Title: Vol à l'amour
Medium(s) Used: 四人游 (Four Person Travel) - Khalil Fong & Fiona Sit & 心动 (Tempting Heart) - Shino Lin
Pairing: Taehoon
Length: 1,658
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Just taehoon feels and kiss
Summary: Taehyun's route to chasing back the love of his life, Seunghoon.
Author's Note: Hellloo! This is my very first time participating in a fic event and I hope you guys enjoyed the story (I'm also new to writing fics)! Title of the fic means "Flight to Love" in French.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. As we are beginning our descent to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, please check that your seat backs and tray table are in an upright position. Please buckle up your seat belt. Current weather in New Orleans is 13 degree Celsius and we will be reaching the gate in approximately 15 minutes. All cabin crew please prepare for the arrival. Thank you for flying with Asiana Airlines and we hope to fly with you again.”
“Good job Nam on another smooth landing.” Taehyun’s co-pilot patted him on the back on their way out.
“Ayyyyy, Captain Nam, what’s up for tonight? I heard New Orleans is a party paradise!” one of the stewardess asked. She has been trying to hit on Taehyun ever since the day she started work but Taehyun never paid any attention to her.
“Nothing much, just going to the hotel to rest.” Taehyun said, forcing a faint smile.
“But…” before she can continue her sentence, Taehyun had already walked off.
It’s been 3 years since Taehyun has ever flown to New Orleans. He rejected going there because it’s the city Seunghoon is residing in, his ex lover that he can’t forget. Their past so deeply etched in his mind, every time he closes his eyes, he see their memories. He felt like Seunghoon has never left; he still remembers how his favourite green panel sweater smells like, how his lips tastes like, and how tender his touch was. Every time he got reminded of Seunghoon, he felt like someone had just stabbed him right in the heart. Taehyun caught himself thinking about Seunghoon again and he decided to go out for a stroll along the streets of New Orleans. He walked out of the peaceful and warm hotel and immediately got hit by the cold air outside. Though the weather’s cold, it didn’t dampened the spirits of the people and the streets were crowded. Taehyun realized it is a Saturday night and everybody is out for get-togethers. Walkways are crowded on the both sides of the street and everyone is smiling from ear to ear except Taehyun. He was about to cross to the other side of the street when he saw someone familiar - Seunghoon. Taehyun can feel his pulse pounding in his temples and his head buzzing with thoughts.
“Heyyyyyywhatareudoingyerr?” Seunghoon asked, his words tumbling from his mouth in a rush of barely distinguishable syllables.
“Why are you so drunk?!” Taehyun asked, enraged.
“D-d-drunk? Whooooo says I’m d-d-drunk? I’M NOT!!!” Seunghoon shouted before he stumbled and grabbed on to his friend for support.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him.” the friend assured Taehyun.
Seunghoon mumbled something Taehyun couldn’t comprehend and his friend carried him away. As they walked further, Taehyun couldn’t take his eyes off Seunghoon even when they are already miles away. He can’t help but to feel distant; Seunghoon has changed. Everything about him has changed, even in physical terms. He no longer has his sleek hairstyle, he no longer wears his geeky specs, and he no longer wears his favourite sweaters and jeans. Except for the shoes, the one Taehyun got for him on their 2nd anniversary previously; a maroon Dr. Martens. Taehyun started crying. There was rawness to it; the pain still an open wound. He attempted to hide his sadness but he was overcome by his wave of emotions. His vision blurred and when he wiped away his tears, Seunghoon was no longer in sight.
“Who was that I saw you at the bar with?” Taehyun gathered all his courage and pressed the “SEND” button. He got his reply about 2 hours later. Seunghoon’s name popped out on his lock screen. He swiped unlock to read the message. “Tyler, my boyfriend.” All Taehyun see is the reply. Everything seems to be falling away. He couldn’t believe what he just read, he didn’t want to. He felt like that was the worse message he’ll ever read, not even in his worst nightmare.
“Oh. He looks like a good guy. I’m happy for you.” And Taehyun turned off his phone. Taehyun’s head swam with half-formed regrets, his emotions hung over him like a black cloud, raining on his sorrow wherever he goes. He would always think how they will be now, if they hadn’t parted 3 years ago. It was a mutual agreement to go separate ways, but Taehyun realized he would never be able to love someone else the way he loved Seunghoon.
Taehyun has another 2 days left in New Orleans and his colleagues asked him along to a bar to enjoy before they fly back to Korea. Not wanting to be a wet blanket, Taehyun agreed although he wasn’t in the mood but he thought it would at least stop him from thinking about Seunghoon.
“GO AWAY!” The whole bar could hear the glass shattering, but no one really bothered. After all, people who visit bars would be accustomed to this. Taehyun was just switching between apps when it happened and when he lifted his head up to see what’s happening, he froze. It was Seunghoon who caused the ruckus. Seunghoon has been drinking day and night, getting himself wasted like every other day. While his colleagues are happily playing drinking games, he got up from his seat and walked towards Seunghoon, who was alone.
“Are you okay?”
“Get away from me, DON’T TOUCH ME!” Seunghoon pushed Taehyun away.
“What do you think you’re doing?! Getting yourself wasted like this?!”
“Why do you care!? Scram. NOW.” Seunghoon demanded Taehyun.
Taehyun’s eyebrows pulled down together, his jaw and fists clenched. He grabbed onto Seunghoon and dragged him out of the bar into the back alley. Seunghoon still drunk, but he saw Taehyun’s eyes flashed with disappointment and anger, like lightning in a pitch black night. His lips tightly closed, becoming thinner.
“Why do I care? Really? Are you really asking this!?”
“Just scram off, I don’t need your sympathy or care. I don’t want to see you.” Seunghoon was about to balance himself and walked off when Taehyun pushed him to the wall.
“Where do you think you’re going!? Why are you doing this to yourself? This is not the Seunghoon I know; the Seunghoon I know is a bright, cheerful and witty gentleman, who is always striving to be better. Not this drunkard! Do you know how much it hurts seeing you like this? I didn’t finally come all the way here to see you like that!” The beads of water started streaming down one after another on Taehyun’s cheeks. Seunghoon stood rooted to the ground, and looked up at Taehyun. Seunghoon remained silent. At that moment, Seunghoon had his hazel eyes locked on Taehyun’s, he took a step closer. Just when Taehyun’s longing for Seunghoon became unbearable; Seunghoon’s lips met Taehyun’s and their lips locked. Seunghoon’s smooth, soft lips and the warmth of his mouth sent a current through Taehyun’s spine and he threw his arms around Seunghoon’s lean waist. Seunghoon ran his fingers through Taehyun’s tousled blonde hair and their kiss grew intense. They were so close together they could feel each other’s heartbeat. Just then, another drunkard fumbled into the alley and broke their moment. Taehyun stepped back, creating space between him and Seunghoon.
“I’ve to go; my colleagues are probably looking for me.” Seunghoon just stood there, watching Taehyun walk further away from him.
As Taehyun was walking back to the hotel, he realized the happy, chattering crowd was long gone. Along the almost deserted street, Taehyun leant against a lamppost and gazed up at the starry sky. All kinds of thoughts raced in his mind. He looked down on his watch, took out his phone from his left pocket of his ripped jeans and texted Seunghoon. “I’m leaving on Tuesday.”
Time ticked away and Taehyun is already leaving New Orleans. He was hoping he would see Seunghoon one last time before he flies off, but Seunghoon was nowhere in sight. Taehyun sighed and boarded the cab to the airport. On his way to the airport he looked out of the windows, looking at the clear blue skies and getting reminded of that night. That night meant everything to Taehyun, finally being able to be in Seunghoon’s embrace again but he thought it was because Seunghoon was drunk and didn’t realized what he was doing. He probably thought that he was Tyler.
Taehyun changed into his uniform and entered the cockpit. While he was preparing for the take off, a cabin crew came knocking on the door. “Captain, a passenger wishes to talk to you.” Taehyun frowned and stood up. He opened the door, and thought he was seeing things.
“W-w-what are you doing here?” Taehyun stuttered. Other than being surprised, Taehyun noticed the changes in Seunghoon’s appearance. His hair is now ash grey, with his fringe down and he is wearing his geeky specs.
“Hi, Captain. Looking good in your uniform.” Seunghoon said, smiling, revealing his prominent cheekbones. “I’m heading to Korea too; to be reunited with the love of my life and thought I should say hi.”
“Ahhhhh… yeah.” Taehyun couldn’t hide the disappointment in his face.
“We’ve lost a lot of years, but you can’t lose love, not real love. It stays inside, and whenever you are strong enough to find it again, it will be ready.” Seunghoon quoted.
Bewildered, Taehyun frowned. Clearly having no idea what Seunghoon was implementing and just then, Seunghoon held both of Taehyun’s hands. “The love of my life is you.” Taehyun had his eyes wide opened, he thought he heard wrong when all the cabin crews crowded around them and started applauding. He wasn’t dreaming. It’s real, Seunghoon has returned to his arms.
“Captain, I’m expecting a smooth and safe flight. See you in Korea.” Seunghoon gave a peck on Taehyun’s flushed cheek and went back to his seat. Smiling, Taehyun returned to his position.