Realization Chapter 2
As the seasons changed from fall to winter, the boys were hard at work preparing for their end of the year live concert. Before they could even appreciate the passing of September and October, the months were completely gone, leaving them with nothing but aching bodies from vigorous practice but also a keen sense of accomplishment and excitement for the big event to come.
It was after these two months of work and toil that the boys finally received a break on a Saturday, one day off to rest and do whatever they want.
“Junsu, let’s go to the theater today.” Yoochun called out cheerfully as he walked out from the shower. A day off was like gold, there was no way he was going to waste it away at home.
Junsu didn’t reply as he was caught up intensely in a video game with Changmin. All that could be heard from the living room was the twiddling of fingers as the two boys furiously worked the controllers.
Yoochun frowned a little but not for long. “Eukyang kyang kyang! Changminah, you need to level up a little more before you recklessly challenge your hyung! Eukyang!” Junsu fell backwards, his pajama panted legs pedaling in the air in victory as he threw back his head with his unique laughter. His tear-drop shaped eyes creased deeply and his mouth was wide open, showing all his teeth.
“Oh, what did you say, Yoochun?” Junsu finally composed himself enough to reply back to Yoochun.
Yoochun who had stood there watching the spectacle this whole time with a slightly dumbstruck expression shook himself and repeated, “I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the theater today. I thought it might be fun.”
Junsu’s eyes lit up, “Yeah, awesome. What about you Changmin?”
Changmin shook his head, “Nah, I was going to stop by home for a bit. And it’s a hassle going out to the theater with all the crazy fans at your heels.”
Junsu nimbly got up to his feet, “That’s what disguises are for!” He ran up and grabbed Yoochun’s arm, already starting to drag him towards the bedroom. “Man, we haven’t done this in a while, huh? Hmm…what do we need? Sunglasses, hats…”
Yoochun smiled at Junsu’s ever-constant exuberance and let himself be dragged away.
Jaejoong, meanwhile, was holed up in his room with bottles of water and a box of tissue due to a severe head cold that took him by surprise in the early hours of the morning. Despite the other boys concern and attempts to help him when they realized he was sick, Jaejoong managed to chase them all away, saying he wanted to be alone and just sleep all day. Jaejoong didn’t want to ruin this precious day of freedom for the others. But it was a lie if he said he wasn’t just a little sad when he saw the other boys leave his room one by one, Junsu leaving with a cheery note that “sleep is really the best medicine”.
That’s true, Jaejoong thought to himself as he burrowed deeper into his mound of blankets and pillows. He felt his head getting heavy and his body drifting off to sleep.
It was evening time when Jaejoong awoke. The alarm clock said 7pm. The other guys must be out having fun somewhere, Jaejoong thought to himself a little bitterly. Jae grasped his belly. He hadn’t eaten all day now that he thought about it. His stomach felt even more sunken in than a usual.
It was when Jaejoong slowly propped himself up on the bed that the door of his bedroom creaked open. It was Yunho.
Jaejoong in that moment realized what people meant by the phrase “heart leapt into your throat”. Yunho was standing at the door with a tray in hand that held a glass of water and a bowl with spoon.
“Whoa, hey there. Don’t try to get up so quickly,” Yunho came over to Jaejoong and pushed him back down onto the bed.
Jaejoong obediently followed the movements of Yunho’s hand. His head on the other hand was bursting with questions that he wanted to pour out to Yunho. Why was he still in the house? Wasn’t he supposed to meet up with his friends today? And most of all, why had he out of all the members stayed behind?
Yunho laid the tray on the nightstand and looked at Jaejoong with a small sigh. “No offense but you look like shit. What happened to Korea’s number one ulzzang??” He laughed a little at his own joke.
Jaejoong self consciously clutched his face in his two hands. For some reason he felt really embarrassed to show his haggard present state in front of Yunho. Though the two of them didn’t have anything to hide, having been friends for six years after all.
“What are you doing here?” Jaejoong’s voice came out as a strange croak.
Yunho pointed at the tray and grinned, “What does it look like? I’m giving life and sustenance to my fellow member with the fruits of my own labor!”
Jaejoong glanced over at the bowl. It contained a strange grayish substance that he couldn’t readily identify. Though Yunho seemed to consider whatever concoction he made as God-sent manna itself, Jaejoong had his doubts.
“It’s oatmeal,” Yunho said shortly thereafter, following the direction of Jae’s gaze.
“Ah…” Jaejoong smiled weakly. Well Yunho had never been the best cook…
Jaejoong sat up a little and brought the tray over to his lap. Taking the first spoonful he looked up slightly to see Yunho’s puppy-like eyes looking at him with unsuppressed earnestness. Jaejoong took a big bite and forced himself to gulp it down. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was not actually edible food but rather some type of construction material, possibly tar.
“How is it?” The question bursted from Yunho’s mouth before all the slimy liquid had even made its way down Jaejoong’s throat.
Jaejoong arranged his face into what he thought would be a decent expression. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted before…ever.”
Yunho nodded seriously his eyebrows scrunched for a moment, matching Jaejoong’s gaze for a few seconds before he bursted out into laughter. “You don’t have to feel like you have to humor me. The taste is probably not the best because I took the liberty of putting vitamin supplements in it.” Yunho’s body still shook a little with laughter, “God, what kind of face was that anyway? Haha. But anyways, you have to get stronger Jae. You’re way too thin for a guy. And weak.”
Yunho reached over and squeezed Jae’s arm playfully. Jae jerked inadvertently. It almost felt like it burned where Yunho touched him.
“Anyway, try to finish at least half of it. We have a live broadcast tomorrow on SBS Morning so you have to regain your strength.” Yunho said.
Jaejoong nodded, he almost forgot about that. He looked up at Yunho once more, “How come you didn’t meet your friends today?”
“Tsk. A leader never deserts his members.” Yunho said with a wry smile.
Hearing those words, Jaejoong felt just a little disappointed. Why that was he wasn’t entirely sure.
But nonetheless Jaejoong smiled, “Thanks, Yunho.”
Yunho turned to go, waving his hand over his shoulder. Jaejoong’s eyes followed Yunho all the way until he left the room and closed the door. When he was sure Yunho was gone he hurriedly opened the drawer from the desk on his right and whipped out a small hand mirror. Goodness gracious. Extreme dark circles, hair a bird’s nest, oily skin, his face today was the epitome of the phrase “hot mess”.
“No wonder he said I look like shit…” Jaejoong muttered to himself and sighed a little. But despite his disgusting physical appearance (something that would have made Jae freak out on any other normal day) he quickly forgot it and felt the corners of his lips itching to turn upwards.
Yunho had stayed. Even though all the other members had not stayed by his side, Yunho had stayed. Who cares what reason it was for. Jaejoong buried his face in his pillow and smiled to himself. He placed his hand lightly on the place on his arm where Yunho’s hand had been. He could almost still feel the imprint of it.
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A/N Quick update right? Sorry if the story is really slow pace right now. I wanted to take my time in developing all the feelings in the story. I guess in some ways, there's more 'feeling' then action in the story but oh well...hehe. It will pick up later I promise! This is just the quiet before the storm.
Btw if anyone was wondering, "ulzzang" is a korean online term for "ulgul" (face) + "zzang" (best) so "best face" is a rough translation? I guess it's kind of a korean internet phenomenon for really pretty people or something...
A/N2 I'll shut up from here I swear! Just a side note but if you guys want anymore background info on the making of this story, just refer back to my first post on my homepage. Anyways thx, bye!
It was after these two months of work and toil that the boys finally received a break on a Saturday, one day off to rest and do whatever they want.
“Junsu, let’s go to the theater today.” Yoochun called out cheerfully as he walked out from the shower. A day off was like gold, there was no way he was going to waste it away at home.
Junsu didn’t reply as he was caught up intensely in a video game with Changmin. All that could be heard from the living room was the twiddling of fingers as the two boys furiously worked the controllers.
Yoochun frowned a little but not for long. “Eukyang kyang kyang! Changminah, you need to level up a little more before you recklessly challenge your hyung! Eukyang!” Junsu fell backwards, his pajama panted legs pedaling in the air in victory as he threw back his head with his unique laughter. His tear-drop shaped eyes creased deeply and his mouth was wide open, showing all his teeth.
“Oh, what did you say, Yoochun?” Junsu finally composed himself enough to reply back to Yoochun.
Yoochun who had stood there watching the spectacle this whole time with a slightly dumbstruck expression shook himself and repeated, “I was just wondering if you wanted to go to the theater today. I thought it might be fun.”
Junsu’s eyes lit up, “Yeah, awesome. What about you Changmin?”
Changmin shook his head, “Nah, I was going to stop by home for a bit. And it’s a hassle going out to the theater with all the crazy fans at your heels.”
Junsu nimbly got up to his feet, “That’s what disguises are for!” He ran up and grabbed Yoochun’s arm, already starting to drag him towards the bedroom. “Man, we haven’t done this in a while, huh? Hmm…what do we need? Sunglasses, hats…”
Yoochun smiled at Junsu’s ever-constant exuberance and let himself be dragged away.
Jaejoong, meanwhile, was holed up in his room with bottles of water and a box of tissue due to a severe head cold that took him by surprise in the early hours of the morning. Despite the other boys concern and attempts to help him when they realized he was sick, Jaejoong managed to chase them all away, saying he wanted to be alone and just sleep all day. Jaejoong didn’t want to ruin this precious day of freedom for the others. But it was a lie if he said he wasn’t just a little sad when he saw the other boys leave his room one by one, Junsu leaving with a cheery note that “sleep is really the best medicine”.
That’s true, Jaejoong thought to himself as he burrowed deeper into his mound of blankets and pillows. He felt his head getting heavy and his body drifting off to sleep.
It was evening time when Jaejoong awoke. The alarm clock said 7pm. The other guys must be out having fun somewhere, Jaejoong thought to himself a little bitterly. Jae grasped his belly. He hadn’t eaten all day now that he thought about it. His stomach felt even more sunken in than a usual.
It was when Jaejoong slowly propped himself up on the bed that the door of his bedroom creaked open. It was Yunho.
Jaejoong in that moment realized what people meant by the phrase “heart leapt into your throat”. Yunho was standing at the door with a tray in hand that held a glass of water and a bowl with spoon.
“Whoa, hey there. Don’t try to get up so quickly,” Yunho came over to Jaejoong and pushed him back down onto the bed.
Jaejoong obediently followed the movements of Yunho’s hand. His head on the other hand was bursting with questions that he wanted to pour out to Yunho. Why was he still in the house? Wasn’t he supposed to meet up with his friends today? And most of all, why had he out of all the members stayed behind?
Yunho laid the tray on the nightstand and looked at Jaejoong with a small sigh. “No offense but you look like shit. What happened to Korea’s number one ulzzang??” He laughed a little at his own joke.
Jaejoong self consciously clutched his face in his two hands. For some reason he felt really embarrassed to show his haggard present state in front of Yunho. Though the two of them didn’t have anything to hide, having been friends for six years after all.
“What are you doing here?” Jaejoong’s voice came out as a strange croak.
Yunho pointed at the tray and grinned, “What does it look like? I’m giving life and sustenance to my fellow member with the fruits of my own labor!”
Jaejoong glanced over at the bowl. It contained a strange grayish substance that he couldn’t readily identify. Though Yunho seemed to consider whatever concoction he made as God-sent manna itself, Jaejoong had his doubts.
“It’s oatmeal,” Yunho said shortly thereafter, following the direction of Jae’s gaze.
“Ah…” Jaejoong smiled weakly. Well Yunho had never been the best cook…
Jaejoong sat up a little and brought the tray over to his lap. Taking the first spoonful he looked up slightly to see Yunho’s puppy-like eyes looking at him with unsuppressed earnestness. Jaejoong took a big bite and forced himself to gulp it down. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was not actually edible food but rather some type of construction material, possibly tar.
“How is it?” The question bursted from Yunho’s mouth before all the slimy liquid had even made its way down Jaejoong’s throat.
Jaejoong arranged his face into what he thought would be a decent expression. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted before…ever.”
Yunho nodded seriously his eyebrows scrunched for a moment, matching Jaejoong’s gaze for a few seconds before he bursted out into laughter. “You don’t have to feel like you have to humor me. The taste is probably not the best because I took the liberty of putting vitamin supplements in it.” Yunho’s body still shook a little with laughter, “God, what kind of face was that anyway? Haha. But anyways, you have to get stronger Jae. You’re way too thin for a guy. And weak.”
Yunho reached over and squeezed Jae’s arm playfully. Jae jerked inadvertently. It almost felt like it burned where Yunho touched him.
“Anyway, try to finish at least half of it. We have a live broadcast tomorrow on SBS Morning so you have to regain your strength.” Yunho said.
Jaejoong nodded, he almost forgot about that. He looked up at Yunho once more, “How come you didn’t meet your friends today?”
“Tsk. A leader never deserts his members.” Yunho said with a wry smile.
Hearing those words, Jaejoong felt just a little disappointed. Why that was he wasn’t entirely sure.
But nonetheless Jaejoong smiled, “Thanks, Yunho.”
Yunho turned to go, waving his hand over his shoulder. Jaejoong’s eyes followed Yunho all the way until he left the room and closed the door. When he was sure Yunho was gone he hurriedly opened the drawer from the desk on his right and whipped out a small hand mirror. Goodness gracious. Extreme dark circles, hair a bird’s nest, oily skin, his face today was the epitome of the phrase “hot mess”.
“No wonder he said I look like shit…” Jaejoong muttered to himself and sighed a little. But despite his disgusting physical appearance (something that would have made Jae freak out on any other normal day) he quickly forgot it and felt the corners of his lips itching to turn upwards.
Yunho had stayed. Even though all the other members had not stayed by his side, Yunho had stayed. Who cares what reason it was for. Jaejoong buried his face in his pillow and smiled to himself. He placed his hand lightly on the place on his arm where Yunho’s hand had been. He could almost still feel the imprint of it.
______________
A/N Quick update right? Sorry if the story is really slow pace right now. I wanted to take my time in developing all the feelings in the story. I guess in some ways, there's more 'feeling' then action in the story but oh well...hehe. It will pick up later I promise! This is just the quiet before the storm.
Btw if anyone was wondering, "ulzzang" is a korean online term for "ulgul" (face) + "zzang" (best) so "best face" is a rough translation? I guess it's kind of a korean internet phenomenon for really pretty people or something...
A/N2 I'll shut up from here I swear! Just a side note but if you guys want anymore background info on the making of this story, just refer back to my first post on my homepage. Anyways thx, bye!