I Want To Live! (3/?)
Title: I Want To Live!
Pairing: (Main) KyuMin, (Side) KangTeuk, HanChul, SiMin (one-sided only)
Genre: A little angsty, attempted humour (might fail miserably) and romance
Rating: PG-13 (I suck at smut, so there!)
Disclaimer: *gloomily* The SuJu boys don’t belong to me. I only own the fic.
Notes: Words in ‘italics’ are thoughts. Another chapter of KyuMin’s fluffiness. I just wanted to portray to all my readers that all is calm before the storm.
Summary: Lee Sungmin is a trained hitman by the codename ‘MIN’. His only sole purpose is to kill his assignments regardless of their backgrounds. So why did, one fateful night, on the brink of death, he met Cho Kyuhyun? The one who taught him the meaning of life. But then why life, had to be so full of twisted humour?
Sungmin looked around him in a daze, wondering where he was before his eyes landed on the digital timer which read ’20.15’. He was still half asleep. The space beside him was cold but the slight dent of the pillow showed that someone had slept there. Sungmin was surrounded by Kyuhyun’s smell; it was slightly musky and masculine. The corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile. It was fleeting but then it turned into a frown. This was unheard of! Never had he allowed someone, except Mr. Bunny, to be so close to him. Moreover, slept right beside him!! He was so used to the solitude and darkness, paranoia at the slightest sound made outside his door.
Now he wondered why did he allow this Cho Kyuhyun to get under his skin? Who are you? This impudent young man who had managed to sneak into his skin so easily.
Sungmin pulled the bedcovers aside, grateful that Kyuhyun had not removed his pants and slipped his legs silently onto the floor. He was careful not to put too much strain on his bandaged injury because he needed to get out of here as soon as possible. This was all so new to him, so alien and unfamiliar...
His sensitive ears picked up some muffled noises coming from somewhere near the room he was in. Curiosity took over and he tiptoed towards the open door, careful to not make a single sound and down the hallway like a moth attracted to the light. Sungmin vaguely noticed that the walls were in need of new paintwork as he made his way to the source of the sounds. There, hidden, he began to eavesdrop on whoever was talking. He recognised the deep voice of Cho Kyuhyun.
“He’s alright.” There was a slight pause. “I changed his bandages like you instructed, Teukie hyung.”
Teukie-hyung? Sungmin wondered for awhile before he remembered that Kyuhyun had mentioned that this hyung was the one who had saved him earlier.
“Besides, he’s so cute.”
CUTE?! Sungmin thought in horror. This is the first time he had been called cute. No way was he cute. Was he?
“I know. I’ll be careful.” Kyuhyun laughed softly, rolling his eyes at his hyung’s nagging. The sound of Kyuhyun’s laughter made butterflies flutter around in his stomach and he instantly forgave the impudent young man for calling him cute. “Besides, if he is well enough to stand outside the kitchen to eavesdrop on me, then you shouldn’t worry anymore.”
Sungmin was startled at that statement. Might as well show himself since he has been found out, he thought glumly as he stepped into the small kitchen. Kyuhyun was grinning at him, the phone was still on his ear as he gestured Sungmin to sit at the chair opposite him. How did he know I was there? I didn’t even make a sound.
His inner debate with himself must have shown on his face because Kyuhyun then waved in front of his face, to get his attention. “There’s a mirror over there.” He mouthed out the words as he pointed at the medium sized rectangular mirror hanging on the wall in front of the doorway to the kitchen. “Yes, hyung. I’m still here.” Kyuhyun’s grin became wider at the sight of Sungmin’s scowl. “I know what to do. Tell Kangin-hyung I’m fine. Bye.” He cut off the call and put the phone back at its cradle. “Hungry?”
“That was the hyung that treated me?”
“Yep. He’s a good hyung but terribly naggy like a mum.” Kyuhyun answered absent-mindedly as he rummaged his small old refrigerator and took out a few raw ingredients. “Congee with egg and vegetables will be good for you. I hate vegetables but Teukie-hyung always buys them for me with the excuse that it’s healthy. I guess you can eat them for me.”
“What am I? Your rubbish bin?” Sungmin grumbled.
Kyuhyun laughed and shook his head. The rich sound was like a beautiful melody to Sungmin’s ears. He decided that he like to hear Kyuhyun laugh. “No. You’re just indebted to me.” He said as he proceeded to chop the vegetables, clumsily.
“Er... don’t you need to wash them first?”
Kyuhyun waved the knife around, “That’s too troublesome. It’s all going into the stomach. Doesn’t make a difference.” And to Sungmin’s shock and horror, Kyuhyun began chopping the carrots in big random movements which resulted in chunks of carrots of different sizes flying all over the kitchen counter.
He’s a walking disaster! Sungmin thought before he hurriedly walked over to stop Kyuhyun before he hurt himself. “Let me do it.” He quickly cleared the counter, washed the vegetables and rice. Kyuhyun’s eyes went wide with admiration as Sungmin peeled and chopped everything with precision. Within minutes, dinner was served; stir-fried cabbages with carrots and peppers, bitter gourd with eggs and a bowl of hot steaming porridge, sat in front of both of them.
Hungrily, Kyuhyun dug into his food with glee. “Wow! This tastes so much better than mine!”
Sungmin huffed. “Of course! I’ve been living by myself and I’ve learnt a thing or two about how to cook.” He watched as Kyuhyun wolfed down the food happily. “Unlike someone.” He mumbled as he spooned the porridge into his mouth.
“Hey! I heard that! It’s just that I’ve always been a terrible cook.”
Sungmin blinked. “Then how did you survive?”
Kyuhyun swallowed the rest of his porridge before asking for seconds. “Takeouts. Instant noodles or food where you only need to re-heat and it’ll be done.”
Sungmin shook his head and refilled the empty bowl. This guy is going to die from malnourishment one day. “What about your parents?” He asked as he handed the bowl back to Kyuhyun.
“They’re dead.” He replied nonchalantly.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. They’re better off not knowing what I do- I mean, they’re somewhere where they can be happy for their only son.”
Only son, huh? “Must be lonely.”
“Not as lonely as you.”
“Ho-How...”
“When you were in a delirious state, you kept on crying about how alone you were.” Kyuhyun stared at Sungmin who went red in the ears. Then he got up and pulled Sungmin into a loose hug. “It’s been hard on you.” His hand softly patted Sungmin’s back, as if comforting him. “Don’t worry, I am here.”
Sungmin felt the tears pricking at his eyes again. In his weakened state, he felt pathetic because he kept on exposing himself to a stranger about how vulnerable he can be. Closing his eyes, he allowed one or two drops of tears to spill from the corners of his eyes before he slowly unwound his stiffened body and thus, allowing himself to have a moment of being comforted. For some strange reason, this person here understood everything which he had kept hidden for so long.
He pushed Kyuhyun away and got up. There isn’t going to be a second time I’m going to break down in front of him. He needed to get away but as he stumbled back to his room, Kyuhyun’s arms came around him from the back, much to Sungmin’s surprise.
“Shh...” Kyuhyun hushed softly before he turned Sungmin around to face him, gave a small smile and kissed the corners of each eye. “Everything’s alright now.”
Yes, everything’s alright now. Those words had a calming effect on him. Sungmin felt as if he was slightly drugged because the heavy burden that he had been carrying for a long, long time was suddenly thrown off his shoulders and he took in a huge breath of relief. “I...” For the first time in his life, he felt needed. Wanted. Loved.
But he needed to tell Kyuhyun everything. “You never asked me what I do. Or who am I.” He looked away, afraid of what might be reflected in those eyes. “I might be someone dangerous.” There! He said it.
“Would it matter?”
“What?”
“Would it matter to you if I did ask?”
Sungmin blinked confusedly. “When you bring a stranger back to your house, wouldn’t you want to know who he is? It’s only common sense.”
“I don’t care about common sense. I just want to know your opinion.”
Kyuhyun stepped closer and Sungmin could feel those beautiful eyes staring into his dark soul again. He felt helpless against the magnetism emitting from the taller man. He smells good too. Sungmin swallowed. “You’re- You’re too close!” He started to turn away but Kyuhyun grabbed hold or his wrist and turned him back to face him again. Their faces were now inches apart.
“You haven’t answered me.”
“Let go.” Sungmin tried to tug his wrist free. This was ridiculous! They were both playing a dangerous game. Surely, Kyuhyun can hear his heart pounding against his ribcage. It was deafening. Sungmin didn’t like the way Kyuhyun looked at him because that look threatened to destroy everything that he had created to shield himself. “I said, let go!” His defences were being peeled layer by layer and soon there will be none left but the very core of his weak soul.
Kyuhyun shushed him again and lifted him into his arms, bridal style which elicited a small cry of surprise from the smaller man. “Let’s put you back to bed.” Another layer gone.
Sungmin blushed and nodded meekly before he slowly placed his arms around the long neck. “Aren’t I heavy?”
Kyuhyun laughed and Sungmin felt himself smile. “Yea, you are.” He answered jovially, earning a playful swipe from Sungmin who pouted. “But you’re now my burden to carry.” Another few more layers gone.
Sungmin was surprised at that statement. He looked at Kyuhyun with puzzlement etched all over his face. “How did - ”
“How did what?”
Sungmin then shook his head. Probably he was thinking too much. “Nothing.”
When Kyuhyun finally tucked Sungmin back into bed, Sungmin found his voice again. “I will need to leave soon.”
“Yea, I know.” Kyuhyun replied. There was only a thin layer left.
“I may never see you again.”
“Yea, I know.” Kyuhyun sat beside Sungmin who could already feel himself drifting off to sleep. “But until then, you’ll stay right here with me, right?” He pushed the long fringe away from Sungmin’s eyes and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
“Mmmhmm...” Sungmin nodded softly, enjoying the feel of Kyuhyun’s slightly cold hands brushing his hair. It’s just for a little while. He thought before sleep claimed him. His heart and soul were now in the hands of the man named Cho Kyuhyun.
***
For the days to come, Sungmin found that Kyuhyun is REALLY a walking disaster. He now understood why there was so little furniture inside the small apartment unit. It was to prevent Kyuhyun from hurting himself either by tripping over the furniture or destroying them. By now, he also, from his observation, learnt that Kyuhyun is younger than him (by two years), a terrible cook, cleaner, too smug for his own good and slightly retarded.
“Minnie, I can’t seem to find my soap!”
Oh, did he mention ‘slightly retarded’??
Sungmin’s eyebrow twitched with annoyance. That stupid man had proceeded to give him a stupid nickname and it has been stuck ever since despite how much Sungmin had protested about how much he hated that girlish nickname. “It’s in the soap holder.” He shouted back as he stirred the contents of his pot over the fire.
“Oh!! I found it!”
Sungmin rolled his eyes and busied himself with his cooking. He had banned Kyuhyun from ever coming into the kitchen. The last time, that stupid man had attempted to cook, he burnt the ham! Seriously, how can anyone burn ham?!
“Minnie, where are my clothes?”
Crack, crack. That’s the sound of my patience breaking. “Didn’t I tell you a million times that it is in your cupb-” He turned around to scold the source of his annoyance. And the words were stuck inside his throat.
There stood Kyuhyun, still wet from his shower with a white towel slung low around his hips. Droplets of water trickled down from his wet messy hair along his neck, down his clavicle and sculptured chest. If his eyes wandered any lower, Sungmin was sure that he will need to treat a nosebleed.
And that bastard looked extremely pleased with himself.
Sungmin gulped. His heart was racing, the blood had rushed to his head and he prayed that Kyuhyun did not hear that deafening pounding of his heart. This seems to happen A LOT over the past few days. But every single time, without fail, his reaction will be the same. Or worse. He didn’t know whether Kyuhyun was teasing him or because he really is as dumb as his character is. Sungmin sighed.
“Kyu, you’re going to be late!” It was half past eight in the morning.
“Oh crap! I’m going to be late for my lectures!” Kyuhyun rushed to get dressed and left Sungmin in a state of relief because he’s finally alone to pull himself together. Kyuhyun, apparently, is currently majoring in Mathematics from Seoul University and is a very smart student from what Sungmin gathered. Despite the fact that he had a scholarship, Kyuhyun could barely make ends meet because of the standard of living in Seoul was too high and so, he needed to work part-time on weekdays in order to pay for his rent, food and other necessities. Furthermore, now he had to support an invalid like Sungmin who decided to help with the household chores in order to repay his help. Not that Sungmin minded because he enjoyed doing things for the cheeky young man.
“I won’t be back till midnight. So, lock all the windows and door when you go to sleep!” Kyuhyun yelled as he ran towards the door.
“KYU!! Wait!! Your lunchbox!” Sungmin grabbed the paper bag which he had placed earlier on the table and handed it to the grinning man.
“Thanks! You’re such a lifesaver!” He pecked Sungmin’s cheek and left hurriedly, leaving the latter to tend to his shock.
“YAH!! CHO KYUHYUN!!” Sungmin shouted angrily at the retreating figure. However, he was secretly happy. His shout was only responded by laughter. Sungmin shook his head and closed the door, never realising that there was figure in black that stood hidden at some distance away who had been watching the playful antiques.
Hell was about to break lose.
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A/N: Their relationship seems to be budding even though it is slow but it’s definitely progressing. Yay!! Sungmin has not yet forgotten about who he is and though there are parts within the fic that may make you think, ‘He is a hitman, his responses to sudden attacks should be fast and he should be alert about his surroundings’, let’s just say that Kyuhyun has his ways to bring Sungmin’s defences down to nil. Try guessing who the ‘figure in black’ is. If anyone can guess it, I will update this fic in 3 days!!
Comments are LOVE. They inspire me to write and encourage me to update.