Beautiful Goodbye - f(x)

*Read the english translation of the song. It really fits Aerin and Luhan's situation ;u;*

*A lot of you assumed that Aerin got back with Luhan. Well, let's see ;) *

Past

“Aerin, that kid right there’s Luhan, your Uncle Han’s son. He’s five years older than you so he’s your oppa, understand?” Heegun pushed the seven-year-old Aerin lightly towards the backyard where another kid was seated idly on the grass. “Play with him and be a good girl. Uncle Han and I will just be inside if you need us, okay?”

Once both of Aerin’s feet were finally set on the grass outside, she nodded towards Heegun as she watched his figure retreat back inside the house. Turning back to the backyard, Aerin saw a small figure hunched on one of the corners of the rectangular yard, his back facing her silently.

What should I do now, she thought.

“Well, if you want we could go around the neighborhood.”

Aerin’s eyes widened as the boy stood up and turned to her, a small grin plastered on his face. “Sorry if I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Luhan,” he said, putting out his hand for her to shake.

Still uncertain, Aerin just nodded. “I’m Aerin.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard about you from Uncle Heegun.” Luhan then took Aerin by surprise as he suddenly grabbed the girl’s hand from her back and shook it excitedly. “Nice to finally meet you, Aerin,” he said. Before speaking again, he pulled out a small white daisy from behind him and tucked it on one of Aerin’s ears. “There. Now, how about I tour you around?”

Still unable to get over her shock, Aerin nodded stiffly, afraid of the flower in her ear falling, making Luhan chuckle.

The first time she had talked to Luhan, Aerin thought that he was rather different from the other boys whom she had met before. Setting aside the fact that his face was obviously that of a kid’s and his energy was incomparable, in Aerin’s eyes, Luhan was mature for his age. Unlike other kids, Luhan never did things rashly. He was always cautious and mindful of his actions, thinking very thoroughly before doing something.

And for a boy bordering the stage of his teenage life, Luhan wasn’t rough.

Kids her age, especially boys, were always reckless and noisy, uncaring about everything around them, and Aerin disliked it. Despite also being a kid, Aerin disliked socializing and playing with others, for she wasn’t outgoing and had always favored calmness over merriment.

But with Luhan, it was different.

Aerin had doubted Luhan at first, deeming that he was just another boy who was fascinated by bugs and other disgusting creatures since he had kept on crouching on the grass of their backyard. She thought that he was just another boy scheming a way to make her peaceful life miserable, but she was proven wrong. Rather, he was only looking for a welcoming gift for a friend whom he had been looking forward to meeting all summer long.

Experiencing being treated so gently and differently for the first time, Aerin found herself slowly being drawn to him.

The first summer that they had spent together, she had still been trying to gauge the situation. The second summer, she was much more comfortable, wanting to know more from him. The third summer, their friendship was much stronger and more stable. The fourth summer made way for more unforgettable memories and experiences.

And for the summers after that, they had become entirely inseparable.

Aerin would always do a countdown to summer every year; likewise, Luhan would always prepare for her comeback. They always looked forward to summer for it was the only time of the year where they would finally be able to see each other again after a long period of separation. They would finally be able to play at the neighborhood center again, to take afternoon strolls by Haeundae Beach, and to take pictures of landscapes and self-portraits around Busan.

They would finally be able to be with each other again.

Luhan had always been gentle to Aerin. His hands had always felt light but crisp. His actions were always careful and well thought out.  And his expressions--they always looked so kind and serene. Whenever they were together, Aerin’s body always felt warm. Her mind always felt at ease. Her breathing always became steady, and her heart always became one with his. He was like the older brother that Aerin never had, the older brother that she wished she could have.

Aerin liked everything about Luhan and she knew that it was the same for him.

She just wasn’t sure if their ‘likes’ were of the same kind.

Every single moment that they had spent together, Aerin would always find herself liking Luhan more, and it vexed her because she was unsure if it was considered normal or not. Aerin had always thought—or made herself believe—that her feelings were purely platonic. Luhan had always taken the older brother role in her life, so she never thought differently of him.

However, as they grew older, Aerin began to wonder how it would feel like if she and Luhan were more than just friends.

Luhan had always been secretive about his love life. He never opened up about anything concerning his opinion towards girls, but Aerin knew that he was knowledgeable even in that field. Luhan was older, much more mature, and quite popular; it wouldn’t take a genius to know that he already had experience in dating.

Though it wasn’t really a big deal, Aerin wished that sometimes, he would share something about that part of his life too.

“Aerin, have you met Uncle Heegun’s girlfriend? She seems nice.”

But then why did she feel disturbed when Luhan finally decided to share his thoughts?

“You mean, Aunt Dahee?” Aerin asked simply, trying to hide the discomfort she was feeling. “I met her once… and I decided that I don’t want to meet her again.”

Luhan raised an eyebrow in confusion and looked at her. “Why is that?”

Because she already got my dad, and I don’t want you to go too.

“I just…” Aerin trailed off. Noticing the unexplainable look Luhan was giving her, Aerin just sighed. “Never mind, just forget about it.”

Aerin berated herself for being so stupid.

She should have been happy because Luhan finally opened up to her about such a thing. But contrary to how she had expected herself to react, it was entirely different.

She was disappointed, and she realized one thing.

All this time, she had already liked Luhan more than just a friend.

Aerin loved Luhan.

But just when she realized it, he seemed to already be interested in someone else.

Dahee was Heegun's newly hired assistant whom he had met at a gathering through a friend. They had hit it off well from the very start because she was also into photography, and eventually, their common interest led into something more—business and personal-wise.

Aerin didn’t know whether Dahee's arrival was something she should be thankful for or not. Because of Dahee, she had finally broken out of her stupidity and realized her own feelings. On another note, Dahee was the person Luhan was interested in. Even though Luhan didn’t really declare it and there wasn’t a chance for him anymore since Dahee was already dating Heegun, the ill feeling of jealousy was still there, especially since she was the nice, mature, and beautiful older lady that most young men had always dreamed of.

As it so happened, Luhan was the first boy that she loved.

And because he was the first one, Aerin wanted nothing more but for him to be happy. It hurt her to a point where she just wanted to stop and confess to Luhan, but she managed and was still able to support him all the way in all aspects of his life: his desire to take up a major in Photography, become an intern at Heegun’s company upon stepping foot in college, and his dream of being able to establish a company of his own in the future.

Even when Aerin accidentally caught Dahee on a date with another man, and she slowly came to realize that the Dahee they knew wasn’t as angelic and mature as they thought she was, she didn’t say anything and continued to support Luhan and his small crush on her.

It was hard, being seen as nothing more than a mere little sister, but Aerin thought that it was better than not being seen at all, so she simply continued to bottle up her feelings and was content just with being beside Luhan.

“So what’s your wish for your fourteenth birthday this year?”

“It’s alway