As the sun woke, its rays bled through the camper’s window and covered them in a gentle orange light. The rays woke Wheein first. With a stretch, careful to not wake the still sleeping Hyejin, Wheein reawakened her sore body. As her nerves came alive, she relished in how they flourished with the memory of the night prior. 

Taking a moment to gather herself, Wheein basked in the early morning rays before cuddling closer and clinging onto Hyejin. Nuzzling into her neck and taking in Hyejin’s scent with a deep breath. Wheein doesn’t know how, but Hyejin always has the scent of flowers. A flower bed, deep in the forest, under the spring sun. There was just something so earthy and spicy about Hyejin that Wheein felt addicted to it. Even with perfumes and lotions, Hyejin’s natural scent is, and always will be, her favourite. 

Letting go of a dreamy sigh, Wheein looked at Hyejin’s sleeping side profile. The rays highlighted and outlined Hyejin’s features. Features that Wheein has long since memorised. Outlines that Wheein will always find joy in following. 

Taking her finger, she gently placed it at where Hyejin’s hairline started. Pausing just for a moment to see if her action caused Hyejin to stir. But Hyejin was sound asleep. With a gentle smile on her face, Wheein traced Hyejin’s side profile with her finger. Her finger followed the curve of Hyejin’s forehead and the slope of Hyejin’s nose. Taking a small moment to gently boop Hyejin’s nose before continuing. The sudden boop caused Hyejin to scrunch up her nose. Wheein thought she would wake up, but Hyejin settled back down. Comfortable enough to let Wheein do whatever she wants to her. Continuing to Hyejin’s lips, Wheein lifted her finger to just hover above them as she traced them. As she did, memories of what exactly those lips are capable of flashed in her mind and she felt herself become hot. Without further delay, less she becomes distracted by something else, she followed Hyejin’s chin and down her neck. Easily earning a small giggle from Hyejin as Wheein’s finger grazed across the sensitive neck. 

Wheein looked up to see if Hyejin finally  woke up at the sudden sensation but, again, Hyejin settled back down. If anything, she nuzzled closer to Wheein. Easily placing her head on top of Wheein. 

Wheein found comfort in such an embrace. In her comfort, and in the quiet morning, Wheein began to think about many things. Things that are miniscule and things that are grand. Philosophical things and practical things. She thought about how to improve her art. Where should she focus on next in order to prepare herself for her future classes. She thought about visiting her grandparents more often. She thought about talking to Ms. Manju more often. She thought about talking to her parents more often than she has lately. She thought about them all. 

Then she came across a thread of thought she really didn’t want to acknowledge. 

Sure, she’s certain she knows what she wants for her future. But with such things, there is always a caveat. She knows that she wants to be with Hyejin. But she isn’t sold on the idea of marriage. 

For the longest time, she was confused at such a thought. Just because it was her own thought, doesn’t mean she knows exactly why she thought it initially. But in the silence of the morning, the gentle rays were willing to listen to her thoughts. And she was willing to oblige. 

Wheein knew why she wanted to be with Hyejin. She loves Hyejin with all of her heart and soul, so why is the idea of marriage….scary? Why does it bring the wisps of dread into her heart once marriage pops up into her mind? She isn’t scared of being with Hyejin for the rest of her life. She isn’t afraid of that but….

Wheein tensed as the revelation came to her. She looked up at Hyejin, her sleeping lion, and her heart squeezed. She knew why the idea of marriage didn’t please her. Even if it was contradictory. 

Marriage was binding. 

It’s easier to be in this sort of relationship they have right now in order to make leaving the other easier. 

Her heart cried in anguish at the thought. Truly, she was her own worst enemy. But she has her reasons. Now that she’s figured it out. 

She wants to be with Hyejin, and she knows that Hyejin wants to be with her. But, despite all of Hyejin’s words, and even her own words, Wheein still has that belief that Hyejin deserves better. And the future is uncertain. Anything could change in the future. Things that could change who they are and what they think. No doubt that Hyejin would meet many different people along the way. Different people with potential. And love isn’t a straight line. It fluctuates. Even to the point of negativity. 

Wheein curled up and nestled herself deeper into Hyejin’s side. 

She loves Hyejin with all of her heart, but if she has to let her go, then so be it. Let it be easier to let go instead of being tied together with formalities and law. 

The gentle heat of the rays lulled her to sleep. As her eyes drooped, she only had one thought that lacked enough self awareness that she felt comfortable. 

She probably needs to tell Hyejin how she feels about the idea of marriage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was true in highschool, and it’s true in college too. Time after spring break passes by fast. It seemed like they barely made it back to the apartment and all of a sudden finals were here. 

“Wheeeeenieeeeee~” Hyejin cried as she dragged herself into the apartment. Her brain fried from the Intro Microcomputer Applications final and the review session she had for Microeconomics shortly afterwards. 

“Hm?” Wheein answered from the couch. She was the lucky few that had her finals in the first couple of days and thus was done early. So, while Hyejin suffered study sessions and exams that were far enough apart that she couldn’t really be free, Wheein patiently waited for her to come home. Sometimes prepared with food at the ready. Or, depending how their text conversations went throughout the day, prepared herself. But not today. Today Wheein thought it would be best if they have a nice night out in town. Help Hyejin unwind a little and get her out of the apartment and library. 

Wheein heard Hyejin drag her feet and drop her bag with a defeated thump. Huh, the exam and review combo must’ve been worse than expected. Maybe she should treat Hyejin to something other than just dinner. A dinner and a show then? She did want to try something new in the bedroom so maybe now was the time.

“Wheeeeenieeee~” Hyejin cried again as she collapsed on the couch. Not even making it to collapse on the sitting, and waiting, Wheein.

“Wow, you didn’t even try to make it to me,” Wheein observed. 

“I tired,” Came Hyejin’s muffled voice as her face was against the cushion.

“Do you still want to go out?” Wheein asked with concern.

“Yee. Gimme…” Hyejin thought for a moment, “Fifteen?”

“Alright,” Wheein nodded and got up to go to her defeated lion. 

“Love you,” Wheein said as she leaned down to give Hyejin a kiss on the forehead.

“Love you too,” Hyejin beamed. Feeling rejuvenated from the small kiss. 

Wheein left to get ready. As she got ready, she wondered when the last time she actually went out on a date with Hyejin was. Although, Wheein had to admit she was grateful. Freshman year was the perfect chance to solidify yourself as to what kind of student you would be. Just because they are easy classes, doesn’t mean you should slack off. She briefly wondered if Hyejin would fall back into old habits. That Hyejin would insist on going out and having fun and going on dates every weekend. Hyejin may be a homebody, but she’s also a hopeless romantic. Taking every opportunity to make a romantic gesture no matter how miniscule. From bringing home random flowers, to make grand meals on a Tuesday night. Nothing was out of the realm for Hyejin. 

So, with freshman year being the easiest year of their college careers, Wheein had that expectation deep in her mind. Not that she would blame Hyejin. They were finally away from prying eyes and free to be the “love sick love birds” that Ji Yeon lovingly calls them. 

“Where we eatin’?” Hyejin popped her head in the bedroom as Wheein searched in the wardrobe.

“I wanted to try that bistro on the square?” Wheein said as she searched for a decent shirt to go out in. It was still hot out but if they were to stay until later in the evening then it would get cooler. She had to plan accordingly. But, even then, Hyejin is an expert at warming her up.

“Oh! They do like european style, right? Sujeong talked about it before,” Hyejin tried to jog her memory on what Sujeong said about the bistro. Mainly trying to remember if Sujeong mentioned what to expect from the food there. 

Wheein was burying herself in the wardrobe in search of a shirt, so Hyejin didn’t see the flash of disdain come across Wheein’s face. She mentally berated herself for it. Hyejin told her to not worry about it, and Hyejin even gave her reason, but she still couldn’t help but feel a tad jealous. 

“Did she say if it was good?” Wheein did her best to hide the disdain. Mainly by focusing on selecting a random shirt. 

“That’s what I’m trying to remember,” Hyejin said in a strained voice. Her face was scrunched up in concentration as she tried to conjure the exact details that Sujeong said. In her mind, it was seeing a video at 144p. Vague enough to tell things apart, but not detailed enough to get accurate information. 

Wheein came out of the closet triumphant. Nothing wrong with the generic nice shorts and shirt combo. In this case, jean shorts and a loose tank. She then made her retreat to the bathroom. She could get changed in the bedroom, but Hyejin is known for getting a bit too frisky at times. Especially when they have plans. 

“Oooooh, jorts combo,” Hyejin said as Wheein walked across her field of vision with her chosen outfit. 

Wheein paused. 

“Say that again, and I will not hesitate to suplex you,” Wheein deadpanned. 

“Bu--”

The door closed and locked. 

“Babe!” Hyejin whined at the door.

“Don’t say that cursed word in front of me ever again,” Came Wheein’s muffled reply through the door. 

“But it’s true! It’s a jean. It's shorts. Ergo, jorts!” Hyejin confidently said at the door as she also began her own preparations. She had an outfit in mind already and was thankful when Wheein retreated to the bathroom. That way she could relish the look on Wheein’s face once Wheein's beautiful eyes sees what she's wearing. 

“What did I just say!?” Wheein whined through the door.

“But I didn’t say it in front of you,” Hyejin’s smirk was easily carried through her tone.

“I was in front of the door!”

“Yea, but ya specifically said not to say it in front of you,” Hyejin’s smug tone brought out Wheein’s competitive nature. 

“Ok, but, you still said it in front of me. By saying it in front of the door,” Wheein dropped a brush and bent down to pick it up. She’s going to go all out tonight even if she is wearing jorts, “you said it in front of me since the door is in front of me.”

“Interesting counterpoint, my love. But I must disagree,” Hyejin put on a haughty british accent, “Based on the small amount of commotion I hear in there, you seem to be in front of the sink. Which is off to the side of the door. Not in front of it directly. You could only see the front of the door. Not be in front.”

Wheein paused. Hyejin was right. She is by the sink and she can only see the door. She is nowhere near being in front of it. It just feels like she was in front of it. Maybe she should give Hyejin dinner and a show. 

“I take your silence as my victory,” Hyejin snickered.  

Wheein rolled her eyes as she did a final check in the mirror. Looking over herself, her demons began to whisper their vile words. Pointing out the smallest details in which she’s not confident with. They whispered about gaining weight. They whispered how different her arms look now. How big her belly has gotten. The words were beginning to reach her. She briefly contemplated changing into something else, something less exposing, but once those demons began to whisper how much less Hyejin loves her because of it she snapped out of it. As of late, any time her demons mention Hyejin’s love, she would get angry. Angry at her demons for bringing up Hyejin’s love for her when it’s obvious that Hyejin’s love is unyielding. No longer is she falling for her demons' empty words. With a confident nod to herself, Wheein finally went back out to meet Hyejin.

“Alright, I--” Wheein’s breath hitched and she felt her heart race.

She figured Hyejin would just go out in her school clothes. Being too drained to be bothered with changing. But, as always, Hyejin surprised her.  

Standing before her was a modern goddess.

“I--” Wheein found that coherent thought has long since left her brain. 

A lazy, but knowing, smirk made its way onto Hyejin’s face. She sauntered over to Wheein, knowing full well what she was doing to her girlfriend’s mind. The black slacks, white tank top that fit in all the right places combined  with amazing makeup always brought Wheein to her knees. She had to admit, she felt prideful at being able to do this to Wheein. She has always been a bit proud of her looks, but she never really cared about what others thought of them. But with Wheein, it was different. She meant to look deadly attractive. She meant every little detail. Other people looking at her are just the byproduct. Other people can look all they want, but she only cares if Wheein is looking. 

“You alright there?” Hyejin finally made it to a blushing Wheein and tucked a stray lock of Wheein's hair behind an ear. The sudden touch brought Wheein back to her senses. 

Just barely.

“I’m fine!” Wheein squeaked out. Her blush deepend once she realised how close Hyejin actually was. 

“Good, now let’s get goin’!” Hyejin beamed and dragged Wheein out of the bedroom.

“W-wait! We need to make sure we have everything!” Wheein didn’t resist Hyejin dragging her.

“Whadda mean? I got everything right here!” Hyejin said as they passed by the couch and gestured to the bag that was on the edge. 

“How did you get ready and manage to get everything together?” Wheein took the small backpack and examined it’s contents to verify that everything was in there. And in the small, navy coloured backpack with hints of sparkles and a silver dragon embroidered on the side pocket, was everything they needed. Their phones, spare chargers, and thin wallets with cards and cash already transferred into them. 

“I have my ways,” Hyejin said as she waited for Wheein to get done examining the contents of the bag.

“Your ways are mysterious,” Wheein admitted in awe.

“Just wait till I tell you how I get free food,” Hyejin skipped ahead and beckoned Wheein to follow with an outstretched hand.  

Wheein tilted her head as she closed the backpack and put it on.

“Free food? You’re getting free food at the bistro?” Wheein took Hyejin’s hand. 

“Yup!” Hyejin led Wheein out and locked the door behind them. Not once letting go.

“How’s that?” Wheein’s curiosity was piqued. 

At the elevator, Hyejin gave Wheein a kiss. A deep and passionate one as they waited for the elevator to show up. Only pulling apart once it  dinged. And as they pulled back, Wheein saw the smug look on Hyejin’s face.

“By making you pay for it since you lost earlier~” Hyejin sang as she dragged Wheein into the elevator with her. 

“Hyejin-ah!!”