Track 75. LOVE ME LIKE THAT by Sam Kim | ♩

Maybe I should start by being interested in what she was doing. “Rara, that song you were playing, it sounded familiar.” Baekhyun commented with an eager smile.

Oh, . Is it you, kid? “Oh, it’s Close To You. By Frank Ocean. It’s his, um, version of The Carpenters’ (They Long To Be) Close To You. It’s short, but it actually has very distinct lyrics from the original.” I’ll just have to sing it for you even though my voice will never be as good as yours. Rara scooted to the side of the piano bench. “Here, sit with me and I’ll play it for you. Lower your expectations though, I’m not blessed with a golden voice like yours.” 

“I—” Baekhyun blinked furiously at her invitation, but smiled and slid next to her. I don’t care if your voice turned out to be nails on the chalkboard. I’d listen to your voice, or any sound you make all day, every day, twice on Sundays. “I’m privileged to have you play for me, Rara.” 

“Anytime.”

Rara started playing again, as if it was an encore. Then she sang softly, in a quiet tone, as if she was lulling a baby to sleep. 

I will be honest, I wasn't devastated

But you could've held my hand through this, baby

Let my mind run underneath warm jets

While Rara played, her eyes glued to her fingers, afraid that she’ll press the wrong key, Baekhyun watched her intently. 

I run my hands through what's left

But we're getting older, baby

Don't have much longer baby

Why am I preaching?

To this choir, to this atheist

Just like mine versions of these belong to you

After a while, they're keeping me close to you

Just like me, they long to be

Close to you

After the last key, Rara placed her hands in her lap and turned to Baekhyun, who was already looking at her with a subtle grin. “Well? What do you think? The lyrics are sad, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah, I think so, too.” He agreed. “I might have to listen to it a few more times before the words sink in, though. I’m kind of in the process of understanding it.” It’s not you, huh? You would’ve gotten it the first time, since the Other Baekhyun's memories are supposed to merge into yours. “It has depth though. It sings its emotion.” 

“How about I play something that’s not as heavy on the sad?” Baekhyun suggested. “I’ve written something ages ago, but you’ll be the first to hear it.” 

“Be my guest; you’re the performer.” Rara said with a smile. “What’s it entitled?”

“Free Love.”

“Let’s hear it.” 

Imagine a house

Way up on a hill

Dog in the yard

The trees in the fields

It's next to the water

It's the prettiest scene

With white picket fences

Or maybe soft green

As wonderful as this all seems

This is beyond our means

It's just a dream

It's just a dream

I can't get you all that stuff

But I can give you all my love

Free love

Free love

Are the simple things enough?

I got to give you all my love

Free love

Free love

Oh, free love

Imagine a place where we can be free

There's no one for miles, it's just you and me

Wah, this line made me flashback to our cabin in the woods, before it was a mansion. Just you and me. 

We might have kids

Maybe three

But twins could be cool

That would do it for me

...Dude. You couldn’t be Baekhyun because you didn’t get what Close To You was trying to convey, but that verse is pretty on point. Rara thought. Maybe because even in different worlds, different versions, and different circumstances, our futures will always have something in common. 

Rara swayed her head slowly from side to side as Baekhyun sang; unlike her, he had the ability to look away from his fingers and pay attention to her, his only audience. And whenever he did he made sure to smile with warmth and maybe, there was a hint of desperation, like he was trying to get Rara to notice him even though she was basically immersed in his bubble. 

When the song was done, Rara beamed at him with awe. “Wow, that was absolutely lovely. Props to you, my