PROLOGUE : a couple known for their good looks and their longevity, park bogum and ryu nayoung have always been paired together. from being the class representatives in high school to going into a haunted house as pairs together in college to even attending their friends' weddings as a couple later on in life, it seems as if bogum and nayoung have always been together. despite that, those are only the glory moments of their relationship. behind all of those shining moments, however, are the tears and fights that have built them up to who they are today. park bogum and ryu nayoung have always seemed to be that perfect couple, the goal that all their friends strive to be. truthfully, things aren't as peachy all the time, especially since they've dated for so long. 
september 15, 2018, otherwise regarded as the most important day to the both of them - the day they got married. or perhaps the most important day to them would be september 15, 2008 - which is the date they got together. either way, to both of them, september 15th is an important date. before then, however, nayoung and bogum first met each other in high school, decorated with the flush of a new chapter in life (and also perhaps the hazy heat of summer). while nayoung had come from an all-girls' school and most of her peers had come from the same middle school as one another, a few of her friends happened to join her at the new co-ed school, so it wasn't like she would be by herself forever. nayoung also wasn't too bad at making a few new friends, but she eventually met her future beloved, park bogum, through mutual friends. the two shared the same friend group, and nayoung's always seen bogum as someone with the brightest smile, but had never particularly felt anything even close to romantic with him for the first few years of their friendship. they all hung out as a group for a long time, before eventually growing closer as the two of them. their love began as a slow burn, as it progressed ever so gently, the two of them trying to maintain a friendly facade with the other. in both of their last years in high school, however, the two of them were voted as class representatives, and it ultimately forced them to confront their feelings for each other, as the two began to spent more time with the other. it would begin with small planning meetings, and then it would devolve into the two of them laughing about something unrelated and it often ended with the two of them leaving with the brightest blush on their faces. for nayoung, she did really like the way bogum would smile. he had the brightest smile and often would be the loudest one laughing in a room, and it always swept joy in her heart. she liked how friendly he was, he seemed to always be the one approaching others and making them smile, something so rare and pure to her. he was also the sweetest person in general and was always so down to help others. the way he would gently bring a smile to her face whenever she'd be feeling down; the way he would carefully check up on her whenever he felt something was off with her; the way he would walk her home, even though he really didn't have to. bogum constantly brought flutters to nayoung's heart and he didn't even have to try. for bogum, though, he had his own reasons for liking nayoung, things he simply enjoyed about her. he liked the way she would take charge in the things she cared about; the way she would be so passionate while telling him about her latest hobby or goal; the way she would carefully listen to him whenever he wanted to rant and would offer valid advice or even just a shoulder. bogum enjoyed the depth that he had, and even though everyone saw her as a pretty face, bogum was touched by how big her heart was. she had a lot of dreams that she wanted to achieve and a lot of goals in mind, and often motivated him to follow his. to bogum, she's someone who is insightful and profound, someone who is always searching for her own happiness. to nayoung, bogum is someone who is deeper than he seems and also more than just someone who is handsome. he's someone who is observant of the people he cares about and always giving others a sense of comfort, someone who brings a lot of joy and smiles to life. to each other, they both valued each other immensely. 
eventually, bogum was the one to make the move and ask nayoung out on a date, affirming that he felt romantic feelings to her, and they started going out on their own pace. at first, they went on dates here and there, before beginning to see each other more and doing more couple-like things, such as calling each other and running small errands with each other. it eventually led to bogum once again being the one to ask nayoung out officially, and it is then that their relationship officially started. they were often seen with honeyed eyes, a gaze that's only reserved for the other, and they had a sort of tension that seemed too thick to even cross. while it started off as a simple high school relationship, the two were serious about the other and they had a passing thought at the time: what if they're the one? 
despite that, every couple seems perfect when it's the beginning, and the honeymoon stage wasn't very long for the two of them. bogum had quite strict parents and when he confessed about his newfound relationship, they were not happy. they had respected their son's choices, but at the same time, they would often be in the way of the two of them and would constantly tell bogum that it was only a high school relationship and they wouldn't last. they wouldn't allow nayoung into their house and they wouldn't even begin to meet nayoung in any case. they actively disapproved of the two of them, causing a large rift between everybody. for nayoung, she didn't want to break her boyfriend's relationship with his parents apart, but in bogum's eyes, he wanted his parents to stop meddling in his life. nights would be spent with long and hard fights, where nayoung would beg to just end it if it was too hard for him, but every time, he would be adamant that it wasn't too hard and they would be able to take care of it. in reality, it took about two years before his parents would even warm up to the idea of them dating, but it definitely caused a lot of strife between everyone; despite that, it did help to strengthen the trust and bond between the two of them. 
nayoung and bogum also are pretty well-known in their social circles and environments, so it couldn't be helped that they would have others crushing on them. nayoung often had boys tailing her, despite her telling them she had a boyfriend; and bogum would have girls sliding into his dm's, as if he did not have pictures of him and nayoung. bogum had also been a dummy at the time, and often never really realized when a girl would like him, unless if she was completely obvious, but if they were just friendly to him, then he definitely couldn't tell. for nayoung, she had a sixth sense when it came to that type of thing, so she often avoided the guys that gave her an off feeling, but she often also got irritated with bogum for his dismissiveness. "don't you know she has a crush on you?" she'd say, but he'd just deny it, only to turn out to be the fool in the end. bogum's always apologetic though, and it is a blessing for him that nayoung is always there for him. 
overall, in the span of their long relationships, they have had many misunderstandings and fights, but have always gotten past them, even if it took some time. sometimes, however, it felt like it would be the breaking point for them, as they'd argue about nothing important and sometimes, nayoung has an itchy wonder if bogum ever finds the relationship boring after so many years together. he often says he isn't, but nayoung can't help but wonder. 
even though it seemed like their relationship didn't start off on the right foot, they worked hard to try to work things through with each other. they had to focus on serious couple things, such as trying to communicate with each other and to have dates often because they didn't want to become bored in a routine. they would try to do different things, such as go visit different cities through the subway and try to sightsee; watch different movies; share their goals and aspirations together, etc., they had quickly moved from a high school relationship to a relationship that was dedicated and serious. while it was fun for them to experience a youthful love, it became apparent to them that love could only do so much, and they had to truly be dedicated to the other. luckily, they definitely were. 
they moved in together after four years of dating, and it certainly wasn't a breeze. they had to deal with an equal distribution of chores, and at times, someone would be lazy, causing the other to be a bit irritated at them. they had quite a few fights at the time about cleanliness, and would have petty little strikes every time a line would be crossed. in any case, they always made up afterwards and it would be fine until the next thing happened, but a new problem would arise after a while. eventually, they just decided that they needed alone time, due to them always seeing each other, so it became a perfectly acceptable thing for them to be alone in another room whenever they wanted privacy. the system definitely helped their relationship a lot and lessened the amount of fights between them. it's probably not the little things that bothered them so much, such as not washing the dishes right away or not putting down the laundry after it dried, but it was probably just them needing time alone, and in retrospect, it definitely was that. 
after nine years together, bogum proposed to her, and of course nayoung accepted, and they were married on their tenth anniversary together, but in these days, she wonders if bogum had married her mostly because of the years they spent together, rather than him still being in love with her. he tries to quell these thoughts from her brain, but even in moments where they gleam at each other with the same honeyed eyes that they had in high school, it begins to eat at her sometimes. despite that, they still experience that fire in their stomach every time they do something good for each other and there isn't any stopping the butterflies that still forms in nayoung's heart whenever her lover gives her that precious lopsided grin that she loves so much. it's as if she's growing a garden in her chest and he's making it bloom everyday.    

EPILOGUE : nayoung and bogum are pretty much like any other couple; they fight, they cry, but most importantly, they do love each other immensely. in the muddled history of their past, it's been clear that they've chosen each other every time and it's a fact that they're consistently trying to work hard to stay together. they enjoy quiet days alone, but they also enjoy chaotic days where they annoy all the neighbors by asking them to hang out at their house because nayoung baked something and it's delicious, or at least that's what bogum says all of the time. 
even though the both of them work intensive jobs that require long hours sometimes, they do make time for each other on the weekends, even if it's only just sunday when they can hang out and they always share everything about their days, even if it's super boring. with their longevity, there's not many things they can do to "spice" it up, but they try their best and work through their problems as healthily as they can. they talk to each other a lot, even if it's just random chatter about what they're having for lunch or what they wish they were doing instead of whatever they were doing at the time. they are quite the simple couple, not really fussy with many things and try to enjoy a peaceful and quiet life together, since their teenage years were anything but. at times, they will do some hobbies, mostly by themselves since that's what they like to do in their privacy, but they respect each others' space intensely. since living with each other, they have been adamant advocates in giving space if they need it, since nayoung and bogum both don't want to incessantly annoy the other. nayoung will usually be baking in the kitchen and bogum takes it as a sign to go to their bedroom and start doing whatever makes him happy, usually just reading or surfing through netflix for something new to watch and later they will just reconvene. they also don't ask many questions whenever someone says they are going outside to hang with a friend. they have enough trust in the relationship to know that there isn't anything to worry about, but of course, they do have to know "when are you coming home?", "who are you hanging out with?", and "okay, have fun!" 
sometimes, people will like to ask if marriage is a different thing to them, compared to their days of dating, and nayoung and bogum both think that it isn't particularly so different, mostly because they have the years added up between them. marriage isn't so different after a few years of them living on their own together, and they have the same routine now as they've had since they've adjusted to living together, so of course for them, it's not particularly anything different. 
of course, there will always be problems between them, as with any couple. bogum does tend to be quite airyheaded at times and can be oblivious to some things. nayoung can be a bit too assertive for her own good as well. they end up getting into petty little fights, and sometimes when it's awful enough, nayoung will unleash her deepest, inner thoughts - so much for being able to be honest to each other about everything. she does worry that they are becoming too comfortable, or already are too comfortable with each other, and wonders if it is just because they've been together for such a long time that they are still together today. there's a lot of insecurity on her part, and with her being a stubborn person, there's not much stopping her from thinking things. it's important to her though, and it's an issue she wants to work on. however, how are they supposed to really know if they're only together because it's just natural for them or because they've been together for so long? oh but it's also not easy having that conversation when a super annoying coworker pops up in between their lives either. jealousy doesn't particularly run deep between either of them, but sometimes, it can get annoying when there's a fly coming their way. 

(as for any sort of ending, that can be up to you! i don't particularly see them ending in a divorce or anything drastic like that, but i do see them doing some soul searching and continuing to affirm their love for each other, even if it takes time!)

COUPLE TRIVIA :
✤ nayoung likes to bake, and sometimes will bake bogum apology bread for whenever he's upset at her or if she did something wrong. he tends to like snickerdoodles, but sometimes nayoung will be a bit prideful and bake him chocolate chip instead. it doesn't matter though because he'll scarf both of them down. 
✤ first, they wanted to have their honeymoon at a place with a beach, so hawaii, they thought. well, it changed because bogum had a case between two couples that had a nasty split, and their vacation plans were put on halt. then, after a few months, it was decided that they would go to japan, since it was close and the cherry blossoms would begin to bloom there. they both decided to go after work's more settled down between the two of them, but it took probably about half a year from their wedding for them to have an actual honeymoon - but in her eyes, nayoung thinks it was worth it. 
✤ this is a story about a short girl attempting to try to reach the top shelf when the tall guy isn't home, also depicts him putting those items on the tallest shelf so that she can rely on him more. 
✤ kids? even though nayoung and bogum are all for the idea of kids, they want to enjoy married life a bit more before having them, despite having the longest dating period ever. "dating is different from being married!" nayoung always insists. 
✤ bogum's defining habit whenever he greets her is a head pat and sometimes nayoung wonders if he treats her as a child. 
✤ nayoung is a little and likes to steal bogum's birks, as if she doesn't have a pair of her own. her own response, however, is "deal with it!" 
✤ bogum always shows her those tiktoks where a couple will start dancing something super cute, so he'll ask nayoung to learn it with him but usually, she'd just roll her eyes.
✤ nayoung's favorite moments with bogum are the sunny days where they'll lay under the setting sun and just enjoy each other's presence. his are the days where she'll make his favorite food (in theory, men are lame and nayoung may have proved that theory).  
✤ nayoung decided to keep her maiden name but it's mostly because she was too lazy to change it and she also thinks that park nayoung didn't really fit her as much as her name currently. bogum isn't one to care too much though cause he also agrees that park nayoung doesn't really fit her. 
✤ they're pretty good with communicating with the other about important things, especially since they have been together for so long. at this point, they aren't afraid to tell each other anything. 
✤ bogum will always finish nayoung's food when she can't finish and that's an a+ action in her book of romantic gestures. 
✤ during their dating period, they didn't really get to see each other too often during college since it was a busy time for bogum, who was prepping to be a lawyer and nayoung was really gearing up to get a decent job in her career field, so lowkey they mostly wanted to live together so they'd at least be able to see each other at home (though they'd always deny this when people ask). 
✤ ikea enthusiasts, furniture and food. 
✤ when bogum had to serve in the military, they'd exchange letters and sometimes whenever they'd have a fight, it would be reflected in those letters. for example, nayoung would write "i hope you'll be taking a cold shower tomorrow, so you can reflect on your sins. <3" 
✤ bogum: the type to sleep at midnight, nayoung: the type to sleep whenever she wants, except for when she discovers a new story or series that she likes, then she doesn't sleep. 
✤ nayoung: i'm having a crisis
bogum: what is it
nayoung: ah it, i'm giving myself bangs 
bogum: noOOOooOOooooOOOOOo (even though he loves them on her) 
✤ bogum: you ever just think about how we live in a simulation
nayoung: no i just don't think
✤ bogum: you are so precious, i adore you
nayoung, five minutes later: do you even like me
bogum: what  
✤ nayoung: look i just got poppy in my campsite
bogum: i want marshal, where's marshal
✤ bogum: the inner machinations of my mind are an enigma
nayoung: ok squidward