[C65] JUST LIKE A FAIRYTALE (3/3)
Prompt Code: C65
Title: Just Like A Fairytale
When Kyungsoo woke up the next morning, he almost convinced himself that everything that has happened the night before was a dream. The only thing that confirmed that it wasn’t was the dozen of texts from both Baekhyun and Jongdae demanding all the details from the night before. He sighed. He sent them a quick text that they’ll skype later on. In the meantime, he had to finish his homework, and pick up his car from the diner.
He originally had to work in the afternoon but Junmyeon informed him that he had someone else covering for him. A part of Kyungsoo could cry and sing in joy but another part of him questioned the sudden change. But either way, he didn’t pushed his luck as he went home to get ready for school tomorrow and inevitably, see Jongin.
That realization came fast and hit Kyungsoo hard, making him lose his balance. From the night before and up until now, the raven haired boy was floating on cloud nine, but now, he was harshly pulled down to cold, hard ground.
Kim Jongin: the quarterback, the star-athlete, top of the class and top of the social ladder. Kim Jongin was MJJ94.1.14, his prince charming, the person he talked to for months, talking as much as they could, talking about nothing but everything at once. Kyungsoo told him things that he didn’t tell anyone, as Jongin did the same. He reassured himself that the pink haired athlete wasn’t just a popular football player. He was kind and passionate about what he loves. He has all these great plans for the future but he could never work on them because everyone around him wanted him to be dedicated to one thing, Kyungsoo knows now that that one thing is football.
The short male kept debating with himself if he should tell Jongin who he is. A part of him reasoned that it was only fair since he knew who was behind the other username. But another part, the bigger side, held him back out of fear. The night’s spell has worn off, maybe Jongin doesn’t want to know who he is or once he does know, he’ll realize that he doesn’t fit inside his perfect little world. In all honesty, Kyungsoo doesn’t know if he wants to be a part of Jongin’s world. He would feel strange in the picture perfect image that Kyungsoo knew he could never fit in and he accepted that. That’s what he told himself, at least.
“Wait, so he doesn’t know who you are?” Jongdae’s voice rang through his laptop speakers, resulting to Kyungsoo, yet again, lowering the volume of his laptop.
“No, he doesn’t know.” Kyungsoo sighed, rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses.
“But you’re going to tell him, right?” Kyungsoo flinched when Baekhyun’s voice rang higher than Jongdae’s and the doe eyed boy was really regretting agreeing to a 3-way skype call with his friends.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t messaged me all day. What if he’s done with me? He met me and realized that I don’t fit in with his image.” Kyungsoo asked. He almost covered his ears when the static reached to an earsplitting level when both of them talked at once.
“Don’t say that, Soo.” Jongdae comforted.
“You don’t know that. Maybe you should send him a message right now and if Jongin doesn’t answer by tomorrow, then you got your answer.” Baekhyun offered.
Right outside Kyungsoo’s room, Luhan and Tao were walking past his door but halted when they heard the name ‘Jongin’. They never eavesdropped on Kyungsoo’s conversations before, for they found them boring and they could spend their time doing something else, however their interest was piqued when they heard Jongin being mentioned. So both brothers stand behind the door, listening intently.
“Like what? ‘Sorry I ran out on you last night. By the way, I’m Kyungsoo, diner boy and you’re an amazing dancer.’?” Luhan and Tao exchanged looks, scrunching their eyebrows in confusion.
“Kyungsoo..” Baekhyun lets his voice lower, showing his disappointment in his friend’s low self-esteem. “From how you described it, Jongin had fun last night because of you. He’s not just going to drop you and forget about you just like that.”
Kyungsoo shook his head. “I don’t know guys, the clock struck midnight, the magic is gone. You know?”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about but you guys always had something between you,” That was Jongdae. “And that was way before the dance.”
Both Luhan’s and Tao’s eyes widen, shocked. They quickly cover their mouth before a gasp could escape and give away their hiding place.
“Just send him one quick message tonight, please. You don’t have to tell him who you are, just something to let him know you still want to talk to him.” Baekhyun pleaded. Kyungsoo sighed, giving in.
They’re right.
“Okay.. Hey guys, I have to go and finish homework.”
“Okay, let us know what he says tomorrow if he replies.” Jongdae said, Baekhyun nodding in agreement. The trio said their last goodbyes as they logged off and both Luhan and Tao hurried off to their room.
Kyungsoo stayed where he was, at his desk, staring down at his phone, set off to the side. He slowly picked it, anxiety slowing building inside his chest. It was late and from all the times that they talked, he knew Jongin would be sleeping right now. He couldn’t tell if he was lucky, knowing that he won’t get an immediate answer or dreading the wait for a the response. It took him forty minutes. Forty minutes to think of a message. The blinking cursor staring at him, mimicking him, waiting for him to think of something. Many trials and errors of him starting to write only to stop midway and erase the entire text, putting him back where he started. Once he had a complete message, he sent it before he could erase it.
EspérerYCourage93: Taking good care of my mask? :)
The next morning, Kyungsoo checked his phone every minute, distracting him from his daily routine. Luckily, it was Jongdae’s turn to drive to school. Kyungsoo sat in the back, staring down at his phone, his eyes never leaving the screen but there were no new messages from Jongin. As they got closer to school, the more Kyungsoo’s shoulders sank and the more he dread going. Once they pulled into the parking lot, Kyungsoo’s mood completely deflated.
“Maybe he already forgot about me.” Kyungsoo muttered, pushing his glasses up and letting his arm holding the phone fall to his side. Baekhyun gave him a sympathetic smile and Jongdae patted his back in comfort as they continue their way inside the school.
However, once they walked inside, they stopped and gaped at their surroundings.
“I don’t think he forgot about you.” Jongdae said absentmindedly. “Or anyone for that matter.” All around inside the school, light blue papers decorated the walls and lockers. WANTED: CINDERELLA MAN written across the top with a sketch of a boy with a mask below it. The outline look dangerously close to Kyungsoo’s however the face blank, all except for the mask. Underneath the drawing, in fine print, was ‘If you have any details about this mystery person, please immediately contact Kim Jongin, Oh Sehun, and/or Kim Minseok’. Someone consistently crossing out Oh Sehun’s name with a permanent marker, Kyungsoo had a feeling it was the said man’s doing.
A light ding and a vibration in his hand startled Kyungsoo. He looked down to see that he got a message from Jongin. His heart picked up as he quickly opened up the chat. Baekhyun and Jongdae leaned over to look at the message as well. He almost fell over when he sees the first thing was a selca from Jongin himself, holding his mask.
The angle was taken high, Jongin smirking as he holds the mask below his face. A message was below the picture.
MJJ94.1.14: Of course. I never leave it out of my sight.
Kyungsoo smiled and snapped a picture of the wanted flyers, sending a picture and quickly adding a message underneath.
EspérerYCourage93: Care to explain?
MJJ94.1.14: I want to see you again?
Kyungsoo couldn’t help but laugh however it died down when he let the words sink in. He looked up to Baekhyun and Jongdae. Both of them nod their heads and saying words of encouragement.
EspérerYCourage93: Well I’m planning on getting my mask back
MJJ94.1.14: After the pep assembly today? Meet me at the side of the stage afterwards.
Kyungsoo hesitantly replied.
EspérerYCourage93: I’ll be there :)
❇❇❇❇
Elsewhere, a perfectly manicured hand grabbed one of the light blue fliers, tearing it off the wall as the cheerleader captain continued to storm down the hallway with her friend following her.
“This is ridiculous! When will Jongin-oppa wake up and let go of the delusion of being with this person?” She ranted, waving the crumpled paper in the air. “This should’ve been me!”
Her friend shrugged, her face scrunched in a pout as she looks down at her phone. “I don’t know but I’m worried about Jongin, there are already rumors going around that he’s losing his mind. I’m starting to believe them! Did you see him make Sehun-ie and Minseok follow him around with boxes filled with these? He should be focused on football. The last game is this week!”
The first girl stopped in front of her locker and glared at a light blue flyer taped on it. “I don’t care who you are but leave Jongin-oppa alone.”
“I wonder who it is.” A voice says behind them. The two girls turn around to see two of their acquaintances, Minhee and Juhyun.
“We know!” A voice sang loud in the hallway. The girl holding the crumpled flyer shamelessly groaned out loud, not caring if the two boys heard. She was already frustrated with Jongin and she doesn’t need the two annoying brothers to bother her more.
“Again, why do we bother with them?” She muttered to the other girls.
“Because they bought you gucci for your birthday.” Her friend reminded her, ignoring Minhee’s disapproving look at them. Nethertheless, she quickly straightened up and pulled on her best fake smile as she turned around, her lips pulling into a fake smile as the two Chinese boys approached them.
"What do you mean you know?" She asked, her voice dripping with a sickeningly sweetness.
"We know who Cinderella Man is." Luhan said proudly, his face beaming with pride. Her eyes widened.
"Who?!" She demanded, her voice high and loud.
"Kyungsoo!" He cheered, pleased with himself. Her face scrunched somewhere in between confused and disgust.
"Who?" She repeated, dropping the sweetness.
"Do Kyungsoo,” Luhan replied almost uncertain, his voice died a little when he sees her face.”He’s our brother.” When all of the girls still looked lost, Tao spoke up. He cleared his throat.
“Um, he works at Do’s Diner.” On cue both the cheerleader captain and her friend bursted out laughing, Minhee’s and Juhyun’s faces crumpled in discomfort.
“Very funny, you guys.” The friend crackled, whipping her tears. Both Tao’s and Luhan’s mood deflated.
“But,” Tao paused but continuing quieter. “It’s true.”
Both girls stopped laughing and was quickly replaced with annoyance. “Ok, it’s not funny anymore. Stop lying.”
A sharp pang struck inside Luhan’s chest. One thing he can’t stand was being called a liar or anything near dishonest.
“We’re not lying!” He raised his voice defensively. Tao grabbed his shoulder to ground him.
“We’re telling the truth.” Tao spoke more calmly.
“Prove it.” Her friend snapped. The captain flicked her hair back before placing her hands on her hip.
“Otherwise, don’t bother us. We have to prepare for our skit for the pep assembly. You understand, right?” She smugly added. With that, she turned around and walked away with her friend tailing behind her. Minhee and Juhyun exchanged looks, Juhyun opened her mouth to speak but stopped when she heard her name being called. They turn to see their friends at the end of the hallway.
“See you guys around.” She said, both girls giving them a gentle smile before walking to their friends, leaving Luhan and Tao behind.
No matter how hard they try, the outcome was always the same: Luhan and Tao are alone, yet again. Being left out of the higher social groups. The popular cliqués were difficult to be accepted into, the high standards that Luhan and Tao simply didn’t have and could never have. But it didn’t stop both boys to try harder, to make everyone love them. Going to far lengths to please everyone, there wasn’t any place they wouldn’t go.
However, this was the most difficult situation the brothers have found themselves in: to go behind someone who trusts them. They know what proof they needed but it means to give the cheerleaders a private conversation between their step brother and Jongin. To get the conversation, they needed Kyungsoo’s phone and a window of opportunity presented itself during the beginning of lunch.
“Kyungsoo!” Luhan called him as the doe eyed boy was walking to the parking lot with his two friends. Kyungsoo turned around to face Luhan and the Chinese boy stopped. All of a suddenly, it was hard to breath, Luhan tried to speak but no words came out. Something heavy weighed against Luhan’s chest and it pressed down harder the longer he stared into Kyungsoo’s eyes.
“Luhan? Is everything okay?” The shorter boy asked and Luhan couldn’t help the small whimper that escaped him, his eyes watering. He swallowed thickly.
“I need… I- I need to call, my dad and my.. My phone..” Luhan couldn’t speak anymore, he didn’t know where he was going with it anyways. His breathing came out short and quick, his eyes dropped down to his feet. He slightly jumped when a hand gently grabbed his shoulder.
“Hey, it’s okay. Look, I’m leaving right now but here.” He couldn’t look at his hand but the weight that was placed in it was enough for a small sob to bubble in his chest. “Just return it when I get back, okay? You’ll be fine, Luhan.”
Luhan couldn’t bring himself to look up as Kyungsoo walked back to his friends, he stood still as time felt frozen, he could only focus on his irregular breathing as his hand gripped the device tightly, almost shaking. A hand slowly slipped into his, taking ahold of the phone before pulling his hand away. Tao appeared in front of him. He stared down at the phone, now in his hand.
“They’ll be our friends after this, right? We would be the heroes that solved the mystery of who Cinderella Man is, right? I mean, what could they do if they knew?” Tao reassured his brother, but it sounded more like he was reassuring himself as well. Luhan nodded, forcing himself to believe those words. This is the ticket to becoming one of them.
Both boys sat at their usual table, alone, the temptation to read it was to much, they couldn’t contain it. They could only read a small portion of them since the messages went back for months. However, while going through the conversations, they felt better. They got distracted as to why they had it in the first place as they laughed over some of the silly topics shared between the two boys. The brothers realized while reading the messages, that Kyungsoo and Jongin were perfect for each other. They understand each other and everything between felt natural and flowed easily, as every topic blended into one another. They smiled, finishing reading the newest texts. They almost forgot why they had Kyungsoo’s phone in the first place until-
“What are you guys doing?” A familiar high pitched voice asked. Both Luhan and Tao shot their heads up, staring at the captain of the cheerleader in front of them with wide eyes. Luhan tried to cover the phone with his hands and lower it under the table but it was too late. She already snatched the phone out of his hand. Her face was bored as she scrolled through the chat but it slowly twisted into rage.
“So that diner boy IS stealing our quarterback!” She hissed. She looked back up at the terrified Luhan and Tao, her face relaxed into a sweet, plastic smile. “Thanks to you two, I thought of a better skit for the pep assembly.”
The brothers’ eyes lit up. “Does that mean we can help you prepare for the skit?” Tao asked hopefully. The cheerleader tutted disappointedly as she meddled with the cell phone.
“I’m sorry, darlings. But it’s only for the cheerleaders. You could’ve helped if you guys auditioned.” She said absentmindedly.
“But, we did.” Tao spoke quietly. “But you said-”
“Oh, nevermind that. It’s all in the past. We need to look forward to the future, yeah?” She interrupted as she set the device on the table, smiling again. “Thanks for telling me who this Cinderella man is.”
She walked away, leaving Tao and Luhan alone, yet again. This time, however, leaving the boys worse than they felt before.
Once lunch was over, Tao returned Kyungsoo’s phone back to him. He only shoved it in his hands, not looking at him as he was too ashamed. He walked away fast but not fast enough because he heard Kyungsoo shout out after him ‘Is Luhan okay?’. He flinched.
Luhan wasn’t okay. He wasn’t okay. Both of them dreaded the pep assembly as it came all too quickly.
❇❇❇❇
“Hey guys, how do I look?” Kyungsoo cautiously ran his fingers through his hair. His raven black hair that once fell over his forehead in a gentle brush is now styled over his head, revealing his forehead.
“Perfect. Honestly, Soo, why don’t you keep this look? It’s a good look.” Baekhyun said thoughtfully, looking him over as Jongdae nodded beside him in agreement.
“Are the flowers too much? I wanted it to come across as ‘I’m sorry I ran out on you’ but also a ‘Thank you for the wonderful night, hope there’s more in the future!’” Kyungsoo said as he looked down at the big bouquet of flowers, a least a dozen of them, wrapped tightly in light blue ribbon. “I thought roses were too cliche so I went with daisies instead. Do you think it’s okay?”
“Dude, you look fine. The flowers are fine.” Jongdae irritably sighed. “It’s going to be the perfect story to tell your children someday.”
Kyungsoo blushed and looked down at the flowers, a small smile spread across his lips. Endless scenarios flashed in his mind and all of them consist of him and Jongin together, happy. He took one deep breath.
“Ok, let’s do this!” Both Baekhyun and Jongdae cheered and clapped, encouraging their small friend.
“Let’s go! The pep assembly is starting! Kyungsoo, fighting!” Baekhyun raised his voice.
“KYUNGSOO, FIGHTING!” Jongdae shouted in the hallway, grabbing the said male’s arm and dragging him as his basically ran out the school. Baekhyun and Jongdae continue to repeat ‘Kyungsoo, fighting!’ as they half stumbled, half jogged, all three of them laughing. they slow down once they fell in the stream of students, heading towards the field where the assembly is. The chairs in front of the stage were already occupied by the football team, teachers and the rest of the faculty are in the back rows. The rest of the school filled in the bleachers, standing with too much energy pumping through their system.
The trio found a spot at the bottom of the stand, right in the middle section. The high school marching band is off to the side of the stage, playing the school’s theme fight song loudly as the crowd yells the chants. Baekhyun nudged Kyungsoo as he pointed out Jongin to him. There he is, sitting in the front row in the middle. From where Kyungsoo is standing, he could see Jongin’s full body. His back is facing him but he could clearly see the 88 on the back of his jersey and his pinkish blonde hair looked soft and gentle in the light.
Kyungsoo felt like squealing as he clutched the flowers close to his chest, a big grin stretched on his lips. Anticipation was killing him. He already practiced what he was going to say and already imagined how it will all play out. Kyungsoo couldn’t wait for the pep rally to be over.The song ended and the crowd grew louder as the cheerleaders-some high schoolers, all popular kids-ran up on stage. Once the head cheerleader took her spot behind the mic, the crowd cheers died a little.
“Let’s hear it for our fighting football team who will finish off the season with another victory!” The crowd cheered and shouted. “And of course, let’s not forget that this wouldn’t have happened without our fearless, quarterback and captain, Kim Jongin!”
With that, the crowd cheered louder. Kyungsoo even joined in, carefully cradling the flowers in his arms as he vigorously clapped his hands and cheered along. He could see Jongin almost violently getting pushed side to side by his friends on either side of him. Jongin widely smiled, as he half-heartedly tried to shove them away. Kyungsoo’s heart swelled at that.
“So in honor of our noble prince, we have prepared a short skit. I hope you all enjoy!.” With that another cheerleader ran up and gave her a piece a paper. The stage cleared with only the captain and two other cheerleaders that took the two spots at the corner of the stage, holding up cue cards for the crowd. The crowd follows the cards as they applauded.
“Once upon a time, there was a kingdom where a wolf prince lived.” A cheerleader with short hair, styled wildly, came out and climbed on top of the two other cheerleader’s back to form a small pyramid. She howled cutely and the crowd laughed. “He was strong and fearless, he had everything he wanted and yet he wasn’t happy.” The wolf cheerleader acted out every word, wiping away her fake tears. The cheerleaders flipped to another card, the crowd played along, awwing.
“If only he could find his one true love to break the curse with true love’s kiss and turn him into a handsome prince. So they could run away together and live happily ever after.” She mocked as a boy in a white suite made an entrance, with four cheerleaders carrying him. The cheerleaders dropped him as he comically stumbled around. The crowd laughed again but Kyungsoo didn’t find it funny anymore, something inside his mind kept going off like a warning.
“One night, he met his ‘supposedly’ true love.” The ‘wolf’ cheerleader bowed politely but the latter clumsily stumbled into her, making her catch him in a low dip. The crowd roared with laughter at the image.
“However, this wasn’t the first time these two lovebirds talked. Infact, they met online anonymously and have been talking ever since. The wolf prince going by the name MJJ94.1.14.” Three other cheerleaders came out, two of them going into a handstand as the third one stood in the middle of the two, holding their ankle to create a ‘wall’ between the boy and the wolf cheerleader. Jongdae’s and Baekhyun’s eyes widen as they turned to Kyungsoo. Fear started to wrap the shorter male.
“This isn’t good.” Jongdae mumbled uneasily but the trio stood still as they watched the skit taking a turn for the worse.
“I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re all that I think about and I can’t take it anymore. I want to see you. Can we please meet? I’m surrounded by people who don’t see me, just looking at me.” The wolf princess said, deepening her voice as she flails her arms out dramatically.
“What if… what if you see me and I’m not who you thought I am?” The boy faked fear, biting his fist for emphasis. But he didn’t stop there. “My username means hope and courage in french so I appear mysterious and optimistic but in reality I’m a scared little wimp who wants his mommy.” He fake sobbed out.
Both Baekhyun and Jongdae gasped as Kyungsoo felt the low blow in his chest, hitting where it hurts the most. His friends slipped their hands into his, squeezing them for comfort. Baekhyun tried to tug his hand to leave, but Kyungsoo stayed rooted.
“But the wolf prince wasn’t the only one to have secrets. Infact his ‘one true love’ wasn’t mysterious at all. He wasn’t even royal, he was a peasant, a loser. A servant boy.” The cheerleader captain looked directly at Kyungsoo. The boy disappeared behind the curtain only to reappear again, dressed as a waiter with a full body apron and rollerskates. He flailed around until he tripped into a huge platter of whipped cream set by two other cheerleaders.
“And who is this fraud, you may ask? Well, give it up to diner boy: Do Kyungsoo!” Her arms stretched out to him.
Kyungsoo felt his heart drop, a sickening feeling churned in his stomach making him nauseous, tears brimming along his eyes. Once they said his name, loud and clear, he felt every pair of eyes turn to him. Whispers overlapped each other, only hearing voices and snickers. Jongdae and Baekhyun pressed themselves closer to him as security guards of some sort.
Kyungsoo was scared to look at Jongin but with the little courage he had left in him, he finally did. Jongin was looking back at him over his shoulder. Kyungsoo’s breath got caught in his throat when their eyes locked. His eyes looked cold from where Kyungsoo was standing and that was enough to scare him not to look closer and see what emotions were floating around in his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something-anything-but nothing came out. He felt so little and afraid in the sea of students, lost.
Kyungsoo didn’t know what he was expecting and when Jongin turned back around to face the front, his heart felt heavier than before. To his horror, the cheerleaders started to lead a chant and the crowd, of course, followed.
“DINER BOY! DINER BOY! DINER BOY!” The frightened boy’s eyes widen, his body shaking like a small animal being cornered. He bowed his head, not knowing where to look out of fear and embarrassment. He couldn’t move, rooted to the spot, “DINER BOY!” ringing in his ears.
He felt so foolish to think that he could be something more, that Jongin would ever fall for him even after he knew who he actually was. Tears blurred his visions of his worn shoes, the flowers dropped some time ago from shock. Kyungsoo felt Baekhyun grabbing his hand, lacing their fingers for comfort as Jongdae put his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders, squeezing reassuringly. Baekhyun pulled and Jongdae pushed Kyungsoo, guiding him out of the crowd. Saving their friend from anymore humiliation. They quickly made it to the parking lot, Jongdae quickly fumbling with the keys as Baekhyun gently pushed Kyungsoo in the backseat before following in after. Once the car started, Jongdae twisted his body to back up but freezes momentarily. Past Baekhyun cradling Kyungsoo’s head to his chest, he could see someone on the steps of the school, wearing a football jersey.
But before Jongdae could look at the number or the face, Baekhyun shouted at him to drive. Snapping out of it, he swiftly backed up and drove out of the high school.
❇❇❇❇
Once they made it to Kyungsoo’s house, he convinced Baekhyun and Jongdae to go home as well. It took him the whole car ride and twenty minutes parked outside his house to convince them that he needs to be alone right now and if he needs anything, he’ll call.
He watched the car leave, to make sure they didn’t stop. He waited five more minutes after to make sure they didn’t come back and try to stake outside his house. Confirming that his friends actually left and he’s actually alone, he slowly made his way to the front door.
Kyungsoo shut the door a little louder than he would’ve liked but he didn’t dwell on it. However the sound brought attention to a person Kyungsoo forgot was home. Yifan poked his head outside his office.
“Kyungsoo! How was school? I actually stopped by the diner and got a box of cookies that Junmyeon made. Want some?” Kyungsoo flinched at the mention of the diner.
“No, thank you, Yifan. I’m just tired. I’m going to lay down for a bit.” He paused. “I’ll make dinner once I get up.”
With that, he slowly made his way upstairs, his head hung low. Yifan’s happy attitude falters, he wasn’t observant to anyone’s emotions but he was attuned to the change in their actions. The Chinese man always kept his distance from his stepson unless it was necessary, which included errands and work related issues.
But watching the boy slowly make his way up the stairs and to his room with a careful pace, as if a misstep would cause him to collapse, Yifan couldn’t turn and walk away. .Only to confirm that he’s okay.. Yes, Yifan just wants to make sure that he’s okay and healthy, that’s all. Yifan owes him that much, Right?
Once Yifan decided to follow Kyungsoo upstairs, the latter was already in his room, curled in a ball on top of his bed. The door left a small gap into his room as Yifan softly knocked on it, letting the door slowly swing open with each knock. He flinched when there was a loud creak. He watched Kyungsoo draw his legs closer and curl in on himself a little bit tighter.
“Is eve-” Yifan awkwardly clear his throat. “Are… Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Kyungsoo couldn’t stop his voice from wavering at the end. He squeezes his eyes shut to prevent them from watering and took a deep breath. “I will be.”
The man lingers around the doorway, uncomfortable. He’s never been in this position before, comforting someone that was close to stranger. Yes, Kyungsoo was like a stranger to him. His step son for a decade now, was a foreigner to him, an outsider from his own home. Yifan squeezed his eyes shut before slowly opening them again.
.She would’ve been disappointed in me..
Yifan scanned the room to find something to talk about, his eyes landed on the fairytale book. He knows his wife used to read to Kyungsoo at night, that’s the only thing he knew. His eyes flickered to the curled up boy before he cautiously stepped inside the room. He set the box of cookies down on the desk and gingerly picked up the book. In the same gentle manner, he walked to Kyungsoo’s bed, the bed dipping underneath his weight. He ran his fingers across the smooth cover and smiled fondly at memories they stirred.
“I remember your mother read this to you every night, twice if you were scared or upset.” He said softly, he chuckled. “She used it to help me get used to Korean. By the first week I had this story memorized.”
In any other day, Yifan’s words would’ve comforted Kyungsoo. But today, they were the last thing he wanted to hear: The storybook, the diner, and even the mention of his own mother brought him shame. He couldn’t bare to hear anymore, frustration and anger replaced the sorrow and grief. He shot straight up, glaring at Yifan.
“What does it matter to you, huh?! You and your sons pushed me around and treated me like a servant for years! And now you suddenly care? Why, huh? WHY?!” He shouted at a shocked Yifan, his eyes trailing down to the book. “This book means nothing. It’s just a stupid story! Life is nothing like this. All it is, is just one big, fat disappointment.”
Kyungsoo ripped the book out of Yifan’s hands and hurled it at the desk. It slammed into the desk, the snow globe that was resting peacefully on it was disturbed again. It tipped over and began to roll towards the edge. The teen noticed, out of panic scrambled out of bed and dove for it.
But it was already too late. The last gift his mother ever gave to him, came crashing down on the hardwood floor. Kyungsoo stared at the broken glass as the liquid spread around the base, his eyes wide and jaw slack. Instantly, his eyes became blurry with tears, and his breathing shake. His trembling hands still hover around the ruins of his most prized possession. He didn’t know where to put them. He started by picking up the broken glass pieces but stopped when larger hands grabbed his. He looked up to see Yifan.
“You’re right.” Yifan whispered, Kyungsoo kept his eyes glued to the floor. “We’ve treated you poorly and I’m truly sorry for that. Once my wife, you mother was gone, I kept seeing her in you. I couldn’t handle the pain and so I kept my distance. But I, I wanted to keep you close because I couldn’t go through losing her again. Now, I realized that I can’t lose you too.”
Kyungsoo looked up at Yifan. The man kneeling in front of him, regret and despair carved into his wrinkles. “My intentions were never to make you feel less than a part of this family. But I’m afraid I did just that, I’m truly sorry.
“I remember promising your mother to take care of you before she left. It pains me to know that I failed her, greatly. I’m sorry.” Yifan licked his lips, his eyes started to get misty as well.
“But someone told me that it’s never too late. So Kyungsoo, please. Please if it’s not too late let me take care of you and help you.” Yifan finishes as waited patiently for Kyungsoo’s answer.
The doe eyed boy stared at Yifan for what felt like forever before his face crumpled into itself as Kyungsoo wailed out a sob. He leaned his forehead against the businessman’s shoulder. In return, Yifan shakily brought up a hand and petted Kyungsoo’s hair, soothing the sobbing boy, as Kyungsoo allowed him. The Chinese male barely keeping it together as well, he looked up toward the sky, he prayed that he wouldn’t mess up his second chance with repairing the broken bond.
The two males didn’t notice the front door slamming open and two pairs of feet running upstairs. Luhan and Tao stopped right outside Kyungsoo’s door, panting. Their eyes land on their father and Kyungsoo locked in an embraced on the floor. Guilt destroys both boys as they slowly stepped away, they couldn’t bring themselves to confess what they did.
❇❇❇❇
From there, Kyungsoo and Yifan grew closer, learning about each other and accepting each other's flaws. Kyungsoo learned about Yifan’s first wife. He also found out that Yifan was one who ran after him in the rain when he was a child and in return, Yifan learned about Jongin and everything Kyungsoo is going through right now. Yifan admitted that it was a tough situation, a conflict he could never imagine himself in. However, on a lighter note, the adult humored the boy when he told Kyungsoo that he knew he left the restaurant that night to go to the dance. Once Yifan got a kick out of Kyungsoo’s bewildered expressions, he genuinely felt happy that he went to the dance because than, he would never have met Jongin and had an amazing night, even if it meant going through the pain of the next morning, well for Kyungsoo’s case, the afternoon of two days after.
Although the snow globe is destroyed, they found something more valuable. As they cleaned up the broken snow globe, Kyungsoo picked up the book he threw and a clump of papers fell. For a brief second, he feared that he broke the spine and the pages started to fall out but he noticed that it was a document: his mother’s will. As a businessman, Yifan looked over it and confirmed that his wife left everything to Kyungsoo: the house and the diner. Both males sat there, digesting the information as they stared at will in front of them.
After a couple of days of reflecting on the will, Kyungsoo decided that he wanted to change a few things. He gave Yifan the house, for he would be going off to college soon, and this was Yifan’s new home. Also, he gave the restaurant back to its rightful owner: Junmyeon.
When Kyungsoo announce the news to him, Junmyeon’s eyes watered instantly, hugging both Yifan and the teen. Yifan accepted and agreed to give Junmyeon the diner. Of course, Junmyeon have lost all his knowledge of business, or so he says, so he asked Yifan to continue to handle the business side of the diner.
Aside from everything going well in his life, school was another story. The week consists of Kyungsoo wearing big sweaters and a baseball hat when he was at school, whatever to make him smaller and hide him from the crowd. Baekhyun and Jongdae kept close to him as a bodyguard for anyone who would so little as look their way with a smirk. Kyungsoo would get a glimpse of Jongin every now and then but the smaller male would turn the other way and duck out before the other could see him.
However, along from the progress in his life with the exception of school, there was another downside. The drift between him and his step brothers. Of course, they weren’t close to begin with, just like Yifan, but Kyungsoo had barely seen them since Monday. When he did, it was like him and Jongin: It would be a glimpse before they turn to disappear around the corner. However, when one morning, Kyungsoo caught them, he notice the change in their mood.
“Hey, guys. It feels like I haven’t seen you two in a while. Do you two want me to make your guys’ favorite breakfast?” He beamed up at them. However, instead of the wide smiles he predicted, both of them looked more drained, keeping their gaze down at the ground. They shook their heads before rushing out of the house, leaving Kyungsoo blinking, staring at where they were. Kyungsoo started to notice the bags under their eyes and their skin paler than usual.
The doe eyed boy grew more worried so he turned to Yifan. The tall adult, who also noticed his boys’ strange behavior, didn’t know what to do either. He tried to talk to them but neither of them would open up to him, no matter what he tried. But the tall Chinese businessman had one strategy up his sleeve.
On Friday, during lunch, Yifan picked up his sons. Luhan and Tao sat quietly in the back, their heads bowed. Once they pulled in, the boys looked up to see that they were at Do’s Diner. Thinking nothing of it, they slipped out of the car. Once they settled in a booth, Yifan excused himself to go to the bathroom, only to have Junmyeon slipped in where Yifan was not only a minute ago.
Junmyeon talked most of the time, all the while, Luhan and Tao had their heads bowed, lips quivering when they were close to crying. The new owner managed to make them smile and laugh a little. Yifan couldn’t hear what he was saying to them but he knew it was working. He would know because it worked on him. Junmyeon talked some sense into him and look at where he and Kyungsoo are now. This will be good for both of his sons.
Once the tall male knew that they were done talking, he walked up to them.
“You guys know what you should do now?” Junmyeon asked, encouraging. Both Luhan and Tao nodded, smiling. Junmyeon smiled in return. “Good. I’m proud of you boys and it’s never too late for a second chance.”
“Thank you, Junmyeon-hyung.” The two brothers said in unison. The shorter adult brought them their food. Junmyeon stood up, going over to Yifan by the counter.
“You know, we make a pretty good team.” Yifan offered, watching his boys eat. Junmyeon scoffed but smiled nevertheless.
“Yeah, except I’m the one doing all the work.” He teased, bumping his hip against the taller male. Once the boys were finished, they went back to school. Once they return home, they will be faced with an important task.
❇❇❇❇
“Soo..” Luhan’s quiet voice caught Kyungsoo’s attention, he turned around from his desk to see Luhan and Tao lingering around the door. Their confidence and bold attitude was replaced with guilt. They look lost, like kicked baby kittens.
“Guys, what’s wrong? Come in.” He beckoned them in with his hand. They were hesitant but they compelled in the end, only taking one step in.
“So- Kyungsoo, we have something to tell you… You might hate us afterwards, well if you don’t hate us already.” Tao’s voice was just as low as Luhan’s and just as strained.
“What are you talking about? I don’t hate you two. Sure, you guys are a handful but so are my friends.” Kyungsoo reassured them, giving them a sweet smile. Luhan tried to smile back, however Tao didn’t, instead he looked more upset and his eyes even started to tear up.
“But you should, Kyungsoo. You really should.” Tao started to choke up, a sob erupted from his throat. Kyungsoo frowned, confused. He immediately got up and walked towards the boys but Zitao stepped away, avoiding him. Instead he sat on the bed, his face buried in hands as he quietly cried. Kyungsoo looked at Luhan for answers.
Luhan shook his head, looking just as much devastated as his brother. He sat down next to his taller brother and pulled him in a hug, patting his back in comfort. After moments of silence has passed, Luhan finally spoke up.
“We told them, Soo. We told the cheerleaders that you’re Cinderella Man and took your conversations as proof. But please believe us when we say we didn’t know they will do something like that. We didn’t know it would go that far. We just-” The words died in his voice, he shook his head again. His brown hair fell across his eyes as he hid his face from the shocked boy.
“W-we just wanted to be like them. To f-fit in. We’ve tried for years to be a part of their group and to feel accepted, to BE accepted. Two new Chinese kids that didn’t have a clue what was going on around them... and just got stuck with the idea that to fit in we had to bend and squeeze into these images just to be popular. We kept trying and trying but it felt like nothing was working.” Tao spoke, his voice wobbled and cracked as he explained. If Kyungsoo felt bad for witnessing how painfully awkward it was when Luhan and Tao desperately tried to seek attention, he felt awful now. He approached his step brothers on the bed, he knelt in front of them and gingerly took a hand from each boy in his owns. He rubbed soothing circles with his thumb on their skin.
“I know you guys tried and tried to fit in. But the thing is… you didn’t have to try. If you guys just tried being yourselves, you guys would’ve been alright. Who cares if you’re not popular or among the good looking? That wouldn’t matter in five or 30 years from now. From what I can tell, just these past fifteen minutes, is that I like this Luhan and Tao a whole lot better than the Luhan and Tao in the past decade. There would have been people out there that would’ve accepted you. It probably wouldn’t be the people that you expected or wanted, but they will still make you feel better about yourselves than those popular people will in their entire life. You just have to be brave and be yourself and be proud of it.” Both Luhan and Tao looked up at Kyungsoo, wide eyes.
“So… So you’re not mad?” Luhan asked cautiously, carefully watching Kyungsoo’s face. The black haired boy chuckles and shakes his head.
“No.” He stopped for a moment before he continues, “In fact, I should be thanking you… I mean I’m hurt that you guy did that but I needed this. It makes me realize something about myself and that I need to follow my own advice.”
Luhan threw his arms around Kyungsoo, Tao following shortly behind.
“We’re sorry, Kyungsoo. Please forgive us.” They said simultaneously, hugging him tightly. Kyungsoo let them, rubbing their backs.
“I forgive you two. Just promise me, when you guys go off to college, that you will have the courage to be yourself. Also be kind. Don’t make someone drive 20 miles just to pick up a bag from a store for you.” He added. Laughs bubbled and vibrated against Kyungsoo.
“Yeah, we’re sorry about that too,” Tao mumbled against his shoulder. “But we promise.”
“Yeah…” Luhan agreed quietly. There was a beat of silent before Luhan whispered. “I wish we were like this before.” Kyungsoo smiled.
“It’s never too late to start. We still have the rest of the year and I’ll always come back during breaks and whenever I can.” Kyungsoo promised.
“And we’ll visit you when you’re free and we have time.” Tao piped up. Kyungsoo laughed.
“Sounds like a deal.” Just as he about to pull away he felt arms behind him, pressing him back into the embrace. He turned his head but ran into Yifan’s salt and pepper hair.
“Oh, let me in on this group hug.” Junmyeon cried in joy, adding to the weight on Kyungsoo’s back. Everyone laughed and rolled their eyes at the new owner of the diner. However, the petite boy that was now in the middle of the group hug stopped to realize that this was his family. Everyone was important to him just as he was important to them. They’ve been together for years, through thick and thin and even were there for each other in one way or another. He wanted to cry and squeeze every individual here but he just settled on snuggling into the center of the warm embraces.
Once they detached from the hug, Yifan and Junmyeon settled on the bed on either side of Luhan and Tao. Instead of joining them, Kyungsoo stood up, grabbing his jacket and his car keys. Luhan frowned.
“Where are you going?” Kyungsoo looked over his shoulder from the door, smiling.
“Like I said, I got to follow my own advice.” Right as he faced forward again, he stopped and turned to face his family on his bed. “See you guys at the game tonight?”
Junmyeon smiled. “Of course.” Kyungsoo smiled in content as he took a moment to look over each male, his fathers and his brothers, with one final look, he left.
❇❇❇❇
It was quicker to get to the school when he didn’t have to pick up Baekhyun and Jongdae. He marched right up to the school doors but once he reached the door to the male locker room where the football players are in, he froze. This is it, one final confrontation and he can move forward. However, this was the most difficult one of all.
.Have courage and be kind. Have courage..
With one final deep breath, he gripped the handle and pulled it open. He strides in, doing his best to ignore all the whistles and teasing remarks from the other football players. Swiftly passing each row of lockers until he spotted the one he was looking for. Thankfully, Jongin still had a shirt and joggers on, sitting on the edge of the bench with his back facing him. Without losing his confidence, he strode right up to him. Once he stopped right behind him, he cleared his throat. Jongin looked over his broad shoulders at him before shooting to stand face to face.
“Kyungsoo…” He began. The said boy wouldn't admit nor let it show how affected he was by Jongin calling his name. Instead he kept eye contact with him and watched as the football player broke it, hesitantly looked around, a crowd started to gather. “Let’s go somewhere alone.”
Jongin gently wrapped his hand around Kyungsoo’s wrist, his fingers wrapped around Kyungsoo’ palm. The contact sparked tiny electric shocks throughout Kyungsoo’s body but he won’t admit that either. However, despite fluttering feeling of the touch, Jongin’s words struck him like a fist in the gut. It was then that he realizes that to Jongin, all he’s ever going to be is a secret, someone to talk to online when no one is looking and sneaking off to hidden areas where no one could see. At first, it was fun, romantic, and even exciting but now... now, he felt ridiculous, ashamed, and worthless. Once Jongin started to pull him to a direction, Kyungsoo twisted his wrist out of Jongin’s grasp.
“No, Jongin.” He voice was clear and firm, causing Jongin to stop and stare at him, stunned. “I’m done running off to secret places and talking when no one can see. This is me, Jongin. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m diner boy.” He let out a bitter laugh, looking down at his feet momentarily; missing Jongin side glare his friends and everyone around them. But Kyungsoo looked back up at Jongin and continues.
“I’m Do Kyungsoo. But can you accept that for the past 6 months, you spent most your day and nights talking to me? Can you accept me the way I am in public? Can you accept that being with me out like this will hurt your image, your reputation, and your status?” He waited for answer but all he got were wide eyes and a slack jaw: That was all he needed for an answer. A sad smile was forced on his lips.
.This is going to be the difficult part..
“I know you can’t and it’s okay. I don’t expect you to. It was great while it lasted. It was nice to talk to someone different who still understands me. Our conversations will always be close to me, it’s just a shame that everybody got a laugh out of it.” He barely kept it together while finishing his speech before he turned and walked away from Jongin. The football players that gathered around part ways for Kyungsoo to leave, all of them speechless. He power walked out of the locker rooms, barely registering that someone was calling his name.
Once he made it safely in the hallways, he leaned against the wall, taking a couple of deep breathes. Tears begin to collect at the corner of his eyes but he didn’t allow them to fall, instead he squeezes his eyes shut. He kept saying to himself, .‘It’ll hurt now but you’ll move on from it. The pain will just be a memory.’.
He kept repeating it like a mantra, forcing himself to believe it. After a while, once he calmed down and the tears stopped threatening to spill, he rotated his body until his forehead pressed against the cool tile of the wall. He stared down at his shoes. .It’ll be okay. You can finally move on now..
But no matter what he told himself, he felt like he couldn’t move on. For who can truly move on from Kim Jongin?
“Kyungsoo?” The said boy shot his head up to where the source of the voice was. He instantly recognized the voice as Jongdae’s and lo and behold, he sees Jongdae and Baekhyun walking towards him. Both dressed to go to the football game, red streaks across their cheeks, wearing their school merch, and both of them had concern written on their faces. The only difference was Jongdae’s foam finger.
“Are you okay?” Baekhyun asked cautiously. Kyungsoo smiled the best that he can.
“Yeah, I will be.” He reassured them. Jongdae side eyed the locker room.
“Did you..” He trailed off. The black haired boy only gave him a tight smile for a response. Baekhyun’s eyes widen.
“Oh Kyungsoo, I’m sorry.” Pulling him into a hug, Jongdae joining in. Once they pull back, Baekhyun looked him over.
“If you want, we can just skip the game. We can hang out at my place and order pizza.” Jongdae offered. Kyungsoo shook his head.
“It’s okay, I already told Junmyeon and the others that I would go,” Kyungsoo explained.
“Are you sure?” Baekhyun asked, still watching him carefully. Kyungsoo rolled his eyes.
“Yes. Besides, this is our last high school football game. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts and set aside all the drama that we went through.” Hooking his arms around his friend's shoulders, leading them out to the stadium.
People were already filling up the stadium, cheers and the band blasting the fight anthem. Walking along the stands, Kyungsoo spotted Junmyeon and Yifan waving at him. Seeing them made his wrecked heart calmer. He walked up the steps to the row just below the two male owners of the diner. Baekhyun and Jongdae followed close behind. As the trio settle in front of the two adults, Luhan and Tao came back with snacks. Tao sitting next to Junmyeon and Luhan sat next to Yifan with a bucket of popcorn.
“Hey guys. I got popcorn. Do you guys want some?” He asked, leaning forward to physically offer it to them. Baekhyun eyes the treat suspiciously, Kyungsoo glares at his friend,. He elbowed him before turning to his brother, smiling and taking a handful.
“Thank, Lu.” He said cheerfully. Luhan smiled back before turning to Jongdae and Baekhyun, almost pleadingly. Jongdae smiled wide and grabbed a big handful while Baekhyun slowly grabbed a little bit. Luhan’s smile widened as he straightened back up and offered some to his dad and the rest.
“Is this seat taken?” Kyungsoo turned around to see Chanyeol and Yixing standing before him.
“What are you guys doing here?” Chanyeol shrugged.
“Junmyeon invited us, besides it’s been awhile since I’ve been to a football game and Yixing needs a break.” Slinging his arm around Yixing’s neck, playfully shaking him before slipping his arm off.
“Well sit down, it’s starting,” Baekhyun said. Despite commanding the two to sit, he stood up himself, reaching over Kyungsoo’s body to grab Chanyeol’s wrist. Baekhyun pulled him down next to him and pushed Kyungsoo over towards Jongdae, who rolled his eyes.
But true to Baekhyun’s words, the announcer came on over the speakers. The marching band starts to play and the football team came running out. Everyone cheered and shouted. Chanyeol leaned over to Baekhyun.
“So which number is he?” He asked loud enough for Baekhyun to hear but low enough that Kyungsoo doesn’t. Baekhyun looked over at Kyungsoo who was talking to Luhan, explaining the game to him.
“88.” He quickly said. He scanned the sea of red jerseys, he found the pink haired one. He pointed to him. “There, the pink hair.”
Chanyeol squint his eyes and leaned forward to catch the big, white block number on the red jersey. He watched the said boy on the sideline with the rest of the football players. Jongin holding his helmet in his hand, a permanent scowl carved in his handsome face as he pace around. His shoulders pads broadening his already wide shoulders, his pink hair wild and disheveled in an attractive style. Giving Chanyeol the impression that the quarterback is one hell of an intimidating person. The tall college male chuckled.
“Damn, He’s…” Turned to face Baekhyun but caught Kyungsoo glaring at him instead. He straighten up and cleared his throat. “Uh um..”
Kyungsoo rolled his eyes. “It’s fine. Let’s just watch the game.” He cut in on Chanyeol’s blabber, in which the taller quickly shut up and nodded.
The game started with Jongin doing the kick off. As the game went on, shouts and cheers never decreased nor died down. People shooting out of their seats and jumping when the high school team win a touchdown as opposed to when the crowd groaned, booed, and shouted when the rivalry team scored. It was quite amusing to the group when Yixing would get so frustrated with a play that he would start yelling in his native language. The game flew by and before anyone knew it, it was already the fourth and last quarter. It was down to the last minutes and it was tied. Tension wrapped around the crowd and weighed heavily on both teams.
Kyungsoo mentally took a step back and looked around to his friends and his new family. All of their eyes glued on the field as anticipation filled their bodies. A small smile spread on Kyungsoo’s face as he watched them. His eyes drifted towards the field. Their football team moved to huddle around, planning their next play. His eyes, yet again, drifted to the football player with the number 88 on his back. Throughout the game, he tried to avoid the pink haired football player but nevertheless, he found himself watching Jongin’s every move. Kyungsoo was increasingly getting worried of Jongin as he moved stiffly and had delayed reactions, causing him to get injured a couple of times but he got back right up and kept playing.
Guilt kept creeping up in the back of his head, the fear of why Jongin isn’t focusing is because of him. Kyungsoo shouldn’t have confronted him right before the big and final game. Now, he felt at fault for Jongin’s distracted performance and all the injuries he faced throughout the game. His stomach sickly dropped as he realized that it is his fault that Jongin is getting hurt. It was because of him. Jongin got badly injured and it was all because of him. His heart felt heavier and it got harder to breathe. He couldn’t watch anymore so he turned to everyone.
“Hey, um, I’m getting tired. I think I’m just going to head home.” Kyungsoo announced, breaking everyone’s concentration on the game.
“What?” Jongdae blinked at him, barely processing his words.
“Are you sure? There’s only... A few minutes left of the game. Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Yixing asked lightly. Kyungsoo smiled and shook his head.
“No, besides I have homework to do and work to get ready for tomorrow.” Kyungsoo lied. Of course, everyone knew this. Baekhyun opened his mouth to retaliate but Junmyeon put his hand on the teenager’s shoulder to stop him.
“We’ll tell you how it ends.” Yifan said, giving him a comforting smile. Kyungsoo gave him a genuine smile. He gave everyone a hug as he got up to leave, shuffling sideways to get to the aisle.
Down in the football field, Jongin kneeled infront of his teammates. His mind was jumbled and he was frustrated now more than ever. He couldn’t focus. All of his thoughts would go back to Kyungsoo. The shorter boy manage to plague his mind, more than he had before. But by all means, he wasn’t mad at the boy, oh no. He was angry at himself for letting the said boy go and messing up all the chances he had with the round eyed male. All the blows and tackles he received was all because he was stuck in the constant mind of ‘what if’s’ and all that it could be if he didn’t let Kyungsoo go. He couldn’t stand it.
A loud snap and someone was grabbing the facemask off his helmet to jerk his head up.
“Jongin, focus.” Sehun snapped. The pink haired male blinked as he looked over the other football players, all of them focused and even frustrated with him, waiting for him to tell them the plan. He sighed and thought back to what the coach told him. But as he began to tell them the play, something caught his eye in his peripheral view. To satisfy his curiosity, he turned his head but did a double take. He saw the shorter boy that refuse to leave his mind - Kyungsoo. Jongin didn’t realize that he was here the whole time, but there he was, moving past people to get to the stairs and something inside Jongin’s mind lit up like an alarm.
It’s now or never.
He turned back to his team, they looked back at him like he was the key to winning to game. But it’s a loss Jongin is willing to take.
“Sorry, boys. Minseok will have to take over from here.” He announced and with that he jumped up and jogged over to the sideline where his other friend is and a fuming coach. He barely registered what the said adult was shouting at him. He took off his helmet and gave it to Minseok, his eyes still on Kyungsoo.
“It’s all yours.” Was all he said as he continued towards the stands. The bleachers were on a higher platform than the football field but that didn’t stop the football player from grabbing the railing and climbing it before swinging his whole body over it. Bystanders gasped as they gawked at Jongin. But that didn’t bother Jongin as he jogged over to the stairs where Kyungsoo is.
The shorter boy stopped in his tracks as he looked over to where he sat not a minute ago, looking over to his friends and family before turning to look down at the bottom of the stairs where Jongin was, his eyes growing twice as big. Jongin slowly ascend the stairs whereas Kyungsoo stood frozen, watching him. He only broke out of his trance when Jongin was standing in front of him, the quarterback is still slightly taller than him standing a step below him.
“Jongin, what are you doing?! You have a game to win.” Kyungsoo almost shouted, still shocked.
“None of that matters without you.” Jongin blurted out, Kyungsoo’s jaw dropped. He quickly closed his mouth but opened it again, trying to speak but nothing was coming out. Jongin cautiously reached out and grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers. Jongin looked back up at Kyungsoo, who was looking down at their linked hands.
“I only care about you and I want you.” He paused when he felt the other tense up. He brought up his other hand to cup Kyungsoo’s face, tilting it up to look into his eyes. “I want you just the way you are and I want everyone to know that I’m yours. If, of course, you want that too.”
Jongin couldn’t help but hold his breath, waiting for the other male’s response. He didn’t wait for long, it was a subtle nod. Jongin thought his mind was playing tricks on him but then Kyungsoo answered verbally.
“Yes,” It was barely above a whisper but Jongin heard it and he couldn’t help but smile wide. Kyungsoo couldn’t help but smile too, a small chuckle bubbled out of him.
“Yes.” He repeated louder. Jongin laughed with him, wrapping his arms around Kyungsoo’s waist, picking him up and shaking him a little. Kyungsoo clung onto him, wrapping his arm around Jongin’s neck and burrowing his head in the younger’s neck. Jongin smelled of the dirt stuck to his sweaty neck and jersey but Kyungsoo didn’t care. Once Jongin set him down, Kyungsoo pressed his forehead against Jongin’s. Neither of them could wipe the grins off their faces.
Jongin pulled back a little, biting his lower lip. He eyes travel down to Kyungsoo’s plushed ones, they were so close. His eyes flickered up to Kyungsoo’s again, silently asking for permission. The doe eyed male smiled softly, traveling his hand down Jongin’s slippery neck to cup his face, pulling him in again. Jongin’s slipped his eyes closed and allowed the soft connection against his lips.
The kiss was soft and gentle, almost timid but nevertheless loving. Caught up in their own little world, the two boys didn’t hear the loud cheers to the left of them. Jongdae shaking Baekhyun almost violently as they watch the couple kiss.
“What a beautiful happy ending.” Baekhyun fake sobbed, wiping his fake tears. Jongdae still hollered and whistled at the couple kissing, Chanyeol following along.
“Boys, enough. It’s rude to watch.” Junmyeon scolded them, Yifan agreeing. But deep down, both men were happy that Kyungsoo got the happiness he deserves.
Suddenly, the crowd roared as everyone jumped up. Breaking Jongin and Kyungsoo out of their kiss, both of them turning to face the field. They watched Sehun and Minseok jumping and hugging at the end of the field, the rest of the team sprinting towards them. They heard someone over the speaker screaming touchdown and the rest was drowned out by everyone else’s screaming.
“We won.” Kyungsoo noted, resting his head against Jongin’s, who smiled as he watched the team hoist up his two best friends.
“I knew they had it in them.” He responded. Turning to face back towards Kyungsoo but stopped when he felt something land on top of his head. He looked up just in time to see a couple of raindrops fall, until it turned to a downpour. Jongin looked back down at Kyungsoo who smiled back at him, eyes crinkling into half crescent moons and lips pulling into the wide heart-shaped smile that Jongin couldn’t get enough of.
He dove back in to capture Kyungsoo’s bottom lip, pulling him tighter against him. Kyungsoo immediately responded, kissing back and wrapping his arms tighter around Jongin’s neck, occasionally running his hands down to cup the younger’s face.
It was raining, they were getting drenched. People were moving around them to leave. Jongin still smelled like sweat and dirt and Kyungsoo’s family was shouting at them to get out of the rain or else they will get sick.
But they didn’t care. It was perfect to them. Kyungsoo had his two best friends and coworkers. He grew closer to Yifan and his boys than ever before and Junmyeon owned the restaurant again.
While Jongin got pushed off the throne that everyone put him on but he was okay with that. People still talked to him and he still had his two best friends. But most importantly he had Kyungsoo, and he could finally be himself.
They got what they wanted and they couldn’t be happier. It was a perfect happy ending. That was what it was, a happy ending.
Just like a fairytale