Fic: Sleepless Nights
Title: Sleepless Nights
Author: vic_sim
Prompt: “Life is something that happens when you can’t get to sleep.”
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Heechul decides to go for a walk one night when he was unable to fall asleep.
Notes: AU. A really short fic. Written for Blind Quote Challenge.
“Life is something that happens when you can’t get to sleep.”
Heechul cursed mildly as he kicked the duvet towards the floor. He blinked as he watched the light from the cars shine through the windows and disappear. This was the third night in a row which he could not - no matter what he did during the day to get himself absolutely exhausted - sleep. He knew he needed to do something before his body collapsed from a lack of sleep.
Ten minutes later found Heechul bundled up in the cold.
“First you were going to die of exhaustion. Now you’re going to kill yourself with the cold.” Heechul mumbled as he pulled the jacket tighter around him. He wondered what possessed him to decide that a walk - in the freezing cold! - would aid his sleep. He swore under his breath as a gush of cold wind blew across the street. He really was not dressed appropriately for the weather, having just donned on the jacket in his haste to get to the streets.
However, Heechul savoured the freedom that the anonymity of the night provided him. It had been a long time since he wandered cross the streets of Seoul without a huge entourage of people surrounding him.
No one was concerned about the lone figure walking down the street at 3 in the morning, either too drunk to notice or too absorbed in their couple world to care for a third wheel.
Hugging his jacket tight, Heechul walked further into the darkness of the streets, quietly imagining the sights and sounds of the bustling streets of daylight. He enjoyed his job - it was what he chose to do - but at times, he wished Kim Heechul was simply another person on the road, instead of a mega-superstar Kim Heechul. Heechul sighed; the lack of sleep was seriously taking over his life as he shook off the depressive thoughts. He was about to turn around and head back to his apartment, hoping that he could now fall asleep, when he noticed something out of the corner of his eyes.
Heechul’s steps slowed as his attention was drawn away by the still silhouette on the bench. He had no idea why he was attracted to a still figure for the man was clearly not doing anything. Heechul continued to walk, not stopping to stare - for Kim Heechul did not stop and stare at anyone in the middle of the street.
Heechul curled up in his duvet, almost resigning to the fact that it was going to be another sleepless night as his mind drifted to the still figure. He could not - did not want to - squash the curiosity within him towards the figure, just like his cat. I’ll go back tomorrow to find out more. Heechul smirked slightly as his eyes drooped at that thought. Eeteuk is going to kill me when he learns that I’ve been sneaking out without anyone knowing.
Oh how he loved to antagonised his manager.
The next night found Heechul wandering down the same streets as before. This time, Heechul kept an eye out for the mysterious figure he saw last night. He refused to acknowledge that he was only out once more in the horrendous cold - especially since he hated the cold with a vengeance - in search of his mystery person. Walking seems to be the cure of my insomnia.
This time, the figure was not still. Heechul froze at his spot, not noticing that he was standing directly under a street lamp with no disguise present on him. The figure moved with a grace that Heechul could only wish to be able to do. The figure danced fluidly, losing himself within the movements, seemingly without a care towards the world. The figure did not seem to be bothered about the oddness of dancing in the streets.
Heechul took the time to stare unabashedly at the well-toned muscles which showed as the headlights of cars driving by illuminated the figure. Despite the cold, the figure looked perfectly at ease with the short-sleeved shirt he donned, making Heechul scowl. Stupid people who like the cold. Heechul was completely absorbed in the dancing, momentarily forgetting the cold he so hated. He did not know how long he stood there for. The clock only started turning once more for him when the imagined music stopped.
He shook out of the stupor when the figure slowed in the dancing, but could not peel his eyes away. Suddenly, Heechul saw a pair of eyes staring back at him. He visibly jerked back, startled at being caught. He spun round his heels, marching away rapidly, trying to quell his beating heart, ignoring the little voice that told him that this was not something Kim Heechul did.
Kim Heechul never ran away from anything.
Even in his anxiousness in getting away, Heechul’s mind registered a face that matched perfectly with the gorgeous body he witnessed.
With his busy schedule, Heechul was not around Seoul for three days. His insomnia returned. He did not attempt to sneak out of the place he was staying in with his team for it would definitely be noticed, especially with one of them being a chronic gamer. Besides, Eeteuk, being the worrywart manager he was, would position bodyguards outside their temporary apartment for fear of rabid fans attacking him.
Heechul rolled his eyes. He loved his manager, but sometimes, just sometimes, Heechul felt like strangling the guy for smothering him like a mother - though he could not deny that it felt good to be taken care of genuinely by someone. I can’t wait to get back. To see the dancer was the unfinished thought.
Heechul was glad to be back in his apartment, his little comfort house. Despite being 3am when he had finally arrived back in his house, Heechul quickly showered and changed, leaving the house almost as soon as he entered. He strode down the street, this time giving up pretences that he was just a random passer-by strolling, intent on finding his figure.
Easily, Heechul found his stranger once more, with a slight twitch on his face. This time, the stranger saw him as well - Heechul thought that the eyes lit up with happiness, but it might just be a figment of his imagination - even nodding slightly to acknowledge his presence. Heechul wandered up, placing himself on the bench, a silent agreement between them to not speak to each other.
The stranger began dancing once more when he saw that Heechul was settled. The next five minutes passed, with two lost in their own world.
They continued this routine for the rest of the week, resulting in a well-rested Kim Heechul, meaning a less temperamental Kim Heechul at work - although none of the co-workers were willing to risk the well-known princess’s wrath by voicing the opinion. Except one.
“Heechul-sshi, you seem to be in a good mood the past week. Anything interesting happened?” Heechul looked away from the mirror he had been staring at as the whole room plunged into silence. Heechul caught sight of the slight smirk from the corner of his eye and decided to play along.
“Well, yes actually. I met this wonderful person - who of course is not as wonderful as your princess here...”
Heechul began, as the jaws fell from everyone else in the room. They were sure that an explosion was going to come. He continued his story as the jaws fell further, squishing the laughter within him, until Eeteuk came into the room.
“What..?”
Eeteuk stared at the frozen state of the room, glancing around only to find two identical smirks mirroring each other staring back at him.
“Kim Heechul, Cho Kyuhyun!”
The two in question turned and looked at him innocently. Eeteuk’s eyes narrowed.
“Kim Heechul, you know they don’t work on me. And stop leading your dongsaeng astray. He’s bad enough without your influence.” Eeteuk huffed and left the room as the pair broke down in laughter at having silenced the whole room.
Eeteuk knew from day one when he introduced Kyuhyun to Heechul, the two was either going to be the worst enemies or the best of friends. Either way, they would be the death of him.
As Heechul tried to stifle his laughter, sharing a look with Kyuhyun and knowing that the younger was glad for whatever that happened resulting in him sleeping more, Heechul could not help but think that he truly meant what he had said. The dancer was a wonderful person.
Something changed after Heechul realised that he had came to truly enjoy the other’s presence. He found himself wanting to know more about the other, when before he was contented to just watch the dance, which never failed to capture his attention. He felt himself craving for more.
Heechul headed down to what he nicknamed their meeting place after returning home from work. Heechul was never concerned about why his stranger was at the bench every single day, just like how the stranger never questioned why he was always there at 3 in the morning. To Heechul, those reasons were unimportant. What was important was that he was able to see his stranger.
He wrapped the scarf tightly around his neck. The weather had turned even colder as they officially entered winter. He frowned as he noticed that his figure was still dressed in the clothes Heechul had seen when he first met him. This time, Heechul clearly saw the tremors that went through the body.
He closed the gap between them in a few steps, pulling off his scarf - the first time Heechul had initiated any sort of contact with his stranger. Heechul expertly wrapped the scarf around his stranger’s neck, ignoring the subtle attempts at stopping him. He suppressed the shivers that went through him as his stranger’s hands came into contact with his skin. Ripping off his beanie - ignoring once more the tiny voice that said he would be recognised, Heechul squashed the beanie on his stranger’s head, covering the red ears from the cold.
He had not been recognised at all for all the times he had been out to see his stranger, and he did not care if he was recognised. All he wanted to do at the moment was to get out of the cold.
Reaching over to grab the backpack on the bench, Heechul proceeded to walk away in the direction of his house, leaving the confused stranger to stumble behind him.
“Wait...”
Heechul ignored the call, stuffing his key into the door and twisting it open. He stared pointedly at the door, causing any protest from the stranger to die in his throat. Heechul nodded, satisfied as his stranger walked into his apartment.
As the two stood in the living room a little awkwardly, Heechul began to regret his impulse in dragging the other to his home. He just could not stand the thought of having the other shiver in the cold. He busied himself with getting rid of the layers of clothes he had piled upon to protect from the cold. I seriously hate the cold.
“Han Geng.”
Heechul looked back at his stranger when he spoke suddenly. The stranger - Han Geng - pointed to himself, repeating the words.
“Han Geng.”
“Heechul.”
His stranger smiled beautifully, pointing at Heechul.
“Heechul.”
Heechul could not help but smile brightly at that.
It was a beginning of something wonderful, something brilliant.
“Life is something that happens when you can’t get to sleep.”
Subtly.