Game Stop 1/2
Title: Game Stop 1/2
Pairing: Junsu/Micky
Rating: PG-13 (for now, and only for language)
Disclaimer: If they were mine, I would give them to you for your birthday instead of just writing a fic about them.
Summary: Micky would rather play the piano than play games. When he gets a job at the local Game Stop, he gains more than just the difference between a Playstaion, an Xbox and a Wii.
A/N: This fic is for suju_shinki Happy really late birthday! I hope you like it!
Part 1:
Micky walked by the Game Stop every day on his way to the music store. He glanced at the brightly colored game covers and moved on. He did the same thing at the music store, bypassing everything popular and going to the most recent releases of operas and concertos.
He bled music, according to his mother.
He felt guilty actually, because his mother tried so hard to encourage his musical inclinations, but with no money for lessons, and no money for a proper piano or keyboard, he was left to his own devices. He survived, teaching himself to play piano, reading up on musical theory texts.
His grades showed that he hardly cared about anything else.
One day, near the end of sophomore year, Micky saw a sign in the Game Stop requesting part-time help. It was there the next day, and the next day, and two weeks later it was still there. Micky figured that if he had a job, his mom wouldn't feel so guilty.
On a Saturday morning, he went into the game store to see if he could get a job. He didn't know a lot about video games, but figured that stocking shelves and inventory wouldn't be too hard.
There was a guy his age, maybe older, across the store, rearranging the cases for games.
"Um, hi," he said.
The guy turned and smiled and Micky's head went light. He had black hair, spiked up, and wore t-shirt and jean shorts. He looked vaguely familiar.
"Hi," he said brightly. “What’s up?”
Micky knew it was crazy to say the guy’s eyes twinkled, but … well, they twinkled. He seemed liked the kind of guy that was always happy and laughing. "Um, I'm here about the part-time help."
"Oh, just a second. Joe!"
Micky winced at the shout.
"What? Hang on!" a voice shouted from the back.
"Do you like working here?" Micky asked.
The kid laughed. "I don't work here. Just a good customer, and people don't put the games back where they go and it irritates me, so I put them back. Joe won't give me a job."
"You'd spend more time playing than you do working."
The guy nodded.
Micky looked at the big, overweight white guy behind the counter. He wore a ratty t-shirt and jeans. He had a full beard that was going gray. He must have been in his late thirties.
"Do you play video games?" he asked.
Micky bit his lip and shook his head. "I prefer the piano."
The man smiled. "Really?"
Micky nodded. "I wouldn't be qualified for a job here, but your sign has been up for a long time, so I thought I’d test my luck."
The man's smile widened. "That's because only gamers apply. What's your name?"
"Micky. I’m Korean, so my real name is Yoochun Park, but everyone calls me Micky."
"Micky, then. All right. Do you have some ID on you?"
"Um, yeah." Micky took out his driver license and his school ID.
"School kid?"
"I can work after school and Saturdays and Sundays."
"Good. Good. Hang on." Joe left the front of the store.
Micky looked around and met the other guy's eyes. He smiled. "Welcome to the Game Stop," he said with a laugh.
Micky's eyes widened. "Huh?"
"Joe likes your honesty, and that you won't waste time in the back playing games. He'd be stupid not to hire you."
And just like that, Micky had a job.
[+ = 88]
The first thing Micky learned was that Junsu Kim came into the store every other day. The second thing he learned was that Junsu Kim went to his school, was in his math class last year, and played on the soccer team.
It explained why Micky didn't know him. Micky was sort of a music nerd. Junsu was popular.
They formed a commonality around being Korean, but Micky had lived in the US since he was four, and Junsu had just moved in six years ago. He still spoke English with a slight accent. But, they liked the same foods that their other friends thought tasted like rotting fish.
The only other Korean in their school was Jaejoong, the high flying, cigarette smoking, perfect grades getting, gossip queen of their school. He was just as popular as Junsu, even though he was gay, and he was friends with Micky only because Jaejoong liked to sing, and Micky liked to play for him.
One day, Micky walked into work and saw Junsu staring forlornly at the promotional poster of the newest Elder Scrolls game.
"My first love," Junsu muttered, "my first addiction.”
Micky snorted.
Junsu sighed again.
"It's only two more weeks, Su-ah," Micky said.
"Longer for me."
"Why?"
"We have an out-of-state soccer tournament and I'm going to be gone on the day it's released."
"Oh, ouch."
Junsu nodded. "All my friends are going to have it beaten before I even have the money to buy it. I'm going to go wallow in self-pity and drown myself in a bowl of ramen."
Micky smiled. "That's a bad way to die, bro."
"You'd miss me, right?"
"Yes." And Micky meant it. It was so odd. They didn't interact at school at all. Micky rarely saw him in the halls. But here, they were best friends. Or good friends.
"Hey, do you have to work tomorrow?" Junsu asked, turning away from Elder Scrolls.
"No."
"I know you usually hang at home and stuff, but there's a soccer game, and an after party, if you want to come."
Micky swallowed, and then nodded. "Sure. I ... I don't get soccer, but I'll come watch you."
"Stalker," Junsu said with a smile. He winked at Micky's shocked expression and left the store.
[+ = 88]
"Jaejoong, I need your help," Micky said as soon as he saw his friend after school the next day.
"With ..."
In a low voice, he told Jaejoong about going to a soccer game and an after party full of popular people.
Jaejoong stared at him for a moment and then laughed at him.
"Fuck off. I'm nervous."
"Why?"
Micky's mouth opened and stayed open as he tried to come up with a response. There was no reason to be nervous. It was just a soccer game. He swallowed at the sudden image of Junsu in his soccer uniform, hair messy from running, mouth spread in a smile.
Jaejoong laughed again. "Fine. We are going to my house for wardrobe."
[+ = 88]
A few hours later, Micky found himself back at school. The lights of the stadium burned brightly. Students congregated around him. More than a few shot him awed looks. He tugged on the black t-shirt and wondered why he let Jaejoong dress him.
The blue jeans were like a second skin, and the high tops were bright green. Jaejoong had done something to his hair, pulled it back in a ponytail and then fluffed it out.
When he was done, Jaejoong had said, "There. Now you're properly fuckable," and Micky had punched him.
"Fuck is that Micky?" he heard more than once.
Jaejoong stayed by his side for a while, declared him socially inept and then left him to his own devices.
Micky didn't know what to do, so he went to the bleachers and found an empty spot. People sat by him without really saying anything to him, looking at him for a moment, realizing who he was and then looking away. It made him even more self conscious.
He wanted to leave, but he'd promised Junsu he'd watch. And so he watched. He didn't really get soccer, but he knew the basics. Junsu scored two goals, and Micky found himself smiling and clapping with everyone else. The second goal came late in the game and ended up being the winning goal. Junsu ran around the field with the bottom of his shirt over his head. He slid on the grass, and just before the rest of the team tackled him, Micky saw his solid abs, and the band of boxers.
He stopped clapping, mouth dry and stared for a long time.
In sort of a daze, he found Jaejoong after the game.
"Well," Jaejoong said, hands on his hips.
Micky wasn't sure what that meant.
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's go."
Micky was even more out of place at the after party. He stayed in the kitchen, because that's where the least amount of people were at. Jaejoong ditched him there, too, but Micky didn't blame him. He got a few compliments on his outfit from some girls, but he didn’t know how to reply other than to say thanks and blush like crazy.
Micky saw Junsu once, and that was when he went to go find a bathroom, and there in the middle of the hall was Junsu with his arms around a girl's waist and lips against her neck, and Micky froze and gaped like a fish, and then turned around.
Confused, he left the party. The entire night had been awkward and confusing, and now he was crying and he didn't understand why. Jaejoong said that he cried over everything, but why would seeing Junsu with some girl make him cry?
Wandering through the streets didn’t make it any clearer.
Junsu was popular. It only made sense that he had a girlfriend.
Every moment, every smile, every touch from Junsu ran through Micky’s mind.
They’d only known each other for a month. Micky had no right to be so possessive over him, but it hurt, god, why did it hurt?
Micky sat on the swing in a park and scuffed the ground with the tip of Jaejoong’s high top. He sighed, and decided that part of him had expected Junsu to hang out with him, stay next to him, and … god, why had he let Jaejoong dress him up like this?
With a muttered curse, Micky stood up, making the swing shake violently. He stomped all the way home and ignored his mother when she demanded to know where Micky had been, and whose clothes were those? He locked himself in his bedroom and striped. He didn’t relax until he was in low riding sweats and an oversized tank top.
His phone beeped.
JaeBabe Where are you?
PianoMan I went home.
JaeBabe What? Why?
Micky sighed. PianoMan I don’t belong there, in that crowd. It was awkward.
JaeBabe You only don’t belong there because you don’t let yourself belong there.
PianoMan I didn’t even see Junsu.
And just like that Micky was crying again.
JaeBabe He asked about you like ten minutes ago, that’s why I texted you bc we couldn’t find you.
Micky’s heart fluttered. Junsu asked about him?
PianoMan Oh …
JaeBabe You. Are. Hopeless.
PianoMan I know.
The happy feeling went away, and Micky ignored Jaejoong’s call a few seconds later. Micky didn’t need to be at a party and he didn’t need to be dressed up. He needed a piano and solitude, and he was happy with that. The only reason he’d agreed to go to the game at all was because Junsu asked him, and the only reason he’d dressed up is because Jaejoong said Junsu would like it.
Well, Junsu didn’t need him, because he had a girlfriend, and Micky decided that the best thing for him to do was to go back to only knowing Junsu the Gamer, because Junsu the Gamer made him laugh, and his heart didn’t hurt when he thought about Junsu the Gamer.
[+ = 88]
Micky went to work on Sunday, knowing that Junsu would be there, because he was always there on Sunday, but he wasn’t, and then he didn’t come in on Monday or Tuesday either.
On Wednesday, Micky had the afternoon off, so he went to the music room and sat at a piano and told the notes his sorrows.
He was interrupted by Jaejoong.
A frowning, pissed off Jaejoong that sat down hard next to him and shoved him enough that he lost his place in the music.
“What?” Micky asked.
“What do you mean what?”
“What?” Micky asked.
“What did you do to Junsu?”
“What … I didn’t do anything to Junsu!” he protested.
“Maybe that’s the problem,” Jaejoong said. “God, you are both so stupid.” He stood up and wore a tract over the floor with heavy pacing.
“I haven’t even seen Junsu since Friday night at the party,” Micky said.
Jaejoong spun around and glared at him. “You said you didn’t see him at the party.”
Micky blushed and looked back at the keys that he was no longer playing.
“What happened?” Jaejoong demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Lie. Tell me.”
“No. Fuck off.”
“Tell me.”
“NO!”
Jaejoong crossed his arms and tapped his foot for a moment. And then he smiled. An evil, knowing smile that made Micky’s breath stagger. “Marissa Thompson has been bragging all week how she made out with Junsu for the first half of that party.”
The image of Junsu’s arms around a slim waist filled Micky’s mind. His cheeks flushed. “So what? Good for her.”
“And no one saw you after midnight.”
Micky went back to his forgotten song.
Jaejoong sat next to him again. “Are you gay, Micky?”
“NO!” But he felt his cheeks flush red.
“You know you can tell me. Of all people at this school you can tell me.”
“I’m not … I … don’t know.”
“Did you see him with Marissa?”
Micky swallowed, or tried to. There was a thick lump in his throat. “Was that her name? I didn’t stick around to find out.”
Jaejoong draped an arm around Micky’s shoulders. Micky shrugged, but not trying to make Jaejoong’s arm move. Tears stung behind his eyes again.
“It’s … when we’re at the shop, it’s like I’m the only person in his eyes,” Micky whispered.
“Do you like him?”
Micky looked up and considered that question. It was a dangerous one to answer.
His cheeks went even redder and his fingers slammed on the keys until Jaejoong lightly took his wrists.
“He asked about you again today,” Jaejoong said.
“So what?” he sniffed, trying not to look as pathetic as he felt. “He knows where to find me.”
Jaejoong frowned. “That’s true. I wonder why he isn’t. Probably because he thinks you’re mad at him.”
Micky looked up. “What?”
“Junsu. Yesterday, he said he thought you were mad at him, but didn’t say why.”
“Then why did you come in here asking me what I did to him. I didn’t do anything.”
“He says that yes, he made out with Marissa, but he doesn’t call her his girlfriend. Just a hook up.”
“Again, so what?”
Jaejoong sighed. “I think he likes you.”
Micky snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“What if he did like you?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky paused and then snapped, “He doesn’t, so whatever.”
Jaejoong threw his hands into the air and stood up. “You’re both so stupid.” The door slammed behind him, and Micky frowned.
Why did Junsu think he was mad? He wasn’t mad, he was …
What was he?
Part of him hurt, but he had no reason to be hurt, because Junsu wasn’t his … boyfriend? His … what?
He was indeed jealous, though. Of Marissa. He could admit that. But only because he had gone to that party for Junsu and …
Micky sighed. He put his elbows on the keys in a horrible chord and covered his face with his hands. But he had to be honest with himself. He liked Junsu. And more than once, he’d pictured himself in that girl’s place.
[+ = 88]
Micky didn’t see Junsu until Friday, and it was only because he wasn’t working and he was walking by the Game Stop on his way to the music store and he glanced in and saw Junsu’s back and walked faster.
Jaejoong sent him a text that said he was stupid about every three hours.
That weekend, Micky’s mom got sick. Just like a flu or something, but she did not want to get out of bed, so Micky stayed home from school and from work to take care of his little brother and the house until his mom felt better.
Micky forgot about the release of Elder Scrolls until it actually happened. The store was packed for hours after school on Friday, and Micky wondered why Junsu wasn’t there. One of Junsu’s gamer friends (Aiden Something) mentioned something about Junsu and soccer, and Micky remembered the soccer tournament.
That night, before Micky closed down the till, he paid (with his discount) for a copy of Elder Scrolls and put it in his spot in the back.
He stared at the game for a whole week.
[+ = 88]
“Well, when are you going to have more in?” the guy asked.
Micky tried not to lose his patience. Didn’t he just explain this? “They’re on backorder,” he said again. “We won’t be able to order them at all for two to three weeks.”
“So you’ll have some in two weeks?”
“No, we’ll be able to order them in two weeks.”
“So you’ll have them in three weeks.”
“I don’t know.” Micky spun the computer screen around. “See this? This is the code from the supplier for the Elder Scrolls game. It says it’s on backorder. And it usually takes two to three weeks for it to get off back order.”
The door dinged, signaling a customer, and Micky sighed in relief.
“But why didn’t you order more? It’s a popular game.”
“We sold a hundred in less than a week. We weren’t expecting sales like that.”
“Does that mean you’re out of Elder Scrolls?” a familiar voice said, in utter disbelief.
Micky’s head shot up and he stared at Junsu.
“Yeah, they’re out.”
Junsu pouted. “Well, fuck. This is the congratulations I get after leading our team to 3rd place finish at State?”
“Third?” Micky said with a smile. “Awesome.”
“Not as awesome as spending the next twelve hours playing the new Elder Scrolls game.”
The other guy agreed.
“Look, we can reserve it for you,” Micky said.
“I’ll just find a place to buy it online.” The other guy turned around without acknowledging either of them and left the store.
“You’re really out?” Junsu said with a frown.
Micky nodded. “Yeah, but … uh, hang on. Okay?”
“Um, sure.”
Micky practically ran to the back, heart racing. That was the first conversation he’d had with Junsu in three weeks, and he tried not to over analyze it. He took the game off the shelf and quickly unwrapped it. Jaejoong still called him stupid, but over the last few days of not seeing Junsu, Micky realized how much he missed him, and grudgingly admitted that Jaejoong was right.
He liked Junsu. A lot. And in that way, and … well, he didn’t know if Junsu liked him, or if he liked him in that way, but …
He snatched a piece of paper and scribbled a note. He put it inside the game. It snapped shut with a finality that scared Micky to death. He went back to the front, glad that Junsu was still alone. He held out the game.
“What … is …”
“I knew we’d sell out, so I bought you a copy.”
Junsu’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Um, yeah. I …”
“Wow. Thanks, Micky. I … “
Micky blushed so hard and looked away.
“I … I don’t know … I’ll pay you back.”
“N-no, it’s … it’s a gift.”
“But I-”
“Just take it,” Micky said, almost snapping.
Junsu bit his lower lip. “S-sorry. T-thank you.”
The door dinged as another customer came in and Junsu hastily retreated.
[+ = 88]
Part 2: Junsu
.
Pairing: Junsu/Micky
Rating: PG-13 (for now, and only for language)
Disclaimer: If they were mine, I would give them to you for your birthday instead of just writing a fic about them.
Summary: Micky would rather play the piano than play games. When he gets a job at the local Game Stop, he gains more than just the difference between a Playstaion, an Xbox and a Wii.
A/N: This fic is for suju_shinki Happy really late birthday! I hope you like it!
Part 1:
Micky walked by the Game Stop every day on his way to the music store. He glanced at the brightly colored game covers and moved on. He did the same thing at the music store, bypassing everything popular and going to the most recent releases of operas and concertos.
He bled music, according to his mother.
He felt guilty actually, because his mother tried so hard to encourage his musical inclinations, but with no money for lessons, and no money for a proper piano or keyboard, he was left to his own devices. He survived, teaching himself to play piano, reading up on musical theory texts.
His grades showed that he hardly cared about anything else.
One day, near the end of sophomore year, Micky saw a sign in the Game Stop requesting part-time help. It was there the next day, and the next day, and two weeks later it was still there. Micky figured that if he had a job, his mom wouldn't feel so guilty.
On a Saturday morning, he went into the game store to see if he could get a job. He didn't know a lot about video games, but figured that stocking shelves and inventory wouldn't be too hard.
There was a guy his age, maybe older, across the store, rearranging the cases for games.
"Um, hi," he said.
The guy turned and smiled and Micky's head went light. He had black hair, spiked up, and wore t-shirt and jean shorts. He looked vaguely familiar.
"Hi," he said brightly. “What’s up?”
Micky knew it was crazy to say the guy’s eyes twinkled, but … well, they twinkled. He seemed liked the kind of guy that was always happy and laughing. "Um, I'm here about the part-time help."
"Oh, just a second. Joe!"
Micky winced at the shout.
"What? Hang on!" a voice shouted from the back.
"Do you like working here?" Micky asked.
The kid laughed. "I don't work here. Just a good customer, and people don't put the games back where they go and it irritates me, so I put them back. Joe won't give me a job."
"You'd spend more time playing than you do working."
The guy nodded.
Micky looked at the big, overweight white guy behind the counter. He wore a ratty t-shirt and jeans. He had a full beard that was going gray. He must have been in his late thirties.
"Do you play video games?" he asked.
Micky bit his lip and shook his head. "I prefer the piano."
The man smiled. "Really?"
Micky nodded. "I wouldn't be qualified for a job here, but your sign has been up for a long time, so I thought I’d test my luck."
The man's smile widened. "That's because only gamers apply. What's your name?"
"Micky. I’m Korean, so my real name is Yoochun Park, but everyone calls me Micky."
"Micky, then. All right. Do you have some ID on you?"
"Um, yeah." Micky took out his driver license and his school ID.
"School kid?"
"I can work after school and Saturdays and Sundays."
"Good. Good. Hang on." Joe left the front of the store.
Micky looked around and met the other guy's eyes. He smiled. "Welcome to the Game Stop," he said with a laugh.
Micky's eyes widened. "Huh?"
"Joe likes your honesty, and that you won't waste time in the back playing games. He'd be stupid not to hire you."
And just like that, Micky had a job.
[+ = 88]
The first thing Micky learned was that Junsu Kim came into the store every other day. The second thing he learned was that Junsu Kim went to his school, was in his math class last year, and played on the soccer team.
It explained why Micky didn't know him. Micky was sort of a music nerd. Junsu was popular.
They formed a commonality around being Korean, but Micky had lived in the US since he was four, and Junsu had just moved in six years ago. He still spoke English with a slight accent. But, they liked the same foods that their other friends thought tasted like rotting fish.
The only other Korean in their school was Jaejoong, the high flying, cigarette smoking, perfect grades getting, gossip queen of their school. He was just as popular as Junsu, even though he was gay, and he was friends with Micky only because Jaejoong liked to sing, and Micky liked to play for him.
One day, Micky walked into work and saw Junsu staring forlornly at the promotional poster of the newest Elder Scrolls game.
"My first love," Junsu muttered, "my first addiction.”
Micky snorted.
Junsu sighed again.
"It's only two more weeks, Su-ah," Micky said.
"Longer for me."
"Why?"
"We have an out-of-state soccer tournament and I'm going to be gone on the day it's released."
"Oh, ouch."
Junsu nodded. "All my friends are going to have it beaten before I even have the money to buy it. I'm going to go wallow in self-pity and drown myself in a bowl of ramen."
Micky smiled. "That's a bad way to die, bro."
"You'd miss me, right?"
"Yes." And Micky meant it. It was so odd. They didn't interact at school at all. Micky rarely saw him in the halls. But here, they were best friends. Or good friends.
"Hey, do you have to work tomorrow?" Junsu asked, turning away from Elder Scrolls.
"No."
"I know you usually hang at home and stuff, but there's a soccer game, and an after party, if you want to come."
Micky swallowed, and then nodded. "Sure. I ... I don't get soccer, but I'll come watch you."
"Stalker," Junsu said with a smile. He winked at Micky's shocked expression and left the store.
[+ = 88]
"Jaejoong, I need your help," Micky said as soon as he saw his friend after school the next day.
"With ..."
In a low voice, he told Jaejoong about going to a soccer game and an after party full of popular people.
Jaejoong stared at him for a moment and then laughed at him.
"Fuck off. I'm nervous."
"Why?"
Micky's mouth opened and stayed open as he tried to come up with a response. There was no reason to be nervous. It was just a soccer game. He swallowed at the sudden image of Junsu in his soccer uniform, hair messy from running, mouth spread in a smile.
Jaejoong laughed again. "Fine. We are going to my house for wardrobe."
[+ = 88]
A few hours later, Micky found himself back at school. The lights of the stadium burned brightly. Students congregated around him. More than a few shot him awed looks. He tugged on the black t-shirt and wondered why he let Jaejoong dress him.
The blue jeans were like a second skin, and the high tops were bright green. Jaejoong had done something to his hair, pulled it back in a ponytail and then fluffed it out.
When he was done, Jaejoong had said, "There. Now you're properly fuckable," and Micky had punched him.
"Fuck is that Micky?" he heard more than once.
Jaejoong stayed by his side for a while, declared him socially inept and then left him to his own devices.
Micky didn't know what to do, so he went to the bleachers and found an empty spot. People sat by him without really saying anything to him, looking at him for a moment, realizing who he was and then looking away. It made him even more self conscious.
He wanted to leave, but he'd promised Junsu he'd watch. And so he watched. He didn't really get soccer, but he knew the basics. Junsu scored two goals, and Micky found himself smiling and clapping with everyone else. The second goal came late in the game and ended up being the winning goal. Junsu ran around the field with the bottom of his shirt over his head. He slid on the grass, and just before the rest of the team tackled him, Micky saw his solid abs, and the band of boxers.
He stopped clapping, mouth dry and stared for a long time.
In sort of a daze, he found Jaejoong after the game.
"Well," Jaejoong said, hands on his hips.
Micky wasn't sure what that meant.
Jaejoong rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's go."
Micky was even more out of place at the after party. He stayed in the kitchen, because that's where the least amount of people were at. Jaejoong ditched him there, too, but Micky didn't blame him. He got a few compliments on his outfit from some girls, but he didn’t know how to reply other than to say thanks and blush like crazy.
Micky saw Junsu once, and that was when he went to go find a bathroom, and there in the middle of the hall was Junsu with his arms around a girl's waist and lips against her neck, and Micky froze and gaped like a fish, and then turned around.
Confused, he left the party. The entire night had been awkward and confusing, and now he was crying and he didn't understand why. Jaejoong said that he cried over everything, but why would seeing Junsu with some girl make him cry?
Wandering through the streets didn’t make it any clearer.
Junsu was popular. It only made sense that he had a girlfriend.
Every moment, every smile, every touch from Junsu ran through Micky’s mind.
They’d only known each other for a month. Micky had no right to be so possessive over him, but it hurt, god, why did it hurt?
Micky sat on the swing in a park and scuffed the ground with the tip of Jaejoong’s high top. He sighed, and decided that part of him had expected Junsu to hang out with him, stay next to him, and … god, why had he let Jaejoong dress him up like this?
With a muttered curse, Micky stood up, making the swing shake violently. He stomped all the way home and ignored his mother when she demanded to know where Micky had been, and whose clothes were those? He locked himself in his bedroom and striped. He didn’t relax until he was in low riding sweats and an oversized tank top.
His phone beeped.
JaeBabe Where are you?
PianoMan I went home.
JaeBabe What? Why?
Micky sighed. PianoMan I don’t belong there, in that crowd. It was awkward.
JaeBabe You only don’t belong there because you don’t let yourself belong there.
PianoMan I didn’t even see Junsu.
And just like that Micky was crying again.
JaeBabe He asked about you like ten minutes ago, that’s why I texted you bc we couldn’t find you.
Micky’s heart fluttered. Junsu asked about him?
PianoMan Oh …
JaeBabe You. Are. Hopeless.
PianoMan I know.
The happy feeling went away, and Micky ignored Jaejoong’s call a few seconds later. Micky didn’t need to be at a party and he didn’t need to be dressed up. He needed a piano and solitude, and he was happy with that. The only reason he’d agreed to go to the game at all was because Junsu asked him, and the only reason he’d dressed up is because Jaejoong said Junsu would like it.
Well, Junsu didn’t need him, because he had a girlfriend, and Micky decided that the best thing for him to do was to go back to only knowing Junsu the Gamer, because Junsu the Gamer made him laugh, and his heart didn’t hurt when he thought about Junsu the Gamer.
[+ = 88]
Micky went to work on Sunday, knowing that Junsu would be there, because he was always there on Sunday, but he wasn’t, and then he didn’t come in on Monday or Tuesday either.
On Wednesday, Micky had the afternoon off, so he went to the music room and sat at a piano and told the notes his sorrows.
He was interrupted by Jaejoong.
A frowning, pissed off Jaejoong that sat down hard next to him and shoved him enough that he lost his place in the music.
“What?” Micky asked.
“What do you mean what?”
“What?” Micky asked.
“What did you do to Junsu?”
“What … I didn’t do anything to Junsu!” he protested.
“Maybe that’s the problem,” Jaejoong said. “God, you are both so stupid.” He stood up and wore a tract over the floor with heavy pacing.
“I haven’t even seen Junsu since Friday night at the party,” Micky said.
Jaejoong spun around and glared at him. “You said you didn’t see him at the party.”
Micky blushed and looked back at the keys that he was no longer playing.
“What happened?” Jaejoong demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Lie. Tell me.”
“No. Fuck off.”
“Tell me.”
“NO!”
Jaejoong crossed his arms and tapped his foot for a moment. And then he smiled. An evil, knowing smile that made Micky’s breath stagger. “Marissa Thompson has been bragging all week how she made out with Junsu for the first half of that party.”
The image of Junsu’s arms around a slim waist filled Micky’s mind. His cheeks flushed. “So what? Good for her.”
“And no one saw you after midnight.”
Micky went back to his forgotten song.
Jaejoong sat next to him again. “Are you gay, Micky?”
“NO!” But he felt his cheeks flush red.
“You know you can tell me. Of all people at this school you can tell me.”
“I’m not … I … don’t know.”
“Did you see him with Marissa?”
Micky swallowed, or tried to. There was a thick lump in his throat. “Was that her name? I didn’t stick around to find out.”
Jaejoong draped an arm around Micky’s shoulders. Micky shrugged, but not trying to make Jaejoong’s arm move. Tears stung behind his eyes again.
“It’s … when we’re at the shop, it’s like I’m the only person in his eyes,” Micky whispered.
“Do you like him?”
Micky looked up and considered that question. It was a dangerous one to answer.
His cheeks went even redder and his fingers slammed on the keys until Jaejoong lightly took his wrists.
“He asked about you again today,” Jaejoong said.
“So what?” he sniffed, trying not to look as pathetic as he felt. “He knows where to find me.”
Jaejoong frowned. “That’s true. I wonder why he isn’t. Probably because he thinks you’re mad at him.”
Micky looked up. “What?”
“Junsu. Yesterday, he said he thought you were mad at him, but didn’t say why.”
“Then why did you come in here asking me what I did to him. I didn’t do anything.”
“He says that yes, he made out with Marissa, but he doesn’t call her his girlfriend. Just a hook up.”
“Again, so what?”
Jaejoong sighed. “I think he likes you.”
Micky snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“What if he did like you?” Jaejoong asked.
Micky paused and then snapped, “He doesn’t, so whatever.”
Jaejoong threw his hands into the air and stood up. “You’re both so stupid.” The door slammed behind him, and Micky frowned.
Why did Junsu think he was mad? He wasn’t mad, he was …
What was he?
Part of him hurt, but he had no reason to be hurt, because Junsu wasn’t his … boyfriend? His … what?
He was indeed jealous, though. Of Marissa. He could admit that. But only because he had gone to that party for Junsu and …
Micky sighed. He put his elbows on the keys in a horrible chord and covered his face with his hands. But he had to be honest with himself. He liked Junsu. And more than once, he’d pictured himself in that girl’s place.
[+ = 88]
Micky didn’t see Junsu until Friday, and it was only because he wasn’t working and he was walking by the Game Stop on his way to the music store and he glanced in and saw Junsu’s back and walked faster.
Jaejoong sent him a text that said he was stupid about every three hours.
That weekend, Micky’s mom got sick. Just like a flu or something, but she did not want to get out of bed, so Micky stayed home from school and from work to take care of his little brother and the house until his mom felt better.
Micky forgot about the release of Elder Scrolls until it actually happened. The store was packed for hours after school on Friday, and Micky wondered why Junsu wasn’t there. One of Junsu’s gamer friends (Aiden Something) mentioned something about Junsu and soccer, and Micky remembered the soccer tournament.
That night, before Micky closed down the till, he paid (with his discount) for a copy of Elder Scrolls and put it in his spot in the back.
He stared at the game for a whole week.
[+ = 88]
“Well, when are you going to have more in?” the guy asked.
Micky tried not to lose his patience. Didn’t he just explain this? “They’re on backorder,” he said again. “We won’t be able to order them at all for two to three weeks.”
“So you’ll have some in two weeks?”
“No, we’ll be able to order them in two weeks.”
“So you’ll have them in three weeks.”
“I don’t know.” Micky spun the computer screen around. “See this? This is the code from the supplier for the Elder Scrolls game. It says it’s on backorder. And it usually takes two to three weeks for it to get off back order.”
The door dinged, signaling a customer, and Micky sighed in relief.
“But why didn’t you order more? It’s a popular game.”
“We sold a hundred in less than a week. We weren’t expecting sales like that.”
“Does that mean you’re out of Elder Scrolls?” a familiar voice said, in utter disbelief.
Micky’s head shot up and he stared at Junsu.
“Yeah, they’re out.”
Junsu pouted. “Well, fuck. This is the congratulations I get after leading our team to 3rd place finish at State?”
“Third?” Micky said with a smile. “Awesome.”
“Not as awesome as spending the next twelve hours playing the new Elder Scrolls game.”
The other guy agreed.
“Look, we can reserve it for you,” Micky said.
“I’ll just find a place to buy it online.” The other guy turned around without acknowledging either of them and left the store.
“You’re really out?” Junsu said with a frown.
Micky nodded. “Yeah, but … uh, hang on. Okay?”
“Um, sure.”
Micky practically ran to the back, heart racing. That was the first conversation he’d had with Junsu in three weeks, and he tried not to over analyze it. He took the game off the shelf and quickly unwrapped it. Jaejoong still called him stupid, but over the last few days of not seeing Junsu, Micky realized how much he missed him, and grudgingly admitted that Jaejoong was right.
He liked Junsu. A lot. And in that way, and … well, he didn’t know if Junsu liked him, or if he liked him in that way, but …
He snatched a piece of paper and scribbled a note. He put it inside the game. It snapped shut with a finality that scared Micky to death. He went back to the front, glad that Junsu was still alone. He held out the game.
“What … is …”
“I knew we’d sell out, so I bought you a copy.”
Junsu’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
“Um, yeah. I …”
“Wow. Thanks, Micky. I … “
Micky blushed so hard and looked away.
“I … I don’t know … I’ll pay you back.”
“N-no, it’s … it’s a gift.”
“But I-”
“Just take it,” Micky said, almost snapping.
Junsu bit his lower lip. “S-sorry. T-thank you.”
The door dinged as another customer came in and Junsu hastily retreated.
[+ = 88]
Part 2: Junsu
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