There was something different about her. She had always been so cautious around him, skeptical of his every word. But that was the Cha Eun Sang from before; the person walking in front him now was no longer a girl but a woman. She isn't scared of me anymore, I can feel it. He watched the tiny figure that was pulling him ahead. There was conviction in every step she took and he couldn't help but - not smirk, but smile. He smiled because he was undeniably happy. Happy that for once, she was the one that was holding his hand. She really is something. Always surprising me with everything she does. It makes me want to surprise her too. He didn't think there was much he could do to surprise her, so he did the first thing that popped into his mind. He stopped walking. She turned back and looked at him, her eyes filled with surprise and something else, concern.
"Are you okay? We're almost there."
There was so much worry in her voice. Young Do was not used to concern. He had always craved this type of affection, especially from Eun Sang. He wanted so desperately to accept her kindness, but he couldn't. He needed to know why she was treating him this way. What changed? He searched her eyes for an answer, only to find nothing. He felt her hand on his cheek; she was mimicking his actions from earlier. Her hand felt so small and warm on the side of his face, he closed his eyes to fully appreciate the sensation. He wished he could just accept this new Cha Eun Sang without question, but he needed to know what brought this change. He moved his face to the side, leaving her hand hanging in the air.
"Why are you being so nice to me Cha Eun Sang? It's not like we were on good terms when we last spoke." He felt his heart ache as he thought of their last conversation. He looked down at the concrete so that it would be impossible to see his face. He took a second to compose himself. I can't let her see my pain. When he gained his composure, he looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Young Do, would you rather I be mean to you?" She smiled as she said this.
This girl.. She's teasing me at a time like this. He had almost forgotten that she had been holding his hand this whole time. It took all of his will power to let go of her hand. I want to hold your hand, but not like this.
"Ya, Cha Eun Sang. I'm being serious. You can't just show up after three years and act as if nothing happened. As much as it sucks, we have history. You know about my feelings, so please don't play with me like this. Do you remember our last conversation? I cut all ties between us for a reason," He felt a lump forming in his throat, he raised his voice a little to mask the quiver. "Because it hurts me to talk to you..to look at you..to see you with Tan. I've always seen you as a woman, and you will always be a woman to me. I don't do friends." He let out a huge sigh. Wow, that was a mouthful.
He looked at her one last time before he turned around and walked away. He felt as if he were moving against gravity, the pull she had on him was so powerful. He had only taken three steps when he felt a little hand on his shoulder. Her grip was strong and it was obvious that it took all of her strength to pull him back.
"It hurt me too, to cut all ties with you," All the playfulness from earlier had disappeared and it was replaced with a sadness that was equal to his own. "And at that time I didn't understand why. I missed talking to you, eating black bean noodles with you, seeing you at the convenience store. I missed your phone calls. I missed arguing with you. I missed your presence. I was so caught up in my midsummer night's dream, that I never gave myself the chance to let you in. I didn't know how much you meant to me until you were gone, but by the time I realized this it was too late. These past three years have been hell for me. I always felt like a part of me was missing. Running into you tonight made me so happy. I mean, what are the chances of an accidental meeting like this? What are the chances of us going to the same University" Her voice was but a whisper at this point. "Most of all, I was so happy because I thought this would be my chance, my second chance, with you. I understand if you don't want anything to do with me. I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you. More pain is the last thing you deserve."
Her words had always had great effects on him, but never like this. His body became tense and slowly, he started to tremble. He fought hard to fight back the tears that were starting to form. For the second time that night, Cha Eun Sang had left him speechless. All the emotions that he had been fighting to suppress for the past three years came rushing back to him. At this moment, he didn't want to think anymore. He didn't want to think of her reasons for acting this way, about the past, their history, Kim Tan. He knew that once he decided not to think, there would be no turning back. He was going to jump into the ocean that was Cha Eun Sang with both feet when he could barely swim. For once, he let his feelings control him despite his better judgment.
He turned and pulled her into an embrace. It was not the first time he had hugged her, but it was the first time she let him and maybe even enjoyed it. Usually she would either push him away or stand like a statue as he hugged her, but this time she reciprocated. Her arms were around him, pulling him closer. He felt her tears through his shirt. Why does it hurt me so much when you cry? How am I going to let you go now? He felt her move away and he instinctively pulled her back to him.
"Young Do, look at me." Her voice sounded so muffled. Why are you so cute?
He loosened his grip around her and let her move away, the whole time keeping her in his arms. How can I let you go now that you've come to me so willingly? He did what he was instructed and looked at her face. Her eyes looked dewy. He could not think of another word to describe them. They looked so wet..it was obvious that she had been crying. But she did not look sad; on the contrary, she looked happier than he had ever seen her. Do I make you happy? There were dried tears on her cheeks. Your cheeks look so soft. His eyes slowly moved to her lips. So pink. Her lips were not necessarily large but they were luscious nonetheless. She pressed her lips together. I want to kiss you. He told himself that this was most likely an innocent act, not an invitation. Her lips probably felt dry.
Just as he was averting his gaze, he felt hands on both sides of his face. She pulled his face towards hers.
"Cha Eun Sang, what do you think you're doing?"
"Shhh" she whispered against his lips.
Before he knew it, their lips were crashing together like the waves of the ocean. He felt her hands slide up to his neck and eventually his hair. The only person I'd ever let mess up my hair. The thought made him smile briefly before deepening their kiss. In this moment, things like air seemed irrelevant compared to Cha Eun Sang. So this is what it's like..to kiss Cha Eun Sang.
But of course, there were only human and they needed oxygen to survive. They let in a deep breath of much needed air. He felt her heart racing against his chest. Am I really that good of a kisser?
"What's with that smirk?
He hadn't realized he'd been smirking. I need to smirk less, he noted.
"Hey! You have to tell me!"
She looked so desperate to know his thoughts that he couldn't help but laugh. Sometimes she reminded him of a little cat pretending to be a tiger. It should be a crime to be as cute as you are.
"I was just thinking 'Am I really that good of a kisser?" He raised an eyebrow at her playfully.
A blush started to form on her cheeks and she pushed him away.
Now THAT'S the Cha Eun Sang I know.
It was so funny to see her so flustered, but he couldn't bear the thought of her being helpless. Okay, I'm going to save you from embarrassment. But this will be the only time.
"Hey Cha Eun Sang, you brought me here to take me somewhere but we've been standing in the middle of the road. Are you not a woman of your word?" He said with feigned annoyance.
She looked at him, grateful that he changed the subject.
He grabbed her hand and pointed forward.
"Lead the way."
She laughed as she continued to walk, pulling him along once again. He starred at her tiny figure like he did earlier. She walked forward confidently, as if she were ready to take on the world. He had always known that she was confident and strong, but he had only ever seen a glimmer of this fire inside of her when she was provoked. What was once a flickering ember was now a fierce blaze burning profoundly like the Sun. Young Do had always resented Tan, not because he took away his first love, but because he believed that Tan always kept Eun Sang in a box; belittling her instead of helping her become the woman she could be. He always thought that Tan did this on purpose. He did not allow her to heal her broken wing because he feared she would fly away. Young Do, however, had no intention of doing that. He loved watching her walking so purposefully. He loved the fire that burned inside her. He loved her bravery. He loved that she was no longer afraid of that part of herself and that she was no longer afraid of him.
"Hey Cha Eun Sang!" He called out to her.
"What?" She looked back at him.
"What happened with Kim Tan? Did he hurt you? Do I beat him up? Do you want me to kill him? I know a guy." He said this light heartedly, as if it were a joke. But he knew deep down in his heart that he was dead serious. I could definitely kill him with my own hands; I won't even need a guy. It will be easy to make it look like an accident too. Kim Tan, you better watch your back. He nodded at the thought.
"AIIISH."
He ran up in front of her and blocked her way.
"What? Did he hurt you? Answer me." Count your blessings Kim Tan.
"We broke up soon after high school. I couldn't date him anymore."
He burrowed his brows in confusion. "Why not?
"It just never felt right. He was nice and all, but I don't know, it felt like something was missing. I guess my heart always belonged to someone else." She said as she pushed him away and walked forward. He stayed behind for a minute, biting his lips in satisfaction.
"Hey Cha Eun Sang! Is it me that your heart belongs to?" He called out as he ran behind her.
She didn't even look back. She just raised her hand and flicked her wrist, as if to dismiss him.
"Hey Cha Eun Sang! Tell me!" He said in between laughs.
She turned around and smiled at him. What a beautiful smile. I will make her smile like this all the time. Cha Eun Sang spread her arms wide and proudly said, "We're here!"
He looked at his surroundings. They were at a miniature park kinda thing. I didn't even know we had a mini park thing on campus. Although it was small, it was very beautiful. The grass was green and there were little benches scattered here and there. Must be for students to study and hang out. In the middle of the park, there was a tiny lake with a bridge over it. I can't believe I didn't know of this place.
Cha Eun Sang starred at him with disbelief. She scoffed as she said, "What? You didn't know about this place?"
He didn't want her to think that he was ignorant but he didn't want to lie to her either. He looked around, faking fear.
"Hey Cha Eun Sang. You bring me to a park at this time at night. It's very dark and there's nobody around. How do I know if I can trust you? I'm so very scared." He raised his eyebrows at her.
"You're really taking this route? Stop raising your eyebrows, it's so distracting." I distract her? He smiles in pleasure.
He takes a step closer to her. "So you like it when I raise my eyebrows? I will make sure to raise them more." He raises his eyebrows again, and again, and again, and again.
"So immature!" She starts to laugh like a carefree child. What a beautiful sound.
"So why did you bring me to the park at this time? It's so dark and scary."
"I wanted to take you to a place I liked. What? You don't like it?" She seemed genuinely sad with the idea that he didn't like the park. This place must be her sanctuary.
"No, I love it." He smiles. "It's very romantic."
"It IS romantic, isn't it?" She said with a slight blush.
He expected her eyes to shoot wide open with embarrassment. Again, she never fails to surprise me. Every moment with her is an adventure.
"Want to come back here in the morning? It's getting late now." The last thing he wants is to say good night, but he believes that this is the right thing to do. I will walk her to her dorm, kiss her goodnight, and leave her to thoughts of me. He smiles menacingly.
She seemed disappointed with his suggestion though.
"I'm not tired yet Young Do! Are you tired?" She asked him with genuine concern in her voice.
I could get used to this."No, I'm not tired."
"Well then, I have some snacks and a few bottles of soju in my dorm room. We can talk about life and stuff."
Her plan is way better than mine. He wants to agree to her immediately, but he decides to make it more interesting. "I don't know.. it IS getting late.." He says as he looks down at his watch.
She presses her hands together and gives him her best puppy dog eyes. "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I've been so lonely since I got here. I have no roommate and you're the only person I know here. Please?"
"Okay, but only cause you begged."
Hello! Thanks for your reviews; they really motivate me to keep writing. I'm glad to see that there are other Young Sang shippers out there! Choi Young Do's character really grew on me, and I was so heart broken by the way The Heirs ended. I adored the chemistry between Eun Sang and Young Do. Anyway, this is a Young Sang fic, meaning there's no Kim Tan (YAYY). Always looking forward to your reviews! 3