Archive of Our Own

A long, long time ago, there lived a nineteen-year-old boy named Kim Gyuvin. Gyuvin and his best friend Eumppappa resided at the base of a forested mountain, where he chopped wood for a living.

Unfortunately, his parents died when he was just a babbling infant, so he was forced to live in a small lodge with his brother and nasty sister-in-law–paying rent with lumber and his mental health.

One day, he was trudging home from the mountain with Eumppappa, exhausted after hours of logging.

Of course, instead of having some basic human decency and leaving him alone, his sister-in-law had to start yapping the moment she saw them.

"KIM GYUVIN!" She screamed as soon as he was in earshot. "What the hell did you put on that cow?"

"Her name is Eumppappa." Gyuvin kindly informed her. "And these are earmuffs."

"No, those are my wool mittens." The nasty witch hissed. "I was looking for them since it was so cold this morning."

Gyuvin shrugged. She had an eternity of warmth waiting for her once she went to hell anyway. "Eumppappa's prone to frostbites and they fit her ears perfectly."

Moo. Eumppappa agreed.

His sister-in-law closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Look, Gyuvin. I think it's time we sold your old cow while the butcher is still willing to pay for her. She doesn't produce any milk and we don't have the money to keep her if she doesn’t have any use."

"She helps me carry wood down the mountain!" Gyuvin protested.

"No, her limp is so bad she drops everything. Look." His sister-in-law gestured at Eumppappa's back.

Gyuvin's eyes followed the direction of her pointed finger and sure enough, Eumppappa's back was empty.

"Don't point out Eumppappa's insecurities in front of her face!"

"She is a cow."

"And so are you." He said with teary eyes. "Have some sympathy for your own kind!"

If you had asked Gyuvin what his long-time wish was, he would've told you it was to move out of his sister-in-law's house.

Lucky for him, his wish came true early. Albeit the timing could have been better.

"I'm sorry for calling that woman one of your kind." Gyuvin said an hour later. He's wandering aimlessly in the forest, clutching a sack containing his meagre belongings with one hand and stroking Eumppappa's head with the other. "You didn't deserve that."

"On the bright side, we are finally free!" Gyuvin lets go of Eumppappa to pump his fist in the air. "Being homeless is a hundred times better than living with that bitch."

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It turned out, being homeless was just as bad as living with his sister-in-law.

In a moment of weakness, Gyuvin even considered the idea of going home to beg for forgiveness on his knees. But then he remembered she was about to cow traffick Eumppappa, and he decided as Eumppappa's best friend he should show some loyalty.

Gyuvin knew loyalty wasn't always easy. In this case, it meant he had to deal with a growling stomach and sleeping outdoors.

At first, Gyuvin tried to hunt small animals for food. He saw his older brother do it every day, and he made it look easy. It must run in their blood, right?

It became apparent that his brother had a monopoly over his family's hunting talent because there sure wasn't any left for Gyuvin. He spent hours chasing after rabbits and birds with his axe but found no success.

Maybe the heavens felt pity for him because eventually he stumbled across an injured baby deer.

Gyuvin gripped his axe, raising it above his head as he approached his prey, knowing it would be an easy kill since the fawn didn't seem capable of running away. But one look into its big round eyes was all it took for Gyuvin to drop his axe, instead undoing the scarf around his neck to wrap around the young animal.

"I'm sorry for trying to kill you." Gyuvin said through sniffles and quivering lips. "I can't afford another mouth to feed, so please take this scarf and live a good life!"

Gyuvin swore from that moment on he was going to be a vegetarian. Holding back tears, he turned around and ran without looking back.

Unfortunately, he still had no food and was down one scarf. Since hunting didn't work, Gyuvin figured he should try gathering.

And gathering was easy enough. He managed to pick a pile of berries in no time, bringing it to the cave he and Eumppappa were camping in before splitting them equally into two piles–one for him and one for Eumppappa.

Starving as he hadn't eaten in almost a full day, Gyuvin gulped down the juicy fruits without even chewing.

"Eumppappa, you have some too!" Gyuvin said between swallows, shoving the berries close to his best friend.

But Eumppappa didn't even touch the berries, only stared at them for a minute before going over to graze on a bush beside the cave.

"Suit yourself." Gyuvin huffed, sweeping Eumppappa's share back over to his own pile. "More for me, I guess."

More for him to puke out as well, Gyuvin had to unfortunately learn the hard way.

A couple hours after his meal, he suddenly felt a queasiness in his stomach that soon turned into the sensation of someone pounding his stomach like tteok. He spent a good chunk of the evening retching his guts out into a bush. Probably the same one Eumppappa was nibbling on earlier, judging from the stink eye she was giving Gyuvin.

Exhausted, Gyuvin crawled back home (the cave) and immediately passed out on his bed (a heap of leaves).

That night, he had a very strange dream.

"Gyuvin," Gyuvin felt someone's hoof(?) nudging his arm. "Wake up, Gyuvin."

"Mmmm," He rolled over to his side. "Five more minutes."

"Gyuvin, it's me. Eumppappa."

That woke him right up.

"Eumppappa?" Gyuvin jolted up to indeed find himself facing no one other than his beloved cattle friend. "Y-You can talk?!"

"Yes, it's me." Eumppappa blinked at Gyuvin with her sweet cow eyes. "I'm here to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Gyuvin's brows furrowed in confusion. "Where are you going?"

"Far away from here."

"Why?! I thought we were best friends!"

"You got kicked out of the house and had to resort to eating poisonous berries because of me." Eumppappa said. "I can't let myself inconvenience you any longer."

"That's not true!" Tears welled up in Gyuvin’s eyes as he grasped onto Eumppappa’s leg. "Don't leave me here all alone, Eumppappa!"

"I owe you a debt for always being by my side through all these years, so I shall now repay the favour."

Eumppappa leaned in close until Gyuvin could feel the air coming out of her nostrils on his cheek.

"Tomorrow night when the moon is full, go high up the mountain and you'll find a heart-shaped hot spring. There, seven heavenly youths will come to bathe. Wait until they're too busy washing themselves and then steal one of their celestial robes. That way the heavenly youth won't be able to return to the heavens."

"Why would I do that?" Gyuvin cried. "I don't want to kidnap some heavenly youth. You're my best friend, Eumppappa. I only need you!"

But Eumppappa just gave Gyuvin one last loving nudge with her snout before turning around and walking out of the cave.

"Nooo!" Gyuvin screamed. He wanted to chase after her but for some reason, his legs wouldn't budge. "Eumppappa!"

Eumppappa didn't spare him a second glance as she galloped into the dark of the night.

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When Gyuvin woke up the next morning, Eumppappa was already gone. Only her earmuffs remained in the spot she curled up in the night before.

Gyuvin spent most of the morning searching near the cave for Eumppappa, calling out her name as he checked all of her usual spots. He then spent most of the afternoon clutching the earmuffs–the last trace of his best friend–and bawling his eyes out.

Gyuvin was hungry, tired, and alone.

Only when the sun began to set did Gyuvin remember Eumppappa's instructions from his dream. (Was it really just a dream?)

With one last sniff, he wiped his tears with the back of his hand and made his way uphill.

Soon, he found a family of ducks waddling towards an area filled with dense thicket. Gyuvin pried apart two bushes and there and behold was steaming water contained in a heart-shaped cavity.

Gyuvin's moment of admiration for the scenery was cut short when he heard giggles and chatter drawing near. In a panic, he quickly threw his whole body into a big bush nearby. The branches poked and scratched his skin but Gyuvin stayed silent. If the berry poisoning episode yesterday was a ten on the pain scale then this was only a three: mildly uncomfortable.

Through the gaps between the leaves, Gyuvin watched as seven boys descended from the sky and landed gracefully by the water.

Gyuvin had never met any heavenly youths before but these guys were definitely young and heavenly.

Feeling guilty as a peeping tom, Gyuvin tried to divert his gaze as the boys stripped their clothes, placing the colourful bundles neatly folded under a pine tree. He should at least give them some privacy.

The sound of water splashing and melodic laughter filling the once-quiet area signalled Gyuvin that they had entered the spring. From the peripheral of his vision, he deemed they were at least half-decently covered by water before finally returning his gaze.

In the centre of the spring stood a dimpled boy singing a song Gyuvin had never heard before, his voice so sweet it could hypnotize a man. A buff boy with a bright fox-like grin washed next to him, whistling whenever the other nailed an impressive note.

Two dark-haired older boys hung around the edge of the spring, chattering while helping each other scrub their backs. One boy's face scrunched into a whiskered smile whenever the other wiped over a particularly ticklish spot.

On the other side of the water, the two youngest of the group seemed more interested in playing rather than bathing. Screaming in pure delight as they dunked each other under the water, only stopping when the whisker-dimpled boy eventually intervened, though they continued to playfully splash each other when the older boy wasn't looking.

Observing them further cemented Gyuvin's suspicions that these boys were the heavenly youths Eumppappa mentioned in his dream. Though they were doing something as ordinary as bathing, there was a certain elegance in their every move.

Even the wind seemed to favour them, only blowing their hair in a flattering way, strands gently sweeping over their lovely features.

There was just no way these guys were mortals.

In particular, one thin blonde boy was washing alone near Gyuvin's hiding spot. He was tall, although not as tall as Gyuvin, with broad shoulders and a tiny waist. His physique told Gyuvin they should be around the same age, but his soft, perfectly unblemished skin rivalled a newborn’s.

Gyuvin was unable to tear his eyes away as the boy repeatedly scooped up water to wash his golden hair and milky body. Under the sunlight, the water droplets on his back sparkled like diamonds with every movement. He looked absolutely ethereal standing there by himself, as if there was an invisible barrier separating his untouchable beauty from the rest of the world.

Gyuvin wondered if he was dreaming. The existence of such a perfect boy seemed even more farfetched than a talking Eumppappa.

He pinched his arm. Ouch. Gyuvin's brain clearly registered the unmistakable sting but he was still in denial. As a second round of confirmation, he slapped himself across the face.

Smack!

Gyuvin must have underestimated his strength because 1) his right cheek was on fire and 2) the thunderous slapping sound was so loud it could be heard from quite a distance away.

Gyuvin's breath hitched in his throat as he watched the beautiful blonde pause and look in his direction.

Uh oh.

This was it. The most beautiful boy he had ever seen was going to find him creepily hiding in the bushes. Gyuvin braced himself for the incoming–and truthfully deserved–scream and slap (hopefully on the cheek that wasn't already throbbing). Soon the whole village was going to know Gyuvin as the pervert who likes to spy on boys while they're bathing.

I only did it because Eumppappa told me to! Gyuvin pictured himself being dragged tearfully to the guillotine. The villagers would be shaking their heads in pity, convinced he had gone mad.

Life already flashing before his eyes, Gyuvin was ready to succumb to his fate when suddenly a miracle in the form of a bunny-like boy appeared.

"Ricky hyung! Can you come massage my scalp? Pretty please? It just doesn't feel the same when Gunwook hyung does it."

"Sure," The blonde (Ricky, Gyuvin noted) smiled, abandoning his quest to investigate the strange noise in favour of wading over to his youngest brother.

Gyuvin finally let out the breath he had been holding. That definitely shaved a good twenty years off his life.

Before long, the heavenly youths had finished their bath, droplets cascaded from their glistening form as they emerged from the spring. Gyuvin blushed and quickly averted his gaze once more.

A celestial enchantment was cast, beads of water swiftly dissipating into the air as it dried their bare bodies before a flurry of colourful chiffon and silk enveloped them as they donned their clothes.

Their clothes. Crap. Gyuvin was supposed to steal them!

Thankfully, there was still one neatly folded garment left untouched. Its owner appeared to be the gorgeous boy named Ricky who was still basking in the warmth of the spring.

"Ricky, it's time to go!" The oldest boy called out.

Finally, the blonde sighed as he started to push himself out of the water. “Okay, I’m coming.”

Gyuvin gulped. It was now or never.

He took a deep breath and burst out from his hiding spot, making a determined dash with his eyes on the prize. Startled shrieks erupted as the heavenly youths fled, alarmed by the sight of an intruder.

Upon reaching his destination, Gyuvin cradled the silky bundle protectively against his chest and curled up into a ball, determined to thwart any attempt at snatching his prize away.

"What the…?"

A quick peek confirmed that the other six boys were gone, leaving only Ricky behind with Gyuvin. A naked Ricky at that, who was unashamedly looking down at Gyuvin with a hand on his hip.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm sorry!" Gyuvin squeezed his eyes shut as he felt the tips of his ears grow warm. "I can't give it back to you!"

Ricky raised an eyebrow. "That's not an answer to my question."

Gyuvin timidly opened his eyes, trying his hardest to keep his field of vision on the other boy’s upper half. "M-my name is Gyuvin. Kim Gyuvin."

"Ricky." Thankfully, Ricky didn't comment on Gyuvin's shaking pupils. "Listen, Kim Gyuvin. If you're going to steal my clothes then shouldn't you at least give me something else to wear?"

“S-Sorry! Here.” At that, Gyuvin quickly shrugged off his own outer garment and gave it to Ricky. The blonde wrinkled his nose at the raggedy coat but draped it on nonetheless.

Turning his gaze back to Gyuvin who was still on the ground hugging his prized possession, he offered him a hand. Gyuvin accepted the gesture, letting himself be pulled up by Ricky.

"Well," Ricky said, watching Gyuvin brush away lingering blades of grass off his pants. "Lead the way."

"Huh? To where?"

Ricky rolled his eyes. "To your house, obviously."

"Ah," Averting his gaze, Gyuvin scratched his head sheepishly. "Funny story, you see…"

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Gyuvin had considered Eumppappa to be the best thing that had ever happened to him since his brother brought home the little orphaned calf fifteen years ago.

However, it took Ricky only three weeks to take over that title–and for good reasons.

For one, Gyuvin was no longer homeless. Ricky took one look at Gyuvin's makeshift shelter in the cave and dragged him to the nearest inn, somehow charming the old innkeeper into giving them a spare room for free.

"I used a bit of enchantment in my voice." He confessed later in their room. Gyuvin thought it was unnecessary. People would probably claw out their hearts and serve them on a silver platter to the celestial boy if he asked. Gyuvin knew he would.

So he wasn't surprised when Ricky quickly became a local celebrity. The heavenly youth drew attention just by breathing.

When they walked on the streets, random villagers came up to ask for Ricky's name. During visits to the market, all the stallkeepers stuffed free goodies into Gyuvin's arms (there was an unspoken understanding that he would be the one to hold Ricky's gifts).

It was probably due to Ricky's influence as well when one of the farmers offered Gyuvin a job, saying something along the lines of how he always thought Gyuvin took good care of Eumppappa, even going as far as providing them a place to live.

Gyuvin swore he saw the innkeeper tear up when they went to inform him of their departure, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his generosity in taking them in for free.

Their new home was great–a modest wooden cabin on the edge of the farmer's property. It was literally right next to Gyuvin's new workplace and a walkable distance to the heart of the village.

There was a small problem though–there was only one bed. It wasn't a big deal though. Obviously, Ricky got the bed, but Gyuvin didn't mind taking the floor.

"Doesn't your back hurt from sleeping on the floor every night?" Ricky asked one day.

"No," replied Gyuvin even though he woke up that morning with aches all over. Someone would have to kill him before he lets Ricky sleep on the floor.

There were also many other things he would never let Ricky do, like cooking and cleaning. At first, juggling these household chores was new to the teenage boy but he quickly found his rhythm.

Every morning, Gyuvin would wake up before sunrise to prepare breakfast before leaving for the farm. He would then return at noon to make another fresh meal for Ricky's lunch, often sacrificing the time to eat his own. In the evening, after coming home from work, he would make them dinner and clean up the house before tucking himself into his blanket on the floor.

Ricky accepted Gyuvin's favours with a gracious smile. It was only natural for Gyuvin to worship him. After all, Ricky was literally a divine being.

There was also the voice at the back of Gyuvin's head, reminding him that Ricky was only stuck living in a tiny shack in the mortal world because of him. That the heavenly youth had a family and a grand palace waiting for him in the sky.

Ricky never complained or talked about the heavenly realm, but Gyuvin imagine the cotton he could afford must feel like sandpaper compared to the delicate silk Ricky was used to–like the stolen garment Gyuvin hid under his pillow every night.

Gyuvin's heart felt so full just from being able to live alongside Ricky every day. He wished they would spend the rest of their lives together.

As for the guilt nibbling on his conscience like a parasite, he would just have to ignore it.

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The cold grip of winter gradually yielded to the blooming flowers and gentle breeze of spring, only for the pleasant warmth to swiftly give way to the searing heat of summer.

Gyuvin and Ricky were sitting on their porch one summer night, hoping to catch a cool breeze while enjoying an ice-cold watermelon. The night was quiet, their hushed conversation only accompanied by the sound of a choir of cicadas singing in the background.

"When's your birthday?" Gyuvin suddenly asked, taking a bite of the slice they were sharing before passing it to Ricky. Other people might find it strange how they were sharing the same slice of watermelon, but Ricky doesn't like spitting out the seeds so Gyuvin volunteered to eat those chunks and let Ricky have the clean red flesh.

"I don't have one."

"How do you keep track of how old you are then?"

Ricky took a bite of the juicy fruit and returned it to Gyuvin. "I don't," he said once he finished chewing, letting Gyuvin extend a hand to wipe away the pink liquid trickling down the corner of his mouth. "But if I have to guess, I'm probably a few thousand years old in human years."

Gyuvin nearly dropped the watermelon in his hands. "Holy shit… should I start using honorifics?"

The blonde laughed. "Age is complicated for us divine beings. A year in the mortal world is only a day in the heavenly realm."

He paused, having realized something. "Damn. I'm going to be older than Taerae hyung soon."

Gyubin should've probably avoided this topic, but curiosity got the best of him. "Do you miss your family?"

"My brothers, I guess." Deeming they had gotten close enough to the rind, Ricky picked up a new slice from the plate sitting in between them. "But they probably didn't even notice I'm missing yet."

Gyuvin felt sick, his worries having been confirmed to be true.

"I'm sorry," he swallowed and ignored the uncomfortable feeling of a stray seed sliding down his throat.

The rest of the sentence was unspoken. You're only stuck here because of me.

Ricky stared at him for a minute. Gyuvin knew it was a pathetic attempt at an apology. He looked down in shame, fighting back tears that were threatening to fall.

But the blonde just silently placed the new watermelon slice in Gyuvin's palm and helped close his fingers over it. Ricky's hand lingered just long enough for Gyuvin to realize he was trying to comfort him.

Gyuvin bit the inside of his cheek. Who was he to cry, when Ricky was the one separated from his family, trapped in a foreign land, and living with his abductor?

With every little movement, Gyuvin was hyper-aware of the folded-up magical garment tucked within his inner pocket, the cool silk brushing against his warm skin.

He could have given it to Ricky right then and there. He could have set him free.

He could have, but he didn't.

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One thing Gyuvin learned after turning twenty was that the village kids were absolutely ruthless.

He was never really close to any of them, having always preferred lazing under the shade with Eumppappa to running around with them and playing hide and seek. He was also pretty sure they coined him as the "Weird Cow Hyung".

Yet they never actively bothered him, united by the silent comradery of being a youngster stuck in this boring small village.

The comradery was apparently voided the second Gyuvin turned twenty, when he immediately became the their favourite new target.

"Hi Ricky hyung!"

Gyuvin and Ricky were at the lavender field on the outskirts of the village. The fragrant flower had transformed the once-ordinary landscape into a breathtaking sea of purple. Since it was a popular date spot among couples in the village, they stood out as the only pair who weren't holding hands or exchanging shy glances.

Gyuvin knew the kids were going to tease him relentlessly for coming here, but Ricky really wanted to see the flowers. Who was he to say no to Ricky?

"Do you guys not see me?" Gyuvin grumbled as the kids crowded around to say hello to the boy beside him.

"Oh, it's Ricky oppa's puppy!" One little girl exclaimed and all the other kids immediately chimed in.

"Sit!"

"Roll over!"

"Woof woof!"

"I'm not a puppy!" Gyuvin pouted. "Stop saying that."

"You follow Ricky oppa around and listen to his every word." The same girl pointed out. "Like a puppy!"

Her friend actually attempted to defend Gyuvin: "But my dad follows my mom around and listens to her too."

"Oh, so Gyuvin oppa is married to Ricky oppa!"

"Why would Ricky hyung marry Gyuvin hyung?"

"Gyuvin hyung must have a one-sided crush!" All the kids squealed at the realization.

Gyuvin's face burned even hotter than the blazing August sun.

"No I don't!" It didn't sound convincing even to his own ears.

"Then why do you follow Ricky around everywhere?"

"Well…" He racked his brains for reasons that would not sound like he was in love with the other boy.

Because I hate the thought of him facing any inconveniences without me?

Because I want to spend every remaining second of my life by his side?

"B-because he's Ricky?"

Giggles erupted through the group as Gyuvin cast a desperate glance at Ricky, who had been silently watching the whole exchange with an amused smirk.

"Guys, stop making fun of him." The heavenly youth shook his head with a smile, giving some of the kids a playful flick on the forehead before turning to Gyuvin. "Gyuvin, come here."

Gyuvin obeyed, eagerly skipping over to Ricky's side. The latter snapped off a sprig of lavender, tucking it behind the Gyuvin's ear and giggled.

"Cute."

Gyuvin wondered if Ricky was doing it on purpose to fuel the teasing even more. It was definitely working, evident in the way they openly laughed at Gyuvin's flustered expression. Even Ricky couldn't help but chuckle before turning around, beckoning Gyuvin to follow with a gentle curl of his finger.

"Let's go over to the cliff, I want to look at the view."

"Okay!" Gyuvin lit up, pout immediately wiped off his face as he eagerly followed behind.

"Hyung, I can see your tail wagging!"

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At some point, Gyuvin started playing a little game with himself.

Instead of keeping Ricky's celestial robes on him all the time, he began hiding them around the house. Not exactly in plain sight, but it wouldn't be too challenging to find if someone was really searching for it.

Gyuvin knew the right thing to do would be to return Ricky's clothes so he could finally go home and be reunited with his family, but he didn't have the courage to hand over the only thing keeping Ricky here with his own two hands.

So he resorted to this cowardly bet.

One night, around two years since they first moved in, Gyuvin was diligently sweeping the floor while Ricky roamed through their home, contemplating the perfect spot to showcase a new wooden cat decor Gyuvin had found at the marketplace.

Each time Ricky walked a little too close to the big vase by the window where Gyuvin hid the magical garment for the week, his heart skipped a beat.

This game could prove to be detrimental to Gyuvin's cardiovascular health.

Knock knock.

"I'll get it!" Gyuvin set the broom aside and ran to open the front door. He was greeted by a huge weaving loom.

"Hi, is Ricky home?" said the loom. This must be the talking Eumppappa dream 2.0, Gyuvin thought.

Before he could open his mouth to tell the talking loom that no, he was not going to going to spy on anyone else bathing or any other equally deranged act, a petite man wearing a grey flat cap and a comically large messenger bag stepped out from behind the wooden apparatus.

"Let me introduce myself! My name is Keita and I'm here to deliver what Ricky ordered last week."

"Is that my loom?" came said boy's voice from inside.

"Yes! Father just finished building it this morning."

Despite his small stature, Keita easily carried the huge loom past a confused Gyuvin and into their home. He placed it in a vacant corner before taking out a big sack from his bag to give to Ricky.

"Here are the threads from Mashiro. She asked for you to check if they're the right ones."

Ricky took a peek at the colourful spools inside the paper bag and hummed in satisfaction. "Perfect, thank you Keita."

After Keita tipped his hat in goodbye and left, Gyuvin walked over to Ricky who was inspecting his new purchase.

"Why did you buy a loom?"

Ricky looked at him like he was dumb. "To weave fabric?"

Gyuvin frowned. "If we need money, I can try to find more work."

"I'm not doing it for money. It's just my hobby." Ricky took out a cotton spool and started warping it around the frame. "I was known for weaving back in the heavenly realm, you know. I used to even make ceremonial robes for my father the Heavenly Emperor."

Gyuvin had never seen a ceremonial robe in his life but they sounded like a lot of work. "You must be really talented."

Ricky smiled. "I'll make you one too. It'll come in handy one day."

Gyuvin doubted there would ever be an occasion where an ordinary farmhand like him would need a fancy robe, but he knew he would love anything Ricky gave him.

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Gyuvin could vividly picture the day he first saw Ricky as if it happened just yesterday.

He wished he had an ounce of artistic talent because he would love to draw Ricky. He was just so colourful. A myriad of colours melting together on a canvas known as Ricky: smooth milky skin; flushed peachy cheeks; dew-kissed rosy lips; warm coffee eyes.

In particular, he remembered how Ricky's hair shone like gold under the winter sun. Gyuvin wasn’t sure if it was the sun or Ricky’s hair that was emitting light. He had never seen hair that colour before.

However, these days he noticed Ricky's hair was getting lighter, the vivid gold had faded into a sandy blonde.

"It's just been bleached by the sun." Ricky replied when Gyuvin asked about it, not even bothering to look up. His hands were dancing over the loom, busy intertwining the silk threads with precision until a sudden cough interrupted his rhythm.

Cough!

Gyuvin quickly sprang up from his seat to fuss over the blonde. "Are you okay? Do you feel sick?"

Ricky cleared his throat. "I'm fine, just a small cold." He rolled his eyes at Gyuvin's horrified expression. "Stop being dramatic, Gyuvin."

"You have to be extra careful when the seasons are changing!" Gyuvin nagged, already walking over to add more wood into the furnace beneath their clay stove. "I’ll make you a warm cup of tea."

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It turned out that whatever Ricky caught wasn't just a small cold. Through the months, his cough persisted and even worsened.

Multiple times, Gyuvin had begged Ricky to go see a doctor. But the other boy always refused, saying he was fine and making up a new excuse.

"Gyuvin, can you pass me the blue–cough COUGH!"

Gyuvin rushed over to Ricky who was hunched over sewing something at his work table, a clean handkerchief already ready. He placed soothing pats on Ricky’s back as the blonde coughed a few more times into the handkerchief.

"I really think we should go see a doctor. This can't be normal."

"I'm really okay." The celestial boy wiped his mouth one last time before tossing the handkerchief aside. "My throat is just itchy because of the pollen."

"It's not just that, Ricky." Worry creased Gyuvin's forehead. "These days your complexion doesn't look too good either. I'm worried it–"

"I know my own body best, Gyuvin." Ricky snapped. "Just drop it."

Gyuvin flinched and immediately turned quiet. It was the first time Ricky had raised his voice at him.

That night, Gyuvin tucked himself in his blanket on the floor beside the bed and waited for Ricky to fall asleep first, the blonde's rhythmic breathing being his personal favourite lullaby.

Ten minutes of silence later, Ricky suddenly spoke up. "Gyuvin?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier."

Gyuvin turned to look at the figure lying on the bed but was only met with the celestial boy’s back.

"I'm sorry too if I overstepped. I was just worried about you."

"I know."

"You're the most important person in the world to me."

"I know."

Gyuvin swallowed before continuing. This was long overdue.

"I hid your celestial robes at the bottom of my middle drawer."

Ricky didn't answer for a long time. Gyuvin wondered if he was ignoring him or if he had simply fallen asleep.

"...I know."

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It was autumn when Ricky finally finished whatever he had been working on.

He had waited until Gyuvin had finished cleaning up after dinner before nonchalantly tossing a colourful bundle onto Gyuvin's lap.

"Is this for me?" Gyuvin's jaw dropped as he unfolded the bundle to find a beautiful bright blue gown decorated with ornate gold embroidery.

Ricky nodded with a proud smile.

"This is amazing!" He carefully ran his hand over the delicate gold designs. "Are you sure this is for me and not for the Heavenly Emperor?"

Ricky rolled his eyes. "I always do my best regardless of the recipient."

Gyuvin tearfully hugged the garment. "Thank you so much Ricky! I don't know when I'll ever wear this but I'll cherish it for the rest of my life!"

Ricky nodded, looking pleased at the compliment. He held Gyuvin's gaze as if waiting for him to say something else. "...That's it?"

"Uh, I'll be sure to pass it on to my son. And then to his son. And then to my son's son's son. And–"

"Alright, I get the idea." Ricky interrupted, uninterested in his intergenerational plan. "Gyuvin, do you know what this is?"

Gyuvin blinked. "Um, clothes?"

Ricky looked unimpressed. Wrong answer, Gyuvin thought.

"A fancy robe?"

Nope.

"A fancy blue robe with gold patterns?"

That's not it either.

"Gyuvin, I have eyes. You don't have to describe how it looks to me." Ricky sighed. "What did I even expect from you." He grumbled before falling into a coughing fit, the gift forgotten as Gyuvin scrambled to pour a cup of warm honey tea he prepared earlier.

The next day, Gyuvin rushed over to Mashiro's shop first thing in the morning.

"Gyuvin?" Mashiro's expression displayed surprise upon seeing him, which was expected as this was Gyuvin's first time stepping foot into her store. "How can I help you?"

Gyuvin pulled out the blue garment he received last night and held it up for Mashiro to get a good look. "Do you know what this is?"

Mashiro's already surprised expression became even more exaggerated, her eyebrows raised halfway up her forehead. "Is this what Ricky has been working on?"

"Yes… how did you know?"

"Gyuvin, this is a wedding robe."

A sly, close-lipped smile formed on the woman's face as she looked at Gyuvin.

"I'm sure even you know what it means to gift someone a wedding robe. A handmade one at that."

He did.

It meant a marriage proposal.

Gyuvin raced all the way home without a single pause, despite his body's pleas to slow down in the form of a burning throat and cramping muscles. He only stopped when he arrived at their front door, flinging it open to find a half-awake Ricky startled by his sudden entrance.

"Gyuvin? Cough. Where did you go so early–"

Gyuvin stopped for two seconds to catch his breath before throwing himself at the blonde.

"Yes!" He couldn't control the tears already spilling from his face as he enveloped the thin boy in a tight hug. "Yes, Ricky! I want to marry you!"

Ricky froze momentarily before melting into Gyuvin's embrace. "So you figured it out."

"I did."

"I assume you had some help?"

"I may have asked Mashiro." He admitted and Ricky giggled.

They separated slightly, still in each other's arms, allowing their eyes to meet with faces mere inches apart. Gyuvin took his time to study the blonde's face, noting the absence of his original rosy cheeks and strawberry lips, for the mysterious illness had stolen most of the colour from his face. His once smooth plump cheeks were now dull and sunken, but his warm brown eyes still shined as they looked into Gyuvin's own, revealing an unmistakable fondness that Gyuvin had failed to notice before.

In a silent ask for permission, Gyuvin's eyes darted to Ricky's lips but Ricky was the one who closed the distance, eyes fluttering closed as their lips finally met.

The kiss was soft and sweet, the two taking the time to savour each other's lips, their noses gently bumping against each other from time to time. Gyuvin's hands were still encircled around Ricky, his thumb mindlessly rubbing circles on the blonde's back. Meanwhile, Ricky's arms rested loosely around Gyuvin's neck, hands tenderly sifting through Gyuvin's short dark hair.

It was their first kiss, yet Gyuvin felt like he had already done it a thousand times before. The feeling of holding Ricky in his arms and the taste of Ricky's mouth and the smell of Ricky's skin was so familiar, like deja vu.

He briefly wondered why before realization dawned upon him–it was because he had felt it and he had tasted it and he had smelled it before.

His body had long grown accustomed to touching Ricky, from the tender brushes while he helped the half-asleep blonde get dressed in the morning or the big bear hugs he liked to give Ricky when he returned from work.

The toasty bitterness of barley tea he tasted in Ricky's mouth was all too familiar, for he was the very one who brewed it, the blend being one of their favourites in their daily rotation.

He knew the crisp woody scent on Ricky's skin that muffled his senses as he leaned in, because it came from Gyuvin who spent the past few days stocking up on firewood in preparation for the upcoming winter.

Ricky felt like home, because he was home. Gyuvin was literally wandering in the forest, sleeping in a cave before he met the other boy. His current life, routine, and sense of belonging were all intertwined with Ricky. Ricky served as the very foundation of Gyuvin's everyday existence, the cornerstone keeping the bricks of his life from toppling over.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled apart. With their foreheads rested against each other, Gyuvin eagerly absorbed the sight of Ricky's flushed red lips gasping for air and lidded eyes peering deeply into Gyuvin's soul.

"So…" Gyuvin said after they had both caught their breaths. "Does this mean I don't have to sleep on the floor anymore?"

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

Gyuvin married the love of his life on a sunny winter afternoon.

Two boys, no, men stood beneath the wintry sky, their blue and red outfits a stark contrast against the pure white snow-covered landscape.

Despite being a simple ceremony taking place in front of their home, the event drew nearly half of the village, filling their tiny front yard to the brim. Villagers watched eagerly, craning their necks to see their beloved Ricky adorned in his auspicious wedding attire.

Ricky's hair had faded into a pale silver devoid of any warm undertones. It contrasted nicely against his vibrant red silk robe, decorated with intricate gold embroidery that matched Gyuvin's own. His lips and cheeks were generously coated with rouge, concealing the pale, sickly complexion underneath.

Gyuvin, dressed finely himself in the blue robe made by Ricky, found himself unable to tear his gaze away from his beloved, only remembering to blink when his eyes began to sting. He caught sight of the kids giggling in the corner of his eye, but he paid them no mind.

He was no longer Ricky's little puppy who followed him around everywhere.

He was Ricky's husband.

They decided to keep the ritual brief, per Gyuvin's insistence so Ricky wouldn't be out in the chilly weather for too long. The ceremony concluded with both of them bowing towards the sky, where both of their parents were hopefully watching from above the clouds.

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

Life has its ups and downs.

For the last four years of Gyuvin's life, it had been up, up, up.

Gyuvin had been content with just simply being beside Ricky, but now that he was Ricky's husband, every day felt like basking in the sunshine of happiness, floating on clouds of joy.

It was only a matter of time before the terrifying drop.

Deep down, he saw it coming from a mile away. It was hard not to, when each of their kisses were cut short by coughs, and every embrace served as a stark reminder of Ricky's increasingly frail body.

Of course, Gyuvin was not going to let the world take his lover from him that easily. If Ricky wasn't going to go see a doctor, Gyuvin would just bring the doctor to him.

Ricky was sitting on the bed, propped up against the headboard when Gyuvin came home with the 91-year-old village physician in tow. He had simply sighed, too exhausted to argue, body limp as he allowed the old man to feel his pulse. Any questions about his health were deferred to Gyuvin, with Ricky remaining silent throughout.

After prescribing some medicinal herbs for fatigue and cough, the old doctor pulled Gyuvin outside where Ricky couldn't overhear.

"There's nothing physically wrong with him, but…" The physician hesitated, eyes flickering between Gyuvin and the door, unsure whether he should continue.

“What is it?” urged Gyuvin.

The old man sighed. "You see, my grandmother told me a story when I was a child." He said slowly and carefully.

"She met a beautiful heavenly maiden in the mountains, bound to a tree by a magical shackle, having been cast out of the heavenly realm as punishment. The heavenly maiden had long, fiery red locks, akin to the colour of wild strawberries you could find on the edge of the forest. My grandmother had never seen anyone like her."

Gyuvin remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But as the months passed by, the colour drained from her hair, from red to pink to silver to eventually white. Not only her hair, but her body also became weaker and weaker. It was because her hair colour was an indication of divine energy. Having been in the mortal world for too long, her physical body grew sick as the divine energy ebbed away, leaving behind an empty shell where the radiant maiden once thrived."

"And? What ended up happening to her?"

The physician shook his head. "Nobody knows. My grandmother went to visit her one day, but the heavenly maiden had disappeared, leaving behind her clothes and a single red rose at the spot where she lingered."

"So to honour the heavenly maiden, my grandmother burned her clothes and the rose along with incense and some other offerings. But when she threw her garments into the fire, another red-headed man suddenly appeared out of thin air. My grandmother told him what happened, and he started crying, saying it was too late, if only he had found her a bit earlier."

"There's nothing in our world that can help your lover anymore." The old man clasped a hand on Gyuvin's arm, looking at him meaningfully. "Don’t wait until it’s too late."

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

In the dead of the night, after Ricky had drifted off to sleep, Gyuvin carefully slipped out of their bed in search of the celestial robes he had taken all these years ago.

After a quick search, he unearthed the article of clothing from the depth of the drawer where it had lain untouched for nearly two years. Without hesitation, Gyuvin carried it to the furnace and tossed it into the burning flames.

In a shimmering cascade of iridescent light materialized the figure of a tall red-headed man.

"Who are you?" Gyuvin asked.

"I am Zhang Hao, Emperor of the Heavens, Ruler of the Sky." The man replied. "Who are you?"

"My name is Kim Gyuvin," Gyuvin sheepishly scratched his head. "I'm your, uh, son-in-law."

"My what?" Zhang Hao looked around until he spotted Ricky's sleeping form on the bed in the corner of the room. He gasped in horror. "Ricky?!"

The red-headed man rushed over to Ricky, his loud cry waking up the younger in the process.

"Gyuvin, what are you–cough.” Ricky murmured groggily before jolting awake, his eyes widening at the realization of who was in front of him. “Father?!"

"What happened to you?" The great Heavenly Emperor looked so pitiful as he cradled his son's weak body, running his hand through the silver strands. "Your hair… oh Ricky. How could you? I almost lost you… don't make me go through what happened with your aunt Xiaoting a second time."

"I'm sorry," Gyuvin said quietly. "I was the one who stole his clothes."

Zhang Hao whipped around to glare at him, gaze ablaze with fury as he raised his hand, summoning swirling tendrils of gold to his open palm.

However, before he could unleash his powers, Ricky urgently tugged on his sleeves.

"Please don't be mad at Gyuvin." He croaked weakly while frantically shaking his head, the desperation clogging his throat not helping his chronic cough as he gasped for breath. "I was the one who, cough, wanted to stay despite knowing the consequences."

"Ricky, you can’t do this." The Heavenly Emperor’s gaze alternated between Ricky’s silently pleading eyes and Gyuvin’s nervously clasped hands before he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "There's a reason why we're forbidden from falling in love with mortals."

With a swift movement, he lifted his son with ease. "Well, we'll figure that out later. For now, you're coming with me."

"Wait!" Ricky cried out, but it was too late.

A warm golden light enveloped the two and in a flash, they were gone.

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

Gyuvin was never good at math, but even he was able to do this simple calculation: if one year here equated to one day in the heavenly realm, he would potentially need to wait several years before seeing Ricky again.

Gyuvin told himself he was fine with that. As long as Ricky was okay, as long as he was recovering. Gyuvin was willing to wait however long it took.

For the first two weeks, the villagers would inquire about Ricky's absence whenever Gyuvin showed up in town alone. Thankfully, he saw it coming and already had a response ready.

"He went back to his hometown to visit family." He would answer. It wasn't even a lie.

They would nod and accept Gyuvin's response without a second thought. Only the old physician gave Gyuvin a sympathetic shake of his head, stuffing a bundle of herbs in his hands.

"Helps you fall asleep," the old man replied plainly when Gyuvin gave him a confused look.

The medicine didn't prove to be very effective though, as Gyuvin often found himself lying awake for hours, staring blankly at the ceiling until the birds began their morning chorus, signalling the start of another day.

His routine mostly stayed the same. Wake up, eat breakfast, go to work, eat lunch, finish work, come home, eat dinner, clean up, wash, go to sleep.

But each morning, he awoke to find cold empty space instead of the comforting weight of a warm body nestled against his chest. He decided to go back to sleeping on the floor–the bed felt too big for him alone.

At lunchtime, he opted to eat cold leftovers from breakfast rather than bothering to cook a fresh meal. Sometimes he skipped lunch altogether; he didn't have much of an appetite anyway.

Upon returning home in the evening, he was met with lonely silence instead of the familiar sound of the weaving loom's rhythmic rattle. These days the wooden contraption just sat in the corner, collecting dust, a daily reminder of the absence that permeated his life.

Gyuvin was merely going through the motions, maintaining their old routine while holding Ricky’s spot to ensure the heavenly youth could seamlessly fall right back into it upon his return.

If he returns, whispered a voice in his head. Gyuvin tried not to think about that.

Weeks turned into months, months turned into years. The seasons blurred past Gyuvin, standing in the centre of it all, watching each complete its leg of the race before circling back to the starting point, only to repeat the cycle anew.

The villagers eventually stopped asking about Ricky.

"They must've split up…" The blacksmith's hushed words to his wife reached Gyuvin's ears one day.

"We didn't," Gyuvin retorted sharply. The couple only looked at him with pity.

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

As usual, Gyuvin was immersed in his favourite nightly activity: gazing up at the ceiling and counting sheep.

He tried counting Eumppappas at first, but something about chanting "one Eumppappa, two Eumppappa, three Eumppappa" only made him even more awake.

Thirty-one sheeps, thirty-two sheeps, thirty-three sheeps…

Tak tak.

Thirty-four sheeps, thirty-five sheeps, thirty-six sheeps…

"Gyuvin, it's me."

The familiar voice had Gyuvin jolt up on his blanket. He turned towards the window to find the face he had only been able to see in his dreams.

With frantic steps, Gyuvin scrambled across the room, trembling fingers fumbling with the latch before swinging open the windows.

There was his Ricky, as beautiful as ever, looking not a day older than the night he departed. Well, it had been two years in the human world, which meant only two days passed up there. It also helped that he looked much healthier, with colour returning to his complexion and his hair starting to take on a warm hue.

"Ricky," Gyuvin breathed, heart racing with anticipation as he reached out a tentative hand but hesitated midway, afraid that the sight before him was just a hallucination. "Am I dreaming? Is this real?"

Ricky smiled, his own hand meeting Gyuvin's halfway, bridging the space between them, his gaze soft as he studied Gyuvin's face.

"I'm just as real as you are."

Relief washed over Gyuvin as he felt the unmistakable warmth of Ricky's hand in his own. With a swift tug, he closed the remaining distance between them and pulled Ricky in a tight embrace. With his arms around his lover at last, Gyuvin tucked his face into the crook of Ricky’s neck.

The pent-up tears from the last two years all poured out in an instant.

"Still a crybaby I see," Ricky murmured as he stroked Gyuvin's hair. His own eyes were welling up with tears as well, but the blonde quickly blinked them away before Gyuvin could notice.

"What are you doing here?" Gyuvin choked out between sobs as if he hadn't been counting the days since Ricky’s departure. "You should've rested for longer."

"I didn't want to come back to find my husband had turned into a wrinkly old grandpa." Ricky chuckled as Gyuvin glared at him through teary eyes.

"Hmph, so you only like me for my pretty face?"

The blonde rolled his eyes. “If I liked pretty faces I would just look in the mirror."

Gyuvin couldn't argue with that logic.

"Are you… here to stay?"

Gyuvin tried not to let his disappointment show when the gentle smile fell off of Ricky’s face.

"I kind of snuck out tonight so I have to go back before anyone notices." Ricky said regretfully.

The heavenly youth bit his lips, deep in thought before his expression shifted, signalling a change of heart.

"Gyuvin,” he said as he firmly grabbed Gyuvin’s hands. “Let's run away."

"What?"

"If we go now, I think we can get far enough before Father catches on."

Gyuvin would have followed Ricky to hell if he had asked, but miraculously he still has some rationality left. "You're still not fully well yet. You need to go back!"

"I don't want to. If I go back now, who knows when we'll be able to see each other again?" He tugged on their joined hands, a sense of urgency in his voice. "Please, Gyuvin. We have to hurry, there's not much time left."

Gyuvin clenched his jaw, restraining the urge to agree with Ricky to just abandon everything and go where they could be together, just the two of them.

"No, you can't stay here in the mortal world for long. Look what happened when you tried the first time."

He freed one hand from the blonde’s grasp to cup his cheek, lifting Ricky’s face slightly. Gyuvin’s eyes dripped with affection as he searched the blonde’s anxious gaze.

"I'll always wait for you. Whether that be years or decades or a lifetime."

“But Gyuvin, I can’t bear the thought of leaving you again. I…” Ricky’s voice dropped to a whisper, his voice trembling just as much as hands. “…I’m so scared that the next time I come back, you’ll be gone.”

"What is going on here?"

The couple sprang apart at the thunderous voice that interrupted them. A furious Zhang Hao was glaring at them, lips pressed in a tight line, nostrils flaring with barely contained anger.

"F-Father?"

"I remember I specifically banned you from leaving until you've completely recovered."

"I can explain–cough!" The sudden cough seemed to send his father over the edge.

"I don't want to hear it." The Heavenly Emperor said through gritted teeth. "You're coming with me now."

Magical golden swirls wrapped around Ricky, bringing him to Zhang Hao's side.

"I can't leave Gyuvin behind!" Ricky protested, desperately struggling against his father's powers. "Time passes by too quickly here in the mortal world. We already don't have much left!"

Zhang Hao let out a frustrated exhale. "Ricky, look at yourself. At this rate, that human you're in love with is going to outlive you."

"From now on, I forbid you from going to the mortal world again. In fact, I'm forbidding any celestial being from setting foot here!"

With a wave of his hand, he and Ricky disappeared, leaving behind tiny sparks of light in their wake. The lights remained still for a few seconds, glimmering under the pale moonlight before ascending upwards at an accelerating speed. As they rose, their numbers multiplied, filling every corner of the vast expanse, creating a breathtaking display of twinkling diamonds scattered across the pitch-black canvas.

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

The villagers were overjoyed by the new addition to their night scenery.

"They have decided to name the little lights 'stars'." Keita was explaining to Gyuvin. "And all of them together is called 'The Milky Way'."

"They say one of the Heavenly Emperor's sons fell in love with a mortal, so he made the Milky Way to block the path between the mortal world and the heavenly realm." Mashiro sighed dreamily.

"Forbidden lovers. Isn't it so romantic?"

While everyone else was busy partying at a new festival every night–drinking and dancing until dawn, celebrating the Heavenly Emperor's gift to humanity–Gyuvin stayed home.

If he heard another person rave about the romantic tale of star-crossed lovers, he was going to lose it.

Gyuvin missed Ricky. Now that he had seen his beloved again, he didn't want to go back to the lonely days of waiting. But what could a mere mortal like him do?

Now, Gyuvin was never religious. Praying to the heavens didn't seem like a good idea anyway, considering the Heavenly Emperor himself was the one who took Ricky away from him.

So Gyuvin decided to pray to the one who brought Ricky to him: Eumppappa.

"Eumppappa if you can hear me, please please please consider how I raised you for fifteen years and help me one last time."

His heart poured out as much sincerity as he could muster, kneeling on the ground with clasped hands.

"Please, let me see Ricky again."

It had been a long time since he last dreamed of Eumppappa.

"Huh," The cow said when she saw Gyuvin again. "Don't tell me you fumbled after I pretty much spoon-fed that heavenly youth to you."

"No! I'm married to him!" Gyuvin frowned. "But his dad doesn't want us to be together. He even blocked the way to the heavenly realm with that new thing in the sky. The Milky Way."

"Milky Way?" Eumppappa huffed. "We cows are an expert on anything milk-related. Don't worry Gyuvin, me and my minions got you covered"

"Your what–"

Gyuvin didn't get to finish his sentence because Eumppappa proceeded to give him a spinning back kick that knocked him straight back to reality.

He woke up to the feelings of thousands of pairs of beady eyes watching him.

Thousands of magpies filled every corner of his house..

"Uh," Gyuvin looked around at all of them crowded in his small room. "Are you guys Eumppappa's minions?

SQUAWK!

It was extremely creepy how they all replied in unison, but Gyuvin was not going to judge his saviours.

"So like… what’s the plan?"

With that question, the magpies suddenly surged from the confines of his small house, bursting through the front door and windows. Gyuvin followed them outside, where he was met with the astonishing sight of the birds aligning themselves to form a bridge across the Milky Way, leading to the distant horizon where Ricky awaited.

Without wasting a single second, Gyuvin started his journey across the magpie bridge.

He trudged on for hours, days–past the top of Seorak Mountain, past the layers of clouds, until finally, he saw a familiar red-headed figure emerge within the white mists, standing in front of the majestic golden gates that guarded the entrance to the heavenly realm.

"Honestly, I am extremely impressed." Zhang Hao said when Gyuvin approached. "These birds have never heeded my commands before."

"They were moved by Ricky and I's genuine love for each other." Gyuvin declared, opting to exclude the part about the magpies being Eumppappa's minions.

Zhang Hao sighed. "Look, contrary to what others say, I have nothing against you. But I cannot allow Ricky to live down there. You've seen what happens to him when he leaves the heavenly realm for too long."

Gyuvin nodded. "Then let me visit him up here."

Zhang Hao let out a dry laugh. "If a human takes one step inside these gates, their bones will melt and their skin will disintegrate on the spot."

Gyuvin's shoulders slumped, his previous confidence faltered. Maybe he should have done more research before coming here.

Zhang Hao looked deep in thought, brows furrowed as he studied Gyuvin’s dejected form. With a trace of uncertainty in his tone, he called out: "Kim Gyuvin."

"Yes?"

"Do you love my son?"

"Yes! More than anything."

Zhang Hao sighed. "There is a way… but it will be very difficult, especially for you."

Gyuvin perked up. "What is it? I can handle it!"

"Every year on this day, I will allow you two to meet on the magpie bridge." Zhang Hao said. "I cannot turn you into a celestial being, but I can grant you eternal life so that you two will not have to worry about time."

Gyuvin nodded eagerly. "I’ll do it!"

The Heavenly Emperor returned his enthusiasm with a somber stare.

"Gyuvin, I don't think you understand what I'm proposing. Ricky will be able to see you every day, but you will only be able to see him once a year.” He said solemnly, searching Gyuvin’s gaze to make sure the younger understood the weight of his words. “As an immortal, you will have to endure eternal waiting, yearning for that one fleeting moment every year. Are you truly prepared for such a sacrifice?"

Gyuvin's eyes hardened with resolve as he returned Zhang Hao's stare. Waiting for Ricky might be torturous, but the thought of never seeing him again was far more unbearable.

"I understand," he said firmly. "I'll endure it even if it means waiting for eternity. Nothing is more important to me than him."

The Heavenly Emperor regarded him with a mixture of respect and sympathy.

"Very well," he said at last. "Your determination is admirable, Kim Gyuvin. I will grant your request."

⭐️💫💖✨🪵🐮🧚💫💘🌟✨

Seoul, Present Day

"KimGyu!" His cubicle neighbour, Yoo Seungeon, nudges his chair over and slumps onto Gyuvin's desk. "Wanna go out for some fried chicken and soju? Yunseo's coming."

Gyuvin currently works at the marketing department at ZeroBase, a technology conglomerate headquartered in Seoul. Only four years after he had first joined the company with Yoo Seungeon and Ji Yunseo, he astounded many people by quickly rising in ranks to the title of a section head.

“Congratulations!” His superior had said to him when she came to deliver the news of his promotion. “You know, I can’t believe you’ve only joined us four years ago. Sometimes it feels like you’ve been here longer than me.”

Well, she wasn’t wrong: Gyuvin had actually worked at this company before. Namely, fifty years ago when it was first founded, before he moved on to his next adventure as a pastry chef, then a basketball player, then a veterinarian, before returning for another stint in the corporate world.

"Can't," Gyuvin replies to Seungeon, his eyes focused on the screen. He’s determined to finish today's task by five on the dot, but Excel has been particular annoying all day. Maybe he’ll try being a software developer after his time in marketing comes to a close. "I've got a date tonight."

"Ah! It's Chilseok!" Seungeon’s eyes widen as realization dawns upon him before he props himself up on one elbow. "Your long-distance lover flew into Korea again?"

"Yep, so I'm going to go see him." Gyuvin checks the time. 17:00. Oh well, he can just finish the rest tomorrow. Gyuvin closes his laptop with a smile, unplugging it from the monitor before sliding it into his briefcase.

"Where are you guys gonna go?"

He makes a vague gesture towards the sky and Seungeon groans. "The Namsan Tower again? Don't tell me, is he staying for only one night this year as well?"

"Uh-huh."

"I really admire how you've kept up with this long-distance relationship for so long." Seungeon sighs and leans back, rolling himself away from Gyuvin with a light push. "You guys are literally like the Woodcutter and the Heavenly Youth, seeing each other for only one night every year."

Gyuvin shrugs. “What’s wrong with that?” He rises from his seat, neatly tucking in his chair before slinging his briefcase over his shoulder.

"Waiting all year for tonight only makes it even more special."