Fic: Be Your Own Cupid 1/5
Title: Be Your Own Cupid
Author: kayevelyn
Fandom: Super Junior
Pairing: KiHaeHyuk
Rating: +17
Summary: Hyukjae got married third, behind Jungsu and Han Geng.
Notes: For mytigerhobbes for help_haiti. This has been an adventure writing. I hope you like it. :D
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hyukjae got married third, behind Jungsu and Han Geng. His new wife was pretty, slim and a camera operator at SBS. They’d met while he was shooting his new variety show Eunhyuk’s Baseball Show, which was only named that because of the play on words. Jungsu and Donghee both thought it was a hilarious concept and Hyukjae had to admit it brought in the ratings.
He never regretted moving full time to the variety circuit. There was no money to be made dancing, and performing every week was beginning to take its toll now that he was passed thirty.
Married life was not exactly how he imagined it to be. It was similar to how dating life was, except now his parents and her parents no longer pestered them about getting married. There were times where Hyukjae wondered if maybe he had gone about this whole marriage thing wrong. He looked at his friends, they were happy, always smiling and wiping food off each other’s cheeks before kissing. It was unfair that people like Siwon and Donghee got that happy ending with their girlfriends - soon to be wives - but he didn’t.
They weren’t fighting; they just were at a standstill. Hyukjae blamed work every time he got home and Hyunja wasn’t there, smiling with dinner, or even just there. Hyukjae didn’t want to believe it, but his mind kept whispering that maybe this was the way it was supposed to be. Work forever and then maybe when you’re old and decrepit you finally have time for one another.
He had to make sure that he pushed the images of laying in bed on Sunday mornings, and doing silly things like rubbing bars of soap in each others hair, or bumping shoulders as you played video games, away, because that wasn’t love. That wasn’t marriage. That had been stupid teenagedom, and no matter how fun it had seemed, it wasn’t reality and it wasn’t a way to make a living.
Hyukjae finished off his bottle of soju, and clicked off the television. He looked at the clock: two thirty in the morning and he had a six a.m. call. Hyunja probably wasn’t going to be home tonight.
The red light coming from the telephone greeted him with he got home. Hyukjae had thought about investing in a dog, something small that barked a lot to distract him from the quiet of the apartment, and greeted him when he got home. He frowned, shrugging off his jacket before he clicked on the answering machine.
Donghae’s voice came in tinny and filled the living room. “Hey Eunhyukkie.” He laughed. “I just got back from California. You won’t believe all the things I’ve learned. We should meet up at the studio and I’ll show you. You’ll be amazed. You should come over! It’s just me and Kibummie and you’re welcome whenever you have time. I heard about your new show. Invite me on it! I promise to be entertaining!” He stopped to take a breath. “Give me a call, okay?”
The call ended with a click. Hyukjae swallowed and cursed himself as he replayed the message. It had been seven months, since the wedding, since he had heard Donghae’s voice. He had come back from his short vacation and Donghae had been packed up, shipped off to Los Angeles to learn some new dance moves. He hadn’t bothered to call or write to anyone. Well, maybe he had been in contact with Heechul but Hyukjae had been too afraid to ask.
He sighed and collapsed in the chair. Donghae was back. Hyukjae flipped his phone open and tried Donghae’s old cell phone number. He picked up on the second ring.
“Eunhyukkie?”
Hyukjae swallowed, and found himself nodding. When he heard Donghae repeat himself he realized that Donghae couldn’t see his nod. “Yes.” He forced out. “I got your message. Why didn’t you try my cell phone?” That didn’t sound awkward at all.
Donghae laughed loud and bright and Hyukjae turned on the light in the apartment. He had forgotten to do that in his surprise at the phone call. “I wasn’t sure what your schedule was like and I didn’t want to call during a bad time.”
“Oh.” Hyukjae said and Donghae laughed again.
“Yeah, ‘oh.’ So what are you doing? Are you busy? When can you meet up? I have a lot to show you. Heechul said that you weren’t dancing as much anymore, too busy being that variety star.”
Hyukjae looked around the apartment, at the not completely unpacked place. Siwon’s apartment had pictures covering every wall; his new wife was a painter. Hyukjae and Hyunja hadn’t had time to finish painting everything so the walls were still a dull white, except for the two in the living room, which were pastel green. He took a deep breath, calming himself and forcing a smile to his face.
“Do you want to meet up right now? I’m free and there is this new restaurant around the block from the studio. Trainees don’t have it as hard as we did so no one will be there, and you can show me some of what you’ve learned.”
“Really?” Donghae sounded unsure.
“Yeah, I don’t have any activities until next Tuesday. We’ll make a night out of it.”
There was a pause before Donghae let out a whoop and launched into how to get to his new apartment. They could get to the restaurant from there and then go to the studio.
Hyukjae didn’t protest as Donghae told him how to get to his new apartment. He hadn’t been to dinner with anyone as just a friend for months now. Even meeting with Jungsu usually meant business was involved. He grabbed his keys and left without leaving a note.
The thing about going to see Donghae again, Hyukjae realized as he practically ran through the motions to get from one subway to the next before jogging up the stairs to Donghae's new apartment, was that he didn't know exactly how awkward it would be. What do you say to someone you broke up with, officially said the words "this is over" to, two days before your own wedding? Hyukjae wasn't particularly sure, but he was positive that the "I still want you to be my best man," and the "we'll always be friends" lines he said right after probably weren't what Donghae needed to hear. But seven months was a big time to change, and to heal. And Donghae had to be healed because he was the one to call Hyukjae first. And Hyukjae was healed because he was the one to break this whole thing off. So really, seeing Donghae, after this whole awkward break up, wasn't going to be awkward. They were going to smile, hug, and laugh because they were friends.
There was nothing to worry about.
Donghae opened the door with a big smile on his face, and Hyukjae had to repeat that line to himself over and over again. There was nothing to worry about. There's nothing to worry about.
"Hyukjae!" Donghae flung an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug. Hyukjae stood there awkwardly, before finally wrapping his arm around Donghae and patting his back. Now that he was relaxing he could savor the human contact.
"Yeah. It's me." He tried to smile as Donghae pulled away, and from the look Donghae was giving him the smile was probably some half assed, scared smile he wore as a trainee.
“I’ve missed you.” Donghae looked down, holding the door open for Hyukjae to walk in.
The apartment was well put together and Hyukjae found himself doing a full one-eighty once he stepped into the living room. Donghae laughed at him and told him to wait there while he grabbed a change of clothes.
"Have you been back long?" Hyukjae was looking around the living room, and in the kitchen, for any open boxes. He couldn't find any.
"We flew back two weeks ago, but the jet lag was pretty bad for me. Besides, we wanted to move into this place." Donghae came out of the bedroom, duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. "Ready to get going?"
Hyukjae nodded, the smile coming more naturally as he spent more time with Donghae. There was no awkwardness like he had thought there would be, and while he thought there might still be hurt feelings, he was positive that if he didn't mention it first Donghae would never bring it up.
They grabbed dinner to go from the restaurant, Donghae wanting to get to the studio as soon as possible so he had a lot of time to show Hyukjae all that he had learned. Hyukjae didn't complain, picking up the two bags of food with a laugh while Donghae bounced from foot to foot by the door.
Donghae slid his duffle bag to the other side of the room, taking a seat against the wall and holding his hands out impatiently. Hyukjae laughed and handed one bag of food over.
"I didn't get to ask. How is married life going?" Donghae asked, chopsticks deep in his dinner.
Hyukjae took a stab at his own food, his smile slipping for the first time all night. "It's pretty good. We're both just really busy right now." He wanted to tack in like you and Kibum but he was pretty sure that was inappropriate. He couldn’t stop his curiosity. “Kibum went to Los Angeles with you?”
Donghae nodded. “He knew a bit of his way around, and he also had some business he could get done there.”
“It must have been a nice break.”
Donghae lit up and put his carton of food down. “Here let me show you something that I learned.”
He hopped to his feet before Hyukjae could stop him and began to do a complicated twist that Hyukjae thought he might have been able to do when he was fifteen but definitely wouldn’t dare to try now when he was so out of practice. He set his own carton down and stood up, indulging Donghae in trying to teach him.
He was getting more comfortable as they spent more time together and so when Donghae extended the offer to come back to his house to maybe watch a movie or listen to a new band that Donghae had found while in Los Angeles, Hyukjae found the “of course” slip out a lot more naturally than it would have two hours before. They packed up, Hyukjae shutting off the studio light before jogging after Donghae, who had already leaped down the flight of stairs.
“I’m home!” Donghae sing-songed, opening the door to his apartment. Hyukjae stared at the back of his head for a moment, wondering who Donghae was singing too when he saw the light in the living room on and Kibum standing over their oven in the kitchen. “I brought someone.” He continued as Hyukjae stood awkwardly in the foyer, waiting for Donghae to pull him in.
Kibum looked over, stepping away from the stove so he could glance around to see Hyukjae. He smiled faintly, nodding his head. Hyukjae tried to nod back, and be cool as he stumbled forward over their shoes.
“Hey Kibum. Good to see you.”
“You too.” Kibum turned his attention back to the stove, and the pot of water he seemed to be trying to boil, but Donghae grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him down for a quick kiss.
Hyukjae made sure his eyes were anywhere but the two of them as he felt Kibum glance over at him.
“We’re going to be listening to some music.” Donghae said, grabbing hold of Hyukjae’s arm to pull him towards the living room.
Hyukjae stopped him, digging the heels of his feet into the ground. “Actually I should really get going.” He gave a glance to the clock. “It’s late and Hyunja should be home soon.” Donghae dropped his hands and Hyukjae looked only at Kibum because his quirked eyebrow was easier to swallow than any look Donghae could give him. “Besides, it looks like Kibum made you dinner. You guys should eat together.” He gave Donghae a shove, smiling extra wide for Kibum. “I’ll give you a call later okay Donghae?”
He barely saw Donghae nod as he turned around, fussing with his shoes for a moment. He jolted for the door but stopped when Kibum held it open for him. He gave him a look, and then glanced back at Donghae still standing in the kitchen doorframe.
“Come around again, okay?” Kibum said, smiling wider as he patted Hyukjae’s arm. “Donghae’s missed you.”
Hyukjae nodded, smiling uneasy at Donghae who returned it, before he dashed home to his empty apartment.
Hyukjae was fiddling with his phone. Donghae had sent him text after text telling him when his schedule.
Wednesday free.
Thursday at the studio until late.
Friday Kibum is filming so we should hang out, unless you’re filming too.
Monday free.
Hyukjae wondered when he didn’t receive anymore texts after Monday if they would stop. He was busy he tried to tell himself. Busy staring at each and every text in his kitchen with the lights out because turning them on would only remind him that he was in an empty apartment, completely alone. Jungsu had looked worried when they met up for lunch on Wednesday, wondering why he hadn’t heard about his amazing adventures with Donghae from either of them.
“Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time with your friends.” He said as they ate. “That’s not healthy. You need time, and so does she. You guys can’t spend every moment together.” He smiled with all dimples as he looked at Hyukjae. “I know it’s hard, when you’re newly married, but a little separation is good.”
Hyukjae’s jaw was sore from the smile he had pasted on his face. Jungsu waved his hand, rambling down a different path, talking about Youngwoon and his latest hosting gig. Hyukjae stayed silent and thought about the slew of texts that weren’t coming.
His cell phone buzzed on Thursday, the string of emoticons that preluded the text told Hyukjae all he needed to know.
Sorry, Kibum and I went to the beach. I haven’t been since I got back and he had time off. It was a surprise! Come out to lunch with me tomorrow! We’ll talk about it!
Hyukjae flipped his phone closed and thought about calling Donghae now. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. Donghae wouldn’t mind. He obviously wasn’t mad that he had been blown off for the past week. Donghae was nice like that. Donghae understood that he was busy.
Hyukjae dialed Donghae’s number; it gave him time to think instead of just pressing the name and letting the phone do the work. It also let the door open, letting in Hyunja, and making Hyukjae drop the phone before he could finish the call.
He stared as he watched his wife shuffle about in the foyer, kicking off her shoes and jacket. She looked flustered and she was carrying a plastic bag of takeout. Hyukjae looked guiltily at his own carton of half eaten takeout and stood up, shocking Hyunja as he took the bag from her.
“Here, let me help you.”
She looked up, eyes wide and confused. It took a moment for a smile to cross her face and Hyukjae mimicked her, blushing slightly as he realized he was probably showing gum.
“You’re home.” She breathed out, standing up.
“You too.” Hyukjae stepped aside, letting her enter the apartment. “And you brought food.” He tried to inject enough teasing into his voice, since it was obvious she had only bought for one.
“I did! Not sure you’ll like it. It’s spicy duck.”
Hyukjae made a face, going into the kitchen to start plating her dinner. He grabbed his own carton and put it in the microwave, heating it up for 30 seconds. They could eat together.
Hyunja followed him into the kitchen, collapsing into a seat for a moment before seeming to realize what Hyukjae was doing. “You don’t need to do that.” She stood up but Hyukjae just smiled at her and made a sitting motion.
“Sit you look tired. I’ve been home almost all day.”
Hyunja looked thankful as she fell back into her seat, rubbing her fingers over her eyes. “I didn’t know you had finished filming.”
“Yeah we’re done for the week. What about you?” Hyukjae sat the food down on the table, smiling earnestly as they both began to eat.
“I have to go to Busan on Sunday. I was going to leave you a note or text you. I don’t think I told you, I’m starting a documentary for a wildlife channel. It’s going to be very interesting.”
“No more idols?” Hyukjae asked, watching Hyunja blow on her food.
“Not for right now. It’s shaping up to be very interesting. It will probably lead to more opportunities. Apparently they’ll let me film some underwater scenes; that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Hyukjae smiled. “I’m glad it’s working out for you.”
“Me too. For you I mean. You have your show, and that’s going well. It’s all I hear your PD talk about.”
Hyukjae had the decency to blush and keep his mouth shut as they continued to eat their dinner in silence. He found himself liking this; they hadn’t had a dinner together in forever it seemed and having company was nice, even when the apartment was a mess.
He watched Hyunja take the last bite of her dinner. “I thin we should finish painting the front room.”
Her eyes lit up. “We need to. It’s been forever since we started and I guess it looks pretty horrible.” She glanced over her shoulder to peek into the front room and she frowned just a bit.
Hyukjae leaned his hand over the table, wrapping fingers around her wrist. “It’s fine. Maybe we’ll leave it like this as, I don’t know, a testament to our character.”
Hyunja stared at him for a moment, trying to see if he was serious or not, before letting out a loud laugh. She put down her chopsticks so she could cover her mouth with both hands. Hyukjae watched her in awe as she shook from the force of her laugh. He smiled, standing up to put their plates in the sink as Hyunja continued to laugh.
When he was finished, dishes put up, he turned to see her watching him. Her arms were folded over the back of the seat and she was smiling. He couldn’t stop himself from blushing as he tried to go back to his seat. Hyunja holding up her hand stopped him, and he stared at the offered fingers.
“Come watch a movie with me.”
Hyukjae stared for a moment and she laughed. “I promise it’s not one of those girly movies.” She paused as Hyukjae raised his eyebrow. “Or one of my boring documentaries.”
“I never said they were-“
Hyunja cut him off with the shake of her head. “Just come watch it with me. Please?”
Hyukjae shut up, letting Hyunja lead him into the front room. He tossed some unopened boxes onto the floor and she let out a sigh.
“Yeah, we’re going to finish unpacking.”
“I’m telling you, it’s all part of our character.” Hyukjae took her hand, pulling her down onto the couch and wrapped her up in his arms as the movie started.”
I like this.” Hyunja whispered as Hyukjae ran his fingers through her hair.
“Me too.”
Author: kayevelyn
Fandom: Super Junior
Pairing: KiHaeHyuk
Rating: +17
Summary: Hyukjae got married third, behind Jungsu and Han Geng.
Notes: For mytigerhobbes for help_haiti. This has been an adventure writing. I hope you like it. :D
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hyukjae got married third, behind Jungsu and Han Geng. His new wife was pretty, slim and a camera operator at SBS. They’d met while he was shooting his new variety show Eunhyuk’s Baseball Show, which was only named that because of the play on words. Jungsu and Donghee both thought it was a hilarious concept and Hyukjae had to admit it brought in the ratings.
He never regretted moving full time to the variety circuit. There was no money to be made dancing, and performing every week was beginning to take its toll now that he was passed thirty.
Married life was not exactly how he imagined it to be. It was similar to how dating life was, except now his parents and her parents no longer pestered them about getting married. There were times where Hyukjae wondered if maybe he had gone about this whole marriage thing wrong. He looked at his friends, they were happy, always smiling and wiping food off each other’s cheeks before kissing. It was unfair that people like Siwon and Donghee got that happy ending with their girlfriends - soon to be wives - but he didn’t.
They weren’t fighting; they just were at a standstill. Hyukjae blamed work every time he got home and Hyunja wasn’t there, smiling with dinner, or even just there. Hyukjae didn’t want to believe it, but his mind kept whispering that maybe this was the way it was supposed to be. Work forever and then maybe when you’re old and decrepit you finally have time for one another.
He had to make sure that he pushed the images of laying in bed on Sunday mornings, and doing silly things like rubbing bars of soap in each others hair, or bumping shoulders as you played video games, away, because that wasn’t love. That wasn’t marriage. That had been stupid teenagedom, and no matter how fun it had seemed, it wasn’t reality and it wasn’t a way to make a living.
Hyukjae finished off his bottle of soju, and clicked off the television. He looked at the clock: two thirty in the morning and he had a six a.m. call. Hyunja probably wasn’t going to be home tonight.
The red light coming from the telephone greeted him with he got home. Hyukjae had thought about investing in a dog, something small that barked a lot to distract him from the quiet of the apartment, and greeted him when he got home. He frowned, shrugging off his jacket before he clicked on the answering machine.
Donghae’s voice came in tinny and filled the living room. “Hey Eunhyukkie.” He laughed. “I just got back from California. You won’t believe all the things I’ve learned. We should meet up at the studio and I’ll show you. You’ll be amazed. You should come over! It’s just me and Kibummie and you’re welcome whenever you have time. I heard about your new show. Invite me on it! I promise to be entertaining!” He stopped to take a breath. “Give me a call, okay?”
The call ended with a click. Hyukjae swallowed and cursed himself as he replayed the message. It had been seven months, since the wedding, since he had heard Donghae’s voice. He had come back from his short vacation and Donghae had been packed up, shipped off to Los Angeles to learn some new dance moves. He hadn’t bothered to call or write to anyone. Well, maybe he had been in contact with Heechul but Hyukjae had been too afraid to ask.
He sighed and collapsed in the chair. Donghae was back. Hyukjae flipped his phone open and tried Donghae’s old cell phone number. He picked up on the second ring.
“Eunhyukkie?”
Hyukjae swallowed, and found himself nodding. When he heard Donghae repeat himself he realized that Donghae couldn’t see his nod. “Yes.” He forced out. “I got your message. Why didn’t you try my cell phone?” That didn’t sound awkward at all.
Donghae laughed loud and bright and Hyukjae turned on the light in the apartment. He had forgotten to do that in his surprise at the phone call. “I wasn’t sure what your schedule was like and I didn’t want to call during a bad time.”
“Oh.” Hyukjae said and Donghae laughed again.
“Yeah, ‘oh.’ So what are you doing? Are you busy? When can you meet up? I have a lot to show you. Heechul said that you weren’t dancing as much anymore, too busy being that variety star.”
Hyukjae looked around the apartment, at the not completely unpacked place. Siwon’s apartment had pictures covering every wall; his new wife was a painter. Hyukjae and Hyunja hadn’t had time to finish painting everything so the walls were still a dull white, except for the two in the living room, which were pastel green. He took a deep breath, calming himself and forcing a smile to his face.
“Do you want to meet up right now? I’m free and there is this new restaurant around the block from the studio. Trainees don’t have it as hard as we did so no one will be there, and you can show me some of what you’ve learned.”
“Really?” Donghae sounded unsure.
“Yeah, I don’t have any activities until next Tuesday. We’ll make a night out of it.”
There was a pause before Donghae let out a whoop and launched into how to get to his new apartment. They could get to the restaurant from there and then go to the studio.
Hyukjae didn’t protest as Donghae told him how to get to his new apartment. He hadn’t been to dinner with anyone as just a friend for months now. Even meeting with Jungsu usually meant business was involved. He grabbed his keys and left without leaving a note.
The thing about going to see Donghae again, Hyukjae realized as he practically ran through the motions to get from one subway to the next before jogging up the stairs to Donghae's new apartment, was that he didn't know exactly how awkward it would be. What do you say to someone you broke up with, officially said the words "this is over" to, two days before your own wedding? Hyukjae wasn't particularly sure, but he was positive that the "I still want you to be my best man," and the "we'll always be friends" lines he said right after probably weren't what Donghae needed to hear. But seven months was a big time to change, and to heal. And Donghae had to be healed because he was the one to call Hyukjae first. And Hyukjae was healed because he was the one to break this whole thing off. So really, seeing Donghae, after this whole awkward break up, wasn't going to be awkward. They were going to smile, hug, and laugh because they were friends.
There was nothing to worry about.
Donghae opened the door with a big smile on his face, and Hyukjae had to repeat that line to himself over and over again. There was nothing to worry about. There's nothing to worry about.
"Hyukjae!" Donghae flung an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a hug. Hyukjae stood there awkwardly, before finally wrapping his arm around Donghae and patting his back. Now that he was relaxing he could savor the human contact.
"Yeah. It's me." He tried to smile as Donghae pulled away, and from the look Donghae was giving him the smile was probably some half assed, scared smile he wore as a trainee.
“I’ve missed you.” Donghae looked down, holding the door open for Hyukjae to walk in.
The apartment was well put together and Hyukjae found himself doing a full one-eighty once he stepped into the living room. Donghae laughed at him and told him to wait there while he grabbed a change of clothes.
"Have you been back long?" Hyukjae was looking around the living room, and in the kitchen, for any open boxes. He couldn't find any.
"We flew back two weeks ago, but the jet lag was pretty bad for me. Besides, we wanted to move into this place." Donghae came out of the bedroom, duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. "Ready to get going?"
Hyukjae nodded, the smile coming more naturally as he spent more time with Donghae. There was no awkwardness like he had thought there would be, and while he thought there might still be hurt feelings, he was positive that if he didn't mention it first Donghae would never bring it up.
They grabbed dinner to go from the restaurant, Donghae wanting to get to the studio as soon as possible so he had a lot of time to show Hyukjae all that he had learned. Hyukjae didn't complain, picking up the two bags of food with a laugh while Donghae bounced from foot to foot by the door.
Donghae slid his duffle bag to the other side of the room, taking a seat against the wall and holding his hands out impatiently. Hyukjae laughed and handed one bag of food over.
"I didn't get to ask. How is married life going?" Donghae asked, chopsticks deep in his dinner.
Hyukjae took a stab at his own food, his smile slipping for the first time all night. "It's pretty good. We're both just really busy right now." He wanted to tack in like you and Kibum but he was pretty sure that was inappropriate. He couldn’t stop his curiosity. “Kibum went to Los Angeles with you?”
Donghae nodded. “He knew a bit of his way around, and he also had some business he could get done there.”
“It must have been a nice break.”
Donghae lit up and put his carton of food down. “Here let me show you something that I learned.”
He hopped to his feet before Hyukjae could stop him and began to do a complicated twist that Hyukjae thought he might have been able to do when he was fifteen but definitely wouldn’t dare to try now when he was so out of practice. He set his own carton down and stood up, indulging Donghae in trying to teach him.
He was getting more comfortable as they spent more time together and so when Donghae extended the offer to come back to his house to maybe watch a movie or listen to a new band that Donghae had found while in Los Angeles, Hyukjae found the “of course” slip out a lot more naturally than it would have two hours before. They packed up, Hyukjae shutting off the studio light before jogging after Donghae, who had already leaped down the flight of stairs.
“I’m home!” Donghae sing-songed, opening the door to his apartment. Hyukjae stared at the back of his head for a moment, wondering who Donghae was singing too when he saw the light in the living room on and Kibum standing over their oven in the kitchen. “I brought someone.” He continued as Hyukjae stood awkwardly in the foyer, waiting for Donghae to pull him in.
Kibum looked over, stepping away from the stove so he could glance around to see Hyukjae. He smiled faintly, nodding his head. Hyukjae tried to nod back, and be cool as he stumbled forward over their shoes.
“Hey Kibum. Good to see you.”
“You too.” Kibum turned his attention back to the stove, and the pot of water he seemed to be trying to boil, but Donghae grabbed hold of his arm, pulling him down for a quick kiss.
Hyukjae made sure his eyes were anywhere but the two of them as he felt Kibum glance over at him.
“We’re going to be listening to some music.” Donghae said, grabbing hold of Hyukjae’s arm to pull him towards the living room.
Hyukjae stopped him, digging the heels of his feet into the ground. “Actually I should really get going.” He gave a glance to the clock. “It’s late and Hyunja should be home soon.” Donghae dropped his hands and Hyukjae looked only at Kibum because his quirked eyebrow was easier to swallow than any look Donghae could give him. “Besides, it looks like Kibum made you dinner. You guys should eat together.” He gave Donghae a shove, smiling extra wide for Kibum. “I’ll give you a call later okay Donghae?”
He barely saw Donghae nod as he turned around, fussing with his shoes for a moment. He jolted for the door but stopped when Kibum held it open for him. He gave him a look, and then glanced back at Donghae still standing in the kitchen doorframe.
“Come around again, okay?” Kibum said, smiling wider as he patted Hyukjae’s arm. “Donghae’s missed you.”
Hyukjae nodded, smiling uneasy at Donghae who returned it, before he dashed home to his empty apartment.
Hyukjae was fiddling with his phone. Donghae had sent him text after text telling him when his schedule.
Wednesday free.
Thursday at the studio until late.
Friday Kibum is filming so we should hang out, unless you’re filming too.
Monday free.
Hyukjae wondered when he didn’t receive anymore texts after Monday if they would stop. He was busy he tried to tell himself. Busy staring at each and every text in his kitchen with the lights out because turning them on would only remind him that he was in an empty apartment, completely alone. Jungsu had looked worried when they met up for lunch on Wednesday, wondering why he hadn’t heard about his amazing adventures with Donghae from either of them.
“Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend time with your friends.” He said as they ate. “That’s not healthy. You need time, and so does she. You guys can’t spend every moment together.” He smiled with all dimples as he looked at Hyukjae. “I know it’s hard, when you’re newly married, but a little separation is good.”
Hyukjae’s jaw was sore from the smile he had pasted on his face. Jungsu waved his hand, rambling down a different path, talking about Youngwoon and his latest hosting gig. Hyukjae stayed silent and thought about the slew of texts that weren’t coming.
His cell phone buzzed on Thursday, the string of emoticons that preluded the text told Hyukjae all he needed to know.
Sorry, Kibum and I went to the beach. I haven’t been since I got back and he had time off. It was a surprise! Come out to lunch with me tomorrow! We’ll talk about it!
Hyukjae flipped his phone closed and thought about calling Donghae now. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. Donghae wouldn’t mind. He obviously wasn’t mad that he had been blown off for the past week. Donghae was nice like that. Donghae understood that he was busy.
Hyukjae dialed Donghae’s number; it gave him time to think instead of just pressing the name and letting the phone do the work. It also let the door open, letting in Hyunja, and making Hyukjae drop the phone before he could finish the call.
He stared as he watched his wife shuffle about in the foyer, kicking off her shoes and jacket. She looked flustered and she was carrying a plastic bag of takeout. Hyukjae looked guiltily at his own carton of half eaten takeout and stood up, shocking Hyunja as he took the bag from her.
“Here, let me help you.”
She looked up, eyes wide and confused. It took a moment for a smile to cross her face and Hyukjae mimicked her, blushing slightly as he realized he was probably showing gum.
“You’re home.” She breathed out, standing up.
“You too.” Hyukjae stepped aside, letting her enter the apartment. “And you brought food.” He tried to inject enough teasing into his voice, since it was obvious she had only bought for one.
“I did! Not sure you’ll like it. It’s spicy duck.”
Hyukjae made a face, going into the kitchen to start plating her dinner. He grabbed his own carton and put it in the microwave, heating it up for 30 seconds. They could eat together.
Hyunja followed him into the kitchen, collapsing into a seat for a moment before seeming to realize what Hyukjae was doing. “You don’t need to do that.” She stood up but Hyukjae just smiled at her and made a sitting motion.
“Sit you look tired. I’ve been home almost all day.”
Hyunja looked thankful as she fell back into her seat, rubbing her fingers over her eyes. “I didn’t know you had finished filming.”
“Yeah we’re done for the week. What about you?” Hyukjae sat the food down on the table, smiling earnestly as they both began to eat.
“I have to go to Busan on Sunday. I was going to leave you a note or text you. I don’t think I told you, I’m starting a documentary for a wildlife channel. It’s going to be very interesting.”
“No more idols?” Hyukjae asked, watching Hyunja blow on her food.
“Not for right now. It’s shaping up to be very interesting. It will probably lead to more opportunities. Apparently they’ll let me film some underwater scenes; that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Hyukjae smiled. “I’m glad it’s working out for you.”
“Me too. For you I mean. You have your show, and that’s going well. It’s all I hear your PD talk about.”
Hyukjae had the decency to blush and keep his mouth shut as they continued to eat their dinner in silence. He found himself liking this; they hadn’t had a dinner together in forever it seemed and having company was nice, even when the apartment was a mess.
He watched Hyunja take the last bite of her dinner. “I thin we should finish painting the front room.”
Her eyes lit up. “We need to. It’s been forever since we started and I guess it looks pretty horrible.” She glanced over her shoulder to peek into the front room and she frowned just a bit.
Hyukjae leaned his hand over the table, wrapping fingers around her wrist. “It’s fine. Maybe we’ll leave it like this as, I don’t know, a testament to our character.”
Hyunja stared at him for a moment, trying to see if he was serious or not, before letting out a loud laugh. She put down her chopsticks so she could cover her mouth with both hands. Hyukjae watched her in awe as she shook from the force of her laugh. He smiled, standing up to put their plates in the sink as Hyunja continued to laugh.
When he was finished, dishes put up, he turned to see her watching him. Her arms were folded over the back of the seat and she was smiling. He couldn’t stop himself from blushing as he tried to go back to his seat. Hyunja holding up her hand stopped him, and he stared at the offered fingers.
“Come watch a movie with me.”
Hyukjae stared for a moment and she laughed. “I promise it’s not one of those girly movies.” She paused as Hyukjae raised his eyebrow. “Or one of my boring documentaries.”
“I never said they were-“
Hyunja cut him off with the shake of her head. “Just come watch it with me. Please?”
Hyukjae shut up, letting Hyunja lead him into the front room. He tossed some unopened boxes onto the floor and she let out a sigh.
“Yeah, we’re going to finish unpacking.”
“I’m telling you, it’s all part of our character.” Hyukjae took her hand, pulling her down onto the couch and wrapped her up in his arms as the movie started.”
I like this.” Hyunja whispered as Hyukjae ran his fingers through her hair.
“Me too.”