READ THIS FIRST

I added some paragraphs I already wrote about a month ago because I saw a post about Dara on Twitter and omfg it kinda creeps me out because it's sorta has the same premise as this fic XD tell me what you think! the first part of this story is kinda "real" in a sense but of course, it'll be all fiction once I start on continuing it. I have a whole plot for this already. I'm just finishing up my other stories. XD but TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF WHAT I HAD WRITTEN AND DARA'S PERFORMANCE TRANSLATION which I linked at the bottom of this chapter. XD

They had agreed on meeting up today…on his birthday, before he had left for enlistment.

He was nervous. And he could feel it course through his bones. It was drilling all the way inside to the point of rottenness and he could actually feel his soul being crushed in the process.

It was finally the perfect time.

It's been a long time coming.  And now here she is. Walking on the footpath towards him. It was a balmy—the stars in the sky haven't left the night. This was a familiar scene. They have done this countless times with her wrapped up in her too-big black Adidas jacket and him all cooped up in his Adidas jacket too.

"She's still tiny," he thought, raising his one hand to wave at her. "And very beautiful." He added, whispering into thin air. He let her come to him…that was their routine. She'd always come to him in her own volition…and that wasn't about to change. There were times he'd like to meet her half way but who was he?

He was not the star but he was the sea… and the only way for him to meet her-the moon who lived with the stars- was for her to pull him through sheer gravity…only when she feels like it. And seeing her now was exactly like that. There she was, though approaching him, looking so unreachable he began to question himself.

How was he able to get her before?

He gave her a warm smile and enveloped her in a warm hug when she finally was in front of him. It lasted a full minute—his muscular arms wrapping around her like a vise, his nose sniffing that familiar scent of roses he'd given her as a gift in one of her birthdays before. She probably used up that bottle and got herself a new one, he supposed.

"Long time no see," he murmured, as they untangled their arms from each other. There was no mistaking the expression in the beautiful almond eyes—he had seen it before—but things had to be done and words had to be said right now—and that was what was important. "Shall we?" he asked, finally when she had not done anything but stare at him. She nodded gingerly, her hand reaching out for him to take it and he did for what better time should he hold her hand but now?

They walked to the end of the footpath and sat on one of the benches facing the long stretch of the Han River. Slouching, he looked at her sideways as she fumbled with her jacket pocket. "Here…" she said, handing him something. "I thought you'd like this. I passed by a corner store and got two," she added, popping in a straw in the drink bottle.

It was his favorite—strawberry milk—and he hadn't had it for a long while now. It was surprising that she had remembered, though. "I actually thought you wouldn't be able to make it…Sanghyun told me you were out of the country when we happened to bump into each other at the shoe store last week."

"We promised to meet up today. I can't miss out on this."

"Funny." You weren't like this the past couple of years.

"Yes, funny, isn't it?" She sighed because she knew what has been happening for the past couple of years was entirely her own doing. She sounded so sad and tired that Hae actually chuckled, straightening up as he wordlessly offered his shoulder for her to lean on. She sighed again when she laid her head on his shoulder as she sipped on her strawberry milk.

"How are you? How have you been?" he asked quietly. He was curious, after all.

"You haven't really caught up quite yet, haven't you?" she asked cautiously, getting geared up for when he'd start lashing out on her. But he didn't. He remained still for a few minutes, eyes looking at a distance. "I was under the impression you didn't want me to." He said finally and blankly that Dara had to lift her head up and just look at him.

He wasn't staring at her—no, he was still staring at the sea…at the bridge where they had spent countless dates under. She followed his gaze and allowed the memories to sink in…all those times they'd spend inside his car…or her car…just talking and kissing and talking again. Good times. Those were the good times. Gathering up her wits once more before she loses herself to those memories again, she relayed what she has currently been up too.

"I…I'm fine, Hae. Coping, at least. It has been tremendously busy for me. I was in shows…you know about Missing Korea already but I played a y role in an episode…no, I think it was two episodes…in One More Happy Ending. My character got herself a two-timing boyfriend and a baby out of wedlock. It was funny, actually. I also filmed Echo…the fans were worried we weren't doing something about it but we finally filmed it…oh you knew about this because you visited me on set that one time you were sick and I got so mad because you took a sick leave and yet you stayed up until the wee hours to wait for me. You shouldn't have, you know."

"I shouldn't have but I did. It was the least I could have done, Dara-yah." He said tenderly, slurping the remaining strawberry milk before doing a mock basketball shootout with the bottle as the ball and the trash bin as the ring. He hit the target in quiet victory before he turned a little serious once again. "But now that I think about it, I really shouldn't have."

"But you did and albeit mad, I was really thankful. I still am."

"Are you still doing Sugar Man?" He asked and she looked at him, quite surprised that he really did not really know what she has been up to. "I still am…we just had our third anniversary not a long time ago. I think I may really be cut for variety." She said, giggling. "Not really, though. Yang sajangnim still texts me to tone down because I apparently am still not funny."

"People in the force loved it. I was always working when it was airing so I wasn't really able to follow through. I watched the one you did with Bobby. You were great in there." He said sincerely and Dara actually reddened, remembering how she was rapping her heart out and they all just laughed.

"Ya, that was from centuries ago, Hae-ah."

"You're not very fond of it?"

"I was embarrassed right after! What do you think?"

"Your face didn't show that you were!"

"I wasn't supposed to show it on screen of course." She said, defending herself. There was something in the air… something she knew he wanted to ask her. But he can't. So she initiated it.

"I'm endorsing Moonshot. I'm endorsing the brand with Jiyong. It was supposed to be for 2016 only but the profits doubled and the promotions were effective not only here but also in the global market that they decided to extend the contract for another two years…I know what you're thinking…and no, Jiyong and I didn't get back together. It was only me and my wavering feelings. He's still with Kiko. Broke up too many times. Patched things up many times. I think it's for real this time. I'm actually happy for them." 

"I didn't want to delve into that." He said, giving her a fake laugh she knew all too well. "I know. But I just wanted you to know."

"Heechul-hyung told me Siwan-ssi invited you to his premiere…"

"Ahh…he did. It was a really good movie. You totally should watch it with…with Omma and Donghwa-oppa. It's about family... and as for Siwan… he asked me out a couple of times."

"Keure?"

"Yes…The second meeting I brought a friend. She's this model we had in YGK…they seem to have hit it off. I often s