Again, this is a repost; the sequel to Never Less Than Perfect and Serendipity

o-o-o-o-o

“You seem so…” Kris’s eyebrows furrowed. “Worried.”

“I am.” Sooyoung admitted honestly as she carefully led the way towards the car. It was pointless to lie when he had such sharp instincts.

He frowned. “Why?”

“Well, after everything that the doctor said…” The brunette chewed on her lower lip worriedly. “Kris, are you sure you wanna push through with the operation?”

“I told you…” The tall, sandy blond haired man squeezed her hand gently. “Even if it’s a 50/50 chance, I’m going to bank on it.”

“But the risks are permanent if things don’t work out our way. It’s scary.” She whispered. “If you’re doing this for me, Kris, please don’t. I love you just the way you are and nothing’s gonna change that.”

Kris smiled softly, pausing in his steps and inevitably causing his girlfriend to stop along with him. He reached a hand out and gripped her shoulders, turning her until she was sure that she was looking at him; the same hand leaving to cup her face. “You know, ever since I met you, I’ve always wondered just how beautiful you are. Suho had described you to me when he first saw you and he kept saying about how you have the most soulful eyes, the brightest smile. I could imagine but it’s never enough.”

One of her hands came up to rest on the one holding her face. “Kris…”

“I have the chance to see just how beautiful you are.” He pressed a kissed on her forehead with practiced precision. “I’m not going to give that up.”

Sooyoung smiled, standing on her tiptoes to press kiss on his lips.

o-o-o-o-o

“I wonder what you’ll think when you see me.”

Kris turned his head towards the direction of her voice from his place on the bed, easily catching the tone of her voice. “Sooyoung, what’s wrong?”

“Well, nothing…” She shrugged absently as she continued to pack his clothes for his lengthy hospital stay. It was the night before the operation; the night before Kris puts his eyes on the line. “It’s just that… You might get disappointed.”

“Soo…”

“It’s just that I’m really dark and I’m too skinny and–”

“You’re beautiful.”

“You’re biased.”

Kris laughed, knowing without seeing that she was pouting at him. “I’m not. I know you’re beautiful.”

“Who told you that? You’re instincts?” She teased.

“Yup and their names are Suho, Kai, Tao, Xiumin, Luhan, Baekhyun...” Her boyfriend deadpanned. “You want me to go through all eleven of them?”

Pearling laughter escaped her lips. “I didn’t know a person could have more than one instinct.” She smiled satisfactorily as she zipped up his bag. “There. All done.”

“Come here.” He reached over to the side of the bed where he knew she was standing and took her hand in his, carefully, pulling her onto the bed with him. “Thank you so much, Soo… It’s going to be the last time you’re going to pack for me.”

“I don’t mind packing for you even when you can see again.” Sooyoung answered casually, leaning against the headboard of the bed beside him.

“It’s something I haven’t done in a while… packing my own clothes.” He paused thoughtfully. “I’m excited to drive again too and to watch TV, of course.”

The brunette smiled; her mind forming images of him doing everything he said. “What else are you excited to do?” She made a face when he moved his finger and pointed at her. “Aside from seeing me, you know.”

“I’m excited to see Suho, Tao, Lay, Chanyeol… all eleven of them actually.” He grinned sentimentally. “They’re like my brothers, you know. I probably wouldn’t have lived life the way I have if it wasn’t for them.”

“I promise you; Chanyeol looks like an elf, Lay looks like Donald Duck, Xiumin looks like a bun and Tao looks like a panda.” Sooyoung chuckled when he burst out laughing. “I’m serious.”

Kris sighed, wrapping an arm around her and tugged her closer to him. “Stay the night?”

It was with those three simple words that she knew that he was scared for what tomorrow could bring. “Sure.”

    Sooyoung moved her spot by his side, only to sit down in between his parted lower limbs. Kris straightened up slightly against the headboard; his arms enveloping her as she lay against his chest. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips and no other words were spoken among them; the pair content to pay attention to the television as Sooyoung watched and Kris listened.

o-o-o-o-o

“You’re going to be alright, hyung. You’re going to be alright.” Sehun repeated over and over again, almost as he was saying it to calm himself down instead of the man lying on the hospital bed.

Luhan rolled his eyes good naturedly, patting the younger man’s shoulder reassuringly. “You better calm down because I’m sure no one’s in the mood to have another one of us checked in in this hospital.”

Tiffany smiled kindly at her best friend’s boyfriend; she, Jessica and Heechul having arrived just a few minutes prior to offer their support. “You’re going to be just fine, Kris.”

“Thank you, noona.” He smiled back.

“Gege!” Tao sandwiched himself between Kyungsoo and Chen. “You’re excited to see Sooyoung noona, aren’t you? She’s going to take your breath away when you see her! I promise you!”

Kris laughed and Sooyoung blushed from her seat by his hospital bed. “Thanks, Tao.”

All the commotion in the room came to a halt when the door swung open and the nurse came in, pulling a gurney along after her. “Mr. Wu, it’s time.”

    Everyone inside gave way as the rest of the bed was pushed in; Kris’s doctor and a male nurse entering the room soon after. Sooyoung moved out of her seat as the nurses helped Kris off his bed and onto the gurney; his friends and girlfriend silently following as he was brought out of the room. With every step they took closer to the operating room, fear and worry slowly crept up Sooyoung; the brunette absently reaching for the hand closest to her for support.

Kai smiled comfortingly as he squeezed her hand gently. “Hyung’s going to be fine, noona.”

    Sooyoung smiled gratefully; the group at large coming to a stop outside the operating room. The nurses and doctor stepped inside for a moment to give everyone a chance to speak to Kris one last time before the operation. As much as Sooyoung wanted to stand by his side literally, she didn’t want him to feel her fear and anxiety. So instead, she watched from the side as Suho, Chanyeol, Kai, Baekhyun, Sehun, Kyungsoo, Tao, Luhan, Chen, Lay, and Xiumin all crowded around the gurney to give Kris words of encouragement.

Kris smiled at his brothers; his eyebrows furrowing when he couldn’t feel Sooyoung anywhere near him. Reaching a hand out, uneasiness crossed his face. “Soo…”

“I’m here.” She took his hand; Chanyeol and Suho moving aside so she could come closer.

The sandy blond haired man frowned. “Are you sad?”

“No.” Sooyoung shook her head. “I’m just scared.”

“I’m going to be fine.” Kris pushed himself up so that he could sit down; his free hand reaching for her face. “Don’t be scared, Soo.”

The door of the operating room and the doctor poked his head out. “We’re going to have to take him inside now.”

Kris grinned slightly, caressing her face with his thumb. “Give me a kiss?”

    Sooyoung chuckled lightly, leaning to press her lips on his. Everyone smiled at the heart-warming sight; Baekhyun rolling his eyes and covering Tao’s eyes when the latter innocently gawked as their friends’ kiss deepened. Kris and Sooyoung broke apart when the doctor cleared his throat; the two nurses reappearing to push the gurney inside the operating room.

“I’ll see you soon, Soo.”

The brunette burst into tears; her hands covering to stifle her sobs. “I’ll see you soon, Kris.”

The operating door closed and all that was left for them to do is to wait.

o-o-o-o-o

    Sooyoung’s hands reach out, softly taking one of Kris’s much larger hands. She gazed at him with the help of the bedside lamp that was the sole provider of light in the dark room. He was asleep; his eyes wrapped up until it was time for them to finally open them. She would always be thankful that he made it through the long operation but it meant that the second phase of waiting was going to begin – waiting to see if the operation was successful or not.

    Her thumb lovingly brushed over the back of his hand as she stared at her peaceful face. It wasn’t easy; everything he had to go through from the accident all the way until the operation. She had meant it when she said that she didn’t mind if he remained blind the rest of his life. But she understood how much it’d mean to him if he was able to see again.

With that, her hushed prayers resumed; his hand still housed in hers.

o-o-o-o-o

    Sooyoung fidgeted anxiously as she stood by the foot of the bed; Tao and Heechul on either side of her while the doctor and nurses hovered over Kris. Tiffany, Jessica, Suho, Kai, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Sehun, Chanyeol, Luhan, Lay, Chen, and Xiumin were dispersed all over the room; a tense silence reigning as the medical team prepared to take off the bandages from Kris’s eyes.

“Soo…”

“I’m here.” She said as soothingly as she could, knowing that Kris was as anxious as she was… if not more. “I’m here. You’ll be fine.”

“Kris, are you ready?” The doctor asked softly, waiting until he received a nod in reply before he reached for the bandages covering his patient’s eyes.

    It was as if everyone held their breath as the doctor slowly unwrapped the bandages from Kris’s face; both Heechul and Tao holding onto Sooyoung’s hands as they waited anxiously. Kris felt the tightness disappear as the bandage fell off his face but he kept his eyes squeezed shut; both afraid and excited for what could happen once he opened them. It was either his life was going to change or he was going to continue living the way he had been.

“Kris, open your eyes.”

Slowly but surely, he tried to flutter his eyes open only close them again as he winced. “Kris?” Worry colored Sooyoung’s tone. “What’s wrong?”

“Kris, try opening them again.” The doctor calmly instructed.

    He in a sharp breath as he again tried to carefully open his eyes. Kris winced again but not without shock crossing his handsome features. Light. He could see light. He winced again as his eyes readjusted to the light he hadn’t been able to see ever since the accident. His eyes watered, causing Tao and Sooyoung to panic and turn towards the doctor with wide eyes.

“Kris.” The nurses moved out of the way as Sooyoung nearly stumbled in her haste to get by his side, climbing onto the bed to take his face in her hands. “Kris. What’s happening?”

    Kris didn’t see darkness anymore but all he could see were blurred colors and shapes. He blinked repeatedly, opened and closed his eyes over and over again; his eyebrows furrowing in frustration. Alarmed, Sooyoung looked at the doctor, wordlessly telling him to do something but he merely smiled and stood where he was.

“Soo…” Heechul’s voice broke the silence. “Relax, please.”

“Kris…” She whispered; her own tears welling in her eyes as she wiped off the wetness of his face.

    His eyes remained shut; a shaky breath leaving his lips as he opened them once again. His hope rose as more details came into view; his focus falling solely on the beautiful face of a woman right in front of him. A look of wonder crossed his face as he stared at her soulful brown eyes, her cheeks, her nose, her pink lips. His breath hitched in his throat.

“Why are you crying?”

Sooyoung burst into tears as she flung her arms around her neck and hugged him tightly against her. Kris laughed; his own arms finding their place around her slender frame. Sounds of triumph and happiness resounded throughout the room as the reality sunk in in each and every one of them. Happy tears fell down Jessica and Tiffany’s beautiful faces as Heechul joined them, wrapping his arms around both women’s shoulders as he smiled in content.

Kris carefully pulled away from her, wiping her tears with the pads of his thumbs before grinning. “I’m Kris. You are?”

Sooyoung beamed at him, remembering the time they officially met. “Sooyoung.”

He chuckled, pressing his lips on hers without caring that everyone could see them. “Gege, I told you she’ll take your breath away.” Tao wiped his own tears away as he clapped happily.

Sooyoung smiled against his lips before she pulled back, getting off the bed soon after. “There’s a lot of people you need to meet, Kris.”

“I’ll go first!” Tao squealed as he dashed towards the hospital bed and pointed to himself. “Gege, it’s me! Tao!”

“You do look like a panda.”

“GEGE!”