2009 crossover contest: entry 3
Title: The Power of Words
Rating: G
Pairings: Appa!Eeteuk/Minho (SHINee)
Length: 1700 words
Warning: angsty!fluff (fluffy!angst?), minor cursing
Minho sits with a stoic expression, head leaning on one arm, and stares blankly with half-lidded eyes at the practice room floor.
There's been rumors going around.
Minho thinks he's better than everyone else. That's why he's never responds when people talk to him.
Oh, he thinks he's so hot. Flaming Charisma? He doesn't even say anything!
I don't think he even has a personality...
In all actuality, Minho shouldn't have minded. This was his concept, in the first place, and it was his image. He's heard these same comments for years during his trainee days. It never changes.
But they've always been just that. Comments. Speculation.
Untrue.
What do they know about him-other than that his “silent charisma” gives him an arrogant aura? (He has to laugh at that.)
He tries to drown out the sounds, the intentional biting remarks. What's the point? Do they think he’ll change because they talk him down?
… Maybe he will, but it won’t be for the better.
Eeteuk sees Minho.
The kid is always so quiet. But Eeteuk knows. He hears the rumors.
He sees Minho, already stiff and polite, become even more rigid under the callous gaze of gossiping so-called fans.
Minho doesn't know how to be who they want him to be. He's uncomfortable having so many people crack his shell-or maybe he doesn’t know how to break it down. What was he like by himself? He can’t even remember.
Eeteuk knows how it feels.
The only thing Eeteuk doesn't know is how to help.
Slowly, with the start of a new variety show-catering to noona fans all over the world-Minho’s personality comes out, little by little, bit by bit. But it's strained. He is still uncomfortable. He’s still unsure of what to do.
Don't you think he's just so fake?
They don't know the pang that Minho feels every time he hears something like this. A passing remark that may not mean much in the moment, but would hurt him just that much more each and every time he hears a new one.
They don't know that he hurts in the same way that the new kid at school hurts when they realize that they won’t fit in and there will be no sympathy for being different.
Eeteuk understands. He knows the pain of being misunderstood. The spiteful comments.
Do you think he's had plastic surgery? His smile looks so... well… plastic.
And perhaps, that was because it was-in the sense that Eeteuk felt the obligation to be leader-like, to be the one that everyone could depend on… the one that could take on all responsibility. But he wasn’t… He wasn’t. But he could try.
So Eeteuk understands, but only watches as the younger forces a smile, pushes out a laugh, and struggles to joke around.
Minho doesn’t know how else to fit the mold they gave him.
He lays sprawled on the slick dance floor (after spending what seemed like endless hours of rehearsing for that performance next week), letting the cool surface calm his well-stretched muscles.
The other members had left for the dorm already, at his insistence. They all agreed reluctantly, Onew reassuringly patting his back, Key and Jonghyun giving him an uneasy smile, and Taemin frowning, because he did not approve of this pointless pushing and trying.
Maknae’s last words were whispered behind the others’ backs. “Hyung, you’ll only hurt yourself if you keep going like this. Trust me, I know,” he said, in a way only the youngest, with the most to prove, could.
Minho doesn't (he can’t) believe those words because he remembers what people say when they think he can't hear.
He thinks he can be arrogant just ‘cause he thinks he’s got talent and looks, but he ain’t got shit.
No matter how many attempts he makes to put it out of his mind, it always comes back up.
Eeteuk knows, but he doesn't know what to do... but he knows that if nothing is done, then nothing will change.
He saw and watched and stood outside the doors until they all left, before walking up to the tired looking thing on the ground.
“He’s right, you know,” he says gently.
Minho darts up with cat-like eyes, steeled and ready to defend.
“At ease, soldier,” Eeteuk chuckles.
Minho realizes who it is and seems to relax. “Hyung.”
The corner of leader’s eyes crease from a comforting smile. “What are you still doing here?”
The lone SHINee member looks towards the mirror, at his reflection. “Just practicing. Need to prepare. You know, all that good stuff.” He smiles at his sunbae.
Eeteuk sees eyes that want to cry, but won’t. He pretends that he didn’t. He looks off to the eerily sterile-looking wall behind Minho. He laughs a little. "We’re sort of the same, you and I. I always forget, too.”
The boy gives him a quizzical look.
“I forget that I’m not alone,” he smirks. “Even in a group with 12 other people, you can get lonely.” Minho blinks in surprise. “Nonetheless four… but… no matter what happens… your members have your back. And your sunbaes, too. Don’t let idle chitchat get to you," he says-straight to the point.
Minho gives him a wide-eyed look, not expecting to get this talk, Eeteuk guesses.
He adds in a low whisper, still not looking into the boy’s eyes, "People will always talk. But all you need to be is yourself."
Minho looks down and hesitates. “I… am myself,” he replies, not really believing his own claim.
Eeteuk finally turns to him and shakes his head. “No. Be who you really are.”
Minho is confused.
A lot of people are shocked as Minho’s personality appears to shine a little bit more with each passing episode and guesting.
Minho has a passionate and powerful stage presence during performances, the fans already knew-compatible with the other member’s-and his penchant for acting only enhanced those Charismatic attributes.
His fellow members act surprised, but they aren’t really, and they’re glad for this change.
But not as glad as Eeteuk, who smiles and laughs at his hoobaes’ antics on the show.
(Though aren’t they all surprised when the tall and serious looking Minho dons a wig and skirt and plays the part of a girl to perfection? Especially that jealous glare at the “new girl.”)
Minho smiles naturally now, but those that smile the same way know how practiced it is.
Eeteuk notices.
They're performing Miracle together-the song that Eeteuk knows frontwards and backwards, and so did Minho. Eeteuk knew this because he had seen Minho rehearse and practice and rehearse until late at night when the manager asked him to go home to sleep because he had school the next day and he's practiced more than was necessary and-
He's doing fine, so he doesn't need to try this hard.
Minho knows, but he can’t rid himself of this habit. No matter how well liked he becomes, no matter how much of himself he shows, the remnant of those words. Those harsh, cutting words repeat themselves in his mind. Endlessly.
And Eeteuk knows.
He knows because they’re a bit too much alike. He’s reminded more and more often, with each practice, with each performance. The now-easy smiles, the bright laughter…
The pain. Maybe he wasn’t clear enough before. His words didn’t mean enough that last time. The poor kid needs more.
Eeteuk walks over to SHINee's waiting room where four brightly-dressed members clamor about in surprise.
“Hyung!” they all greet. Taemin is all smiles as the makeup-noona tries to finish her work, Key sits up on his couch, while Onew almost trips on a chair trying to walk over.
Jonghyun only stares at the clumsiness, mouth slightly ajar in a blankly mortified manner before quickly turning to Eeteuk and smiling, as if nothing happened.
“Hyung! Why’re you here?” he asked, pleasantly surprised by a visit from their respected sunbae, and proceeds to ask him how he was doing and they're so excited to be performing with the Super Junior sunbaes and--
Eeteuk smiles warmly and answers, “I’m looking for Minho, actually. Where is he?”
Jonghyun is wide-eyed. “Minho? Oh, he’s in the back. What do you need him for?” he asks, worry coloring his face. Key, Taemin, and Onew have matching concerned glances.
“Oh, I’ve just been meaning to ask him something.That’s all.” Eeteuk pats Jonghyun on the shoulder and walks towards the back of the dressing room, straight to Minho, who sits on the couch, watching the floor intently. He didn't even notice Eeteuk had walked in until a pair of white sneakers stopped in front of him, which caused Minho to shoot up and bow politely. "Hyung!"
Eeteuk smiled. "Ready?" he asked, putting an arm around Minho's shoulder--considering the height difference, it was a difficult, but not impossible feat.
Minho only smiles back. The dark circles under his eyes are more pronounced than usual.
Straightforward really is the way to go, Eeteuk thinks. “Did you forget?” he smiles his trademark grin, “You have an entire company backing you. Sunbaes and dongsaengs. What other people think… isn’t important.”
In his best leader voice, he says, “Minho-ssi, the most important thing is that you are happy. Doing what you want to do. Being who you want to be. Don’t ever forget this.”
Minho understands. He finally comprehends, and he decides what it is he really wants--and really, he hasn't felt so happy in a long time.
It was the SMTown Concert.
Everyone was shocked.
Well, to be specific, the people standing within hearing distance of Minho were shocked.
Even Key was surprised as Minho tells Zhou Mi to poke his cheek.
Zhou Mi is only happy to comply. “Poke!” And they both crack ear-to-ear smiles that shine like the sun.
Key goes into random hysterics about how Minho never let’s him poke his cheeks (never mind that he’s never asked) and laughing the entire time.
“What was that for?” Eeteuk asks, a bit incredulous, but laughing along with everyone else.
Minho’s eyes have long disappeared into his grin. “For the aegyo.”
Eeteuk thinks this boy belongs here.
Rating: G
Pairings: Appa!Eeteuk/Minho (SHINee)
Length: 1700 words
Warning: angsty!fluff (fluffy!angst?), minor cursing
Minho sits with a stoic expression, head leaning on one arm, and stares blankly with half-lidded eyes at the practice room floor.
There's been rumors going around.
Minho thinks he's better than everyone else. That's why he's never responds when people talk to him.
Oh, he thinks he's so hot. Flaming Charisma? He doesn't even say anything!
I don't think he even has a personality...
In all actuality, Minho shouldn't have minded. This was his concept, in the first place, and it was his image. He's heard these same comments for years during his trainee days. It never changes.
But they've always been just that. Comments. Speculation.
Untrue.
What do they know about him-other than that his “silent charisma” gives him an arrogant aura? (He has to laugh at that.)
He tries to drown out the sounds, the intentional biting remarks. What's the point? Do they think he’ll change because they talk him down?
… Maybe he will, but it won’t be for the better.
Eeteuk sees Minho.
The kid is always so quiet. But Eeteuk knows. He hears the rumors.
He sees Minho, already stiff and polite, become even more rigid under the callous gaze of gossiping so-called fans.
Minho doesn't know how to be who they want him to be. He's uncomfortable having so many people crack his shell-or maybe he doesn’t know how to break it down. What was he like by himself? He can’t even remember.
Eeteuk knows how it feels.
The only thing Eeteuk doesn't know is how to help.
Slowly, with the start of a new variety show-catering to noona fans all over the world-Minho’s personality comes out, little by little, bit by bit. But it's strained. He is still uncomfortable. He’s still unsure of what to do.
Don't you think he's just so fake?
They don't know the pang that Minho feels every time he hears something like this. A passing remark that may not mean much in the moment, but would hurt him just that much more each and every time he hears a new one.
They don't know that he hurts in the same way that the new kid at school hurts when they realize that they won’t fit in and there will be no sympathy for being different.
Eeteuk understands. He knows the pain of being misunderstood. The spiteful comments.
Do you think he's had plastic surgery? His smile looks so... well… plastic.
And perhaps, that was because it was-in the sense that Eeteuk felt the obligation to be leader-like, to be the one that everyone could depend on… the one that could take on all responsibility. But he wasn’t… He wasn’t. But he could try.
So Eeteuk understands, but only watches as the younger forces a smile, pushes out a laugh, and struggles to joke around.
Minho doesn’t know how else to fit the mold they gave him.
He lays sprawled on the slick dance floor (after spending what seemed like endless hours of rehearsing for that performance next week), letting the cool surface calm his well-stretched muscles.
The other members had left for the dorm already, at his insistence. They all agreed reluctantly, Onew reassuringly patting his back, Key and Jonghyun giving him an uneasy smile, and Taemin frowning, because he did not approve of this pointless pushing and trying.
Maknae’s last words were whispered behind the others’ backs. “Hyung, you’ll only hurt yourself if you keep going like this. Trust me, I know,” he said, in a way only the youngest, with the most to prove, could.
Minho doesn't (he can’t) believe those words because he remembers what people say when they think he can't hear.
He thinks he can be arrogant just ‘cause he thinks he’s got talent and looks, but he ain’t got shit.
No matter how many attempts he makes to put it out of his mind, it always comes back up.
Eeteuk knows, but he doesn't know what to do... but he knows that if nothing is done, then nothing will change.
He saw and watched and stood outside the doors until they all left, before walking up to the tired looking thing on the ground.
“He’s right, you know,” he says gently.
Minho darts up with cat-like eyes, steeled and ready to defend.
“At ease, soldier,” Eeteuk chuckles.
Minho realizes who it is and seems to relax. “Hyung.”
The corner of leader’s eyes crease from a comforting smile. “What are you still doing here?”
The lone SHINee member looks towards the mirror, at his reflection. “Just practicing. Need to prepare. You know, all that good stuff.” He smiles at his sunbae.
Eeteuk sees eyes that want to cry, but won’t. He pretends that he didn’t. He looks off to the eerily sterile-looking wall behind Minho. He laughs a little. "We’re sort of the same, you and I. I always forget, too.”
The boy gives him a quizzical look.
“I forget that I’m not alone,” he smirks. “Even in a group with 12 other people, you can get lonely.” Minho blinks in surprise. “Nonetheless four… but… no matter what happens… your members have your back. And your sunbaes, too. Don’t let idle chitchat get to you," he says-straight to the point.
Minho gives him a wide-eyed look, not expecting to get this talk, Eeteuk guesses.
He adds in a low whisper, still not looking into the boy’s eyes, "People will always talk. But all you need to be is yourself."
Minho looks down and hesitates. “I… am myself,” he replies, not really believing his own claim.
Eeteuk finally turns to him and shakes his head. “No. Be who you really are.”
Minho is confused.
A lot of people are shocked as Minho’s personality appears to shine a little bit more with each passing episode and guesting.
Minho has a passionate and powerful stage presence during performances, the fans already knew-compatible with the other member’s-and his penchant for acting only enhanced those Charismatic attributes.
His fellow members act surprised, but they aren’t really, and they’re glad for this change.
But not as glad as Eeteuk, who smiles and laughs at his hoobaes’ antics on the show.
(Though aren’t they all surprised when the tall and serious looking Minho dons a wig and skirt and plays the part of a girl to perfection? Especially that jealous glare at the “new girl.”)
Minho smiles naturally now, but those that smile the same way know how practiced it is.
Eeteuk notices.
They're performing Miracle together-the song that Eeteuk knows frontwards and backwards, and so did Minho. Eeteuk knew this because he had seen Minho rehearse and practice and rehearse until late at night when the manager asked him to go home to sleep because he had school the next day and he's practiced more than was necessary and-
He's doing fine, so he doesn't need to try this hard.
Minho knows, but he can’t rid himself of this habit. No matter how well liked he becomes, no matter how much of himself he shows, the remnant of those words. Those harsh, cutting words repeat themselves in his mind. Endlessly.
And Eeteuk knows.
He knows because they’re a bit too much alike. He’s reminded more and more often, with each practice, with each performance. The now-easy smiles, the bright laughter…
The pain. Maybe he wasn’t clear enough before. His words didn’t mean enough that last time. The poor kid needs more.
Eeteuk walks over to SHINee's waiting room where four brightly-dressed members clamor about in surprise.
“Hyung!” they all greet. Taemin is all smiles as the makeup-noona tries to finish her work, Key sits up on his couch, while Onew almost trips on a chair trying to walk over.
Jonghyun only stares at the clumsiness, mouth slightly ajar in a blankly mortified manner before quickly turning to Eeteuk and smiling, as if nothing happened.
“Hyung! Why’re you here?” he asked, pleasantly surprised by a visit from their respected sunbae, and proceeds to ask him how he was doing and they're so excited to be performing with the Super Junior sunbaes and--
Eeteuk smiles warmly and answers, “I’m looking for Minho, actually. Where is he?”
Jonghyun is wide-eyed. “Minho? Oh, he’s in the back. What do you need him for?” he asks, worry coloring his face. Key, Taemin, and Onew have matching concerned glances.
“Oh, I’ve just been meaning to ask him something.That’s all.” Eeteuk pats Jonghyun on the shoulder and walks towards the back of the dressing room, straight to Minho, who sits on the couch, watching the floor intently. He didn't even notice Eeteuk had walked in until a pair of white sneakers stopped in front of him, which caused Minho to shoot up and bow politely. "Hyung!"
Eeteuk smiled. "Ready?" he asked, putting an arm around Minho's shoulder--considering the height difference, it was a difficult, but not impossible feat.
Minho only smiles back. The dark circles under his eyes are more pronounced than usual.
Straightforward really is the way to go, Eeteuk thinks. “Did you forget?” he smiles his trademark grin, “You have an entire company backing you. Sunbaes and dongsaengs. What other people think… isn’t important.”
In his best leader voice, he says, “Minho-ssi, the most important thing is that you are happy. Doing what you want to do. Being who you want to be. Don’t ever forget this.”
Minho understands. He finally comprehends, and he decides what it is he really wants--and really, he hasn't felt so happy in a long time.
It was the SMTown Concert.
Everyone was shocked.
Well, to be specific, the people standing within hearing distance of Minho were shocked.
Even Key was surprised as Minho tells Zhou Mi to poke his cheek.
Zhou Mi is only happy to comply. “Poke!” And they both crack ear-to-ear smiles that shine like the sun.
Key goes into random hysterics about how Minho never let’s him poke his cheeks (never mind that he’s never asked) and laughing the entire time.
“What was that for?” Eeteuk asks, a bit incredulous, but laughing along with everyone else.
Minho’s eyes have long disappeared into his grin. “For the aegyo.”
Eeteuk thinks this boy belongs here.