Peculiar
(Even my colored pencils want the two of you together. Red & Yellow, Yellow & Red)
Something changed. Yes, they still have their occasional skinship. Yes, they still have alone moments and sideline concern for each other. And yes, you can still feel how close they are even though you are miles away from them and all you know are limited within the confines of a camera lens and the random interviews that they answer. But even though it is something that we can never really put a finger to or assume, it seems to me that the warmth and care that they had for each other turned into something that is not really "forced" per se but just simply lacking. (Or perhaps it was that way in the beginning and I just allowed too much of my fan girling to fool me. But then why doesn't it feel right?)
The sudden insistence and almost blatant show off of the "Woosu" pairing seemed a bit, well... blatant. As if intentionally trying to condition the people in such a manner that they would agree with the pairing. Yes, I get it. The whole couple and pairing in male idol groups always go in different directions and the whole idea of the coupling is to expose every member of the group not just two of them. But it doesn't mean that all pairings would have the same chemistry. Yes khunho is sweet and yes woosu is acceptable and even chantaec can be adorable and so are the other possible pairings from the 7 members. So what makes khunyoung different from all this? It's because khunyoung simply...works. From all the other pairings they seem to be the one who makes most sense. Why?
They did become closer after that kiss in idol army. Fan service is fan service but there was no need to be closer or know each other well if what they intended was only skinship. But both of them know each other well, otherwise they wouldn't even choose the other as a roommate. And although Khun often cares for everyone as Wooyoung stated in an interview, it seems to me that he is more careful with Wooyoung. It might just be a concern for a brother, yes. And we might not be able to know how he handle things with the other members behind the camera, but then why would Wooyoung stick around and even care about Khun's image or know the things that Khun likes and regard him as the kindest person in the group if Khun didn't care for him just as much? If you're not being cared for why would you want to care as well?
Then WGM happened. And Khunyoung made more sense during that time.
Aside from the fact that there was a sudden hiatus on their fan service even after the show ended, it seemed as if there was something different from the way the two of them interacted. And the fact remains that why was there even a hiatus on their "fan service" or interaction together on screen if it was just truly a fan service and there was really nothing in between that brush of hands, hidden smiles, eye contacts, hugs and whatnots? There wasn't any need to lessen them just because Khun was supposed to be married. The fact that Victoria is also an idol means she knows how the coupling works, that's it's all for the camera. It doesn’t make any sense as to why there was need for a pause in their khunyoung skinship if there was nothing in between that made it awkward for them to continue. And why is it that when khuntoria ended, new pairings arise? Why is it that among the 2pm members only their relationship or closeness changed?
Maybe I'm just imagining things and trying to make something out of nothing. Perhaps all of these are mere fictitious assumptions of my mind trying to break free from the stress of my academic responsibilities. I don't really know what goes on between them. All I'm sure of is that they treasure and love each other as friends and brothers, beyond that would just have to be left to my imagination. But whatever is the case of their relationship, love is still love regardless of what name you give it.
I'll end this now, since it was just something I needed to get off my mind. These peculiarities have been hunting me maybe because I just miss seeing them together with that genuine khunyoungness that I haven't seen for awhile now. Oh well. These are the times that fanfictions are put into good use. I'll just continue writing to fill that space that has been left wanting for more khunyoung. :p