the wave of emotion that fell over her when Taehyun kissed her forehead tenderly. It was a mix of happiness, relief that they were still in love, and even joy that they were still the same as before in many ways, and much more mature than before.

She still wouldn't trade moments like these for anything in the world. Not ever.

***

They had sat together on the beach until the sun fully dipped below the horizon, and longer, until Nari had felt like she was too cold in the night air. Taehyun then made her sit in the car—and blindfolded her.

"Kang Taehyun, what are you up to?" she asked, poking at the fabric over her eyes. "Are you going to kidnap me?"

"We both know you'd follow me to the end of the world," Taehyun snorted as he started driving. "No kidnapping required."

"Okay, are you planning a murder?"

"A murder—seriously, noona?" she could almost see him rolling his eyes. "Be a little patient, alright? We're not far now."

"That really doesn't reassure me."

"Do you actually believe I'm gonna hurt you?"

"No, I'm just a little worried that Yeonjun and his crazy ideas have influenced you."

"If anything," Taehyun declared, "his romantic ideas have influenced me. That man can certainly take a woman out on a date."

"Good point." She fell silent after that, listening to the sound of the car engine. As he had promised, it was less than five minutes later that Taehyun parked the car, and got out, opening her door and helping her step onto what definitely was asphalt, judging from the sound it made against her heels.

They didn't speak as Taehyun took her hand and guided her. She sensed they were in a building, which was confirmed when they boarded what was unmistakably an elevator. She wished she could see what was going on, but at the same time, she was excited to see what Taehyun was up to.

The elevator dinged and they stepped out of it. Instead of entering some kind of room, they walked up a short flight of stairs, and the sound of metal hinges creaking echoed in what felt like a small space—the stairway landing? The sound was similar to a rusted door opening, confirmed by the breeze hitting her bare face and arms.

"Where are we?" she asked, holding a hand out in front of her.

Taehyun chose not to reply, bringing her hand down and pushing her gently forward. She stumbled out into what felt like a large, open space, and stood there, feeling the wind whip around her, a cool, pleasant breeze. She didn't move, trying to gauge her surroundings while being blinded but it was impossible to tell.

"Surprise," Taehyun whispered in her ear behind her as he slid the blindfold off her. A moment's hesitation, and then she drew in a breath. This boy—

"Taehyun, seriously?" she squeaked, approaching the railing of the rooftop. "I wasn't—I didn't think you would take me seriously!"

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked serenely. "You got your wish: dancing under the moonlight. I even brought along some music!"

He wiggled his phone. She laughed, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly. "You are impossible, Kang Taehyun!"

"Impossibly irresistible, I know," he grinned.

"Impossible annoying, more like!"

"After I did all this for you?" he pouted. "To think I put all this effort in..."

"Oh, shut up," she poked him in the chest. "Now, are we going to dance, or what?"

https://youtu.be/o-oSiTyysqI

"As you wish, my lady," he made a mocking bow, dodging the playful punch she sent his way. He tapped his phone and set it down against the wall behind them, which played a sound like a whistle accompanied by instruments she couldn't identify.

"You are going to be the end of me," she shook her head, taking his hand as they began their somewhat awkward dance, swaying to the music, twirling across the rooftop as the wind blew and the moon shone down on them.

The moonlight couldn't really reach them, what with the amount of artificial lights in the sky of the city, but Nari didn't mind. It was enough that they could see the moon in the heavens above their heads. It was enough that her boyfriend had come through yet again to give her an experience she wasn't going to soon forget.

It was incredible, magical, to be here with Taehyun, the boy she had loved for years, the man she was still so in love with. In that moment—that was all that mattered. Just being there, with his arms around her, his big, piercing eyes softening with love and affection when he gazed down at her as they danced a choreography they barely remembered, a nameless one they practiced for the party at Taehyun's college graduation.

Their feet tripped over one another, they stepped on each other's toes, and they laughed too much to make it a soft romantic moment, especially with the gentle, beautiful music playing, but it was their moment. It was a special moment that they had created for each other, for themselves, special in its own way. One moment that would last a thousand eternities.

"Hey, there's something else I wanted to show you," Taehyun suddenly said. Nari gave him a questioning look as he took her by the arm, grabbed his phone, and went back to the stairway. "Close your eyes."

She obeyed, though she was brimming with curiosity. What more could he give her, after fulfilling her secret dream of rooftop dancing in the moonlight? Well, it was Kang Taehyun, so she supposed she shouldn't be so surprised.

He guided her down the steps, down a hallway, and through a door. A chilly blast of air greeted her—air-conditioning. "Keep walking," he whispered, "but don't open your eyes. Walk until I tell you."

He let go of her arm and she stumbled forward, wondering where on Earth she was. A good clue would have been the excitement in Taehyun's voice, but considering it was their anniversary and he could have taken her anywhere...

"Nari!" the voice made her eyes snap open, so familiar and welcome. In front of her was the librarian she had known for years, but that meant—

"The library," she breathed, staring around in utter disbelief. The shelves, the walls, the tables, the chairs, the couches—it was all here, in the place where she had met Taehyun. He had taken her back to where they met, the memory that had remained clear in their minds no matter how faded around the edges. "Oh, my god, he's insane."

"He loves you very much," the librarian corrected. "How many boys would do this for you, Nari?"

"Not a lot," she admitted. "It's just...wow. I never expected to be back here on a day like this. This...how is he so wonderful? What more is he going to do for me?"

"Maybe if you look behind you," Taehyun said from behind her, "you'll actually cry like I've been waiting for you to."

She spun around, a sarcastic retort on her lips, but it slipped down her throat and kind of died when she saw what this incredibly, insanely, wonderful man was doing: he was on one knee, a glittering golden ring set with a sapphire, her birthstone, lying on his palm.

"You're seriously not doing this now," she gasped, frozen. "Are you?"

"I am," he said, and all joking manner disappeared from his face. "Kim Nari, I've been waiting for a long time to say this to you. But first, let me tell you this: I love you. I've always loved you in one way or another. For the past several years of my life, I've loved you so much that being apart from you for too long feels like a physical ache. You're an incredible woman. From the ashes of the teenager who struggled so much, rose a beautiful woman who's ready to fight everything in her way—you.

"You're incredibly, almost unbearably stubborn. You're so absentminded sometimes that it's impossible just to hold a normal conversation with you, much less get you to remember something important. You have a fiery temper that actually terrifies me. You have a sharp tongue—perhaps a little sharper than I'd like. You're impulsive and you make rash decisions too often. In short, you're a chore that some days becomes a lot.

"But that's what makes you human. On the flipside, you're kind and sweet. You never hesitate to defend your loved ones. You make so many sacrifices for them, for me. You're smart, determined, and a great teacher, not to mention an amazing girlfriend.

"From the time when I was a kid and realizing I genuinely had feelings for you to now, when every night I go to sleep thanking destiny for giving me you, I've always known you're the one for me. Maybe if things hadn't gone right for us, I would have found someone else, but even then, you would have been there in my heart. Fortunately for us, we're together and in love now, and I can't even express my gratitude for that.

"So that's why I'm asking you now, Kim Nari," he said, "in this place I will always think of as our start line—will you marry me?"

Nari burst into tears and managed to choke out a 'yes,' before she dissolved completely. She hadn't seen this day coming in a million years, least of all this way. She always knew Taehyun was sappy and pretty poetic, too, but this—this was better than all of the times he had proposed to her in her imagination.

Behind them, the librarian applauded wildly for them. She, the woman who had witnessed almost all the different stages of their crazy relationship, from the time they were kids to now, as adults in their mid- and late twenties.

As soon as he rose to his feet and put the ring on her finger, she attacked him with a huge hug and kissed him fiercely. He made a surprised noise, but that didn't stop him from returning it. He slid his arms around her, and when they parted, Nari looked at him with a huge smile and said, "Kang Taehyun, you impossibly stupidly incredible man. How do you keep doing this to me?!"

"I just try my best," he said, pushing her hair out of her eyes, rubbing away the tear tracks on her face. "I know you love it."

"Of course, I do," she laughed. "How can I not?"

In time, they would get married and start a family together. Nari was sure of it. But for now, she was happy to just live in the moment. It was a blessing that she had him for a boyfriend—fiancé, she corrected herself.

"To the future," Taehyun said, giving her a playful kiss on the nose.

"To the future," Nari echoed, unable to hide her wide grin.

✧✧✧

WORD COUNT: 3274

A/N: and, we've reached the end at last.