Mardy Bum

“Well, now then, Mardy Bum. I’ve seen your frown and it's like looking down the barrel of a gun, and it goes off.”

The neck of my guitar felt slick in my hands, as I strummed the opening chords, singing perhaps a bit too loudly. The door to my man cave was purposefully left ajar. I had retreated here after losing the great Battle of Desserts, where I had carelessly remarked that Sullyoon was eating too much. It was day four of the ice cream eating marathon Sullyoon dragged me on, and my belt was getting tight.

“You know, maybe we should lay off the ice cream for a couple of days. We’ve been having it a lot this past week.

Sullyoon stiffened at my words, spoon halting an inch from her mouth, before she continued. And she didn't respond. No playful smack, not even a half-hearted retort. I opened my mouth again, then closed it. A mistake I didn’t see until it was too late.  I tried bad jokes and soft apologies, even the last bite of my own dessert. All I got in return was a stare that said I wasn't funny anymore.  I sighed, and strummed the next line.

“And out come all these words. Oh there's a very pleasant side to you, a side I much prefer.”

“You don’t deserve to see it.”

Sullyoon’s words cut across my strumming. She had been standing in the hallway.

I looked up, fingers frozen on the next chord. “Sullyoon! I-”

“You should shut up. I'm eating.”

She spun on her heel, about to slam the door.

“Wait!” And then again, softer, “Wait.”

“What can I do to atone for my sins, my Queen?”

Sullyoon turned, frown evident, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching. I decided to press my advantage. I strummed again, a little softer this time.

“It’s one that laughs and jokes around…”

My fingers slowed.

“Remember cuddles in the kitchen, yea, to get things off the ground”

And I was back to the day we moved in. The soft sunlight drifted through the windows, casting our kitchen in a warm light. Sullyoon was up on her tiptoes, carefully sliding the final jar into place on the shelf. She paused, then adjusted it again. It was her favourite jam preserve I had gotten for our first anniversary, and also the item she saved to place last. The smell of fresh paint still lingered in the air, but we had finally emptied out all the boxes.

“All done. It’s official now.” She said it quietly at first, then nodded to herself as if confirming it. 

“What is?” I asked, leaning against the counter. I wasn’t sure what she meant but no matter. I already decided that I agreed. 

She looked at me. It should be obvious.

“That was the last piece,” she said, smiling a little, “to making this our home. Our very own space.”

Stepping closer, I slipped my arms around her from behind, resting my chin lightly on her shoulder. Strawberry shampoo again. Sullyoon melted against my chest, almost purring, her hair tickling my ear.

“Our dream came true.” I inhaled her scent, smiling. “To many more memories, Yoona-ah.”

“And dessert!” Sullyoon laughed.  “To many more shared desserts!” she added, like there was no other correct ending to the sentence.

The sound of her laughter faded with the chord still ringing. Sullyoon was looking at me, the frown replaced with a soft smile and eyes not quite focusing, like she was replaying that moment in time together with me. I continued on, quieter now.

“And it was, up, up and away. Oh, but it's right hard to remember that, on a day like today, when you’re all, argumentative. And you’ve got the face on.”

I lowered the guitar slightly, strings humming in reverb. That wasn’t how I meant it to sound. Sullyoon blinked at me, then tilted her head with a teasing grin.

“You’re cheating with the song, you know.”

I scoffed. “It’s artistic flair. The song reflects us.”

“Nope, I’m still disqualifying you! Only one thing can save you now!” 

I understood what Sullyoon was asking of me.

“I could get us choccy cake for dessert tonight? We could walk the calories off with a walk along the Han river?”

That just about did it. No one could maintain a frown when promised with chocolate cake. Sullyoon pushed the door open again, and walked over. And then she whacked me over the head.

“That’s for calling me fat!”

Rubbing my head, I smiled back at her sheepishly. “I deserved that one, 100%.”

Then, I stood, placing my guitar aside, and hugged her close.

“I’m sorry, Yoona-ah. You know I would never hurt you willingly.” 

I pressed my lips to her forehead in a tender kiss, then felt Sullyoon go still in my arms.

“Sullyoon?”

“Pfft.” A small laugh. “ You’re so easy to tease~”

“What?” I loosened the hug slightly.

She tilted her head just enough to look at me. “If I got mad at all your nonsense, we’d have broken up ages ago.”

Then, softer. “Idiot.”

I laughed, arms still around her. “I love you, Sullyoon.”

She didn’t move away right away. Just stayed there for a moment longer, like she wasn’t in any hurry to leave. The room felt quieter now, for a moment, as we just held each other. The warmth of our embrace pulled me briefly back to the kitchen again, before the present settled around.

I whispered into Sullyoon’s ear, feeling her shiver slightly. “Let’s go. Your favourite bakery awaits, my Queen.”

“Lead the way my loyal knight,” Sullyoon giggled, “let us make haste, or you will be buying cake for us again on the morrow.”

I released Sullyoon, but immediately lifted her in my arms, bridal style. 

“Hey!” she whined, clinging on to me, but melting in my arms. “You can’t just lift me up!”

Smiling, I walked her out of the house. Time for cake.