LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES...CHAPTER 18.1/???
Title: Love Knows No Boundaries
Author: tikibuddy91
Characters: EXO (Jongin, Jonghyun, Kyungsoo), SHINee, BAP (Himchan, Yongguk, Jongup)
Word Count: 5300 of 10000
Rating: PG-13
Summary: College students. Blind, Deaf, and Mute. Their lives deal with the ups and downs, like a roller coaster. They find relationships, and companionships. Life does not always have a happy ending, but they can try to get their own.
Author Note: Yongguk and Himchan start working on their project at Himchan's house...Yongguk learns more about Himchan and suddenly, things have taken a turn when one of them does something unexpectedly.
Author Note 2: Jongin and Kyungsoo are having their first date. :3
Sign Language Guide
Families
Chapter 17 Part 1 | Chapter 17 Part 2 | Chapter 17 Part 3 |
Knock knock…
Yongguk keeps himself warm, blowing on his hands in the chilly morning air. He has the map that Himchan drew him yesterday, with directions getting to the house. He looks around the neighborhood, and notices how some houses are gated behind walls with large, wooden double doors. Himchan’s house has a driveway and a fenced gate that was left open when he arrived.
Yongguk checks his watch. 9AM, right on time, Yongguk says to himself. I hope this makes a good impression on Himchan. He waits a few seconds before the door opens to reveal Himchan looking showered and clean, in a small, tight room.
“Ah, good morning, Yongguk-s-“- Yongguk gives Himchan a look - “…goon. I’m sorry, I’m trying to get the hang of it. But anyway, come in, it’s just me for the time being. Jonguppie just left a few minutes ago for a morning run. It’ll be some time when he comes back after his run, because he’ll probably be dancing at some basketball courts. That’s how he is, hahaha,” Himchan chuckles. He steps aside to let Yongguk take off his shoes inside the entry area before closing the door behind Yongguk and leading him up one step further inside the house. Yongguk raises his eyebrows at the sight of a step that lies between Himchan and himself. He whistles to himself, People sure weren’t kidding about Himchan and his house… He goes up the step and finds himself turning right into the den area that merges with the kitchen and dining room. The wall in front of him has photo frames of Himchan and Jongup in their baby and teenage years.
“Welcome to my house. Would you like something warm to drink?” Himchan makes his way to the kitchen to search for mugs, opening the cabinet doors and Yongguk can see a big television screen in the spacious den. “Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate?”
“Thanks, Himchan, but maybe wine instead? So we can settle the mood between us, and get things going ‘til we succumb to our desires,” Yongguk smirks as he sits on the couch, studying the big portrait frame hanging on the wall adjacent to the couch, on his right side. It is a picture of younger Himchan and Jongup with their parents, in their casual attires. They look really happy, I can see Himchan gets most of his features from his father and the cheekbones from his mother…Jongup seems to get most of the features from his mother, but the nose from his father.
Yongguk is aware that there is silence from the kitchen. He is still studying the portrait when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees Himchan come out of the kitchen, with two empty mugs in his hands. Himchan gives Yongguk a deadly look that says, “Say something like that one more time and I will mercilessly cut you.” Yongguk cannot help but burst out chuckling and biting his lip, his gummy smile threatening to show. Himchan blushes and looks away, returning to the kitchen.
“I’m just kidding, Himchan-ah…I would like some hot chocolate, please.” Yongguk sees a falter in Himchan’s steps as he called him with endearment, “But really, you do need to loosen up.”
Yongguk continues to look around the house, thinking to himself, Himchan’s house is pretty average-sized for a Korean house, but wow, this is pretty spacious. I wonder where Himchan keeps his instruments. Before he asks Himchan about his instruments, his eyes catch sight of a door that says “Altar”. Getting up to get a closer look at the door, he notices how intricate the design on the door is. He wonders what that room is about, but he knows better not to snoop around. He will have to wait for the opportune time to ask Himchan about it.
“Alright, so the milk is warming up and it sh…” Himchan trails off when he sees Yongguk turning around to face him, and he knows that Yongguk has just seen the door leading to the altar. He makes eye contact with Yongguk, holding it for a few seconds before averting his eyes and clearing his throat. “Why don’t you come with me to Jongup’s and my studio in the back of the house…well, it’s not much of a studio but an empty garage, but we use it for music purposes. Come on, right this way.” Yongguk notices how Himchan looks a bit fidgety, turning around to exit out the door, walking past the kitchen. He follows him outside.
The nippy, chilly wind blows on Yongguk’s face once again as Yongguk spots two smaller buildings standing next to each other with a gap that can fit two people in between. One building is small enough to house the laundry, as he notices how there is a vintage laundry pole hanger next to the building, and the clothes on it look dripping wet; the other building is big enough to be assumed as a garage, as there is a window on the upper half of the garage side door to peek through.
Himchan makes his way to the garage, with Yongguk following him again. When Yongguk enters, he sees shelves of CDs and displays of traditional instruments housed in wooden cabinets behind glass doors. There is a keyboard and a drum set as well as a big stereo speaker, and a gigantic dance floor. There is a wide cushion-paneled garage door, but it seems to have not been in use for a long time.
“This used to be the garage but we soundproofed it as to not distract our neighbors when Jongup practices his dances or when I practice my instruments. Over there, you can see the CDs that we own. One side is traditional Korean music and the other side is western music along with some modern Korean music. Jongup’s a bit biased for hiphop music, but I don’t mind. They’re all alphabetized by last name of the artists, and then their first names. Oh, the milk should be ready. I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable here, you can draw up some chairs over there, behind the drum set and listen to some of my CDs. Oh yeah that reminds me; I have your CDs in my room. I’ll come back with the drinks and the CDs.” Yongguk nods as Himchan softly smiles and excuses himself. Yongguk goes to get the chairs, placing them in the center of the garage and studies the shelves in front of him.
Once Himchan brings the hot chocolate in reusable travel mugs and the CDs, they get to work. Himchan introduces Yongguk to the instruments, careful to take them out of their cases one at a time. “They’re my babies,” Himchan smiles, adoring his instruments with pride, and Yongguk jests back, chortling, “Am I the father?” earning a stony look from Himchan.
“I’m being serious here, Mr. Bang Yongguk.”
“As was I, Mrs. Bang Himchan.” Himchan rolls his eyes, but he fails to resist the urge to smile at Yongguk’s jokes.
“You do know you were smiling just now, and I feel downright offended,” Yongguk steels himself.
Himchan scoffs, “What the heck, why are you being like this, Yongguk.” Yongguk shrugs, smiling.
“You need to relax, Himchan-ah, like I’ve been telling you all along.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, let’s get back to work…”
An hour into the project, Himchan and Yongguk decide to take a break from discussing the musical aspects they like from Himchan’s CDs and how they should start off their collaboration project. Yongguk admires the way Himchan speaks so lovingly about his music and the way he gets excited to hear his favorite segments in the songs, waving his hand in beat with the music.
The duo goes back inside the house; as Himchan goes to clean the mugs, Yongguk kindly offers to help. When they finish, they head to the den to relax, Himchan sitting on the couch, and Yongguk sitting on one of the armchairs. Jongup has not returned yet, and Yongguk asks Himchan if they should look for Jongup.
“No, I told you earlier, he sometimes likes to dance around at some basketball court after running, and then he’d be back. I’d give him about one more hour. He’s usually gone for two hours, at the most.”
Yongguk nods understandingly, and he cannot help but glance a few times at the family portrait. He feels so curious to know where Himchan’s parents are, if they were abroad or in a different house. Glancing at the altar, he feels his curiosity increasing by the second. Yongguk hopes this is the opportune time, and so he clears his throat, ready to find out.
“So…Himchan-ah…” Himchan looks at Yongguk. Yongguk blinks, still staring at the family portrait, and he nods to the frame. “Wh…Where are your parents? Did they disown you guys?” He sneaks a glance at Himchan, and he can see Himchan’s eyes glazing, unfocused for a brief moment before Himchan looks around at the family portrait.
There is a heavy silence as Yongguk waits for Himchan to speak. Himchan sighs sadly, and stands up, catching Yongguk by surprise.
“Come with me…” Himchan does not look at Yongguk directly in the eyes, but he is staring somewhere to the right of Yongguk’s face. Yongguk stands up and they walk to the door nearby that says “Altar”.
“First, I don’t want anyone to know about this…I haven’t seen this room in a while now…” Himchan draws his breath shakily. His hand trembles lightly as he reaches for the doorknob. “Second, what I’m about to show you, only a few people know about this. I can trust that you will promise not to tell anyone about this?”
“Sure, I’ll keep my promise.” Yongguk lifts his hand to rest on Himchan’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Hearing the seriousness and genuineness in Yongguk’s voice, Himchan nods and opens the door. At first, Yongguk sees a dark room, but Himchan turns on the lights to reveal paper-screened sliding doors. Through the paper, Yongguk can see another light fixture and some shadows. They enter the room and Yongguk closes the door. Himchan bows to the sliding doors before sliding them open. “Come on up, but please kneel on the floor. There are some knee cushions over there to your right, if you want,” Himchan instructs.
Yongguk inhales slowly when he sees the sight in front of him. There, on an elevated wooden platform, in the opposite end of the room facing Yongguk, is an elaborate decorated golden shrine. On the wall hang two portraits of the parents, looking almost unchanged from the family portrait in the living room. There is a wooden table under the photos, with some sort of incense bowl and flowers that have seemed to be recently placed there, looking vibrant. Yongguk hears a sniffle from Himchan, and says nothing, now realizing that Himchan’s parents have passed away some time ago.
“Hyosung must’ve done that…without telling me. Jonguppie hasn’t come here for a few weeks…” Himchan walks up and across the wooden floor, and kneels to the shrine. “Abeoji…Eomeoni…I-I’m sorry for being a bad son…” For a few moments, Yongguk can hear Himchan mumbling and silently weeping, his head still bowed, resting on his hands. With his heart feeling a little heavy in his chest, Yongguk looks to his right and he sees a stack of knee cushions. He takes one and proceeds to step up onto the wooden floor, placing the cushion in front of him and kneeling on it. He waits in silence for Himchan to finish.
Silence falls upon them for the third time today, and soon after, Himchan rises back up, still on his knees.
“Come with me to my room, Yongguk,” Himchan says tiredly. He stands up, a little hunched, walking backwards, unable to look at his parents. Yongguk follows him and places his cushion back atop the stack. Himchan slides the doors close, sniffling and wiping the tears from his eyes. He bows and exits the altar, turning right before he reaches the kitchen. Yongguk bows to the doors out of respect, and closes the altar room door.
Once in the den, Yongguk follows Himchan into the hallway, glancing at the family portrait one more time as he passes by. They looked so happy together as a family, Yongguk thinks to himself.
Once in the hallway, he sees only one out of the four doors open, the last door on the right side. Making his way to Himchan’s room, he sees pictures of Jongup and Himchan in the hallway, with the boys in their baby, teenage and young adult years. Yongguk smiles at the sight of Jongup’s bright smile that remains unchanged in the pictures and the sight of Himchan as a kid being adorable when pouting. There are a few pictures of their parents, but only when Himchan and Jongup were younger. He is slowly puzzled at this. Just how long have their parents been dead?
When Yongguk reaches the last door, he sees a plain bedroom layout: a desk near the door, a bed near the window on the wall adjacent to the desk, and a closet opposite the window.
Himchan is sitting on the floor, his back against the bed, his knees drawn up to his chest. He has his head down, his arms hugging his knees and head, and shoulders shaking. Yongguk can hear the weeping noises from the guy.
Yongguk knocks and slowly enters, before he seats himself next to Himchan, drawing up one of his knees for one of his arms to rest upon. He stares at the floor, waiting for Himchan to speak. After the sobs die down, Himchan is left sniveling, still not looking up.
“My…Our…pa…” Himchan gulps and clears his throat. “Our parents were killed ei-eight years ago,” Himchan says with great difficulty. Yongguk widens his eyes, whipping his head to look at Himchan in shock.
What, Himchan’s parents were killed? Eight years ago?! Yongguk did not expect to hear that from Himchan. Until he saw the altar, he thought Himchan and Jongup were disowned or perhaps the parents had recently passed…but to have lived eight long years without parents, Yongguk cannot comprehend how it is possible. He can only stare at Himchan with sympathy and a tinge of awe.
“They were c-coming back home that night…f-from a weekend getaway in the mountains. The fucking drunk driver collided with them and ran them off the fucking mountainside. THAT FUCKING BASTARD KILLED MY PARENTS.” Himchan lifts his head from his arms with his eyes closed, showing an expression of distraught, as he roars blindly at the wall in front of him, emphasizing the last few words with a louder, pained voice. He breaks down into wheezing sobs again, lowering his head back unto his arms. Yongguk has slightly winced from Himchan’s profane outburst but does nothing to console him yet. The sounds of Himchan’s sniffling and clearing his throat makes him look really pitiful, and Yongguk wishes he could do something to console him.
“Jongup and I were here at home w-when I got the call. Jonguppie was watching tv…I picked up the phone a-and I heard, ‘Hello, is this the residence of Moon Jongsoo and Kim Hanchul?’ I said, ‘This is Moon Himchan, their son speaking…M-May I ask who is calling?’….” Himchan trails off, sniffling, and Yongguk lifts his other arm to hug Himchan around the shoulders. “’I’m sorry, this is the police. I have t-t-terrible news for you. Your p-p-parents were k-killed in a car accident.’” Himchan’s voice quivers and he draws another shaky breath. “’We f-found them off the mountainside after receiving word f-f-from other drivers of a drunk driver s-speeding down the road. I’m s-sorry, son.’” He gasps again, warm tears emerging in his eyes as he continues to remember the painful memory. “I was fourteen years old at the time, Jongup was ten.”
Yongguk feels a tear running down his cheek as he looks at Himchan being in such a vulnerable and pitiful state. “You don’t have to go on…if it hurts to remember.” Himchan shakes his head, clearing his throat. He lifts his head to rest his chin on his arms.
“No one knows about this, like I said, except for Hyosung and my relatives…it’s time I trust you with this information because you’ve been a caring friend for me and Jongup.
“After the police told me the news, I didn’t know what was happening around me. All I knew was that I had shut the door, sitting with my back against the door, and I was calling Hyosung. She was my best friend and neighbor at the time…Anyway,” - Himchan gulps - “Jongup was at the other side of the door, asking me what was wrong and why I was not letting him in. Moments later, I heard Hyosung soothing Jongup and I knew she hadn’t told Jongup about the news, because I heard her encouraging Jongup to watch his favorite show. Then, I was sitting here right in this spot when Hyosung came in and she sat where you sat.” Himchan sighs.
“She let me cry out my tears, and then that’s when Jongup came in. He must have heard me crying and he w…he was asking for our parents…” Himchan pitifully looks to the door that Yongguk came in through earlier. “…’Where’s umma? Where’s appa?’…” Himchan stares at the doorway with an expression of hopelessness. “Jonguppie kept asking those same questions over and over, and every time he asked those questions, every time, it hurts me so much the questions were like bullets to my heart. And that was when I heard Jongup say, ‘There was some breaking news on my cartoon channel, about a drunk driver being involved in a two-car c-crash with two other pe…people.’” Himchan sniffles, slowly shaking his head in despair, and he makes a strangled chuckle in his throat.
“…Heh,” Himchan scoffs softly as he tries to hold himself from falling apart, biting his lip and blinking away the falling tears. “I lost it right there…”
Himchan starts to rock on his feet and bottom, shaking his huddled body back and forth. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell Jonguppie about our parents…I felt him tugging on my arm” - Himchan makes to tug his arm - “asking for our parents over and over, and dammit, I snapped. I fucking snapped. I yelled and shouted at Jongup, I even shoved him to the floor. I was a bad brother, a really bad brother.” He tries to wipe off his tears that are falling rapidly on his face. “I s-sh-shouted to him that they’re d-dead, ‘because some drunk driver d-de-decided to do something fucking senseless an-an-and stupid on the mountainside and knocked the car, w-with our parents inside, off the mountainside.’…” Himchan starts to hyperventilate, and Yongguk takes action to bring Himchan close to him, hugging him. Yongguk feels a warm wetness on his clothed shoulder as he hears Himchan letting out his whimpering sobs again, and he pats Himchan’s back consolingly.
Yongguk blinks away the tears in his eyes, looking to the wall opposite the two of them, where he can picture a ten-year-old Jongup sitting there in the memory. He feels really sorry for the brothers who had to deal with this sudden news at such a late time of the night. After a few minutes, Himchan’s sobs have quietened down before he clears his throat again.
“And Jongup…” Himchan slowly pulls away from Yongguk, scooting back to his original position. He takes a moment to wipe the tears off his face and continues on. “God, I…I felt so horrible and guilty looking at h-him, his body shaking in fear and tears falling on his face. I couldn’t stand it any further, not after what I had done to him. I left the room to get some water, and when I was coming back, I heard Hyosung comforting him. Then I heard Jongup say he wanted our parents back, over and over. ‘I want them back, noona, please give them back. I WANT THEM BACK.’ I came back here to see Jongup standing there against the wall, shouting at Hyosung moments before he fell to his knees, crying. God, he was only ten years old. I couldn’t blame him for wanting our parents back. I went to hug him and consoled him…and you know what Jongup said to me?” Himchan looks directly at Yongguk with his wet, bloodshot eyes. Yongguk shakes his head sympathetically.
Himchan smiles bitterly. “’Hyung, p-please don’t leave me too. I don’t want you to g-go.’” Himchan exhales sharply, clearing his throat. “‘I don’t want to be alone. I’m sorry for making you mad. Please don’t leave me alone, hyung!’…” Himchan blinks slowly, letting the tears fall. He sighs. “My babo Jonguppie…so innocent. I held him in my arms, he was small for his age” - Himchan mimics to hold an invisible Jongup on his lap, his knees dropping down to a cross-legged pose - “and I told him as I was rocking him, no I vowed to him, that I would never leave his side, that I would do everything I could to ensure our futures. I swore to do what I can to provide for him. Of course, I was fourteen at the time. What was I thinking? What fourteen-year-old kid would say that kind of stuff and mean it? But I really did mean what I said back then. I had him promise me not to leave my side, and he did not hesitate to promise that…” Himchan has a little smile on his face as he remembers on the memory. “He still had that bright smile on his face after we promised, even when we were crying our hearts out…” Yongguk smiles softly, remembering the bright smile he had seen on the portraits in the house and from the real deal Jongup himself. Himchan chuckles lightly.
“After that moment, I realized how lucky and blessed I was to still have my little brother in my life; but, at the same time, I felt so wrong, for being so happy to still have my Jonguppie when our parents had died that night…”
Yongguk understands now why Himchan calls Jongup ‘my Jonguppie’, because Himchan adores his brother to pieces and will do anything for him. Yongguk also understands the love that Himchan has for Jongup to the point where Himchan would be shameless to shower his affections on his brother in public, where he would do anything for his little brother. Yongguk smiles as he remembers the first day he met Himchan, when during lunch hour, he saw Himchan flailing his arms to get Jongup’s attention. He was definitely shameless with his image with everyone looking at him. Himchan continues on, bringing Yongguk’s attention to him.
“Hyosung and I went to the morgue with my aunt and uncle to confirm my parents’ identities, and it was painful to see them…I didn’t want Jongup to come with me, because he was only ten at the time. Hyosung’s parents had talked to our relatives, and so they came up to stay with us for the next few months, taking care of Jongup and I. The funeral happened a few days later. We gave our parents a formal burial…I wish you were there to see it. It was such a beautiful casket for the both of them…Death would not dare part them both; they still lay side by side for eternity, even after death.
“Our relatives refused to let this house go for sale, and even so, we found out from our parents’ will, that the house was to be entrusted to myself and Jongup alone, as well as the instruments that you saw in the garage. Not only that, but the money as well…people nowadays think that Jongup and I are rich, but honestly, we’re not. I personally don’t believe we’re rich, I mean, look at this house, it isn’t exactly a mansion. Every now and then, our relatives would check up on us and make sure we’re being well fed and all. I couldn’t thank them enough.
“Jongup’s birthday came up in four months…and…” Himchan trails off, sniffling. “For the first time in our lives…we didn’t have our parents w…with us. We didn’t have a family to celebrate with, parents to share m…memories with. It was just me and Jongup. Hyosung had left for the States with her family for some time. Yongguk…at that time, did you ever feel as a kid…that life without parents and rules would mean freedom and fun, and you couldn’t wait for that to happen?”
Yongguk watches Himchan, his heart heavy in his chest. He gulps and nods, having felt that often back then. Himchan smiles bitterly.
“It wasn’t, for us…Life without parents…is hard when you’re at such a young age. Jongup was turning eleven, and I was about to be fifteen two months after. I was lucky to have some neighbors help me cook and throw a surprise birthday party for Jongup.” Himchan feels tears welling up, feeling nostalgic at the memory. “I saw the sad look on Jongup’s face before I dropped him off at school, and after I picked him up later in the day. After we walked back home, I saw the bright smile on his face when he was surprised by our neighbors throwing a birthday party all for him, because I wanted to make it the best birthday ever for him.
“When he told me that I was the best hyung and his most favorite person in the whole wide world, and he loved me as big as the universe…” Himchan lets out a light chuckle.
“It was the best and yet, the worst feeling I could ever feel…I felt like when he said that, I had replaced our parents for Jongup, and I couldn’t deal with that. No one could ever compare to our parents. I couldn’t stay mad at Jongup, because it was his birthday, and he was looking at me with those admiring eyes. Those eyes of his spoke in volumes of love and of hope, reminding me that he needed me so dearly in his life, like I needed him.
“Our parents were amazing musicians, performing with orchestras… as well as performing traditional dances and contemporary dances. Those were their careers, and they were successful artists. Even with the inherited money, I would not accept it as a status of our wealth. I didn’t want to be viewed as the snobby kind of person; I didn’t want Jongup to be bullied for our wealth status…he’s already been bullied enough before for being innocent and dumb,” Himchan shakes his head at remembering one memory in his secondary school, “I remember standing up for my brother one too many times at school, fighting back at his bullies with words. Jongup, he didn’t know any better than to just stand there and take in the physical and verbal punches…Ugh, those kids.” Himchan shakes his head again.
“I worked part time jobs at the same time as I was attending school, careful to choose the time slots outside of my classes in high school so I could find some time to work during the weekdays, while Jongup was in school, and weekends. I would make sure that I would either pick him up after he was done with his dance rehearsals, or be here when he came home. I was not exactly workaholic, but I worked enough to provide Jongup and myself what we can live on. I was able to pay our tuitions with my earnings from my part time jobs…along with some help from the inherited money. I only used the inherited money for special payments, so our tuitions were the obvious first thing on our list…as well as the payment for our parents’ graves.
“And now, here I am, telling almost my whole life story to a friend that I met in music class a few weeks ago. The same friend who calls me ‘princess’, who has an interest in Shakespeare, and the same person who is blatantly and constantly flirting with me, just to make friends with me. Why the hell did you come into my life?”
Yongguk stares at Himchan in awe, with an admiring gaze. Although he knows that Himchan had mentioned his job life yesterday, now, after hearing everything in single detail, he is still amazed at how unselfish Himchan has been growing up in the past eight years, how attentive Himchan is to his own and Jongup’s needs, as well as to their educations. He scoots a little closer to Himchan, and Himchan turns his head slightly to face Yongguk.
“For one,” Yongguk says, “I never knew you had such a story to tell…It’s true that I did flirt with you, because I initially wanted to get on your bad side, but it all changed when you gave me your notebook. I misjudged you from the rumors I heard from our classmates, and I’m sorry about that. Second of all, I was surprised too to find that you like Shakespeare. Not many people around here do. I mean, the way Shakespeare elaborates on physical objects and abstract notions, expressed through the characters in the plays…it makes you think about the worldviews each character has and what you have. Even the language itself is what makes Shakespeare unique, because if we read it long enough to translate and understand the meanings behind the lines…it wouldn’t be so hard to get the mood and the tone of the author himself, and feel it.”
“Exactly!” Himchan exclaims as he leans his head back, resting it on Yongguk’s arm, glad that at least there is someone out there who appreciates the works of a playwright. He is unaware that he is physically close to Yongguk until he turns his head to look at him. “Finally, someone like you who understands how I feel…”
Those eyes looking back at Himchan, show a mixture of joy, awe, anticipation and gentleness…
That nose, though looking a bit awkward on his face, still gives Yongguk a masculine, charismatic appeal…
The lips, thick and ever so close…
…A warm sensation against Himchan’s lips…
Oh…shit.
Snapping to focus, Himchan pulls away from Yongguk, who is staring back at him in slight shock.
“Uh…”
“I…didn’t mean for that to happen,” Himchan moves away from Yongguk’s arm, scrambling to stand up. He looks down at Yongguk, “I’m sorry, Yongguk. I just need to be alone. Please leave. I’m sorry.”
“Uh…sure, yeah, no problem. No I’ll see myself out…we’ll work on our project later…” Yongguk scratches the back of his neck as he makes to stand up. Himchan steps back further, leaning against the wall, creating some distance between Yongguk and him. “Uhm…look, I’m really sorry about your parents. Just know…that I’m…still here for you guys, okay?” Himchan nods distractedly as a response. Yongguk continues, though feeling a little awkward, “Just…when you feel rea-“
“Just go, please, Yongguk,” Himchan crosses his arms, his eyes not wanting to meet Yongguk. Yongguk falters and nods, excusing himself out before thanking Himchan for the breakfast, the house tour, and at least being able to work on the project that day.
Yongguk leaves the house, almost running into a sweaty Jongup, who had just came back from a run.
“Oh hi, Yongguk-hyung! Good morning!” Jongup smiles at his older friend, taking out his earphones out of his ears before bowing. He catches Yongguk’s troubled expression. “Er…did something happen with you and hyung?”
“It’s nothing, Jongup-ah…I’ll see you later at school, ok? Have a good weekend.” Yongguk smiles at him, ruffling Jongup’s hair, not caring if it was almost sweaty, before leaving.
Well…I did not expect that to happen…Yongguk thinks to himself.
Author: tikibuddy91
Characters: EXO (Jongin, Jonghyun, Kyungsoo), SHINee, BAP (Himchan, Yongguk, Jongup)
Word Count: 5300 of 10000
Rating: PG-13
Summary: College students. Blind, Deaf, and Mute. Their lives deal with the ups and downs, like a roller coaster. They find relationships, and companionships. Life does not always have a happy ending, but they can try to get their own.
Author Note: Yongguk and Himchan start working on their project at Himchan's house...Yongguk learns more about Himchan and suddenly, things have taken a turn when one of them does something unexpectedly.
Author Note 2: Jongin and Kyungsoo are having their first date. :3
Sign Language Guide
Families
Chapter 17 Part 1 | Chapter 17 Part 2 | Chapter 17 Part 3 |
Knock knock…
Yongguk keeps himself warm, blowing on his hands in the chilly morning air. He has the map that Himchan drew him yesterday, with directions getting to the house. He looks around the neighborhood, and notices how some houses are gated behind walls with large, wooden double doors. Himchan’s house has a driveway and a fenced gate that was left open when he arrived.
Yongguk checks his watch. 9AM, right on time, Yongguk says to himself. I hope this makes a good impression on Himchan. He waits a few seconds before the door opens to reveal Himchan looking showered and clean, in a small, tight room.
“Ah, good morning, Yongguk-s-“- Yongguk gives Himchan a look - “…goon. I’m sorry, I’m trying to get the hang of it. But anyway, come in, it’s just me for the time being. Jonguppie just left a few minutes ago for a morning run. It’ll be some time when he comes back after his run, because he’ll probably be dancing at some basketball courts. That’s how he is, hahaha,” Himchan chuckles. He steps aside to let Yongguk take off his shoes inside the entry area before closing the door behind Yongguk and leading him up one step further inside the house. Yongguk raises his eyebrows at the sight of a step that lies between Himchan and himself. He whistles to himself, People sure weren’t kidding about Himchan and his house… He goes up the step and finds himself turning right into the den area that merges with the kitchen and dining room. The wall in front of him has photo frames of Himchan and Jongup in their baby and teenage years.
“Welcome to my house. Would you like something warm to drink?” Himchan makes his way to the kitchen to search for mugs, opening the cabinet doors and Yongguk can see a big television screen in the spacious den. “Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate?”
“Thanks, Himchan, but maybe wine instead? So we can settle the mood between us, and get things going ‘til we succumb to our desires,” Yongguk smirks as he sits on the couch, studying the big portrait frame hanging on the wall adjacent to the couch, on his right side. It is a picture of younger Himchan and Jongup with their parents, in their casual attires. They look really happy, I can see Himchan gets most of his features from his father and the cheekbones from his mother…Jongup seems to get most of the features from his mother, but the nose from his father.
Yongguk is aware that there is silence from the kitchen. He is still studying the portrait when, out of the corner of his eye, he sees Himchan come out of the kitchen, with two empty mugs in his hands. Himchan gives Yongguk a deadly look that says, “Say something like that one more time and I will mercilessly cut you.” Yongguk cannot help but burst out chuckling and biting his lip, his gummy smile threatening to show. Himchan blushes and looks away, returning to the kitchen.
“I’m just kidding, Himchan-ah…I would like some hot chocolate, please.” Yongguk sees a falter in Himchan’s steps as he called him with endearment, “But really, you do need to loosen up.”
Yongguk continues to look around the house, thinking to himself, Himchan’s house is pretty average-sized for a Korean house, but wow, this is pretty spacious. I wonder where Himchan keeps his instruments. Before he asks Himchan about his instruments, his eyes catch sight of a door that says “Altar”. Getting up to get a closer look at the door, he notices how intricate the design on the door is. He wonders what that room is about, but he knows better not to snoop around. He will have to wait for the opportune time to ask Himchan about it.
“Alright, so the milk is warming up and it sh…” Himchan trails off when he sees Yongguk turning around to face him, and he knows that Yongguk has just seen the door leading to the altar. He makes eye contact with Yongguk, holding it for a few seconds before averting his eyes and clearing his throat. “Why don’t you come with me to Jongup’s and my studio in the back of the house…well, it’s not much of a studio but an empty garage, but we use it for music purposes. Come on, right this way.” Yongguk notices how Himchan looks a bit fidgety, turning around to exit out the door, walking past the kitchen. He follows him outside.
The nippy, chilly wind blows on Yongguk’s face once again as Yongguk spots two smaller buildings standing next to each other with a gap that can fit two people in between. One building is small enough to house the laundry, as he notices how there is a vintage laundry pole hanger next to the building, and the clothes on it look dripping wet; the other building is big enough to be assumed as a garage, as there is a window on the upper half of the garage side door to peek through.
Himchan makes his way to the garage, with Yongguk following him again. When Yongguk enters, he sees shelves of CDs and displays of traditional instruments housed in wooden cabinets behind glass doors. There is a keyboard and a drum set as well as a big stereo speaker, and a gigantic dance floor. There is a wide cushion-paneled garage door, but it seems to have not been in use for a long time.
“This used to be the garage but we soundproofed it as to not distract our neighbors when Jongup practices his dances or when I practice my instruments. Over there, you can see the CDs that we own. One side is traditional Korean music and the other side is western music along with some modern Korean music. Jongup’s a bit biased for hiphop music, but I don’t mind. They’re all alphabetized by last name of the artists, and then their first names. Oh, the milk should be ready. I’ll be right back. Make yourself comfortable here, you can draw up some chairs over there, behind the drum set and listen to some of my CDs. Oh yeah that reminds me; I have your CDs in my room. I’ll come back with the drinks and the CDs.” Yongguk nods as Himchan softly smiles and excuses himself. Yongguk goes to get the chairs, placing them in the center of the garage and studies the shelves in front of him.
Once Himchan brings the hot chocolate in reusable travel mugs and the CDs, they get to work. Himchan introduces Yongguk to the instruments, careful to take them out of their cases one at a time. “They’re my babies,” Himchan smiles, adoring his instruments with pride, and Yongguk jests back, chortling, “Am I the father?” earning a stony look from Himchan.
“I’m being serious here, Mr. Bang Yongguk.”
“As was I, Mrs. Bang Himchan.” Himchan rolls his eyes, but he fails to resist the urge to smile at Yongguk’s jokes.
“You do know you were smiling just now, and I feel downright offended,” Yongguk steels himself.
Himchan scoffs, “What the heck, why are you being like this, Yongguk.” Yongguk shrugs, smiling.
“You need to relax, Himchan-ah, like I’ve been telling you all along.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, let’s get back to work…”
An hour into the project, Himchan and Yongguk decide to take a break from discussing the musical aspects they like from Himchan’s CDs and how they should start off their collaboration project. Yongguk admires the way Himchan speaks so lovingly about his music and the way he gets excited to hear his favorite segments in the songs, waving his hand in beat with the music.
The duo goes back inside the house; as Himchan goes to clean the mugs, Yongguk kindly offers to help. When they finish, they head to the den to relax, Himchan sitting on the couch, and Yongguk sitting on one of the armchairs. Jongup has not returned yet, and Yongguk asks Himchan if they should look for Jongup.
“No, I told you earlier, he sometimes likes to dance around at some basketball court after running, and then he’d be back. I’d give him about one more hour. He’s usually gone for two hours, at the most.”
Yongguk nods understandingly, and he cannot help but glance a few times at the family portrait. He feels so curious to know where Himchan’s parents are, if they were abroad or in a different house. Glancing at the altar, he feels his curiosity increasing by the second. Yongguk hopes this is the opportune time, and so he clears his throat, ready to find out.
“So…Himchan-ah…” Himchan looks at Yongguk. Yongguk blinks, still staring at the family portrait, and he nods to the frame. “Wh…Where are your parents? Did they disown you guys?” He sneaks a glance at Himchan, and he can see Himchan’s eyes glazing, unfocused for a brief moment before Himchan looks around at the family portrait.
There is a heavy silence as Yongguk waits for Himchan to speak. Himchan sighs sadly, and stands up, catching Yongguk by surprise.
“Come with me…” Himchan does not look at Yongguk directly in the eyes, but he is staring somewhere to the right of Yongguk’s face. Yongguk stands up and they walk to the door nearby that says “Altar”.
“First, I don’t want anyone to know about this…I haven’t seen this room in a while now…” Himchan draws his breath shakily. His hand trembles lightly as he reaches for the doorknob. “Second, what I’m about to show you, only a few people know about this. I can trust that you will promise not to tell anyone about this?”
“Sure, I’ll keep my promise.” Yongguk lifts his hand to rest on Himchan’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Hearing the seriousness and genuineness in Yongguk’s voice, Himchan nods and opens the door. At first, Yongguk sees a dark room, but Himchan turns on the lights to reveal paper-screened sliding doors. Through the paper, Yongguk can see another light fixture and some shadows. They enter the room and Yongguk closes the door. Himchan bows to the sliding doors before sliding them open. “Come on up, but please kneel on the floor. There are some knee cushions over there to your right, if you want,” Himchan instructs.
Yongguk inhales slowly when he sees the sight in front of him. There, on an elevated wooden platform, in the opposite end of the room facing Yongguk, is an elaborate decorated golden shrine. On the wall hang two portraits of the parents, looking almost unchanged from the family portrait in the living room. There is a wooden table under the photos, with some sort of incense bowl and flowers that have seemed to be recently placed there, looking vibrant. Yongguk hears a sniffle from Himchan, and says nothing, now realizing that Himchan’s parents have passed away some time ago.
“Hyosung must’ve done that…without telling me. Jonguppie hasn’t come here for a few weeks…” Himchan walks up and across the wooden floor, and kneels to the shrine. “Abeoji…Eomeoni…I-I’m sorry for being a bad son…” For a few moments, Yongguk can hear Himchan mumbling and silently weeping, his head still bowed, resting on his hands. With his heart feeling a little heavy in his chest, Yongguk looks to his right and he sees a stack of knee cushions. He takes one and proceeds to step up onto the wooden floor, placing the cushion in front of him and kneeling on it. He waits in silence for Himchan to finish.
Silence falls upon them for the third time today, and soon after, Himchan rises back up, still on his knees.
“Come with me to my room, Yongguk,” Himchan says tiredly. He stands up, a little hunched, walking backwards, unable to look at his parents. Yongguk follows him and places his cushion back atop the stack. Himchan slides the doors close, sniffling and wiping the tears from his eyes. He bows and exits the altar, turning right before he reaches the kitchen. Yongguk bows to the doors out of respect, and closes the altar room door.
Once in the den, Yongguk follows Himchan into the hallway, glancing at the family portrait one more time as he passes by. They looked so happy together as a family, Yongguk thinks to himself.
Once in the hallway, he sees only one out of the four doors open, the last door on the right side. Making his way to Himchan’s room, he sees pictures of Jongup and Himchan in the hallway, with the boys in their baby, teenage and young adult years. Yongguk smiles at the sight of Jongup’s bright smile that remains unchanged in the pictures and the sight of Himchan as a kid being adorable when pouting. There are a few pictures of their parents, but only when Himchan and Jongup were younger. He is slowly puzzled at this. Just how long have their parents been dead?
When Yongguk reaches the last door, he sees a plain bedroom layout: a desk near the door, a bed near the window on the wall adjacent to the desk, and a closet opposite the window.
Himchan is sitting on the floor, his back against the bed, his knees drawn up to his chest. He has his head down, his arms hugging his knees and head, and shoulders shaking. Yongguk can hear the weeping noises from the guy.
Yongguk knocks and slowly enters, before he seats himself next to Himchan, drawing up one of his knees for one of his arms to rest upon. He stares at the floor, waiting for Himchan to speak. After the sobs die down, Himchan is left sniveling, still not looking up.
“My…Our…pa…” Himchan gulps and clears his throat. “Our parents were killed ei-eight years ago,” Himchan says with great difficulty. Yongguk widens his eyes, whipping his head to look at Himchan in shock.
What, Himchan’s parents were killed? Eight years ago?! Yongguk did not expect to hear that from Himchan. Until he saw the altar, he thought Himchan and Jongup were disowned or perhaps the parents had recently passed…but to have lived eight long years without parents, Yongguk cannot comprehend how it is possible. He can only stare at Himchan with sympathy and a tinge of awe.
“They were c-coming back home that night…f-from a weekend getaway in the mountains. The fucking drunk driver collided with them and ran them off the fucking mountainside. THAT FUCKING BASTARD KILLED MY PARENTS.” Himchan lifts his head from his arms with his eyes closed, showing an expression of distraught, as he roars blindly at the wall in front of him, emphasizing the last few words with a louder, pained voice. He breaks down into wheezing sobs again, lowering his head back unto his arms. Yongguk has slightly winced from Himchan’s profane outburst but does nothing to console him yet. The sounds of Himchan’s sniffling and clearing his throat makes him look really pitiful, and Yongguk wishes he could do something to console him.
“Jongup and I were here at home w-when I got the call. Jonguppie was watching tv…I picked up the phone a-and I heard, ‘Hello, is this the residence of Moon Jongsoo and Kim Hanchul?’ I said, ‘This is Moon Himchan, their son speaking…M-May I ask who is calling?’….” Himchan trails off, sniffling, and Yongguk lifts his other arm to hug Himchan around the shoulders. “’I’m sorry, this is the police. I have t-t-terrible news for you. Your p-p-parents were k-killed in a car accident.’” Himchan’s voice quivers and he draws another shaky breath. “’We f-found them off the mountainside after receiving word f-f-from other drivers of a drunk driver s-speeding down the road. I’m s-sorry, son.’” He gasps again, warm tears emerging in his eyes as he continues to remember the painful memory. “I was fourteen years old at the time, Jongup was ten.”
Yongguk feels a tear running down his cheek as he looks at Himchan being in such a vulnerable and pitiful state. “You don’t have to go on…if it hurts to remember.” Himchan shakes his head, clearing his throat. He lifts his head to rest his chin on his arms.
“No one knows about this, like I said, except for Hyosung and my relatives…it’s time I trust you with this information because you’ve been a caring friend for me and Jongup.
“After the police told me the news, I didn’t know what was happening around me. All I knew was that I had shut the door, sitting with my back against the door, and I was calling Hyosung. She was my best friend and neighbor at the time…Anyway,” - Himchan gulps - “Jongup was at the other side of the door, asking me what was wrong and why I was not letting him in. Moments later, I heard Hyosung soothing Jongup and I knew she hadn’t told Jongup about the news, because I heard her encouraging Jongup to watch his favorite show. Then, I was sitting here right in this spot when Hyosung came in and she sat where you sat.” Himchan sighs.
“She let me cry out my tears, and then that’s when Jongup came in. He must have heard me crying and he w…he was asking for our parents…” Himchan pitifully looks to the door that Yongguk came in through earlier. “…’Where’s umma? Where’s appa?’…” Himchan stares at the doorway with an expression of hopelessness. “Jonguppie kept asking those same questions over and over, and every time he asked those questions, every time, it hurts me so much the questions were like bullets to my heart. And that was when I heard Jongup say, ‘There was some breaking news on my cartoon channel, about a drunk driver being involved in a two-car c-crash with two other pe…people.’” Himchan sniffles, slowly shaking his head in despair, and he makes a strangled chuckle in his throat.
“…Heh,” Himchan scoffs softly as he tries to hold himself from falling apart, biting his lip and blinking away the falling tears. “I lost it right there…”
Himchan starts to rock on his feet and bottom, shaking his huddled body back and forth. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell Jonguppie about our parents…I felt him tugging on my arm” - Himchan makes to tug his arm - “asking for our parents over and over, and dammit, I snapped. I fucking snapped. I yelled and shouted at Jongup, I even shoved him to the floor. I was a bad brother, a really bad brother.” He tries to wipe off his tears that are falling rapidly on his face. “I s-sh-shouted to him that they’re d-dead, ‘because some drunk driver d-de-decided to do something fucking senseless an-an-and stupid on the mountainside and knocked the car, w-with our parents inside, off the mountainside.’…” Himchan starts to hyperventilate, and Yongguk takes action to bring Himchan close to him, hugging him. Yongguk feels a warm wetness on his clothed shoulder as he hears Himchan letting out his whimpering sobs again, and he pats Himchan’s back consolingly.
Yongguk blinks away the tears in his eyes, looking to the wall opposite the two of them, where he can picture a ten-year-old Jongup sitting there in the memory. He feels really sorry for the brothers who had to deal with this sudden news at such a late time of the night. After a few minutes, Himchan’s sobs have quietened down before he clears his throat again.
“And Jongup…” Himchan slowly pulls away from Yongguk, scooting back to his original position. He takes a moment to wipe the tears off his face and continues on. “God, I…I felt so horrible and guilty looking at h-him, his body shaking in fear and tears falling on his face. I couldn’t stand it any further, not after what I had done to him. I left the room to get some water, and when I was coming back, I heard Hyosung comforting him. Then I heard Jongup say he wanted our parents back, over and over. ‘I want them back, noona, please give them back. I WANT THEM BACK.’ I came back here to see Jongup standing there against the wall, shouting at Hyosung moments before he fell to his knees, crying. God, he was only ten years old. I couldn’t blame him for wanting our parents back. I went to hug him and consoled him…and you know what Jongup said to me?” Himchan looks directly at Yongguk with his wet, bloodshot eyes. Yongguk shakes his head sympathetically.
Himchan smiles bitterly. “’Hyung, p-please don’t leave me too. I don’t want you to g-go.’” Himchan exhales sharply, clearing his throat. “‘I don’t want to be alone. I’m sorry for making you mad. Please don’t leave me alone, hyung!’…” Himchan blinks slowly, letting the tears fall. He sighs. “My babo Jonguppie…so innocent. I held him in my arms, he was small for his age” - Himchan mimics to hold an invisible Jongup on his lap, his knees dropping down to a cross-legged pose - “and I told him as I was rocking him, no I vowed to him, that I would never leave his side, that I would do everything I could to ensure our futures. I swore to do what I can to provide for him. Of course, I was fourteen at the time. What was I thinking? What fourteen-year-old kid would say that kind of stuff and mean it? But I really did mean what I said back then. I had him promise me not to leave my side, and he did not hesitate to promise that…” Himchan has a little smile on his face as he remembers on the memory. “He still had that bright smile on his face after we promised, even when we were crying our hearts out…” Yongguk smiles softly, remembering the bright smile he had seen on the portraits in the house and from the real deal Jongup himself. Himchan chuckles lightly.
“After that moment, I realized how lucky and blessed I was to still have my little brother in my life; but, at the same time, I felt so wrong, for being so happy to still have my Jonguppie when our parents had died that night…”
Yongguk understands now why Himchan calls Jongup ‘my Jonguppie’, because Himchan adores his brother to pieces and will do anything for him. Yongguk also understands the love that Himchan has for Jongup to the point where Himchan would be shameless to shower his affections on his brother in public, where he would do anything for his little brother. Yongguk smiles as he remembers the first day he met Himchan, when during lunch hour, he saw Himchan flailing his arms to get Jongup’s attention. He was definitely shameless with his image with everyone looking at him. Himchan continues on, bringing Yongguk’s attention to him.
“Hyosung and I went to the morgue with my aunt and uncle to confirm my parents’ identities, and it was painful to see them…I didn’t want Jongup to come with me, because he was only ten at the time. Hyosung’s parents had talked to our relatives, and so they came up to stay with us for the next few months, taking care of Jongup and I. The funeral happened a few days later. We gave our parents a formal burial…I wish you were there to see it. It was such a beautiful casket for the both of them…Death would not dare part them both; they still lay side by side for eternity, even after death.
“Our relatives refused to let this house go for sale, and even so, we found out from our parents’ will, that the house was to be entrusted to myself and Jongup alone, as well as the instruments that you saw in the garage. Not only that, but the money as well…people nowadays think that Jongup and I are rich, but honestly, we’re not. I personally don’t believe we’re rich, I mean, look at this house, it isn’t exactly a mansion. Every now and then, our relatives would check up on us and make sure we’re being well fed and all. I couldn’t thank them enough.
“Jongup’s birthday came up in four months…and…” Himchan trails off, sniffling. “For the first time in our lives…we didn’t have our parents w…with us. We didn’t have a family to celebrate with, parents to share m…memories with. It was just me and Jongup. Hyosung had left for the States with her family for some time. Yongguk…at that time, did you ever feel as a kid…that life without parents and rules would mean freedom and fun, and you couldn’t wait for that to happen?”
Yongguk watches Himchan, his heart heavy in his chest. He gulps and nods, having felt that often back then. Himchan smiles bitterly.
“It wasn’t, for us…Life without parents…is hard when you’re at such a young age. Jongup was turning eleven, and I was about to be fifteen two months after. I was lucky to have some neighbors help me cook and throw a surprise birthday party for Jongup.” Himchan feels tears welling up, feeling nostalgic at the memory. “I saw the sad look on Jongup’s face before I dropped him off at school, and after I picked him up later in the day. After we walked back home, I saw the bright smile on his face when he was surprised by our neighbors throwing a birthday party all for him, because I wanted to make it the best birthday ever for him.
“When he told me that I was the best hyung and his most favorite person in the whole wide world, and he loved me as big as the universe…” Himchan lets out a light chuckle.
“It was the best and yet, the worst feeling I could ever feel…I felt like when he said that, I had replaced our parents for Jongup, and I couldn’t deal with that. No one could ever compare to our parents. I couldn’t stay mad at Jongup, because it was his birthday, and he was looking at me with those admiring eyes. Those eyes of his spoke in volumes of love and of hope, reminding me that he needed me so dearly in his life, like I needed him.
“Our parents were amazing musicians, performing with orchestras… as well as performing traditional dances and contemporary dances. Those were their careers, and they were successful artists. Even with the inherited money, I would not accept it as a status of our wealth. I didn’t want to be viewed as the snobby kind of person; I didn’t want Jongup to be bullied for our wealth status…he’s already been bullied enough before for being innocent and dumb,” Himchan shakes his head at remembering one memory in his secondary school, “I remember standing up for my brother one too many times at school, fighting back at his bullies with words. Jongup, he didn’t know any better than to just stand there and take in the physical and verbal punches…Ugh, those kids.” Himchan shakes his head again.
“I worked part time jobs at the same time as I was attending school, careful to choose the time slots outside of my classes in high school so I could find some time to work during the weekdays, while Jongup was in school, and weekends. I would make sure that I would either pick him up after he was done with his dance rehearsals, or be here when he came home. I was not exactly workaholic, but I worked enough to provide Jongup and myself what we can live on. I was able to pay our tuitions with my earnings from my part time jobs…along with some help from the inherited money. I only used the inherited money for special payments, so our tuitions were the obvious first thing on our list…as well as the payment for our parents’ graves.
“And now, here I am, telling almost my whole life story to a friend that I met in music class a few weeks ago. The same friend who calls me ‘princess’, who has an interest in Shakespeare, and the same person who is blatantly and constantly flirting with me, just to make friends with me. Why the hell did you come into my life?”
Yongguk stares at Himchan in awe, with an admiring gaze. Although he knows that Himchan had mentioned his job life yesterday, now, after hearing everything in single detail, he is still amazed at how unselfish Himchan has been growing up in the past eight years, how attentive Himchan is to his own and Jongup’s needs, as well as to their educations. He scoots a little closer to Himchan, and Himchan turns his head slightly to face Yongguk.
“For one,” Yongguk says, “I never knew you had such a story to tell…It’s true that I did flirt with you, because I initially wanted to get on your bad side, but it all changed when you gave me your notebook. I misjudged you from the rumors I heard from our classmates, and I’m sorry about that. Second of all, I was surprised too to find that you like Shakespeare. Not many people around here do. I mean, the way Shakespeare elaborates on physical objects and abstract notions, expressed through the characters in the plays…it makes you think about the worldviews each character has and what you have. Even the language itself is what makes Shakespeare unique, because if we read it long enough to translate and understand the meanings behind the lines…it wouldn’t be so hard to get the mood and the tone of the author himself, and feel it.”
“Exactly!” Himchan exclaims as he leans his head back, resting it on Yongguk’s arm, glad that at least there is someone out there who appreciates the works of a playwright. He is unaware that he is physically close to Yongguk until he turns his head to look at him. “Finally, someone like you who understands how I feel…”
Those eyes looking back at Himchan, show a mixture of joy, awe, anticipation and gentleness…
That nose, though looking a bit awkward on his face, still gives Yongguk a masculine, charismatic appeal…
The lips, thick and ever so close…
…A warm sensation against Himchan’s lips…
Oh…shit.
Snapping to focus, Himchan pulls away from Yongguk, who is staring back at him in slight shock.
“Uh…”
“I…didn’t mean for that to happen,” Himchan moves away from Yongguk’s arm, scrambling to stand up. He looks down at Yongguk, “I’m sorry, Yongguk. I just need to be alone. Please leave. I’m sorry.”
“Uh…sure, yeah, no problem. No I’ll see myself out…we’ll work on our project later…” Yongguk scratches the back of his neck as he makes to stand up. Himchan steps back further, leaning against the wall, creating some distance between Yongguk and him. “Uhm…look, I’m really sorry about your parents. Just know…that I’m…still here for you guys, okay?” Himchan nods distractedly as a response. Yongguk continues, though feeling a little awkward, “Just…when you feel rea-“
“Just go, please, Yongguk,” Himchan crosses his arms, his eyes not wanting to meet Yongguk. Yongguk falters and nods, excusing himself out before thanking Himchan for the breakfast, the house tour, and at least being able to work on the project that day.
Yongguk leaves the house, almost running into a sweaty Jongup, who had just came back from a run.
“Oh hi, Yongguk-hyung! Good morning!” Jongup smiles at his older friend, taking out his earphones out of his ears before bowing. He catches Yongguk’s troubled expression. “Er…did something happen with you and hyung?”
“It’s nothing, Jongup-ah…I’ll see you later at school, ok? Have a good weekend.” Yongguk smiles at him, ruffling Jongup’s hair, not caring if it was almost sweaty, before leaving.
Well…I did not expect that to happen…Yongguk thinks to himself.