Keep Your Head Up - Chapter 7
Vivienne Westwood photoshot: Old Enough To Bleed.
Though I'm not particularly a fan of Westwood's clothes, I couldn't help myself but to choose her for this project after seeing these photos. You can see the entire shot here.
Ch. 7
On the photographer’s recommendation, Ryeowook went onto the diving board. Fear had its firm grip on him, yet it took no more than a look in Kyuhyun’s direction for Ryeowook to find courage.
Kyuhyun mouthed the words ‘Keep your head up’, to him, a faint smile on his lips.
He jumped; the water surrounded him, sending chills through his entire body; it was freezing, suffocating and dark and horrible, dragging him towards the bottom.
He knew he had to open his eyes to get a good shot, but fear made them clench hard.
He didn’t know how far down he was, not even which direction the camera was in.
His fingers were going numb and his lungs empties, small bubbles of oxygen struggling to get to the surface.
He imagined how the producer would be waiting for him at the surface, most likely yelling some unintelligible words in English, while the stylist would try to make something out of the ruin of his face.
The water clung to him, pulling him down. Isn’t humans supposed to float in water?
Though the sound was muffled by the water, Ryeowook was suddenly sure that he could hear Kyuhyun’s distinct voice. Longing made him open his eyes; I have to do my best. I have to my best for you, Kyuhyun.
And the camera was just there, so close, and he’s facing the right direction, but suddenly there are dark spots in his vision, which hasn’t been there before, and a weird, frightening pressure on his chest, forcing what is left of air to leave his lungs.
He wants to surface but his entire body is going numb and he can’t move.
A flash from a camera light up the dark water and Ryeowook becomes aware of a too-familiar face in front of him; Kyuhyun is so close to him that he can see his own reflection in the other’s eyes.
I love you, Ryeowook screamed at him, with whatever means he had left; with his eyes, his face, his mind; if he was going to die now, he at least wanted Kyuhyun to know that one thing.
And then they kissed, deeply.
©
Had he heard him? Had Kyuhyun understood, that Ryeowook loved him? Or was this what it meant to be in heaven?
Oh God, how Kyuhyun’s lips were soft, even when pressed so firmly against his own.
A thousand emotions ran through before he realized that air was filling his lungs again. His mind strengthened, the black spots in his vision disappearing.
The realization was followed by a tight grab on his wrist and a firm pull.
They reach the surface with a splutter of water and air, both of the boys heaving for their breath. The frail black-haired boy can’t see at first, water stinging in his eyes, but he can hear an applause going through the entire hall.
He can hear his manager’s voice, and Zhoumi’s too, but it’s only Kyuhyun’s words that reaches him; “I’m here. You’re okay.”
Tears welled up Ryeowook’s eyes, and he tried to sink some of the water in his mouth, but it only made his throat even drier; he turned his face to be met with Kyuhyun’s concerned look. And then he told him; “I love you.”
©
Someone, Ryeowook didn’t notice who, helped him up from the poll and wrapped a towel around his shaking body.
Someone else clapped his back in a friendly manner, telling him that most of the shots where either brilliant or perfect, but that the last one (which depicted Kyuhyun passing oxygen to Ryeowook’s weak body,) somehow had been the essence of Vivienne Westwood.
If almost drowning was the essence of Westwood, then this had to be the last time Ryeowook ever did a shoot for her.
All he could think about was Kyuhyun, who hadn’t been given any time to answer to Ryeowook’s confession, before being dragged away to do his solo shots.
He would much rather spend his time with Kyuhyun, or even alone, but some of the coordi noona’s were worried and kept fussing about him, forcing him to be in a place where he was able to hear whispers from the other models both about himself being a drama queen, and unsuited for the job, and even worse; too loud whispers about Kyuhyun having fucked his way to the job.
Ryeowook disliked most of these people and therefore didn’t hesitate when Kyuhyun’s phone rang; he immediately picked it up.
“This is Ryeowook, you’re calling Kyuhyun’s phone.”
“Ryeowook?!”
“Do I know you?” Ryeowook asked, checking the name on the phone; ‘Guy no. 3 - Hae’. The weird name made Ryeowook wonder what his own number was written in as; it had to be checked later!
“Not yet!” the voice sounded smiley. “My name is Lee Donghae. I’m sure we’ll be good friends.”
“Umn.. yeah, okay, I guess we.. can..?” Ryeowook didn’t really know what to say, though he couldn’t regret having answered the phone. This was far better than listening to the other models.
“Anyway, could you tell Kyuhyun that his mother will kill him if he doesn’t send a copy of this magazine? I just talked with her today, and he is such a bad son, honestly.”
Ryeowook laughed, being able to understand all too well; “sure, I will.”
“Okay, thank you. Maybe this time he’ll actually listen. See you later, Ryeowook-shi~”
Ryeowook hung up, wondering if he’d actually ever meet this friend of Kyuhyun’s.
©
There had been no reason at all to worry for Kyuhyun’s safety. He was a very capable swimmer and his shots went perfectly well.
With a cup of coffee in each hand he went into the locker room, where Ryeowook sat, almost finished changing to his normal clothes.
He put the plastic cups down on the bench, before sitting down in front of Ryeowook, placing his hands on Ryeowook’s thighs.
“Were you in some kind of shock after almost dying?”
“Why?” there was an edge of defense in his voice.
“Because you told me that you love me.” Kyuhyun tilted his head, staring into Ryeowook’s eyes, still with his hands on Ryeowook’s thighs. “Do you remember it?”
“I wasn’t in shock. Or, umn, well, maybe I was, but I meant it. I.. I really do. Love you.”
Kyuhyun then leaned in all close, kissing Ryeowook again, this time taking the other’s breath away. “I love you too,” he whispered back.
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[next>]
a/n: in the next chapter we will meet Donghae and Kibum again, also; surprise guest! who could it be? Ö kekekekeke.
If I could please ask a favour? Could you vote here for my story Old Pine, ( which you can read here,) then it would make me really really happy! If you do, I promise not to kill Ryeowook in the 10th chapter! (and if you don't... then maybe I will. mwuahahaha! no, but really, it means a lot to me. Please? ;A;)