Five days had passed, and the air around the manor felt lighter now that Yura's estrus period had come to an end. The tension that had filled every corner of their shared space had slowly dissipated, leaving behind a sense of calm and quiet that Jiyeon desperately welcomed.
She had weathered the storm, as she always did, with a mixture of patience and humor — because that's how you survived being in love with Yura. Her fiery, stubborn Omega had a way of driving her insane, especially when she became impossibly possessive. Jiyeon still chuckled at the memory of Chef Kang's pale face when he left the manor that evening. The poor man had looked like he'd stared death in the face.
But today was different. Today, they had nothing but time. No interruptions, no business calls, no pheromones sending Yura into a spiral. Just the two of them, together.
Jiyeon leaned against the kitchen counter, looking at Yura who was pacing back and forth in front of her. The idea they had come up with the night before was slowly coming together — a picnic. Something simple, relaxed, something that would let them enjoy the calm after the storm. The idea of spending the entire day with Yura, out in the sun with nothing but good food and each other, was exactly what Jiyeon needed.
But, of course, nothing was ever quite that simple when Yura was involved.
"I still think we need at least three different types of sandwiches," Yura said, her hands on her hips as she scrolled through her phone for more recipe ideas. "We can't just settle on one. What if one gets soggy?"
Jiyeon rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a fond smile. "Yura, it's just us. We don't need three different types of sandwiches. We're not feeding an army."
Yura shot her a look. "I'm an Omega who just survived an estrus period. I'm hungry. And I'll not eat a soggy sandwich on a day that's supposed to be perfect."
Jiyeon laughed, shaking her head. "Okay, okay. Three sandwiches. But I'm in charge of what goes in them."
Yura grinned, satisfied with the compromise. "Deal. What are you thinking?"
Jiyeon leaned forward, her elbows on the counter, thinking. "Let's keep it simple but flavorful. I'm thinking one with classic egg salad — soft-boiled eggs, a touch of mustard, and chives for that extra zing."
Yura nodded, already approving. "Yes. Egg salad sounds good."
Jiyeon tapped her chin. "Then, for the second, something a little heartier. Maybe grilled chicken with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. It'll hold up well, even if it sits out for a bit."
Yura's eyes lit up. "Yes! That sounds amazing."
"And for the third…" Jiyeon hesitated, a smirk tugging at her lips. "How about something sweet? Peanut butter, bananas, and a drizzle of honey. Nostalgic, but it's perfect for a picnic."
Yura's eyebrows raised. "Peanut butter and bananas? That's… okay, fine. I'll trust you on this."
Jiyeon laughed again, standing up straight and grabbing a cutting board. "It'll be perfect. Just wait."
They began to prepare the sandwiches together, moving in an easy rhythm that spoke of how well they knew each other. Jiyeon sliced the boiled eggs while Yura mixed the mayo and mustard, their hands brushing occasionally as they worked side by side. The egg salad came together quickly, the rich, creamy texture balanced with the sharpness of the mustard and the freshness of the chives.
For the second sandwich, Jiyeon marinated the chicken with garlic, olive oil, and lemon zest before grilling it to perfection. The scent filled the kitchen, warm and savory, making both of their stomachs growl. Yura hummed in approval, slicing the sun-dried tomatoes while Jiyeon layered the chicken with pesto and cheese.
As for the peanut butter and banana sandwich, Jiyeon was determined to make it a little fancier than Yura expected. She toasted the bread lightly, letting it get just a bit golden before spreading a thick layer of peanut butter. She sliced the bananas thinly and arranged them in neat rows, drizzling honey over the top before adding a final sprinkle of sea salt.
Yura peeked over her shoulder. "Okay, I admit, that actually looks pretty good."
Jiyeon shot her a smug grin. "Told you. I know what I'm doing."
With the sandwiches done, they moved on to packing the rest of the picnic. Jiyeon rummaged through the fridge, pulling out a fresh block of gouda and a wedge of brie. "We need cheese, obviously," she said, slicing the gouda into neat, bite-sized pieces.
Yura was busy assembling a small container of fresh fruit — strawberries, grapes, and slices of juicy watermelon. "Of course. And some fruit. We should also bring wine."
Jiyeon hesitated. "Wine? Are we really trying to get tipsy on a picnic?"
Yura shot her a mischievous smile. "Why not? It's a special day. Besides, I don't get to drink that much during my estrus."
"Fine," Jiyeon sighed, though she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "But only a bottle."
Yura clapped her hands together, satisfied. "I'll get the wine. You finish packing the snacks."
They moved around the kitchen, gathering small bites to add to their picnic basket. Jiyeon made sure to pack a container of mixed nuts and dried fruit, knowing that Yura would appreciate the extra crunch. She also grabbed a loaf of freshly baked bread, the crust still warm to the touch, along with a small jar of honey butter.
By the time they were done, the picnic basket was filled to the brim with delicious treats. Yura held it up triumphantly, grinning from ear to ear. "This is going to be perfect."
Jiyeon nodded, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "It's definitely going to be something."
They set out together, walking hand in hand toward the small garden behind the manor. The sun was high in the sky, warm and bright but not too hot, and the sound of birds chirping filled the air. Jiyeon couldn't remember the last time they'd done something so simple, so normal. It felt almost surreal.
They found the perfect spot beneath a large oak tree, its branches casting dappled shadows across the grass. Jiyeon laid out the blanket while Yura unpacked the basket, spreading the food out between them.
As they settled down, Yura poured them each a glass of wine, handing one to Jiyeon with a smile. "Here's to a peaceful day."
Jiyeon raised her glass in a toast, smiling back. "Here's to no more interruptions."
They clinked their glasses together, the soft sound ringing out in the quiet of the garden. Jiyeon took a sip, savoring the crisp, fruity flavor of the wine as it danced on her tongue.
Yura grabbed the first sandwich — the grilled chicken with pesto — and took a big bite. Her eyes widened as she chewed, nodding enthusiastically. "This is so good."
Jiyeon smiled, taking a bite of her own sandwich. The flavors melded perfectly together, the freshness of the pesto cutting through the richness of the chicken. "You were right," she admitted after swallowing. "Three sandwiches was a good idea."
Yura grinned, already reaching for the next sandwich. "Of course I was right."
They spent the next few hours talking, laughing, and eating their way through the picnic. The peanut butter and banana sandwich turned out to be a surprise favorite, with Yura insisting on finishing the last bite despite her earlier doubts.
As the afternoon wore on, Jiyeon found herself lying back on the blanket, her head resting in Yura's lap. The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the garden.
"This was a good idea," Yura murmured, running her fingers through Jiyeon's hair. "I needed this."
Jiyeon closed her eyes, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over her. "Me too."
The quiet of the afternoon settled around them like a soft blanket, the sounds of the garden—chirping birds, the gentle rustle of leaves—fading into the background. Jiyeon sighed, her head still resting in Yura's lap, her body relaxed in a way it hadn't been in days. She felt Yura's fingers combing through her hair, a repetitive, soothing motion that made Jiyeon's eyelids grow heavier.
"I could get used to this," Jiyeon murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. The feeling of Yura's warmth, the soft hum of the world around them—it all felt too perfect to disrupt.
"You'd better," Yura teased softly, though there was a certain tenderness in her tone. "This is just the beginning, you know."
Jiyeon smiled lazily, eyes still closed. "The beginning of what?"
"Us," Yura replied, her voice carrying a mix of seriousness and playfulness. "I mean, think about it. We could have more days like this. Just the two of us. No work, no interruptions, no estrus periods—just... peace."
Jiyeon chuckled, opening one eye to look up at her. "No estrus periods, huh? You make it sound like a vacation."
Yura gave a mock pout, her fingers pausing in Jiyeon's hair. "It is a vacation—for both of us."
Jiyeon laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside her. "You're not wrong." She reached up, taking Yura's hand and lacing their fingers together. "I wouldn't mind more days like this."
The soft breeze carried the scent of the flowers from the garden, and for a moment, everything felt timeless, as if they could stay here forever, wrapped in the safety of each other's presence.
"Maybe next time we can actually plan a vacation," Yura mused, her voice distant as if she were already imagining it. "Somewhere by the ocean. With more food."
Jiyeon smiled, squeezing Yura's hand gently. "I like the sound of that. But let's finish this picnic first, yeah?"
Yura leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Jiyeon's forehead. "Deal."