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Church

Seoul, South Korea

          She was so peaceful and delicate. Waking up every morning and spending every moment with her made him so much happier. It has been a full year together and they explored the parts of each other they could afford to show. He brought her to Seoul again the next few months and visited an old church. It was no ordinary church of course; it was a memorable one for Leeteuk especially.

“Touch it. Its nave, columns and heavenly light that surrounds,” he whispered as they held hands along the hall. With Leeteuk, his eyes saw for her and with him, she turned towards life. She remembers that she has once felt the touch of a lover.

“I think its lovely, thanks for showing it to me.”
“Come on, there is more upstairs.” He brought her to a small room with a single bed and desk. She sat and felt the covers, lain with a chiffon blanket. It was not layered with dust at all.

“I stay here sometimes, I like to visit my Father and talk to him.” She smiled and noted how he even had a private pastor.

Veranda, Private Resort

Seoul, South Korea

"Dance with me." She gladly took his arms and allowed him to guide her into placing her hands on the back of his neck and his onto her waist. He hummed softly into her ear and led her through small, gentle footsteps. She smiled and noticed his hitched breathing, as if he was planning to say something.

"What is it?" she asked.

"You mean...?" He watched her eyes move across his face.

"You wanted to say something to me. What are you thinking Leeteuk?"

"Its just that I never thought through all that has happened, I never thought,” he bit his lip and breathed in. He came here without knowing what to expect. “I feel thankful that I was able to meet you. I mean - just wow."

"Wow," she smiled.

"Did you know that you are so beautiful?" The first time he says those words, he traced his fingertips over her eyelashes. She blushed and kept her head down while gripping the back of his collar tighter.

He whispered, "Your eyes are lovely." She looked up, willing to see him. Those long lashes and he saw how her eyes dilate in that prolonged moment. Her flawless, milky white skin with the least of makeup naturally bringing out her beauty. How her golden brown hair shone in the moonlight, how her curls fall perfectly on her shoulders and the way she dressed so simply. It was breathtaking.

She breathed his honey-like scent and moved her arms on his nape towards his broad shoulders down towards his arms feeling his fingers.

"Leeteuk, may I feel your face?" She asked almost hesitantly and faced him, searching for his eyes. He brought her hands up to his cheek and she caressed them, his high cheekbones, defined jawline, clean forehead, almond-shaped eyes, beautifully sharp nose and finally his soft plump lips sensing an ache to feel it further. "You're… perfect."

His heart thumped. Rather odd to have such a compliment, but his heart felt joyous. Never once did he feel… loved. He believed that he was never a good person, yet this innocent, young beauty made him feel otherwise. She sees him differently, she sees him, as Leeteuk. In that moment, he felt so pure with her touch, as if he was a whole another person, never the fortified banished son he meant to be in his life. She stood touching his lips, as he brought her hands down to his chest and continued to hum a song to her ears, stepping out of his reverie. He twirled her and they continued to dance as Taeyeon rested her head on his chest, hearing how his heartbeat matched hers.

That night was the very first time she had touched him. As they head back, she had confessed how she found her disability to be humiliating, and she had wished to be more normal. He never said anything; instead he took her in his arms and whispered how she had the most beautiful eyes. She believed him.

Ward 4, Jeonju Hospital

Jeonju, South Korea

          Taeyeon finds him beautiful. She finds every inch of him to be perfection. Especially his hands and what they are able to create. And all his thoughts, the complex things he can imagine makes her fall for him more and more just thinking what he is capable of. It was not enough to say she loves him. It isn’t particularly him; she loves but him as a being. As hands. As thoughts. Just how he moves.

For the next few years, they have led their lives in the same way leading and being there for one another. He had ended his surgery session and was to discharge from the hospital and head back to Seoul. As he watched her sleep, Leeteuk slowly begin to gather all his belongings onto a bag, silently watching her move.           

“Where are you going?” He looked at her sadly hearing the quiver in her voice.

“You are packing, Leeteuk,” she said walking over to him. As she held his face, he told her hesistantly, “But I’m not leaving. I finished my surgery here, I can’t stay anymore.” Taeyeon began to tear up and nodded her head at his statement.

However, he returned to her every single day as long as he could. He volunteered at the hospital, visiting on alternate days without a fixed pattern due to the inconsequent schedule. Gradually, Taeyeon tried to get used to sleeping alone once again but even in those lonely nights, she found herself unknowingly crying to sleep and aching for him. In such little time, she would miss him.

          It was October and she was now eighteen. Over the years, he had watched her age beautifully. Taeyeon lay on her bed waiting for him and he came in, touching her flawless face as he stood on his knees beside her. She smiled recognizing his scent and he held her hands to his face.

That night, Nurse Hwang had granted him his stay and after so long, he spent a night with her. He found Taeyeon moved over to his bed, wanting to sleep with him as she lay on his chest. “I want you for all days, all seasons. Not only for autumn, not for weekends. Every single moment,” she whispered, her head upon his shoulders. With that, Leeteuk visited her everyday as she waited in their ward.