itotoro

It's the holidays. The heaviness of her body lulls her to sleep.

“Hey,” says Jinsol, half-asleep beside her. The bed shifts as she stretches her arms towards the headboard, the lines of her body a sight. “Hey,” she repeats, turning to her, “want to visit the plaza bazaar?”

Sooyoung's hand finds Jinsol's waist, resting. “One minute.”

//

One minute becomes thirty, becomes Jinsol wrapping her arms around Sooyoung's shoulders and keeping her there.

They do get up, building brunch together before heading to the town plaza for a bazaar at the height of the winter season.

Winter. Sooyoung reminds Jinsol to bring a scarf and receives a kiss on the cheek in return.

//

At three in the afternoon the bazaar has emptied of its first batch of visitors. Booths and stalls and passers-by crawl along streets and alleyways, converging at the town plaza.

“It's that time of the year,” says Jinsol, in her hand Sooyoung's. “The time when my breath fogs up like clouds.”

Sooyoung watches. The puffs of Jinsol's breath dance around her lips, blending with the snow. Time they can spend together is hard to come by.

Jinsol tugs on her hand. “Want to head to the food stall—”

“Yes.” The speed of Sooyoung's response earns her a laugh.

//

There is a budget for purchases that fly out the window. Sooyoung's tote bag fills by the half hour, the signal to cull.

“Can we get the chocolate mushrooms this time?” Jinsol asks, peering into the bag.

Sooyoung's nose scrunches. “They cost half the budget—”

“I've wanted them since last year—”

“You don't even like mushrooms—”

They're stopped by the sound of music. A radio, playing a carol with bells and voices.

Jinsol's head is turned towards the sound. Sooyoung pushes the chocolate mushrooms into the bottom of the bag.

//

On the road home they pass by a fire pit. Sooyoung's steps slow as they near it, her empty hand tugging on Jinsol's.

“We can stay for a bit,” she replies.

They approach the fire pit, its light and its warmth. Sooyoung's bag of bazaar goods press to her shin: Ham, cheeses, and wine from countries out of reach. Chocolate mushrooms. They'll have some for dinner and dessert.

“Isn't it nice,” asks Jinsol, “to spend the holidays like this? Taking our time like this?”

Sooyoung nods, pressing herself to Jinsol. “Nice and slow.” Light and warmth.