A few weeks later, there was a visit from some traveling merchants. They spoke German, and it was fortunate that Taeyang could translate for them to the villagers.

Silently wondering when Taeyang had time to learn another language, Hwiyoung watched his friend from nearby. He was just a tad bit jealous of Taeyang's talent.

Feeling as if half a day had gone by, Hwiyoung sleepily dozed in the morning sunlight. The sound of the merchants speaking became steadily garbled.

"Hwi." Being startled awake by his nickname, Hwiyoung looked around in confusion. When he realized it was Taeyang, Hwiyoung knew he had fallen asleep.

"Why are you sleeping out here?" Taeyang laughed. "I was envying your skills for too long," Hwiyoung shrugged while squinting into the distance. He obviously felt awkward to admit it.

When nothing was retorted back, Hwiyoung looked up from where he sat. Taeyang smiled, "You are braver than me and a great hunter. Let's not compare our skills."

Hwiyoung smirked before taking Taeyang's outstretched hand to get to his feet. He was getting hungry now since it was almost noon.

"Do you want to eat lunch now?" Taeyang asked as if reading his mind. Hwiyoung nodded. "You can go ahead to my house. There's still some food in the cupboard," Taeyang gestured. 

Hwiyoung frowned, "What about you?" "I can't. I have some deliveries to do first." "I'll see you at dinner then."

"Sorry… I won't be home for dinner," Taeyang sounded apologetic. This was very strange behavior, and Hwiyoung didn't understand it. What could be so important when Taeyang was scared to be out at night?

Taeyang smiled again and waved as he departed, "I'll see you later." With his hand up awkwardly, Hwiyoung could only wave back as Taeyang ran off.

From behind him, Hwiyoung felt a strange and familiarly irksome presence. Before he could see who it was, an arm slung over his shoulder casually.

"Hey, I hear you're quite good at hunting? Would you like to join me?" the person voiced lazily. Giving a rather disgusted glare, Hwiyoung roughly jerked the arm off his shoulder.

There stood Kai with his menacing presence. "Oh, are you okay?" Kai feigned innocence while obviously knowing that he seemed diabolical.

"I'm fine, but I'm not going hunting with you. I hunt alone," Hwiyoung seethed through gritted teeth.

He knew it was wrong to judge someone you just met. However, Kai was not just someone. Hwiyoung could sense the animalistic similarity between Kai and himself. 

After a small moment of surprise, Kai laughed out loud. Not fond of being made fun of, Hwiyoung clenched his fists to hold back his anger.

"Okay, I understand that you would want to be that way," Kai acknowledged as Hwiyoung turned his back to him. He thought Kai was finished speaking when the hunter continued, "I do have something to speak with you about though. Meet me by the well in the forest tonight, or I'll have to tell everyone who you really are."

Hwiyoung spun back to yell at him only to find that Kai was already gone. In frustrating bewilderment, Hwiyoung kicked a nearby wooden bucket from off the ground.

Not long after the bucket had gone flying, the screeching of a cat could be heard. A startled cabby emerged from the bushes toward Hwiyoung.

Stooping down, he apologetically pet Ray's furry back. She purred and rubbed her head on his leg in forgiveness. They both felt calmer now. Had a certain girl not caught his attention, Hwiyoung would have liked to doze off again with the cat.

Chaekyung's long, dark hair flowed through the air as she walked cheerily toward the lake. She wore a billowy, cotton dress. There was also a basket with a cord slung over her shoulder.

Realizing he was staring, Hwiyoung shook his head and went over to Chaekyung. She smiled as she greeted him, "Hi, Hwiyoung. How are you?" "Where are you going?" he smiled back. 

"How rude. Is that the way to reply to a question?" she frowned but grinned again mischievously. He scratched the back of his head, "Oh, sorry… I'm fine. How are… you?"

Acting royal, she replied, "I'm also doing well. Thank you, sir. As for where I'm going-" She had stopped because of his silence in concentrating on what she was saying.

"It's none of your business where I'm going," she turned her head away with her nose in the air. Hwiyoung almost whined like a child, "Aww! Tell me! Tell me!" She was not doing this to him- at least, he wouldn't allow it.

After a long while of Hwiyoung pestering her, Chaekyung gave in, "Okay! Taeyang and I are having a picnic tonight. I'm going to propose to him too!" Almost falling back and choking on the air he breathed, Hwiyoung could not comprehend what she had just told him.

He didn't know what it was, but Hwiyoung just couldn't handle being passive about how he felt anymore. Pulling at his hair, he looked down and stammered, "Wha- Why?"

Chaekyung had a confused look on her face. "Why? Because I love him and want to live with him for the rest of my life," she found herself explaining.

Hwiyoung's head snapped up as he recalled the time Taeyang and Chaekyung had almost kissed. It had made him so upset that he wanted to go break something. He was still bothered by it which was why he suddenly shouted his heart to Chaekyung, "I love you!"

In complete realization, Chaekyung gained her composure. With a small smile and sad eyes, she apologized, "I'm sorry, Hwiyoung. I only love Taeyang. I hope we can still be friends." She knew it was impossible just from witnessing the state Hwiyoung was in right now, but she didn't know what else to do for him.

"Friends? Why didn't you ever look at me?! Am I no one?" Hwiyoung's gaze pierced right into her eyes. She felt bad for him, but there were no words she could say to help. Instead, she looked away sadly and began to walk toward where she would meet Taeyang later.

Not accepting what she decided, Hwiyoung raced to Chaekyung. Grasping her arm firmly, he pulled her around to face him. She seemed to have been expecting what he would do as she quickly slapped him in the face.

Hwiyoung simply ignored her action as he was also expecting to be rejected again. In one short moment, he swiftly landed a kiss on her lips.

There was a sensation of happiness and sadness in his heart right before Chaekyung punched him squarely in the chest. With a cough, he fell to his knees on the ground. Dropping her basket out of shock, Chaekyung covered , "I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I didn't mean to hit you that harshly."

"I'm fine," he held a hand up in assurance, "Go on. Don't worry about me."

After Chaekyung had picked up her basket,  Hwiyoung watched her walk away quietly. Tears began to mar his vision, and he left sullenly with a hand clutching at his heart.

❦ ❦ ❦

When Taeyang found Chaekyung later that night, she was sitting on the grassy bank of the lake. She silently placed in her basket the medical plants which were lying on her skirt.

Sitting behind her, he slowly placed his arms around her in a hug. Chaekyung smiled softly as she turned to look at Taeyang. "You were working this whole time?" he teased. She nodded, "Yes, but you were too."

Taeyang chuckled as he hugged her more. Her hair tickled his nose before he realized they needed to eat so he suggested that they eat dinner now. He had brought some bread; she had some seasoned meat and cheese.

It was silent as they ate. As Chaekyung didn't usually act so strangely, Taeyang wondered if she was alright. He didn't want to make it worse, so he cautiously asked while patting her hand, "Is something bothering you?"

Instead of a reply to his question, she asked, "How long will you stay with me?" Taeyang hoped he had the right answer for her. He already knew what he would say but took some time to take her hands in his first.

With shining eyes, he steadily told her, "How long will I stay with you? Until the sun melts away." Chaekyung was surprised that his answer was so silly and serious. She couldn't help but start laughing.

Taeyang was relieved that she had broken the anxiety in the atmosphere. Feeling that it was the right time, he leant his face toward hers as he moved her hair back over her shoulder.

Without warning, Chaekyung stopped him with her hand by touching his chin. "What is it?" he was getting slightly worried again. "It's just that- I have to tell you something first," she said. He nodded, "Okay."

She was hesitant but continued, "I've- I've kissed another person before…" Taeyang was surprised as he had known Chaekyung since they were children.

Not wanting to make her feel bad, he decided to not ask for details, "Is this what's been upsetting you?" "Yes," she confirmed.

"Do you only love me?" he smiled. "Yes, and I'll stay with you until the sun melts," she copied his line.

Overjoyed, Taeyang was finally able to connect lips with Chaekyung. They stayed that way for a while before finally pulling away to adore each other.

"I love you," Taeyang breathed. Chaekyung hugged him quickly, "I love you too, Tae."

________________________

It finally happened! I wasn't going to have a kiss scene in this story at all, but there are two in one chapter?! 😱

I hope you liked it! Stay tuned for some craziness!

Also, SF9 received 3 WINS already! I'm so happy for them! By the way, go check out their Good Guy album and MV if you haven't already. I bought the Gold Version and Black Version of the Good Guy albums, and they have awesome content.