Our Story has Gone Up in Flames
Title: Our Story has Gone Up in Flames
Pairing: Kyuhyun x Sungmin, broken! Kyuhyun x Zhou Mi
Genre: Angst, romance
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Cursing
Summary: Their keys were given back, their book had burned and even though it looked like the end, Kyuhyun had made a promise that he didn’t intend to break now.
A/N: Hello everyone~! :)
I am back with another story. Truthfully, I'm not sure about this one. I had a great idea in the beginning then it got all complicated and fuzzy and stuff... So hopefully it turned out alright! Enjoy~! :)
I feel bad for Zhou Mi. I'm so mean to that fluff ball of smiles. :(
Sorry that I haven't written in awhile. I've been busy (I JUST GOT A JOB :D) and there are too many ideas in my head right now. I think I'm getting better though~ Wish me luck!
Also, I got a twitter, so let's be friends, okay? :D https://twitter.com/FoxyPumpkin15
[ Master List ]
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At birth, everyone is born with a book. A simple, hard cover with their name etched into the spine. As the year’s progress and the person ages, the book grows with them. Colors start forming, fonts change, pictures appear and words are written.
The biggest change of all is when someone falls in love. At that moment, the two books are bounded together to be one forever unless their hearts change.
At the chance that the couple falls apart, the book will then burst in flames and their respective books will be reborn from the ashes. Not once have two burned books ever become one again.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
Kyuhyun set his eyes on the book lying on the center of the glass table. Its edges were worn, but still young in age. The cover was a soft sapphire blue with a silver outline, a simple design, but pretty. He reached out and with careful hands picked up the book and placed it in front of him. His fingers traced the spine on the left, silver ring glinting in the sunlight that came through the windows, and ran his fingers over the simple letters that spelled out, Cho Kyuhyun.
A soft sigh escaped his lips before he turned the book over. On the back it looked like another book completely. It was a rose pink with silver swirls and flowers etched into the cover. It was beautiful and entrancing. He turned the book over and instead of the opening that most books had the pink side had its own spine. Written in fancy, curly letters was the name Lee Sungmin.
Turning back to the blue cover he went to the spine with his name on it and took out a silver heart shaped key from under his shirt. There was a key hole on the bottom under his name in which he inserted the key and turned. It clicked and the book fell open onto the table. He was met with clean white pages. On the first it had his family history. The names of his ancestors all the way down to his parents and then himself with his sister Ahra right above him.
Licking his finger, which had become a habit no matter what his roommate said, he slipped it under the page and turned. On the left side was a picture of him, his mother, father and sister. Kyuhyun was only ten at that time but he could remember every detail from his mother’s pearl necklace to his father’s blue bow tie. They were all dressed smartly and smiled like the perfect family.
As his eyes naturally slid to the right side, Kyuhyun stared at the picture for a few more seconds before quickly turning the page, trying to get the lingering photo out of his head.
The next few pages were memories from his childhood. Of course there were some of his parents and sister. There were also a lot of pictures of his childhood friend Lee Donghae who would later get together with Lee Hyukjae. A few from his exchange program to China where he met Zhou Mi. Some of Kim Heechul, his sunbae from school who had decided to take him under his wing. There were many of Park Jungsu and Kim Youngwoon who had become his second parents and even one of his singing buddies from high school, Ryeowook and Yesung.
But most of the pictures were of Sungmin.
Lee Sungmin and Cho Kyuhyun had been best friends ever since the moment in middle school when Kyuhyun had been thrown to the ground by bullies and Sungmin had stood up for him.
Kyuhyun was a scrawny kid. He was extremely thin, an average height, had thick, messy curly hair and already at the age of ten his eyesight was so bad he was forced to the wear large, dorky glasses that his sister claimed was ‘cute’. He thought he just looked stupid.
And unfortunately some of the other kids thought the same.
Every day during recess a bunch of bullies led by Kang Kihoon picked on him, pushing him into a corner, poking fun at him and shoving him around. After awhile Kyuhyun learned to stay near a teacher or excuse himself to the nurse to escape from the abuse.
But one day when there were no teachers around Kihoon and his gang cornered him and began to shove him from one to another, finding it funny when Kyuhyun flinched every time one of them tried to touch him and how easy it was to throw his body around.
After a few shoves Kyuhyun ducked under one of the boys arms, attempting to run. Kihoon, glaring when Kyuhyun tried to dart, grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground.
Kyuhyun winced when his knees scraped against the hard pavement and rocks cut into his palms. He cowered on the ground, tears coating his eyes as the circle of kids converged on him. Someone kicked him in the side and he felt the air rush out of his lungs.
“Hey idiots, go pick on someone your own size.”
At that the five boys stopped, looking up from their prey. One of the boys let out a scoff, laughing when saw the cute, short boy that was standing up for Kyuhyun. “Who? Like you?”
Kyuhyun had to admit, he didn’t seem very fearsome. He was shorter than the others, with dark black hair and a chubby, cute face. To top it off he was wearing a pink hoodie and had a bunny backpack on. The boy crossed his arms over his chest and glared as fiercely as his cute face was able to.
“Yeah, me.”
Before any of the boys could react the bunny boy, as Kyuhyun named him, darted forward and punched the first boy in the face. He wheeled backwards, grabbing at his nose as blood dripped from his fingers. Bunny boy didn’t waste a second before kicking the next in the stomach. A third ran at him but he jumped to the side, tripping him in the process and shoved the next boy to the ground. Then he turned to face Kihoon and glared.
“You wanna piece of me too?”
Kihoon’s eyes widened to saucers. He shook his head quickly before running into the school. The four other boys picked themselves up and limped after him.
Bunny boy grinned and wiped his hands on his pants. “Didn’t think so.”
Kyuhyun watched in amazement as the boy walked over to him and held his hand out, a big grin on his face. His eyes formed half moons and his smile was absolutely dazzling. “You okay? Those guys are jerks. I hope they didn’t hurt you.”
When no reply came, because Kyuhyun was still trying to process the whole thing, bunny boy leaned down and took Kyuhyun’s hand, a softer smile on his face. “Don’t worry, they’re gone.” He then smiled that brilliant smile again and pulled Kyuhyun to his feet.
“My name’s Sungmin. Lee Sungmin.”
Though Kyuhyun had bruised knees and Sungmin was put in detention, the two became close fast. Years later they would still be side by side, the closest of friends.
A small smile slipped onto Kyuhyun’s without him knowing. Distracted, his mind slipped back to the first page and the memory of the picture flashed in front of his eyes.
“Yeah baby, I haven’t had you in so long!”
Kyuhyun laughed at the loving look Sungmin was giving his bowl of ramen. It was close to adoration. Only his Min hyung loved food that much.
“Yah, Cho Kyuhyun, don’t laugh,” Sungmin said, sticking his tongue out and pulling his bowl closer to him preciously. “I haven’t had this baby in months, it’s been torture.”
“Min, it’s been three weeks,” Kyuhyun countered, smirking.
Sungmin gave him a look, which Kyuhyun promptly ignored, before taking out his chopsticks and digging in. Kyuhyun rolled his eyes and flicked a noodle at him before beginning to eat his.
“So delicious~!!!” Sungmin cooed in Japanese, his mouth stuffed with noodles.
Kyuhyun laughed and poked Sungmin in the cheek, causing the man to glare which looked quite ridiculous and only made him laugh more. Sungmin kicked him under the table but Kyuhyun didn’t retaliate because he was trying to breathe.
Eventually Kyuhyun stopped laughing but by that time Sungmin was almost done with his ramen. “Man, you’re slow,” Sungmin commented as he tipped the bowl to get the last of the soup.
“I’m not slow, you just eat like a pig,” Kyuhyun teased which resulted in Sungmin kicking him again under the table and almost spilling his drink.
As soon as Kyuhyun placed his chopsticks down suddenly an arm was locked around his neck. “Yah, Min!” Kyuhyun snapped when his hyung grabbed him in a headlock.
The smaller man ignored him before smiling up at the camera he held. “Smile, Kyu~”
Kyuhyun made a face and Sungmin nudged him in the side, causing them both to laugh. “Kyu, smile!” He whined, pulling Kyuhyun closer. “I want to keep this memory forever.”
The picture was taken when they had been fifteen. Sungmin had his arm around him, grinning like an idiot while Kyuhyun just smiled, pulling the other close so they could fit into the picture together. Kyuhyun had acne scars and Sungmin had dyed his hair an awful brownish red color, but it was still one of his most precious memories. Though it may seem simple in comparison to the other adventures they had gone on, it had always struck a place in his heart.
Kyuhyun closed the book and flipped it back to the pink spine. He reached under his shirt but paused when his fingers only met skin. He blinked in confusion, wondering where the heart key similar to his own had disappeared to, when he remembered.
Only days ago the spare key that he’d kept around his neck, intertwining with his own key and resting right next to his heart, had disappeared. The night before it had been there, the cold metal pressed against his skin and the next morning it had gone.
It was like he had been hit by a tidal wave. Kyuhyun sat there, staring at the book as if not understanding, and yet he knew what it meant all the same. He’d taken the key back.
Fingers tightening on the books edge he grabbed it in one hand and slammed it down onto the table as hard as he could. The table shook violently and a porcelain cup fell from the corner and shattered into a million pieces on the floor.
Tears began to form but Kyuhyun quickly wiped them away almost violently, as if trying to erase the memories. Erase everything.
A combination of irritation, frustration and bottled up anger was what brought their love to a halt.
It had been a long and tiring day.
Actually, it had been a rough month in general but this certain day was the one that counted the most.
Kyuhyun had woken up at six, feeling like a zombie as he dressed in his usual suit and tie, and it was only when he walked into the kitchen did he realize his boyfriend of two years was nowhere to be found.
And neither was his breakfast.
Letting out a puff of air through his nose Kyuhyun made himself a bowl of cereal before going to work. Because bad days never turned good he got stuck in traffic and was thus twenty minutes late. His boss then decided to make him catch up on paper work so the whole day he sat at his desk, not even leaving for his lunch break to finish the stupid thing.
It wouldn’t have been that bad if his crazy ex boyfriend didn’t sneak into his office and then try to feel him up.
Somehow Zhou Mi had found out where Kyuhyun lived after two years and for the past two weeks been stalking him nonstop. Knowing his boyfriend would worry Kyuhyun kept these incidents to himself and just called security to bring him away. Zhou Mi would go away eventually.
By the end of the day he had a raging headache, his hand hurt from writing so much and his back was sore from sitting in his uncomfortable chair for so long. Work had become a hassle instead of something he enjoyed long ago. Before he used to finish his work early and leave to go pick up his boyfriend so they could eat dinner together. As time went by and Kyuhyun got promotion after promotion he found himself spending more time at the office and less time at home.
And they got farther apart.
Kyuhyun opened the door his apartment, feet sore and back aching. He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes and stumbled into the room, his shoes tossed into a heap near the door while his coat slipped off his shoulders onto the carpet. He dropped his suitcase and didn’t even bother when the latch opened and his papers floated to the ground.
Practically dragging himself he entered the shared bedroom and collapsed into the nearest chair. It was a small room with two beds, though usually only one was used, a mirror and a long desk with two chairs and two computers.
Eager to relax after such a day Kyuhyun immediately booted up his laptop and opened up his favorite game, StarCraft. He hadn’t been able to sit down and play for such a long time, it was killing him. Relaxing into the familiar actions he concentrated on the attacking army as his hands clicked and controlled the mouse.
He had been concentrating so hard that he hadn’t heard the door opening and the soft whispers of his name.
He was still playing when an arm wrapped around his neck and a head came to rest on his shoulder.
“Hi,” Sungmin whispered as he nuzzled closer to his boyfriend.
Kyuhyun let out a soft murmur to show he was listening, his eyes never leaving the screen.
“How was your day?” Sungmin asked, playing with his brown locks.
“Fine,” Kyuhyun replied. Then he shifted, causing Sungmin to release him. “Where were you this morning?” He asked. “You didn’t make me breakfast.”
If Kyuhyun had been looking he would’ve seen the slight look of irritation on Sungmin’s face. “I told you yesterday,” he said, keeping his voice calm.
Kyuhyun paused, trying to remember but nothing came up. “Where did you go again?”
Sungmin let out a soft sigh, running a hand through is hair. He leaned against Kyuhyun, wrapping his arms around his arm. “I went to see my mother.”
At that Kyuhyun looked at him, eyebrows raised. “Ahh. Why’d you go see the witch?”
Sungmin frowned but Kyuhyun had already looked back at his game and wasn’t looking. “My mother asked me to come. We talked about wedding plans. Mostly about how I didn’t want them and how she would die a lonely old woman without grandchildren.”
Sungmin saw Kyuhyun roll his eyes in the reflection of the computer screen. “The old witch is still at it, huh?”
He tightened his grip on Kyuhyun’s arm. “She’s still pushing me to marry Soonkyu.”
Kyuhyun shook his arm to make him let go so he could continue his game. “Stop touching me,” he grumbled when Sungmin made to grab his arm again. “You’re so clingy.”
Sungmin winced and clenched his fists, trying to push down his anger. It wasn’t the first time he had been called clingy but so what? They barely got to see each other anymore so he could be clingy if he wanted to.
“Anyway, your moms crazy,” Kyuhyun rolled his eyes again. “I don’t know why you still go see her.”
“She’s still part of my family,” Sungmin said. He didn’t understand Kyuhyun sometimes. Why couldn’t he see that he loved his mother even though she pushed him to do things he didn’t want to do? She was family. He couldn’t just leave her.
“Even after she found out you were in a relationship with a man and hit you? Even when she publically disowned you in front of hundreds of people only to come crawling back a few days later to ask you to marry her friend’s daughter?”
Sungmin glared and he knew Kyuhyun was glaring back. He just didn’t understand. Annoyed, he reached over Kyuhyun’s shoulder and paused his game. He felt a small bit of satisfaction when Kyuhyun froze and slowly turned toward him. “What was that for?” He bit out.
“Look at me when you’re talking to me,” Sungmin snapped. “And stop playing your games so late at night! Do you know how late you kept me up killing those stupid monsters?”
“They’re called Zergs,” Kyuhyun bit out, clenching his fists.
“I don’t give a damn what they’re called, Cho Kyuhyun!” Sungmin snapped as his fist hit the table and a pencil fell to the ground with a resounding clatter. “I come home after a rough day and you don’t even look at me once and keep playing your stupid game! This isn’t the first time either!”
Kyuhyun laughed without humor in his voice. “That’s because my games are more interesting then you.”
“…You’re such an asshole Kyuhyun,” Sungmin said, his voice laced with hurt.
If it had been any other day, Kyuhyun would’ve stopped there, apologized and probably brought Sungmin out for ice cream. But today wasn’t like any other today. Today Kyuhyun was stressed and he needed and outlet and so did Sungmin. The two were out for blood and had found each other. And though they didn’t know it now, it would lead to something even bigger.
“Stop being such a whiny bitch Sungmin,” Kyuhyun snapped back.
“I’m the whiny bitch? Looks who’s talking. You’re the one who made it a big deal that I didn’t cook breakfast for you. I mean really, stop being a child and grow up.”
“You know, if I wanted sucky advice like that I’d go ask your mother,” Kyuhyun snarled before turning back to the computer. His hands were shaking as he turned his game back on. “You know, sometimes I wonder why I left Zhou Mi.”
At that all of Sungmin’s comments disappeared like the wind. He stared, his mouth hanging open in shock. The man just ignored him, continuing his game.
Sungmin let his hands fall to his sides, the fight falling from his shoulders. “You know what Kyuhyun? Go back to him. You fucking deserve each other.”
Kyuhyun didn’t move as Sungmin walked out of the room and slammed the door. It was only when the front door slammed closed that Kyuhyun stood up, grabbed his mouse and flung it against the wall. It broke into pieces and hit the ground.
Later that night when even StarCraft couldn’t calm his anger he found himself sitting at the kitchen table, a bottle of soju in his hand, and feeling lonelier than ever. He wasn’t sure what glass number he was on and didn’t quite care. All he wanted to do was block out Sungmin’s voice as he cursed him and left.
The doorbell rang somewhere in between his eighth and ninth drink and unsteadily but eagerly Kyuhyun went to the door. He realized too soon that Sungmin had a key and it obviously wasn’t him.
He didn’t know why he opened the door and let Zhou Mi in. It must’ve been a moment of insanity but it was enough. He sauntered in, wearing quite a revealing outfit, and sat civilly on the couch, crossing one long leg over the other.
“I see he’s not in,” Zhou Mi said, smoky eyes wandering around the room. When Kyuhyun didn’t respond he smiled a cat like grin, reached up and plucked the bottle out of his hand and took a long swig. He then leaned over and lifted the bottle to Kyuhyun’s lips. “Have another sip,” he purred as Kyuhyun took the bottle and did as told, anything to get that face out of his head.
Somewhere between his seventeenth and eighteenth drink Zhou Mi had successfully pinned Kyuhyun against a wall and was shoving his tongue into his mouth, his hands running up and down his sides. Kyuhyun was too far gone to realize anything and anyway, all he wanted to do was forget.
It was only when the front door crashed open did his dream turn into reality.
The door hit the wall a few times before coming to a stop. Zhou Mi froze, looking over with wide eyes, hands still inside Kyuhyun’s shirt. Kyuhyun blinked blearily at the door, barely comprehending what he was seeing.
Sungmin stood in the open door, the moonlight shining behind him. Kyuhyun squinted, trying to see his face, but he couldn’t see anything.
“I can’t do this anymore Kyuhyun.” Sungmin’s voice was shaky and his tone was low. If Kyuhyun had been in his right mind he would’ve realized he was crying. “We’re both tired. It’s better if we end it here.” He opened his hand and something silver dropped to the ground.
“Goodbye.”
It was as if his words shocked Kyuhyun out of his stupor. He jumped to his feet, sending Zhou Mi stumbling backwards. He seemed to realize what was going on and his eyes widened in horror. “Sungmin!” He yelled, running to the door, throwing it open and looking outside, leaving a fallen Zhou Mi on the floor.
“Sungmin!” He yelled again, looking around. No one was in sight, the halls were empty. He fell to his knees in the doorway, something wet falling down his cheeks. “Sungmin…”
A hand rested on his shoulder and Kyuhyun looked up hopefully only to be met with smoky eyes and a bright smile hiding something wicked underneath. “It’s better this way. Don’t worry, Gui Xian-”
“Get out of my house.” All Kyuhyun saw was red. He didn’t even hear Zhou Mi’s reply. He grabbed Zhou Mi harshly, yanking him toward the door. “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” He screamed, threw the door open and threw him outside before slamming the door in his face.
He fell to his knees, his eyes staring blankly at the door, mind blank and unbelieving. It was only then that he realized he was kneeling on something hard and cold. He reached under his left knee and picked it up.
In his hand sat an innocent key. It was silver and the top was shaped like a heart with a silver chain attached. It was cold to the touch.
It was only then that Kyuhyun completely broke down and his world collapsed on him. He knew what this meant. The spare key he had gifted had been returned to its owner. Sungmin no longer wanted his heart.
Later that night after Kyuhyun had collapsed in the doorway, tear streaks still obvious on his now peaceful face, his own spare key, resting right next to his heart, disappeared.
A knock at the door shocked him out of his thought sand Kyuhyun quickly ran his arm over his face, trying to get rid of the tears that kept falling. He walked toward the door, almost dragging himself there, and reached for the handle.
“Hello?” He said, wondering why his tone sounded so dead, but before he could open the door the mail slot opened and a few envelopes were shoved inside. He picked them up and walked back to the living room.
Nothing but bills as usual. He tossed the pile onto the counter but paused when a smaller, plain white envelope slid across the counter and detached itself from the pile. He reached out and examined it. It had no return address. Curious, he turned it around and opened it.
He pulled out a fancy cream piece of paper with his name written in curled letters on the front. On the other side it read,
Goodbye.
Love, Mrs. Lee
Anger boiled up inside him and he took the paper and envelope and ripped it in to. He was about to throw it away when something dropped from inside the envelope and clattered to the ground before rolling under the cabinet.
Kneeling down he reached under and his fingers grasped something small, round and metallic. He pulled it out and the silver shined in the sunlight streaming through the half opened window.
What he saw made his heart skip a beat.
In the palm of his hand was a silver band that matched the one on his right hand. Simple, but it had an underlying beauty to it. He turned it, wishing, no hoping, that it wasn’t true.
The word Kyumin looked back at him.
As his heart broke into a million pieces and shattered to the ground, the book on the table burst into flames.
“No,” he whispered when he realized what was happening. The whole kitchen seemed ablaze, all the reflective surfaces displaying a gorgeous, dark orange flame. He leapt to his feet, the ring dropping from his hands as he lunged for the book. He grasped at the surface but couldn’t even get close, his fingers burned after only a touch.
Almost as quick as it started, the fire disappeared. The flames died down leaving only a pile of silver ashes, sitting harmlessly on the table. Kyuhyun knew what it meant, knew what would be there and what wouldn’t, and yet he still hoped. Reaching gingerly into the surprisingly cold ashes, he pulled out a plain, blue book. With baited breath he turned it over.
A simple blue cover, similar to the front, stared back at him.
He flung the book so hard against the wall the sound echoed across the room. The book slid down the wall and opened to a picture of Kyuhyun and Sungmin on their first anniversary, sharing a kiss under a cherry blossom tree.
“You look beautiful.”
Sungmin turned around and smiled. He reached up and plucked a pink cherry blossom petal out of his brown hair. “I’m a man. I’m supposed to look handsome,” he said, though there was a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Kyuhyun smiled back and picked a flower from a branch above him and tucked it behind Sungmin’s ear before brushing his bangs away from his eyes. “Fine. You look like a beautiful, handsome man,” he teased right back.
Before Sungmin could reply, Kyuhyun brought something from behind his back. “I have a present for you,” he said as he held it his out. Sungmin watched curiously as Kyuhyun unraveled his fingers to reveal a thin silver ring. Though simple in design, Sungmin thought it was beautiful.
Kyuhyun tilted it and Sungmin saw the couple name that they had gone by since they were kids, Kyumin, etched on the inside.
Sungmin felt tears spring to his eyes and he quickly wiped them away. “Gosh, you’re such a dork,” he mumbled.
Kyuhyun grinned and held his hand out. “May I?” He took Sungmin’s hand and put the ring on his ring finger, then held out his own hand to display his own ring.
“But I’m your dork,” he whispered as he laced their fingers together. “And no matter what, I will be, forever.”
As Kyuhyun stared at the book on the floor, all he could think was that he couldn’t believe it. Numerous times they had promised each other that they would be together forever and nothing and no one could tear them apart.
And Kyuhyun wasn’t going to break that promise now.
As Kyuhyun stormed out of the apartment, keys in hand, the pages of the book on the floor seemed to turn by an invisible wind to a new page where it waited for new stories to be written, pictures to be drawn, memories to be born and most importantly, hearts to be mended.
Sungmin sat with his fiancé and his mother in the kitchen, sipping at tea and discussing wedding plans. While the two talked Sungmin looked around the room, trying to spot the hint of silver and pick out the circular band. Nothing. He had been looking for it the whole morning and he hadn’t been able to find it. He felt almost incomplete without it.
Feeling slightly guilty about his feelings, since he was engaged to Soonkyu, he stood up and excused himself to the restroom. Knowing his mind wouldn’t be at ease until he found it, he detoured to the front hall. After checking in the cabinet and on top of the doormat he was about to look under the rug when the door burst opening.
Surprised, he whirled around to see Kyuhyun walk through the door and something silver fly through the air and land at his feet. He knew what it was immediately.
“If you wanted to give it back you should’ve given it back in person.”
Sungmin leaned down and picked up the ring, staring at it closely. “Where did you get this?” He asked, finally looking up. Sungmin couldn’t help but notice the familiar spark that ran through him when their eyes met.
“You sent it back to me.” Sungmin stared, surprised. He was about to reply when Kyuhyun suddenly walked forward and grabbed his shoulders, pressing him backwards. “How dare you, Lee Sungmin,” he whispered, pain and agony lacing his voice. “We promised each other we’d stay together for the rest of our lives. Through thick and thin, hatred and pain, we’d make it work. We claimed nothing could tear us apart. So what happened, Min? What happened to our love?”
Sungmin was speechless as he watched tears begin to roll their way down Kyuhyun’s face. Kyuhyun never cried. Kyuhyun was the strong one, the pillar, the one that never fell and would absolutely never break.
But somehow, Kyuhyun had been broken into two.
“I love you and I always will.” Kyuhyun grabbed Sungmin’s hand and closed his fingers around the ring. “And even if you never love me again, I will. Forever.”
Sungmin’s mind was a complete mess. He was so confused and nothing made sense. The ring clutched tight in his palm was the only thing that kept him from being swept up in his thoughts.
“Lee Sungmin!”
Sungmin nearly fell over at the loud scream. He turned to see his mother standing in the hallway, face contorted in anger. Soonkyu stood slightly behind a door, eyes wide and scared.
Mrs. Lee stormed forward and Kyuhyun moved himself protectively in front of Sungmin, glaring at the woman. “Cho Kyuhyun you fiancé stealing bastard!” She screamed, looking furious. “How dare you even think of coming into this house! You’re not wanted here and never will be again. My son is marrying Lee Soonkyu and that is final. Now get out of my house and stay away from my son!”
“No.”
Mrs. Lee stared in at shock as Kyuhyun stared defiantly at her, not a hint of fear in his eyes. “You may be his mother but he’s not your son,” Kyuhyun snarled. “A mother cares and loves for her son and always believes in what he wants and who he wants to be. You’re just a greedy witch who wants a pawn to control.”
“Why you little… My son doesn’t want you here! The ring was sent back and the book burned. Your relationship is over.”
“But… I didn’t send the ring back.”
Kyuhyun and Mrs. Lee both paused, staring at Sungmin. He stood, looking down at the ring in his palm as if it revealed everything. He then looked up, staring straight at his mother and Kyuhyun saw something in his eyes that he never saw when it came to her.
Anger.
“I didn’t send the ring back,” Sungmin said as if it all made sense now. “You did.” He pointed accusingly at the woman. “You took the ring off my finger this morning while I was sleeping and sent it to Kyuhyun!”
Mrs. Lee scoffed and rolled her eyes, throwing her hands into the air. “Of course I did! I don’t want my son dating some man. I want you to be marrying a gorgeous girl and make beautiful grandchildren and run the family business like the good little boy you were supposed to be!” She laughed hysterically. “I sent the ring, I told your ex boyfriend where you worked and lived, I put together the wedding, I did everything! Because I am your mother and I get to decide! And my son will listen to me whether he likes it or not!” She held out her hand and reached to hit him.
Kyuhyun jumped forward.
“You don’t deserve to call me your son.” Sungmin stood, eyes blazing. He had grabbed his mother’s arm and was gripping it like a vice. She struggled to pull her arm out but Sungmin wouldn’t budge. “I was never your son. We may be blood related but you’ve always used me in your own games. I’m not a chess piece anymore mother. I’m a human being and you have no control over me.” He threw her arm away and she stumbled. “I love Cho Kyuhyun and no matter what you say, nothing will ever change that.”
Kyuhyun stared in shock. Never before had he seen this side of Sungmin. Usually he was the pliant, filial son that never spoke back and always listened. It was the first time Sungmin had ever raised his voice to his mother and had finally stood up to himself. He was shocked out of his thoughts when Sungmin smiled softly at him and took his hand. “Come on, let’s go,” he whispered.
Kyuhyun let himself be pulled to the door but before they left Sungmin paused and motioned for Soonkyu to follow them out. She warily detached herself from the door and after bowing politely to Mrs. Lee she exited also.
On the porch Sungmin turned around to say something but Soonkyu put her hand up and smiled. “Oppa, I love you, but we both know who really is in your heart. I understand and will back off. I hope you two will be happy together.” She smiled to both of them and walked off the porch towards a car. Before she got in she paused and turned around. “Let’s be friends though, okay?”
Sungmin smiled and waved as she left. He then turned to Kyuhyun and held out his hand. “Let’s go home.”
The two walked into their shared apartment. For Kyuhyun it had felt cold and lonely for the past few days but now it seemed to brighten with Sungmin’s presence. Now, with Sungmin’s hand in his, it felt like home again.
The two sat down on the couch and they both seemed at loss of what to say. “Oh, ah,” Kyuhyun paused and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a silver chain and at the end was a familiar heart key. He held it out to Sungmin. “Here, I think this belongs to you,” he smiled shyly.
A smile spread onto Sungmin’s face and he leaned forward so Kyuhyun could hook it around his neck. He slipped the key back under his shirt, feeling the familiar weight on his chest. It just felt… Right.
Smiling at Kyuhyun’s hopeful smile Sungmin stood up and went into their shared bedroom. Curious, Kyuhyun followed after him and stood in the doorway. Sungmin knelt next to a drawer beside their bed and opened it.
Inside sat a beautiful silver heart shaped key. Sungmin picked it up and carried it carefully over to Kyuhyun before holding it out to him.
“It’s always been with you.”
A soft light filled the room and when it vanished, a single book, with a sapphire blue cover on one side and a rose pink cover on the other, appeared on the book shelf where it would stay bound forever more.
And thus a love was mended, a book rebound and two hearts intertwined once again.