The Man Next To Him [TeukChul]
Title: The Man Next To Him
Characters/Pairings: TeukChul, side!YeWook
Rating: PG
Genre(s): drama, romance, fluff
Warnings: Nothing.
Summary:"Why can't you just give in for once and come with me? You never come with me to the city. I would have invited you for a cup of coffee or something," LeeTeuk murmured sadly to himself, thinking of his boyfriend.
Author's Note: First a big thanks to fidomom for looking through it :) This is actually for bitterwhitejam. I hope you all still like it. Please comment ^_^ This. Btw, Suju won GDA!!! <3
"Damn, I have to go to the city! I forgot to buy-" LeeTeuk trailed off, already lost in his own thoughts when HeeChul snorted indignantly in protest. "But I want to spend time with you now!"
LeeTeuk looked up at him. "You can come with me and help me carry all the bags of the things we need to buy for Christmas," he suggested with a smile.
"No, I don't want to carry that shit. Why do you have to go? Damn, Teukie, relax and stay with me. I want to have you here right now for the next few hours," HeeChul announced and reached for LeeTeuk's wrist to hold him back anticipating his immediate departure.
"Chullie, now just come with me," LeeTeuk said, still smiling, even though it was hard to stay calm.
"No. I. Won't. Go. Neither will you," HeeChul stated stubbornly.
"But I'm the leader. I'm responsible. I have to make sure everything's perfect for Christmas!" LeeTeuk said, his smile slowly fading at the realization that HeeChul really didn't want to let him go. "Let's go now," he cajoled with a happy smile and leaned forward to kiss HeeChul's lips, hoping he could kiss his bad mood away as well.
But HeeChul backed away, even before their lips touched.
LeeTeuk stopped and frowned. "Oh, come on."
"You stress yourself too much!" HeeChul stated with a frustrated huff. "Can't you stop being leader for once?"
"And who prepares everything for Christmas Eve if not me?" LeeTeuk asked.
"All the other members," HeeChul said with a shrug, not really caring.
"Of course. Then we can forget Christmas this year. You can't give anyone of them the responisbility!"
"Damn, then just go! Go, go!" HeeChul shouted, pushing LeeTeuk away from him, and ran back to their shared room.
LeeTeuk sighed. He really would have liked to stay at the dorm with HeeChul, but he couldn't. He had to buy all the things that were needed. He was the leader. "Why can't you just give in for once and come with me? You never come with me to the city. I would have invited you for a cup of coffee or something," LeeTeuk murmured sadly to himself, thinking of his boyfriend.
He sighed once again in disappointment and then left.
LeeTeuk hurried through the city, finishing his shopping tour in record time and returned home to HeeChul, who was obviously still in a bad mood from before.
LeeTeuk put the bags down and approached HeeChul who was sitting on his bed with his back to the door. He hadn't heard LeeTeuk entering yet, so when the older one wrapped his arms slowly around HeeChul's body from behind, the other one almost jumped out of bed in shock. Heechul quickly turned to see LeeTeuk, gently kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me anymore," Leeteuk whispered softly and HeeChul couldn't help but smile and nod slowly, before he turned in LeeTeuk's arms to face the leader. They shared a hot, passionate kiss and everything was right once again.
But this didn't last long.
The next day, LeeTeuk asked YeSung to look for a Christmas tree. He had been over optimistic, perhaps, in thinking that YeSung was one of those members who were responsible enough to get it right.
YeSung had taken RyeoWook with him, declaring he needed the younger one, otherwise he wouldn't find anything. LeeTeuk chose not to argue with YeSung's idea of logic, which as per usual, wasn't the same as anyone else's.
YeSung and RyeoWook finally returned, five hours later. LeeTeuk had waited for them for four of those. HeeChul had been quite annoyed by that, because he had other plans in mind than spending his time sitting on the couch, checking the to-do list for Christmas for the umpteenth time.
"What took you so long?" HeeChul yelled at YeSung and RyeoWook. They were just standing there, holding hands and smiling brightly, completely oblivious to having wasted LeeTeuk's and HeeChul's time.
LeeTeuk raised his eyebrows at the sight in front of him, expecting an answer. Not just because of how long they'd been gone or because they seemed different with each other than usual but because of one glaringly obvious thing; they didn't actually have a Christmas tree with them.
When neither RyeoWook nor YeSung were quick enough to reply, HeeChul stepped forward with an angry scowl and seemed ready to yell at them once again, but LeeTeuk stopped him. "Calm down. Let them explain first."
RyeoWook blushed slightly when YeSung started to talk. "We really wanted to buy a Christmas tree, but look, it's already late, and everything was closed. No chance to buy anything at this time," he stated with an apologetic smile.
HeeChul glared at them, his hands on his hips and before LeeTeuk could intervene this time, he was already shouting at them. "You were out for more than five hours! WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOING ALL THIS TIME?!"
"Sorry, Hyung. But YeSung treated me to dinner at a restaurant we spotted. It was so awesome and he was such a gentleman. We were having such a great time together and you know how it is, we just lost track, that's all." RyeoWook beamed happily, then giggled and blushed when YeSung kissed his cheek.
HeeChul was ready to explode, but this time, LeeTeuk reacted immediately and pushed HeeChul back into their room.
HeeChul began to protest, but LeeTeuk quickly made him shut up with a kiss and assured him that he would take care of everything.
LeeTeuk observed YeSung and RyeoWook, who were still standing hand in hand, at the entrance. Leeteuk sighed in defeat. "Come in already. I'm glad you two had such a great afternoon. I'll go tomorrow and buy one myself," he told them. YeSung and RyeoWook thanked him quickly, then disappeared into their own room.
HeeChul didn't leave his and LeeTeuk's room for the rest of the evening, so LeeTeuk turned in earlier than usual to look after his boyfriend.
"Are you alright? You haven't eaten-" LeeTeuk was cut off immediately. "I'm not hungry. Turn off the light. I like the dark better," HeeChul hissed, lying on his bed.
LeeTeuk sighed but obeyed. "Don't be angry. I was at home with you the whole time. Wasn't that what you wanted?"
"Fuck no! I was sitting on that fucking couch for hours just waiting!" HeeChul shouted angrily.
"It's not like it was my plan to wait for so long either," LeeTeuk muttered with a pout.
"Then why haven't we done anything better?" HeeChul asked back.
"Because-" LeeTeuk started to shout back, as well, but stopped, when he realized something. "Why do we always have to fight? Look, it's almost Christmas!"
"Is it my fault?!" HeeChul hissed.
"Yes, it is!" LeeTeuk couldn't help but yell this time. HeeChul made him so angry sometimes, blaming him for everything.
"FUCK OFF!" HeeChul screamed loudly. LeeTeuk was sure the whole dorm had heard it.
"Alright, I'm leaving, but don't expect me to waste my time with you anymore!" LeeTeuk announced and stormed out, feeling more than angry himself.
HeeChul muttered a curse. "Bastard," before he made himself comfortable once again.
HeeChul slept alone in the room that night and LeeTeuk slept on the couch.
When RyeoWook came through the living room on his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water, he noticed his Hyung laying there with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling. RyeoWook knew that he had fought with HeeChul because he had heard them screaming at each other, earlier.
"Hyung, sleep with us," RyeoWook suggested and pulled at LeeTeuk's hand.
LeeTeuk hesitated, but RyeoWook's warm smile convinced him to just agree. "I can sleep with YeSungie in his bed, so you can use mine, if you want. That will be more comfortable."
"Thank you, Wookie," LeeTeuk said weakly and just followed the younger one to his and YeSung's shared room.
The next day, HeeChul was obviously ignoring LeeTeuk. The leader shook his head incredulously. If HeeChul wanted it like this, okay, LeeTeuk could play along. He was becoming more and more angry with HeeChul's attitude after every new fight they had and even though they made up in the end, LeeTeuk was still left with memories and heartache.
---
By afternoon, LeeTeuk couldn't take anymore of HeeChul's silent treatment. He had tried, he really had, it was just too much and if LeeTeuk didn't apologize soon, he feared that he would surely lose HeeChul to someone else.
So he took a deep, bracing breath before he went looking for the younger one. He knew HeeChul had already returned from work, and LeeTeuk knew just where to find him. He knocked on the door of their shared room and entered without awaiting a response from within. "Chullie?"
HeeChul huffed and turned his back toward his boyfriend after seeing him. HeeChul was determined not to be easy to win over after their recent fights because he felt that LeeTeuk needed to prove his love, first. If LeeTeuk was willing to do that, it would surely mean that he loved him a lot after all.
"HeeChul..." LeeTeuk hesitated for a brief moment, uncertain if HeeChul would accept his apology, or not. He then continued. "I'm sorry for yesterday. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You were right, after all, so sincerely, I'm sorry."
HeeChul looked at his boyfriend, considering turning him down, but his earlier resolve crumbled. He stopped himself with a sigh and nodded, instead.
"We shouldn't fight on Christmas...," LeeTeuk added and offered his hand for HeeChul to take. His boyfriend hesitated, but eventually reached for LeeTeuk's hand, letting the older one pull him in for a deep and passionate kiss.
They were both smiling when they broke the kiss after a few minutes.
"Then can we spend our time together now?" HeeChul asked happily and LeeTeuk nodded.
"Come with me to the city," he said and dragged HeeChul out.
HeeChul had protested, not wanting to leave his warm room, but LeeTeuk didn't care.
He took HeeChul with him to buy the Christmas tree which YeSung and RyeoWook had failed to do the day before.
"What? You took me out to buy our Christmas tree?! I thought we'd go on a date, to my favorite restaurant or something!" HeeChul said in confusion, staring at LeeTeuk.
"Next time, okay?" LeeTeuk consoled with an apologetic smile, but HeeChul shook his head. "No! You don't care about me anymore. Only Super Junior, and all your other members. Everyone is more important to you than me! I hate you!" HeeChul yelled and turned around, running away.
LeeTeuk looked after him in shock. A minute passed with him not moving at all.
"That's not true...," he finally murmured sadly. He sighed. He rather wanted to run after his boyfriend, but he knew he needed to buy the Christmas tree now.
When LeeTeuk came back home, HeeChul wasn't there. "What did I expect anyway? Him being there, greeting me with an apology?" LeeTeuk muttered to himself. He was frustrated. He hated fighting. He inwardly marveled that he had once been so good at staying patient, but ever since HeeChul had become his lover, he tended to lose control more and more regularly. He couldn't help his outbursts from time to time because HeeChul was exceptionally good at frustrating him.
---
Christmas was getting closer. Only two days left until Christmas Eve, but HeeChul and LeeTeuk still hadn't exchanged even one more word since their last fight. HeeChul kept ignoring LeeTeuk and LeeTeuk kept himself busy with all the preparations for Christmas Eve, to distract himself from his painfully frequent thoughts of HeeChul.
The members felt the tension. They suspected their leader and HeeChul were fighting again, but not one of them dared to address it openly.
LeeTeuk was decorating the Christmas tree when HeeChul entered the room. HeeChul, as usual, just ignored him and made his way through the room until LeeTeuk's voice stopped him suddenly. "Could you please help me with this star? I want to put it on top of the tree," LeeTeuk announced. "And I need someone to spot me," he explained, earning himself a glare from HeeChul. To LeeTeuk's wonder, his boyfriend reluctantly came over. His heart sank again with HeeChul's next words. "The star is ugly. Don't put it on top. Take this shooting star. That's better," he declared as he surveyed the decorations that were still left.
"But we always have the other star on top!" LeeTeuk protested.
HeeChul scoffed. "Yeah, that's why we should try something new. Starting with the shooting star," he argued but LeeTeuk shook his head. "No, HeeChul. I prepared everything for Christmas, so don't you think I deserve to decide how to decorate the tree?" he asked sternly, but HeeChul simply answered with a smug, "No."
"What? Of course I do!" LeeTeuk exclaimed.
"Not when you're acting like a bitch. Quit it, will you?" HeeChul's gaze was tense and fierce, which immediately put LeeTeuk on the defensive.
"Then don't help me and just leave," he muttered, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"I will. Go on and hurt yourself. It would serve you right!" HeeChul hissed angrily, storming out of the room.
LeeTeuk was stunned silent, and he could only watch HeeChul, disappeared around a corner. He hadn't expected HeeChul to say such an unkind thing to him. It hurt LeeTeuk, a lot, and he couldn't stop his eyes from welling up with unshed tears. He did still love him after all.
---
The members were gathered in the living room to talk when HeeChul entered the room. He spotted LeeTeuk, but ignored him again, just as he had earlier.
LeeTeuk watched HeeChul carefully, feeling sad over the current state of their relationship. To both LeeTeuk's and Heechul's chagrin, the other members had slyly made sure, that the only seat left for Heechul to sit in, was the one right beside Leeteuk. To LeeTeuk's surprise, HeeChul took the seat without a word.
HeeChul did fix LeeTeuk with a cold almost threatening glare, though, and that was too much for LeeTeuk's weak heart. He couldn't take it anymore, and while everyone else was happily laughing, big tears slid uninhibited down LeeTeuk's cheeks.
Everyone stared at him in shock and confusion. "Hyung?" RyeoWook whispered carefully, and a loud sob suddenly escaped LeeTeuk before he could stop himself. His chest and throat were burning from all the heartaches that he'd been suffering with, over these past few days, and the disparity between HeeChul's glare and RyeoWook's caring concern, just then, had proved to be the final straw for him.
HeeChul was bewildered by LeeTeuk's reaction and then further stunned when his lover whispered just loudly enough for everyone to hear,"I'm so sorry, HeeChul. I never intended to fight with you, so please stop ignoring me!"
Everyone was already trying to soothe LeeTeuk, telling him he was the best leader ever and a great person, but LeeTeuk refused to listen to them.
HeeChul watched Leeteuk helplessly, and finally gave in, carefully putting his arms around him. LeeTeuk immediately returned HeeChul's overture and wrapped his own arms around Heechul, too.
"Teukie, please don't cry...," HeeChul pleaded with genuine concern clouding his expression. This had never happened before. LeeTeuk had never before broken down, crying in the open like this with all the members around. They had kept all their previous fights and resultant tears private. Neither of them had ever been this vulnerable in front of the others before so HeeChul was really worried seeing the usually stoic man next to him, their beloved leader and his boyfriend, in such an emotional state.
"Me, too. I'm sorry as well. You were working so hard and I only disturbed you instead of helping and supporting...," HeeChul admitted reluctantly.
LeeTeuk looked up at the younger one holding him, his big eyes still shimmering. He managed to pull himself together and stop crying.
HeeChul smiled slightly and leaned forward to kiss LeeTeuk's forehead. The leader closed his eyes, clearly calmed by HeeChul's display of affection.
They didn't care that the other members were still watching them.
After only a few moments of comfortable silence, LeeTeuk suddenly started to cry once again.
HeeChul stared at him completely baffled. "T-Teukie...?" he stuttered in worried confusion.
"I'm just...happy...," LeeTeuk murmured quietly, and tightened his grip around HeeChul.
HeeChul smiled warmly at him. "Me, too. So let's not fight anymore. I want to spend Christmas in peace," he announced with a chuckle.
Yesung grinned and kissed RyeoWook. "We'll definitely spend Christmas in peace, right, Wookie?"
RyeoWook nodded eagerly and reached shyly for the older one's hand.
The members watched the scene in front of them of YeSung and RyeoWook and LeeTeuk and HeeChul.
"Why do we have two couples here now?" EunHyuk asked, shaking his head.
SungMin nodded in agreement. "No idea, but YeSung and RyeoWook...somehow weird, right?"
"No, I don't think so," DongHae said. "I think they look cute."
"I'm better with Teukie and HeeChul Hyung," stated KyuHyun with a shrug.
HeeChul, YeSung and RyeoWook glared at KyuHyun angrily while LeeTeuk laughed lightly. "Thank you, KyuHyunnie." And with a look at his boyfriend who still had his arms around him, he chuckled once again and kissed him briefly. "As long as we won't fight..."
HeeChul smiled weakly and nodded.
On Christmas Eve all the Super Junior members gathered in the living room to open their gifts.
RyeoWook squealed happily, cuddling the stuffed bunny he just received.
LeeTeuk smiled when he saw the younger's reaction and looked next to him to the person that was holding his hand.
HeeChul was watching the members and their reactions with a happy smile on his face and LeeTeuk chuckled silently at the cute expression of his boyfriend.
HeeChul chose that moment to look to his side.
LeeTeuk who realized that instantly, surprised him with a quick kiss on his lips.
HeeChul was stunned, but soon started to smile even more. He really considered himself lucky for having such a sweet boyfriend.
"Teukie, I've got a little Christmas gift for you as well...even though it's not much...," he announced softly.
This time, it was LeeTeuk who was surprised and while all the other members were talking happily and opened their gifts, LeeTeuk and HeeChul were in their own world.
HeeChul handed him a little package.
LeeTeuk raised his eyebrows. Attached to the package was a beautiful red rose. "Oh, Chullie," LeeTeuk murmured, already happy.
"Just shut up and open it," HeeChul muttered with a mild blush, so LeeTeuk did what he was told to do.
Inside the wrapping was a little box.
"What is it?" LeeTeuk asked curiously.
HeeChul chuckled. "Open it, silly."
LeeTeuk was already smiling his thanks to Heechul, even though he didn't know what he should expect.
HeeChul smiled back, already knowing that the older one would definitely like it.
LeeTeuk opened the box slowly, and saw a small note. He picked it up to read it and discovered a silver necklace underneath it.
LeeTeuk lifted the necklace up to examine it more carefully. The pendant on it, was the word angel, in Hangul characters.
Leeteuk grinned happily. "Chullie, thank you so much. Can you help me with it, please?" he asked and gave the necklace to his boyfriend so he could fasten it around his neck for him.
"Now read the note," HeeChul demanded and LeeTeuk laughed. "Of course," he said with a quick peck to his boyfriend's lips.
So LeeTeuk unfolded the note. It read,
'Sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be. I still love you and I'm sorry.'
LeeTeuk's eyes watered while reading the words. HeeChul had never been the type to write such romantic lines, so it was particularly significant to him. He was touched.
"Ch-Chullie...?" LeeTeuk stuttered, awestruck by the gift.
HeeChul blushed slightly. "Just say thanks and it's okay," he muttered, wanting to get this over and done with as fast as possible, so less members would be watching them.
"Oh, Chullie, of course. Thank you so much!" LeeTeuk exclaimed, jumped onto HeeChul and threw him to the ground while kissing him all over the face happily.
HeeChul groaned, but had to admit that he enjoyed the way, LeeTeuk was thanking him.
The other members stared at them in confusion, wanting to know what HeeChul had given him to receive that kind of reaction.
No one dared to disturb LeeTeuk right now, so they all waited for him to take a break from kissing HeeChul. Finally, he did, and DongHae, still curious, chanced asking. "What did HeeChul Hyung give you, Teukie?"
LeeTeuk beamed at HeeChul, pecked his lips once, then he turned to DongHae. "Something really special," finally answering him.
HeeChul frowned, but started to laugh along with LeeTeuk at DongHae's confounded expression.
"Just tell us! What is it?" SungMin demanded in excitement.
"Nothing, just...a small present. Nothing special," HeeChul stated, not wanting the other members to know about his romantic side.
The members already looked disappointed and sad, when LeeTeuk spoke up once again. "He gave me the best present ever. He gave me his faith and his heart. I love you, too, Kim HeeChul," he then said to his boyfriend and kissed him deeply.
The members were satsified enough with that answer, knowing a better one, wasn't forthcoming, anyway. So they let it go and resumed their conversations from before.
"Chullie," LeeTeuk murmured and a tear trickled down his cheek. He couldn't describe how happy and overwhelmed he felt.
HeeChul just chuckled softly, silently, and kissed the tear away.
"Thank you so much," LeeTeuk repeated over and over again, until HeeChul just shut him up with a passionate kiss.
---
It was late. It had been a particularly eventful Christmas Eve and everyone was exhausted. Except for the two members who were sitting on the couch in front of the window, watching the stars shining in the dark night. Everyone else had gone to bed and were likely already asleep.
The younger of the two who remained awake sat upon the elder's lap, his head resting against the man's shoulder.
LeeTeuk kissed his neck gently, his arms tightly wrapped around HeeChul's waist.
Both were happy, just sitting there like that.
"Do you really believe we are...meant to be?" LeeTeuk suddenly asked. His voice was barely above a whisper for he didn't want anyone else to wake up.
HeeChul felt a little bit uncomfortable because usually, he didn't believe in things like that, but this time was different. "Maybe...," he eventually answered, just as softly.
LeeTeuk smiled. "I do. So if you do, too, if you really meant what you wrote on that note, I'll believe it. Then we'll really stay together forever," he murmured into the younger one's ear.
HeeChul hesitated, before he admitted. "I believe in what I wrote because I wrote it with my heart."
LeeTeuk's smile grew wider when he turned HeeChul's face to him for a deep kiss. "Then let's stay together forever," LeeTeuk announced, firmly, discouraging any further debate on the matter.
HeeChul had no intention of arguing about it, anyway, either, because he loved LeeTeuk. He hadn't planned to let go of him anytime soon, so, then why shouldn't they try, to stay together forever? Maybe, they were really meant to be after all for not even their worst fights had ended in seperation. In the end, they were usually even happier than before.
"Forever," LeeTeuk mumbled sleepily and both of them slowly closed their eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Characters/Pairings: TeukChul, side!YeWook
Rating: PG
Genre(s): drama, romance, fluff
Warnings: Nothing.
Summary:"Why can't you just give in for once and come with me? You never come with me to the city. I would have invited you for a cup of coffee or something," LeeTeuk murmured sadly to himself, thinking of his boyfriend.
Author's Note: First a big thanks to fidomom for looking through it :) This is actually for bitterwhitejam. I hope you all still like it. Please comment ^_^ This. Btw, Suju won GDA!!! <3
"Damn, I have to go to the city! I forgot to buy-" LeeTeuk trailed off, already lost in his own thoughts when HeeChul snorted indignantly in protest. "But I want to spend time with you now!"
LeeTeuk looked up at him. "You can come with me and help me carry all the bags of the things we need to buy for Christmas," he suggested with a smile.
"No, I don't want to carry that shit. Why do you have to go? Damn, Teukie, relax and stay with me. I want to have you here right now for the next few hours," HeeChul announced and reached for LeeTeuk's wrist to hold him back anticipating his immediate departure.
"Chullie, now just come with me," LeeTeuk said, still smiling, even though it was hard to stay calm.
"No. I. Won't. Go. Neither will you," HeeChul stated stubbornly.
"But I'm the leader. I'm responsible. I have to make sure everything's perfect for Christmas!" LeeTeuk said, his smile slowly fading at the realization that HeeChul really didn't want to let him go. "Let's go now," he cajoled with a happy smile and leaned forward to kiss HeeChul's lips, hoping he could kiss his bad mood away as well.
But HeeChul backed away, even before their lips touched.
LeeTeuk stopped and frowned. "Oh, come on."
"You stress yourself too much!" HeeChul stated with a frustrated huff. "Can't you stop being leader for once?"
"And who prepares everything for Christmas Eve if not me?" LeeTeuk asked.
"All the other members," HeeChul said with a shrug, not really caring.
"Of course. Then we can forget Christmas this year. You can't give anyone of them the responisbility!"
"Damn, then just go! Go, go!" HeeChul shouted, pushing LeeTeuk away from him, and ran back to their shared room.
LeeTeuk sighed. He really would have liked to stay at the dorm with HeeChul, but he couldn't. He had to buy all the things that were needed. He was the leader. "Why can't you just give in for once and come with me? You never come with me to the city. I would have invited you for a cup of coffee or something," LeeTeuk murmured sadly to himself, thinking of his boyfriend.
He sighed once again in disappointment and then left.
LeeTeuk hurried through the city, finishing his shopping tour in record time and returned home to HeeChul, who was obviously still in a bad mood from before.
LeeTeuk put the bags down and approached HeeChul who was sitting on his bed with his back to the door. He hadn't heard LeeTeuk entering yet, so when the older one wrapped his arms slowly around HeeChul's body from behind, the other one almost jumped out of bed in shock. Heechul quickly turned to see LeeTeuk, gently kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me anymore," Leeteuk whispered softly and HeeChul couldn't help but smile and nod slowly, before he turned in LeeTeuk's arms to face the leader. They shared a hot, passionate kiss and everything was right once again.
But this didn't last long.
The next day, LeeTeuk asked YeSung to look for a Christmas tree. He had been over optimistic, perhaps, in thinking that YeSung was one of those members who were responsible enough to get it right.
YeSung had taken RyeoWook with him, declaring he needed the younger one, otherwise he wouldn't find anything. LeeTeuk chose not to argue with YeSung's idea of logic, which as per usual, wasn't the same as anyone else's.
YeSung and RyeoWook finally returned, five hours later. LeeTeuk had waited for them for four of those. HeeChul had been quite annoyed by that, because he had other plans in mind than spending his time sitting on the couch, checking the to-do list for Christmas for the umpteenth time.
"What took you so long?" HeeChul yelled at YeSung and RyeoWook. They were just standing there, holding hands and smiling brightly, completely oblivious to having wasted LeeTeuk's and HeeChul's time.
LeeTeuk raised his eyebrows at the sight in front of him, expecting an answer. Not just because of how long they'd been gone or because they seemed different with each other than usual but because of one glaringly obvious thing; they didn't actually have a Christmas tree with them.
When neither RyeoWook nor YeSung were quick enough to reply, HeeChul stepped forward with an angry scowl and seemed ready to yell at them once again, but LeeTeuk stopped him. "Calm down. Let them explain first."
RyeoWook blushed slightly when YeSung started to talk. "We really wanted to buy a Christmas tree, but look, it's already late, and everything was closed. No chance to buy anything at this time," he stated with an apologetic smile.
HeeChul glared at them, his hands on his hips and before LeeTeuk could intervene this time, he was already shouting at them. "You were out for more than five hours! WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOING ALL THIS TIME?!"
"Sorry, Hyung. But YeSung treated me to dinner at a restaurant we spotted. It was so awesome and he was such a gentleman. We were having such a great time together and you know how it is, we just lost track, that's all." RyeoWook beamed happily, then giggled and blushed when YeSung kissed his cheek.
HeeChul was ready to explode, but this time, LeeTeuk reacted immediately and pushed HeeChul back into their room.
HeeChul began to protest, but LeeTeuk quickly made him shut up with a kiss and assured him that he would take care of everything.
LeeTeuk observed YeSung and RyeoWook, who were still standing hand in hand, at the entrance. Leeteuk sighed in defeat. "Come in already. I'm glad you two had such a great afternoon. I'll go tomorrow and buy one myself," he told them. YeSung and RyeoWook thanked him quickly, then disappeared into their own room.
HeeChul didn't leave his and LeeTeuk's room for the rest of the evening, so LeeTeuk turned in earlier than usual to look after his boyfriend.
"Are you alright? You haven't eaten-" LeeTeuk was cut off immediately. "I'm not hungry. Turn off the light. I like the dark better," HeeChul hissed, lying on his bed.
LeeTeuk sighed but obeyed. "Don't be angry. I was at home with you the whole time. Wasn't that what you wanted?"
"Fuck no! I was sitting on that fucking couch for hours just waiting!" HeeChul shouted angrily.
"It's not like it was my plan to wait for so long either," LeeTeuk muttered with a pout.
"Then why haven't we done anything better?" HeeChul asked back.
"Because-" LeeTeuk started to shout back, as well, but stopped, when he realized something. "Why do we always have to fight? Look, it's almost Christmas!"
"Is it my fault?!" HeeChul hissed.
"Yes, it is!" LeeTeuk couldn't help but yell this time. HeeChul made him so angry sometimes, blaming him for everything.
"FUCK OFF!" HeeChul screamed loudly. LeeTeuk was sure the whole dorm had heard it.
"Alright, I'm leaving, but don't expect me to waste my time with you anymore!" LeeTeuk announced and stormed out, feeling more than angry himself.
HeeChul muttered a curse. "Bastard," before he made himself comfortable once again.
HeeChul slept alone in the room that night and LeeTeuk slept on the couch.
When RyeoWook came through the living room on his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water, he noticed his Hyung laying there with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling. RyeoWook knew that he had fought with HeeChul because he had heard them screaming at each other, earlier.
"Hyung, sleep with us," RyeoWook suggested and pulled at LeeTeuk's hand.
LeeTeuk hesitated, but RyeoWook's warm smile convinced him to just agree. "I can sleep with YeSungie in his bed, so you can use mine, if you want. That will be more comfortable."
"Thank you, Wookie," LeeTeuk said weakly and just followed the younger one to his and YeSung's shared room.
The next day, HeeChul was obviously ignoring LeeTeuk. The leader shook his head incredulously. If HeeChul wanted it like this, okay, LeeTeuk could play along. He was becoming more and more angry with HeeChul's attitude after every new fight they had and even though they made up in the end, LeeTeuk was still left with memories and heartache.
---
By afternoon, LeeTeuk couldn't take anymore of HeeChul's silent treatment. He had tried, he really had, it was just too much and if LeeTeuk didn't apologize soon, he feared that he would surely lose HeeChul to someone else.
So he took a deep, bracing breath before he went looking for the younger one. He knew HeeChul had already returned from work, and LeeTeuk knew just where to find him. He knocked on the door of their shared room and entered without awaiting a response from within. "Chullie?"
HeeChul huffed and turned his back toward his boyfriend after seeing him. HeeChul was determined not to be easy to win over after their recent fights because he felt that LeeTeuk needed to prove his love, first. If LeeTeuk was willing to do that, it would surely mean that he loved him a lot after all.
"HeeChul..." LeeTeuk hesitated for a brief moment, uncertain if HeeChul would accept his apology, or not. He then continued. "I'm sorry for yesterday. I shouldn't have yelled at you. You were right, after all, so sincerely, I'm sorry."
HeeChul looked at his boyfriend, considering turning him down, but his earlier resolve crumbled. He stopped himself with a sigh and nodded, instead.
"We shouldn't fight on Christmas...," LeeTeuk added and offered his hand for HeeChul to take. His boyfriend hesitated, but eventually reached for LeeTeuk's hand, letting the older one pull him in for a deep and passionate kiss.
They were both smiling when they broke the kiss after a few minutes.
"Then can we spend our time together now?" HeeChul asked happily and LeeTeuk nodded.
"Come with me to the city," he said and dragged HeeChul out.
HeeChul had protested, not wanting to leave his warm room, but LeeTeuk didn't care.
He took HeeChul with him to buy the Christmas tree which YeSung and RyeoWook had failed to do the day before.
"What? You took me out to buy our Christmas tree?! I thought we'd go on a date, to my favorite restaurant or something!" HeeChul said in confusion, staring at LeeTeuk.
"Next time, okay?" LeeTeuk consoled with an apologetic smile, but HeeChul shook his head. "No! You don't care about me anymore. Only Super Junior, and all your other members. Everyone is more important to you than me! I hate you!" HeeChul yelled and turned around, running away.
LeeTeuk looked after him in shock. A minute passed with him not moving at all.
"That's not true...," he finally murmured sadly. He sighed. He rather wanted to run after his boyfriend, but he knew he needed to buy the Christmas tree now.
When LeeTeuk came back home, HeeChul wasn't there. "What did I expect anyway? Him being there, greeting me with an apology?" LeeTeuk muttered to himself. He was frustrated. He hated fighting. He inwardly marveled that he had once been so good at staying patient, but ever since HeeChul had become his lover, he tended to lose control more and more regularly. He couldn't help his outbursts from time to time because HeeChul was exceptionally good at frustrating him.
---
Christmas was getting closer. Only two days left until Christmas Eve, but HeeChul and LeeTeuk still hadn't exchanged even one more word since their last fight. HeeChul kept ignoring LeeTeuk and LeeTeuk kept himself busy with all the preparations for Christmas Eve, to distract himself from his painfully frequent thoughts of HeeChul.
The members felt the tension. They suspected their leader and HeeChul were fighting again, but not one of them dared to address it openly.
LeeTeuk was decorating the Christmas tree when HeeChul entered the room. HeeChul, as usual, just ignored him and made his way through the room until LeeTeuk's voice stopped him suddenly. "Could you please help me with this star? I want to put it on top of the tree," LeeTeuk announced. "And I need someone to spot me," he explained, earning himself a glare from HeeChul. To LeeTeuk's wonder, his boyfriend reluctantly came over. His heart sank again with HeeChul's next words. "The star is ugly. Don't put it on top. Take this shooting star. That's better," he declared as he surveyed the decorations that were still left.
"But we always have the other star on top!" LeeTeuk protested.
HeeChul scoffed. "Yeah, that's why we should try something new. Starting with the shooting star," he argued but LeeTeuk shook his head. "No, HeeChul. I prepared everything for Christmas, so don't you think I deserve to decide how to decorate the tree?" he asked sternly, but HeeChul simply answered with a smug, "No."
"What? Of course I do!" LeeTeuk exclaimed.
"Not when you're acting like a bitch. Quit it, will you?" HeeChul's gaze was tense and fierce, which immediately put LeeTeuk on the defensive.
"Then don't help me and just leave," he muttered, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"I will. Go on and hurt yourself. It would serve you right!" HeeChul hissed angrily, storming out of the room.
LeeTeuk was stunned silent, and he could only watch HeeChul, disappeared around a corner. He hadn't expected HeeChul to say such an unkind thing to him. It hurt LeeTeuk, a lot, and he couldn't stop his eyes from welling up with unshed tears. He did still love him after all.
---
The members were gathered in the living room to talk when HeeChul entered the room. He spotted LeeTeuk, but ignored him again, just as he had earlier.
LeeTeuk watched HeeChul carefully, feeling sad over the current state of their relationship. To both LeeTeuk's and Heechul's chagrin, the other members had slyly made sure, that the only seat left for Heechul to sit in, was the one right beside Leeteuk. To LeeTeuk's surprise, HeeChul took the seat without a word.
HeeChul did fix LeeTeuk with a cold almost threatening glare, though, and that was too much for LeeTeuk's weak heart. He couldn't take it anymore, and while everyone else was happily laughing, big tears slid uninhibited down LeeTeuk's cheeks.
Everyone stared at him in shock and confusion. "Hyung?" RyeoWook whispered carefully, and a loud sob suddenly escaped LeeTeuk before he could stop himself. His chest and throat were burning from all the heartaches that he'd been suffering with, over these past few days, and the disparity between HeeChul's glare and RyeoWook's caring concern, just then, had proved to be the final straw for him.
HeeChul was bewildered by LeeTeuk's reaction and then further stunned when his lover whispered just loudly enough for everyone to hear,"I'm so sorry, HeeChul. I never intended to fight with you, so please stop ignoring me!"
Everyone was already trying to soothe LeeTeuk, telling him he was the best leader ever and a great person, but LeeTeuk refused to listen to them.
HeeChul watched Leeteuk helplessly, and finally gave in, carefully putting his arms around him. LeeTeuk immediately returned HeeChul's overture and wrapped his own arms around Heechul, too.
"Teukie, please don't cry...," HeeChul pleaded with genuine concern clouding his expression. This had never happened before. LeeTeuk had never before broken down, crying in the open like this with all the members around. They had kept all their previous fights and resultant tears private. Neither of them had ever been this vulnerable in front of the others before so HeeChul was really worried seeing the usually stoic man next to him, their beloved leader and his boyfriend, in such an emotional state.
"Me, too. I'm sorry as well. You were working so hard and I only disturbed you instead of helping and supporting...," HeeChul admitted reluctantly.
LeeTeuk looked up at the younger one holding him, his big eyes still shimmering. He managed to pull himself together and stop crying.
HeeChul smiled slightly and leaned forward to kiss LeeTeuk's forehead. The leader closed his eyes, clearly calmed by HeeChul's display of affection.
They didn't care that the other members were still watching them.
After only a few moments of comfortable silence, LeeTeuk suddenly started to cry once again.
HeeChul stared at him completely baffled. "T-Teukie...?" he stuttered in worried confusion.
"I'm just...happy...," LeeTeuk murmured quietly, and tightened his grip around HeeChul.
HeeChul smiled warmly at him. "Me, too. So let's not fight anymore. I want to spend Christmas in peace," he announced with a chuckle.
Yesung grinned and kissed RyeoWook. "We'll definitely spend Christmas in peace, right, Wookie?"
RyeoWook nodded eagerly and reached shyly for the older one's hand.
The members watched the scene in front of them of YeSung and RyeoWook and LeeTeuk and HeeChul.
"Why do we have two couples here now?" EunHyuk asked, shaking his head.
SungMin nodded in agreement. "No idea, but YeSung and RyeoWook...somehow weird, right?"
"No, I don't think so," DongHae said. "I think they look cute."
"I'm better with Teukie and HeeChul Hyung," stated KyuHyun with a shrug.
HeeChul, YeSung and RyeoWook glared at KyuHyun angrily while LeeTeuk laughed lightly. "Thank you, KyuHyunnie." And with a look at his boyfriend who still had his arms around him, he chuckled once again and kissed him briefly. "As long as we won't fight..."
HeeChul smiled weakly and nodded.
On Christmas Eve all the Super Junior members gathered in the living room to open their gifts.
RyeoWook squealed happily, cuddling the stuffed bunny he just received.
LeeTeuk smiled when he saw the younger's reaction and looked next to him to the person that was holding his hand.
HeeChul was watching the members and their reactions with a happy smile on his face and LeeTeuk chuckled silently at the cute expression of his boyfriend.
HeeChul chose that moment to look to his side.
LeeTeuk who realized that instantly, surprised him with a quick kiss on his lips.
HeeChul was stunned, but soon started to smile even more. He really considered himself lucky for having such a sweet boyfriend.
"Teukie, I've got a little Christmas gift for you as well...even though it's not much...," he announced softly.
This time, it was LeeTeuk who was surprised and while all the other members were talking happily and opened their gifts, LeeTeuk and HeeChul were in their own world.
HeeChul handed him a little package.
LeeTeuk raised his eyebrows. Attached to the package was a beautiful red rose. "Oh, Chullie," LeeTeuk murmured, already happy.
"Just shut up and open it," HeeChul muttered with a mild blush, so LeeTeuk did what he was told to do.
Inside the wrapping was a little box.
"What is it?" LeeTeuk asked curiously.
HeeChul chuckled. "Open it, silly."
LeeTeuk was already smiling his thanks to Heechul, even though he didn't know what he should expect.
HeeChul smiled back, already knowing that the older one would definitely like it.
LeeTeuk opened the box slowly, and saw a small note. He picked it up to read it and discovered a silver necklace underneath it.
LeeTeuk lifted the necklace up to examine it more carefully. The pendant on it, was the word angel, in Hangul characters.
Leeteuk grinned happily. "Chullie, thank you so much. Can you help me with it, please?" he asked and gave the necklace to his boyfriend so he could fasten it around his neck for him.
"Now read the note," HeeChul demanded and LeeTeuk laughed. "Of course," he said with a quick peck to his boyfriend's lips.
So LeeTeuk unfolded the note. It read,
'Sit together, now and forever. For it is plain, as anyone can see. We're simply meant to be. I still love you and I'm sorry.'
LeeTeuk's eyes watered while reading the words. HeeChul had never been the type to write such romantic lines, so it was particularly significant to him. He was touched.
"Ch-Chullie...?" LeeTeuk stuttered, awestruck by the gift.
HeeChul blushed slightly. "Just say thanks and it's okay," he muttered, wanting to get this over and done with as fast as possible, so less members would be watching them.
"Oh, Chullie, of course. Thank you so much!" LeeTeuk exclaimed, jumped onto HeeChul and threw him to the ground while kissing him all over the face happily.
HeeChul groaned, but had to admit that he enjoyed the way, LeeTeuk was thanking him.
The other members stared at them in confusion, wanting to know what HeeChul had given him to receive that kind of reaction.
No one dared to disturb LeeTeuk right now, so they all waited for him to take a break from kissing HeeChul. Finally, he did, and DongHae, still curious, chanced asking. "What did HeeChul Hyung give you, Teukie?"
LeeTeuk beamed at HeeChul, pecked his lips once, then he turned to DongHae. "Something really special," finally answering him.
HeeChul frowned, but started to laugh along with LeeTeuk at DongHae's confounded expression.
"Just tell us! What is it?" SungMin demanded in excitement.
"Nothing, just...a small present. Nothing special," HeeChul stated, not wanting the other members to know about his romantic side.
The members already looked disappointed and sad, when LeeTeuk spoke up once again. "He gave me the best present ever. He gave me his faith and his heart. I love you, too, Kim HeeChul," he then said to his boyfriend and kissed him deeply.
The members were satsified enough with that answer, knowing a better one, wasn't forthcoming, anyway. So they let it go and resumed their conversations from before.
"Chullie," LeeTeuk murmured and a tear trickled down his cheek. He couldn't describe how happy and overwhelmed he felt.
HeeChul just chuckled softly, silently, and kissed the tear away.
"Thank you so much," LeeTeuk repeated over and over again, until HeeChul just shut him up with a passionate kiss.
---
It was late. It had been a particularly eventful Christmas Eve and everyone was exhausted. Except for the two members who were sitting on the couch in front of the window, watching the stars shining in the dark night. Everyone else had gone to bed and were likely already asleep.
The younger of the two who remained awake sat upon the elder's lap, his head resting against the man's shoulder.
LeeTeuk kissed his neck gently, his arms tightly wrapped around HeeChul's waist.
Both were happy, just sitting there like that.
"Do you really believe we are...meant to be?" LeeTeuk suddenly asked. His voice was barely above a whisper for he didn't want anyone else to wake up.
HeeChul felt a little bit uncomfortable because usually, he didn't believe in things like that, but this time was different. "Maybe...," he eventually answered, just as softly.
LeeTeuk smiled. "I do. So if you do, too, if you really meant what you wrote on that note, I'll believe it. Then we'll really stay together forever," he murmured into the younger one's ear.
HeeChul hesitated, before he admitted. "I believe in what I wrote because I wrote it with my heart."
LeeTeuk's smile grew wider when he turned HeeChul's face to him for a deep kiss. "Then let's stay together forever," LeeTeuk announced, firmly, discouraging any further debate on the matter.
HeeChul had no intention of arguing about it, anyway, either, because he loved LeeTeuk. He hadn't planned to let go of him anytime soon, so, then why shouldn't they try, to stay together forever? Maybe, they were really meant to be after all for not even their worst fights had ended in seperation. In the end, they were usually even happier than before.
"Forever," LeeTeuk mumbled sleepily and both of them slowly closed their eyes, drifting off to sleep.