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Chapter 12: Over the Moon – July 17, 2021

It was a beautiful night.  The stars were shining brightly overhead as they entered their garden once more.  Hobi had asked her to wear her ball gown and her mask again.  He was wearing a tuxedo and his dashing, ebony mask.  The one that had made her swoon the first time she’d seen him in it.  Of course, that was a secret that she’d only admitted to in the hidden place of her own heart.  

She’d been so attracted to Raven that night.  Honestly, it would have terrified her a little.  Except that he had been so familiar to her.  And seemed so safe.  Perhaps it had helped that they had composed a song together that evening too.

Tonight, he had picked her up and taken her to dinner.  When she’d returned to the ball all those months ago, Yura had informed her that she got to keep the gown.  Minsu had put it away at the back of her closet, figuring she’d never have a reason to pull it out again.  But tonight, she had.  

She and Hobi had enjoyed a delightful dinner at their favorite upscale restaurant.  She’d felt a little self-conscious dressing so elaborately.  She’d fought valiantly not to sully her dress with any dropped food.  She’d won that battle to emerge from the restaurant still flawless.  Then he had driven them to their private garden.  

She had since learned that the building was not publicly owned.  Heejin’s appa owned it, and Heejin herself had ensured that the gate was unlocked the night Hobi had confessed he was Raven.  Again, tonight, she seemed to have conspired with him to allow them back into what felt like their own private sanctuary.

“Heejin is awfully kind to a boy who didn’t return her love,” Minsu suddenly spoke up as he led her towards their bench.

“Heejin,” Hobi responded, “is a hopeless romantic.  The girl is die hard.  She’ll do anything to further the cause of true love.  To answer your question: she is absolutely amazing.  A true sweetheart.  I hope she finds someone as wonderful as she is who returns her affection.”

“Me too,” she murmured as she sat down.  

She glanced up at him as he remained standing.  “Hobi?”

He smiled down at her.  They’d put their masks on as they’d stepped into their garden.  He’d wanted to recreate the feel of that moonlit night.  Now as he gazed down at her, he admitted, “Something’s wrong.”

Wide-eyed, she stared up at him.  “What?”

“You’re wearing your mask.  But as I recall, you weren’t that night.”

“You’re right.  I removed it when I entered this garden.”  She reached up and took it off.

That was all he’d been waiting for.  He stood staring down at her as he opened his mouth and began to recite their poem.  Except that he had changed some of the lines.

“You are ethereal tonight,

Heavenly under the moonlight;

Beneath its timeless glow,

No flaw in you does show.

“You’re radiant under the moon.

Please tell me that I make you swoon.

Your lips a perfect bow

Taste like heaven, I know.

“That pale light casts a blue sheen

Upon your raven locks so keen.

Your midnight hair does gleam.

Babe, you’re in my bloodstream.

“You’re not a figment of my mind,

You are perfect, glorious, kind.

More than a lovely dream,

Born on a bright moonbeam.”

She smiled up at him.  “My beautiful Hobi,” she whispered.

Just then, he dropped down on one knee in front of her.  He reached out and took her hands.  

“Moonbeam, will you marry me?”

Her eyes flooded with tears as she stared up at him.  “That depends, Raven, upon whom I find behind this mask.”  She reached up to remove it.  “Is it my best friend?  Because I definitely want to marry my best friend.  The one whose kisses do make me swoon.”

As she pulled the mask away, she revealed his glowing grin.  

“Hello, Sunshine,” Moonbeam breathed.

“Let’s find out if my kisses still make you swoon,” he murmured.

Hobi bent his head, and his lips brushed hers.  And Minsu found herself over the moon.  Yep, she was swooning, all right.  Her smile incandescent like that beautiful moonbeam upon which their second chance at love had been born.  As it turned out, both sunshine and lightning could reside within the same man.

Hobi’s smile glowed like the noonday sun, but his lips released lightning into her core.  It was sailing along her nerves right now, making her burn like that bright star whose light his eyes were always releasing.