[ILC08] Captured Misgivings

Mar 27, 2011 03:53

Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Minwook
Genre: AU!Drama, Romance, Fluff
Disclaimer: I don't own any SuJu member.
Beta: paradigm_twist  
IL/Pairing Assigner: rssj1314 & shadowcrawler12
[Challenge][Y][FF] Summary: He hated the brilliant smiles, false pleasantries, and the forced impression of it all. Barely giving a second glance to a person who followed that sort, but his pleasantry was true, his smile was beyond brilliant and his impression was hardly forced, but honest.


***
 “All for one and one for all,” was the only phrase anyone could hear amidst the mass of people; perhaps it was for the best.

Sungmin tuned out to the rest of the commentary, bored of the attempt to rile up the rest of his classmates due to the incoming students for the fall term. He simply counted the seconds before it would finally be over.

He walked through the crowds of the students that hovered after the assembly, attempting to find at least one recognizable face. He eventually found Kibum who sat by idly.

"You look bored." Kibum commented.

"And your face just screams excitement." Sungmin said sarcastically. Kibum gave a miffed smile. He looked at Sungmin, whose eyes were shifting aimlessly, scanning through the crowd.

His eyes eventually landed on a particular group. Normally, he would have not cared about the group and was usually easily annoyed by the sheer amount of them. Their supposed perfect faces, that were marked by their brilliant smiles, easily marked them as the the crowd that was envied by other students.

He was disgusted by it.

He turned his head away from the group and followed along Kibum. They moved way from the crowd, eventually reaching a more secluded area that was stained by litter and badly done graffiti. He didn't stopped there and continued walking right into the shade.

He continued to stare at the crowd from this new distance, until his eyes eventually settled onto the campus buildings. Despite their regal settings, it irked him.

"I sometimes wonder why you're still here." Kibum commented, following his eyes' movement.

"If I could, I would've left." He said exasperatedly; sighing heavily at the thought of his family and their lineage. The line that was meant to uphold everything and do as they were told obediently; no questions asked.

He turned away from the school and continued to stare silently at the littered scene.

-

Sungmin walked through the hallways of the campus when he heard his name being called. He turned to see Henry who walking towards him. Sungmin then turned around completely and was staring at the person walking beside him.

He stared long enough to recognize him as one of the people who hung around that popular crowd that day. He hardly remembered him but his clothes and attitude spoke volumes of his association.

Henry would have also joined that same crowd but he had a rather malicious side to him that contrasted with his innocent feature. One that the crowd seemed to be able to detect and avoid. Therefore it surprised him when Henry claimed that this person was his friend.

Sungmin somehow doubted the friendship between Henry and the shorter man who appeared kind. His eyes however, spotted the camera around his neck and realized how they must have met.

"I'm Ryeowook." He greeted. Sungmin nodded afterward and said nothing as Henry introduced him.

He didn't bother to spare the newcomer a second glance as he had his brief conversation with Henry. Despite his inability to partake in their conversation, Ryeowook still held an sweet smile throughout.

"Ah. We have to get going. We have a game to take pictures of. I'd rather not have the coaches yell at me for not having their photos in the yearbook." Henry commented dryly. "But if they keep doing that, I'll just have to cut their entire section out." He said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Sungmin arched an eyebrow.

He watched as the two excused themselves and hurried away to the game.

Sungmin barely spared them another thought as he continued to walk through the hallowed hallways.

Later that day when he saw Henry again, he was taken by surprise when Henry suddenly brought the friend up.

"He said you seemed nice." Henry said.

Sungmin gave a harsh laugh. "He obviously doesn't know me."

"I said the same. But the thought of you being a self-respecting prick with a short temper somehow didn't managed to get through to him."

Sungmin narrowed his eyes at Henry's seemingly kind smile.

-

He cursed under his breath as he stomped the campus grounds. Recalling the words of his parents earlier, reminding him of what he had to do and their expectations of him. Ones that he had repeatedly failed on purpose but it still enraged him.

He stepped inside a classroom and attempted to calm himself down. He walked towards the desk sitting in the center of the classroom, eyes widening when he recognized what he was seeing.

He narrowed his eyes at the various photos; each framed smiling students, creating a false sense of happiness and security within the school.

He began to tear each one of them up, not caring about the damage he was causing, deaf to the sound of the sliding door as someone stepped into the classroom.

It was only when the intruder beg him to stop and forced the photos away from his hand did he realized that there was someone else in the room.

He realized it was the same boy from earlier. Only this time he did not have a smile on his face. Instead of being outraged or upset as he should have been, he seemed worried.

"What's wrong?" Ryeowook asked.

Sungmin said nothing as he turned away.

Ryeowook tried to face him and voiced the same question. Sungmin was in a state of disbelief at the thought that he heard concern ringing in his voice.

"I just wanted to. That's all." Sungmin replied coldly, wanting him to leave him alone.

But Ryeowook merely blinked. "That's not why."

"And who are you to question my reasons?" Sungmin asked darkly.

Ryeowook stiffened, slightly afraid of his tone but shook his head stubbornly.

Sungmin laughed bitterly. "Maybe I just don't like the photos. There was absolutely no good photo in this mess."

He noted his crestfallen expression but felt no satisfaction from it. Instead, he turned away once more and heard the sounds of the rustling photos that were picked up. He kept his eyes focused on the ground.

"Look." Ryeowook said, Sungmin didn't turned. Ryeowook walked in front of him and held up a single photo that was torn by its edges. "This is a good picture." He reassured.

Sungmin stared blankly at the photo, one that was taken when he was completely thrown off-guard.

"How is this a good picture?" He asked. "It's doesn't suit the others. It's too destroyed."

Ryeowook pondered as he reached his hand out and shuffled through the many pictures, until finally he pulled out one and held it together with the other photo.

Sungmin blinked at the two photos of both him and Ryeowook, placed side by side. A too bright smile and his dark expression, contrasting each other.

"See. A good picture." Ryeowook insisted.

Sungmin looked past the photos and at the younger man who held them, deterred slightly by the smile on his face. One that hadn't faltered despite his brash actions.

He found comfort in that thought.

-

Sungmin relished in the now cold weather, grateful for the winter as he settled himself comfortably against the wall.

He had been wandering aimlessly and had decided to rest only slightly. The feeling was nearly perfect. It was only missing one thing in particular; as he glanced at his CD player that stood out in his bag. The thought of his broken headphones made him wince as though he felt the pain himself.

He tugged the strap around his shoulder and lifted himself off the wall when he noticed a person walking briskly by and hit his side. He narrowed his eyes at the assailant who did not offered an apology.

"Hey!" He called out angrily. The figure turned around and he stopped momentarily, recognizing who it was.

"I'm sorry." Ryeowook apologized, rubbing his arms profusely. "I wanted to go home quickly, but the buses broke down and so I have to walk."

"No excuse." Sungmin said. Ryeowook nodded and rubbed his hands together. Sungmin shook his head and gestured for him to follow him.

They eventually walked into a coffee shop. Ryeowook sat inside the booth and relaxed in the warmth of the cafe while Sungmin returned with a drink in his hands.

"Drink. No complaints even if it's not what you like and don't you dare pay me back." Sungmin ordered as he placed it in front of him.

Ryeowook nodded and drank from the cup. He gave a sigh of contentment.

"You're not getting yourself a drink?" He asked.

Sungmin shook his head. "I prefer the cold."

Ryeowook cringed at the thought. "I like it too but its freezing now." He then moved the cup towards him. "Here. We can share."

Sungmin pushed the cup back. "I'm fine. Really. Now drink. Or are you trying to imply you don't like it?"

"No!" Ryeowook insisted.

"Then drink." Sungmin ordered. Ryeowook reluctantly obeyed as he sipped from the cup.

Sungmin leaned back against the chair, listening to the music playing in the background. It temporarily satisfied his urges but he couldn't help but stare stonily at the CD player in his bag.

Once they were outside and back onto the cold streets, Ryeowook began to shiver again from the slight breeze. It barely affected Sungmin but he chuckled at Ryeowook's exaggerated reaction.

"You're like a child." He commented.

Ryeowook bit back a retort and instead reached out for his arm suddenly. Burying his hands in his jacket to stay warm.

It caught Sungmin off-guard and he immediately pushed him away.

"Don't do that." He warned.

Ryeowook winced slightly, bowing as he apologized.

In truth it didn't bothered him at all. But that action caused his heart to react oddly. He wasn't blind to its actions but was not willing for it to continue to act that way. He simply refused.

They walked in silence the rest of the way. Sungmin regretted his actions midway but said nothing. Even as they reached Ryeowook's house, Sungmin decided to simply stay quiet, about to walk away when Ryeowook called out and asked him to wait.

He sighed and waited until Ryeowook rushed back from inside his house.

Sungmin simply stared as Ryeowook held out his hands.

"What is this?" He asked, feeling confused.

Ryeowook smiled. "It's an early Christmas present." He gestured his hands. Sungmin furrowed his eyebrows at the extravagantly wrapped up present.

He slowly unwrapped it and held up a retro-style headphones in his hand.

"I hope you like it." Ryeowook said timidly. Sungmin said nothing but placed the headphones around his neck to Ryeowook's satisfaction.

Sungmin felt guilty. The gift itself may not have seemed like much but it touched more him than it should have.

He decided to do something about it.

The next night, when he held out his poor attempt at a gift for Ryeowook, he wasn't surprised to see a shocked expression on his face. He only fervently hoped that he wouldn't run this time.

Sungmin gestured the gift. "Do you want it or not?"

Ryeowook nodded and reached for it. The present itself was poorly wrapped and taped up in a jumbled mess. Ryeowook slowly tore apart each piece until he reached the object it held.

It was a rather bright picture frame.

"It's not much." Sungmin commented. "But you seemed to like pictures. And I couldn't afford a camera so this was as close as I could get. I know it's not the best, so you can throw it away if you don't like it."

Ryeowook shook his head as he held the frame close to his chest. He smiled in gratitude.

Sungmin cleared his throat, finding it more difficult to look away from him.

-

He tried to focus on his new spring schedule, but instead he found himself glaring at the man beside Ryeowook who acted rather close. Their close proximity made him feel uncomfortable.

Kibum followed his eyes. "Your infatuation is becoming obvious."

Sungmin nearly rolled his eyes. Instead he forced himself to tear his eyes away from the figure. "It's not an infatuation."

"Right..." Kibum said in disbelief.

Sungmin reluctantly admitted that he did not believe what he just said either. He couldn't help but followed the younger man with his eyes, whose friendliness irked him because it attracted nearly everyone by his side. He wanted nothing more than to stand by him and turn the others away, both protectively and possessively.

He was initially resistant to the idea. He would have suppressed them.

As he continued to stare the same friend who, by now had leaned in quite closely to Ryeowook, he felt the sudden need to throttle him. Luckily, Kibum had reacted fast and managed to hold him back in time. He concluded that suppressing them was proving to be quite impossible.

He was still slightly resistant to the idea. But his mind had convinced him that it was necessary, while his emotions were blindly pushing him to ask Ryeowook to meet him near the secluded side of the campus. He had waited hours earlier than planned, to soothe his nerves when the younger man finally showed up, greeting him happily.

Sungmin gathered a bit of much needed courage. Somehow confessing to the younger man made him feel insecure.

"I like you." Sungmin finally uttered.

He was prepared for rejection. For a puzzled look. Or even a hopeful elated expression.

Instead he was left standing there as Ryeowook suddenly lowered his head, murmured something under his breath and bolted away from him.

Sungmin froze. He cursed under his breath and let go the of the nice facade he didn't realized he was holding.

Screw it. He needed an answer.

"Yah!" He yelled as he chased after him.

Ryeowook didn't stop. If anything, he ran faster.

"You can't just run away from me! Answer me!" He yelled. Soon enough, Ryeowook seemed to be slowing down and once he was close enough, he grabbed onto his arm and forced him to stop.

Ryeowook nearly crashed into him as the two panted for air. Sungmin didn't care about hurting him and narrowed his eyes dangerously at the man who dared to run away. He would force it out of him whether he liked it or not.

"Give me an answer." He said darkly. "Even if you're rejecting me, just say it."

Ryeowook looked up and widened his eyes worriedly. "Why would you think I'm rejecting you?"

Sungmin rolled his eyes, wanting to smack some sense at him. "It's difficult to assume anything else when you decided to run away."

"T-that wasn't because I disliked you." Ryeowook defended, his cheeks held a hint of scarlet as he shifted his eyes. "I was...I was scared."

Sungmin sighed in frustration. "Fine, you're scared of me-"

"No! Not of you," Ryeowook said hurriedly as he shut his eyes. "But because... I do like you. I really like you a lot but I was... the confession and..." Ryeowook seemed so flustered but Sungmin managed to get the gist of what he meant.

Ryeowook didn't run away because he didn't like him, but entirely out of embarrassment.

"If this is how you're like with everyone who says they like you, it's no wonder you're still single."

Ryeowook's cheeks flushed at his statement. Sungmin's frustration gradually faded. "You like me... Right?"

Ryeowook nodded.

"Good." Sungmin said smugly. He then forced him to meet his eyes. "You're not allowed to run away more. Understand?"

Ryeowook nodded again. Sungmin suddenly smirked. "This means I'm allowed to now right?"

Ryeowook wanted to ask what he meant, but before he could voiced his question, he had already received his answer. In the form of a short but sweet kiss.

-

It was a cool summer evening when Ryeowook let himself into the apartment and waited idly as Sungmin crossed the hallway between the two rooms.

"I'm going to kill him if he took my headphones." He said.

Ryeowook chuckled, aware of his obsessive need for his music. He continued to wait and stared at the many photos hung tidy and straight on the wall. Pictures of his parents and his brother, all dressed officially and properly. They were privileged obviously but he realized a certain and noticeable common trait among all of them.

Sungmin was not in any one of the photos.

It irked him.

Minutes later, Sungmin appeared in the hallway with his headphones around his neck and swiped the keys from the wall. "Alright. Let's go."

Ryeowook nodded as Sungmin double checked his phone. So completely focused on the messages that he was startled by the sudden kiss on his cheek.

He tilted his head at Ryeowook who gave a reassuring smile. He chose not to interrogate him as he would've and instead led him out of his apartment. It hadn't bothered him when Ryeowook walked particularly close to him or stopped him again to kiss him fully on the lips.

Not a single complaint was voiced as Ryeowook gestured towards their hands, as if pleading but afraid to act. Sungmin merely sighed as he interlocked their hands and saw Ryeowook's elated smile.

The door closed behind the couple, streams of the light from the top revealed the photos that remained on the wall and hung proudly.

Only these were angled differently. Neither straightened or perfect but out of order and twisted about.

Beneath them laid a single photo in a rather bright picture frame. Visible tape held the torn sides of the two photos. Ones that, despite the clear and marked differences in both, displayed the two sides that matched up perfectly.

rssj1314 's Minwook

- ILC07 [ HanChul]  ☆ ILC09 [ Kyumin] --

A/N: I apologize for the errors and inconsistencies... So sleepy...and tired... Attempted to finish this on time but @.@ Inspired by a fanart I saw and a bit of personal experience. Also, to Lien and Ciel...

I can't run that fast T-T My man will catch me even if I attempt~

Also check out MinWook Love ^^ If you happen to like the couple :)

This is now the end of March ILC, please anticipate our future ILC in May, I believe there's still some couples we haven't attempted yet and some classic OTP's ^^.

c: ryeowook, pairing: minwook, challenge♣initial line, | length: one-shots, c: sungmin, type: fanfiction, type: yaoi

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