Tree Covered With Dew

[girldevil]

Title: Tree Covered With Dew
Author: girldevil
Pairing: Yoosu
Genre: Angst, Romance
Rating: PG
Length: one-shot
Summary: This is sort of a song-fic of the same title. Just how long can you stay in love with your best friend?

A/N: If you can, listen to Junsu's song while reading and make sure you have a box of tissue ready. ^.^



‘This is so tiring.’

Junsu lowered himself to the ground. He leaned against the wall to make sure that his form was well hidden from the person he was hiding from. He didn’t want to see the person he cared so much kissing someone else right beside the storage room. He knew so well that’s the person’s favorite spot for doing naughty things with his chosen victim weekly and Junsu mentally scolded himself for forgetting that the person would be there, especially at this hour after school. He could have just made an excuse to his gym teacher when the teacher asked him to bring the balls back into the sport storage room and went home right away.

‘I’m such a coward. And how am I going to tell him that I’m…’

Junsu wiped his teary eyes and braced himself. He knew he had to get his task done or he’ll end up being scolded for leaving the balls somewhere else. He stood up slowly and while taking shallow breathes, he made his way towards the storage room with the keys in his other hand. His footsteps made sounds, loud enough for the person to stop kissing his victim and glance at him.

Junsu ignored him and opened the door to the storage, quickly entered and placed the sack of balls at the designated place before exiting the storage and slamming the doors closed, not forgetting to lock the door with the keys he had and walked bristly away.

“Hey! Why did you lock it?! You know I always use this place!”

Junsu ignored him and kept on walking.

“Don’t mind him baby. Should we just do it somewhere else?” a female voice said seductively.

Junsu stopped walking. He suddenly felt very irritated and clenched his hands tightly.

“You idiot! This is not the ground for doing such things! Do it somewhere else outside you babo! You fucking idiot!” Junsu never felt so frustrated that he felt his inside bursting with so much anger and frustration. The person’s face was surprised at his reaction that Junsu didn’t care less of what he thought of him and made a turn to run away from school, forgetting to return the keys to the gym teacher.

Junsu cried on his way home, not caring how the other passerby saw him at such state. He was tired and he had enough. It has always been a one sided love from the start since he first met him several years ago in elementary school. He intended to confess when they entered high school but when he overheard the person he loved so much say that he despised homos and couldn’t stand to be around those kinds, his hopes were shattered.

Ever since the day he heard those words, he pretended like he didn’t hear it. Even though they still hang out with each other or with other people after classes, he stayed as the same cheerful guy. He pretended everything was still okay, that he could handle it whenever a girl clung to the person’s arm. He thought that just watching him from afar and being best friends with him is already enough for him. He had done that for years and endured the pain and depression. He tried his best to maintain a positive facade with his cheerful smiles and bubbling laughter. And ever since the beginning of their high school, the person became a playboy. He would date different girls every week and would never date the same girl after that. Junsu hated to see him act like the girls were like trash that could be thrown away after being used. He pitied the girls and he hated the person’s attitude towards them.

‘And yet I hate his guts…why do I still love him all this time?’

He sniffed and wiped his wet eyes with the sleeves of his school blazer. He stopped on his tracks and turned his head sideways. He saw a park that he frequently passed on his way home but rarely entered the property. Junsu didn’t feel like heading home yet and deal with his pestering mother and twin brother with the evident state of his distressed emotions. He entered the park and took a seat on one of the swings.

‘Tell me again, why did I fall in love with him?’

Junsu slowly glanced up towards the sky; it was painted with orange, pink and a hint of violet and blue hues.

“What a beautiful sunset…” Junsu mumbled and he could feel his eyes starting to burn with tears forcing to stream down on his cheeks when a memory came into his mind.

"Junsu-yah!" Junsu glanced behind him and saw his newfound friend running towards him from the front entrance of the school building. It was their first day in first grade and a chubby boy sat beside him in class. He was shy at first and when Junsu made an effort to talk to him, the boy was no longer shy towards him. They managed to share lunch together and played during recess. Junsu decided he want to be his friend forever because he was a fun person to be with. But when his name was being called and he saw the chubby boy running towards him, he was glowing under the orange and pink tinted light of the sunset and everything changed. Junsu always knew he was not normal and he instantly fell in love at the sight of his newfound friend running to him with a bright smile on his face with his arms wide open. Junsu smiled and opened his arms, just in case he might fall but gladly he didn’t.

“You should have waited for me! We can go home together everyday right since we live in the same neighborhood?”

Junsu laughed and patted the chubby boy’s head since he was shorter. “Sure Yoochunnie, should we go home now?” Junsu asked, holding his hand out to him.

Yoochun nodded his head excitedly and accepted his hand and since then, they walked home together until third grade.

“Junsu-yah, it looks like I have to stay longer in school since I have after school practice,” Yoochun looked apologetic.

Junsu sighed, “It can’t be helped then. Do your best in basketball then,” Junsu gave him a thumb up sign.

“Alright! See you tomorrow then!” Yoochun waved at him before running back to the basketball court.

Junsu watched his back disappear into the court and let out a sigh. He knew he was already in love but knew it was not the right time to let him know since their relationship can change so easily.

Junsu glanced down at his pair of hands. They were calloused from making sculptures and sometimes he would help his father with handiworks on his free time. He used to be a regular at the tennis club for a while but gave up before joining the varsity just so he could spend more time with Yoochun and cheer for him whenever he has a game with other school teams.

“It’s been a while since I’ve held hands with you…”

Back in second grade, Yoochun requested that they should stop holding hands on their way home because his friends were making fun of them being a couple and he hated it. It hurt Junsu a little but he didn’t show it.

“That’s true, it might look weird since we’re getting older now.” Was all he could say and Yoochun agreed. Junsu learned that Yoochun can be fickle minded at times and he has to be careful if he wanted to maintain their tight friendship.

When they were in fifth grade, Junsu was in a foul mood because Yoochun had told him that he could not join him and their friends to the amusement park on the upcoming weekend because he had to attend their basketball practice since he became their MVP.

He didn’t mind that Yoochun couldn’t join them but what bothered him the most was that Yoochun forgot that his birthday was on that weekend when they were supposed to go to the amusement park. He and his friends still went to the amusement park and he tried to have fun as much as possible, always smiling and being cheerful. When he got home, his parents were waiting for him to celebrate his birthday with his twin brother. They blew the candles together and celebrated a little longer while Junsu kept his sullen mood hidden. It was nearly midnight when Junsu told his family that he was tired and would like to turn in. They smiled and bid him goodnight. Once he tucked himself in bed without changing his clothes, he cried himself to sleep; feeling extremely disappointed how his best friend could forget and not even greet him on his birthday.

Just when he was about to fall asleep, he heard a knock on his window. He ignored it, thinking it was a bird or a falling twig from their backyard tree. But he heard another knock, this time more consistent. He rose from bed and pulled his curtain open. His eyes were wide open when he found Yoochun sitting on the branch of their backyard tree, waving at him with a bright tired smile on his face.

Junsu quickly unlocked his window and opened it, holding his hand out for Yoochun to take and helped him get inside.

“What the hell were you doing?! You could have fallen off and break your neck. Are you that stupid?!” Junsu yelled at him once Yoochun was safe on the floor.

Yoochun only smiled at him and leaned closer, surprising Junsu with the sudden action. “What are you-“

Yoochun suddenly wrapped his arms around Junsu’s neck and let out a sigh that almost tickled Junsu’s ear, making him blush. “I’m sorry Su-ah. I forgot it was your birthday…I have no excuse for that. Forgive me?” Yoochun apologized when he pulled away but when he did, his eyes widened and cupped Junsu’s face.

“Su…were you crying?” he asked when he noticed Junsu’s brimmed red eyes.

Junsu blushed harder, pulled away and rubbed his eyes, “it’s nothing.”

“I’m supposed to be your best friend and yet I forgot. I’m really sorry Su-ah…” he apologized again.

Junsu sighed, “It’s your fault and the day is already over. You didn’t have to waste your time to come over here to apologize. You could have done that tomorrow instead and I was about to sleep.”

“I…you must be mad at me, I understand. I’ll just talk to you tomorrow?” he asked hesitantly.

Junsu nodded without looking at him.

“Okay…” Yoochun sound dejected and was about to leave through the window.

“Use the door babo!” Junsu barked at him and pulled his hand from the window, “do you want to die by climbing down on a tree?!”

Yoochun was startled and chuckled nervously when he made his way to the door.

“Uhm…Su?”

“What?” Junsu glanced at him when he closed the window and shut the curtain together.

“Again, I’m sorry and…belated happy birthday,” Yoochun said, with a timid smile.

Junsu sighed and nodded, “thank you.”

And Yoochun left.

That was the last time they held hands even though it was not in a gentle way. Junsu remembered that the day after his birthday then, Yoochun tried to make up for it by treating him to anything he wanted and Junsu used that advantage to get anything expensive as a payback. It was mean of him but regardless of that, he won’t deny that they still both had fun.

They may still be best friends but today, their friendship was no longer the way it used to be before. Junsu had unconsciously distanced himself a bit especially when Yoochun is with a girlfriend. He never told their group that Yoochun despised homos especially to Jaejoong and Yunho who have lingering feelings for each other. They tried to hide it but it was sometimes too obvious that Junsu had tried to cover it from letting Yoochun find out. He didn’t want the group to fall apart but somehow he knew that sooner or later, it will.

Changmin was the only one who knew that Yoochun hated homos because he was the one Yoochun confronted to. Junsu sometimes wondered why Changmin continued to stay and hang out with the group knowing what he already knew. Was he trying to protect the group and keep them together? Junsu never knew and sometimes he finds Changmin unpredictable. No one knows his preference except for his twin brother.  But there were times when Junsu caught Changmin looking at him with an expression that Junsu couldn’t understand at all. He couldn’t understand if it was of curiosity, pity, or what.  And Changmin wasn’t a talkative type either.

‘What now? What can I do now? I can keep on loving him like this forever but…just how much can I take? I just want you by my side…is that too much to ask for?’

Junsu continued to cry his heart out and never noticed the presence of another person until the person cupped Junsu’s tear stained face.

“Chang…min?” Junsu choked when he recognized him behind his blurry eyes.

“It’s okay hyung…it’s okay,” Changmin smiled sadly at him and wiped Junsu’s eyes with his thumbs. “You’re not alone hyung. You have us,” he whispered softly.

Junsu sobbed. “Babo…you knew all the time that I was in love with him, why didn’t you say anything?” Junsu clung to Changmin as his tears kept on flowing.

Changmin held him in his arms while trying to calm him down with soothing rubs on Junsu’s back. “It hurts a lot, doesn’t it hyung?”

“What am I supposed to do now Min? Tell me…I’m tired of holding it back. I kept telling myself that it’s okay for me to just watch from afar and keep on loving him knowing that his conquests never last long. But I’m tired Min…I wanted to confess to him long time ago but I heard your conversation. Am I just supposed to keep on pretending that everything is okay? What about Yunho and Jaejoong hyung? What will happen when he finds out that we are not what he thinks? What about you Min…? You are caught up in the middle the whole time…what are we supposed to do? Keep pretending forever? Tell me please…just tell me…” Junsu pleaded, his emotions so vivid that Changmin felt his eyes starting to swell with tears because he cared so much for his friends and couldn’t bear to see any of them hurting.

“I think…it’s a good thing that the school year ends in a few days right?” Junsu smiled sadly at Changmin. Changmin slightly nodded and waited for Junsu to continue but he never said anything after that.

“Will you be okay hyung?”

Junsu glanced up at the darkened sky; the sunset colors were already gone. “Yeah, I’ll be okay…I’ll always be okay, holding on even if it’s painful. I can let go if I wanted to but Min…maybe I might just want to keep on going until the school ends, is it okay?”

“Hyung…” Changmin said worriedly but he could see in Junsu’s eyes how desperate he is to hold on. Changmin understood and nodded, “I’ll help you hyung, just…just tell me if you can’t-“

“What are you guys doing?”

Junsu and Changmin turned around and found Yoochun standing there, looking perplexed at their positions since Junsu’s arms was around Changmin’s neck and Changmin’s was cupping Junsu’s face.

“What are you doing here?” Changmin asked instead, trying to avoid the question for Junsu’s sake.

“I was worried about Junsu but it looked like…” Yoochun frowned and took a step backwards. “Are you guys…gay?”

Junsu’s eyes widened with panic. His hand gripped tightly on the back of Changmin’s blazer and Changmin could feel his fear.

“What? Just because I was comforting Junsu, you think this is being gay?!” Changmin snapped at Yoochun.

“Min…don’t…”Junsu tried to stop Changmin before it could get worse.

“Because you guys look like it especially with that position…” Yoochun said with distaste.

“So what if I am gay?!” Changmin retorted, “then what will you do huh? Are you going to stop being my friend? Will you?!”

Yoochun gaped at him and glanced at Junsu with a bewildered look. Junsu looked away because he couldn’t bear the sight of his best friend looking at Changmin like that just because of his love for him. Changmin was even going this far to sacrifice for him…but why?

“Fuck Changmin! You were supposed to be my friend!” Yoochun yelled. “You’re such a fucking liar! So disgusting!” And Yoochun ran away.

Junsu held back but he couldn’t. He let out a choke and sobbed. “Why?! Why did you do that Min?! Why?! WHY?!”

“Because hyung…just because…” Changmin held back his tears and allowed Junsu to cling on him.

Junsu was not looking forward to today. He wanted to skip school but when he realized that he has the storage keys, he would be in big trouble. He forced to get up from bed and when he took a glance at the mirror, his eyes were puffy and swollen.

“I could just say that it’s the hay season and I’m starting to get the allergy…” he mumbled to himself while he slowly got dressed for school.

“Junsu yaahh- whoa! What happened?” his twin brother barged into his room and noticed his eyes. “Don’t lie to me, it’s not even the hay season yet.”

‘Damn, why does he know me so well…’

“Of course I know so well, who do you think I am?” Junho raised his brows teasingly at him and folded his arms together. “Seriously, what happened?” he asked worriedly.

Junsu shook his head, not wanting to talk about it.

“I take it, it must be about Yoochun,” Junho sighed. He unlocked his arms and ruffled Junsu’s still messy hair.  “No worries. We’ll be moving soon so I guess that will help a bit?” Junho gave him an encouraging smile.

“Thanks hyung,” Junsu smiled sadly and his brother left his room.

When Junsu got to the front gate of his school, he found Changmin waiting there for him.

“Are you okay?” Changmin asked. Junsu frowned at him, “Why are you asking me? What about you? You even went that far just to defend me,” he said.

Changmin wrapped an arm around Junsu’s shoulder, “Just because hyung. We better get to classes or we’ll be late. Let’s meet up for lunch okay? And hyung, you’ll be okay,” Changmin gave him a bright smile and a pat on the shoulder and waved before he made his way to the opposite direction of Junsu’s homeroom.

Junsu was glad that he didn’t have the first and second period with Yoochun but he was dreading third period and third period came too soon.

Yoochun entered the classroom and glanced at him. He was expressionless and Junsu was undecided on how to act towards him. But when Yoochun turned his attention somewhere and took his seat without any greetings at all, Junsu bit his lower lip to stop himself from tearing up inside.

‘So…it has come to this.’

Junsu thought sadly and he couldn’t concentrate in class at all when all he could think of about the end of their friendship or possibly the group’s unity. Class ended soon once their teacher announced about their upcoming exam and Junsu dashed out of the classroom to head to their usual place where they meet and have lunch.

“Junsu!” Jaejoong greeted him with a wave when he got to their favorite spot, which was under a shady cherry blossom tree. The three of them were already there minus Yoochun.

“Where’s Yoochun?” Yunho asked while opening his own lunch box pushed Changmin gently away when he started salivating over his food.

“He’s…uh…”

“I’m here,” Junsu tensed up when he felt Yoochun’s presence behind him.

“Great! Now let’s have lunch!” Jaejoong exclaimed cheerfully and clapped his hand together.

“Sorry, I won’t be having lunch with you guys,” Yoochun said with distaste.

Jaejoong and Yunho exchanged puzzled looks and Junsu was panicking over on how to make him stay and yet he was unsure on what to do.

“So what. Just like that? Just because I said openly that I am gay, you don’t want to hang out with us anymore? Even if it’s just me?” Changmin spoke.

“What-what’s going on?” Jaejoong frowned. “Changmin? Since when were you gay? Why didn’t you say anything before?”

‘Oh no…no…please no…not today….’

“Why don’t you tell them Yoochun hyung? Tell them why you don’t like to be around me anymore,” Changmin smirked.

“Changmin…please don’t…” Junsu pleased silently.

“What is going on?” Jaejoong demanded.

“What is it Yoochun? Did you and Changmin fight or something? If you guys did, you know we can always solve it,” Yunho said.

Changmin shook his head, “I’m afraid it will never be fixed,” Changmin glanced at Junsu with a sad smile, “I’m sorry I can't protect the group always Junsu hyung.”

Jaejoong frowned, “What. The. Hell. Is. Going. On?”

“Yoochun despises homos and finds them disgusting.” Changmin responded since Yoochun didn’t say anything for a long time.

Yunho dropped his chopsticks on the ground. Jaejoong gaped at Changmin and slowly looked at Yoochun with an indescribable expression mixed with betrayal.

Junsu covered his face, his tears threatening to fall. “Jaejoong hyung please don’t…”

But it was too late. Jaejoong punched Yoochun on the face and Yoochun staggered backwards on his feet and yelped out in pain.

“What-what the hell was that for?!” Yoochun exclaimed with anger while he tried to stop his bleeding nose.

“You piece of shit! You…fucking bastard…I hate you!” Jaejoong yelled and was about to lung forward when Yunho quickly took a hold of Jaejoong before he could do further damage.

“Let me go! He deserves it!” Jaejoong exclaimed, trying to loosen Yunho’s grasps on his arms.

“Stop Jae,” Yunho said sternly and Jaejoong stopped trying to struggle and Yunho let go of his arms. Jaejoong turned around and covered his face and Junsu could see that he was trying to hold back his anger…and tears.

‘We’re really falling apart now. Is…this the end?’

“Why?” Yunho asked towards Yoochun.

“Why what?” Yoochun glared at Jaejoong and Changmin before looking at Yunho.

“Tell me why you despise gay people and why you’re disgusted with them?”

“Because it is sickening! I can’t stand the sight of two men kissing each other in public nor fucking each other! It’s not normal and the thought of two men being together makes me want to puke! I did rather die than be confessed by some guy who loves me because the thought of it is just psychologically disturbing! And then I told Changmin before and I’m so angry at him because he didn’t tell me that he’s in fact a fucking faggot an-”

Junsu, Changmin and Jaejoong gasped when Yoochun received another punch, from Yunho. Yoochun was lying on the ground and Yunho was hovering above him, “Jaejoong was right. You are a fucking bastard and a piece of shit. If we knew what kind of thought you held against homos…then we would have not wasted your time with us.”

Yunho moved away and wrapped his arm around Jaejoong’s waist to leave but before they did, Yunho looked behind, “And just to let you know, Jaejoong and I have been dating for a while now.” And they turned to leave.

“Hyung, I’ll go ahead too,” Changmin told Junsu and followed the other duo.

Yoochun gaped at their disappearing backs before he turned his attention to Junsu, who was starting to fall apart but willed himself to stay strong…just for a little bit longer.

‘Nothing else could be done anymore.’

“Do…do you think you can be okay by yourself?” Junsu asked softly, knowing he could no longer hold himself.

“Huh? Of course I have you, you’re my best friend and you’re not going to leave me ever right?” Yoochun said.

Junsu stared hard at him for a long time. Yoochun shivered, having never seen that side of Junsu, the boy who was always kind, cheerful and smiling.

“Don’t be so full of yourself Park Yoochun,” Junsu said angrily and started to walk away. Once he turned around the corner, he collapsed to the ground, covered his mouth and sobbed.

‘Even if you hate it so much…I’ll just be here…I’ll just love you…silently…it hurts. It really hurts but I can’t give up on you…’

And then Junsu felt arms being wrapped around him. He knew whom it belonged to and clung into their embraces, feeling so thankful that they were his friends and understood his pain.

“Su ah…” Junsu looked up and saw Jaejoong’s teary face with a sad smile, “I’m sorry we couldn’t help you. We both knew that you liked him but we just didn’t know what he thought about our kind…I thought it would be okay with him but…Su ah…I’m really sorry,” Jaejoong’s tears flowed down his cheeks.

Junsu looked at the three of them and shook his head with a shaky smile, trying to prove to them that he can still be the same Junsu they knew, “it’s okay…it’s okay…I’ll be okay guys.” But they knew it would no longer be the same anymore.

Final examinations came and everyone was busy studying, especially Junsu. He avoided Yoochun at all cost. Yunho, Jaejoong and Changmin still hung out with each other but they no longer stayed under their usual spot under the cherry blossom. Whenever they crossed paths with Yoochun, they just ignored each other and Junsu hadn’t said anything to him since that day the group broke apart.

It was nearly the last day of classes and everyone was looking forward to their much-awaited break, except Junsu. For the past few days, he cried himself to sleep while he held a photo of them together that was candidly taken by his mother close to his heart. It was taken when they were still in first grade and they were under a huge tree in a park. They were pointing at a red balloon that got stuck between the branches and Junsu can still remembered so vividly what happened that day.

“Junsu yah! Look! A balloon!” Yoochun pointed upward and Junsu looked up. There was a red balloon stuck there. Junsu reached his hand up, thinking he might be able to reach it.

“Babo! You’re short!” Yoochun laughed at him.

Junsu giggled, “But you’re shorter than me,” he stuck his tongue out at him.

“Yah! Don’t make fun of me! Someday, I’ll grow up and be taller and more good looking than you!” Yoochun boasted proudly.

Junsu smiled, “Maybe someday you will, someday you might not. What if you end up being short and ugly forever?” he asked.

Yoochun started to pout.

“Babo! Don’t worry! Even if you’re short and ugly and whatever happens I will always love you because you’re my best friend!” Junsu wrapped his arm around Yoochun’s shoulder and Junsu felt satisfied when Yoochun smiled back at him. Then they both looked up at the red balloon one last time before Junsu’s mother called to them saying it was time to head home.

“I will always love you…because you’re my bestfriend….because you’re…you. But why….why does it have to be you…why…?” Junsu promised himself that it would be the last time he’ll cry and must accept the fact that Yoochun will never accept him.

The exams were already over but there was still the graduation ceremony for the seniors tomorrow and it was a mandatory for every student to attend. It was after school hours and he was standing by his locker, packing all his school items into a box. He thought sadly that he wouldn’t be able to come back to this school anymore and the thought that he won’t be able to graduate with the rest of friends and Yoochun saddened him the most. When he removed the last textbook from locker and closed it, he was surprised to find Yoochun standing a few feet away from him. He didn’t expect him to see him there but then again, he knew Yoochun always stayed after school hours to be with his weekly conquest.

“Done with your weekly conquest?” Junsu asked, bitterly.

Yoochun didn’t say anything at all. Junsu picked up his bag, slinging them around his shoulder before picking up the box.

“Why did you avoid me?” Yoochun spoke. His voice sounded heart broken.

Junsu smiled bitterly at him, “because you hurt our friends.” And me.

“But…you’re supposed to be my bestfriend Junsu yah…”

“I don’t see any valid reason behind that,” Junsu said and started walking out of the school building with Yoochun in tow.

“So it’s going to be like this now? You’ll ignore me forever just because I can’t stand to be with…gay people?”

Junsu stopped walking.

‘Will I be able to leave it like this? Should I even tell him?’

“No…but,” Junsu put down the box on the ground and reached something from the pocket of his bag. He took out of his favorite photo and handed to Yoochun.

“This photo…?” Yoochun frowned with confusion.

“Do you remember that day?” Junsu asked.

Yoochun thought for a while before nodding his head, “A red balloon was stuck up in a tree,”

“Anything else?” Junsu braced himself.

Yoochun looked up at him from the photo with a look of bewilderment.

“So…you remembered?” Junsu smiled at him.

“You…” Yoochun was speechless.

Junsu picked up the box from the ground and faced him with a sad smile. “You said you did rather die than be confessed by some guy who loves you…would you die if I confessed to you?”

Yoochun was speechless.

Junsu looked upward, the sky was painted with orange and many shades of dark red hues, like it knows how much he’s bleeding inside. “I have been in love with you for years Yoochun. And all these years, I have been hurting. I could have stayed away from you and hang with someone else instead. I could pretend to hate you or find an excuse not to hang around any longer with you…but I couldn’t. All those years…I’ve endured watching you go with your weekly conquests even though I know they are never permanent. But I was already at my limit at that time because Yoochun, you really don’t know how much it hurts…I thought that as long as I stayed by your side and continue to love you, I will be okay.”

Junsu glanced at him with teary eyes and yet he was smiling at Yoochun, “I disgust you right?” Junsu chuckled nervously. “You don’t have to worry since you won’t be seeing me around anymore.  Please…treat Yunho, Jaejoong and Changmin well if you can. I am sure they will forgive you someday. Goodbye Yoochun ah…” Junsu smiled the last time at him before turning his back and walked towards the school gate with the sunset silhouetting his form.

‘I will always love you…even time will change, I will always be loving you.’

Yoochun didn’t do anything nor said anything. He just stared at Junsu’s disappearing form with the photo in his hand. Yoochun never knew that Junsu was serious when Junsu told him years ago that he will always love him whatever happens.

Yoochun was at the park where he found Changmin and Junsu in a compromising position before. He sat on the swing with the photo still in his hand and it seemed like he couldn’t let it go. His eyes were teary and yet he was lost at the same time. He just found out that Junsu and his family left earlier to migrate and has no way to reach Junsu at all. He never realized what he had until it was gone. He never realized that he had taken Junsu for granted and he felt like punishing himself.

“I’m so sorry Su…I’m so sorry” he sobbed.

He silently cried and almost jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Yunho, Jaejoong and Changmin.

Yoochun’s lip quivered, knowing he did wrong to them. He dropped to his knees and bowed, “I’m sorry!” he cried.

The three were surprised and immediately made him stand up.

“Chunnie…it’s okay,” Jaejoong wrapped his arms around him, “we’ve already forgiven you.”

Yoochun choked his tears and wrapped his arms around Jaejoong’s waist and cried into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry guys….I’m sorry Su…I’m sorry Su…please come back Su...”

Yoochun stood under the big tree in the park during dusk after his usual early morning jog. He grew up into a fine man after graduating with a degree in psychology and worked as a counselor. It was not much but he enjoyed what he does, helping and reaching out to others. After Junsu left, he felt the need to change his attitude and his friends never felt so proud for him. They still hung out with each other during their free times. Their friendship improved when Yoochun learned that Changmin did what he did to protect Junsu from being directly hurt from him that day in the park. Changmin was in love with Junsu but knew his chances were slim and being a true friend that he is, he supported Junsu and helped him without trying to interfere. Yunho and Jaejoong still stayed together and Yoochun was glad that they forgave him or else he won’t become a better person.

Yoochun looked up at the shady green tree that was covered with morning dew. He smiled at the memory of the red balloon and started to reminisce.

He never entered into a relationship. He rejected both men and women alike because his heart belonged to the only person he has been waiting for. He wished Junsu would come back someday soon and he would ask for his forgiveness for hurting him. He has been waiting for all those years, to tell him that he was never disgusted with his confession and that he has something important to tell him. Until Junsu comes back, he will wait.

Then suddenly, he saw a red balloon flying upward, towards between the branches of the tree and a few droplets of dew fell on him.

“Wha-“ he shook his slightly wet hair and a figure few feet away from him caught him off guard.

Junsu stood there with a small smile on his face. His hair was shorter and dyed with dark brown. He grew up very well, with broader shoulders and he was dressed in sweats, just like Yoochun.

“Where have you been?” Yoochun asked.

Junsu smiled, “I’ve been here all the time, loving you.”

Yoochun chuckled softly. “So cheesy. Even when we have been apart?”

Junsu nodded, “I could never stop even if I wanted to…”

Yoochun let out a relieved sigh, “I’m glad you’re back…I have been waiting for you.”

“Why?”

“So I could do this.”

‘Explanations can wait, this one can’t. I’ve waited enough already.’

Yoochun closed the gap between them, wrapped his arms around Junsu’s small waist and planted a long sweet gentle kiss on Junsu’s full plumb red lips. Junsu was surprised at first and felt himself relaxed after being tensed and nervous of what to expect after seeing the love of his life again. He kissed Yoochun back, this time with sweet eagerness and need and his eyes were slightly wet with happiness. He wrapped his arms around Yoochun’s neck and they embraced and kissed under the tree covered in dew while the sun rose into a beautiful morning, silhouetting their one united form.

_____________________________

*Waves* Hi guys! I'm back from the dead! I know I have been missing from the scene since March and I usually try to post monthly. I had to undergo surgery few months ago and it took a while for me to recover. I'm doing better now and came back with the longest one-shot I've ever written. I know I usually write fluffy stories but I decided to try angst for a change. But hey, at least it's still a fluffy happy ending so that still counts, right?

I hope you enjoyed the story. I was afraid that my writing skill has gotten rusty. Actually it did but after revising it, I managed to get back into the flow. I kept listening to Junsu's song to get into the flow once I got a writer's block. Did you know, I listened to the song on repeat for 100 times? I'm not kidding.

Anyways, thank you so much for taking the time to read and I promise I'll be back in the scene again to write more stories for you guys!

~zkye