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Daera and Donghyuck were eating their pasta quietly. None of them was brave enough to strike a conversation and Donghyuck felt like his very first date with a girl was failing. She's probably bored, he thought and pouted while sipping on his Coke. He looked at her and watched her struggle rolling the spaghetti on her fork.

"Do you need help?" The boy asked and Daera looked up, her cheeks bright red and a little bit of pesto was stuck to her upper lip. Donghyuck had to look away, otherwise, his heart would've burst by the look of the cute girl. "I'm not used to eat with a fork." She confessed and sighed. "I'm normally alone at home and only eat Ramyeon or I order something." She continued explaining. "And when I eat at Uncle Ari's house I always get either classic Korean or Chinese cuisine. I never had Italian before." She rambled and Donghyuck chuckled.

"So that means I can teach you eating with a fork?" He asked and bounced off his chair before Daera could say anything. He quickly walked behind her chair and took her hands in his. "You just spin the fork like this." He explained, almost whispering it into Daera's ear. She could feel her ears burning up and feeling his chest against her back was making her almost lose her conscious.

When did Donghyuck become so manly? He was like a gentleman in the Dramas Daera was watching at home when she was all alone and knew her parents wouldn't call. The men in her Dramas always looked out for the main girl and made sure she was feeling happy and pretty.

Daera's heart was beating faster when she managed to roll the spaghetti around the fork with Donghyuck's help. "Say aaah!" Donghyuck grinned and fed Daera with the pasta. She started chewing and once she swallowed she licked her lips. That one piece of pesto still stuck to her lip.

"Geez, you can't even eat properly!" Donghyuck hissed and Daera pouted but froze once Donghyuck's thumb touched her lip. "That's better." He smiled and walked back to his plate to finish his own pasta. "T-Thank you" Daera blushed and looked down at her food.

If Donghyuck would continue to be a gentleman like this, Daera wouldn't survive this afternoon.

After they finished their meal, Donghyuck carried the empty plates into the kitchen and asked Daera to wait, while he prepared the desert he prepared all by himself.

Once in the kitchen, Donghyuck freaked out. He held the fabric over his heart and walked up and down. He couldn't believe how incredibly cute Daera was without even doing a lot for it. She was naturally cute and Donghyuck lowkey liked that. 

He breathed out and rested his palms on the workspace of the kitchen. How often had he cooked with the Hyungs in this kitchen and felt suffocated by the discussions the older members were having. But today the kitchen felt like his safe haven. Here he could calm down before going back to Daera without having the urge to jump at her and kiss her whole face...

Donghyuck shook his head. He shouldn't think about kisses, that would only confuse him.

He quickly opened the fridge and got out the two bowls with chocolate mousse he had made this morning. Happily, he carried them into the dining room, where Daera was patiently waiting. "I hope you like chocolate." Donghyuck smiled and set a bowl in front of Daera. "Whoa, that looks gorgeous!" The seventeen-year-old exclaimed and Donghyuck blushed. "Thank you. I made it all by myself."

They were eating quietly until Donghyuck asked her something; "Why do you love Red Velvet so much?" He looked at her and watched with love in his eyes how Daera started smiling. Red Velvet really makes her happy. "I always been a fan of SM Idols. My parents moved away for the first time when Red Velvet debuted with 'Happiness'. I listened to it and felt less lonely." Daera smiled and looked down. "That was four years ago. Your parents left you four years ago?" Donghyuck asked concern showing in his voice.

"I was barely thirteen back then. They told me Ari was going to look after me from time to time and they gave me my first credit card so I can buy food, school supplies, and clothes." Daera shoved another spoonful in her mouth and looked at Donghyuck with a soft smile.

"Where are your parents now?" - "I think the last time I spoke to them which was three weeks ago was Greenland? But it could be that they moved again. I'm not sure, to be honest." Daera said. "That's why I found my family in Red Velvet. My best friend Taeho and I always try to get into their fan signings and we're really trying to get tickets for the concert but it's really hard." 

"Even with Ari as your uncle." - "I just want to do most of the stuff by myself. But thanks to you I could meet my Idol as private as can be. I couldn't thank you enough for that." She gave Donghyuck a smile that melted his heart. He sighed.

"Gosh, you're so cute."

Daera widened her eyes and Donghyuck stared at her with equally big eyes. He never planned to drop this bomb so early, but now that it was out he couldn't look away from her. Daera smiled. "Thank you." She bit her lip and tilted her head and looked at Donghyuck. "You're really cute as well." 

Donghyuck looked up and took in every little detail of Daera's face. Her sightly pink cheeks and the way she grinned, while biting her bottom lip. Her big brown eyes were sparkling and her petite form sat on the chair relaxed. He could see Daera felt comfortable in his presence.

So he stood up and walked over to her. He stretched out his right hand and Daera took it, unsure what the same aged boy was planning, but once Donghyuck pulled her in a hug, her whole body melted and she felt herself hug back.

"I like you, Daera. I like you so much."