A nearly full suitcase lay open on the bed with a few shirts neatly stacked beside the medium sized purple bag.  A small bag rested on the floor against the bed with just a few items inside to weigh it down.  In either hand Sung-hee held a shoe.  Her left a simple white heel and the right a rainbow colored converse.  Only one pair could fit into the bag along with her sandals, tennis shoes and black heels.  To her there was no such thing as over packing when it came to shoes, even if it was for just a week.  Her eyes darted between the two shoes, back to the suitcase and then back to the shoes for several minutes trying to decide on the pair she would be able to fit comfortably inside her suitcase. 

Releasing a heavy sigh Sung let her hands drop but still held onto the shoes with two fingers.  Moments like this she realized that she really needed to spend less money on shoes and probably more on clothes.  Walking over to the bedside slowly she peered into the suitcase.  Makeup check shirts check dresses check jeans check skirts check, check, check, check.  Glancing down at the shoes again she rolled her eyes a little bit.  Oh screw it.  Rolling her eyes once more she dropped the heel into the preserved space in the middle next to the other heel and pulled out the other rainbow colored converse.  “I’ll just wear these tonight.”  Tossing the converses over to the side she put the remaining shirts over the perfectly arranged shoes she cracked a small smile.  A part of her was still in disbelief that she’d be spending a whole week in Japan with Thunder and the rest of MBLAQ.  She wondered how much begging he had to do to get her approved to come but she wouldn’t ask that now and she was too stunned when he asked her to come with him to do so then.

Zipping up the suitcase she slid it further back and took a seat on the now vacant spot and pulled out her phone.  She still had another hour until Thunder would arrive to pick her up and she figured she might as well double check that Delphine was going to house sit for her.  Even though she probably wouldn’t enjoy getting woken up since it was around midnight now.  Tough cookies I don’t like this early morning flight either.  With a familiar ease her thumb flew across the buttons as she punched in her best friend’s number. 

Hey!  Hey pick up the phone!  It’s your best friend! Pick it up!

Sung-hee couldn’t help but laugh as she heard her own voice in the phone.  As a joke the two had set separate ring tones for when the other was calling both the same thing.  Right now Sung-hee knew that Delphine now hated the decision to bring it up.  The tone dragged on and eventually led to the droning voice of the woman informing Sung-hee she was to leave a voicemail.  “I think not dear friend of mine.”  Mere seconds later the ring tone reached her ears once more and Sung-hee could imagine Delphine throwing her pillow at her nightstand in aggravation. 

“What in the hell could you possibly want?”

A happy giggle left Sung-hee and she smiled leaning back on the bed a bit knowing already that she was going to have way too much fun with this conversation.  To her messing with a half asleep Delphine had turned into something of a past time.  “Hello to you too best friend.”

Delphine sighed in exasperation and Sung-hee could imagine her rubbing her hand over her face in frustration as was typical of her.  “Sung-hee do you have a death wish?  I’m tired you know that.”

Unconsciously Sung-hee nodded a few times before she caught herself but shrugged anyway.  She had always been one of those people that were animated on the phone unless she was out in public.  “Yes I know.”

Another sigh on Delphine’s part this time a little more annoyed, almost growl like.  “So why are you calling me waking me up from my amazing dream?”

Sung-hee ‘ohed’ in surprise and shifted around excitedly knowing that her sensitive microphone would pick up some of it.  “Oh you had an amazing dream?  Tell me about it.”  She knew that her fake enthusiasm would succeed in making her tired friend even more upset.

As expected a low growl left Delphine and Sung-hee once again could imagine a snarl curling up the girl’s lips.  “Sung-hee!”

“Rude.”  She pouted and huffed a little pretending that it would actually get the other girl to stop being so ‘mean’ so to speak.

“I’m hanging up!”

Eyes wide Sung-hee suddenly sat up straight her hand out in front of her in alarm, typically Delphine would let her poke and prod at her a bit more before she decided to hang up.  “No don’t do that I just wanted to double check that you were house sitting for me this week since I’ll be away and stuff.”

Another growl.  “I’ll sit on you.”

It took all of Sung-hee’s will power to not burst out into a fit of laughter hearing that.  Mostly because she knew that Delphine would drive all the way up there in hopes to be able to sit on her before Thunder would be able to pick her up.  “I’m serious Delphine.”

“Yeah yeah I am don’t worry.”

She clicked her tongue once and sighed, “I better not have to,” grinning she paused and leaned back into the bed once more, “so what was that dream about hm?”

“Goodnight Park.”

Practically cackling with laughter when she was met with the dial tone Sung-hee let her phone drop on the bed and nearly fell back on her suitcase once she lost her balance.  Wincing as her finger got caught in the hole of the wheel she looked at the appendage pouting a little.  As the hour slowly started to pass by she got more and more antsy.  She changed into a loose and comfortable pair of jeans and a loose long sleeved shirt her best airplane clothes and had her suitcase by the door along with her purse in a matter of minutes.  After that she was forced to occupy herself with mundane tasks such as fixing up the bathroom, organizing her magazine stack on the table and double checking that she had enough money for the week. 

She thought she was going crazy trying to find things to keep her awake when finally the door opened and she turned to find Thunder leaning against the frame a tired smile on his lips.  “Don’t you ever knock?”  Her tone was light and teasing as he picked up her suitcase and she walked over.

“Would you like me to?”  His left eyebrow rose as he offered his arm and she laughed, shook her head, grabbed her purse and looped arms with him.

“No it’s fine you might as well consider it your second home anyway.”  Thunder nodded in agreement knowing that he already had several things over there including a few clothing items and she even kept some of his favorite foods in the cupboard for him. 

“True.  I’m surprised I didn’t have to wake you up actually.”

Sung-hee pouted and nudged him with her hip as the elevator finally arrived.  Jumping inside quickly she danced around a little her tired hyperness finally kicking in.  “I’m nice and awake I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

Thunder once again raised an eyebrow and pulled her under his arm to still her as a few other people came in on the next floor.  Probably working grave yard shifts at their jobs from the looks of them.  He watched as she already started to fade a little bit, blinking her eyes rapidly and leaning against him comfortably.  With a small smirk like smile on his lips he leaned down to her ear, “You know the second we sit down in the place you’re going to pass out.”  When she didn’t respond right away he knew he was right and the small blush on her cheeks made his chest swell with pride.  He would always love the fact he could still make her react that way.

Suddenly she flicked his chest lightly and looked up at him with cutting eyes though a smile was on her face completely throwing away the angry image.  “I will not pass out I will curl up into a little ball and fall asleep there is a difference.”  She held up her finger in a matter of fact way before stepping out of the elevator and taking Thunder’s stunned moment to take her suitcase from him and take his hand in her free one. 

As they walked to the exit Thunder peered at her curiously she was far too hyper for going to the airport when she told him that she absolutely hated airports.  “Did you have sugar before I came over?”

She told him that she wouldn’t since sugar tended to make her antsy and rather impatient.  And since they’d have to push through a small crowd of loyal fans and the security of the airport he suggested staying away from sugar.  “No! I mean erm why do you ask that?”  He could already tell from the way she reacted that it was a lie.

Rolling his eyes as they reached the door he suddenly stopped and used his hand in hers as leverage to abruptly pull her back allowing for his lips to crash against hers.  She had opened to speak giving Thunder the perfect opportunity to slip his tongue inside and explore with relish.  After a few seconds he pulled back with a smug and knowing smile on his face.  “You had some of your cherry lollipops.”  The darkest blush that Thunder had ever seen took over Sung-hee’s face and she looked away hitting his chest lightly with a small pout.  He just smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders again and finally brought her out the door.  “It’s okay but you’re not allowed to get impatient during the wait.” 

Sung-hee didn’t vocalize her response.  Instead she stuck out her tongue and gave the suitcase to Thunder before scampering into the back to lie across the last two available seats.  Her takeover attempt was quickly smothered as Thunder smoothly picked up her legs and dropped them on his lap patting her knee in a teasingly affectionate way.  “Don’t tell me that you’re going to sleep already.”  The teasing didn’t seem to end and though Sung-hee once again had a smile on her face she stuck her tongue out at him.

“I’ll be impatient if I want to be.”

“Of course you will Sung-ah of course you will.”  Once again he patted her leg and she stuck her tongue out at him.  Lee Joon joked for them to get a room and everyone laughed but the atmosphere quickly faded as everyone started to nod off to sleep.  Their power nap lasted what felt like minutes before they were ushered out of the van and through the small gathering of fans.  The flight started boarding at two so they had a little under an hour and a half to get through security; possibly one of the most mundane tasks that anyone would ever have to endure. 

Thankfully the airport wasn’t too crowded considering how late or technically early it was most flights were the ones coming in not going out.  At first Sung-hee was still impatient waiting in the lines shifting back and forth and looking around to see how much longer till they reached the front.  Soon enough her hyper state disappeared and by the time the small crowd reached the metal detectors she was dragging her feet eyes half open and yawning.  She barely woke up enough to pass through the security guards and not trip over her own two feet.  Even though a part of her was demanding that she looked back since she felt eyes on her. 

As soon as they reached the waiting area they all stopped for food hoping it would help wake them up a little bit until their section was called.  Unfortunately not even the best fish and rice could wake the lot of them up.  Still they ate well and left nothing on their plates forgetting that a full stomach only made you sleepier.  As a last resort Sung-hee headed to one of the shops to try and buy a magazine to read or something. 

“Yah Sung-ah what are you doing?”  Thunder walked over with a slightly crooked smile as he looked down at Sung-hee who was currently looking for a magazine to buy.

“I’m going to buy a magazine of course silly.”  She mumbled going to reach for what she thought was a magazine only to have Thunder grab her wrist and gently pull her back to him.

“Then what are you doing reaching for a cookbook?”  He whispered in her ear only to earn a stunned expression from his half awake girlfriend.  “Come on baby let’s just sit and wait for the attendants to call.”  With a small bow to the slightly confused cashier he led Sung-hee over to one of the many rows of seating.  Almost instantly she wrapped her arms around Thunder’s waist and glanced at the nearby clock, five minutes, not a lot of time for a nap at all.  So she didn’t even bother relaxing too much though her eyes still fought against her to shut.  Thunder playing with her hair wasn’t helping in her attempts to stay awake either.

“Just go to sleep.” 

His soft voice was so luring that she almost did so.  Almost.  “Nu uh we’re going to be called soon I’ll sleep on the plane.”  Her words were muffled and slow as she glanced around the waiting area looking for something to catch her interest long enough to stay awake. 

She found something alright.

There he was walking around looking for her with only a small bag in his hand.  Had he really gotten a ticket and suffered through security just to try and talk to her?  What was it that he wanted anyway?  Instantly she shot up into a ramrod position her eyes wide and unblinking as she stared in shock at him.  Fear, confusion and anger pounded through her as fought off her first reaction to run and hide.  Thunder raised a brow and tensed up a bit seeing her frantic expression expecting the worst but the person that he expected to see wasn’t there. 

It wasn’t Dae.   

Then just who the hell was he?  He tried to get Sung-hee’s attention by shaking her gently but she couldn’t take her eyes off the man no matter how hard she tried.  It didn’t take her long to figure out that he didn’t know her flight; he was simply in search of her.  While that made her feel better she was still in awe that he managed to get the information that she was even going to be here.  How did he get that anyway?  Was he following her better than she realized? 

“I take it that’s your nuisance?”  His tone wasn’t accusatory, sarcastic or even harsh merely confused and someone interested in her reaction.  She just nodded in response and frantically picked up a newspaper that had been left to hide her face when the man turned his attention towards her.  She could feel Thunder’s frustration that she wasn’t paying much attention to him even though he was poking her side constantly. 

As soon as he felt the eyes off her she finally closed the newspaper and turned to Thunder her tired eyes back and more powerful than ever.  It was amazing what a moment of shock and stress could do to ones fatigue level.  “Yes that would be it.”

“Him.”

Sung-hee narrowed her eyes a little bit in frustration.  “Whatever.”

Thunder opened his mouth to say something but then their section was called and Sung-hee bolted up to grab her suitcase.  Just as she was about to head towards the gangway Thunder grabbed her wrist and looked at her with the most sincerely concerned eyes she had ever seen.  “Who is he Sung-hee?”  His voice was just as concerned it nearly broke her heart but she knew that she wasn’t quite ready to tell him.  Maybe after the trip was over.  Maybe.

Shaking her head she gently got out of his grasp and sighed.  “Ask Hyo.”

“Sung-hee-”

Before he could say anything more Sung-hee turned and showed the woman her ticket.  In a matter of seconds she was down the gangway her heart pounding as she heard Thunder behind her.  She knew that it would eat him alive until he found out just who this mystery man was.  But Sung-hee knew that telling him here would incite too many greedy ears and too many tears for the public eye.  She got to her seat and her bag in the overhead compartment quickly, muttering to herself how unfair life could be.  Just as she turned her phone off Thunder came up and got his bag in the compartment as well. 

For the first time, the silence between them was somewhat awkward and Sung-hee hated herself so much for it.  Hesitantly she reached out and laced her fingers with his.  “I promise you that I’ll tell you or that Hyo will if you want to know beforehand.”

Thunder for at least a minute didn’t speak.  That minute felt like an eternity to Sung-hee and she found herself letting out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in when he finally did speak.  “I hate seeing you upset Sung-ah.”  A deep frown lined his face and his eyes were the saddest she had seen him since the night Seung Ho saved her from Lee.

“I know I’m sorry,” she chewed on her lip a feeling of shame washing over her “I feel like I’ve ruined everything.”

Without a second thought he turned to her completely ignoring the flight attendant his eyes wide and shook his head a few times.  Instantly his hands were on her shoulders in hopes it would emphasis what he was about to say. “What? No, no don’t you dare think that I just wish there were some things you’d be willing to tell me.”

Again she bit her lip and nodded in understanding.  “You’ll know soon I promise.”  Sometimes she swore she had no idea how he managed to put up with her.  Finally the two adjusted themselves to the specifications of the attendants and once again their hands were laced together.  A sense of relief was felt on Sung-hee’s part while Thunder felt a little less on edge though thoughts of the man were still gnawing at his brain mercilessly.  Somehow Sung-hee didn’t even have to speak but simply put her head on his shoulder to push back the thoughts and enjoy the simple comfort of the one he loved. 

The pair sat in silence as the rest of the members and staff got adjusted in their seats along with the other passengers.  Some of them were already asleep and were being awakened by the attendants as they went by and closed the compartments.  Right after the safety demonstration Sung-hee curled up against Thunder not even caring about catching the flight take off, she was far too tired. 

Ladies and gentlemen the flight from Seoul to Tokyo has now been cleared for takeoff, please fasten your seatbelts.