Unlock - Chapter Forty-Four
Title: Unlock
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 44/?
Fandom: SS501, cameos by KARA
Pairings: KyuSaeng, HyunMin (may be other pairings in the future)
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU, Fluff
Summary: Not everything is as it seems, and for those who are as far from normal as you can get, life is a bleak existence. The only ones who can truly understand what these individuals go through are those...just like them.
A/N: YoungSaeng and HyunJoong are played by renichifreak and KyuJong and JungMin are played by me. Updates every Wednesday <3
Throwing the door open, HyunJoong slammed it shut when they were both inside and fell against the door before sliding to the floor, breathing labored. "A-are you okay...?" he asked.
Out of breath and shaking, JungMin slid to the floor next to him, chest rising and falling erratically. It took him a moment to answer the question, nodding slowly as he tried to say something, but his voice wasn’t working.
It took a moment for the shock to fade enough for what had happened to really sink in, the back of his eyes burning. The first thing he did was grab his gloves from where HyunJoong had dropped them on the floor, but he was shaking too badly to put them on, the action desperate like he couldn’t have them off for another second without something horrible happening.
Noticing JungMin's shaking and the sheen to his eyes, HyunJoong straightened and turned to the side, slowly wrapping his arms around JungMin, all the while whispering reassurances to keep the redhead calm. "It's okay, Min. It's me. You're safe and sound and you didn't hurt anyone," he murmured, lifting a hand to gently stroke his hair.
The gloves dropped from JungMin’s hands and he buried his face in the older boy’s shoulder, holding on to him tightly. It took a few for him to speak, just trying to calm down. Tears slipped down his cheeks, soaking into the material of HyunJoong’s shirt.
“What is it with these people?” he choked out after a moment, trembling. “Don’t they realize how dangerous I am? How easy it is for me to kill them? Why do they always go after me?”
Tightening the hold, HyunJoong shook his head before placing a soft kiss to the top of his head. "I wish I knew. Some people are just naturally like that. They see someone they believe to be weaker or who won't fight back."
Once that was said, he smiled softly, pulling away just enough for JungMin to look at him. "You did good, Min. You did really good."
JungMin stared at him through the glassy sheen to his eyes, not comprehending. “Good? How was that good? I blew out the power and the lights, and coulda exploded their heads like an egg in a microwave,” he protested, voice shaking as he said that.
Bringing his hands up, HyunJoong cupped JungMin's face gently. "But you didn't. Yes, you did that, but you never touched them or hurt them. When you did, you had the foresight to cover your hands, and actually helped me out of that situation, so I should probably also say thanks," he said before brushing his lips over JungMin’s, not asking for anything in return.
Some of the shaking eased at the light brush of lips, JungMin taking in a slow breath and tasting HyunJoong’s own.
“You saved me, who should be thanking who?” he whispered, leaning forward to make the kiss more solid as his grip on HyunJoong’s shirt tightened, pulling him closer.
"Let's just say we saved each other and be done with it," HyunJoong murmured against JungMin's lips. His chest still hurt and he knew he'd have bruises there and on his cheek from the hits, but he didn't care.
As long as JungMin was okay.
Lingering in the kiss for a long moment, as long as he could hold his breath, JungMin slowly pulled away to breathe, his nose lightly touching HyunJoong's. He felt calmer now, the panic attack over. Even so, he didn't move, soaking in the feeling of HyunJoong's breath against his lips and his arms around his body.
As he relaxed, he lost himself in thought, head falling onto HyunJoong's shoulder. Maybe it was time.
"When I told everyone I was thrown in that place after touching my necklace and nearly decapitating myself," he started quietly, "did you believe me?"
Running a hand over JungMin's back gently, HyunJoong paused before nodding his head. "I did, but then again, we didn't know each other as well at that point. Is there something that you didn't tell us, Min?" he asked, voice soothing in an attempt to not panic JungMin after he had finally calmed down.
It was harder than JungMin thought, getting it out. But if YoungSaeng had been able to confide in KyuJong, then maybe it was all right to tell HyunJoong. Half of it was already out anyways, thanks to that drinking game a while ago.
Nodding, JungMin didn't lift his head from HyunJoong's shoulder, not wanting to see his face as he closed his eyes. "The accident with my necklace was when I was twelve. I was only admitted when I turned fourteen. They don't lock people up in a mental hospital for a one-time thing."
Hearing the quiet confession tugged harshly on HyunJoong's heart. To know that someone as full of life as JungMin would have tried to...
He tightened his hold on the redhead, moving to rest a hand on his cheek lightly. "Well, you're here now, and I refuse to ever let you go back there, or ever feel that you only have one option. If I have to burn myself out locking your power down, I'd do it in a heartbeat as long as you're here," he stated quietly, not knowing what else to say.
JungMin shook his head, trying not to lean into the hand even though he wanted to. "I don't want you to burn yourself out. I can't be relying on your power all the time. I need control HyunJoong, or else I really am better off dead." He opened his eyes.
"I killed someone. It was an accident, he wouldn't leave me alone just like those guys wouldn't just now, but he's still dead because of me. And it's something I can't ever make right. So I thought killing myself would stop it from happening again. I guess being sent to a mental hospital had the same effect, if I couldn't hurt anyone."
"You're getting better, JungMin," HyunJoong spoke up after a minute of silence. "Please never say that you're better off dead. You've left such an impact on all of us that I don't know what I-we'd do without you anymore..."
"We'll keep on working on your control, but just know that you are never alone and that we're all here to help you, okay?"
Swallowing thickly, JungMin closed his eyes again and gave a quiet 'okay' against HyunJoong's neck. As long as they were all with him, he thought he'd be all right. If HyunJoong was with him, he was happier than he could remember being in a long, long time.
He couldn't say so though, so he just kissed HyunJoong's neck softly, resting against him. "Thank you."
Smiling softly, HyunJoong just hugged JungMin closer. "Any time," he murmured, not wanting to move from that spot.
They just stayed there for a long time, JungMin listening to the steady sound of HyunJoong's breathing. The warmth radiating from the older boy was something he could never get tired of, thankful for every second he could spend this close. Some people might take such simple things for granted, but he never could, not when he dreamed of doing something as silly as holding hands for years.
"How long do we have?" he asked after a moment, not wanting HyunJoong to strain himself.
"We have as long as you need," HyunJoong replied. "I had a pretty good night's sleep, so take as long as you want. I'm fine."
It was true. While he had been using his ability to help train JungMin, it was also working to his benefit. His endurance had slowly gotten better, the headaches and dizziness hitting him less and less as time wore on.
Smiling, JungMin buried his nose against HyunJoong's neck again. "Maybe we should move off the floor," he chuckled after a moment, lifting his head again to look HyunJoong in his eyes. He felt a lot better now, like he'd also gotten a weight off his chest.
Smiling back at him, HyunJoong wrapped his arms around JungMin and all but cuddled him. "But I'm comfortable now," he pouted playfully.
Yelping as he was pulled back closer, JungMin laughed at him. "It's going to stop being comfortable eventually," he grinned, leaning over a little more to kiss his jaw. "Especially if things go the way our practices usually do." There was only so much contact he could resist.
Making an effort to sound put-out, HyunJoong sighed. "Fine, we can move," he stated before smirking. Getting to his feet, he swept JungMin into his arms and walked over to the bed, dropping him onto the soft mattress. "Better?"
JungMin shrieked as he was suddenly picked up, staying still for fear of being dropped. Which he was after a few seconds, bouncing slightly as he hit the mattress. He stared up at the older boy in shock for a moment. "Yah, I'm not that light!" Mock-scowling at him, he reached out and grabbed HyunJoong's collar, dragging him down as well.
"Well you're certainly not heavy," HyunJoong shot back before yelping when JungMin grabbed him and pulled him down. Narrowly avoiding landing on the redhead, HyunJoong looked up at JungMin in both shock and amusement. "I should have seen that one coming."
"Yes you should have," JungMin wrinkled his nose at the older boy before stubbornly wrapping both his arms and his legs around HyunJoong. "And now you're not getting away."
"Oh darn," HyunJoong muttered with a grin, not caring in the least about moving. "Well, now that you have me, what're you gonna do with me?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.
"I can think of a few things...” JungMin's grin was mischievous as he ducked his head to kiss along HyunJoong's jaw, nipping the soft skin a little. "Can you?" His hand ran along HyunJoong's side.
"Mmm, plenty," HyunJoong replied, enjoying the feel of JungMin's lips on his jaw as well as the hand running over his side. It completely drowned out the dull throb of his cheek. "How 'bout showing me?"
JungMin chuckled. "With pleasure." His lips trailed to HyunJoong's neck before he rolled them both over, so he was straddling the older boy's waist. He enjoyed being this close, enjoyed every second he could forget about life and the rest of the world and just be with HyunJoong. Leaning up to catch HyunJoong's lips in a kiss, his hands ran down the other boy's shirt.
Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, HyunJoong returned the kiss with happiness. He loved the time alone he spent with the redhead and loved the emotions that welled up when they were together. He usually let JungMin dictate the pace since the younger had been so starved for contact for so many years.
Slowly, he mirrored JungMin's action, allowing the hand not around his neck to slip beneath the sweater and shirt he wore beneath it, laying his hand flat against JungMin's stomach.
A low noise came from JungMin's throat at the hand against his stomach, HyunJoong's hand a little cold but quickly warming up. It ached a little from the kick to the stomach he'd received earlier, but no way in hell was he stopping for something like that. Maybe he was getting greedy, because no matter how much he enjoyed even the simple touches, when they started something like this, he always wanted more and more.
His hands found the edge to HyunJoong's shirt, and he couldn't resist anymore, sliding both his hands underneath the material to run up his sides and flat stomach. The lines of muscles earned from long training sessions caught his attention, fingers tracing them.
The soft sounds JungMin was making did little for HyunJoong's control. Deepening the kiss, he allowed his hand to move higher, long fingers caressing the boy's chest as he used his elbow to nudge the sweater and shirt up a bit more.
Letting out a loud moan, HyunJoong shifted into the hands running over his stomach and sides, JungMin's hands so warm against his already heated flesh.
JungMin jerked slightly at the fingers against his chest, gasping into HyunJoong's mouth. He wished his sweater would do him a favor and disappear, his shirt too preferably, because he didn't want to move his hands from where they were but at the same time the light touches were driving him crazy.
Biting HyunJoong's lower lip, the redhead pushed himself up into a sitting position after a moment, hands leaving HyunJoong's stomach to tug off his own sweater, pulling it over his head.
Following JungMin up, HyunJoong watched JungMin pull the sweater off and before he knew it, his hands were moving, sliding the redhead's shirt up and off as well. He greedily took in the body before him before placing a kiss to his shoulder.
A moment later, he decided that he needed more contact, so he pulled back from the delectable skin to remove his own shirt, before running both hands over JungMin's chest, loving the feel of his skin beneath his fingertips.
Panting a little as he watched HyunJoong pull his shirt off, JungMin's skin tingled from the kiss, a tinge of red in his cheeks. He had a brief moment to be embarrassed, wondering just what in the world he was doing, before all that disappeared as HyunJoong's shirt was tossed to one side.
A shaky moan left JungMin's lips as the hands returned, his own already running along HyunJoong's torso, trying to reach every inch of exposed skin. His hands slid around to press against HyunJoong's bare back, head dropping to kiss where HyunJoong's neck met his shoulder as he tried to press closer.
Letting out a low sound at the lips against the crook of his neck, HyunJoong tightened his hold on the redhead. JungMin was like an addiction that he couldn't get enough of. Every time the two were alone together, he couldn't fight the temptation the younger posed.
JungMin's breathing was becoming less even, feeling their chests pressing together now, actually everything was pressed together with his legs on either side of HyunJoong's waist. Running his hands up and down HyunJoong's back and sides, JungMin pulled back to kiss him again, one arm resting around his shoulders to twine fingers into the other boy's hair.
When JungMin's fingers wrapped in his hair, HyunJoong sighed happily. Breaths quickening at JungMin's caresses, he moved his hands, one cupping his cheek and the other running lightly over his side.
Kissing him long and deep, JungMin whispered the older boy's name into his mouth. It was almost scary how he wanted even more, wanted to feel everything possible to feel, but was it too fast for that? It was. He was used to just charging on full-speed without thinking (if it didn't hurt anyone then it wasn't worth debating over), but perhaps he should be a little more careful with this.
They had something great here, even if he didn't fully understand it, and he didn't want to ruin it.
The kiss seemed to last forever, his hands exploring HyunJoong's upper body and quiet whines leaving his throat at the hands against his own body. Finally though he had to pull back to breathe, panting against HyunJoong's lips and looked at him through half-lidded eyes.
When JungMin pulled away, HyunJoong let out a harsh breath, body practically trembling from the feelings running through him. Just hearing his name uttered as it had been drove him crazy and if JungMin hadn't pulled away when he did...
...He didn't think they ever would have.
Watching the expression on HyunJoong's face, JungMin's mind was blissfully blank, happy to just stare at him as long as he could. "Wow," he got out after a moment, the only thing he seemed capable of saying as his hands pressed lightly against HyunJoong's chest. He could feel the older boy's erratic heartbeat under his fingertips.
HyunJoong smiled up at JungMin, running his fingers over the younger's cheek softly. "'Wow' about covers it, I'd say," he replied, short of breath. He didn't want to move, enjoying the feel of JungMin's hands resting against his chest.
Nodding slowly, JungMin leaned into the hand against his cheek, smile widening. After a long moment of just looking down at HyunJoong, looking over his features and wondering how he'd been this lucky, JungMin slowly leaned in to kiss him again, eyes closing.
A loud knock on the door made him jump, breaking the kiss. "HyunJoong, are you in there?" HyungJoon called, sounding worried. "Shit, please be in there."
Jumping at the knock - and cursing in every possible language that he knew how to curse in - HyunJoong sat up, noting the worry in HyungJoon's voice. With a quick look to JungMin, he slowly kissed him before getting to his feet and walking over to the door. He didn't bother throwing a shirt on before opening the door. "I'm here, Joonie," HyunJoong said, trying to calm him down.
KyuJong and YoungSaeng were right behind HyungJoon, both of them looking equally worried; HyungJoon had tracked them down in a complete panic after having a vision of HyunJoong and JungMin in a fight.
"Oh, thank God," HyungJoon breathed. "JungMin with you?"
"Present," JungMin called; he'd managed to dive for his tank top and pulled it on, but hadn't had the time to do the same with his sweater.
The youngest finally seemed to relax a little. "Why are you...oh, ouch," he winced, seeing the bruises starting to form on HyunJoong's body. "Are you okay?"
Looking back at JungMin, HyunJoong turned to the others, opening the door to let them in. "More or less, I suppose," he replied, walking back and taking a seat on the corner of the bed. Now that it had been mentioned, his chest was aching a bit, as were the other bruises he had gotten.
"HyungJoon came looking for us hoping we knew where you were after he had a vision," YoungSaeng explained. He was unable to hide the slight knowing smirk at noticing that a couple of the marks on HyunJoong's upper body had nothing to do with an attack and everything to do with the redhead beside him.
KyuJong closed the door behind them, looking at them both with a light frown. "What happened?"
Wrinkling his nose at his best friend's smirk, JungMin shifted to the edge of the bed and hung his legs over. There was no way they were getting away with not saying anything if HyungJoon had a vision. "Idiots didn't know how to back off."
Moving over toward JungMin, YoungSaeng looked at him. "With that much skin exposed, I'm assuming your power is on lockdown," he said before moving to lift JungMin's shirt to check for injuries. He hissed as he came upon the forming bruise on his midsection, but nodded when he saw nothing else too bad.
"You should wait for me to answer before doing that," JungMin stuck out his tongue at YoungSaeng, leaning back on his hands to avoid putting pressure on the bruise. It was starting to really hurt now that he wasn't...distracted.
Inspecting a bruise on HyunJoong's back, KyuJong looked up. "These will need ice, they're not going to be very fun to deal with otherwise."
"I can get ice," HyungJoon piped up, heading back to the door and out into the hallway.
Seeing that HyungJoon was gone, YoungSaeng's smile turned mischievous and playful. "So tell me Minnie yah, I'm pretty sure I can tell the difference between the bruises he got from the fight and the hickeys on his neck and shoulder," he teased, easing JungMin's shirt back down.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," JungMin blinked up at the older boy innocently.
KyuJong blinked owlishly before turning his attention to HyunJoong's shoulders, then laughed. "Do you think HyungJoon will think those are bruises too and insist on putting ice on them?"
HyunJoong shot KyuJong and YoungSaeng both dirty looks before taking a seat beside JungMin again. "Screw you both..." he huffed, wincing as YoungSaeng turned his attention onto him next.
He whistled as he got a closer look. "Damn, Min, you did good here..." YoungSaeng replied, squeaking as HyunJoong knocked him off of the bed.
"Hey!" KyuJong went to YoungSaeng's side, helping his boyfriend up off the floor.
"So glad I have your approval," JungMin sniffed, scooting closer to HyunJoong until their legs brushed slightly. "I mean, you must be an expert with them, with the amount of hickeys Kyu has all the time." KyuJong turned pink.
"Not that YoungSaeng has any shortage himself," HyunJoong pointed out with a snicker as YoungSaeng was helped to his feet.
"You're a horrible hyung, did you know that?" YoungSaeng pouted jokingly.
"Just stating the facts," JungMin grinned cheekily, swinging his legs.
KyuJong hugged YoungSaeng around the shoulders. "So, speaking of facts, how long have you both been together?" he asked, amused. "We never got an official declaration."
HyunJoong blinked at KyuJong's question. "Hm...come to think of it, we're not official. I mean, we've never really asked the other out or anything..."
Yet they acted more like a couple than a lot of the couples they knew.
"You haven't?" KyuJong blinked in surprise; he would have thought that would have been covered somewhere along the line with how close the two now were.
JungMin looked at HyunJoong, confused. "Should we be official?"
Looking at JungMin, HyunJoong shrugged, small smile on his face. "If you want to be, then we will. No pressure," he replied. HyunJoong couldn't deny that he had been playing with the idea of asking him out, but he found himself floundering when with the redhead.
Blinking at him, JungMin grinned after a moment, looking down at his feet. He didn't say anything, going the idea over in his head, but there was a silly smile on his lips.
KyuJong smiled at YoungSaeng, glad their friends were happy. "Do you guys need anything other than ice?" he asked, looking back at them. He didn't think they'd be going anywhere for the night.
HyunJoong shook his head at the question. "Nah, I think we're good. Min?" he asked, seeing if JungMin needed anything.
JungMin shook his head too.
"So should we leave you when Joonie gets back?" KyuJong smiled teasingly. "You better hope Nicole and HaRa never hear about this one, or you'll lose your hearing."
"As If. I like my hearing, thank you," HyunJoong chuckled before looking back at the door as HyungJoon returned with the ice.
Snickering, YoungSaeng stretched out. "Well, now that we know that the two of you are in one piece, we'll just leave you alone now."
"Yeah," KyuJong smiled, watching as HyungJoon passed out the ice. "Come on Joon, we're going."
"Eh?" The youngest blinked at them. "But they were just in a fight!"
"They seem fine to me, come on, let's leave them rest." KyuJong steered the other boy out of the room.
Watching the group leave, HyunJoong got back up to close the door, locking it behind him. Shaking his head in amusement, he returned to the bed, only to lean forward to kiss JungMin softly before taking a seat beside him.
"So you never did answer the question, Min," HyunJoong mused.
Kissing him back, JungMin pursed his lips in thought as he looked at HyunJoong. "Which question?" he asked teasingly, a wide smile on his lips as he leaned back against his hands.
"Well, if you're gonna be like that..." HyunJoong huffed, making sure to hide the amused look on his face as he turned away from the redhead.
Laughing, JungMin scooted forward to perch his chin on HyunJoong's bare shoulder, arms wrapping around the older boy's waist. "I don't recall you asking a question. There was no question in your statement, so there was no way I could answer one." He blew on HyunJoong's ear.
Shivering at the breath against his ear, HyunJoong turned toward the younger. "Want to make this official then, JungMin?" he asked, running his hand through the red strands of hair.
Grin widening, JungMin kept his grip around HyunJoong's waist. "Yeah." He leaned forward to kiss HyunJoong, reveling in the idea that this was his boyfriend.
Returning the kiss, HyunJoong found it impossible to keep the smile off of his face. Boyfriend...it sounded far better than he'd ever thought when JungMin was involved.
Breaking the kiss after a moment to breathe, JungMin grinned widely at him. "So, what are we doing now?" He picked up the ice and pressed it against the more prominent bruise on HyunJoong's chest.
Yelping at the sudden cold that was pressed against his chest, HyunJoong shot JungMin a playful glare before taking some of the ice and placing it against JungMin's stomach. "You tell me."
JungMin shrieked and jumped back. "Ah, none of that, I have an excuse," he pouted at the other man. "It's going to melt and then we'll forget about it and you'll let my power go and I'll blast you through the wall."
HyunJoong laughed before reaching for his shirt that was just beside the bed. Sitting back up, he used it to gently wipe any wetness from the redhead's stomach. "Better?" he asked.
"Yeah." The redhead grinned, breathing a little easier. His water phobia would probably take a while to get rid of, even if he had control. "You don't get out of it though," he chuckled, continuing to make sure the worst of HyunJoong's injuries had ice on them. "Guess we're not going anywhere for a while?"
Letting JungMin ice the bruises, shivering every time the cold made contact with his skin, HyunJoong shrugged. "Probably not, but we should probably go see the headmaster here and report those assholes eventually."
"Would it do anything?" JungMin asked, tilting his head slightly to one side. "We don't really have proof of anything aside from the bruises, and fights happen all the time."
"I guess you have a point there," HyunJoong said before chuckling. "Swim meets are going to be interesting, I can tell you that."
JungMin shuddered. "I'm not getting anywhere near that pool while they're there." He held the ice against HyunJoong's chest. "How's your head? No headache yet?"
"Lucky for me that I'm varsity, so I don't swim with them," HyunJoong said, rolling his eyes before pausing to shrug. "A little, but I can't tell if it's from the punch or holding your power down."
"So...we can stay like this for a bit longer, right?" JungMin asked, scooting closer on the bed even as he focused on what he was doing.
HyunJoong nodded his head, lips curling upward. "As long as you want."
"You wouldn't be conscious if you kept it up as long as I wanted," JungMin smiled sheepishly, leaning a little against HyunJoong and resting his head on the other boy's shoulder.
HyunJoong snickered before turning his head and dropping a kiss to the top of JungMin's head lightly. "Another reason to get your control under wraps. More snuggling time," he joked.
"Mhm." JungMin wrapped his arms more securely around HyunJoong and pulled him down to lie on top of the comforter, burrowing his nose in the other boy's collar. "I'll take what I can get for now." He wasn't letting go until he had to.
Yelping lightly as he was pulled down onto the bed, HyunJoong grinned widely. He was still practically floating at the fact that he was dating JungMin...
Cracking one eye open at the older boy, JungMin smiled before closing his eyes and resting against HyunJoong, finding a position that was comfortable without pressing on either of their bruises. "Let's stay like this for a while."
Getting them both situated, HyunJoong nodded his head, closing his eyes and focusing more before relaxing. It wouldn't be much longer before he would have to let go of JungMin's power due to the mild headache, but just being with the redhead made it worth it.
"Let's."
He could sleep it off later.
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 44/?
Fandom: SS501, cameos by KARA
Pairings: KyuSaeng, HyunMin (may be other pairings in the future)
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU, Fluff
Summary: Not everything is as it seems, and for those who are as far from normal as you can get, life is a bleak existence. The only ones who can truly understand what these individuals go through are those...just like them.
A/N: YoungSaeng and HyunJoong are played by renichifreak and KyuJong and JungMin are played by me. Updates every Wednesday <3
Throwing the door open, HyunJoong slammed it shut when they were both inside and fell against the door before sliding to the floor, breathing labored. "A-are you okay...?" he asked.
Out of breath and shaking, JungMin slid to the floor next to him, chest rising and falling erratically. It took him a moment to answer the question, nodding slowly as he tried to say something, but his voice wasn’t working.
It took a moment for the shock to fade enough for what had happened to really sink in, the back of his eyes burning. The first thing he did was grab his gloves from where HyunJoong had dropped them on the floor, but he was shaking too badly to put them on, the action desperate like he couldn’t have them off for another second without something horrible happening.
Noticing JungMin's shaking and the sheen to his eyes, HyunJoong straightened and turned to the side, slowly wrapping his arms around JungMin, all the while whispering reassurances to keep the redhead calm. "It's okay, Min. It's me. You're safe and sound and you didn't hurt anyone," he murmured, lifting a hand to gently stroke his hair.
The gloves dropped from JungMin’s hands and he buried his face in the older boy’s shoulder, holding on to him tightly. It took a few for him to speak, just trying to calm down. Tears slipped down his cheeks, soaking into the material of HyunJoong’s shirt.
“What is it with these people?” he choked out after a moment, trembling. “Don’t they realize how dangerous I am? How easy it is for me to kill them? Why do they always go after me?”
Tightening the hold, HyunJoong shook his head before placing a soft kiss to the top of his head. "I wish I knew. Some people are just naturally like that. They see someone they believe to be weaker or who won't fight back."
Once that was said, he smiled softly, pulling away just enough for JungMin to look at him. "You did good, Min. You did really good."
JungMin stared at him through the glassy sheen to his eyes, not comprehending. “Good? How was that good? I blew out the power and the lights, and coulda exploded their heads like an egg in a microwave,” he protested, voice shaking as he said that.
Bringing his hands up, HyunJoong cupped JungMin's face gently. "But you didn't. Yes, you did that, but you never touched them or hurt them. When you did, you had the foresight to cover your hands, and actually helped me out of that situation, so I should probably also say thanks," he said before brushing his lips over JungMin’s, not asking for anything in return.
Some of the shaking eased at the light brush of lips, JungMin taking in a slow breath and tasting HyunJoong’s own.
“You saved me, who should be thanking who?” he whispered, leaning forward to make the kiss more solid as his grip on HyunJoong’s shirt tightened, pulling him closer.
"Let's just say we saved each other and be done with it," HyunJoong murmured against JungMin's lips. His chest still hurt and he knew he'd have bruises there and on his cheek from the hits, but he didn't care.
As long as JungMin was okay.
Lingering in the kiss for a long moment, as long as he could hold his breath, JungMin slowly pulled away to breathe, his nose lightly touching HyunJoong's. He felt calmer now, the panic attack over. Even so, he didn't move, soaking in the feeling of HyunJoong's breath against his lips and his arms around his body.
As he relaxed, he lost himself in thought, head falling onto HyunJoong's shoulder. Maybe it was time.
"When I told everyone I was thrown in that place after touching my necklace and nearly decapitating myself," he started quietly, "did you believe me?"
Running a hand over JungMin's back gently, HyunJoong paused before nodding his head. "I did, but then again, we didn't know each other as well at that point. Is there something that you didn't tell us, Min?" he asked, voice soothing in an attempt to not panic JungMin after he had finally calmed down.
It was harder than JungMin thought, getting it out. But if YoungSaeng had been able to confide in KyuJong, then maybe it was all right to tell HyunJoong. Half of it was already out anyways, thanks to that drinking game a while ago.
Nodding, JungMin didn't lift his head from HyunJoong's shoulder, not wanting to see his face as he closed his eyes. "The accident with my necklace was when I was twelve. I was only admitted when I turned fourteen. They don't lock people up in a mental hospital for a one-time thing."
Hearing the quiet confession tugged harshly on HyunJoong's heart. To know that someone as full of life as JungMin would have tried to...
He tightened his hold on the redhead, moving to rest a hand on his cheek lightly. "Well, you're here now, and I refuse to ever let you go back there, or ever feel that you only have one option. If I have to burn myself out locking your power down, I'd do it in a heartbeat as long as you're here," he stated quietly, not knowing what else to say.
JungMin shook his head, trying not to lean into the hand even though he wanted to. "I don't want you to burn yourself out. I can't be relying on your power all the time. I need control HyunJoong, or else I really am better off dead." He opened his eyes.
"I killed someone. It was an accident, he wouldn't leave me alone just like those guys wouldn't just now, but he's still dead because of me. And it's something I can't ever make right. So I thought killing myself would stop it from happening again. I guess being sent to a mental hospital had the same effect, if I couldn't hurt anyone."
"You're getting better, JungMin," HyunJoong spoke up after a minute of silence. "Please never say that you're better off dead. You've left such an impact on all of us that I don't know what I-we'd do without you anymore..."
"We'll keep on working on your control, but just know that you are never alone and that we're all here to help you, okay?"
Swallowing thickly, JungMin closed his eyes again and gave a quiet 'okay' against HyunJoong's neck. As long as they were all with him, he thought he'd be all right. If HyunJoong was with him, he was happier than he could remember being in a long, long time.
He couldn't say so though, so he just kissed HyunJoong's neck softly, resting against him. "Thank you."
Smiling softly, HyunJoong just hugged JungMin closer. "Any time," he murmured, not wanting to move from that spot.
They just stayed there for a long time, JungMin listening to the steady sound of HyunJoong's breathing. The warmth radiating from the older boy was something he could never get tired of, thankful for every second he could spend this close. Some people might take such simple things for granted, but he never could, not when he dreamed of doing something as silly as holding hands for years.
"How long do we have?" he asked after a moment, not wanting HyunJoong to strain himself.
"We have as long as you need," HyunJoong replied. "I had a pretty good night's sleep, so take as long as you want. I'm fine."
It was true. While he had been using his ability to help train JungMin, it was also working to his benefit. His endurance had slowly gotten better, the headaches and dizziness hitting him less and less as time wore on.
Smiling, JungMin buried his nose against HyunJoong's neck again. "Maybe we should move off the floor," he chuckled after a moment, lifting his head again to look HyunJoong in his eyes. He felt a lot better now, like he'd also gotten a weight off his chest.
Smiling back at him, HyunJoong wrapped his arms around JungMin and all but cuddled him. "But I'm comfortable now," he pouted playfully.
Yelping as he was pulled back closer, JungMin laughed at him. "It's going to stop being comfortable eventually," he grinned, leaning over a little more to kiss his jaw. "Especially if things go the way our practices usually do." There was only so much contact he could resist.
Making an effort to sound put-out, HyunJoong sighed. "Fine, we can move," he stated before smirking. Getting to his feet, he swept JungMin into his arms and walked over to the bed, dropping him onto the soft mattress. "Better?"
JungMin shrieked as he was suddenly picked up, staying still for fear of being dropped. Which he was after a few seconds, bouncing slightly as he hit the mattress. He stared up at the older boy in shock for a moment. "Yah, I'm not that light!" Mock-scowling at him, he reached out and grabbed HyunJoong's collar, dragging him down as well.
"Well you're certainly not heavy," HyunJoong shot back before yelping when JungMin grabbed him and pulled him down. Narrowly avoiding landing on the redhead, HyunJoong looked up at JungMin in both shock and amusement. "I should have seen that one coming."
"Yes you should have," JungMin wrinkled his nose at the older boy before stubbornly wrapping both his arms and his legs around HyunJoong. "And now you're not getting away."
"Oh darn," HyunJoong muttered with a grin, not caring in the least about moving. "Well, now that you have me, what're you gonna do with me?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.
"I can think of a few things...” JungMin's grin was mischievous as he ducked his head to kiss along HyunJoong's jaw, nipping the soft skin a little. "Can you?" His hand ran along HyunJoong's side.
"Mmm, plenty," HyunJoong replied, enjoying the feel of JungMin's lips on his jaw as well as the hand running over his side. It completely drowned out the dull throb of his cheek. "How 'bout showing me?"
JungMin chuckled. "With pleasure." His lips trailed to HyunJoong's neck before he rolled them both over, so he was straddling the older boy's waist. He enjoyed being this close, enjoyed every second he could forget about life and the rest of the world and just be with HyunJoong. Leaning up to catch HyunJoong's lips in a kiss, his hands ran down the other boy's shirt.
Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, HyunJoong returned the kiss with happiness. He loved the time alone he spent with the redhead and loved the emotions that welled up when they were together. He usually let JungMin dictate the pace since the younger had been so starved for contact for so many years.
Slowly, he mirrored JungMin's action, allowing the hand not around his neck to slip beneath the sweater and shirt he wore beneath it, laying his hand flat against JungMin's stomach.
A low noise came from JungMin's throat at the hand against his stomach, HyunJoong's hand a little cold but quickly warming up. It ached a little from the kick to the stomach he'd received earlier, but no way in hell was he stopping for something like that. Maybe he was getting greedy, because no matter how much he enjoyed even the simple touches, when they started something like this, he always wanted more and more.
His hands found the edge to HyunJoong's shirt, and he couldn't resist anymore, sliding both his hands underneath the material to run up his sides and flat stomach. The lines of muscles earned from long training sessions caught his attention, fingers tracing them.
The soft sounds JungMin was making did little for HyunJoong's control. Deepening the kiss, he allowed his hand to move higher, long fingers caressing the boy's chest as he used his elbow to nudge the sweater and shirt up a bit more.
Letting out a loud moan, HyunJoong shifted into the hands running over his stomach and sides, JungMin's hands so warm against his already heated flesh.
JungMin jerked slightly at the fingers against his chest, gasping into HyunJoong's mouth. He wished his sweater would do him a favor and disappear, his shirt too preferably, because he didn't want to move his hands from where they were but at the same time the light touches were driving him crazy.
Biting HyunJoong's lower lip, the redhead pushed himself up into a sitting position after a moment, hands leaving HyunJoong's stomach to tug off his own sweater, pulling it over his head.
Following JungMin up, HyunJoong watched JungMin pull the sweater off and before he knew it, his hands were moving, sliding the redhead's shirt up and off as well. He greedily took in the body before him before placing a kiss to his shoulder.
A moment later, he decided that he needed more contact, so he pulled back from the delectable skin to remove his own shirt, before running both hands over JungMin's chest, loving the feel of his skin beneath his fingertips.
Panting a little as he watched HyunJoong pull his shirt off, JungMin's skin tingled from the kiss, a tinge of red in his cheeks. He had a brief moment to be embarrassed, wondering just what in the world he was doing, before all that disappeared as HyunJoong's shirt was tossed to one side.
A shaky moan left JungMin's lips as the hands returned, his own already running along HyunJoong's torso, trying to reach every inch of exposed skin. His hands slid around to press against HyunJoong's bare back, head dropping to kiss where HyunJoong's neck met his shoulder as he tried to press closer.
Letting out a low sound at the lips against the crook of his neck, HyunJoong tightened his hold on the redhead. JungMin was like an addiction that he couldn't get enough of. Every time the two were alone together, he couldn't fight the temptation the younger posed.
JungMin's breathing was becoming less even, feeling their chests pressing together now, actually everything was pressed together with his legs on either side of HyunJoong's waist. Running his hands up and down HyunJoong's back and sides, JungMin pulled back to kiss him again, one arm resting around his shoulders to twine fingers into the other boy's hair.
When JungMin's fingers wrapped in his hair, HyunJoong sighed happily. Breaths quickening at JungMin's caresses, he moved his hands, one cupping his cheek and the other running lightly over his side.
Kissing him long and deep, JungMin whispered the older boy's name into his mouth. It was almost scary how he wanted even more, wanted to feel everything possible to feel, but was it too fast for that? It was. He was used to just charging on full-speed without thinking (if it didn't hurt anyone then it wasn't worth debating over), but perhaps he should be a little more careful with this.
They had something great here, even if he didn't fully understand it, and he didn't want to ruin it.
The kiss seemed to last forever, his hands exploring HyunJoong's upper body and quiet whines leaving his throat at the hands against his own body. Finally though he had to pull back to breathe, panting against HyunJoong's lips and looked at him through half-lidded eyes.
When JungMin pulled away, HyunJoong let out a harsh breath, body practically trembling from the feelings running through him. Just hearing his name uttered as it had been drove him crazy and if JungMin hadn't pulled away when he did...
...He didn't think they ever would have.
Watching the expression on HyunJoong's face, JungMin's mind was blissfully blank, happy to just stare at him as long as he could. "Wow," he got out after a moment, the only thing he seemed capable of saying as his hands pressed lightly against HyunJoong's chest. He could feel the older boy's erratic heartbeat under his fingertips.
HyunJoong smiled up at JungMin, running his fingers over the younger's cheek softly. "'Wow' about covers it, I'd say," he replied, short of breath. He didn't want to move, enjoying the feel of JungMin's hands resting against his chest.
Nodding slowly, JungMin leaned into the hand against his cheek, smile widening. After a long moment of just looking down at HyunJoong, looking over his features and wondering how he'd been this lucky, JungMin slowly leaned in to kiss him again, eyes closing.
A loud knock on the door made him jump, breaking the kiss. "HyunJoong, are you in there?" HyungJoon called, sounding worried. "Shit, please be in there."
Jumping at the knock - and cursing in every possible language that he knew how to curse in - HyunJoong sat up, noting the worry in HyungJoon's voice. With a quick look to JungMin, he slowly kissed him before getting to his feet and walking over to the door. He didn't bother throwing a shirt on before opening the door. "I'm here, Joonie," HyunJoong said, trying to calm him down.
KyuJong and YoungSaeng were right behind HyungJoon, both of them looking equally worried; HyungJoon had tracked them down in a complete panic after having a vision of HyunJoong and JungMin in a fight.
"Oh, thank God," HyungJoon breathed. "JungMin with you?"
"Present," JungMin called; he'd managed to dive for his tank top and pulled it on, but hadn't had the time to do the same with his sweater.
The youngest finally seemed to relax a little. "Why are you...oh, ouch," he winced, seeing the bruises starting to form on HyunJoong's body. "Are you okay?"
Looking back at JungMin, HyunJoong turned to the others, opening the door to let them in. "More or less, I suppose," he replied, walking back and taking a seat on the corner of the bed. Now that it had been mentioned, his chest was aching a bit, as were the other bruises he had gotten.
"HyungJoon came looking for us hoping we knew where you were after he had a vision," YoungSaeng explained. He was unable to hide the slight knowing smirk at noticing that a couple of the marks on HyunJoong's upper body had nothing to do with an attack and everything to do with the redhead beside him.
KyuJong closed the door behind them, looking at them both with a light frown. "What happened?"
Wrinkling his nose at his best friend's smirk, JungMin shifted to the edge of the bed and hung his legs over. There was no way they were getting away with not saying anything if HyungJoon had a vision. "Idiots didn't know how to back off."
Moving over toward JungMin, YoungSaeng looked at him. "With that much skin exposed, I'm assuming your power is on lockdown," he said before moving to lift JungMin's shirt to check for injuries. He hissed as he came upon the forming bruise on his midsection, but nodded when he saw nothing else too bad.
"You should wait for me to answer before doing that," JungMin stuck out his tongue at YoungSaeng, leaning back on his hands to avoid putting pressure on the bruise. It was starting to really hurt now that he wasn't...distracted.
Inspecting a bruise on HyunJoong's back, KyuJong looked up. "These will need ice, they're not going to be very fun to deal with otherwise."
"I can get ice," HyungJoon piped up, heading back to the door and out into the hallway.
Seeing that HyungJoon was gone, YoungSaeng's smile turned mischievous and playful. "So tell me Minnie yah, I'm pretty sure I can tell the difference between the bruises he got from the fight and the hickeys on his neck and shoulder," he teased, easing JungMin's shirt back down.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," JungMin blinked up at the older boy innocently.
KyuJong blinked owlishly before turning his attention to HyunJoong's shoulders, then laughed. "Do you think HyungJoon will think those are bruises too and insist on putting ice on them?"
HyunJoong shot KyuJong and YoungSaeng both dirty looks before taking a seat beside JungMin again. "Screw you both..." he huffed, wincing as YoungSaeng turned his attention onto him next.
He whistled as he got a closer look. "Damn, Min, you did good here..." YoungSaeng replied, squeaking as HyunJoong knocked him off of the bed.
"Hey!" KyuJong went to YoungSaeng's side, helping his boyfriend up off the floor.
"So glad I have your approval," JungMin sniffed, scooting closer to HyunJoong until their legs brushed slightly. "I mean, you must be an expert with them, with the amount of hickeys Kyu has all the time." KyuJong turned pink.
"Not that YoungSaeng has any shortage himself," HyunJoong pointed out with a snicker as YoungSaeng was helped to his feet.
"You're a horrible hyung, did you know that?" YoungSaeng pouted jokingly.
"Just stating the facts," JungMin grinned cheekily, swinging his legs.
KyuJong hugged YoungSaeng around the shoulders. "So, speaking of facts, how long have you both been together?" he asked, amused. "We never got an official declaration."
HyunJoong blinked at KyuJong's question. "Hm...come to think of it, we're not official. I mean, we've never really asked the other out or anything..."
Yet they acted more like a couple than a lot of the couples they knew.
"You haven't?" KyuJong blinked in surprise; he would have thought that would have been covered somewhere along the line with how close the two now were.
JungMin looked at HyunJoong, confused. "Should we be official?"
Looking at JungMin, HyunJoong shrugged, small smile on his face. "If you want to be, then we will. No pressure," he replied. HyunJoong couldn't deny that he had been playing with the idea of asking him out, but he found himself floundering when with the redhead.
Blinking at him, JungMin grinned after a moment, looking down at his feet. He didn't say anything, going the idea over in his head, but there was a silly smile on his lips.
KyuJong smiled at YoungSaeng, glad their friends were happy. "Do you guys need anything other than ice?" he asked, looking back at them. He didn't think they'd be going anywhere for the night.
HyunJoong shook his head at the question. "Nah, I think we're good. Min?" he asked, seeing if JungMin needed anything.
JungMin shook his head too.
"So should we leave you when Joonie gets back?" KyuJong smiled teasingly. "You better hope Nicole and HaRa never hear about this one, or you'll lose your hearing."
"As If. I like my hearing, thank you," HyunJoong chuckled before looking back at the door as HyungJoon returned with the ice.
Snickering, YoungSaeng stretched out. "Well, now that we know that the two of you are in one piece, we'll just leave you alone now."
"Yeah," KyuJong smiled, watching as HyungJoon passed out the ice. "Come on Joon, we're going."
"Eh?" The youngest blinked at them. "But they were just in a fight!"
"They seem fine to me, come on, let's leave them rest." KyuJong steered the other boy out of the room.
Watching the group leave, HyunJoong got back up to close the door, locking it behind him. Shaking his head in amusement, he returned to the bed, only to lean forward to kiss JungMin softly before taking a seat beside him.
"So you never did answer the question, Min," HyunJoong mused.
Kissing him back, JungMin pursed his lips in thought as he looked at HyunJoong. "Which question?" he asked teasingly, a wide smile on his lips as he leaned back against his hands.
"Well, if you're gonna be like that..." HyunJoong huffed, making sure to hide the amused look on his face as he turned away from the redhead.
Laughing, JungMin scooted forward to perch his chin on HyunJoong's bare shoulder, arms wrapping around the older boy's waist. "I don't recall you asking a question. There was no question in your statement, so there was no way I could answer one." He blew on HyunJoong's ear.
Shivering at the breath against his ear, HyunJoong turned toward the younger. "Want to make this official then, JungMin?" he asked, running his hand through the red strands of hair.
Grin widening, JungMin kept his grip around HyunJoong's waist. "Yeah." He leaned forward to kiss HyunJoong, reveling in the idea that this was his boyfriend.
Returning the kiss, HyunJoong found it impossible to keep the smile off of his face. Boyfriend...it sounded far better than he'd ever thought when JungMin was involved.
Breaking the kiss after a moment to breathe, JungMin grinned widely at him. "So, what are we doing now?" He picked up the ice and pressed it against the more prominent bruise on HyunJoong's chest.
Yelping at the sudden cold that was pressed against his chest, HyunJoong shot JungMin a playful glare before taking some of the ice and placing it against JungMin's stomach. "You tell me."
JungMin shrieked and jumped back. "Ah, none of that, I have an excuse," he pouted at the other man. "It's going to melt and then we'll forget about it and you'll let my power go and I'll blast you through the wall."
HyunJoong laughed before reaching for his shirt that was just beside the bed. Sitting back up, he used it to gently wipe any wetness from the redhead's stomach. "Better?" he asked.
"Yeah." The redhead grinned, breathing a little easier. His water phobia would probably take a while to get rid of, even if he had control. "You don't get out of it though," he chuckled, continuing to make sure the worst of HyunJoong's injuries had ice on them. "Guess we're not going anywhere for a while?"
Letting JungMin ice the bruises, shivering every time the cold made contact with his skin, HyunJoong shrugged. "Probably not, but we should probably go see the headmaster here and report those assholes eventually."
"Would it do anything?" JungMin asked, tilting his head slightly to one side. "We don't really have proof of anything aside from the bruises, and fights happen all the time."
"I guess you have a point there," HyunJoong said before chuckling. "Swim meets are going to be interesting, I can tell you that."
JungMin shuddered. "I'm not getting anywhere near that pool while they're there." He held the ice against HyunJoong's chest. "How's your head? No headache yet?"
"Lucky for me that I'm varsity, so I don't swim with them," HyunJoong said, rolling his eyes before pausing to shrug. "A little, but I can't tell if it's from the punch or holding your power down."
"So...we can stay like this for a bit longer, right?" JungMin asked, scooting closer on the bed even as he focused on what he was doing.
HyunJoong nodded his head, lips curling upward. "As long as you want."
"You wouldn't be conscious if you kept it up as long as I wanted," JungMin smiled sheepishly, leaning a little against HyunJoong and resting his head on the other boy's shoulder.
HyunJoong snickered before turning his head and dropping a kiss to the top of JungMin's head lightly. "Another reason to get your control under wraps. More snuggling time," he joked.
"Mhm." JungMin wrapped his arms more securely around HyunJoong and pulled him down to lie on top of the comforter, burrowing his nose in the other boy's collar. "I'll take what I can get for now." He wasn't letting go until he had to.
Yelping lightly as he was pulled down onto the bed, HyunJoong grinned widely. He was still practically floating at the fact that he was dating JungMin...
Cracking one eye open at the older boy, JungMin smiled before closing his eyes and resting against HyunJoong, finding a position that was comfortable without pressing on either of their bruises. "Let's stay like this for a while."
Getting them both situated, HyunJoong nodded his head, closing his eyes and focusing more before relaxing. It wouldn't be much longer before he would have to let go of JungMin's power due to the mild headache, but just being with the redhead made it worth it.
"Let's."
He could sleep it off later.