Follow Me Magician 3/3

[ztarplay]

Follow Me Magician
Pairing: Yoochun/Junsu
Rating: R, NC-17
Genre: Comedy, SciFi-ish, maybe Supernatural [If you squint!]
Warning: Copious amounts of sarcasm in 1st POV, unnecessary cursing, pretty much a stream of consciousness
Summary: Yoochun is forced into a school he wanted no part of. He wasn’t an illusionist or magician, whatever the hell the freaks in the school like to call themselves. Why would he intentionally label himself a freak? But Yoochun has a secret and now he won’t be able to hide it for much longer since it was the reason he landed in this place to begin with.
1, 2(M), 3(M)

A/N: Because illusionists are damn awesome and tachikoma29 stole my YooSu cookies when I wasn't looking. Here's your ransom darlin. And also a shout out to missvue09 for suggesting I enter the yoosu_yongwonhi contest. I'm sorry I didn't. But here's what came of the idea.

Disclaimer:  All this sciency talk about ghosts and such is a product of my imagination.  Don't take it seriously.



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/The plan is simple. Ask Junsu. And if that backfires then asking Professor Rain might be my next choice. “Are you sure we shouldn’t just ask the Professor first? I mean, he did say if I ever needed anything to just...” I started.

“No” Jongsuk said. “We have to put Junsu on the spot right away before he has a chance to figure out that we know something is up.”

“That is IF he does have something to do with this” I clarified as we walked toward the classroom.

We were close to the door when we heard two voices already in the room. “What is your fascination with this Yoochun kid? He’s nothing special” Changmin complained.

I heard Junsu laugh before he responded. “He’s interesting” he said. “And attractive.”

“Yes, we have established that everyone finds him amusing. And you and Yunho are sluts. But seriously? So now you are his best friend all of sudden?” Changmin continued.

“He’s honest Minnie. Like, truly honest-to-goodness honest. He doesn’t play games with people. He’s just himself. Do you realize how rare that is around here? He really doesn’t care about the fame or prestige of this place. He just is. He’s... nice” Junsu revealed.

“Nice? You’re drooling over this kid because he is nice?”

“Yeah. Is that so bad?”

Changmin scoffed and slammed his books. For someone so young he can definitely be scary. But Junsu’s comments already have me smiling like an idiot and wanting to prance in there like one. Realizing my new mood, Jongsuk rolled his eyes. “You’re hopeless” he said. I stuck out my tongue at him. I know, mature right? Give me a break, I’m barely seventeen.

“He’s not what you think he is” Changmin suddenly warned before picking up his things and making his way to the door. Oh crap! He’s on his way here.

“Umph!” I heard myself grunt as he slammed me to the floor with his careless six foot frame, not even bothering to ask if I was okay before he turned away and left.

“Yoochun-ah? Are you alright?” Junsu squealed. “Sorry, he’s bit cranky today. I guess sleeping on the floor makes him that way” he joked trying to lighten the mood. “What brings you here? I thought you didn’t have classes today.”

“I don’t. But I have to ask you something.” Fuck, he looks delicious in those tight black skinny jeans. Him in anything tightly form fitting should be illegal. I can’t believe just hours ago this kid and I did very naughty things. And he’s here standing like nothing happened. Or maybe I’m over thinking things again. That’s probably it. I have never had a boyfriend before. Wait, just because we slept together it doesn’t mean we are together.

“So ask him!” Jongsuk growled.

“I will” I told him.

“Will what?” Junsu asked.

“Ask you.”

“Ask me what?”

“If you are a horny backstabbing weasel!”

I almost chocked. “Shut up!” I said.

Junsu looked at me stunned but then unpredictably relaxed. “Who are you talking to? Is HE here?” he asked with a smirk, visibly reclining against a desk when we walked in. This kid catches on quick. I tried to nod but Jongsuk is giving me this look I just can’t ignore.

“Just ask him.”

“Fine. Junsu, have you told anyone?” I tried. To my surprise, he didn’t answer me right away. But he is still smiling so I guess that is a, yes. In which case, I will never hear the end of it from Jongsuk.

“Why would I do that?” he asked in return.

Honestly, I have no fucking idea. I think if anyone came to me claiming they see ghosts or knew someone that did two years ago, I would tell them to get their head checked and cut all ties. Saying anything would only make me sound like a crazy person too. Maybe it is a little sketchy that instead he decided to become my sex buddy. I mean, total bestie. “Did you or didn’t you?” I finally asked.

He pouted. He fucking pouted. Magic gods almighty! I just want to suck those lips and lick his flavored gloss off of them. “No. I just found out yesterday. Even if I wanted to tell anyone, who would I have told? Your penis? Because up until this morning it was the only thing near my mouth.”

Jongsuk nearly choked on his own spit. “Wow, he really is as slutty as he looks.”

I was about to say something along the lines of shut the fuck up when all of a sudden, it dawned on me. Why is Jongsuk still here? Didn’t he say that when I’m around Junsu something pulls him away? What has changed?

“What is going on?” Junsu asked.

Before I could stop myself the words just fell off my tongue. “I need help. Jongsuk thinks you might have something to do with my stupid headaches and him disappearing but honestly, I think he is wrong and we are running out of time before I completely lose my mind.”

“What the hell?! What is the matter with you?!” Jongsuk screamed.

Junsu is giving me a look that I’m not sure how to interpret. Is he insulted? Confused? Why is he pouting but looking like he is thinking about something very seriously? Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe he does have something to do with this and I have just fed my ass to a shark.

“So you need my help?” He asked kind of cheerfully. I nodded. “Can I ask a question first? Like, any question. No matter how stupid it is, you have to answer it.”

“Now he is giving conditions?! What a selfish bastard” Jongsuk whined. Honestly, I wish I could slap him.

“Yeah, okay” I said to Junsu.

“Do ghosts sleep?” he asked.

“What?”

“What?”

“Does Jongsuk sleep?” he asked again, completely oblivious to my confusion.

“I don’t know. I never asked.”

“So you never questioned what he did when he’s not around you?” Junsu continued.  I think might actually look more confused than I do at the moment.

“No. I guess not.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know” I responded shamefully.

For the first time since this whole ordeal started I am feeling not only guilt but I am also feeling the most awful sense of dread, an ugly feeling of regret that begins to choke my throat. I have been an awful friend to the only being that could understand stand me. Jongsuk has never really meant any harm. Have I really been so bitter about this whole seeing-ghosts-thing that I have neglected to give him the attention he deserves? Like acknowledging his very existence as an omnipresent form in my life? Yeah. I guess, I have.

“I don’t” I heard him say next to me. “I read.” I turned to him and noticed he isn’t looking at either me or Junsu. Instead, he is looking out the window as if it just dawned on him that he isn’t like the rest of us. From his profile the slight twitch of his lip and brow made it obvious that he wasn’t pleased with the question.

“So? What did he say?” Junsu asked.

“He... he doesn’t. He reads” I said with difficulty.

Junsu took in the information with ease. “Mhm. So suddenly disappearing must be quite a shock to him then-” he said sympathetically. “-scary even.”

Both Jongsuk and I could not help but observe him carefully. On the surface, the question seemed silly. Sporadic. But in that moment we realized it might not have been that way. Almost as if sensing our shock Junsu smiled, resting his chin on his palm and shaking his head from his position on his desk. “You asked for help. I’m only trying to understand the details of the situation. Jongsuk’s distress might be just as crucial to solving this puzzle as yours” he said calmly. When we both failed to acknowledge any understanding he stood up and wrapped his arm over my shoulders. Without losing his smile he said, “I’m not too familiar with the mechanics of ghosts but I know someone that can help.”

“You do?” I felt myself ask.

“Yeah. Why are you so surprised with everything I say?” he whined cutely. “What part of GENIUS don’t you understand, Chunnie?”

~*@*~

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Jongsuk asked while we waited in my room.

Junsu still has class and I am a bum who rather flunk out than attempt to assimilate. So yeah, here I am talking to the only being that will give me the time of day and expect nothing in return. Well, almost nothing.

“We have no other choice. Weren’t you always insisting that I needed friends? Well, there you go” I said.

“I swear, only you would take my advice and make it seem like a bad thing.”

“Yo, this was your idea in the first place.”

“Yeah but now he wants to bring someone else into the equation. Can we trust him not to make you sound insane?” he mocked. I could tell he was worried though. Someday I’ll have to repay him for his worries. I might be paranoid but I don’t like people enough care what they think. It’s not what they think that worries me. It’s what they do. Anyway, that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is I owe this guy a whole lot more than the price of his companionship. Pranks aside, he is my voice of reason so to speak.

“I’m sorry, Jongsuk-ah” I said apologetically, not being able to hold the guilt in.

“Mhm? For what?” he asked amused.

“I haven’t been a very good friend to you.”

He laughed. Here I am trying to be sentimental and the bastard laughs. “How much of a friend could someone possible be with a ghost” he said, voice growing dim. I could tell he was being serious so I said nothing and let him continue. "From the looks of it, I won’t be here forever anyway.”

He is afraid. Of course, he is confused just like the rest of us. But he is mostly afraid. I wonder how long he has felt this way. "Can I ask you something?”

“You just did” he mocked.

“Shut up bastard. I’m trying to be serious.”

“Shoot.”

“You really don’t remember who you are? What... happened to you?” He shook his head, affirming for only the second time what we both knew. “But you remember your name. Is there anything else you remember?”

At the moment he is looking at me as if I have a third eye on my forehead. Damn, I really have been an ignorant fool.  "Come on, I really do want to know" I assured.

“Do you promise not to get mad at me?” he asked suddenly insecure. I nodded and let him dwell in his thoughts until he was ready. “I have been here before. This school, I mean. I remember being a student here.”

“Is that why you made me come here?” I asked. I tried to remain impartial, nonjudgmental in my tone. But I don’t think it worked because he’s looking at me like I’m some kind of king about to behead a joker.

“Yoochun, I need you. I can’t solve this on my own. Something has been pulling me here for a long time but being a ghost, there’s only so much I can do. I need your help” he began to plead.

“So you set me up. That’s why you created that whole fiasco at graduation. You weren’t just mad because I was ignoring you. You wanted people to think I was a freak that made things like that happen. If I wasn’t graduating, they would have expelled me for sure asshole” I said with a hint of humor.

He laughed before assuming a serious stance again, or so it seemed. “You have to admit, the valedictorian suddenly showing off her underwear and flying down the ramp on local broadcast news was pretty funny” he remembered. “She had a crush on you, you know.”

“Bwoah! No way!” I said flabbergasted.

“Yes, way. Too bad she thinks you hate her now” he mocked.

“Dude, she was hot! And the only girl that let me copy her homework!”

“So what?! You’re gay.”

“So?! Now I will never get to experiment with the opposite sex. What if I was curious? Aish!” I pouted.

A knock on the door interrupted our silly bickering though. I looked at Jongsuk who appears just as confused as I do. Junsu was not due to come for another hour. I shrugged and moved to open it. The next thing I know I feel a pull around my neck and a moist rag against my mouth. The room became blurry and I lost all control of my own body.

~*@*~

My head hurts. It feels so heavy. Why is it so cold? Okay, I really should stop with all the whining. I may be becoming a paranoid hypochondriac. I’m not though. Really. Alright, I am a slight germaphobe but it is nothing serious. UGH! I’m getting sidetracked. Where the fuck am I?

Around me are all kinds of framed pictures on barren brick walls. That’s strange. Most of the walls in the school are layered with stone. Why is it so damn cold?!

“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Oh fuck. Changmin.

I finally managed to sit up after I realized I had been dumped on the floor. What an ass! He can’t even put me on some couch or something. “I would get comfortable if I were you. I haven’t worked out all the side-effects yet” he warned as he saw me standing.

“Side effects? Changmin, what the hell is going on here?” I screamed. “And where are we? Some sort of medieval library?!”

“My lair” he replied simply, finally turning toward me. As he walked closer, whatever he was so diligently working on came into full view. It’s some sort of odd mechanical contraption. I wonder what it does.

“Yoochun!” Jongsuk’s voice called. But he was nowhere in insight. “Yoochun! Don’t let him! Don’t let him! I can’t... Oh gods, what is that?” he voice remained panicked.

A high buzz suddenly reached my ears and that familiar pain seared through. This time my head doesn’t feel numb it feels like it’s going to burst. Fucking magic shits! My ears are burning. My eyes sting and the back of my head feels like it was I hit with wrench.

Voices were suddenly beginning to echo in my head. They are familiar but not. I can’t put my finger on it.

--“One more adjustment and we’ll finally be done”--

--“After five years, this is really happening. Are you sure we have the formula right though? The professor said that...”--

--“Fuck Min, will you just relax. It’s fine. I checked it over. It’s going to work.”--

What’s going on? Who is that? Oh fuck, my head.  I tried to relieve the pressure but my knees gave out, my body to weak to prostest the fall.

--“Run Min, RUN!”--

--“Hyung, what about you?”--

--“Just go you brat!”--

“Jong...AH!” I wailed. The pain was unbelievable.

“Yoochun. That machine, shut it off. It hurts” I heard Jongsuk plea. I tried to get up. But damn, it just hurt so much. I can barely see through my tears.

“Yoochun-ah” he kept crying.

“CHANGMIN STOP! YOU’RE HURTING HIM!” Yunho? Is that Yunho?

“Based on my calculations he only has to endure it for nine minutes” Changmin insisted.

“Look at him! You’re hurting him!” Another voice said desperately. I think it is Jaejoong. Kind and gentle Jaejoong.

Is this what death is like? No. Death is easy. This is excruciating. “Just... make it stop...p-please” I tried to beg through the pain.

And then, just like it had begun, the mad throb of my brain against my skull and the numbing echo through my ears stopped until all was silent. I could hear nothing. Jaejoong came to my side, crying as he supported my languid frame in his arms. Junsu followed, looking just as panicked. Their lips moved but I could hear nothing still. Yunho’s frantic frame as he said something to Changmin was barely visible.

~*@*~

Opening my eyes is like a damn chore at this point. Every time I do, something awful happens. And judging by the soreness of my head I would say that is exactly what happened. Something awful.

“Move slowly” Professors Rain suggested from next to me. “Don’t worry everything is fine.”

Except it isn’t. Whatever happened earlier was hurting Jongsuk and that thought is suddenly scarier than it’s ever been.

“What happened? Where am I?” I asked, feeling the chill of the floor below me. I know standing could be a bad idea. But I have a sudden urge to run.

“O my god, Chunnie! Are you okay? I’m so sorry. If I would have found you earlier...” Junsu began to ramble. I groaned. The noise still kind of hurt.

Professor Rain noticed and put a stop to him. “Sit up. Slowly, Yoochun.” he said. I did and the room spun, tasting vile on the back of my throat. “Breathe. The last thing you need is a panic attack.”

“Jongsuk?” I called. Not caring if I seemed insane.

Nothing. He isn’t here. I don’t hear him. I don’t see him. I don’t feel him.

“Chunnie? What’s wrong?” Junsu asked taking my hand. Jaejoong also approached me, no doubt noticing the rim of tears that threatened to escape.

Holding in my cries also proved harder than I thought. Fuck, sometimes I could be such a cry baby. “Chun you are scaring us. What’s wrong?” he asked again.

“Jongsuk” I choked out again. And again, I received no reply. I could feel the tears run freely then. “What did... what did you do to me?” My throat was dry. It hurt to talk. But I needed answers and I needed them before I lost my sanity.

Professor Rain sighed and moved away rubbing his temples. Why is everyone so fucking secretive all of sudden? “Yoochun...”

“Will you all stop saying my name like I’m some sort of robot?! What the fuck is going on?!” I cried out. “Why isn’t Jongsuk here? WHY CAN’T I HEAR OR SEE HIM?! WHY WON’T HE SCOLD ME OR TELL ME HOW STUPID I WAS FOR TRUSTING YOU ALL?!” I know I am screaming and practically outing my secret to anyone who will listen but I don’t care. I’m fucking scared. I feel like I have been used all along and it’s making me angry. Junsu wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back, begging me to calm down. I wanted to push him away, call him out on being a liar but I couldn’t. Every move hurt and all I could think of was why Jongsuk wasn’t there.

Everyone began to crowd around me except for Changmin who stood defiantly only a few feet away, arms crossed and looking cross. Yunho, Jaejoong and Junsu appeared genuinely concerned but I can’t be sure. All I know is that I have no idea what’s going on and no one is saying anything.

“Please, take these” Rain persuaded, opening his palm to reveal two small white pills. “They won’t knock you out but they will help you calm down. When that happens, we can talk.”

Feeling like I had little choice, I took the pills and pretended to swallow them instantly. Jaejoong gave me a bottle of water but I refused. When he insisted again, I took a few swallows and gave it back to watch him do the same as he offered a smile. He really did know me too well.

A few minutes later everyone seemed to notice the pills take effect. I stopped crying and had easily reclined my weight against Junsu who stat next me supporting my weight. Yunho stood next to professor Rain, watching the older man pace. Jaejoong entertained himself by conspicuously examining the very machine that had started all this.

“Yoochun, do you know what a ghost is?” Professor Rain asked.

I thought for a moment, “I’m not sure, a spirit, a dead person?”

“Not exactly. It’s someone caught in a limbo. Someone between life and physical death.”

“Like someone in a coma” Yunho added.

I saw Jaejoong stumble closer to us before he asked, “So you’re saying that a ghost still has ties to its physical body? What about ghost tales of ghosts from the past, how is that possible when those bodies have long since turned to dust?”

Professor Rain answered courtly, “It doesn’t work that way. You’ve been watching way too much science fiction.” Seeing that Jaejoong was about to reciprocate with a rebuttal he held up his hand with a smile. “Now is not the time for debate about perceptual realities” he said. Jaejoong nodded and gave up the argument before it even started. “What you are referring to, however, are specters. They are a little different and don’t actually interact with the living. They are more like stamps from a different time, memories we can’t alter. If my studies are correct, Yoochun has the ability to see both. Don’t you Yoochun?"

Feigning ignorance I asked, “Why are you asking me this?”

“Because you are lying cheat!” Changmin suddenly accused.

“What?!” I screamed. The brat really tries my patience.

“Changmin, calm down. What are you talking about?” Junsu tried.

“I’m talking about him seeing ghosts and fooling everybody into thinking he belongs here when he doesn’t” Changmin continued.

Wait, so this fucker knew about my secret all along. “What? Are you insane? So you tried to kill me!”

“I wasn’t trying to kill you. I was correcting your synapses!”

“It’s my brain! I should decide who does what to it!” I shouted. “You have no right to use me as some lab rat!”

Changmin took a step closer to me, “You're cheating. Making people believe you can do these things when you can't. And there are others like you. I know it. This is meant to keep people like you away.”

“You mean non-smart people like you?” I said.

“Duh.”

“Hey, it's my brain that sees them. Same brain type, different perceptual mechanism. Deal with it. Being smart is not just about your textbooks and numbers kid.”

“Yes it is!”

“Fuck you!”

“In your dreams imposter!”

“Changmin! Settle down or I will be forced to kick you out” Professor Rain warned. When everyone grew quiet again, he continued, “The machine isn’t meant to hurt you, Yoochun-ah.”

I huffed. Seriously, if someone says they weren’t trying to hurt me one more time I will punch somebody. “What have you done to me? Why can’t I see him anymore?” I asked.

This time it was Yunho who kneeled before me and started to explain. “Seven years ago, two students came up with a project based on Professor Rain’s theory. This ability you have to see ghosts is rare but not unique. There are others like you Yoochun. Changmin’s machine is an attempt to understand that ability.”

“Why isn’t HE here?” I insisted, grinding my teeth. “Why is JONGSUK GONE.”

“The machine neutralizes your brain’s ability to detect whatever magnetic pull you seem to have to see ghosts and specters” Changmin explained abruptly. “It’s not permanent. But you won’t see or hear anything while you are in the parameters of the school when the machine is active.”

“But Jongsuk said it was hurting him!” I told them.

“Will you stop with this Jongsuk business? He’s gone. Deal with it. Maybe when you leave you’ll see him again” he growled.

“Lee Jongsuk is my best friend. And if you did anything to hurt him, you will be sorry” I threatened.

The air became awkward. Something in Changmin changed when I said that and everyone around me is suddenly looking at me like I had said something they didn’t expect.

“Did you say Lee Jongsuk?” Professor Rain asked. When I nodded, he smiled. Okay, now I’m really confused. Thinking back though, those voices I heard might be more familiar than I thought. I looked to Changmin who appeared to be on the verge of tears and then to everyone else who now avoided my gaze as if it was deadly.

It can’t be. Yes. It can.  “You knew Jongsuk,” I said to Changmin. “It was you and him. You are the ones I heard.”

“He was so sure he had it right” Changmin mumbled. “But something went wrong. I should have checked all the formulas myself. I should have...”

“Changmin-ah, stop. It wasn’t your fault” Junsu said, looking at his friend with sympathetic eyes.

“You don’t know that” the younger protested.

“Actually, he’s right” Yunho attested. “It wasn’t your fault. It was his.”

Professor Rain held up his hand to interrupt. He took a deep breath before he began to explain himself. “We weren’t completely honest with you Changmin-ah. The reason he did not let you check the numbers was because he didn’t want you to know what we were actually attempting to do. He knew you would figure it out if you even so much as glanced at some of the formulas. I’m so sorry. We used you to build this contraption without any regard for your well being. I warned him to take things slowly, to not get too excited. I knew it was too soon.”

Changmin stumbled, having to recline himself against the wall. “What are you talking about?”

Getting a hold of his resolve the professor continued, this time turning to me. “There is a good chance that if we turn the machine off, Yoochun may not see Jongsuk as a ghost again” he said.

“WHAT!? What have you done!?” I screamed in anger.

“Yoochun-ah, please calm down. Junsu said you needed help understanding all this and that’s why we are here” Yunho begged.

“This machine is not a repellant” Professor Rain announced. “It’s actually an enabler. There are thousands of cases like Jongsuk every year. Their bodies are comatose but are technically still alive. Occasionally, patients in a coma awake on their own but there are times when this doesn’t happen soon enough and the mind-body connection is lost. Technology today allows us to prolong this but even so, sometimes it is not enough.”

Junsu tightened his hold on me, feeling me almost collapse to the floor. “Are you saying that you are attempting to fully restore that mind-body connection? In other words, make a ghost return to its body?”

“Yes. A ghost is much like a specter but with the exception that the body still exists, hence the potential for the mind-body connection. The problem is that the machine hasn’t always worked despite our calculations being perfect” Professor Rain clarified. “That is why Changmin needed Yoochun. Why WE need Yoochun. He is our medium. Ghosts don’t remember much of who they are, let alone what has happened to them. From the sounds of it, Yoochun’s connection to Jongsuk might have triggered his memory. If this is true, then maybe Jongsuk has restored enough of the mind-body connection to return to his body. Only time will tell. We don’t know how long the effects of the enabler will take to wean off. It could be hours, days or weeks.”

“Then I will leave campus” I said.

“It wouldn’t make a difference” Changmin said. “The enabler primarily uses sound to trigger and awaken the synapses that detect these out of body specters. But it also releases a chemical that is attracted to your natural chemistry. It is meant to trigger you brain’s ability to decipher the magnetic imprints these specters carry at hyper speed. It is unnatural and your body will need proper time recuperate. Hence why I said I hadn’t worked out all the side effects yet. You are the first medium I have met after all.”

I frowned. “So you literally did fry my brain.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. But it’s not permanent.”

“If Jongsuk is technically still alive, where is he?” I asked.

~*@*~

Two years ago, Changmin a physics studies prodigy and his senior Jongsuk a neurological studies prodigy had been working on a project based on Professor Rain’s paranormal theories. Changmin was to build the machine while Jongsuk worked out the chemistry. Knowing about Changmin’s strong prejudice against mediums Jongsuk decided to work out the exact logic behind his purpose a secret. All Changmin knew was that the enabler would to some measure take away someone’s ability to see ghosts. This isn’t a lie if the ghost does indeed return to its body. Unfortunately, that left Jongsuk with one less set of eyes to check for error. Jongsuk was obsessed and determined to succeed, despite Professor Rains warning. As a result, the day of the incident Jongsuk was caught in the explosion that left him in a coma. As it turns out, Changmin had been devastated.

“Yunho tells me you are prone to insomnia. Perhaps sleeping will do you some good kid” Dr. Heechul informed. I’m starting to feel this infirmary is a gossip house. “I can help you with that, you know.”

“I’m fine. When can I get out here?” I asked.

“Chunnie you have to rest here. We don’t what other symptoms you may show. It’s best if Heechul keeps an eye on you” Jaejoong assured.

“Yah! You brat, it is Dr. Heechul to you” the man protested. Jaejoong rolled his eyes.

“He’s right Yoochun-ah. Unless you want us all to sleep in your room again” Junsu suggested with a leer.

“If us includes me, I’m in!” Dr. Heechul chimed. From which Professor Rain proceed to slap him on the back of the head. “Ow! Au chincha! I’m doctor for fuckssake. Can’t I have some respect around here?!” he complained.

I looked around the room to notice that only Jaejoong and Junsu are beside me. Yunho and Changmin are missing. I guess the stupid brat feels guilty after all.

“Professor, there’s something else I don’t understand. Jongsuk pointed out that whenever I was around Junsu he would disappear. Was that just coincidence of Changmin’s tampering? I could hear the signal from the machine from time to time. He disappeared then too” I asked.

“Oh! I can answer that!” Junsu jumped excitedly. The professor smiled and let the sexy genius do his thing. Yes, you heard right. I said he was sexy. I wouldn’t be wrong now would I? “Observe” was all he said before I found myself with his lips on mine.

I pushed him off and tried to regain my breath. I’m not exactly appalled, obviously, but why the hell does he have to embarrass me in front of everyone? Does everyone have to know I’m inexperienced!

“Note his shortness of breath, wide eyes, and blushed complexion indicative of an elevated heart rate. In short he is in an excitatory state” Junsu listed.

“Your point?” I asked a little irritated.

He smiled and continued. “From my readings, your hyper awareness of your surroundings is a bit different Yoochun-ah. You would think that an over stimulation of that sense would actually enhance your ability. However, much like how the enabler overwhelms your senses when they are on overdrive, a strong sense of anxiety or fear will do the same seeing as how the sense of fear is strongly connected to hyperawareness. You know, the whole flight or fight effect. So when you are continuously over stimulated, your hyper senses become in a way confused and stop functioning the way they normally would. In your case, they stop functioning altogether.”

"Can we pretend I have never had any sort of education to understand what the heck you are talking about?  I did just have my brain fried, you know!" I said.  "Humor me. Speak idiot."  Oy, now I'm speaking like a neanderthal.

His stupid smile never left his expression and now he had some sort of stupid pride to go with it. I’m not bitter. It just pisses me off.

I saw Dr. Heechul roll his eyes too. At least someone agrees with me. “You remember intro to neuroscience, good for you” he mocked. Junsu’s stance became rigid as he eyed the heady doctor. “Alright everyone. The patient needs rest. Visiting hours are over” Dr. Heechul announced.

“Wait, Chunnie hasn’t eaten yet. He should eat” Jaejoong said with a pout. “I made dokboggi. I can stay, right Chunnie? We can share because let’s face it, I’m hungry too. We have been waiting for you to wake up for hours.”

“Actually Jae, I think I just rather sleep if you don’t mind.”

“But Chunnie...” he begged, already toppling on the bed. He began to tickle my ribs and we both burst into a fit of laughter.

“You heard him” Junsu interjected suddenly, already pulling him off me. “Hyung, I will stay. You can take a break. Or go home. I will keep an eye on him tonight” he said to Dr. Heechul.

“Bwoah? What makes you think you are qualified to do that?” the Dr. Asked amused. I’m asking myself the same question. One thing I do know is that this kid is dangerous. Possibly bad for my health.

He is looking at me funny. Why is he being so smug? Is this kid planning something again? Quick, think of something. Surely Jaejoongie will get me out this.

“Surely, you know he could replace you someday” Jaejoong responded with as much ease as he had pulled away from Junsu’s grasp. Fucking traitor.

“BWOAH!” Say what again? Did I miss something?

Despite my obvious surprise and shock Junsu just giggled. I swear I’m never going to win against this kid.

“Both Yunho and I are neuroscience studies majors too” Junsu declared. “That’s how I knew Professor Rain could help you. He’s been my professor multiple times. My concentration lies more on the perception of sound though, more cognition than anything. Yunho knows more about the vision and body stuff. Since Jongsuk became ... incapacitated ... Yunho has even become his mentee.”

Great. Just what I need. Multiple brain gurus around me.

~*@*~
Somehow, Dr. Heechul was persuaded to leave the premises. So now I’m stuck in this damn infirmary with none other than Junsu. Can you say suspicious?

Junsu just stood there, watching everyone leave while I lay on the stupid bed. Helpless. This sexy bastard stresses the crap out me.

“Move over” he said.

“Eh?”

“Move over. Where else am I going to sleep?”

“There are two other beds” I said. But Junsu ignored me and got into bed with me anyway. It all seemed innocent enough. He snuggled next to me like some kid about to hear a bed time story.

I don’t really know what to say at this point. Peace of mind is not exactly easy for me. Everything around me is usually so noisy. Ghosts, specters or whatever are usually so loud and stubborn. It’s difficult to not be constantly shouting at myself pretending I can shut them up. And now, for the first time in two years it is all quiet again, with only Junsu’s slow steady breath next to me. I should be happy.

“You miss him don’t you?” Junsu asked, wrapping his arm around me and resting his chin on my shoulder. I can’t bring myself to anything though. So I just hummed.

Again. Silence.

Velvet kisses began to trace the line of my exposed collar. His lips were careful as he watched for my reaction. I simply closed my eyes, listening. His breath stopped for only a second. When I didn’t resist, I felt his arm tighten and his lips press harder.

“Yoochunnie.”

“Mhm?”

“It will be okay” he said.

“Mhm.”

One thing I can always appreciate about this kid is his amazing kisses. Not that I have much else to compare him to but when you know, you just know. You know?

The way he bites my lip and then sucks it into his mouth, tracing it with his tongue starts that now familiar euphoria down in my groin. Then when his tongue pushes against mine as his touch curves around to my nape and pulls me forward it starts a fire I rather let burn. That little habit of his was my undoing. Taking control for the first time, I had him squealing when I pushed him underneath me. I became certain his surprise dissipated when he chuckled lightly and wrapped his arms around my neck to continue.

Have I ever mentioned how good he tastes? Well he does. Always, and I mean ALWAYS. It must be the sweet honey watermelon gloss he makes habit of rubbing on, his preference for sweet fruit as snacks or maybe that’s just the way his tongue tastes.

I also love touching him. His is skin is silky smooth and every time my fingers touch a sensitive spot a little of his breath escapes into my mouth. I’m kind of a possessive jerk in that way. But then again, judging by the way he was stared down Jaejoong and Dr. Heechul, I would say he was too.

Pretty soon both our lips were bruised but ached for something more. I kissed down his jaw, neck and clothed torso; sneaking my hands under the poor excuse for a shirt he had on. He removed it immediately.

“Eager much?” I rightfully guessed.

There was no reply. Instead he whined and pulled me back up with unexpected force, curving his body slightly to suck the life out of me and then pushed me back down.

I laid a peck right under his belly button, licking the sunken nub to tease. Junsu growled and pulled me by the hair, yanking it back so our eyes could meet. He has this feral look about him that is warning me to give him what he wants. I dared to defy my pretty vixen, instead harshly undoing his button with my teeth but unlike my actions suggested I did not touch him.

Junsu’s legs parted slightly to make room for me. I decided the curve of skin above his low rise hem called for my attention. Without letting my lips rise off him I moved up to taste it. To my delight, he mewled arching off the bed. With more pressure from my lips the flat if his stomach shook and not touching became harder. So I reached for the pockets of his jeans and pulled them down, taking his boxers with them.

“FUCKER! If you rip them you owe me a new pair” he half complained. But we were both too turned on to know if he really meant it or not. At the moment, I don’t care.

His aching cock was as beautiful as the rest of him, though uncharacteristically thick it was a decent length and visibly blushed from the rush of blood. I watched it pulse with every neglectful kiss, lick and touch. When my hands found a comfortable grip just above his hips as my elbows rested on his thighs, I licked the tip for the first time and another incomprehensibly sexy sound escaped Junsu’s mouth.

His hands ran through my hair. I think he may have thing for it. I should threaten to cut it someday and see what he does. “Yoochunnie-ah ... more... please” he pleaded. Oh yes, I definitely like hearing him beg. I will definitely try it someday.

The crown was easy enough. So I played to my heart’s content until retaining his hips become too troublesome and finally took in more of him. I made it half way before my instinct told me to stop. I know I shouldn’t push it so I took my time. I must have teased too much though because he pulled me up again.

“Fuck, you insufferable tease!” he complained, yanking off my shirt and reaching for my pants until they were undone and down my thighs. He proceeded to wrap his legs around me and clamp me against his body.

The pressure on my cock was immediate and I couldn’t contain my moan. Thinking he had won our battle he sneered, claiming my lips and gyrating his hips against mine. The friction was never enought though.

I reached for his length and squeezed hard. That stopped him with a knot of protest stuck to his throat, “No ... Yoo ... chunie.” I shushed him and kept my hold tight, kissing down the line of his neck and attaching myself to that spot on his pulse he loved my tongue on so much. He ran his hands down my torso and curved them onto my back just how he discovered only this morning, I liked.

“In me. In me now. Please oh please” he begged between kisses.

“Are you insane? We did it all night ... and again ... this morning ... won’t that hurt?” I breathe.

“Don’t care. Fuck. YOOCHUN!”

He moaned again when my thumb circled his slit and spread the cum around it. I know that for all my curiosity and all his experience I would hate to hurt him. Even the slightest chance of that would have me limp in a second. So I shook my head at him and tried for something else. He pouted as I closed his legs and moved to straddle his him.

“Trust me” I said. He nodded, still out of breath and eager. “Keep your legs tight.”

Though I know he’s confused he nodded again. Damn he looks so cute right now I can’t help but peck his lips. Thinking I was going to do more he whined when I pulled up again. Did I mention he is adorable?

I hope this works.

I let go of his cock, sliding my hips on to his thighs and positioned my length at the juncture between them. I pushed until our pelvises touched and his length was trapped between our bodies. Surprised he arched and nearly squealed again when my cock hit his sack. But as I began to frot our bodies together the awkwardness was soon forgotten. His arms wrapped around my waist keeping me close, letting the heat consume us both. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before we both came.

“Wah ... how did you ... that was ... when did you ... I thought you were ... shit ...” he tried but his question was lost in the moment of bliss.

I smiled and kissed him tenderly before I replied. “Just because I haven’t tried anything it doesn’t mean I haven’t done my research.”

“You watched porn” he accused with a sneer.

“Name one healthy young male that doesn’t.”

We both laughed as I plopped my nearly spent self next to him. Junsu sat up to reach for the sheets to cover ourselves and happily snuggled next to me just like he had when everyone first left.

“You know, we have all night” he crooned, kissing my cheek.

“Oy, I’m new to this. You have to give me some time to build up my stamina” I said amused.

He hummed, thinking. “Mhm. You are right. You must be trained” he said straddling me. “After all, what are boyfriends for if not to improve the other.

Well there something I wasn’t expecting. He must have seen the clear shock in my expression because he pouted like a child who lost his candy and squeezed my shoulders, ready to anchor me to bed until I said what he needed to hear. I couldn’t help my stupidly reckless self and risked getting castrated. “Boyfriend?”

His nails clawed harder and I flinched. “Yah! PARK YOOCHUN! I don’t make a habit of sleeping with just anybody you know!” he complained.

Feigning indifference, though I’m secretly jumping inside I said, “Eh??? Wae?”

“W-w-wae?” he asked confused and maybe a little appalled.

“You’re sexy, smart and beautiful. Is it because you’re a brat? That must be it, huh? Even the school’s idol can have trouble... AH! OW!” I shouted when he slapped my bare chest.

“I NEVER GET TURNED DOWN!” he declared.

“Really? Then what if I turned you down?”

Junsu’s flawless face grew pale with horror and the start of what seems like genuine sadness. I can’t really take it so I immediately moved to kiss him, not letting him go when he tried to push me away.

“Pabo. Why would I turn down the sexiest kid in school” I said when I our lips parted. Instantly, Junsu’s smile became brighter than the first streak of sun after a long lonely night.

Yeah, I could definitely get used to this kid.

~*@*~

I can’t really remember the last time I voluntarily spoke to another ghost besides Jongsuk. However, these days I find myself doing it more and more. Without him around I guess I need it. Well that and I kind of have to. I agreed to help Professor Rain with his study and therefore, being part of the experiments is crucial. I talk to ghosts, see what they know and build a connection strong enough to test the enabler. Mostly though, we are still working on its effects on me. I don’t feel like I’m going die any time it’s on but it is still overwhelming. It took a month for my ability to return after the first incident. When we tried it again, it took almost three weeks. That proved it wasn’t actually harmful to me but it did require adjustments.

Changmin, as much he hates to admit it, has somewhat warmed up to me. When it became known that Jongsuk had indeed woken up he was the first to tell me.

[Flashback]

A few days after the mess with the enabler, I was coming out of my classroom when a familiar aura overwhelmed my senses. I flinched, knowing exactly who it was and pretended not to notice as I sped down the hallway.

“YAH! PARK YOOCHUN!”

I had to try very hard not to squeal like a kid. Where’s Jaejoong? He could convince Changmin to not pummel me for whatever he wants to pummel me for. I needed Jaejoong’s daebak powers! But no luck, Changmin was by my side in seconds and suddenly pulled me back by my collar. Damn him and his abnormally long legs.

“I’m talking to you Park” he warned. For which I dared not struggle and stopped. He raised his hand and I flinched but he ended up only placing it on my shoulder. Dammit. I need to stop doing that. He sighed, straightening his posture.

“He is awake” he said.

“Eh?”

“Jongsuk hyung is awake.”

I nodded. Not sure how I should respond. “Thanks for telling me” I said simply. He looked away briefly and then turned back to me. I realized then he has more to say. So I waited. I probably look stupid to him, just waiting for him to speak.

Changmin is slightly nervous and fidgeting with his hands. I allowed him a few moments of thought before clearing my throat to egg him on. “There is no guarantee that he will remember you” he blurted out. “Or that he will remember anything he experienced as a ghost. Because his physical brain isn’t part of his memory as a ghost, Professor Rain says that could be a factor to consider.”

I had already thought about that. But hearing it out loud from a genius kind of had more of an effect on me than I thought it would. Again I was caught in silence.

“I just thought I should warn you” he said sympathetically.

“Again, thank you.”

He began to walk away but came to a stop. Without looking at me he said, “Oh. I hear you and Junsu-ah are official. If you hurt him, I will cut your balls off. Understood?”

Fuck. “N-ne.”  What the fuck. Now I'm stuttering.

“Good. Later.”

[End of flashback]

We have all been patient. Waiting for more news though none have come. Changmin, the only one that is close enough to Jongsuk to be informed of anything, won’t say much.

In the meantime, I still attend this school. I know. Surprising, right? Well, as it turns out Professor Rain is fan of my writing. It is no secret I blew off most of the semester but occasionally I turned in an assignment or two in his class. It’s writing. It is hard not to. He said my take on the politics of the school was interesting and creative. That is very nice compliment for a student basically cursing out the school, don’t you think? He also said they had no place in his class but Professor YB from the English department would surely enjoy it. I was more surprised to find this school had an English department than by the shock of having an excuse to actually stay in the school.

“Even innovators need to learn how to write, don’t they?” he had said. “We have spurned some of the most famous writers around the world, Yoochun. You should be honored.”

So I stay under the pretense of wanting to become a writer. But really, I’m the neuroscience department’s lab rat. Go me!

“Chunnie, let’s have a slumber party tonight!” Jaejoong said in between my thoughts, my egg roll half way up to my mouth.

“Bwoah? Michoso?! Junsu would castrate me” I said before stuffing my mouth. “He has been pissy lately. I don’t want to provoke him.”

“Why? Are you holding out on him?” he asked amused. “He’s kind of a nymphomaniac, you know. That’s why most of his boyfriends broke up with him. They all just assumed he cheated.”

Say what? “How do you know that?”

“Rumors. Yunho. But mostly rumors. The bastards always made sure everyone knew they had bagged him. No one believed them of course but they still tried.”

“Mhm. But we are doing just fine” I said. “Although maybe I am taking things a little too slow for his liking.”

He reclined against the dry bark of the tree, munching on his uncut kimbap. Even when my ability had gone and come over the last few months, Jaejoong and I still had lunch at our spot outside the premises. Lunch is always our time. And this is the only private space we have found without much disturbance for either of us.

Undeterred by the subject he asked, “Slow how?”

“Um. Well, we ... we have had sex we just haven’t ... well we did once ... our first time ... but after that we agreed to take things a little slower ... give ourselves time to ... get to know each other so we haven’t ... I haven’t ...” Okay this is harder to talk about than I thought. Can’t he practically read my mind anyway?

I saw him smirk which confirmed my suspicion. The jerk is purposely making a fool of me. Why do I always end up making sadist friends? Aish.
“Don’t make me say it” I said.

“Say what? That there has been no penetration since your first time?” he said as I attempted to inhale another bite making me choke nearly to death.

“Dude, it is has been what? Three months? Just do it already. What’s the hold up?”

I sighed. “I’m scared of hurting him. Our first night he was the one the set the pace most of the time but now that I have...”

“Discovered your gusto” he finished for me knowing I was unable to.

Ashamed, I bowed down. “Ne.”

“So much so you just want to rip his clothes off and pound into him straight away” he mused again.

“Ne.”

“So you opt to stay out instead?”

“Ne” I responded again. From which he proceeded to slap me on the head. “OW!”

“That is stupid. Just talk to him. COMMUNICATE!”

Again I sighed. “Ne.”

“Besides, you may never know. He might like it that way. And if not, you can always work something out.”

“Ne.” That is true. But talking to him isn't always so easy.

“You look like a sad puppy. Stop it” Jaejoong laughed. I was about to affirm again when he hissed so I refrained. “So about that slumber party...”

“No.”

Ha! His mind tricks are not as effective as before. I’m getting good at this shit.

“Fine. But Changmin says we all have to meet at the lair tonight” he said with a light airy voice.

That voice is slightly strange. “Since when are you so familiar with the Einstein?” I asked.

“Since I became part of the ghost project. That tall piece of magic heaven is all mine whilst we work for hours in the lair” Jaejoong said more to himself than in reply to me. “Tch. Too bad he is more oblivious than you. I’m tempted to just push him down and have my way with him.”

“Say what? You LIKE HIM?!”

“Since I was ten. He is part of the reason I came here” he admitted boldly.

“You are insane. He is a brute.”

“Says the one who wants to fuck his boyfriend senseless.”

Another voice suddenly interrupted our banter. “I always knew you would be a beast. Tch. Innocent my ass.”

We both turned to find none other than Lee Jongsuk.  THE LEE JONGSUK. Except now he looks older, taller and his hair is raven not auburn. But he still wears that same impish smile he always did when he knew he was right. My jaw would have dropped at the sight alone if I had not noticed whose arm was playfully wrapped around his shoulders. And let me tell you, watching Changmin smile and behave like a good little dongsaeng was not something I thought I would ever experience in my lifetime.

I am close to collapsing at this point.

Jongsuk moved forward; Changmin, Yunho and Junsu closely in tow. I instinctively stepped back. Again he smirked before taking me by the arms and pulling me into a hug.

“What? You can’t recognize your best friend?” he asked.

Like hell I won’t. But he recognizes me? “You remember me?” I asked, hopeful.

“Why wouldn’t I? Ah. Right. Um... Jaejoong can probably explain this one better” he teased.

Jaejoong rolled his eyes, almost as if expecting the remark. “Attachment” he deducted.

But the ever so eager Junsu can’t be left forgotten. “And he kept a diary” Junsu interjected, as it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You are very memorable Chunnie” Yunho assured, giving me a pat on the shoulder.

Jongsuk’s embrace tightened, practically lifting me off the ground. “Affirmative Chunface ... Mhm ... You are lighter than I thought you would be.”

“And you are way taller than I remember” I blurt out. “A two year age gap does you good!”

“All the more to eat you properly”

“What took you so long?” I asked with a pout. Yes, I know. I’m a child. But Jongsuk responds to cute.

“I had to wait for strange men in white coats to cut open my skull and fix the clots in my brain. Apparently, I had to be awake for that” he said, petting my hair. “Wae? Can’t you live three months without me?”

“Okay, enough. Stop man handling my boyfriend” Junsu said impatiently, already pulling us apart. It made Jongsuk laugh. Soon everyone followed.

We settled around the tree. Jaejoong is obviously annoyed but somewhat soothed since he gets to feed Changmin. I give those two six months to become official.

Next to them Yunho and Jongsuk seem to have a lot to talk about with them being all sciency and all.  It is a little funny watching Yunho being so enthusiastic.  I mean, he's normally a go-happy-kind of guy but this is different.  He's actually enjoying this.  It makes me wonder about those two.

Anyway, I never would have guessed I would make these kinds of friends.  I never would have guessed I would make any friends to be honest.  Having friends and seeing Jongsuk in the flesh is completely and utterly out of my realm of reality.  Especially since they know my dirty little secret.  But hey, I'm not complaining.

“What are you thinking?” Junsu asked me, sitting between my legs and reclining his back on me. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his cheek. He giggled.

“I’m thinking this school is not what I thought it would be" I said, petting his soft platinum locks.

“I’m guessing that’s a good thing, right?”

“Most definitely.” Most definitely a good thing.

Fin.

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