it's always sunny in space - chapter 6
it's always sunny in space (6/13)
apocryphalic + loveclouds
yunho/changmin
pg-13
fbi!changmin meets alien!yunho, his yoga instructor. commence bending, finding inner peace, and discovering love that's out of this world.
previous: chapter 1 l chapter 2 l chapter 3 l chapter 4 l chapter 5
---
The first night that Heechul stays over, Yunho doesn't do much except look at the ground and cry. He occasionally mopes as well but Heechul's never been the sort to approve of self pity and after about six hours, all he had done was whack Yunho in the head before hugging him hard, telling him plainly to just get over it.
However, this does not mean he allows Yunho to go see Changmin.
"You don't understand," Heechul says, "I need you to spend time with me and talk to Jaejoong so that he doesn't end up dragging both of us back home. He thinks I'm assimilating the human race which I am not but I don't want to go back. At all."
Yunho looks at him miserably and sighs. "Heerobbong, I need to go see my boyfriend. Or...ex-boyfriend."
"I know you're sad, Yoorobbong, but just a couple of days, okay? Just give it some time to see if he's even worth going after. He called you all those horrible names and got mad at you when all you wanted to do was bring him lunch. I know you take a lot of crap from your friends and everything, but come on, Yunho-yah. That's just ridiculous. Why are you the one apologizing? That Changmin dude sounds like he deserved whatever you decided to call him."
"Don't say that..." Yunho says quietly, sighing with helplessness. "I don't know what to do anymore."
"Just let me take care of you for a while!" Heechul exclaims, hugging Yunho again, "Let your hyung take care of you, okay?"
Yunho doesn't have much of a choice but to nod; he's lonely and he's scared and he's unhappy and any warmth will do at all, especially kindness from a hyung he knows he can always depend on.
Besides, deep down, even though he's more than willing to apologize, Yunho thinks that Heechul's right. Why is he the only one apologizing?
---
Changmin wakes up with an jackhammer for brains and a headache so insane that he seriously considers knocking himself out for a couple more hours just so it'd hurt less. He ends up crawling out of bed and into the kitchen, searching blearily for some water to drink, anything to get rid of the sandpaper effect he's getting when he so much as swallows.
He finds a post-it note from Junsu telling him that he's gone to work and that there's food in the fridge. Changmin's stomach grumbles at the sound of anything edible but his heart rebels, memories of Yunho's bento still fresh in his mind. He can only imagine how long Yunho would've spent making lunch for him and it makes him sick to know how he had reacted like a stupid jealous boyfriend.
Changmin reaches for his phone to call Yunho and maybe apologize, only to remember belatedly that he's thrown it against the wall sometime last night. He swallows two Tylenols completely dry and looks around more than a little lost.
He eventually calls Junsu on his home phone after dialing Yunho's number in and hanging up more than thrice. He opens the door an hour later with foolish hope, expecting it to maybe be Yunho despite having told Junsu to come.
He calls Yunho's cell once from a pay phone at 3am, knowing Yunho would be home but gets nothing but the answering machine, softly hanging up after breathing for a brief three second message.
Changmin's thoughts are filled with nothing but Yunho and the older man's desperate voice as he had walked away, wishing for once that he could go back in time to tell his stubborn self that it was just a petty fight and nothing worth breaking up over.
He wakes one morning with heavy want for Yunho and mopes around for a good hour before deciding to man up and apologize. He's realized what a total douche he had been and despite the harsh words thrown around, it's clear to him that they really care for one another. Besides, he just can't see himself living the rest of his life without Yunho being a part of it, no matter how hard he tries.
Changmin calls over to his favorite Korean restaurant, ordering a budae jjigae for himself and a kimchi one for Yunho, asking for extra banchan and a huge order of pajeon. He nervously scripts a text to Yunho asking if he can go over later as he's making his way into the restaurant but never sends it.
He's paying when he thinks he hears Yunho's voice, blinking uncertainly because it wouldn't be the first time he's had a hallucination involving Yunho. Changmin walks a little closer, paying for his food and freezes, catching sight of the back of Yunho's head. Changmin watches with detachment, food dropping slowly to the floor as he turns the corner of the restaurant, stilling when he sees the older man with another woman, long ebony hair and in pink pants with a flowery shirt, matching pink handbag on the table.
He murmurs Yunho's name softly, heart hurting more than a little and turns on his heels the second Yunho drops his head on the girl's shoulder, nuzzling in. He's seen enough.
It might be fate or the wind just carries Changmin's voice, but Yunho blinks and whirls around, heart thudding as he looks at the empty space behind him, eyes searching for someone that's not there. Great. Now he's hallucinating things.
"Stop thinking about him!" Heechul scolds, getting a huge spoonful of kimchi jjigae for Yunho to eat, kindly shoving it in Yunho's mouth.
"Hyung!" Yunho whines helplessly, "Do you have to dress like that when you're with me?"
"Yes."
"Heerobbong!"
"You're turning into a bag of bones!" Heechuls exclaims quietly, "and you know what? I really don't like this Changmin person if he's all you can think about day and night and he doesn't even seem to care. I'm perfectly willing to take care of you, Yunho-yah, but you have to try and help yourself."
Yunho frowns and leans back against Heechul's shoulder, what little humor he had earlier gone in an instant. "He was good for me. He is good for me."
Heechul sighs and sets the food down, reaching around to give Yunho a tight hug. "Listen Yoorobbong, he hasn't even called, has he?"
"...I think he might have. I got a voicemail earlier with nothing but breathing. I think it was him."
"Yes, and breathing doesn't equal trying to work things out!" Heechul pulls away to look at Yunho worriedly. "Look, there are plenty more people out there who are be more than willing to love you and take care of you properly. Who needs a dumb human anyway? I'm doing perfectly fine on my own on the catwalks in LA and I don't need any humans. You think you can get over him?"
"No."
"Yunho!" Heechul snaps, "You have to at least try! I don't like him."
"But you would, you would, hyung," Yunho says softly, leaning over to hide his face in Heechul's shoulder. "If you had met him before, you would've really liked him and you would love him for me. He takes such good care of me and he makes me laugh and he pays attention to the details. He always moves my water glass to my right because he knows I eat with my left hand and I've never had to say anything and people don't bother with things like that if they don't care, hyung. He holds me when I'm upset without asking questions and he keeps me warm and he's so good to me. Even when he's busy and he's tired, Changminnie always makes time for me and he never gets impatient and he always makes me smile."
Yunho pulls back with a watery smile, blinking slowly so his tears don't fall.
"Don't you get it? I'm in love with him."
Heechul looks at Yunho in amazement and they just stare at each other for a little while. "Wow..." he says eventually, petting Yunho's hair, "you really can't let this one go, huhn?" Heechul sighs as Yunho shakes his head. "Alright Yoorobbong, if you really have to chase him, just make sure you're ready for whatever answer he gives, okay? You deserve only the best and you know that."
"I know, hyung. Thank you for listening. I just miss him so much."
"Just one more day then and I'll get out of your hair," Heechul says softly, giving Yunho a small smile. "Come on, smile a little. It's been forever since we've hung out."
Yunho nods and does his best to forget about everything for now. Just one more day. And then he's heading over to Changmin's because no matter what, the younger man means more to him than anything else. If Yunho can't work this out then he might as well just go back home.
---
Junsu stares at his best friend from across the bar, sighing heavily as he grabs the bottle of vodka out of Changmin's hand, pushing the younger man's scowling face away with a rag thrown on Changmin's head.
"Dude, these are $30 a bottle and this is your third one. Don't you think you should be taking it easy?"
Changmin growls a little, thumping his fist insistently on the counter. He stares Junsu down, eyes narrowed and eyebrows bunched together in anger. Junsu doesn't crack though, only points to the front of the lounge so Changmin can see Yoochun strolling in.
His boss orders him a beer out of pity and stares while Changmin downs it all at once, meeting Junsu's worried gaze. "Hey Minnie Mouse, you okay?" he asks softly, hand on Changmin's shoulder.
"Who does he think I am?" Changmin mumbles grumpily, more than a little drunk, "It's only been three days, maybe less! And already he's got someone new to nuzzle into. Asshole! And to think I was going to go over and apologize."
Yoochun blinks over at Junsu and gets a shrug along with the shortened version of what Changmin had seen earlier. "Beats me. Look, I've got to work, you give it a try. Just don't give him any more alcohol." Yoochun sighs a little and pulls Changmin off the stool, a little terrified when Changmin reaches for his gun. "I am your boss," he hisses, "Drunk or not, heartbroken and all, I'd fire your ass."
"And your ass would be dead," Changmin slurs, slumping sideways into Yoochun's lap, sniffling as he masks a sob with a cough.
Yoochun takes pity on him, holding back the long strands of Changmin's hair as he pets his friend comfortingly. "Maybe you should go and talk to him. Yunho's a good guy, Changmin-ah, and you obviously care about him a lot."
He curls his arm around Changmin's waist and helps him into his car, windows down in case Changmin needs to puke. "Junsu just said that Yunho was expecting a guest didn't he? Maybe that's who you saw. Maybe Yunho was talking to her, maybe they're related. Stop being such a pessimistic realist, Changmin." Yoochun watches sadly as Changmin throws his head out the window, ignoring logic, and pulls the crazed younger man back in. "Look, if you're so hell bent on ending it then why not give him a piece of your mind? Go to Yunho and tell him it's over personally. I know there's an explanation somewhere and you're just being a stubborn ass but go and find out for yourself."
Yoochun drives up to Yunho's apartment and stares at Changmin for a long, hard while. "Isn't he worth another chance?" he asks the younger man, "Last week you were just asking me for a week's vacation so you could shack up with this guy in Hawaii. Changmin, I know you and you know you. Yunho isn't someone you can just give up like this."
Changmin takes in Yoochun's logic and blinks tearily, swatting at Yoochun's arm. "You're not supposed to be smart," he mumbles, "I'm the genius."
Yoochun smiles brightly, leaning across Changmin's body to pop open the door and undo the younger man's seatbelt, "Go on, go get yourself some wiener okay? I'll see you soon, Minnie Mouse, go find your mate."
He waves Changmin off and leaves, foot to the pedal and drives off until Changmin can barely see the trail of smoke.
Changmin sighs tiredly and walks up the steps, in nothing more than his sweats and hoodie, wondering if Yunho's with her now. Changmin knocks with apprehension, giving himself a thorough pep talk by the elevator. He ends up with an array of Yunho's favorite chocolates from the deli across the street and a huge liter of Coca-cola, not knowing how they'd help but wanting to get them nonetheless.
The door opens and Changmin finds himself face to face to the same person he had seen earlier at the restaurant, mouth opened wide as he gapes, "Yunho's new bitch?!" he mutters aloud, "...is a man?!"
Heechul stares at Changmin with cold unamusement. "If that's all you have to say, then no, you two can not get back together."
"Heerobbong!" Yunho screams, diving for the door to try and shove Heechul out of the way.
"And he's a drug addict*?!" Changmin cries, "Yunho! What the hell! Your new fling is a man who likes pink flowery shirts and a drug addict!?"
"No!" Yunho shouts, "no! No! Changmin-ah, you got it all wrong!" He looks pleadingly at Heechul and pushes the older man a little more. "Please, hyung!" he ends up begging, "I just want to talk to Changmin for a little while, okay? Can I- I'll just call you when we're done. Please? Please, Heechul-hyung!"
Heechul sighs but caves, giving Changmin a hard glare before moving out into the hallway. "Hurt him any more than you already have and die," he hisses, flipping his hair before walking for the door.
Yunho watches apprehensively until Heechul's completely gone before sagging against the doorframe, looking down listlessly at the chocolates and cola in Changmin's hands.
"Do you want to come in?" he asks softly after a long, awkward pause, holding the door open a little wider.
Changmin blinks at Yunho, heart twitching, if that's even possible, and nods numbly. His previous anger and shock at seeing Yunho's friend have disappeared and all he feels now is sadness and regret.
He takes a step before stopping, looking at his feet as he hands the chocolates and soda over, "Maybe I should just-," he starts out, pausing to bite on his lower lip as he looks up at Yunho, "Was I disrupting something?"
"No! No, no, come in," Yunho says immediately, reaching for the stuff in Changmin's hands, waiting for the younger man to walk in.
Changmin swallows his words nervously and slips out of his shoes, padding softly into Yunho's apartment. It's still the same as the last time he's seen in, except for a few glaringly bright pieces of clothing that obviously don't belong to Yunho.
"Is he your new boyfriend?" he whispers, hearing his voice crack just a little. "Yunho- I-," he says, blinking away his own tears. "No, please, I'm not ready to break up," he mumbles, looking into Yunho's eyes, suddenly feeling so stupid and desperate. "I didn't mean a single thing I said, not one. I- I was just so mad and I got jealous. I'm sorry, Yunho. Yunho, I'm so sorry."
Changmin widens his eyes as he pleads, voice wavering unsteadily as he takes a careful step towards Yunho. "I know I was stupid and I know I was mean. I- I'm sorry," he whispers again, not knowing what he could possibly say to win Yunho back. Taking a deep breath, Changmin closes the distance between them and reaches out to hold onto Yunho's wrist, the words slipping out so much easier with the help of alcohol, "I need you," he says quietly, "I know I said things that hurt you and I'm so sorry but I need you. Yunho, Yunho, I love you."
Yunho sucks in a shallow breath and stares at Changmin in shock, eyes wide with disbelief and amazement. "Changmin..." he says softly, eyes welling with tears and spilling over fast, heart feeling like it's ripping itself to shreds. He knows better than anyone that Shim Changmin doesn't joke around with such serious words. "I- I need to show you something."
He tugs the younger man over to the refrigerator and takes out the big bento box full of food that's no longer edible, placing it on the kitchen counter.
"I was going to give you this," Yunho says thickly, lifting the tiers one by one, showing the younger man all the food he made. He gets to the second last tier and lifts it up slowly to show Changmin the bottom level, completely empty save for a key attached to a kitten keychain. "I wanted to ask you to move in with me," he says, swallowing hard to try and get rid of the painful lump in his throat. Yunho looks into Changmin's eyes uncertainly and tugs him closer, hesitantly placing his hands around Changmin's waist. "I'm sorry I touched those girls. I know I shouldn't have gotten so close especially since we're together. It wasn't for class or anything and they're not my students outside of the yoga studio so I'll never overstep my boundaries again, I promise."
He takes a shaky breath and pulls Changmin even closer, moving forward as well until his chin is settled gently on Changmin's shoulder.
"I'm sorry for all the horrible things I said. I didn't mean any of them, not one single bit. You know I'd never think you're easy, Changmin-ah, it was just the first stupid insult that I could think of. I mean, I couldn't even work up the courage to kiss you first and even after, you had to make the first move before we had sex the first time. I don't think you're easy at all, I promise. I'm so sorry I even said it."
Changmin's shaking against him and Yunho bites hard on his lip, pressing closer until their bodies are no longer apart. He takes a deep breath of Changmin's soothing scent, holds it, and exhales.
"You...you don't really...I mean, I can stop wearing the leggings and tank top. I'm not...you don't really think I whore myself out, do you? Because I- I don't, I swear, I don't just sleep around with people. And I don't want them to pay me." Yunho takes a deep, sad breath, blotting his tears into Changmin's hoodie. "I just want you."
Changmin trembles even more and shakes his head, winding his arms tightly around Yunho's torso. "No, no I don't think you whore yourself out at all," he whispers back, voice just as choked as Yunho's.
He looks back at the key and sobs softly into Yunho's hair, cheek turned to rest against the older man's. "I really love you," he says with a quiet cry, "I really do and I'm sorry. I never, never meant to call you a whore or say any of those things. I was just so mad when you called me easy, so hurt and upset and-," Changmin chokes on his words, "And I'm just a douche like that. I'm mean and sarcastic and I hurt people I care about all the time."
Changmin squeezes Yunho tighter when he feels a wetness spreading down his shoulder. "I just want you too. And I want to move in, I want to if the offer is still open."
He takes a deep breath and pulls away, looking Yunho in the eye, patting away the older man's tears with his thumbs. "Don't apologize. You are who you are and you did nothing wrong that day, Yunho, nothing. I was just insanely jealous even though I know you like me and only me." Changmin presses their foreheads together, breathing in sync with Yunho. "I want you to wear those leggings and tank tops. I like- no, I love you in those leggings and tank tops. I'm so sorry for everything and I'm going to make it up to you, I swear. Your friend- your Heerobbong is right. I did hurt you and I'm so sorry for that."
Changmin presses his dry lips to Yunho's and inhales, kissing him gently for the first time in too long. "I love you," he says softly, swallowing Yunho's words, "I love you."
Yunho pants softly and hugs Changmin hard, pressing their lips together again, angling his head with a soft noise in the back of his throat as the kiss deepens. He's missed this far too much and all he really feels now is relief.
Relief and a lot of love.
"I love you," he whispers softly, shyly, cheeks tinging red at being able to say those words. Just three simple words mean so much to Yunho and he's glad that he's certain when he says them to Changmin. He doesn't go around saying that just for fun. And Yunho can't remember if he's ever meant the words the way he does with Changmin.
Predictably, their making up turns to making out turns to making love, and Yunho sighs in contentment as he lies completely still under Changmin's body, fingers playing idly with strands of Changmin's soft hair.
"Missed this, missed being happy, missed you, period," he says softly, shifting to feel Changmin's warm come between his thighs.
Changmin blushes lightly and nods, murmuring his agreement with a small smile, "I missed you too," he whispers.
He kisses Yunho for a little while and shifts them, turning them both onto their sides for a more intimate talk. Changmin keeps an arm around Yunho's waist, tugging their warm bodies closer as he pulls the blanket up higher in case Yunho gets cold.
"I really love you," he mumbles again, "I'm sorry it took something like this for me to realize it and properly say it," Changmin tells Yunho with an apologetic kiss. He tangles their legs together and leans in to brush his nose with Yunho's, smiling at the matching blush on both their cheeks.
"Hey," he whispers after a long pause of just staring at Yunho, "Who is your Heerobbong by the way?" he asks curiously, bringing a hand up to scratch his head. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was an alien just judging by the way he dresses!" Changmin teases, chuckling in amusement at his own joke. He catches the stunned and wide-eyed look Yunho gives him and reaches immediately to cup the older man's cheek. "Sorry, oh Yunho, I didn't mean to make fun of your friend, I just- I mean, who wears pink pants with a flower top and a pink bag?"
"Haha, ha, yeah, no, don't worry," Yunho says, laughing it off nervously, heart doing somersaults in his chest. "He's just an old hyung, you know..."
He clears his throat quickly and kisses Changmin long and tender to get the younger man's mind off of Heechul, Changmin's joke hitting way closer to home than comfortable. Yunho breathes softly against Changmin's lips and murmurs soft I love yous until the younger man is only focused on him again, both of them smiling like dorks.
"So...would it be alright if I helped you move in soon?" he asks softly, giving Changmin a shy smile. "This place is too big and lonely and I want to fill it up with your stuff." Yunho smiles again and blushes even more, placing another kiss to Changmin's lips. "It's 'cause I love you," he whispers like a secret.
Changmin smiles at the older man's cuteness, nods, and leans forward for more soft kisses, yawning sleepily as he agrees to move in as soon as possible. "Got something else to ask you."
"Go for it." Yunho smiles curiously and tucks Changmin's head into the curve of his shoulder, petting the younger man softly to lull him to sleep.
"Want to come meet my parents?"
---
Free Counter
*apparently, the nickname "heerobbong" sounds a lot like the word for "drug addict" in korean? don't quote me on that though. and just to clarify, yunho/heechul/donghae have nicknames for each other. they're the "bbong" brothers, idek. :3 ♥
also, we've noticed that a lot of people during the last chapter blame the fight on yunho. while you're free to interpret however you'd like, we would like to say that they're both in the wrong. please don't blame/bash just one when it's a mutual fight.
we're getting closer to the real plotty mcplot plot, i swear. :'D
apocryphalic + loveclouds
yunho/changmin
pg-13
fbi!changmin meets alien!yunho, his yoga instructor. commence bending, finding inner peace, and discovering love that's out of this world.
previous: chapter 1 l chapter 2 l chapter 3 l chapter 4 l chapter 5
---
The first night that Heechul stays over, Yunho doesn't do much except look at the ground and cry. He occasionally mopes as well but Heechul's never been the sort to approve of self pity and after about six hours, all he had done was whack Yunho in the head before hugging him hard, telling him plainly to just get over it.
However, this does not mean he allows Yunho to go see Changmin.
"You don't understand," Heechul says, "I need you to spend time with me and talk to Jaejoong so that he doesn't end up dragging both of us back home. He thinks I'm assimilating the human race which I am not but I don't want to go back. At all."
Yunho looks at him miserably and sighs. "Heerobbong, I need to go see my boyfriend. Or...ex-boyfriend."
"I know you're sad, Yoorobbong, but just a couple of days, okay? Just give it some time to see if he's even worth going after. He called you all those horrible names and got mad at you when all you wanted to do was bring him lunch. I know you take a lot of crap from your friends and everything, but come on, Yunho-yah. That's just ridiculous. Why are you the one apologizing? That Changmin dude sounds like he deserved whatever you decided to call him."
"Don't say that..." Yunho says quietly, sighing with helplessness. "I don't know what to do anymore."
"Just let me take care of you for a while!" Heechul exclaims, hugging Yunho again, "Let your hyung take care of you, okay?"
Yunho doesn't have much of a choice but to nod; he's lonely and he's scared and he's unhappy and any warmth will do at all, especially kindness from a hyung he knows he can always depend on.
Besides, deep down, even though he's more than willing to apologize, Yunho thinks that Heechul's right. Why is he the only one apologizing?
---
Changmin wakes up with an jackhammer for brains and a headache so insane that he seriously considers knocking himself out for a couple more hours just so it'd hurt less. He ends up crawling out of bed and into the kitchen, searching blearily for some water to drink, anything to get rid of the sandpaper effect he's getting when he so much as swallows.
He finds a post-it note from Junsu telling him that he's gone to work and that there's food in the fridge. Changmin's stomach grumbles at the sound of anything edible but his heart rebels, memories of Yunho's bento still fresh in his mind. He can only imagine how long Yunho would've spent making lunch for him and it makes him sick to know how he had reacted like a stupid jealous boyfriend.
Changmin reaches for his phone to call Yunho and maybe apologize, only to remember belatedly that he's thrown it against the wall sometime last night. He swallows two Tylenols completely dry and looks around more than a little lost.
He eventually calls Junsu on his home phone after dialing Yunho's number in and hanging up more than thrice. He opens the door an hour later with foolish hope, expecting it to maybe be Yunho despite having told Junsu to come.
He calls Yunho's cell once from a pay phone at 3am, knowing Yunho would be home but gets nothing but the answering machine, softly hanging up after breathing for a brief three second message.
Changmin's thoughts are filled with nothing but Yunho and the older man's desperate voice as he had walked away, wishing for once that he could go back in time to tell his stubborn self that it was just a petty fight and nothing worth breaking up over.
He wakes one morning with heavy want for Yunho and mopes around for a good hour before deciding to man up and apologize. He's realized what a total douche he had been and despite the harsh words thrown around, it's clear to him that they really care for one another. Besides, he just can't see himself living the rest of his life without Yunho being a part of it, no matter how hard he tries.
Changmin calls over to his favorite Korean restaurant, ordering a budae jjigae for himself and a kimchi one for Yunho, asking for extra banchan and a huge order of pajeon. He nervously scripts a text to Yunho asking if he can go over later as he's making his way into the restaurant but never sends it.
He's paying when he thinks he hears Yunho's voice, blinking uncertainly because it wouldn't be the first time he's had a hallucination involving Yunho. Changmin walks a little closer, paying for his food and freezes, catching sight of the back of Yunho's head. Changmin watches with detachment, food dropping slowly to the floor as he turns the corner of the restaurant, stilling when he sees the older man with another woman, long ebony hair and in pink pants with a flowery shirt, matching pink handbag on the table.
He murmurs Yunho's name softly, heart hurting more than a little and turns on his heels the second Yunho drops his head on the girl's shoulder, nuzzling in. He's seen enough.
It might be fate or the wind just carries Changmin's voice, but Yunho blinks and whirls around, heart thudding as he looks at the empty space behind him, eyes searching for someone that's not there. Great. Now he's hallucinating things.
"Stop thinking about him!" Heechul scolds, getting a huge spoonful of kimchi jjigae for Yunho to eat, kindly shoving it in Yunho's mouth.
"Hyung!" Yunho whines helplessly, "Do you have to dress like that when you're with me?"
"Yes."
"Heerobbong!"
"You're turning into a bag of bones!" Heechuls exclaims quietly, "and you know what? I really don't like this Changmin person if he's all you can think about day and night and he doesn't even seem to care. I'm perfectly willing to take care of you, Yunho-yah, but you have to try and help yourself."
Yunho frowns and leans back against Heechul's shoulder, what little humor he had earlier gone in an instant. "He was good for me. He is good for me."
Heechul sighs and sets the food down, reaching around to give Yunho a tight hug. "Listen Yoorobbong, he hasn't even called, has he?"
"...I think he might have. I got a voicemail earlier with nothing but breathing. I think it was him."
"Yes, and breathing doesn't equal trying to work things out!" Heechul pulls away to look at Yunho worriedly. "Look, there are plenty more people out there who are be more than willing to love you and take care of you properly. Who needs a dumb human anyway? I'm doing perfectly fine on my own on the catwalks in LA and I don't need any humans. You think you can get over him?"
"No."
"Yunho!" Heechul snaps, "You have to at least try! I don't like him."
"But you would, you would, hyung," Yunho says softly, leaning over to hide his face in Heechul's shoulder. "If you had met him before, you would've really liked him and you would love him for me. He takes such good care of me and he makes me laugh and he pays attention to the details. He always moves my water glass to my right because he knows I eat with my left hand and I've never had to say anything and people don't bother with things like that if they don't care, hyung. He holds me when I'm upset without asking questions and he keeps me warm and he's so good to me. Even when he's busy and he's tired, Changminnie always makes time for me and he never gets impatient and he always makes me smile."
Yunho pulls back with a watery smile, blinking slowly so his tears don't fall.
"Don't you get it? I'm in love with him."
Heechul looks at Yunho in amazement and they just stare at each other for a little while. "Wow..." he says eventually, petting Yunho's hair, "you really can't let this one go, huhn?" Heechul sighs as Yunho shakes his head. "Alright Yoorobbong, if you really have to chase him, just make sure you're ready for whatever answer he gives, okay? You deserve only the best and you know that."
"I know, hyung. Thank you for listening. I just miss him so much."
"Just one more day then and I'll get out of your hair," Heechul says softly, giving Yunho a small smile. "Come on, smile a little. It's been forever since we've hung out."
Yunho nods and does his best to forget about everything for now. Just one more day. And then he's heading over to Changmin's because no matter what, the younger man means more to him than anything else. If Yunho can't work this out then he might as well just go back home.
---
Junsu stares at his best friend from across the bar, sighing heavily as he grabs the bottle of vodka out of Changmin's hand, pushing the younger man's scowling face away with a rag thrown on Changmin's head.
"Dude, these are $30 a bottle and this is your third one. Don't you think you should be taking it easy?"
Changmin growls a little, thumping his fist insistently on the counter. He stares Junsu down, eyes narrowed and eyebrows bunched together in anger. Junsu doesn't crack though, only points to the front of the lounge so Changmin can see Yoochun strolling in.
His boss orders him a beer out of pity and stares while Changmin downs it all at once, meeting Junsu's worried gaze. "Hey Minnie Mouse, you okay?" he asks softly, hand on Changmin's shoulder.
"Who does he think I am?" Changmin mumbles grumpily, more than a little drunk, "It's only been three days, maybe less! And already he's got someone new to nuzzle into. Asshole! And to think I was going to go over and apologize."
Yoochun blinks over at Junsu and gets a shrug along with the shortened version of what Changmin had seen earlier. "Beats me. Look, I've got to work, you give it a try. Just don't give him any more alcohol." Yoochun sighs a little and pulls Changmin off the stool, a little terrified when Changmin reaches for his gun. "I am your boss," he hisses, "Drunk or not, heartbroken and all, I'd fire your ass."
"And your ass would be dead," Changmin slurs, slumping sideways into Yoochun's lap, sniffling as he masks a sob with a cough.
Yoochun takes pity on him, holding back the long strands of Changmin's hair as he pets his friend comfortingly. "Maybe you should go and talk to him. Yunho's a good guy, Changmin-ah, and you obviously care about him a lot."
He curls his arm around Changmin's waist and helps him into his car, windows down in case Changmin needs to puke. "Junsu just said that Yunho was expecting a guest didn't he? Maybe that's who you saw. Maybe Yunho was talking to her, maybe they're related. Stop being such a pessimistic realist, Changmin." Yoochun watches sadly as Changmin throws his head out the window, ignoring logic, and pulls the crazed younger man back in. "Look, if you're so hell bent on ending it then why not give him a piece of your mind? Go to Yunho and tell him it's over personally. I know there's an explanation somewhere and you're just being a stubborn ass but go and find out for yourself."
Yoochun drives up to Yunho's apartment and stares at Changmin for a long, hard while. "Isn't he worth another chance?" he asks the younger man, "Last week you were just asking me for a week's vacation so you could shack up with this guy in Hawaii. Changmin, I know you and you know you. Yunho isn't someone you can just give up like this."
Changmin takes in Yoochun's logic and blinks tearily, swatting at Yoochun's arm. "You're not supposed to be smart," he mumbles, "I'm the genius."
Yoochun smiles brightly, leaning across Changmin's body to pop open the door and undo the younger man's seatbelt, "Go on, go get yourself some wiener okay? I'll see you soon, Minnie Mouse, go find your mate."
He waves Changmin off and leaves, foot to the pedal and drives off until Changmin can barely see the trail of smoke.
Changmin sighs tiredly and walks up the steps, in nothing more than his sweats and hoodie, wondering if Yunho's with her now. Changmin knocks with apprehension, giving himself a thorough pep talk by the elevator. He ends up with an array of Yunho's favorite chocolates from the deli across the street and a huge liter of Coca-cola, not knowing how they'd help but wanting to get them nonetheless.
The door opens and Changmin finds himself face to face to the same person he had seen earlier at the restaurant, mouth opened wide as he gapes, "Yunho's new bitch?!" he mutters aloud, "...is a man?!"
Heechul stares at Changmin with cold unamusement. "If that's all you have to say, then no, you two can not get back together."
"Heerobbong!" Yunho screams, diving for the door to try and shove Heechul out of the way.
"And he's a drug addict*?!" Changmin cries, "Yunho! What the hell! Your new fling is a man who likes pink flowery shirts and a drug addict!?"
"No!" Yunho shouts, "no! No! Changmin-ah, you got it all wrong!" He looks pleadingly at Heechul and pushes the older man a little more. "Please, hyung!" he ends up begging, "I just want to talk to Changmin for a little while, okay? Can I- I'll just call you when we're done. Please? Please, Heechul-hyung!"
Heechul sighs but caves, giving Changmin a hard glare before moving out into the hallway. "Hurt him any more than you already have and die," he hisses, flipping his hair before walking for the door.
Yunho watches apprehensively until Heechul's completely gone before sagging against the doorframe, looking down listlessly at the chocolates and cola in Changmin's hands.
"Do you want to come in?" he asks softly after a long, awkward pause, holding the door open a little wider.
Changmin blinks at Yunho, heart twitching, if that's even possible, and nods numbly. His previous anger and shock at seeing Yunho's friend have disappeared and all he feels now is sadness and regret.
He takes a step before stopping, looking at his feet as he hands the chocolates and soda over, "Maybe I should just-," he starts out, pausing to bite on his lower lip as he looks up at Yunho, "Was I disrupting something?"
"No! No, no, come in," Yunho says immediately, reaching for the stuff in Changmin's hands, waiting for the younger man to walk in.
Changmin swallows his words nervously and slips out of his shoes, padding softly into Yunho's apartment. It's still the same as the last time he's seen in, except for a few glaringly bright pieces of clothing that obviously don't belong to Yunho.
"Is he your new boyfriend?" he whispers, hearing his voice crack just a little. "Yunho- I-," he says, blinking away his own tears. "No, please, I'm not ready to break up," he mumbles, looking into Yunho's eyes, suddenly feeling so stupid and desperate. "I didn't mean a single thing I said, not one. I- I was just so mad and I got jealous. I'm sorry, Yunho. Yunho, I'm so sorry."
Changmin widens his eyes as he pleads, voice wavering unsteadily as he takes a careful step towards Yunho. "I know I was stupid and I know I was mean. I- I'm sorry," he whispers again, not knowing what he could possibly say to win Yunho back. Taking a deep breath, Changmin closes the distance between them and reaches out to hold onto Yunho's wrist, the words slipping out so much easier with the help of alcohol, "I need you," he says quietly, "I know I said things that hurt you and I'm so sorry but I need you. Yunho, Yunho, I love you."
Yunho sucks in a shallow breath and stares at Changmin in shock, eyes wide with disbelief and amazement. "Changmin..." he says softly, eyes welling with tears and spilling over fast, heart feeling like it's ripping itself to shreds. He knows better than anyone that Shim Changmin doesn't joke around with such serious words. "I- I need to show you something."
He tugs the younger man over to the refrigerator and takes out the big bento box full of food that's no longer edible, placing it on the kitchen counter.
"I was going to give you this," Yunho says thickly, lifting the tiers one by one, showing the younger man all the food he made. He gets to the second last tier and lifts it up slowly to show Changmin the bottom level, completely empty save for a key attached to a kitten keychain. "I wanted to ask you to move in with me," he says, swallowing hard to try and get rid of the painful lump in his throat. Yunho looks into Changmin's eyes uncertainly and tugs him closer, hesitantly placing his hands around Changmin's waist. "I'm sorry I touched those girls. I know I shouldn't have gotten so close especially since we're together. It wasn't for class or anything and they're not my students outside of the yoga studio so I'll never overstep my boundaries again, I promise."
He takes a shaky breath and pulls Changmin even closer, moving forward as well until his chin is settled gently on Changmin's shoulder.
"I'm sorry for all the horrible things I said. I didn't mean any of them, not one single bit. You know I'd never think you're easy, Changmin-ah, it was just the first stupid insult that I could think of. I mean, I couldn't even work up the courage to kiss you first and even after, you had to make the first move before we had sex the first time. I don't think you're easy at all, I promise. I'm so sorry I even said it."
Changmin's shaking against him and Yunho bites hard on his lip, pressing closer until their bodies are no longer apart. He takes a deep breath of Changmin's soothing scent, holds it, and exhales.
"You...you don't really...I mean, I can stop wearing the leggings and tank top. I'm not...you don't really think I whore myself out, do you? Because I- I don't, I swear, I don't just sleep around with people. And I don't want them to pay me." Yunho takes a deep, sad breath, blotting his tears into Changmin's hoodie. "I just want you."
Changmin trembles even more and shakes his head, winding his arms tightly around Yunho's torso. "No, no I don't think you whore yourself out at all," he whispers back, voice just as choked as Yunho's.
He looks back at the key and sobs softly into Yunho's hair, cheek turned to rest against the older man's. "I really love you," he says with a quiet cry, "I really do and I'm sorry. I never, never meant to call you a whore or say any of those things. I was just so mad when you called me easy, so hurt and upset and-," Changmin chokes on his words, "And I'm just a douche like that. I'm mean and sarcastic and I hurt people I care about all the time."
Changmin squeezes Yunho tighter when he feels a wetness spreading down his shoulder. "I just want you too. And I want to move in, I want to if the offer is still open."
He takes a deep breath and pulls away, looking Yunho in the eye, patting away the older man's tears with his thumbs. "Don't apologize. You are who you are and you did nothing wrong that day, Yunho, nothing. I was just insanely jealous even though I know you like me and only me." Changmin presses their foreheads together, breathing in sync with Yunho. "I want you to wear those leggings and tank tops. I like- no, I love you in those leggings and tank tops. I'm so sorry for everything and I'm going to make it up to you, I swear. Your friend- your Heerobbong is right. I did hurt you and I'm so sorry for that."
Changmin presses his dry lips to Yunho's and inhales, kissing him gently for the first time in too long. "I love you," he says softly, swallowing Yunho's words, "I love you."
Yunho pants softly and hugs Changmin hard, pressing their lips together again, angling his head with a soft noise in the back of his throat as the kiss deepens. He's missed this far too much and all he really feels now is relief.
Relief and a lot of love.
"I love you," he whispers softly, shyly, cheeks tinging red at being able to say those words. Just three simple words mean so much to Yunho and he's glad that he's certain when he says them to Changmin. He doesn't go around saying that just for fun. And Yunho can't remember if he's ever meant the words the way he does with Changmin.
Predictably, their making up turns to making out turns to making love, and Yunho sighs in contentment as he lies completely still under Changmin's body, fingers playing idly with strands of Changmin's soft hair.
"Missed this, missed being happy, missed you, period," he says softly, shifting to feel Changmin's warm come between his thighs.
Changmin blushes lightly and nods, murmuring his agreement with a small smile, "I missed you too," he whispers.
He kisses Yunho for a little while and shifts them, turning them both onto their sides for a more intimate talk. Changmin keeps an arm around Yunho's waist, tugging their warm bodies closer as he pulls the blanket up higher in case Yunho gets cold.
"I really love you," he mumbles again, "I'm sorry it took something like this for me to realize it and properly say it," Changmin tells Yunho with an apologetic kiss. He tangles their legs together and leans in to brush his nose with Yunho's, smiling at the matching blush on both their cheeks.
"Hey," he whispers after a long pause of just staring at Yunho, "Who is your Heerobbong by the way?" he asks curiously, bringing a hand up to scratch his head. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was an alien just judging by the way he dresses!" Changmin teases, chuckling in amusement at his own joke. He catches the stunned and wide-eyed look Yunho gives him and reaches immediately to cup the older man's cheek. "Sorry, oh Yunho, I didn't mean to make fun of your friend, I just- I mean, who wears pink pants with a flower top and a pink bag?"
"Haha, ha, yeah, no, don't worry," Yunho says, laughing it off nervously, heart doing somersaults in his chest. "He's just an old hyung, you know..."
He clears his throat quickly and kisses Changmin long and tender to get the younger man's mind off of Heechul, Changmin's joke hitting way closer to home than comfortable. Yunho breathes softly against Changmin's lips and murmurs soft I love yous until the younger man is only focused on him again, both of them smiling like dorks.
"So...would it be alright if I helped you move in soon?" he asks softly, giving Changmin a shy smile. "This place is too big and lonely and I want to fill it up with your stuff." Yunho smiles again and blushes even more, placing another kiss to Changmin's lips. "It's 'cause I love you," he whispers like a secret.
Changmin smiles at the older man's cuteness, nods, and leans forward for more soft kisses, yawning sleepily as he agrees to move in as soon as possible. "Got something else to ask you."
"Go for it." Yunho smiles curiously and tucks Changmin's head into the curve of his shoulder, petting the younger man softly to lull him to sleep.
"Want to come meet my parents?"
---
Free Counter
*apparently, the nickname "heerobbong" sounds a lot like the word for "drug addict" in korean? don't quote me on that though. and just to clarify, yunho/heechul/donghae have nicknames for each other. they're the "bbong" brothers, idek. :3 ♥
also, we've noticed that a lot of people during the last chapter blame the fight on yunho. while you're free to interpret however you'd like, we would like to say that they're both in the wrong. please don't blame/bash just one when it's a mutual fight.
we're getting closer to the real plotty mcplot plot, i swear. :'D