One Week (Chapter One)
Title: One Week
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Pairing: YooSu (YunJae)
Status: On-Going
Length: Multi-chapter; One (of seven chapters)
Basic Synopsis: Kim Junsu is an eighteen year old boy, diagnosed with a terminal illness that he has been fighting for three years now. Deciding to stop his treatments, Junsu desperately wants to spend his last week alive by meeting his biggest idol, Park Yoochun, known around the world as 'Micky.'
Park Yoochun is Seoul's notorious playboy, partying and clubbing nonstop at the hottest spots in the city. But when the media almost catches him at one of his favorite strip-clubs, his management fears that it could ruin his career and give the company bad publicity. Discovering Junsu, a diehard fan who is dying, the company grants his wish--to spend his last week with his favorite idol, in order to keep 'Micky' and his career out of the (bad) spotlight.
Reluctant at first, Yoochun goes along with the meeting, thinking of it as nothing more than just some loser fan faking an illness just to see him. He never expected his fan to be the shy Junsu that helps him learn to live his life to its fullest and teaches him the meaning of true love.
Dedicated to my soulmate (she is the Su to my Yoo)... Saih, who made this beautiful banner without me even asking as well as a trailer for the story. I love you, dear~
(The Trailer) ( The Characters) (The Prologue)
Day One
… … …
Junsu looked back at his family as his flight was called. They were all in tears, and it broke his heart to see them so sad just because of him. His mother’s face buried in his father’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably about her little boy, and his father rocking her soothingly, his own eyes having a glossy sheen. Junho stood somewhere behind them, still angry with his brother for his decision, and it tore at Junsu’s heart that his twin would not speak to him before he left.
“That’s my flight,” he said, trying to make conversation, to see his family happy together one last time before he left. “Hey, maybe this little trip will do me some good! I’ll be back to normal before you know it.”
“You are a liar, Su. I hate you!” Junho spoke hoarsely, the words just plunging the knife embedded in Junsu’s heart deeper.
His smile barely wavered for a second, giving his parents a large hug, as he picked up his carry-on and started heading for the terminal. Once there he gave one final wave, looking at the family he had loved for eighteen years one last time. He might never see them again.
He knew that this was probably a week he should spend with them--but they understood that this was his greatest wish, and now that it was being granted, they let him go.
He watched, heartbroken, as his twin crumpled to the cold floor, finally letting into his tears, and called, “Su! I expect to see you better once this week is over! You promised that you would get better!”
Junsu smiled, holding out his hand to that of his brother’s, even though they were on opposite sides of the airport now. When his brother fisted his hand, smiling despite his tears, Junsu did the same.
He was going to miss them…
He found himself a seat beside the window, fingering the worn-out letter that was stuffed in his jeans, a giddy feeling bubbling up in his chest. He pulled it out, careful of the tearing edges of the note, and read the message again. He could not count how many times he had pulled it out and just simply read it, and he had only received it two days before.
He remembered sending them his letter months before, telling them that he was stopping his treatments on his next visit to the hospital, and what he had wanted for such a long time. He had waited for some letter in return, even the customary ‘thanks for writing’ note would have made him happy--but nothing came. Until…
Junsu had received their reply the day before his last check-up. It had elated him, alleviated him of the pain that he had to live with everyday, even if it was only for a few hours. Now, though, his pain would be pushed aside because Junsu was about to meet the one person that mattered the most to him.
The one that wrote and sang the songs that kept him hanging on…
He was going to meet Micky.
In Seoul’s airport, awaiting the arrival of his dying fan, Yoochun sat with his manager, Changmin, glaring at the clock hanging on the wall opposite him. The plane was supposed to have been there thirty minutes before. His company had cancelled all his meetings, recordings, rehearsals, everything this week just for this kid… And now, his precious time was being spent on waiting for a plane to arrive.
He could be hanging out with Yunho or Jaejoong at the moment; hitting a club, having a drink, flirting with anyone that could catch his eye, live his life.
Oh, wait. This apparently was not his life to live anymore, or at least it was not according to the company. They had handed him the letter that Junsu had sent, one addressed to him. He had seemed genuine enough in the letter, but he could not be sure. This kid could be a great actor, and once this week was over, he would have a few stories to tell all his friends and then weird fan-accounts would circulate the web.
Maybe he had made a few wrong choices, stumbled into some bad spotlight and jeopardized his career, but they could not expect him to follow orders so willingly. He was only twenty-two, living out his young adult years and enjoying himself like everyone else his age.
But no, he belonged to SM Entertainment, and he was their most famous artist. He taken Asia by storm and was set to tour various other countries and continents later the next year. He could not be seen at a club, his hands on the waist of a scantily clad female (or male sometimes, depending on his mood), unless he wanted the paparazzi to see him. Then the same thing would happen. The company would find out about his (not-so) secret rendezvous, they would disburse millions to keep them shut up, and then he would be lectured about the importance of keeping a low profile.
Only attend certain parties, be seen with these people, always make sure you look your best--too many rules they had forced him to follow. If it was not for the fact that he had made a promise to his mother so many years ago and singing was his greatest joy in life, he would have left a long time ago.
Changmin was talking away on his cell phone beside him, business as usual, and Yoochun had nothing better to do. Taking out a wrinkled white sheet of folded up notebook paper, one that he had received earlier from his manager, he read the messy scrawl of a teenaged fan, dying (no pun intended) to meet him.
“Dear Micky,
You’re probably very busy--making music, signing autographs, and doing whatever an outstanding artist like yourself does. I promise to not take much of your time.
I know you don’t know me, but I am your biggest fan. My name is Kim Junsu, and I am eighteen years old. It has always been my greatest wish to meet you, but… I only have seven days left. More than anything in this world, I would like, no, love to spend my remaining week with you. Just a few happy memories before I… It would mean everything to me…”
Love always,
Junsu”
Yoochun sighed, raking a hand through his long dark hair, and folded the tiny note delicately, placing it in his pocket. He heard the distant call of an announcement, saying that the flight that his fan was on had just landed. Changmin also heard and quickly motioned for Yoochun to place on his disguise. Changmin picked up a large cardboard sign that read the boy’s name, as Yoochun rolled his eyes behind the dark-tinted glasses that he was required to wear.
Then Yoochun saw him. The boy was looking around the crowded airport, eyes large and a wide smile on his face, one that had Yoochun grinning to himself as well. Changmin raised the sign, calling out his name, and then the boy was running over to them.
“You cannot believe how excited I am to finally meet you, Mick-”
Yoochun quickly clamped his hand over the other's mouth, lowering his lips to Junsu's ear Yoochun whispered heatedly, “Shh! Don’t call me that here. I’m Yoochun, okay?”
His face flushed bright red from embarrassment, nodding slowly, seemingly at a loss of words. Yoochun smirked, ruffled the younger boy’s hair, and motioned for Changmin to grab Junsu’s luggage. Immediately, Junsu snapped out of his awed state and took his own bags.
“That’s okay, I can carry them.”
Yoochun shook his head and held out his hand to Junsu. “No, let him get them. It’s what he is paid to do. Let’s get to know each other better.”
Junsu looked back to Changmin who just smiled widely at him and nodded. “I’ll take your things, Mr. Kim. Go with Yoochun.”
“O-okay!” Junsu stammered out, handing his things to the young manager and clasping Yoochun’s hand with his.
“We’ll be heading back to my home first, get you settled in and then we’ll find something to do,” Yoochun stated, practically dragging Junsu to the black car waiting for him.
Looking at the teenager that he was leading, Yoochun’s contempt arose again. The kid was nice enough, but could he really be dying? Was this just some hoax that the company set up, made him go along with, and paid Junsu to act like a sick boy? Were they trying to clear his name of all rumors and gain support from the people due to his charitable deeds?
“Um, Yoochun, can you loosen your grip. You’re hurting me,” the soft voice spoke up, causing the singer to loosen his hold on the younger’s hand, realizing that he had unintentionally harmed him.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized, looking at the trailing boy out of the corner of his eye. “I just don’t want you to get swallowed by the crowd.”
The rest of the walk was silent, no words spoken again until Changmin joined them in the car, ordering the driver to Yoochun’s penthouse. On the way, Junsu’s face was practically glued to the darkened window, staring in astonishment at all the large buildings that towered high above him.
“You’re acting like this is your first time in Seoul, kid,” Yoochun stated laughing, his eyes watching Junsu’s antics bemused, until the shy boy looked down in shame. “Oh, it is your first time!”
“Y-yes… I was only here every three months for doctor visits… not much time to see the sights.”
“Well, then, we have to see everything there is throughout the next few days then, Junsu,” Yoochun said pleasantly, figuring that even if this kid might not actually be dying he might still be good company.
After all, he would be the only person that he would be around with this whole week. He should make the most of it.
Changmin dropped them off at the penthouse, informing them that he would be returning after he took care of some things at the company. Then they were alone.
Junsu entered the large penthouse, taking in the fact that his work room was larger than half his house. White walls, large windows, plenty of blue furniture, and then a grand piano sat nearest the balcony, the city lights casting a glow of green and blue across its smooth surface. He felt somewhat out of place, his old suitcase making a mockery of the nice things decorating the spacious area.
“You’re room is right here,” Yoochun spoke suddenly, noticing the flicker of depression across the other boy’s face. “You can place your things in here. Join me in the living room when you are done. Don’t take too long.”
Junsu stepped inside the room, the feel of a soft white carpet underneath his bare feet a comforting sense. He breathed in deeply, the giddiness still bubbling up inside him. He had just met Micky--no, Yoochun. He was even more amazing up close, if that was possible, but Junsu could feel that he was than meets-the-eye. He was slightly distanced, closed off, as if his heart was not in this meeting.
Then he shook his head, clearing his mind of those thoughts. Yoochun was a great guy, no matter what the news spread or even if he did not want to spend this week with Junsu. In the end, he gave up a week of doing more important things for one dying fan, and that was good enough for Junsu.
Settling his suitcase on the bed, Junsu suddenly started to feel lightheaded. He clutched as his rapidly beating heart, stumbling due to the dizziness and knocking over the nightstand holding a beautiful blue lamp. He barely heard it crash against the floor, his own body already slumped again the floor, his eyes tightly shut and his breathing short and rough.
In the living room, Yoochun heard the shattering of glass. He rushed to scold the boy for being so clumsy but what he saw surprised him. Scared him even. He slid to the ground beside Junsu, frantically searching for a pulse of a sign that the boy was still alive. He sighed in relief when he realized that his fan was still alive, he had just fainted.
He started by the ringing of his cell phone, Changmin’s ring tone playing obnoxiously.
“Hello,” he answered, shifting the boy in the floor into his lap, cradling the cell between his neck and shoulder.
There was a pause before Changmin spoke, “Yoochun, are you okay? You sound out of breath. Have you already molested your fan?”
“Hell no,” came the agitated reply. “The boy fainted. Must be my good looks.”
“Or the fact that he is sick.”
Yoochun was silent for a second, absentmindedly playing with Junsu’s short light brown locks, as he murmured, “I am beginning to believe that he is.”
“So, no more complaining?”
“I promise to make this the best week of his life.”
Changmin laughed before stating, “You’re getting soft in your old age.”
Yoochun rolled his eyes and bid the man on the other line goodbye. He tossed the phone to the other side of the room, not caring where it landed, and lifted the sleeping boy in his arms. So much for going out that night.
As he placed him on the bed, he found drowsy eyes gazing up at him, half-lidded and gorgeous. Yoochun felt a tug at his heart, but he was not sure why.
“Hey,” the star spoke softly, leaning over his confused fan. “You fainted.”
“I’m sorry,” Junsu apologized, his voice slightly hoarse and his eyes flicking downward.
“It’s okay. We’ll just stay in tonight. Get some rest, you need it. I’ll be in the living room, okay.”
Junsu nodded, rolling off the bed and opening his suitcase to get his pajamas out. Yoochun had slipped out of the room, leaving him alone again in the unfamiliar territory. He hurried in the bathroom, his sleepiness catching up to him, and he practically dove beneath the covers of the large bed.
Yet sleep would not come. He stared out the window, mapping the stars, and he counted sheep until he lost track of what number he was on and could do no more… But his mind still would not allow him to drift off. He felt too alone.
Grabbing his stuffed bunny (a gift from his brother on a birthday when they were both children), he teetered into the living room, finding his idol shirtless and spread across the couch watching the television. He lingered in the hallway, nervous and feeling slightly childish in his sheep-printed sleepwear, but he needed to do this in order to get some sleep. He was always used to Junho or one of his friends around him, and he did not take to being by himself very well. Maybe Yoochun would understand.
Fortunately for him, he did not have to explain, the superstar already motioning him to the sofa he lounged on. Junsu quickly made his way over, laying down in the space provided and taking the proffered blanket. He felt the warmth of the other’s body and already his mind eased, his eyes beginning to droop closed again.
“I remember my first night in the city,” Yoochun shared, feeling the need to comfort the boy that was so far away from his home. “I was terrified. No one was with me and all my friends were nowhere near Seoul. I understand how you feel, like you are alone and need a friend. Just for tonight, Junsu, I’ll be your friend.”
But Junsu was already sound asleep.
Sorry that it took so long for me to update! I really was not planning on it taking a week, but I never expected to be as busy as I was. I cannot guarantee that the next update will be the intended Wednesday either--we're taking our first few major tests at my school. But I will try my best!
The support for this story has been tremendous. I am truly grateful! I just hope that no one gave up on it and that everyone is still willing to read. Thank you for all your kind words~
To Day Two