Too high a fence
Title: Too high a fence
Author: kdsaj2
Genre: AU-ish, fluff(?), drama, coming of age
Rating: PG-13 (mild swearing)
Pairings/Characters: WooU (Wooyoung/IU)
Summary: They shares a bit about each other.
Author Comments: : First of all this is dedicated to, made for and all because of the amazing dreamoscope
Thankyou bb, you made me write my first ever het fic :DDD It's all in the name of your brilliance and amazingness as well as your ability to write het i want to read and mull over <333 (also in the name of WooU because darn it they are adorable xD)
-also to apology for the lack of a beach house and kidnapped khunyoung-
Anyways,.....please remember folks,
I made them roughly the same age. (1 or 2 year(s) apart)
Time intervals gets shorter and shorter as you read past each section basically (except for the last one).
UBETAED, so even if i tried very hard to edit some stuffs might have sneaked past me >_<
Too high a fence
The first time he ever dreamt of conquering the rickety and off-white picket fence was all due to an accident. Stupid Chansung-and his overgrown bear legs had gone and kicked his favourite ball out of the small backyard-all the way over the fence and into an adjacent property, landing on the other side with a resounding crash and thump. He cringed, this won’t be good. Chansung even dared to shout “Homerun!” and prances around happily. Naturally, he threw rocks at his dumb cousin, causing the latter to sticks out his tongue impishly calling him a ‘robot’ again because he refused to ever cry about…anything. He does show anger occasionally though, so he kept on with his air-bound assault before Chansung realized how much danger he was in and dashed back inside, dodging the older boy’s wrath.
Heaving a huge sigh, he wore the biggest pout he ever mustered-in which was a record for him actually, pouting is so not mature. “Well, no use crying over spilled milk”, he mumbled to himself and decided to retrieve his lost possession.
If there were anyone there then, ever so bored and having wanted to put a bit of mirth into their day they should only be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Little Jang Wooyoung, barely 7 years of age, lugging an abandon box from his family previous move clumsily. Dragging it all the way across the small yard and pressed it as close as possible to the fence.
“Why are you so tall anyways…stupid fence….can’t even,...climb over” even on his tiptoe Wooyoung still had to admit that the cardboard box added little to his advantage against the- suddenly too-tall barrier.
“Ppsst!” a voice called out from the other side.
“Woah!” Wooyoung stumbled backward thinking that it was from the fence itself. He got up quickly-albeit clumsily-holding out his hands awaiting the impending attack of the ghost of the Jang backyard.
……
Nothing came.
“O-oh sorry…d-did I scared you?” came a timid voice from the other side. His ears perk up, it sounded like a girl.
He stayed silence. He’s not one to talk to strangers…and girls, especially since they have cooties. (Chansung had cooties once; he refused to touch his cousin until a quarantined 24 hours). He was very mature about it though saying that ‘it was best for the interest of everyone that his cousin remained isolated’.
“I-I’m Lee Ji-eun by the way…” the voice continued after the drawn out pause.
“Uhm…Jang Wooyoung” he decided to give her his name; Wooyoung always tries to be respectful after all.
“Do you want your ball back?” he voice back.
Well duh.
“…Sure, that’d be great”
“Okay, step back a little” Ji-eun instructed.
Wooyoung stood still, puzzled.
“Hyah!” there was a resounding war cry and his ball flew over the fence, Wooyoung continued to watch in awe as the ball got closer, closer and closer until it knock him square on the forehead.
“Ow!” his body tippled backward.
“Oh I’m so sorry! Please don’t be mad!” her voice sounded frantic.
“No, no I’m fine” he got his ball back “great kick by the way” it was.
“T-thankyou” Ji-eun’s voice returned to its natural timid state.
There was silence again.
“So uhm...I got to go…” Wooyoung started, scratching his head, trying to look nonchalant until he realized that Ji-eun couldn’t see him at all “See you around?”
“Yeah sure!” she replied and Wooyoung could almost see the cheery smile.
_______
The second time he ever wished that he was just a bit taller or that the fence was just a bit shorter was a time that shook everyone in their small town in emotions-he gave none. Their school mate, Eunjung, was involved in an accident and naturally, as Wooyoung later learned, Ji-eun’s fragile heart cries for anyone, even those she did not know or did not like.
“It’s so horrible, so unfair” she sniffled. He wished he was by her side, giving her comfort, anything to stop the painful sobs he knew was coming from the sweet girl. But they both knew full well that even if he was by her side, his hugs wouldn’t be genuine and his smiles are of pity. Because he couldn’t see what all the buzz is about, shit happens.
“I know”
“S-she’s so young how c-could anyone j-just not look b-before...” Ji-eun broke down again. He didn’t need to be in front of her to know that her eyes were filled with tears.
He said nothing. Wooyoung simply leaned harder against the old fence, hoping, hoping that the body on the other side can feel it; warmth, pressure, anything. They stayed like that for a while, he didn’t know how Ji-eun is such a morning person, every night, and they would meet each other like this, talking over and through a fence into the deep hours of the night. Not face to face because she was for a lack of better word way to timid and shy to actually hold a conversation with anyone about things that are saddening and or painful and he was too good at acting as if the world is nothing but a burden.
It’s silly, Wooyoung thought, to be sneaking out of bed like trouble makers just to set yourself free of pent up emotions. But really, wouldn’t it be such a pain to confide your emotions into someone else in broad daylight? His eyebrows scrunched together at the thought. Like her or not-he did like her-he couldn’t let Ji-eun be all ‘emotional wreck’ as she usually berated herself over and over, in front of everyone; especially people who would take advantage of it.
He waited till sniffles had quieted down and the sobs were just a memory before he spoke evenly into the dark night.
“Ji-eun” he paused, trying to put his thoughts together “you can’t stop living simply because there are pain in the world, you know? Because well, you can’t, you just got to toughen up and get ready for the next shitty event in life. So…yeah don’t be sad, just go visit her tomorrow…and no I won’t come with you.”
“…..”
“Please tell me you’re there and that I didn’t sprout all that bullshit for nothing”
His preteen-self loved searing, it was such a stigma that it was exhilarating to trek upon.
She giggled “No, I’m sure the ghosts of the Jang backyard appreciated it”
He knocked harshly against the wooden surface where he was sure her head was leaning against. “Shut up! I didn’t tell you that story so that you could use it against me.”
Her wind-chime laughter filled the airs around them.
“Wooyoung-ah” he said after a moment of pause, he had told her countless times to call him by his name and not to use ‘oppa’, it wasn’t necessary.
“Hmm?” he gave a short response.
“You’re turning 16 soon right?” Ji-eun was still 14 at the time.
“Yeah” he answered tersely.
“Ah, no wonder you sound so old” she joked.
“Look who’s speaking ‘I hope we can all be cordial to each other in the unknown future and walk side by side to greatness’” he imitated her famous middle school graduation speech in a high pitch and whiney tone.
There was a knock near the general area where his head was resting. It sends massive vibrations to the centre of his skull.
“Ouch, beast!” he exclaimed.
Another knock.
“Ow, okay, okay I surrender” he snickered robbing his head.
“Good” she laughed “don’t mess with me Jang Wooyoung.”
“Yes, ma’am” he laughed.
Silence again, he hated the intervals. But he was sure it was a hell lot better than pausing in front of each other and be super awkward.
“Thanks oppa, really.” Ji-eun finally said.
“I told you not to call me that” he scowled.
“And now I’m telling you to suck it up” she returned haughtily, he could hear her stifling a giggle.
“Woah, tell my sweet Ji-eun I’d call her back later” wait, his sweet Ji-eun?
Her laughter filled the air again and he was glad that she couldn’t see him or noted the embarrassed tone in which he mustered something along the line of:
“I’mgoingtobed,don’tyoudaretalktomeinschooltomorrow!” before rushing back to his window and climbed in.
_______
The third time he ever wished he had the power to simply knock the now shorter than him fence over all together was of a situation that had nothing to with him. But his rage was justified, fully. That famous douche with the name Yoo Ah In asked his Ji-eun out for a date and then went and make out with some other girl. Wait, his Ji-eun? Wooyoung shook the thought away, trying hard to listen.
“I d-don’t get it” there was a slight sob “he knew I like him.” a head shake is to follow Wooyoung was sure. He had gotten good at what gesture Ji-eun had to accompany her words.
“He’s just an asshole” he sighed heavily, hands gripping tightly against his school tie.
They had just gotten home from school.
“Y-you don’t g-get it, he said he like me, a lot, and when I said I like him back he was all smiles, b-but then, you know how stupid I felt? Oh god I am such a moron!”
“Are you seriously blaming yourself?” his 16 year old self scowled, he was sure by now Ji-eun had learned just as much about him because her replied was ever quiet afraid that he might burst into flames any seconds.
“M-maybe, it’s just me you know?” her voice had also held so much pain that his heart contracted painfully. This won’t do at all.
…
“Wooyoung?” Ji-eun’s voice was laced in confusion, because well, little or not, Wooyoung had always given her a response, a hum, snort or ’arghhh!’ anything.
She stood up on her tiptoe- eyes peering over to the spot she was sure he once occupied.
It was empty.
“Wooyoung?”
He was not there of course. Because as he may not have the strength to knock down a fence he does have the power to punch someone’s face inward. That’s exactly what he did and their school’s newspaper the next day printed an article about the star of the school play Yoo Ah In, losing 3 teeth from punches directed to the face from an unknown assailant.
It was also the day people witness the ever sweet Ji-eun publicly reprimanding an unapologetic Wooyoung for his actions. Needless to say, people were a lot less gossipy about her being a pushover when she reported him to the principal the next day. They were also a lot less scared when he admitted that punching that bastard in the face was the best thing he ever done for Ji-eun in front of the whole student body. She disagreed naturally, and they made up later but he was then on the overprotective robot on campus. He even had a few fans, eh, weird.
In front of everyone their relationship is that of a love-hate and strained; beauty and the…beast-tron-2.02? But in the soft embrace of the night and the looming presence of the fence they are the closest people in the entire galaxy. He gave her something to fight for, and fight for harder each day and she gave him things to muse over, things that evoke more and more of what Ji-eun described as organic human nature in her English paper. Whatever that means. I just knew that she was teaching him to feel. And it was alright, since no one can see his face when he laughed whole heartedly or cried without reserved (although rare); not even Ji-eun but he was sure she knew, just knew that she was doing something right.
_______
The last time that he ever felt powerless against the ugly old fence was the last time he ever spoke to Ji-eun. It was well known actually, as every 16-18 year olds in his school would’ve known from the overpowering gossips that Lee Ji-eun, the school’s sweetheart is moving to Seoul. He, Jang Wooyoung, was feeling fine of course, with the news, and all. And even if he’s lost, heartbroken and confused, he’d be damn to show those feelings now.
Ji-eun was crying enough for the both of them.
“This sucks, so bad” she mumbled after her sobbing had resided.
“I know”
“Wooyoung, I know that when you convey emotions you’re worse than a robot in a k-drama but can you at least say something that won’t make me want to come over there and kick your ass?” Ji-eun huffed indignantly.
He just chuckled. It felt foreign in his ears but he needed some reassurance, some reason to believe that it matter if Ji-eun, the only girl he ever showed any feelings (no matter how minimal) for would remain that same person, a trooper. No matter what gets her down she’d stand back up again.
“Hey!” a rock flew over the top of the fence barely missing his forehead.
“Sorry, sorry” he gave a shit eating grin and move just a tiny bit to the right before leaning his head against the fence again. It gave a little creak.
“So you won’t say anything to me?” she asked again, more hesitantly this time.
A long pause, common Woo, man up.
“Ji-eun, no matter what, be strong and know that I’m always here for you” he closed his eyes and let the words rushed out, lest it come out later in some maudlin heartbreak moment.
“Thanks oppa” he could see that radiant smile in his head and he couldn’t help smiling along. He let the formality go unnoticed.
“Ah…you’re welcome” he blushed-shit, what did she turned him into? - a little.
Now, say it now, Ji-eun I like you, a lot.
“Hey uhm….” he tried…what is she says ‘No thanks’? He panicked, he then decided to play it off telling himself that it just ‘wasn’t the right time’ so he went with.
“So where will you be living?” he stumbled with his words.
No response. As he stood and peered over the spot he was sure she once occupied, it was empty. But something caught his eyes, resting atop a rusty old picket was a silvery chain with a small note attached.
“Thankyou for everything oppa, for giving my strength and determination and…ah well I guess I should say-write it now since you can’t see my face reddening….
Saranghe, Jang Wooyoung, saranghe~”
It was then his first time feeling thankful for the fence; for concealing enough of his-lowered-head so that the neighbours couldn’t see his teary eyes but gleaming smile. It seems so unlike him to show such foolish emotions after all, and if Ji-eun is gone he’d be damn if he ever shows them in front of anyone else.
But, he did; because it is so hard to forget how to laugh, how to cry, how to let go and be genuine with others. It’s something that Ji-eun had imprinted upon him to naturally do and he can’t reject something that reminded him so much of her. So he said ‘screw it’ and let himself be damned. Emotional wrecks and all that. He was sure that if he would ever admit it to her, Ji-eun would be so damn proud of her accomplishment, and he’d just laugh because pride is just and adorable expression on her.
_______
A few years later. When he was fully grown, finally overcame his obstacles and had fully realized his dreams and resolutions he saw her again. She was still so beautiful, she was still timid, shy and kind, but she exudes confident and a powerful charm that shows her strength, wise beyond her years, he chuckled at he thought because it’s what other had been complimenting him all along, although he did lack the ‘beautiful, timid, shy and kind’ portion.
It gives him unbearable chills every time their eyes met suddenly during a recording of a music program because they’ve never properly been introduced but held so much history. But it gave his the utmost warmth when she answered the question ‘you said that you owe your success to your strength, who is the most influential person in helping you develop that strength?’
With smiling eyes she answered “My first crush.” causing the whole cast and audience into a frenzy of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.It just sent Wooyoung into hyperthermia he ducked his head down, way down.
He was then glad, he was so glad for the existence of the rickety old fence because it gave her something he couldn’t back then in person; a friendship that would help her grow and blossom flawlessly. It was the barrier they needed to not feel shy and say whatever, feel whatever; it was a stepping stone for both. But then, it was also from each other that the change was encourage, lit and set to scintillates with the utmost potential. He felt proud, you could say, every time IU said that she had benefit so much from feeling strong and it was all thanks to him.
He knew that he gave Ji-eun something to fight for and she had fought and won it. Perhaps now it was his turn to turn his blossoms into fruits as well since after all, it was thanks to her that he even dared to experience anything. Let alone passion, or well, love.
He decided then when he saw her one day after recording for a variety show they bumped into each other in the hallway and her smile is brilliant.
“Hello, Lee Ji-eun by the way” she said it with such confidence that it astounded him.
He’s not speaking to Ji-eun, really because the girl in his memory had not yet reached the stage in life of the girl in front of him now; oh no IU held zero flaws of the Ji-eun of yesterday.
He returned her smile “I’m Jang Wooyoung” he said, holding out his hand.
She took it and leaned in ever so close to his ear. “I know” she whispered, nostalgia sparkles in their eyes and unshared words lingered upon their lips.
He was glad, he was so glad for the existence of the fence because it gave him something Ji-eun deserved, a confession.
“Wait!” he called out, stopping her as she was about to entered her dressing room.
She stared at him with widen eyes. There was a short pause; again, it felt nostalgic, except, there’s no fence between them to blame it on.
“I’ve got to tell you something” he said softly, his fingers toyed with the silver chain under his open collar, her eyes immediately drawn to it, it sparkles with recognition.
“First” he held her right hand attentively with his left, making Ji-eun face him directly “I never got the chance to thank you for everything, you are the person who had helped made me who I am today, and second…” his right hand went up cupped her flushed cheek.
It didn’t matter then if her answer is ‘No thanks’ because it just meant that he had gave it his all, thanks to her. This good feeling, it won’t go away so why bother trying to hide it?
And then with the most charming smile he could ever mustered, a record, naturally. He built up all the confidence in every fibre of his being and leaned ever so closed to her ear.
“Saranghe, Lee Ji-eun, saranghe”
It really didn’t matter then, how tall, hideous, off-white and obstructing the fence was. Wooyoung was glad that it gave him enough time to realize just how significant those simple words meant to him.
__________________________________________
I hope it was good bb <3333
people ya'll seriously need to checkout her het fics :O
(raping that southern accent, yes <33)
Also hahaha you know how i listen to songs when i write ? Well Good Day by IU is played more at Woo's part, the confession xDDD
I just realized how cheesy and funny it was :DDDDD
Author: kdsaj2
Genre: AU-ish, fluff(?), drama, coming of age
Rating: PG-13 (mild swearing)
Pairings/Characters: WooU (Wooyoung/IU)
Summary: They shares a bit about each other.
Author Comments: : First of all this is dedicated to, made for and all because of the amazing dreamoscope
Thankyou bb, you made me write my first ever het fic :DDD It's all in the name of your brilliance and amazingness as well as your ability to write het i want to read and mull over <333 (also in the name of WooU because darn it they are adorable xD)
-also to apology for the lack of a beach house and kidnapped khunyoung-
Anyways,.....please remember folks,
I made them roughly the same age. (1 or 2 year(s) apart)
Time intervals gets shorter and shorter as you read past each section basically (except for the last one).
UBETAED, so even if i tried very hard to edit some stuffs might have sneaked past me >_<
Too high a fence
The first time he ever dreamt of conquering the rickety and off-white picket fence was all due to an accident. Stupid Chansung-and his overgrown bear legs had gone and kicked his favourite ball out of the small backyard-all the way over the fence and into an adjacent property, landing on the other side with a resounding crash and thump. He cringed, this won’t be good. Chansung even dared to shout “Homerun!” and prances around happily. Naturally, he threw rocks at his dumb cousin, causing the latter to sticks out his tongue impishly calling him a ‘robot’ again because he refused to ever cry about…anything. He does show anger occasionally though, so he kept on with his air-bound assault before Chansung realized how much danger he was in and dashed back inside, dodging the older boy’s wrath.
Heaving a huge sigh, he wore the biggest pout he ever mustered-in which was a record for him actually, pouting is so not mature. “Well, no use crying over spilled milk”, he mumbled to himself and decided to retrieve his lost possession.
If there were anyone there then, ever so bored and having wanted to put a bit of mirth into their day they should only be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Little Jang Wooyoung, barely 7 years of age, lugging an abandon box from his family previous move clumsily. Dragging it all the way across the small yard and pressed it as close as possible to the fence.
“Why are you so tall anyways…stupid fence….can’t even,...climb over” even on his tiptoe Wooyoung still had to admit that the cardboard box added little to his advantage against the- suddenly too-tall barrier.
“Ppsst!” a voice called out from the other side.
“Woah!” Wooyoung stumbled backward thinking that it was from the fence itself. He got up quickly-albeit clumsily-holding out his hands awaiting the impending attack of the ghost of the Jang backyard.
……
Nothing came.
“O-oh sorry…d-did I scared you?” came a timid voice from the other side. His ears perk up, it sounded like a girl.
He stayed silence. He’s not one to talk to strangers…and girls, especially since they have cooties. (Chansung had cooties once; he refused to touch his cousin until a quarantined 24 hours). He was very mature about it though saying that ‘it was best for the interest of everyone that his cousin remained isolated’.
“I-I’m Lee Ji-eun by the way…” the voice continued after the drawn out pause.
“Uhm…Jang Wooyoung” he decided to give her his name; Wooyoung always tries to be respectful after all.
“Do you want your ball back?” he voice back.
Well duh.
“…Sure, that’d be great”
“Okay, step back a little” Ji-eun instructed.
Wooyoung stood still, puzzled.
“Hyah!” there was a resounding war cry and his ball flew over the fence, Wooyoung continued to watch in awe as the ball got closer, closer and closer until it knock him square on the forehead.
“Ow!” his body tippled backward.
“Oh I’m so sorry! Please don’t be mad!” her voice sounded frantic.
“No, no I’m fine” he got his ball back “great kick by the way” it was.
“T-thankyou” Ji-eun’s voice returned to its natural timid state.
There was silence again.
“So uhm...I got to go…” Wooyoung started, scratching his head, trying to look nonchalant until he realized that Ji-eun couldn’t see him at all “See you around?”
“Yeah sure!” she replied and Wooyoung could almost see the cheery smile.
_______
The second time he ever wished that he was just a bit taller or that the fence was just a bit shorter was a time that shook everyone in their small town in emotions-he gave none. Their school mate, Eunjung, was involved in an accident and naturally, as Wooyoung later learned, Ji-eun’s fragile heart cries for anyone, even those she did not know or did not like.
“It’s so horrible, so unfair” she sniffled. He wished he was by her side, giving her comfort, anything to stop the painful sobs he knew was coming from the sweet girl. But they both knew full well that even if he was by her side, his hugs wouldn’t be genuine and his smiles are of pity. Because he couldn’t see what all the buzz is about, shit happens.
“I know”
“S-she’s so young how c-could anyone j-just not look b-before...” Ji-eun broke down again. He didn’t need to be in front of her to know that her eyes were filled with tears.
He said nothing. Wooyoung simply leaned harder against the old fence, hoping, hoping that the body on the other side can feel it; warmth, pressure, anything. They stayed like that for a while, he didn’t know how Ji-eun is such a morning person, every night, and they would meet each other like this, talking over and through a fence into the deep hours of the night. Not face to face because she was for a lack of better word way to timid and shy to actually hold a conversation with anyone about things that are saddening and or painful and he was too good at acting as if the world is nothing but a burden.
It’s silly, Wooyoung thought, to be sneaking out of bed like trouble makers just to set yourself free of pent up emotions. But really, wouldn’t it be such a pain to confide your emotions into someone else in broad daylight? His eyebrows scrunched together at the thought. Like her or not-he did like her-he couldn’t let Ji-eun be all ‘emotional wreck’ as she usually berated herself over and over, in front of everyone; especially people who would take advantage of it.
He waited till sniffles had quieted down and the sobs were just a memory before he spoke evenly into the dark night.
“Ji-eun” he paused, trying to put his thoughts together “you can’t stop living simply because there are pain in the world, you know? Because well, you can’t, you just got to toughen up and get ready for the next shitty event in life. So…yeah don’t be sad, just go visit her tomorrow…and no I won’t come with you.”
“…..”
“Please tell me you’re there and that I didn’t sprout all that bullshit for nothing”
His preteen-self loved searing, it was such a stigma that it was exhilarating to trek upon.
She giggled “No, I’m sure the ghosts of the Jang backyard appreciated it”
He knocked harshly against the wooden surface where he was sure her head was leaning against. “Shut up! I didn’t tell you that story so that you could use it against me.”
Her wind-chime laughter filled the airs around them.
“Wooyoung-ah” he said after a moment of pause, he had told her countless times to call him by his name and not to use ‘oppa’, it wasn’t necessary.
“Hmm?” he gave a short response.
“You’re turning 16 soon right?” Ji-eun was still 14 at the time.
“Yeah” he answered tersely.
“Ah, no wonder you sound so old” she joked.
“Look who’s speaking ‘I hope we can all be cordial to each other in the unknown future and walk side by side to greatness’” he imitated her famous middle school graduation speech in a high pitch and whiney tone.
There was a knock near the general area where his head was resting. It sends massive vibrations to the centre of his skull.
“Ouch, beast!” he exclaimed.
Another knock.
“Ow, okay, okay I surrender” he snickered robbing his head.
“Good” she laughed “don’t mess with me Jang Wooyoung.”
“Yes, ma’am” he laughed.
Silence again, he hated the intervals. But he was sure it was a hell lot better than pausing in front of each other and be super awkward.
“Thanks oppa, really.” Ji-eun finally said.
“I told you not to call me that” he scowled.
“And now I’m telling you to suck it up” she returned haughtily, he could hear her stifling a giggle.
“Woah, tell my sweet Ji-eun I’d call her back later” wait, his sweet Ji-eun?
Her laughter filled the air again and he was glad that she couldn’t see him or noted the embarrassed tone in which he mustered something along the line of:
“I’mgoingtobed,don’tyoudaretalktomeinschooltomorrow!” before rushing back to his window and climbed in.
_______
The third time he ever wished he had the power to simply knock the now shorter than him fence over all together was of a situation that had nothing to with him. But his rage was justified, fully. That famous douche with the name Yoo Ah In asked his Ji-eun out for a date and then went and make out with some other girl. Wait, his Ji-eun? Wooyoung shook the thought away, trying hard to listen.
“I d-don’t get it” there was a slight sob “he knew I like him.” a head shake is to follow Wooyoung was sure. He had gotten good at what gesture Ji-eun had to accompany her words.
“He’s just an asshole” he sighed heavily, hands gripping tightly against his school tie.
They had just gotten home from school.
“Y-you don’t g-get it, he said he like me, a lot, and when I said I like him back he was all smiles, b-but then, you know how stupid I felt? Oh god I am such a moron!”
“Are you seriously blaming yourself?” his 16 year old self scowled, he was sure by now Ji-eun had learned just as much about him because her replied was ever quiet afraid that he might burst into flames any seconds.
“M-maybe, it’s just me you know?” her voice had also held so much pain that his heart contracted painfully. This won’t do at all.
…
“Wooyoung?” Ji-eun’s voice was laced in confusion, because well, little or not, Wooyoung had always given her a response, a hum, snort or ’arghhh!’ anything.
She stood up on her tiptoe- eyes peering over to the spot she was sure he once occupied.
It was empty.
“Wooyoung?”
He was not there of course. Because as he may not have the strength to knock down a fence he does have the power to punch someone’s face inward. That’s exactly what he did and their school’s newspaper the next day printed an article about the star of the school play Yoo Ah In, losing 3 teeth from punches directed to the face from an unknown assailant.
It was also the day people witness the ever sweet Ji-eun publicly reprimanding an unapologetic Wooyoung for his actions. Needless to say, people were a lot less gossipy about her being a pushover when she reported him to the principal the next day. They were also a lot less scared when he admitted that punching that bastard in the face was the best thing he ever done for Ji-eun in front of the whole student body. She disagreed naturally, and they made up later but he was then on the overprotective robot on campus. He even had a few fans, eh, weird.
In front of everyone their relationship is that of a love-hate and strained; beauty and the…beast-tron-2.02? But in the soft embrace of the night and the looming presence of the fence they are the closest people in the entire galaxy. He gave her something to fight for, and fight for harder each day and she gave him things to muse over, things that evoke more and more of what Ji-eun described as organic human nature in her English paper. Whatever that means. I just knew that she was teaching him to feel. And it was alright, since no one can see his face when he laughed whole heartedly or cried without reserved (although rare); not even Ji-eun but he was sure she knew, just knew that she was doing something right.
_______
The last time that he ever felt powerless against the ugly old fence was the last time he ever spoke to Ji-eun. It was well known actually, as every 16-18 year olds in his school would’ve known from the overpowering gossips that Lee Ji-eun, the school’s sweetheart is moving to Seoul. He, Jang Wooyoung, was feeling fine of course, with the news, and all. And even if he’s lost, heartbroken and confused, he’d be damn to show those feelings now.
Ji-eun was crying enough for the both of them.
“This sucks, so bad” she mumbled after her sobbing had resided.
“I know”
“Wooyoung, I know that when you convey emotions you’re worse than a robot in a k-drama but can you at least say something that won’t make me want to come over there and kick your ass?” Ji-eun huffed indignantly.
He just chuckled. It felt foreign in his ears but he needed some reassurance, some reason to believe that it matter if Ji-eun, the only girl he ever showed any feelings (no matter how minimal) for would remain that same person, a trooper. No matter what gets her down she’d stand back up again.
“Hey!” a rock flew over the top of the fence barely missing his forehead.
“Sorry, sorry” he gave a shit eating grin and move just a tiny bit to the right before leaning his head against the fence again. It gave a little creak.
“So you won’t say anything to me?” she asked again, more hesitantly this time.
A long pause, common Woo, man up.
“Ji-eun, no matter what, be strong and know that I’m always here for you” he closed his eyes and let the words rushed out, lest it come out later in some maudlin heartbreak moment.
“Thanks oppa” he could see that radiant smile in his head and he couldn’t help smiling along. He let the formality go unnoticed.
“Ah…you’re welcome” he blushed-shit, what did she turned him into? - a little.
Now, say it now, Ji-eun I like you, a lot.
“Hey uhm….” he tried…what is she says ‘No thanks’? He panicked, he then decided to play it off telling himself that it just ‘wasn’t the right time’ so he went with.
“So where will you be living?” he stumbled with his words.
No response. As he stood and peered over the spot he was sure she once occupied, it was empty. But something caught his eyes, resting atop a rusty old picket was a silvery chain with a small note attached.
“Thankyou for everything oppa, for giving my strength and determination and…ah well I guess I should say-write it now since you can’t see my face reddening….
Saranghe, Jang Wooyoung, saranghe~”
It was then his first time feeling thankful for the fence; for concealing enough of his-lowered-head so that the neighbours couldn’t see his teary eyes but gleaming smile. It seems so unlike him to show such foolish emotions after all, and if Ji-eun is gone he’d be damn if he ever shows them in front of anyone else.
But, he did; because it is so hard to forget how to laugh, how to cry, how to let go and be genuine with others. It’s something that Ji-eun had imprinted upon him to naturally do and he can’t reject something that reminded him so much of her. So he said ‘screw it’ and let himself be damned. Emotional wrecks and all that. He was sure that if he would ever admit it to her, Ji-eun would be so damn proud of her accomplishment, and he’d just laugh because pride is just and adorable expression on her.
_______
A few years later. When he was fully grown, finally overcame his obstacles and had fully realized his dreams and resolutions he saw her again. She was still so beautiful, she was still timid, shy and kind, but she exudes confident and a powerful charm that shows her strength, wise beyond her years, he chuckled at he thought because it’s what other had been complimenting him all along, although he did lack the ‘beautiful, timid, shy and kind’ portion.
It gives him unbearable chills every time their eyes met suddenly during a recording of a music program because they’ve never properly been introduced but held so much history. But it gave his the utmost warmth when she answered the question ‘you said that you owe your success to your strength, who is the most influential person in helping you develop that strength?’
With smiling eyes she answered “My first crush.” causing the whole cast and audience into a frenzy of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.It just sent Wooyoung into hyperthermia he ducked his head down, way down.
He was then glad, he was so glad for the existence of the rickety old fence because it gave her something he couldn’t back then in person; a friendship that would help her grow and blossom flawlessly. It was the barrier they needed to not feel shy and say whatever, feel whatever; it was a stepping stone for both. But then, it was also from each other that the change was encourage, lit and set to scintillates with the utmost potential. He felt proud, you could say, every time IU said that she had benefit so much from feeling strong and it was all thanks to him.
He knew that he gave Ji-eun something to fight for and she had fought and won it. Perhaps now it was his turn to turn his blossoms into fruits as well since after all, it was thanks to her that he even dared to experience anything. Let alone passion, or well, love.
He decided then when he saw her one day after recording for a variety show they bumped into each other in the hallway and her smile is brilliant.
“Hello, Lee Ji-eun by the way” she said it with such confidence that it astounded him.
He’s not speaking to Ji-eun, really because the girl in his memory had not yet reached the stage in life of the girl in front of him now; oh no IU held zero flaws of the Ji-eun of yesterday.
He returned her smile “I’m Jang Wooyoung” he said, holding out his hand.
She took it and leaned in ever so close to his ear. “I know” she whispered, nostalgia sparkles in their eyes and unshared words lingered upon their lips.
He was glad, he was so glad for the existence of the fence because it gave him something Ji-eun deserved, a confession.
“Wait!” he called out, stopping her as she was about to entered her dressing room.
She stared at him with widen eyes. There was a short pause; again, it felt nostalgic, except, there’s no fence between them to blame it on.
“I’ve got to tell you something” he said softly, his fingers toyed with the silver chain under his open collar, her eyes immediately drawn to it, it sparkles with recognition.
“First” he held her right hand attentively with his left, making Ji-eun face him directly “I never got the chance to thank you for everything, you are the person who had helped made me who I am today, and second…” his right hand went up cupped her flushed cheek.
It didn’t matter then if her answer is ‘No thanks’ because it just meant that he had gave it his all, thanks to her. This good feeling, it won’t go away so why bother trying to hide it?
And then with the most charming smile he could ever mustered, a record, naturally. He built up all the confidence in every fibre of his being and leaned ever so closed to her ear.
“Saranghe, Lee Ji-eun, saranghe”
It really didn’t matter then, how tall, hideous, off-white and obstructing the fence was. Wooyoung was glad that it gave him enough time to realize just how significant those simple words meant to him.
__________________________________________
I hope it was good bb <3333
people ya'll seriously need to checkout her het fics :O
(raping that southern accent, yes <33)
Also hahaha you know how i listen to songs when i write ? Well Good Day by IU is played more at Woo's part, the confession xDDD
I just realized how cheesy and funny it was :DDDDD