Work Text:
“If you want, you can spend your free time outside.” Dad stated. “ You’re mom and I had to go straight from the airport to school for your graduation and we both need rest, hun. We’re old that’s what we need, rest. Lots of rest.” He quoted with his hands in the air to emphasize the last sentence.
“Dear, dad means if you have someone to spend your after graduation rites then go, you can meet him.” Cheeks red, I turned around so that my parents wouldn’t notice it.
After a few more words exchanged and after preparing my things, my phone lights up signaling a text. He must be downstairs. Should I let him in first? So what am I going to introduce him as? A friend? He is a friend. Someone close to my heart but that was all there is to it. Dismissing the thought of letting my friend meet my parents first, I gently locked the front door so as to avoid any noise remembering how the elders actually wants to rest from a tiring four hour journey.
“Chaeng, congratulations!” Greeted by a single calla lily and a man 6 feet 1 inch tall, he opened his arms wide expecting our usual hugs. This is nothing new friends do hugs, right? So I went in to do so.
“You should have waited inside the car it’s hot outside here.”
“Don’t you know we need our daily dose of vitamin D from the sun?” He defended.
“If you need vitamin D you wake up early and go for a walk. It’s 2pm and it is freaking hot that you’ll burn.” This dude seriously.
“Aye! Aye! Miss ma'am! Starting tomorrow I’ll take your advice so calm down.” He surrenders far from the competitive Park Chanyeol the world knows. This guy is a wonder I can’t seem to understand. He opened the front seat for me.
“You need to tell me first where we are going, Yeol.” He laughed and mouthed ‘it’s a surprise, dear’ then proceeded to start the car.
A month ago after the final list of graduates were released, Yeol asked me if I was busy on the day of my graduation. He says it’s the same day as his day off so he’d like to go out. As I did not actually have plans after the ceremony, I agreed to spend his free day with him. Chanyeol is a good friend. A well-known musician who happens to be Baekhyun’s, my friend and the café owner of Delight where I usually spend my free time, cousin. Met him one time while he was trying to get away from his manager after staying up for two days while preparing for his upcoming album. He says he wanted to sleep so I let him.
It took an hour and half until he suddenly turned left to a familiar place. Surprised, I turned to him and there he was, grinning from ear to ear.
“I always wanted to go here.” I told him out of the blue.
“This is my graduation gift for you, Chaeng.” He states while trying to park the car. For the past 10 minutes my eyes were glued to the bright colors displayed as well as the exciting rides seen from outside. “You told me this was a dream for you, right? Let’s go inside.”
“Two all access tickets please.” He bought tickets and I can’t be more than excited to be able to try each ride. I’ve always been a fan of amusement parks. The kids’ all time favorite carousel, the vikings and so much more.
“We are definitely going to try log rides, Yeol. I don’t care if we’re going to get all wet.” He nodded as a response.
“That is why I brought extra clothes, Chaeng. You don’t need to worry about anything. Try any ride you want, this is your day. No one is old enough for an amusement park, here every one is equal.”
28 isn’t old enough for here huh? I just recently finished with my masters and the next thing I do is go ride rollercoasters? I guess that’s a good idea to be able to get rid of all the stress the final paper caused me.
For the whole day we went on to try different rides. He suggested we do bumper cars first and it was actually fun seeing him so hyped up after losing control while being stuck in between other people’s cars. Chanyeol Park hates losing. He hates not being in control specially in games and he is now. After 10 minutes we decided to try another ride and I had to listen to him rant about how the management should have checked the car he chose as he ‘feels’ there is something wrong with it; or that’s just him trying to make himself believe he did not lose completely, he just was unlucky.
We decided to take on The Pendulum for our next ride. It’s a great ride for those who want to express their frustrations out. It was then when I realized how this day isn’t just about us celebrating my graduation but for him too. Yeol needs an outlet. Being a star, he’s expected to put on a smiling face no matter what people throws at him and it’s tiring too. I’m just glad he’s enjoying this as much as I do.
Theme park visits won’t be complete without trying their Haunted Attractions. “You don’t have to be scared, Chaeng. I got you. I’m the man, I’ll protect you.” He states with shaking hands and feet. This giant does not go well with jump scares. He’s not easily afraid but easily gets surprised. I’m afraid we won’t be able to finish the whole haunted mansion journey as he suddenly gets physical when surprised. Which actually happened.
“My hand moved on it’s own!” He complained. “I did not do that on purpose, sir. I was surprised when that ghost suddenly appeared in front. It was a reflex action.”
“Okay Mr. but since now that you two are out I’m suggesting you don’t go inside once again as we don’t want our staff to get hurt.” He’s one big man so his hands definitely are huge.
He sighs disappointedly and it made me laugh. Chanyeol getting worked up because he was asked to leave the haunted mansion after he slapped a ghost is funny.
We then decided to move to the carousel, he says it’s his favorite ride as a kid. I look at him the whole time and notice how cute he is as his dimple in the left cheek appears whenever he’s smiling. During the whole ride he let me sit on the horses while he stood there in front.
“Are you enjoying this, Yeol?” I asked. He nods as a response and I give him a smile.
“You look beautiful when you’re happy, Chaeng. I love you.” Suddenly, upon realizing what he just said and surprised by his own words, he immediately covered his mouth. He turned away avoiding my gaze.
“I love you too, Yeol.” I answered. Slowly looking back my way wearing another surprised look as if he wasn’t just surprised by what he recently said, “YOU DO?!” He shouted. Surprised by my answer he suddenly lets go of the pole he’s been holding for balance and was about to fall off the turning carousel, luckily I was able to hold onto him.
This man will forever not be funny. “I do, Chanyeol Park.”