[J12] WAILING ROSES
Prompt Code: J12
Title: Wailing Roses
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: mentions of depression,non kaisoo death
Word Count: 8,286 words
Summary: Red roses will be the synonym of Jongin and Kyungsoo
AN: I can’t write smut but I tried,hopefully it’s good enough.For the prompter,I hope you like this!
It was snowing heavily that night, the snow forming fractals on the lamp posts and creating a slippery sheen on the road. His father was surprisingly nonchalant as he drove. A sense of grim was apparent, yet he still seemed calm.Jongin sighed as he leaned on the window, frowning at the snow.
They had just gone to dinner together, just him and his dad. It's been a while since they got to do so. After his mother had died, depression hit Jongin's father like a truck. His father didn't say a word, just worked himself exhausted. So when his father had told him to get ready for dinner, Jongin was ecstatic, chattering on and on about school and the latest cartoon.
Maybe if Jongin paid more attention, he would have seen the random pills littered on the bathroom floor at midnight. Maybe if he had given more care, he would have seen his father's soulless eyes, hollow as they stare at the knife, want clawing at his father's being.
But Jongin didn't.
The slip of a second remastered Jongin's life, a shot of light and the sound of a horn blinded him before silence. Radio static played in his head as he laid still, staring at the glass shards before seeing his father's face. It was bloody, gashes and cuts everywhere with little pieces of the glass stuck to his face. At least, his eyes were closed. Jongin croaked, calling his father, but nothing happened.
The static went haywire, noises of all kinds blocking his eardrums before complete silence. Jongin closed his eyes, opening his mouth, hoping there were some werewolves nearby. His howl was muted to his own ears and he fell deep into unconsciousness.
•
"Two points Jongin," he murmured, "Just two points."
The crowd was holding their breath in the indoor stadium, every eye focused on the court. Jongin glanced at Chen, nodding.
Chen smirked as he set his left feet in the circle, throwing the ball high before jumping to kick it, sending the ball whooshing towards Sehun who relaxedly raised his leg to toss it to Jongin. Jongin leaped, eyes on the ball as he twirled horizontally, his left leg hitting the ball and kicking it to the other side of the court. The referee whistled just as Jongin landed on that same leg. Roller spike- perfection.
Jongin adjusted his hair just as the cheers erupted like something held in for a long time. After all, their opponent today had been a team that was the school's number one enemy. Both schools had always been hand in hand, ending almost every match in just a close call.
Today was no different. Jongin shook the other team's members' hands, grinning. The cheerleaders were bounding with their pom poms, eager for attention but Jongin ignored them, choosing to instead search the crowd carefully, thankful for his werewolf eyes.
There he is. The male was petite, ebony hair waving with the wind, glasses perched delicately on his nose. He had porcelain white skin- like all vampires do- except his looked so much better. He was sitting beside Xiumin, his friend who Jongin envies. The vampire was reading a book although he was in a court full of people and Jongin finds himself chuckling, amazed at the smaller male's focus.
He looked away when Chen came, sliding his arm over Jongin's shoulder. "Nice spike, Jongin,you're really a champ."
Jongin grinned, "You too tekong, great serve."
Chen grabbed Sehun's hand too as they walked to the locker room together. Jongin glanced one last time at the bleachers, eyes on the vampire. Red eyes lifted and Jongin gulped as he realised that Kyungsoo was looking at him. He ducked his head, feeling the heat on his cheeks.
His smile was constant as he showered. He had his first eye contact with Kyungsoo today, and he won the match too. He hummed as he shampooed, Chen's pokes at his butt failing to even dampen his mood in the slightest bit.
•
Hazy with pain, the sounds of whispering were faint to him. Slowly a hum heightened it's volume and Jongin opened his eyes, looking around for the source. He found none, unless it was the nurses around his bed. Then again, all of them were busy talking to each other, so that can't be.
He slumped his head back on the pillow, eyes widening when the hum started to get much clearer, the monotone starting to hitch.
It was crying. Someone was crying. Jongin looked up again, eyes searching. He suddenly realised the sound was only heard through his left ear and he gulped.
His left ear was not supposed to hear anything at all.
•
Do Kyungsoo was a vampire. A really small, really cute, really beautiful vampire who even has braces, which according to Jongin, makes him even cuter.
Jongin had liked (read:stalked) him for years, never talking to him,always watching silently from the side.
True, he is a jock and he is popular, which would mean Do Kyungsoo is lucky that Jongin even thought of talking to him but Jongin didn't think so. Jock or not, he was still just a young man who happened to like someone.
Kyungsoo was out of his league, surely.He was clever, very quick-witted and always getting Number 1 in his course. He also had a talent for cooking, singing and even bouquet-arranging.
Really, Kyungsoo could do everything. At times, Jongin just wants to approach him but the reminder that Kyungsoo hates talking stops him.
That's right, the small vampire was anti-social to a fault. He hated opening his mouth unless absolutely needed, which is a waste in Jongin's opinion because that meant less braces-sightings. And yes, Jongin definitely has a thing for the male's braces. The braces definitely made the vampire seem a little more nerdy than needed, but that's exactly the charm.
He watched Kyungsoo's arm as it whisked the batter in the mixing bowl, his sleeves drawn up to his elbows. His forearm was on display and the muscle there was toned nicely- probably from all the mixing a baker has to do. Jongin shamelessly ogled, ignoring the stares he got from students all around.
"And here we have Dracula's puppy," Jongin's ears caught and he looked up, glancing at Chen who had an evil smile etched on his face.
"Go away," he grumbled, but instead Chen joined him, crouching next to him to stare into the window of the Home Economics room.
"You know you're tip toeing the line between simple, innocent crushing and just downright stalking right?"
Jongin glanced at Chen before looking at Kyungsoo again. "I'm not stalking and I don't care."
Chen shrugged, standing up and leaving Jongin, not forgetting to ruffle Jongin's hair. "When Dracula catches on, don't cry on my shoulder,"
Jongin scoffed. As if he would even think about complaining to Chen. He looked back in, and jumped back when red eyes were directly in front of his. Kyungsoo straightened away from the window and only said two words, "Please leave."
The windows were shut and Jongin is left staring at his own reflection. He sighed as he made his way to the cafeteria, lips jutted out as he sat down next to his friends.
"Aw,what soaked puppy's tail this time?" Chen cooed as soon as Jongin sat down. Jongin glared at him but Chen only ruffled his hair, "What's wrong boy?"
"Kyungsoo caught me," Jongin groaned, "Now he'll only think I'm a creep."
"Well you are kinda creepy." Sehun trailed but stopped when Jongin sharply glanced at him. Jongin slumped his head on the table, making sure to put his head down on the right.
"What do I do now?" Jongin continued, looking at Chen. "Hyung,please help me, you're the one who's been caught in girls' bathrooms and all, you still managed to redeem from it, how did you do it?"
Chen sputtered, his drink spraying everywhere, "Firstly,that was years ago okay? Years. And honestly Jongin, just talk the guy up."
"But he hates-"
"Listen, he hates talking because he doesn't know you." Chen interrupted, "Once you get to know him, I'm sure he'll go along. I mean, he does have a friend, and Xiumin is a chatterbox. I'm telling you, even in bed. And that's saying a lot, I mean who talks in bed,right?"
"Wait hyung,how did you know-?"
"That's not the point Jongin, the point is, you just need to get to Xiumin's level. "Chen finished, smiling serenely.
"And how the hell am I supposed to do that? Xiumin and him have been friends forever."
"I know something you don't," Chen smirked devilishly, letting Jongin tug on his hand repeatedly before he resumed, "Kyungsoo's part time job at the florist's, you know that one by the dorms? Yeah,it needs a new part-timer."
Jongin's eyes widened before a smile broke his face, "Thanks hyung,you're the best!"
Chen watched the other male run towards the cafeteria door, almost hitting an aquaman. He shook his head, smiling at the younger's antics.
"Now, care to tell me how you know Xiumin is such a wonderful chatterbox?"
Chen laughed nervously, looking at Sehun. "Well.."
•
His mother used to set a vase in the middle of the dining table, always fresh with new stalks of pink carnations. They would eat around those carnations, three stalks perfectly pointing at each one of them.
His mother took great care in those flowers, always washing the vase, changing the old flowers with new ones, she made sure that those carnations would be the best of the best. Jongin used to stare at them, ask his mother what was so special about those flowers.
"I just really love them," was always the reply and Jongin would see the fond eyes as it landed on the flowers.
Seeing his mother happy, made him be filled with joy too, so he learned to cherish those flowers- each stalk hugged, each petal caressed.
•
Jongin has absolutely no experience with flowers, he told the owner, and he only had hard work to offer. The florist must be desperate, Jongin thought as he stared at the apron he was given. Staring at the mirror, he combed his hair through, making sure to let his hair fall over the hearing aid behind his left ear. He put the apron over his shoulder before going out, skipping happily to the florist's- which was really just at the building next door.
The bluebell shaped bell jingled as he entered and he stopped when he saw Kyungsoo right in front of him. He was arranging stargazer lilies with blue ones and the sun was angled to give him a direct glow. Jongin held his breath.
Kyungsoo is beautiful.
Jongin would have no qualms standing there all day just staring at Kyungsoo but the male looked up at that exact moment. His red eyes almost burgundy as he neared Jongin. "Are you the new co-worker?"
Jongin nodded, opening his mouth only to have an embarrassing croak leave it. His throat was dry and his heart was completely gone by now. Do Kyungsoo was so close, and he was peering up at Jongin, his wide eyes seemingly wider from Jongin's height.
"You're Jongin,right? The sepak takraw player?"
Jongin's heart jumped, "You know me?"
Kyungsoo raised a brow, "Xiumin adores you. You should say hi to him sometimes."
Jongin nodded dumbly, his heart falling a little that Kyungsoo only knew him from Xiumin, but at least he knows him.
"Oh,Jongin? You're very punctual, that's good." The florist, Kim Junmyeon came out of the back room and Jongin bowed immediately. "Well this is Kyungsoo, your new coworker. Now let me teach you how to snip off the stalks for these flowers?"
Jongin nodded eagerly, looking at Kyungsoo to grin widely. The red eyes stayed on his smile for a while before a small smile was given as a reply.
Jongin's face turned beetroot.
--
The first day of work went on, filled with Jongin glancing at Kyungsoo every now and then and with Kyungsoo rolling his eyes and correcting Jongin every time he made a mistake. Once,Kyungsoo even grabbed the scissors from Jongin's hand.
"And we made physical contact." Jongin emphasised. "Physical,skin to skin contact."
Chen's unimpressed face distorted to an expression of mock excitement, "Oh really? Oh Jongin, how life changing!"
Jongin pouted when he realised the notes of sarcasm in Chen's words. "Hyung.."
"Did you guys fuck? No? Okay, next story."
Jongin sighed, eyes travelling to search for the pale face instead. It was tough in a school designed specifically for monsters- everyone had a sickly skin tone- other than the fairies, witches and werewolves.
Sehun's pink fairy dust fluttered the slightest bit as he patted Jongin's back. "There,there Jongin, you keep on doing what you do, not all of us are such sex fiends."
"You have a problem with sluts Sehun?"
"I don't," Sehun responded, his glitter-freckled face playful, "I do have a problem with someone bringing their friend down about their hopeless love- I mean,"
Jongin stared at Sehun, then Chen. Both were biting their lips, eyes focused downwards. "Hopeless huh?I guess it is."
And for the rest of the day, Jongin sulked on, much to the dismay of his friends.
•
It was raining that night, the thunder a loud rumble. It was as if God was demanding for a meal, and the lightning was the anger He was shooting out. Jongin was in the living room with his father, crayons and pencils out as he drew and coloured on his notebook.
The phone rang then, and his father picked it up, face contorting to something akin to despair the longer his ears listened. He picked Jongin up, quickly shoving him in a jacket as soon as he hung up. His movements were frantic, rushing to grab his own jacket and the keys.
"Come on Jongin, we have to go."
Jongin was confused, understandably so. He made his way to his father and was surprised to find his father on the verge of tears. His eyes unconsciously darted to the dining table. It was then that he realised the carnations had wilted.
•
It was week 2 and so far Kyungsoo and Jongin barely said anything to each other. Jongin's brain replayed the word 'hopeless' and Jongin sighed.
He stared at the flower in his hand, finally realising what it is exactly. With trembling hands, he carried the scissors to the stalk, remembering distinctly the earth littered by the petals of the pretty pink carnations. The scissors dropped but Jongin paid no mind, his eyes focused on nothing but the image on his mind. His mother's last goodbye, his father's lust for death.
His ears rang, the words of his psychologist repeating itself in his head. At least, it tried to. Jongin touched his ear with shaking hands. Tears were starting to brim and Jongin inhaled deeply, an attempt of control.
The carnation was taken from his hand and Jongin started, bringing himself together enough to see Kyungsoo through the blur curtaining his eyes.
Kyungsoo spread Jongin's hand,palm upside. He sprinkled the crushed petals carefully on Jongin's palm. "Pink carnations symbolises the love of a woman and a mother, every ruffle representing the hard work a mother and a wife goes through .And the fragility of the petals brings forth how easy it is to break their heart."
Jongin stared at the petals, the blur finally clearing as a teardrop fell. More fell before he could stop it and he felt himself being pulled into a hug.
Jongin sobbed helplessly, the crushed carnations held tightly in his fist. His mind was fuzzy enough to forget that this was Kyungsoo. He hugged tighter, every warmth radiating from Kyungsoo to him gobbled eagerly. When he finally let go, it is to a slightly relieved heart and mauve eyes staring back at him.
-
Jongin tried his best to hide his red eyes as he went back out. Such a fruitless action it is though- he had basically cried like a baby in front of his crush, nothing could possibly be worse.
The carnations looked soft as it sat in the vase. Jongin looked wonderingly at the flowers before glancing at Kyungsoo. "Is there any book in the shop?"
"Book about what?" Kyungsoo muttered, eyes focused on cutting the stalk of the flowers.
"About flowers, and their meanings." Kyungsoo glanced up, a smile quirking before he controlled his facial expression and nodded.
"I'll pass it to you later."
Jongin nodded, continuing his task before asking again, "You won't tell anyone right?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Basic courtesy?" Jongin offered and Kyungsoo chuckled. Jongin's heart soared a little.
"How about helping me bake tomorrow?" Kyungsoo tilted his head, an eyebrow raised and Jongin squealed in his head because Kyungsoo was just too adorable. Also because Kyungsoo was actually asking to spend time with him. Even if it was to help lighten the load on him, it meant Kyungsoo didn't mind Jongin being around.
His soaring heart flew a little higher. "Of course I would hyung."
•
The room was dark. Jongin could remember the low whine of wails, not exactly loud, but enough to tickle his eardrums. He stood from the bed, head spinning.
A lone body crouched in the middle, the cries seemingly sourced from him. Jongin neared the male, body struck when he realised it was his father.
He backed away, quickly engulfing the blanket over himself, lips quivering.
The low cries continued on through the night.
•
Jongin adored watching Kyungsoo bake. He thinks it was how he actually really fell for the male. He had been attracted to his braces, sure, but he remembered when he passed by the kitchen in the dorm and stopped because of the amazing smell permeating all around. In the kitchen, he found Kyungsoo decorating a cake, his back facing Jongin. When he turned, Jongin could see the transition of colour in his eyes, and Jongin immediately dropped into the pink abyss of attraction.
Just like now, except it was better. Kyungsoo's eyes were a pastel pink and filled with determination to make what he called 'The Unicorn Cake' for his zombie friend. The vampire had his sleeves folded up again and he ordered Jongin to whisk the eggs to a stiff peak. Jongin took the bowl, forgetting his lack of skill in the cooking department, too focused on staring at Kyungsoo.
Pink eyes make him look so much softer, Jongin thought. The expression on Kyungsoo's face as he mixed ingredients to make the batter only added to the soft factor. He was so careful with the ingredients, touch tender as he grabbed the flour and sugar. Jongin could hear and feel his heart thumping. It was so loud, Jongin wondered if he could hear it even without his aid.
The cake came out looking beautiful, without Jongin's biased feelings clouding his remark. It was three-layered, coated with stripes of pastel blue, yellow and pink. Rainbow meringues sat on top and Jongin drooled. He realised he had sepak takraw training in a few minutes, but hearing Kyungsoo's hum and seeing his smile as he packed the cake in the box was enough to make Jongin push sepak takraw to the back of his mind.
Kyungsoo looked at him, a soft smile intact, "Thanks for helping Jongin, I really appreciate it."
Jongin nodded happily, warmth spreading in his heart. "It's fine hyung, I'll help you anytime."
Kyungsoo's smile widened, his pink eyes glittering. "Oh anyways, I slipped the flower book in your locker already."
Jongin thanked the male, still staring at his eyes which were still pink. He realised how awkward the situation was but Kyungsoo himself was just staring up at him so Jongin took the chance, eyes studying every feature up close, swallowing the beautiful slopes and curves on the vampire's face.
Neither moved until Chen's voice suddenly filtered through the invisible hold around them. "Jongin, I know you're the champ and all but this is no time- oh. Hi Kyungsoo,"
Kyungsoo's eyes immediately turned red again, nodding his head once before leaving. Jongin glared at Chen, hand held up in a threatening gesture to strangle.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know- Sehun, help! Sehun!"
Sehun came through the door, his wings fluttering slightly, his hand on his waist. He sighed when he saw Jongin's hands around Chen's neck. "Let's just go practise please."
Jongin glared at Chen one last time before trailing behind Sehun. When they reached the court, the coach was already there and he definitely was very unimpressed.
"There's a match coming up the end of this semester, it's merely a friendly match but that doesn't mean we're not going to play seriously," the coach bellowed, his voice crackling like thunder, "I expect more from you Jongin, to keep up with the time."
"Sorry Coach," Jongin said, his voice sounding so small in contrast.
"30 rounds! All of you!"
Chen and Sehun groaned, jogging alongside Jongin. "You've done it now pup."
"Shut up Chen."
"Why am I- oh Xiumin's here."
Jongin could almost snap his neck by how fast his head turned. Where there's Xiumin, there's Kyungsoo, and sure enough, Jongin found the male sitting on the bleacher, red eyes scanning the court. For the first time, he wasn't reading a book. Kyungsoo was actually paying attention.The red eyes crinkled as he lifted his hand in a small wave.
Chen whistled, impressed and Jongin only waved back, blushing face obvious to everyone.
•
His psychologist's office smelled strongly of tea and rose. Jongin sat down, mind whispering thoughts to his ears just so he could block out the wails that repeat itself in his ears.
He could see his psychologist, nose sharp, eyes always aware of any changes in Jongin's mannerisms. He was a shape-shifter. Jongin didn't know much about shape-shifters but they pretty much look like a normal human.
Jongin's tail curled that day as the questions began. The wails seem to only become louder and he hit his head on his psychologist's table as a manner of defeat.
"Please help, please stop them."
His psychologist grabbed a cup of tea and coaxed Jongin to drink it, the smell calming him and he sighed, setting the cup down before nodding as a gesture to resume.
"Now, tell me about the day of the accident."
•
Jongin glanced at the lavender stalk in his hand, gulping as he thought twice about what he was about to do. He had two minutes before Kyungsoo's class ends and he had to make a decision- fast.
He ended up slipping the lavender in Kyungsoo's locker, note tied on it's stalk, setting a sense of heaviness in his heart.
He hid behind a pillar just as Kyungsoo came, opening his locker. Jongin noted the surprise in Kyungsoo's face with pride and Kyungsoo glanced at the lavender, eyes shrinking with a smile as he read the note.
'Lavender's slimness are the solitude, the bright purple a sign of beauty and the wind wisping around it is admiration.You're the lavender,and I am the wind.'
Kyungsoo held the lavender close to his chest, red eyes lightening to pink as it roamed around the hall to see the culprit.Jongin's heart floated when he saw the pink in Kyungsoo's eyes.
Kyungsoo was happy, and that's all he needs.
--
Cosmos, lilies, bluebells, sunflowers- Jongin had given almost every flower to Kyungsoo. Secretly slipping it in Kyungsoo's locker whenever the male has classes.Kyungsoo would stare at the flowers and the note Jongin always ties off the stalk and smile, those eyes lighting with simple joy.
Jongin's never been a flower guy, but he finds himself appreciating them more often now. Stopping at random bushes growing with the little buds and going back to the book to reference it.
Junmyeon, his boss, definitely appreciates this newfound interest and although Kyungsoo never says a word, he smiles and offers notes of help when Jongin asks.
"Hey there,” a voice cut through Jongin's thoughts and he looked up to see a tall man standing in front of him, smile wide. "I need a bouquet for my boyfriend, can you help?"
Jongin's tail whisked as he told the guy to hold on while he called for Kyungsoo. The vampire was rearranging the vases and he halted the task, immediately going to the customer, gracious smile on his face.
"May I help you?"
"Hi,oh god," the frazzled male gushed, "I really need your help. My boyfriend is angry at me, and he's the romantic type of person, so I thought a cliche move would be nice. The first thing I thought of is flowers and chocolates, can you have a bouquet made for me?"
Kyungsoo nodded, an amused smile stretching on his lips, "I'll have a bouquet made immediately sir, a hand one?"
The male looked confused but nodded nonetheless and Kyungsoo beckoned the customer to a corner where he could wait while Kyungsoo grabbed the essential tools.
"Can you tell me a little bit about your boyfriend?"
"He's petite, very beautiful."the customer said, fondness very loud in his words, "He's sassy and sarcastic as hell, but cares deeply about everyone. Hates being hated, gets terribly jealous.."
The male seemed to have his mind off track, eyes suddenly watering. He wiped his eyes, laughing sheepishly, "Well, yeah he's amazing and I love him."
Kyungsoo smiled and Jongin noticed his eyes which were a mauve tone. "I'll be sure to help you get him back sir."
Kyungsoo grabbed the Amaryllises and white daisies, grabbing some beads and the paper as well. He worked swiftly, hands fast in arranging and tying everything up. He finished the bouquet and smiled, handing it to Chanyeol who looked at it in wonder.
"Amaryllis is the symbol of splendid beauty, and daisies have always been the way to state your loyalty in love." Kyungsoo grabbed a rose, walking up to the customer and putting it in his hand ,"And the red rose is the sign of passionate love. Good luck and thank you for coming."
The male bowed, quickly paying for the flowers and leaving with another happy 'Thank you!'.
"What do you think he did?"
"Now now, Jongin that's none of our business."
Jongin frowned, deciding to change the topic, "You wanna watch a movie later?"
Kyungsoo raised a brow and Jongin fought with himself to keep his face as straight as possible. Why exactly did he say that? He had blurted it out of complete desperation to keep the conversation going. God knows his heart was beating a mile per minute now. To his relief, Kyungsoo nodded, "Why not? But I get to choose the movie."
Jongin smiled, "Of course, I'll trust you to pick something good."
Kyungsoo walked to the back to continue with his vase-arranging and Jongin toyed with his BTE, a habit when he's restless and very, very happy.
--
"I hope you don't mind watching cartoons." Kyungsoo said as he grabbed the popcorns and nachos.
"Why would I mind? I love cartoons." Jongin asked, taking the sweet popcorn from Kyungsoo, humming happily as he popped one in his mouth.
Kyungsoo looked surprised and smiled, "Xiumin likes to criticise me for watching them."
"Chen and Sehun does the same too, I honestly don't see the problem with enjoying a good cartoon now and then."
"Exactly!" Kyungsoo exclaimed, sighing contentedly, "God,finally I've found someone who appreciates animated movies as much as I do."
"Just hit me up if you need a movie buddy," Jongin replied part-playfully, most of him is hoping Kyungsoo would feel comfortable enough to say yes.
"Sure," Kyungsoo said. In an instant,blooms of joy erupted in Jongin, he couldn't help the wide grin on his face, not even trying to hide how happy he is. "Give me your phone."
Jongin handed it over,a little confused but too happy to care. Kyungsoo typed in his phone for a while before handing it back. Jongin peered at the screen to see Kyungsoo's name along with his number.
"Don't ignore my calls okay movie buddy?"
Jongin's grin could probably rip his own face.
•
Silence was something Jongin learnt to appreciate. When he had first gotten the BTE, it was terribly silent but slowly, noises started filtering.
The noises weren't low, haunted wails so Jongin accepted the noises, smiling extremely wide, his eyes wetting.
The doctor smiled at him and patted his back as he sobbed. His heart collapsed in relief and he wondered happily that he might actually get a good night's sleep.
•
'Hey hyung,' Jongin typed out but bit his lip just before sending it. Isn't just 'hey hyung' too emotionless? He quickly added a smiley face but hesitated. Chen, who was sitting beside him, groaned and pressed the send button for him. Jongin let out a loud whine, ignoring the stares he got as he glared at Chen.
"Hey someone has to press that send button." Chen shrugged airily, disregarding Jongin's distressed face.
Jongin sighed, leaning on Sehun, letting the pink glittery fairy dust fall on his face. The phone stayed silent before two beeps were heard. Jongin shot up, grabbing his phone immediately.
'Hey....Jongin?'
Jongin nodded eagerly and Chen snorted. "Type that nod out pup."
Jongin blushed, glaring at Chen before quickly sending a yes to Kyungsoo. He honestly didn't expect any other response but was joyfully surprised when a new message came in.
'Want to watch Zootopia with me later?'
'The one about animals? Isn't that supposed to be shapeshifter-appropriating?'
'Please Jongin, there's probably a wolf in that movie, do you feel like that wolf would offend you? Come on,watch it with me,'
'Please.(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ '
Jongin almost threw his phone at the last message and Chen gasped, "I didn't peg Kyungsoo as the type to know what emoticons mean,"
Jongin realised then that Sehun and Chen had been watching him messaging Kyungsoo the whole time. He hid the phone away but Chen grabbed him by the shoulder, "Come on pup you can't do that to us,"
Jongin sighed, shrugging Chen's hand off before typing out a time and place to meet. Chen wiggled his eyebrows when Kyungsoo replied affirmatively, "Who knew pup, chasing the dracula made you a man in the end."
Jongin smiled, "It's not as hopeless now right?"
"Not as," Sehun tutted, "doesn't mean the margin of hopeless isn't still large."
Jongin rested his head on his hand,staring at his phone, "Even so,I have to try right?"
"Well you're already trying after all," Sehun shrugged.
"And your tries are working well," Chen said,winking, "Soon his braces will be catching on your dick."
Jongin exploded red and he hit Chen repeatedly on the arm, agreeing but not acknowledging Chen's 'but it's true's.
--
Zootpia passed by like a blur. Jongin usually focuses on movies, and he did, but too many times, he shifted his eyes to Kyungsoo when he hears every gasp, every laugh. Whenever Kyungsoo moves, his arm would brush Jongin's the slightest bit and Jongin tries to still his heart.
Once the movie finished, the pair went to a nearby restaurant to have dinner. Jongin's heart smiled along with him, he can't believe this is actually happening. Should he pinch himself just in case this was a dream?
"Hyung," he began when they had just begun eating. "The match at the end of this month, will you come watch?"
Kyungsoo's head tilted thoughtfully, "Sure but you have to come to my recital this weekend."
Jongin smiled as he nodded, pretending like he doesn't already have the tickets to said recital in his wallet. "Of course,"
-
Do Kyungsoo may be an anti-social freak usually, but there is one thing that everyone acknowledges and even the school promotes; his singing. Jongin walked into the spacious, air-conditioned theatre along with Sehun and Chen, searching for his seat.
The place was jam-packed with monsters of all kinds, all here just to listen to Kyungsoo's voice.
"I never knew Dracula was so damn popular." Chen said, clearly impressed as he looked around.
"Of course he is, "Jongin sniffed, nose high in the air, ignorant to Chen and Sehun's roll of eyes. They finally found their seats just as the lights dim ,the curtains slid open and Kyungsoo stood in the middle of the stage, back facing the audience.
The notes of the first song began and Kyungsoo started singing. The recital went on, song after song, before finally Kyungsoo stopped to smile to those who came. The spotlight shined brightly on him as he spoke into the microphone. "Thank you everyone for coming! I'm very honoured."
"This final song is by Ladies' Code, it's called 'My Flower'.” The beginning of the song played and Jongin closed his eyes. Letting Kyungsoo's voice wash over his ears. He could feel his heart calming a little. That was the magic of Kyungsoo's voice, it had a warm milk effect, calming when listened to.
Jongin opened his eyes again to look at Kyungsoo and was surprised to see him looking right at him, eyes becoming darker and darker, till it finally settled on maroon. Jongin himself stared back and at that one moment, he finally understood what people meant when they said that the whole world could fade away, leaving just two people, just you and him.
My flower
I am here
Don't you know
I'm always waiting for you
That you may look for me.
Just him and Kyungsoo.
-
Friendship with Kyungsoo was weird, not like Jongin didn't like it. He likes it a little too much probably. Whoever said Kyungsoo didn't like to talk was a liar, because Kyungsoo would talk, he would listen, he would stare at Jongin whenever he talks and give small inputs or give a small laugh when it is called for.
Having a conversation with Kyungsoo is a joy. Having Kyungsoo next to him is a joy.
"Someone's been leaving flowers in my locker." Kyungsoo began that night as they walked back to the dorms together. Jongin stiffened, his fingers moving to his ear. He forced himself to not let his habit show itself now.
"Oh?" Jongin said instead, trying to act blasé. "That's romantic."
"It is right?" Kyungsoo replied, smiling as he watched Jongin carefully, "He or she even adds notes about the meaning of the flowers, relating to him or her and myself."
Jongin nodded, avoiding Kyungsoo's eyes. "That's cute."
"I want to meet him or her."
"Why?" Jongin finally looked at Kyungsoo, immediately noticing the pink eyes again.
Kyungsoo was looking at him and the pink eyes were tender, caressing Jongin just with sight. His tone was fond as he replied. "Well, I want to thank him or her, it's thoughtful and I love the gesture."
Jongin was caught in those pink orbs, the bright colour and warm tone bringing Jongin closer and closer. A hand landed on Jongin's chest and his body flushed.
"Goodnight Jongin." Kyungsoo said, leaving a peck on Jongin's cheek. He stared as Kyungsoo left, the redness in his cheeks like the red of Kyungsoo's eyes. Jongin looked down as he bit his lip, fingers skirting the kissed area.
•
Jongin remembered catching his father red-handed once when his father was almost going to end it all. The pills were right in his hands, way too excessive in it's amount.
The smaller him had walked up to his father and picked those tablets, putting it back in the bottle. His father stared at him as he continued on, never aware of the true intentions his father had.
He didn't realise the angry hole his father was burning into him. The bottle was set on the table and he cuddled with his father, his giggles loud and obnoxious. The smaller him failed to realise his father wasn't smiling back, and that his eyes were only on the bottle, instead of being on Jongin.
•
There was a lot that could go wrong in a last set. Jongin's tail whooshed as he paced, watching the other team discuss. The arena was, as per usual, packed and loud. Chen and Sehun were stretching and Sehun patted his wings, watching the pink glitter flutter to the ground.
"15 points is the limit, remember, let's not flunk this okay?" Chen reminded them, smiling. It was at these moments that the leader in Chen would show. He patted Jongin and Sehun's shoulders, massaging it as well. "It's okay if we lose, but who wants that? At this rate we need to win."
Both teams walked back out for the final set, grim tensing their features. The referee whistled and the other team's tekong quickly served with a simple thigh kick. The spiker detachedly lifted the inside of his leg, striking the ball to Jongin's side.
Jongin flipped his body 180 degrees, his toe making contact with the ball, sending it back to the other team's field, easily scoring a point when no one blocked. Jongin supported his fall with his arm, smiling nonetheless. That was exactly the moment he realised something was very wrong. The cheers erupted, but only in his right ear. He lifted his hand to the left one, eyes widening when he realised his BTE was cracked and had stopped working.
Not now,not now. Jongin's eyes were frantic and he completely missed the referee's whistle, the ball hitting the back of his head when he didn't respond to Chen's serve.
Murmurs travelled to his right ear but white noise blinded it. Jongin closed his eyes, bowing his head at his teammates as an apology. His heart beat twice as fast when the other team threw the ball in his direction. Sweat pooled as he lifted his leg, but it wasn't strong enough. The ball hit the net and the other team scored again.
By now he could taste the frustration around him. The whispers began just as he finally managed to strike the ball almost perfectly.
Sounds of glass crashing, sobs of a male's voice rushed in his left ear and he stopped himself. The court was black, dark veiling every single monster and his dad laid in the middle, knife by his right and pills by his left. Jongin watched the man curl into himself, tail quivering. He neared the man, mouthing for his dad to stop, please stop.
His dad looked at him when he crouched in front of him, fingering the BTE, wistful gaze on Jongin as he lifted the knife and stabbed himself. The blood pooled and Jongin watched it soak his shoes.
Jongin heard distant calls of his name as he stood up and blinked. Chen and Sehun neared him, clearly worried when Jongin started spacing out and mouthing indecipherable words.
Jongin backed away, shaking his head as he shot out of the court, ignoring the shouts for him. The blood was still trailing down like a small river, pooling around his feet. The wistful wails still travelled to his left ear and he locked himself in a classroom, hands fisting his shorts.
Jongin sat on the floor, staring at his legs as a susurrus of his father's cry continued to travel around him. The whole reason he wore a hearing aid is to block out the wails, but he realised that one crack was all it took to have him hear it again.His hands shook, heart heavy and heaving as he clutched his stomach, his own wails piping out. The true weakness emerging as Jongin's devils created the scene in front of his eyes again, the slicked roads, the car, his father's grim emotions. He could remember it all.
The door clicked open and his eyes shot to it, distinctly remembering that he had actually locked it. A smaller male came through, sitting in front of Jongin.
"Jongin?" The vampire said,falling muted on Jongin's ear. The male wiped away strays of Jongin's tears, "Concentrate on me, focus on me Jongin."
Jongin gulped, fresh tears running as he looked at Kyungsoo, "I can't."
Kyungsoo's red eyes glinted burgundy as he stood, grabbing something from a drawer. He came back and Jongin noted the outlines of flowers.
"Aster,the voice of elegance," Kyungsoo began, mouth directly beside his right ear and Jongin finds himself surprised to hear it clearer and louder than the wails, "Hyacinth, representation of rashness and playfulness."
Kyungsoo tucked the flowers in Jongin's BTE, sliding it in between the plastic curve and his own skin. "Hydrangea means heartfelt emotions."
Kyungsoo tucked that in too and Jongin stared at him, not realising the tears have stopped. "And red roses- passionate love."
Kyungsoo tweaked the flowers correctly up to his taste before looking at Jongin again, "A special bouquet for a special customer."
"Is it fine now?" Of course, Jongin could still hear the wails, but it wasn't as loud and he shrugged. Kyungsoo smiled, "It's fine, I can still fill your right ear with something else."
Kyungsoo began to sing the same song he sang during the recital. That final song. Jongin closed his eyes again letting Kyungsoo lean into his shoulder, his lips directly beneath Jongin's ear. The words hazed in Jongin's mind and he began to feel the quirks of a smile.
As the song was ending, Jongin opened his eyes, remembering the recital. He turned to look at Kyungsoo. The maroon eyes were already staring back and Kyungsoo mouthed the last lyrics, eyes staying intensely on Jongin's.
My flower
I gather my hands
And earnestly wish
Please bloom again.
•
Hums of a-ha's The Sun Always Shines On TV resounded in the kitchen. Jongin, who was on the floor, watched his mother freshen the vase with new stalks of carnations. She set the vase on the dining table before going back to regard Jongin, "Don't you have games to play?"
"I want to watch you instead."
His mother smiled fondly, arms stretched out, ready to hug Jongin. His father came in at the last minute, swooping his mother's arm for his own, sticking out his tongue at Jongin's pout. His mother had laughed then, and Jongin's pout changed to a smile, his father's playfulness softening to tenderness.
Jongin walked over to his parents, hugging them, eyes staying on his mother the whole time,her humming calming him.
A sense of peace fell over, Jongin heard his father hum along with his mother and he closed his eyes. The warmth in his stomach may not last long, it was better he cherish it now.
•
The first thing he sees as he wakes up is Chen's worried face. Chen immediately smiled when he saw his eyes open, and signalled to someone across the room. Sehun came later, pink-glittered face softening in relief.
"Hey pup," Chen whispered, hand running through his hair, "You alright?"
Jongin smiled, grabbing that hand and Sehun's too, "Sorry I ruined the game."
Both of them shook their head, eyeing Jongin with a note of disbelief, "What did I tell you when you first joined the team pup? Health comes first. A healthy player is a healthy team, so that's that,"
"Did we win the game? Taeyong sub-ed for me right?" Jongin asked instead, voice croaky.
Chen passed him a glass of water as Sehun shook his head, "We almost had it, but oh well, we have to lose sometimes,"
Jongin sighed, moving his head to the left but realised something was blocking the way. He touched the area, surprised to find flowers there.
Kyungsoo.
"Kyungsoo's buying food," Chen said before Jongin could even ask, eyeing the flowers knowingly, "Can't believe he knows about your hearing aid before us,"
"He knew?"
"Yeah pup, said he could see it from a mile away,"
Jongin looked up at the white ceiling, listening to the mundane words Chen and Sehun exchanged. There was a certain tug when he thought of Kyungsoo befriending him despite knowing. He wasn't all that insecure of his hearing aid, but if people knew deeper about what happens if his hearing aid stops working, they'd probably find him crazy.
The door rattling had Jongin's eyes on it and Kyungsoo walked through, face grim as ever. Jongin was surprised to see his eyes were black when he looked up. The black quickly lightened to a pink as he gasped and briskly walked to the bedside. "Are you okay?"
Jongin nodded, ignoring Chen's fake-retching gestures. "I'm fine, did I pass out on you? I'm so sorry,"
Kyungsoo's eyes were tender as he smoothed his hand over Jongin's head, "It's fine Jongin,"
The mauve tone was back, Jongin realised, staring into Kyungsoo's eyes, enthralled. Sehun and Chen exchanged knowing looks, leaving the room quietly.
-
It would be a lie to say that Kyungsoo and Jongin didn't get closer, because they did. Weeks and months passed, uncovering their similarities one by one.
It would also be a lie to say Jongin didn't fall deeper for Kyungsoo,because he did. Way too much till the feeling was just an inch away from exposing itself, but Jongin kept it in. He suppressed the inner desires so as to not ruin what he already has with Kyungsoo.
The flowers keep on coming in Kyungsoo's part and he eyes the werewolf knowingly. Even if the werewolf tries to hide, it was pretty obvious to Kyungsoo who the person behind this business is.
Jongin shrugs, keeping the facade of not knowing, even though he was the one who slips in those flowers every morning, tying the note of paper carefully to each flower.
He stared at the red rose in the shop, the sun's ray creating a line towards the flower. Passionate love, it would be a stretch to say that what he had for Kyungsoo was what the flower represented.
But how wide of a stretch? Jongin glanced at the vampire, braces glinting as he smiled widely to the customer as a motion of thanks, his eyes as red as blood and the lines around his eyes crinkling.
Definitely not that wide.
•
If it had been raining during his mother's funeral, it was snowing on his father's, as if the sun knew how murky of a time it was for Jongin. He stood by the grave, staring down into the earth, not crying, not angry.
He was numb. So numb he couldn't even feel the cold. Neither could he feel the warmth of a hug nor the serenity of the priest's sermons. Solemness was something rare for Jongin and he realised, as the dawn creaked through his window, that solemness would be his friend now.
Knocks of his demons were welcomed and he handed the key to his brain to them, closing his eyes and letting the choir of his father's cries lullaby him to slumber.
Flicks of the light catches the bottle of tablets and he swallowed the contempt. That was one door he won't let the demons have access to.
His heart.
•
He tied the note neatly around the stalk, eyes gazing at the rich red, reminding him of Kyungsoo's deep eyes. A smile tugged at his lips as he slipped the flower in happily, turning to head back to the dorms but stopped short when he sees Kyungsoo just a few metres away.
Jongin's eyes widened and his heart stuttered. The vampire smiled, calmly walking to his locker and opening it. The red rose was twirled between his fingers and he read the note, smile widening the more he read.
"Guess you won't have to wait by the Home Economics room,huh?" Kyungsoo said as soon as he finished reading. Jongin shrugged, eyes staying on the floor. His shoulders were shaking and he wondered if he could make a run out of this awkward situation.
"Jongin," Kyungsoo's soft tone coaxed the nervousness- just by a little- to leave his system. "Remember when I made a bouquet on your old BTE?"
Jongin looked up in confusion, and his eyes stayed when he saw a rosy tone in Kyungsoo's eyes, his head nodding a little. "Didn't you realise that those flowers were from the ones you gave me?"
"What..?" Jongin stepped closer without realising, "but..the red rose, I've never given you a red rose before."
"The red rose was my own," Kyungsoo said and Jongin blinked as the most beautiful flush appeared in the vampire's cheeks, "because..I'm ready to make that distance smaller and have passionate love be a synonym for us."
The smaller male neared Jongin till his chest was touching Jongin's, murmuring, "See,small distance,"
Jongin nodded absentmindedly as he leaned in to the kiss Kyungsoo was initiating, eyes closed and lips warm.
No distance is better,' Jongin thinks.
-
'Hyung, red rose is the strongest and brightest bloom of passionate love. You seem to have a certain fondness for these stalks. And although I think I'm far from being passionate about this love, I would love to make that something that we share.
Meet me by the Home Economics room after school if you're willing to share, too.'
•
The school was abuzz with noise, more and more students filing in and out, not caring if they bumped into Jongin. His eyes were emotionless and he had no reason to smile, the dispassionate expression scaring away all the club promoters. That's what years in a hospital would do to anyone.
He wasn't expecting anyone to actually approach him. Friendship was a word missing in Jongin's vocabulary and he never tried to read up the dictionary to add the word to it.
"Hey there pup," A cheerful voice broke through Jongin's lone cloud and Jongin looked to his right to see a male with a wide smile on his face, everything seemingly human-like until he saw the necklace wrapped around his neck. A witch. "Would you like to join our club?"
Jongin looked at the male, then at his friend who was a fairy, pink dust flying everywhere as he protested with the witch's rash decision.
"We're supposed to have try-outs Chen," the fairy argued, "We're a sports club."
"But my mother saw a werewolf in her Concoction Of Perception, I'm claiming every werewolf there is!"
The fairy huffed before offering Jongin the clipboard for him to sign. Jongin signed, after all, it wasn't as if he had any other clubs he wanted to go to.
As he left, he finally peered at the name on their banner. He didn't know what sepak takraw is but he might as well try.
•
It happened when his BTE was acting up again and Jongin's wide eyes immediately searched his hyung's, his finger pointing towards his hearing aid.
Kyungsoo sighed as he neared his boyfriend, hands caressing the skin near his ear. A sudden flash of white exploded in Kyungsoo's eyes and Jongin looked at it warily. Every time Kyungsoo had those random bouts of white colour, it would lead to something really weird.
"Do you think you would stop hearing those cries if I fucked you?"
Jongin's eyes widened even more, backing away and covering his crotch area. Kyungsoo laughed lightly, slowly crawling towards Jongin, "Come on Jongin, don't you want to try?"
Kyungsoo's lips were so near to Jongin's left ear at that moment, his braces lightly grazing the ears, that Jongin froze in a sudden, a bright red flushing his whole body.
Kyungsoo smiled as he kissed down the area, finally reaching Jongin's lips and pressing against it, tongue flicking against Jongin's. Jongin slumped in defeat and sighed into the kiss, his heart beating erratically.
When they separated, Jongin realised his BTE was fine again, but Jongin wasn't going to tell Kyungsoo that when they were already this far in.
He reached for Kyungsoo's neck, enjoying the hitches in Kyungsoo's breath as he went lower and lower, rushingly taking off Kyungsoo's shirt as he went. When he reached the crotch area, he looked up again, eyebrow raised teasingly at Kyungsoo's tent.
"Stop being a brat Jongin." Jongin chuckled lightly at his whine, quickly making work of Kyungsoo's jeans, stroking the shaft a few times before he took the head in, relishing the stretch before mouthing in more. Kyungsoo moaned as his cheeks hollowed, lips reaching the base.
He bobbed his head up and down and the two licks at Kyungsoo's head almost had Kyungsoo reach that point of pleasure, but he grabbed Jongin by the hair ,pulling him away from his shaft and guiding him to lie on his back.
Jongin's confused face softened when Kyungsoo kissed him again, hand reaching for the bottle of lube near the bed. He looked at the flavour and laughed, "Rose flavoured? I think you're too obsessed,"
Jongin pouted, head resting on the pillow, "Just fuck me hyung."
Jongin's clothes were discarded after one more chuckle, Kyungsoo quickly squeezing the lube out, making work of Jongin's entrance, slicking it enough for his length to penetrate with ease.
As soon as Kyungsoo was in, Jongin jolted, eyes squeezed shut. Kyungsoo ran his hands over the younger's hair, secretly enjoying the little tears escaping Jongin's eyes.
"Are you okay?" Kyungsoo softly asked. Jongin waited a few seconds before nodding, his hands unclenching. Kyungsoo rocked back and forth almost lazily, glancing down at Jongin's face.
It was like an aurora of beauty hit him every time Kyungsoo sees him in this state. Helpless and needy for Kyungsoo, lips begging for Kyungsoo to be faster but Kyungsoo merely ignored the request, enjoying the agitated expression.
"Hyung please," Jongin gasped, grabbing Kyungsoo's shoulder, "faster."
Kyungsoo smiled before speeding his pace. And this, he thought, this is when Jongin truly gets ethereal. With his eyes clenched and his mouth wide open, short gasps of breath escaping, Kyungsoo found the greatest joy in seeing Jongin in this state- truly finding himself enraptured by the crinkle in Jongin's eye as he squeezed it shut, his thick lips opening and closing, too caught up in pleasure to even think about gulping the saliva pooling down, his cheeks bright with a red so rich that even the ripest tomato couldn't have. Kyungsoo's eyes flashed and he grabbed Jongin's own shaft, running his hands up and down.
He slumped on Jongin as the younger's cum shot out, his own shooting in the younger.
"Red roses?" Jongin asked after finally gaining his breath.
Kyungsoo smiled, lying next to Jongin, his lips near Jongin's own. "Red roses."
•
"Jongin's gonna get this one again!" Xiumin squealed, shaking Kyungsoo's arm, distracting him from the great read he had.Kyungsoo clamped down the anger he felt and instead looked up to the male Xiumin was pointing at.
He gasped.
The male was twirling like the court was a stage, posture perfect, his hands pointed downwards as his legs kicked the ball gracefully, winning his team a point.
Kyungsoo closed his book silently, eyes roaming the new player with interest. The male had a muted caramel skin, eyes shaped like almonds, jawline as sharp as shards of glass and Kyungsoo's eyes widened as he saw the hearing aid fitted behind the male's ear. He could imagine the male running around a field of flowers- the dark skin would look amazing against the greens of the leaves and the different colours of flowers.
Kyungsoo lifted the pressed red rose he used as his bookmark, envisioning a flower crown of his favourite flower on the male's head and he smiled.
"Kyungsoo, your eyes are pink."
Kyungsoo tilted his head, looking at Xiumin before looking back at the court. His mother once told him that the colours of his eyes were equal to his feelings.
And that pink meant attraction.
Kyungsoo looked at the bronze-skinned werewolf laughing with his friends as they sucked on lemon quarters.
Attraction, he could live with that.
•_•