Amore (2/2) part II
Title: Amore
Summary: Donghae wonders if Hyukjae can teach him what love is.
Genre: Fluff, fantasy, Rome!AU
Pairing: Hyukjae/Donghae
Rating: PG-15
Length: Two-shot
- - -
Love lay hopelessly on the shore
and slowly begins to accept her fate
when a voice shouts, “Love!
There is space on my boat, ride with me!”
- - -
Cars sped through the road below, people walked along the sidewalk and it all seemed so small from the roof of Hyukjae’s apartment building. Donghae sat on the ledge and hugged his knees, his wings enveloping most of his body. His feathers and blonde locks fluttered slightly in the cold wind.
He sighed and clutched another book he’d borrowed from the library to his chest-another story of love between a man and a woman. It seemed that this was the setting humans were accustomed to and deemed acceptable in their society. Was that why people constantly stare when he and Hyukjae hold hands or join lips in public? Were they not acceptable then?
“I knew you’d be here.”
Donghae turned and almost shrieked at the sight of Hyukjae climbing out of the window and slowly sliding down the roof. “It’s dangerous for you here! Stop, go back inside!”
Hyukjae stopped and raised an eyebrow at him, “Just because you have wings doesn’t mean you can be cocky-” Donghae felt his heart stop when Hyukjae’s foot slipped and in a second, he flew to his side and held him steady.
“Well, that was close.” Hyukjae laughed sheepishly and looked down at the ground a few stories below, “I would’ve been a goner.”
Donghae pinched his nose and scolded him, but took him in his arms nonetheless and flew to a wide enough ledge. He sat with Hyukjae between his legs and secured a tight hold on his waist before enveloping them in the warmth of his wings.
“I would get mad at you for making me look like the small spoon but,” Hyukjae snuggled into the warmth, “this is nice.”
They watched in comfortable silence as the lights of Rome slowly came to life in the growing darkness. Donghae buried his nose in Hyukjae’s nape and sighed. Lady Valentine may have given him this body, but inside, Donghae was just like the rest of his kind, just like his sisters. He could never feel the same attraction he has to Hyukjae with any other person, much less a female. Even the thought of it made him shudder.
But certainly, that was not Hyukjae’s case.
He had a chance at a normal life, one that was acceptable in their society. And he still had that chance; Donghae could still give him that. Because once the day of Valentine arrives…
“May I ask you a question?”
“You just did, Donghae.”
“Oh,” He seemed downcast and Hyukjae chuckled.
“You can ask me another one if you’d like.”
“Oh,” Donghae brightened and cleared his throat, shifting slightly. “Do you enjoy being with me?”
“Of course.”
“Oh.” He blinked, “It does not make you uncomfortable to be seen with me?”
“I don’t know if you’ve ever looked at a mirror, Donghae, but you’re a pretty good accessory on the arm, if you ask me.”
“Your words confuse me.”
Hyukjae rolled his eyes, “No, I’m not uncomfortable.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.” He wrinkled his nose and blew a feather away from his face, “just keep your wings in check, will you?”
“But, Hyukjae, we’re both…”
“Guys?” He felt Donghae nod soundlessly and sighed, “You’ve been reading those books again, haven’t you? This makes me miss your photography phase.”
“But Hyukjae…”
“Look, if it’s about what other people think of us,” He shifted so he could turn around and press a soft kiss on Donghae’s lips, “I’m too occupied with my feelings for you to care about something like that.”
“You speak as if it is something insignificant.”
“It is.”
“Then what are these feelings you have for me?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Hyukjae turned around and repositioned himself against his chest and from that angle, Donghae could see the lights of Rome dance against Hyukjae’s smile.
“But it’s something amazing, I can tell.”
- - -
They were at the coliseum again. Hyukjae had miraculously been given another afternoon off and he decided to spend it going around Rome with Donghae. He was easily amused and amazed, so his company was refreshing, to say the least.
They held hands, walking along the giant structure when Donghae suddenly stopped and Hyukjae nearly toppled back because of their connected hands.
“Donghae!” he scolded and sighed in exasperation at the familiar look of wonder on his boyfriend’s face. He followed his gaze to an old couple riding a carriage that rode around the coliseum.
The old man was helping his wife up, and she smiled sweetly in return. They looked so happy together despite their old age.
“I’ve forgotten how time takes it toll on humans.”
He looked at Donghae who still had his eyes trained on the couple as they rode off. “Yes, growing old is inevitable.”
“Does it scare you?” The hold on his hand tightened.
“No.” Hyukjae gave him a reassuring smile, “But what does scare me is growing old without someone to grow old with me.”
Donghae watched his smile turn almost sad and at that moment, all he wanted was to be the person Hyukjae grew old with. To be the one he would smile with until his face was more wrinkle than smooth, the one who would help him walk straight when his back hurt.
But with his current state, and especially with the fast approach of the Day of Valentine…
It was impossible.
And somehow, the thought of Hyukjae growing old with someone else made Donghae feel like a thousand knives were piercing his heart all at the same time.
- - -
Love ran desperately toward the voice,
Waves crash against her
as two strong arms pull her in.
Exhausted, she collapses on the boat,
finally rowing to safety.
- - -
Donghae’s random bouts of anxiety grew worse as the week passed and though Hyukjae knew that his boyfriend was the type to get clingy, he didn’t expect it to escalate to the point that Donghae would sit in front of his bathroom door and wait for him to finish his shower.
Hyukjae scolded him out of embarrassment due to his state of undress but was weak against the kicked puppy look the brunette always managed to pull off. He was quick to open his arms in defeat and fell back from the force of Donghae’s tackle, landing on his carpeted floor with an oof! and an armful of Donghae. Those were the times Hyukjae wondered if he got an angel or a puppy for a boyfriend. He figured he didn’t really mind either.
That night, however, he couldn’t shake off this weird feeling he had in his stomach. Was he nervous? That would be absurd, given the fact that Hyukjae had already asked Donghae out on dates before and had only ever felt a slight twinge of nervousness-and that was on the first night they met. Hyukjae tried to shake off the weird feeling, justifying it with uneasiness in taking their relationship to the next level.
“Hyukjae!”
He looked up from putting his keys in his front door to Donghae yelling his name across the hall. A part of him expected the ruthless tackle to the ground.
What he didn’t expect was the unusual glint in Donghae’s eyes and most of all, the words that came after.
“You did not tell me humans make love! Quick, teach me how!”
- - -
“It’s those books you keep reading, isn’t it?”
For almost an hour, Hyukjae paced around his room and tried to ignore the scowl on Donghae’s face, as well as the fact that he lay sprawled on his bed, waiting for Hyukjae to teach him about making love.
That was quite possibly one of the most innocent sort of kinky fantasies he’d had about Donghae and it was useless to deny how much Hyukjae has been wanting to own him that way. But Hyukjae was a man of principle-at least he liked to think so.
“Look, Donghae,” He exhaled deeply, “it’s not as simple as you think.”
“Then make it simple for me,” Donghae whined into a pillow and Hyukjae frowned at the desperation in his voice. He had always been patient whenever he was confused or wanted to learn about a human custom. In fact, he’d never whined before and for some reason, the sound went straight to Hyukjae’s groin.
He composed himself before finally joining Donghae on the bed.
“Hyukjae, please, please, please.” He wrapped arms around his stomach and snuggled to his side, “I will be good and listen to what you say.”
Oh, sweet baby Jesus.
Hyukjae fought back a blush and unwrapped Donghae’s arms around his waist, pulling them up to circle his neck instead. He quickly complied and buried his face into his shoulder. Hyukjae frowned at the tremble in Donghae’s movements.
What are you not telling me?
“There are steps.” He took a deep breath, “I cannot teach you all of them tonight, but there is one I’ve been meaning to do with you for a while now.”
Out of embarrassment, he did not let Donghae speak and quickly latched his mouth onto his. It was a kiss Donghae had grown used to, and he eagerly kissed back until Hyukjae began licking his lower lip. He froze, unsure of what to do, until hands started roaming his body in a way that made Donghae open his mouth in a silent moan. Hyukjae’s tongue met and lapped around his, and suddenly, Donghae felt the room begin to get very very warm.
Hyukjae pushed him back to lie gently on the bed, their lips still connected and his tongue roaming the corners of Donghae’s mouth. He supported his weight with his elbows and almost felt himself go over the edge as soft hands started raking through his hair. When Donghae’s breathing turned shallow, his lips travelled to a spot under his jaw and started nipping at the skin.
“H-hyuk…”
Why does this feel like goodbye?
“I want to see you,” he detached his lips from Donghae’s neck and hovered over him, “the real you.”
Donghae felt himself burn to the tip of his ears, “close your eyes.”
Hyukjae complied and felt the familiar warmth of wings tickle his back.
“You can open them now…”
It took a half a second before he devoured his lips in another searing kiss. “God, you look sexy in blonde.” He mumbled against Donghae’s open mouth. Their hands roamed each other, and it did not take long before Hyukjae began caressing the feathers on his wings.
Donghae squirmed beneath him and slowly, Hyukjae felt his self-control slip so he sat up, taking in the image of him panting with cheeks flushed and lips swollen.
“Making love,” He said breathlessly, “is something very special to us. Only between two people who love each other, truly love each other…”
Donghae’s heart pounded painfully against his chest, “Do you love me?”
Hyukjae brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes, memorizing every line, every smooth surface of his face because that weird feeling in his stomach was back and it scared him.
“Day by day,” He forced a smile that slowly became genuine, “I’m running out of reasons not to.”
- - -
Love wakes up on the shore of another island.
She looks around and sees a boat, but no one by it.
She sees Knowledge pass and asks,
“Knowledge, please tell me who owns this boat.
I would like to thank him for saving my life!”
- - -
“Are you certain this is what you wish for?”
He stood strong before her. He imagined it a thousand times in his head, replayed it like a mantra that kept him going all these years, the day he would finally stand before Lady Valentine without a broken heart.
‘Tomorrow is a very special day for lovers, Donghae.’
He could now recall all the past lives he’d been given, all his failed missions. She had returned them to him to keep as a reminder of his past and the value of his present.
‘Will you spend it with me?’
“Yes.”
Whispers filled the holding room, some disgusted, others genuinely intrigued. Many had come to witness the only male angel’s Grant and the uproar at his wish only gathered more. They gossiped amongst themselves about how he had not erased his human’s memories come the Day of Valentine, and about his wish. No one dared ask for a wish of that nature and all eyes stared expectantly at their Mother, waiting for her course of action.
‘Don’t cry. Why are you crying, Donghae?’
The Lady sat with poise, her face betraying any emotion. She gazed at her little one, the one she’d cradled to her chest and stitched back the damage on his heart. Now, he stood before her with conviction and briefly, she figured she brought this upon herself.
“It is a difficult path. It will be painful.”
“I understand.”
“It will take time.”
He flinched but expected as much. The human world ran differently, a contrast from theirs that stood frozen in their immortality. He imagined the
fountain, its water that rushed continuously and the person who sat by it.
‘I will wait for you. No matter how long, I’ll wait.’
“I understand.”
Lady Valentine smiled, a little sad, a little happy.
“Then so be it.”
- - -
3 years later
The streets were filled with stores that sold roses, couples who snuggled into each other’s warmth and heart-shaped balloons that danced in the wind. It was that time of year again that had the ladies giggling into their hands and men shifting on their feet.
Amidst the couples that clung to each other on the streets walked an old man on his way to his restaurant on the corner. He scoffed at the spirit of the youth these days when he spotted someone familiar sitting by the Fontana Di Trevi.
He was a good kid, he’d know because he was his employee for quite a while. The best waiter he’d had so far-the old man was not afraid to admit he was slightly saddened when the young man filed for his resignation about two years ago. But he recently heard that he’d been doing well at this travel agency he worked for and was slowly climbing up the ranks, so he could not help but feel happy for him.
Every year, the old man would see him wait by the fountain on Valentines’ Day and stay there until the very last bit of gelato in his hand melted out of the cone.
He was about to approach Hyukjae when a person with wide brown eyes he could recognize a mile away, reached him first.
Of course.
The old man smiled at the tearful reunion and walked away, somehow convinced that those two were going to be together until they were as old as he was.
- - -
Knowledge smiles and answers,
“There is only one who
understands the true value of love.”
“That is Time.” - - ♦
A/N: This is based on my life story.
Kidding.
(I sort of hate how it turned out, but idk yay i'm done)