Don't Go - EXO-K http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrwxG1sCZaE     ------------------------ Narrator’s P.O.V:     Beep, beep, beep.   Jung Daehyun was rudely awakened by the beeping of the alarm clock set to ring at 6:30 a.m. Sighing softly, he tried to get up when thin but strong arms tightly prevented him from leaving. Slowly, his eyes travelled down towards a bundle in his arms.   He rubbed his eyes with his spare hand as he gazed at Hana, sound asleep beside him. She must’ve been sleeping like a log since she didn’t look even the tiniest bit as disturbed by the wailing of the clock. Her head rested on his chest—her breathing steady and matching up to his heartbeats.   Daehyun almost melted and was about to smile softly when—   BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BE—   SLAM! Daehyun banged his hand over the snooze button in irritation. With frustration levels out the roof, he tried to calm down and took in deep breaths.   “Daehyunnie. You look scary…” A feminine voice mumbled.   Daehyun slowly turned to see Hana staring back at him, half-asleep, half-awake and amused. The corners of Daehyun’s lips overturned into a frown, “Sorry Hana. Did I wake you?”   “I’d be lying if I said no,” she let out a sleepy smile.   A flicker of apology flashed across Daehyun’s face before he lay back down beside her, hand propped up under his head, “Sleep, sleep.”   “You stay too,” Hana murmured, eyes slowly growing heavier. Daehyun said nothing, which she took as a sign of agreement. Instinctively, she curled up against his chest and exhaled, feeling secure in his arms.   Daehyun blinked, surprised at her action, but gently smiled afterward, “Hana?”   “Mm.”   “You still awake?”   “Kind of…”   “Should I give you a surprise?”   “Surprise?” Hana became alert and curious at the word, raising her head to peer up at his face.   Daehyun chuckled, “Look under your pillow.”   “Pillow?” Hesitantly, she slid her hand underneath it. She crinkled her eyebrows in confusion as she felt a slightly furry and small item, pulling it out. Hana was struck dumbfounded when she deciphered what it was.   A dark blue sapphire box sat comfortably in the palm of her hand. Expectantly, Daehyun waited for her reaction.   “…Can…” Her voice became crackly all of a sudden before she gulped, “Can I… open it?”   “It’s all yours,” he replied, grinning widely. With slightly shaking hands, she reached out and pulled the cover up, revealing a sparkling silver ring with a large diamond in the center.   “Dae…” Hana whispered, deeply touched. Daehyun sweetly beamed at her, raising his left hand to show her the plain silver ring on his.   “I know it’s not grand, but will you marry me?” He gazed seriously into her eyes.   Hana melted, “Daehyun…”   She cupped his cheek, “Yes.”   --------------------------------   “So guys,” an anxious Daehyun glanced around at the four males sitting around in the café, “What do you think?”   Zelo tried not to laugh, Kai raised an eyebrow in amusement, and Youngjae didn’t even bother to stifle his snickers. Lay shook his head at him, “Youngjae…”   “I-I’m sorry! It’s just—It’s so… so… cheesy! Pfft!” He howled with laughter. Daehyun’s face fell.   “Please, hyung. Don’t tell me that you’re actually going to propose to noona like that.” Zelo made a face at him.   “Wha—What’s wrong with my plan?!” Daehyun gawked, outraged. “It’s romantic, isn’t it?!”   “HE WAS SERIOUS! PUHAHA!” Youngjae doubled over in another fit of laughter as people started to stare at their table. Lay protectively shielded his face. *Oh goodness.*   Kai didn’t even care. He reached out to pat his shoulder sympathetically, “Listen, buddy. You’ve still got a long way to go if you want to make girls say yes to that kind of proposal.”   Grimacing at him, Daehyun glanced down at Kai's gold engagement ring, which twinkled on his finger as if to mock the blonde. Frowning, Daehyun shoved Kai's hand off, earning a snicker from the younger.   “HAHAHAHA!”   In frustration, Daehyun demanded, “Can someone just shut him up?!” Youngjae didn’t even bat an eye and continued chortling.   Helpfully, Lay grabbed a fork and stuffed the top half of a muffin in Youngjae’s mouth. Finally, the insane laughing stopped.   “Thank you,” Daehyun mumbled, head in his hands. Lay slowly nodded with a small, sympathetic grin.   “Listen, dude.” Kai spoke up, arms firmly crossed and resting on top of the table. “There’s a thin line between romantic and barf-worthy. I think you just crossed over the line to the barf.”   “What a nice thing to say, Jongin.” Daehyun sarcastically said, “Well? What do you suggest then?”   Kai smirked proudly and pointed to his ring finger, “See this? I’ve got it from winning my girl over by my pro dance skills. The answer is simple. Learn to dance as good as me and perform like I did to capture her heart. She’ll say yes for sure.”   Daehyun stared, hardly amused by his suggestion.   “Please tell me you’re not serious.” Lay calmly spoke up, eyeing Jongin with a reprimanding look.   “…Okay, true.” He sighed, flipping his dark black bangs from his face, “Just become gorgeous like me and you’ll be the desire of the entire human race.”   Everyone stared at him, and Kai straightened up in defense, “What? Being handsome helps, you know.”   “Well, Jongin’s no help at all, so he’s out.” Daehyun swiftly turned to Zelo, “Junhong?”   “Getting girls? Me?” Zelo tilted his head to one side cutely, “I dunno. All the girls at school just flock towards me. I honestly don’t know why.”   “Because you’re cute,” Kai enlightened. Everyone stared at him again. Kai quickly waved his hands, “No, no! I meant it in an older brother to a younger sibling kind of way! Guys, don’t look at me like that! I’m already taken!”   Youngjae helpfully changed the subject, “In any case, don’t forget that Zelo has the hearts of teenage girls—including little Haeyeon—due to his cuteness. Can you pull it off, Daehyun?”   “Yeah, hyung! Show us aegyo!” Zelo cheered.   “Muh? Aegyo?!” Daehyun yelped. “No way!”   “Do it! Do it! Do it!” They cheered. Daehyun self-consciously glanced around the quiet café, “Here? Now?”   “Yes!” They insisted.   “…Fine.” He gave in and timidly peered up at the four, who were keenly waiting for what he would do next. Daehyun in a breath. *Well, here I go.*     “B-Buing buing…” He awkwardly said as he returned to his original Busan accent. His fist poked his cheek. A long, thick silence ensued as they all stared at him with no expression at all.   “…Well,” Kai cleared his throat, “I guess it’s safe to say that aegyo’s out of the picture. Youngjae? Any other ideas?”   Youngjae nodded happily and beckoned them closer. Interestedly, they all leaned in until he whispered, “Be y, ang!” He clawed the air with a wink.   Zelo’s jaw dropped as Daehyun flushed tomato red, plopping back down on his seat. “You guys are all crazy. I swear.”   “What? What was wrong with my suggestion?” Youngjae was completely bewildered. Kai shook his head, “Man, you’re as worse as me.”   “Um… Daehyun?” Lay quietly spoke up. Daehyun peered up at the male. “I have a simple solution to your… troubles.” He bit his lip to keep from chuckling.   “Oh, Lay.” Daehyun looked relieved, “Right, you didn’t tell me your suggestion yet. Go ahead.”   Lay listed off in deep thought, “Being cute will, of course, make Hana go wild. Being… err… y, will seriously give her a nosebleed. I’m not kidding. Showing your handsome side is good too, I guess, but I doubt you’ll be able to learn the moves that Jongin’s been learning his entire life in just a couple days.” He gave him a lopsided grin.   “But in all honesty,” Lay paused for good measure, “I think Hana will appreciate it more if you just propose in your own way. Don’t try too hard to be romantic and charming. Just be natural and show her the real Jung Daehyun. If you communicate your feelings to her properly, I think your… erm… charms will just naturally come out.”   “Whoa, Zhang Yixing! Poetic. Niiiice.” Kai hi-fived him.   Zelo sniffled, “That was such touching advice, hyung!”   Youngjae frowned, “Hey, what about mine?”   “Aigoo,” Kai flicked his forehead. “Ow!” Youngjae whimpered.   Daehyun pondered over that for a while. *Be natural. Right. Just be myself.* He nodded firmly. *But… how? Just what is my natural self?*   ---------------------------------   Later, Daehyun began zoning out during his part-time job at Lilia Florists.   Madame Sung, the owner of the flower shop, had gone home for the evening. Today was Daehyun’s turn to do the night shift.   Since there wasn’t much business in the nighttime, Daehyun was more at ease. Inside the quiet room filled with flowers, he wiped his grimy hands on some tissues he kept in his apron. Tossing the dirt covered Kleenex in the trash, he took a seat on one of the stools, his back facing the entrance door.   He was filled with thoughts. How should he propose to her? When should he propose to her? Hana had already seduced him once. Now it w