=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

"5, 6, 7, 8, and turn!" Hyukjae turned around to look at his students and sighed a little bit. "Subin, relax your knees when making a turn. Sihyun, don't make such wide turns, and Yerin, try to put a little more energy on it. You're dancing, not walking down the aisle."

"Wow, working hard or hardly working?"

Hyukjae turned around at the source of the giggle interruption, only to find his friend Junsu poking fun at him. He rolled his eyes and waved his hands at his students, "Alright, guys, you can go. Don't forget to practice routine 2, 5, and 6."

The students quickly gathered their stuff and made a quick bow towards Junsu and Hyukjae before making a run for the door. Junsu chuckled in amusement to see how his friend's students could be so afraid of a harmless monkey.

"Hyukkie, why are you so hard on them? They're just trying to learn."

Hyukjae scoffed and drank his water, "Please. They're only here because their parents want them here. If they think I'm hard, wait until they actually get into SM Academy," the two shuddered as they remembered what they had to go through at their former school. "Why did you interrupt my class?"

"Oh, well," Junsu let out a nervous laugh and scrathed the back of his head, "ahaha...speaking of SM Academy, do you remember your dear old former sweetheart?"

Hyukjae's expression immediately changed to a solemn one. "Yah, where are you going with this?"

"Uhm," Before Junsu could come up with an excuse, they both heard someone's footsteps echo through the room. "I'm gonna go get us some snacks. Bye!" Junsu ran towards the door and left Hyukjae alone with the intruder.

"What are you doing here?" Hyukjae asked.

"I missed you, Hyukkie," Donghae answered.

Hyukjae's eyes darkened at the response and squizzed the water bottle in his hand, crushing it in half.

"It's been a while hasn't it."

"Yeah, a while," Hyukjae repeated with a soulless tone. He stood up from where he was at and grabbed his duffle bag from the floor. He tried to walk past Donghae but the latter held his arm to hold him back. "Look, if you want to use the room, it's yours. I'm done for the day."

"Can we talk?"

"About what?"

"About..."Donghae hesitated with his answer. He looked at Hyukjae's face and saw the anger on his face but also saw the pain in his eyes. He was conflicted about whether or not he should go through his plan. "About you. I want to catch up."

Hyukjae scoffed at him and shook his hands away from him. "You're unbelievable."

"Hyukjae, I didn't mean-" Donghae wasn't able to finish his sentence when Hyukjae interruptep him. "Eunhyuk."

"What?"

"My name isn't Hyukjae anymore," he said. "People call me Eunhyuk, if you want to 'catch up' you should too."

"That's ridiculous." Donghae commented. "Why would you change your name?"

"Does it matter?"

"Of course! Hyukjae's your name. I love your name. It's part of who you are as a person. What happened to your dream to have your name on-"

"Stop!" Hyukjae glared at Donghae as he tried to keep himself composed. He was fuming in anger not just because of the presence of his ex but also because of the mixed feelings he has. The pain he experience two years ago came flooding back but so was his feelings for the latter. It pains him that even after everything that Donghae caused him he still only has love for him and that fact angers him. "The past doesn't matter anymore. I don't care whether or not you l-love my name or who you think I am. I'm Eunhyuk now and you're nothing to me."

"Hyuk," Donghae's heart throbbed just a little harder as he tried to hold his tears back. He knew it wasn't fair to leave Hyukjae the way he did but it seemed like the right thing to do at the moment. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to-"

"Hurt me? Upset me? Break me? Which one is it, huh," Hyukjae had no idea where he got the courage to do it, but he just wasn't able to hold it in anymore. Years of pent up anger just suddenly burst out. "Listen to me, Lee Donghae, I've moved on. If you came here to invite me to your wedding then, you know what, forget it. I'm not interested in being your best man or your best friend." Hyukjae turned around and promptly walked away. "Goodbye, Lee Donghae."

Seeing Hyukjae walk away from him was a sight Donghae never wanted to see. He wanted so much to grab him, hug him tight, and make sure to never let him go again. He wanted to explain himself. He wanted so many things to do with Hyukjae to show him that he still loves him and that he never stopped loving him. He was at a total loss on what to do next until he saw something at the corner of his eye.

There was a small shelf on the side of the room. It was filled with dirty clothes and scattered papers, but underneath all of it, there was a small frame. Donghae walked closer to it and picked it up. He smiled at the photo and wiped away the tears that were b in his eyes. It was a photo of him and Hyukjae the first time they went to their date. They were so young and carefree. He looked at Hyukjae's smile and couldn't stop the smile that was forming in his life. No matter how long they've been apart, Hyukjae's smile will always make him smile.

He put the frame down and took out the necklace around his neck. He held it in his hand and felt a brand new determination forming within him. I will win you back, Hyukkie. I promise.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Hyukjae found Junsu and Siwon at the end of the corridor talking with one another. He glared at the two of them and stomped his towards the two. The ruckus he made caught the attention of the two and as soon as they saw Hyukjae coming they tensed up.

"Hey, Hyuk," Siwon nervously greeted. "H-How's it going?"

"Why the hell is he here?" Hyukjae grumbled towards Siwon, but not before giving Junsu a second glare for leaving him alone.

"He wanted to see you."

"I know. I just saw him." Hyukjae grunted in frustration and turned to Junsu. "And you, why the hell did you leave me in there alone with him?!"

"I thought you two needed to catch up," Junsu replied innocently.

Hyukjae was about to relatiate when he heard the door from his studio open. He tensed up and held his grip tighter. "Don't tell him where I live," was the last thing Hyukjae told the both of them before he ran towards the stairs away from the one person he wanted to stay with.

Donghae looked down the hallway just before Hyukjae could turn the corner. He wanted to run after him but knew that it probably wasn't a good idea at the moment. (Not that he had many good ideas to begin with.) He sighed and slowly walked towards his friends with a solemn look on their face.

"I'm sorry, Donghae," Junsu said. "I tried."

"I know."

"What are you gonna do now?" Siwon asked.

Donghae walked towards the window and looked down. He saw Hyukjae's walking form on the ground and smiled. "I'm going to win him back."

Siwon and Junsu shared concerned looks but smiled when Donghae looked at them with a determined face. There was no changing the past but there's still a chance to fix the future.

For the next few days, Hyukjae kept receiving random gifts from a "mysterious" admirer in his dance studio. His students would always melt in goo with every gift he received but he would just roll his eyes at them and put the present aside. For him, the admirer was not a mystery and the gifts weren't anything new. He knew what Donghae was trying to do, and although his heart would always flutter every time he receive a present, his mind would always remind him of the past. It didn't help that Donghae's presents were exactly the same as when he was trying to get with Hyukjae.

*Flashback*

"Hey, Hyukkie, look. You got another one of those dyed blue flowers," Junsu brought the bouquet to Hyukjae who was sweaty from practice.

Hyukjae took the bouquet from him and had a puzzled expression on his face. "Is he some sort of ninja? I left that door open so I would see him."

Junsu laughed and rolled his eyes. "A circus can go by and you still wouldn't notice them. How's practice going?"

"Better, I guess. I just feel like I'm still missing something though."

"Don't worry too much about it. You'll get it." Junsu then looked at the flowers Hyukjae was holding and nudged him intently. "Now, read what your admirer wrote. I want to see what kind of cheesy line he came up with now."

Hyukjae rolled his eyes at his friend but did what he said. He pulled out the card that was on top of the flowers and read it out loud:

Hyukjae and Junsu looked at each other in puzzlement. "A dance?"

"Is he-...Is he asking me out?"

Junsu took a second to process what his friend had just told him before squealing in delight. It wasn't long before there friends came in the room to see what all the ruckus was about.

"Yah! Dolphin, what on earth are you squealing about now?" Sungmin asked while covering his ears.

"Hyukkie's got a date!"

*end of flashback*

"Hello? Lee seonsaengnim? Are you ok?"

Hyukjae snapped back to reality and saw his students had a worried look on their faces. He looked down and saw that he was still holding the card in his hand. Hyukjae cleared his throat and casually slipped the card into his pocket before giving his attention back to his students.

"We're done for today. Good job, everyone."

The students was surprised at the sudden dismissal but they weren't going to question it. They packed their stuff and said their good byes to Hyukjae before leaving. Once he was all alone, Hyukjae heaved out a heavy sigh and took out the card in his pocket. He stared at it as if trying to decode a very intense password. He was so focused on the card that he didn't hear that someone had come in the studio and shut the door behind him.

"I gave you your chance. Why should I do it again?" Hyukjae mumbled to himself and was surprised when he heard a response.

"Because I was an idiot back then who didn't deserve you."

Hyukjae quickly turned around with his hand on his heart to find Donghae staring at him with longing eyes. He looked away from him knowing that he wouldn't be able to hold out against those eyes that always captured his attention. He slid the card back in his pocket before trying to leave. Donghae blocked his way and hugged him tight.

"I miss you, Hyukkie."

"Donghae, let me go." Hyukjae tried to struggle away from but he was tired from practice so his arms felt like jelly. (Not to mention that he doesn't really want to push him away.)

"I can't," Donghae replied. His voice cracked a little as his hold on Hyukjae got tighter. "I tried, Hyuk. I really did, but I just can't do it."

"What are you talking about? You already have."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't want to but I just love you so much that I was willing to do anything for you."

Hyukjae's mind was puzzled by his answer but it also lit up his anger once again. He mustered up all the energy he could and pushed Donghae away from. It wasn't much but it was enough that he was able to pull away from his embrace. Donghae saw tears in his eyes and the need to hold him once again came rushing through his body.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Hyukjae spat. "You love me? Don't make me laugh. If you loved me, you wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. If you loved me, you wouldn't lie to me. If you loved me, you would've been here when I passed my showcase. Or when I got into an accident, or the time that I was crying out for your name because I had no idea where you were or why you left me. If you loved me, you woul-"

Hyukjae's rants were cut off by a quick kiss from Donghae and an immediate hug. He didn't try to pull away this time neither did he return it. He just remained still in his embrace crying his emotions out on Donghae's shoulders. "Why, Hae? Why did you leave me?"

"I'm sorry, Hyuk. I really am." Donghae held him tighter in his arms. He was a little afraid that he might be hurting the latter, but he was more afraid that he might slip away from him again. "I had to go. They were going to expel you if I didn't leave."

Hyukjae tensed from his answer. "What do you mean?"

"I rejected the wrong girl. She was going too hurt you, Hyuk. I can't, no, I won't let anyone hurt you." Donghae looked him in the eye and said, "I love you."

*Flashback*

"I like you, Lee Donghae. Please go out with me."

Donghae looked at the girl in front of him and sighed in sadness. He was supposed to go on a date with Hyukjae in 15 minutes but this was just one of those people you had to let down gently.

"Uhm...Listen, Hyomin-ssi, I'm kind of already in a relationship right now. I'm sorry I won't be able to reciprocate your feelings."

Hyomin looked at him angrily and stomped her foot. "I don't care! You're mine. I want you to go out with me."

"I'm really sorry but I-"

"Break up with her."

Donghae was taken aback by her bluntness and felt a little irked hearing her suggestion. "Look, I'm not gonna do that. I'm sorry but-"

"Break up with her or you'll both be expelled."

Donghae didn't really care if they were both expelled as long as he got to stay with Hyukjae everything will be fine. It may sound unfair for him to decide his fate, but at the moment, being away from the snobby girl didn't seem like a bad idea. He was about to reject her, again, when his phone rang.

"Hae~Answer your phone. I miss you. Hello~? Hello? Answer your phone."

Donghae widened his eyes and fumbled around his pockets trying to look for his phone. Hyomin's eyes widened as well, but for a completely different reason. Donghae sent Hyukjae's call to his voicemail and cautiously looked at Hyomin. He could immediately tell by the look on her face that she knew who the person calling him was.

"Lee Hyukjae? You're rejecting me for Lee Hyukjae!?"

Donghae didn't have to answer her but he knew that his lover was in danger if he didn't remedy the situation quickly. He didn't know how to undo what just happened, but things got even worse when he heard Hyomin's threat. "I'm going to tell my father. You two will be expelled." She turned around and was about to walk away when she suddenly stopped. Donghae suddenly got a bad feeling and it was only confirmed when she turned around and saw an evil look on her face. "Better yet, I'll get him expelled and keep you all to myself."

Donghae's eyes darkened and crunched up his hands into fists. "What do you want?"

*end of flashback*

"I couldn't break up with you so I told her I'm leaving to study in the US. I wanted to tell you but I couldn't. She had everyone in school spying on us, I just...I wanted you to be happy. I knew graduating from SM Academy was your dream."

Hyukjae stared at Donghae and saw that he was genuinely distraught. He sighed and looked down on the floor. They were now sitting next to each other with Donghae holding his hand. Hyukjae's hands was a little sweaty but Donghae didn't mind. All he wanted was to make sure that the latter wouldn't slip away from his hands. Silence fell upon the two of them as they stayed closed together. Donghae didn't really mind it since he had Hyukjae right next to him. Their peace didn't last long though when they were suddenly interrupted by people rushing in through the door.

"Hey, Donghae," a panting Yesung arrived. "We're sorry we're late. Traffic caught us."

Hyukjae looked at Donghae and at the group entering in puzzlement. One by one, each and everyone of their friends entered the room with different items at hand.

"It's ok, hyung. You didn't miss anything."

"Donghae, what is this?" Hyukjae asked.

"Don't you remember?" Donghae faced Hyukjae and directly looked him in the eye when he said, "I confessed to you in front of all our friends. To bear witness to the most special day of my life."

"But what are they doing here?"

"Hyukjae, I love you. Very much. I made a huge mistake leaving you the way I did and an even worse mistake of hurting you. I will never forgive myself for that."

"Hae, I-"

"But," Donghae continued preventing Hyukjae from saying another word. "I would like to the opportunity of giving you the rest of my life to try and make up for everything I've done and will do in the future."

Hyukjae stared at Donghae and saw the love in his eyes. He had the exact same look as the first time he told him he loved him. "I don't know, Hae. The rest of your life? That's kind of a long time."

Donghae smiled at Hyukjae's answers and kissed him. "I will never give up." The two kissed once again, completely forgetting the audience that they have in the room. The 18 people holding bouquets of flowers, dozens of balloons, and a giant teddy bear was left to awkwardly stare at them at the side of the room.

"Should we-...should we go?" Ryeowook asked.

"But what about Hyukkie's gifts?" Sungmin gestured at the giant teddy bear he was holding.

"We need to give them their privacy," Jaejoong said.

"What did we do the first time?" Everyone looked at Yunho and thought back to how they handled the situation. Once all of their memories were refreshed, they all looked back at the couple in front of them with smiles on their faces. Then, without skipping a bit, Junsu stepped forward.

*Flashback*

"Yah! Are you two just gonna stand there? My arms hurts from holding these balloons."

Donghae glared at Junsu and wrapped his arms around Hyukjae's face. "Just tie it up somewhere or let it fly away, I don't care. The only one I care about right now is in my arms."

Junsu and the rest of the group made a gagging sound at Donghae's cheesy line.

"You ungrateful brat," Heechul said passing the flowers he was holding to Hankyung. "I skipped my day at the spa for this."

"Sorry. Heechullie hyung." Donghae looked at him with his puppy eyes and jutted out his lip. "I'll get you another one."

"You better not taint my little Hyukkie," Leeteuk threatened as he hugged Hyukjae away from Donghae.

Hyukjae turned red at the statement, but nevertheless, returned the hug. Donghae pouted at the sight and quickly grabbed his lover back.

"No one else can touch my Hyukkie from now on. Only me."

Everybody in the room laughed at the possessive statemen. "Hey, Hyuk, are you ready to handle that one," Kanging asked.

Hyukjae just laughed and looked at Donghae, "I've handled him well so far, how worse can he get?"

"Yah! You better take care of my Hyukkie hyung or else I'll just take him back from you." Donghae glared at Kyuhyun and brought Hyukjae closer to him.

"I'm never giving Hyukkie away to anyone else. Never."

Hyukjae watched as the rest of their friends continued to congratulate and threaten Donghae as they take their relationship to the next level. He stared at his new lover and felt his flutter at the sight of the one man he never thought he would ever have the chance to be with. It was like all of his dreams was granted just by his presence his alone.

*end of flashback*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: I posted this on my LJ account but I didn't realize I've been away for so long that LJ feels weird to me. :/ I'm gonna try using this site a bit and see which one I prefer.