Up In The Air [o3/?]
Title: Up In The Air
Paring: major Hangeng/Oc, minor Kangteuk, KyuMin and Kihae (There might be some more, I dunno. It's still ongoing)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (some swearing and all that jazz)
Summary: A chance encounter at a little Chinese restaurant is just what it takes to get two very different people started on their way of figuring out where they belong . There are many obstacles along the way that places strain on everything and causes different threats against their attempts at happiness and their relationship. A new twist lies around each corner and several things conspire to end everything they try so hard to maintain. Will Nana and Hangeng find their happily ever after? Or will their dreams crash and burn? But for now, everything's up in the air.
Previous parts:
o1
o2
Chapter 3
Over the course of the very busy few weeks, Hangeng did not allow himself to become discouraged, with himself or with the girl at the restaurant. The practices and performances for their new single was very draining but the looks of admiration and esctastism of fans was enough to keep him strong. It was admittedly getting harder to maintain that strength and he found his throughts drifting to dangerous territrory.
He thought back to the offer he had recieved earlier in the year, one for him to branch out into acting in China for Boys Over Flowers, which he had turned down to work on their 3rd album. The bitter feeling of regret tried to push its way into his mind but he refused to regret choosing his Super Junior family over going back to China, even if he did have a few moments of 'what if's'. But he tried to push those thoughts far away.
It had now become common place for him to continue to go to Zhou Guo Jian when he had the time or the restless mind. He had already gotten sick of most of the food on the menu but that didn't dissuade him from trying to come back and trying to break through the icy layer of Nana's personality. She kept a snub and chilly demeanor with him that bordered on the line of professionality and he wondered why she needed to remain so guarded.
It was one day, during the dinner rush, that he found the free time to go down to Zhou Guo Jian. It was a few days before their goodbye stage on Music Bank and their promotions for 'It's You' would stop when he walked through the familiar doors. He managed to mask his slight disappointment when he was lead to his seat and the woman serving him was not Nana but his eyes scanned the restaurant for her.
Yelling drew his attention to a table near the front of the restaurant and he pulled his sunglasses down the smallest bit to see what the commotion was all about. His eyebrows shot up into his cap when he realized a patron was shouting comments at Nana, refusing to be served by someone 'like her'. The middle-aged man, who was there with a woman and a child, continued his baseless tirade to which Nana face contorted in pain.
"Sir, I'm sorry but I'm the only server available--" she started, her voice very small. She sounded like she was about to burst into tears right on the spot. The man held up a hand to quiet her. He held her gaze with narrowed eyes.
"I do not know what kind of establishment this is, allowing the likes of you to serve customers." His words were said harshly and spiteful.
Hangeng felt himself clench his hands in anger. That was no way to treat a woman, one who had had no fault than not sharing his race. It was horrible for him to be expelling such narrow minded and hateful views and exposing his own children to it. He got out of his seat and walked over to the table, cutting into the older man releasing another scathing comment.
"Excuse me ahjusshi," he began repectfully, speaking in Korean, "but, I saw the way you were treating this woman and it is complete unacceptable. She is just doing her job."
The man's eyes flickered to his, showing severe anger and disgust.
"You dare speak to me in that way?" He started at him, his voice escalating even more, "You are no better than her."
Hangeng narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. "You owe this young lady an apology."
The man scoffed. "She is not worth my apology," he snarled and Hangeng had to hold himself back from balling his fist and punching the man in his ruddy face.
A tall, Chinese woman was quickly on the scene, muttering something to Nana before pushing her gently away from the table. Nana met Hangeng's eyes for a few seconds as she walked away before she looked away abruptly, face burning with severe embarassment. Her back was the last thing he saw before she disappeared in the kitchen
"I am the owner of this restaurant," The woman said in Korean and the man met her eyes challengingly. "I will have to ask you and your family to leave if you cannot behave in a respectful manner to my employees or other customers in the restaurant," She continued with her arms crossing over her chest and immediately, Hangeng knew that she meant business.
The man got up from his seat, demanding gruffly that his family get up as well. He left the restaurant, cursing it loudly and shouting patronizing words as his family followed wordlessly. Hangeng tried to swallow around the lump his throat as he walked back to his table, replaying the previous scene in his head. His food soon arrived and he only managed to pick at it. He suddenly felt alot less hungry.
Nana didn't come out of the kitchen for a long time and he continued to wait, playing with his food a bit. Even when he had finished his meal, she still did not show. He ignored the calls on his cellphone from a worried Leeteuk and other members asking where he was. He sent back a few texts saying he was fine and that he would be home soon.
When he saw no chance of Nana coming back out, he sighed and paid his check. He was getting ready to go when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. The door from the kitchen opened and Nana was coming out of it, wearing a jacket and making a beeline to the door. She was already out the door and onto the street by the time he caught up with her.
"Nana," he called and she stopped, turning around to see who had called her name. When she saw him, he saw something of a small smile before it fell and her face become cold again. She started to walk again and he jogged up next to her.
"What do you want?" she asked, finally. It sounded tired and sad, not harsh like he expected.
"To talk," he said simply, his hands digging in the pocket of his jeans. She slowed down for a second before stopping and looking at him, suspiciously.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why not?" Hangeng countered, shrugging his shoulders a bit.
"I don't even know who you are. And you stuck up for me with that man," Nana said. Her eyes held the look of confusion and some frustration.
"I don't like to see someone get treated that way," he replied, with finality. She nodded unconciously, her eyes shifting around a little. She shivered a little from the cold and pulled her jacket closer around her.
"Would you please just go out for coffee with me? There's a cafe around the corner. It would warm you up and it's a public place so you don't have to worry about being alone with me. Please. I'm not trying to hurt you."
Nana's eyes flicked up to his sunglasses and she seemed to stare through them, directly to his eyes. She held his gaze for a long while.
"That's what everyone says before they hurt you," she said, quietly. Hangeng felt his heart sink a little and he felt the bitterness of rejection rise up in his chest.
"But..." Nana smiled a little, "I do owe you for earlier. I guess coffee wouldn't hurt too much. You're paying, right? Who turns down free coffee?" She laughed a little and Hangeng found that he definitely liked it when she laughed. He wanted her to do it more.
They were outside of the cafe when Nana realized something. She didn't even know the name of the mysterious stranger when he knew hers and was basically taking her out. For coffee. She reminded herself.
"I never asked you your name," she vocalized as he opened the door to the cafe for her. She saw him stiffen and he paused for a second, his breath hitching slightly.
"It's Geng," he said, finally. She seemed to accept that and nodded at him with a smile and he followed after her into the cafe. His heart beat quickly in his chest, from nervousness or her smile, he wasn't sure. She gave no indication that she recognized him for who he was and he was perfectly content with that, letting out the deep breath he had been holding. He could talk with her without his fame overshadowing his words, like a normal person. Operation: Melting the Ice Princess Part 2 was a success, he thought happily in the the back of his mind.
Paring: major Hangeng/Oc, minor Kangteuk, KyuMin and Kihae (There might be some more, I dunno. It's still ongoing)
Genre: Drama, Romance, Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (some swearing and all that jazz)
Summary: A chance encounter at a little Chinese restaurant is just what it takes to get two very different people started on their way of figuring out where they belong . There are many obstacles along the way that places strain on everything and causes different threats against their attempts at happiness and their relationship. A new twist lies around each corner and several things conspire to end everything they try so hard to maintain. Will Nana and Hangeng find their happily ever after? Or will their dreams crash and burn? But for now, everything's up in the air.
Previous parts:
o1
o2
Chapter 3
Over the course of the very busy few weeks, Hangeng did not allow himself to become discouraged, with himself or with the girl at the restaurant. The practices and performances for their new single was very draining but the looks of admiration and esctastism of fans was enough to keep him strong. It was admittedly getting harder to maintain that strength and he found his throughts drifting to dangerous territrory.
He thought back to the offer he had recieved earlier in the year, one for him to branch out into acting in China for Boys Over Flowers, which he had turned down to work on their 3rd album. The bitter feeling of regret tried to push its way into his mind but he refused to regret choosing his Super Junior family over going back to China, even if he did have a few moments of 'what if's'. But he tried to push those thoughts far away.
It had now become common place for him to continue to go to Zhou Guo Jian when he had the time or the restless mind. He had already gotten sick of most of the food on the menu but that didn't dissuade him from trying to come back and trying to break through the icy layer of Nana's personality. She kept a snub and chilly demeanor with him that bordered on the line of professionality and he wondered why she needed to remain so guarded.
It was one day, during the dinner rush, that he found the free time to go down to Zhou Guo Jian. It was a few days before their goodbye stage on Music Bank and their promotions for 'It's You' would stop when he walked through the familiar doors. He managed to mask his slight disappointment when he was lead to his seat and the woman serving him was not Nana but his eyes scanned the restaurant for her.
Yelling drew his attention to a table near the front of the restaurant and he pulled his sunglasses down the smallest bit to see what the commotion was all about. His eyebrows shot up into his cap when he realized a patron was shouting comments at Nana, refusing to be served by someone 'like her'. The middle-aged man, who was there with a woman and a child, continued his baseless tirade to which Nana face contorted in pain.
"Sir, I'm sorry but I'm the only server available--" she started, her voice very small. She sounded like she was about to burst into tears right on the spot. The man held up a hand to quiet her. He held her gaze with narrowed eyes.
"I do not know what kind of establishment this is, allowing the likes of you to serve customers." His words were said harshly and spiteful.
Hangeng felt himself clench his hands in anger. That was no way to treat a woman, one who had had no fault than not sharing his race. It was horrible for him to be expelling such narrow minded and hateful views and exposing his own children to it. He got out of his seat and walked over to the table, cutting into the older man releasing another scathing comment.
"Excuse me ahjusshi," he began repectfully, speaking in Korean, "but, I saw the way you were treating this woman and it is complete unacceptable. She is just doing her job."
The man's eyes flickered to his, showing severe anger and disgust.
"You dare speak to me in that way?" He started at him, his voice escalating even more, "You are no better than her."
Hangeng narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. "You owe this young lady an apology."
The man scoffed. "She is not worth my apology," he snarled and Hangeng had to hold himself back from balling his fist and punching the man in his ruddy face.
A tall, Chinese woman was quickly on the scene, muttering something to Nana before pushing her gently away from the table. Nana met Hangeng's eyes for a few seconds as she walked away before she looked away abruptly, face burning with severe embarassment. Her back was the last thing he saw before she disappeared in the kitchen
"I am the owner of this restaurant," The woman said in Korean and the man met her eyes challengingly. "I will have to ask you and your family to leave if you cannot behave in a respectful manner to my employees or other customers in the restaurant," She continued with her arms crossing over her chest and immediately, Hangeng knew that she meant business.
The man got up from his seat, demanding gruffly that his family get up as well. He left the restaurant, cursing it loudly and shouting patronizing words as his family followed wordlessly. Hangeng tried to swallow around the lump his throat as he walked back to his table, replaying the previous scene in his head. His food soon arrived and he only managed to pick at it. He suddenly felt alot less hungry.
Nana didn't come out of the kitchen for a long time and he continued to wait, playing with his food a bit. Even when he had finished his meal, she still did not show. He ignored the calls on his cellphone from a worried Leeteuk and other members asking where he was. He sent back a few texts saying he was fine and that he would be home soon.
When he saw no chance of Nana coming back out, he sighed and paid his check. He was getting ready to go when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. The door from the kitchen opened and Nana was coming out of it, wearing a jacket and making a beeline to the door. She was already out the door and onto the street by the time he caught up with her.
"Nana," he called and she stopped, turning around to see who had called her name. When she saw him, he saw something of a small smile before it fell and her face become cold again. She started to walk again and he jogged up next to her.
"What do you want?" she asked, finally. It sounded tired and sad, not harsh like he expected.
"To talk," he said simply, his hands digging in the pocket of his jeans. She slowed down for a second before stopping and looking at him, suspiciously.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why not?" Hangeng countered, shrugging his shoulders a bit.
"I don't even know who you are. And you stuck up for me with that man," Nana said. Her eyes held the look of confusion and some frustration.
"I don't like to see someone get treated that way," he replied, with finality. She nodded unconciously, her eyes shifting around a little. She shivered a little from the cold and pulled her jacket closer around her.
"Would you please just go out for coffee with me? There's a cafe around the corner. It would warm you up and it's a public place so you don't have to worry about being alone with me. Please. I'm not trying to hurt you."
Nana's eyes flicked up to his sunglasses and she seemed to stare through them, directly to his eyes. She held his gaze for a long while.
"That's what everyone says before they hurt you," she said, quietly. Hangeng felt his heart sink a little and he felt the bitterness of rejection rise up in his chest.
"But..." Nana smiled a little, "I do owe you for earlier. I guess coffee wouldn't hurt too much. You're paying, right? Who turns down free coffee?" She laughed a little and Hangeng found that he definitely liked it when she laughed. He wanted her to do it more.
They were outside of the cafe when Nana realized something. She didn't even know the name of the mysterious stranger when he knew hers and was basically taking her out. For coffee. She reminded herself.
"I never asked you your name," she vocalized as he opened the door to the cafe for her. She saw him stiffen and he paused for a second, his breath hitching slightly.
"It's Geng," he said, finally. She seemed to accept that and nodded at him with a smile and he followed after her into the cafe. His heart beat quickly in his chest, from nervousness or her smile, he wasn't sure. She gave no indication that she recognized him for who he was and he was perfectly content with that, letting out the deep breath he had been holding. He could talk with her without his fame overshadowing his words, like a normal person. Operation: Melting the Ice Princess Part 2 was a success, he thought happily in the the back of his mind.