Dedicated to: kyoungster :D Thank you for inspiring me. Not just now, but always

o-o-o-o-o

Kris Wu was never one who enjoyed dressing up no matter how everyone around him claimed that he looked like the most perfect looking god there ever was… and there ever would be.

                It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the praises spoken for him. Heaven knows he did but he made sure it didn’t get into his head at the same time. It was just that he preferred his V-neck shirts and denims any day, anytime. He let out a breath as he attempted to loosen the tie around his neck enough for Kim Heechul not to yell at him for not having in on properly. It wasn’t even his idea to be in this event at the first place. Balls were never his thing.

Obviously, Heechul and girlfriend Jessica Jung thought differently.

                As far as he Heechul was concerned, his beloved girlfriend would get anything and everything she would ever want. If it was a traditional ball for a birthday celebration she wanted, traditional ball she got. That explained why he was one with the line of properly dressed males standing by the grand staircase of the ballroom that was gorgeously decorated for Jessica’s eighteenth birthday, waiting patiently for the debutante and her seventeen girls to descend its steps.

                Kris fought against the urge to slap his hand against his face; a part of him still not believing he allowed his friends to talk him into this. Jessica lacked one more up until a few days ago and Kris happened to be the perfect last one – or so Heechul claimed. Kris sighed inaudibly. He didn’t even know who his partner was. Despite the reassurance of those who knew this certain Choi Sooyoung, he couldn’t help but be nervous… primarily because he was expected to dance a simple waltz with a girl he knew nothing about.

                He had his basketball varsity practice to thank for an excuse to skip out on the ‘required’ waltz classes. But, needless to say, that didn’t stop Heechul from giving classes of his own. As much as he was thankful that he didn’t have to go through the torture of having to attend formal waltz classes, it also mean that he didn’t get to meet his partner for the debut… and if luck was against him, she would be far from happy for not having a partner during the class.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome back to the ballroom the debutante, Jessica Jung, and her seventeen princesses.”

                Kris straightened up as the first girl made her way to the top of the staircase. He didn’t know if he was fortunate or unfortunate to be the last one before Heechul took his turn as Jessica’s . He figured as Seo Joohyun descended the stairs and Cho Kyuhyun moved from his place in the front of the line that maybe only time could and would tell.

                One by one the pair united on the dance floor. Seohyun and Kyuhyun. Yoona and Donghae. Yuri and Yunho. Taeyeon and Leeteuk. Hyoyeon and Eunhyuk. Tiffany and Siwon. Sunny and Sungmin. Victoria and Nichkhun. Sulli and Minho. Luna and Onew. Kris in a sharp breath as Amber Liu walked down the stairs; the usual tomboyish female blushing as she accepted the hand Henry Lau offered. It was almost his turn.

Lina and Yoochun.

Yeonhee and Changmin.

Boa and Jaejoong.

Hara and Junhyung.

Krystal and Key.

It was his turn.

                Heechul patted his shoulder from behind; a smirk present on the older man’s face before he was subtly pushed forward the stairs. Kris turned his head to glare at the well-meaning yet scheming man but was unable to do so when a tall brunette stood at the top of the staircase. His breath unconsciously hitched in his throat as he looked up; his eyes meeting her warm chocolate ones.

                Choi Sooyoung looked like a regal goddess as she stood at the top of the staircase; her long dark brown hair cascading past her shoulders in elegant waves. Her eyes glittered brilliantly as she flashed a graceful smile at the guests below. Kris wasn’t sure if he was seeing things but it seemed that her own breath hitched in as their gazes met; Sooyoung offering a hesitant smile in greeting. His heart drummed in his chest at a rapid rate as she took her first step down, followed by another one and another one.

                Almost as if in a trance, Kris took his rightful place at the base of the steps, clasping his hands behind him as he waited for her. Noticing her slight hesitation, the corner of his lips tugged upwards in a smile; one that she returned just as vividly. The goddess clad in a deep purple-red gown came down lithely and Kris held out his hand when she was close enough to accept it. He really didn’t know what to expect once they held hands but once her soft flesh touched his, it was like fireworks exploded in his mind.

                Silently, he led her to the nearly complete circle of dancers in the center of the dance floor; both absently noting that the emcee announced Jessica’s descent. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other yet and to a certain extent, it made Kris nervous. What was Choi Sooyoung like? Kris took his place beside Kim Jaejoong and faced inside the circle. He easily yet carefully led Sooyoung until she stood beside Boa and faced him; Heechul and Jessica soon closing the circle as the music began to play.

                Everyone participating took a step forward and the men bowed while the women curtsied. They all straightened up and hands found their place on shoulders, hips or in their partner’s own. The circles dispersed as the waltzing pairs set off for their own direction; the music guiding their every move. Kris’s gaze held Sooyoung’s as they easily brushed past Tiffany and Siwon; the two seemingly lost in the music, each other… or perhaps both. A faint blush crept to Sooyoung’s cheeks and Kris couldn’t help but redden; his eyes diverting to anything and anyone but her.

“I don’t bite.”

Her words caught him by surprised and he turned his wide eyes back to her. “What?”

“I said I don’t bite… You aren’t food so you aren’t counted.” A giggle escaped her lips and he just found it so hard not to smile. “I’m Sooyoung.”

He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat, hoping that he wouldn’t stutter. “I’m Kris.”

“Well, this is… a very interesting way to meet.” She giggled once more. “Why did you miss the rehearsal?”

Kris fell silent, finding the right words to say when they waltzed past Heechul and Jessica. “I had basketball practice I couldn’t miss out on… Besides, I can’t dance.”

“Well, from what we’re doing right now, I can say you’re too hard on yourself.” Sooyoung arched an incredulous eyebrow; a smile soon blossoming on her face. “You’re a great dancer.”

The tall man blushed crimson, quietly summing up all the courage he had before he spoke again. “You look beautiful tonight, Sooyoung.”

He couldn’t think of a better reply that she could give compared to that breath taking smile on her face.

o-o-o-o-o

Amaranth.

                With all honestly, Sooyoung was content on calling it that ‘reddish purplish color’ but it was no surprise that Jessica was not content with that, promptly giving her an unnecessary lecture on what that color is and everything that came with the choice topic. It wasn’t that it wasn’t her favourite color… Well, technically it really wasn’t but she simply adored it for the fact that it always reminded her of Kris.

                Sooyoung stood inside her large walk-in closet, gazing at a certain piece of clothing she had. Stepping forward, she carefully pulled a garment bag away from the rest and stepped out of the closet with it. Laying it on the spacious bed, a smile made its way to her beautiful face as the memories flooded back in… along with footsteps that came thundering into the room.

The tall brunette had barely turned around when a small body collided with her own; her arms suddenly full. “What…”

“Umma, does Luli look pretty?” Two year old Luli looked up at her mother, wrapping her own small arms around the latter’s waist as far as they could go.

“How about Lien, umma?”   Lien pouted from where she stood behind her twin sister. “Does Lien look pretty too?”

Calmer footsteps approached them and soon after four year old Jian poked his head inside the room. “I told you not to run, mei-meis.”

                Sooyoung silently observed her children, noting with amusement for the nth time that they looked so much like their father. If she hadn’t given birth to them, she wouldn’t even think they were hers. Though they had bits and pieces of her in them, like their slightly darker than usual complexion and their bottomless pits for a stomach, her husband’s genes were just too damn strong if their sharp features wasn’t enough indication of that.

She pulled slightly away from Luli and made a show of examining all of her children closely. Luli and Lien looked completely adorable in identical pink chiffon dresses while Jian looked as sharp as a little boy could be in a tuxedo; the slightly different shade in their hair color the only clue when it came to telling one twin from the other. In a few hours, Yuri was going to be Mrs. Jung Yunho and since the couple couldn’t pick between the twins, both were chosen as flower girls with Taeyeon and Leeteuk’s first born as ring bearer.  

“Both Lien and Luli look really pretty.” A new voice chimed in before Sooyoung could answer; the mother and three children turning as Kris appeared behind Jian.

“Appa!” Their three children shrieked happily as they all bounced off towards their father, leaving Sooyoung to gaze in awe at the beautiful family she was blessed with.

Kris effortlessly picked the twins up in his arms while Jian stood proudly by his side. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, appa.” Jian nodded enthusiastically.

“Why don’t you wait downstairs while umma and I finish getting ready?” He suggested, placing his two girls down after pressing a kiss on each of their foreheads.

“Okay.” In a blink of an eye, only Sooyoung and Kris were left in the room.

Kris arched an eyebrow as he shot his wife an amused look. “How are we going to go if you aren’t ready?”

Sooyoung mimicked him as she eyed his outfit. “I can hardly call a white shirt, black dress pants and bedroom slippers a tuxedo, you dork.”

 He laughed; his eyes soon falling on the garment bag on the bed. “Is that…”

“Yup…” The tall brunette turned her attention back to the same object, worriedly chewing on her lower lip. “I haven’t worn it in ten years… It might not fit anymore.”

“Of course, it will.” Kris walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, waiting until she turned around before he spoke again. “Have I told you that’s my favourite dress of yours?”

“One too many times, jagiya.” She smiled fully, raising her hand to cup his face. “I can’t believe it’s been ten years since we first met.”

He leaned in until his forehead was gently resting on hers, his nose brushing against his. “God I love you.”

                Sooyoung pressed her lips against his in response; Kris willingly pulling her closer to his body. It was an age old war of dominance once she parted when he demanded entrance but it was probably the most sinful war there ever was and there would ever be. She raised her hands and tangled her fingers in his sandy blonde hair, loving how soft and ticklish the feeling was on her skin.

“Kris… You’re stalling.” She smirked against his lips

Her husband pulled away slightly and pouted; the two using the time to catch up on some air. “You know I don’t like dressing up.”

“Even if I’m wearing this?” Sooyoung asked as she moved from his grasp to remove the amaranth gown from the garment bag. “You always said that I look beautiful in it.”

Kris softened, gently reaching for her wrist and tugging her back to him. “You’re beautiful with or without that dress. You always have and you always will be, Soo.”

Her soft chocolate brown orbs shimmered in happiness. “Even when I get wrinkles one day?”

“Even with the wrinkles.” He nodded earnestly.

Sooyoung beamed brilliantly at him, standing on her tip toes to press a kiss on his lips. “I love you, Kris.”

“Right back at you, Soo.” The tall blonde haired man grinned, moving away so that he can continue dressing up for the wedding.

She picked up the gown and headed for the bathroom, pausing midway towards her intended destination. “I might not be able to wear this again soon though.”

“Why not?” Kris asked absently as he picked out a white dress shirt from the cabinet. “You can wear that again in one of those Christmas parties we always get invited to.”

“But this isn’t a maternity dress.”

With that, Sooyoung headed straight for the bathroom and shut the door close behind her, leaving Kris too stunned beyond words as he gawked at that closed door.