SUPER JUNIOR FIC: As the crow flies Chapter Epilogue [R, various pairings]
As the crow flies
What’s future is epilogue…AKA the epilogue.
Osaka. Club Soma. 12am. Three weeks after.
Kangin feels it the moment the other Immortal walks into the bar. The buzzing in his head is loud, this approaching Immortal is old. Underneath that noise Kangin hears another presence, not as strong, not as loud. It’s almost faded but it sounds like it has potential. Kangin relaxes in his seat, keeps on drinking his drink, keeps on looking at the dance floor. He’s halfway to tipsy and he thinks he needs to be, needs something to counter act the ‘so hip it hurts’ atmosphere of the club. He hadn’t wanted to come here, this place isn’t quite his style, but he’d been out voted. This is what you get for trying to be diplomatic.
Kangin doesn’t look up when Siwon sits down beside him, he just keeps watching Hyukjae and Donghae dance, he watches as Sungmin slinks into step with them Kangin doesn’t want to let either boy out of his sight for even a second, he’s half terrified of what Jungsu would do to him if he lost one or both of them. Siwon waits a few minutes and then coughs politely, like Kangin didn’t know he was there already. Kangin casts a quick look at him and then turns back to the dance floor.
“They’ll be ok.” Siwon says and it actually sounds like he is laughing at him, the bastard. Kangin almost feels like running though the complete list of worst case scenarios, all thought up by Jungsu when Donghae begged to be allowed to tag along on this trip. He doesn’t though, it is a very long, long list. He manages to drag his attention from the dancers and looks at Siwon. It’s weird, seeing him like this, out in the world. Kangin doesn’t know if he’ll ever get used to it.
“I thought that we were supposed to meet you two at your hotel tomorrow.” Kangin says and Siwon smiles, it’s a bright, radiant smile. Something Kangin hasn’t seen Siwon do in a long time.
“We checked in a few hours ago and I didn’t feel like staying in the hotel, I wanted to walk around.” Siwon taps his head. “We were just passing and I heard you.”
Siwon’s gaze travels to the dance floor, Kangin watches him watching Sungmin.
“How’s the kid working out?” Kangin asks and Siwon smiles brighter and blushes a little. Kangin has a feeling he’s going to wish he hadn’t asked.
“He’s amazing.” Siwon gushes, actually gushes. Kangin downs the rest of his drink. “He’s strong, brave, and a natural fighter.”
“Chullie-ah is all those things too.”
Siwon’s smile fades slightly, Kangin feels guilty.
“We were different people back then.” Siwon says, his voice wistful, sad. “And he was my student.”
“Sungmin’s your student.”
“No, it’s more like I’m his.” Siwon’s smile is back now, just as bright, just as radiant. “I have been out of the world so long it’s like I forgot how to be in it. These last few weeks have been an experience.”
Experience? Kangin thinks that’s one word for it. Kangin looks at Siwon, really scrutinizes it. He looks happy, like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, but Kangin doesn’t think everything is completely ok. A couple of weeks of travel and-Kangin suspects from the relaxed slant of Siwon’s shoulders-some great sex won’t fix everything.
“Have you told him?” Kangin asks. Has Siwon told Sungmin the reason for his self imposed exile? Siwon’s smile slips again and Kangin thinks the answer is no.
“He asked.” Siwon says unhappily. “And I’ve told him that I will tell him, but…” Siwon’s voice trails off. Kangin gets it, he does, there are things he may never tell Jungsu. But Kangin thinks it might be better for the kid to know. “When will your swords be ready?” Siwon asks, changing the subject.
Yes, the swords. The reason Kangin brought Hyukjae to Japan-and Donghae since the two would not be separated. Baby Immortal’s first sword.
“A week or so. We are staying with Sensei until they are done. Hyukjae isn’t quite a natural at fighting with a sword but he has the potential to at least be ok.”
“And then what will you do?”
“When the swords are done? Then I’m going home.”
||
Seoul. Leeteuk’s bar. 10am. One month and one week after.
Kangin is alone in the bar when the boy comes in, everyone else is in back. The boy looks half starved, he’s dirty, his hair long and grimy. Kangin heard him before he saw him, heard that weak little half buzz.
“Hi,” The boy says, his voice is surprisingly deep. “I, uh…” The boy is skittish, he hunches his shoulders like he expects someone to hit him. “I need a job.” He finishes quickly, he looks hopefully at Kangin. Kangin smiles grimly. The boy grimaces and looks down at himself. “I know I don’t look like much, but I’ll work hard.”
“I don’t make the decisions here, kid.” Kangin says. “Wait here a minute.” Kangin dives into the back, calling for Jungsu. Kangin watches Jungsu as he considers the boy and it’s like he can almost see Jungsu’s heart melt as he takes in the boy’s bedraggled appearance.
It’s not like there isn’t room in the house now. Sungmin is with Siwon, Donghae moved in with Hyukjae and Kyuhyun spends most of his time with Zhou Mi. They reached the sleeping over stage while Kangin was in Japan. Jungsu called him in the middle of the night to fret. Jongwoon has moved into Ryeowook’s room on a semi permanent basis, Kangin really doesn’t approve of this.
Jungsu looks torn, the boy looks sorry for himself. Kangin knows Jungsu needs to have someone to take care of and all his birds were leaving the nest.
Hyukjae lopes in then, he stops when he sees the boy, he stares.
“Hey,” Hyukjae says, pointing at the boy. “He sounds like Sungmin.” Hyukjae smiles, pleased with himself for recognizing a Potential. Kangin pats him on the back, he’s kind of proud.
That revelation seems to make up Jungsu’s mind. He slips an arm around the boy, grimacing when he realizes just how bad the boy smells.
“We can’t pay much, but we can feed you and give you a place to sleep. Let’s get you cleaned up first.” Jungsu starts to lead the boy away and at first he resists, still a little scared. “What’s your name?”
“Minho.”
||
Still Seoul. Still Leeteuk’s bar. 3pm. Still one month and one week after.
An irate Buddhist Monk bangs on the back door, he’s got hold of Heechul by the collar, shaking him. Heechul is smirking, Kangin never has liked that smirk.
“Take this.” The Monk says and he roughly pushes Heechul at him. Kangin looks behind the Monk, Han Geng stands there, he looks guilty. “He is banned from the temple.” And then the Monk is gone. Kangin watches him stalk away.
“Chullie-ah?”
“Yes?” Heechul purrs.
“Siwon lived at that temple for one hundred and thirty years and you get kicked out of there after a month?”
Heechul doesn’t say anything, just pushes his way passed Kangin and into the bar.
“I am very sorry.” Han Geng says and he bows deeply.
“Oh believe me, kid. I don’t for one second think that it’s your fault.”
||
Paris. Café Des Deux Magots. 1pm. six months after.
Kangin has never been to Paris. It was the one city he’d always avoided with no real reason why. But he is glad that he came here with Jungsu, even if it did take some persuading to get Jungsu to leave his flock. Kangin thought Jungsu needed a break and everyone-except Jungsu-agreed. But here Jungsu is, sitting in the sun, a smile on his face. If he has checked his phone every five minutes looking for news from home? Well. Kangin is pretending not to notice.
“We’ll be going home soon,” Kangin says. “So just relax.”
Jungsu smiles weakly.
Home, such a strange concept, Kangin hasn’t had one for so long. But he knows that he doesn’t have to go back to Korea, go back to the house he now shares with Jungsu-and various other people. Kangin watches Jungsu watching the pigeons, in the middle of the throng of birds there is a lone crow. A group of children run into the middle of the flock and the birds disperse. The crow caws loudly as it flies overhead.
“There is an expression.” Kangin starts. “The quickest route between the two points is as the crow flies.” Kangin stands up. “If I want to go home now all I have to do is travel ‘as the crow flies‘.” He moves to Jungsu, wraps his arms around him. “Oh look, I’m home.”
…THE END.
OMG it's done.
Ok, when I first stared this I did intend for it to be a more ensemble piece. but as I got into it, it became very much about Kangin and Kibum and Jungsu and Heechul and anything that wasn't about them got pushed to the sidelines. But that is what side stories and sequels are for \o/ There is in fact a set up for the sequel in the Epilogue, can you see it?
Thanks for sticking wtih me guys!