[Fic] Salvation
Title: Salvation
Author: 93rdfragment
Pairing: KaiSoo
Rating: T (for something mildly implied at the end)
Summary: I never meant to fall for you. But I was buried underneath and all that I could see was white. A simple suggestion, listen to Gabrielle Aplin's Salvation on repeat while reading this little oneshot.
***
The music of a slow song colors the room with cool hues of blue and green. Disarrayed, they scatter in the air and move around in a circle encompassing the whole room. However, fingers dip upon them and guide them away. The calculated movements filled with passion create a magnificent accompaniment to the music. From the fingers to the whole of the body, the colors follow each graceful motion. Up and down. Side to side. Round and round. A masterpiece is born.
A dozen pair of eyes never leave the figure dancing in front of them. Stuck in awe, the group of women and men could only hold their breath in anticipation of the next step - even the smallest gesture is not spared. Nothing negative about the dancer before them can be thought nor said. Perfection moves before them. Perfection is dancing for them. Perfection, to them, is personified in one being as he loses himself in the music and in the dance. And as the music ends, dissatisfaction and greed creep into them - the desire to watch him forever is etched upon their minds and hearts.
The abruptness and loudness of the clapping is jarringly different from the soothing song. It brings the dancer to the same plane of existence as his audience once more. He opens his eyes to look upon them - to a particular person - and bows, a smile on his lips as his head raises afterward. Warmth fills him and his cheeks as he sees the admiration written all over the face of the person he is dancing for. Others may think he is dancing for all of them but that's a little away from the truth. Owl-like eyes and heart-shaped lips are the reasons his dance is filled with more emotion than before he found them - before he found the person owning them.
"Amazing." There are all sorts of synonyms to this that pile on top of each other and are pushed onto him. His smile becomes awkward and shy as the rest of his body does. Compliments have never been received well by him. It's not that he is unappreciative of them but rather, he's still not used to them and still not used to replying to them even after tens of thousands of times.
"Thank you." His right hand automatically comes up to scratch the back of his head as his eyes scan through the gathering crowd in front of him to look for his inspiration - his reason.
"Okay class. Disperse and practice. Jongin isn't here to be suffocated by you." He turns his head around to see the teacher looking half-amused and half-annoyed at her own students. Her hand lands lightly upon his shoulder with a grace brought upon by years of dedication to dancing. "As usual, you're unlike any other ballet dancer, Jongin. I wish time could be faster so you could join us around the world."
Even as he's overcome by embarrassment once more, he wills his hand to drop to his side. "I'm excited as well and would be very honored if you would still take me to international stages after I graduate from the university in two years."
"You would be honored? Now that's a laugh. We're the ones who are honored. Such talent amongst our ranks is heaven sent." She smiles at him before turning once more to her students who had been watching their conversation take place. "Well now, I think I remember telling you all to practice. I know this is just a summer workshop but you better put on some effort because there will be a recital."
Away from the pressure embodied by the teacher who had been his senior back when he learned ballet as a child, he begins his search once more with immediate results. The person he is looking for is standing near the corner of the room, watching everything unfold. His feet slowly take him to where the other is with a smile tugging upon his lips. Wide eyes turn to look at him when he is near enough and lips quirk into a smile as well. "Hey there hyung."
"Hey." A thousand compliments for Jongin fill his mind but he holds back, knowing well the shyness that comes in response to them. He has already seen Jongin flustered awhile ago and that's enough for now. "Are you going to wait for me again?"
"That shouldn't be a question anymore." With Jongin's smile becoming more radiant, he thinks that smiles suit Jongin best. No matter how charismatic the ballet dancer is while performing, nothing will beat a smile that lights up Jongin's whole face as if the world's greatest treasure has been found. He doesn't know that Jongin does think it has been found - in him.
"Kyungsoo, come on. Practice." They share a thought of patience for time spent away before gathering their bearings and separating. Kyungsoo heads on over to his classmates that await him and Jongin resigns himself to sitting on the wall to gaze upon the other.
***
As the class ends, one thought runs around Jongin's mind. He is proud of Kyungsoo, very much so. It was only a light suggestion for him to teach ballet to Kyungsoo so that the other would learn the basics and they would be able to dance together, if only just for fun. Kyungsoo had teased him that he wouldn't be able to teach him anything and that a ballet class was better. He didn't think his lover would really sign up for it. But here they are and there is Kyungsoo learning so diligently and becoming even more beautiful in his eyes.
Once more, he makes his way towards Kyungsoo - each step longer than the last and each step instilling more desire into his being. Surprise is no longer something Kyungsoo feels as Jongin lifts him up and turns a circle before putting him down close enough for them to breathe in each other's exhales. Admittedly, the move makes his heart flutter every time but he does not smile. He frowns at the unwanted attention it garners and Jongin knows he doesn't want it. But Jongin also knows how he secretly loves those heart-melting actions and so Jongin doesn't mind the frown of disapproval when he sees in those wide eyes the shine of liking.
"You two are seriously bad for my single life." The teacher's voice makes them look at her and smile in guilt, moving away from each other - far enough for the public's comfort but near enough for their own. "Anyway, as always, the keys are hanging near the door. I know you're tired of hearing me say this but lock up when you're both done practicing."
"Yes ma'am." Kyungsoo replies immediately and they watch as everyone files out of the room. When they're the only ones left, eyes meet and smiles greet. "Well...let's go practice. I really don't want to look like an idiot next week."
"An idiot?" Jongin looks flabbergasted at the statement. "You're an amazing beginner! You learn the steps really well. How could you ever look like an idiot? I look at you and I see beauty."
Supposedly, Kyungsoo should be embarrassed after the outburst but it's Jongin who is. Kyungsoo simply smiles warmly at the compliment so easily given to him and at the red-faced person who gave it. One would wonder how true those words were said and how unbiased they are - he doesn't. He knows that Jongin takes dancing very seriously and would never lie to him about it. After all, he was always given honest advise and reproach when he had asked Jongin to help him with the dance. Now, here they are with their own routine for the recital in two weeks - next week's performance is for the class to scrutinize them.
"Come on, your royal cheesiness. I actually want to practice." He pulls Jongin to the left side of the room and afterward, walks toward the right. When he looks up, Jongin's face has gone back to its tanned color with determination masking it. There's a silent question of "Are you ready?" in those half-lidded eyes and Kyungsoo nods. Jongin bends down to the player beside him and presses play. The sound of a piano playing resonates within the room and into their consciousness. It leads them - their feet slowly taking steps as they walk towards each other. Once they meet, a woman's voice starts to sing and bleed out colors for their bodies to paint another masterpiece.
You are the avalanche
One world away
My make believing
While I'm wide awake
A pale right hand moves up quickly followed by its left counterpart before they move down head level as a tanned body pirouettes further away from the one who's stuck at where they met. Kyungsoo bends down into himself slowly, hands placed upon his chest, before his head turns to Jongin and his left hand reaches out in yearning to the one who pauses in moving away and turns to look at him as well. As Kyungsoo stays still, Jongin's upper body curves forwards and his feet quickly tiptoe backwards as if he's being pulled by the other's stare. He abruptly does an arabesque, left arm to stretched sideward and perfectly parallel to the floor as his right foot and right hand reach up toward the ceiling. From that position, he pirouettes once more, right foot now pointing toward the ground and hands in front of his chest. Quickly as he finishes, he runs to Kyungsoo and holds the outstretched hand in his own right one as his left take hold of the other's cheek. With that contact, wide eyes close leisurely - as if basking in the contact - before opening again.
Just a trick of light
To bring me back around again
Those wild eyes
A psychedelic silhouette
In a sign of disbelief, Kyungsoo's right hand comes up to the one on his cheek and holds it before pushing it slowly away as his body also turns away from Jongin. But the hand holding his left one grips tightly, pulling him before letting go, and he pirouettes back in to Jongin's arms, hands laying lightly upon the other's chest. Then, those hands trace upward in the lightest of touches, from the shoulders to the neck and finally landing upon cheeks with two pairs of eyes locking into each other. Jongin's hands hold onto his waist and lift him up while his own never leave those cheeks even as they turn in circles - lovingly they stay caressing Jongin's face. Their gazes never stray as well, only looking upon the depths of each other's souls. Jongin makes three turns and, in the last one, he slowly brings down Kyungsoo.
I never meant to fall for you but I
Was buried underneath
And all that I could see was white
Moving, the hands on Jongin's cheek are now behind his neck, fingers tangled upon each other. Kyungsoo's left leg bends to form a shape of a bow. This is all as Jongin places his own left hand on Kyungsoo's neck and right hand on Kyungsoo's waist. He lowers the body inch by inch and in time those eyes that he looked into closes, presenting to him vulnerability and trust. So he does all he can to gently lay the person in his arms on the floor as he kneels with his right leg. He feels Kyungsoo's left hand shift and turn his head to watch fingers travel across his right arm to the hand still holding the other's waist. He looks on as those fingers hold his hand and guide them toward heart-shaped lips. The lightest of kisses is placed upon his knuckles and his eyes stray upward to see Kyungsoo's own open and stare at him with a flurry of emotions.
My salvation, my, my
My salvation, my, my
Jongin pulls Kyungsoo to a sitting position, their joined hands squished between Kyungsoo's leg and stomach as his left hand comes to rest upon his left knee. Kyungsoo turns to the right and they're looking at each other again, both kneeling in the same position. In perfect synchrony, they stand up deliberately with a smile upon their lips. Letting go of each other's hand, Kyungsoo places his right one on Jongin's chest as Jongin does the same to him. Then, they do it again with their left hands. And as the woman stops singing and the piano continues to play, they sway their upper bodies to the left then to the right before they move away from each other until their hands are the only ones connecting them together. Kyungsoo spins to Jongin, his right arm coming up over his head as his hands hold onto Jongin's. His back ends up resting on his partner's chest and his arms crisscrossed against his own.
As the singer does a legato of "oh", their hands let go briefly as their arms extend to the sides. Jongin's fingers entwine themselves with Kyungsoo's and he guides their hands to the other's chest, their eyes closing. Once more, only the sound of the piano plays and with it, Kyungsoo turns his head slightly to the side as Jongin moves to press their cheeks together and a smile plays upon their lips. They stay in that position even as the woman begins to sing again and the music continues to envelope them.
***
With the studio locked up, Jongin and Kyungsoo walk home together under the night sky. At first, there was idle chatter about the practice and what they did wrong along with how they could improve. But they eventually fall into a comfortable silence - the noise of the busy streets of Seoul on a Monday night filling it in for them. The warm temperature of summer cools down as the moon rises above them. The lights of dozens of cars and buildings flash before them and erase the traces of moonlight upon the city.
Amongst all these, Kyungsoo sings quietly the song that they've been dancing to. It's soft enough to be drowned out by everything else but loud enough for Jongin - who is so close to him - to hear. After hundreds and thousands of times listening to the song over and over again, he's got the pronunciation right and Jongin thinks that as beautiful as Kyungsoo may be when dancing, nothing will ever beat Kyungsoo's radiance when singing. This is the voice that would both wake him up and put him to sleep. Such a splendor is rarely found. Kyungsoo shares the same sentiment regarding Jongin's dancing.
"Mine" is what Jongin whispers by the end of the song as he slips his hand into Kyungsoo's and looks at the other's face illuminated by the bright lights. He's terribly satisfied when Kyungsoo looks back at him with even wider than normal eyes and red splotched cheeks. Usually, he's the one who gets flustered - to his dismay, even at his own gestures - but there are a few times when he gathers his bearings and has Kyungsoo surprised. This is one of those times and he cherishes it - revels in it. He beams at the adorable person before him and that gets him an even more embarrassed lover.
"Ah seriously. You're so childish." Even though Kyungsoo says this, he doesn't let go. "If Baekhyun sees us, he's going to start teasing again. The last round was exhausting enough."
"It was exhausting only because you wrestled him into stopping." Jongin's laughter makes him grin in response.
"He had it coming. Besides, he's used to it. How many times has he teased me or us and I've resorted to physical violence to make him stop? He never learns." Kyungsoo rolling his eyes has Jongin laughing once more.
"Why don't you just ignore him like you ignore Chanyeol hyung then?"
"Chanyeol just annoyingly calls my name out many, many times. You can ignore that up to an extent. Baekhyun though jumps straight into whatever he wants to say." The seriousness in Kyungsoo's face as he speaks makes Jongin want to laugh again but refrains from doing so.
"Whatever you say then hyung." Jongin receives a very hard squeeze to his hand as a reply. "Ah!"
"Would you like to say that again?" Everyone who's been at the receiving end of Kyungsoo's anger knows that the sweetness to his voice at this kind of time underlies a very real threat. Jongin mourns for his throbbing hand still within Kyungsoo's grip.
"No. No. I'm good. Let's just continue to walk." If their friends could see them now, they would be laughing at Jongin's shaky smile and clear submission to his lover. But then again, if they were there and did laugh, they would also be receiving Kyungsoo's punches for laughing.
The hand holding his own trembles slightly and Kyungsoo looks down upon it with regret. His thumb gently strokes the back of Jongin's hand in a gesture to soothe the pain. Fingers tighten around his own and he looks up to Jongin who's smiling at him. "I'm fine. I can take your blows."
Kyungsoo blinks before grinning wickedly. "Is that an insinuation I hear?"
Once more, Jongin's face turns red and it even reaches down to his neck. "What? No. I didn't mean that. I swear. I was talking about hitting. Physical violence. That sort of stuff."
While Jongin can enjoy the rare times Kyungsoo gets embarrassed, it still stands that, most of the time, he's the one that is. But hearing his lover's laugh sort of makes him feel better about it - sort of. Kyungsoo walks faster and tugs at his hand as a sign to hurry up. "Come on. Let's just go home and rest. I'm so drained."
Jongin shakes his head and follows, smiling once more as Kyungsoo begins to sing again. Whenever he's with Kyungsoo or even if he's only thinking about the other, he smiles a smile of satisfaction and adoration. He doesn't really notice it but Kyungsoo does the same. And into the darkness of the night brightened by the stars in the sky and the lights on the ground, their lips turn up to smiles. It's just another day in their lives - just a normal day - but it's a treasure that they hold dear. Every moment spent peacefully - or as peaceful as it gets - with each other is another moment to engrave upon their memories. It is the serenity in these days after their momentous meeting that pulls them even closer.
My salvation, my, my
***
Author's Notes: Okay so confession time. I only learned ballet for a year and that was when I was in 2nd grade - years ago. So yeah, this is probably so bad. But when I was choreographing it in my mind, it seemed pretty decent. That is until I put it into words. Oh well. This was just a little something for my friend hearteulips as a sort of congratulations on translating this KaiSoo comic. And if you liked the song, I highly recommend you listen to her album. Thank you to everyone who miraculously finds this for actually reading it. Have a great day!
Author: 93rdfragment
Pairing: KaiSoo
Rating: T (for something mildly implied at the end)
Summary: I never meant to fall for you. But I was buried underneath and all that I could see was white. A simple suggestion, listen to Gabrielle Aplin's Salvation on repeat while reading this little oneshot.
***
The music of a slow song colors the room with cool hues of blue and green. Disarrayed, they scatter in the air and move around in a circle encompassing the whole room. However, fingers dip upon them and guide them away. The calculated movements filled with passion create a magnificent accompaniment to the music. From the fingers to the whole of the body, the colors follow each graceful motion. Up and down. Side to side. Round and round. A masterpiece is born.
A dozen pair of eyes never leave the figure dancing in front of them. Stuck in awe, the group of women and men could only hold their breath in anticipation of the next step - even the smallest gesture is not spared. Nothing negative about the dancer before them can be thought nor said. Perfection moves before them. Perfection is dancing for them. Perfection, to them, is personified in one being as he loses himself in the music and in the dance. And as the music ends, dissatisfaction and greed creep into them - the desire to watch him forever is etched upon their minds and hearts.
The abruptness and loudness of the clapping is jarringly different from the soothing song. It brings the dancer to the same plane of existence as his audience once more. He opens his eyes to look upon them - to a particular person - and bows, a smile on his lips as his head raises afterward. Warmth fills him and his cheeks as he sees the admiration written all over the face of the person he is dancing for. Others may think he is dancing for all of them but that's a little away from the truth. Owl-like eyes and heart-shaped lips are the reasons his dance is filled with more emotion than before he found them - before he found the person owning them.
"Amazing." There are all sorts of synonyms to this that pile on top of each other and are pushed onto him. His smile becomes awkward and shy as the rest of his body does. Compliments have never been received well by him. It's not that he is unappreciative of them but rather, he's still not used to them and still not used to replying to them even after tens of thousands of times.
"Thank you." His right hand automatically comes up to scratch the back of his head as his eyes scan through the gathering crowd in front of him to look for his inspiration - his reason.
"Okay class. Disperse and practice. Jongin isn't here to be suffocated by you." He turns his head around to see the teacher looking half-amused and half-annoyed at her own students. Her hand lands lightly upon his shoulder with a grace brought upon by years of dedication to dancing. "As usual, you're unlike any other ballet dancer, Jongin. I wish time could be faster so you could join us around the world."
Even as he's overcome by embarrassment once more, he wills his hand to drop to his side. "I'm excited as well and would be very honored if you would still take me to international stages after I graduate from the university in two years."
"You would be honored? Now that's a laugh. We're the ones who are honored. Such talent amongst our ranks is heaven sent." She smiles at him before turning once more to her students who had been watching their conversation take place. "Well now, I think I remember telling you all to practice. I know this is just a summer workshop but you better put on some effort because there will be a recital."
Away from the pressure embodied by the teacher who had been his senior back when he learned ballet as a child, he begins his search once more with immediate results. The person he is looking for is standing near the corner of the room, watching everything unfold. His feet slowly take him to where the other is with a smile tugging upon his lips. Wide eyes turn to look at him when he is near enough and lips quirk into a smile as well. "Hey there hyung."
"Hey." A thousand compliments for Jongin fill his mind but he holds back, knowing well the shyness that comes in response to them. He has already seen Jongin flustered awhile ago and that's enough for now. "Are you going to wait for me again?"
"That shouldn't be a question anymore." With Jongin's smile becoming more radiant, he thinks that smiles suit Jongin best. No matter how charismatic the ballet dancer is while performing, nothing will beat a smile that lights up Jongin's whole face as if the world's greatest treasure has been found. He doesn't know that Jongin does think it has been found - in him.
"Kyungsoo, come on. Practice." They share a thought of patience for time spent away before gathering their bearings and separating. Kyungsoo heads on over to his classmates that await him and Jongin resigns himself to sitting on the wall to gaze upon the other.
***
As the class ends, one thought runs around Jongin's mind. He is proud of Kyungsoo, very much so. It was only a light suggestion for him to teach ballet to Kyungsoo so that the other would learn the basics and they would be able to dance together, if only just for fun. Kyungsoo had teased him that he wouldn't be able to teach him anything and that a ballet class was better. He didn't think his lover would really sign up for it. But here they are and there is Kyungsoo learning so diligently and becoming even more beautiful in his eyes.
Once more, he makes his way towards Kyungsoo - each step longer than the last and each step instilling more desire into his being. Surprise is no longer something Kyungsoo feels as Jongin lifts him up and turns a circle before putting him down close enough for them to breathe in each other's exhales. Admittedly, the move makes his heart flutter every time but he does not smile. He frowns at the unwanted attention it garners and Jongin knows he doesn't want it. But Jongin also knows how he secretly loves those heart-melting actions and so Jongin doesn't mind the frown of disapproval when he sees in those wide eyes the shine of liking.
"You two are seriously bad for my single life." The teacher's voice makes them look at her and smile in guilt, moving away from each other - far enough for the public's comfort but near enough for their own. "Anyway, as always, the keys are hanging near the door. I know you're tired of hearing me say this but lock up when you're both done practicing."
"Yes ma'am." Kyungsoo replies immediately and they watch as everyone files out of the room. When they're the only ones left, eyes meet and smiles greet. "Well...let's go practice. I really don't want to look like an idiot next week."
"An idiot?" Jongin looks flabbergasted at the statement. "You're an amazing beginner! You learn the steps really well. How could you ever look like an idiot? I look at you and I see beauty."
Supposedly, Kyungsoo should be embarrassed after the outburst but it's Jongin who is. Kyungsoo simply smiles warmly at the compliment so easily given to him and at the red-faced person who gave it. One would wonder how true those words were said and how unbiased they are - he doesn't. He knows that Jongin takes dancing very seriously and would never lie to him about it. After all, he was always given honest advise and reproach when he had asked Jongin to help him with the dance. Now, here they are with their own routine for the recital in two weeks - next week's performance is for the class to scrutinize them.
"Come on, your royal cheesiness. I actually want to practice." He pulls Jongin to the left side of the room and afterward, walks toward the right. When he looks up, Jongin's face has gone back to its tanned color with determination masking it. There's a silent question of "Are you ready?" in those half-lidded eyes and Kyungsoo nods. Jongin bends down to the player beside him and presses play. The sound of a piano playing resonates within the room and into their consciousness. It leads them - their feet slowly taking steps as they walk towards each other. Once they meet, a woman's voice starts to sing and bleed out colors for their bodies to paint another masterpiece.
You are the avalanche
One world away
My make believing
While I'm wide awake
A pale right hand moves up quickly followed by its left counterpart before they move down head level as a tanned body pirouettes further away from the one who's stuck at where they met. Kyungsoo bends down into himself slowly, hands placed upon his chest, before his head turns to Jongin and his left hand reaches out in yearning to the one who pauses in moving away and turns to look at him as well. As Kyungsoo stays still, Jongin's upper body curves forwards and his feet quickly tiptoe backwards as if he's being pulled by the other's stare. He abruptly does an arabesque, left arm to stretched sideward and perfectly parallel to the floor as his right foot and right hand reach up toward the ceiling. From that position, he pirouettes once more, right foot now pointing toward the ground and hands in front of his chest. Quickly as he finishes, he runs to Kyungsoo and holds the outstretched hand in his own right one as his left take hold of the other's cheek. With that contact, wide eyes close leisurely - as if basking in the contact - before opening again.
Just a trick of light
To bring me back around again
Those wild eyes
A psychedelic silhouette
In a sign of disbelief, Kyungsoo's right hand comes up to the one on his cheek and holds it before pushing it slowly away as his body also turns away from Jongin. But the hand holding his left one grips tightly, pulling him before letting go, and he pirouettes back in to Jongin's arms, hands laying lightly upon the other's chest. Then, those hands trace upward in the lightest of touches, from the shoulders to the neck and finally landing upon cheeks with two pairs of eyes locking into each other. Jongin's hands hold onto his waist and lift him up while his own never leave those cheeks even as they turn in circles - lovingly they stay caressing Jongin's face. Their gazes never stray as well, only looking upon the depths of each other's souls. Jongin makes three turns and, in the last one, he slowly brings down Kyungsoo.
I never meant to fall for you but I
Was buried underneath
And all that I could see was white
Moving, the hands on Jongin's cheek are now behind his neck, fingers tangled upon each other. Kyungsoo's left leg bends to form a shape of a bow. This is all as Jongin places his own left hand on Kyungsoo's neck and right hand on Kyungsoo's waist. He lowers the body inch by inch and in time those eyes that he looked into closes, presenting to him vulnerability and trust. So he does all he can to gently lay the person in his arms on the floor as he kneels with his right leg. He feels Kyungsoo's left hand shift and turn his head to watch fingers travel across his right arm to the hand still holding the other's waist. He looks on as those fingers hold his hand and guide them toward heart-shaped lips. The lightest of kisses is placed upon his knuckles and his eyes stray upward to see Kyungsoo's own open and stare at him with a flurry of emotions.
My salvation, my, my
My salvation, my, my
Jongin pulls Kyungsoo to a sitting position, their joined hands squished between Kyungsoo's leg and stomach as his left hand comes to rest upon his left knee. Kyungsoo turns to the right and they're looking at each other again, both kneeling in the same position. In perfect synchrony, they stand up deliberately with a smile upon their lips. Letting go of each other's hand, Kyungsoo places his right one on Jongin's chest as Jongin does the same to him. Then, they do it again with their left hands. And as the woman stops singing and the piano continues to play, they sway their upper bodies to the left then to the right before they move away from each other until their hands are the only ones connecting them together. Kyungsoo spins to Jongin, his right arm coming up over his head as his hands hold onto Jongin's. His back ends up resting on his partner's chest and his arms crisscrossed against his own.
As the singer does a legato of "oh", their hands let go briefly as their arms extend to the sides. Jongin's fingers entwine themselves with Kyungsoo's and he guides their hands to the other's chest, their eyes closing. Once more, only the sound of the piano plays and with it, Kyungsoo turns his head slightly to the side as Jongin moves to press their cheeks together and a smile plays upon their lips. They stay in that position even as the woman begins to sing again and the music continues to envelope them.
***
With the studio locked up, Jongin and Kyungsoo walk home together under the night sky. At first, there was idle chatter about the practice and what they did wrong along with how they could improve. But they eventually fall into a comfortable silence - the noise of the busy streets of Seoul on a Monday night filling it in for them. The warm temperature of summer cools down as the moon rises above them. The lights of dozens of cars and buildings flash before them and erase the traces of moonlight upon the city.
Amongst all these, Kyungsoo sings quietly the song that they've been dancing to. It's soft enough to be drowned out by everything else but loud enough for Jongin - who is so close to him - to hear. After hundreds and thousands of times listening to the song over and over again, he's got the pronunciation right and Jongin thinks that as beautiful as Kyungsoo may be when dancing, nothing will ever beat Kyungsoo's radiance when singing. This is the voice that would both wake him up and put him to sleep. Such a splendor is rarely found. Kyungsoo shares the same sentiment regarding Jongin's dancing.
"Mine" is what Jongin whispers by the end of the song as he slips his hand into Kyungsoo's and looks at the other's face illuminated by the bright lights. He's terribly satisfied when Kyungsoo looks back at him with even wider than normal eyes and red splotched cheeks. Usually, he's the one who gets flustered - to his dismay, even at his own gestures - but there are a few times when he gathers his bearings and has Kyungsoo surprised. This is one of those times and he cherishes it - revels in it. He beams at the adorable person before him and that gets him an even more embarrassed lover.
"Ah seriously. You're so childish." Even though Kyungsoo says this, he doesn't let go. "If Baekhyun sees us, he's going to start teasing again. The last round was exhausting enough."
"It was exhausting only because you wrestled him into stopping." Jongin's laughter makes him grin in response.
"He had it coming. Besides, he's used to it. How many times has he teased me or us and I've resorted to physical violence to make him stop? He never learns." Kyungsoo rolling his eyes has Jongin laughing once more.
"Why don't you just ignore him like you ignore Chanyeol hyung then?"
"Chanyeol just annoyingly calls my name out many, many times. You can ignore that up to an extent. Baekhyun though jumps straight into whatever he wants to say." The seriousness in Kyungsoo's face as he speaks makes Jongin want to laugh again but refrains from doing so.
"Whatever you say then hyung." Jongin receives a very hard squeeze to his hand as a reply. "Ah!"
"Would you like to say that again?" Everyone who's been at the receiving end of Kyungsoo's anger knows that the sweetness to his voice at this kind of time underlies a very real threat. Jongin mourns for his throbbing hand still within Kyungsoo's grip.
"No. No. I'm good. Let's just continue to walk." If their friends could see them now, they would be laughing at Jongin's shaky smile and clear submission to his lover. But then again, if they were there and did laugh, they would also be receiving Kyungsoo's punches for laughing.
The hand holding his own trembles slightly and Kyungsoo looks down upon it with regret. His thumb gently strokes the back of Jongin's hand in a gesture to soothe the pain. Fingers tighten around his own and he looks up to Jongin who's smiling at him. "I'm fine. I can take your blows."
Kyungsoo blinks before grinning wickedly. "Is that an insinuation I hear?"
Once more, Jongin's face turns red and it even reaches down to his neck. "What? No. I didn't mean that. I swear. I was talking about hitting. Physical violence. That sort of stuff."
While Jongin can enjoy the rare times Kyungsoo gets embarrassed, it still stands that, most of the time, he's the one that is. But hearing his lover's laugh sort of makes him feel better about it - sort of. Kyungsoo walks faster and tugs at his hand as a sign to hurry up. "Come on. Let's just go home and rest. I'm so drained."
Jongin shakes his head and follows, smiling once more as Kyungsoo begins to sing again. Whenever he's with Kyungsoo or even if he's only thinking about the other, he smiles a smile of satisfaction and adoration. He doesn't really notice it but Kyungsoo does the same. And into the darkness of the night brightened by the stars in the sky and the lights on the ground, their lips turn up to smiles. It's just another day in their lives - just a normal day - but it's a treasure that they hold dear. Every moment spent peacefully - or as peaceful as it gets - with each other is another moment to engrave upon their memories. It is the serenity in these days after their momentous meeting that pulls them even closer.
My salvation, my, my
***
Author's Notes: Okay so confession time. I only learned ballet for a year and that was when I was in 2nd grade - years ago. So yeah, this is probably so bad. But when I was choreographing it in my mind, it seemed pretty decent. That is until I put it into words. Oh well. This was just a little something for my friend hearteulips as a sort of congratulations on translating this KaiSoo comic. And if you liked the song, I highly recommend you listen to her album. Thank you to everyone who miraculously finds this for actually reading it. Have a great day!