[ENG ] .Grey02
TWILIGHT
Faint light; a dubious or uncertain medium through which anything is viewed.
There was an unusual silence in the Dong Bang’s flat. In the kitchen, Jaejoong bit his lower lip and finished washing the dishes, hands submerged in soapy water. The TV in the living room was playing some joyful music, almost inaudible through the half-closed door. He could have joined Changmin on the sofa and watched some stupid shows, or go annoy Yoochun in his work room. Instead, he opted to stay in the kitchen and reached for a bag of flour for his recipe.
Everything was going wrong. Well, he knew their lives weren’t idyllic in the first place, although different from the rest of the world. But despite of the crisis, the arguments, the occasional struggling between them and the management and their over-packed schedule, they have always been able to keep up with it. If one of them tripped and fell, the others would hold him; if one of them slowed down, they would wait for him.
This case was different. Junsu was running too fast, and they were trailing behind. And even worse: Junsu was falling too fast, and they were too far behind to catch him before he touched the ground. Tiredness, all nighters, practices and rehearsals were straining them to almost an inhuman extent; particularly Junsu. He was the one the management chose to overwork, after all. Jaejoong felt sorry for him.
He cracked open some eggs in a bowl and began to look for chocolate. It wasn’t long before a rich scent filled the kitchen, almost comforting. The oven’s clock told him it was already late and Yunho was still somewhere outside, for a walk or something. It wasn’t often for the leader to disappear like that, and even more rare for him to protest against management’s decisions.
Earlier today, Changmin and Yoochun had forced him to spill what happened with Young Hee. Then Changmin had quickly summarized the situation. Junsu had a new contract? - ok. Junsu had to stay three more days in Korea while they would be in Japan? - ok. Junsu was pushed to go solo, making Yunho crazy? - not ok.
“But it’s not such a big deal, right?” Yoochun had asked, “It’s not like he won’t be with us anymore. Right?”
“I don’t know what Yunho is thinking,” Jaejoong had said.
He sighed heavily and threw an absent glance to the oven, making sure he wasn’t burning his cake. Thinking about that was just plain depressing. Maybe he should just go out and have a drink since it will be their last night in Korea for a while - the idea was appealing. Maybe Yoochun would accompany him. Maybe.
He was about to redo the dishes when Changmin crashed in the kitchen, falling heavily on a chair. He had a brioche* in his hand.
“It smells wonderful. What is it, hyung?”
This boy has a bottomless pit for a stomach, Jaejoong swore. They had dinner just an hour ago! Jaejoong couldn’t help but grin, and snatched the brioche away. Where did he find that, anyway?
“Hey!” Changmin protested. “Stealing food from the poor and innocent? Shame on you.”
“The what?” Jaejoong laughed.
Now that he though about it, he should drop the dishwashing. He had better things to do.
“Changmin, what is Junsu doing?”
He waited twenty seconds, just the time the youngest needed to snatch back his brioche and to eat it. Changmin shrugged.
“In our room. I was there ten minutes ago, before I somewhat felt that my presence was unwelcome. It seems that I can’t read peacefully on my bed without being told that I’m undesired. It’s kind of offensive, if you ask me…”
“You’re always unwelcome, Changminnie,” Jaejoong teased.
He muffled a giggle as he dodged the spoon Changmin threw at him. The youngest tsk-ed at him and Jaejoong laughed, almost relieved that Changmin wasn’t affected by the recent events. Maybe he was the one worrying over nothing.
“I’m gonna see how he’s doing. Keep an eye on the cake, Min-yah!”
He left the kitchen, and headed toward the room Changmin and Junsu shared. The door was closed. He thought about opening it slowly and sliding secretly in the room to surprise its occupant, but… well. He wasn’t really known to be the king of discretion - an understatement. Better to go straight to the point, anyway.
Junsu was on his bed. All the lights of the room were turned on.
“You’re obviously not the one paying the bill,” Jaejoong said, reaching for the switch of the nearest lamp.
Junsu was visibly sulking and had opted for the redoubtable tactic of the silence treatment. Jaejoong hated that. Taking action, he poked him and pulled the pillows from under him, before stealing his cover. Junsu didn’t react. Even when Jaejoong pushed him out of the bed and sit on his stomach, Junsu was persisting at ignoring him royally. It was so fucking annoying. He took Junsu’s head in his hands and forced him to face him.
“Stop being a prick, it doesn’t suit you,” Jaejoong frowned, frustrated. “And look at me when I’m talking. I won’t let you alone until you tell me what’s wrong.”
No reaction. Junsu had even the audacity to close his eyes and pretend that Jaejoong didn’t exist, as if his words were just some lullaby meant to help him sleep. Jaejoong rolled his eyes. At time like that, he could swear that Junsu was the most stubborn and the most irritating, retreating into himself and locking in complete silence. Jaejoong didn’t know how to reach him. He didn’t know how to make him talk. Yunho would know, Jaejoong mused. But he wasn’t here, and might not be able to help this time. Jaejoong passed his fingers through Junsu’s head and stroked his hair.
“Speak to me,” he said quietly. “Hey. Junsu.”
Silence.
“Don’t be mad at us, ok? Don’t be mad at Yunho. He only wishes you well.”
Junsu snuggled stubbornly against his chest. Jaejoong was under the impression he was ten and had a five-year-old brother clinging onto him, afraid of the dark and too scared to let him go. Jaejoong would have found it cute if he wasn’t this desperate to make him talk.
“Please, just say something… Do you want to come with us to Japan? We can ask the management. Or one of us can stay with you.”
He stopped. Then, excitedly:
“Hey. It’s a pretty good idea! Why didn’t we think about it sooner? I can stay! Or Yoochun. I’m sure Yoochun would be delighted to be able to bully you without being scolded by Yunho or hit by Changmin! We’re doing that, ok?”
Still no answer.
“Junsu? Please?”
He tried to tickle him but still had no reaction. For a brief moment, Jaejoong thought about confessing his and Yoochun’s darkest secrets they were hiding from the rest of the world, involving clubs, girls, boys sometimes, a fair amount of alcohol and some smoking; but he wasn’t even sure he would be able to shock him. He was on the verge of giving up when the door opened.
Yunho entered and kneeled down beside them. He still wore his coat and his cheeks were pink from the chilling wind of Seoul. Jaejoong shivered a little when his arm met the leader’s cold skin. He could feel Junsu tighten against him and bury his face into his neck in a poor attempt to block Yunho.
“I spoke to the management,” Yunho said.
Jaejoong wasn’t sure if the other was telling that to him or to Junsu, since he was contemplating the wall. For both of them, he guessed.
“Junsu is supposed to stay here a little longer. Our next TV appearance has been cancelled. I checked your new contract, Junsu. It should be ok. You’re representing Samsung for their new series of mobile and apparently, you need to film some CF. But,” Yunho said, reaching for Junsu’s hand. He didn’t seem to care the fact Junsu was pretending he didn’t exist. “Apart from that, you’re officially on vacation, from tonight. You have two days to return home and spend time with your family.”
To Jaejoong’s dismay, he got a response. This time, Junsu quickly raised his head. “I don’t need vacation.”
“Of course you do,” Yunho said.
He got up and skimmed through the room, picking up the pillows Jaejoong had throw in the room and giving them back to Junsu.
“Enjoy it, Junsu. After that you’ll meet us in Tokyo and we’re doing a new promotional tour. Rest well.” He pinched his check. “You look horrible.”
Junsu muttered something under his breath and made a face, his eyes full of discontent. Because he had such a hard time earlier and for appearing composed, Jaejoong gave him a slap on his ass.
“And now! Be a good boy and do the dishes!” He pushed him in the corridor. “There’s a cake in the oven, go make sure Changmin doesn’t eat it all before it’s fully baked.”
Please go away, I want to talk to Yunho, Jaejoong’s eyes said. Junsu just shrugged and left the room without a word. Jaejoong hoped Changmin would do a better job cheering the other singer up. Sunshine needed to be brought back. Smiling tiredly, Jaejoong turned to face Yunho. He was sitting on Changmin’s bed and… he might have told Junsu that he looked horrible, but Yunho didn’t look better. Jaejoong placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.
“So what now?” he asked.
“Well…”
Yunho looked so fucking exhausted it hurt. Jaejoong wanted so badly to take his pain away. Yunho’s smile was bitter, unlike the usual him.
“I don’t want to give a shit about Young Hee, but I’m afraid we’ll hear about him again.”
Jaejoong froze. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll learn it soon enough, Jae.” Yunho yawned. “You should go rest. Don’t forget we have a tough day tomorrow.”
“Yunho.”
Jaejoong nervously bit his lip. Junsu who didn’t want to confide in him was fine and comprehensible, but concerning Yunho or Yoochun, no way. He sat behind him and ran his fingers on the leader’s tensed neck.
“Tell me what is happening,” he murmured. “It’s not like you to go against the management. It’s not the first time they chose to sign contracts for us, and we’re used to working twenty hours per day. So what’s wrong?”
“I just…” Yunho shook his head, “I just can’t stand it. We’re not some bloody puppets they can play with. They can’t tear us apart like that, without asking us first! Something is up,” he asserted. “They’re going to take Junsu away.”
“But ‘Su won’t let them,” Jaejoong said.
Yunho closed his eyes. “I want to believe that.”
Jaejoong hugged him from behind.
“He won’t leave us,” he said. “I’m sure about it. If not, who will do his laundry and make him snacks at insane hours of the night? Who will play silly games with him and help his brush up on his gag skills? You’ll see. He just can’t leave.”
Yunho smiled and squeezed his arm. “I hope you’re right, Jae.”
“I’m always right,” Jaejoong stated. “Let’s go in the kitchen now, before there’s no more cake.”
He rushed an amused Yunho out of the room - it was heart-warming, the way he laughed. But as he passed the door, the oldest could no longer lie to himself: things were obviously buzzing in the Head Quarters of SM, and they were involved in it, willingly or not. And if they wanted to take Junsu away…
/part_one
(tbc? D: / :D)
*a brioche is a highly enriched French bread http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Brioche.jpg
Faint light; a dubious or uncertain medium through which anything is viewed.
There was an unusual silence in the Dong Bang’s flat. In the kitchen, Jaejoong bit his lower lip and finished washing the dishes, hands submerged in soapy water. The TV in the living room was playing some joyful music, almost inaudible through the half-closed door. He could have joined Changmin on the sofa and watched some stupid shows, or go annoy Yoochun in his work room. Instead, he opted to stay in the kitchen and reached for a bag of flour for his recipe.
Everything was going wrong. Well, he knew their lives weren’t idyllic in the first place, although different from the rest of the world. But despite of the crisis, the arguments, the occasional struggling between them and the management and their over-packed schedule, they have always been able to keep up with it. If one of them tripped and fell, the others would hold him; if one of them slowed down, they would wait for him.
This case was different. Junsu was running too fast, and they were trailing behind. And even worse: Junsu was falling too fast, and they were too far behind to catch him before he touched the ground. Tiredness, all nighters, practices and rehearsals were straining them to almost an inhuman extent; particularly Junsu. He was the one the management chose to overwork, after all. Jaejoong felt sorry for him.
He cracked open some eggs in a bowl and began to look for chocolate. It wasn’t long before a rich scent filled the kitchen, almost comforting. The oven’s clock told him it was already late and Yunho was still somewhere outside, for a walk or something. It wasn’t often for the leader to disappear like that, and even more rare for him to protest against management’s decisions.
Earlier today, Changmin and Yoochun had forced him to spill what happened with Young Hee. Then Changmin had quickly summarized the situation. Junsu had a new contract? - ok. Junsu had to stay three more days in Korea while they would be in Japan? - ok. Junsu was pushed to go solo, making Yunho crazy? - not ok.
“But it’s not such a big deal, right?” Yoochun had asked, “It’s not like he won’t be with us anymore. Right?”
“I don’t know what Yunho is thinking,” Jaejoong had said.
He sighed heavily and threw an absent glance to the oven, making sure he wasn’t burning his cake. Thinking about that was just plain depressing. Maybe he should just go out and have a drink since it will be their last night in Korea for a while - the idea was appealing. Maybe Yoochun would accompany him. Maybe.
He was about to redo the dishes when Changmin crashed in the kitchen, falling heavily on a chair. He had a brioche* in his hand.
“It smells wonderful. What is it, hyung?”
This boy has a bottomless pit for a stomach, Jaejoong swore. They had dinner just an hour ago! Jaejoong couldn’t help but grin, and snatched the brioche away. Where did he find that, anyway?
“Hey!” Changmin protested. “Stealing food from the poor and innocent? Shame on you.”
“The what?” Jaejoong laughed.
Now that he though about it, he should drop the dishwashing. He had better things to do.
“Changmin, what is Junsu doing?”
He waited twenty seconds, just the time the youngest needed to snatch back his brioche and to eat it. Changmin shrugged.
“In our room. I was there ten minutes ago, before I somewhat felt that my presence was unwelcome. It seems that I can’t read peacefully on my bed without being told that I’m undesired. It’s kind of offensive, if you ask me…”
“You’re always unwelcome, Changminnie,” Jaejoong teased.
He muffled a giggle as he dodged the spoon Changmin threw at him. The youngest tsk-ed at him and Jaejoong laughed, almost relieved that Changmin wasn’t affected by the recent events. Maybe he was the one worrying over nothing.
“I’m gonna see how he’s doing. Keep an eye on the cake, Min-yah!”
He left the kitchen, and headed toward the room Changmin and Junsu shared. The door was closed. He thought about opening it slowly and sliding secretly in the room to surprise its occupant, but… well. He wasn’t really known to be the king of discretion - an understatement. Better to go straight to the point, anyway.
Junsu was on his bed. All the lights of the room were turned on.
“You’re obviously not the one paying the bill,” Jaejoong said, reaching for the switch of the nearest lamp.
Junsu was visibly sulking and had opted for the redoubtable tactic of the silence treatment. Jaejoong hated that. Taking action, he poked him and pulled the pillows from under him, before stealing his cover. Junsu didn’t react. Even when Jaejoong pushed him out of the bed and sit on his stomach, Junsu was persisting at ignoring him royally. It was so fucking annoying. He took Junsu’s head in his hands and forced him to face him.
“Stop being a prick, it doesn’t suit you,” Jaejoong frowned, frustrated. “And look at me when I’m talking. I won’t let you alone until you tell me what’s wrong.”
No reaction. Junsu had even the audacity to close his eyes and pretend that Jaejoong didn’t exist, as if his words were just some lullaby meant to help him sleep. Jaejoong rolled his eyes. At time like that, he could swear that Junsu was the most stubborn and the most irritating, retreating into himself and locking in complete silence. Jaejoong didn’t know how to reach him. He didn’t know how to make him talk. Yunho would know, Jaejoong mused. But he wasn’t here, and might not be able to help this time. Jaejoong passed his fingers through Junsu’s head and stroked his hair.
“Speak to me,” he said quietly. “Hey. Junsu.”
Silence.
“Don’t be mad at us, ok? Don’t be mad at Yunho. He only wishes you well.”
Junsu snuggled stubbornly against his chest. Jaejoong was under the impression he was ten and had a five-year-old brother clinging onto him, afraid of the dark and too scared to let him go. Jaejoong would have found it cute if he wasn’t this desperate to make him talk.
“Please, just say something… Do you want to come with us to Japan? We can ask the management. Or one of us can stay with you.”
He stopped. Then, excitedly:
“Hey. It’s a pretty good idea! Why didn’t we think about it sooner? I can stay! Or Yoochun. I’m sure Yoochun would be delighted to be able to bully you without being scolded by Yunho or hit by Changmin! We’re doing that, ok?”
Still no answer.
“Junsu? Please?”
He tried to tickle him but still had no reaction. For a brief moment, Jaejoong thought about confessing his and Yoochun’s darkest secrets they were hiding from the rest of the world, involving clubs, girls, boys sometimes, a fair amount of alcohol and some smoking; but he wasn’t even sure he would be able to shock him. He was on the verge of giving up when the door opened.
Yunho entered and kneeled down beside them. He still wore his coat and his cheeks were pink from the chilling wind of Seoul. Jaejoong shivered a little when his arm met the leader’s cold skin. He could feel Junsu tighten against him and bury his face into his neck in a poor attempt to block Yunho.
“I spoke to the management,” Yunho said.
Jaejoong wasn’t sure if the other was telling that to him or to Junsu, since he was contemplating the wall. For both of them, he guessed.
“Junsu is supposed to stay here a little longer. Our next TV appearance has been cancelled. I checked your new contract, Junsu. It should be ok. You’re representing Samsung for their new series of mobile and apparently, you need to film some CF. But,” Yunho said, reaching for Junsu’s hand. He didn’t seem to care the fact Junsu was pretending he didn’t exist. “Apart from that, you’re officially on vacation, from tonight. You have two days to return home and spend time with your family.”
To Jaejoong’s dismay, he got a response. This time, Junsu quickly raised his head. “I don’t need vacation.”
“Of course you do,” Yunho said.
He got up and skimmed through the room, picking up the pillows Jaejoong had throw in the room and giving them back to Junsu.
“Enjoy it, Junsu. After that you’ll meet us in Tokyo and we’re doing a new promotional tour. Rest well.” He pinched his check. “You look horrible.”
Junsu muttered something under his breath and made a face, his eyes full of discontent. Because he had such a hard time earlier and for appearing composed, Jaejoong gave him a slap on his ass.
“And now! Be a good boy and do the dishes!” He pushed him in the corridor. “There’s a cake in the oven, go make sure Changmin doesn’t eat it all before it’s fully baked.”
Please go away, I want to talk to Yunho, Jaejoong’s eyes said. Junsu just shrugged and left the room without a word. Jaejoong hoped Changmin would do a better job cheering the other singer up. Sunshine needed to be brought back. Smiling tiredly, Jaejoong turned to face Yunho. He was sitting on Changmin’s bed and… he might have told Junsu that he looked horrible, but Yunho didn’t look better. Jaejoong placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.
“So what now?” he asked.
“Well…”
Yunho looked so fucking exhausted it hurt. Jaejoong wanted so badly to take his pain away. Yunho’s smile was bitter, unlike the usual him.
“I don’t want to give a shit about Young Hee, but I’m afraid we’ll hear about him again.”
Jaejoong froze. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll learn it soon enough, Jae.” Yunho yawned. “You should go rest. Don’t forget we have a tough day tomorrow.”
“Yunho.”
Jaejoong nervously bit his lip. Junsu who didn’t want to confide in him was fine and comprehensible, but concerning Yunho or Yoochun, no way. He sat behind him and ran his fingers on the leader’s tensed neck.
“Tell me what is happening,” he murmured. “It’s not like you to go against the management. It’s not the first time they chose to sign contracts for us, and we’re used to working twenty hours per day. So what’s wrong?”
“I just…” Yunho shook his head, “I just can’t stand it. We’re not some bloody puppets they can play with. They can’t tear us apart like that, without asking us first! Something is up,” he asserted. “They’re going to take Junsu away.”
“But ‘Su won’t let them,” Jaejoong said.
Yunho closed his eyes. “I want to believe that.”
Jaejoong hugged him from behind.
“He won’t leave us,” he said. “I’m sure about it. If not, who will do his laundry and make him snacks at insane hours of the night? Who will play silly games with him and help his brush up on his gag skills? You’ll see. He just can’t leave.”
Yunho smiled and squeezed his arm. “I hope you’re right, Jae.”
“I’m always right,” Jaejoong stated. “Let’s go in the kitchen now, before there’s no more cake.”
He rushed an amused Yunho out of the room - it was heart-warming, the way he laughed. But as he passed the door, the oldest could no longer lie to himself: things were obviously buzzing in the Head Quarters of SM, and they were involved in it, willingly or not. And if they wanted to take Junsu away…
/part_one
(tbc? D: / :D)
*a brioche is a highly enriched French bread http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Brioche.jpg
