[Essential] Mood song: Replay [Original Piano version] - SHINee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsJ1zhA-U-s

Sang Hee's POV

His arm was around my shoulders. I repeat: his arm was around my shoulders. I was too giddy to faint, but I knew I was blushing again. The jacket still covered my eyes; I couldn't see his face. I didn't know if I wanted to or not. I was scared yet curious. Scared that I would look up and see he was annoyed at me, frustrated he had to bring me on a date with him. My eyes and face were probably a mess from the crying. But somewhere inside of me, I knew that if I wasn't crying, he wouldn't have chosen me.

The small concert hall was large actually; at least, it was the biggest I had ever visited. The lights illuminated a brilliant stage, where an ebony piano stood silently. At its sight, I was reminded of my childhood; a childhood filled with the songs the piano sang to me. I couldn't help but smile at the memories.

We walked along the alley; the seats were of a high-class material and seemed very comfortable. The whole hall seemed to be built with lustrous wood that shone the light off slightly. I had never been in such a luxurious place before; the sight of it all enchanted me.

We stopped close to the stage. Jonghyun didn't say anything. I didn't know if he was feeling the same way as I did. Curiosity pulled at me; I wondered if he was as baffled as I was at this sight.

Nah, he probably wasn't. He's been to many luxurious places... This must not've been much to him.

His arm hesitated, then let go of me slowly. I started to lose confidence. We stood there a few moments, in silence. I didn't know if I was supposed to say something, if I had to stay silent. I was afraid of disappointing him, of making him regret being with me.

Footsteps were heard suddenly; he was running towards the stage. I slowly looked up from my jacket, he got on stage and walked to the piano. The lights added an angelic hue to his silhouette. He softly touched the piano, as if he was scared of tarnishing it. He then turned to look at me.

Our gazes met.

His eyes were pure, filled with hope and comfort.

So many emotions swirled into me: fear, shyness, fascination, happiness.

He seemed surprised at first, then he slowly smiled at me; a sweet, genuine smile. I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"To my crybaby date," he said simply, with a sly grin, as he sat on the pearlescent piano.

His hands arched themselves on the notes; the expression of his face changed completely. He was concentrated and serious; a whole other side of him appeared. As the first note resounded, my heart skipped a beat. The melody that emanated from the piano was pure and softly sang in my ears. I recognized the song; it was Replay.

It sounded like a whole different song; a more fragile yet inspiring version of it. It felt like Jonghyun was, through the soft notes, telling me it was going to be okay, that I won't ever be alone again. As his hands glided along the angelic piano, his passion for music resounded in the whole concert hall.

Everything seemed to fade away; my worries, my pain, my loneliness. There was no more past or future. The present held me in its arms and gently cradled me to the melody.

At that moment, I felt complete, eternal, invincible.

He had saved me so many times, in my darkest hours. Whenever I was sad, it was the interest and passion for music in his whole soul that whispered me to sleep. Even during the very few moments we met, his kindness had always been without bounds; always understanding and accepting who I was. He had always been there.

Always.

Just like an angel.

Tears slowly appeared again. But I let them fall. These tears were different. They weren't made from my pain and sadness; they were made from the happiness I felt, from the gratefulness I had inside of me. There were no words, no act that could express my gratitude.

And so I stood there, looking at the angel gracefully call upon an inspiring melody, crying my heart out.

If forever could be made, I would want it to be now, eternally.

Jonghyun's POV

As I finished playing, an emotion I had once lost was right inside my heart; the emotion of passion, of fulfillment.

Has it been so long since I played any instrument? Where had this feeling gone?

I stared at the keys; I wanted to play again, to bring back the melody I had created. I wanted to play endlessly, cradled by the music I summoned with my heart. The only thing I needed was time. But I had no more.

No more ever since I chose to pursue my dream.

What could I really do though? I loved singing. I really did. All the support of the fans, the ability to live my whole life singing, all the oppurtunities to live extraordinary things. I shouldn't be complaining. Yet I felt empty, even after all that.

I smiled at myself, thinking about this. What are you doing, Kim Jonghyun? Regretting is the last thing you want to do. Not after having put so many efforts and hope to reach this dream.

I sighed.

What was wrong with me?

I got up reluctantly from the piano, staring one last time at it, heart pulled at. As I turned to walk off stage, I saw her, standing there, crying.

I couldn't believe I had forgotten her there. And now, she was crying again.

Wah~. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!

I quickly walked off stage and arrived next to her; tears were falling from her eyes, but she didn't cover her face with her hands this time. I could see her face completely. She wiped her tears, like a kid, with the palm of her hands. As I looked at her, I had the impression I had already seen her somewhere before. I shrugged off that feeling and tried to think of a way to stop her crying.

"Hey, you know," I said softly. "You don't need to cry so much after hearing me play~. Just a smile would've been enough."

She laughed and smiled, wiping away some tears coming from her twinkling eyes. She didn't seem to have cried from sadness; it felt like a different kind of crying. Almost like a meaningful cry, one of happiness. I couldn't explain why, but I started to feel light-hearted; her presence reassured me. I didn't need to be all flirty or outgoing around her. I could be the person I really was: caring, dreamy and calm.

We stood there, silent; I looked at her wipe away the last tears, smiling shyly. I started to think of what we could do here, in this vast concert hall, on this date.

It felt weird though. Usually, I would know what the usual fans would want; I would've talked with them, I would be asked to play the piano and to sing, I would've taken pictures with them. But she was different. I didn't need to keep the image of myself as outgoing with this fan. For the first time in a long while, I started to feel a bit nervous.

As she looked at me, waiting and blushing, I smiled at her reassuringly.

Maybe I should just keep things simple.

I silently took her hand; she looked a bit surprised but didn't seem against it. It felt that, with her, no words were needed; only acts spoke. I led us into the middle row of luxurious seats then sat. She did so as well. We looked at the stage in front of us, shining brightly, only for us.

And so we stayed seated there, holding hands, looking at the lustrous piano in front of us; I felt calm and relaxed, like all the stress I had from my daily life had retreated somewhere else. I still didn't know her name, but it felt like we had always known each other, through our silence.

I didn't know how long we had stayed like that, but that moment felt everlasting.

I was never going to forget this feeling.

After a while, I knew I had to be a good date; I shook myself to snap out of my daze and looked at her. As if she had felt I had turned, she did so as well and looked right into my eyes. They were filled with hope and happiness; it warmed my heart to know I had somehow managed to change that glint of hurt she had in her eyes.

I knew we couldn't stay forever silent on a date; I would be a lousy date if I hadn't said much.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," I said softly, as to not break the comfortable silence too suddenly.

"Yes...," she answered in a shy voice. "It's all thanks to you. I'm really grateful."

"No need to thank me~," I said, smiling. I was truly glad I was able to help her, no matter the problems she had.

I hesitated a bit, wondering if it would be rude or strange to ask for her name. I knew I couldn't spend the whole date not knowing her name though.

"Ummm~... I'm sorry, I should have asked you before, but what's your name?" I asked, a bit embarassed.

She seemed surprised at first, then smiled at me; it was a kind smile, devoid of shyness this time.

"The name's Sang Hee," she said serenely.

Sang Hee? Why does that name remind me of something? I think I heard it before somewhere... There were too many coincidences; her face and name were tugging at my memories.

Sang Hee's POV

He probably forgot me, since he asked for my name. I knew he would've but, for some reason, the tiny hope I had inside of me stinged so much. I didn't want to trouble him even more, so I smiled at him.

He seemed to be thinking about something now; he turned to look at the stage, deep in thought.

Huh? What happened?

I continued to look at him, confused; another shroud of silence enveloped us. It felt suffocating; I had the impression I had done something wrong, by telling my name.

All my distress and confusion were all in vain though: he turned to look at me again, still in deep thought. His stare wasn't piercing, but it felt a bit intimidating. I looked away, not knowing how to face his gaze.

"Hey, Sang Hee," he started calmly. "Have we met before?"

Those words surprised me; I turned back to look at him. He had an intensive gaze and it seemed like he was trying to remember something. Was he trying to remember me?

I hesitated and thought of what to say. Should I tell him? Did he really remember me? Hope soared in my heart; I was scared to know. As my hope grew, I knew it would break my heart to have it shattered this way.

But I couldn't refuse anything to Jonghyun, could I?

"I went to the fan meeting 2 months ago," I said shyly, desperately hoping. "And you found my cellphone and had... returned it to me."

At those words, his eyes slowly gleamed and a smile took hold of his lips.

"Ms.Clumsy, right?!" he said enthusiasticly, like a kid who solved a riddle. "I just knew I had seen you somewhere before~."

He smiled at me with so much happiness; I unconsciously returned his smile. My heart danced to the rhythm of my happiness; he really did remember me. It was a miracle; a miracle that as faint my presence was in his life, he had still manager to recall the events we had had together.

I didn't know how to express my feelings though; how could I show him I was grateful, that I owed him so much?

"Hey, want me to show you how to play the piano?" he said, smiling. He looked at his watch. "We still have an hour left."

Already 1 hour passed? My heart saddened at that thought. I didn't want this to end. I was starting to depend on him, and I knew I shouldn't be.

"I already know how to play the piano," I answered, laughing slightly. "I just haven't played in a few months."

At that answer, he bore a surprised expression, which soon turned into a mischievous smile. "Oh really? Show me how well you can play then~."

He took me by the hand and we ran towards the stage, towards the angel's piano; I left the jacket that was his, that had protected me from the hurt and pain. I didn't need it, now that Jonghyun was with me.

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Hmm... What to say about this chapter...

4 words: I LOVED WRITING IT.

I personally think this chapter was beautiful; I tried to convey the feeling I had from the song into it.

I had just rediscovered the piano version of Replay and it inspired me so much for this chapter! I hope you guys were listening to it while reading because it adds alot of the feeling I wanted to give!

I know I'm aiming for a realistic fanfic, and I've heard it's doing good so far in that department. This chapter might trouble you guys with the cliché a bit, I think, but it's just that with the personalities I gave to Jonghyun and Sang Hee, it seemed like the right way to go.

ANYWAYS, so much bla bla bla~. Thank you guys for subscribing and reading and supporting! I'm really grateful to all of youuuu~. <3