Amore (1/2)
Title: Amore
Summary: Donghae wonders if Hyukjae can teach him what love is.
Genre: Fluff, fantasy, Rome!AU
Pairing: Hyukjae/Donghae
Rating: PG-15
Length: Two-shot
A/N: Just a two-shot. Couldn't get this out of my head since my trip to Rome, but I can't promise coherency. :( Dedicating this to Charlotte because Charlotte. ♥
Part One;
Being With You Is As Easy As Flying
“Mother, are you sure this is right?”
Lady Valentine looked down at the boy curled on her lap, tearstains marring his cheeks. Another failed attempt. How could humans be so cruel? She’d erased his memories again, and now, even she was beginning to worry whether this mission was too painful for her little one.
“No,” She stroked his hair, “he can do this.”
“Please, Mother. He’s suffered enough. Please just change him into the way he should be, one of us. He would be so beautiful as a female, it would be so much easier for him.”
“No,” She gently laid him on the bed. “I know that kind of love still exists out there. I’m certain.”
“But--”
“And I am also certain,” She gave him one last loving glance, “Donghae can find it for me.”
The sound of bells reverberated across the city, bouncing off the scenic buildings and dainty rooftops that only added to picturesque beauty of Rome. People, mostly tourists, roamed the streets, rubbing their gloved hands together and tightening their coats to fight the harsh cold breeze. By the Fontana di Trevi, the ringing of church bells were drowned out by the rush of water from the fountain and noises from the growing crowd gathered around it.
Brown and curious eyes peeked from behind the highest sculpture, watching as children ran through the streets, dodging unsuspecting tourists as they went through photos on their cameras; tall and darker-skinned men sold lights that flew high up into the sky only to gracefully float back down, girls who stood with their backs to the fountain before throwing coins over their shoulders and giggling to themselves.
As the yellow spotlights meant to illuminate the fountain at night flickered on, multitudes of colors reflected the wide, doe-like eyes that watched the tiny figures below.
“Don’t be so afraid.” A flutter of wings and a soothing voice came from behind, “I’m sure you’ll do well this time.”
A soft sigh from parted lips, and a lowered head came the only reply.
“Do you not believe me?”
“No, it is just… what if I cannot find it? What if I fail again? Mother must already be so frustrated with me.”
“She could never be frustrated with you.”
“I am sure She is, I can tell.” Delicate hands came up to tug at short, brunette hair. “Why else would She give me a body so different from everyone else?”
“She gave you that body because She knew that you would still be able to find it despite that.”
Sad, shining eyes turned to look at the taller figure from behind, “But how I wish I had long hair, a slim waist and a soft voice like you do. It’s easy if you look like that, right? Finding love?”
“You have a heart that can find a love much greater than I or any other of our kind ever can, and Mother believes that.” A sad, delicate smile. “Now, what was it again, your mortal name?”
“Donghae.”
“The sun has begun to hide-make haste, Donghae. The day of Valentine is approaching.”
- - -
He walked through the streets, stunned by the proximity of the lights and the sounds of cars as they zoomed by. He had grown used to the safety of rooftops, high up and far away from the humans who Donghae had begun to both fear and admire. The absence of his wings made him feel insecure, though he knew he’d slowly grow used to it.
He was on a mission, and this time, he was determined not to come back empty-handed. Mother may have erased his memories every year-these are painful, She said, you mustn’t have them, a heart so pure mustn’t have them-but Donghae knew enough to say that this was already his fifth attempt at finding love.
He wasn’t going to fail her this time.
He weaved through the crowd, camera clutched tightly in his hands. Humans fascinated Donghae. Humans, as well as the structures they create. The stoned streets and antique buildings, elegant lampposts and majestic churches-Roma had been his home for as long as he could remember; yet Donghae would fall a little more in love with it everyday.
- - -
Love?
What is love, Mother?
Please. Tell me.
- - -
The sky began to darken as he walked aimlessly down the streets, past the Pantheon and the Spanish steps, the many churches and small antique shops selling wooden clocks and variations of Pinocchio. Donghae snapped shots, capturing children and their mothers, families on vacation, couples in matching jackets, girls huddling together as they bashfully asked for a photo with him. He smiled.
Streetlights flickered on, painting the buildings and shops in a yellow tinge. Donghae felt the humanity in him awaken through the grumbling of his stomach, and he smiled as he made his way to the alley of restaurants.
Waiters stood along the sidewalks, greeting people as they passed and enticing them with their specialty dishes. Donghae smiled politely in decline as he walked past them, not too sure what his body wanted and still a bit afraid to interact with humans-especially indulging salesmen. He stopped at the corner, staring up at a large menu posted on the wall.
He was taught how to read before Initiation, but he hadn’t done it in so long. Donghae squinted at the words, putting the letters very slowly together that he hadn’t noticed someone coming up to him.
“You look like you need some pasta.” Donghae snapped his head at the voice, staring wide-eyed at the lean waiter. “No? That’s weird, and here I thought people loved Italian food for the pasta.”
Donghae could only watch him with parted lips, slightly panicking at the growing warmth in his cheeks. The waiter began reading the entire menu to him, complete with descriptions and an amiable smile. Halfway through, he stopped and Donghae frowned at the sudden silence because he actually liked the color of his voice.
“You understand English, right?” The waiter looked embarrassed, and Donghae couldn’t help but feel guilty.
“Y-yes!” He blurted louder than intended, and the other looked up at him in shock. “Yes, I understand…” Donghae shrank under his gaze. Human. Human. Human.
“That’s good then. Sometimes, I just keep talking and talking but no one understands me.” He had a slight accent, probably from working here because he didn’t look like a local nor did he look Italian. Donghae began to nod as he picked up where he left off, and the waiter laughed under his breath. Cute.
Donghae was led to a small table outside the restaurant. He sat down; looking a bit dazed and lost at the menu as he tried to recall what the waiter read to him. A beep sounded from above, and Donghae felt warmth pierce through the cold breeze.
“Better?” The waiter stood with a smile, holding the remote to the heater. “I’m Hyukjae, and I’ll be serving you tonight. You look like you need some help.” He gestured to the menu, “Shall I just whip up our best seller for you?”
Donghae nodded his head furiously with a wide grin in place; grateful and glad he didn’t need to communicate too much because Hyukjae spoke enough for both of them.
“Okay then,” But just as he turned to leave, Hyukjae felt a tug on his cuff and turned back to the brunette, “Is something wrong, signor?”
“Hyukjae, I like spicy.”
He stared dumbfounded at the excitement in Donghae’s eyes and subtly gulped, “Spicy it is.”
After fumbling with his fork, Donghae eventually got the hang of using his hands and very slowly ate his plate of pasta. He munched and watched as people walked past the shop and down the streets. He would set his fork down and take photos from his seat, smile at the dogs that passed by, most of which would jump around at his feet, the tourists that stopped at souvenir shops, groaning about how things were cheaper here and there, and unconsciously, his gaze would reach Hyukjae serving tables and Hyukjae taking down orders and Hyukjae reading the menu.
Hyukjae wasn’t tall, but he was lean. Hyukjae moved with confidence, spoke with conviction, and lured customers in with his witty remarks and cute English. Hyukjae carried plates and glasses in his hand without even the slightest wobble, and Hyukjae always dropped by to make sure his glass was filled with water. Hyukjae smiled at him when he caught him staring. Hyukjae was smiling at him right now. Hyukjae was coming closer and closer.
Hyukjae was so near now that Donghae could smell him.
“We’re closing up soon.”
Only then did Donghae become acutely aware of the emptied seats and silenced streets. His cheeks flushed in embarrassment, but a hand is held out to him and Hyukjae smiles so bright that Donghae forgets how to think. He asks if he had the honor of taking him out for a walk, to watch the stars and to listen to the sounds of Rome. Donghae thinks it’s human customary to say yes. Hyukjae’s hand is soft in his and he feels knots in his stomach. Briefly, Donghae wonders if it was food poisoning from the pasta.
Donghae also wonders if Hyukjae can help him find love.
- - -
There was once a time when all the emotions
lived on a secluded Island.
Happiness, anger, sorrow, jealousy, pride-
all of them lived there.
- - -
The lights are bright and the stoned streets feel uneven against Donghae’s leather boots. Hyukjae had let go of his hand in fear of making the brunette feel uncomfortable when really, he meant well, and settled with walking close enough for the shoulders to occasionally brush. They walked along the shops and fountains, Hyukjae with his hands deep in the pockets of his jacket and Donghae walking slowly beside him, staring at his hand in curiosity.
Hyukjae spoke of Rome, the tourist spots and where to find the cheapest food. He spoke of the flowers that bloom in spring and the bright blue skies of summer. He would glance at Donghae from time to time; flash a shy smile that made his eyes wrinkle at the edges before jumping right back into talk of the bus routes to the city. Donghae closed and opened his hand as Hyukjae spoke, not really listening to the words but to the tones his voice created, until his gaze reached the bulk of Hyukjae’s jacket where his hands were buried.
Hyukjae froze midsentence at the feeling of fingers slowly encircling his wrist and watched as Donghae pulled his hand out of his jacket, only to clasp it with his. The warmth that spread from his palm to his fingers made Donghae smile as if he’d finally found the answer to a puzzle he’d long been trying to solve.
“Your hand…” he said, “feels so good.”
Hyukjae stared at him for a good three seconds before he fought the blush at the implication of his words, and promptly dragged Donghae to the Fontana Di Trevi because it was beautiful for dates at night. And he just really, really needed to sit down.
- - -
“I do not know you.”
Hyukjae turned to the brunette who’d interrupted his monologue on the history of the fountain. He had his head tilted up at the sky, his gaze fixed on the stars before landing on him. Hyukjae would have felt discouraged-had he been too forward? Too talkative? Was he going to get rejected so early in the game? -If not for the way Donghae’s hand squeezed his and the conflicted look of sadness and curiosity in his eyes. The brunette was not one for words, Hyukjae could tell that much, and maybe this was his way of saying tell me more about yourself.
Maybe, maybe not.
“I was born in Seoul, South Korea.” He began slowly and gauged Donghae from the corner of his eye, smiling when he felt him inch closer. “My parents didn’t have much to provide for my sister and I. She dropped out of high school and began working to earn enough to get at least me to graduate college. I worked hard, took many part-time jobs, and managed to graduate well enough to land me a job here in Europe. It was scary but I figured it was my only ticket to getting food on the table for my aging parents. But things didn’t go too well at the Travel agency that hired me, so I broke it off with them after a year.”
Hyukjae leaned back and supported his weight with his hands as the sounds of water flowing from the fountain filled the comfortable silence.
“Now I have about five different tiny jobs that I actually enjoy juggling around. My sister writes me letters from time to time, they still think I’m with the Travel agency and they sound so proud of me and I…honestly, I don’t know how to-I’m afraid. I haven’t seen them for almost four years.”
Donghae watched Hyukjae in fascination, the conflicting emotions and the color of his voice. This human, he decided, he liked this human. He is sincere. Donghae could feel the warmth of his heart and watched as a grin broke out onto Hyukjae’s face.
“But I like drinking from juice boxes and strolls in a park. I used to dream of dancing onstage and becoming a star. I can’t take a bath with cold water because it freaks me out. I have a small apartment that I pay for monthly, it’s a very neat apartment I must say, and I really, really like beef. And peanut butter.”
“Together?”
“No, but that sounds worth trying.”
They smiled at each other and slowly broke out into fits of laughter neither really understood. Eventually, the sounds of flowing water drowned out their sudden outburst and Donghae leaned his head on Hyukjae’s shoulder in silent thanks. He never knew humans could be so trusting and warm. Or maybe it was just Hyukjae?
“I am looking for something.” Donghae said before he could catch himself.
“And what is that?”
“I...” Mother forbids them of telling humans about their mission, “…I cannot say.”
“Oh,” Hyukjae sounded disappointed and Donghae wanted to hit himself for telling him about this in the first place. But then Hyukjae turned to him with a kind smile, “Well, is it here in Rome?”
“I am certain it should be.”
“Then I can help you look for it!”
Huh?
“Tomorrow…” Hyukjae fumbled with their entwined hands on his lap then looked up at him with a shy grin, “tomorrow, I have an afternoon off and you’re free so-wait, are you free? I’m sorry I’m assuming too much, can I start again? I mean you’re free, well maybe you are, it’s okay if you’re not, and I’m free and uhm, maybe we could be free together? I know Rome really well so maybe I could help you find what you’re looking for? Great now I sound like I want to elope with you and I said ‘maybe’ too much, aish…”
Donghae laughed and pressed the back of Hyukjae’s hand on his cheek, “You are very sweet.”
Hyukjae didn’t understand how or why he stumbled over his words like that, but was glad he did because he swore he saw stars in Donghae’s eyes that night.
- - -
Then, am enormous storm hit the island
and all the emotions scrambled to
shore to ride escape boats.
But Love walks very slowly, so when Love reached
the shore, all the boats were gone.
- - -
Hyukjae, Donghae decides, is even sweeter during day.
They met at a small café where Hyukjae apparently worked part-time on the weekends and (proudly) introduced Donghae to a few colleagues. They teased him a lot, saying he bribed Donghae to meet him a second time and that Hyukjae didn’t have nets strong enough to keep a catch as big as he did. Hyukjae only barked playful insults in Italian and laughed, saying that Donghae not ditching him put him in too good a mood-nothing could bring him down.
It was all a bit confusing, but Donghae liked meeting Hyukjae’s friends and liked Hyukjae being proud of him and liked Hyukjae speaking Italian because well, it was pretty sexy.
They rode a double-decker bus with an open roof and Hyukjae laughed at how Donghae kept squinting his eyes because of the wind. He jumped around and took lots of pictures during stoplights, but went back to his seat and squinted his eyes as soon as the bus started moving again. Hyukjae couldn’t stop laughing and taking videos-Donghae was so cute without meaning to be. When he had his fill and footage, he lent Donghae a pair of sunglasses and the latter playfully glared at him for not giving it to him sooner.
Hyukjae laughed again and pat his head, a gesture that would’ve made his cheeks redden like Donghae’s if they didn’t hurt so much from smiling.
Hyukjae wasn’t entirely sure where to bring Donghae to help him look for whatever he was looking for, but that didn’t seem much a problem. Wherever they got down from the bus, he looked completely fascinated. Donghae walked around taking photos with wide eyes and slightly open mouth. Hyukjae enjoyed watching him and made sure to keep track of the brunette as he fluttered here and there, smiling widely whenever Donghae would realize Hyukjae wasn’t beside him, scampered his way and tugged his sleeve with a slight unconscious pout that lasted for about three seconds.
It was at their third stop-they were at the coliseum now-did Hyukjae realize that Donghae wasn’t taking photos of the buildings or the scenery or famous attractions; he was taking photos of people. Families on tour, groups of laughing teenagers taking turns as they did crazy poses, a child crying to his mother, and most often, couples on dates. Whether it be an old couple, or a young one, an awkward couple or a very passionate one. He watched as Donghae photographed a man buying his lady an ice cream cone, and couldn’t help but notice the slight slump of his shoulders.
“Tired?” Hyukjae felt a little brave and grabbed Donghae’s hand, blowing warm air on it. Donghae smiled weakly and nodded his head, breaking into a wider smile as he realized where he was being dragged.
- - -
Donghae liked gelato so much, he almost cried.
They sat on a park bench, Hyukjae awkwardly patting his back as he alternated between sniffing and giggling and licking the ice cream he bought for him. It wasn’t long before Donghae swallowed the last of the cone and leaned on Hyukjae’s shoulder with a satisfied sigh and a pat on his tummy.
“So, have you found it?”
Donghae shook his head against his shoulder, “I am confused and tired.”
“You know, there’s a trick to when you’re looking for something.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t look for it!”
What?
Donghae was roughly tugged to his feet and Hyukjae kept a firm grip on his hand as he dragged them to the nearest bus stop.
“When you stop looking so hard, it’ll appear before you when the time is right!”
There was no room for argument with the excited look in Hyukjae’s eyes and soon, they were on the bus again. This time, it was Donghae’s turn to laugh as the wind blew Hyukjae’s bangs up, making him look like a mad scientist. He laughed so loudly that people around them kept glancing and Hyukjae kept trying to pat his hair down and cover Donghae’s mouth at the same time. But the latter was far too amused and kept taking photos-his smile so dazzling that Hyukjae decided to just play along and pose with exaggerated charm, which only made him laugh even louder.
Hyukjae thought Donghae had the loudest, most adorable laugh and Donghae thought Hyukjae looked handsome even with the weirdest hair.
“Thank you for today.” He held his gaze with a sincere smile, “I had not expected to be treated with such warmth and kindness.”
“What are you talking about?” Hyukjae turned to him with a wide grin, the pink of his gums peeking out under his lip. “Today’s just getting started.”
- - -
Stranded, Love began calling for help.
She sees from afar, Prosperity’s boat and shouts,
“Prosperity! Prosperity! Will you please row back for me?”
Prosperity answers, “The strong waves will scratch my boat,
I cannot row back for you.”
- - -
In the many years he’d spent observing from rooftops and flying through the skies of Rome, Donghae had never quite experienced it the way he did with his feet on the ground and his hand in Hyukjae’s. He may not remember all the other lives he’d been given with his human body in preparation for the Day of Valentine, but he dare say that none of them could compare to the joy Hyukjae brought him in that short amount of time.
They roamed the streets of Rome like kids who’d escaped from their field trip. Hyukjae took him to places he often frequents, his favorite shops and cafes along the street. They took photos together, posing and making goofy faces like Donghae had observed other humans do when with company. Hyukjae taught him how to take photos with the camera turned toward himself and he wondered why his heart beat faster whenever Hyukjae leaned over his shoulder, barely grazing his ear, to adjust the angle of the camera.
They sat at the foot of a small fountain, resting after the many places they visited and occasionally flicking water at each other. They spoke comfortably now, Donghae had gotten used to the language so he spoke more, albeit in a soft voice. Hyukjae was glad to be rid of their slightly awkward atmosphere since he could tell the brunette was more comfortable with his presence, leaning on his shoulder more often and still keeping hold of his hand.
After much coaxing, he spoke of his life back in Korea-the friends he’d made in college, their crazy antics, and his grumpy roommate, Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun would often stay locked in his room playing games and refused to do his share of the laundry, forcing Hyukjae to clean up for both of them.
“Was it not tiresome?”
“Yeah, Kyuhyun’s a pain in the ass, all right.” He laughed and shook his head, “I wonder how he is, that bastard…”
“Then why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you stay with him?”
“It’s not always a question of convenience or comfort,” Hyukjae stared and said, like it was the most obvious thing, “He’s my friend.”
He watched as Donghae tilted his head up at the sky in deep thought. He did not speak, barely even dared to move nor breathe as his eyes scanned the brunette-the way his hair curled slightly against his smooth neck, the orange streaks from the setting sun painting his cheeks, the long lashes that brushed them as Donghae blinked once, twice. But what captivated him most, what ensnared him into this dance outside of the boring cycle of his life away from home, were his eyes.
“Then…” Hyukjae felt his heart flip as Donghae’s voice pierced through his thoughts, “am I also your friend?”
Donghae’s eyes bore into his, and he wasn’t sure if the lights were playing tricks on him, but Hyukjae could have sworn he saw different colors flicker in the dark brown.
“I…”
“Donghae?”
A handsome man dressed in a suit walked over and suddenly grabbed Donghae’s chin, tilting his head up to get a better look. He almost dropped his second cone of gelato in surprise and stared with wide, scared eyes at the tall stranger.
“Well, well. It really is you.”
“I am sorry, I don’t know…”
“Where have you been, hm? Good to know your face is still very pleasing to the eye.” Donghae inched back as the man drew closer and closer. “Still sulking about before? I suppose I was a bit harsh.”
“I-I’m sorry, I think you have mistaken me for someone else.”
“Don’t play the dumb card, sweetheart. You know how much I hate that.”
“I really don’t-”
“I am not someone you can just forget, Donghae!” He suddenly bellowed and tightened his grip on Donghae’s chin. “Now stop pretending and-”
“Siwon,” A petite girl appeared from behind, coaxing him with a gentle voice, “Siwon, please, let’s just go.”
Siwon only narrowed his eyes, not making any move to let go of the trembling brunette. He frowned when a hand gripped his wrist and lightly shoved him away.
“You’re hurting him.” Hyukjae spoke with a clenched jaw, “and it looks to me like Donghae here doesn’t appreciate your company.”
“Oh, yeah?” Siwon raised an eyebrow, as if he hadn’t seen Hyukjae this entire time.
“Fuck yeah.” Hyukjae moved to stand in front of Donghae. “Now, I don’t know who you are nor do I care if you eat wads of cash for breakfast or have hundreds of that business suit stacked in your closet back home. You’ve just mistreated the sweetest, most adorable person I’ve met, so you’re kind of an asshole in my books.”
“What-”
“Now if you’ll excuse me,” Hyukjae turned around and took Donghae’s hand, “I have the best date in my life to conclude.”
He started sprinting, dragging Donghae to his feet and stumbling after him. Siwon’s shouts and curses slowly faded behind them and now, all he could see were the broad shoulders guiding him forward and all he could feel was the warmth of Hyukjae’s heart.
- - -
“Oh god, I thought he was going to kill me!” They stopped running after about two blocks and were panting and leaning against a wall. “Did you see his face?! I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone’s eyes grow that big!” Hyukjae burst into laughter in between his gasps for air, and sank to the floor.
Donghae felt a smile tug at his lips, “I… cannot believe you just did that.”
“Me neither! I just called him an asshole and ran out of there, oh my god.”
People glanced at the two laughing men on the sidewalk, quickening their pace and hurrying their kids along because they were beginning to look drunk. Hyukjae kept laughing his nerves away and eventually started rambling in Italian. Donghae started laughing too, even if he didn’t understand why or what he was saying.
“You really don’t know him, right? Please tell me you don’t.”
“I do not,” He replied with a chuckle, “Perhaps in my past lives…”
“Hm? What was that?”
“It’s nothing.” Donghae moved to hold his hand again, “Hyukjae, thank you for standing up for me. It was very brave. You looked very handsome.”
Hyukjae turned a little red, “Y-you don’t have to thank me, I…”
“Oh, but I do. It’s what friends-”
“You’re not my friend!”
Donghae felt his heart stop. He tried to look Hyukjae in the eye, but he had his head down. Had he done something wrong? Did he break another human rule, a custom? Was it really supposed to be this painful?
“You’re not just that!” Hyukjae raised his head, “I don’t want you to be…just that. I’ve never felt this way with anyone before and even though it scares me a bit, I don’t want to regret anything.”
He heard him suck in a breath and then, so fast he wasn’t sure it really happened, he felt a quick press of lips on his cheek. Hyukjae pulled back, his face burning until the tip of his ears.
“Hyukjae, you…” Donghae lightly touched the spot where he’d been kissed, “you make my cheeks warm! And my heart, it won’t stop beating, it-why does it keep--”
He looked so amazed and bewildered that Hyukjae couldn’t help but pull him into a tight hug, burying his nose in his hair and his smooth neck.
“If you do not wish me to be your friend,” Donghae spoke again, his voice muffled by Hyukjae’s jacket, “then I can be what you want me to be.”
“Donghae…”
“Please,” He pulled back and planted a soft kiss on Hyukjae’s cheek in return, “teach me what it is that lies beyond friendship.”
- - -
Love spots Happiness not too far away,
“Happiness! Happiness! Will you please row back for me?”
But Happiness did not hear her,
for he was far too happy, and rowed away.
- - -
Being with Hyukjae was as natural to Donghae as flying. Oh, and how he loved to fly.
He would often visit the restaurant he works at an hour before his shift ended, choosing not to distract him too much and merely sat in a corner while sipping on the specialty drink for the day. Donghae enjoyed watching Hyukjae glide through the tables, taking orders and mostly, speaking in Italian. He’d been dying to know what his other jobs were, but Hyukjae loved to tease him by keeping it a secret.
“For all I know, you might turn into one of those crazy obsessive girlfriends that follow me like a shadow.” He said with a wink, and a peck on the cheek-he liked doing that.
“Girlfriend?”
“Yes, you’re my girlfriend.” He said with a cheeky grin.
Donghae shoved him in the shoulder but could not help the smile on his lips. It was the first time he had ever been called a name so…feminine, so much like the rest of his species, like he wasn’t a mistake that he could not help but like Hyukjae more.
So call it coincidence or fate that he was roaming around at that particular part of the city, at that particular time of the day, and heard that particular tune instead of paying attention to the book he’d borrowed from the library about love. He followed the sound, mesmerized and reminded of his home that he arrived at a group of people crowding over something in the middle of the plaza. He didn’t want to push his way through so he sat and listened from afar instead, lightly humming along to the melody as he tried to make sense of the words in his book.
After about an hour, the crowd dispersed and Donghae slowly made his way to the piano because he swore that person’s back looked so familiar.
His name was at the tip of his lips but the man looked so concentrated as his fingers glided across the piano keys that Donghae decided to just wait until he finished. His smile grew wider and wider as he watched the colors of sound float through the air and again, he felt his cheeks grow warm-something Donghae realized only happened in his presence.
“I have yet to find a flaw in you.”
Hyukjae turned around mid-stretch, his back aching slightly from playing the piano as long as he did.
“Donghae!” In his surprise, he got up too quickly and ended up banging his thighs against the piano. He hissed and sat back down, while Donghae chuckled and slid next to him. “What are you doing here? This is place is dangerous, filled with troublemakers and crazy drivers.”
“Are you that upset to see your crazy obsessive girlfriend?”
“Quite the contrary.” He pulled Donghae to his chest, “You’re a sight for sore fingers.”
Donghae chuckled and lightly rubbed Hyukjae’s thighs, “This job is so much cooler than your waiter job, I wish you hid that one from me instead.”
“And miss the opportunity to have you find out on your own and silently gush about how cool I am?”
Donghae scoffed and struggled out of his hold to shake his head at him.
“But I am, right? I know you think I am.” Hyukjae pulled his hand and slid off the seat, “Now come on, there’s something I want to show you. And stay close, I wasn’t kidding about the crazy drivers.”
- - -
“So cute!”
Hyukjae knew Donghae was lovable, but he didn’t know that it was so much that even dogs enjoyed his presence. Just as they entered the pet shop, they jumped to attention and started barking and pining for Donghae’s attention. They followed Donghae wherever he walked, pawing at the glass that separated them.
“Would you like to pet them?”
“I can do that?”
“Yeah,” Hyukjae laughed at the sparkle in his eyes, “my good friend works here and I could get him to open the petting center for us.”
Donghae pulled him into a tight hug and jumped around, waving excitedly at the puppies that looked just as excited as he did. It wasn’t long before Hyukjae’s friend came with the keys and they made it inside. The dogs came clamoring at his feet and licked his face as soon as he sat down.
It had been long since he’d played with animals, and Donghae particularly liked dogs. It wasn’t common since their species were usually connected with doves or swans, but he had never really enjoyed their company as much as he did dogs. And again, Hyukjae was the one to bring him this joy.
He had given him so much, yet Donghae felt he’d given only a fraction of it in return. He knew that Hyukjae was patiently waiting for him to open up about himself the way he did the night they’d met and sat by the Fontana Di Trevi. It was not that Mother hadn’t given him a set of fake information about his human self-that he lived in the province and was there for a short vacation, his full name, his family ties, everything.
But he didn’t want to lie. He didn’t want to be insincere with someone so sincere. And he could see it and feel it-the sincerity of Hyukjae’s actions.
A puppy barked and licked his face, pulling Donghae out of his reverie. He laughed and rubbed his belly, causing the dog to roll on his back, his tail wagging furiously. The other dogs barked and pawed his arms for attention and Donghae laughed loudly as one even began climbing up his back.
Hyukjae smiled as he watched him from afar, walking to his friend who had been fiddling with the keys and standing awkwardly in a corner, “I’ve never seen him this happy. Thanks, Henry. I owe you.”
“What! Oh, uh, yeah. Sure, no problem.”
“Hey, you okay?” He raised an eyebrow at the boy, “you seem a bit jumpy. Don’t tell me this is illegal, Henry, because I swear…”
“No!” Henry shouted, making Donghae and the dogs turn their heads at them. Hyukjae waved and motioned that it was nothing, before turning to Henry.
“Why are you so jumpy then?”
“No, it’s just…” Henry shifted awkwardly and scratched his head, “Donghae...he isn’t mad at me, is he? I mean he’s with you now, right? So he should be okay…”
“What are you talking about?” Hyukjae stared at him, bewildered. “You know Donghae?”
“Crap, I knew I shouldn’t have brought this up…”
“Henry. Tell me now.”
He kept shifting on his feet and pacing before he sighed, “do you remember Brown Eyes?”
“You mean the guy you dated three years back?”
“Yeah…”
Hyukjae stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Henry sent him a desperate look going from him to the brunette playing with the dogs, before it suddenly clicked.
“That was Donghae?!”
It wasn’t until they were outside of the pet shop; seated on the sidewalk that Hyukjae could really clear his mind. Back in January about three years ago, Henry kept talking about this guy he met-apparently, he had the most beautiful brown eyes and the boy had done everything in his power to get his heart and to Hyukjae’s surprise, he actually succeeded. Henry was a good kid, a cheerful guy and fun to be with but he was still that, just a kid.
So Hyukjae wasn’t surprised to pass by the pet shop one day only to have Henry tell him about how he’d let go of Brown Eyes. He didn’t like being tied down and he figured he could be happy without that, he said. Hyukjae laughed and playfully commented about how he should’ve at least let him meet Brown Eyes before he dumped him.
“Hyukjae?”
Donghae spoke up beside him, his eyes shining with worry.
“Are you okay? You seem a bit out of it.”
Earlier on, Henry looked extremely uncomfortable but Donghae didn’t bat an eyelash, barely even giving him a second glance after thanking him for his time with the dogs. Almost as if…he didn’t remember him at all.
“You know what, I know just the thing. I saw someone selling juice boxes across the street.”
Even that time with the rich guy in a suit (Siwon, was it?), he seemed extremely flustered about something in the past and had even treated him harshly, but Donghae claimed to not know him.
“I’ll go get you one.”
Donghae stood up from the sidewalk, looking left and right before crossing the street.
Hyukjae was still in deep thought when he heard the piercing sound of a car honk. The sound was so loud and near that he instinctively looked for Donghae beside him, only to find him gone.
No!
He panicked and clamored to his feet as he saw Donghae walking in the middle of the road.
No!
The car was getting nearer and nearer. Donghae looked frozen as he saw it approaching and Hyukjae’s ankle stung from how hard he pushed off the ground, running towards him.
No!
He sighed in relief as he finally got to wrap his arms around Donghae but just as the car reached them both.
Donghae!
Hyukjae closed his eyes in fear, waiting for the pain of the collision and his life flashing before his eyes but he felt nothing-only Donghae’s embrace and Donghae’s heart beating wildly next to his. This gave him enough reassurance to slowly open his eyes, only to find his feet dangling about a hundred feet in the air.
Hyukjae looked at Donghae who was now blonde, at his wings flapping furiously behind and promptly fainted. - - - ♦
- - -
♡ || Part 2A >>
A/N: I’m going to post part 2 as fast as I can, I swear.