School of the Hopeless Ch 4 (016. Quiet Places, Yesung/Ryeowook)
Title: School of the Hopeless Ch. 4: Just Listen
Pairing: Yesung/Ryeowook (YeWook, KiHae)
Prompt: Quiet Places
Challenge 016/100
Completed 012/100
Rated PG
Summary: All Yesung wanted to do was confess to Ryeowook. Now some bad timing could lead to the end of one relationship and stop the formation of another.
[ Ch 1] [ Ch 2] [ Ch 3] [Ch 4]
2 Years Earlier...
Ryeowook walked down the hallway fuming. Heechul had once again picked on Yesung and now the boy had retreated to their room. Usually Ryeowook wouldn't bother because this happened at least once a week, but this time he had walked in the door to see Yesung practically running to their room, leaving a stunned Heechul in the kitchen. Then Heechul turned his gaze on Ryeowook, his eyes looking guilty. That was a big red alert; if even Heechul looked guilty then something really bad must have happened. Heechul refused to answer any questions and just left Ryeowook in the kitchen, quietly retreating from the kitchen.
He composed himself in front of their door and turned the knob.
"Hey Yesung don't listen to Heechul---OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!"
Yesung looked at Ryeowook with wide eyes. He was gripping the edges of their open window, one foot dangling out, the other on the ledge of the window, and a small bag slung across his back. At Ryeowook's exclamation he pulled himself back through the window and ran to the smaller boy. He hastily dragged Ryeowook into the room, covering his mouth lest he scream again, and shut the door. He put his finger to his lips and only let go of Ryeowook's mouth when the other nodded. Yesung paced back and fourth in front of the boy, running his fingers through his hair and occasionally fiddling with the studs in his ears.
"Were you trying to kill yourself?"
Yesung would have laughed if not for the tortured expression on Ryeowook's face. He went in front of the boy and hugged him hard just in case he decided to cry. Crying would bring other members to their room, then he'd have to explain everything and it would all be ruined.
"Of course I wasn't trying to kill myself Wookie, why would you think that?"
Yesung wanted to smack himself for asking such a stupid question. Ryeowook had just seen him half way out the window of a tall building, what else would he that thought? Ryeowook's voice came out muffled in his shirt.
"Well, you were at the window and you and Heechul had been fighting when I got home..."
Ryeowook buried his head deeper into Yesung's chest. For one terrifying moment, he had really thought that Yesung was going to jump out the window. Yesung felt his throat constrict, resisting the urge to hit himself. He knew how sensitive Ryeowook was to death, whether it be a dog or a human being. He had to make it up to him somehow. He smiled as he got the perfect idea. He pulled away and walked over to the window, motioning Ryeowook to follow.
"Do you want to see what I was doing?"
Yesung quickly pulled himself out the window and stood on the small ledge outside. He made sure to grip the window lest he fall 12 stories to his death before motioning to Ryeowook. Ryeowook just looked at him like he was insane and took a step back from the open window.
"Come on, don't you trust me?"
Ryeowook looked at him sceptically before standing in front of the window and taking Yesung's outstretched hand.
"Now I see why Heechul gave you the name Aladdin."
Yesung snorted as he helped pull Ryeowook to the inner ledge of the window.
"Okay, just grab the frame with your hand and hold on tightly. Pull yourself up and put your foot right next to mine. You have to be careful when you're stepping out though, cause the ledge isn't all that big. Plant your foot sideways, yeah like that. Make sure you're balance out here with both feet before you let go of the ledge. Excellent."
Ryeowook looked stepped onto the ledge and looked down, wishing right away that he hadn't. They were twelve stories in the air, the only thing preventing them from falling was a ledge less than six inches across.
"Wookie, stay with me. Don't look down or you'll psych yourself out and lose balance."
Ryeowook opened his eyes when he felt Yesung grab his hand; he hadn't realized he had closed them in the first place. Yesung started walking slowly, gently pulling along Ryeowook, the death grip on his hand tinging his fingers blue. They reached the end of the ledge, about 100 yards from their window, when Yesung attempted to retrieve his hand from Ryeowook's hold. Ryeowook's eyes turned wide with fear.
"No, no don't let go. I'm going to fall, don't let go."
"Wookie, we need to climb the ladder. I can't do it with one hand."
"B-but Jongwoon, I'm gonna fall."
"You are not gonna fall Wookie. Here."
Yesung flattened himself against the wall and pulled his hand forward, leading Ryeowook past him. Ryeowook gripped his hand tighter and clutched at Yesung's shirt when he was in front of the older boy.
"What are you doing?!" Ryeowook hissed.
"Climb up the ladder first. If you fall, I'll be right here to catch you. Trust me Wook-ah."
Ryeowook reluctantly let go of Yesung's shirt and allowed himself to be led in front. He hadn't noticed the black ladder at the edge of the ledge before. He gripped the rungs with his right hand and looked over at Yesung. Yesung nodded slightly and shook their joined hands slightly, signaling for Wookie to let go.
Wookie let go and gripped the ladder with both hands. Then, quicker than Yesung had ever seen the younger move, Ryeowook raced up the ladder, nearly at the top when Yesung started climbing. When Yesung finally managed to climb all the way up to the roof, Ryeowook was there, sprawled on his back, breathing in deeply with wide eyes. Yesung quickly swung himself onto the roof and ran to Ryeowook.
"Wookie! Wookie, did some thing happen?"
Ryeowook sat up with a smile so wide Yesung took a couple of steps back. The image of Ryeowook right now, hands clenched, smile wide, eyes wide, chest heaving up and down, brought the image of a serial killer to the front of Yesung's mind.
"That was exhilarating! I've never felt more alive!"
Yesung's eyebrow shot up. "Right. Well, get up. We're not there yet."
"There's more?"
"Well yeah. Do you think I escape out the window just to climb up the fire escape?"
Yesung helped Ryeowook get up and dust off his pants, leading him to a small shed. Yesung stopped them and turned to face Ryeowook seriously.
"Wookie, what I'm about to show you is top secret. It has never been shown to anyone before, so I am trusting you."
Yesung stuck out his pinky and waited until Ryeowook clasped their pinkies together. He then smiled and reached above the doorway onto a small ledge there. He felt around for a while until he pulled down a small key which he used to open the door. The door opened and he motioned for Ryeowook to go in first. Ryeowook stepped in and felt his jaw hit the floor.
"W-what is this place?"
Yesung closed the door behind them and walked past Ryeowook, throwing himself down on the pile of beanbags in the corner. There was a docking station for his iPod, a small book case, even a mini fridge in the small area.
"This is where I go when I can't stand being in the dorm. Usually this is where I disappear to after I fight with Heechul."
"But how did you find this place?"
"Well, I had asked the manager of building about it after I found it once. He said it was empty and asked if I needed it for something. I asked him if i could use it and he gave me the key. Since then this is where I escape to when I need it."
"Do you really feel the need to escape me in our room?"
Ryeowook looked sad at this thought. Yesung shook his head furiously and moved over on the beanbags, making room for the eternal maknae.
"Of course not Wookie. It's just that sometimes I just want to get away from everything, and like I said I usually come up here when I fight with Heechul and need to cool down or get my spirits up. When there are that many people living in a dorm, it's kind of hard to find a quiet place where I can just go and relax. But, seeing as you now know my secret you are welcome to my escape route whenever you need it."
Ryeowook nodded happily and laid down next to Yesung on the bean bag bed. Yesung pulled out two juice boxes from the mini fridge and handed one to Ryeowook. He took his iPod out of the bag he had taken with them and placed it in the docking station selecting random and letting the music flow. That's how the two stayed for hours, and they carried that tradition whenever they could. Anytime they felt overwhelmed or just needed to get away they would meet in their room and make their way out the window.
---
It was in this very shed where they stood now.
Ryeowook was still staring stunned at Yesung who was standing firmly in front of the door.
"How did you know where I was?"
Yesung scoffed and raised an eyebrow at the younger man.
"You forget Wookie, this was my hideout at least one year before I ever told you about it. Of course you would come here."
Ryeowook walked up to Yesung and stood toe to toe with him, a new found anger taking over. He didn't want to talk to this bastard, the one that had unknowingly broken his heart. No, he didn't feel like dealing with this right now.
"Get out of the way."
Yesung looked at him and smirked.
"No. I told you, we're gonna talk whether you like it or not. So I suggest you just sit down because you're not going anywhere."
Ryeowook bared all his teeth in a growl.
"Just get out of the way! I don't feel like talking to you! I never did, the only reason I ever even spoke to you was because we were forced to share a dorm! Do you think that I would have ever willingly become friends with a creep like you?!"
Ryeowook had let it all out in his anger but instantly regretted it when he saw the look that had come over Yesung's face. The expression shining in his eyes broke into thousands of pieces. Ryeowook shrunk, cursing himself in his head. Yesung had told him of all his insecurities once years ago when they had gotten drunk in the small shed. He had trusted Ryeowook with that piece of him, and now Ryeowook took all that trust and shoved it back in his face. Ryeowook stepped backwards, away from the deteriorating Yesung in front of him. He covered his mouth with his hand and felt the tears spring forward as he witnessed Yesung's own tears gathering in his eyes.
"Jongwoon, I-I didn't mean it. I swear to--"
"Get out." Yesung's head was bowed, his voice dangerously low.
"No, Jongie I didn't mean it, I was just--"
"GET OUT!!"
Yesung forcefully opened the door and went to pull Ryeowook towards it, ignoring the tears that were now traveling down his cheeks. He grabbed Ryeowook's arm roughly and started pulling him towards the exit. Ryeowook resisted the most he could, his heels digging into the floor, his other hand scratching and digging into Yesung's arm in an attempt to get him to stop. He then remembered a technique Sungmin had taught him for self defense and wedged one of his legs between Yesung's legs and twisted his foot so that Yesung fell forward, pulling Ryeowook with him. They landed with a thud half on the floor half on the bean bags that were thrown about the shed.
Yesung was trying to get up, trying to dislodge Ryeowook so that he could continue to kick him out. Ryeowook placed his hands on Yesung's chest and put all his body weight on his hands to prevent the older boy from getting up. Yesung's tears still hadn't stopped and now the adrenaline rush was leaving him. He felt the sting of Ryeowook's words deep in his chest, and he knew that the sob trying to rip though his throat wouldn't be held back much longer. He gave up struggling under Ryeowook and felt the tears running down the edges of his eyes towards his ears.
"Sungie, I am so sorry. I swear on Little Sweet Potato that I didn't mean anything I said. Please, you have to believe me."
"Get off me."
Yesung was staring strait at the ceiling, lips quivering, breaths getting heavier as he attempted to hold back sobs, tears flowing. He pointedly avoided looking at Ryeowook. He had done this all for Ryeowook, to tell him that he liked him, to finally confess his feelings after almost 3 years of holding it in. He may say that he didn't mean it, but in moments of anger the truth always comes out. That was perhaps the most hurt he had ever felt in his life.
Ryeowook moved his hands from Yesung's chest to grab his chin, forcing his head up to meet his eyes. Once he did he almost wished he hadn't. Never had he seen Yesung so broken, so shattered; not when he fought with Heechul, not when he thought his turtle died, not even when he found out his dad had been in the hospital. It made Ryeowook sick to know that this was all his fault.
"I didn't mean it Jongwoon. I've never regretted being your friend, and I never will."
They stayed like that for a long time, Ryeowook holding Yesung's chin while Yesung merely stared at the younger boy. Finally Ryeowook let go of Yesung and his head went back to resting on the floor while Ryeowook still sat straddling him lest he try to escape. He felt Yesung's hands near his ankles attempting to struggle once more and he tightened his knees against Yesung's sides, effectively stopping the male under him. He sighed before stretching his arms and then crossing them on Yesung's collarbone, resting his head on his hands.
"You said you wanted to talk, so talk."
"I don't feel like talking to you anymore, so just let me go and you can leave like you wanted to."
Ryeowook ignored his statement and merely stared at him with an innocent expression on his face while the older man glared at him through bloodshot eyes.
"Stop being such a child, you know that I didn't mean it. I would have switched rooms by now if I had idiot. This is like that time you told me I looked too girlie and I got all offended and wouldn't talk to you until you started tickling..."
Ryeowook's voice faded off and a evil smirk graced his features. Yesung's eyes widened in horror, bucking slightly in an attempt to free his arms. Ryeowook sat back up and rested his hands on Yesung's chest causing the other to glare at him.
"Kim. Ryeowook. Don't. You. Dare."
Ryeowook only smiled down at him before pulling up his arms and ruthlessly tickling his stomach. Yesung started bucking and twisting trying to get Ryeowook off to stop his assault. Ryeowook tightened his knees again so that he wouldn't be dislodged and started laughing along with his victim.
"Okay! OKAY! We'll talk!" Yesung finally managed to wheeze out between all his laughter.
Ryeowook smiled in victory and stopped tickling his hyung, giggling slightly as Yesung still twitched from the after shocks of the tickling.
"So what did you want to say to me Jongie?"
Yesung recovered his breath and rested his head on the floor, eyes closed.
"You misunderstood the thing with Kibum. He was helping me, nothing more."
"Helping you? With what?"
"I told him I wanted to confess to someone, so he was giving me some flirting advise since, as Heechul once so kindly put it, I couldn't flirt my way out of a paper bag. Not that that made any sense, but it is true."
Ryeowook felt his heart plummet. So, Yesung already had someone he wanted to confess to. He sat up and looked around the shed, trying to avoid Yesung's eyes. He saw Little Sweet Potato trying to climb onto a bean bag and forced himself to smile.
"So I guess Little Sweet Potato will have a new umma soon, huh?"
"Pfft. You know you'll always carry that spot in his heart, don't worry."
They both started laughing before Ryeowook felt the need to explain why he had reacted the way he had. But he couldn't tell Yesung that he liked him now, not when he had just said that he already liked someone else.
"I was just upset because...because Donghae was right there. You know how crazy he is about Kibum, we all do. I just couldn't believe you would do that to some one else's boyfriend."
"Nah, it felt really awkward fake flirting with Kibum to be honest. I think I could only flirt for real with my boyfriend."
"Well yeah he's your boyfriend...boyfriend?!?"
"That's another thing I wanted to tell you Ryeowook. I'm gay. I have thought it over for almost all of last year and I realized that maybe Heechul was right."
"Heechul called you gay?"
"Remember that big fight we had in the kitchen two years ago? Yeah, that was when he called me gay and everything just kind of blew up. Then you went in the room and thought I was gonna kill myself."
"Well, what did you want me to think!? You were halfway out a window!"
A while passed where neither spoke. Ryeowook was thinking over the new information he was given, still watching the turtle try to climb his pink beanbag. Yesung still had his eyes closed, thinking about how he would do this. He had come this far without making a (complete) fool out of himself, so now all he had to do was take the final leap. If it all went down in flames, well, Siwon already offered to have him move into his room. Ryeowook gasped lightly as he seemed to remember something. Yesung opened his eyes and looked at the smaller boy curiously as he looked through the bag still slung across his shoulders. Ryeowook pulled the present out of the bag and placed it on Yesung's chest, looking at the other boy shyly.
"It's a present. From China."
Yesung stared at the small wrapped object on his chest and raised an eyebrow at Ryeowook.
"Wookie, you still have my arms trapped. Could you maybe, I dunno, let go?"
"Do you promise you won't try to throw me over and escape?"
"No escape missions, promise."
Ryeowook looked at him skeptically before moving so that he was sitting Indian style on Yesung's abs (when did Yesung get abs? he wondered to himself.)Yesung pulled his arms out and reached up to where Ryeowook had placed the parcel. He opened it and started laughing when he saw what was inside. Ryeowook looked at him and smacked his chest playfully before grabbing onto his shirt as his laughter shook the spot where Ryeowook was perched.
"Yah! Don't laugh, I put a lot of thought into this!"
"Wookie, it's a carrot plushy!"
Ryeowook looked at the carrot plushy that was still resting on Yesung's chest. He reached for it and checked for something before putting it back on Yesung's chest.
"Take a closer look babo."
Yesung stopped his laughing and looked at the carrot now sitting on his chest. He noticed the small glittering and reached forward, taking the small pendant in his hand. He gasped and looked at Ryeowook, who was observing his reaction.
"Wookie! You remembered!"
It was when Super Junior had gone to China to see Hankyung be a torch bearer for the Olympics. After they had done their schedules, the Super Junior-M members were free to just do whatever. Ryeowook had wanted to get some street vendor food so he dragged Yesung with him, naturally. They had gotten food and had started walking around while eating just looking at the street vendor's wares. Yesung had stopped in front of a small stall and watched fascinated while the woman continued her work.
Ryeowook was a little surprised when he had continued talking only to find that Yesung was no longer behind him. He turned and saw the older boy staring into a small stall and walked back. It was a stall where they engraved your name onto a piece of rice and put it into a small vile that went on a necklace. Yesung continued watching until the whole process was over and then turned to Ryeowook, smiled, and kept walking.
"Of course I remembered. It was because of this we went home after curfew and Teukie was ready to send the police after us."
Ryeowook took the necklace from the stuffed carrot and motioned for Yesung to sit up. Yesung merely lifted his head into a crunch position so that he wouldn't throw Ryeowook off and stayed looking at the boy as the necklace was placed on him. Ryeowook smiled as he adjusted the chain and looked at Yesung, getting a bit flustered when he saw the other boy looking at him intently. He cleared his throat and made to stand up. He had finally picked himself off of Yesung's chest when the older boy sat up and pulled Ryeowook down again.
Ryeowook let out a small squeal and landed ungracefully next to Yesung on their bean bag pile. Yesung rolled over so that he was hovering over a blushing Ryeowook. He lifted his hand and brushed away some of Ryeowook's fringe that had drifted into his eyes. Ryeowook adverted his eyes and looked down at Yesung's necklace that was now dangling down from the older boy's chest, its end lightly grazing his chest.
"Wookie."
Ryeowook made some noise of acknowledgment but didn't look up. This was closer than they had been in over a year and he suddenly felt shy. Yesung reached forward and turned Ryeowook's chin so that they were staring each other eye to eye.
"Wookie, you are the sweetest person I've ever met. I don't know what I'd do without you. While you were gone in China I missed you terribly."
Ryeowook reached forward angrily and pushed Yesung's hand from his chin.
"You are not allowed to practice flirting with me."
Yesung smirked and his eyes closed so that they were half lidded. Ryeowook stared at him with wide eyes. When did Yesung get so sexy? Surely he hasn't always been able to do that thing with his eyes. Yesung reached down and skimmed his nose down Ryeowook's neck, giving a light peck to where his neck met his shoulder. Ryeowook shivered slightly under him and felt when Yesung smirked again against his neck.
"I'm not practicing Wookie."
Ryeowook held back the urge to gasp as Yesung moved to skim his nose lightly across Ryeowook's collarbone. Ryeowook's hands were clenching and un-clenching at his sides, not sure whether he wanted to push Yesung away or pull him closer.
"T-then what are you doing?"
Yesung pulled away and looked down at Ryeowook with smoldering eyes so intense that Ryeowook felt a chill go down his spine. He lowered his head so that the tips of their noses touched, their breaths mingling and eyes unable to disconnect.
"Wookie, I like you."
Ryeowook stayed staring at him for a moment, sure that he had heard wrong. Yesung was waiting for him to react, but the boy stayed the same. If his eyes hadn't been open he would have guessed that the smaller boy had fallen asleep.
"Wook-ah~"
That was it. It wasn't fair when Yesung made his voice deep and husky like that. Ryeowook's arms unclenched and pulled the older boy's face closer causing their lips to crash. Yesung's eyes opened wide, not expecting Ryeowook to have done that but he quickly relaxed into the kiss. Ryeowook wrapped his arm around Yesung's neck, one had burying itself in his silky black hair. His phone started ringing and the sudden sound startled them apart. They looked at each other, gasping for breath, silly grins on their faces while the sound of Mirotic blasted in the background.
"Maybe we should get back to the dorm. I kind of ran out on Donghae without saying anything."
"Yeah, I kind of left Kibum breaking down our door too."
Yet despite their words they stayed in that position longer. Ryeowook's hand stayed playing with the hairs on Yesung's nape while Yesung rested his head in the junction between Ryeowook's neck and shoulder. Yesung suddenly pulled up, breaking their body's connection. Ryeowook looked at him questioningly before the older boy offered his hand. Ryeowook took it and hauled himself up.
"Sorry, I was kind of on top of you."
Ryeowook laughed at how repent Yesung was looking.
"What happened to smooth talking Yesung?"
Yesung smiled. "He checked out for today. Only weird and oblivious Yesung left now, will that be okay?"
Ryeowook walked in front of Yesung and wrapped his arms around the older boy's neck, giving him a long kiss. When they finally broke apart he smiled wide at the boy who now had a silly grin on his face again.
"It's the only one I would want," He said before bending down and getting the turtle that was now climbing his foot, "Now come one before Donghae calls the police."
Yesung groaned before taking the turtle that was offered to him.
"He would, wouldn't he?"
They walked out of the shed and opted to take the stairs instead of climbing back down through the window.
---
When they entered the dorm they found Kibum and Donghae looking at them with crossed arms.
"Where were you?!? Do you know what time it is? Hm? Teukie was spitting fire when he had come home to see you guys not here before he had to leave for the radio show."
Ryeowook and Yesung looked at each other with wide eyes before turning back towards the two.
"We were--"
"Well, you see--"
Donghae put his hand up stopping their speech before smiling widely. Now Ryeowook and Yesung, as well as Kibum, were confused. He then took Kibum's hand in his own before leading him back towards their room.
"Come on Kibummie, we should leave these love birds alone."
"What do you mean love birds?"
Kibum looked back at the blushing pair near the door, not knowing how Donghae would have come up with that.
"By the way Sungie-hyung, I love that necklace."
-|-|-|-|-|
This chapter actually got written through various conversations through AIM. Thanks to my friend Leira for all her help ♥ So yeah, that was the end. Thanks to those who stuck with me :D
Liked it? Think I just messed up the whole series? Please, do tell~
Pairing: Yesung/Ryeowook (YeWook, KiHae)
Prompt: Quiet Places
Challenge 016/100
Completed 012/100
Rated PG
Summary: All Yesung wanted to do was confess to Ryeowook. Now some bad timing could lead to the end of one relationship and stop the formation of another.
[ Ch 1] [ Ch 2] [ Ch 3] [Ch 4]
2 Years Earlier...
Ryeowook walked down the hallway fuming. Heechul had once again picked on Yesung and now the boy had retreated to their room. Usually Ryeowook wouldn't bother because this happened at least once a week, but this time he had walked in the door to see Yesung practically running to their room, leaving a stunned Heechul in the kitchen. Then Heechul turned his gaze on Ryeowook, his eyes looking guilty. That was a big red alert; if even Heechul looked guilty then something really bad must have happened. Heechul refused to answer any questions and just left Ryeowook in the kitchen, quietly retreating from the kitchen.
He composed himself in front of their door and turned the knob.
"Hey Yesung don't listen to Heechul---OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!"
Yesung looked at Ryeowook with wide eyes. He was gripping the edges of their open window, one foot dangling out, the other on the ledge of the window, and a small bag slung across his back. At Ryeowook's exclamation he pulled himself back through the window and ran to the smaller boy. He hastily dragged Ryeowook into the room, covering his mouth lest he scream again, and shut the door. He put his finger to his lips and only let go of Ryeowook's mouth when the other nodded. Yesung paced back and fourth in front of the boy, running his fingers through his hair and occasionally fiddling with the studs in his ears.
"Were you trying to kill yourself?"
Yesung would have laughed if not for the tortured expression on Ryeowook's face. He went in front of the boy and hugged him hard just in case he decided to cry. Crying would bring other members to their room, then he'd have to explain everything and it would all be ruined.
"Of course I wasn't trying to kill myself Wookie, why would you think that?"
Yesung wanted to smack himself for asking such a stupid question. Ryeowook had just seen him half way out the window of a tall building, what else would he that thought? Ryeowook's voice came out muffled in his shirt.
"Well, you were at the window and you and Heechul had been fighting when I got home..."
Ryeowook buried his head deeper into Yesung's chest. For one terrifying moment, he had really thought that Yesung was going to jump out the window. Yesung felt his throat constrict, resisting the urge to hit himself. He knew how sensitive Ryeowook was to death, whether it be a dog or a human being. He had to make it up to him somehow. He smiled as he got the perfect idea. He pulled away and walked over to the window, motioning Ryeowook to follow.
"Do you want to see what I was doing?"
Yesung quickly pulled himself out the window and stood on the small ledge outside. He made sure to grip the window lest he fall 12 stories to his death before motioning to Ryeowook. Ryeowook just looked at him like he was insane and took a step back from the open window.
"Come on, don't you trust me?"
Ryeowook looked at him sceptically before standing in front of the window and taking Yesung's outstretched hand.
"Now I see why Heechul gave you the name Aladdin."
Yesung snorted as he helped pull Ryeowook to the inner ledge of the window.
"Okay, just grab the frame with your hand and hold on tightly. Pull yourself up and put your foot right next to mine. You have to be careful when you're stepping out though, cause the ledge isn't all that big. Plant your foot sideways, yeah like that. Make sure you're balance out here with both feet before you let go of the ledge. Excellent."
Ryeowook looked stepped onto the ledge and looked down, wishing right away that he hadn't. They were twelve stories in the air, the only thing preventing them from falling was a ledge less than six inches across.
"Wookie, stay with me. Don't look down or you'll psych yourself out and lose balance."
Ryeowook opened his eyes when he felt Yesung grab his hand; he hadn't realized he had closed them in the first place. Yesung started walking slowly, gently pulling along Ryeowook, the death grip on his hand tinging his fingers blue. They reached the end of the ledge, about 100 yards from their window, when Yesung attempted to retrieve his hand from Ryeowook's hold. Ryeowook's eyes turned wide with fear.
"No, no don't let go. I'm going to fall, don't let go."
"Wookie, we need to climb the ladder. I can't do it with one hand."
"B-but Jongwoon, I'm gonna fall."
"You are not gonna fall Wookie. Here."
Yesung flattened himself against the wall and pulled his hand forward, leading Ryeowook past him. Ryeowook gripped his hand tighter and clutched at Yesung's shirt when he was in front of the older boy.
"What are you doing?!" Ryeowook hissed.
"Climb up the ladder first. If you fall, I'll be right here to catch you. Trust me Wook-ah."
Ryeowook reluctantly let go of Yesung's shirt and allowed himself to be led in front. He hadn't noticed the black ladder at the edge of the ledge before. He gripped the rungs with his right hand and looked over at Yesung. Yesung nodded slightly and shook their joined hands slightly, signaling for Wookie to let go.
Wookie let go and gripped the ladder with both hands. Then, quicker than Yesung had ever seen the younger move, Ryeowook raced up the ladder, nearly at the top when Yesung started climbing. When Yesung finally managed to climb all the way up to the roof, Ryeowook was there, sprawled on his back, breathing in deeply with wide eyes. Yesung quickly swung himself onto the roof and ran to Ryeowook.
"Wookie! Wookie, did some thing happen?"
Ryeowook sat up with a smile so wide Yesung took a couple of steps back. The image of Ryeowook right now, hands clenched, smile wide, eyes wide, chest heaving up and down, brought the image of a serial killer to the front of Yesung's mind.
"That was exhilarating! I've never felt more alive!"
Yesung's eyebrow shot up. "Right. Well, get up. We're not there yet."
"There's more?"
"Well yeah. Do you think I escape out the window just to climb up the fire escape?"
Yesung helped Ryeowook get up and dust off his pants, leading him to a small shed. Yesung stopped them and turned to face Ryeowook seriously.
"Wookie, what I'm about to show you is top secret. It has never been shown to anyone before, so I am trusting you."
Yesung stuck out his pinky and waited until Ryeowook clasped their pinkies together. He then smiled and reached above the doorway onto a small ledge there. He felt around for a while until he pulled down a small key which he used to open the door. The door opened and he motioned for Ryeowook to go in first. Ryeowook stepped in and felt his jaw hit the floor.
"W-what is this place?"
Yesung closed the door behind them and walked past Ryeowook, throwing himself down on the pile of beanbags in the corner. There was a docking station for his iPod, a small book case, even a mini fridge in the small area.
"This is where I go when I can't stand being in the dorm. Usually this is where I disappear to after I fight with Heechul."
"But how did you find this place?"
"Well, I had asked the manager of building about it after I found it once. He said it was empty and asked if I needed it for something. I asked him if i could use it and he gave me the key. Since then this is where I escape to when I need it."
"Do you really feel the need to escape me in our room?"
Ryeowook looked sad at this thought. Yesung shook his head furiously and moved over on the beanbags, making room for the eternal maknae.
"Of course not Wookie. It's just that sometimes I just want to get away from everything, and like I said I usually come up here when I fight with Heechul and need to cool down or get my spirits up. When there are that many people living in a dorm, it's kind of hard to find a quiet place where I can just go and relax. But, seeing as you now know my secret you are welcome to my escape route whenever you need it."
Ryeowook nodded happily and laid down next to Yesung on the bean bag bed. Yesung pulled out two juice boxes from the mini fridge and handed one to Ryeowook. He took his iPod out of the bag he had taken with them and placed it in the docking station selecting random and letting the music flow. That's how the two stayed for hours, and they carried that tradition whenever they could. Anytime they felt overwhelmed or just needed to get away they would meet in their room and make their way out the window.
---
It was in this very shed where they stood now.
Ryeowook was still staring stunned at Yesung who was standing firmly in front of the door.
"How did you know where I was?"
Yesung scoffed and raised an eyebrow at the younger man.
"You forget Wookie, this was my hideout at least one year before I ever told you about it. Of course you would come here."
Ryeowook walked up to Yesung and stood toe to toe with him, a new found anger taking over. He didn't want to talk to this bastard, the one that had unknowingly broken his heart. No, he didn't feel like dealing with this right now.
"Get out of the way."
Yesung looked at him and smirked.
"No. I told you, we're gonna talk whether you like it or not. So I suggest you just sit down because you're not going anywhere."
Ryeowook bared all his teeth in a growl.
"Just get out of the way! I don't feel like talking to you! I never did, the only reason I ever even spoke to you was because we were forced to share a dorm! Do you think that I would have ever willingly become friends with a creep like you?!"
Ryeowook had let it all out in his anger but instantly regretted it when he saw the look that had come over Yesung's face. The expression shining in his eyes broke into thousands of pieces. Ryeowook shrunk, cursing himself in his head. Yesung had told him of all his insecurities once years ago when they had gotten drunk in the small shed. He had trusted Ryeowook with that piece of him, and now Ryeowook took all that trust and shoved it back in his face. Ryeowook stepped backwards, away from the deteriorating Yesung in front of him. He covered his mouth with his hand and felt the tears spring forward as he witnessed Yesung's own tears gathering in his eyes.
"Jongwoon, I-I didn't mean it. I swear to--"
"Get out." Yesung's head was bowed, his voice dangerously low.
"No, Jongie I didn't mean it, I was just--"
"GET OUT!!"
Yesung forcefully opened the door and went to pull Ryeowook towards it, ignoring the tears that were now traveling down his cheeks. He grabbed Ryeowook's arm roughly and started pulling him towards the exit. Ryeowook resisted the most he could, his heels digging into the floor, his other hand scratching and digging into Yesung's arm in an attempt to get him to stop. He then remembered a technique Sungmin had taught him for self defense and wedged one of his legs between Yesung's legs and twisted his foot so that Yesung fell forward, pulling Ryeowook with him. They landed with a thud half on the floor half on the bean bags that were thrown about the shed.
Yesung was trying to get up, trying to dislodge Ryeowook so that he could continue to kick him out. Ryeowook placed his hands on Yesung's chest and put all his body weight on his hands to prevent the older boy from getting up. Yesung's tears still hadn't stopped and now the adrenaline rush was leaving him. He felt the sting of Ryeowook's words deep in his chest, and he knew that the sob trying to rip though his throat wouldn't be held back much longer. He gave up struggling under Ryeowook and felt the tears running down the edges of his eyes towards his ears.
"Sungie, I am so sorry. I swear on Little Sweet Potato that I didn't mean anything I said. Please, you have to believe me."
"Get off me."
Yesung was staring strait at the ceiling, lips quivering, breaths getting heavier as he attempted to hold back sobs, tears flowing. He pointedly avoided looking at Ryeowook. He had done this all for Ryeowook, to tell him that he liked him, to finally confess his feelings after almost 3 years of holding it in. He may say that he didn't mean it, but in moments of anger the truth always comes out. That was perhaps the most hurt he had ever felt in his life.
Ryeowook moved his hands from Yesung's chest to grab his chin, forcing his head up to meet his eyes. Once he did he almost wished he hadn't. Never had he seen Yesung so broken, so shattered; not when he fought with Heechul, not when he thought his turtle died, not even when he found out his dad had been in the hospital. It made Ryeowook sick to know that this was all his fault.
"I didn't mean it Jongwoon. I've never regretted being your friend, and I never will."
They stayed like that for a long time, Ryeowook holding Yesung's chin while Yesung merely stared at the younger boy. Finally Ryeowook let go of Yesung and his head went back to resting on the floor while Ryeowook still sat straddling him lest he try to escape. He felt Yesung's hands near his ankles attempting to struggle once more and he tightened his knees against Yesung's sides, effectively stopping the male under him. He sighed before stretching his arms and then crossing them on Yesung's collarbone, resting his head on his hands.
"You said you wanted to talk, so talk."
"I don't feel like talking to you anymore, so just let me go and you can leave like you wanted to."
Ryeowook ignored his statement and merely stared at him with an innocent expression on his face while the older man glared at him through bloodshot eyes.
"Stop being such a child, you know that I didn't mean it. I would have switched rooms by now if I had idiot. This is like that time you told me I looked too girlie and I got all offended and wouldn't talk to you until you started tickling..."
Ryeowook's voice faded off and a evil smirk graced his features. Yesung's eyes widened in horror, bucking slightly in an attempt to free his arms. Ryeowook sat back up and rested his hands on Yesung's chest causing the other to glare at him.
"Kim. Ryeowook. Don't. You. Dare."
Ryeowook only smiled down at him before pulling up his arms and ruthlessly tickling his stomach. Yesung started bucking and twisting trying to get Ryeowook off to stop his assault. Ryeowook tightened his knees again so that he wouldn't be dislodged and started laughing along with his victim.
"Okay! OKAY! We'll talk!" Yesung finally managed to wheeze out between all his laughter.
Ryeowook smiled in victory and stopped tickling his hyung, giggling slightly as Yesung still twitched from the after shocks of the tickling.
"So what did you want to say to me Jongie?"
Yesung recovered his breath and rested his head on the floor, eyes closed.
"You misunderstood the thing with Kibum. He was helping me, nothing more."
"Helping you? With what?"
"I told him I wanted to confess to someone, so he was giving me some flirting advise since, as Heechul once so kindly put it, I couldn't flirt my way out of a paper bag. Not that that made any sense, but it is true."
Ryeowook felt his heart plummet. So, Yesung already had someone he wanted to confess to. He sat up and looked around the shed, trying to avoid Yesung's eyes. He saw Little Sweet Potato trying to climb onto a bean bag and forced himself to smile.
"So I guess Little Sweet Potato will have a new umma soon, huh?"
"Pfft. You know you'll always carry that spot in his heart, don't worry."
They both started laughing before Ryeowook felt the need to explain why he had reacted the way he had. But he couldn't tell Yesung that he liked him now, not when he had just said that he already liked someone else.
"I was just upset because...because Donghae was right there. You know how crazy he is about Kibum, we all do. I just couldn't believe you would do that to some one else's boyfriend."
"Nah, it felt really awkward fake flirting with Kibum to be honest. I think I could only flirt for real with my boyfriend."
"Well yeah he's your boyfriend...boyfriend?!?"
"That's another thing I wanted to tell you Ryeowook. I'm gay. I have thought it over for almost all of last year and I realized that maybe Heechul was right."
"Heechul called you gay?"
"Remember that big fight we had in the kitchen two years ago? Yeah, that was when he called me gay and everything just kind of blew up. Then you went in the room and thought I was gonna kill myself."
"Well, what did you want me to think!? You were halfway out a window!"
A while passed where neither spoke. Ryeowook was thinking over the new information he was given, still watching the turtle try to climb his pink beanbag. Yesung still had his eyes closed, thinking about how he would do this. He had come this far without making a (complete) fool out of himself, so now all he had to do was take the final leap. If it all went down in flames, well, Siwon already offered to have him move into his room. Ryeowook gasped lightly as he seemed to remember something. Yesung opened his eyes and looked at the smaller boy curiously as he looked through the bag still slung across his shoulders. Ryeowook pulled the present out of the bag and placed it on Yesung's chest, looking at the other boy shyly.
"It's a present. From China."
Yesung stared at the small wrapped object on his chest and raised an eyebrow at Ryeowook.
"Wookie, you still have my arms trapped. Could you maybe, I dunno, let go?"
"Do you promise you won't try to throw me over and escape?"
"No escape missions, promise."
Ryeowook looked at him skeptically before moving so that he was sitting Indian style on Yesung's abs (when did Yesung get abs? he wondered to himself.)Yesung pulled his arms out and reached up to where Ryeowook had placed the parcel. He opened it and started laughing when he saw what was inside. Ryeowook looked at him and smacked his chest playfully before grabbing onto his shirt as his laughter shook the spot where Ryeowook was perched.
"Yah! Don't laugh, I put a lot of thought into this!"
"Wookie, it's a carrot plushy!"
Ryeowook looked at the carrot plushy that was still resting on Yesung's chest. He reached for it and checked for something before putting it back on Yesung's chest.
"Take a closer look babo."
Yesung stopped his laughing and looked at the carrot now sitting on his chest. He noticed the small glittering and reached forward, taking the small pendant in his hand. He gasped and looked at Ryeowook, who was observing his reaction.
"Wookie! You remembered!"
It was when Super Junior had gone to China to see Hankyung be a torch bearer for the Olympics. After they had done their schedules, the Super Junior-M members were free to just do whatever. Ryeowook had wanted to get some street vendor food so he dragged Yesung with him, naturally. They had gotten food and had started walking around while eating just looking at the street vendor's wares. Yesung had stopped in front of a small stall and watched fascinated while the woman continued her work.
Ryeowook was a little surprised when he had continued talking only to find that Yesung was no longer behind him. He turned and saw the older boy staring into a small stall and walked back. It was a stall where they engraved your name onto a piece of rice and put it into a small vile that went on a necklace. Yesung continued watching until the whole process was over and then turned to Ryeowook, smiled, and kept walking.
"Of course I remembered. It was because of this we went home after curfew and Teukie was ready to send the police after us."
Ryeowook took the necklace from the stuffed carrot and motioned for Yesung to sit up. Yesung merely lifted his head into a crunch position so that he wouldn't throw Ryeowook off and stayed looking at the boy as the necklace was placed on him. Ryeowook smiled as he adjusted the chain and looked at Yesung, getting a bit flustered when he saw the other boy looking at him intently. He cleared his throat and made to stand up. He had finally picked himself off of Yesung's chest when the older boy sat up and pulled Ryeowook down again.
Ryeowook let out a small squeal and landed ungracefully next to Yesung on their bean bag pile. Yesung rolled over so that he was hovering over a blushing Ryeowook. He lifted his hand and brushed away some of Ryeowook's fringe that had drifted into his eyes. Ryeowook adverted his eyes and looked down at Yesung's necklace that was now dangling down from the older boy's chest, its end lightly grazing his chest.
"Wookie."
Ryeowook made some noise of acknowledgment but didn't look up. This was closer than they had been in over a year and he suddenly felt shy. Yesung reached forward and turned Ryeowook's chin so that they were staring each other eye to eye.
"Wookie, you are the sweetest person I've ever met. I don't know what I'd do without you. While you were gone in China I missed you terribly."
Ryeowook reached forward angrily and pushed Yesung's hand from his chin.
"You are not allowed to practice flirting with me."
Yesung smirked and his eyes closed so that they were half lidded. Ryeowook stared at him with wide eyes. When did Yesung get so sexy? Surely he hasn't always been able to do that thing with his eyes. Yesung reached down and skimmed his nose down Ryeowook's neck, giving a light peck to where his neck met his shoulder. Ryeowook shivered slightly under him and felt when Yesung smirked again against his neck.
"I'm not practicing Wookie."
Ryeowook held back the urge to gasp as Yesung moved to skim his nose lightly across Ryeowook's collarbone. Ryeowook's hands were clenching and un-clenching at his sides, not sure whether he wanted to push Yesung away or pull him closer.
"T-then what are you doing?"
Yesung pulled away and looked down at Ryeowook with smoldering eyes so intense that Ryeowook felt a chill go down his spine. He lowered his head so that the tips of their noses touched, their breaths mingling and eyes unable to disconnect.
"Wookie, I like you."
Ryeowook stayed staring at him for a moment, sure that he had heard wrong. Yesung was waiting for him to react, but the boy stayed the same. If his eyes hadn't been open he would have guessed that the smaller boy had fallen asleep.
"Wook-ah~"
That was it. It wasn't fair when Yesung made his voice deep and husky like that. Ryeowook's arms unclenched and pulled the older boy's face closer causing their lips to crash. Yesung's eyes opened wide, not expecting Ryeowook to have done that but he quickly relaxed into the kiss. Ryeowook wrapped his arm around Yesung's neck, one had burying itself in his silky black hair. His phone started ringing and the sudden sound startled them apart. They looked at each other, gasping for breath, silly grins on their faces while the sound of Mirotic blasted in the background.
"Maybe we should get back to the dorm. I kind of ran out on Donghae without saying anything."
"Yeah, I kind of left Kibum breaking down our door too."
Yet despite their words they stayed in that position longer. Ryeowook's hand stayed playing with the hairs on Yesung's nape while Yesung rested his head in the junction between Ryeowook's neck and shoulder. Yesung suddenly pulled up, breaking their body's connection. Ryeowook looked at him questioningly before the older boy offered his hand. Ryeowook took it and hauled himself up.
"Sorry, I was kind of on top of you."
Ryeowook laughed at how repent Yesung was looking.
"What happened to smooth talking Yesung?"
Yesung smiled. "He checked out for today. Only weird and oblivious Yesung left now, will that be okay?"
Ryeowook walked in front of Yesung and wrapped his arms around the older boy's neck, giving him a long kiss. When they finally broke apart he smiled wide at the boy who now had a silly grin on his face again.
"It's the only one I would want," He said before bending down and getting the turtle that was now climbing his foot, "Now come one before Donghae calls the police."
Yesung groaned before taking the turtle that was offered to him.
"He would, wouldn't he?"
They walked out of the shed and opted to take the stairs instead of climbing back down through the window.
---
When they entered the dorm they found Kibum and Donghae looking at them with crossed arms.
"Where were you?!? Do you know what time it is? Hm? Teukie was spitting fire when he had come home to see you guys not here before he had to leave for the radio show."
Ryeowook and Yesung looked at each other with wide eyes before turning back towards the two.
"We were--"
"Well, you see--"
Donghae put his hand up stopping their speech before smiling widely. Now Ryeowook and Yesung, as well as Kibum, were confused. He then took Kibum's hand in his own before leading him back towards their room.
"Come on Kibummie, we should leave these love birds alone."
"What do you mean love birds?"
Kibum looked back at the blushing pair near the door, not knowing how Donghae would have come up with that.
"By the way Sungie-hyung, I love that necklace."
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This chapter actually got written through various conversations through AIM. Thanks to my friend Leira for all her help ♥ So yeah, that was the end. Thanks to those who stuck with me :D
Liked it? Think I just messed up the whole series? Please, do tell~