Today was just like any other day for Hyoyeon, she went through her daily routine as per usual, her own schedule was pretty blank today, so going to the practice room with the girls and practicing the dance routine for Paparazzi was all she really had to do.

            A couple of hours into their practice session though Tiffany, Taeyeon, and Seohyun all had to leave for TaTiSeo and not long afterwards the other girls left one by one as well.

            Jessica waved as she stood by the door, "Are you sure you're not going to come with us, Hyo?" She lingered behind the others, hanging on to the door as she waited for her friend's answer.

            Not even bothering to stop her routine, Hyoyeon glanced over at her, shaking her head lightly, moving to the music and only stopping when the tape was finished. "I'm going to stay here and practice a little more, Sica." She smiled, brushing a lock of hair out of her face and taking a large swig of water from the bottle sitting by her feet. "You guys go on, I'll catch up to you later."

            "Alright then, suit yourself." She left with a shrug, shutting the door quietly behind her.

            Taking just a small pause to chuckle at her friend and restart the music, Hyoyeon quickly got back to work, concentrating completely on the music, flowing from one move to the other. As she often did when she practiced, she closed her eyes, focusing on the way each and every move felt and how she could flow into the next move even smoother, making everything connect perfectly. Completely unaware of anything else going on her, she continued in perfect harmony with the music playing through the tiny stereo sitting in the corner.

            Tired and exhausted from working on the routine for “Spy” all day, Hyukjae finally decided to give it a rest in their own practice room. He was pretty much by himself now except for Yesung who apparently felt content to just sit there a while longer. Chuckling slightly he patted him on the shoulder. "Yah, hyung, you know you can go home now right?"

            Yesung simply shrugged and stood up finally. "It seemed quieter here" he joked, scratching his neck a little. "I wasn't in the mood for rounds of soju today"

            "Arasso" Hyukjae nodded. "Do what you want, I think I'm going to see what's left in the cafe downstairs" He flashed his signature toothy grin at his dongsaeng. "You know they always have something good."

            Rolling his eyes at him because at times the boy could just be so odd, Yesung nodded. "Neh. I'll see you back at the dorm" he replied though Hyukjae appeared to have already left the area in his excitement.   

            Whistling a little to himself, Hyukjae wandered around the halls idly. Sometimes there was just soothing really soothing about being in the SMEnt building at night. The fact that no one else was hardly around, everything was quiet, even reporters had mostly went their separate ways only added to this. In fact, it was so peaceful that it took him another whole minute to backtrack when he'd heard a small commotion coming from one of the dance rooms. He peered in the tiny window curiously but because it was a frosted glass window, he couldn't make out who was in there.

            Admittedly a little cautiously, he turned the handle and crept in. At first glance though, he knew it was Hyoyeon from SNSD and he let out all his breath, chuckling as he walked up to her as casually as ever. "Yah, Kim Hyoyeon, you scared the hell out of me" he shook his head. "Practicing again?" he quirked, already knowing the answer. That girl was such a powerhouse with her dancing and one didn't get that way without putting a little effort in. 

            The sound of the door behind her opening brought her back out of her trans-like state and she quickly opened her eyes, catching his reflection in the mirror, she immediately her heel, a wide grin on her face. "Hyukjae-Oppa!" She made her way over to him, taking another sip from her water bottle to give her time to catch her breath again.

            It wasn't actually until she got directly in front of him though that she realized how much stomach she was showing. She quickly untied the shirt and smoothed the wrinkles out self-consciously. To change the subject, she hit him in the arm lightly, "You surprised me! Just waltzing in like that. Ever heard of knocking?" Laughing, she tilted her head, looking up at him curiously. “What brings you here? You weren't busy today?"

            Grinning in return to her expression, Hyukjae simply bowed his head once a bit shyly. He always got that way around her for some reason. "Anyeong" he watched her curiously, not really meaning to let himself be drawn into staring but she would just happen to be wearing something like that. He found himself coughing slightly as she folded the shirt back down, his face noticeably reddening.

            She really needed to stop doing that, because she looked even more attractive when she did and then SM liked it and then next thing you know, she's baring her stomach onstage again... for like the millionth time. Realizing he was mentally ranting, a sign of going insane he was sure, Hyukjae shook his head as if physically clearing the thoughts. He brought his gaze back to focus on her once again, seemingly nonchalant.

            "Oh? No we were busy, but just routine rehearsal" he nodded to ensure his point. Suddenly a curious thought popped into his mind. "Um, Hyoyeon-sshi? I was just about to go find something to eat downstairs, do you want to go too?" He looked away shyly and then added in with a smirk and a nervous chuckle "Unless you want to walk around the empty building alone" he teased

            The brief lapse of conversation from her question and Hyukjae's answer had Hyoyeon feeling rather awkward, she smiled though and nodded understandingly. "Yeah, I didn't have anything other than rehearsal, too." After hearing her name, she crossed her arms, letting out a sigh and quirking an eyebrow at him. "What did I tell you about the "sshi" thing, Oppa?" She hit his arm again, pursing her lips in an unimpressed pout. "We know each other better than that, don't we?"

            Disregarding her disappointment for the unfamiliar name Hyukjae always called her; she suddenly brightened at his suggestion. "Oh really? Yeah, I'll come with you, just give me a second,"

            Quickly, she ran over, grabbing her flats and taking the CD out of the stereo, practically pushing Hyukjae out the door in her excitement. "Let's go, let's go, let's go!" After they got outside and she'd closed the door behind him, she looked up at his expression, shrugging at him. "I'm really hungry, I haven't had anything to eat today." Again, Hyo hit him in the arm; this was beginning to become a habit. "Was that supposed to scare me? The big scary empty building, alone~" She wiggled her fingers jokingly at him and rolled her eyes. "I'm not worried one bit."

            Sighing slightly, Hyukjae nodded. "Arasso arasso" he responded to her light chiding. He knew of course that she meant it too. She had a big thing about not using honorifics sometimes and he actually had a big thing about using them.

            Their opinions sometimes conflicted like this. Of course there was nothing wrong with calling her familiarly, after all he kind of liked the sound of adding the affectionate '-ah' to her name but there was also some sort of feeling like it was almost dangerous to be so close. He never really could explain that but it's what held him back from acting how he truly wanted to around her. As it was, he was already giddy sometimes just hearing her call him oppa.

            That pretty tone of her voice that people took for granted, her smiling face when she was truly happy, all these things made him forever falling for her. He just wasn't ready to admit it yet. He'd be surprised though if she couldn't already read him like a book, with all their years of being friends.

            He smiled at her as they started to walk down the hall now, truly happy she'd decided to go with him. Chuckling at her being so playful again, he shook his head. "Yah~ it's not nice to beat up your oppa, especially when he's your sunbae" he stuck his tongue out at her. Scoffing lightly he turned to give her a look now. "Kure, so if you're not scared at all then maybe I should just go back to the dorm and eat, by myself" he teased, spinning on his heel to go do so, not really intending to though of course, just waiting for her to give up the act. Part of him wanted to hear her call him back anyways. 

            Really, Hyoyeon knew she was just acting like a choding, but she didn't care, this was just how the two of them acted around each other, it was like a routine almost. Being around him just always made her so much happier, in comparison to anyone else; she always felt the most energetic with him right next to her.

            Her eyes sparkled as she took in his expression, already expecting the jokes that came along with hanging out around him. Just for good measure she gave him one last hit in the arm. "Blah blah blah, sunbae, sunbae, sunbae, is all I ever hear from you." Happily she stuck her tongue right back out at him, placing her hands on her hips. "You may be a sunbae in terms of you debuting first, but I was a trainee before you."

            Suddenly her eyes widened and she lunged forward, clutching onto his hand and pulling him back, her eyes darting back and forth in the hallway she'd only just realized was actually rather dark and creepy. "Oppa! No! You can't just leave me here, you wouldn't actually do that, would you?" Just in case she kept a death grip on his hand anyways, her eyes pleading with him to not leave her there. "I was just kidding, don't be like that."

            Chuckling a little to himself, Hyukjae spun back around looking at her, feigning curiosity. "Mwoh? What's that I see, is that fear in your eyes Hyoyeon-ah?" he smiled again and let her tug him back the way they were originally going. "Arasso. Of course I wasn't going to just leave you here. Joke or no joke what kind of namja would that make me?"

            He shook his head, now childishly pretending to be offended but took her hand anyways firmly and led her towards the kitchen again. He carefully took the stairs, not wanting the extra discomfort of a cramped elevator at the moment. Besides neither of them minded a little more exercise. They could be doing just about anything right now and still enjoy themselves just fine.

            This was how things always went with Hyoyeon around. There were laughs, jokes, and generally a good time. Hyukjae found he was never lonely around her or wanting anyone else's company.

            Blinking slightly he realized just how much he truly like this girl from that one thought. Maybe he should listen to his hyungs for their teasing for once. Maybe he should stop with all this hesitation. Could having dinner alone here mean something might happen?

            Now Hyukjae was blushing and he quickly tried to clear that off before she'd notice. Changing subject was the best route. "I was kidding too" he replied, chuckling once more, trying not to sound as nervous as he suddenly felt.

            After a little while longer they reached the cafe and Hyukjae peered in carefully to see if anyone else was there. Nope, quiet and calm, no signs of movement. He held the door for Hyoyeon, bowing a full 90 degrees mockingly and using a deep voice as he said "After you" 

            "I'm not scared!" Hyoyeon dropped the hold she'd had on his hand, crossing her arms over her chest with a pout. "I was just thinking that it would be awfully cruel of you to make a girl walk to the cafe all on her own. It'd make you an awfully bad namja, that's for sure." She played along with him, happy to know that he was going to be coming along with her after all.

            It's not like she was easily scared, but with how quiet and lonely it was here just about anyone would be creeped out walking around there. Any past anxiety she'd had vanished as soon as Hyukjae took her hand in his, it had an immediate calming effect over her as she looked over at him, watching his eyebrows furrow she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. He was so cute when he made that expression, well no, actually he was cute when he was making just about any expression....

            She laughed when he jokingly held the door open for her and walked in before him. "Always such the gentleman." With one smooth motion she pulled him in after her and led him up to the cashier, looking up at the menu curiously. "I~ think I'm just going to have a milkshake actually, I probably shouldn't have something to eat this late..." 

            As she walked in ahead of him, Hyukjae let out another soft chuckle at her teasing. "Of course you were. That's why you seemed to cling onto me when I pretended to leave" he grinned mischievously at her and now followed her over to the register.

            He himself looked at the choices idly. There really wasn't anything he wanted to eat just now that they had. Curiously he turned to Hyoyeon and then looked back at the cashier before making up his mind. "A milkshake actually sounds pretty good" he nodded to the man. "Can you make it a large?" he added, after which he turned to Hyoyeon. "You don't mind sharing right?" he smirked a little, not intending to look so flirty about the gesture but she always somehow managed to drag that out of him anyways. 

            The cashier chuckled at them and waved with a smile. "Neh. It's on the house. I'm the manager, just here to close up after you two finish." 

            Hyukjae smiled happily and bowed his head. "Ah, kahmsahmida" he turned and gave a shrug to Hyoyeon and then took the cup after it was handed to them. They found a seat nearby one of the windows, which had a nice view of the night outside and he handed her a straw. 

            A small frown tugged downwards on her lips as he continued to about being afraid of being by herself. "I was just trying to help you get back your image is all. I mean, it would be bad if your fans knew that you left a girl behind in a practically deserted building to fend for herself.... that's all."

            Jokingly, she rolled her eyes at him, sighing overly dramatically. "Oh, I suppose so, I mean if I have to." Following Hyukjae's lead, she bowed as well, waving to the man. "Thank you so much." Smiling a little at getting the treat, she followed Hyukjae once again, around the corner and took the seat across from him, grinning like a child as she eyed the milkshake hungrily. 

            "Thank you," Hyoyeon took the straw from him and slipped into their frozen treat, taking the opportunity to take the first sip as well. Conveying how good it was with her entire body,

            Hyoyeon closed her eyes dramatically, leaning her head back in the chair before snapping back up to grin at Hyukjae. "It's really good." She chimed, sliding it across the table to him. "Here, have some."

            Hyukjae simply laughed at how eager the girl seemed to be just to get a hold of the drink and he grinned even more at her stealing the first sip.

            It was a shame he wasn't really the type to crack inappropriate jokes or he'd probably be making some right about now after seeing her expression. He did quirk a brow at her gesture of approval and chuckled deep in his throat. "Neh, I can see that" he teased, sticking his tongue out childishly at her. 

            Feigning curiosity, the dancer leaned forward on both of his now crossed hands and watched her. "So, Hyoyeon-ah? Do you always make faces like that when enjoying your food?" he grinned again with his gums showing and then nodded to the beverage. "I mean really, I can leave you and the milkshake alone if you want" he teased further.

            That of course was the closest he could get to telling her that she was driving him to the brink of mental insanity....and over a freaking milkshake too. Did the girl seriously not see how attractive she was? 

            She certainly was a choding although Hyukjae couldn't help but fail to think of her like that in this kind of situation. Already he liked her, now she was just driving the stake home. Again he felt the push to do something about it, he just didn't know what or how. 

            It took a second for Hyoyeon to actually understand what it was that Hyukjae was referencing, but as soon as she did she sighed, mentally rolling her eyes at him again, she couldn't help but chuckle lightly anyways though, a small smirk forming on her own face as well in spite of herself. "I do if my food tastes this good."

            Jokingly she slid the milkshake back over to her side. "Fine then, if you can't appreciate my appreciation of my food, it's mine, I take it all for myself." She said with an angry huff, curling her arms around the milkshake cup as if she were hugging it defensively. "Maybe I would like to be left alone with the milkshake. It's yummy and I steal it all for myself. You can't have any."

            Hyukjae chuckled at Hyoyeon. Yet another reason this girl was amazing. She had such a good tact. She always knew when to play along with something or when to joke or exactly when and what to say if someone ever needed encouragement or praise. Likewise, she was that way with her jokes and her humor. He could never do any wrong with her. Their atmosphere just seemed to always meld together perfectly....ironic given the giant crush he had on her.

            He sighed a little to himself about that. He should really speak up, he should really just-he blinked when he was robbed of his beverage and his current wandering thoughts were forced back to where they belonged. Blinking again he glanced down to see that his straw was just dangling uselessly from his mouth seeing as how Hyoyeon had stolen the milkshake for herself.

            He laughed and continued to chew on the straw before taking it out giving her a look of childish defiance. "Yah~" he pursed his lips into a stubborn pout "No. I did actually intend to pay for that, I get to drink a little" he stood from his chair and reached across the table to attempt to pry the glass from her grasp. 

            "No!" Hyo choked back another laugh, keeping a seriously or at least an attempt at a seriously pouty expression on her face. "You were going to treat me. So it should be mine." She pulled back, harder on it, jerking her body back away from the table in order to keep the milkshake from sloshing over the rim on her.

            This triggered a light in her head and her lips turned upwards in a mischievous grin. "You wanted some milkshake?" She questioned a devilish glint in her eyes. "Here." All at once she let go of the milkshake, leaning over the table to dip her pointer finger in the cup, scooping up a little bit of it off of the rim from where it had spilled over on the table earlier and smearing it on his nose before quickly leaning back in her seat, knowing that there would be some form of retaliation afterwards once he got over his shock, erupting into small fits of laughter.

            Admittedly a little miffed that apparently he'd found himself in a childish battle for the treat, Hyukjae sighed, preparing his rebuttal.

            All hope of any civil understanding was lost though when Hyoyeon went and made that bold gesture.

            Gaping in absolute horror at her, the lanky dancer couldn't even act fast enough to have prevented the retaliation. His shocked face slowly morphed into one more of amusement, because let's face it, it's not every day the girl you like shoves ice cream on your nose. His playful side took over as a glint sparked in his eye. "Oh....Oh you've done it now" he laughed and wiped some of the ice cream off his nose with both hands, only to reach forward and smear it on her cheeks, sticking his tongue out before he stood and made a run for it. 

            The grin that had been playing around on Hyoyeon's face quickly dropped, replaced instead with a look of not so much surprise considering she'd been expecting his retaliation, but a little bit of irritation mixed with amusement.

            This kind of childish playfulness was the best part about spending time with Hyukjae, sure there were a few times when they were serious around one another, but for the most part Hyoyeon could just let go and relax around him.

            This was the kind of childishness that was looked down upon during serious moments like conferences or interviews. Sure you could still goof off, but there were limits. With Hyukjae there were no limits and he'd always play along exactly like how she wanted him too.

            Grinning deviously as he got up to run off, Hyoyeon grabbed the milkshake up in one hand and took off after him. They were both fast, both athletic, but she caught him just as he was rounding the corner. When she got him, she wrapped one arm around his stomach in a sort of half back hug, and having no hands to scoop up any of the milkshake, she settled for pouring just a little of it out of the cup and on top of his head, before she jumped back, a short giggle escaping from her lips. 

            Laughing all the while running from her, Hyukjae reveled for just a moment in this feeling he was being swept up in. He and Hyoyeon were having fun, goofing off and actually, some might even say flirting a little but none of them minded in the slightest.

            He let out a short gasp in surprise when he felt the dancer's arms wrap around his waist, his entire face going a little red for a moment before he calmed himself back down a little.

            He winced as the feeling of ice cold ice cream hit him, shivering a little as it dripped down his head. He sighed and turned to her with an expression of mildly irritated disbelief, one eyebrow quirked. 

            His earlier embarrassment was quickly forgotten as he lunged for the cup, purposefully pulling on it because he knew she'd fight him, right before letting go, allowing some of the milkshake to slosh over onto her. He again stuck his tongue out before wiping some from his head in order to smear it in her hair too, using both of his hands to mercilessly tangle the hair he admired on her so much. 

            He laughed a little, flashing his gums once again boyishly and then it seemed to make him realize just how close he was standing and what he was boldly doing by touching her like that. He blinked a little and froze his motions, his hands now simply placed on both sides of her head from where he'd stopped fighting.

            God she looked like a gorgeous mess. Her hair was sticky, her clothes soiled, her face smeared but her eyes were still piercing him with that mischievous look and she still looked every inch a goddess. She was glowing with laughter and trying to catch her breath from all the movement and he found himself completely stunned, unable to catch his own

            "What's that look for?" The blonde asked, feigning complete innocence against the evidence to her last act of vandalism against the poor man standing in front of her, his hair all sticky and messy, hanging limply in his face from the milkshake she'd so mercilessly poured on his head. The fact that he was standing so still though, had sort of caught her off guard. I mean of course he was a bit shocked, she'd expected that, but she'd also expected some form of instant retaliati-then before she even knew it he'd launched himself forward, making a grab for the cup in her hand. Squealing in surprise from the sudden movement, she pulled back just as he let go, nearly falling backwards as the milkshake sloshed over the rim, getting on her hand, but more importantly one of her favorite dancing shirts.

            "You little-" Again she was interrupted by him suddenly moving forward, letting out a small squeal of disapproval when she suddenly felt the cold, sticky sensation in her blond locks. "Ahhhhhh~ Hyukkie, stop~" The fact that she'd have to wash her hair out probably five times just to get the ice cream out and her hair back to its normal healthy condition annoyed her, but she still couldn't help but laugh, reaching up to tangle her own hands in his freshly dyed black hair to mix the milkshake in better in the only form of retaliation possible at the moment, the milkshake cup long forgotten, left laying on the floor.

            When all of the sudden, Hyoyeon felt the lack of motion coming from Hyukjae, as if he were suddenly frozen she stopped as well, the smile from laughing so hard still in place as her eyes gazed up into his own, searching curiously. "What's wrong?"

            Hyukjae mentally panicked just a little more. She'd called him Hyukkie earlier...that came as a slight shock considering he really couldn't remember a time when she'd so carelessly call him like that.

            All of this emotion was racing through his brain. It suddenly became even more painfully obvious that he was falling hard for this crazy dancer....at this point, he was sure he must have looked like a complete idiot standing here in front of her....but suddenly he didn't care.

            As soon as her concerned eyes had locked onto his, reflecting the sudden atmosphere change, he'd been hit. It became a matter of flight or fight and his body betrayed him.

            Before he could even think twice about it, before he could let himself drown in her eyes any more, he was pulled forward by sheer will as his lips crashed against hers. It was sudden, it was the craziest thing he'd ever done....but the feeling...was utter bliss. The hands that had held onto her face playfully, turned gentle as he stepped just a little closer, not daring to hardly breathe anymore because her presence was suffocating....intoxicating him with love. 

            Everything that happened in the next few minutes was way too fast for Hyoyeon to even comprehend, she'd noticed the sudden change in his playful look to something else, but before she'd even had the chance to identify what it was all of the sudden his lips were on hers and she was in a complete state of shock for what felt like a few minutes, but in reality was probably just a few seconds, until her eyes fell closed and she pressed her lips back against his, moving closer to him, loving the feeling of being so close to him, her mind reeling just from the sudden contact.

            She'd always liked him so much, but the way they'd always joked around with each other and the lack of progress the two of them had made since they'd known each other she had always assumed that she'd been labeled as a "friend" or he thought of her as just "one of the guys." Obviously... she'd been wrong.

            Untangling her hands from his hair, she ran them softly through it before slowly dropping them down to rest on his shoulders, leaning up and more into him, smiling softly against his lips.

            Without really being able to explain himself, somehow Hyukjae could just sense when she'd started to respond. To be honest he wasn't sure what to expect. Was he going to get slapped? Or maybe she'd just run from him. He'd never in his wildest dreams imagined that she'd be responding so calmly....that she'd be kissing him back. Was this really happening right now? Hyukjae couldn't quite separate the reality from the fantasy he must have stumbled into. His body coached him though, kept him from making some mistake he'd regret by firmly rooting him to the spot. One of his hands let go of the side of her face as he continued to kiss her back happily, feeling the most bliss he'd felt in a long time. This must have meant she really liked him just as long as he'd liked her. 

            He'd changed everything when he decided to kiss her. There was no going back now...he'd confessed, granted in a different way than most....but now he was ready, fully prepared. He wanted to be with her, keep her by his side as long as possible.