[Kyusung] Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Title: Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Pairing: Kyusung [Kyuhyun x Yesung]
Rating: PG
Length: Oneshot
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I don't own much in this. Just the plot.
Summary: Sometimes love is just two cups of peppermint hot cocoa and a phone call away.
10 Settings Challenge: #6 - Small Cafe
The sweet aroma of baked goods mixed with the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Jongwoon loves hearing the hisses of the coffee machine, the clanging of pots and pans and the dings from the register in Andante. It is one of the small cafés located near the Super Junior dorms, and it is a home-run business (not unlike Handel and Gretel). Jongwoon had become friendly with the owners for the few years he had been going there since his pre-debut days. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and there is a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is one of his favorite places.
Not to mention that it is the place where he first met Kyuhyun.
He walks up to the register, smiles and asks for the usual. All staff knew that every Friday, Jongwoon would come and order two grande peppermint hot cocoas. It is one of the café’s specialties, and Jongwoon’s personal favorite.
It isn’t until he sits down by the window, where he always sits on a Friday afternoon, that he realizes something isn’t right. He glances at the seat opposite him, and then he remembers that Kyuhyun isn’t here. He sighs, and glances out the window, staring off into the distance. It didn’t feel right without his presence occupying the opposite seat.
He looks at the two cups of peppermint hot chocolate.
He misses Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun has been gone for a month now, and he really missed the maknae.
But more importantly, Jongwoon was also in love with Kyuhyun. He had wanted to tell Kyuhyun before he left, and now it was too late.
He holds his cup of peppermint hot cocoa tightly in his hands and he starts to stare off into the distance. He can still remember the first day he met Kyuhyun.
It was raining, and he didn’t have an umbrella.
Jongwoon wondered if he should be a good Samaritan and offer his umbrella to the poor boy who was standing at the door, staring blankly at the raindrops. The skies thundered, and he saw the boy cringe.
Jongwoon walked over to the boy, and tapped his shoulder. The boy blinked several times, and stares at him. Jongwoon tried to ignore his heart’s reaction to the boy's good looks. Stupid hormones. He flashed a smile at him.
"Hi...I couldn't help but notice that you don't have an umbrella. Um, if you like, I could share mine with you.”
The boy blushes, and Jongwoon can't help but realize how cute the boy is.
"That...would be good. I have to rush to a class of mine..."
"No problem. I have plenty of time." In reality, Jongwoon needed to rush back for vocal practice with the others. But the boy seemed really grateful, and he could afford to be late.
Jongwoon found out that the boy was called Kyuhyun, and they had learnt more about each other while walking under the umbrella together. Both of them aspired to be professional singers, and shared some of the same interests. Without realizing, they had arrived in front of Kyuhyun's classroom amidst the chatter and the laughter.
“It was nice meeting you Kyuhyun-sshi.” Jongwoon smiled. But just as he was about to turn and walk away, Kyuhyun asks him to wait. He takes out a pen and paper, and shyly asks Jongwoon for his number.
“Hyung, I’d like to treat you to a cup of coffee.”
“Sure.”
Jongwoon scribbled his number and bids Kyuhyun farewell, walking away with his heart pounding.
“Jongwoon-sshi, is everything okay?” The sound of the café’s owner jolts Jongwoon from his memories.
“Oh, hi Mr. Lee! Yes, I’m just thinking back to when I first started coming here. It’s been 7 years now…” The old man chuckles.
“I can still remember when you were still a boy.” Mr. Lee sits down opposite Jongwoon, in Kyuhyun’s seat. “Where is Kyuhyun-sshi today?”
“He’s away in China.” Jongwoon sighs. “They created a new sub-group, which I’m not part of, so he’s away.” He looks out the window again, staring at the kids outside who are running past.
“It must be hard for you eh? You guys are always here together every Friday afternoon without fail.” Mr. Lee smiles. He knows that the two boys that have been frequenting the café every week for 6 years have something special between them, but neither have been able to make the first move. “You should call him if you miss him this much.”
“He hasn’t called me, not once. He called Sungmin the other day, and Leeteuk. Even Heechul, and Heechul scares the crap out of him. He’s called everyone…apart from me.” Jongwoon smiled bitterly. “Maybe I overestimated how much he cares.”
“Don’t say that Jongwoon-sshi. I’m sure he has his reasons. Do you remember the first time you guys came to Andante together?”
Jongwoon was ecstatic when he had received Kyuhyun’s call, asking him to meet him at Andante the next day. He had fussed over what clothes to wear, and Eunhyuk had laughed at how he was so…restless. He arrived at Andante 20 minutes early, and sat by the window to wait for Kyuhyun.
“Hyung! You’re here already?” Kyuhyun ran into the café, smiling, and greeted Jongwoon.
“Hi! Yeah, I had some free time…”
“What drink do you want?”
“Grande peppermint hot cocoa.” Kyuhyun stared at Jongwoon, and then started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“Hyung…that’s what I always order here.” Jongwoon stared at Kyuhyun, and grinned. It seemed like their friendship was inevitable, almost as if they were pulled together by fate.
They had sat by the window, chatting about everything. Time had caught them unaware though, and soon the sun had set, and the skies had darkened.
“I need to go back to my dorm now. The others would be worried if I don’t return soon.”
They both said goodbye to each other reluctantly, and had arranged to meet again the following week.
Soon, their weekly meeting at Andante became what Jongwoon looked forward to each and every week, especially when training became difficult. Eventually, all of Super Junior realized that Jongwoon would always be texting or receiving calls from a certain guy, as well as heading out every Friday to meet him. They had teased Jongwoon about his secret boyfriend, but Jongwoon had told them that they were just best friends. Which was true - they knew everything about each other, and relied on each other. When Kyuhyun was accepted into SM Entertainment, the first person he called was Jongwoon. When Jongwoon was feeling down, Kyuhyun would always be there to listen to him. They would call each other to wish each other happy birthday at midnight sharp. And they would order, without fail, two grande peppermint hot cocoas every Friday.
“I suppose I should call him.” Jongwoon sighs. “I wonder why he hasn’t called me though. Even when he was in Korea, we would call each other often.”
“Why don’t you ask him? I wish I could help you, but only Kyuhyun-sshi knows the answer.” Mr. Lee stands up. “I need to go and tend to the other customers. But if you’re feeling too lonely, come talk to me.”
“Thank you Mr. Lee.”
“You’re welcome Jongwoon-sshi.”
Jongwoon stares at his phone, willing Kyuhyun to call him. He looks at the phone’s wallpaper. It’s a selca of Kyuhyun and himself. He unlocks his phone, and scrolls through his photos. He had made a separate folder containing all the photos that he had taken with Kyuhyun throughout the years. He stops a particular image, and looks at it. Kyuhyun is showing his aegyo, giving Jongwoon a back hug, as Jongwoon’s look is one of absolute happiness. It was the selca they took to commemorate Kyuhyun joining Super Junior.
“Kyu? What are you doing here?”
“Hyung? I…was told that I’m joining a new idol group…” He stares at his manager with uncertainty. His manager looks between Jongwoon and Kyuhyun.
“Kyuhyun, how do you know Yesung?”
Jongwoon cuts in.
“We’re best friends.” Kyuhyun looks at Jongwoon, who is still staring at Kyuhyun with a puzzled look on his face. Jungsu ran out of the room, and quickly introduced Kyuhyun to everyone as the thirteenth member. Kyuhyun couldn’t meet Jongwoon’s eyes, and looked uncomfortable as the others greeted him warmly.
All night, Kyuhyun had avoided Jongwoon, and instead focused on talking to some of the other members. Ryeowook had taken Kyuhyun under his wing, and led him around to introduce him to all the members.
Jongwoon had retreated to his room, and stared into space. Kyuhyun was here, in Super Junior, for good. It had taken him by surprise. Jongwoon had been prepared to hate whoever the new vocalist was going to be, as he was going to have even less parts in both songs and on camera, but he couldn’t bring himself to hate Kyuhyun. He smiled - this meant that he has more time to spend with Kyuhyun.
Jongwoon heard a knock on the door, and Ryeowook suddenly marched in with Kyuhyun.
“Hi Yesung hyung! This is Kyuhyun-sshi, our thirteenth member. We don’t have any more space in my room, and I’d let him sleep with me…but you have so much room here…”
“Jongwoon…I hope that’s okay for you” It was the first time Jongwoon had heard Kyuhyun speak all night.
“Kyu, come and unpack your things.” Jongwoon gave Kyuhyun a bright smile, and noticed that Kyuhyun’s shoulders were still tensed.
“Wookie, can you leave us? I want to talk to him. Alone.” The eternal maknae looked between Jongwoon and Kyuhyun, confused about the connection between the two, but decided to give them some privacy. Once Ryeowook had left, Jongwoon patted the bed, signaling Kyuhyun to sit down beside him.
“Hyung…I’m sorry.” Kyuhyun was fiddling with his hands, and wouldn’t meet Jongwoon’s eyes.
“Why?”
“Because I’m here to compete for camera time with you.” The words were barely a whisper. Suddenly the words registered in Jongwoon’s brain, as he remembered how he had complained about the addition of a thirteenth member to Kyuhyun. He started laughing, and hugged Kyuhyun.
“How could I ever hate you? Silly Kyu. I’m glad you’re here with me now.”
---
Kyuhyun stares at the phone, muttering curses at Jongwoon’s immaculate smiling face on the screen. It’s a Friday afternoon, and he misses the peppermint hot cocoa they normally order from Andante. He still hasn’t called Jongwoon…he knows he should, but he can’t bring himself to.
“Kyuhyun, just give him a call. Knowing Sungie-hyung, he’s probably dying of jealousy. You’ve called everyone but him…” Ryeowook pokes Kyuhyun, trying to prod him into calling Jongwoon.
“I don’t know…it feels different being so far from him. What if he doesn’t want to talk to me? He didn’t even tell me that he would miss me when I left. And I’ve called everyone around him, and he hasn’t asked for the phone even once.”
“You know how he is. He’s in love with his ego. So you should call him first! Love is worth putting your pride aside.” Kyuhyun stares at the impeccably blue sky as he takes in what Ryeowook said. The eternal maknae was quite wise at times. Suddenly he mind registers the four lettered word that had flown out of Ryeowook’s mouth.
“Wait…who said anything about love?” Ryeowook snorted.
“Oh come on, I’m in KRY with you guys, always being the third wheel. Inside jokes, both of you sneaking glances at each other...if it isn’t love, then what is it? And you’ve been calling everyone but Sungie-hyung, but all you ask about is how he’s doing. Sungmin’s sick of it. And all he ever asks me about is you. Pfft, look at your dorky grin now. You guys make me sick sometimes.” Kyuhyun slaps Ryeowook playfully as Ryeowook pretends to vomit.
“Hi! This is Ddangkoma. My owner, the most handsome man in the world, is unable to receive your call now. He’ll try to call you back later if he wants to. Leave a message.” Jongwoon’s voice, the one Kyuhyun had fallen in love with so many years ago floats toward him through the receiver. He takes a deep breath.
“Hyung…? This is Kyu. Call me? I...”
“HAHA pabo! You fell for it!”
“Hyung! What the hell? Why are you so immature at times?” Kyuhyun sighs in exasperation.
“Kyu, I missed you.” Jongwoon’s voice was barely a whisper, and Kyuhyun almost misses the confession.
“Hyung…”
“Why didn’t you call me? I was waiting for you to.”
“I was waiting for you to call me!”
“Kyu-ah, next time, call me first. Don’t call Sungmin first. I’ll get jealous.”
“Hyung, I love you.”
---
Jongwoon nearly chokes on his peppermint hot cocoa as he hears the simple three words that makes his heart lurch.
“What?”
“I…love you.”
“Kyu…”
“I know you might not feel the same way, but I just wanted to let you know.” Kyuhyun’s voice is like a melody, but Jongwoon knows him well enough to hear the insecurity. He swears that he can almost hear his heart pounding as he finds the right words to say to Kyuhyun.
“Kyu, you know I still ordered two peppermint hot cocoas today? I don’t feel complete without you here with me.” There’s an awkward silence, and Jongwoon continues.
“I’ve missed you so much, and everyday seems longer than the last. Come home quickly, okay? So I can say ‘I love you, too’ to you in person.”
A/N: Written during my study breaks (that occur way too often)! I had the most amazing peppermint hot cocoa the other night at a small cafe, and it just really made me want to include it in part of a fanfic. Time to go back to work again! I have a ton of essays to write for my finals, so I might not be quite a bit... :( Anyways, 6 out of 10 of the challenge completed! 4 more to go, and I *might* be including a bonus. We'll see. Comments appreciated!