Chapter One

The birds were chirping in rhythm with the pleasant breeze. The sun had hardly risen an hour before, and the weather was ideal for a pleasant picnic day.

early 1970's

"1 2 3, smile, babe," click! a ticking sound of an old instant photograph Polaroid camera.

"Wow!" "You look so pretty handsome in this picture, babe," Peach commented as he examined the photograph. Yoon has a pretty face for a man. His almond eyes, pointed nose, and bow-shaped lips complemented flawlessly his slim yet meaty and porcelain-like cheeks. Though he is now thin and pale, glimmers of his former ethereal beauty remain. He has lengthy raven lashes and captivating hazel orbs. Peach can't stop falling in love with him over and over again. That's a certainty that will never change.

"I know, right? That's why you love me, right? Because of my pretty, handsome face." Peach's brows furrowed from Yoon's teasing.

"Ahh, here we are again," Peach said, then put down the camera. He gently pulled Yoon and made him sit on his lap.

"You know I love you no matter what you look like, right, babe? So don't ever say that again, okay?" Peach placed a loving, soft kiss on Yoon's forehead.

"I know, babe, I'm just teasing you; I'm sorry and I love you, muwaahh!" Yoon smacked his lips against Peach. Peach pressed his lips on Yoon's cheeks, deepening the kiss.

"What do you want to do next, babe? boating, fishing, or just strolling around the lake?" Peach asked after halting the passionate kiss.

"Hmmm, I think I want to eat, babe; I'm hungry," replied Yoon, rubbing his growling tummy. "We've been taking pictures for hours now; my pets were also famished," he added with a cute grin.

"Okay, okay, sure, my hungry bunny," Peach then dabbed Yoon's tip of the nose and pecked another smooth kiss again.

"Babe, say ahhh." Yoon then shoved a spoonful of food into Peach's mouth before he could even complain.

"Babe! it's spicy!" Peach complained while coughing.

"I know, babe, tehehe," Yoon giggled and ran away from Peach. Peach got up and chased after him. The two continue running, jumping, and chasing each other on the lakeside like children free from all the troubles in the world and living only in their own separate worlds.

"Gocha!" Peach is back hugging Yoon. "Ohh, babe, you're so naughty, huh?" Peach's arms circled Yoon from the back, so he couldn't run away again.

Yoon turned around to face him with a mischievous grin. Peach shakes his head. "Oh, babe, not again— ahh!"

But before Peach could finish the sentence, Yoon began tickling his chest and armpits.

"Ohh, s-stop it, babe," Peach said while laughing, but suddenly halted after he noticed Yoon's difficulty breathing.

"Hey, babe, are you okay? I told you, don't move too much." Peach has worries visible on his face.

"I am fine, babe," replied Yoon, fumbling his chest.

"You're as naughty as ever."

Peach carried Yoon back to the rented cabin beside the lake. He laid him down on the bed and put a pillow on his back so Yoon could rest his back on the backrest.

"Stay here, babe; I'll get you warm water so you can take your medicine."

"Mnn, thanks, babe," replied Yoon, and then Peach went to the kitchen and fetched a glass of warm water. Peach didn't realize his tears were already trickling and dropped down to the glass of water he just fetched.

Peach stood there for a short while, gripping the backrest of the chair. His knuckles turned white because of too much force, yet his hands were trembling. He brushed his tears away and fetched another glass of warm water after calming down, then got back to the room where Yoon was waiting. He can't show weakness in front of his love.

"Here, babe, take your medicine now and get some rest, okay?" Peach handed him the water and then sat beside him.

Yoon took the medicine, but then he noticed Peach's slightly reddened eyes. Yoon couldn't bring himself to ask his husband what happened because he knew the very reason why.

Peach lay down beside Yoon and then pulled him closer and embraced him while Yoon snuggled into his husband's chest. Peach caresses Yoon's hair until he falls asleep. Peach's tears silently stream down his face, no matter how much he suppresses them. All he could do was bite his fist to prevent the sobs that might flee from his mouth.

He slowly breathes out and breathes in to regulate the emotion that is overpowering him. He wiped his tears with his palm and turned to face the sleeping beauty beside him. He placed small kisses on Yoon's forehead and cheeks until he too drifted into slumber, hugging his beloved husband.

The next day, Peach had just woken up and couldn't see Yoon beside him. He abruptly got up and called out for Yoon.

"Yoon?! Babe?! Babe? Yoon babe?! "Where are you?" He shouted as he couldn't find Yoon.

Peach rushed outside and ran while calling Yoon's name. However, he couldn't find even a silhouette of Yoon.

He was anxious. His heart is racing from anxiety. Peach ran his fingers through his hair and slumped his knees on the ground. His tears were pouring down, and his head was filled with unpleasant thoughts. He is not ready for that day, and he will never be.

"Babe, where are you?... "Please don't leave me so soon," he mumbles as he cries. "Yoon–"

"Babe?" Peach lifted his head when he heard Yoon's melodious voice.

"Babe! Oh, God!" Peach uttered this and pulled Yoon into a tight embrace.

"Babe, where have you been? I was worried; I couldn't find you anywhere." Peach then tightens his embrace. "I was looking for you since I couldn't find you beside me when I woke up." Peach is still crying and trembling from anxiety. The thought of waking up in the morning without Yoon is a nightmare for him.

"I'm sorry, babe, I just walked around the lake and felt the morning breeze," replied Yoon.

"Babe, don't do this again; you can wake me up and I can accompany you." "I was worried to death." "What if..." Peach couldn't bring himself to utter the dread word he was afraid of.

"Ssh," Yoon shushed him; he cupped his face and kissed him lovingly. "I'm sorry; I won't do it again." "I promise, babe." Yoon wiped his beloved Peach's welling eyes.

Peach connected their foreheads and kissed his beloved Yoon full of love and tenderness.

"I believe you."

Peach held Yoon's face and connected their foreheads again.

"Babe, don't leave me so soon..." He paused, having a hard time opening his mouth just as the thought of reality dawned on him. "I'm not ready yet," Peach stuttered as he closed his eyes, preventing his tears from seeping through once again.

Yoon rubbed his back but didn't say anything; he too had never liked this. He never wanted to leave his beloved husband alone, but what could he do? He had no power to avoid it.

"Babe, let's get inside the cabin; I'm feeling cold." Yoon squeezed Peach's nose gently.

"Let's go; I will cook breakfast for us, but why are your sleeves and shoes dirty?" Peach noticed how messy Yoon's clothes were.

"Oh, that's..." "I saw a nice tree sapling while I was on my morning walk and planted one of them not far behind the cabin," Yoon reasoned.

"Is that so?" Peach raises one eyebrow.

"Yes, babe, don't worry, I'm fine. I'll clean myself while you are cooking."

"Mn, okay, I'll prepare the bathtub first."

"Babe, please, I can do it myself," said Yoon.

"No! Let me do it for you; please don't argue with me, okay?" Peach firmly insists.

"Fine, babe," Yoon smiled and held Peach's hand. They walked and entered the cabin, holding hands.

Peach prepared the bathtub for Yoon; he filled it with warm water and jasmine flowers. Yoon's favorite scent, then he went to the kitchen and cooked their breakfast while Yoon soaked himself in the bathtub.

Yoon was lying in the bathtub while his tears streamed down silently without him realizing it sooner.

"I don't want to leave my beloved Peach; I'm not ready yet. Why me? Am I that bad? I didn't remember hurting anyone. Why do I have to suffer this dreadful illness? My husband will be very, very sad and lonely once I'm gone. I don't want him to cry; I don't want to leave him in sorrow. What should I do now? I'm praying to all the deities if anyone could hear my prayer. Please allow me to live a little longer, or at least don't make it too difficult for my beloved Peach once I'm gone.

And if possible, if the reincarnation was true, I want to see my Peach again. No matter how many times I am incarnated, I always want my husband, Peach. I always want to be by Peach's side, by my beloved's side. "It's always been him."

Yoon curled in the bathtub and covered his mouth with his hands while his tears raced down his cheeks. He doesn't want Peach to hear his cries. Yoon didn't notice the time, and Peach has already finished cooking and is now leaning against the door frame outside of the bathroom.

Peach was about to call Yoon when he heard his muffled whimpers. He stopped and closed the door gently. Peach couldn't stand seeing Yoon in that state. His heart feels like it is ripping apart. If there is a way to take over that dreadful illness, Peach would gladly take it from his beloved Yoon. They're both in a crying mess.

"My love, Peach."

"My dear, Yoon."

They mumble at the same time while fumbling their chests. Peach was leaning against the door frame, and Yoon was silently crying in the bathtub. They both never wanted to show their weakest spots to each other. But what could they do? Yoon's days on earth are already numbered.

After a short while, Peach composed himself and knocked on the door. He didn't want Yoon to see him weak and miserable as well.

"Babe, are you done?" I'm coming in."

"Ah yes, babe, I'm going out now," replied Yoon.

"Hmmm, I smell my favorite fried rice," said Yoon, getting out of the bathroom.

"Aha, I know you love it; come, I'll help you dry your hair."

Peach gently brushes Yoon's thin hair and helps him put on thicker clothes. His heart broke to see Yoon's reddened eyes and hear his hoarse voice, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything about it.

"Ah, my babe is so gorgeous," said Peach, who then bestowed kisses on his lips repeatedly. He wanted Yoon to feel how pretty he is, and he wanted Yoon to feel that his love for him will never change; even this dreadful illness won't stop him from loving him. Even death won't stop him; even in the afterlife, he will love no one but Yoon. That's how strong his love for his husband is.

"Babe, stop that; let's go eat; I'm hungry." Yoon gently squeezed Peach's tip of the nose.

"Okay, and let's have a picnic later at the lakeside."

"Oh, I love that." Yoon giggles