Beauty and the Beast

It'll take probably a week again before I update this blog.

Ahhh, work.. Owww, real life...

Anyway, not many of you will agree with nor like this fic. Yes, yes, I made HJ look bad again. It's a hard habit to break.. LOL..

Hmm, if you're up for the challenge, please continue reading and leave me some comments (love, hate, whatever).. If you spot errors, please please feel free to call my attention.

Much love and respect to LvK2010 for the lovely pictures.... Ate, I think I'll be using all your PSed pics for my fics from now on.... Thank you five hundred million times!!!!

Hyunjoong opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the new light given off by the morning sun.

He was never the type to wake up all bright, shiny and happy so early in the morning, but he felt a sense of urgency to open his eyes early today, perhaps fearful that there might be a moment he would miss.

He adjusted to his side and noticed his woman seated on the bed with her bare back facing him.

He quietly observed and listened to her calm, relaxed breathing. It was like glorious music to his ears—listening to her inhaling the fresh air and exhaling it almost noiselessly.

As a man, he had been showered with so many blessings in his life—too many that he could not count them using his fingers and his toes combined.

And if he had to choose one blessing as his favorite, it would have to be the very day he woke up and felt something pounding in his chest. He realized he had a heart capable of beating, capable of liking, capable of loving someone he once thought he could never have.

He watched as the golden rays of the sun hit Hwangbo’s bare skin. The once caramel tone turned into an exquisite shade of bronze. He smiled as his Goddess gleamed, like some heavenly apparition. She was a beauty, and he felt stupid for not having seen that from the very start.

There were many times he felt like hitting himself with a sledge hammer. Thinking about his stupidity and utter madness made him feel like a hideous, monstrous beast.

Hyunjoong sighed recalling the many times he must have hurt her.

He used to just watch her on TV with her girl group. And with that dot on her forehead, he was almost convinced she was a foreigner.

The first time he actually met her was on a variety show. She seemed to know everyone-guests, hosts and staff there. She was playful and friendly. Idols, like him, talked about her and talked to her like she was their friend for a long time. Many other idols confessed their admiration for her, including his friend Micky and DBSK leader, Yunho.

When asked about her one time on the show, he mocked her and joked about her skin being darker than that of a typical Korean. He even used that as an attack in one of the show’s segments.

When the show ended, it took some time before they met and were together again. He remembered his shock and surprise when he saw her driving the red top down car. At first, he thought being paired with an older, does-not-act-cute, hoarse-voiced woman was a cruel, evil joke played by We Got Married’s staff and crew. He loudly complained about not being paired to a cute, girly idol.

But it knocked some sense into him when during one of his hissy fits, the ever nice and respectful, Kyujong gathered his courage to speak up. He remembered his member’s words so well. Kyujong said, “Stop complaining, Hyung! Do you really think you are the only one whose made uncomfortable with your pairing? Have you ever thought putting up with you and your harsh comments about her is easy for Noona? Stop being an ass!!”

It touched Hyunjoong gravely that despite his comments in the past, she was as always nice and patient with him.

What turned everything around was her ability to take care of him and her genuine sincerity towards the ruthless, cruel Hyunjoong.

In no time, she gained his respect.

In no time, his admiration for her grew.

In no time, he woke up everyday eager to be with his pretend wife.

In no time, she made him realize he had a heart.

In no time, he discovered that the reason why he suddenly felt so alive was Hwangbo.

And soon, he realized he was falling for her ever so slowly.

During the time they spent together, he felt like he was slowly unraveling a beautiful treasure and at the same time, he was slowly shedding off his hideous, monstrous mask.

He quietly observed as she watched the morning sun slowly creeping up through the morning sky. Silently admiring how she seems to appreciate the minute things in life.

He began to wonder, ‘How in the world was it possible for this beauty to have fallen in love with a beast? How was it possible for this beauty to have transformed this beast to human with a heart?’

Hyejung quietly turned around to find Hyunjoong quietly staring at her. An easy smile broke on her lips. She touched his cheek with one hand, as the other held the blanket that covered the rest of her body.

“Good morning!”, she said tenderly.

Hyunjoong just continued to stare at her, silently praising and thanking the Gods for such a beautiful blessing. He caught her wrist and pulled her gently towards him.

“It’s not just a good morning, Hyejungssi. It’s a great morning”, he whispered before claiming her lips for a slow, succulent kiss.

Hwangbo exhaled when they ended their kiss and smiled shyly. She rested her head on his chest.

“I love you, Hyunjoong..”, she declared.

He smiled and stroked her long black hair.

“Can you hear my heartbeat?”, he asked her.

She pressed her ear on his chest and nodded.

“Every beat, every thud should tell you how much I love you..”, he said, “And just for the record, I think I am more head over heels in love with you, Beautiful…”

In the stillness of the new morning comes the promise of love and a happy ever after inside the Kim’s humble home.

Love..

It’s a tale as old as time..

A song as old as rhyme..

For this Beauty and her Beast-no more..