Gypsy
Title: Gypsy
Pairing: HaeHyuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance
Donghae's soul was like one of a bird’s. A bird that let the wind take
him where it wanted. Donghae didn't compromise or follow rules. If
people saw the world in black and white, Donghae saw the world in
every single color of the rainbow. Somehow the wind had wanted Donghae
to meet Hyukjae. Call it faith, but Hyukjae seemed to be just what
Donghae needed. That normalcy Donghae had never had. Donghae was a
gypsy after all, and gypsies rarely stayed in the same place for too
long. But for Hyukjae, Donghae would stay anywhere.
Donghae had met Hyukjae at Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. The
street was packed with tourists and people eating and enjoying the
beautiful Spring air. It was a nice warm day in April, the perfect
weather and ambience for one of Donghae's performances. Donghae would
dance for a living. Not professionally, just on the streets or for
pure entertainment. Joy and happiness for either the person watching or
Donghae himself.
It was on that day in April that Hyukjae found himself wanting to go
out to see the Festival. This was unusual for Hyukjae, for he hated
crowded places and confused tourists asking him where things were. But
something inside him told him it was too beautiful a day not to go out.
He was walking through the busy streets, people chattering and walking
past him, looking around and admiring the amazing cherry blossom trees
in full bloom, when he heard it. It was the faint sound of a radio. He
looked forward and noticed a group of people huddled around something.
Well more like someone. Hyukjae pushed past the crowd to get to the
center and that was when he finally saw him.
He was dancing as if he had no gravity. It seemed like he was floating
on air. So lightweight that it was almost like Hyukjae was imagining
this vision in his head. The man had a feather in his hair and long
pants that flapped against the wind whenever he moved. He had various
pieces of jewelry on his wrists and around his neck that shined in the
sun.
He seemed so elegant and perfect, like from a dream or a fairytale.
His brown hair flowed around him every time he moved, like a lace
ribbon swaying in the air. The man smiled widely as people kept coming
to watch his magnificent show. He was probably the most entertaining
act on the street.
He had a hat face up on the floor where people threw in their
donations. The hat was overflowed and people still kept putting more
in. He truly was a sight to behold.
Hyukjae moved toward the hat to throw in his donation. He bent forward
and threw in a few pounds, feeling sad that that as all he could give
at the moment. When he straightened up, he was met by the most
beautiful pair of clear brown eyes he had ever seen. The other man's
face was just a few inches from his. It was like the world had somehow
disappeared behind those beautiful eyes. All Hyukjae could think about
was the way his heart was thumping so loudly he was sure the other man
could hear it as well. The man broke their gaze and bent down to pick
up the hat, smiling shyly at Hyukjae as he did. He put the hat over
his head after emptying the money into a bag and did a small bow as
the song ended. Claps and whistles were heard as the man bowed a few
more times and began picking up his things. The multitude began to
disperse, leaving Hyukjae as the only person still standing there.
Hyukjae stared at the other man, somehow not being able to rip his
eyes away from him. The man turned around after putting his things
away and smiled at Hyukjae. His smile was as bright as the sun itself.
Everything about this man just glowed.
He walked over to Hyukjae, stopping in front of him and balancing his
radio on his hip, his bag swung casually over his shoulder.
"Did you enjoy the show?"
Hyukjae struggled to find the right words or any words at all.
"You're really good. It was the best performance I've ever seen."
The fact that he didn't just say street performance must have meant a
lot to the man for he smiled wider than before. Hyukjae couldn't see
how that was even possible.
"Well, I'm glad you liked it. I hope you have a good day."
The man then turned to leave, but Hyukjae knew he couldn't just let
the man go easily.
"My name's Lee Hyukjae."
The man turned around and smiled softly, and nodded as if acknowledging what he’d said.
"It was nice to meet you."
And he left; Hyukjae lost him in the vast number of people. Hyukjae
couldn't stop thinking about that man after that day. He had felt such
a strong connection to this man be wasn't even able to sleep for every
night that week.
Hyukjae visited the market every day in hopes of meeting the man
again. He really couldn't get him out of his mind. The way he danced.
The graceful elegance in the way his hands moved above his head. His
smile. His eyes. His body. It was all engraved in Hyukjae's memory.
His face that never seemed to miss that gorgeous smile he had. Never
in his life had Hyukjae felt such a strong force towards another human
being.
***
A year passed and Hyukjae still had faint memories of the beautiful
man he had met that warm day in April. Even though so long had passed,
and Hyukjae was sure he'd never see him again, he still kept him in
the back of his mind. Some days he'd imagine he saw the man. He'd wake
up in the middle of the man thinking he'd heard the song he had danced
too. It was incredible how one stranger had completely changed
Hyukjae's life, and he probably didn't know it.
Hyukjae was walking through the streets of Yeouido again, enjoying the
crisp air and the smell of cherry blossoms everywhere. Since he hadn't
really been able to enjoy the festival last year he decided to try it
out again.
Hyukjae remembered how when he was younger, he had come to the
Festival once. It was with his parents and older sister and he was 7.
At the time, he had thought they were the best and most beautiful
thing in the world, those cherry blossoms. He had looked around in
awe, pointing and smiling the whole day. There was so much to see and
so many people that he didn't know where to look and when. His father
had promised he'd bring him back next year.
The only problem was that his parents got divorced and his mother
didn't want to live in the city anymore. So Hyukjae didn't see his
father or the cherry blossoms the following year.
Now that he was older he was able to appreciate it better. He was
taller now, of course, but he still wasn't able to see too far. When
he was younger he had resorted to sitting on his fathers shoulders and
seen everything from there. Now his father wasn't there, so he just
had to see what he could from where he was standing.
There were as much people as the last time he was here. He smiled at a
little girl that was walking towards him holding a blue balloon in one
hand and cotton candy in the other. She had a pretty blue dress and a
blue bow in her hair. Hyukjae didn't have to guess what her favorite
color was.
She ran past him, going to see an entertainer on the sidewalk. He
noticed her father walking behind her, smiling at his little girl. The
girl pulled on his jacket sleeve and the man pulled the girl onto his
shoulders. Hyukjae's heart stopped. Not because of the girl and her
father, but because of who they were watching.
It was the man. The man that had been following his thoughts every day
for the past year. He was there on the sidewalk, just a few feet away
from him. Hyukjae tried to piece himself together, he didn't want to
just crumble on the middle of the street. Maybe his eyes were playing
a trick on him. He was known to be in the center of blind jokes with
his friends.
When he got closer, straining his eyesight as much as he could, he saw
it was him. It was truly him. He was there doing the same performance
Hyukjae had seen a year ago. He looked a little more gorgeous, if that
was even possible. His hair was longer and that made Hyukjae wonder
when was the last time he had gotten it cut.
He wore the same flashy outfit, only this time he had even more
jewelry adorning his dancer figure. He had a bigger hat too and more
donations at that.
He was also a better dancer, more fluid and softer than last time.
Hyukjae couldn't help but stand there with his mouth open as he stared
at the perfect creature before him. He was so poised and fascinating.
Hyukjae's heart welled up when the man turned and his eyes instantly
landed on Hyukjae's. He smiled kindly and this was also different. The
way he had smiled the last time was the way a stranger smiles at a
another stranger. But this time his smile reached his eyes, and there
was something hidden in that smile. A secret only he knew. Hyukjae
looked down at his arms and noticed he had goose bumps.
The boy kept dancing, but approached Hyukjae. As he danced towards
him, he took one of his bracelets off and took Hyukjae's wrist. He
looked up at Hyukjae threw his eyelashes as he placed the piece of
jewelry on his thin wrist.
Hyukjae smiled at the other man as he continued dancing and giving
flowers to other people in the crowd. He was the only one who had
gotten a bracelet.
When the show ended it was getting late and everyone was heading
towards the entrance to see the sun set behind the Han river. Hyukjae
stayed behind to talk to the perfect dancer again.
"Here's your bracelet."
He took the accessory off and showed it to the man.
"You can keep it if you want. It's a good color on you."
The man picked up his things as he talked. He threw his hat on and
laughed slightly when it covered his entire head.
"I forgot. I left the other one at home."
He smiled at Hyukjae and played with the string on his shirt. He
looked even more gorgeous at a closer distance. Hyukjae couldn't
believe he was talking to him.
"I'm Hyukjae."
"I know."
"You remember?"
The man smiled, looking down before placing a finger on his chin.
"One doesn't forget a face like yours."
Hyukjae blushed involuntarily. He couldn't seem to meet the others
steady gaze.
"So what are you doing now? Do you think maybe we could go out for
coffee or something. If you're free of course."
The other mans smile grew and began he walking in the opposite
direction the people were going in.
"I guess I could make some arrangements in my busy schedule. Where to,
tour guide?"
***
"So you don't have a job?"
"No. I don't think I would be good in a work environment."
Hyukjae didn't understand what he meant by that, but he let him keep
talking. He loved to hear the younger man talk. Hyukjae had learned
that the man's name was Donghae, he was 24 years old and a gypsy. Like
the gypsies that work with the circus. Expect Donghae didn't work. He
just danced and traveled the world, which in some ways, made him a
gypsy.
"So you're from Korea but you don't live here?"
"Exactly. I don't stay put in one place for too long. I often get bored
of my surroundings easily. I visit Korea a lot though. I have an
arrangement with my mother that I have to visit 2 times a year."
"So that’s why I didn't see you again last year."
"You looked for me?"
Hyukjae blushed again. He thought he had said it under his breath.
"I...I guess. I just happened to not see you."
"And you happened to notice?"
Hyukjae relaxed when he noticed Donghae's smile. He was flattered.
"I don't have anywhere to be now. I don't have a lot of money either. I
haven't been making much lately."
Hyukjae spoke without thinking.
"Come to Seoul with me."
He bit his tongue when he noticed Donghae's surprised expression. What
if he had said something too sudden. He didn't even know why he was
asking this stranger to go anywhere with him. Actually, yes he did. He
wanted this stranger to go everywhere with him, and do everything with
him as well.
Donghae's expression softened and he reached his hand across the table
to grab Hyukjae's.
"I would love to stay with you for a few days."
That’s wasn't exactly what Hyukjae had meant, but he smiled back as
Donghae squeezed his fingers slightly. A few days would be alright.
After all, Hyukjae couldn't see himself just letting this man not have
somewhere to stay. What if something happened to him? No, it was
better for him to stay with Hyukjae for a few days.
***
A few days turned into a year. A year of Donghae promising he'd move
out and Hyukjae convincing him to stay. A year of getting to know each
other, both mentally and physically. A year of fighting and making up.
A year of seeing a love grow and bloom into a beautiful flower neither
knew when it had been planted.
It was April, exactly their one year anniversary, and Hyukjae had a
big surprise for Donghae. Donghae had mentioned the previous day how he
had never stayed anywhere for an entire year. He said that Hyukjae had
to consider himself as a very lucky person for being able to keep his
interest for that long. Hyukjae rolled his eyes, when inside he knew
he was right. He was extremely lucky to have Donghae in his life.
It was midnight and still Donghae hadn't showed up. It wasn't their
anniversary anymore, and Hyukjae hadn't seen Donghae since the day
before. He was getting anxious for Donghae hadn't even called. What if
something was wrong with him?
He decided to watch TV to keep himself awake while he waited for
Donghae to come home. He didn't know where he was or who he was with.
If he was cold or tired or trying to find a way to get home. He felt
silly worrying about Donghae as if he were a baby, but to Hyukjae,
Donghae was his baby. He was a baby in the sense that he was new at
having relationships and keeping promises. When living by himself he
had never had to leave a note on the fridge reminding himself where
he'd be. He'd never had to call himself to see where he was. He'd
never had to buy something in the fridge if it was out in case he'd be
mad that he didn't buy it.
It wasn't an excuse, but Hyukjae knew Donghae had never lived with
someone, much less have a relationship with them. Sometimes Hyukjae
would wake up in the middle of the night to find Donghae staring out
the balcony and calling out to the stars, something he'd done often
when he lived by himself.
Hyukjae had to explain that it wasn't right to wake someone when they
were trying to sleep. Donghae had just smiled and said he was never
going to do it again, only for Hyukjae to be woken up various times
the following weeks. Hyukjae sometimes felt like he was taking care of
an alien. He was teaching an alien how to communicate and act with
humans. An alien that had a face of a god and made him happy whenever
he danced or talked or sang or did anything at all.
Hyukjae woke up the next day, tired and his cheek was stuck to the
remote control. He sat up and noticed he had a blanket around his
shoulders, one he didn't remember having the night before.
He got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, hearing the
faint noise of the coffee machine. He smiled when he saw Donghae's
back. He was making coffee and had his clothes from two days ago still
on. That's when Hyukjae's smile left his face.
"What were you doing yesterday?"
Donghae turned around and bit his lip, somehow managing to look
adorable and guilty at the same time.
"I lost track of time."
"No apology?"
"I didn't know I had to be sorry for having a life."
Hyukjae felt like a mother fighting with her teenager. He really
didn't like that feeling.
"If you leave without telling me, it's just common courtesy to call and
let me know you're alright."
Hyukjae let out a frustrated sigh and sat on the small island.
"If I say I'm sorry, will you stop being mad at me? You know that I
hate it when you're mad at me right?"
He took Hyukjae's hand and kissed his wrist. He smiled at the bracelet
still in place and wrapped Hyukjae's legs around his own waist.
"Come on, Hyuk, don't be mad at me."
Hyukjae crossed his arms over his chest but didn't pull away from
Donghae.
"Tell me what you were doing."
Donghae took in a deep breath and let it out, agonizingly slowly.
"I met some people and we danced for a bit. I was reminded of how I
lived before I met you. It was fun being able to dance under the stars
again."
Hyukjae's face fell and he felt like the dirt underneath Donghae's
dirtiest pair of boots he loved so much. Was it really that horrible
for Donghae to live with Hyukjae? Was it such a hassle for him to be
with him? Was he such a terrible burden on him?
Donghae noticed Hyukjae was crestfallen and he quickly tried to fix
the situation.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I ... I just ... You know I'm
not used to this. I know it's been a year, but I've lived all my life
by myself. You know that, Hyuk. I can't stand you being mad at me. I
promise next time I'll call you."
Donghae pressed his forehead to Hyukjae's, trying to get him to look
into his eyes.
"Please, Hyuk, I'm sorry."
Hyukjae looked at Donghae and saw the way his eyes shined with unshed
tears. If there was something Hyukjae hated more than anything, it was
when Donghae would cry. He cursed Donghae in his head for never
letting him be mad at him.
"Next time, you'll call me, alright?"
Donghae nodded happily and kissed Hyukjae's lips softly, reminding him
how sorry he was. Donghae was never good with apologies, or words for
that matter. He always seemed to resort to actions.
Even though Donghae was a gypsy, always used to traveling the world
and seeing new places and meeting new people everyday, he had somehow
found a home in Hyukjae. He never thought he'd be able to "settle in"
as people put it. He always thought his life on the rode would be
everything he wanted. Little did he know that Hyukjae was what he
always wanted. He loved having someone to come home to and someone
that cared about him so much that they worried about his well being.
He was truly happy he had found someone that wanted his company as well. He loved having someone to love.
As for Hyukjae, he had learn a thing or two about gypsies. They were
messy, loud, irresponsible and unreliable. But they were perfect. At
least the one Hyukjae knew was perfect for him. He loved this gypsy.
He loved having him in his arms at night and feeling his heartbeat
against his whenever they lay in bed together. He never knew that two
years after meeting that gorgeous man one day, he would have him in
his kitchen, having coffee made by him and kissing him. Hyukjae would
have never thought in a million years that he'd be living with a gypsy. His
very own gypsy.
Pairing: HaeHyuk
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance
Donghae's soul was like one of a bird’s. A bird that let the wind take
him where it wanted. Donghae didn't compromise or follow rules. If
people saw the world in black and white, Donghae saw the world in
every single color of the rainbow. Somehow the wind had wanted Donghae
to meet Hyukjae. Call it faith, but Hyukjae seemed to be just what
Donghae needed. That normalcy Donghae had never had. Donghae was a
gypsy after all, and gypsies rarely stayed in the same place for too
long. But for Hyukjae, Donghae would stay anywhere.
Donghae had met Hyukjae at Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. The
street was packed with tourists and people eating and enjoying the
beautiful Spring air. It was a nice warm day in April, the perfect
weather and ambience for one of Donghae's performances. Donghae would
dance for a living. Not professionally, just on the streets or for
pure entertainment. Joy and happiness for either the person watching or
Donghae himself.
It was on that day in April that Hyukjae found himself wanting to go
out to see the Festival. This was unusual for Hyukjae, for he hated
crowded places and confused tourists asking him where things were. But
something inside him told him it was too beautiful a day not to go out.
He was walking through the busy streets, people chattering and walking
past him, looking around and admiring the amazing cherry blossom trees
in full bloom, when he heard it. It was the faint sound of a radio. He
looked forward and noticed a group of people huddled around something.
Well more like someone. Hyukjae pushed past the crowd to get to the
center and that was when he finally saw him.
He was dancing as if he had no gravity. It seemed like he was floating
on air. So lightweight that it was almost like Hyukjae was imagining
this vision in his head. The man had a feather in his hair and long
pants that flapped against the wind whenever he moved. He had various
pieces of jewelry on his wrists and around his neck that shined in the
sun.
He seemed so elegant and perfect, like from a dream or a fairytale.
His brown hair flowed around him every time he moved, like a lace
ribbon swaying in the air. The man smiled widely as people kept coming
to watch his magnificent show. He was probably the most entertaining
act on the street.
He had a hat face up on the floor where people threw in their
donations. The hat was overflowed and people still kept putting more
in. He truly was a sight to behold.
Hyukjae moved toward the hat to throw in his donation. He bent forward
and threw in a few pounds, feeling sad that that as all he could give
at the moment. When he straightened up, he was met by the most
beautiful pair of clear brown eyes he had ever seen. The other man's
face was just a few inches from his. It was like the world had somehow
disappeared behind those beautiful eyes. All Hyukjae could think about
was the way his heart was thumping so loudly he was sure the other man
could hear it as well. The man broke their gaze and bent down to pick
up the hat, smiling shyly at Hyukjae as he did. He put the hat over
his head after emptying the money into a bag and did a small bow as
the song ended. Claps and whistles were heard as the man bowed a few
more times and began picking up his things. The multitude began to
disperse, leaving Hyukjae as the only person still standing there.
Hyukjae stared at the other man, somehow not being able to rip his
eyes away from him. The man turned around after putting his things
away and smiled at Hyukjae. His smile was as bright as the sun itself.
Everything about this man just glowed.
He walked over to Hyukjae, stopping in front of him and balancing his
radio on his hip, his bag swung casually over his shoulder.
"Did you enjoy the show?"
Hyukjae struggled to find the right words or any words at all.
"You're really good. It was the best performance I've ever seen."
The fact that he didn't just say street performance must have meant a
lot to the man for he smiled wider than before. Hyukjae couldn't see
how that was even possible.
"Well, I'm glad you liked it. I hope you have a good day."
The man then turned to leave, but Hyukjae knew he couldn't just let
the man go easily.
"My name's Lee Hyukjae."
The man turned around and smiled softly, and nodded as if acknowledging what he’d said.
"It was nice to meet you."
And he left; Hyukjae lost him in the vast number of people. Hyukjae
couldn't stop thinking about that man after that day. He had felt such
a strong connection to this man be wasn't even able to sleep for every
night that week.
Hyukjae visited the market every day in hopes of meeting the man
again. He really couldn't get him out of his mind. The way he danced.
The graceful elegance in the way his hands moved above his head. His
smile. His eyes. His body. It was all engraved in Hyukjae's memory.
His face that never seemed to miss that gorgeous smile he had. Never
in his life had Hyukjae felt such a strong force towards another human
being.
***
A year passed and Hyukjae still had faint memories of the beautiful
man he had met that warm day in April. Even though so long had passed,
and Hyukjae was sure he'd never see him again, he still kept him in
the back of his mind. Some days he'd imagine he saw the man. He'd wake
up in the middle of the man thinking he'd heard the song he had danced
too. It was incredible how one stranger had completely changed
Hyukjae's life, and he probably didn't know it.
Hyukjae was walking through the streets of Yeouido again, enjoying the
crisp air and the smell of cherry blossoms everywhere. Since he hadn't
really been able to enjoy the festival last year he decided to try it
out again.
Hyukjae remembered how when he was younger, he had come to the
Festival once. It was with his parents and older sister and he was 7.
At the time, he had thought they were the best and most beautiful
thing in the world, those cherry blossoms. He had looked around in
awe, pointing and smiling the whole day. There was so much to see and
so many people that he didn't know where to look and when. His father
had promised he'd bring him back next year.
The only problem was that his parents got divorced and his mother
didn't want to live in the city anymore. So Hyukjae didn't see his
father or the cherry blossoms the following year.
Now that he was older he was able to appreciate it better. He was
taller now, of course, but he still wasn't able to see too far. When
he was younger he had resorted to sitting on his fathers shoulders and
seen everything from there. Now his father wasn't there, so he just
had to see what he could from where he was standing.
There were as much people as the last time he was here. He smiled at a
little girl that was walking towards him holding a blue balloon in one
hand and cotton candy in the other. She had a pretty blue dress and a
blue bow in her hair. Hyukjae didn't have to guess what her favorite
color was.
She ran past him, going to see an entertainer on the sidewalk. He
noticed her father walking behind her, smiling at his little girl. The
girl pulled on his jacket sleeve and the man pulled the girl onto his
shoulders. Hyukjae's heart stopped. Not because of the girl and her
father, but because of who they were watching.
It was the man. The man that had been following his thoughts every day
for the past year. He was there on the sidewalk, just a few feet away
from him. Hyukjae tried to piece himself together, he didn't want to
just crumble on the middle of the street. Maybe his eyes were playing
a trick on him. He was known to be in the center of blind jokes with
his friends.
When he got closer, straining his eyesight as much as he could, he saw
it was him. It was truly him. He was there doing the same performance
Hyukjae had seen a year ago. He looked a little more gorgeous, if that
was even possible. His hair was longer and that made Hyukjae wonder
when was the last time he had gotten it cut.
He wore the same flashy outfit, only this time he had even more
jewelry adorning his dancer figure. He had a bigger hat too and more
donations at that.
He was also a better dancer, more fluid and softer than last time.
Hyukjae couldn't help but stand there with his mouth open as he stared
at the perfect creature before him. He was so poised and fascinating.
Hyukjae's heart welled up when the man turned and his eyes instantly
landed on Hyukjae's. He smiled kindly and this was also different. The
way he had smiled the last time was the way a stranger smiles at a
another stranger. But this time his smile reached his eyes, and there
was something hidden in that smile. A secret only he knew. Hyukjae
looked down at his arms and noticed he had goose bumps.
The boy kept dancing, but approached Hyukjae. As he danced towards
him, he took one of his bracelets off and took Hyukjae's wrist. He
looked up at Hyukjae threw his eyelashes as he placed the piece of
jewelry on his thin wrist.
Hyukjae smiled at the other man as he continued dancing and giving
flowers to other people in the crowd. He was the only one who had
gotten a bracelet.
When the show ended it was getting late and everyone was heading
towards the entrance to see the sun set behind the Han river. Hyukjae
stayed behind to talk to the perfect dancer again.
"Here's your bracelet."
He took the accessory off and showed it to the man.
"You can keep it if you want. It's a good color on you."
The man picked up his things as he talked. He threw his hat on and
laughed slightly when it covered his entire head.
"I forgot. I left the other one at home."
He smiled at Hyukjae and played with the string on his shirt. He
looked even more gorgeous at a closer distance. Hyukjae couldn't
believe he was talking to him.
"I'm Hyukjae."
"I know."
"You remember?"
The man smiled, looking down before placing a finger on his chin.
"One doesn't forget a face like yours."
Hyukjae blushed involuntarily. He couldn't seem to meet the others
steady gaze.
"So what are you doing now? Do you think maybe we could go out for
coffee or something. If you're free of course."
The other mans smile grew and began he walking in the opposite
direction the people were going in.
"I guess I could make some arrangements in my busy schedule. Where to,
tour guide?"
***
"So you don't have a job?"
"No. I don't think I would be good in a work environment."
Hyukjae didn't understand what he meant by that, but he let him keep
talking. He loved to hear the younger man talk. Hyukjae had learned
that the man's name was Donghae, he was 24 years old and a gypsy. Like
the gypsies that work with the circus. Expect Donghae didn't work. He
just danced and traveled the world, which in some ways, made him a
gypsy.
"So you're from Korea but you don't live here?"
"Exactly. I don't stay put in one place for too long. I often get bored
of my surroundings easily. I visit Korea a lot though. I have an
arrangement with my mother that I have to visit 2 times a year."
"So that’s why I didn't see you again last year."
"You looked for me?"
Hyukjae blushed again. He thought he had said it under his breath.
"I...I guess. I just happened to not see you."
"And you happened to notice?"
Hyukjae relaxed when he noticed Donghae's smile. He was flattered.
"I don't have anywhere to be now. I don't have a lot of money either. I
haven't been making much lately."
Hyukjae spoke without thinking.
"Come to Seoul with me."
He bit his tongue when he noticed Donghae's surprised expression. What
if he had said something too sudden. He didn't even know why he was
asking this stranger to go anywhere with him. Actually, yes he did. He
wanted this stranger to go everywhere with him, and do everything with
him as well.
Donghae's expression softened and he reached his hand across the table
to grab Hyukjae's.
"I would love to stay with you for a few days."
That’s wasn't exactly what Hyukjae had meant, but he smiled back as
Donghae squeezed his fingers slightly. A few days would be alright.
After all, Hyukjae couldn't see himself just letting this man not have
somewhere to stay. What if something happened to him? No, it was
better for him to stay with Hyukjae for a few days.
***
A few days turned into a year. A year of Donghae promising he'd move
out and Hyukjae convincing him to stay. A year of getting to know each
other, both mentally and physically. A year of fighting and making up.
A year of seeing a love grow and bloom into a beautiful flower neither
knew when it had been planted.
It was April, exactly their one year anniversary, and Hyukjae had a
big surprise for Donghae. Donghae had mentioned the previous day how he
had never stayed anywhere for an entire year. He said that Hyukjae had
to consider himself as a very lucky person for being able to keep his
interest for that long. Hyukjae rolled his eyes, when inside he knew
he was right. He was extremely lucky to have Donghae in his life.
It was midnight and still Donghae hadn't showed up. It wasn't their
anniversary anymore, and Hyukjae hadn't seen Donghae since the day
before. He was getting anxious for Donghae hadn't even called. What if
something was wrong with him?
He decided to watch TV to keep himself awake while he waited for
Donghae to come home. He didn't know where he was or who he was with.
If he was cold or tired or trying to find a way to get home. He felt
silly worrying about Donghae as if he were a baby, but to Hyukjae,
Donghae was his baby. He was a baby in the sense that he was new at
having relationships and keeping promises. When living by himself he
had never had to leave a note on the fridge reminding himself where
he'd be. He'd never had to call himself to see where he was. He'd
never had to buy something in the fridge if it was out in case he'd be
mad that he didn't buy it.
It wasn't an excuse, but Hyukjae knew Donghae had never lived with
someone, much less have a relationship with them. Sometimes Hyukjae
would wake up in the middle of the night to find Donghae staring out
the balcony and calling out to the stars, something he'd done often
when he lived by himself.
Hyukjae had to explain that it wasn't right to wake someone when they
were trying to sleep. Donghae had just smiled and said he was never
going to do it again, only for Hyukjae to be woken up various times
the following weeks. Hyukjae sometimes felt like he was taking care of
an alien. He was teaching an alien how to communicate and act with
humans. An alien that had a face of a god and made him happy whenever
he danced or talked or sang or did anything at all.
Hyukjae woke up the next day, tired and his cheek was stuck to the
remote control. He sat up and noticed he had a blanket around his
shoulders, one he didn't remember having the night before.
He got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, hearing the
faint noise of the coffee machine. He smiled when he saw Donghae's
back. He was making coffee and had his clothes from two days ago still
on. That's when Hyukjae's smile left his face.
"What were you doing yesterday?"
Donghae turned around and bit his lip, somehow managing to look
adorable and guilty at the same time.
"I lost track of time."
"No apology?"
"I didn't know I had to be sorry for having a life."
Hyukjae felt like a mother fighting with her teenager. He really
didn't like that feeling.
"If you leave without telling me, it's just common courtesy to call and
let me know you're alright."
Hyukjae let out a frustrated sigh and sat on the small island.
"If I say I'm sorry, will you stop being mad at me? You know that I
hate it when you're mad at me right?"
He took Hyukjae's hand and kissed his wrist. He smiled at the bracelet
still in place and wrapped Hyukjae's legs around his own waist.
"Come on, Hyuk, don't be mad at me."
Hyukjae crossed his arms over his chest but didn't pull away from
Donghae.
"Tell me what you were doing."
Donghae took in a deep breath and let it out, agonizingly slowly.
"I met some people and we danced for a bit. I was reminded of how I
lived before I met you. It was fun being able to dance under the stars
again."
Hyukjae's face fell and he felt like the dirt underneath Donghae's
dirtiest pair of boots he loved so much. Was it really that horrible
for Donghae to live with Hyukjae? Was it such a hassle for him to be
with him? Was he such a terrible burden on him?
Donghae noticed Hyukjae was crestfallen and he quickly tried to fix
the situation.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I ... I just ... You know I'm
not used to this. I know it's been a year, but I've lived all my life
by myself. You know that, Hyuk. I can't stand you being mad at me. I
promise next time I'll call you."
Donghae pressed his forehead to Hyukjae's, trying to get him to look
into his eyes.
"Please, Hyuk, I'm sorry."
Hyukjae looked at Donghae and saw the way his eyes shined with unshed
tears. If there was something Hyukjae hated more than anything, it was
when Donghae would cry. He cursed Donghae in his head for never
letting him be mad at him.
"Next time, you'll call me, alright?"
Donghae nodded happily and kissed Hyukjae's lips softly, reminding him
how sorry he was. Donghae was never good with apologies, or words for
that matter. He always seemed to resort to actions.
Even though Donghae was a gypsy, always used to traveling the world
and seeing new places and meeting new people everyday, he had somehow
found a home in Hyukjae. He never thought he'd be able to "settle in"
as people put it. He always thought his life on the rode would be
everything he wanted. Little did he know that Hyukjae was what he
always wanted. He loved having someone to come home to and someone
that cared about him so much that they worried about his well being.
He was truly happy he had found someone that wanted his company as well. He loved having someone to love.
As for Hyukjae, he had learn a thing or two about gypsies. They were
messy, loud, irresponsible and unreliable. But they were perfect. At
least the one Hyukjae knew was perfect for him. He loved this gypsy.
He loved having him in his arms at night and feeling his heartbeat
against his whenever they lay in bed together. He never knew that two
years after meeting that gorgeous man one day, he would have him in
his kitchen, having coffee made by him and kissing him. Hyukjae would
have never thought in a million years that he'd be living with a gypsy. His
very own gypsy.