*flashback*

In Hong Kong...

"Hey, wait up! I don't remember the way back to the hotel!" Kyuhyun called out, hurriedly stuffing the clothes back into the bag.

"GET LOST!" Lily yelled back.

"I really might and then you'd have to come and find me!" Kyuhyun shouted in reply, blocked by a passing group of late-night joggers.

"I'd never look for you if you ever disappear! It'd be the happiest day of my life!" he heard Lily yell back before she disappeared around a corner.

*end flashback*

Lily spun around, eyes wide. Is the magic of the trees of light making her see things?

"I thought you said that it’d be the happiest day of your life if I disappeared?" Kyuhyun asked with a teasing little smirk. He was walking towards her in the dark grey wool coat and pink-and-white collared shirt that she gave him before. The golden lights made him look like he was... glowing.

A million thoughts and emotions ballooned inside Lily. She wanted to run to him and hug him and never let go. She wanted to punch him in the face for making her worry so much she almost went out of her mind. She wanted to tackle him and attach a GPS tracking device on him. She wanted to just stare at him because maybe, he’s not real. She wanted to laugh out loud because at last, he was here.

Her brain must’ve overheated, overwhelmed by all the emotions. Right then, Lily broke down. Kyuhyun’s smirk was replaced by alarm. He rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms, rocking her back and forth ever so gently while caressing her hair.

“I’m here, Lil. I’m here.”

Lily shamelessly sobbed into his shoulder, not even caring that she’s ruining his clothes. She’ll just buy him new ones later. She gripped the collar of his coat, trying to pull him closer, as if that were possible. As sudden as her breakdown, Lily pushed him away and started hitting his chest. “Cho Kyuhyun you sonofaGRRRR!!!” she cried, her voice thick with tears. “I almost lost my freakin’ mind looking for you, you evil bastard! Why would you do such a thing? Why would you go disappear a-a-and make me worry like that? I h-h-hate you s-so much!”

Lily was a pretty strong girl so her hitting did hurt, but Kyuhyun did his best not to budge. His resolve only lasted for a minute though (the girl could hit!). He caught her wrists in both his hands and forced them down to her sides.

“Let go of me Kyuhyun or I swear I will kick you where it hurts.” Lily threatened, trying to wriggle free.

“Will you please calm down? I’ve got something to say!” Kyuhyun ordered. He was having a hard time keeping a hold of her.

“I don’t wanna hear it!” Lily yelled in his face, finally staying still. “You think this is funny? You think you can just show up here with a stupid explanation to this idiotic hide-and-seek idea of yours and make everything alright?! I thought I really lost you, Kyu. That was the most painful three hours of my life. I can’t lose you. I’ve only just found you. I can’t lose you. Not ever...”

Kyuhyun felt his eyes well up. He felt really happy. He breathed deeply, pushing the tears back. He didn’t want to be away from her either. That’s why he’s doing this.

“I don’t want to lose you either, Lily...” Kyuhyun began, his voice trembling. He’s gone through this a hundred times in his head, yet he felt like he’s in one of those nightmares where he’s taking an exam but he didn’t study. You can do this, he silently encouraged himself. He let his hands slide from her wrists to her hands. He brought it up against his chest. Lily, tears still in her eyes, looked at him a little curiously.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry, but I have to admit that it feels good.”

Lily’s curious look turned dirty. She struggled to free herself from his grip once more, but he held fast.

“Let me finish!” Kyuhyun said. Lily stopped;, but she refused to look at him. Kyuhyun sighed and went on.

“I’ve seen you cry several times, Lil. I hate seeing you cry. It physically hurts me when you do. But what was more painful then was that... you were crying for someone else. You cared so much about them that you cried, and you don’t know how much I wished that one day, maybe, you’d care enough about me to shed a tear. I was a breath away from giving up on you... until it actually happened.

Remember that night in the lounge? You thought that I was disappointed that you won me in the auction. And you cried. For me. I couldn’t believe it. From the moment I met you, I wanted you, but I kept messing up. You’re a different creature from all the other girls that I know. I didn’t know what to do to get you.

When I ruined nice moments with my smug remarks, I really didn't mean them. Well, maybe some. But nonetheless, I just said them because I didn't know what else to say at the time. I was nervous and scared and you were so beautiful that it took a lot of concentration to not kiss you every time we spoke. My brain didn't have enough energy left to string together a decent sentence so it just spewed up crap."

The corner of Lily’s lips twitched. She was beginning to smile. He left her hand resting on his chest while his wiped away the tear stains from her cheeks.

“I’ve always been proud of being smart, but all of that went out the window when I met you. And I don’t really give a damn. I may be a pabo for you, but I’m still smarter than all the others combined, right?”

That one successfully made Lily laugh. It sounded like bells tinkling in his ears. “I think so, too, but I’m a bit biased.” she said, playfully hitting him in the arm. The butterflies in his stomach came to life. This was it.

“I’m really sorry for making you cry, but I also want to thank you that you did. Now I know that you feel the same about me the way I’ve felt about you for months. I don’t know what I did right - looking back, everything I did seemed stupid. You should tell me which moves won you over so I could note them down for future use.”

“Cho Kyuhyun!” Lily cried, half amused, half affronted.

“I’m kidding! See, your pabo-fying effect is still there. Stop it, Lily. I’m trying to get to a point.” Kyuhyun complained, diverting his eyes from her face. A blush was creeping up his cheeks.

“It’s not my fault I’m this awesome it’s stupefying.” Lily returned, chuckling softly. Her comment made Kyuhyun look back at her amusedly. “That’s right. You’re not the only one who can be cocky.” she added.

That made Kyuhyun chuckle, easing the knot forming in his stomach. “And I love you for it.” he said. There.

The smile on Lily’s face froze. She blinked at him a couple of times. Did she hear him right? Did he just...?

“I love you, Lily. All of you. The girl who drools when she sleeps, the lover of purple things. The girl who hits like a guy, yet carves out apologies using pancakes. I annoy you but you fell in love with me anyway. That’s a little pabo of you, but what the heck. We can be pabos together. I will forever be your pabo, Lil. So what I’m asking now is... would you be mine?”

Lily stared at the blushing boy in front of her some more, letting what he said sink in. There was something ballooning from the pit of her stomach. The feeling was starting to make her cry once more. It was the best feeling in the world. There was no need to think about it.

“那還要問嗎? (Na hai yao wen ma?)” Lily said, using one of his favorite Mandarin lines. *a/n: Do you still have to ask that?

Kyuhyun looked blank for a second, then finally understood. Really, this girl didn’t make things easy for him. He had to use everything he’s got to get that speech out, yet she still had to make him translate. She was all worth it though. Beaming, he pulled her close until no space was between them and kissed her, pouring everything he felt into it - all the longing, the missing, and the excitement he felt during the time without her. She’s finally, officially, his.

A moment later, they heard applause. Someone from somewhere whooped happily.

“GET A ROOM YOU TWO!” a familiar female voice shouted from a distance.

“What the heck are you talking about?!” a deep, masculine one said.

“Oh, shut up you prude.” the first voice snapped back.

Lily didn’t want to let him go, but her burning lungs were screaming for oxygen. Unwillingly, she broke away from Kyuhyun. She held his cheeks between her hands and stared into his eyes. These were the eyes she’d be looking into forever, if the world would let her. He looked back at her, smiling contentedly. When she managed to pry her eyes away from him, she turned to see Clare and the rest of the group walking towards them from the line of trees, all of them smiling widely. She waved at them. This was the most perfect night ever. Nothing could go wrong.

“Ya Kyuhyun! Your girlfriend beat me up awhile ago so get ready, coz I’m getting my revenge on you!” Hyukjae called out, already ahead of the pack.

Kyuhyun looked at Lily questioningly. Lily’s eyes widened. She remembered what she said awhile ago. “RUN!” she told him. And he did, with Hyukjae chasing him all around the football field.

___________________________________

There’s more. :)