Title: Love Lessons Pt. 1
Pairings: Siwon/Hangeng/Heechul
Rating: PG
Length: 2777 words
Summary: Part nine in the series that contains
Higher Learning,
Detention,
Class Reunion,
Locker Room,
Anatomy 101,
Home Economics,
Ph.D. in Perversion, and
The Psychology of Love. Siwon thinks about the past in an attempt to make a decision, but the more he thinks the harder it gets, and Heechul isn't helping matters any.
By the time Siwon made it back to Hangeng’s, the Chinese man was gone. Siwon had no idea where he’d wandered off too, but it wasn’t as though Hangeng needed his permission to leave his own house. Siwon used the key Hangeng had given him to let himself in, pausing after closing the door behind himself to slip his shoes off. He thought perhaps it would be better this way, better for him to just grab his things and slip out before Hangeng came back. It’d be less painful. He realized only a few steps down the hall that he was once again being selfish. It’d be less painful for him, of course, probably not for Hangeng. There was a large part of Siwon that wanted to stay, that wanted to remain blissfully unaware of the outside world and spend his days in the (somewhat) happy home Hangeng had made for himself. He couldn’t just leave his wife like that though, it just wasn’t proper. And it wasn’t as though she’d done anything wrong, why should she be punished and have to suffer?
He figured he at least owed Hangeng an explanation before he left. That was the mature thing to do, perhaps it’d give him the slightest bit of closure, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much. Siwon could tell him then that it really wasn’t his fault at all, that Hangeng deserved so much more than what Siwon could give him. He’d never meant for his reunion with Hangeng (or any of the rest of them) to go as far as it did, really, though he had to admit to himself that he’d thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
He headed into the guest bedroom where he’d been staying, moving right to the closet to open it up, beginning to pull out his things that he’d hung up. He’d already laid a few things on the bed and was moving back for his second trip when a box in the corner of the closet caught his eye. It was just a shoebox, nothing special about it at all, though it looked rather odd being placed in the corner all by itself like that. There was a picture frame lying on top of it as well, and though Siwon thought he could make out Hangeng’s face in the picture, he wasn’t quite sure who the other person with him was. Siwon usually wasn’t the type to snoop, but he stepped on into the closet, bending down to grab both the box and the picture frame, pulling them out. He moved over to sit on the edge of the bed then, bringing his fingers up to wipe some of the dust from the picture frame.
He assumed the photo must’ve been taken on Hangeng’s wedding day. Both Hangeng and the person with him were dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, though Siwon had to admit if he saw the woman in the picture on the street, he could’ve easily mistaken her for a man. Her hair was cut shorter than Hangeng’s, and Siwon couldn’t help but to think she looked a little awkward in such fancy and feminine clothing. Even though the two of them were smiling in the picture, it was rather obvious (to Siwon at least) that there was no love there. Perhaps a bit of fondness and friendship, but definitely not the love spouses should be feeling for each other on their wedding day. It reminded him quite a bit of his own wedding pictures, actually.
He sat the picture aside before lifting the lid of the shoebox, assuming the contents would be things belonging to Hangeng’s wife that he had kept. He was rather surprised to find a few photos of himself at the top of the box. They’d been taken so long ago Siwon almost didn’t recognize himself, but if he remembered correctly they’d been taken only a month or so before he’d left Hangeng. There were plenty of other photos in the box as well, mostly photos of the two of them together. Unlike Hangeng’s wedding photo, one wouldn’t have to look very hard to see the love in their eyes when Siwon and Hangeng had looked at each other. They had seemed so comfortable and happy then, with content smiles on their faces that obviously weren’t forced. Looking through the pictures that Hangeng had saved was bittersweet for Siwon. It made him hurt, made his heart feel as though it was being twisted right out of his chest. But in a small little way it made him feel a little bit of happiness. Those were the good days, all the members had been happy then, and they really were one big family. Back then they never would have imagined of being where they were now. They all knew that boy bands never lasted forever, but that didn’t mean they weren’t going to give it their best shot. They’d been doing what they loved, and that was all that mattered. Siwon had to go and ruin that all, and for that he felt horribly guilty.
He set the pictures aside then, reaching into the box to pull out a small golden cross on a chain, letting the chain wrap around his fingers as the cross dangled. It’d been seven years ago that he’d given the cross to Hangeng, but even though he struggled to remember what he gave his wife last Christmas, he could still remember giving the cross to Hangeng as if it was just yesterday.
“Wear this, and you’ll always have the Lord with you.” He’d said as he slipped the chain around Hangeng’s neck, fastening it securely. “And you’ll always have me by your side.” Hangeng had worn it every day after that, he’d even had it on the day that Siwon had broken up with him. Siwon had no idea when he’d finally taken it off, but he couldn’t say he blamed him.
He went through each item in the box, each memory attached with it just as vivid as the last. Hangeng had even kept the stubs from a movie they’d gone to see together, the first time they realized it was a date and not just two friends going to hang out. With each item he pulled from the box, Siwon found it harder and harder to leave. He’d lost track of the time completely, and when his phone began to ring in his pants pocket it startled him so much he dropped the box on the floor. He pulled his phone from his pocket, glancing to the ID long enough to see Kangin’s name on the screen before he opened it up and put it to his ear.
“Hey, Kangin…”
“Hey yourself. I’ve decided to have a cookout since everyone has some time off, you want to come over?”
Siwon bit his lip, hesitating for a moment. He’d originally planned to just leave, to back himself out of everyone’s lives again since he seemed to have caused them so much trouble, but he figured that just like he owed Hangeng, he probably owed them all an apology and a proper goodbye this time.
“Sure… I might as well. You want me to bring anything?”
“No, just bring yourself. It’ll be nice having you with us this time.” Kangin gave him the directions to get to his house before he hung up, leaving Siwon all alone with his thoughts once more. He carefully placed all the things back into the shoebox after picking it up, placing it and Hangeng’s wedding photo back in the closet were he’d found them. If they were all going to be at Kangin’s, that meant Heechul was going as well, and Siwon really wasn’t in the mood to get yelled at again, he was feeling bad enough as it was. But he’d said he’d go, so he couldn’t back out now without causing even more problems.
Siwon was rather surprised to find Hangeng’s car already parked in the drive when he arrived at Kangin’s, but judging from all the noise he heard coming from the back, the party had already started. Kangin had a nice house it seemed, not too big, but big enough it was able to hold all of the guys and then some without bursting at the seams. Siwon slid out of his car after it was parked, stuffing his phone and his keys in his pocket before heading in the direction of the noise, slipping through the open gate that lead to the back. He hadn’t made it more than five steps in before someone leapt onto his back, arms wrapping almost too tightly around his throat as legs were looped around his waist.
“Siwon! You made it! I haven’t seen you in forever! Well not since the soccer game, but that was days ago!” Siwon had been feeling rather gloomy there for a while, but then he remembered just why everyone had always liked Donghae… his happy moods were quite infectious. Siwon laughed softly, reaching to grab onto Donghae’s thighs to help support him.
“You were too busy chasing your kid to say hello.”
“Baaahhh… I said hello as I ran past, but you were talking to Hangeng, making googly eyes at him.” Donghae leaned in to press a quick kiss to Siwon’s cheek before he let go and dropped down. “I’m glad you came!” He took off then, jumping on Eunhyuk instead, who nearly tumbled into the pool as a result. It felt a little weird for Siwon, seeing every single one of the guys all in one spot again, and their families too. He felt a little out of place really, but no one seemed to mind him being there.
He’d chatted with Kangin a bit and helped himself to a soda, even though half of the people there were well on their way to tipsy already. He was just starting to feel more comfortable, just starting to relax when someone spoke to him and made him stiffen up all over again.
“So, did you make up your mind?” Siwon turned, looking to Heechul, who had a bottle of Soju in his grasp that was already half empty. Heechul wandered on over to him, though Siwon was thankful he didn’t look quite as pissed as he had before.
“I thought I had… but… now I’m not so sure.”
“What’s there not to be sure about? You either love him or you don’t.”
“But what if he doesn’t love me? What if he says no?” Heechul snorted, bringing the alcohol up to his lips to take another sip.
“He wouldn’t say no, not to you. If he didn’t want you there you think he would’ve just let you move yourself in? He loves you… I’ll prove it to you… but… Later.” He took another drink from the Soju as he looked around Siwon, lifting a hand to wave wildly. “Kibum! You made it!” Heechul took off then, and Siwon was very thankful he hadn’t gotten another lecture. It’d taken a bit of wandering around Kangin’s back yard, but eventually he’d spotted Hangeng sitting in the sandbox with both Jun and Sun-ye, Donghae’s son Max, and he had Leeteuk’s little Angel cradled in his lap. She was awake this time, and seemed to be behaving rather well for a change. Siwon had to admit she was absolutely adorable; she’d probably have her father’s smile when she got older.
Seeing Hangeng with the kids made him feel bad for a moment. He knew Geng had always liked children, always wanted a few of his own, just like Siwon did. He couldn’t help but to think that maybe, if they’d stayed together they might have wound up with a family like this too. Not through natural means of course, but perhaps they would’ve adopted, or used a surrogate. He snapped out of his thoughts though when Hangeng looked up, spotting Siwon and smiling. Siwon smiled as well, heading on over.
“So is this what you do in your free time? Borrow other people’s children?” He lowered himself down to sit on the edge of the sandbox so he could join in on the fun.
“Pretty much, yeah. I babysit for free, so they never say no.”
“Where’s Leeteuk? I haven’t seen him around, and I doubt you just stole his child and ran off.”
Hangeng chuckled, nuzzling his cheek to the back of Angel’s head. “He’s inside taking a nap. Kangin made him go lay down. He’s beyond exhausted. I guess he and his wife have been fighting. Kind sad really, he’s the one who wanted to get married the most, but he’s having the worst time.”
They continued to chat for a while more, and for the time being Siwon had forgotten all about the sadness he’d felt earlier. He couldn’t deny how comfortable he felt there with Hangeng and the kids. In some twisted way it almost felt as though they had their own little family, if only for a short little while. The food had been good too, and Siwon caught himself wondering for a moment just when exactly Kangin had learned to cook so well. After they ate the kids had all been put down for a nap, and that left all of the adults alone outside to relax. Siwon had forgotten about his unhappiness completely by then, and was finding it even easier than he thought to catch up with everyone. He was just about to go chat with Kibum when a body lowered itself right into his lap, throwing one arm around his neck.
“Heechul, what are you doing? Get up…”
“What?” Heechul grinned, leaning in close to let his nose nuzzle Siwon’s cheek as he spoke. “I just wanted to talk, can’t we talk?” He brought a hand up then, letting his fingers lace into Siwon’s black hair, massaging the back of his scalp lightly.
“You… You don’t have to sit in my lap to talk, Heechul.”
“What does it matter, afraid a certain someone might see? But if you really think he doesn’t care for you, then me being in your lap shouldn’t bother you. It’s not like you haven’t been more than friendly with some of the others… Heechul knows everything, you know?”
“You’re drunk, aren’t you?” Heechul chuckled, plush lips pressing a soft kiss to Siwon’s cheek, barely an inch away from Siwon’s mouth.
“Slightly. A lil’ bit. Okay maybe more than a little bit but not a lot. You know… I was thinking… that time I kissed you during my solo, that was really nice.” He brought his hand around then, letting fingertips caress over Siwon’s cheek. Siwon had opened his mouth to protest, but Heechul’s lips came down over his before he even had a chance to get a word out. It was a powerful kiss too; strong enough Siwon had no choice but to submit to it, tilting his head back as Heechul’s fingers slid into his hair to grip the smooth strands. Siwon was able to taste alcohol on his lips even after the kiss ended, but what surprised him was the way the kiss had made his face flush with heat. Heechul slid from Siwon’s lap then, taking hold of his wrist and tugging him up out of his seat.
“Come on, I want to talk inside…” Heechul wasn’t the type to take no for an answer, either, and Siwon stumbled along after the older man as they headed inside, barely having enough time to catch the stormy look in Hangeng’s eyes as they followed after him.
“Heechul, I don’t think-”
“Stop thinking, it gets you in trouble. You think too much, and don’t listen to your heart enough.” Heechul pressed Siwon back against the counter then, hands resting on the younger man’s chest as he leaned in to press their lips together once more, completely oblivious when the glass porch door slid open and then shut once more. Siwon was met with a rather cranky looking Hangeng when Heechul pulled away.
“What do you think you’re doing, Heechul?”
Heechul snickered, glancing over to Hangeng. “What does it look like I’m doing? You snooze you lose, Hannie…”
Siwon bit his lip, leaning back against the counter as far as he could as he saw the look in Hangeng’s eyes darken. The last time he’d seen him that angry he’d been bent over a desk and fucked until his hips were bruised, and hadn’t Heechul said something about not upsetting Hangeng again? He could only hope this time Hangeng’s anger wasn’t directed at him. He didn’t start it this time, he was sure of it.
A/N: This was partly inspired by
this fanvideo. I was really just going to have it be a bunch of smut, but my mind went off in a completely different direction. I broke it into two parts only because I'm absolutely exhausted and don't want to write anymore tonight. The actualy Sihanchul smut should be up tomorrow.