(no subject)
Title: Park Jungsu? You're up next
Genre: Romance
Pairing: KangTeuk
Rating: PG-13
"Park Jungsu? You're up next."
You stand up quickly, anxious and excited at the same time. Taking a step, you breathe deeply, trying to compose yourself before letting yourself in and stepping through that door. You tell yourself that no matter what happens doing your best is what's important.
Taking a deep breath, you nod once before turning the doorknob with determination.
The room is bright when you enter. All sorts of faces turn to look at you, sizing you up, judging you, trying to figure out if you'd fit the role. You step up confidently to the center of the room. Smiling widely, you bow and greet all the people you think are important.
Shrugging your greeting off they ask you your name. You answer. They nod stiffly. There is no emotion in the way they look at you but you choose not to notice. After all, these people had been sitting in this same room for most of the day, entertaining young hopefuls like yourself. Most of them probably have no talent at all; some are probably auditioning as a joke. But there are probably people like you in the crowd, people who have the same goals and dreams as you do.
They start to explain how this audition works. You nod every time you feel you have to; doing everything you need to do to leave a good impression.
And then you begin.
They tell you to dance and you dance. They tell you to sing and you sing. They even tell you to act and you do, even though you know that acting isn't your forte. After your little made-up scene you see them talking amongst themselves. You stand still, tempted to fidget or play with the hem of your shirt as you watch them talk. Suddenly, you feel very, very vulnerable, afraid you might have done something wrong.
Finally they straighten up and you feel your heart beat faster. One of them speaks on behalf of everyone, smiles at you and says, thank you for auditioning, we'll call you if you're accepted.
There is nothing to interpret in those words. Simple and straightforward. Its meaning all too clear.
You nod, manage to utter a thank you and offer a small smile. Turning around, you walk numbly out the door.
...we'll call you if you're accepted.
You know that it is the end. And that there is no use hoping.
Trudging, you walk out that building, never again to step in it for the rest of your life.
---
Years and years pass and you find yourself looking hard for a job that'd be perfect for you. Placing the newspaper beside you, you lay yourself down on the couch, suddenly very tired of life. You had hoped your talents were enough for that company but apparently they weren’t. It had been your dream to perform on a big stage, in front of a large audience, garnering cheers of admiration.
Nevertheless, after years of disappointment, you think now that maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
You turn on the TV and try to find a show to alleviate your mood. You flip through the channels for a minute before a commercial catches your eye. In it are thirteen boys dancing to some music, smiling at the cameras for all they're worth. The text rolling on the bottom of the screen tells you that the boy band Super Junior will debut on SBS’s Popular Song on the sixth of November.
Eyes widening, you realize that you could have been one of them.
If you had passed.
If they had chosen you.
Smiling bitterly, you can't help but dislike those boys a little.
You switch the TV off with a forlorn sigh and sit on your couch, staring at the far wall. Sighing in dejection, you can’t help but shout,
‘What the hell am I doing in this life?!’
You don’t have time to think much more before the phone rings, jerking you out of your thoughts.
You stare at it for a while, trying to figure out who would call you. After three rings, you pick it up,
"Yeoboseyo?"
"HEY EETEUK-HYUNG! LET'S GO OUT TONIGHT! MY TREAT!"
You laugh, long and hard, not really surprised that he’s able to make you smile even in the face of sadness.
"YAH, hyung! What's so funny?"
"Nothing, nothing! Where are we eating? You won't take back that it's your treat, right? ’Cause you know I'm a bit penniless right now."
"Yeah right, hyung. You'll find a job soon, you'll see!"
Chuckling, you answer, "Thanks Kangin. For everything."
"Nah, didn't I tell you you're my favorite person already?" A pause, then, "Let's eat at the restaurant near your place, the one you keep on insisting that I eat in. If I like it, I'll pay. But if I don't, you pay for lying to me," he says, laughing.
"Yah, Kangin! You promised!"
Still laughing, he answers, "Yeah, yeah. I'll meet you there at seven! Don't be late, hyung!"
Before he hangs up, you quickly yell, "TELL THAT TO YOURSELF, KANGIN!"
When he does hang up, the sound of his laughter echoes around in your heart, making your smile a little bit wider.
---
"You're late."
He laughs at you, scratches his head and bows, "Sorry, hyung!"
"Because you made me wait, even if you don't like the food, you're still gonna pay."
As he sits down in the chair in front of you, he smiles and says, "I know. I was just kidding with you! I'm the one who invited hyung in the first place anyway.”
It was strange, the way the two of you met. You met Kangin outside the company's building the day you auditioned. He had auditioned as well, and like you, had heard those dreaded words. He was standing outside the building when you walked out; staring off into the distance, as if trying to figure out what had gone wrong. You strangely felt sorry for him, enough that it made you talk to him.
He looked surprised when he heard you say,
'It's okay. Maybe it wasn't meant to be, right? Maybe something better is waiting for both of us.'
He stared at you for a moment, wondering if he should respond.
You laughed then as you realized that you'd find it weird if a complete stranger was trying to comfort you, too. Nevertheless, he smiled after a while, nodded and said,
'Thank you. Maybe it really wasn't meant to be.'
He laughed after saying that, asked you if he had looked really pitiful. You shook your head, a small smile on your face that told otherwise. He laughed at that as well, took a deep breath and said, 'My name's Kim Young Woon, what's yours?'
You smiled back and said, 'Park Jungsu. I'm sorry if I surprised you like that.'
Laughing he had answered 'Nah. I needed that. Thank you.' And then he turned, as if to leave, but stopped suddenly to look back at you. With a tilt of his head, he asked, 'Hey, wanna eat dinner together? Your treat, of course.'
Walking towards him, you laughed then frowned, 'Yah! We just met and you're making me treat you?'
'Yeah! And then next time, I'll be the one who'll treat you.'
'Next time?'
‘Yeah, so we can meet again, right?’
Always, in the midst of his presence you forget everything. Ever since that day, both of you had gotten to know each other better. Through the years you've gotten to meet his friends. He, too, has met your friends. In the end, you had formed a little circle with everyone. Every one of you have hung out with each other on a lot of occasions, most of the time kidding around, at other times jamming or dancing together. You didn't know if it was a miracle or not, but every single one of his and your friends knew a little bit of dancing and singing. It had always been quite enjoyable when the thirteen of you hung out together.
"Hyung, when's Hankyung-hyung coming back to Korea?"
"Hankyung? Shiwon told me he'd be back in a week. Why?"
"Because Heechul's been bitching about how Hankyung hasn't been calling him for the past week. You know how he is. I swear, one more week of that you'll be seeing every one of us go insane."
You laugh, because you do know how eccentric Heechul can get, and offer a small smile of apology, "Sorry, I'll make Shiwon force Hankyung to call Heechul later."
"That's nice to hear. Still, Heechul's not the only one who's driving the rest of us crazy. You're pretty lucky none of them on your side gets wild enough to make you mad."
Now that makes you laugh hard, "Do you even know what you're talking about? If you think I'm lucky, then you probably haven't seen Donghae rant about aliens."
All throughout dinner the two of you laugh and have moments of companionable silence. It is always like this with Kangin.
"So, next time, your treat hyung."
"I know. But only once I've found a job."
"Yeah."
A smile is exchanged between the two of you. Then a kiss.
"I'll see you then, hyung. Good luck!"
Smiling wide, you say, "Thanks, Kangin. Go straight back to your apartment, okay! And please, don't drink tonight! The rest of you are auditioning tomorrow, right? You know it's near impossible to wake you up in the early morning!"
He laughs as he walks back towards his apartment, "Yeah, yeah, umma. I won't drink tonight."
Calling out to him before he disappears around that corner, you yell, "Be a good appa to them, Kangin!"
When he disappears, the sound of his laughter echoes around your heart. And you smile a bit wider.
---
You wake up to the smell of Beijing Fried Rice. Yawning you stretch for a while before sitting up. Staring at the still sleeping forms of Eunhyuk and Donghae on the other bed, you shuffle quietly out of yours, being careful not to wake them. Sighing as you look at Donghae, you can’t help but nod happily to yourself.
It's nice to have everyone back together again.
Shoving your feet into your slippers you walk straight into the kitchen. As expected, you find Hankyung there, making breakfast in his pajamas.
"Morning Hankyung."
Hankyung turns to look at you as you sit down, smiles and says, "Good morning to you, too!" before turning back to his cooking again.
You laugh. Eyeing the food you haven't eaten in a long while, you say, "Hankyung ah, we've missed your Beijing Fried Rice! It's good to have you, plus two more, back in Korea."
Stirring the rice with a pair of chopsticks, Hankyung nods, "It is good to be back. Even though no one said it, I know they were already missing home." Laughing, he adds, "Sorry for barging in late last night, hyung! I hope you slept well!"
Remembering your dream, you only nod and smile.
Hankyung, who was by then transferring the rice onto a large plate, notices your smile. With brows raised he asks, "Did something happen last night between you and Kangin?"
Surprised, you yelp, "WHAT!" Shaking your head frantically, you yell, “NO! Wait. What do you mean by me and Kangin anyway?! It’s not like we’ve done anything! Besides, he wasn't here last night!”
Laughing while laying the plate on the table Hankyung smirks at you and says, "I wasn't talking about your...habits with Kangin, hyung. It's just that, you were smiling so widely just now I thought Kangin might have something to do with it."
Standing up to arrange the table for breakfast, you laugh sheepishly, "Yah Hankyung! Stop it!"
“Sorry, hyung,” he chuckles and you know he doesn’t mean it. Handing you a stack of plates, he laughs when you almost lose your balance. He quiets down when you glare at him but he gets you back as you begin setting the plates down.
Leaning against the counter he eyes you knowingly before offhandedly mentioning, “Oh yeah, hyung. Kangin called a while ago to say he’s coming over.”
Trying to keep your voice as casual as possible, you reply, “For Beijing Fried Rice, I assume?”
Smirking, Hankyung says, "I don't think so, hyung."
---
Even in the midst of all the ruckus made by all fifteen of you together, you notice Kangin slipping quietly in your room. Curious, you get up to follow him. You find him searching through you drawers. A little indignant, you laugh and he quickly turns around, startled.
"Kangin, what are you doing?!"
Chuckling nervously, he answers, "Sorry, hyung! I was looking for your camera. It's rare to have every one of us together in a room."
Sitting on your bed, you laugh at him. You don't say anything for a while afterwards, content with just watching him. Noticing your gaze, he looks back at you and says, "What?"
"I had a really weird dream last night."
Laughing, he moves to sit beside you on your bed as he asks, "Oh? And?"
"It was really strange, Kangin. In my dream, I failed my audition and none of us were part of Super Junior. But still, it was nice."
He looks at you curiously for a while before asking, "Are you starting to have regrets about being in Suju?"
The question surprises you, laughing you yell, "No! Of course not! It was nice because even if I failed the audition, even if none of us were a part of Super Junior, I still met you! It's strange, isn't it?"
You turn to look at him, waiting for him to laugh. Instead, you find him staring outside your window, silent for once. He shifts to face you afterwards, and then seriously he asks, "Why would that be strange, hyung?"
You don't understand the sudden seriousness, so you look at him and ask, "What do you mean? It's strange because even if we hadn't been chosen for Super Junior, we still met."
"I don't think that’s strange," he says, still looking at you seriously.
"Why?"
"I don't know. But I've always believed we were meant to meet each other. And besides, if I wasn't chosen for Super Junior, and if you hadn't been chosen as well, and I still hadn't met you, I'd probably be looking for you right now. Even if I don't know who or what I'm looking for."
Upon hearing that, your world hangs for a moment and you find yourself at a loss of words for what to say.
Seeing you stunned, Kangin smiles. Then he laughs and the sound of his laughter echoes around your heart, making you smile a bit more widely.
Laughing along, you can only nod and say, "Of course. It's fate, right?"
Genre: Romance
Pairing: KangTeuk
Rating: PG-13
"Park Jungsu? You're up next."
You stand up quickly, anxious and excited at the same time. Taking a step, you breathe deeply, trying to compose yourself before letting yourself in and stepping through that door. You tell yourself that no matter what happens doing your best is what's important.
Taking a deep breath, you nod once before turning the doorknob with determination.
The room is bright when you enter. All sorts of faces turn to look at you, sizing you up, judging you, trying to figure out if you'd fit the role. You step up confidently to the center of the room. Smiling widely, you bow and greet all the people you think are important.
Shrugging your greeting off they ask you your name. You answer. They nod stiffly. There is no emotion in the way they look at you but you choose not to notice. After all, these people had been sitting in this same room for most of the day, entertaining young hopefuls like yourself. Most of them probably have no talent at all; some are probably auditioning as a joke. But there are probably people like you in the crowd, people who have the same goals and dreams as you do.
They start to explain how this audition works. You nod every time you feel you have to; doing everything you need to do to leave a good impression.
And then you begin.
They tell you to dance and you dance. They tell you to sing and you sing. They even tell you to act and you do, even though you know that acting isn't your forte. After your little made-up scene you see them talking amongst themselves. You stand still, tempted to fidget or play with the hem of your shirt as you watch them talk. Suddenly, you feel very, very vulnerable, afraid you might have done something wrong.
Finally they straighten up and you feel your heart beat faster. One of them speaks on behalf of everyone, smiles at you and says, thank you for auditioning, we'll call you if you're accepted.
There is nothing to interpret in those words. Simple and straightforward. Its meaning all too clear.
You nod, manage to utter a thank you and offer a small smile. Turning around, you walk numbly out the door.
...we'll call you if you're accepted.
You know that it is the end. And that there is no use hoping.
Trudging, you walk out that building, never again to step in it for the rest of your life.
---
Years and years pass and you find yourself looking hard for a job that'd be perfect for you. Placing the newspaper beside you, you lay yourself down on the couch, suddenly very tired of life. You had hoped your talents were enough for that company but apparently they weren’t. It had been your dream to perform on a big stage, in front of a large audience, garnering cheers of admiration.
Nevertheless, after years of disappointment, you think now that maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
You turn on the TV and try to find a show to alleviate your mood. You flip through the channels for a minute before a commercial catches your eye. In it are thirteen boys dancing to some music, smiling at the cameras for all they're worth. The text rolling on the bottom of the screen tells you that the boy band Super Junior will debut on SBS’s Popular Song on the sixth of November.
Eyes widening, you realize that you could have been one of them.
If you had passed.
If they had chosen you.
Smiling bitterly, you can't help but dislike those boys a little.
You switch the TV off with a forlorn sigh and sit on your couch, staring at the far wall. Sighing in dejection, you can’t help but shout,
‘What the hell am I doing in this life?!’
You don’t have time to think much more before the phone rings, jerking you out of your thoughts.
You stare at it for a while, trying to figure out who would call you. After three rings, you pick it up,
"Yeoboseyo?"
"HEY EETEUK-HYUNG! LET'S GO OUT TONIGHT! MY TREAT!"
You laugh, long and hard, not really surprised that he’s able to make you smile even in the face of sadness.
"YAH, hyung! What's so funny?"
"Nothing, nothing! Where are we eating? You won't take back that it's your treat, right? ’Cause you know I'm a bit penniless right now."
"Yeah right, hyung. You'll find a job soon, you'll see!"
Chuckling, you answer, "Thanks Kangin. For everything."
"Nah, didn't I tell you you're my favorite person already?" A pause, then, "Let's eat at the restaurant near your place, the one you keep on insisting that I eat in. If I like it, I'll pay. But if I don't, you pay for lying to me," he says, laughing.
"Yah, Kangin! You promised!"
Still laughing, he answers, "Yeah, yeah. I'll meet you there at seven! Don't be late, hyung!"
Before he hangs up, you quickly yell, "TELL THAT TO YOURSELF, KANGIN!"
When he does hang up, the sound of his laughter echoes around in your heart, making your smile a little bit wider.
---
"You're late."
He laughs at you, scratches his head and bows, "Sorry, hyung!"
"Because you made me wait, even if you don't like the food, you're still gonna pay."
As he sits down in the chair in front of you, he smiles and says, "I know. I was just kidding with you! I'm the one who invited hyung in the first place anyway.”
It was strange, the way the two of you met. You met Kangin outside the company's building the day you auditioned. He had auditioned as well, and like you, had heard those dreaded words. He was standing outside the building when you walked out; staring off into the distance, as if trying to figure out what had gone wrong. You strangely felt sorry for him, enough that it made you talk to him.
He looked surprised when he heard you say,
'It's okay. Maybe it wasn't meant to be, right? Maybe something better is waiting for both of us.'
He stared at you for a moment, wondering if he should respond.
You laughed then as you realized that you'd find it weird if a complete stranger was trying to comfort you, too. Nevertheless, he smiled after a while, nodded and said,
'Thank you. Maybe it really wasn't meant to be.'
He laughed after saying that, asked you if he had looked really pitiful. You shook your head, a small smile on your face that told otherwise. He laughed at that as well, took a deep breath and said, 'My name's Kim Young Woon, what's yours?'
You smiled back and said, 'Park Jungsu. I'm sorry if I surprised you like that.'
Laughing he had answered 'Nah. I needed that. Thank you.' And then he turned, as if to leave, but stopped suddenly to look back at you. With a tilt of his head, he asked, 'Hey, wanna eat dinner together? Your treat, of course.'
Walking towards him, you laughed then frowned, 'Yah! We just met and you're making me treat you?'
'Yeah! And then next time, I'll be the one who'll treat you.'
'Next time?'
‘Yeah, so we can meet again, right?’
Always, in the midst of his presence you forget everything. Ever since that day, both of you had gotten to know each other better. Through the years you've gotten to meet his friends. He, too, has met your friends. In the end, you had formed a little circle with everyone. Every one of you have hung out with each other on a lot of occasions, most of the time kidding around, at other times jamming or dancing together. You didn't know if it was a miracle or not, but every single one of his and your friends knew a little bit of dancing and singing. It had always been quite enjoyable when the thirteen of you hung out together.
"Hyung, when's Hankyung-hyung coming back to Korea?"
"Hankyung? Shiwon told me he'd be back in a week. Why?"
"Because Heechul's been bitching about how Hankyung hasn't been calling him for the past week. You know how he is. I swear, one more week of that you'll be seeing every one of us go insane."
You laugh, because you do know how eccentric Heechul can get, and offer a small smile of apology, "Sorry, I'll make Shiwon force Hankyung to call Heechul later."
"That's nice to hear. Still, Heechul's not the only one who's driving the rest of us crazy. You're pretty lucky none of them on your side gets wild enough to make you mad."
Now that makes you laugh hard, "Do you even know what you're talking about? If you think I'm lucky, then you probably haven't seen Donghae rant about aliens."
All throughout dinner the two of you laugh and have moments of companionable silence. It is always like this with Kangin.
"So, next time, your treat hyung."
"I know. But only once I've found a job."
"Yeah."
A smile is exchanged between the two of you. Then a kiss.
"I'll see you then, hyung. Good luck!"
Smiling wide, you say, "Thanks, Kangin. Go straight back to your apartment, okay! And please, don't drink tonight! The rest of you are auditioning tomorrow, right? You know it's near impossible to wake you up in the early morning!"
He laughs as he walks back towards his apartment, "Yeah, yeah, umma. I won't drink tonight."
Calling out to him before he disappears around that corner, you yell, "Be a good appa to them, Kangin!"
When he disappears, the sound of his laughter echoes around your heart. And you smile a bit wider.
---
You wake up to the smell of Beijing Fried Rice. Yawning you stretch for a while before sitting up. Staring at the still sleeping forms of Eunhyuk and Donghae on the other bed, you shuffle quietly out of yours, being careful not to wake them. Sighing as you look at Donghae, you can’t help but nod happily to yourself.
It's nice to have everyone back together again.
Shoving your feet into your slippers you walk straight into the kitchen. As expected, you find Hankyung there, making breakfast in his pajamas.
"Morning Hankyung."
Hankyung turns to look at you as you sit down, smiles and says, "Good morning to you, too!" before turning back to his cooking again.
You laugh. Eyeing the food you haven't eaten in a long while, you say, "Hankyung ah, we've missed your Beijing Fried Rice! It's good to have you, plus two more, back in Korea."
Stirring the rice with a pair of chopsticks, Hankyung nods, "It is good to be back. Even though no one said it, I know they were already missing home." Laughing, he adds, "Sorry for barging in late last night, hyung! I hope you slept well!"
Remembering your dream, you only nod and smile.
Hankyung, who was by then transferring the rice onto a large plate, notices your smile. With brows raised he asks, "Did something happen last night between you and Kangin?"
Surprised, you yelp, "WHAT!" Shaking your head frantically, you yell, “NO! Wait. What do you mean by me and Kangin anyway?! It’s not like we’ve done anything! Besides, he wasn't here last night!”
Laughing while laying the plate on the table Hankyung smirks at you and says, "I wasn't talking about your...habits with Kangin, hyung. It's just that, you were smiling so widely just now I thought Kangin might have something to do with it."
Standing up to arrange the table for breakfast, you laugh sheepishly, "Yah Hankyung! Stop it!"
“Sorry, hyung,” he chuckles and you know he doesn’t mean it. Handing you a stack of plates, he laughs when you almost lose your balance. He quiets down when you glare at him but he gets you back as you begin setting the plates down.
Leaning against the counter he eyes you knowingly before offhandedly mentioning, “Oh yeah, hyung. Kangin called a while ago to say he’s coming over.”
Trying to keep your voice as casual as possible, you reply, “For Beijing Fried Rice, I assume?”
Smirking, Hankyung says, "I don't think so, hyung."
---
Even in the midst of all the ruckus made by all fifteen of you together, you notice Kangin slipping quietly in your room. Curious, you get up to follow him. You find him searching through you drawers. A little indignant, you laugh and he quickly turns around, startled.
"Kangin, what are you doing?!"
Chuckling nervously, he answers, "Sorry, hyung! I was looking for your camera. It's rare to have every one of us together in a room."
Sitting on your bed, you laugh at him. You don't say anything for a while afterwards, content with just watching him. Noticing your gaze, he looks back at you and says, "What?"
"I had a really weird dream last night."
Laughing, he moves to sit beside you on your bed as he asks, "Oh? And?"
"It was really strange, Kangin. In my dream, I failed my audition and none of us were part of Super Junior. But still, it was nice."
He looks at you curiously for a while before asking, "Are you starting to have regrets about being in Suju?"
The question surprises you, laughing you yell, "No! Of course not! It was nice because even if I failed the audition, even if none of us were a part of Super Junior, I still met you! It's strange, isn't it?"
You turn to look at him, waiting for him to laugh. Instead, you find him staring outside your window, silent for once. He shifts to face you afterwards, and then seriously he asks, "Why would that be strange, hyung?"
You don't understand the sudden seriousness, so you look at him and ask, "What do you mean? It's strange because even if we hadn't been chosen for Super Junior, we still met."
"I don't think that’s strange," he says, still looking at you seriously.
"Why?"
"I don't know. But I've always believed we were meant to meet each other. And besides, if I wasn't chosen for Super Junior, and if you hadn't been chosen as well, and I still hadn't met you, I'd probably be looking for you right now. Even if I don't know who or what I'm looking for."
Upon hearing that, your world hangs for a moment and you find yourself at a loss of words for what to say.
Seeing you stunned, Kangin smiles. Then he laughs and the sound of his laughter echoes around your heart, making you smile a bit more widely.
Laughing along, you can only nod and say, "Of course. It's fate, right?"