warmth - part 7
Title: Warmth
Pairings: Junsu/Yoochun, Changmin/Jaejoong/Yunho
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Somewhat vulgar language, weak graphic images
Genre: Romance, angst, science-fiction-ish
A/N: Totally seeing the All American Rejects concert tomorrow.
Summary: One trip to the Old Forest sends Junsu and Changmin into another world full of mistakened myths and new realizations. A vampire's goal in life is to live for eternity and feed from the warmth of a human. If that is so, what is a werewolf's goal?
Previous: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6
. : : . : : . : : .
Jaejoong and Yunho entered through the door only minutes after the man had left. Junsu heard their wet footsteps across the floor and he turned around from his position beside Changmin to look at them. Jaejoong’s eyes stared at Junsu for a moment before fixing onto Changmin’s sleeping figure. The angel swiftly knelt beside Junsu. “Minnie…” he whispered as he placed a pale, delicate hand upon Changmin’s tanned skin.
Junsu stared at Jaejoong’s expression. If he would summarize it, he would literally say that Jaejoong looked both frightened and relieved - an opposite combination. The redhead watched as Jaejoong gently skimmed his fingers across Changmin’s face as if the youngest’s skin was that of velvet. It was a loving gesture…
Odd feelings bubbled in the depths of Junsu’s stomach. What was this that he was seeing? Such a longing on Jaejoong’s face…it all confused him even more.
“Junsu-ah, are you okay?”
The redhead forget of Yunho’s presence. Junsu looked up to meet Yunho’s soft, concerned gaze and nodded. “I’m fine,” he answered. “Just glad that Min’s safe…”
Yunho slowly got onto one knee and reached out with his hand towards Junsu’s face. “May I?” he asked. Not knowing exactly what the other was inquiring, Junsu nodded. He soon felt the cold skin of Yunho’s palm pressing ever-so-gently against the clammy skin of his forehead. The chill from the touch was oddly comforting.
“You’re burning up, Junsu-ah,” the redhead heard Yunho announce in alarm. “Have you taken any medicine since we left?”
Junsu shook his head, the movement felt sluggish and tired.
“Have you rested?” Yunho asked.
Again, Junsu shook his head and his eyes left Yunho’s face. He could hear Jaejoong behind him, mumbling soft words to a sleeping Changmin. Then he felt Yunho’s cold hand leave his skin and suddenly he wished for it back. He looked up to see Yunho’s figure walking out of the living room. ‘Where is he going?’Junsu thought.
There was another sudden cold touch on the back of his neck - a light brush of fingers. “Your skin is hot Junsu,” murmured Jaejoong in concern. “Haven’t you noticed?”
Junsu turned and glanced up at that perfect, delicate face. “Not really,” he mumbled. “I’ve been watching Min…”
“You need to rest,” Jaejoong stated firmly. “I think Yunho went to get you medicine from the bathroom.”
Indeed that was true, for moments later Yunho re-appeared with a bottle of pills in hand as well as a glass of water. Again, the handsome man knelt beside Junsu, handing the redhead the glass of water so he could open the bottle of pills himself. “You need to remember your own body Junsu-ah,” Yunho gently reminded the other. “We know you’re concerned for Changmin, but you have to be healthy first in order to properly look out for him. Am I right?”
Junsu stared into Yunho’s dark, knowing eyes. It was as if a thousand years experience were hidden in those black orbs.
Then he remembered another pair of equally black orbs…though Junsu guessed that there was some light even to those two eyes. A fiery, dominate color.
Junsu nodded, deciding it was best not to voice his answer. Who knew what he might say. The redhead accepted the pills Yunho handed to him and gulped the medicine down with the aid of the cold water. He downed the entire contents of the glass before falling back against the couch. He would like to admit now that he was exhausted. Luckily, Yunho noticed and asked, “Ready for a nap Junsu?”
Junsu looked at Yunho tiredly. “I can sleep here…?” he inquired quietly.
A soft pat on the back from Jaejoong was his response. And at that moment, a rare smile crossed Yunho’s face. “Of course you can sleep here, Junsu. You and Changmin are our friends.”
“We’d never leave you outside for the wolves to get you,” said Jaejoong with a playful grin. Yunho nodded.
The comment made Junsu shiver nonetheless.
. : : . : : . : : .
It was the first time Junsu ever dreamed about that man. Like the dream Changmin described, Junsu was back in the forest, standing in front of that aged cabin. But unlike Changmin, Junsu was facing the cabin, not out toward the trees.
Only quiet enveloped him - an eerie silence. Not even the leaves crushed under his feet made noise. Junsu was in a world of no sound, only sight, smell and touch. He could feel the wind brushing against his face, he could see the leaves falling from the trees. He could rub the pads of his fingers against each other.
Suddenly, the eerie quiet became a sudden howl. Light vanished from the sky and Junsu found himself in the vast dark of night. The wind whipped about him, crying out as if in pain. Now Junsu could hear. It was the first time he ever wished he couldn’t.
His fingertips no longer moved and his body was paralyzed just as Changmin’s was in his dream. Junsu watched in fright as the forest shook around him. Branches and leaves were pushed apart, revealing huge beasts with four paws digging sharp claws into the earth. Their red eyes stared up at Junsu, sending tendrils of fear throughout the redhead’s body. Low, hungry growls ripped from their throats as they surrounded him - their prey. Junsu suddenly knew that he was going to die here, in this dream, and become a feast for these creatures that Junsu has come to desperately fear.
Just like Changmin, he could only stand there, wait and watch as his predators advanced on him at a deadly, slow pace. Their heavy paws pounded into the ground, leaving trails of their presence behind. Junsu couldn’t count the number of beasts surrounding him; some were behind him.
The fear was terrifying him. The fear of waiting to die. It was the most real emotion Junsu had ever felt in his entire life of living. It would be the last emotion he would ever feel.
But it would not be so. Junsu heard another howl ripping from the depths of a creature’s throat and suddenly another beast was in front of Junsu. However, this beast was not facing him, but the other predators around him. Junsu looked down upon the dark brown fur covering this incredibly large beast. What was it doing? Why was it not attacking him?
Another snarl ripped from the creature, halting the others’ approach. Red eyes narrowed and several growls cracked throughout the air. Obviously they were angry with this situation. Junsu watched for ten horribly long seconds as the creatures snapped at this beast in front of him before slowly backing away into the broken bushes and howling night.
The wind slowed and an impossibly thin line of line cracked upon the beaten trees. Junsu felt the warmth return to his fingertips and the odd swelling of safety in his heart.
The beast was the shape of a wolf, an impossibly huge one at that. It had dark brown fur with streaks of amber at the ends. Against the light, the creature appeared not of malice but of beauty.
Junsu saw two yellow eyes before the world swallowed him whole.
. : : . : : . : : .
He woke up instantly. His eyes snapped open and instinctively he gulped in a huge breath of air. He felt hot - the room was like a sauna! Junsu felt sweat trickle down his face, curving against his jawline before dripping from the edge of his chin. He felt disgusting and sick.
The redhead slowly regained his composure and looked about the room. He was in the guest room from what he recalled Yunho saying. The light from a new day was desperately trying to penetrate the curtains of the windows, giving the room a yellow glow. Junsu found no one but himself in the room and deep down, he was thankful.
He didn’t feel like telling his dream to anyone who asked, not even Changmin. That dream…was just weird.
Junsu closed his eyes and let out a steady breath. His sweaty skin irritated him, but he had no energy to move from where he lay. The heavy comforter of the bed was thrown off and only the skewed sheets remained tangled within his legs. Junsu felt the dampness of the pillow behind his neck.
He always hated this…being sick. He always woke up to feel absolutely disgusting and horrible. The thought of food churned his stomach in a very unappetizing way. Not even water for his parched throat sounded appealing.
But unluckily for him, the door opened to reveal a familiar figure carrying a tray of food and drink.
“M-minnie-” Junsu couldn’t help but let the cough escape his throat. Immediately his hand grasped his neck as the coughs assaulted his body. Before he realized it, Changmin had set down the tray and was gently lifting Junsu’s body upright and holding the small of his back. Eventually, the coughing fit passed and Junsu rested his tired body against Changmin’s chest. His taller friend suddenly held out a glass of water which Junsu took gratefully and began to drink from it.
Then Changmin suddenly spoke, his tone full of sadness and guilt, “I’m sorry Junsu...I’m sorry for running off like I did.”
Junsu pulled the glass away from his lips, but had no energy to lift his body away from his friend’s. “You’re forgiven,” he whispered with a small, knowing smile. “Just don’t do that every again, okay?”
Changmin nodded. “I won’t Su.”
And that was that.
. : : . : : . : : .
Junsu’s fever didn’t seem to be letting up at all that day from what the remaining three observed. Yunho said to give the redhead another day before the fever would break, then Junsu would recover quicker and be healthy again. While Junsu was occupied with a dreamless slumber and night came over the world once more, Jaejoong and Changmin were sharing the sofa and waiting for Yunho’s return from town; he had gone to pick up more medicine.
The two persons awake were on opposite ends of the couch, though Changmin couldn’t deny the longing to scoot over the two feet in order to be in closer proximity to the angel who practically occupied his every thought. Even now, after all that has happened, Changmin couldn’t understand this feeling that felt so familiar yet foreign. He had to discover more about it being the nerd he was!
“Minnie, are you daydreaming?”
The sudden question pulled him out of his thoughts. “Eh?” He glanced at Jaejoong who was staring at him curiously. “Uh, no I don’t think I am.”
Jaejoong chuckled, pure music to Changmin’s ears - the youngest knew he could never get enough of this person sitting barely three feet away from him. If only he would scoot closer…
“You are definitely daydreaming Minnie, I can tell because of that cute expression on your face.”
Changmin felt his cheek suddenly flush with heat. “W-what? Cute?” He quickly looked away. “Why are you always saying that’s cute? It’s like I’m a girl to you…”
Another chuckle. “Don’t worry, you’re not a girl to me. I can’t help myself though. Your expressions are simply adorable.”
“Adorable?” Changmin whined. “That’s got to be worse.”
“It’s a complement,” Jaejoong said with his blinding smile. Changmin would probably have fainted if he saw that.
“Hey Minnie, can I ask you something?”
The sudden serious tone in the angel’s voice caused Changmin to look up at his friend again. “Sure,” he said, listening carefully.
An almost agonizing look crossed Jaejoong’s face, a look the angel quickly replaced with a sad expression once he asked, “Did anything happen to you while you were in the forest?”
The question was clear, musical but cautioned. Jaejoong didn’t want to step over any boundaries that Changmin might have put up, the youngest realized this and quickly berated himself for making Jaejoong feel such a way. He wanted the other to completely trust him and see no barriers.
The barriers around the past day were fresh though. Changmin didn’t know if he wanted to remember yesterday’s events. He didn’t know if he could.
“I’m…not really sure,” he answered truthfully, thinking while he spoke. “All I remember was running through the forest and that it was raining the whole time. I think I reached somewhere, somewhere important…but I don’t remember what.”
“An…and then I was running. I don’t know why I was running, but I knew that something was chasing me. I was scared…I-”
“That’s enough Minnie,” Jaejoong cut in gently, moving closer to Changmin. “You don’t have to say anymore. I should not have asked such sensitive things from you.”
Changmin didn’t know he felt relieved or incomplete. He stared at Jaejoong in confusion. “I don’t understand though,” he whispered.
“Why must you understand?” Jaejoong asked carefully. “There is no need to understand everything, right?”
Shockingly, Changmin shook his head. “It’s different for me Jaejoong, I must understand things - that’s the way I am. I hate being confused and questioning my every thought and action. It’s my instinct to know the truth.”
Jaejoong was barely an inch away from Changmin now. The angel was staring at the youngest with almost frightened dark eyes. Changmin stared back at him sadly.
“I have to know Jae, I just have to know.” His voice was so lost it shattered even his own heart. “But I don’t know what.”
Changmin felt a hand resting gently against the small of his back. Slowly, the brunette hunched his shoulders and fell against Jaejoong’s chest. The angel welcomed Changmin into his arms and began to rock them back in forth as if they were inside a delicate cradle.
The atmosphere seemed as ease once again. Changmin relished in the comfort of Jaejoong’s embrace, but something was nagging at the very corner of his thoughts. “Hyung?” he whispered into the quiet air. He heard Jaejoong’s hum of acknowledgement. Changmin took in a somewhat shaky breath and asked, “Why did you disappear for the past few weeks?”
There was a break in the rocking, but Jaejoong quickly regained the soothing movement. Changmin sensed that this was a sensitive question for Jaejoong himself. Finally, the angel answered him.
“Yunho and I had to go out of town to visit my family. They do not reside in Korea, so we were gone longer than expected.”
Changmin nodded slowly against Jaejoong’s slightly warm chest. A simple response that answered all of his somewhat fruitless antics from the past few weeks. Suddenly, Changmin felt like an idiot for worrying like he did. This definitely gives points to Junsu.
Suddenly, there were thin fingers threading through Changmin’s brown hair. The sensation caused something to stir within the brunette’s body. Jaejoong’s ministrations were perfectly soothing.
“I’m sorry for worrying you Minnie,” the angel spoke truthfully. “Next time, I promise to tell you if we leave.”
“That would be nice…” whispered the youngest. Jaejoong chuckled softly.
From the shadows of the entryway, Yunho sighed in content.
. : : . : : . : : .
Just as Yunho predicted, Junsu’s fever broke the following day and the redhead was on his speedy way to recovery. By late afternoon, even Jaejoong dibbed Junsu as almost fully healthy though the other’s skin still felt clammy and looked pale. He had eaten all of his lunch, therefore driving the last of Jaejoong’s doubts from his mind. By that time, both Changmin and Junsu knew they had to leave.
“Thank you for everything!” Junsu exclaimed gratefully as he bowed toward Jaejoong and Yunho. “And I’m sorry for staying over all this time without an invitation.”
“Don’t worry Junsu!” said Jaejoong with a smile. “When do you need invitations to go to friend’s houses?”
Junsu stood up straight and smiled himself. “I guess so, yeah?”
Even Changmin nodded, but then he asked Jaejoong, “Are you coming with us?”
Sadly, the angel shook his head. “I have housework to start. It’s been delayed for far too long. When Yunho gets back he’s going to help me!”
All three saw the twitch at the corner of Yunho’s lips. The handsome man turned away from Jaejoong and opened the door. “Let’s go,” he announced. Junsu waved to Jaejoong, bowing once more before following Yunho out. Changmin gave Jaejoong a longing smile before he too followed his friends.
“Come back soon!” Jaejoong called out as they got into Yunho’s car.
He watched them from the doorstep until they were out of sight, and in an instant the smile fell from his face.
“I could sense you from across town, Yee Jung. Your scent is infuriating.”
There was an annoying laugh which Jaejoong knew came from his right. His dark eyes turned in that direction as a woman stepped out from behind a tree almost twenty feet away. Jaejoong’s stomach churned with distaste at the sight of her.
“Now now, Jaejoong, that is no way to greet a friend,” said Yee Jung as she waltzed her way toward the house. Every step made her huge hips roll in a sickenly perfect way.
Jaejoong snorted, the sound a musical purr rather than a huff from a pig. “You’re not a friend Yee Jung, but a sad acquaintance. I thought Yunho and I made that perfectly clear last time we met.”
Her eyes narrowed but the smirk did not fall from her face. “Yes, you did,” she said coldly. “Too bad I don’t listen much, huh?”
“What are you doing here?” Jaejoong demanded, his tone clear and menacing. “We haven’t seen you in ages, so there should be no significant reason.”
“You just answered your own questions JaeJae,” the woman sneered. “I haven’t seen you two in ages.”
“Call me that again and you will be nothing but puppy chow.”
The sneer grew larger as Yee Jung stepped closer. “And you see, that is another reason why I am here. I just happened to be around your neighborhood two nights ago and I smelt fresh puppy in your very house.”
Jaejoong eyes narrowed dangerously, so dangerous that even Death would cower away in fear. “Don’t state what I already know Yee Jung.”
The woman was now at the bottom steps of the front entrance. She stopped there, placed her hand on her rounded hip and smirked up at Jaejoong. “Then why, may I ask, have you not taken care of the problem yet?”
“I have no reason to answer you,” Jaejoong sneered himself. “Leave.”
Yee Jung chuckled deeply. “Oh JaeJae, you are so funny-” The air was cut from her throat when suddenly she was grabbed by the neck and thrown against the brick wall. The movement didn’t even falter her smile.
“I said,” Jaejoong repeated in clear, icy syllables. “Never call me that again.”
Yee Jung’s smile grew wider. She lifted one long finger and scratched the underskin of Jaejoong’s chin. “My apologies,” she whispered, lips daringly close to Jaejoong’s own. “I’ll do better to hold my tongue next time.”
“There will not be a next time,” Jaejoong growled before releasing her throat and stepping back. “Leave and never show your face to Yunho and I again.”
He did not wait for the answer he expected, instead he opened the door and walked inside, slamming in closed with a fierce force.
It took all but seven seconds for Yee Jung to disappear.
. : : . : : . : : .
While Changmin and Yunho occupied the front seats, Junsu was left to his thoughts in the back.
They weren’t even past the East Gate Park when he saw him and a sudden feeling swelled within his chest.
“Stop the car!”
Anyone and everyone who lived on the planet called Earth and has driven a car would instantly listen to those words. Luckily for Junsu, Yunho was one of them. The sudden exclamation caused Yunho to slam on his brakes and make the car come to a screeching halt. Vehicles from behind honked angrily.
Neither Changmin nor Yunho had the time to question Junsu, for the redhead had opened the door and was running across the street. Tires screaming against the pavement reached his ears as well as honks from the oncoming vehicles, but Junsu paid them to heed. He sped across the road and hopped over the park fence, pushing his legs to move him faster while he still had that man in sight.
Luck was on his side today, for the man locked gazes with Junsu the moment the redhead burst across the busy street. Onlookers watched the entire scene in shock and amazement, even some screamed at Junsu for being stupid. Junsu ignored everyone though and ran as if a predator was at his heels until he reached the reason for his sudden act.
The man was starring at him with a ridiculous expression mixed with shock and fear. As he tried to regain his breath, Junsu wondered why this person was afraid at all.
“What the hell was that?!”
Okay, he was angry too.
Junsu’s hands were pressed firmly against his knees, but he looked up at the man curiously. “Wha…what?” he asked, the breath literally gone from his lungs.
The man’s dark eyes narrowed and the anger was clearly expressed on his face. “That!” he gestured toward the road and honking cars. “What the hell were you thinking, sprinting across the road like that? You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”
“I…” Junsu took in another deep breath. “I needed to ask you something.”
“Something that you could’ve asked me without putting yourself in danger?” the man snapped.
Junsu shrugged, allowing a chuckle to escape from his throat. “I couldn’t help myself. I needed to ask you.”
“Ask me what?” he demanded, eyes dark and blazing with emotion.
Junsu lifted himself from his knees and locked gazes with the other man, the man whom occupied his every thought as two specific others occupy his best friend’s. Again, the man was standing underneath that same old tree, allowing the shade to hide his main features. Junsu so desperately wanted to see this person under the light of the sun, but for now, the strength to ask this single question was at the forefront of his mind.
Junsu took a deep breath and asked, “What is your name?”
From what he could see, the man’s features didn’t even falter or twitch. “Why should I tell you?” he asked in a cold, cautioned voice.
At that, Junsu smiled. “Because I want to thank the person who saved my best friend’s life twice and also my own.”
If possible, the emotions somewhat cleared from the man’s penetrating gaze. Junsu noticed that the other was contemplating this over and over again his mind. The redhead couldn’t help both the excitement and impatience from swirling within his chest. He watched eagerly as the man stared at him with that intense gaze. Junsu couldn’t deny that he was addicted to the look.
His hope fled him and somewhat desperation took over when the man suddenly turned and began to walk away from him. “Wait!” Junsu called out as he went after the other. “You have to tell me, please!”
“There is no point in you knowing,” the man dismissed.
“I would feel more relieved.”
“That means you’re relieved already and don’t need my name to help it go away completely, so there.” Now the man was starting to sound like a child. That piece of logic sure resembled one.
“Please,” Junsu pleaded as he grabbed in the sleeve of the man’s jacket. He pulled them to a halt, causing the man to glare at him out of the corner of his eyes. They stared at each other in that way, neither moving to go forward or back.
And then, after the longest minute of Kim Junsu’s life, he received an answer.
“Yoochun.”
And then the other pulled away from Junsu’s grasp and took off, running across the grass and behind the nearest hill. Junsu stood frozen on the spot, eyes watching as his figure disappeared. Slowly, a smile etched his way across the redhead’s expression.
So that was his name, huh?
Now all Junsu had to do was see Yoochun’s face.
next: part 8
...................................................comments are like valuable hockey pucks!
Pairings: Junsu/Yoochun, Changmin/Jaejoong/Yunho
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Somewhat vulgar language, weak graphic images
Genre: Romance, angst, science-fiction-ish
A/N: Totally seeing the All American Rejects concert tomorrow.
Summary: One trip to the Old Forest sends Junsu and Changmin into another world full of mistakened myths and new realizations. A vampire's goal in life is to live for eternity and feed from the warmth of a human. If that is so, what is a werewolf's goal?
Previous: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6
. : : . : : . : : .
Jaejoong and Yunho entered through the door only minutes after the man had left. Junsu heard their wet footsteps across the floor and he turned around from his position beside Changmin to look at them. Jaejoong’s eyes stared at Junsu for a moment before fixing onto Changmin’s sleeping figure. The angel swiftly knelt beside Junsu. “Minnie…” he whispered as he placed a pale, delicate hand upon Changmin’s tanned skin.
Junsu stared at Jaejoong’s expression. If he would summarize it, he would literally say that Jaejoong looked both frightened and relieved - an opposite combination. The redhead watched as Jaejoong gently skimmed his fingers across Changmin’s face as if the youngest’s skin was that of velvet. It was a loving gesture…
Odd feelings bubbled in the depths of Junsu’s stomach. What was this that he was seeing? Such a longing on Jaejoong’s face…it all confused him even more.
“Junsu-ah, are you okay?”
The redhead forget of Yunho’s presence. Junsu looked up to meet Yunho’s soft, concerned gaze and nodded. “I’m fine,” he answered. “Just glad that Min’s safe…”
Yunho slowly got onto one knee and reached out with his hand towards Junsu’s face. “May I?” he asked. Not knowing exactly what the other was inquiring, Junsu nodded. He soon felt the cold skin of Yunho’s palm pressing ever-so-gently against the clammy skin of his forehead. The chill from the touch was oddly comforting.
“You’re burning up, Junsu-ah,” the redhead heard Yunho announce in alarm. “Have you taken any medicine since we left?”
Junsu shook his head, the movement felt sluggish and tired.
“Have you rested?” Yunho asked.
Again, Junsu shook his head and his eyes left Yunho’s face. He could hear Jaejoong behind him, mumbling soft words to a sleeping Changmin. Then he felt Yunho’s cold hand leave his skin and suddenly he wished for it back. He looked up to see Yunho’s figure walking out of the living room. ‘Where is he going?’Junsu thought.
There was another sudden cold touch on the back of his neck - a light brush of fingers. “Your skin is hot Junsu,” murmured Jaejoong in concern. “Haven’t you noticed?”
Junsu turned and glanced up at that perfect, delicate face. “Not really,” he mumbled. “I’ve been watching Min…”
“You need to rest,” Jaejoong stated firmly. “I think Yunho went to get you medicine from the bathroom.”
Indeed that was true, for moments later Yunho re-appeared with a bottle of pills in hand as well as a glass of water. Again, the handsome man knelt beside Junsu, handing the redhead the glass of water so he could open the bottle of pills himself. “You need to remember your own body Junsu-ah,” Yunho gently reminded the other. “We know you’re concerned for Changmin, but you have to be healthy first in order to properly look out for him. Am I right?”
Junsu stared into Yunho’s dark, knowing eyes. It was as if a thousand years experience were hidden in those black orbs.
Then he remembered another pair of equally black orbs…though Junsu guessed that there was some light even to those two eyes. A fiery, dominate color.
Junsu nodded, deciding it was best not to voice his answer. Who knew what he might say. The redhead accepted the pills Yunho handed to him and gulped the medicine down with the aid of the cold water. He downed the entire contents of the glass before falling back against the couch. He would like to admit now that he was exhausted. Luckily, Yunho noticed and asked, “Ready for a nap Junsu?”
Junsu looked at Yunho tiredly. “I can sleep here…?” he inquired quietly.
A soft pat on the back from Jaejoong was his response. And at that moment, a rare smile crossed Yunho’s face. “Of course you can sleep here, Junsu. You and Changmin are our friends.”
“We’d never leave you outside for the wolves to get you,” said Jaejoong with a playful grin. Yunho nodded.
The comment made Junsu shiver nonetheless.
. : : . : : . : : .
It was the first time Junsu ever dreamed about that man. Like the dream Changmin described, Junsu was back in the forest, standing in front of that aged cabin. But unlike Changmin, Junsu was facing the cabin, not out toward the trees.
Only quiet enveloped him - an eerie silence. Not even the leaves crushed under his feet made noise. Junsu was in a world of no sound, only sight, smell and touch. He could feel the wind brushing against his face, he could see the leaves falling from the trees. He could rub the pads of his fingers against each other.
Suddenly, the eerie quiet became a sudden howl. Light vanished from the sky and Junsu found himself in the vast dark of night. The wind whipped about him, crying out as if in pain. Now Junsu could hear. It was the first time he ever wished he couldn’t.
His fingertips no longer moved and his body was paralyzed just as Changmin’s was in his dream. Junsu watched in fright as the forest shook around him. Branches and leaves were pushed apart, revealing huge beasts with four paws digging sharp claws into the earth. Their red eyes stared up at Junsu, sending tendrils of fear throughout the redhead’s body. Low, hungry growls ripped from their throats as they surrounded him - their prey. Junsu suddenly knew that he was going to die here, in this dream, and become a feast for these creatures that Junsu has come to desperately fear.
Just like Changmin, he could only stand there, wait and watch as his predators advanced on him at a deadly, slow pace. Their heavy paws pounded into the ground, leaving trails of their presence behind. Junsu couldn’t count the number of beasts surrounding him; some were behind him.
The fear was terrifying him. The fear of waiting to die. It was the most real emotion Junsu had ever felt in his entire life of living. It would be the last emotion he would ever feel.
But it would not be so. Junsu heard another howl ripping from the depths of a creature’s throat and suddenly another beast was in front of Junsu. However, this beast was not facing him, but the other predators around him. Junsu looked down upon the dark brown fur covering this incredibly large beast. What was it doing? Why was it not attacking him?
Another snarl ripped from the creature, halting the others’ approach. Red eyes narrowed and several growls cracked throughout the air. Obviously they were angry with this situation. Junsu watched for ten horribly long seconds as the creatures snapped at this beast in front of him before slowly backing away into the broken bushes and howling night.
The wind slowed and an impossibly thin line of line cracked upon the beaten trees. Junsu felt the warmth return to his fingertips and the odd swelling of safety in his heart.
The beast was the shape of a wolf, an impossibly huge one at that. It had dark brown fur with streaks of amber at the ends. Against the light, the creature appeared not of malice but of beauty.
Junsu saw two yellow eyes before the world swallowed him whole.
. : : . : : . : : .
He woke up instantly. His eyes snapped open and instinctively he gulped in a huge breath of air. He felt hot - the room was like a sauna! Junsu felt sweat trickle down his face, curving against his jawline before dripping from the edge of his chin. He felt disgusting and sick.
The redhead slowly regained his composure and looked about the room. He was in the guest room from what he recalled Yunho saying. The light from a new day was desperately trying to penetrate the curtains of the windows, giving the room a yellow glow. Junsu found no one but himself in the room and deep down, he was thankful.
He didn’t feel like telling his dream to anyone who asked, not even Changmin. That dream…was just weird.
Junsu closed his eyes and let out a steady breath. His sweaty skin irritated him, but he had no energy to move from where he lay. The heavy comforter of the bed was thrown off and only the skewed sheets remained tangled within his legs. Junsu felt the dampness of the pillow behind his neck.
He always hated this…being sick. He always woke up to feel absolutely disgusting and horrible. The thought of food churned his stomach in a very unappetizing way. Not even water for his parched throat sounded appealing.
But unluckily for him, the door opened to reveal a familiar figure carrying a tray of food and drink.
“M-minnie-” Junsu couldn’t help but let the cough escape his throat. Immediately his hand grasped his neck as the coughs assaulted his body. Before he realized it, Changmin had set down the tray and was gently lifting Junsu’s body upright and holding the small of his back. Eventually, the coughing fit passed and Junsu rested his tired body against Changmin’s chest. His taller friend suddenly held out a glass of water which Junsu took gratefully and began to drink from it.
Then Changmin suddenly spoke, his tone full of sadness and guilt, “I’m sorry Junsu...I’m sorry for running off like I did.”
Junsu pulled the glass away from his lips, but had no energy to lift his body away from his friend’s. “You’re forgiven,” he whispered with a small, knowing smile. “Just don’t do that every again, okay?”
Changmin nodded. “I won’t Su.”
And that was that.
. : : . : : . : : .
Junsu’s fever didn’t seem to be letting up at all that day from what the remaining three observed. Yunho said to give the redhead another day before the fever would break, then Junsu would recover quicker and be healthy again. While Junsu was occupied with a dreamless slumber and night came over the world once more, Jaejoong and Changmin were sharing the sofa and waiting for Yunho’s return from town; he had gone to pick up more medicine.
The two persons awake were on opposite ends of the couch, though Changmin couldn’t deny the longing to scoot over the two feet in order to be in closer proximity to the angel who practically occupied his every thought. Even now, after all that has happened, Changmin couldn’t understand this feeling that felt so familiar yet foreign. He had to discover more about it being the nerd he was!
“Minnie, are you daydreaming?”
The sudden question pulled him out of his thoughts. “Eh?” He glanced at Jaejoong who was staring at him curiously. “Uh, no I don’t think I am.”
Jaejoong chuckled, pure music to Changmin’s ears - the youngest knew he could never get enough of this person sitting barely three feet away from him. If only he would scoot closer…
“You are definitely daydreaming Minnie, I can tell because of that cute expression on your face.”
Changmin felt his cheek suddenly flush with heat. “W-what? Cute?” He quickly looked away. “Why are you always saying that’s cute? It’s like I’m a girl to you…”
Another chuckle. “Don’t worry, you’re not a girl to me. I can’t help myself though. Your expressions are simply adorable.”
“Adorable?” Changmin whined. “That’s got to be worse.”
“It’s a complement,” Jaejoong said with his blinding smile. Changmin would probably have fainted if he saw that.
“Hey Minnie, can I ask you something?”
The sudden serious tone in the angel’s voice caused Changmin to look up at his friend again. “Sure,” he said, listening carefully.
An almost agonizing look crossed Jaejoong’s face, a look the angel quickly replaced with a sad expression once he asked, “Did anything happen to you while you were in the forest?”
The question was clear, musical but cautioned. Jaejoong didn’t want to step over any boundaries that Changmin might have put up, the youngest realized this and quickly berated himself for making Jaejoong feel such a way. He wanted the other to completely trust him and see no barriers.
The barriers around the past day were fresh though. Changmin didn’t know if he wanted to remember yesterday’s events. He didn’t know if he could.
“I’m…not really sure,” he answered truthfully, thinking while he spoke. “All I remember was running through the forest and that it was raining the whole time. I think I reached somewhere, somewhere important…but I don’t remember what.”
“An…and then I was running. I don’t know why I was running, but I knew that something was chasing me. I was scared…I-”
“That’s enough Minnie,” Jaejoong cut in gently, moving closer to Changmin. “You don’t have to say anymore. I should not have asked such sensitive things from you.”
Changmin didn’t know he felt relieved or incomplete. He stared at Jaejoong in confusion. “I don’t understand though,” he whispered.
“Why must you understand?” Jaejoong asked carefully. “There is no need to understand everything, right?”
Shockingly, Changmin shook his head. “It’s different for me Jaejoong, I must understand things - that’s the way I am. I hate being confused and questioning my every thought and action. It’s my instinct to know the truth.”
Jaejoong was barely an inch away from Changmin now. The angel was staring at the youngest with almost frightened dark eyes. Changmin stared back at him sadly.
“I have to know Jae, I just have to know.” His voice was so lost it shattered even his own heart. “But I don’t know what.”
Changmin felt a hand resting gently against the small of his back. Slowly, the brunette hunched his shoulders and fell against Jaejoong’s chest. The angel welcomed Changmin into his arms and began to rock them back in forth as if they were inside a delicate cradle.
The atmosphere seemed as ease once again. Changmin relished in the comfort of Jaejoong’s embrace, but something was nagging at the very corner of his thoughts. “Hyung?” he whispered into the quiet air. He heard Jaejoong’s hum of acknowledgement. Changmin took in a somewhat shaky breath and asked, “Why did you disappear for the past few weeks?”
There was a break in the rocking, but Jaejoong quickly regained the soothing movement. Changmin sensed that this was a sensitive question for Jaejoong himself. Finally, the angel answered him.
“Yunho and I had to go out of town to visit my family. They do not reside in Korea, so we were gone longer than expected.”
Changmin nodded slowly against Jaejoong’s slightly warm chest. A simple response that answered all of his somewhat fruitless antics from the past few weeks. Suddenly, Changmin felt like an idiot for worrying like he did. This definitely gives points to Junsu.
Suddenly, there were thin fingers threading through Changmin’s brown hair. The sensation caused something to stir within the brunette’s body. Jaejoong’s ministrations were perfectly soothing.
“I’m sorry for worrying you Minnie,” the angel spoke truthfully. “Next time, I promise to tell you if we leave.”
“That would be nice…” whispered the youngest. Jaejoong chuckled softly.
From the shadows of the entryway, Yunho sighed in content.
. : : . : : . : : .
Just as Yunho predicted, Junsu’s fever broke the following day and the redhead was on his speedy way to recovery. By late afternoon, even Jaejoong dibbed Junsu as almost fully healthy though the other’s skin still felt clammy and looked pale. He had eaten all of his lunch, therefore driving the last of Jaejoong’s doubts from his mind. By that time, both Changmin and Junsu knew they had to leave.
“Thank you for everything!” Junsu exclaimed gratefully as he bowed toward Jaejoong and Yunho. “And I’m sorry for staying over all this time without an invitation.”
“Don’t worry Junsu!” said Jaejoong with a smile. “When do you need invitations to go to friend’s houses?”
Junsu stood up straight and smiled himself. “I guess so, yeah?”
Even Changmin nodded, but then he asked Jaejoong, “Are you coming with us?”
Sadly, the angel shook his head. “I have housework to start. It’s been delayed for far too long. When Yunho gets back he’s going to help me!”
All three saw the twitch at the corner of Yunho’s lips. The handsome man turned away from Jaejoong and opened the door. “Let’s go,” he announced. Junsu waved to Jaejoong, bowing once more before following Yunho out. Changmin gave Jaejoong a longing smile before he too followed his friends.
“Come back soon!” Jaejoong called out as they got into Yunho’s car.
He watched them from the doorstep until they were out of sight, and in an instant the smile fell from his face.
“I could sense you from across town, Yee Jung. Your scent is infuriating.”
There was an annoying laugh which Jaejoong knew came from his right. His dark eyes turned in that direction as a woman stepped out from behind a tree almost twenty feet away. Jaejoong’s stomach churned with distaste at the sight of her.
“Now now, Jaejoong, that is no way to greet a friend,” said Yee Jung as she waltzed her way toward the house. Every step made her huge hips roll in a sickenly perfect way.
Jaejoong snorted, the sound a musical purr rather than a huff from a pig. “You’re not a friend Yee Jung, but a sad acquaintance. I thought Yunho and I made that perfectly clear last time we met.”
Her eyes narrowed but the smirk did not fall from her face. “Yes, you did,” she said coldly. “Too bad I don’t listen much, huh?”
“What are you doing here?” Jaejoong demanded, his tone clear and menacing. “We haven’t seen you in ages, so there should be no significant reason.”
“You just answered your own questions JaeJae,” the woman sneered. “I haven’t seen you two in ages.”
“Call me that again and you will be nothing but puppy chow.”
The sneer grew larger as Yee Jung stepped closer. “And you see, that is another reason why I am here. I just happened to be around your neighborhood two nights ago and I smelt fresh puppy in your very house.”
Jaejoong eyes narrowed dangerously, so dangerous that even Death would cower away in fear. “Don’t state what I already know Yee Jung.”
The woman was now at the bottom steps of the front entrance. She stopped there, placed her hand on her rounded hip and smirked up at Jaejoong. “Then why, may I ask, have you not taken care of the problem yet?”
“I have no reason to answer you,” Jaejoong sneered himself. “Leave.”
Yee Jung chuckled deeply. “Oh JaeJae, you are so funny-” The air was cut from her throat when suddenly she was grabbed by the neck and thrown against the brick wall. The movement didn’t even falter her smile.
“I said,” Jaejoong repeated in clear, icy syllables. “Never call me that again.”
Yee Jung’s smile grew wider. She lifted one long finger and scratched the underskin of Jaejoong’s chin. “My apologies,” she whispered, lips daringly close to Jaejoong’s own. “I’ll do better to hold my tongue next time.”
“There will not be a next time,” Jaejoong growled before releasing her throat and stepping back. “Leave and never show your face to Yunho and I again.”
He did not wait for the answer he expected, instead he opened the door and walked inside, slamming in closed with a fierce force.
It took all but seven seconds for Yee Jung to disappear.
. : : . : : . : : .
While Changmin and Yunho occupied the front seats, Junsu was left to his thoughts in the back.
They weren’t even past the East Gate Park when he saw him and a sudden feeling swelled within his chest.
“Stop the car!”
Anyone and everyone who lived on the planet called Earth and has driven a car would instantly listen to those words. Luckily for Junsu, Yunho was one of them. The sudden exclamation caused Yunho to slam on his brakes and make the car come to a screeching halt. Vehicles from behind honked angrily.
Neither Changmin nor Yunho had the time to question Junsu, for the redhead had opened the door and was running across the street. Tires screaming against the pavement reached his ears as well as honks from the oncoming vehicles, but Junsu paid them to heed. He sped across the road and hopped over the park fence, pushing his legs to move him faster while he still had that man in sight.
Luck was on his side today, for the man locked gazes with Junsu the moment the redhead burst across the busy street. Onlookers watched the entire scene in shock and amazement, even some screamed at Junsu for being stupid. Junsu ignored everyone though and ran as if a predator was at his heels until he reached the reason for his sudden act.
The man was starring at him with a ridiculous expression mixed with shock and fear. As he tried to regain his breath, Junsu wondered why this person was afraid at all.
“What the hell was that?!”
Okay, he was angry too.
Junsu’s hands were pressed firmly against his knees, but he looked up at the man curiously. “Wha…what?” he asked, the breath literally gone from his lungs.
The man’s dark eyes narrowed and the anger was clearly expressed on his face. “That!” he gestured toward the road and honking cars. “What the hell were you thinking, sprinting across the road like that? You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”
“I…” Junsu took in another deep breath. “I needed to ask you something.”
“Something that you could’ve asked me without putting yourself in danger?” the man snapped.
Junsu shrugged, allowing a chuckle to escape from his throat. “I couldn’t help myself. I needed to ask you.”
“Ask me what?” he demanded, eyes dark and blazing with emotion.
Junsu lifted himself from his knees and locked gazes with the other man, the man whom occupied his every thought as two specific others occupy his best friend’s. Again, the man was standing underneath that same old tree, allowing the shade to hide his main features. Junsu so desperately wanted to see this person under the light of the sun, but for now, the strength to ask this single question was at the forefront of his mind.
Junsu took a deep breath and asked, “What is your name?”
From what he could see, the man’s features didn’t even falter or twitch. “Why should I tell you?” he asked in a cold, cautioned voice.
At that, Junsu smiled. “Because I want to thank the person who saved my best friend’s life twice and also my own.”
If possible, the emotions somewhat cleared from the man’s penetrating gaze. Junsu noticed that the other was contemplating this over and over again his mind. The redhead couldn’t help both the excitement and impatience from swirling within his chest. He watched eagerly as the man stared at him with that intense gaze. Junsu couldn’t deny that he was addicted to the look.
His hope fled him and somewhat desperation took over when the man suddenly turned and began to walk away from him. “Wait!” Junsu called out as he went after the other. “You have to tell me, please!”
“There is no point in you knowing,” the man dismissed.
“I would feel more relieved.”
“That means you’re relieved already and don’t need my name to help it go away completely, so there.” Now the man was starting to sound like a child. That piece of logic sure resembled one.
“Please,” Junsu pleaded as he grabbed in the sleeve of the man’s jacket. He pulled them to a halt, causing the man to glare at him out of the corner of his eyes. They stared at each other in that way, neither moving to go forward or back.
And then, after the longest minute of Kim Junsu’s life, he received an answer.
“Yoochun.”
And then the other pulled away from Junsu’s grasp and took off, running across the grass and behind the nearest hill. Junsu stood frozen on the spot, eyes watching as his figure disappeared. Slowly, a smile etched his way across the redhead’s expression.
So that was his name, huh?
Now all Junsu had to do was see Yoochun’s face.
next: part 8
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