sidewalk blues
Title: sidewalk blues
Pairing(s): HanChul
Genre(s): Romance
Length: 1530 words
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In which Heechul runs away from home.
Inspiration(s): Mostly Oliver Twist but there’s some aspects from Some Kind of Wonderful in there, too.
```
where are you heading?
as far as I can get with thirty dollars.
no particular direction?
no, just get me away from here.
kid, are you in trouble or--?
just do me a favor and drive the cab, okay?
```
excuse me, how much is one bedroom?
ten dollars a night, sir.
can i give you five instead?
no can do, kid. there is a hostel a couple blocks down, though. you can try there. you are eighteen years and older, right?
no, sir. i'm sixteen.
then i guess i can't help you. any relatives i can call? your parents?
they are the last people i want to talk to right now.
considering your circumstances, though, i would think you don't have that much of a choice--wait, kid, come back!
```
hey, are you cold?
what do you think? i'm sleeping on a sidewalk in a hoodie and jeans. of course i'll be cold.
just asking. here, the blanket's big enough for two.
thanks.
you're not from the streets, aren't you?
no, but i sure as hell can take care of myself.
first rule, never trust another person if they are offering some help until you are sure that they are no harm.
thank you, einstein.
second, never sleep outside without warm clothes. many guys die in their sleep from lack of warmth.
great.
my name is han geng.
heechul.
if you're not on the streets, why are you out here? in trouble?
no. i'm running away.
why?
my parents are being absolute assholes, that's why.
how were they being assholes?
they want me to study, get high grades, and become a doctor. like that will ever happen. i will never be a doctor and they know it.
huh.
what do you mean, huh?
i just think that it must have been a really big argument if it made you run away like that.
yah, well, what do you know? i'm pissed out of my mind that they do not respect my own wishes.
huh.
```
hungry?
i could eat a freaking horse.
well, the only thing i have on me is a piece of cheese.
ew, it has mold on it. i'm not eating that!
suit yourself.
what do you hobos do in your spare time?
it depends on the hobo you're talking about.
fine. what do you do in your spare time?
make money, mostly.
how do you make money? do you steal wallets at the supermarket?
not really. i dance at central square. sometimes people will come and put some of their spare change in my hat. if i can get enough, i can buy some food.
and what if you don't?
i don't eat until i do.
that sucks.
yah, it does.
but you have freedom that people like me don't. you get to go wherever you want, live wherever you want, sleep whenever you want. my mother tells me when to eat, when to sleep, and when to get up. it's so annoying.
i'd rather have somebody to look after me like that than to have to deal with life myself, you know.
if you lived my life, you'd think differently.
what could be so bad about parents who care about you?
parents that are control freaks, that's what. they watch my every move and make all my decisions for me. heck, i can't even choose what hairstyle i want in the mornings. i'm pretty much a damn robot to them.
would you rather sleep on the streets and worry about your next meal every day?
if it gets me away from my controlling parents, then yes.
you don't mean that.
and what if i do?
i would gladly take your place in your life if you take mine.
as would i.
you really don't want to make the switch.
```
there's enough for two people.
but you earned that money. you definitely need to eat more than i do.
trust me, once you go two days like this, you won't be so quick to refuse my offer.
```
it's been two weeks, heechul. shouldn't you at least let them know that you're safe?
i'm not going back.
you should at least give them a letter or something. something to lessen their worries.
chuh, they're not worried about me.
they are your parents. of course they are worried about you.
what do you know? you don't even have parents... i'm sorry, that came out wrong. i really didn't mean that.
it's true, though. i've been an orphan for all my life. i never had parents of my own. i can't believe you sometimes.
excuse me?
you have a home and a family. and you're throwing it all away!
because i'm miserable there!
you'd be even more miserable out here!
no i'm not. i'm perfectly happy.
you've only been here two weeks. try two years and then talk to me. you have only seen the good sides. try watching your best friend die in a gang fight. try going through winter with only a blanket and one change of clothes. try working the whole day just to make enough for a damn meal.
oh yeah? try coming home from school and overhearing your parents talking about your future. try walking into your room and finding your mother correcting the grammar mistakes in your diary.
heechul, you're impossible.
so i've been told.
have you ever gotten a Christmas present before?
yes. what's your point?
would you rather be at home, surrounded by relatives, and open your present and find what you've been wanting this whole year in that box? or would you rather spend it like how i am right now, except colder?
han geng, you have no idea what--
i know, heechul, i know. i'm just a hobo. what do i know?
yah, what do you know? of course i know that hobos go through hardships, but you homeless assholes don't care to even think that rich brats like me go through just as many hardships.
heechul--
you know what, just shut up!
```
i just want you safe, heechul.
why would you want me safe? you hardly even know me.
i don't need to know you in order to know that i want you safe.
wow, that's deep.
seriously. i really think you should go home. at least there's a less chance of getting hurt.
how many times do i have to tell you that i am not going home?
you can tell me thousands of times more and i will still try to convince you otherwise.
han geng.
look, i am aware that i don't know you very well, but i really care about you. the only things that i care about now are me, my dancing, and you. and i'd rather have you back with your folks and safe than with me and prone to danger. so now i'm begging you. please just go home.
fine. come with me.
what?
come back with me.
are you crazy?
you just noticed? come home with me. i'll convince my parents to let you stay.
don't go out of your way to help me.
then take your own advice, asshole. guess who took care of me all this time when you really didn't have to.
that's different.
stop the macho act and just say yes.
what about--?
if you keep trying to make excuses, i swear i'm going to break your nose. i love you and i want to be with you.
huh?
you heard me. now seriously, shut up or your nose will be beyond repair by the time i'm finished with it.
```
mom, dad, this is han geng. i want him to live with us.
```
heechul, are you crazy?
yes.
you come home and all of a sudden you're asking us to adopt a homeless teenager off the streets. what if he's on drugs? what if he steals all of our valuables and kills us in our sleep?
one, he isn't on drugs. two, he won't do that.
and how do you know?
how else do you think i managed to live on the streets for four weeks without even a scratch?
```
merry christmas, han geng!
excuse me?
i said, merry christmas.
you. you got me a present?
of course i did. and you'd better like it or at least pretend to like it, because i spent a lot of time thinking about what to get you.
thank you.
shut up and open it.
a blanket!
i had the seamstress sew on our names on it. isn't it pretty?
i love it.
liar.
no, i really do. i'm just glad that i don't need it anymore. well, not for, you know.
really?
yah.
that's good, i guess. you seem to assimilate into rich kid society quite well.
glad to know that i'm living up to expectations.
mm hm.
i never thought i'd hear myself say this, but i'm really glad you ran away from home that time, heechul.
wow, that's a first. why this all of a sudden?
i don't really know. i'm just glad i met you, that's all. glad i'm still with you.
good to know.
Pairing(s): HanChul
Genre(s): Romance
Length: 1530 words
Rating: PG-13
Summary: In which Heechul runs away from home.
Inspiration(s): Mostly Oliver Twist but there’s some aspects from Some Kind of Wonderful in there, too.
```
where are you heading?
as far as I can get with thirty dollars.
no particular direction?
no, just get me away from here.
kid, are you in trouble or--?
just do me a favor and drive the cab, okay?
```
excuse me, how much is one bedroom?
ten dollars a night, sir.
can i give you five instead?
no can do, kid. there is a hostel a couple blocks down, though. you can try there. you are eighteen years and older, right?
no, sir. i'm sixteen.
then i guess i can't help you. any relatives i can call? your parents?
they are the last people i want to talk to right now.
considering your circumstances, though, i would think you don't have that much of a choice--wait, kid, come back!
```
hey, are you cold?
what do you think? i'm sleeping on a sidewalk in a hoodie and jeans. of course i'll be cold.
just asking. here, the blanket's big enough for two.
thanks.
you're not from the streets, aren't you?
no, but i sure as hell can take care of myself.
first rule, never trust another person if they are offering some help until you are sure that they are no harm.
thank you, einstein.
second, never sleep outside without warm clothes. many guys die in their sleep from lack of warmth.
great.
my name is han geng.
heechul.
if you're not on the streets, why are you out here? in trouble?
no. i'm running away.
why?
my parents are being absolute assholes, that's why.
how were they being assholes?
they want me to study, get high grades, and become a doctor. like that will ever happen. i will never be a doctor and they know it.
huh.
what do you mean, huh?
i just think that it must have been a really big argument if it made you run away like that.
yah, well, what do you know? i'm pissed out of my mind that they do not respect my own wishes.
huh.
```
hungry?
i could eat a freaking horse.
well, the only thing i have on me is a piece of cheese.
ew, it has mold on it. i'm not eating that!
suit yourself.
what do you hobos do in your spare time?
it depends on the hobo you're talking about.
fine. what do you do in your spare time?
make money, mostly.
how do you make money? do you steal wallets at the supermarket?
not really. i dance at central square. sometimes people will come and put some of their spare change in my hat. if i can get enough, i can buy some food.
and what if you don't?
i don't eat until i do.
that sucks.
yah, it does.
but you have freedom that people like me don't. you get to go wherever you want, live wherever you want, sleep whenever you want. my mother tells me when to eat, when to sleep, and when to get up. it's so annoying.
i'd rather have somebody to look after me like that than to have to deal with life myself, you know.
if you lived my life, you'd think differently.
what could be so bad about parents who care about you?
parents that are control freaks, that's what. they watch my every move and make all my decisions for me. heck, i can't even choose what hairstyle i want in the mornings. i'm pretty much a damn robot to them.
would you rather sleep on the streets and worry about your next meal every day?
if it gets me away from my controlling parents, then yes.
you don't mean that.
and what if i do?
i would gladly take your place in your life if you take mine.
as would i.
you really don't want to make the switch.
```
there's enough for two people.
but you earned that money. you definitely need to eat more than i do.
trust me, once you go two days like this, you won't be so quick to refuse my offer.
```
it's been two weeks, heechul. shouldn't you at least let them know that you're safe?
i'm not going back.
you should at least give them a letter or something. something to lessen their worries.
chuh, they're not worried about me.
they are your parents. of course they are worried about you.
what do you know? you don't even have parents... i'm sorry, that came out wrong. i really didn't mean that.
it's true, though. i've been an orphan for all my life. i never had parents of my own. i can't believe you sometimes.
excuse me?
you have a home and a family. and you're throwing it all away!
because i'm miserable there!
you'd be even more miserable out here!
no i'm not. i'm perfectly happy.
you've only been here two weeks. try two years and then talk to me. you have only seen the good sides. try watching your best friend die in a gang fight. try going through winter with only a blanket and one change of clothes. try working the whole day just to make enough for a damn meal.
oh yeah? try coming home from school and overhearing your parents talking about your future. try walking into your room and finding your mother correcting the grammar mistakes in your diary.
heechul, you're impossible.
so i've been told.
have you ever gotten a Christmas present before?
yes. what's your point?
would you rather be at home, surrounded by relatives, and open your present and find what you've been wanting this whole year in that box? or would you rather spend it like how i am right now, except colder?
han geng, you have no idea what--
i know, heechul, i know. i'm just a hobo. what do i know?
yah, what do you know? of course i know that hobos go through hardships, but you homeless assholes don't care to even think that rich brats like me go through just as many hardships.
heechul--
you know what, just shut up!
```
i just want you safe, heechul.
why would you want me safe? you hardly even know me.
i don't need to know you in order to know that i want you safe.
wow, that's deep.
seriously. i really think you should go home. at least there's a less chance of getting hurt.
how many times do i have to tell you that i am not going home?
you can tell me thousands of times more and i will still try to convince you otherwise.
han geng.
look, i am aware that i don't know you very well, but i really care about you. the only things that i care about now are me, my dancing, and you. and i'd rather have you back with your folks and safe than with me and prone to danger. so now i'm begging you. please just go home.
fine. come with me.
what?
come back with me.
are you crazy?
you just noticed? come home with me. i'll convince my parents to let you stay.
don't go out of your way to help me.
then take your own advice, asshole. guess who took care of me all this time when you really didn't have to.
that's different.
stop the macho act and just say yes.
what about--?
if you keep trying to make excuses, i swear i'm going to break your nose. i love you and i want to be with you.
huh?
you heard me. now seriously, shut up or your nose will be beyond repair by the time i'm finished with it.
```
mom, dad, this is han geng. i want him to live with us.
```
heechul, are you crazy?
yes.
you come home and all of a sudden you're asking us to adopt a homeless teenager off the streets. what if he's on drugs? what if he steals all of our valuables and kills us in our sleep?
one, he isn't on drugs. two, he won't do that.
and how do you know?
how else do you think i managed to live on the streets for four weeks without even a scratch?
```
merry christmas, han geng!
excuse me?
i said, merry christmas.
you. you got me a present?
of course i did. and you'd better like it or at least pretend to like it, because i spent a lot of time thinking about what to get you.
thank you.
shut up and open it.
a blanket!
i had the seamstress sew on our names on it. isn't it pretty?
i love it.
liar.
no, i really do. i'm just glad that i don't need it anymore. well, not for, you know.
really?
yah.
that's good, i guess. you seem to assimilate into rich kid society quite well.
glad to know that i'm living up to expectations.
mm hm.
i never thought i'd hear myself say this, but i'm really glad you ran away from home that time, heechul.
wow, that's a first. why this all of a sudden?
i don't really know. i'm just glad i met you, that's all. glad i'm still with you.
good to know.