He realizes that his absence may have taken a toll on the people he cares about, but he's made a commitment to himself that he would occasionally check up on loved ones starting today. "Naeun!" Her name leaves his lips in an upbeat tone, his condition has gotten better since he's last faced the public. "It's been awhile, but I wanted to see how you were doing."
Boxes were clutch into her hands, last minute errands were quite tiresome but surely enough she doesn't mind being occupied with a few more things before heading back home. There's a familiar voice that yells her name causing her to stumble forward and a box immediately falls out of her hold causing her to blink twice. "Oh f-" A profanity was close to slipping only to glance over at the direction where the other male was.
"Baekcutie?" Surely she was curious to know how he was doing since it's been a while since she seen the older male. Nonetheless with the way he was speaking, Naeun was sure that he was doing well. "I've been doing well just last minute errands. But you--" Pausing for a few more seconds, crouching down to retrieve the box once more and place it on top of the others again, "tell me. How are you lately?"
His absence lasted far longer than he had expected in the beginning, but that was because he himself was unsure as to how long he was going to gone. Now that he's completed each task that was needed to be attained too, it was safe to say that he's been granted with more spare time on his hands. So, he stepped behind the female, lifting his arms to place his palms over her eyes oh, so gently. "Guess who." His voice is soft as he spoke, letting her know that he meant no harm whatsoever.
There's a gentle touch that was placed over her eyes causing her to stiffen up from surprise. She wasn't too sure who it was, during this time of day people were normally busy with their own schedules while she was in her own little land. Working on paintings of skimming through photos to organize it neatly. "Guess who.." Repeating those words just as softly to herself. That voice. It's oddly familiar, causing her head to tip to one side in thought whilst her eyes widened. Realizing it was someone she hasn't seen in God knows how long now. "Baekcutie?" Assuming it was him and no other, hands placed on her lap with fingers drumming along the surface. Silently hoping that her guess was correct.
"Your eyes are even prettier when they're not filled with tears."
[ x ] ”Your eyes are even prettier when they’re not filled with tears.”
There's this overwhelming emotion inside that the woman's been holding back. Which was obviously quite enough the way it was. With her lips tightly pressed against one another and the amount of words that were slipping out. Sentences were slowly divided, vague words. Unable to process a single phrase without feeling the need to restrain herself from falling apart all over again.
It's been a while since she heard about her friend. Been too long, is what she wanted to say and certainly those words fell out seconds afterwards when they stood side by side with one another. The female wondered how he was during all this time when they separated. If he's been resting well, found someone to provide his happiness that he deserved, so much more. Yet they never simply fallen out of her own lips.
"You know.." He started out rather boldly only to fall into hesitation when the silence was close to taking him away. A hand were sinking into the pocket of his denim jeans, looking over at the young female who was carried away in the thoughts that were gradually taking a hold of her. Using the free hand he has to let it rest on her shoulder, slowly letting his arm snake around to pull her into an embrace. Because even the simple words such as 'I'm fine' and 'It's been well' escaped her lips, the older male just knew there was something going on. Feelings that were captured and held into a jar, cracks were beginning to form only to let it shatter.
"You don't have to hold back."
Naeun clutched onto his shirt almost rather desperately as if she's been holding onto her breath for the longest time. Sinking gradually into the deep shade of blue, tidal waves pushing her away further from everyone else she adores. And honestly, she'd be a fool to say the male never crossed her mind during his disappearance. Mumbling constant apologies for dampening the fabric of his shirt, not intentionally meaning to cry in front of him. Baekhyun simply laughs, the palm of his hand pressed against the center of her back to rub it in soothing circles. He didn't mind. It's the least he could do for the female for those random checks up and comforting beforehand.
After a couple of moments, their bodies were pulled away from one another. Cupping her cheeks lightly with a cautious grasp, almost hesitant because the male knew she wasn't fond of physical contact and to know that they haven't seen one another. It's quite unpredictable to how she'll react to it. Naeun doesn't flinch, she just stays in place. Letting the last of her tears stream down, becoming wiped away with the pads of his thumbs and the words slipped out without a second thought. Almost wanting to take it back but he didn't want to offend his friend even if he meant those words honestly. "Your eyes are even prettier when they're not filled with tears."
Naeun stared at him, as if she didn't believe him which was probably obvious by the way her jaw was slightly ajar but it's a natural reaction. A flush of pink paints her cheeks, out of embarrassment and well bashfulness as well. And somehow that shade of color spreads along the other's cheeks too. "You.." Cheeseball? Sweetheart? Trailing off, her voice soft and alluring only to dip her head down briefly to recollect herself only to gaze up at the older male. Trying to figure out how to explain it only to be left with a simple smile etched across the features and a proper show of gratitude too. "Thank you."
Whenever I'm near you, I undergo anaerobic respiration, because you take my breath away. { ❝ -- she fanned herself, acting as if she was short of air with a ragged breath; }
迎 — Making sure to stay as quiet as possible, he tip-toed behind her in an attempt to surprise her, his arms extending slightly in order to place his hands shoulders, he uttered out a "Boo!" Perhaps his little game succeeded or perhaps it failed, but that didn't stop the male from breaking out into a fit of snickers-- embarrassing as it was, he shuffled over in front of her and held out a rather large box. "For you. Merry Christmas."
[ ♕ ] Placing her hands on her knees momentarily to catch her breath, she felt her body tense up momentarily at the sudden touch along with a familiar voice chained to it as well causing her to peek over to notice the male from over her shoulder. She smiles softly before letting out an embarrassed laugh at how tense she seemed -- practically assuming that she was going to end up getting kidnap or somewhere along those lines. Taking a hold of the box, she silently peeks at it before removing the top lid to look inside. Calmly she places it upon the desk where her stuff was since she didn't want to tire herself out even more. With her arms quickly snaking around his neck to keep close, to pull him into an embrace she felt a wide smile appearing along her lips. "Merry Christmas, Baek. I love it, I'll make sure to put it into good use but you gotta teach me sometime soon as well, okay?"
