Unlock - Chapter Nineteen
Title: Unlock
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 19/?
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuSaeng (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 is played by renichifreak and KyuJong is played by me. Updates will be every Wednesday <3
The sky had turned dark as night began to fall before footsteps approached through the field. Finding the pair fast asleep in a small clearing, KyuJong's father smiled in amusement as he took in the unconsciously protective traits of both young boys.
They needed to come in eventually though; his wife was starting to worry. "Come on kids, rise and shine," he chuckled, nudging both of their feet. KyuJong didn't even twitch, which when one considered the fact he usually woke up first made it perfectly clear what they had been out here for.
Hearing the voice and feeling the nudges pulled YoungSaeng from his slumber. Not wanting to get up, he made a quiet whine of protest before shifting closer to KyuJong, burying his face in the crook of his boyfriend's neck.
The reaction from his son's boyfriend grew a laugh from the older man before he tapped YoungSaeng's feet again. "Up you, Umma is wondering if you were both eaten by wild animals." He walked around to ruffle both their hair, KyuJong finally responding with a slight shift. "Or I can send EunAh out here, but she won't be as nice about waking you up."
Finally sitting up, YoungSaeng rubbed the sleep from his eyes before shrinking back a tiny bit. He knew that KyuJong's father was a good man, but his sheer size and the fact that his own experience with his father was contributing to it as well.
"Welcome back," the father smiled at YoungSaeng, before glancing at KyuJong in amusement when his son curled up slightly at the sudden removal of YoungSaeng's warmth but refused to wake up. "We'll need to get him up somehow," he chuckled. "So how do you like this place so far? It's a far cry from the city."
YoungSaeng nodded before turning toward KyuJong and running his fingers through his hair. "I-I like it a lot, Sir," he murmured quietly with a small smile.
KyuJong stirred sleepily at the gentle touch. "EunAh is already trying to plot out ways to kidnap you for the holidays," his father laughed. "I think the most elaborate consists of driving to your school dressed up as Santa and stuffing you in a large canvas bag."
"All she'd have to do is ask. I like it here far more than I do home," YoungSaeng replied, voice still quiet. He felt bad since this was KyuJong's father. "And I doubt I'd fit in a bag..."
"I don't doubt that, actually," the older man replied. "Speaking of which, I hope you don't mind rolling out of here, Umma has decided she is going to stuff you with as much food as she can," he laughed, not seeming to take any offense to YoungSaeng's lowered voice, or even really notice his shyness.
At that, YoungSaeng released a small laugh. "Her cooking is amazing, and I'm actually under orders to gain weight," he explained. Noticing that the man wasn't seeming to take offense, YoungSaeng relaxed slightly.
"Well, I may be a tad biased, but as far as gaining weight goes I think her food is the most enjoyable way to do so."
Noticing that KyuJong had woken up and was blinking at them both with hazed-over eyes, the older man grinned. "Dinner is actually minutes away from being ready, and I'm under my own orders to make sure you both head back in and clean up before she's finished."
YoungSaeng, noticing that KyuJong was awake, smiled at the boy and rested his head against his shoulder. "Sleep well?" he asked.
KyuJong nodded sleepily, resting his own head against his boyfriend's as he yawned. There was still exhaustion in his bones, but that was to be expected, and infinitely better than spending days drifting in and out of a feverish haze. "You?" he murmured.
"I'm good. I had a good pillow," YoungSaeng teased, releasing a light laugh at how cute his tired boyfriend was. "Is this what I'm like in the mornings?" he asked.
"Definitely a lot cuter. You're worse waking up though," KyuJong teased right back, nuzzling against the other boy. "You require a morning make-out."
"Hey, father right here," his father protested, and KyuJong laughed.
YoungSaeng's face went bright red, but didn't stop him from nuzzling him.
"Alright kids, time to head in," the older man announced, standing again. "Before the girls come out looking for all of us."
KyuJong smiled and slowly stood, unsteady at first but regaining his balance.
Getting to his feet, YoungSaeng swayed a bit, still slightly light headed from earlier, as well as the fact that he had just awoken. "What time is it, Sir?" YoungSaeng asked shyly.
"Just after seven," the man laughed. "You kids were out here for a while. Come on, let's get in before you catch colds."
KyuJong smiled, still waking up as he rubbed one eye tiredly and held on to YoungSaeng's hand with his own. Seeing his father turn and head back through the fields, he followed after a moment.
Nodding at the man, YoungSaeng took KyuJong's hand with both of his in an attempt to hide his nerves and followed the two.
"I don't wanna go back, Kyu yah. I like it here a lot," he murmured. It was random, but the peace was such a relief for him.
A warm smile formed on KyuJong's face. "You're always welcome here, you know," he murmured, squeezing YoungSaeng's hands gently. "We can come back whenever we get the chance." He blushed. "Maybe...you could stay here with us next summer...?"
They had already established YoungSaeng could stay here over the holidays, but the summer holiday was much longer, and KyuJong didn't think he could go that long so far away from his boyfriend.
YoungSaeng found himself smiling back, moving closer to his boyfriend. "I'd like that. I really like your family. It's nothing like it is at home here."
When YoungSaeng moved closer, KyuJong let go of his hand to wrap his arm around the younger boy's waist. He was still curious about YoungSaeng's family and home, but wasn't going to push to meet them until YoungSaeng felt he was ready.
"We're your family too," he murmured gently, kissing YoungSaeng's cheek. "But I'm glad you're getting along with everyone so well."
"Minus the fact that I nearly started bawling in front of your mother the second I really met her and being scared to death of your father, sure," YoungSaeng chuckled quietly, leaning into the embrace.
"That's normal though," KyuJong chuckled. "My mom is really understanding...and my father scares everyone the first few times. You'll get over that the first time he walks into the doorframe instead of ducking."
"I can hear you both, you know," his father called back at them.
YoungSaeng had to laugh at the false annoyance in the man's voice as he led the way home. Opening the door to let them in, he followed and waited for KyuJong before going any further.
KyuJong smiled when YoungSaeng waited for him, and they both walked further in after slipping off their shoes. The aroma of his mother's cooking lingered through the whole house as his father ushered them upstairs to clean up before dinner.
**************
Dinner was fun, his family as usual doing their best to help YoungSaeng feel at home. His mother had outdone herself yet again, obviously happy to have a guest over to try out new recipes on. KyuJong remained beside his boyfriend the entire time, their hands linked under the table.
When they finally returned to his room, KyuJong was getting tired again, which wasn't surprising considering the practice with their gifts earlier. Lingering in the doorway somewhat as YoungSaeng went inside, he debated taking a shower or just crashing and taking one tomorrow morning.
"Are you tired too? It's getting pretty late-"
"BOO!"
KyuJong yelped and disappeared on the spot, revealing a grinning EunAh in the doorway. "Hi!" She bounced in. "Sorry, that's the only way to get rid of him without him asking a million and one questions. He'll be back as soon as he figures out what century he's landed in."
YoungSaeng let out a yelp to match KyuJong's when he suddenly vanished and had to fight back the panic before EunAh explained.
"Um, why, exactly, did you want Kyu yah to go away in the first place?" he asked hesitantly.
"Cause I wanted to talk to you silly, and I can't do that with big brother hovering around." She went to the bed and sat down, leaving room for YoungSaeng and smiling at him. "I don't bite. He'll be back in five minutes or so."
With a slow nod, YoungSaeng sat down on the bed beside the girl, though his nervousness was clear. "What do you need to talk to me about?" he asked.
EunAh smiled at him, kicking her feet back and forth absently. "Well, you know, my friends and I have a habit of threatening people with death if they ever hurt someone we care about, but you seem nice enough so I'll forgo the death threats," she laughed quietly.
"But...you have to promise me not to hurt him. Jongie's too gullible, he gets hurt really easily." She smiled at YoungSaeng. "And he'll be so quiet about it people would never know he was hurt in the first place."
YoungSaeng nodded. "I can't promise that I'll never hurt him since I can't predict the future, but I promise to try my hardest not to," he replied quietly. "I love him too much to hurt him, though."
The young girl beamed at that. "As long as you try. He loves you too, it's totally obvious. Head over heels. I've never seen him act like this before."
She smiled wryly. "Maybe you're someone he might actually be able to trust one day."
YoungSaeng blushed at that. "I've never trusted anyone before KyuJong, personally. I hope that he can trust me someday."
"Take good care of him, oppa," EunAh smiled faintly.
No sooner had she said that than there was an 'oof!' from the doorway as KyuJong reappeared and fell over. Laughing, EunAh winked at YoungSaeng and got up to help her brother back to his feet.
YoungSaeng found himself jumping when KyuJong reappeared, still not used to the time jumping. He then smiled as he watched EunAh help the boy back to his feet. "So where did you end up this time?" he asked, curious.
"Erm...not that far off. The house was still here at least. Maybe ten years or so." KyuJong let go of EunAh once he was steady again, dizzy but not to the point of faceplanting again.
"...No arrows this time?" she pouted.
KyuJong mock-glared at her and messed up her hair. "Stop trying to get me killed! Shoo!" He ushered her out of the room, tickling her, and closed the door once she was out.
"Yes, let's avoid getting Kyu yah killed, please. I quite enjoy having him around," YoungSaeng stated before she was 'kicked out' of the room.
"She's gonna be the death of me," KyuJong groaned, falling down onto the bed next to YoungSaeng. "What did I miss? What time is it?"
"It's only been about five minutes," YoungSaeng replied, "and I think I got the protective sister talk."
KyuJong looked over at YoungSaeng in surprise. "Really?" He frowned slightly. "Are you all right?" He wasn't sure how YoungSaeng was talking to people alone, and his sister could be a little forceful. Scooting over slightly on the bed, he wrapped his arms securely around YoungSaeng's waist and his chin on the other boy's shoulder.
YoungSaeng leaned into the embrace with a content sigh. "I'm fine. I think she figured that I'd freak if she got too...animated, so she was nice," he explained.
"Animated's a good word for it," he murmured, playing with the edge of YoungSaeng's shirt. "I really think she likes you though...or she would have been mean whether you freaked or not," he chuckled. "Tired?" He himself felt ready to fall asleep again.
YoungSaeng's eyes fluttered closed as the feel of KyuJong's fingers against his skin as the elder played with his shirt. "Now that you mention it..."
Smiling, KyuJong kissed the corner of YoungSaeng's lips. "Let's sleep then...we've got a busy day tomorrow." If all went well, they'd have a few experiments to try out.
Turning a bit more, YoungSaeng returned the kiss before getting to his feet to change. "Why do I get the feeling that we'll have quite a few busy days?" he laughed lightly as he dug out an oversized shirt that he'd 'confiscated' from KyuJong and in a rare act of boldness, slipped off the shirt he'd been wearing and dressed in the larger one. His cheeks reddened further as he slipped out of the jeans, leaving him in boxers and the shirt before he returned to the bed, pulling the hair tie from his hair.
KyuJong's cheeks burned bright red as YoungSaeng proceeded to change right in front of him, the time traveler trying not to appear like he was staring and utterly failing. After a moment he stood to change as well, doing the same thing as YoungSaeng and changing into a tank top to sleep in and leaving his boxers on (and nearly tripping over his own jeans as he took them off, but he was fully blaming that on the sudden time jump courtesy of his sister).
Wondering if too much blushing could be a medical condition, he finally joined YoungSaeng in the bed and proceeded to bury his burning face in the other boy's shirt.
YoungSaeng's cheeks flared as KyuJong began to change as well. He'd never seen the man shirtless before, let alone in anything other than long pants and sleeves. The sight was more than amazing.
Once KyuJong joined him, burying his face in the shirt, YoungSaeng smiled softly, bringing an arm up to lightly run down his arm. "You look good like this..." he murmured, curling against his boyfriend.
Feeling his face heating up even more, if that was even possible, KyuJong wrapped his arms firmly around the other boy, and tried not to think about how nice it felt with their bare skin touching.
Or how YoungSaeng looked in one of his shirts. That was dangerous territory as well.
"You look even better," KyuJong murmured, tilting his head up slightly to kiss YoungSaeng's jaw, which happened to be closest.
At the kiss, YoungSaeng moved, needing more from the elder. Allowing his lips to brush lightly over KyuJong's, he continued running his hand over the well defined muscle in his arm. His other hand rested on KyuJong's shoulder.
Returning the kiss, KyuJong's hand trailed down to YoungSaeng's waist, finding bare skin where the shirt hiked up. It was almost automatic to deepen the kiss, nipping lightly at YoungSaeng's lower lip as he shifted slightly so that they were both more comfortable.
Moaning quietly at the gentle nips, YoungSaeng parted his lips for the other, pulling him that much closer to him as they settled against each other. The feel of the hand on his waist brought out yet another moan. KyuJong's hand felt so good against his skin.
Their tongues met, and KyuJong gave a soft noise in return, fingers lightly caressing the soft skin. Why was it they could literally do this all day, and he'd never ever grow tired of it? Because this was YoungSaeng, and YoungSaeng seemed to defy everything he'd previously thought about relationships.
Moving his hand a little more under YoungSaeng's shirt, he felt the warmth under his fingertips.
There was something about how at ease he felt with KyuJong that struck him. YoungSaeng could barely deal with a casual brush in the hallways with most people, yet here he was, allowing the boy so much liberty with his body, even craving more.
Finally KyuJong pulled back for air, breathing uneven. "At...this rate...we might never get to sleep," he laughed breathlessly, managing to pull his hand back before he could go too far. YoungSaeng was just too tempting.
Breathing matching KyuJong's, YoungSaeng almost found himself not caring if he ever slept again in favor of not stopping what they had been doing. The thought alone pulled the blush back onto his face as he slowly nodded his head. Lying down, he curled up against KyuJong and again began tracing odd patterns against KyuJong's skin.
Returning his arm to around his boyfriend and settling down to sleep, KyuJong smiled at the feather light touch. "That feels good," he murmured tiredly, the exhaustion finally catching up with him again. Kissing YoungSaeng lightly again, he rested his head down on the pillow next to the other boy's. "Night," he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Now you know how I feel whenever I'm around you," YoungSaeng murmured before his eyes slid closed, an 'I love you' murmured out before he fell asleep.
KyuJong just barely managed to mouth 'I love you too' before sleep claimed him as well, his arms unconsciously pulling YoungSaeng closer.
**********
They ended up back in the field the following afternoon, after spending the morning resting more and saving their energy for the experiments later. Running his fingers through the long grass, KyuJong looked back at YoungSaeng with a smile. "So what are we trying first?" He hoped that the success they'd had with their powers yesterday encouraged YoungSaeng to try more.
YoungSaeng smiled back and thought about what to do. It was a bit risky, but his power was harder to use when there were no spirits around. "Um, is there a cemetery around anywhere?" he asked. “Maybe there, we can test to see if your freezing time really affects everything..."
Blinking in surprise at the question, KyuJong nodded. "There's a small one not that far away." He wondered how YoungSaeng would deal with that...there were bound to be a lot of spirits, small cemetery or not. It wouldn't bother KyuJong in the slightest, but he wondered if YoungSaeng would be all right with it.
At the same time, YoungSaeng himself had suggested it, and he wanted his boyfriend to feel comfortable with his powers.
"Let's go?" He reached out and took YoungSaeng's hand, walking along through the field. "Maybe we could also ask what the spirits see while I'm jumping, if it doesn't affect them."
It was hard not to know what his boyfriend was thinking at the request. "I'll be okay, Kyu. If it looks like I'm getting carried away, snap me out of it, okay?"
One thing that YoungSaeng had never mentioned about his power was that on occasion, the want to join the very people he was seeing would appear and slowly grow. It was extremely disconcerting, feeling such things.
KyuJong nodded again and smiled in reassurance, squeezing YoungSaeng's hand. "I'll be right beside you the entire time."
The graveyard wasn't that far away. Skirting around the edge of the small town, it only took a few minutes to reach the collection of tombstones. KyuJong slowed when they were visible, glancing at YoungSaeng for cues on how the other boy was taking it all. "So far so good?"
As they approached the thankfully small cemetery, YoungSaeng's eyes slowly faded until they were a deep black. His grip tightening slightly on KyuJong's hand, he nodded before taking a deep breath and looked around. There were a few spirits around, and they thankfully let him be when they realized that he was able to see them.
KyuJong looked down at the first tombstone they reached, reading the name on it. There were even a few pets buried here, their graves marked by wooden poles rather than stone.
Glancing back at YoungSaeng, KyuJong smiled faintly when he saw the black of his boyfriend's eyes. It didn't bother him as much as it probably would have others. "How many are there?" he murmured, voice quiet and respectful.
"Right now? Twelve," YoungSaeng explained quietly, feeling a headache start up. Blinking, he smiled at the closest, a middle-aged woman who bowed lightly in return. "If you want to try jumping, you can," YoungSaeng replied.
Twelve? That was a lot more than he'd seen YoungSaeng deal with before.
Nodding slowly, KyuJong watched YoungSaeng's expression. "Do you want to come along?" he asked, calculating the minimum time he could jump for. He didn't want to leave YoungSaeng alone more than he had to for this to work.
Pausing to think, YoungSaeng shook his head. "I should be okay," he answered. "None of them are evil, so it'll be fine."
KyuJong smiled faintly, kissing YoungSaeng's cheek before he carefully separated their hands. "I think it'll be about a minute. Be right back."
It was actually the first time he'd have jumped on purpose in front of YoungSaeng. Every single other time had been accidental. Eyelids fluttering slightly, his gaze unfocused and a second later he disappeared on the spot.
Turning back toward the woman, she shook her head slowly. "I don't see anything, Sweetie. There was some kind of tear, but that was all," she explained.
"Okay, thank you," YoungSaeng replied with a smile. Before he had the chance to say anything else, a strong presence appeared out of nowhere. He was definitely angry if the sudden searing pain had anything to say about it.
After a minute, KyuJong popped back into existence, exhaling steadily as his gaze focused again. What he saw made his eyes widen in shock.
"Saeng!" He crouched down next to his boyfriend, gathering the unconscious boy into his arms and checking his pulse carefully. It was much faster than normal...just what had happened in the minute he had been gone? Wondering if he should get him away from the graveyard, he felt YoungSaeng's forehead, checking for fever or clamminess.
The hand on his forehead pulled YoungSaeng back to alertness. Groaning, he shifted and brought a hand to his head in an attempt to ward off the migraine. "God, that sucked," he murmured as he tried to move into more of a sitting position.
KyuJong sighed in relief as YoungSaeng opened his eyes, helping his boyfriend sit up. "What happened?" he asked quietly, gaze concerned. "I came back and you were out cold."
"Surprise visit from a spirit stronger and madder than the one in the cafeteria," YoungSaeng explained, trying to snap out of the daze he was in.
Wincing, KyuJong looked around automatically even though he knew he wouldn't be able to see anything. "Is he still around? Do you want to leave?" he asked, caressing YoungSaeng's cheek lightly with one hand as he returned his attention to the other boy.
"No, I'm okay now...I think," YoungSaeng replied, leaning into the caress. KyuJong did wonders for calming him down and helping him relax.
A faint smile appeared on KyuJong's lips and he kissed YoungSaeng's forehead lightly, brushing his hair back a little. "Did they see anything?" he asked after a minute's pause, curious.
"There was a tear, or something," YoungSaeng explained. "You vanished, though," he added. Feeling much of the pressure ease from the headache, YoungSaeng looked over to see the woman asking a few spirits to leave, lessening the strain.
"Even your spirits are nicer here than back home," he chuckled, lips curling into a smile.
"It's the Jeonju way," KyuJong said teasingly, relieved that YoungSaeng was coping all right. Though the sudden blackout had worried him. "A tear, huh...?" He pondered on that for a moment, comparing it to what he already knew about his gift, gaze unfocused as he looked across the graveyard.
"I don't know, really...that's just what she saw," YoungSaeng replied as he slowly got to his feet so as to avoid the dizziness that would come if he got up too fast. "What now?"
KyuJong stood as well, watching YoungSaeng in case something happened again. "You were saying something yesterday about avoiding being frozen in time if you active your gift first...do you really think that would work?" He was curious.
"I suppose we won't know until we try, right?" YoungSaeng pointed out. He really didn't know if it would work, but it wouldn't hurt to see. The worst that would happen was that he would be frozen as well.
KyuJong nodded. "And since your gift is already activated right now, guess all that's left to do is stop time..." He paused a moment, then reached out with his gift. The world around him stopped completely, all sound cut off. KyuJong's eyes focused again and he looked at YoungSaeng.
Slowly dropping the hand he'd been holding, YoungSaeng staggered back before catching himself against a tree. It was as if his body was falling under KyuJong's ability, but his power held it back.
Shaking his head slightly in an attempt to clear it, he carefully straightened again, meeting KyuJong's eyes.
"This might take some getting used to, Kyu-yah, but it works..."
Eyes widening in surprise, KyuJong watched YoungSaeng straighten. He hadn't thought it would work. How was it even working? Even if the spirits weren't affected by time stopping, YoungSaeng's body was human and materialistic, and should have frozen along with everything else.
"That's amazing," he murmured. "I wonder how it's working." He stepped forward and carefully took YoungSaeng's hands again, so that his boyfriend wouldn't have to use up so much energy staying unfrozen. At the same time, he was looking to maximize the amount of time he could keep his own gift active while holding on to someone else.
"I want to freeze...my body's trying to, but my ability won't let it," YoungSaeng replied slowly, blinking to clear away the sudden haze. He was grateful when KyuJong took his hands, though.
"It's straining...really straining..." he added, tightening the hold a bit.
"I don't doubt that for a moment," KyuJong chuckled, kissing YoungSaeng and carefully keeping time at a standstill even though his own energy was starting to drain at an alarming rate now that he was keeping YoungSaeng unfrozen as well.
His attention was brought upwards, and the time traveler couldn't help but smile when he saw the leaf that had fallen from the tree, frozen in midair a foot above YoungSaeng's head. "Look up, Saengie."
Tilting his head, YoungSaeng did as he was told and looked up, only to release an awe-filled gasp. Slowly, he reached up with his free hand and lightly touched the leaf, eyes bright.
"I know you're tired now, but have you ever tried freezing only one thing before?" he asked before turning back to his boyfriend. "It might be something to try later on."
Blinking at that, KyuJong thought about it. "Freezing one thing? Without affecting anything else? I've never tried before...” It was an interesting idea, and he wanted to give it a try, but a wave of dizziness hit and reminded him that he should probably stop now before he passed out again. "It would be interesting to try...or even speed up time or slow it down around specific objects." Could he cause something to rust within seconds if he tried?
Thinking about that, he let the world around them restart, and couldn't help but laugh when the leaf landed on YoungSaeng's head.
YoungSaeng pursed his lips as the leaf landed on his head. Reaching up, he took it off his head and held it in his hand before he blew it at KyuJong. "You're such a bully..." he jokingly pouted.
Still laughing, KyuJong waved the leaf away before it could hit him in the face. "But you love me anyways?" he chuckled, leaning over to kiss YoungSaeng's pout lightly, unable to resist.
YoungSaeng allowed the kiss, though pretended that he didn't like it while in actuality, even the light brush of lips sent his heart into his throat. "Lucky for you, I do."
"We should probably head back now...I think we've both experimented enough for one day," KyuJong said with a smile. Turning to start walking back, he promptly tripped over his own feet and fell over. "Oof!"
With a nod, YoungSaeng moved to follow KyuJong when the man fell, drawing out a loud peel of laughter. After a moment, he stepped closer and held his hand out. "Are you okay, Kyu yah?"
Wincing, KyuJong couldn't help but smile at the loud laughter, even if his head span. "Ah...yeah," he chuckled, slowly pushing himself up until he could take YoungSaeng's hand, allowing his boyfriend to help him back up. Falling was always preferred to passing out, especially when he was able to get back up after.
"I think I might be doing that a lot until we get back home." He put his head down on YoungSaeng's shoulder.
"Well why don't we just rest here for a bit longer then? We have time, right?" YoungSaeng asked as he shifted closer to KyuJong, yet still helped the elder retain his balance.
That actually sounded pretty good. "Are you alright to stay here for a bit?" KyuJong murmured, wrapping his arms loosely around YoungSaeng without lifting his head from the other boy's shoulder. "I'm fine to move if we do it slowly..."
YoungSaeng paused, remembering where they were. "Maybe moving a bit wouldn't be such a bad idea," he replied. "I don't think I'm recovered enough to deal with that spirit reappearing."
Nodding, KyuJong tilted his head up to kiss YoungSaeng's cheek lightly, finding the younger boy's hand. "Let's start walking then," he said, straightening with a smile before taking careful steps forward, somewhat lacking in balance.
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 19/?
Fandom: SS501
Pairings: KyuSaeng (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 is played by renichifreak and KyuJong is played by me. Updates will be every Wednesday <3
The sky had turned dark as night began to fall before footsteps approached through the field. Finding the pair fast asleep in a small clearing, KyuJong's father smiled in amusement as he took in the unconsciously protective traits of both young boys.
They needed to come in eventually though; his wife was starting to worry. "Come on kids, rise and shine," he chuckled, nudging both of their feet. KyuJong didn't even twitch, which when one considered the fact he usually woke up first made it perfectly clear what they had been out here for.
Hearing the voice and feeling the nudges pulled YoungSaeng from his slumber. Not wanting to get up, he made a quiet whine of protest before shifting closer to KyuJong, burying his face in the crook of his boyfriend's neck.
The reaction from his son's boyfriend grew a laugh from the older man before he tapped YoungSaeng's feet again. "Up you, Umma is wondering if you were both eaten by wild animals." He walked around to ruffle both their hair, KyuJong finally responding with a slight shift. "Or I can send EunAh out here, but she won't be as nice about waking you up."
Finally sitting up, YoungSaeng rubbed the sleep from his eyes before shrinking back a tiny bit. He knew that KyuJong's father was a good man, but his sheer size and the fact that his own experience with his father was contributing to it as well.
"Welcome back," the father smiled at YoungSaeng, before glancing at KyuJong in amusement when his son curled up slightly at the sudden removal of YoungSaeng's warmth but refused to wake up. "We'll need to get him up somehow," he chuckled. "So how do you like this place so far? It's a far cry from the city."
YoungSaeng nodded before turning toward KyuJong and running his fingers through his hair. "I-I like it a lot, Sir," he murmured quietly with a small smile.
KyuJong stirred sleepily at the gentle touch. "EunAh is already trying to plot out ways to kidnap you for the holidays," his father laughed. "I think the most elaborate consists of driving to your school dressed up as Santa and stuffing you in a large canvas bag."
"All she'd have to do is ask. I like it here far more than I do home," YoungSaeng replied, voice still quiet. He felt bad since this was KyuJong's father. "And I doubt I'd fit in a bag..."
"I don't doubt that, actually," the older man replied. "Speaking of which, I hope you don't mind rolling out of here, Umma has decided she is going to stuff you with as much food as she can," he laughed, not seeming to take any offense to YoungSaeng's lowered voice, or even really notice his shyness.
At that, YoungSaeng released a small laugh. "Her cooking is amazing, and I'm actually under orders to gain weight," he explained. Noticing that the man wasn't seeming to take offense, YoungSaeng relaxed slightly.
"Well, I may be a tad biased, but as far as gaining weight goes I think her food is the most enjoyable way to do so."
Noticing that KyuJong had woken up and was blinking at them both with hazed-over eyes, the older man grinned. "Dinner is actually minutes away from being ready, and I'm under my own orders to make sure you both head back in and clean up before she's finished."
YoungSaeng, noticing that KyuJong was awake, smiled at the boy and rested his head against his shoulder. "Sleep well?" he asked.
KyuJong nodded sleepily, resting his own head against his boyfriend's as he yawned. There was still exhaustion in his bones, but that was to be expected, and infinitely better than spending days drifting in and out of a feverish haze. "You?" he murmured.
"I'm good. I had a good pillow," YoungSaeng teased, releasing a light laugh at how cute his tired boyfriend was. "Is this what I'm like in the mornings?" he asked.
"Definitely a lot cuter. You're worse waking up though," KyuJong teased right back, nuzzling against the other boy. "You require a morning make-out."
"Hey, father right here," his father protested, and KyuJong laughed.
YoungSaeng's face went bright red, but didn't stop him from nuzzling him.
"Alright kids, time to head in," the older man announced, standing again. "Before the girls come out looking for all of us."
KyuJong smiled and slowly stood, unsteady at first but regaining his balance.
Getting to his feet, YoungSaeng swayed a bit, still slightly light headed from earlier, as well as the fact that he had just awoken. "What time is it, Sir?" YoungSaeng asked shyly.
"Just after seven," the man laughed. "You kids were out here for a while. Come on, let's get in before you catch colds."
KyuJong smiled, still waking up as he rubbed one eye tiredly and held on to YoungSaeng's hand with his own. Seeing his father turn and head back through the fields, he followed after a moment.
Nodding at the man, YoungSaeng took KyuJong's hand with both of his in an attempt to hide his nerves and followed the two.
"I don't wanna go back, Kyu yah. I like it here a lot," he murmured. It was random, but the peace was such a relief for him.
A warm smile formed on KyuJong's face. "You're always welcome here, you know," he murmured, squeezing YoungSaeng's hands gently. "We can come back whenever we get the chance." He blushed. "Maybe...you could stay here with us next summer...?"
They had already established YoungSaeng could stay here over the holidays, but the summer holiday was much longer, and KyuJong didn't think he could go that long so far away from his boyfriend.
YoungSaeng found himself smiling back, moving closer to his boyfriend. "I'd like that. I really like your family. It's nothing like it is at home here."
When YoungSaeng moved closer, KyuJong let go of his hand to wrap his arm around the younger boy's waist. He was still curious about YoungSaeng's family and home, but wasn't going to push to meet them until YoungSaeng felt he was ready.
"We're your family too," he murmured gently, kissing YoungSaeng's cheek. "But I'm glad you're getting along with everyone so well."
"Minus the fact that I nearly started bawling in front of your mother the second I really met her and being scared to death of your father, sure," YoungSaeng chuckled quietly, leaning into the embrace.
"That's normal though," KyuJong chuckled. "My mom is really understanding...and my father scares everyone the first few times. You'll get over that the first time he walks into the doorframe instead of ducking."
"I can hear you both, you know," his father called back at them.
YoungSaeng had to laugh at the false annoyance in the man's voice as he led the way home. Opening the door to let them in, he followed and waited for KyuJong before going any further.
KyuJong smiled when YoungSaeng waited for him, and they both walked further in after slipping off their shoes. The aroma of his mother's cooking lingered through the whole house as his father ushered them upstairs to clean up before dinner.
**************
Dinner was fun, his family as usual doing their best to help YoungSaeng feel at home. His mother had outdone herself yet again, obviously happy to have a guest over to try out new recipes on. KyuJong remained beside his boyfriend the entire time, their hands linked under the table.
When they finally returned to his room, KyuJong was getting tired again, which wasn't surprising considering the practice with their gifts earlier. Lingering in the doorway somewhat as YoungSaeng went inside, he debated taking a shower or just crashing and taking one tomorrow morning.
"Are you tired too? It's getting pretty late-"
"BOO!"
KyuJong yelped and disappeared on the spot, revealing a grinning EunAh in the doorway. "Hi!" She bounced in. "Sorry, that's the only way to get rid of him without him asking a million and one questions. He'll be back as soon as he figures out what century he's landed in."
YoungSaeng let out a yelp to match KyuJong's when he suddenly vanished and had to fight back the panic before EunAh explained.
"Um, why, exactly, did you want Kyu yah to go away in the first place?" he asked hesitantly.
"Cause I wanted to talk to you silly, and I can't do that with big brother hovering around." She went to the bed and sat down, leaving room for YoungSaeng and smiling at him. "I don't bite. He'll be back in five minutes or so."
With a slow nod, YoungSaeng sat down on the bed beside the girl, though his nervousness was clear. "What do you need to talk to me about?" he asked.
EunAh smiled at him, kicking her feet back and forth absently. "Well, you know, my friends and I have a habit of threatening people with death if they ever hurt someone we care about, but you seem nice enough so I'll forgo the death threats," she laughed quietly.
"But...you have to promise me not to hurt him. Jongie's too gullible, he gets hurt really easily." She smiled at YoungSaeng. "And he'll be so quiet about it people would never know he was hurt in the first place."
YoungSaeng nodded. "I can't promise that I'll never hurt him since I can't predict the future, but I promise to try my hardest not to," he replied quietly. "I love him too much to hurt him, though."
The young girl beamed at that. "As long as you try. He loves you too, it's totally obvious. Head over heels. I've never seen him act like this before."
She smiled wryly. "Maybe you're someone he might actually be able to trust one day."
YoungSaeng blushed at that. "I've never trusted anyone before KyuJong, personally. I hope that he can trust me someday."
"Take good care of him, oppa," EunAh smiled faintly.
No sooner had she said that than there was an 'oof!' from the doorway as KyuJong reappeared and fell over. Laughing, EunAh winked at YoungSaeng and got up to help her brother back to his feet.
YoungSaeng found himself jumping when KyuJong reappeared, still not used to the time jumping. He then smiled as he watched EunAh help the boy back to his feet. "So where did you end up this time?" he asked, curious.
"Erm...not that far off. The house was still here at least. Maybe ten years or so." KyuJong let go of EunAh once he was steady again, dizzy but not to the point of faceplanting again.
"...No arrows this time?" she pouted.
KyuJong mock-glared at her and messed up her hair. "Stop trying to get me killed! Shoo!" He ushered her out of the room, tickling her, and closed the door once she was out.
"Yes, let's avoid getting Kyu yah killed, please. I quite enjoy having him around," YoungSaeng stated before she was 'kicked out' of the room.
"She's gonna be the death of me," KyuJong groaned, falling down onto the bed next to YoungSaeng. "What did I miss? What time is it?"
"It's only been about five minutes," YoungSaeng replied, "and I think I got the protective sister talk."
KyuJong looked over at YoungSaeng in surprise. "Really?" He frowned slightly. "Are you all right?" He wasn't sure how YoungSaeng was talking to people alone, and his sister could be a little forceful. Scooting over slightly on the bed, he wrapped his arms securely around YoungSaeng's waist and his chin on the other boy's shoulder.
YoungSaeng leaned into the embrace with a content sigh. "I'm fine. I think she figured that I'd freak if she got too...animated, so she was nice," he explained.
"Animated's a good word for it," he murmured, playing with the edge of YoungSaeng's shirt. "I really think she likes you though...or she would have been mean whether you freaked or not," he chuckled. "Tired?" He himself felt ready to fall asleep again.
YoungSaeng's eyes fluttered closed as the feel of KyuJong's fingers against his skin as the elder played with his shirt. "Now that you mention it..."
Smiling, KyuJong kissed the corner of YoungSaeng's lips. "Let's sleep then...we've got a busy day tomorrow." If all went well, they'd have a few experiments to try out.
Turning a bit more, YoungSaeng returned the kiss before getting to his feet to change. "Why do I get the feeling that we'll have quite a few busy days?" he laughed lightly as he dug out an oversized shirt that he'd 'confiscated' from KyuJong and in a rare act of boldness, slipped off the shirt he'd been wearing and dressed in the larger one. His cheeks reddened further as he slipped out of the jeans, leaving him in boxers and the shirt before he returned to the bed, pulling the hair tie from his hair.
KyuJong's cheeks burned bright red as YoungSaeng proceeded to change right in front of him, the time traveler trying not to appear like he was staring and utterly failing. After a moment he stood to change as well, doing the same thing as YoungSaeng and changing into a tank top to sleep in and leaving his boxers on (and nearly tripping over his own jeans as he took them off, but he was fully blaming that on the sudden time jump courtesy of his sister).
Wondering if too much blushing could be a medical condition, he finally joined YoungSaeng in the bed and proceeded to bury his burning face in the other boy's shirt.
YoungSaeng's cheeks flared as KyuJong began to change as well. He'd never seen the man shirtless before, let alone in anything other than long pants and sleeves. The sight was more than amazing.
Once KyuJong joined him, burying his face in the shirt, YoungSaeng smiled softly, bringing an arm up to lightly run down his arm. "You look good like this..." he murmured, curling against his boyfriend.
Feeling his face heating up even more, if that was even possible, KyuJong wrapped his arms firmly around the other boy, and tried not to think about how nice it felt with their bare skin touching.
Or how YoungSaeng looked in one of his shirts. That was dangerous territory as well.
"You look even better," KyuJong murmured, tilting his head up slightly to kiss YoungSaeng's jaw, which happened to be closest.
At the kiss, YoungSaeng moved, needing more from the elder. Allowing his lips to brush lightly over KyuJong's, he continued running his hand over the well defined muscle in his arm. His other hand rested on KyuJong's shoulder.
Returning the kiss, KyuJong's hand trailed down to YoungSaeng's waist, finding bare skin where the shirt hiked up. It was almost automatic to deepen the kiss, nipping lightly at YoungSaeng's lower lip as he shifted slightly so that they were both more comfortable.
Moaning quietly at the gentle nips, YoungSaeng parted his lips for the other, pulling him that much closer to him as they settled against each other. The feel of the hand on his waist brought out yet another moan. KyuJong's hand felt so good against his skin.
Their tongues met, and KyuJong gave a soft noise in return, fingers lightly caressing the soft skin. Why was it they could literally do this all day, and he'd never ever grow tired of it? Because this was YoungSaeng, and YoungSaeng seemed to defy everything he'd previously thought about relationships.
Moving his hand a little more under YoungSaeng's shirt, he felt the warmth under his fingertips.
There was something about how at ease he felt with KyuJong that struck him. YoungSaeng could barely deal with a casual brush in the hallways with most people, yet here he was, allowing the boy so much liberty with his body, even craving more.
Finally KyuJong pulled back for air, breathing uneven. "At...this rate...we might never get to sleep," he laughed breathlessly, managing to pull his hand back before he could go too far. YoungSaeng was just too tempting.
Breathing matching KyuJong's, YoungSaeng almost found himself not caring if he ever slept again in favor of not stopping what they had been doing. The thought alone pulled the blush back onto his face as he slowly nodded his head. Lying down, he curled up against KyuJong and again began tracing odd patterns against KyuJong's skin.
Returning his arm to around his boyfriend and settling down to sleep, KyuJong smiled at the feather light touch. "That feels good," he murmured tiredly, the exhaustion finally catching up with him again. Kissing YoungSaeng lightly again, he rested his head down on the pillow next to the other boy's. "Night," he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Now you know how I feel whenever I'm around you," YoungSaeng murmured before his eyes slid closed, an 'I love you' murmured out before he fell asleep.
KyuJong just barely managed to mouth 'I love you too' before sleep claimed him as well, his arms unconsciously pulling YoungSaeng closer.
**********
They ended up back in the field the following afternoon, after spending the morning resting more and saving their energy for the experiments later. Running his fingers through the long grass, KyuJong looked back at YoungSaeng with a smile. "So what are we trying first?" He hoped that the success they'd had with their powers yesterday encouraged YoungSaeng to try more.
YoungSaeng smiled back and thought about what to do. It was a bit risky, but his power was harder to use when there were no spirits around. "Um, is there a cemetery around anywhere?" he asked. “Maybe there, we can test to see if your freezing time really affects everything..."
Blinking in surprise at the question, KyuJong nodded. "There's a small one not that far away." He wondered how YoungSaeng would deal with that...there were bound to be a lot of spirits, small cemetery or not. It wouldn't bother KyuJong in the slightest, but he wondered if YoungSaeng would be all right with it.
At the same time, YoungSaeng himself had suggested it, and he wanted his boyfriend to feel comfortable with his powers.
"Let's go?" He reached out and took YoungSaeng's hand, walking along through the field. "Maybe we could also ask what the spirits see while I'm jumping, if it doesn't affect them."
It was hard not to know what his boyfriend was thinking at the request. "I'll be okay, Kyu. If it looks like I'm getting carried away, snap me out of it, okay?"
One thing that YoungSaeng had never mentioned about his power was that on occasion, the want to join the very people he was seeing would appear and slowly grow. It was extremely disconcerting, feeling such things.
KyuJong nodded again and smiled in reassurance, squeezing YoungSaeng's hand. "I'll be right beside you the entire time."
The graveyard wasn't that far away. Skirting around the edge of the small town, it only took a few minutes to reach the collection of tombstones. KyuJong slowed when they were visible, glancing at YoungSaeng for cues on how the other boy was taking it all. "So far so good?"
As they approached the thankfully small cemetery, YoungSaeng's eyes slowly faded until they were a deep black. His grip tightening slightly on KyuJong's hand, he nodded before taking a deep breath and looked around. There were a few spirits around, and they thankfully let him be when they realized that he was able to see them.
KyuJong looked down at the first tombstone they reached, reading the name on it. There were even a few pets buried here, their graves marked by wooden poles rather than stone.
Glancing back at YoungSaeng, KyuJong smiled faintly when he saw the black of his boyfriend's eyes. It didn't bother him as much as it probably would have others. "How many are there?" he murmured, voice quiet and respectful.
"Right now? Twelve," YoungSaeng explained quietly, feeling a headache start up. Blinking, he smiled at the closest, a middle-aged woman who bowed lightly in return. "If you want to try jumping, you can," YoungSaeng replied.
Twelve? That was a lot more than he'd seen YoungSaeng deal with before.
Nodding slowly, KyuJong watched YoungSaeng's expression. "Do you want to come along?" he asked, calculating the minimum time he could jump for. He didn't want to leave YoungSaeng alone more than he had to for this to work.
Pausing to think, YoungSaeng shook his head. "I should be okay," he answered. "None of them are evil, so it'll be fine."
KyuJong smiled faintly, kissing YoungSaeng's cheek before he carefully separated their hands. "I think it'll be about a minute. Be right back."
It was actually the first time he'd have jumped on purpose in front of YoungSaeng. Every single other time had been accidental. Eyelids fluttering slightly, his gaze unfocused and a second later he disappeared on the spot.
Turning back toward the woman, she shook her head slowly. "I don't see anything, Sweetie. There was some kind of tear, but that was all," she explained.
"Okay, thank you," YoungSaeng replied with a smile. Before he had the chance to say anything else, a strong presence appeared out of nowhere. He was definitely angry if the sudden searing pain had anything to say about it.
After a minute, KyuJong popped back into existence, exhaling steadily as his gaze focused again. What he saw made his eyes widen in shock.
"Saeng!" He crouched down next to his boyfriend, gathering the unconscious boy into his arms and checking his pulse carefully. It was much faster than normal...just what had happened in the minute he had been gone? Wondering if he should get him away from the graveyard, he felt YoungSaeng's forehead, checking for fever or clamminess.
The hand on his forehead pulled YoungSaeng back to alertness. Groaning, he shifted and brought a hand to his head in an attempt to ward off the migraine. "God, that sucked," he murmured as he tried to move into more of a sitting position.
KyuJong sighed in relief as YoungSaeng opened his eyes, helping his boyfriend sit up. "What happened?" he asked quietly, gaze concerned. "I came back and you were out cold."
"Surprise visit from a spirit stronger and madder than the one in the cafeteria," YoungSaeng explained, trying to snap out of the daze he was in.
Wincing, KyuJong looked around automatically even though he knew he wouldn't be able to see anything. "Is he still around? Do you want to leave?" he asked, caressing YoungSaeng's cheek lightly with one hand as he returned his attention to the other boy.
"No, I'm okay now...I think," YoungSaeng replied, leaning into the caress. KyuJong did wonders for calming him down and helping him relax.
A faint smile appeared on KyuJong's lips and he kissed YoungSaeng's forehead lightly, brushing his hair back a little. "Did they see anything?" he asked after a minute's pause, curious.
"There was a tear, or something," YoungSaeng explained. "You vanished, though," he added. Feeling much of the pressure ease from the headache, YoungSaeng looked over to see the woman asking a few spirits to leave, lessening the strain.
"Even your spirits are nicer here than back home," he chuckled, lips curling into a smile.
"It's the Jeonju way," KyuJong said teasingly, relieved that YoungSaeng was coping all right. Though the sudden blackout had worried him. "A tear, huh...?" He pondered on that for a moment, comparing it to what he already knew about his gift, gaze unfocused as he looked across the graveyard.
"I don't know, really...that's just what she saw," YoungSaeng replied as he slowly got to his feet so as to avoid the dizziness that would come if he got up too fast. "What now?"
KyuJong stood as well, watching YoungSaeng in case something happened again. "You were saying something yesterday about avoiding being frozen in time if you active your gift first...do you really think that would work?" He was curious.
"I suppose we won't know until we try, right?" YoungSaeng pointed out. He really didn't know if it would work, but it wouldn't hurt to see. The worst that would happen was that he would be frozen as well.
KyuJong nodded. "And since your gift is already activated right now, guess all that's left to do is stop time..." He paused a moment, then reached out with his gift. The world around him stopped completely, all sound cut off. KyuJong's eyes focused again and he looked at YoungSaeng.
Slowly dropping the hand he'd been holding, YoungSaeng staggered back before catching himself against a tree. It was as if his body was falling under KyuJong's ability, but his power held it back.
Shaking his head slightly in an attempt to clear it, he carefully straightened again, meeting KyuJong's eyes.
"This might take some getting used to, Kyu-yah, but it works..."
Eyes widening in surprise, KyuJong watched YoungSaeng straighten. He hadn't thought it would work. How was it even working? Even if the spirits weren't affected by time stopping, YoungSaeng's body was human and materialistic, and should have frozen along with everything else.
"That's amazing," he murmured. "I wonder how it's working." He stepped forward and carefully took YoungSaeng's hands again, so that his boyfriend wouldn't have to use up so much energy staying unfrozen. At the same time, he was looking to maximize the amount of time he could keep his own gift active while holding on to someone else.
"I want to freeze...my body's trying to, but my ability won't let it," YoungSaeng replied slowly, blinking to clear away the sudden haze. He was grateful when KyuJong took his hands, though.
"It's straining...really straining..." he added, tightening the hold a bit.
"I don't doubt that for a moment," KyuJong chuckled, kissing YoungSaeng and carefully keeping time at a standstill even though his own energy was starting to drain at an alarming rate now that he was keeping YoungSaeng unfrozen as well.
His attention was brought upwards, and the time traveler couldn't help but smile when he saw the leaf that had fallen from the tree, frozen in midair a foot above YoungSaeng's head. "Look up, Saengie."
Tilting his head, YoungSaeng did as he was told and looked up, only to release an awe-filled gasp. Slowly, he reached up with his free hand and lightly touched the leaf, eyes bright.
"I know you're tired now, but have you ever tried freezing only one thing before?" he asked before turning back to his boyfriend. "It might be something to try later on."
Blinking at that, KyuJong thought about it. "Freezing one thing? Without affecting anything else? I've never tried before...” It was an interesting idea, and he wanted to give it a try, but a wave of dizziness hit and reminded him that he should probably stop now before he passed out again. "It would be interesting to try...or even speed up time or slow it down around specific objects." Could he cause something to rust within seconds if he tried?
Thinking about that, he let the world around them restart, and couldn't help but laugh when the leaf landed on YoungSaeng's head.
YoungSaeng pursed his lips as the leaf landed on his head. Reaching up, he took it off his head and held it in his hand before he blew it at KyuJong. "You're such a bully..." he jokingly pouted.
Still laughing, KyuJong waved the leaf away before it could hit him in the face. "But you love me anyways?" he chuckled, leaning over to kiss YoungSaeng's pout lightly, unable to resist.
YoungSaeng allowed the kiss, though pretended that he didn't like it while in actuality, even the light brush of lips sent his heart into his throat. "Lucky for you, I do."
"We should probably head back now...I think we've both experimented enough for one day," KyuJong said with a smile. Turning to start walking back, he promptly tripped over his own feet and fell over. "Oof!"
With a nod, YoungSaeng moved to follow KyuJong when the man fell, drawing out a loud peel of laughter. After a moment, he stepped closer and held his hand out. "Are you okay, Kyu yah?"
Wincing, KyuJong couldn't help but smile at the loud laughter, even if his head span. "Ah...yeah," he chuckled, slowly pushing himself up until he could take YoungSaeng's hand, allowing his boyfriend to help him back up. Falling was always preferred to passing out, especially when he was able to get back up after.
"I think I might be doing that a lot until we get back home." He put his head down on YoungSaeng's shoulder.
"Well why don't we just rest here for a bit longer then? We have time, right?" YoungSaeng asked as he shifted closer to KyuJong, yet still helped the elder retain his balance.
That actually sounded pretty good. "Are you alright to stay here for a bit?" KyuJong murmured, wrapping his arms loosely around YoungSaeng without lifting his head from the other boy's shoulder. "I'm fine to move if we do it slowly..."
YoungSaeng paused, remembering where they were. "Maybe moving a bit wouldn't be such a bad idea," he replied. "I don't think I'm recovered enough to deal with that spirit reappearing."
Nodding, KyuJong tilted his head up to kiss YoungSaeng's cheek lightly, finding the younger boy's hand. "Let's start walking then," he said, straightening with a smile before taking careful steps forward, somewhat lacking in balance.