dbsk: nothing better
yunho/jaejoong; rps; pg; 1,384 words
disclaimer: FICTION
o1.
The first time you saw him standing in front of you during vocal training session, you saw a mop of black hair too short, skin too pale with light sprinkle of moles on the neck, body wrapped in a t-shirt too big. He kept rubbing his palms on his jersey pants, staring at his feet fidgeting nervously waiting for his turn, and the moment he started to sing you found yourself a little breathless and a little bit jealous because his voice was just that beautiful. He caught you staring on the studio mirror, turned around smiling and hesitantly extended his right hand to you. Hello, I’m Kim Jaejoong, he said, and your hand rose to grab his. Jung Yunho. You couldn't help yourself and blurted out. You have an amazing voice, a lopsided grin hanging on your lips. He looked taken aback for a moment, and then he laughed.
You introduced him to Junsu, who then introduced him to Changmin, the magnae. You all trained together for awhile, breathing and living the same dreams. Not long after Yoochun joined later on, you were dubbed leader of Dong Bang Shin Ki. Just because I'm the oldest doesn't mean I’m suitable for that Yunho-yah. B-but. Don't worry, you'll do great. So he said with all the conviction in the world beaming down on you, blind faith, and you couldn't say no.
o2.
The debut was a success. On Inkigayo, Yoochun cried on stage (the first of many many to come) with Junsu grinning and comforting him, Changmin clapped his hand joyfully with uneven eyes, and you remember him standing in front of you shoulders trembling, the heels of his palms digging his eyes. The tears pooling in your own somehow stopped and you wrapped an arm around his shoulders squeezing lightly, myriad of thoughts flying around in your head. Excitement, anticipation, relief, and mostly, pride. You saw your bandmates in their collective disarray of emotions and that moment you knew you were right to think. This is where we begin.
There were vague memories you have of some things that happened that night, like how when you gave the thank you speech your arm stayed on his shoulders, and how his fingers felt when he brushed confetti off your hair.
o3.
It was the first day in Tokyo. You and your bandmates were playing the stupidest games ever invented (you were down to your birthday suit at one point even), laughing and calling obscene nicknames at each other, the fear of facing Japan momentarily forgotten. When Junsu after Yoochun after Changmin all went to bed claiming tiredness, you found him standing on the balcony with a cigarette between his fingers. A wisp of smoke trailed off from his lips like an epiphany, his eyes staring off into starless sky. Do you think we'll make it? He turned around and stared at you with uncertain eyes because to him you are assurance; and you knew that he can only be vulnerable in front of you. A confident grin ghosted your lips and you nodded. You remembered Junsu’s laughter, Yoochun’s passion, Changmin’s perseverance and Jaejoong’s heart. He was not the only one who had faith in people.
Two years later in a full house encore concert in the Budokan, Yoochun cried (again), that time roping Junsu along with him, Changmin a sturdy statue with facial expression shouting notcryingnotcryingnotcrying. You tried mimicking Changmin, but two seconds later you unraveled, choking on unshed tears stuttering your line and Jaejoong took over with understanding in his eyes. I got your back, don’t worry, unsaid between melodies and lyrics of chanced meetings. And you allowed yourself to be Jung Yunho.
o4.
The sun was beating down hard like any other day in Okinawa, unforgiving rays of light out in full force. Changmin was fascinated by the foreign buildings as he snapped picture after picture after picture with his camera, Junsu and Yoochun were battling each other on their Nintendo DS under the shades in between shoots, and you saw Jaejoong crouching down in one building corner waiting for his turn. Later in the afternoon the director announced one hour break time, and you found Jaejoong standing in front you blocking the sunlight in his path. Wanna go to the beach? His dark eyes animated, mischief teasing his smile, and ten minutes later you and he were kicking sandals off your feet, warm sand between your toes. Jaejoong was laughing and running around picking up sea shells in his track, your eyes were chasing his shadow.
Sometimes you forget about the good side in what you do for a living, and every other time he always does something that reminds you of it.
What are you writing?
He was silent, but you can hear the waves and the faint sound of wooden stick leaving lines on the sand.
Tohoshinki, you read aloud, amused, teasing words were on the edge of your tongue. Then he glanced up at you, hair slightly messed up by the wind, his expression calm, and you were reminded again of why you thought of him as the heart of the group. And possibly, of all things.
o5.
You were in Korea again attending another awards show, the comeback was a huge success. Your group sold more albums than anyone in Korea that year and you thought to yourself hey, victory is sweet. Being recognized for it was like the icing on the cake, something that would justify the too tight suits and the hideous fake fur you wore on your body. He was sitting in front of you, whispering things to Junsu, probably some stupid cold jokes because Junsu looked like he was about to burst out in a fit of giggle. The mop of black hair and the light sprinkle of moles on the neck a familiar view to you, the differences were that you and him were not sixteen anymore, he was no longer the teenager with chubby cheeks, you no longer have vampire teeth, and that night he looked more radiant than anyone else in the room.
Jaejoong-ah. You tapped his shoulder, leaned forward with a hand reaching out to him. Come sit beside me? He tilted his head for a moment and then took your outstretched hand in his. His hand lingered for awhile after he was seated beside you, you kept holding on until a spotlight was directed at the group sitting in front of you. Your heart felt a bit heavier when you noticed that his hand was no longer in yours.
Everything was loud around you, but somehow, somehow his voice drowned out the noise each time he spoke.
Wow, Brown Eyed Girls sounds amazing.
-- ooh I kinda want Hyunjoong's shoes.
What the - Seunghyun you lucky bastard.
Tablo-hyung looks like he's on speed, don't you think?
You laughed out loud at that last remark and turned to look at him. What? He totally does. He was laughing along with you, eyes crinkled at the corners, grin infectious.
You wished that there was nobody else in the room besides you and him.
You remember performing, you remember clapping your hands when other groups won their awards, you remember Changmin crying behind you when you gave that long and emotional speech after your group won best album of the year.
You remember the last stage; he was walking ahead of you, and one of the staff herded you away telling you to go up from the other side of the stage. You remember seeing him walking towards you, eyes bright, the same eyes that you've seen swollen from tiredness, reddened from exhaustion and lack of sleep. You opened up your arms, held him close and you can feel the warmth of him on your skin. The audience was still loud and the noise still deafening, but when you whispered into his hair, I think I'm in love with you, he stiffened in your arms.
He didn't say another word after that, people were crowding the stage talking and chatting, until you found yourself standing beside him with his hand in yours for the second time of the night.
He gripped your hand tight, did the collective bow with everyone else, and after you both straightened up, he shouted.
What took you so long?
A wide smile crept up your lips.
Your life has come full circle.
-fin-
a/n:
the title was taken from a song by Brown Eyed Soul, and some liberties on timelines were taken when this fic was written.
disclaimer: FICTION
o1.
The first time you saw him standing in front of you during vocal training session, you saw a mop of black hair too short, skin too pale with light sprinkle of moles on the neck, body wrapped in a t-shirt too big. He kept rubbing his palms on his jersey pants, staring at his feet fidgeting nervously waiting for his turn, and the moment he started to sing you found yourself a little breathless and a little bit jealous because his voice was just that beautiful. He caught you staring on the studio mirror, turned around smiling and hesitantly extended his right hand to you. Hello, I’m Kim Jaejoong, he said, and your hand rose to grab his. Jung Yunho. You couldn't help yourself and blurted out. You have an amazing voice, a lopsided grin hanging on your lips. He looked taken aback for a moment, and then he laughed.
You introduced him to Junsu, who then introduced him to Changmin, the magnae. You all trained together for awhile, breathing and living the same dreams. Not long after Yoochun joined later on, you were dubbed leader of Dong Bang Shin Ki. Just because I'm the oldest doesn't mean I’m suitable for that Yunho-yah. B-but. Don't worry, you'll do great. So he said with all the conviction in the world beaming down on you, blind faith, and you couldn't say no.
o2.
The debut was a success. On Inkigayo, Yoochun cried on stage (the first of many many to come) with Junsu grinning and comforting him, Changmin clapped his hand joyfully with uneven eyes, and you remember him standing in front of you shoulders trembling, the heels of his palms digging his eyes. The tears pooling in your own somehow stopped and you wrapped an arm around his shoulders squeezing lightly, myriad of thoughts flying around in your head. Excitement, anticipation, relief, and mostly, pride. You saw your bandmates in their collective disarray of emotions and that moment you knew you were right to think. This is where we begin.
There were vague memories you have of some things that happened that night, like how when you gave the thank you speech your arm stayed on his shoulders, and how his fingers felt when he brushed confetti off your hair.
o3.
It was the first day in Tokyo. You and your bandmates were playing the stupidest games ever invented (you were down to your birthday suit at one point even), laughing and calling obscene nicknames at each other, the fear of facing Japan momentarily forgotten. When Junsu after Yoochun after Changmin all went to bed claiming tiredness, you found him standing on the balcony with a cigarette between his fingers. A wisp of smoke trailed off from his lips like an epiphany, his eyes staring off into starless sky. Do you think we'll make it? He turned around and stared at you with uncertain eyes because to him you are assurance; and you knew that he can only be vulnerable in front of you. A confident grin ghosted your lips and you nodded. You remembered Junsu’s laughter, Yoochun’s passion, Changmin’s perseverance and Jaejoong’s heart. He was not the only one who had faith in people.
Two years later in a full house encore concert in the Budokan, Yoochun cried (again), that time roping Junsu along with him, Changmin a sturdy statue with facial expression shouting notcryingnotcryingnotcrying. You tried mimicking Changmin, but two seconds later you unraveled, choking on unshed tears stuttering your line and Jaejoong took over with understanding in his eyes. I got your back, don’t worry, unsaid between melodies and lyrics of chanced meetings. And you allowed yourself to be Jung Yunho.
o4.
The sun was beating down hard like any other day in Okinawa, unforgiving rays of light out in full force. Changmin was fascinated by the foreign buildings as he snapped picture after picture after picture with his camera, Junsu and Yoochun were battling each other on their Nintendo DS under the shades in between shoots, and you saw Jaejoong crouching down in one building corner waiting for his turn. Later in the afternoon the director announced one hour break time, and you found Jaejoong standing in front you blocking the sunlight in his path. Wanna go to the beach? His dark eyes animated, mischief teasing his smile, and ten minutes later you and he were kicking sandals off your feet, warm sand between your toes. Jaejoong was laughing and running around picking up sea shells in his track, your eyes were chasing his shadow.
Sometimes you forget about the good side in what you do for a living, and every other time he always does something that reminds you of it.
What are you writing?
He was silent, but you can hear the waves and the faint sound of wooden stick leaving lines on the sand.
Tohoshinki, you read aloud, amused, teasing words were on the edge of your tongue. Then he glanced up at you, hair slightly messed up by the wind, his expression calm, and you were reminded again of why you thought of him as the heart of the group. And possibly, of all things.
o5.
You were in Korea again attending another awards show, the comeback was a huge success. Your group sold more albums than anyone in Korea that year and you thought to yourself hey, victory is sweet. Being recognized for it was like the icing on the cake, something that would justify the too tight suits and the hideous fake fur you wore on your body. He was sitting in front of you, whispering things to Junsu, probably some stupid cold jokes because Junsu looked like he was about to burst out in a fit of giggle. The mop of black hair and the light sprinkle of moles on the neck a familiar view to you, the differences were that you and him were not sixteen anymore, he was no longer the teenager with chubby cheeks, you no longer have vampire teeth, and that night he looked more radiant than anyone else in the room.
Jaejoong-ah. You tapped his shoulder, leaned forward with a hand reaching out to him. Come sit beside me? He tilted his head for a moment and then took your outstretched hand in his. His hand lingered for awhile after he was seated beside you, you kept holding on until a spotlight was directed at the group sitting in front of you. Your heart felt a bit heavier when you noticed that his hand was no longer in yours.
Everything was loud around you, but somehow, somehow his voice drowned out the noise each time he spoke.
Wow, Brown Eyed Girls sounds amazing.
-- ooh I kinda want Hyunjoong's shoes.
What the - Seunghyun you lucky bastard.
Tablo-hyung looks like he's on speed, don't you think?
You laughed out loud at that last remark and turned to look at him. What? He totally does. He was laughing along with you, eyes crinkled at the corners, grin infectious.
You wished that there was nobody else in the room besides you and him.
You remember performing, you remember clapping your hands when other groups won their awards, you remember Changmin crying behind you when you gave that long and emotional speech after your group won best album of the year.
You remember the last stage; he was walking ahead of you, and one of the staff herded you away telling you to go up from the other side of the stage. You remember seeing him walking towards you, eyes bright, the same eyes that you've seen swollen from tiredness, reddened from exhaustion and lack of sleep. You opened up your arms, held him close and you can feel the warmth of him on your skin. The audience was still loud and the noise still deafening, but when you whispered into his hair, I think I'm in love with you, he stiffened in your arms.
He didn't say another word after that, people were crowding the stage talking and chatting, until you found yourself standing beside him with his hand in yours for the second time of the night.
He gripped your hand tight, did the collective bow with everyone else, and after you both straightened up, he shouted.
What took you so long?
A wide smile crept up your lips.
Your life has come full circle.
-fin-
a/n:
the title was taken from a song by Brown Eyed Soul, and some liberties on timelines were taken when this fic was written.