Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The moment Yoo Sora decided Im Ilseob was the man her grandmother had sent her, she had decided to take on a mission to win him over.

She was a nurse, and as one who had undergone additional training in order to be qualified to work in the ICU, she wasn't the type to back out easily or give up once she had set her mind on something—or someone. Wide-eyed and naive though she looked, she had determination.

Sora definitely took after her grandmother's grit, and for that she would always be grateful.

Ilseob was a man of few words, which she was quick to find out when they started dating. From her own experience, she had known how calmly he spoke to the deceased client's family, sharing in mourning while still maintaining an air of professionalism. Sora found it particularly admirable when Ilseob had confronted the ahjussi who attempted to hit her, sending the drunk man away with his quiet strength. She also remembered Dongjoo mentioning a wise thing Ilseob had said once; the two ladies had ended up spending that afternoon pondering on what would await them when they were his age— much to Junghwa's worry, arriving at the cafe and finding her two best friends staring cluelessly into space. 

So when Ilseob, in a brief reply saying he went out on his day off to have coffee with her, Sora was unabashedly joyful. She couldn't help but be chatty, eager to ask him questions right away— eager to know him; he seemed distant, seemingly shutting down her open-ended questions with short answers.

Ilseob checked his watch. "Your shift is starting soon," he said. "You should go."

Sora frowned. Maybe he wasn't as interested as I thought he was after all?

"When are we meeting again?"

She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "Y-you want us to…?"

"Yes, I'd like to see you again, Sora-ssi." Ilseob bit his lip. "If you'd like—"

"Of course I do! I do!" In her excitement, Sora's palm landed on his arm in a loud slap. "I'm so sorry…!"

He shook his head and smiled, then offered to walk back to Eonju University Hospital with her. "I'll call you, okay?"

Chapter Text

Working in the ICU and the funeral home required long and shifting hours—both the nurse and the funeral director understood they weren't going to be like most couples who went out often. Coffee dates, so far, provided the most convenience for Sora and Ilseob. It wasn't ideal, and the former sometimes wished they'd meet outside the Eonju University grounds— but it was easier that way, at least for the first few months of their relationship.

It was a change when Ilseob asked to meet at a sandwich place that was nowhere near their place of work. Bread Bites was similar to Subway, but much less crowded than the renowned chain stores and therefore cozier too. 

Sora curiously read the menu displayed on the chalkboard while waiting in line, wondering what was good to eat, and what type of food her guy would order since he suggested eating there. She smiled, pleased at how she had gotten Ilseob to open up to her. Slowly but progressively trusting her with his stories, with his heart.

"Thank you for listening," he'd always say after realizing he had been speaking longer than he was accustomed to. He'd say it as though he was apologizing for taking up Sora's precious time, but she always gently reminded him, "I'd gladly do this anytime you need me to."

The woman ordering in front of Sora bumped into her, apologizing immediately.

"You're…" Sora recognized the woman, whose hair fell straight past her shoulders; she was no longer as pale as the last time, but her eyes remained lifeless. Ilseob's former love.

"Do you know me, agassi?" The older woman was confused.

"You probably don't remember me, but I'm a nurse at Eonju—"

"Sora-ssi," Ilseob had arrived, panting slightly. "What are you doing here?" He directed the question to the unexpected third person joining them. "I thought you were coming to the funeral home, so I waited…"

Were they planning to meet today? Had he forgotten our date— was that why he was running late?

"I dropped by to buy your favorite. I know you love it here. But… what are you doing here, oppa? I never told you where I was."

Goosebumps crept up Sora's skin. Did they come here often? And she still remembered the food he liked, after all these years… She suddenly felt small, felt like crumbling in front of the woman who knew Ilseob better than she did.

"I'm meeting my girlfriend." Ilseob, who up until that moment had been hesitant to touch Sora (despite her reassurances that he can), wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Oh." The woman forced a smile at the couple then handed them the food she'd bought. She reached into her wallet and handed back his credit card back too. "Thank you for everything. Sorry it took me this long to return it, Ilseob-ssi."

There's nothing to be jealous about, Sora convinced herself. She had even stopped calling him oppa for my sake. Even left immediately to give us time alone.

Yet Sora had been locked up at Bread Bites' lone restroom for the past ten minutes, excusing herself after eating. The store manager finally knocked, at Ilseob's request, because Sora wasn't responding to him. 

"Are you alright in there, miss?"

They'd had an awkward meal mostly in silence. Ilseob had attempted to ask what she thought about the food his ex-lover had bought for them. Sora had insisted it was good, but the petty part within her— the raging bit of her heart whose jealousy was untamed— wished they'd eaten somewhere else instead, that it wouldn't have been a waste if they'd discarded the food anyway.

Ilseob didn't owe it to his keen observational skills to know he had upset her; Sora was pretty much an open book, a free-spirited woman who hid nothing from him. 

He readily claimed his missteps and gave his sincerest apologies.

"I hate myself." Sora had her arms crossed, feeling ashamed. "The way you care deeply about her as a friend and as a person, I know that's just how you are and that shouldn't bother me but it does … that's why I hate myself."

They were taking a stroll in a nearby park that was on its way to the bus stop where they were headed.

"I understand," Ilseob said. "Besides, misunderstandings were caused because I failed to communicate with you that I was meeting her tonight."

"Am I being silly?"

"No, not at all." Smiling earnestly, Ilseob slipped his arm around Sora's waist, allowing himself to be comfortable being close to her. "I still love you."

"Really?"

"I do."

"Then I love you more!" she giggled, returning the hug and squeezing him tighter with both arms.

Chapter Text

"I'm nervous, Sora."

"I know you are. That's why I'm keeping your sweaty hand in mine."

"Do I look okay?"

"'Course you do— I chose our matching outfits."

Ilseob was wearing the same shade of sweater as Sora, a light shade of blue that fit him better than the grim black suit he wore almost daily. They stood outside the door of his girlfriend's house for they were meeting her parents together, officially, as a couple. Not that Sora ever kept their relationship a secret to anyone, but Ilseob had asked to keep his identity a secret to her parents— at least until that evening, because he kept insisting that his 10-year age gap with Sora's mother and father would make them not approve of him.

"Maybe we should wait a few more days to prepare them—"

"You'll be okay, oppa. We'll be okay." Sora always had eyes for him that were full of adoration and affection.

Ilseob had decided to finally face them after realizing the burden was heavier on Sora's end, not his— how she'd have to keep mum about who he was to her own family, when from the beginning she had firmly been vocal about being proud of him. That and seeing a lovely engagement ring displayed by the jewelry store's window on his way home from work one day, making him think, "It would look so perfect on my Sora."

"You know, a kiss would really toughen me up," he said, dimples showing through his tense smile.

"You'd never have to beg for it." Sora tiptoed to reach up to him. She had planned to plant a peck on each cheek— the left first, then the right— but Ilseob intercepted her move and met his mouth with hers instead.

He had wanted to cup her round face in his hands but couldn't; his one hand held hers while the other carried a cake topped with fresh fruits that Sora's mother loved. She gripped his shoulder to keep their distance at a minimum, while he couldn't help but start sucking on her lip.

"Oi, you two! How long have you been standing there?"

Sora's father had seen them through the window from the second floor. Apparently he had been checking the street outside every once in a while, unable to keep from wondering who his daughter's mystery boyfriend was. He squinted his eyes at the man in blue, whose lean build and neatly-gelled up hair seemed familiar. "Mr. Im?"

***

Ilseob had worried for nothing— the age gap, his job, and his modest family background didn't matter much to Sora's parents. The help he had provided all throughout the wake and funeral service of Sora's grandmother had left them a very good impression, and dinner had allowed him to further show his softhearted nature.

The mood was relaxed after a full meal had been enjoyed and sweet slices of cake had been gobbled up. "How serious are you about my daughter?" Sora's mother asked.

"Actually… I've been opening up the subject of marriage with her," Ilseob told them. Sora, laughing, added that she had long been sure about him being her husband before he had even considered dating her.

"You want to marry my only child?" Sora's father, from whom she had gotten her exuberant personality, suddenly sounded stern.

"I hope to, yes. With your permission." Ilseob faced his girlfriend's parents, straightened out his clothes, and bowed on the floor before them. "I'd like to ask for Yoo Sora's hand in marriage. She is as precious to me as she is to the both of you."

"Oppa…"

"Well, when?" her father asked.

"She'd like to have a summer wedding..."

"That's two months from now," her mother mused. "But could you work out the details before then?"

"It won't be a problem," Sora answered confidently. She knew they had Dongjoo and Taehee, Junghwa, as well as Vincent's efficient business to help prepare for the big day. "A simple ceremony won't need a long time to put together."

Sora's parents didn't take long to agree, especially when they had nothing against the man their daughter had fallen in love with. Sobbing tears of joy, Sora threw her arms around her mother and father, utterly grateful for their approval. Halmeoni, I wish you were here to see this, she kept crying over and over. 

Ilseob smiled at his new family, the people he'd now call home. My soon-to-be wife was right. Thank you, halmeoni, for sending your granddaughter to me.