I can't say that I'm back for good, but I'm around right now. It'll be hectic the next month or so, but hopefully I'll be free after that. Anyway, here's an update! No special reason haha, I understand if anyone unsubscribes. It's no big deal. For those loyal readers though, enjoy ^^;;

Thank you for your patience.

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We’ll do what you want today…why did I say that? Ryeowook grumbled to himself, tapping his fingers against the slightly sticky food court table. There was bubble tea to his right side and absently, he picked it up, taking a sip and chewing on one of the tapioca balls. Of all the things to be doing…— He frowned, closing his eyes for a second.

Kyuhyun was inside a shop chatting it up with one of the workers about a new computer game release. He could be such a geek sometimes, Ryeowook mused silently, smiling in exasperation. They were supposed to be on a date of some sort, yet he was starting to feel like a secretary again – waiting for his stupid boss to get over his distraction and come back.

“Hi, could you help us out?”

Ryeowook blinked, looking up at two teenage girls. They were made up and dressed nicely, perhaps a little too nicely for a simple shopping trip. Hiding his amusement, Ryeowook offered them his professional smile and nodded. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, we’re new around here and we were looking for a good movie suggestion? Do you have any?” the slightly taller girl asked, eyelashes fluttering.

“Oh,” Ryeowook pointed up the escalator, saying, “there’s a lot of ratings in front of the movie theatre, so I suppose you could go there and check them out. The posters are also very elaborate and informational,” he smiled again.

“I see, I see,” she answered quickly, “but I would love a recommendation. You’re probably here with your girlfriend a lot, so what sorts of movies has she made you watch?”

Eyes widening in surprise, Ryeowook chuckled, about to explain that he really didn’t get out much. All of a sudden though, Kyuhyun was looming over the two girls and Ryeowook’s amusement drained away. The mere look on his boyfriend’s face was enough to make anyone flinch. “Uhm, actually,” Ryeowook tried to explain, but Kyuhyun was already cutting him off.

“—if you want to go watch a movie, go ask the people who actually work at the theatre. It doesn’t make sense for you to be bothering a complete stranger with that sort of question,” he remarked, watching the two younger girls with contempt, “Unless, of course, you have some other reason for trying to approach some guy?”

“S-Sorry,” she stammered, grabbing her friend’s hand and dragging her away quickly.

Ryeowook watched them go with a sigh. Picking up his bubble tea, he took another sip, eyes lifting up to where Kyuhyun was smirking. “You didn’t have to scare them off like that.”

“You know, most guys worry about other guys hitting on their girlfriends,” he deadpanned, “I have to worry about girls hitting on my boyfriend. There’s an inconsistency, I think.”

He laughed and offered his drink to Kyuhyun as he stood up. “They weren’t hitting on me,” Ryeowook argued faintly, “well, not yet at least.”

Growling in the back of his throat, Kyuhyun took the drink and entwined their fingers at the same time. “Lord,” he shook his head, but then smiled. “Where do you want to go now?”

“Somewhere without video games,” Ryeowook responded immediately.

Cocking an eyebrow, Kyuhyun leaned down, eyes twinkling with humor, “Jealous of a computer game?”

“That’s my only competition,” he grinned, teasingly.

Kyuhyun laughed, turning back to the front as he walked on, never loosening his hold on Ryeowook’s hand. It was nice to breathe. This had to be the first time Kyuhyun had been able to play around with his lover like that, and for once, actually feel like they were in a relationship. There was always chemistry, but now it wasn’t just simple potential. The Ryeowook in front of him, the one unafraid to embrace life, was what could exist if that man had never died.

Then again, he paused in thought: perhaps this was what Ryeowook was like before that man’s death. Was this the real Ryeowook? Could he be on a date with the person who was buried deeply inside the meticulous, absent shell?

“Hey, can we go in there?”

Kyuhyun blinked, turning his head to look where his lover was pointing. There was a clothing store with a large 60% off sign on the window. “Really, that’s where you want to go?” his mouth quirked up.

“What’s wrong with that?” Ryeowook frowned indignantly. Tugging on Kyuhyun’s hand, he pulled him into the shop. There were rows upon rows and racks upon racks of clothing and accessories everywhere. Women and men alike were shuffling around with huge stacks of clothing.

“Why are we in here again?” Kyuhyun sighed, trailing after Ryeowook reluctantly. Their hands were still interwoven though, making it incredibly difficult to unlink them.

“You’re always ually harassing me in the office,” he explained, picking up a pair of red pants, “I thought you of all people would like to pick my wardrobe out.”

Kyuhyun smirked, sliding one arm around his lover’s waist, body pressing against Ryeowook’s backside. His lips hovered close to the shorter male’s ear, mumbling, “I already love your clothes, you know that.”

A shiver rolled up his spine and he forced the heat away from his face. “Kyuhyun…,” he shot him a look.

“What?” he tilted his head lower, warm lips brushing against his throat, “Or do you just like saying my name?”

“Well, yes I do like saying your name,” Ryeowook admitted with a laugh, “but no. We’re in public,” he frowned, half-heartedly pushing his lover away.

Kyuhyun’s grip tightened. “Do you care what people think?” he breathed, kissing the male’s shoulder.

“No, but I do care about not getting kicked out of the store before I buy these pants,” he argued, wriggling away from the other man finally. Ryeowook found his size and hurried up to the counter after telling Kyuhyun, “You can play around when we go watch a movie.”

Rolling his eyes, he followed Ryeowook, hand slipping back into his pockets. “Is that an invitation?” he prompted, leaning back against the check-out counter.

“It’s a statement,” he replied.

“Oh, getting forceful, are we?” Kyuhyun dodged a smack, chuckling.

Ryeowook handed the cashier a credit card, trying very hard to stay stern but failing. “You’re full of comebacks today, aren’t you?”

“I’m always full of comebacks,” he teased, watching Ryeowook take the bag and start walking towards the door. Kyuhyun continued holding his hand, trailing a few steps behind the slender male. “What movie did you want to watch?”

“Anything you want,” he shrugged, “I haven’t been out and about much.” Ryeowook smiled faintly. “What sorts of movies do you like?”

“Action.”

And so that’s how they ended up in a two hour long film with mindless bloodshed and cheesy lines. Ryeowook didn’t say a word though, simply using the time to study Kyuhyun. The latter was intensely focused on the fight scene onscreen, completely unaware of the fact that they could be fooling around in the darkness.

It was alright either way. Ryeowook didn’t care much for that part of life anyway. Rather, he would much prefer to feel that warmth and intimacy from realizing that you’re falling in love over and over again. He had felt that every day of his life with Hyungsik, and now, well, he wondered if it was possible that he was beginning to see Kyuhyun for the first time. Ryeowook had always felt attracted to the handsome man, but it had never reached a point of real endearment. Yet now, here he was, watching Kyuhyun with new eyes – eyes that showed him a whole new side to his boss and lover.

Ryeowook wouldn’t speak too early though. He closed his eyes briefly, but then exhaled and turned his attention back to the screen, not really seeing it. There were other things occupying him, things like the forceful barricades in his mind.

One step at a time…I don’t need to rush into anything.

Ryeowook glanced once more at Kyuhyun, smiling at the expression on the male’s face.

I’ll reach you someday. Just let me break down these walls.

…I hope you’re still there when I’m free.