washed over everything it touched so that they glittered bright gold. especially summer's skin. it was almost as if her skin had been infused with the precious metal so that it shone from within. cool sea breeze wrapped around them, weaving through loose clothes and silky hair, causing both unrest as it kissed their skins.

jeongguk sat next to her on the rocks which felt cool against burning skin. their fingers brushed lightly in a bashful dance of teasing. wave after wave crashed into the shore below before drifting back into the sparkling green sea. he seemed dazed by the movement, eyes following the undulation of water with avid fascination.

neither of them had said anything in a while, simply staring ahead at the vastness ahead. watching blue and green, not able to pinpoint exactly where the sky met the sea.

"i've always wondered if they used to be lovers." summer's enthralling low voice broke the silence they shared. her legs swung from the edge of the rocks, the weight of her upper body on her hands as she leaned back.

dark brown eyes shifted sideways, regarding her. "who?" he queried softly, head tilting so that honey brown hair fell over his eyes. "the sky and the sea." her eyes remained on the horizon.

"i feel like they have a story. i imagine it's some tragic tale. if you look onto the horizon, they meet but they never touch. it must be hard. to see the one you love everyday and not be able touch them, not be able to do anything about it. like some magical treasure that eludes you every time you go near it." she sounded sad, eyes conveying the same emotion when she met his gaze.

his large hand glided over the cool surface to wrap around hers, squeezing lightly. "it must be hard. i can't even begin to imagine." his fingers drew patterns over the lightly freckled skin of her hand.

that smile that always had his heart just about ready to jump out of his chest was sent his way. "i know. do you think there are people out there? like the sky and the sea?" her eyes had moved up, following lazy clouds drifting across the slowly darkening sky.

jeongguk paused to think, steady breaths leaving his slightly parted lips like his lungs were whispering secrets to the air. "maybe. it's not far-fetched. life can be unfair." his voice drifted off. "yes, it can." summer mumbled, glancing down at her feet.

jeongguk watched her for a minute without uttering a word. "summer," he called softly, voice almost lost in the wind. "is there something you aren't telling me?" lashes fluttered over flushed cheeks as he blinked slowly, waiting for an answer.

summer was quiet and jeongguk's question hung in the air for several breaths. finally, she looked at him. "isn't there always something people aren't telling? that's why secrets exist." the ghost of a smile played across her lips.

a small frown marred his features, pulling thick brows together, crinkling smooth skin, narrowing soft eyes, pursing small lips, tensing strong jaw. she lifted a hand, allowing her fingers to dance over his cheeks. "run away with me." she whispered softly. he blinked repeatedly, features morphing from worry to confusion. "what?"

"let's go away for a couple of days. just you and me. what do you think?" her head tilted one way, eyes expectant. "aren't we always together?" he asked, naturally leaning into her touch. "i know but it'll be fun. we can take raheem's car."

his right brow slid up. "raheem would kill me if we did that." he answered with a purse of his lips. "no, he won't." she chuckled, the corners of her eyes crinkling with mirth. "sure," he drawled in incredulity. "really," she giggled, pressing her cold palms to his cheeks.

"fine. but where do we even go?" his hand came over hers. "anywhere." her shoulders moved in a shrug. "oh, sure, i'll go anywhere with you." he ran fingers through her soft curls, brushing wisps of baby hair at her hairline. she bopped his nose with a small laugh. "cheesy."

"what? i asked you where and you said anywhere so i said i'll go anywhere with you. how is that cheesy?" his bottom lip jutted in a pout. she laughed again. "i'm sorry. what i meant was sweet. you're very sweet."

a soft smile graced his lips. leaning in, he pressed a soft kiss to hers, then another. "i try." he whispered, breath brushing against her skin. her eyes fluttered shut, face an image of serenity.

he stared at her, glancing only momentarily to the waves hitting the shore. he thought of another love story. one where the sea and the shore were old lovers. where the sea always tried to be with the shore, even if only for a fleeting moment. how their teasing, flitting kisses, their brief contacts must have made it even more difficult. yet they kept at it. he wondered why.

but as he stared at a seemingly daydreaming summer, he understood, even though they could never fully be together, why the sea loved the shore.