Neighbours
Title: Neighbours
Length: One-shot
Rating: R
Pairing: Yesung / Ryeowook, Kyuhyun / Sungmin
Summary: Yesung and Ryeowook spend a precious few days cramming their brains at study camp before college entrance exams. That and watching/listening as the drama unfolds next door.
A/N: I have a tragic story but could not find a desired way to tell it. That was until I read a fic on Baidu KyuMin Bar and fell in love with the concept. So with permission from the writer, here is our little collaboration of sorts. Plot and writing are mine, method of depiction is hers. And uncreative lazy me also translated the title. (But seriously, there's no better word to name it.)
I highly recommend the Chinese fic "邻人" by 無邑, where I got my concept from. It's a KyuMIn story told from the point of view of an un-named student who is living next to Kyuhyun at a hostel. Similarly, the story has parental objection and ends in character death. The point of view might have been adopted, but I think the general feel of the two fics should be quite different, since I tried not to get too affected by only reading through hers once.
Kim Jongwoon waited for the counter staff to register him, all the while hoping that the process would be jiffy. The walk to the camp centre left him warm and breathless, and hoping that he could get to his assigned cabin as soon as possible for a refreshing shower and nap.
It was mentioned in the directions that the nearest bus stop would be 15 minutes away but what was not mentioned was that it would be 15 minutes uphill plus a load of whatever books necessary. How could they not take that into account when they chosed this location for a study camp?
And as Jongwoon mentally lamented on the atrocious inaccessibility of the present location, his name was finally called and he was handed his key and a list of dos & donts.
The sandy path led the way down a row of quaint little single storey brick houses, each cottage consisting of two fully equipped cabins. Most of them appeared to be vacant while the occupants of a few units seemed to be getting ready to leave. Apart from the rush of water from the waterfall behind, one could expect a relatively quiet weekend.
Strangely enough, Jongwoon found himself with a neighbour who showed no sign of leaving soon. The front porch glass doors were wide open, but the only indication of human life was the sound of an ongoing battle and the flashing of lights from the bedroom. Then, remembering that the main aim of this trip had pretty much nothing to do with the invisible inhabitant, he decided to settle into the temporary quarters as soon as possible and start on what he should: the books which he spent the whole morning lugging through miles to get here.
Hours later, Jongwoon had officially won the battle against the sandman but the war cries from his stomach were beginning to sound very much like victorious songs. So he yielded to the hunger pangs which insisted on taking over hs mind, leaving the books in the cold. And lucky for him, the cafeteria sold food at reasonable prices since he could hardly keep a kitchen intact after heating instant foods.
The scene next door was the same when he left for dinner but a visitor was being let in as he returned to his unit. It appeared that the unseen warrior was getting reprimanded for ignoring basic human needs in his valiant attempts to save mankind. That plus not studying. However, said visitor was not intending to be only a disciplinarian, judging from the packs of food that he brought with him. And the couple walked into the house amidst loving banter.
Although the faint buzz in the afternoon had been negligible, Jongwoon favoured the sound of nothing but water while he continued studying in the early evening. The visitor proved to be a useful ally in keeping the noise level down via the short conversations every hour or so.
"Oh, my brain is getting really overcrowded."
"Sit down, Cho Kyuhyun."
"I just need a short break, Min."
"No, you've had enough of games in the afternoon."
"Ten minutes. No, five, just five."
"No."
He could almost hear the pout and the dejection.
Jongwoon thought that with so many hours of studying, he would definitely be dead to the world throughout the night. Or so he thought. Plus, whoever that had built these houses with their solid outer walls must have been trying to compensate for the costs with the paper-thin inner walls.
"Kyuhyun-ah, we should just go back to sleep."
"We'll sleep after this, please, Min-baby. I'm so hard I can't sleep now... See."
"I'm tired."
"Then you just lay there and I'll pleasure you. I'll be extra gentle. That's how you like it when you're sleepy, ain't it?"
"But the guy next door..."
"He's asleep. And you should focus on me, only me, Baby."
"Ah! Kyu..."
As much as "Min-baby" was trying his best to keep his voice down, his boyfriend was apparently doing things to ensure the opposite. Which resulted in Jongwoon being kept up till nearly dawn by the moaning and the creaking of the bed. It remains an unsolved mystery how the tall skinny silhouette he saw at the door could possibly be dominating "Min's" shorter but sturdier built for such long hours. Thankfully, he was also too exhausted to have any physical reaction of his own, saving him from further frustration.
--- ---
He had been convinced that it would be safe enough to leave the doors unlocked. Which proved to be pretty accurate since the nipping at his fingertips could hardly be considered life threatening. It was disturbing at best. Disturbing his sleep. So he pulled his hand out from the soft grip and took a swing at the face connected to the offending incisors.
The loud smack that ensued signalled success but before he could retract his hand, snuggle back into the blanket and return to dreamland, the enemy had launched another attack. Actually, the enemy seemed to have launched himself.
"Yah, Kim Jongwoon! Wake up! This is what you get for hitting me. Wake up! Wake up!" Slaps rained across his face and head, punctuated by pinches on his torso and arms as the assailant sat on his stomach and bounced to add weight to the blitz.
Sensing that there was no way for him to win this, Jongwoon gave up and cracked an eye open. And at this point, the same set of teeth from before was making a dive for his chin. Left with no other choice, he thrusted upwards to upset the balance of the slim body above, catching the flailing arms, and using the momentum to swing them around so that he gained the domineering position. All done in one swift smooth motion, leaving his captive with eyes and mouth wide open because this was not something that Jongwoon could do with his non-existent coordination skills, much less a barely awake Jongwoon.
The invitation had been extended to him so there was no reason for anymore hesitation. With the target set in the warm little cavern, Jongwoon made a go for it, cupping the opening with his lips and extending his tongue to interact with the other moist muscle. He scored a willing partner almost immediately. And as the kiss lasted, hands began to roam. Unfortunately for Jongwoon, things were going to get ice cold before they went anywhere near hot and heavy. He was pushed away.
"What?! Ryeowook, we were..."
"You haven't brushed yet."
"Of course I haven't brushed yet, you just woke me up!"
"I hope you have mouthwash here, I don't have my toothbrush with me so I'll have to just gargle."
Ryeowook got up from the bed, adjusting his t-shirt and combing his hair with his fingers as he walked to the bathroom, leaving Jongwoon dumbfounded, still wondering about the logic of the chain of events.
After a few more failed attempts from Jongwoon to make the morning cosier and a final threat from Ryeowook to stab him on the philtrum with a fork, the pair finally settled down to breakfast and a few hours of studying.
It was past noon when Jongwoon's stomach decided to take control of the situation and do a bit of grumbling, which convinced them to drop their books and head to the cafeteria. Leaving the house, the sight of the happy couple sharing food from their lunch boxes on the front porch next door reminded Jongwoon of the very ineffective lullaby in the middle of the night, causing a light flush that thankfully went un-noticed by Ryeowook.
As they returned after a light lunch, the chatting and giggling from next door had disappeared and in place of that were the serious faces of two aspiring scholars. The duo sat on the living room floor, books sprawled across the coffee table and around them, making full use of the light that shone in through the opened doors. Perhaps edged on by the sight, Jongwoon and Ryeowook followed the example in a studious session of their own.
And once again, the young men worked themselves till hunger pangs broke their concentration. Instead of another trip to buy food, Ryeowook whipped up a meal from materials that he brought over in the morning. Which had Jongwoon mentally praising himself for his choice of a boyfriend.
The six cottages surrounded the waterfall and its lake in a semicircle, the back doors opening to tables and benches that were placed so that their users could enjoy the coolness and beauty of nature without getting wet. So with such pleasant setting available, Jongwoon suggested that was where they should savour good food and each other's company. It also seemed that they were not the only ones who did not want to waste the access to the water feature.
The other couple was frolicking in the shallower waters at the edge of the plunge pool, chasing and splashing at each other as they played. They looked like they had been in the water for quite a while exhausting their energy, as they were panting and sluggish in their movements. Moments later, perhaps having had their fill of fun, the two trudged out of the basin hand-in-hand and went back into the house as they continued to share laughter over their games.
Jongwoon and Ryeowook were surprised when minutes later, screaming was heard from inside the adjacent cabin. What was strangest was that it was neither of the happy young males voices they heard, but that of a middle aged man. A very angry middle aged man.
"You're shameless! Don't think I don't know how you use your body to seduce my son! You shameless thing! Shameless!"
"..."
"I've told you countless times to stay away from our Kyuhyun! Why are you still sticking onto him like a leech!"
"..."
"Our Kyuhyun is going to marry someone of equal status, not an abandoned lowlife like you! You're never going to get any money from us! You hear me? You better leave him and never let me see you again or I'll make sure that you and that little brother of yours become more worthless than you're now!"
Then it died down as suddenly as it had started.
Jongwoon looked into Ryeowook's eyes, and they locked their fingers together, glad that they did not have to face this kind of objection in their relationship and also feeling sorry for the person who had to go through the scolding of the enraged father.
It was nearly sunset when the taller boy returned, bringing food to eat with his lover at the foot of the waterfall too. Apparently he did not read too much into how the other was quieter than before, most probably assuming that it was the effect of hunger and fatigue. Even though there was nothing that he could do for the fatigue now, he was eager to work off the hunger, picking up morsels and lovingly feeding it to his boyfriend.
"What was that!? What do you mean by break up? I was gone for less than 30 minutes and everything's changed!"
"..."
"It's my father, isn't it? Did he call you, no wait, I thought I saw him pass by the cafeteria. He came here? What did he say to you?"
"..."
"Min, you shouldn't listen to him. I can't be without you, I love you!"
"It's not all about you, Cho Kyuhyun! I..I have my own life too. I have to study and get into a good university, I have to get a job and support my brother. And I can't do all that if I'm always with you!"
When Min had stormed off, Ryeowook was tempted to go over and tell Cho Kyuhyun what they overheard earlier, but was held back by Jongwoon.
"It's not something that we should get involved in, Wookie."
"But, but you would also want to know the truth if it were us, wouldn't you?"
"Yes... Just, not yet. Give them some time to talk or something. Look, he's also angry now. Maybe we'll tell him tomorrow if his boyfriend still doesn't come back, okay?"
"I guess so."
--- ---
Jongwoon was roused by the light sound of a door opening and found himself alone on the bed. Stepping out of the bathroom, Ryeowook came over and sat down next to him, a hand resting on his face and thumb stroking the apple of his cheek.
"Hey, I've got to go back to my cabin for the morning. Gotta let Heechul hyung know that I'm still alive."
"Um... I'll sleep in a bit. You come back soon, baby. I want to kiss you more."
"I will. Sleep well."
Leaving a peck on Jongwoon's chin, Ryeowook picked up his bag and left the cottage.
"Min, I love you! Come back, please!"
"You can't just walk off like that! It's like you're dumping me as if I'm some piece of trash!"
"I won't give in to my father! You know it, you should know that I won't. I'll leave home and never go back again if I can't be with you!"
"Please, baby, give me a chance. I'll do anything you tell me to. Just talk to me!"
With his slumber constantly interrupted by what sounded like Cho Kyuhyun shouting into Min's voicemail, Jongwoon could hardly stay asleep, resulting in another fitful period of rest.
His head was heavy and weighed down by pain when Ryeowook shook him awake in the afternoon. Fortunately, he was comforted by hugs, kisses and a warm meal of soup. With his stomach holding something to help with the distraction, Jongwoon pushed aside the headache as much as he could and sat down to spend some quality time buried in books together with Ryeowook. Thankfully, the frequency and volume of the yelling had lowered significantly. The content of the sentences were also very much different.
"Min, I'm going to study hard and not play games. I want us to get into a good university together."
"I just want to let you know that I'll work hard to help you in supporting our family. We can do this."
"Jungsu hyung, I... No, hyung, I..I just want to ask you to help me make sure that Sungmin is eating and resting properly. Yes, thanks hyung. Bye."
Finally giving up on studying when his headache could no longer be ignored, Jongwoon swallowed an aspirin and took a nap, boyfriend in his arms hopefully to help make everything better faster.
It was a relief to see Sungmin again, the man reaching the entrance of the next door unit as they were leaving for dinner. The three acknowledged each other with brief nods and smiles. Cho Kyuhyun obviously the happiest person then, appeared at the door, all smiles and eagerly pulling his visitor into his arms.
The night was long and tiring, but it was all they had left to spend revising before the weekend would be over and they had to leave the camp. Therefore, both cabins had taken on a peaceful silence. An occasional conversation sprouted here and there, the murmurs kept low and hardly of any disturbance to the other side.
Ryeowook had fallen asleep a few hours into the session, face flat against a page of an open encyclopaedia. That was also when Jongwoon felt that his brain was at full capacity, and that it would need time to digest all the information he had chucked in. Time best spent without anymore words chugging. So he picked up the sleeping beauty and left the papers to lay untouched for the rest of the night.
Ironically, it was the warmth that woke Ryeowook. He found himself held up by an arm and his head resting on a shoulder. The wetness of his environment only registered a minute later.
"Did I wake you, Wookie?"
"Hmm?"
"We're having a shower. I thought that it would help you sleep better."
"It's good. Thank you."
Gathering just enough of his senses to stay semi-conscious, Ryeowook left the support of his body weight to his own legs but continued to prop himself against Jongwoon while letting the other wash him. Actually, he was either spending too much time being unconscious or getting too comfortable with the touches. His eyelids only sprang apart fully when he felt the intrusion of a lubed finger.
"What... Jongwoon!"
"I want you, dear."
"I think that's pretty obvious. But I WAS sleeping!"
"You'll want to be up for this. And you know you want this, it's been too long."
"I.. A..ah! Hurry up.. I..I'm still sleepy."
Obediently acting as instructed, Jongwoon pushed in another finger, working Ryeowook open gently but firmly. He slid kisses down the smooth skin starting from the other's jawline and ending the pecks with a final one just below the navel. Forming a tight ring with his lips, he took the erect cock into his mouth, widening just enough to let it ease in. It did not take long for Ryeowook to demand for more, rocking his hips slightly to get the point across. And across it went as a third finger joined the pair while Jongwoon started moving his head.
Once again, Ryeowook's impatience kicked in, his moans mixed with more screams and curses as he shouted for Jongwoon to just get cracking or get out. So with unexpected speed, the older man ended the oral gratification, stood up, spun him around, and shoved in. Which dragged the loudest and most wanton scream from Ryeowook. There was no way that they could hold back anymore at this point, the most primitive of human urges taking over every ounce of control in their body and moving them like stringed puppets.
For just a brief moment, Jongwoon wondered if through all the walls and doors that they were behind, they could still be heard in the other rooms. But a clench from the ring of muscle around him had stars twinkling in front of his eyes and got him to once again focus on the activity at hand. All thoughts of caution flew out of the little ventilation window and all the extra energy spared from not thinking went to his hips, giving it a more vicious snap.
The intensified pounding only served to get Ryeowook more aroused, but since he was trapped by the arm around his waist, receiving was the only part he could have in the dance. So he grabbed Jongwoon's buttocks and pulled towards himself at every thrust, attempting to get more of the hard length in. With pleasure multiplying as both of them moved rhythmically, they soon came, Jongwoon releasing into the softness wrapped around him and Ryeowook spurting his essence onto the tiled walls.
When the intensity had faded and their bodies settled into a post-orgasmic relaxed state, Jongwoon washed them once again under the warm water. The lovers wasted no time after that, quickly preparing for bed and hoping to get as much rest as possible before dawn. However, they soon realised that they were not alone in staying up late. Only that the other owls seemed to be engaging in a similar yet different activity.
"I know you, Min. You must have packed before coming over."
"I promised Jungsu hyung that I would stay the night at our cabin tonight, I really should go."
"No! You'll see him at home anyway, can't you just be with me for one more night? And besides.. it's the middle of the night, it's dangerous to walk across the camp!"
"I'll be fine, lots of other students are still... Kyuhyun, what are you doing? Let go of my arm. I said let go!"
"We should sleep. We're both tired."
"Stop! Kyuhyun, no! I don't want..."
"You need me as much as I need you, Min, we belong together."
"No, Kyu, don't do this, please!"
"Min-baby, I love you. You love me too, say it, tell me you love me. I'll make love to you, and we'll always be together."
"Don't, Kyuhyun, it hurts, stop... Please, stop..."
"Jongwoon, maybe we should just check if they need any help."
"Wookie, don't, what are you going to say if we go over? It's their fight, they'll settle it between themselves."
"But what if something bad happens? How about we call the front office and just let them know that we heard noises? Maybe the staff will send someone."
"Maybe it's just make-up sex. Like how you get when you're angry. Don't worry too much, I'm sure he won't do anything to hurt his boyfriend. Just like how I love you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you."
"I still..."
"Alright, if we hear anything else that really sounds wrong, we'll call the office and also go over to make sure they're safe, okay?"
"I guess so."
"Then lie down and try to get some sleep now, you were so sleepy earlier on."
"Love you."
"I love you too."
The sounds they heard before falling into deep slumber were creaks, groans and some other muffled noises. Nothing loud enough to alert them to any true danger.
--- ---
It was just another beautiful Sunday morning, the alarm clocks of nature chirping away and the warmth of sunshine gently landing on their skin as it came through the window. Despite having had a late night, the couple had no problems waking up to the beginning of another day.
Breakfast was a simple affair, more of an act of replenishing their energy than anything else. Following which they started gathering their belongings, making sure to check every room so that nothing would be left behind. Ryeowook disappeared out of the back door, going to check if they left any towels out to dry on the clothes line.
There was so much agony in the piercing scream that Jongwoon wished the pain upon himself instead.
He did not have a single ounce of hesitation before he ran out of the door after the younger man, but still it was not fast enough. The sight had already been embedded into Ryeowook's mind, and could never be undone no matter how tightly he was held in embrace. He was probably in regret. Regrets which were multiplied and amplified in Jongwoon as he felt that what he had done, or been reluctant to do, had contributed to this tragic end.
In the middle of the plunge basin, appearing right at the surface of the water were the other young couple who also had dreams about a good future together. Their pale lifeless bodies floated where they were enjoying their last carefree loving moments barely two days ago, the crash of water against water having no effect on the peace they were in now. With their wrists and ankles bound together by red restraints, they seemed ever so determined to be together in death if they could not do so in life.
It did not take long for the camp's service and security staff to arrive, and then all they could do was to wait for the police. Another couple was escorted to the premises by the staff, both of them visibly upset at what they were approaching. But when they finally caught sight of the scene below the waterfall, reality descended hard upon them. The slimmer of the pair started to sob, burying his cries into his boyfriend's shoulder while his pillar of support held him, tears flowing silently.
The police worked fast after they got to the camp, clearing the bodies out of the pool and taking statements. Showing up with them was a man, presumably Kyuhyun's father. He was accompanied by a police officer, but otherwise looked alone in the world, his shoulders slumped and his gaze not focused. His eyes were reddened although he was not crying, perhaps too shocked by actually seeing the state of his child to have anymore response.
Jongwoon and Ryeowook were offered arranged transport to send them home, which they declined. Meeting up with Heechul, they elaborated on why they were held up, but saying just enough to cover the events of the morning. It was not necessary for them to speak of more now, for they would feel the effects of the matter long after it was over, grief and guilt following them for months.
A/N: 1) Study camp: Think MT(membership training) and picture it with the same beautiful resort style environment but no fun no games, just students there to study with no urban distractions.
2) I would like to thank my mother for the inspiration to write this. [Seriously.] Years ago, when I was in my early teens, she once told me of a distant cousin of hers who committed suicide. He and his girlfriend faced objection from their parents, and in desperation, they drowned themselves in a waterfall, wrists and ankles bound together with red cloth. After their death, the parents finally went with the children's wishes, buried them together and even organised a ghost marriage for them, which is another Asian practice.
3) My mother's death anniversary was a month ago. See this, mummy, I still remember what you said!
P.S: LJ's spacing sucks. All my sentences were stuck together and I had to redo everything five times before I gave up at this final post.
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