aeri_iijiri
For: aeri_iijiri
Title: Mistletoe
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Donghae
Category: Fluff, Romance, Slight angst
Summary: Christmas, when they were 13, and Christmas, when they are 20.
It seemed to Eunhyuk that he had just celebrated his 13th birthday in April, and in a blink of an eye, it was time to celebrate Christmas again.
“Merry, merry Christmas,” The Santa Claus that was hired just for this party passed by Eunhyuk, and Eunhyuk could almost hear the weariness in his whispery, silver voice. Eunhyuk nodded his acknowledgement back politely, but his mind continued to drift into his world of fantasies, where perhaps he might meet some hot girl sometime into this party and get a girlfriend to show off to his fellow friends.
It was impossible, Eunhyuk knew. None of the girls in his class fancied him yet and he was dubbed as the one who looked like a monkey. Seriously, who would want to date a monkey, Eunhyuk silently questioned himself. It was difficult to pretend that he enjoyed this whole party when he knew it was not going to be fun, anymore. Junsu wasn’t here; he had something troubling him at the moment and couldn’t make it for this party. With his best friend somewhere out there, it didn’t seem to Eunhyuk that he could enjoy much, anyway.
Perhaps the snow outside would make this seem better, and time would fly by so fast that it would soon be time to go home, Eunhyuk thought. Sighing and pulling his beanie slightly over his eyes, he made his way out of the house, into the garden that was filled with soft, white snow. No one would exactly miss him on a day like that, where everyone was trying their best and all too eager to impress someone inside that almost too stuffy, hot room.
Eunhyuk settled down on a fallen log, and drew his knees up to his chin. Rocking back and forth quietly, he observed his surroundings, raising his eyes at the vast area the garden occupied. Actually, he didn’t really know the owner, or the host of this party, in the very first place. He had just tagged along with some other friends, and found himself abandoned, now. He silently berated himself, biting his lips in a harsh gesture.
“Bored?”
Eunhyuk immediately whipped his head around to face the intruder, and he spotted a scrawny, uncomfortable teenager leaning against the door frame, staring right back at him. He met the other’s gaze evenly, and none of them flinched.
The other guy strode into the garden easily, as if he was all-so-familiar with this place, tracing uneven stone edges on top of the garden walls. He acted as if he was at one with this garden, even with Eunhyuk’s gaze slowly but steadily following his body as he walked towards Eunhyuk. Eunhyuk frowned, wondering what exactly the other wanted from him.
He stopped right in front of Eunhyuk, and his stare bored right into Eunhyuk’s eyes.
“I’m bored too.”
Eunhyuk let out his breath in a huff, his mouth curving upwards into a smirk.
“That’s none of my business.” Eunhyuk replied, his eyes finding purchase on a snow flake making its way down to the snow-covered grass lawn. His mind immediately connected the dots, and that guy in front of him was in the same school as him, Eunhyuk remembered seeing him vaguely. Eunhyuk grunted aloud, wasn’t this guy supposed to be one of the most popular guys in school? Girls in that room should be clamouring to meet him, instead of having him bored, over here.
The other hummed a little, surprised at the abrupt and short answer Eunhyuk had given. He raised his eyes up to a particular spot on the tree Eunhyuk was sitting under, and his mouth was tugged into a grin.
“Mistletoe...” He mused, so quietly that Eunhyuk almost didn’t catch it. Eunhyuk stuck his tongue into his left cheek, raising his head as well to take a closer look. He never knew that mistletoe grew on trees like this, and it was fascinating, to see mistletoe fine-and-growing, instead of considering it as it hangs on some front door looking all very merry by itself celebrating Christma-
It took a second for Eunhyuk’s brain to register what the other was doing to him.
“What the hell was that?” Eunhyuk’s hand automatically jutted out, pushing the other away from him immediately. He quickly raised a hand to draw it across his lips, trying to wipe away the taste of the other’s lips.
Urgh, Eunhyuk thought to himself. What the hell, seriously. A guy stealing his first kiss, damn it. And to think that he always wanted some cool chick to get it from him, instead of it having stolen from him. Oh god, what a merry, merry Christmas this was. His fingers lingered slightly longer on his lips though, and Eunhyuk found himself recalling that scene again. Unexpected, shocking, yet wonderf-
Oh damn it, Eunhyuk shook his head hard to clear his own mind. He glared at the figure now lying in the snow, confused eyes looking back at him. Oh god, what are those eyes doing to him? The other kissed him first, and now he was looking all-so-innocent as if Eunhyuk had taken the first move instead. Rolling his eyes and trying to keep his temper in check (although he didn’t exactly know why he needed to keep his temper in check), he pointed a finger with all the authority he could muster at the other.
The other just looked at him confusedly, and raised his own hand to grab that finger. Oh for the love of god, that’s not meant to help you up, Eunhyuk managed to grind out before he found himself face-down, lying on the snow bed. What’s happening to me, Eunhyuk gave a silent scream before proceeding to roll himself face up, decidedly ignoring the other boy.
“Mistletoe? Christmas tradition?” Seeing no response from Eunhyuk, he continued.
“You are supposed to kiss someone when they are under the mistletoe-“
“Yes! But it involves a guy kissing a girl! And do I look like a girl damn it?” Eunhyuk shouted with all his might.
“Well...I could offer to be the girl...”
“No girl takes the initiative!” Eunhyuk argued back, and he quickly rubbed his hands later. Urgh, that’s not the point, Eunhyuk thought to himself.
“I was supposed to give my first kiss to a girl!” Eunhyuk managed to get out, finding himself temporarily lost for words.
“Well I wanted to give mine to you.” The other stated in a matter-of-fact way, shrugging his shoulder slightly, making an impression on the snow.
Eunhyuk turned to face the other, his face wearing an incredulous look.
“What the he-“
“You are not supposed to curse so much on Christmas Day.” The other slipped out easily, before turning around to get Eunhyuk to remain quiet. Obstinately, he held Eunhyuk’s gaze for a long time before leaning in slightly to give another chaste kiss.
“What the-“
“You’re still under the mistletoe.”
“F-“
“I’m Donghae.”
“....Eunhyuk.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you.”
Eunhyuk just stared at Donghae, completely stunned. “Do you have a slight mental problem?” Eunhyuk grounded out, his anger fading away in ebbs.
“You’re interesting.”
“...You are not answering my question.”
“Isn’t it meant to be rhetorical?”
Eunhyuk found himself speechless, and he quickly drew back the forefinger that he had been pointing at Donghae again.
“Can I do that again?”
“What? No! Unless we are attached-“
“Can we be attached?” Eunhyuk stared at the other, finding this sudden urge to clutch his head and knock himself against the nearest hard vertical surface. Horizontal would do too.
“Is that a nod?” Donghae smiled, his tone lifting.
“I liked you. Always did.” Donghae shrugged slightly as the words came out jumbled, all in a mess as he rushed through them. There was this inexplicable jolt that rushed through Eunhyuk’s body, but he could not place a finger on that emotion. It was a little warm, fuzzy, yet it was screaming ‘dangerous!’ at him all the while.
“Donghae what makes you think I like you too-“
“Instinct.” Donghae smiled at Eunhyuk, and Eunhyuk found his thoughts deserting him in an instant.
“...What exactly is your problem?”
“Don’t deny it; it’s undeniable.” Donghae adopted a professional British accent, nudging Eunhyuk in his ribs.
Eunhyuk felt his mouth curling up into a smile, and he quickly gathered a snowball to stuff it right at Donghae’s chest, his elation knowing no bounds as he saw that shocked and priceless expression the other wore. And a snowball ensued, escalating hurriedly into a full-scaled snowball fight.
Anybody looking out of the window at that time could possibly be the witnesses of how their relationship started.
And ended, when Donghae suddenly disappeared, three months after that.
/////
It’s that time of the year again and Eunhyuk finds himself spending it alone in the dormitory. College has been such a chore and he is swamped by the work load he is supposed to finish by the end of the holidays. He doesn’t even have a reason to look forward to celebrating Christmas anymore; it just means the dawn of a new year which indirectly signifies that he is growing older soon.
The dormitory is quiet, save for the gentle breathing sounds Eunhyuk is emitting (so he knows that he is alive), and for the ironically contrasting merry Christmas songs playing in the background. There is Christmas decor all over the main hall, where Eunhyuk is currently in, trying to figure out what his life would be if he hasn’t gone to college and perhaps tried for some entertainment company audition and got in.
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas- the song hums in the background, and Eunhyuk finds himself scrunching up his brows in disbelief. It’s surprising how lyrics can subtly brainwash you at times, but Eunhyuk is resistant to such indoctrination, preferring to maintain his current mindset that Christmas is lonely, and boring.
He slams his book close in frustration as he realises that he cannot get those words out of his mind, and he concludes that holidays do suck, for bringing up the past which he doesn’t really want any reminder of. He hurriedly walks over to the window, silently admiring the snow scene outside. Even though it’s Christmas, the snow makes it a little better than before.
The door opens quietly; that it doesn’t catch Eunhyuk’s attention nor suspicion immediately. (Who will visit the dorms when everyone should be spending it with their family instead?) Someone steals into the main hall noiselessly, bringing himself in front of the huge Christmas tree placed in the middle of nowhere (according to Eunhyuk’s opinions), and stares at it wordlessly.
Eunhyuk gives a small sigh, and his shoulders slump just a little; he finally gets to relax and bear no more extra burdens that he has been getting since school started. He spots something reflecting against the coloured window panes due to a slight movement of one of the ornament balls hung on the trees (a waste of money, Eunhyuk thinks), and another small squeak on the floor confirms his suspicions.
He wheels around in the next split second, and his breath catches as his mind connects the thought processes in his brain. However, he refuses to give the intruder the fuzzy feeling of happiness by showing his surprise or shock at the other’s presence. Adopting a nonchalant expression, he stonily turns back to the window, tracing random images on the frosted glass pane.
The stranger sighs, almost imperceptibly, but Eunhyuk’s sharp ears manage to catch that sound before it fades into oblivion. His defences are up before he knows it; and he whirls around so abruptly his shoes make a harsh grating sound against the polished granite floor. He tries to take another step towards the other, but finds himself rooted to the spot, the emotions from previous years rushing up in this very instant.
Eunhyuk fumbles for a word to say (What does one start a conversation after being disappointed by the other for years, repeatedly, again and again?), and all thought processes desert his mind instantaneously. He settles for biting his lower lip and raising a finger to direct his anger at the intruder, his breath coming out in a rush.
“The first thing you do after 7 years is to sigh at me?” Eunhyuk rushes out, trying to keep his quivering lip from shaking, and his fist from clenching at his sides, desperately trying to salvage whatever pride he has left, at this moment. It’s almost impossible, and Eunhyuk’s will is almost bending over in a matter of extreme longing, but the shock of seeing someone he has expected to see some time ago strikes him at his very core, and his legs remain immobile.
Eunhyuk feels like that petulant child all over again, pouting and jutting his lower lip in a childish display. He tries to keep his image intact, as a mature thinking individual, but it’s failing so badly as the emotions gush over his mind continuously.
Homework. Responsibilities. Relationships. Breakups. Burdens. Fightings. Scoldings. He has been through so much all by himself, constantly wishing for someone to be beside him, to get through this pile of mess with him, and always hoping for him to appear again. The room is absolutely silent, except for Eunhyuk’s harsh breathing as he tries to calm himself down.
Eunhyuk realises too late, that he has voiced his last thoughts as he sees that surprise flash across the other’s eyes. As that all-too-familiar smile stretches across the other’s features, Eunhyuk inwardly curses himself for being too reliant on the other.
“So you waited for 7 years?” The latter asks, the joy and smugness undeniably in that lilting tone and grin on his face.
Damn it and what’s his problem, Eunhyuk curses mentally, and his eyes turn into slits as he glares furiously at the step the other has taken towards him. His mind screams at the other to stop immediately, but somehow his mouth refuses to obey his brain, in a sudden act of defiance. It’s getting harder to carry out rational acts now when his heart starts over-ruling his brain in every single thing he considers.
The other stops abruptly directly in front of him and the two figures in the room stare at each other, eye contact never breaking once. It feels as if the air has stilled, just for this moment between the two of them. So still, Eunhyuk thinks to himself, as if the air he breaths out gently can just reach the other so easily. And vice versa.
And he’s finally here.
That is all it takes for Eunhyuk to curl his outstretched finger into a fist and land it lightly on the other’s chest, releasing the breath he doesn’t know he has been holding severely as he glances down at the floor. His mind slowly registers that he is enveloped by the other’s arms into a crushing hug.
Donghae, donghae, Eunhyuk repeats continuously, murmuring and crying at the same time, although he doesn’t really know what and why he is crying for. He just knows that his tears are wetting some random part of Donghae’s shirt, not that Donghae minds; it is his fault in the first place for making Eunhyuk cry.
But grown-ups don’t cry anymore, Eunhyuk reminds himself, and he quietens his sobs to just sniffles, and dries his tears on the back of his hand, although he tries to keep both hands around Donghae. It has been some time since Donghae left, and there’s this inexplicable and indescribable feeling bubbling within Eunhyuk.
Reunion, that’s the only word Eunhyuk’s incoherent brain can choke up at this very moment, before it sinks into an incomprehensible pile of mess.
Donghae pulls back gently and wipes away the remnants of tear tracks still evident on Eunhyuk’s face, smiling as he does so. Ruffling Eunhyuk’s fringe, he leans in slightly to get a closer look at Eunhyuk, who frowns in response.
“What?” Donghae states, raising his eyebrows as the frown refuses to budge from Eunhyuk’s eyebrows.
“No mistletoe this time?” Eunhyuk scowls slightly as he teases, watching Donghae’s bewildered expression turn into a thoughtful one.
“....No.” Donghae completes, and he leans in to finish the gesture he did 7 years ago.
Title: Mistletoe
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Donghae
Category: Fluff, Romance, Slight angst
Summary: Christmas, when they were 13, and Christmas, when they are 20.
It seemed to Eunhyuk that he had just celebrated his 13th birthday in April, and in a blink of an eye, it was time to celebrate Christmas again.
“Merry, merry Christmas,” The Santa Claus that was hired just for this party passed by Eunhyuk, and Eunhyuk could almost hear the weariness in his whispery, silver voice. Eunhyuk nodded his acknowledgement back politely, but his mind continued to drift into his world of fantasies, where perhaps he might meet some hot girl sometime into this party and get a girlfriend to show off to his fellow friends.
It was impossible, Eunhyuk knew. None of the girls in his class fancied him yet and he was dubbed as the one who looked like a monkey. Seriously, who would want to date a monkey, Eunhyuk silently questioned himself. It was difficult to pretend that he enjoyed this whole party when he knew it was not going to be fun, anymore. Junsu wasn’t here; he had something troubling him at the moment and couldn’t make it for this party. With his best friend somewhere out there, it didn’t seem to Eunhyuk that he could enjoy much, anyway.
Perhaps the snow outside would make this seem better, and time would fly by so fast that it would soon be time to go home, Eunhyuk thought. Sighing and pulling his beanie slightly over his eyes, he made his way out of the house, into the garden that was filled with soft, white snow. No one would exactly miss him on a day like that, where everyone was trying their best and all too eager to impress someone inside that almost too stuffy, hot room.
Eunhyuk settled down on a fallen log, and drew his knees up to his chin. Rocking back and forth quietly, he observed his surroundings, raising his eyes at the vast area the garden occupied. Actually, he didn’t really know the owner, or the host of this party, in the very first place. He had just tagged along with some other friends, and found himself abandoned, now. He silently berated himself, biting his lips in a harsh gesture.
“Bored?”
Eunhyuk immediately whipped his head around to face the intruder, and he spotted a scrawny, uncomfortable teenager leaning against the door frame, staring right back at him. He met the other’s gaze evenly, and none of them flinched.
The other guy strode into the garden easily, as if he was all-so-familiar with this place, tracing uneven stone edges on top of the garden walls. He acted as if he was at one with this garden, even with Eunhyuk’s gaze slowly but steadily following his body as he walked towards Eunhyuk. Eunhyuk frowned, wondering what exactly the other wanted from him.
He stopped right in front of Eunhyuk, and his stare bored right into Eunhyuk’s eyes.
“I’m bored too.”
Eunhyuk let out his breath in a huff, his mouth curving upwards into a smirk.
“That’s none of my business.” Eunhyuk replied, his eyes finding purchase on a snow flake making its way down to the snow-covered grass lawn. His mind immediately connected the dots, and that guy in front of him was in the same school as him, Eunhyuk remembered seeing him vaguely. Eunhyuk grunted aloud, wasn’t this guy supposed to be one of the most popular guys in school? Girls in that room should be clamouring to meet him, instead of having him bored, over here.
The other hummed a little, surprised at the abrupt and short answer Eunhyuk had given. He raised his eyes up to a particular spot on the tree Eunhyuk was sitting under, and his mouth was tugged into a grin.
“Mistletoe...” He mused, so quietly that Eunhyuk almost didn’t catch it. Eunhyuk stuck his tongue into his left cheek, raising his head as well to take a closer look. He never knew that mistletoe grew on trees like this, and it was fascinating, to see mistletoe fine-and-growing, instead of considering it as it hangs on some front door looking all very merry by itself celebrating Christma-
It took a second for Eunhyuk’s brain to register what the other was doing to him.
“What the hell was that?” Eunhyuk’s hand automatically jutted out, pushing the other away from him immediately. He quickly raised a hand to draw it across his lips, trying to wipe away the taste of the other’s lips.
Urgh, Eunhyuk thought to himself. What the hell, seriously. A guy stealing his first kiss, damn it. And to think that he always wanted some cool chick to get it from him, instead of it having stolen from him. Oh god, what a merry, merry Christmas this was. His fingers lingered slightly longer on his lips though, and Eunhyuk found himself recalling that scene again. Unexpected, shocking, yet wonderf-
Oh damn it, Eunhyuk shook his head hard to clear his own mind. He glared at the figure now lying in the snow, confused eyes looking back at him. Oh god, what are those eyes doing to him? The other kissed him first, and now he was looking all-so-innocent as if Eunhyuk had taken the first move instead. Rolling his eyes and trying to keep his temper in check (although he didn’t exactly know why he needed to keep his temper in check), he pointed a finger with all the authority he could muster at the other.
The other just looked at him confusedly, and raised his own hand to grab that finger. Oh for the love of god, that’s not meant to help you up, Eunhyuk managed to grind out before he found himself face-down, lying on the snow bed. What’s happening to me, Eunhyuk gave a silent scream before proceeding to roll himself face up, decidedly ignoring the other boy.
“Mistletoe? Christmas tradition?” Seeing no response from Eunhyuk, he continued.
“You are supposed to kiss someone when they are under the mistletoe-“
“Yes! But it involves a guy kissing a girl! And do I look like a girl damn it?” Eunhyuk shouted with all his might.
“Well...I could offer to be the girl...”
“No girl takes the initiative!” Eunhyuk argued back, and he quickly rubbed his hands later. Urgh, that’s not the point, Eunhyuk thought to himself.
“I was supposed to give my first kiss to a girl!” Eunhyuk managed to get out, finding himself temporarily lost for words.
“Well I wanted to give mine to you.” The other stated in a matter-of-fact way, shrugging his shoulder slightly, making an impression on the snow.
Eunhyuk turned to face the other, his face wearing an incredulous look.
“What the he-“
“You are not supposed to curse so much on Christmas Day.” The other slipped out easily, before turning around to get Eunhyuk to remain quiet. Obstinately, he held Eunhyuk’s gaze for a long time before leaning in slightly to give another chaste kiss.
“What the-“
“You’re still under the mistletoe.”
“F-“
“I’m Donghae.”
“....Eunhyuk.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you.”
Eunhyuk just stared at Donghae, completely stunned. “Do you have a slight mental problem?” Eunhyuk grounded out, his anger fading away in ebbs.
“You’re interesting.”
“...You are not answering my question.”
“Isn’t it meant to be rhetorical?”
Eunhyuk found himself speechless, and he quickly drew back the forefinger that he had been pointing at Donghae again.
“Can I do that again?”
“What? No! Unless we are attached-“
“Can we be attached?” Eunhyuk stared at the other, finding this sudden urge to clutch his head and knock himself against the nearest hard vertical surface. Horizontal would do too.
“Is that a nod?” Donghae smiled, his tone lifting.
“I liked you. Always did.” Donghae shrugged slightly as the words came out jumbled, all in a mess as he rushed through them. There was this inexplicable jolt that rushed through Eunhyuk’s body, but he could not place a finger on that emotion. It was a little warm, fuzzy, yet it was screaming ‘dangerous!’ at him all the while.
“Donghae what makes you think I like you too-“
“Instinct.” Donghae smiled at Eunhyuk, and Eunhyuk found his thoughts deserting him in an instant.
“...What exactly is your problem?”
“Don’t deny it; it’s undeniable.” Donghae adopted a professional British accent, nudging Eunhyuk in his ribs.
Eunhyuk felt his mouth curling up into a smile, and he quickly gathered a snowball to stuff it right at Donghae’s chest, his elation knowing no bounds as he saw that shocked and priceless expression the other wore. And a snowball ensued, escalating hurriedly into a full-scaled snowball fight.
Anybody looking out of the window at that time could possibly be the witnesses of how their relationship started.
And ended, when Donghae suddenly disappeared, three months after that.
/////
It’s that time of the year again and Eunhyuk finds himself spending it alone in the dormitory. College has been such a chore and he is swamped by the work load he is supposed to finish by the end of the holidays. He doesn’t even have a reason to look forward to celebrating Christmas anymore; it just means the dawn of a new year which indirectly signifies that he is growing older soon.
The dormitory is quiet, save for the gentle breathing sounds Eunhyuk is emitting (so he knows that he is alive), and for the ironically contrasting merry Christmas songs playing in the background. There is Christmas decor all over the main hall, where Eunhyuk is currently in, trying to figure out what his life would be if he hasn’t gone to college and perhaps tried for some entertainment company audition and got in.
Have yourself a Merry little Christmas- the song hums in the background, and Eunhyuk finds himself scrunching up his brows in disbelief. It’s surprising how lyrics can subtly brainwash you at times, but Eunhyuk is resistant to such indoctrination, preferring to maintain his current mindset that Christmas is lonely, and boring.
He slams his book close in frustration as he realises that he cannot get those words out of his mind, and he concludes that holidays do suck, for bringing up the past which he doesn’t really want any reminder of. He hurriedly walks over to the window, silently admiring the snow scene outside. Even though it’s Christmas, the snow makes it a little better than before.
The door opens quietly; that it doesn’t catch Eunhyuk’s attention nor suspicion immediately. (Who will visit the dorms when everyone should be spending it with their family instead?) Someone steals into the main hall noiselessly, bringing himself in front of the huge Christmas tree placed in the middle of nowhere (according to Eunhyuk’s opinions), and stares at it wordlessly.
Eunhyuk gives a small sigh, and his shoulders slump just a little; he finally gets to relax and bear no more extra burdens that he has been getting since school started. He spots something reflecting against the coloured window panes due to a slight movement of one of the ornament balls hung on the trees (a waste of money, Eunhyuk thinks), and another small squeak on the floor confirms his suspicions.
He wheels around in the next split second, and his breath catches as his mind connects the thought processes in his brain. However, he refuses to give the intruder the fuzzy feeling of happiness by showing his surprise or shock at the other’s presence. Adopting a nonchalant expression, he stonily turns back to the window, tracing random images on the frosted glass pane.
The stranger sighs, almost imperceptibly, but Eunhyuk’s sharp ears manage to catch that sound before it fades into oblivion. His defences are up before he knows it; and he whirls around so abruptly his shoes make a harsh grating sound against the polished granite floor. He tries to take another step towards the other, but finds himself rooted to the spot, the emotions from previous years rushing up in this very instant.
Eunhyuk fumbles for a word to say (What does one start a conversation after being disappointed by the other for years, repeatedly, again and again?), and all thought processes desert his mind instantaneously. He settles for biting his lower lip and raising a finger to direct his anger at the intruder, his breath coming out in a rush.
“The first thing you do after 7 years is to sigh at me?” Eunhyuk rushes out, trying to keep his quivering lip from shaking, and his fist from clenching at his sides, desperately trying to salvage whatever pride he has left, at this moment. It’s almost impossible, and Eunhyuk’s will is almost bending over in a matter of extreme longing, but the shock of seeing someone he has expected to see some time ago strikes him at his very core, and his legs remain immobile.
Eunhyuk feels like that petulant child all over again, pouting and jutting his lower lip in a childish display. He tries to keep his image intact, as a mature thinking individual, but it’s failing so badly as the emotions gush over his mind continuously.
Homework. Responsibilities. Relationships. Breakups. Burdens. Fightings. Scoldings. He has been through so much all by himself, constantly wishing for someone to be beside him, to get through this pile of mess with him, and always hoping for him to appear again. The room is absolutely silent, except for Eunhyuk’s harsh breathing as he tries to calm himself down.
Eunhyuk realises too late, that he has voiced his last thoughts as he sees that surprise flash across the other’s eyes. As that all-too-familiar smile stretches across the other’s features, Eunhyuk inwardly curses himself for being too reliant on the other.
“So you waited for 7 years?” The latter asks, the joy and smugness undeniably in that lilting tone and grin on his face.
Damn it and what’s his problem, Eunhyuk curses mentally, and his eyes turn into slits as he glares furiously at the step the other has taken towards him. His mind screams at the other to stop immediately, but somehow his mouth refuses to obey his brain, in a sudden act of defiance. It’s getting harder to carry out rational acts now when his heart starts over-ruling his brain in every single thing he considers.
The other stops abruptly directly in front of him and the two figures in the room stare at each other, eye contact never breaking once. It feels as if the air has stilled, just for this moment between the two of them. So still, Eunhyuk thinks to himself, as if the air he breaths out gently can just reach the other so easily. And vice versa.
And he’s finally here.
That is all it takes for Eunhyuk to curl his outstretched finger into a fist and land it lightly on the other’s chest, releasing the breath he doesn’t know he has been holding severely as he glances down at the floor. His mind slowly registers that he is enveloped by the other’s arms into a crushing hug.
Donghae, donghae, Eunhyuk repeats continuously, murmuring and crying at the same time, although he doesn’t really know what and why he is crying for. He just knows that his tears are wetting some random part of Donghae’s shirt, not that Donghae minds; it is his fault in the first place for making Eunhyuk cry.
But grown-ups don’t cry anymore, Eunhyuk reminds himself, and he quietens his sobs to just sniffles, and dries his tears on the back of his hand, although he tries to keep both hands around Donghae. It has been some time since Donghae left, and there’s this inexplicable and indescribable feeling bubbling within Eunhyuk.
Reunion, that’s the only word Eunhyuk’s incoherent brain can choke up at this very moment, before it sinks into an incomprehensible pile of mess.
Donghae pulls back gently and wipes away the remnants of tear tracks still evident on Eunhyuk’s face, smiling as he does so. Ruffling Eunhyuk’s fringe, he leans in slightly to get a closer look at Eunhyuk, who frowns in response.
“What?” Donghae states, raising his eyebrows as the frown refuses to budge from Eunhyuk’s eyebrows.
“No mistletoe this time?” Eunhyuk scowls slightly as he teases, watching Donghae’s bewildered expression turn into a thoughtful one.
“....No.” Donghae completes, and he leans in to finish the gesture he did 7 years ago.