Clunky Dancing (7/13)
Title: Clunky Dancing (7/13)
Rating: PG
Pairing: Yunho/Changmin, hints of Yoochun/Junsu
Genre: AU
Summary: His parents are strongly against dancing, especially when it comes to their only son. “Dancing is for girls”, they say. Little do they know, he sways in the darkness of his room and fantasizes about an escape to the rhythm of samba. He prays for someone to come and take him away from the dullness of his perfect life.
Kiss after kiss, chaste and innocent pecks turning into more passionate and demanding ones, a certain feeling starts building up in Changmin's stomach. He tries to ignore it a couple of times, determined to let it fade away, but it doesn't really work like that.
"Changminnie…? Do you want me to stop?"
Yunho mumbles it into his mouth at first. When he doesn't get an answer, he breaks the kiss and casts an affectionate gaze on Changmin. A bashful nod is all he gets in response.
"It's okay. You wanna get some sleep?"
Another nod, as a pair of large eyes stare back at him with a mixture of fear, arousal and shame in them.
A couple of minutes later, they are settled underneath the sheets. Even though the queen size bed is large enough for the both of them to sleep comfortably on their respective sides, they end up curled around each other on Yunho's side.
Changmin whispers sorry in Yunho's left ear before nestling snugly against his chest and dozing off into oblivion, barely hearing the it's alright baby, just close your eyes now the older man whispers back.
Lulled by the scent of strawberry, coffee and wood that lingers in the room, tight in Yunho's embrace, Changmin sleeps like a baby that night.
------------------
When morning breaks, Changmin opens his eyes to a note on the pillow. Trying his best to start up his brain and untangle himself from the pile of sweaty sheets, cursing the summer in the process, he blinks a few time to focus.
The note is plastered with words. The handwriting is messy and pointy, heavy pressure strokes cutting through the paper.
Changminnie, since I'm going to work I have to get up early! Ah, it's such a bummer that we can't have breakfast together! There might be some leftover coffee, you can reheat it if you want. I also have a couple of chocolate bars somewhere. Apart from that I'm afraid my room is a bit lacking in food options! Sorry about that. You can lounge around if you feel like it, I'll be back at 11. See you later baby. Yours, Yunho~
Wondering if he's really awake or just dreaming a really good dream, Changmin gets up and collects his green shirt from the rocking chair. Instead of wearing it, he folds it neatly and places it on the table. He opens the windows to let in the relatively fresh morning air, then peeks inside Yunho's wardrobe. He chooses a pair of denim knee-high shorts and a simple white shirt, the only things that fit him.
Once he's dressed and the bed is diligently made, he takes the note and stuffs it in his pocket with a smile. A quick trip to the bathroom and he's ready to leave. Before allowing himself to live that really good dream and fully enjoy the unexpected development of the situation with Yunho, there are a few things he needs to take care of.
------------------
"Good morning."
Changmin reaches his family's table and takes the seat right in front of his mother. He was almost sure they were going to be there, he didn't even bother to stop by the apartment.
He notices with a frown that his father isn't reading the usual financial newspaper and his mother is not wearing her pearls. Her blouse looks slightly wrinkled too. If Changmin didn't know better, he would think they look worried. Brushing aside the thought, he takes a slice of bread and starts buttering it up, quietly waiting for the bomb to drop.
"Son, where in the hell have you been all night? It's a girl, isn't it? It must be. You haven't talked to us for a week, continuously sneaking out, it's not who you are. You have to stop seeing her."
"What were you thinking, honey? We've been so worried! We looked for you everywhere, we were this close to calling the police!"
He has to use every inch of willpower to fight off the urge to roll his eyes, deeming it inappropriate as he is about trying to make them understand his point. It might not be the best way to tell them, over breakfast and in a room full of people, but what the hell, he thinks. Might as well get this over with.
"Mom, dad, I will be performing a dance number at the end of season revue. You think I have been sneaking out to see a girl, but in reality I have been practicing hard for the show. I know you hate the idea of me dancing, but if you feel even just a little bit of love for your only son, I pray you will find it in your hearts to accept me as I am. Until then, don't bother to pretend you care."
He doesn't even leave them time to process what he said. Taking a bite of his buttered up slice of bread and grabbing a couple of mini croissants, he gets up from the table. Upon catching his mother's gaze, he wears a blank look, lips tight in a line. Still chewing, he lowers his voice and talks slowly, stressing every word.
"I'm gay, mom. And proud of it."
"Changmin…"
The name coming out of his mother's mouth sounds more like a whimper. She's shaking in her seat, pale as a corpse. Changmin swallows the bite and shakes his head, sadness replacing the pride in his eyes.
"I'm tired of hiding myself."
------------------
"Well, that definitely took some guts. Props to you, my friend."
Yoochun raises his glass to Changmin. It's Jaejoong's break after lunch and the boys all got together for a drink to celebrate Junsu's full recovery. Changmin takes the chance to carry out a little speech to inform the others about what had happened that morning with his parents. He gets lots of praises and pats on the back and glass-raising, topped by Yunho mouthing an you're amazing, eyes all crinkled as a huge smile crosses his face.
He had thought about letting them know about him and Yunho as well, but it turns out that Jaejoong had already provided the news. Junsu and Yoochun congratulate him with smug grins and let out a joyous finally. They point out the deep shade of red covering Changmin's round and puffy cheeks, to which Jaejoong jokes that it must be the alcohol taking its toll, before pulling the younger boy into an affectionate hug.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of! Love is a beautiful thing, either if it's just one day or a hundred years old! Cheers!"
Yoochun playfully hits Junsu's arm, startled by the sudden burst of vitality. The touch transforms into hand holding as they exchange quick pecks on the lips in between smiles.
Changmin feels his heart flutter at the sight, the little window from the previous night creaking open. His mind wanders back to the late morning and lunch break spent with Yunho, giggling and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears while nibbling on chocolate bars and mini croissants. He smiles at the thought of the blatant appreciation and desire in Yunho's eyes as he had walked in on him lying lazily on his bed, wearing his clothes.
Chest warming up, he brushes Yunho's thigh with his fingertips underneath the table, eliciting a shiver from him. Just like that, Yunho kisses him.
The other couple cheers, Yunho's heartbeat increases, his cheeks keep on getting flushed and the little window shuts close.
Meanwhile, Jaejoong emits embarrassing noises as he pretends to make out with his beer.
------------------
Changmin returns to the apartment at three o'clock to find his mother sitting on the sofa, still wearing the same outfit she was wearing at breakfast. That same woman who always bugs him about changing clothes more often during the day has been wearing the same shirt for more than a couple of hours. Strangely fazed by this fact, he stops in his tracks. Since Yunho was going to be busy with an employee meeting that afternoon, Changmin had originally decided to close himself up in his room, at least until dinner time, to practice on his own. The sight of his mother makes him change his mind and sit down beside her. A good five minutes pass before she opens her mouth.
"I am such a terrible mother."
Changmin shifts position to face her, brows furrowed in a questioning expression. She almost appears to be talking to herself.
"I should have been more present and attentive. Your father too, but as a mother I have more responsibility… What a failure. I can't believe I never noticed it."
A single tear escapes her heavy made-up eyes. Changmin feels his stomach turn, instantly regretting the decision to stop and sit down on that uncomfortable leather sofa.
"Don't blame yourself. It's nobody's fault that I am gay… It's just the way I am."
He waits for his mother to reply, but unspoken words and more tears are all she gives him. Just as he's about to get up and leave, she leans into him and wraps her arms around his shoulders. Changmin is taken aback by the sudden display of affection, realizing that it's the first time he gets a proper hug from his mother. He thinks about the amount of human touch he has been getting for the past two weeks, marveling at how it makes him feel alive.
"My baby… Just give us some time…"
Again, it's nothing more than a whimper. He strokes his mother's graying hair, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
------------------
The rest of the afternoon goes by calmly. His father invites him on the golf green for the first time and tries to teach him the basics, but his son's clumsiness quickly discourages him from the task. Changmin suspects that he has been coerced into it by his mother, in a particularly awkward attempt at making the two of them bond over something. Ignoring his father's stiff stance and forced smile, he excuses himself back inside after twenty minutes. It's when his mother greets him with a little wave of her bejeweled hand that he almost cusses out loud, creeped out by the sudden and obviously contrived attention.
After an even more awkward dinner at Changmin's favourite restaurant of the resort, his parents ask him if he feels like joining them for ice cream and then maybe a movie. He declines politely, telling them that he has a late practice scheduled. A dark shadow clouds his father's face as he parts his lips to speak, but his mother is faster.
"Right… We'll be on our way then. Don't be late, love."
She clutches her husband's arm, shooting him a meaningful look. Changmin doesn't bother telling her he won't be spending the night in his room.
------------------
He sits on the cabin's steps, waiting patiently for Yunho to arrive. His mind keeps on analyzing the events that had occurred just a few hours earlier. He comes to the conclusion that his parents are shamelessly trying to manipulate him into giving up on the number and possibly revert to straightness. The warmth he had felt in his mother's embrace had clouded his judgement and had prevented him from understanding the true purpose of her actions. There is no other explanation for their weird behaviour, Changmin is positive. They have never been so considerate before, not even once in over twenty years. As he lets the bitterness sink in, Yunho appears in the distance. He's about to run over to him, pleasantly surprised by his being early, but he quickly slows down. Something's not right. Yunho is stomping towards the cabin, duffel bag thrown over his shoulder. As soon as he's near enough for his face to become clear, Changmin feels his blood freeze. He looks enraged.
"Changminnie, you're early, baby."
Trying hard to dissimulate the anger, he produces a smile and lands a quick kiss on Changmin's lips.
"Yunho..."
No answer. He follows him inside, suddenly remembering that he didn't bring back the clothes he had borrowed in the morning. He had showered before dinner and left them on his bed. Making a mental note to return them the next day, he reaches for Yunho's hand, prompting him to turn around and face him.
"Yunho, what happened?"
Yunho clenches his jaw, eyes closed in an attempt to calm himself. His weary grimace quickly turns into a bitter laugh.
"Ah… The director just fired me. That homophobic piece of shit told me to shove the number up my ass together with all my stuff and leave first thing in the morning."
Rating: PG
Pairing: Yunho/Changmin, hints of Yoochun/Junsu
Genre: AU
Summary: His parents are strongly against dancing, especially when it comes to their only son. “Dancing is for girls”, they say. Little do they know, he sways in the darkness of his room and fantasizes about an escape to the rhythm of samba. He prays for someone to come and take him away from the dullness of his perfect life.
Kiss after kiss, chaste and innocent pecks turning into more passionate and demanding ones, a certain feeling starts building up in Changmin's stomach. He tries to ignore it a couple of times, determined to let it fade away, but it doesn't really work like that.
"Changminnie…? Do you want me to stop?"
Yunho mumbles it into his mouth at first. When he doesn't get an answer, he breaks the kiss and casts an affectionate gaze on Changmin. A bashful nod is all he gets in response.
"It's okay. You wanna get some sleep?"
Another nod, as a pair of large eyes stare back at him with a mixture of fear, arousal and shame in them.
A couple of minutes later, they are settled underneath the sheets. Even though the queen size bed is large enough for the both of them to sleep comfortably on their respective sides, they end up curled around each other on Yunho's side.
Changmin whispers sorry in Yunho's left ear before nestling snugly against his chest and dozing off into oblivion, barely hearing the it's alright baby, just close your eyes now the older man whispers back.
Lulled by the scent of strawberry, coffee and wood that lingers in the room, tight in Yunho's embrace, Changmin sleeps like a baby that night.
------------------
When morning breaks, Changmin opens his eyes to a note on the pillow. Trying his best to start up his brain and untangle himself from the pile of sweaty sheets, cursing the summer in the process, he blinks a few time to focus.
The note is plastered with words. The handwriting is messy and pointy, heavy pressure strokes cutting through the paper.
Changminnie, since I'm going to work I have to get up early! Ah, it's such a bummer that we can't have breakfast together! There might be some leftover coffee, you can reheat it if you want. I also have a couple of chocolate bars somewhere. Apart from that I'm afraid my room is a bit lacking in food options! Sorry about that. You can lounge around if you feel like it, I'll be back at 11. See you later baby. Yours, Yunho~
Wondering if he's really awake or just dreaming a really good dream, Changmin gets up and collects his green shirt from the rocking chair. Instead of wearing it, he folds it neatly and places it on the table. He opens the windows to let in the relatively fresh morning air, then peeks inside Yunho's wardrobe. He chooses a pair of denim knee-high shorts and a simple white shirt, the only things that fit him.
Once he's dressed and the bed is diligently made, he takes the note and stuffs it in his pocket with a smile. A quick trip to the bathroom and he's ready to leave. Before allowing himself to live that really good dream and fully enjoy the unexpected development of the situation with Yunho, there are a few things he needs to take care of.
------------------
"Good morning."
Changmin reaches his family's table and takes the seat right in front of his mother. He was almost sure they were going to be there, he didn't even bother to stop by the apartment.
He notices with a frown that his father isn't reading the usual financial newspaper and his mother is not wearing her pearls. Her blouse looks slightly wrinkled too. If Changmin didn't know better, he would think they look worried. Brushing aside the thought, he takes a slice of bread and starts buttering it up, quietly waiting for the bomb to drop.
"Son, where in the hell have you been all night? It's a girl, isn't it? It must be. You haven't talked to us for a week, continuously sneaking out, it's not who you are. You have to stop seeing her."
"What were you thinking, honey? We've been so worried! We looked for you everywhere, we were this close to calling the police!"
He has to use every inch of willpower to fight off the urge to roll his eyes, deeming it inappropriate as he is about trying to make them understand his point. It might not be the best way to tell them, over breakfast and in a room full of people, but what the hell, he thinks. Might as well get this over with.
"Mom, dad, I will be performing a dance number at the end of season revue. You think I have been sneaking out to see a girl, but in reality I have been practicing hard for the show. I know you hate the idea of me dancing, but if you feel even just a little bit of love for your only son, I pray you will find it in your hearts to accept me as I am. Until then, don't bother to pretend you care."
He doesn't even leave them time to process what he said. Taking a bite of his buttered up slice of bread and grabbing a couple of mini croissants, he gets up from the table. Upon catching his mother's gaze, he wears a blank look, lips tight in a line. Still chewing, he lowers his voice and talks slowly, stressing every word.
"I'm gay, mom. And proud of it."
"Changmin…"
The name coming out of his mother's mouth sounds more like a whimper. She's shaking in her seat, pale as a corpse. Changmin swallows the bite and shakes his head, sadness replacing the pride in his eyes.
"I'm tired of hiding myself."
------------------
"Well, that definitely took some guts. Props to you, my friend."
Yoochun raises his glass to Changmin. It's Jaejoong's break after lunch and the boys all got together for a drink to celebrate Junsu's full recovery. Changmin takes the chance to carry out a little speech to inform the others about what had happened that morning with his parents. He gets lots of praises and pats on the back and glass-raising, topped by Yunho mouthing an you're amazing, eyes all crinkled as a huge smile crosses his face.
He had thought about letting them know about him and Yunho as well, but it turns out that Jaejoong had already provided the news. Junsu and Yoochun congratulate him with smug grins and let out a joyous finally. They point out the deep shade of red covering Changmin's round and puffy cheeks, to which Jaejoong jokes that it must be the alcohol taking its toll, before pulling the younger boy into an affectionate hug.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of! Love is a beautiful thing, either if it's just one day or a hundred years old! Cheers!"
Yoochun playfully hits Junsu's arm, startled by the sudden burst of vitality. The touch transforms into hand holding as they exchange quick pecks on the lips in between smiles.
Changmin feels his heart flutter at the sight, the little window from the previous night creaking open. His mind wanders back to the late morning and lunch break spent with Yunho, giggling and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears while nibbling on chocolate bars and mini croissants. He smiles at the thought of the blatant appreciation and desire in Yunho's eyes as he had walked in on him lying lazily on his bed, wearing his clothes.
Chest warming up, he brushes Yunho's thigh with his fingertips underneath the table, eliciting a shiver from him. Just like that, Yunho kisses him.
The other couple cheers, Yunho's heartbeat increases, his cheeks keep on getting flushed and the little window shuts close.
Meanwhile, Jaejoong emits embarrassing noises as he pretends to make out with his beer.
------------------
Changmin returns to the apartment at three o'clock to find his mother sitting on the sofa, still wearing the same outfit she was wearing at breakfast. That same woman who always bugs him about changing clothes more often during the day has been wearing the same shirt for more than a couple of hours. Strangely fazed by this fact, he stops in his tracks. Since Yunho was going to be busy with an employee meeting that afternoon, Changmin had originally decided to close himself up in his room, at least until dinner time, to practice on his own. The sight of his mother makes him change his mind and sit down beside her. A good five minutes pass before she opens her mouth.
"I am such a terrible mother."
Changmin shifts position to face her, brows furrowed in a questioning expression. She almost appears to be talking to herself.
"I should have been more present and attentive. Your father too, but as a mother I have more responsibility… What a failure. I can't believe I never noticed it."
A single tear escapes her heavy made-up eyes. Changmin feels his stomach turn, instantly regretting the decision to stop and sit down on that uncomfortable leather sofa.
"Don't blame yourself. It's nobody's fault that I am gay… It's just the way I am."
He waits for his mother to reply, but unspoken words and more tears are all she gives him. Just as he's about to get up and leave, she leans into him and wraps her arms around his shoulders. Changmin is taken aback by the sudden display of affection, realizing that it's the first time he gets a proper hug from his mother. He thinks about the amount of human touch he has been getting for the past two weeks, marveling at how it makes him feel alive.
"My baby… Just give us some time…"
Again, it's nothing more than a whimper. He strokes his mother's graying hair, letting his chin rest on top of her head.
------------------
The rest of the afternoon goes by calmly. His father invites him on the golf green for the first time and tries to teach him the basics, but his son's clumsiness quickly discourages him from the task. Changmin suspects that he has been coerced into it by his mother, in a particularly awkward attempt at making the two of them bond over something. Ignoring his father's stiff stance and forced smile, he excuses himself back inside after twenty minutes. It's when his mother greets him with a little wave of her bejeweled hand that he almost cusses out loud, creeped out by the sudden and obviously contrived attention.
After an even more awkward dinner at Changmin's favourite restaurant of the resort, his parents ask him if he feels like joining them for ice cream and then maybe a movie. He declines politely, telling them that he has a late practice scheduled. A dark shadow clouds his father's face as he parts his lips to speak, but his mother is faster.
"Right… We'll be on our way then. Don't be late, love."
She clutches her husband's arm, shooting him a meaningful look. Changmin doesn't bother telling her he won't be spending the night in his room.
------------------
He sits on the cabin's steps, waiting patiently for Yunho to arrive. His mind keeps on analyzing the events that had occurred just a few hours earlier. He comes to the conclusion that his parents are shamelessly trying to manipulate him into giving up on the number and possibly revert to straightness. The warmth he had felt in his mother's embrace had clouded his judgement and had prevented him from understanding the true purpose of her actions. There is no other explanation for their weird behaviour, Changmin is positive. They have never been so considerate before, not even once in over twenty years. As he lets the bitterness sink in, Yunho appears in the distance. He's about to run over to him, pleasantly surprised by his being early, but he quickly slows down. Something's not right. Yunho is stomping towards the cabin, duffel bag thrown over his shoulder. As soon as he's near enough for his face to become clear, Changmin feels his blood freeze. He looks enraged.
"Changminnie, you're early, baby."
Trying hard to dissimulate the anger, he produces a smile and lands a quick kiss on Changmin's lips.
"Yunho..."
No answer. He follows him inside, suddenly remembering that he didn't bring back the clothes he had borrowed in the morning. He had showered before dinner and left them on his bed. Making a mental note to return them the next day, he reaches for Yunho's hand, prompting him to turn around and face him.
"Yunho, what happened?"
Yunho clenches his jaw, eyes closed in an attempt to calm himself. His weary grimace quickly turns into a bitter laugh.
"Ah… The director just fired me. That homophobic piece of shit told me to shove the number up my ass together with all my stuff and leave first thing in the morning."