Title: Wishing on Airplanes
Characters: Donghae, Kyuhyun, Hyukjae, OC, Super Junior
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Comedy, Drama
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay by yourself?” Taeyeon asked as Jooyeon prepared to leave the house. It was the weekend she decided to start going around Seoul and do some sightseeing.
Jooyeon chuckled. “Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I’ll give you a call if I get lost.”
“Maybe you should just wait for me. I can go with you in the afternoon. Besides, you don’t have to visit everything today,” Taeyeon went on.
“It’s not possible to visit everything today. I’ll be fine. And don’t you dare call Donghae or Hyukjae or any of the guys,” Jooyeon added with a smile.
Taeyeon sighed. “Omma’s going to kill me if something happens to you. My omma and your omma. She’d probably send an airplane down on me.”
“Nothing’s going to happen, I promise,” Jooyeon told Taeyeon, giggling and giving her a hug. “It’s broad daylight.”
“For someone who was crying the other day, you sure are brave today,” Taeyeon muttered.
“I heard that,” Jooyeon replied, smiling a little.
They walked to the front door.
“I’ll meet you at Myeongdong for lunch,” Taeyeon reminded her.
“See you later,” Jooyeon said with a wave.
~ * ~
Jooyeon’s first stop was the Jongmyo Shrine. She took a short bus ride, which she immensely enjoyed, although it was her first time. There really was something invigorating about doing things and going to places by yourself.
As she got off the bus, she looked up at the gate and was amazed. She’d only seen and read about this in books and the Internet. She couldn’t believe that she was there in person. She went inside and started walking down the pathway towards the shrine.
“Park Jooyeon-sshi?”
Jooyeon turned and saw a motherly lady smiling at her. “Yes, ahjumma?” Jooyeon nicely said.
“I’m Jang Miyoung,” the lady said, bowing a little. “I’m going to be your tour guide.”
“Oh, but I didn’t request for one,” Jooyeon said apologetically, bowing in return. “Thank you!”
“The Shrine is best enjoyed with a tour guide,” Miyoung said politely. “You’re very lucky to have come today. They’re about to perform the rituals.”
“Oh,” Jooyeon said, looking excited. She looked at Miyoung uncertainly. “Are you sure you’re going to show me around? I really didn’t-.”
Miyoung waved her hand dismissively. “It’s all taken care of,” she said with a warm smile. “Come.” She led her inside, where the rituals were just starting.
After the rituals, Jooyeon was in a happy daze. Everything was just so beautiful to her. Miyoung looked at her and chuckled.
“Sorry,” Jooyeon said, smiling. “It’s just… I’ve dreamed of coming to Seoul and visiting here so many times before…”
“It’s so rare to find young people so interested and excited about visiting and learning about Korea’s culture,” Miyoung admitted.
Jooyeon laughed then looked at her itinerary list. “So… we’re going to Changgyeonggung Palace now, right?”
“That’s right,” Miyoung confirmed. “It’s just a minute’s walk from here.” They went to the bridge separating the two places.
As they went through the different places in the palace, Miyoung explained and shared the history of the palace in great detail. Jooyeon listened intently and fascinatedly.
“Thank you so much, Miyoung-sshi, for showing me around!” Jooyeon said with a bow. They were at the end of the tour and Jooyeon was preparing to leave. “I learned so much. Thank you!” She bowed again.
“Such a respectful child,” Miyoung said appreciatively. “I’m glad you had a lot of fun. Where are you off to next?”
“I’m meeting a friend in Myeongdong,” Jooyeon said, looking at her itinerary.
“Be careful,” Miyoung said.
“Thank you! Take care, too!” Jooyeon said, waving. Then she got on the bus.
~ * ~
“Hey!” Jooyeon answered her phone enthusiastically. “I’m here already at… Lotte Department Store. Outside.”
“Joo, I’m so sorry,” Taeyeon said. “I’m stuck in the meeting.”
Jooyeon laughed instead of being upset. “I understand. I’ll just see you at home later.”
“I’ll send one of the boys to be with you,” Taeyeon promised.
“I’m fine. Stop bossing them around,” Jooyeon teased. “Queen bee.”
“Ya! I’m trying to help you!”
Jooyeon laughed again. “I’m okay. I’m having a lot of fun.”
“Alright. Text me, okay?”
“Yes, omma,” Jooyeon teased again. When she hung up, she looked around, wondering where she could have lunch. “Maybe I should just walk around for a bit.”
“That’s a bad idea.”
Jooyeon jumped and immediately turned around. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”
Kyuhyun smirked. “You wish.” He suddenly grabbed her hand and turned to go. “Follow me.”
Jooyeon resisted and removed her hand from his grasp. She hated being touched without permission. “No,” she said firmly and turned to go the other way.
Kyuhyun followed her, completely irritated. “You’re going to get lost if you go by yourself.”
“Who asked you to care?” she snapped, fixing the straps of her backpack on her shoulders.
“I don’t,” he said. “But a lot of other guys do. If you haven’t noticed, you’re new here. You don’t know where to go. And you look like you’re 12.”
She stopped walking and glared at him. “I do not look 12!”
“Right,” he said, smirking once more. “Because wearing pigtails makes you oh so mature.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked after a moment.
“Ever since you arrived, some guys have been eyeing you,” he told her knowingly.
This surprised her. She looked around. “What? Where?”
“Just follow me,” he said, moving to grab her hand. But she moved it out of his reach. He looked at her, annoyed. “What’s with you?”
“I’ll follow you, okay?” she said. “I promise,” she added when he looked at her suspiciously.
Kyuhyun then started walking and Jooyeon followed him, looking behind her. “Don’t look,” he said, gently moving her to his side.
Jooyeon flinched in that small touch, which Kyuhyun noticed. “Oppa,” she began in a small voice. “Did Taeyeon call you?”
“No,” was his answer.
“Oppa,” she began again. He looked at her. “Thank you.”
Kyuhyun smiled the smallest of smiles that Jooyeon thought she didn’t see it. Soon, they arrived at a small noodle house, where she was greeted by Hyukjae and Donghae.
“Jooyeon!” Hyukjae said, standing up.
“Hi!” Jooyeon said, smiling. She looked at Donghae and grinned at him. Turning to Kyuhyun, she said, “You said Taeyeon didn’t call you.”
“She didn’t,” Kyuhyun said, turning to Hyukjae and whispering something in his ear.
“She called me,” Donghae told her.
“Oh,” Jooyeon said. “I’m really sorry for all this trouble.”
“You should be,” Kyuhyun responded.
Jooyeon opened her mouth to retort, but Hyukjae put an arm around her. This shut her up. Uncomfortably. Donghae, noticing this, jokingly slapped Hyukjae’s arm off her and said, “You’re being touchy-feely again. Jooyeon, don’t listen to Kyu. He’s as concerned for you as we are.”
“I highly doubt that,” she said as Kyuhyun snorted and stepped out of the restaurant for a bit.
“Kyu shows his affection differently,” Hyukjae said. “You’ll get used to it.” They sat down on the table the boys were previously occupying. “So what’ll it be for lunch?” he asked her.
“Ummm… you decide,” Jooyeon said, grinning as she looked at the menu.
Hyukjae ordered a variety of food that Jooyeon couldn’t keep track of it all. “Oppa, are you sure we’re going to be able to finish everything?” she asked worriedly.
“Are you underestimating me?” Hyukjae said, pretending to look hurt. “I may be an anchovy in your eyes, but I really am a lion.”
“What an underfed lion you must be,” Donghae said dryly. Jooyeon giggled. “Hey lion, you forgot to order our drinks,” he went on.
“Oh right,” Hyukjae said.
“I’ll have a coke,” Donghae said. “Water for Kyu.”
“Tea please,” Jooyeon requested.
Hyukjae then stood up and went to the counter to order them. Donghae turned to Jooyeon, who was watching the door. “They’d be gone by now,” he told her.
“Hmm? Who?” Jooyeon asked, looking at him.
“Those guys who were following you,” Donghae answered. “Kyuhyun would’ve scared them away.”
She looked even more worried. “You didn’t think he fought with them, did you?” Her eyes went back to the door.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “They wouldn’t dare.” He paused. “Were you scared?”
“A bit,” she admitted.
“Kyu shouldn’t have said anything,” he replied. “They wouldn’t have gone near you anyway.”
“It’s better that I know. I’m going to be extra careful next time,” she told him, smiling.
Donghae watched as Jooyeon pretended not to care about the topic anymore. She busied herself with looking at the menu and watching Hyukjae flirt with the waitress.
When Hyukjae finally sat back down, he had a big grin on his face. “What’s up?” he asked no one in particular.
“You got her number, didn’t you?” Donghae said, snickering.
Hyukjae waved a piece of paper and chuckled. “It wasn’t hard.”
“You’re such a player,” Jooyeon told him, shaking her head.
Hyukjae looked shocked at her comment. “I am not a player. She gave it to me herself because she said I was cute.” Jooyeon rolled her eyes. “Jooyeon, you hurt me by saying that. You know you’re the only girl for me,” he said.
“Stop it. I just might believe you,” she said, laughing. But she was sure that her cheeks were pink. She wasn’t used to being given such comments, even if just jokingly. She wasn’t even used to having so many guys with her all the time.
“It’s true, though,” Hyukjae insisted.
Kyuhyun walked in and sat down beside Hyukjae, across Jooyeon.
“Everything okay?” Donghae asked, looking at him knowingly.
“Yes,” Kyuhyun answered with a nod. He turned to Jooyeon. “Where’d you go this morning?”
“Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeonggung Palace,” she answered, startled that he asked.
“How was it?” Donghae wanted to know. “Did you have fun?”
“Lots,” she said, smiling widely. “Everything was so beautiful.”
“Did you meet a tour guide?” Kyuhyun casually asked.
“I did, actually,” she answered slowly, looking at him curiously. “How did you know?”
“I don’t,” Kyuhyun said. “That’s why I’m asking.” Jooyeon narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
Soon, the food arrived and they all dug in. Jooyeon, in particular, was feeling hungry so she ate a lot. She ate her noodles in gulps, along with Kimbap and even some scoops of Bibimbap, not noticing that the guys were watching her interestedly.
“And here I thought you don’t eat much,” Hyukjae remarked. Jooyeon looked at him in mid-munch.
“What kind of girl eats like a pig?” Kyuhyun muttered. Donghae couldn’t help but chuckle.
Jooyeon turned red. She finished chewing then drank some tea. “That’s me, I guess,” she said. “Sorry, I’m just really hungry.”
“Want to try my Kimchi fried rice?” Donghae asked her good-humoredly, pushing his bowl towards her.
Jooyeon bit her lip, looking at the bowl, and then her eyes met Donghae’s. “May I?”
“Help yourself,” Donghae urged in amusement, his chin resting on his hand as he watched her dip her spoon in the bowl.
“Didn’t you eat anything during the tour?” Kyuhyun demanded.
“I didn’t feel hungry then,” Jooyeon said sheepishly. “And now I’m just…” She gave an embarrassed giggle.
“Eat all you want,” Hyukjae encouraged, looking at the menu. “Do you want anything more?”
~ * ~
“You alright?” Donghae asked Jooyeon, looking at her through the rearview mirror as he drove them home.
“Of course she’s not okay,” Kyuhyun interjected, glancing out of the window of the passenger seat, a smirk on his face. “Eating as much as she did…”
Hyukjae turned to her, who was seated on his right side. “Jooyeon?”
“Fine,” Jooyeon groaned. “I’m just… a bit dizzy.”
“You should close your eyes and try to sleep,” Donghae said, smiling a little.
“That makes me more of a pig,” she cried, making a face.
This made Kyuhyun chuckle. “Glad that you recognize.”
“Do you want to-?” Hyukjae began to suggest, but cut himself off. “You should just lay back down and make yourself comfortable.”
“Oppa,” she began, turning to him. “I feel weird asking, but may I rest my head on your shoulder?” She really felt dizzy.
Hyukjae stared at her. Donghae looked at her again through the rearview mirror. Kyuhyun shifted in his seat and smirked. They all know how much she hated physical contact so this was definitely a revelation to them.
“Sure,” Hyukjae quietly agreed.
She scooted over to his side and contentedly rested her head on his shoulder. At that point, she didn’t really care. She just wanted to feel some comfort and she knew that she could trust him. “Thank you, oppa,” she softly told him.