Prologue 2
Dawn had barely touched the sky when Tae slipped out of the house, having spent a sleepless night staring at the ceiling above his bed. Clad in a thick red stripped jacket, he started with his morning walk.
A mile away, he came to a creek that ran alongside the main road leading to the village. He walked gingerly down the slippery bank and sat down on a flat boulder. With his elbows propped on his knees and his chin cupped in his palms, he stared at the gray water flowing slowly between near the bank.
The sky turned pink and then yellow as he sat there, trying to recover the joy he always felt in this place whenever he watched the dawning of a new day.
A pair of shiny brown boots appeared at his side.
Park Bogum
You're up early this morning
Bogum said, staring and grinning at the petite young man seated upon the rock. Taeh's raven black hair shimmering with the sun gentle caress. His nose was small and perfect, his cheeks delicately boned and blooming with health, and the center of his nose there's a mole
The promise of beauty was already molded into every line of feature of Tae's face, but it was obvious to any onlooker that his beauty was destined to be more exotic than fragile, more vivid than pristine, just as it was obvious that there was stubbornness in his small chin and laughter in his sparkling eyes. This morning, however, his eyes lacked the usual luster.
Park Bogum
Move over and let me sit down
Tae did so, and the newly arrived guy studied the younger one's sad expression with mild concern.
Park Bogum
What have you looking so grim?
Taeh was truly tempted to confide to him. At twenty, Bogum was five years his senior and wise beyond his age. His best friend, Park Bogum, was the only child of the village's wealthiest resident, a widow of seemingly delicate health who clung possessively to her only son at the same time that she relinquished to him all responsibility for the running of their huge mansion and a number of trade and business.
Putting his finger beneath Taeh's chin, Bogum tipped his face up
This second request was more than his heartsick emotions could withstand, Bogum was his friend. In the years they have known each other, the older guy has taught Tae how to fish, to swim, to shoot a pistol, and to cheat at cards – this last he claimed to be necessary, so the younger would know if he was being cheated. Tae has rewarded his effort by learning to outswim, outshoot, and outcheat him. They were friends, and he knew he could confide almost anything to him. He could not, however, bring himself to discuss his parents' marriage with him. Instead he brought up the other thing worrying him – his father's warning.
Taehyung
How can you tell if someone loves you? Truly loves you, I mean
Park Bogum
Who are you worried about loving you?
Taehyung
The person I'll marry
Had he been a little older, a little more worldly, he would have been able to interpret the tenderness that flared in Bogum brown eyes before he swiftly looked away.
Park Bogum
You'll be loved by the person you'll marry
Park Bogum
You can take my word for it
Taehyung
But that person must love me at least as much as I do
Park Bogum
'that' person will
Taehyung
Perhaps, but how will I know?
Bogum cast a sharp, searching look at his exquisite features.
Park Bogum
Has someone been pestering your parents for your hand?
He demanded almost angrily
Taehyung
of course not, hyung!
Taehyung
I'm a guy, and I'm only fifteen, and my father wants me to wait until I'm eighteen before pursuing anyone, I have to know my own mind, you see, when I'm on that stage.
Bogum look at the stubborn little chin and chuckled
Park Bogum
If knowing your own mind is all Dr. Kim is concerned about, he could let you wed tomorrow. You've known your own mind since you were ten years old
Taehyung
You're right, hyung
He admitted with cheerful candor. After a minute of comfortable silence, he asked idly
Taehyung
Bogum hyung, do you ever wonder who you'll marry?
He said with an odd little smile as he stared out across creek
Park Bogum
I already know who that person is
Startled by this amazing revelation, Tae snapped his head around.
Taehyung
You do? Truly? Tell me! Is it someone I know?
When he remained silent, Tae shot him a thoughtful, sidewise look and picked up a small rock.
Park Bogum
Are you planning on throwing that to me?
He said, his eyes twinkling.
Taehyung
I was thinking more in the line of wager. If I can hit that rock at the other side of the creek then you must tell me who is it.
Park Bogum
And if I come closer than you do?
Taehyung
Then you may name whatever you want
Park Bogum
I made a dire error when I taught you to gamble
He chuckled, but he was not proof against his daring smile
Bogum missed by a couple of inches but Tae focusing at the rock breathed deeply and hit it spot on.
Park Bogum
"I also made a dire error when I taught you to throw."
Taehyung
I always knew how to do that!
He reminded him audaciously, plunking his hand on his waist
Taehyung
Now who do you wish to marry?
Shoving his hands to his pockets, Bogum grinned down at Taeh
Park Bogum
Who do you think I wish to marry, Taehyung - ah?
Taehyung
But I hope whoever that is, is very special, because you are
Park Bogum
That person is special
Park Bogum
So special that I even thought about 'that' person when I was away at school. In fact, I'm glad to be home so I can see 'that' person more often
Taeh asnwered sarcastically,
Taehyung
Sounds quite nice
feeling suddenly and accountably angry at the unoffending person
Park Bogum
I'd said 'that' person's closer to 'wonderful' than 'quite nice', sweet and spirited, beautiful and unaffected, gentle and stubborn. Everyone who knows him comes to love him
Taehyung
Well then , for heaven's sake why don't you marry him and have done with it?
The teasing guy's lips twitched, and in a rare gesture of intimacy, Bogum reached out and laid his hand against Tae's silky black hair.
Park Bogum
"he's still too young. You see, his father wants him to wait until he's eighteen, so he'll know his own mind."
Taeh's enormous eyes widened as he searched Bogum handsome face.
Taeh hesitated, big innocent eyes still staring
Taehyung
don't you find it weird? I'm a guy and so are you. wouldn't your mother be upset?
Bogum captured Taeh's hand , smiling gently
Park Bogum
Just as there are things in the past that we cannot undo, there are feelings of which we cannot unfelt. Our hearts wants what our heart wants, we can't argue with it can we? It's the same as forcing love between two people.
Tae's world, threatened by what he had witnessed last night, suddenly seemed safe again, secure and warm.
Taehyung
Thank you Bogum hyung
He answered suddenly shyly. Then one of his lightning-quick transformation from shy to charming he added soflty
Taehyung
How lovely it would be to marry my dearest friend
Park Bogum
I shouldn't have mentioned it to you without first speaking to your father, and I can't do that for three more years.
Taehyung
He likes you immensely
Taehyung
"he won't object in the least when the time comes. How could he, when you are both so much alike?"
Tae stood up from the boulder he's sitting said his goodbye to his Bogum hyung and decided to go back to his home, feeling cheerful and bright.
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Comments
Kivshii 💜💜
you sure bro...but what a bunny looking guy just snatched his wife from you 😎🌚
2025-06-15
1
indah 110
Amazing! 😍
2025-04-16
1