Key's Fixer-upper ch 45

Chapter 45 The Reunion Part 3

Noone's POV

Key stood awkward with his hands in his pickets, shaking from side to side, rocking on the balls of his feet. Yunkyung looked at him pointedly to tell her what they were going to be doing next. Key ignored it, smiled mischievously like the little fox he was, and started dancing to SHINee's new song on the street.

She laughed but applauded at his show.

Some people gathered around, taking pictures and applauding too. When Key stopped, she thought he'd do some fan service for a couple of people that had recognized him since there were a lot of Kpop fans in LA but he surprisingly grabbed her hand and took off running. She hoped nobody recognized her and put pictures up on the internet.

They ran for awhile, Key holding her hand naturally which was becoming a habit she sinfully admitted she loved. They ran into an ice cream shop.

Once they caught their breath, she smiled lightly, looking at where they were. It was their favorite place to go together, especially on dates or just on the way to the company from school.

"Let me pick what I want and see if it's the same," she said playfully.

"Okay, try your best. If you're right, I'm calling you a stalker," he teased.

The clerk was looking at them in boredom and slight irritation. She thought for ten seconds because it was all she needed.


"Caramel apple pie!"


"Deng! I was thinking rocky road."


It was such a little thing but it made her disappointed and sad.

Have we become distant in these months apart, she thought in concern.

Key went to the counter.

"Two apple pie scoops please," he said brightly.

The woman looked much friendlier after seeing his charming smile.

Yunkyung looked at him in confusion. "Didn't you want rocky road?"



"No, I wanted apple pie. I was just lieing to make you look wrong," he said coolly.

She'd been had as usual. He was always such a teaser. But she couldn't stop herself from smiling lightly. She somehow felt so relieved that they hadn't grown so distant.

"Here," he handed her the cone after he'd received it from the now slightly flirty, interested waitress.


Key waved his hand at the question of him being someone famous.

"It's cold outside and I don't want you to catch a cold, so let's sit and eat inside," he said caringly.

Key grabbed Yunkyung's hand lightly and pulled her to a small booth in the corner where there weren't any people around and they couldn't be seen from the window.

"So the fans won't see me," he explained simply.

Yunkyung looked down and focused on eating her ice cream, though she was feeling really nervous. Key smirked and laced their fingers together. His hand felt really warm and soft but she retained a neutral expression in case he let go.


Key loved stealing these moments to hold her small, soft, cold and warm it with his. He moved closer to her side so their hands were hidden between their legs, licking his ice cream while looking forward at the paintings on the wall.

Key noticed that Yunkyung was blushing lightly but her expression was normal. He wondered if she was just feeling hot and holding hands didn't affect her anymore.

"Let's go shopping after we're done," he suggested lightly.


"There's still nothing you love more than shopping, huh?" she teased.

Yeah. It's you, he said in his head.

"It's like you're more of a girl than me."



"But I have some important things missing," he licked his ice cream lightly around a suggestive smile and winked.

"Tch. I don't have those either," she murmured to herself.

I will not be perverted and think of her large mosquito bites that I've touched and nibbled before, he told himself but he was sure he was smiling perversely.

Which was why Yunkyung's hand left his and smacked his leg painfully.


"Sorry," he said guiltily.

She glared at him lightly but there was a noticeable blush on her full cheeks.

"If you act like that more, I will ditch you on the street," she warned, flashing a finger in his face.

"Arrasso," he laughed lightly and reached up to grab her hand lightly again.

When he brought it under the table, she was the one to initiate linking fingers and hiding their hands again. He smirked and watched her carefully out of the corner of his eye but she was focused on her ice cream and normal-faced again.

Well, if she wants to just hold hands all day, then it's fine with me. Maybe that means we don't need to have 'the' conversation.

They finished their ice cream like that, both silently enjoying the moment and unsure of how to bring up the subject of their feelings. They threw the wrappers away and walked out into the cold.

Key moved to the side of the street that was nearest to the cars to be chivalrous. Yunkyung was surprised because Key was usually too modern to care about those kind of things.

They walked for a while, their hands in their pockets for warmth. Key kicked a small rock towards her and they took turns kicking it down the fairly empty street.

They were laughing lightly when Yunkyung kicked it too hard in the street so they lost their thing of amusement.They looked at each other in shock, then Key playfully pushed Yunkyung. She fell sideways, giggled and then pushed him back lightly but not hard enough to risk going into the road. He smiled brightly and rubbed her around the shoulders affectionately.

They kept walking down the street towards the outlet malls of LA. Yunkyung felt chilled from having her hands out of her packets and how windy it was. It was California, so it was sunny and warmer than Korea but Yunkyung was weak to the cold. She blew on her hands and rubbed them together but they were already pink.

Key looked at her for a while, then pulled two scarves out of his bag. One he rapped three times around her neck over her hair carefully and another around himself. They were navy and gray striped matching both their clothes and each other as expected from the fashionista.

She loved the scarf immediately as she smiled gratefully and snuggled into it's thick warmth, putting her hands back in her pockets.

"You can keep it. It's my 'nice to see you again after so long, I'm sorry for being a jerk and not contacting you' present," he said knowingly with a pleased sweet smile.

"I already said I forgive you though. You're not obliged to call an ex anyway," she murmured.

Key's eyes squinted with warmth and endearing kindness.

"But I'm entitled to call my best friend," he said softly.

As soon as he was thinking about putting his arm around her for more skinship, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Yunkyung stopped talking and feigned disinterest as he pulled it out to read.

Having fun, I see! Try to keep a low profile more so you can have a decent day together, came a message from Jonghyun.

It contained a link to a trend threat on twitter. SHINee Key seen running off with a mystery girl in LA. Who is she and does this mean it's over for the famous KeyKyung?

"No, it means it's just getting more fun," he chuckled to himself.

"You're on the internet, aren't you?" she said suspiciously.

"Yup, you've become the mystery girl I'm cheating on my girlfriend with," he said in amusement.

She giggled too at the irony of it. "So people still think we're dating?"

"Well I never tell anyone otherwise," he said nonchalantly.

"Why?" she asked slowly. "Why did you come here, besides that old promise?"

She was looking at him seriously and he was taken aback at how brave his ajhumma had gotten to so straightforwardly ask a question like that.

He smiled warmly. "Because I missed you and wanted to see you. Is that a crime?"

There, he'd finally said it and wasn't interrupted this time!

She looked down and murmured quietly, "No."

The atmosphere around them felt strange and they weren't saying anything more so Key wondered if he'd said too much.

"I missed you too," she said shyly.

Key felt like jumping up and kicking his heels but he managed to contain it to a shy, happy smile. Then they were at the store Key had found the other day and wanted to take Yunkyung to.

"Should we shop and I give you council for old times sake?" he said playfully as he held the door open for Yunkyung.

She stepped inside because she wanted to hurry up and get away from the cold.

"I'm pretty sure I'll regret it, but sure," she said lightly.

He grinned widely, like a much cuter version of the Cheshire cat, and followed her inside.

The store was warm, clean spacious and expensive looking. He only had to look at the material and modern designs once to know it was all a price Yunkyung would gasp at. He admitted that she did a pretty good job of finding expensive clothes at moderate prices. However, since she was the only adorable ajhumma he'd loved his whole life, he wanted to buy her the best.

Because she's the best, I'm the best, and we make the best. Ouri chae chal na ga! Da da ra da da da ra da da da da!

He wondered what CL was doing right now but it was a flitting thought that quickly passed through his mind without much consideration as Yunkyung started fingering through some of the most sexy dresses he'd ever seen curiously.

Yunkyung wasn't really interested in trying them on because she liked more conservative things and didn't even like to show her arms or neck unless it was summer and she had no choice. She was just interested in how it was made and admiring the look and craftsmanship. She was also thinking of some of her friends the dresses would look good on and the ones they'd pick out if they were here.

She didn't notice that Key was watching over her shoulder, practically drooling at the thought of her in one and planning the one he'd force her into.

If only he could be gay and be her personal fitter for just a day, he thought perversely.

His eyes caught a lovely love-cut purple and black number that reminded him a lot the one time he'd seen her in laundere. It was probably wrong of a best friend and ex boyfriend but he just had to see her in it.

He reached around her and snagged it with his hand. Her eyes went big in surprise, dread, and realization as he pulled it out and hung it on his finger with a mischievous expression.

"If you force me to wear that then I get to pick out clothes for you, too," she warned sternly with the cutest serious, disgruntled expression.

"Okay, that's fair enough," he agreed with a victorious grin.

She sighed in reluctance, grabbed the dress and headed for the fitting room.

"Your boyfriend can't go back with you but you can come out to the holding room with the dress. There's heels waiting when you get to the changing room," the clerk at the fitting desk said.

Key waited for the stinging words, "he's not my boyfriend," or "he's just a friend" to come.

But Yunkyung thought correcting people all the time was troublesome and she didn't mind being mistaken as a couple with Key.

Well, who would when he was so good-looking and such a friendly person?



Yeah, even I can't believe I'm saying those things about him when I look at our relationship long before. It's true, but I never would have thought so before.

"Okay, I'll just wait here for my girlfriend," he said happily.

Yunkyung cast a look over his shoulder that told him not to go any further with it. She then stepped into the fitting room.

After five minutes past and she hadn't come out, he figured she was looking at herself in the mirror and feeling to embarrassed to come out. She'd always done that before if something took her out of her comfort zone, especially if it was the least bit sexy or form fitting.

She'd become a hermit and, though he thought it was quirky and adorable, he went to go fish her out.

"I'm going to leave in one minute," he threatened.

Seconds later he heard the door click.

He smiled in anticipation as he saw a slim, white bare pair of legs slip out and into the black heels waiting for the next costumer. Yunkyung stepped out the door but he could only see the back of her figure which was dangerous enough for his eyes. Her body was naturally slim, lean, and slightly curvy and the dress fit her like a glove.

She turned around, looking down out of embarrassment as she walked down the hallway. His breath caught in his throat though he knew how cheesy and unrealistic it seemed. It felt like his first time ever experiencing that feeling.

The way she walked so gracefully, the way her hair slung softly across her shoulders, her perfect skin that was slightly tanned yet still so fair, the light pink blush on her full cheeks, her long-lashed, down-casted eyes, her gorgeous face, and the fitted short dress that was slightly revealing made her look more like a goddess, a total woman rather than a slutty club girl.

"It looks wonderful on you," the lady clerk said in admiration.

It was a complete understatement.

Even when she shyly looked up and met his eyes a few feet away from him he was still staring at her, smiling goofily and speechless.

"How is it?" she asked shyly.

Key stood up and took her hands warmly. He was smiling brightly as he spun her around once. Yunkyung laughed nervously and the clerk laughed in amusement.


"It looks amazing!" he said sincerely.

Yunkyung looked happy and blushed shyly at his compliment. He had rarely said so much to her before.

"You should totally buy this," he insisted, his eyes traveling up and down her again greedily, slowly stopping much too long on her small yet full-looking chest he had such a great angle of because he was tall.

"I have nothing to wear it to, though...and I feel uncomfortable because it's so revealing," she said quietly as she adjusted her hand over the top of the dress so it didn't show as much.

Key pouted slightly but he'd never force her to buy something she didn't like or wouldn't wear.

"Okay, but you have to let me take a picture."

"Alright. How should I pose?" she asked shyly as she stood awkwardly in the center of the room away from him.

"Hmmmm...How about that kind of cool, haughty pose SNSD does at the end of The Boys?"

"Like this?"

She struck a pose with her leg straight out and her hip cocked with her hair dangling to the side and her head turned slightly towards him. He snapped the picture before she could move because she just looked too hot like that.

"Okay, now stand up and pose."

She shyly stood up, struck her hand at her hip, and gave him a small smile. He took the shot from her waist up and then saved it as his wallpaper before she realized it.

"Go and change so we can shop more," he suggested kindly, knowing she wanted to get out of it quickly, especially because people were staring at her.

Well, it's because she's so dang worth looking at, he thought proudly. But that's only a sight that I should be seeing.

She nodded and walked down the hall. She entered the room and then a few seconds later she poked her head out. She looked down the hallway at him nervously, a small blush on her cheek.

"Help," she mouthed silently.

Key glanced over, saw the clerk wasn't there at the moment, and quietly walked over to the door.

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

She looked down and then up at him with embarrassed, shy, unsure rabbit eyes.

Stop being so dang cute!

"Just tell me," he chuckled softly.

"Either it's stuck or my arms are too short or something, but I can't unzip this dress...." she said shyly.

Key smirked, containing his grin of satisfaction at just how lucky he was today. But he decided to play the innocent, helpful friend.

"Okay, turn around and I'll get it for you."

She turned around and he purposely took longer than it really needed to get the zipper down. She stopped his hand when it had gone halfway down her back.

"Thanks," she murmured in embarrassment, holding the dress tight to herself.

"No problem," he said as he quietly closed the door and went back to his seat.

His heart was racing and his eyes were branded with the forbidden, tempting image of her bare, milky back.

A few minutes later when she came out, fully dressed in her winter clothes again, Key had snapped out of his daze. They handed the dress back to the clerk and went out of the fitting room for more shopping.

"This time, it's your turn," she said mischievously and pulled him by the arm to the males' clothes.

He followed her obediently with a small smile as she carefully searched and selected outfits for him.

He figured she'd get the ugliest clothes she could find for him as revenge, but what she picked out were perfectly matched sets in a kind of preppy style. It wasn't something he wore all the time, but he definitely liked it and had some clothes like that already.

They went to the fitting room again, the same clerk somehow, and Key made it more fun for Yunkyung. He tried on the two outfits she'd carefully picked out and modeled fun and diva-sexy poses for her.

Maybe she was thinking just like him, because she also took pictures of her camera. He hoped she saved the one where he blew a kiss as her wallpaper.

Key thanked the clerk again on his way out and she smiled brightly when he only gave her back one set of clothes. Yunkyung looked at him in guilt and surprise.

"You're really going to buy that? I wasn't even being serious when I picked them out though..." she said unsurely.

He chuckled in amusement and gently pulled her to the register counter.

"You certainly seemed pretty serious. And I'm buying them because I genuinely like this set. It suits me, you did a great job," he said gently.

She smiled and looked down again, feeling shy with all the praise she was getting from him and not used to.

Key paid even though he had to argue with Yunkyung about letting her pay for half.

"I should be paying you since you were my coordinator today," he teased.

Yunkyung walked towards an accessories table as Key paid and wrote on the receipt. He glanced over at her curiously as he was waiting for the clothes to be bagged. She was staring and fingering a necklace that was hanging on the stand.

"Here you go sir. Thanks for shopping with us and please come again," the male clerk said as he handed him the neatly bagged merchandise.

Key took it, nodded his head in thanks, and then quietly went to stand behind Yunkyung. The necklace she was interested in was a small silver dove in the middle of flight. It was pretty and elegant rather than gaudy, and simple, just the kind of style Yunkyung preferred.

"Yunkyung, I'm so thirsty! But I have to go to the bathroom. Do you think you could head over to Starbucks across the street and order me an Americano?" he pleaded sweetly.

"Huh? Yeah, sure," she said as she tore her gaze away from the necklace.

He handed her a bill and she walked out the store, wrapping the muffler he'd given her around her neck again.

When she was out of sight, he carefully took the necklace off the rack, bought it and hid the small box in his bag of clothes. He figured he'd wait until the perfect moment to give it to her when she'd be most surprised.

She met him outside the Starbucks with two medium size coffees. He took it, smiled gratefully and took a sip of the hot, warm bitter drink.

"Let's go somewhere else now," he said playfully.

Yunkyung didn't ask because she knew he wouldn't tell her and just followed beside him slightly behind.

"Why are you so far away?" he teased and moved his bent arm pointedly.

She smiled shyly, blushed, and lightly linked her hand through his arm. They walked slowly, drank, and chatted about clothes and fashion and the brands he'd been into lately as he led her to the beach. In LA, all the shopping centers were close to beaches and people went out on the boardwalk all day long, even in winter.

Yunkyung was listening to him partially but she was also overtaken by the beauty of the vast, blue water all around her. It looked warm and inviting though it was certain to be freezing. Key glanced at her knowingly.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said breathlessly, a gorgeous, innocent smile lighting up her face, slightly pink from the cold.

"Yeah, it really is," he said softly but it wasn't the scenery he was talking about or looking at.

"Let's go play in it!" she said brightly.

"What?! It's freezing, Yunkyung," he complained.

But Yunkyung was already pulling them off the boardwalk and onto the almost frozen, wet sand. He hadn't really wanted to get his white shoes dirty but he would if she really wanted to go. He just couldn't deny her any small amount of happiness right now. He'd do anything to please her.

She released his arm when they got closer to the water and skipped lightly along the waterline as it wove in and out. He stood with his cold hands in his pockets, watching her contently. Then it seemed like she was having fun and he looked like a grumpy, boring boyfriend to others around he was sure, so he skipped after her.

"Hey, wait up!" he called lightly.

She didn't hear so he had to run, even though he hated it and it was making his pretty shoes get splashed with dark, wet sand, to catch up to her.

"Aigoo, my life!" he said dramatically when he caught up to her and took a rest with his hands on his knees.

Yunkyung, who'd finally stopped near him, took some sea water and lightly splashed him with it.

"Yah~" he whined like a child.

She giggled and splashed him again. He glared at her slightly.

"Lighten up, Key!" she said playfully.

"It's cold," he said lightly but bent down to get water and splash her in retaliation.

When he stood back up, she was skipping away again.

"No fair!" he yelled and chased after her.

They played like that for awhile and though it was cold and muddy so Key had hated the idea at first, it felt good to play and laugh so freely with Yunkyung. He also loved the sight of her worry-free, unforced, bright, happy smile that inspired a smile in him.

The way they smiled at each other, their eyes sparkling, teasing and splashing and chasing each other purposely slow all seemed like a movie even to him.

They got tired and eventually switched chasing for light walking as they watched the sun setting slowly over the ocean in golden and pink shades.

They talked about their future plans a little. Yunkyung said she wanted to go right back to studying after she returned from America and after she graduated from university she wanted to go to graduate school for a masters. Key said that whenever he decided to quit being a singer, he wanted to fully pursue being an artist. He'd really discovered that his second talent, main interest, and outlet was drawing and painting.

"I'll support you the whole way. My mom too, since she likes you, your work, and has some connections," Yunkyung said brightly.

"Thanks, I could always use support. If SHINee didn't have fans, we wouldn't be near half way where we are today."



He turned to her and smiled sweetly. She stayed silent, looking back at him unshyly and smiled softly back.

"I'll be next to you, cheering and bringing you coffee when you're tired and pestering you to stay awake, even if you study until you're 80," he said playfully.

"80 is a bit!" she said with surprise and they laughed together.

"Can you be my friend forever, Key?" she said with a soft, content-sounding sigh.

She was thinking that even if she couldn't be in a relationship with him, she wanted their friendship to last forever. She needed his kindness, caring, guidance, and positivity. It helped her so much, no matter what she was going through.

"If that's what you want from me, of course," he said surely.

Her smile seemed genuine but a bit sad. He wished he could just spill out his feelings to her but it still didn't feel like the right time.

He decided he'd do something to take her mind off serious things like that that made her mind clouded and her happiness fade. He just wanted her to live simply, even if it meant that he was a best friend forever.

Key squatted down and started digging into the sand with a stick.

"What are you doing?" she said curiously and squatted down next to him.

He started molding the sand he'd dug up with his hand into a ball and Yunkyung was surprised that he was actually touching it. She realized what he was doing quickly and began making a small ball of her own.

When they were finished, they'd completed a mini sand-man since it was winter. She never knew you could make a snow man out of sand but it looked really cute, especially when Key broke the twigs and stuck it into the sides as arms.

They took a picture with it on their phones and sent it to their friends saying 'this is how KeyKyung celebrates winter in California!'

"They're all jealous I met you before they did," Key said lightly.

Yunkyung stood up with his help and they walked out to the water to wash their hands.

"Well, it's only fair since you didn't get to talk to me," she said grudgingly.

"Sorry," he whined and back-hugged her, holding his wet hands out so they wouldn't get on her nice jacket.

She squealed and pretended to wiggle away from him. He chuckled in her ear and held her to him tighter. She shyly rested her head against his chest and they watched as the sunset set even further.

Key's phone rang and Yunkyung helped him to get it out of his coat pocket without destroying it with wetness.

"What now?" he said into the phone to Jonghyun, the smelly, exercise-obsessed dino who had the nerve to interrupt him on his happy date.

"Just wanted to tell you that we're all leaving for the airport right now..." he said brightly.

"You're what?!" Key asked indignantly.

"There will be a plane to take you back at five tomorrow morning and we're taking your stuff. We've checked out of the hotel, so you can't go back tonight, sorry."

"Jjong, what the hell!" he said in frustration.

He can't believe he'd gone this far just so that he could force Key to stay with Yunkyung more like he'd said earlier.

"Have fun!" the dino sang evilly and hung up.

"That guy is off my friends list seriously!" he said angrily.

"What's wrong?" Yunkyung said worriedly.

He put his phone back in his pocket and debated for awhile whether he should tell her or not.

"It's nothing too serious. Just that Jonghyun told me I have no place to stay tonight and they already are on their way back to Korea...."

"Oh, so you just need a place to stay tonight..." she said slowly and looked down in thought.

"It's expensive but I guess I'll just rent a hotel by myself for the night," he said in frustration.

There was silence for a while as they both looked away from each other, thinking of what to do with his situation.

"Well...you could spend the night in my room..." Yunkyung said shyly.

Key looked at her in wide-eyed surprised. He'd never dreamed she'd suggest or agree to that plan.

Huh, I guess Jonghyun knows her character a bit better than I do.

"I mean, it's such a waste of money for one night and you have a friend here still, so..." she said nervously.

"Thanks, I'm sorry for troubling you like that," he said sincerely.

"It's no problem," she said lightly with a small shake of her head.

Sure, it wasn't really a problem for either of them. Because they both wanted to spend some more time together.

"It's almost dark...should we go now?" he suggested lightly.

"Yeah, we still have to find a taxi which is hard on the weekday," she said, feigning airiness in her voice.

They walked back quickly, feeling awkward with the sudden silence. But they didn't know what to say with their minds on how they would handle a night together like this and how they were sure 'the' conversation would come up.

They were nervous about what they should say and what they would hear. They were both 50% sure the other would say they had met someone else and just wanted to stay friends.

They walked along the boardwalk a bit slower, then up to the street. They commented absently on the pretty lights that were still up from Christmas way before. Key stood closer to the street to hail a taxi while Yunkyung stood back, half watching him and half lost in her own world.

Is my room clean? Did I leave any garbage or dishes or dirty clothes out? I only have one bed, where will he sleep? How do I keep it from James? What will we talk about? What will he say to me? What does he think? Did he come here because he wants to get back together with me, or because he wants to officially make it over? I'm so nervous and it's so awkward now! Otokhajo, Otokhajo?!

"Yunkyung, taxi's here," Key called and motioned her to hurry over to the door he was holding open for her.

They climbed in together and Yunkyung told the driver the address.

Her mind flashed back to the last time he'd been in a taxi with her and how he'd kept his arm around her the whole time. It made the atmosphere even more awkward because he wasn't making a move to touch her or look at her at all now. She glanced over at him but he was purposely gazing through the window like there was a lot of interesting things outside.

Twenty minutes and still awkward silence later, they arrived at the hotel and Key stepped out first affter paying. He politely took her hand to help her out but released it as soon as she was on her feet. Yunkyung silently walked up the steps and Key followed quietly and expressionlessly behind her.

He showed some curiosity inside the hotel because it wasn't nearly as high class as the one he'd been staying at or the building they'd been in yesterday. It wasn't that Key was stuck-up and didn't like places like that, it was just that he hadn't been in many before since his family and SM had money and high standards.

He knew he seemed like a princess but he could actually sleep anywhere, he was sure. Well, as long as the place wasn't crawling with bugs, which this place didn't seem that bad.

Yunkyung kept looking around nervously as they went into the elevator and down the hallway and Key wondered why. Then he remembered that James was here too and it would look extremely bad if Key was seen going to her room this late at night.

They'd nearly hurried to her room when a door a few hallways down clicked open. Yunkyung flicked the card key through the door just as James of all people to their unfortunate luck stepped out backwards. Yunkyung ushered Key inside and half closed the door just as James turned around and noticed her.

"Just got back?" he said warmly.

"Yeah," she said breathlessly.

"Did you have fun with Key?" he asked suggestively.

"Yeah, he's a close friend I always have fun with," she said objectively.

"Really? You seemed a bit closer than friends to me, but maybe Korean culture is different," he said with a small shrug.


Yunkyung laughed nervously.

"Yeah, maybe."

"Well, I'm going out to meet some work colleagues and talk horse," he said brightly and waved to her as he headed down the hallway.


Yunkyung was still awkwardly holding the door opened yet closed. James looked at it curiously but there wasn't even a light on inside so there wasn't much to be suspicious of.

"Good night! Have fun," she called calmly.

She waved until he'd gotten into the elevator and the door closed.

She let out a sigh, then hurriedly went into the dark room and shut the door softly behind her. She didn't realize how close Key was though as she bumped into his chest and stepped on his foot in the dark. He groaned softly.

"Sorry," she whispered as she fumbled for the light switch.

She found it and nearly jumped in surprise when she realized Key was just in front of her, their bodies incredibly close. He stepped back immidiately and Yunkyung felt more at ease.


"That was really close," he said in relief.

"Yeah, it really had my heart racing and I was so awkward," she said with a light laugh.

Key smiled warmly and patted her head. "You did a good job, ajhumma. You got better at lieing."

"I learned from you," she teased and stepped past him into the room, already having flipped off her muddy boots.

Key did the same and followed her unsurely into the small room. There was a tiny kitchen area with a mini-fridge and microwave, a TV, a small bathroom, a table in the corner, and one bed. The bed had been folded neatly from the maid and the area cleared of any garbage.

Yunkyung's suit case was emptied and set in a closet and her clothes were neatly hanging or in drawers he was sure, her bathroom supplies probably set in a straight, neat line like she usually preferred.

"Here, let me get your coat for you," he suggested kindly and gently took the coat she was unbuttoning and the muffler in his hands.

He hung them neatly on the hangers in the small wall closet next to the kitchen area. He did the same with his.

Yunkyung sat awkwardly at the table chair and started heating up water for them to drink something. Key didn't know what to do at first but since Yunkyung seemed awkward too, he decided to force himself to not be so shy.

Key jumped and sat cross-legged on her bed, pulling a pillow into his lap.

"Why don't we watch a movie? I've been so busy lately, it's been forever since I've had the chance," he said brightly.

"Okay, there's free movies with the hotel service, so just pick one," she agreed gratefully, tossing him the small remote.

He laid on his stomach with his chin buried in the pillow until he found a movie he wanted to watch and started it. Yunkyung was pouring hot water with hot chocolate mix when she heard the movie start.


"Toy Story again? How many times have you seen it already?" she teased with a light laugh.

"It never gets old!" he said in defense but hid a sheepish smile.

He wondered if Yunkyung disliked that childish side of him that liked kids movies and cartoons. He hoped not because he wasn't sure if he could change it easily. It made him almost as happy as her smiles did.

"I won't bite..." he said slowly and patted the big space on the bed next to him.

She blushed slightly but moved to sit on the bed and carefully handed him the mug of hot chocolate with a straw in it. He sipped on it greedily and happily watched the movie. Eventually Yunkyung felt more comfortable and laid on the bed on her stomach with her head on a pillow just like him.

When they laughed together and looked sidewise, catching their gaze in warm amusement and contentment, Key thought he was so grateful that he had that kind of friendly, comfortable type of personality to any girl. He hated being awkward with Yunkyung, even if that meant that their feelings were being shown a bit more.

When the movie was over, it was pretty late at night and Key regretted so much that he had to leave at four and had a schedule the next day so he needed to sleep.

"If you feel uncomfortable, I can sleep on the floor," Key suggested and moved a foot reluctantly towards it.

Yunkyung shook her head lightly, now lying on her side the right way on the bed, her head sideways around the pillow she was hugging slightly. Key wished so much that those small, weak arms were around his neck instead, but he made sure his desire didn't show on his innocent, sweet face.

Key laid down facing her, mimicking the same way she was laying and leaving quite a large space between them. Still, it was a bed and they shared many bedroom memories, so it felt awkward. Especially because the way they were acting now was so opposite any way they'd acted before even when they'd just been friends.

"Good night, ajhumma," Key said softly with a small, innocent and calming smile.

"Good night, Key," she whispered back and smiled too, but she wasn't as good at hiding her feelings as sadness tugged down the corners of her mouth noticeably.

Key closed his eyes and tried to sleep, though they were sleeping only in semi-darkness because Yunkyung knew that's what he preferred rather than pitch black. They were outside the covers and still in their clothes to avoid any more awkward situations.

Key couldn't stop himself from focusing on her light, slow, calm breathing that seemed to relax him and yet at the same time make him more nervous and aware. He was so hyper-aware of every small shift she made in her body, of every slight change in her breathing or small hum of her voice.

He peaked one eye open and was sure that she'd fallen asleep.

She'd probably been really nervous before but he'd successfully made her feel comfortable by acting friendly and hiding his feelings. Her face was so incredibly sweet when she was sleeping and he missed all those times where it had been okay to kiss her if he woke up in the middle of the night and saw it.

No time to think like that now!

Key quietly left the bed, grabbed the necklace from it's box, and knelt next to her. With expert skill after so many months of learning her sleeping habits and how to sneak in, out, around, and do anything to her without her knowing, he slipped it around her neck and fixed the clasp.

"I hope you like it and never stop thinking of me," he whispered in her ear and dared a light kiss on her cheek.


Yunkyung stirred in her sleep slightly and he stopped moving. Soon, she was still again, except for her arm that stretched out towards the other side of the bed unconsciously, searching for him.

Key quietly moved back and when he laid down her arm touched his lightly. He moved a bit and touched her hand gently. She clasped his firmly and pulled him to move closer. He obliged and scooted a bit closer so their bodies were almost touching each other, not making a sound or even daring to breath in case she woke up.

She still seemed to be deep in sleep and unaware that he was close to her. He lightly laid his forehead against hers and, hands clasped still, he fell asleep for real.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Sometime in the night, Yunkyung sat up all of a sudden with a gasp that immediately stirred him awake. They barely noticed that their hands were still together naturally.

"Boo, what's wrong?" he said sleepily, the endearment slipping familiarly out of his lips by accident.

Yunkyung didn't seem to have taken notice of it thankfully as she hurried from the bed and into the bathroom. She washed her face and took a drink of water, going over the nightmare again vividly. She shivered at the thought of the night where Key had nearly been stabbed by that crazy fan-girl Nicole, who was hopefully still in some asylum in America.

Key is safe now, nothing like that will happen to him even if we're not together, she told herself surely and went back to the bed.

Key watched her walking with heavy, clumsy steps until she reached the bed. She sat on the bed and raised her knees up to her chest. He knew that something must have scared her or left her worried when she did that, so he brushed her arm gently for comfort.

"Yunkyung, are you okay?" he asked in concern.

She nodded subtly.

"Nightmare?" he asked gently as he brushed her arm softly.

The comfort coming from him was already making her feel a million times better. She nodded honestly.

"Tell me," he insisted as he pulled her to lay down again.

She faced him and looked at him for a long time sadly. Key grew more worried as tears filled her eyes slightly.

"What happened with Soohyun this time?" he asked in slight irritation.

"No, this time it was you," she said in a weak voice.

"Me?" he asked in surprise.

"That time, with Nicole and all..." she said hesitantly.

"Oh...." he said in realization.

"Don't think about that. Nothing happened, it was all lies, misunderstandings, and simple plans," he said comfortingly as he brushed her hair softly.

"I know," she said with a light sniffle as she looked down at her clasped hands in front of her.

"I really thought I was going to lose you though," she said in a frightened, weak voice.

"Shh. You'll never lose me. I won't let it happen," he said surely.

She still looked shaken. Key grew bold and gently grabbed her back and drew her into his arms. Yunkyung held her breath for a minute and then as he stroked her hair and wrapped his arms around her and under her head, she slightly relaxed and rested her head and hands against his chest.

"You'll sleep easier now, right?" Key said reassuringly and just the words eased her mind and heart.

She didn't want to be anywhere else and she didn't want to fall asleep. If only she could have a nightmare every night so Key could hold her until she fell asleep.

"Thank you," she said sleepily.

"It's my pleasure," he whispered but he was pretty sure she'd already fallen asleep and didn't hear.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

When Yunkyung woke up, it was already morning and she was sad to see Key was gone.

He hadn't woken her up to say bye, he hadn't left her a message, and she was disappointed that they'd never had 'the' talk. So she still had no more clue about what his real feelings were or why he'd come all the way to see her.

But when she went to the bathroom and saw the silver dove pendant that magically appeared on her neck while she was sleeping, she decided that she'd look on the bright side.

"I love you," she said surely with a shy smile to herself in the mirror.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I love you, Key wrote in his phone.

He stared at it for a full five minutes and then erased it.

These things shouldn't be said through a text message. Next time, I will definitely say it to her!