With One Last Glance
With One Last Glance
Pairing: Sooyoung/Donghae
o-o-o-o-o
Despite the golden, warm sun shining up in the sky, the glass windows mist up.
It’s a chilly morning.
Choi Sooyoung watches the steady breeze brush past everything it passes by, sending every leaf in its way fluttering, some falling off the branches that have been their homes; the mild gasps and shrieks of some women as they hold down their skirts and precariously arranged hair reaching her ears.
Sooyoung reaches a manicured finger out, draws a heart on the fogged window and quickly draws back her hand, grinning to herself like a kid who’s done a prank but is never caught. She is grateful for the tall, warm mug of Chamomile tea before her and the maroon Gryffindor hoodie her best friend has allowed her to borrow. She’s made the mistake of pairing it up with a pair of ripped denim shorts but she doesn’t mind.
She’s warm enough despite the chilly morning.
She hears someone plunk his or her person down on the seat across her and she straightens up; the words at the tip of her tongue remaining where they are when she sees who it is.
“Hey.”
He still has the same twinkle in his eyes that she hasn’t seen for three years now.
“Hey.” The brunette greets back hesitantly, smiling once she’s finally recovered from her shock. “What are you doing here?”
“What does one do in a café?” Lee Donghae shoots back in amusement.
She rolls her eyes despite it all - despite the fact that a man she hasn’t seen in three years has suddenly plopped down on the bench in front of her, despite the fact that the said man has once been the Prince Philip to her Princess Aurora once up a time.
“Long time no see, oppa.”
“Too long.” He quips casually yet the meaning is still there.
Once upon a time, it would have sent a rather pleasant tingling feeling up and down her spine.. But that’s once upon a time. She no longer lives in once upon a time any longer. “So, what’s up with you?”
“Many things, really, but still somewhat the same old… you know. You?”
“Grew up, got older, change here, there. You know the drill.”
Donghae spares her chosen drink a quick glance. “You didn’t like drinking tea back then.”
“Times change, people change, you know?” She takes a long swig of her tea to prove her point.”
“Hold on a moment.”
He slides out of the booth smoothly and she watches with some amusement as he heads to the counter to order food. Sooyoung shakes her head, not surprised in the slightest, and goes on to stare out the frosted window while she holds onto a moment, as he has asked. She’s not looking at anything, really, but it seems like she’s unconsciously searching for something; too absorbed by her thoughts to properly notice.
Sooyoung snaps out of her thoughts when she hears the sound of a plate being put on the table, signalling his return. She sifts her attention; her eyes widening and her mouth watering at the perfect slice of perfect chocolate cake that she sees beside her tall, warm mug of Chamomile tea.
“You remember.”
Donghae taps the side of his head. “I’ve got good memory.”
Her eyes stay glued to the cake. “So I’ve noticed.”
“You still like that cake.” It’s a statement, not a question, and he hands her a fork. “You’ve really changed but only enough to still keep you the Sooyoung I know.”
She shoots him a bewildered look. “This is for me?”
The dark haired man nods once. “My treat. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
“Aren’t you eating?”
“Later.”
She leaves it at that, getting quite a large forkful of the gooey, fudgy chocolate cake and popping it in her mouth. A low hum of delight escapes her throat and he chuckles, watching her eat like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. More often than not, she offers him a bite, reminding him over and over again that he paid for it. He gives in just once and she holds out a forkful of the cake and he inches his lips closer, taking it all and smiling gratefully as he chews.
“So, you’re a doctor now?”
“Yup.” He smiles broadly, proudly. He knows that she knows what this all means, that she remembers that one day back in once upon a time when he told her about his dream of being one. “A pediatrician.”
The tall brunette grins. “You’ve always liked children.”
“Always have, always will.” He chuckles. “And you’re a writer now, eh?”
“Yup.” Sooyoung repeats his earlier answer. Her smile mirrors his. “I’m writing for this lifestyle blog and magazine. I just published an article on hole-in-the-wall kind of places to eat here in Seoul.”
“I know.”
She arches an eyebrow. “You know?”
Donghae nods. “I read it.”
The answer intrigues her for a while, she grows suddenly self-conscious. “What do you think about it?”
“I think it’s a smart article.” He responds honestly. “I like the approach you took and how you talked about how many of those hole-in-the-wall restaurants serve better food than the big league at times.”
“Well, many times, the best things in life take a little bit more effort to find. But the end, it’s all worth it.” A beat passes. “You’re not just saying that ‘cause you’re my friend and I’m going to kick you if you insult my work, right?”
“No. I promise.”
Sooyoung hasn’t changed much, he concludes with absolute finality. A big chunk of the girl that is eating across him is still the girl he’s known for the past seven years. A little older, a lot wiser and still the same bottomless pit when it comes to eating, it’s still her. And for all that has happened between them in, it doesn’t seem like they haven’t seen each other for a solid three of the seven years they’ve known one another other.
“How’s Chaerin?”
His face brightens up at the mention of his first niece; daughter of his older brother, Sungmin, and his wife, Sunny. “Naughtier, noisier… but she’s still an angel to me.”
“Still as adorable as ever, I assume.” She takes another big slice of her cake. “She’s probably really big now. Last time I saw her, she was only around three or four.”
Donghae snorts. “Of course she’s adorable. She’s my niece.”
Her eyes roll good naturedly. “Hug her for me, will you?”
“Will do.”
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it reaches their ears.
“There you are!”
A tall, breathtakingly beautiful, fair-skinned woman with a sweet smile makes her way over to their booth; her lithe form sporting a red trench coat, hiding everything else she’s wearing underneath. Her long, chestnut-colored locks are neat, curled on the ends, framing her angel-like face beautifully.
Donghae brightens up like a mega-watt light bulb at the sight of her. “Sooyoung, this is Im Yoona. Yoong, this is Choi Sooyoung.”
Yoona reaches out hand and giggles. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Same here.” She shoots the lone male a questioning look, noting the word finally, when she’s sure Yoona isn’t looking.
Her attention shifts to Donghae. “I’ll wait for you at our table. Take your time.”
He smiles brightly. “Thanks.”
Sooyoung watches in silence as Yoona leaves, waiting the other female is out of earshot before she speaks again. “Your girlfriend is so much more beautiful in person.”
Donghae looks bewildered. “How’d you know?”
“Facebook, duh.” She makes a face. “You should go join her already.”
“Are you sure?” The dark haired man asks hesitantly. “Will you be fine on your own?”
“Positive.” Sooyoung nods earnestly, chowing on one of the last bits of her chocolate cake. “I don’t think I’ll be staying long.”
“If you’re sure…” He waits for her confirmation, sliding out of the booth and onto his feet when she reassures him. “It’s nice to see you again, Soo.”
The brunette gives him the most genuine smile she can muster. “It’s nice to see you too, oppa.”
Donghae turns, ready to take a step, when he stops and abruptly turns around again to face her. “Soo?”
“Yeah?”
He looks at her for a long moment, like he wants to tell her something, but he shakes his head and just smiles. “See you.”
Sooyoung grins. “See you too.”
He turns and finally leaves; Sooyoung watching as he walks to the table where Yoona is patiently waiting. Donghae drops a kiss on her cheek and Yoona blushes and beams as he slides onto the seat beside her. Sooyoung watches them for a minute longer before she shakes her head, chuckles to herself and goes back to eating.
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it reaches her ears again.
“You’re late.”
“I was just one minute and forty five seconds late.” Kris Wu pouts as he stands off to the side of her table, attempting to fix his dishevelled hair. “I’m sorry.”
“You take things too seriously.” She waves him off, chuckling.
He rolls his eyes. “Ready to go?”
Sooyoung stuffs the last piece of chocolate cake into her mouth, carefully chewing and swallowing before she replies. “Ready.”
Kris moves aside and waits patiently as she gets out of the booth, straightening her clothing and grabbing her purse from where it has been placed. She takes one last look at the table, making sure she hasn’t forgotten anything before her eyes meet Donghae’s from his place in his own table. He is watching them, yet she knows he isn’t merely looking at her, but at her and Kris. She nods once and smiles before she lets Kris lead the way out of the quaint little café.
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it signals their departure.
Outside, she immediately shivers at the cold breeze and Kris wraps an arm around her shoulders, keeping her close to him as they walk away from the café. Sooyoung relishes in the warmth that he gives, sighing in content as she rests her forehead against the side of his face for a while.
She looks over her shoulder and she sees Donghae still looking at them.
With one last glance and a smile, she looks ahead.
She never looks back again.
Pairing: Sooyoung/Donghae
o-o-o-o-o
Despite the golden, warm sun shining up in the sky, the glass windows mist up.
It’s a chilly morning.
Choi Sooyoung watches the steady breeze brush past everything it passes by, sending every leaf in its way fluttering, some falling off the branches that have been their homes; the mild gasps and shrieks of some women as they hold down their skirts and precariously arranged hair reaching her ears.
Sooyoung reaches a manicured finger out, draws a heart on the fogged window and quickly draws back her hand, grinning to herself like a kid who’s done a prank but is never caught. She is grateful for the tall, warm mug of Chamomile tea before her and the maroon Gryffindor hoodie her best friend has allowed her to borrow. She’s made the mistake of pairing it up with a pair of ripped denim shorts but she doesn’t mind.
She’s warm enough despite the chilly morning.
She hears someone plunk his or her person down on the seat across her and she straightens up; the words at the tip of her tongue remaining where they are when she sees who it is.
“Hey.”
He still has the same twinkle in his eyes that she hasn’t seen for three years now.
“Hey.” The brunette greets back hesitantly, smiling once she’s finally recovered from her shock. “What are you doing here?”
“What does one do in a café?” Lee Donghae shoots back in amusement.
She rolls her eyes despite it all - despite the fact that a man she hasn’t seen in three years has suddenly plopped down on the bench in front of her, despite the fact that the said man has once been the Prince Philip to her Princess Aurora once up a time.
“Long time no see, oppa.”
“Too long.” He quips casually yet the meaning is still there.
Once upon a time, it would have sent a rather pleasant tingling feeling up and down her spine.. But that’s once upon a time. She no longer lives in once upon a time any longer. “So, what’s up with you?”
“Many things, really, but still somewhat the same old… you know. You?”
“Grew up, got older, change here, there. You know the drill.”
Donghae spares her chosen drink a quick glance. “You didn’t like drinking tea back then.”
“Times change, people change, you know?” She takes a long swig of her tea to prove her point.”
“Hold on a moment.”
He slides out of the booth smoothly and she watches with some amusement as he heads to the counter to order food. Sooyoung shakes her head, not surprised in the slightest, and goes on to stare out the frosted window while she holds onto a moment, as he has asked. She’s not looking at anything, really, but it seems like she’s unconsciously searching for something; too absorbed by her thoughts to properly notice.
Sooyoung snaps out of her thoughts when she hears the sound of a plate being put on the table, signalling his return. She sifts her attention; her eyes widening and her mouth watering at the perfect slice of perfect chocolate cake that she sees beside her tall, warm mug of Chamomile tea.
“You remember.”
Donghae taps the side of his head. “I’ve got good memory.”
Her eyes stay glued to the cake. “So I’ve noticed.”
“You still like that cake.” It’s a statement, not a question, and he hands her a fork. “You’ve really changed but only enough to still keep you the Sooyoung I know.”
She shoots him a bewildered look. “This is for me?”
The dark haired man nods once. “My treat. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
“Aren’t you eating?”
“Later.”
She leaves it at that, getting quite a large forkful of the gooey, fudgy chocolate cake and popping it in her mouth. A low hum of delight escapes her throat and he chuckles, watching her eat like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. More often than not, she offers him a bite, reminding him over and over again that he paid for it. He gives in just once and she holds out a forkful of the cake and he inches his lips closer, taking it all and smiling gratefully as he chews.
“So, you’re a doctor now?”
“Yup.” He smiles broadly, proudly. He knows that she knows what this all means, that she remembers that one day back in once upon a time when he told her about his dream of being one. “A pediatrician.”
The tall brunette grins. “You’ve always liked children.”
“Always have, always will.” He chuckles. “And you’re a writer now, eh?”
“Yup.” Sooyoung repeats his earlier answer. Her smile mirrors his. “I’m writing for this lifestyle blog and magazine. I just published an article on hole-in-the-wall kind of places to eat here in Seoul.”
“I know.”
She arches an eyebrow. “You know?”
Donghae nods. “I read it.”
The answer intrigues her for a while, she grows suddenly self-conscious. “What do you think about it?”
“I think it’s a smart article.” He responds honestly. “I like the approach you took and how you talked about how many of those hole-in-the-wall restaurants serve better food than the big league at times.”
“Well, many times, the best things in life take a little bit more effort to find. But the end, it’s all worth it.” A beat passes. “You’re not just saying that ‘cause you’re my friend and I’m going to kick you if you insult my work, right?”
“No. I promise.”
Sooyoung hasn’t changed much, he concludes with absolute finality. A big chunk of the girl that is eating across him is still the girl he’s known for the past seven years. A little older, a lot wiser and still the same bottomless pit when it comes to eating, it’s still her. And for all that has happened between them in, it doesn’t seem like they haven’t seen each other for a solid three of the seven years they’ve known one another other.
“How’s Chaerin?”
His face brightens up at the mention of his first niece; daughter of his older brother, Sungmin, and his wife, Sunny. “Naughtier, noisier… but she’s still an angel to me.”
“Still as adorable as ever, I assume.” She takes another big slice of her cake. “She’s probably really big now. Last time I saw her, she was only around three or four.”
Donghae snorts. “Of course she’s adorable. She’s my niece.”
Her eyes roll good naturedly. “Hug her for me, will you?”
“Will do.”
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it reaches their ears.
“There you are!”
A tall, breathtakingly beautiful, fair-skinned woman with a sweet smile makes her way over to their booth; her lithe form sporting a red trench coat, hiding everything else she’s wearing underneath. Her long, chestnut-colored locks are neat, curled on the ends, framing her angel-like face beautifully.
Donghae brightens up like a mega-watt light bulb at the sight of her. “Sooyoung, this is Im Yoona. Yoong, this is Choi Sooyoung.”
Yoona reaches out hand and giggles. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Same here.” She shoots the lone male a questioning look, noting the word finally, when she’s sure Yoona isn’t looking.
Her attention shifts to Donghae. “I’ll wait for you at our table. Take your time.”
He smiles brightly. “Thanks.”
Sooyoung watches in silence as Yoona leaves, waiting the other female is out of earshot before she speaks again. “Your girlfriend is so much more beautiful in person.”
Donghae looks bewildered. “How’d you know?”
“Facebook, duh.” She makes a face. “You should go join her already.”
“Are you sure?” The dark haired man asks hesitantly. “Will you be fine on your own?”
“Positive.” Sooyoung nods earnestly, chowing on one of the last bits of her chocolate cake. “I don’t think I’ll be staying long.”
“If you’re sure…” He waits for her confirmation, sliding out of the booth and onto his feet when she reassures him. “It’s nice to see you again, Soo.”
The brunette gives him the most genuine smile she can muster. “It’s nice to see you too, oppa.”
Donghae turns, ready to take a step, when he stops and abruptly turns around again to face her. “Soo?”
“Yeah?”
He looks at her for a long moment, like he wants to tell her something, but he shakes his head and just smiles. “See you.”
Sooyoung grins. “See you too.”
He turns and finally leaves; Sooyoung watching as he walks to the table where Yoona is patiently waiting. Donghae drops a kiss on her cheek and Yoona blushes and beams as he slides onto the seat beside her. Sooyoung watches them for a minute longer before she shakes her head, chuckles to herself and goes back to eating.
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it reaches her ears again.
“You’re late.”
“I was just one minute and forty five seconds late.” Kris Wu pouts as he stands off to the side of her table, attempting to fix his dishevelled hair. “I’m sorry.”
“You take things too seriously.” She waves him off, chuckling.
He rolls his eyes. “Ready to go?”
Sooyoung stuffs the last piece of chocolate cake into her mouth, carefully chewing and swallowing before she replies. “Ready.”
Kris moves aside and waits patiently as she gets out of the booth, straightening her clothing and grabbing her purse from where it has been placed. She takes one last look at the table, making sure she hasn’t forgotten anything before her eyes meet Donghae’s from his place in his own table. He is watching them, yet she knows he isn’t merely looking at her, but at her and Kris. She nods once and smiles before she lets Kris lead the way out of the quaint little café.
The sound of a bell ringing as the door gently hits it signals their departure.
Outside, she immediately shivers at the cold breeze and Kris wraps an arm around her shoulders, keeping her close to him as they walk away from the café. Sooyoung relishes in the warmth that he gives, sighing in content as she rests her forehead against the side of his face for a while.
She looks over her shoulder and she sees Donghae still looking at them.
With one last glance and a smile, she looks ahead.
She never looks back again.