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Exhausted, they closed the door behind them. For the first time in over twenty four hours, they were finally, blissfully alone. So much effort had been put into this day, battles waged over traditional or modern. Bickering over colors, flowers, styles, food, music, locations, guest list, etc. etc. And most of all that had been done without them or around them with little of their feedback getting through some times.
But after all the hullabaloo, the event had finally taken place and this would be the first night of the rest of their lives together. So many emotions surged throughout the whole experience and now that it was done, it was time for the wind down.
Yeo-hee had continued into the room, spinning and flopping backwards onto the bed. A bright smile still plastered on her face. Even in her exhaustion, there was no mistaking the elation she exuded the whole day. Sighing, she closed her eyes and tried to absorb everything.
Rang lingered by the door. For him the day had been a whirlwind of joy and disbelief. He was beyond grateful for this amazing day and all those that contributed to its success. Despite the engagement present Yeon and Moo-young had given him, Rang was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, as they say.
Knowing he was free from the contract alleviated his mind of the horror of having his world ripped from his grasp again by that traitor. However, a part of him still feared that his happiness was too good to be true. That some other monster was out there waiting for him to drop his guard so it can tear his happiness apart piece by piece.
So engrossed in these dark thoughts, he couldn’t prevent the soft gasp from escaping or the knee jerk reaction when her hand brushed his shoulder. It took him another few seconds to calm his racing heart. Her concerned gaze nearly broke his resolve.
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, yes, I’m fine,” rushed from his lips as he focused on slowing his breathing. “It’s nothing.”
Instead of being relieved she looked even more concerned. Softly, she placed a hand on his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“Really, it’s nothing.” He tried to reassure her with a little smile. He even placed his hand over hers, allowing his thumb to caress her smooth skin.
“Are you sure?” Rang’s smile brightened when he nodded. The mermaid wasn’t one hundred percent convinced but decided to let it go for now. Smirking, she asked, “Then would you mind helping me out of this dress?” She giggled lightly as she watched the various emotions her request triggered.
Rang automatically went to accept when he suddenly realized what was coming. For an instant his eyes widened in shock, and the slight pink hue of his cheeks made her giggle more. Which caused him to frown.
It’s not like he didn’t know what happened next. And it’s not like he was entirely inexperienced either. He has lived for over 500 years, he has needs and has permitted his animalistic side to show. But those had been acts of primal satisfaction, not intimacy with someone he loved.
Further, his life had been riddled by maltreatment, misuse and pain. The latter comprising too much of his life. He understood it and was worried about hurting her unintentionally. He could never live with himself if he hurt her.
She deserved the best. That old doubt was slipping over him like a shroud. Because she deserved better than him. Not a murderer. Not a freak or a monster. Not a bandit leader. And not a broken thing like him.
She was all brightness and laughter. She should have someone that was equally bright. His smiles had been torn and beaten from him. He was constantly anxious, looking over his shoulder. Why would she want someone as pathetic as him?
“Because you’re perfect. And I love you just as you are.”
Surprised by her answer, he muttered, “How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Because I know that face. I have seen it too often.” She admitted sadly.
Frustrated, knowing his issues were already marring his relationship, he mumbled a hasty, “I’m sorry.” He tried to turn away but her hand kept him still. Cautiously, he looked up and caught her eyes.
“Don’t be.” She began with that gentle smile that always put him at ease. “I understand that you’re life has been much more difficult than mine. That you have scars that were never allowed to heal. But from this day forward, you don’t have to deal with them alone. We will work on healing and erasing them with new memories. Happy, joyful memories. Because you deserve more too. You are worthy. And my goal from now on is to show you that and make you smile. I love you.”
Rushing forward he wrapped his arms around her. Every time she said she loved him he was filled with such warmth. His life had been overshadowed by hate and pain, even that first time. At the hotel, he had almost lost her. Even the threat of that loss was crushing. It was the moment he realized he couldn’t live without her.
He had fought numerous yacha to get her that cure. He was willing to die for it. So when they had given her the cure he was amazed how much his underboss had cared as well. That day showed him more about love and loyalty than any other.
So after everything that had happened, when she said she loved him, her words shattered the barrier around his heart. In all the years he had been alive no one had uttered those words to him. He had given up hope of ever hearing them. And yet she had said them to him, of all people. He was filled with such gratitude, such wonder, such love that he could do nothing less than kiss her.
With one arm around her waist and the other supporting her neck and head, he leaned in and kissed his wife. He poured himself into it, heart, body and soul. Along with his happiness, appreciation and love. Willingly he gave himself over. In the past others had demanded, ordered or taken from him. For the first time he offered himself.
Yeo-hee gladly accepted, melting into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him. Giving him the opportunity to open up, release the emotions he kept locked away. Determined to prove he deserves more, she poured her own feelings into it. What started simple and sweet quickly built into passion and need.
Unfortunately, they had to break apart when they ran out of air. Not wanting him to withdraw either physically or mentally, she playfully teased, “Now will you help me out of this dress?”
“Eo,” he uttered bashfully then moved to assist. Within minutes the material fell away revealing a simple chemise underneath.
Glad to be free of it, she left it on the ground by the door and pulled him back toward the bed. There she took up both of his hands and looked up at him. The battle of emotions in his eyes was still going. Gently, she asked for permission, “May I?” Knowing the sacrifice he would have to make if he granted it.
Fighting back tears, she felt him tremble for a moment at her request. It broke her heart knowing someone had hurt him badly. Who could ever want to destroy this beautiful soul? A part of her suddenly got angry, she wanted to find and kill anyone who even spat a harsh word at him. But she squashed it down when he gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Now was not the time for vengeance, but kindness and patience. His concession, his trust in her almost stole her breath. Another tremor ran through him. She reached up to cup his cheek. “It’s ok. And if you want me to stop, for any reason just say so.”
“No. I… I want this with you.”
“I know. I do too but we don’t have to rush this. We have a long time to work through it.”
“I know. I just want to be with you. I don’t want to wait any longer.” His voice had grown huskier.
Blushing now, she agreed, “Neither do I.” She met his gaze one more time to make sure he was ready.
Slowly she moved to loosen his tie. A smirk flickered on her face as she remembered the first time they met. He had granted her permission then although she didn’t understand its significance at the time. However with hindsight she now knew why he had been so awkward and tense.
For him to have conceded to someone he hardly knew because he was unfamiliar with the tie was already a big step. And now he was offering her everything. It made her love him so much more. Slipping the tie free, she quickly followed that with his jacket and was now reaching for the first button.
As she freed each little button, she could feel him tense just a little more. But he said nothing, did nothing, barely breathed. When the last one opened, she stood there for a moment with her own sense of apprehension. She considered their journey; from the awkwardness of the tie, to his refusal to let her remove his soaked clothes after the well, even after the shinigami incident, he had kept her at a distance when he needed treatment, only allowing his brother or Doomok to help. He had obviously been very conscious of hiding himself under layers of clothing. So she paused to wonder what had caused him to be so.
Glancing up, she could see the tension around his eyes that she started to back away. However, he quickly grabbed her hands and pulled her closer. Softly, he drew her in, his thumb caressing the edge of her jaw, fingers entwined with her silken hair. When their lips met, he was full of confidence and eagerness. She answered in kind.
Breaking apart, she had been emboldened by his kiss. Her hands reached for his shoulders and slowly pushed the material away. It fell to the floor to reveal tanned skin marked by several scars. The most prominent was the large jagged ridge across his abdomen. Unconsciously, her fingers grazed the puckered skin making him gasp. But he didn’t stop her exploration. The soft tips of her fingers traced the line, a forever reminder of pain. She hadn’t even realized she started crying until he brushed away her tears.
“It’s okay. It’s something I have been carrying a long time.” He tried to reassure her. He hated seeing her concern especially toward him.
“How?” she managed to get past her tight throat.
“When I was very young and angry at the world, I allowed it to take over and I slaughtered a village. This was my punishment.”
“Your punishment? By who?” Confused and startled, she couldn’t understand why he would do such a thing let alone who could mete out punishment for it.
Rang explained, “The gods of the underworld. Most of the people I killed had burned our mountain. What happened after that was the darkest time of my life. They set that into motion. I spared no one. So they sent Yeon to kill me.”
Shocked, she gasped, “Your brother, Yeon?” He nodded. She knew there was some conflict between the brothers. While they never hid that, the details were never discussed. Now knowing this tiny bit of information set her blood boiling. How cruel of the gods to send one brother after the other? That the person her husband admired most caused him deep pain. “He did this?”
“Yes, he was meant to kill me. He left me there to die.”
“How did you manage to survive?”
“A stranger came and saved me. But by doing so, he bound me by contract.” And that she fully understood. She had been granted her wishes that proved the groundwork for their relationship. Her intentions had been to offer love. But what was this stranger’s motivation?
“Why did he save you?”
“I believe he intended to use me against my brother. He often sent me to bother him, but I think he had even darker intentions. Fortunately, I will never know. Yeon and Moo-young killed him before the contract could be fulfilled.”
Realization dawned. “Your engagement present?”
“Yes, at the request of future Yeon. They gave me my life back.”
She accepted and appreciated their efforts. When they told Rang that the traitor was dead, there was an obvious change in the half breed, like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He started embracing their future together. But it did not escape her that his burden had come from Yeon’s execution of the gods’ orders. She was both angry and heartbroken at how much pain it had caused her husband. Yeo-hee wanted to take it all away.
She rushed forward and hugged him fiercely. His warmth seeping through her thin chemise. There were several other scars that marred his skin. Stories that one day she would learn. But for now, she no longer wanted to focus on those dark reminders. She wanted to erase them from his mind. Leaning back she pressed her lips to his.
He had been so tense up until then, afraid that his scars would drive her away. That his tormented past would be too much. But all he could see in her eyes was love and acceptance, something he had craved his whole life. How could he not give in to her?
What started as an expression of love, soon became passionate need. All thoughts or questions or explanations vanished by desire. A mutual quest to meld into one. Before long their remaining clothes were gone. Nothing else existed but them. No past, no future, just this moment. Intense and powerful actions driven by equally intense and powerful emotions.
Riding high on those sensations, colliding with each other, they felt nothing but love. Soon that bliss crashed over them, pulling them back to reality and their new lives together. In the afterglow of this deep connection, they held each other in their arms. Words were not necessary as they eventually drifted off to sleep, content. After all, this was just the first of many firsts they would share. And they both were looking forward to what the dawn would bring.