Moon Chaewon, just one step behind the man in front of her, smiled to herself. Lee Joongi never ceased to amaze her. 

He had picked her up earlier today, with steaming coffee and warm croissants. They drove through the city to an unassuming driveway at the fringe of Seoul. It led them to a private forest, which had tall cedar trees lining the beginning of the walking trail.

They advanced in a single file, up a gently sloping hill. As the path narrowed, Chaewon gradually lagged behind Joongi. The path was not paved with stone, unlike most other hiking trails in South Korea. Instead, they were treading on damp fallen leaves and dirt.

She took a deep breath. Chaewon loved the smell of fresh earth and cedar that lingered in the crisp autumnal air. 

"You okay back there?"

Joongi called out over his shoulder to check on her, his arm reaching for the large water bottle dangling on his backpack. 

"Thirsty?"  

He was carrying a large orange bag on his shoulders, filled with necessities for the hike. This allowed Chaewon to wander, freely, without physical burden. It was a small gesture, but his thoughtfulness meant a lot to her.

"I'm good, Oppa. Let's keep going." 

Joongi nodded with a smile, his eyes arching into dark crescents. His forehead was shimmering with perspiration. 

He moved onward, tucking his thumbs behind the straps of his bag. This action accentuated the defined curve of his biceps, barely veiled by his white sports tee. Chaewon eyed the beads of sweat that slid down his arm. It glistened in the afternoon sunlight that peeked through the green canopy of leaves and branches.

The golden daylight also casted a halo around his wavy brown hair with every step that he took. 

It was mesmerising.

Heck.

He was mesmerising.

Chaewon had to force herself to look away. She couldn't help but sigh to herself. Joongi's vibrant personality tended to draw people's attention. Yet, it was quiet moments like these that reminded her of his physical attractiveness.

And if Chaewon was honest to herself, she was very pleased for this chance to admire him in close proximity again.

She had missed this.

Their initial chatter had faded to an easy, companionable silence, and the area was quiet. The only sounds Chaewon could hear were the gentle exhalation of their breaths and the occasional chirping of distant birds. There were no other hikers in sight.

Chaewon was glad that she had agreed to this, she loved the tranquility of the forest. She idly wondered how he had managed to ensure that no one else would be here today. 

"We are here." Joongi suddenly announced.

He turned to look at her expectantly, spreading his arms open with a wide grin.

They had arrived at a small clearing in the forest, with a gap between the tall trees that allowed them to look over the edge of the hill. Chaewon gasped at the beautiful scenery that unfolded before her. 

"Wow, Oppa."

She felt the tension in her body dissipate as she took in the neat rows of farmed barley stretching out endlessly below. There was not a building in sight. The cool air nipped at her cheeks and Chaewon smiled as her nose detected the scent of the fields that came with the breeze. 

She turned to face Joongi. He was holding out his large water bottle to her, a gentle smile on his face.

"Eo, almost as beautiful as you."

Chaewon chose to ignore his cheeky comment. She took a swig of water. It was cool and refreshing as it travelled down .

"How did you find this place?"

"Seoul was getting too stifling. And I missed the quietness of my hometown. I really needed a place where I could take in fresh air and you know, be on my own for a bit. And I found the perfect place." 

"Be on your own? I've always thought that you were the type who would spend all your free time with people." 

Joongi merely shrugged. "You may not believe it, but I'm an introvert. I enjoy my own company." 

"I enjoy your company too, Oppa." She said softly as she returned the bottle back to him. "Thanks for bringing me along today, Oppa. I really like it here."

"Really? That's a relief." He leaned in to pick a leaf from her hair, showing it to her briefly befo