Random Gen Prompt Fic Post of Boredom
Changmin x Jaejoong / Seems you've found the one who's going to make you happy (Companion/prequel to my ficlet for the prompt Too bad it isn't you)
"So... I heard... you're seeing someone now?"
Changmin hoped that he didn't sound as hurt as he was inside. It was him, after all, that called the whole thing off in the first place. He didn't need to look up to know that Jaejoong was sitting on the park bench too... as far away as he could.
"Yeah... Yunho."
Jaejoong's voice was devoid of any emotion that Changmin wanted to hear, though he didn't expect it anyways. How would Jaejoong forgive him, want him, anymore?
He was the one who had left- did he really deserve anymore attention from the man?
"Y-Yunho? Really? H-he's a good person."
Where did that pathetic stutter come from? He could be a better man about this. He had to be a better man, even if he couldn't be happy.
Jaejoong ignored his weakness, remaining cold.
"Yeah, he is a good person. He's liked me for a long time."
Changmin swallowed dryly, not wanting to hear an answer, but not being able to stop himself from asking the question.
"Oh. Really?"
There was a hint of bitterness in Jaejoong's response and Changmin cringed at the tone.
"Yeah. Really. Since before... before you and I, in fact."
Changmin could hear the empty bravado threading through Jaejoong's voice, but he was reluctant to call the older man on it. He'd done enough already, but it didn't stop him from replacing his hurt with anger.
"Is that it? Is that the only reason you called me here?"
Jaejoong stared at him, mouth agape and plainly taken aback. It was then that Changmin really understood why Jaejoong had called him there, but it was too late. The damage was done and any hope they'd had to be together again was gone.
"Well... I... I guess so. Sorry for bothering you, Changmin. I'll remember not to bug you in the future."
And before Changmin could say anything more, Jaejoong left and Changmin's last sentiment followed the older man's retreating back.
Just... I hope he can make you happier than I did.
Changmin x Junsu / Sand in my pockets
Changmin's got a handful of life in his pockets. Grains of memories sift through his fingers, shift ing as his fingertips disturb them.
He walks on the beach at night (the sunshine is too bright for his tired eyes) collecting memories (gems of emotions, ideas, none of them his) and trying to pocket them before they slip from his fingers, fleeting. He picks up handfuls, trying to hold on, desperate as no tightening of his grip, nothing, will keep the tiny grains from escaping him (it's like his hand all over again, small and not there).
He still tries every night, scurrying away when the first hints of dawn creep over the endless depths of the sky with his hands in his pockets, memories in his heart (He stores them in a box when he gets home; it's poor comfort but comfort nonetheless).
His behavior makes Jaejoong want to say something that always gets caught in his throat (worried).
It makes heavy-hearted jokes die on Yoochun's lips (worried).
It makes Yunho want to do something, the helplessness unrepentant in his eyes (worried).
It makes Changmin want to stop, but he can't, he just can't.
Junsu loved the beach, he loved the sky, he loved Changmin, and he loved Changmin on dark nights on the beach. It's enough to make Changmin forge on (because he can't forget and as long as he's somewhere where Junsu's heart was full of love, he really can't, or so his mantra goes).
Changmin grabs fistful after fistful of memories on the beach (they're all like him, fleeting, soft, silk between his fingers, and leaving so quickly), but he stops short of keeping it this time, stops short and cries for the first time.
He doesn't want Junsu to be a handful of sand in his pockets; Junsu was so much more.
Junsu x Jaejoong / Don't be happy
Don't-
Junsu holds onto Jaejoong's waist for all he's worth. He hates being alone, hates being without Jaejoong, and (though he knows it's selfish) he hates it when the older singer is happy without him. He doesn't have to express it for Jaejoong to know.
Don't what?
Jaejoong wants to hear it, but Junsu doesn't want to say it, doesn't want to admit to the vein of selfishness that runs through him. Jaejoong enjoys the chase.
You already know.
Junsu's lips curve into a little pout. He hates playing this game, hates that Jaejoong needs to hear him admit it.
Maybe I don't. Refresh my memory, Su-yah?
There's a devious smile on Jaejoong's lips as he pulls away from Junsu a little. Yunho will yell at him later for holding them all up when, really, they need to leave or they'll miss their flight for the promotion and the then the manager with skin them alive, but Jaejoong would rather hear stay to hear Junsu's little confession. The younger man pushes him away halfheartedly and Jaejoong laughs, quietly but freely and he knows Junsu can't resist. Junsu kisses him softly, whispering against his lips.
Don't... don't be happy without me...
Jaejoong's hand sifts through short locks, smiling at the pouting baritenor. Yunho's call sounds in the distance, impatient, and Jaejoong kisses Junsu again, making sure Junsu knows his answer.
Of course not 'Su. Never without you.
Jaejoong x Junsu / You're too skinny
Jaejoong's fingers trail over Junsu's ribs- they're too visible and it's wrong- giving every bone he touches through warm flesh a number. It saddens him to see it, so he presses his lips to the younger man's prominent spine, trying to ease his worries.
"You're too skinny, dongsaeng..."
The words hang between them, worse than a physical barrier. Junsu stiffens slightly and Jaejoong can almost hear his thoughts.
No, not skinny (good) enough. You're being kind. Unfair.
Jaejoong tries to reassure him with more teeth and tongues, trying to show his concern for the baritenor without words because they're too easy to brush away.
I mean it.
A flick of his tongue.
This... I love you, but it hurts me to see you like this.
A quiet nuzzle against his cheek.
Come back to me 'Su.
Jaejoong holds on to Junsu tightly trying to will away the feeling that the younger man will slip through his fingers like ashes in the wind.
You're too skinny, much too skinny...
He's nearly crying when he looks Junsu in the eyes again, agitated, worried. Junsu bites his lip and kisses him, softly, sweetly, and Jaejoong can feel the younger man so acutely that he almost feels drowned.
I- I'm sorry, hyung. I'll try... to diet less if it makes you happy.
Jaejoong smiles against the younger man's lips.
Yunho x Changmin / Just friends
"Methinks the maknae has something for you, leader-shii," Jaejoong announces with a little knowing quirk of his lips and a flounce of a sit.
Yunho regards him skeptically, a little flutter making his breath hitch almost imperceptibly.
Almost.
Jaejoong, of course, catches it instantly.
"What, you too?"
Yunho sputters like a drowned man coming out of water.
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!" Jaejoong frowns at him insistently.
"No! Stop that!"
Yunho is flustered and Jaejoong relentless, a grin on his face saying rather plainly- See? I knew it... defensive, defensive Yunho...
"Shut up!"
"I didn't say anything."
Jaejoong's all-knowing expression is irritating to say the least and it makes Yunho want to wipe the look off his face with his fist. He just about says as much when the older man's expression softens slightly.
"You know... it's okay if you like him. We don't- won't- judge you. I mean, I would be one to talk with Junsu and all..."
Yunho shook his head firmly, his heart beating rapidly. It isn't true, I don't- I can't...
"No. I don't- I can't... look Jae, Changmin's not just- he's the maknae and he's my friend. Just my friend."
Jaejoong opened his mouth to say something, but thought differently and shut it promptly. He stood abruptly, a disappointed sort of gleam in his eyes.
"Well, I'm sorry you see it that way."
Just outside the door, Changmin's heart clenches. Jaejoong squeezes his hand I'm sorry and doesn't linger. Changmin listens to the soft rustles of Yunho moving around inside the room.
He didn't think rejection would hurt so much.
Yoochun x Yunho / Beware of this glass heart
Masculinity is a cover.
Take it away and you have just Yoochun and just Yunho who are really just two very soft-hearted men that are much easier to hurt than they let off.
It shows in their interactions, their love, their tenderness, their caution.
I don't want to get hurt and I don't want to hurt you.
It's the mantra of their life.
Their relationship is care and caution when really, they want so much more. Some days they treasure the complications of Jaejoong and Junsu's relationship. Other days they wish for the tests of trust that Changmin and Dongwook went through by virtue of distance.
They realize that anything more is hard, much too hard considering that glass is so, so fragile, and, as brave as they are, they aren't willing to be the hammer that breaks the other's heart and by that path breaks their own.
It's a delicate, tentative operation built of many gentle tries and entrusted confidences.
It's their way and it works out just fine.
Changmin x Yunho / Guilty as charged
It took forever and a day for Changmin to work up the courage to confront their fearless leader.
"You lied."
"What?"
Perhaps it was a bad time to take Yunho on. Backstage changing rooms were certainly not an ideal, but it was too late to stop.
"You lied to Jaejoong. You like me."
Yunho, it seemed, had a habit for acting drowned.
"Wh-what? Lied to J- You were listening?"
Changmin brushes the question of eavesdropping off impatiently, trying make as little room possible for stalling.
"Yunho, do you like me?"
"What, no honoritive? Shouldn't you-"
"Yunho! Answer the question!"
"Yes!"
Relief tugs at Changmin's heartstrings.
"Really?"
"Yes."
A smile blooms on his face, countering the almost desperate confusion in Yunho's. Leaping upon him with surprising affection.
"That's all you needed to say, Yunho."
The arms that lock around him seal the deal.
Changmin x Jaejoong / These four walls don't listen
Changmin spills out all of his problems to the empty, simple walls of the room he shares with the others. He spills out his frustrations, his fears, his sorrows and he lets them all float away in the cold comfort of the air-conditioned silence.
Of course, for all his efforts, it doesn't heal his hurts.
Then of course comes the day when solitary catharsis isn't enough, when he's feeling too much to be sated by his quick fixes of screaming to the empty corners of the room. He's lost, doesn't know what to do and suddenly, Jaejoong is there, soothing, loving, calming.
"Tell me what's wrong dongsaeng, I'll listen."
Changmin is quick to obey and suddenly it's all better; everything's alright.
No more hurt. Everything's remedied. He learns a lesson.
The bare walls of the Dong Bang apartment make terrible listeners, and Jaejoong is so much more.
Yunho x Junsu / Women are from venus men are from mars
Women are from Venus, men are from Mars.
Yunho doesn't know why he takes so much stock in a silly children's rhyme, but he can't seem to help it. It's like Disney regurgitating in his brain.
Anyways, it's not like it really applies in the situation at hand. Junsu is neither a woman, nor is he really from Mars, so shouldn't he be easier to figure out than that?
Well, maybe not.
It doesn't seem right for Yunho to ask him out to the movies (too hackneyed, and Yunho can't get the image of himself using a lame yawn-and-stretch out of his head), nor odes the idea of giving him flowers and candy appeal (Junsu would be furious; he's dieting... again Jaejoong has yet to break him of the habit), a love letter seems a little... off (if his current state of mind is any indication, Junsu might be wondering why Yunho seems to hate him not love him like he really does), and his old trick of declaring his affections in the middle of a heart of candles doesn't really seem like an option.
Yunho runs out of ideas right about there.
In the end, he blurts it out rather embarrassingly on the way to one of their tapings. The whole van is promptly silenced in shock before a loud wave of laughter hits him and his distinctly red face.
Surprisingly enough, it's Junsu who puts a comforting hand on his, smiling softly.
Maybe Junsu wasn't so hard to figure out after all.
Yoochun x Yunho / Almost over you
Yunho was the one he was never supposed to fall for. He should have fallen for someone cute like Junsu, or someone pretty like Jaejoong, or someone quiet like Changmin, but not Yunho.
Never Yunho.
Yunho was too masculine, too commanding, and nothing like Yoochun's dreams and supposed-tos.
So Yoochun ran.
He dated Junsu (hurt him too, just because Yoochun couldn't be the only one hurting).
He cheated on Junsu with Jaejoong (until they both figured it out and left him for each other).
He pretended to pine for and moon over Changmin (the younger man ignored him, slapped him, then told him to grow up and stop lying to himself).
He did everything, anything, but hurt for Yunho, anything, but try to fill the void that he secretly needed Yunho to fill, anything but try to distract himself from the fact that he was so, so, deeply in love with Yunho because he didn't.
He wasn't.
He just needed more time to make it real.
Yunho x Changmin / Your hand was supposed to fit mine. Did his fit better?
Changmin-ah...
Dongsaeng, it's alright to call you that now, right Changmin? Hyung has something to ask you, but he doesn't know if it'll make any sort of sense.
Do you remember your promise dongsaeng?
Do you?
Do you remember that walk on the beach. You smiled, I remember, so bright, so warm... I think I fell in love with you that day dongsaeng....
Do you remember it?
You put your hand in mind and told me we fit, like pieces of a puzzle, and then you laughed because you didn't want us to be so cliché...
I believed you dongsaeng, deep down to the bottom of my heart. I believed you.
But now, now I don't know what to think. I can see you from here, sitting there with your head on his shoulder. You're laughing with him, I can tell. There's just something about the way you toss your head back a little and hunch forward when you laugh. It's adorable.
But aren't I supposed to be the one in his place? Didn't you promise that to me? Maybe my memory's gone bad. Maybe I dreamt it up.
You have your hand in his. Are you telling him you fit?
I don't know what to think or do or say with this, dongsaeng. I think... maybe you'll just never get to know.
Maybe writing it will take away the hurt.
I love you, Changmin. I lo-
"Hey, Yunho-hyung. What've you got there?"
Yunho looked up into Changmin's eyes, a forced smile on his face.
"Oh... nothing...."
Jaejoong x Junsu / Trip to nowhere
Junsu remembers his high school sweetheart, a boy less-than-sweet and that had a habit of breaking hearts.
Junsu remembers loving him.
He remembers long summer days and even longer nights driving out to nowhere, making love under the stars and pretending that there wasn't a thing in the world to care about.
Junsu remembers Jaejoong that way.
He remembers days of pulling ridiculous immature pranks on teachers, on rivals, of being and outcast for the sake of being and outcast and for the sake of being with Jaejoong. He remembers letting Jaejoong lead him.
It almost hurts to think of it.
He was happy with Jaejoong, maybe even the happiest he'd ever been, but it just wasn't meant to be. Eventually, Junsu was ready to graduate, he was ready to move on.
Jaejoong wasn't.
He remembers the fight that ensued, the argument that maybe could have never happened if Junsu had just let Jaejoong lead him once again, but he grew up.
Jaejoong was a trip to nowhere.
That's what Junsu tries to convince himself of every day.
Jaejoong x Junsu / Love? What's that?
"I love you!"
Jaejoong was so proud of himself and his proclamation as he marched up to Junsu with a dandelion clutched in his clumsy fingers, a sloppy grin plastered all over his features, it didn't occur to him that maybe Junsu was a little too young to understand.
After all, Junsu was only four. He wasn't as sophisticated as Jaejoong, standing so knowledgeable of the world at the oh-so-grown-up age of five.
One whole year was a big deal.
"Love? Like Umma says every night to Junho-hyung an' me before bed every night?"
Jaejoong shook his head vigorously.
"No. She has to say that because you're her kids. It's like Shaki for you. You have to say that because you take care of him. I mean like grown up love."
"Grown up love?"
Junsu was skeptical, but Jaejoong would change his mind, after all he was a whole year older. One whole year. It made a difference.
"Yes, grown up love. Don't you know anything? I mean like ummas and appas say. Grown up love."
"Oh."
Junsu wrinkled his nose suddenly.
"Eww... you mean when they get all mushy and kiss an' stuff?"
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. Four year olds were so immature. They didn't know anything.
"It's supposed to look that way, but it isn't. Look."
He dropped an awkward kiss on Junsu's cheek and grabbed his hand, abandoning the dandelion.
"See? It's not that bad."
Junsu looked up in wonder. Jaejoong smiled happily; Junsu loved his hyung so much.
"I guess that was kinda nice... I think I love you too, hyung."
"Good."
Jaejoong grabbed the younger boy's hand. His dongsaeng didn't really get it yet, but he would learn. For now, there was a swing in the park that Jaejoong ha been eying all day.
~
Done! Ummm... not entirely satisfied here, but guess I let you readers be the judge of that. Comments are love!
"So... I heard... you're seeing someone now?"
Changmin hoped that he didn't sound as hurt as he was inside. It was him, after all, that called the whole thing off in the first place. He didn't need to look up to know that Jaejoong was sitting on the park bench too... as far away as he could.
"Yeah... Yunho."
Jaejoong's voice was devoid of any emotion that Changmin wanted to hear, though he didn't expect it anyways. How would Jaejoong forgive him, want him, anymore?
He was the one who had left- did he really deserve anymore attention from the man?
"Y-Yunho? Really? H-he's a good person."
Where did that pathetic stutter come from? He could be a better man about this. He had to be a better man, even if he couldn't be happy.
Jaejoong ignored his weakness, remaining cold.
"Yeah, he is a good person. He's liked me for a long time."
Changmin swallowed dryly, not wanting to hear an answer, but not being able to stop himself from asking the question.
"Oh. Really?"
There was a hint of bitterness in Jaejoong's response and Changmin cringed at the tone.
"Yeah. Really. Since before... before you and I, in fact."
Changmin could hear the empty bravado threading through Jaejoong's voice, but he was reluctant to call the older man on it. He'd done enough already, but it didn't stop him from replacing his hurt with anger.
"Is that it? Is that the only reason you called me here?"
Jaejoong stared at him, mouth agape and plainly taken aback. It was then that Changmin really understood why Jaejoong had called him there, but it was too late. The damage was done and any hope they'd had to be together again was gone.
"Well... I... I guess so. Sorry for bothering you, Changmin. I'll remember not to bug you in the future."
And before Changmin could say anything more, Jaejoong left and Changmin's last sentiment followed the older man's retreating back.
Just... I hope he can make you happier than I did.
Changmin x Junsu / Sand in my pockets
Changmin's got a handful of life in his pockets. Grains of memories sift through his fingers, shift ing as his fingertips disturb them.
He walks on the beach at night (the sunshine is too bright for his tired eyes) collecting memories (gems of emotions, ideas, none of them his) and trying to pocket them before they slip from his fingers, fleeting. He picks up handfuls, trying to hold on, desperate as no tightening of his grip, nothing, will keep the tiny grains from escaping him (it's like his hand all over again, small and not there).
He still tries every night, scurrying away when the first hints of dawn creep over the endless depths of the sky with his hands in his pockets, memories in his heart (He stores them in a box when he gets home; it's poor comfort but comfort nonetheless).
His behavior makes Jaejoong want to say something that always gets caught in his throat (worried).
It makes heavy-hearted jokes die on Yoochun's lips (worried).
It makes Yunho want to do something, the helplessness unrepentant in his eyes (worried).
It makes Changmin want to stop, but he can't, he just can't.
Junsu loved the beach, he loved the sky, he loved Changmin, and he loved Changmin on dark nights on the beach. It's enough to make Changmin forge on (because he can't forget and as long as he's somewhere where Junsu's heart was full of love, he really can't, or so his mantra goes).
Changmin grabs fistful after fistful of memories on the beach (they're all like him, fleeting, soft, silk between his fingers, and leaving so quickly), but he stops short of keeping it this time, stops short and cries for the first time.
He doesn't want Junsu to be a handful of sand in his pockets; Junsu was so much more.
Junsu x Jaejoong / Don't be happy
Don't-
Junsu holds onto Jaejoong's waist for all he's worth. He hates being alone, hates being without Jaejoong, and (though he knows it's selfish) he hates it when the older singer is happy without him. He doesn't have to express it for Jaejoong to know.
Don't what?
Jaejoong wants to hear it, but Junsu doesn't want to say it, doesn't want to admit to the vein of selfishness that runs through him. Jaejoong enjoys the chase.
You already know.
Junsu's lips curve into a little pout. He hates playing this game, hates that Jaejoong needs to hear him admit it.
Maybe I don't. Refresh my memory, Su-yah?
There's a devious smile on Jaejoong's lips as he pulls away from Junsu a little. Yunho will yell at him later for holding them all up when, really, they need to leave or they'll miss their flight for the promotion and the then the manager with skin them alive, but Jaejoong would rather hear stay to hear Junsu's little confession. The younger man pushes him away halfheartedly and Jaejoong laughs, quietly but freely and he knows Junsu can't resist. Junsu kisses him softly, whispering against his lips.
Don't... don't be happy without me...
Jaejoong's hand sifts through short locks, smiling at the pouting baritenor. Yunho's call sounds in the distance, impatient, and Jaejoong kisses Junsu again, making sure Junsu knows his answer.
Of course not 'Su. Never without you.
Jaejoong x Junsu / You're too skinny
Jaejoong's fingers trail over Junsu's ribs- they're too visible and it's wrong- giving every bone he touches through warm flesh a number. It saddens him to see it, so he presses his lips to the younger man's prominent spine, trying to ease his worries.
"You're too skinny, dongsaeng..."
The words hang between them, worse than a physical barrier. Junsu stiffens slightly and Jaejoong can almost hear his thoughts.
No, not skinny (good) enough. You're being kind. Unfair.
Jaejoong tries to reassure him with more teeth and tongues, trying to show his concern for the baritenor without words because they're too easy to brush away.
I mean it.
A flick of his tongue.
This... I love you, but it hurts me to see you like this.
A quiet nuzzle against his cheek.
Come back to me 'Su.
Jaejoong holds on to Junsu tightly trying to will away the feeling that the younger man will slip through his fingers like ashes in the wind.
You're too skinny, much too skinny...
He's nearly crying when he looks Junsu in the eyes again, agitated, worried. Junsu bites his lip and kisses him, softly, sweetly, and Jaejoong can feel the younger man so acutely that he almost feels drowned.
I- I'm sorry, hyung. I'll try... to diet less if it makes you happy.
Jaejoong smiles against the younger man's lips.
Yunho x Changmin / Just friends
"Methinks the maknae has something for you, leader-shii," Jaejoong announces with a little knowing quirk of his lips and a flounce of a sit.
Yunho regards him skeptically, a little flutter making his breath hitch almost imperceptibly.
Almost.
Jaejoong, of course, catches it instantly.
"What, you too?"
Yunho sputters like a drowned man coming out of water.
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!" Jaejoong frowns at him insistently.
"No! Stop that!"
Yunho is flustered and Jaejoong relentless, a grin on his face saying rather plainly- See? I knew it... defensive, defensive Yunho...
"Shut up!"
"I didn't say anything."
Jaejoong's all-knowing expression is irritating to say the least and it makes Yunho want to wipe the look off his face with his fist. He just about says as much when the older man's expression softens slightly.
"You know... it's okay if you like him. We don't- won't- judge you. I mean, I would be one to talk with Junsu and all..."
Yunho shook his head firmly, his heart beating rapidly. It isn't true, I don't- I can't...
"No. I don't- I can't... look Jae, Changmin's not just- he's the maknae and he's my friend. Just my friend."
Jaejoong opened his mouth to say something, but thought differently and shut it promptly. He stood abruptly, a disappointed sort of gleam in his eyes.
"Well, I'm sorry you see it that way."
Just outside the door, Changmin's heart clenches. Jaejoong squeezes his hand I'm sorry and doesn't linger. Changmin listens to the soft rustles of Yunho moving around inside the room.
He didn't think rejection would hurt so much.
Yoochun x Yunho / Beware of this glass heart
Masculinity is a cover.
Take it away and you have just Yoochun and just Yunho who are really just two very soft-hearted men that are much easier to hurt than they let off.
It shows in their interactions, their love, their tenderness, their caution.
I don't want to get hurt and I don't want to hurt you.
It's the mantra of their life.
Their relationship is care and caution when really, they want so much more. Some days they treasure the complications of Jaejoong and Junsu's relationship. Other days they wish for the tests of trust that Changmin and Dongwook went through by virtue of distance.
They realize that anything more is hard, much too hard considering that glass is so, so fragile, and, as brave as they are, they aren't willing to be the hammer that breaks the other's heart and by that path breaks their own.
It's a delicate, tentative operation built of many gentle tries and entrusted confidences.
It's their way and it works out just fine.
Changmin x Yunho / Guilty as charged
It took forever and a day for Changmin to work up the courage to confront their fearless leader.
"You lied."
"What?"
Perhaps it was a bad time to take Yunho on. Backstage changing rooms were certainly not an ideal, but it was too late to stop.
"You lied to Jaejoong. You like me."
Yunho, it seemed, had a habit for acting drowned.
"Wh-what? Lied to J- You were listening?"
Changmin brushes the question of eavesdropping off impatiently, trying make as little room possible for stalling.
"Yunho, do you like me?"
"What, no honoritive? Shouldn't you-"
"Yunho! Answer the question!"
"Yes!"
Relief tugs at Changmin's heartstrings.
"Really?"
"Yes."
A smile blooms on his face, countering the almost desperate confusion in Yunho's. Leaping upon him with surprising affection.
"That's all you needed to say, Yunho."
The arms that lock around him seal the deal.
Changmin x Jaejoong / These four walls don't listen
Changmin spills out all of his problems to the empty, simple walls of the room he shares with the others. He spills out his frustrations, his fears, his sorrows and he lets them all float away in the cold comfort of the air-conditioned silence.
Of course, for all his efforts, it doesn't heal his hurts.
Then of course comes the day when solitary catharsis isn't enough, when he's feeling too much to be sated by his quick fixes of screaming to the empty corners of the room. He's lost, doesn't know what to do and suddenly, Jaejoong is there, soothing, loving, calming.
"Tell me what's wrong dongsaeng, I'll listen."
Changmin is quick to obey and suddenly it's all better; everything's alright.
No more hurt. Everything's remedied. He learns a lesson.
The bare walls of the Dong Bang apartment make terrible listeners, and Jaejoong is so much more.
Yunho x Junsu / Women are from venus men are from mars
Women are from Venus, men are from Mars.
Yunho doesn't know why he takes so much stock in a silly children's rhyme, but he can't seem to help it. It's like Disney regurgitating in his brain.
Anyways, it's not like it really applies in the situation at hand. Junsu is neither a woman, nor is he really from Mars, so shouldn't he be easier to figure out than that?
Well, maybe not.
It doesn't seem right for Yunho to ask him out to the movies (too hackneyed, and Yunho can't get the image of himself using a lame yawn-and-stretch out of his head), nor odes the idea of giving him flowers and candy appeal (Junsu would be furious; he's dieting... again Jaejoong has yet to break him of the habit), a love letter seems a little... off (if his current state of mind is any indication, Junsu might be wondering why Yunho seems to hate him not love him like he really does), and his old trick of declaring his affections in the middle of a heart of candles doesn't really seem like an option.
Yunho runs out of ideas right about there.
In the end, he blurts it out rather embarrassingly on the way to one of their tapings. The whole van is promptly silenced in shock before a loud wave of laughter hits him and his distinctly red face.
Surprisingly enough, it's Junsu who puts a comforting hand on his, smiling softly.
Maybe Junsu wasn't so hard to figure out after all.
Yoochun x Yunho / Almost over you
Yunho was the one he was never supposed to fall for. He should have fallen for someone cute like Junsu, or someone pretty like Jaejoong, or someone quiet like Changmin, but not Yunho.
Never Yunho.
Yunho was too masculine, too commanding, and nothing like Yoochun's dreams and supposed-tos.
So Yoochun ran.
He dated Junsu (hurt him too, just because Yoochun couldn't be the only one hurting).
He cheated on Junsu with Jaejoong (until they both figured it out and left him for each other).
He pretended to pine for and moon over Changmin (the younger man ignored him, slapped him, then told him to grow up and stop lying to himself).
He did everything, anything, but hurt for Yunho, anything, but try to fill the void that he secretly needed Yunho to fill, anything but try to distract himself from the fact that he was so, so, deeply in love with Yunho because he didn't.
He wasn't.
He just needed more time to make it real.
Yunho x Changmin / Your hand was supposed to fit mine. Did his fit better?
Changmin-ah...
Dongsaeng, it's alright to call you that now, right Changmin? Hyung has something to ask you, but he doesn't know if it'll make any sort of sense.
Do you remember your promise dongsaeng?
Do you?
Do you remember that walk on the beach. You smiled, I remember, so bright, so warm... I think I fell in love with you that day dongsaeng....
Do you remember it?
You put your hand in mind and told me we fit, like pieces of a puzzle, and then you laughed because you didn't want us to be so cliché...
I believed you dongsaeng, deep down to the bottom of my heart. I believed you.
But now, now I don't know what to think. I can see you from here, sitting there with your head on his shoulder. You're laughing with him, I can tell. There's just something about the way you toss your head back a little and hunch forward when you laugh. It's adorable.
But aren't I supposed to be the one in his place? Didn't you promise that to me? Maybe my memory's gone bad. Maybe I dreamt it up.
You have your hand in his. Are you telling him you fit?
I don't know what to think or do or say with this, dongsaeng. I think... maybe you'll just never get to know.
Maybe writing it will take away the hurt.
I love you, Changmin. I lo-
"Hey, Yunho-hyung. What've you got there?"
Yunho looked up into Changmin's eyes, a forced smile on his face.
"Oh... nothing...."
Jaejoong x Junsu / Trip to nowhere
Junsu remembers his high school sweetheart, a boy less-than-sweet and that had a habit of breaking hearts.
Junsu remembers loving him.
He remembers long summer days and even longer nights driving out to nowhere, making love under the stars and pretending that there wasn't a thing in the world to care about.
Junsu remembers Jaejoong that way.
He remembers days of pulling ridiculous immature pranks on teachers, on rivals, of being and outcast for the sake of being and outcast and for the sake of being with Jaejoong. He remembers letting Jaejoong lead him.
It almost hurts to think of it.
He was happy with Jaejoong, maybe even the happiest he'd ever been, but it just wasn't meant to be. Eventually, Junsu was ready to graduate, he was ready to move on.
Jaejoong wasn't.
He remembers the fight that ensued, the argument that maybe could have never happened if Junsu had just let Jaejoong lead him once again, but he grew up.
Jaejoong was a trip to nowhere.
That's what Junsu tries to convince himself of every day.
Jaejoong x Junsu / Love? What's that?
"I love you!"
Jaejoong was so proud of himself and his proclamation as he marched up to Junsu with a dandelion clutched in his clumsy fingers, a sloppy grin plastered all over his features, it didn't occur to him that maybe Junsu was a little too young to understand.
After all, Junsu was only four. He wasn't as sophisticated as Jaejoong, standing so knowledgeable of the world at the oh-so-grown-up age of five.
One whole year was a big deal.
"Love? Like Umma says every night to Junho-hyung an' me before bed every night?"
Jaejoong shook his head vigorously.
"No. She has to say that because you're her kids. It's like Shaki for you. You have to say that because you take care of him. I mean like grown up love."
"Grown up love?"
Junsu was skeptical, but Jaejoong would change his mind, after all he was a whole year older. One whole year. It made a difference.
"Yes, grown up love. Don't you know anything? I mean like ummas and appas say. Grown up love."
"Oh."
Junsu wrinkled his nose suddenly.
"Eww... you mean when they get all mushy and kiss an' stuff?"
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. Four year olds were so immature. They didn't know anything.
"It's supposed to look that way, but it isn't. Look."
He dropped an awkward kiss on Junsu's cheek and grabbed his hand, abandoning the dandelion.
"See? It's not that bad."
Junsu looked up in wonder. Jaejoong smiled happily; Junsu loved his hyung so much.
"I guess that was kinda nice... I think I love you too, hyung."
"Good."
Jaejoong grabbed the younger boy's hand. His dongsaeng didn't really get it yet, but he would learn. For now, there was a swing in the park that Jaejoong ha been eying all day.
~
Done! Ummm... not entirely satisfied here, but guess I let you readers be the judge of that. Comments are love!