002. Christmas
This is my first fic for 100Suju. I do hope you enjoy it :D
Warning: Much fluff, and alcohol is mentioned. Just saying.
Prompt: Christmas, Heechul/Ryeowook.
Extract:
002. Christmas, Heechul/Ryeowook
Tilting the soju bottle upside down perfectly vertically and shaking it did not seem to coax the now non-existant liquid to refill itself. Heechul stared blearily at it for a moment before shrugging, reaching blindly for another one in the dimness.
A cool bottle was pressed to his palm and he didn't hesitate to down the alcohol, relishing the bitter drink.
"He always did like soju better than beer." He said conversationally, the first full sentence he'd said in two hours.
Even in the dark he could feel Ryeowook's eyes widening, he didn't bother repressing his smirk. Heechul rarely talked about Hankyung in conversation, saving it for his cyworld and radio station. Everybody tip-toed around the subject around him, as if he were brittle glass and would shatter at the very mention of his name.
It was a terrifying thing after all, to see Kim Heechul cry.
Ryeowook didn't say anything and there was a silence for a while. Earlier that evening Heechul had dragged him to his room on the twelfth floor and broken out the alcohol, saying that he didn't feel like drinking alone on Christmas of all days. What could Ryeowook have done but comply?
"Henry," Heechul said, the randomness throwing Ryeowook off kilter for a second, "Is a terrible kisser. Sungmin was better, and Sungmin sucked too."
Ryeowook chuckled slightly, the sound soft and quiet, "He wasn't quite as prepared as Sungmin-hyung was. I don't think any of us was."
"He talks!" Heechul said in a faux-surprised tone, "Huh, some drinking buddy you are."
"I could drink you under the table." Ryeowook pointed out.
"Its not about the tolerance," Heechul said in a patient kind of voice he must have picked up from Jungmo, "Its about acting way too drunk on too little, making enough noise for the eleventh floor to complain, talking loudly about the things that would make Leeteuk-hyung blush, swapping languages and teaching each other swear words, stumbling into bed together and knowing the schedule needs us only in the late afternoon, waking up hungover and cursing and maybe if he's in a good mood, Beijing fried rice."
Heechul laughed, a cackling sound that contrasted Ryeowook's earlier one sharply, "Maybe I'll even write that in my cyworld, see what the Petals make of that."
"Were you and Hankyung-hyung...?" Ryeowook blurted out without thinking, slapping his hands to his mouth with an 'eep'.
Heechul just looked amused, well that was Ryeowook's impression anyway as it was dark except for the glow of the streetlights outside and the light of the moon.
"No." Heechul grinned, shark-like and predatory, "That would be boring, that would be predictable." Then he, with surprising gentleness, took Ryeowook's hands away from his mouth and held them. Before Ryeowook could react he felt a pair of lips on his, a kiss, his brain supplied helpfully amidst said brain shutting down in some sort of survival mechanism.
It tasted of soju and black bean noodles, from Heechul's dinner, and it was soft. Sort of like a girl's, not that Ryeowook's ever going to tell him that of course. He suddenly felt self-concious, wondering of all things if his lips were as nice as his hyung's.
After what felt like forever, both of them making no effort in taking the kiss further than just touching lips, Ryeowook's cellphone rang loudly, vibrating wildly in his pocket to the tune of some chinese song. Heechul pulled away first, taking another swig of his now warm soju.
"H-hello?" Ryeowook said breathlessly into the phone, sounding as if he'd just run a marathon, "Oh! Hangeng-hyung." Ryeowook passed the phone to Heechul, very determindly not looking into his eyes.
"Hello? Why are you calling so late?! You know what time it is? What do you mean you've been trying to reach me?" Heechul dug into his own pocket and stared at his phone.
"Huh, it was off." Hankyung was loud enough on the other end that Ryeowook could pick out some curse words. Heechul just laughed.
"Some nice guy you are." Heechul teased, "I'm a good person." Heechul imitated laughing. Ryeowook felt like a third wheel, it was the only time that night that Heechul looked so happy. Ryeowook felt that he should go, deciding to pick up his phone back in the morning.
"Of course I'm not drinking alone," Heechul cast a look at Ryeowook as if he had read his mind, "Ryeowook's with me." Ryeowook sat back down quickly, hoping to pretend that he hadn't been trying to leave in the first place.
"Yeah, yeah. Merry Christmas and whatever you Chinese do today you sentimental freak." Heechul shut the phone and set it on the table.
"So where were we? And at least make an effort this time." Heechul said, drawing closer to Ryeowook again.
"Hyung." Ryeowook said, paused, took a breath, "No."
Ryeowook was sure he saw a flash of hurt in Heechul's features before it was smothered with Heechul's usually smug one, "Is it Yesung?"
Ryeowook took a moment to process, "No!"
"Henry? Wait, its Kangin isn't it? Bastard." Heechul said annoyed and maybe a little disapointed.
"It isn't either of them." Ryeowook said firmly, "Its just that I- You're only doing this because you and me would be unpredictable and, its selfish." Ryeowook tapered out, sticking to his belief but still a little wary.
"It is." Heechul agreed, still leaning towards Ryeowook.
"I can't." Ryeowook said.
"Is this about the height thing? Because really, you'll never bag anyone if its the height thing." Heechul sighed.
"I won't be a replacement for Hankyung-hyung." Ryeowook continued hoarsely, willing his body to pull away even as he found that he couldn't. Heechul didn't flinch at the sound of Hankyung's name although he did back off slightly.
"You won't be." Heechul said after a pause, "And sure, you and me would be unpredictable and different and everyone knows I'm like that, that I like that but maybe I like your music and maybe I like you. Maybe I like your stupid shoe-lifts and your stupid laugh. Maybe I get annoyed by your stupid crush on Henry and your apparent stupid fetish for tiny hands and abuse."
"I don't have fetishes for-"
"Maybe I'm glad when you pick up the phone in China when I call Hankyung, even if its just to say hello." Heechul continued as if Ryeowook had never spoken, "Maybe I like your stupid higher-than-a-fucking-girl's pitch voice, so maybe I like you." Heechul said the last part softly. Ryeowook could do nothing but stare in surprise.
"I've tried my best to forget you but my heart remembers you faster than my mind does." Heechul mummered, the stupid proposal he had done for laughs when all the members had been asked how they would propose, and Ryeowook knew it, eyes wide and mouth open in a cute little 'O' of surprise. Heechul took the chance to press his lips to Ryeowook's one, for a proper kiss this time. And this time, Ryeowook kissed back.