[TC02] Determining Happiness
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Kibum/Yesung
Genre: AU!General, Romance, Minor!Drama
Theme: Snow
Summary: He never anticipated the trip home, in case there was someone sitting on the doorstep. This time however, he was sitting just outsides the gates, and like his circumstances before, Yesung simply chose to be different.
-
"You'll be happier here."
Kibum sliced the meat, going about cooking the meals when he felt two hands snake around his waist, a weight leaning against his back. He continued on his work without much reaction,
"Yesung," He called quietly. "I need to... finish." He hoped he didn't come across as rude.
It was only then did Yesung step back and allowed him some distance, but still kept idly by, watching him intently.
"Are you going to help me?" Kibum asked lightheartedly, Yesung instantly appeared by his side and reached for a tray. They walked out and began setting it for the children within the orphanage.
Yesung managed to appease almost everyone in record timing, making sure to at least act polite even though he remained quiet. A habit most of the children were used to by now.
Once done, Yesung appeared once more by side and refused to leave it as they ate their own meals for the day.
"...You did good," Kibum awkwardly complimented with a small smile. Yesung lowered his head, fidgeting his fingers and wrinkling the edge of Kibum's shirt, an action that meant he was happy.
The latter enjoyed any aspect that gained favor with Kibum, a fact Kibum often had to make sure he never abused.
-
The group home was lackluster at best, often scrambling for money and whatever resources it had. Yet Kibum never saw his father complain, and assisted him often in the workings around the house. Yet, even the young man admitted he was afraid every day he came from school, lengthening his distance before he'd peek at the doorstep.
And to his relief most of the time, the doorstep would be empty. He was often afraid to see another sitting with the familiar lost and scared look, Kibum even now after the many experiences, couldn't find the proper words to say.
Then, in his early teen years, he opened the gate and realized there was a young child sitting against the metal bars, his bangs trailing over his eyes.
Kibum thinned his lips, "You can come inside." He offered, the latter was indifferent to him. He continued to wait for a few minutes longer before entering inside the gate. "Knock if you want to come in." He called out, but the child made no reaction.
"Who is that outside?" Kibum asked his father, the man glimpsed out the glass window and sighed. Kibum then understood, realizing it wasn't just a child sitting idly by.
"The fact hasn't settled in yet." His father said worriedly.
Kibum went about his chores, occasionally looking out the glass window, turning up the heater when the cold began to set inside. He stopped right before him, the child hadn't moved an inch, but his thin jacket wouldn't suffice for long.
He stepped out through the mesh snow until he stood by him, he sighed, knowing he couldn't force the child inside. He knelt down by him, patiently holding out the thick blanket. Still, the stoic child didn't acknowledge his presence. Rather than letting him freeze, Kibum placed the blanket around his shoulders and adjusted it across his chest.
He felt a single drop of water hit his hand.
Kibum was nearly thrown back against the ground as Yesung grappled him tightly, face buried within his jacket, the blanket tossed aside on the wet grounds.
"I-its... okay." Kibum said uneasily, patting the child's back. He scolded him internally, because he knew the circumstances were far from fine.
Yet Yesung didn't seem to care, clutching him with all his strength. Kibum decided to resort to silence, and simply waited until Yesung could stand on his own. Patience, he figured, was all he could truly offer.
-
Yesung refused to speak, but Kibum realized he was capable. Over time it was established that Yesung wouldn't speak to anyone other than Kibum. His father didn't seem to bother with it, the younger never gave any trouble.
The first time Yesung reached for his shirt, Kibum wasn't sure what to say. His shirts became ruined by the constant stretching, but he didn't want to push Yesung aside, considering his constant attachment to him.
He instead thinned his lips and said nothing, and realized that his ruined shirts didn't matter to him, long used to it.
And as Yesung wrapped his arms around him, finding comfort whenever he needed it, Kibum allowed him to do so.
-
"What's wrong?" Kibum asked in his late teens, Yesung tugged on the edge of Kibum's black shirt.
"I don't like him." Yesung uttered, only loud for Kibum to hear.
Kibum sighed, understanding he referred to the social worker who arrived earlier to check on the home. "He's... not..." Kibum couldn't finish the sentence in completely honesty. Yesung tugged it further, understanding the words Kibum couldn't phrase properly.
The social worker stood by the doorway with the clipboard in his hand. "Everything seems to be in order." His piercing gaze then rested on Yesung who hid behind Kibum.
"He's one of yours, right?" His father gave a polite nod of the head. "He seems too old to stay."
"He'll come of age next year."
"Good. I would hope you're not including grown children in your finances to demand more compensation." He added curtly.
Kibum felt a pinch on his side as Yesung dug his fingers, a distinct display of anger.
"Remember, he has to be settled out of here by then." The social worker stated, he spared Yesung another glance. "Have you bothered to get him a counselor for his selective mute behavior? It'll be difficult for him to enter work if he cannot speak."
"He's seen them already." Kibum called out.
He heard his father assured the social worker that Yesung would be fit to enter the real world by the time he came of age. The social worker then left after writing on his clipboard. Kibum narrowed his eyes, knowing it was his job, but out of all the social workers that came before, this one he couldn't stand.
Yesung withdrew his fingers, but clung to Kibum's shoulder. "We won't kick you out." Kibum murmured, placing a comforting arm around the younger.
Yesung may have been closer to the age, but he acted nothing like it. He was seventeen however, and he'd have to decide on his future. Kibum pursed his lips, hesitant on the idea.
"You have a soft spot for him." His friend acknowledged, Kibum swept the colored leaves from the steps.
"You've seen him." Kibum uttered as the wind rushed over them, returning the leaves all over the pathway.
Sungmin smiled, "I have." Kibum parted his lips to counter against the suggestive look when Yesung appeared behind him, the door partly opened. "It's alright, I have this place covered."
Yesung narrowed his eyes at Sungmin quite blatantly, deaf to Kibum's words. Kibum heard a cry inside and excused himself to take care of the fallen child, he returned outside shortly after to see Yesung not as bothered.
"What happened?" Kibum asked as Yesung forced the broom from his hand and began sweeping up the pathway. For the first time, the other wasn't repeatedly glaring at his friend.
Sungmin gave a triumphant grin with his chin on his fist. "I told him I was seeing someone already."
-
Kibum still wasn't good with his words, and when he attempted the conversation with Yesung, only a month before he turned eighteen. He thought it was going as well as it could have.
Yesung stared blankly, Kibum clasped his hands together, hoping for a decent response when Yesung asked. "You said I can make any choice?"
"Yes."
Yesung blinked before declaring, "I want to work here then."
Kibum closed his mouth, Yesung didn't wait for a response and left to help his father. "W-wait!" He called out, that wasn't one of the options he gave him.
"Did you hear him?" Kibum asked exasperatedly to his father. Yesung, a man who usually obeyed Kibum quite well, blatantly ignored any attempt Kibum tried to make.
To his surprise, his father chuckled. "If he wants to, why not?" His father than arched an eyebrow. "Are you uncomfortable with his decision?"
"No." Kibum stated, "It's that... What if he just doesn't want to go?"
If Yesung was afraid to enter the real world because he wasn't prepared, Kibum felt partly at fault for that. Because rather than demonstrating to Yesung the ways outside, he continually sheltered him from it instead. A attribute he regretted now, sighing solemnly every time he glanced at Yesung helping out around the group home.
He didn't want to hold him back.
-
Kibum looked out at the falling snow that gradually settled on the ground, his arms crossed as he laid on the windowsill in the late hours. He closed his eyes every so often, absentmindedly centering his vision on one particular spot by the gates. He then felt a weight against his back and the familiar hands reaching around his torso.
Even now, rather than properly phrase his words, Kibum said abruptly. "You can leave."
"I don't want to." Yesung murmured, nestling, wrinkling his shirt. Able to understand what Kibum referred to without asking.
Kibum smirked. "You want to stay here for the rest of your life?"
"Yes."
Kibum chuckled quietly at his earnest and prompt answer. "You can have a better future outside, more opportunities out there."
"If it doesn't have you in it, I don't want it."
His blunt nature only made Kibum smile wider, he lifted himself off the sill as Yesung let go temporarily.
Within the darkness of the room, it felt they had isolated themselves from the others. Yesung looked on as Kibum turned, his hands rubbing against each other to warm them up. The younger softened his gaze when Kibum suddenly smiled, pausing his hands.
"Happy birthday." Kibum said warmly, Yesung was vaguely aware that it was now midnight.
Kibum never had to ask what Yesung wanted as a gift, the younger could never answer and often accepted anything he gave, As long as it was from Kibum, the younger appreciated it.
But for once, Yesung knew exactly what he wanted, and rather than wait for the gift. He shifted himself and kissed Kibum on the cheek.
-
"Are you happy here?" Kibum asked, an arm keeping him close by.
The now twenty-three year Yesung tensed at the familiar question and visibly cleared his throat. Kibum, observing his reaction, smiled instead. "Sleep," He ordered softly, not forcing a reply.
Yesung kept awake most of the night. He side-eye the sleeping Kibum, whose arm protectively kept him in place. By habit, he reached out to grab his shirt, but hesitantly, slowly, reached out and inched his fingers towards the older's hand. He watched Kibum carefully, making sure he didn't wake him.
The daring movement was becoming easier over the years, his silence he couldn't say improved. But Kibum could understand his often unsaid replies, and Yesung was glad to know that despite Kibum's timid attempts when he spoke, he understood the context nonetheless.
The man who still remained patient, not realizing he had more to offer, more than Yesung felt he deserved.
"You'll be happy here." That had been the final thing his mother said before leaving him there. He often drifted to that comment, believing early on that he could never be.
He nestled closer, Kibum adjusted himself unconsciously, laying beside him after an exhaustive day. Yesung finally had an answer to his question, but couldn't wait until morning.
"I am." Yesung replied quietly, closing his eyes.
He'd repeat it once morning came, and was hopeful that Kibum would like his answer, and smile as warmly as he would if he did. The one that determined if Kibum was happy.
To his relief, Kibum was.
rssj1314's YeBum
[ Previous: ChangKyu (Power)] | [ Next: HenHyuk (Pins)]
Comms: yebum
Pairing: Kibum/Yesung
Genre: AU!General, Romance, Minor!Drama
Theme: Snow
Summary: He never anticipated the trip home, in case there was someone sitting on the doorstep. This time however, he was sitting just outsides the gates, and like his circumstances before, Yesung simply chose to be different.
-
"You'll be happier here."
Kibum sliced the meat, going about cooking the meals when he felt two hands snake around his waist, a weight leaning against his back. He continued on his work without much reaction,
"Yesung," He called quietly. "I need to... finish." He hoped he didn't come across as rude.
It was only then did Yesung step back and allowed him some distance, but still kept idly by, watching him intently.
"Are you going to help me?" Kibum asked lightheartedly, Yesung instantly appeared by his side and reached for a tray. They walked out and began setting it for the children within the orphanage.
Yesung managed to appease almost everyone in record timing, making sure to at least act polite even though he remained quiet. A habit most of the children were used to by now.
Once done, Yesung appeared once more by side and refused to leave it as they ate their own meals for the day.
"...You did good," Kibum awkwardly complimented with a small smile. Yesung lowered his head, fidgeting his fingers and wrinkling the edge of Kibum's shirt, an action that meant he was happy.
The latter enjoyed any aspect that gained favor with Kibum, a fact Kibum often had to make sure he never abused.
-
The group home was lackluster at best, often scrambling for money and whatever resources it had. Yet Kibum never saw his father complain, and assisted him often in the workings around the house. Yet, even the young man admitted he was afraid every day he came from school, lengthening his distance before he'd peek at the doorstep.
And to his relief most of the time, the doorstep would be empty. He was often afraid to see another sitting with the familiar lost and scared look, Kibum even now after the many experiences, couldn't find the proper words to say.
Then, in his early teen years, he opened the gate and realized there was a young child sitting against the metal bars, his bangs trailing over his eyes.
Kibum thinned his lips, "You can come inside." He offered, the latter was indifferent to him. He continued to wait for a few minutes longer before entering inside the gate. "Knock if you want to come in." He called out, but the child made no reaction.
"Who is that outside?" Kibum asked his father, the man glimpsed out the glass window and sighed. Kibum then understood, realizing it wasn't just a child sitting idly by.
"The fact hasn't settled in yet." His father said worriedly.
Kibum went about his chores, occasionally looking out the glass window, turning up the heater when the cold began to set inside. He stopped right before him, the child hadn't moved an inch, but his thin jacket wouldn't suffice for long.
He stepped out through the mesh snow until he stood by him, he sighed, knowing he couldn't force the child inside. He knelt down by him, patiently holding out the thick blanket. Still, the stoic child didn't acknowledge his presence. Rather than letting him freeze, Kibum placed the blanket around his shoulders and adjusted it across his chest.
He felt a single drop of water hit his hand.
Kibum was nearly thrown back against the ground as Yesung grappled him tightly, face buried within his jacket, the blanket tossed aside on the wet grounds.
"I-its... okay." Kibum said uneasily, patting the child's back. He scolded him internally, because he knew the circumstances were far from fine.
Yet Yesung didn't seem to care, clutching him with all his strength. Kibum decided to resort to silence, and simply waited until Yesung could stand on his own. Patience, he figured, was all he could truly offer.
-
Yesung refused to speak, but Kibum realized he was capable. Over time it was established that Yesung wouldn't speak to anyone other than Kibum. His father didn't seem to bother with it, the younger never gave any trouble.
The first time Yesung reached for his shirt, Kibum wasn't sure what to say. His shirts became ruined by the constant stretching, but he didn't want to push Yesung aside, considering his constant attachment to him.
He instead thinned his lips and said nothing, and realized that his ruined shirts didn't matter to him, long used to it.
And as Yesung wrapped his arms around him, finding comfort whenever he needed it, Kibum allowed him to do so.
-
"What's wrong?" Kibum asked in his late teens, Yesung tugged on the edge of Kibum's black shirt.
"I don't like him." Yesung uttered, only loud for Kibum to hear.
Kibum sighed, understanding he referred to the social worker who arrived earlier to check on the home. "He's... not..." Kibum couldn't finish the sentence in completely honesty. Yesung tugged it further, understanding the words Kibum couldn't phrase properly.
The social worker stood by the doorway with the clipboard in his hand. "Everything seems to be in order." His piercing gaze then rested on Yesung who hid behind Kibum.
"He's one of yours, right?" His father gave a polite nod of the head. "He seems too old to stay."
"He'll come of age next year."
"Good. I would hope you're not including grown children in your finances to demand more compensation." He added curtly.
Kibum felt a pinch on his side as Yesung dug his fingers, a distinct display of anger.
"Remember, he has to be settled out of here by then." The social worker stated, he spared Yesung another glance. "Have you bothered to get him a counselor for his selective mute behavior? It'll be difficult for him to enter work if he cannot speak."
"He's seen them already." Kibum called out.
He heard his father assured the social worker that Yesung would be fit to enter the real world by the time he came of age. The social worker then left after writing on his clipboard. Kibum narrowed his eyes, knowing it was his job, but out of all the social workers that came before, this one he couldn't stand.
Yesung withdrew his fingers, but clung to Kibum's shoulder. "We won't kick you out." Kibum murmured, placing a comforting arm around the younger.
Yesung may have been closer to the age, but he acted nothing like it. He was seventeen however, and he'd have to decide on his future. Kibum pursed his lips, hesitant on the idea.
"You have a soft spot for him." His friend acknowledged, Kibum swept the colored leaves from the steps.
"You've seen him." Kibum uttered as the wind rushed over them, returning the leaves all over the pathway.
Sungmin smiled, "I have." Kibum parted his lips to counter against the suggestive look when Yesung appeared behind him, the door partly opened. "It's alright, I have this place covered."
Yesung narrowed his eyes at Sungmin quite blatantly, deaf to Kibum's words. Kibum heard a cry inside and excused himself to take care of the fallen child, he returned outside shortly after to see Yesung not as bothered.
"What happened?" Kibum asked as Yesung forced the broom from his hand and began sweeping up the pathway. For the first time, the other wasn't repeatedly glaring at his friend.
Sungmin gave a triumphant grin with his chin on his fist. "I told him I was seeing someone already."
-
Kibum still wasn't good with his words, and when he attempted the conversation with Yesung, only a month before he turned eighteen. He thought it was going as well as it could have.
Yesung stared blankly, Kibum clasped his hands together, hoping for a decent response when Yesung asked. "You said I can make any choice?"
"Yes."
Yesung blinked before declaring, "I want to work here then."
Kibum closed his mouth, Yesung didn't wait for a response and left to help his father. "W-wait!" He called out, that wasn't one of the options he gave him.
"Did you hear him?" Kibum asked exasperatedly to his father. Yesung, a man who usually obeyed Kibum quite well, blatantly ignored any attempt Kibum tried to make.
To his surprise, his father chuckled. "If he wants to, why not?" His father than arched an eyebrow. "Are you uncomfortable with his decision?"
"No." Kibum stated, "It's that... What if he just doesn't want to go?"
If Yesung was afraid to enter the real world because he wasn't prepared, Kibum felt partly at fault for that. Because rather than demonstrating to Yesung the ways outside, he continually sheltered him from it instead. A attribute he regretted now, sighing solemnly every time he glanced at Yesung helping out around the group home.
He didn't want to hold him back.
-
Kibum looked out at the falling snow that gradually settled on the ground, his arms crossed as he laid on the windowsill in the late hours. He closed his eyes every so often, absentmindedly centering his vision on one particular spot by the gates. He then felt a weight against his back and the familiar hands reaching around his torso.
Even now, rather than properly phrase his words, Kibum said abruptly. "You can leave."
"I don't want to." Yesung murmured, nestling, wrinkling his shirt. Able to understand what Kibum referred to without asking.
Kibum smirked. "You want to stay here for the rest of your life?"
"Yes."
Kibum chuckled quietly at his earnest and prompt answer. "You can have a better future outside, more opportunities out there."
"If it doesn't have you in it, I don't want it."
His blunt nature only made Kibum smile wider, he lifted himself off the sill as Yesung let go temporarily.
Within the darkness of the room, it felt they had isolated themselves from the others. Yesung looked on as Kibum turned, his hands rubbing against each other to warm them up. The younger softened his gaze when Kibum suddenly smiled, pausing his hands.
"Happy birthday." Kibum said warmly, Yesung was vaguely aware that it was now midnight.
Kibum never had to ask what Yesung wanted as a gift, the younger could never answer and often accepted anything he gave, As long as it was from Kibum, the younger appreciated it.
But for once, Yesung knew exactly what he wanted, and rather than wait for the gift. He shifted himself and kissed Kibum on the cheek.
-
"Are you happy here?" Kibum asked, an arm keeping him close by.
The now twenty-three year Yesung tensed at the familiar question and visibly cleared his throat. Kibum, observing his reaction, smiled instead. "Sleep," He ordered softly, not forcing a reply.
Yesung kept awake most of the night. He side-eye the sleeping Kibum, whose arm protectively kept him in place. By habit, he reached out to grab his shirt, but hesitantly, slowly, reached out and inched his fingers towards the older's hand. He watched Kibum carefully, making sure he didn't wake him.
The daring movement was becoming easier over the years, his silence he couldn't say improved. But Kibum could understand his often unsaid replies, and Yesung was glad to know that despite Kibum's timid attempts when he spoke, he understood the context nonetheless.
The man who still remained patient, not realizing he had more to offer, more than Yesung felt he deserved.
"You'll be happy here." That had been the final thing his mother said before leaving him there. He often drifted to that comment, believing early on that he could never be.
He nestled closer, Kibum adjusted himself unconsciously, laying beside him after an exhaustive day. Yesung finally had an answer to his question, but couldn't wait until morning.
"I am." Yesung replied quietly, closing his eyes.
He'd repeat it once morning came, and was hopeful that Kibum would like his answer, and smile as warmly as he would if he did. The one that determined if Kibum was happy.
To his relief, Kibum was.
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