Well, I'll Be Damned (Chapter 1)
CHAPTER ONE: In which Changmin and Yunho go on a trip to Greece and come back as changed men.
Changmin found Yunho sitting on the terrace floor, thighs stretched out between the railings, feet dangling over the edge. He was lost in his thoughts, unaware of Changmin’s presence. Or maybe he chose not to acknowledge him. Changmin approached him slowly, not wanting to break the stillness of the atmosphere by announcing himself noisily. Yunho gradually looked up at him with sad eyes as Changmin stood beside him, the maknae meeting his gaze with an unreadable expression. Yunho sighed and looked away.
“Don’t kill yourself over it, hyung.” Changmin whispered just enough for his companion could hear. “It’s not your fault, so don’t trouble yourself so much.”
“But yo-“ Yunho began.
“I said stop,” Changmin cut him off loudly this time. “I know you may not think it. But I can handle this. I’m not a boy anymore, hyung. You and hyung-deul forget that sometimes. It’s hard but it’s my burden to bear. Okay?”
Yunho stared at him before giving him a slow nod.
“You can’t really blame me for being this way, Changmin-ah.” Yunho frowned.
“I know, hyung. And I’m thankful that you’re here for me. We’ve both made our decision and we can’t turn back now.”
* * * * * Where some people followed their instinct, Changmin followed his nose. Gifted with the ability to detect the slightest of scents, he had a knack for finding delicious treats. And that’s how he ended up in a rather secluded café enjoying a plate of local delicacies.
A table near the window allowed him an unobstructed view of one of the busiest delis in Greece. He wondered if Yunho had decided to brave the scorching heat and explore the area. His hyung had always been the more adventurous between the two of them.
Changmin was looking over the maps he had picked up at the airport when he heard a soft thud opposite him. He lifted his gaze to see a young woman staring at him, smiling as if she had been sitting there all along. Changmin had to stop for a moment to stare at her stormy grey eyes. Somehow his breath caught.
She had luscious black hair cascading up to her shoulders. It framed her delicate face like flowing silk, almost glistening the rays of light coming from the window. Her ethnicity was lost to him as he took in her features, an attractive combination of Asian blood and another nationality. But the words that came out from her lips were undeniably Korean.
“How are you enjoying Greece?” she asked like an old friend. At the back of his mind, Changmin wondered if she was one of his fans. But strangely, it didn’t seem to matter at that moment.
“It’s a beautiful country,” he replied with a slight nod. “And the food is good too.”
“I’m glad you are enjoying your stay Changmin-sshi.” She smiled prettily, knowingly. “But I sense that treating yourself to a vacation isn’t the only reason why you’ve traveled thousands of miles just to be here.
There was a glint of mischief in her eyes. But there was something else. Something darker and more potent. She was dangerous, that much Changmin could sense. But he suppressed his flight instinct and remained in his seat.
“What do you mean?” he asked, surprised at the evenness of his voice.
“Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean. Changmin-sshi.”
* * * * *Kyuhyun had always been fascinated and frightened by his best friend . Although they both lived surrounded by bright lights and adoring fans, Kyuhyun knew how Changmin thrived in darkness. When they could finally shed their glittering clothes and wipe off their make-up, Choikang Changmin would disappear against the brooding disposition of Shim Changmin. Kyuhyun had seen the change too many times. But it still left him with an unsettling feeling.
Gooey smiles and hearty laughter were reserved for the stage. That playful glint in his eyes would be replace by something more wicked, more cruel. Sometimes it gave Kyuhyun the shivers. But then Changmin would catch him looking, staring and an impish grin would form on his face, as if daring him to prod his labyrinthine psyche. And Kyuhyun would push it to the back of his mind, hoping that he was just imagining things.
* * * * *
Changmin never did remember how he got back to their hotel. But he wasn’t one to worry about such trivial things. All that mattered was that he somehow managed his way back in one piece. He felt perfectly normal, as if he had not gone through a rather anomalous day. Of course, his memory had gotten a little hazy. But the important details were still in his head, he would figure out the minor things later on.
Changmin pressed the elevator button, hearing the quick churning of metal and gear. He would go up to his room, take a quick bath and sort out his thoughts. The events today were certainly mind-boggling, something he really couldn’t quite explain if he was asked to. Changmin vaguely thought if he really wasn’t destined to live out a normal life. He sighed. This day had been beyond weird.
As the elevator doors opened, Changmin wondered if Yunho was back already. No doubt, his hyung would have gone out to explore the sites, taking Greece by storm. He had already been dressed for sight-seeing when Changmin woke up that morning. But Yunho was forced to go out alone when he couldn’t persuade Changmin to leave his bed so early. His hyung was always the more adventurous one between them.
There was an audible ‘ding’ and the elevator opened to the penthouse suite they had booked specifically for this trip. All the lights were still closed and Changmin began to feel a little uneasy. Where was Yunho? It was almost four in the morning. Yunho had never been one for excessive partying. So Changmin was quite sure that he should’ve been back by now. Or at least leave a message at the lobby that he would be unusually late.
Strange.
Changmin hit the lights and made his way to the common area, setting out to call the reception and inquire about his companion. He was about to dial when he heard a faint groan coming from the veranda. Changmin carefully walked towards the sound, readying himself for whatever might be out there. Obscured by the silk curtains, Changmin could barely make out the figure leaning over the grilles surrounding the patio. Someone was out there.
“Yunho?” Changmin called, taking another brave step. He was answered by another pained moan. Changmin steeled himself and pulled open the floor length windows. The figure faced him slowly. Changmin could make out a metallic scent in the air.
It was…
Yunho.
And he was half-covered by his own blood.
* * * * *“Hyung..?”
Minho peeked through the door and saw Changmin engrossed in a book. Again. He couldn’t help but wonder what prompted the singer to read so vigorously.
Tall, lean, attractive. Changmin was someone Minho had always aspired to be. He had been a newbie when the 5-member TVXQ reached the peak of their career, a glorified status that so few could attain. They were gods and SHINee was the cute dongsaeng, eagerly hoping that their TVXQ hyungs would guide them through their journey in the Korean music industry. But among the five gods, Changmin became the mentor-brother that Minho was looking for. Over the years, the TVXQ maknae had given him countless advice that proved vital in his own struggles to the top.
But TVXQ’s reign ended in an ugly battle that shattered hopes and dreams. Including Changmin’s. Looking at his hyung now, Minho wondered if the older singer was really as strong as he looked.
“What are you reading, hyung?” Minho walked over to where Changmin sat; trying to get a peak of the book he was holding.
“Nothing. Just something to pass the time.”
Changmin closed the book.
* * * * *
The airport was a mess of annoying fangirls, reporters and nosy passengers. In short, it was the typical scenario Changmin had gotten used to after people had taken notice of TVXQ. Somehow the news of his arrival had spread, alerting the usual mob that paralyzed the Arrivals section. Needless to say, Changmin was annoyed. He could feel a migraine forming in his temple and he didn’t want to deal with this right now. Thankfully, years of going through airports allowed him the ability to tune out the constant screams and flashes that assaulted them.
Flanked by hulking bodyguards, he took long strides towards the exit, ignoring the sea of people reaching out, taking pictures, asking, screaming…where was Yunho?
Nope. Changmin really didn’t want to deal with this right now.
[A/N: I typed this in a frenzy. Almost...uhhh..literally. LOL. Unbeta-ed. =x]