Round 8: Sandcastles
Title: Sandcastles
Team: Future
Rating: PG-13 (for swearing)
Fandom: B2ST
Pairing: JunSeob (feat.Troublemaker)
Summary: Yong Junhyung is still, unmoving. He is in love with the idea of something that cannot be but refuses to let go.
Yang Yoseob is always moving. He is the sandcastle that the waves break down and Junhyung rebuilds the next day.
Warnings: Alcohol, swearing.
Author's Note: This is my first time ever writing a fic for the public eye and participating in Olymfics! It’s been a great honour and a lot of fun (and coffee, can’t forget about the caffeine).
A special thank you to #TEAMQTPIES for being so supportive, and to MD, KT and DA for watching me ramble on about this fic. Please enjoy!
Prompt Used: “Sofa” by Crush
-----
The clock stopped when he was with him.
The other’s soft hair tickled against his cheek, his arm wrapping around the other’s small waist. Their legs were tangled in a comfortable mess, their breaths hitching together and hearts beating in sync.
Yong Junhyung wished he could stay forever with Yang Yoseob in this very moment, together on his worn-out red leather couch.
----
It started with a text.
Being shaken awake by the notification, Junhyung looked around to find himself in his studio. He must have fallen asleep again, working on the final touches on his boy group’s debut single.
6:00 am. His clock read.
“Who sends a text at 6:00am?” he thought to himself as he unlocked his phone. It was a text from Hyunseung, decorated with too many exclamation marks unfamiliar to the man’s usual character.
Important news!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY PLACE!!!!!!!! 3PM!!!!!!!!!
-----
The term “fashionably late” was usually thrown around by reporters when Junhyung arrived anywhere; for when he arrived, he arrived in an extravagant fashion that explained his tardiness. But today, he was dressed in a simple pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and a silver chain around his neck, completed with sneakers. Despite being over thirty years old, Junhyung’s sense of style was still young and careless in the best way possible -- as long as he kept his sunglasses on to hide the dark circles that the years of sleepless nights has caused, he could probably pass for ten years younger. He tapped his feet nervously as he looked into the intercom, only to hear a familiar voice ask,
“Did you bring something?”
Junhyung smiled, familiar with this scene -- he’s done the exact same thing eight years when the members visited him at his new apartment on Showtime. Without a word, Junhyung held up at a case of beer that he bought at the grocery store on the way here.
“The sun isn’t even down yet, Yong Junhyung.” Hyunseung laughed.
“Shut up and let me in.” Junhyung complained before hearing a buzz from the speakers as he stepped into the building.
-----
Hyunseung’s apartment was a disorganized mess -- there were clothes lying on the furniture, a book here and there, a couple of weights in the corner (gathering dust, Junhyung was pretty sure), and of course, three other familiar faces making themselves feel at home, eating fried chicken and pizza, not bothering to wipe their fingers on a napkin.
“Look who it is.” Doojoon looked up from the drumstick he was attacking, some sauce stuck on the corner of his lips.
“Yong PD! Long time no see!” Dongwoon yelled out in English, holding out a pizza slice for Junhyung to take. Junhyung didn’t bother commenting Dongwoon’s sudden English, but took the pizza slice before squeezing in between Kikwang and Doojoon, much to their complaints. “So what’s the big news?” he asked, taking a bite of the pizza.
“Yoseob is running late. Something about his musical rehearsal, I’ll tell you when he comes.” Hyunseung said as he made himself comfortable on the floor, grabbing a drumstick.
“Musical rehearsal?” Dongwoon snorted. “It’s probably his girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” Doojoon asked as he reached over to grab one of the beers that Junhyung had brought.
“Hyung, you didn’t know? He’s dating that girl who's playing the female lead in his musical.” The younger continued the conversation, taking a sip of his drink. “I think it’s been a couple months now.”
Junhyung just took a sip of his coke. He was about to ask more questions, but his trail of thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of the intercom. Hyunseung quickly got up before looking into the screen, finding Yoseob holding up a bag of groceries. He laughed and opened the door, letting the other in.
The sight of Yoseob hit Junhyung like a freshly opened wound.
He had gotten slightly taller since that last time he’s seen him (whenever that was), or maybe that was the way he was dressed -- a well-fitted black shirt which showed off toned arms and chest tucked into a pair of trousers of the same colour.
“Hey.” Junhyung managed to choke out, still holding onto his half-eaten pizza slice.
Yoseob turned around to look at Junhyung, giving him a blinding smile.
“Long time no see, Yong Junhyung.”
-----
“I’ve gathered all of you here today for this.” Hyunseung went into the kitchen and came back with an embroidered piece of paper before putting it down on his coffee table. Doojoon was the first one to pick it up and read it.
“Read it out loud.” Hyunseung urged, a big grin appearing on his face.
“The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Jang Hyunseung and Kim Hyunah.” Doojoon read, the corner of his lips quirking up at the last word.
Nobody said anything for a good two minutes.
“The honour of your presence? Really?” Yoseob broke the silence as he raised a questioning brow; but the glitter in his eyes couldn’t hide his joy.
Hyunseung just shrugged.
“Wahhhh, Our Hyunseung is going to be a married man now.” Kikwang laughed as he wrapped an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “The first one to go.”
“And I win 50,000 won.” Dongwoon held out his hand. “I told you he’d go first.”
Kikwang’s small smile turned into a pout as he muttered, “Jang Hyunseung, you fucking traitor. You couldn’t have held it off until Doojoon got married first?” He reached into his wallet, handing Dongwoon a crisp yellow note.
“You guys bet that I was going to get married first?” Doojoon interjected, looking between the two. Kikwang flashed his leader a sheepish smile before lying back down on the couch, trying to look as nonchalant as possible as he pulled his beanie over his eyes. “Shhh. That’s not important anymore, it’s all about Hyunseung now.”
“Was it to Dahae?” Doojoon continued to pester, despite Kikwang’s previous comment. Dongwoon pocketed the money Kikwang had given him with a nod, clearly not helping the situation.
“Hey hey hey, let’s not bring the exes up. You don’t see me talking about Ha-” Hyunseung started to speak before he looked over at Junhyung. “You know who I’m talking about.”
“To be fair, for Junhyung it’s been a couple months, for Doojoon it’s been like… three...years….” Kikwang spoke up again, not moving from his idle position.
“Two years, actually. Before she dumped me.” Doojoon corrected him, a twinge of bitterness in his words.
“Hey, hey guys.” Junhyung spoke up, holding out his hands between the three of them. “No need to sour the mood. Hyunseung is trying to give us some good news. How’d you get her to tie the knot?” he wrapped his arm around his friend, trying to steer the conversation to another direction -- he thanked the heavens that he wasn’t drunk enough to spill about all his exes.
“It’s been ten years right? Must have taken some convincing if you weren’t married yet.”
“I knocked her up.” Hyunseung replied, his expression the most serious it has been the entire night.
The six of them go silent again.
“Oh.” Dongwoon says quietly, looking down at the floor.
“Congratulations!” Doojoon started to clap as he opened a can of beer. “You’re going to be a dad and a husband. And we’re going to be uncles.”
There was another beat of silence before Kikwang spoke up again.
“Can I name your kid?”
And the six of them burst into laughter, just like old times.
-----
It would be foolish of them to deny the fact that Hyunseung’s wedding had brought them together. They were always the closest of friends, but as adults put it, “real life” got in the way. Going past thirty and still singing in a boyband was not the ideal career path for any of them, so they ventured off into different activities -- slowly and steadily losing contact with each other. Their company didn’t call it a hiatus, nor a break-up, for they were in the media too much individually for anyone to even notice that they were gone as a group. So when Hyunseung called them all together to announce his wedding, it was the first time they were together as six in a very long time. Junhyung recognized this and tried to make the best of his time with the five of them -- peeping in occasionally to talk about the bachelor party that they were all going to plan for the groom.
“We should all go to Vegas and go to a strip club.” He joked, unable to contain his laughter as he voiced his suggestion. “It’s what they do in America.”
“That sounds tacky.” Kikwang scrunched his nose, brushing off Junhyung’s suggestion.
“I wouldn’t be talking about ‘tacky’ if I were you.” Yoseob reached out to grab the hem of his friend’s gold-threaded shirt.
“Hey!” Kikwang protested, pulling his shirt away. “This is haute couture! Givenchy made it!”
“Well Givenchy can suck my dick.”
“Don’t get enough of that from your girlfriend, Yang Yoseob?” Kikwang sneered, his arms crossed.
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Yoseob laughed sarcastically before throwing a cushion at Kikwang, hitting him square in the face. “Do you want to fucking die?”
Laughing, Kikwang picked up the cushion beside him and threw it right back, yelling obscene lines at Yoseob while doing so. Junhyung watched all of this unfold, too familiar with this scene.
Dongwoon laid beside him with a sigh, watching the two. And he said the words that Junhyung couldn’t dare to bring up.
“I missed this.”
-----
“I missed this.” Yoseob’s face buried into Junhyung’s neck, his arms wrapped around the other’s waist.
“And I missed you.” Junhyung murmured, his fingers running through the other’s hair, inhaling his scent. It has been months since they last saw each other like this, with Yoseob’s schedule filling up with musical practices and Junhyung’s notebooks becoming darker with various scrawls of words and notes of songs that he was writing. But Yoseob’s lips and arms were familiar places that Junhyung could fall into again, settling onto him like the sun after a storm.
“I missed you so, so much.” he kissed the other again, peppering his nose, cheeks and forehead.
“Hey hey hey!” Yoseob giggled, trying to push the other one away. “Slow down for a bit.”
Junhyung smiled and held onto Yoseob’s wrists, pulling him down onto his lap.
“Baby slow take it slow, I won’t go anywhere, because I’m yours now, baby I’m yours.” he sang softly, his eyes meeting the other’s.
“Did you just sing me your own song?” Yoseob cocked his head slightly, wrapping his arms around Junhyung’s neck.
“Our song.” the writer smiled, his lips inching closer to his singer. “I wrote it for you.”
-----
Hyunseung and Hyuna’s wedding was a small celebration -- contrast to their stage image, they wanted something less dramatic but more intimate, and therefore decided on a small church wedding (no one bothered to point out the irony about this) with their family, friends and their co-workers.
“Congratulations!!!” Kikwang yelled as he popped the streamer and poured it over Hyunseung and Hyuna, showering them in confetti and glitter. The groom wasted no time before pasting the confettis under his eyes, making them into small tears, his bride following soon after.
The guests playfully complained that they were too old to be doing this, but the couple just stuck their tongues at them, rousing laughter. Soon, there was a clinking in the air, it was Doojoon, clinking his fork against the champagne glass.
“I always wanted to do that.” he laughed as the guests turned their attention to him. “Anyways, as one of your closest friends, I feel like I’m obligated to make a speech on the behalf of all of us.” he gestured towards the rest of the members, who were all wearing matching groomsmen tuxedos, fervently nodding. Hyunseung laughed and waved his hand, gesturing Doojoon to go ahead.
“Ahem.” the speaker started, clearing his throat. “I can’t believe out of all of us, you’re marrying him.” his expression is a mixture of fake-shock and laughter about to spill out, his cheeks flushed from the champagne he’s had earlier. “What crime did you commit your past life?”
“You could have married me, noona!” Sungjae shouted, throwing Hyuna an exaggerated wink as Namjoo playfully hit his chest, trying to shut him up.
“Are you hitting on my wife at my wedding?” Hyunseung glared at Sungjae. Even if he wanted to look serious, he couldn’t because of the confetti stuck under his eyes. The younger just mouthed an “I Love You” to the groom, making a heart of his hands, Hyunseung just rolled his eyes and leaned back.
“Hey hey hey!! I’m trying to do my speech!! Shut up!” Doojoon tapped his champagne glass with the fork, silencing everyone. “Anyways, Hyunseung, congratulations.” his eyes became watery as his voice started to shake. “I can’t believe you’re the first to go. Enjoy the married life.”
“Doojoon-oppa, are you crying?” Hyuna asked, hiding her smile behind her hand.
“He’s fine, okay? Leave him alone.” Dongwoon answered, his eyes brimming with tears as he choked up a sob. Kikwang put his arm around Dongwoon’s shoulders, laughing at how much of a baby their maknae was.
“How does it feel to snatch the nation’s goddess, Mr. Jang?” Gayoon yelled out.“Pretty damn good, I’d say.” Hyunseung grinned.
-----
Maybe eight glasses of champagne wasn’t the greatest idea. Was it even eight? Junhyung has lost count after the fifth one. His vision became hazy as he looked around, his eyes threatening to close any minute.
“Yong Junhyung. How many fingers am I holding up?” Doojoon asked him, waving his fingers in front him.
“Two times two is fifteen.” he slurred his words, loosening the bowtie around his neck.
“He’s a goner, folks.” Doojoon announced. “Who wants to drop our Yong PD off?”
“I’ll do it.” Yoseob raised his hand before moving swiftly to put Junhyung’s arm around his shoulders, walking with him slowly. Their steps were clumsy as they walked in silence, their steps hitting the marbled floor as they made their way out of the reception hall.
“You’re… You’re a really cool guy, you know that?” Junhyung broke the silence, his words slurred as he leaned against the other’s shoulder.
Yoseob laughed. “I know, Junhyung, I know. Now why can’t you tell me this when you’re sober?”
They stayed silent for a moment as Yoseob stepped onto the streets to call a taxi.
“I love you.” Junhyung blurted out, his arm tightening around Yoseob’s waist.
“I love you too, Yong PD.” he replied nonchalantly, waving for the taxi to come closer.
“No. Listen to me.” Junhyung stabilized himself on his feet, holding onto Yoseob’s shoulders and looking him straight in the eye. “I love you like I used to.”
Yoseob blinked. Once, twice. He took his time trying to absorb the other’s words, his mouth going dry and a familiar warmth pooling at his stomach. But the back of his head went ice cold, logic screaming that this was not the time, nor the place.
It never was.
“...You are soooooooooooooo drunk.” he laughed Junhyung’s words off, reaching up to mess up the other’s hair. “And balding, I think. Maybe it was all the bleach.” He joked, putting Junhyung’s arm around his shoulders. He handed the taxi driver a couple of bills before trying to shove his friend into the taxi, but he refused to get in by leaving his foot at the door.
“Shut up.” Junhyung murmured as he struggled to get himself out of the taxi, his hands still on Yoseob’s arms. “Shut up.”
It didn’t take long before he pressed his lips against Yoseob’s.
It was exactly how he remembered it to be, soft and moulding against his own, like his lips were crafted to be pressed against Yoseob’s forever. His hand moved up to hold the other at the back of his neck, his other hand cupping his face. He tasted like everything Junhyung remembered him to be -- plus the sweetness of the champagne they had earlier.
“Junhyung.” Yoseob breathed out. He put his hands on the other’s chest and pushed him away. Junhyung winced, knowing what words would come next. The possibilities started to ring in his head, his ears buzzing from the alcohol. I can’t. I have a girlfriend. Let’s be friends. Let’s do it for the press. Let’s do it for the members, the fans. We had something but it’s no longer there.
“Thank you.” Yoseob whispered instead, his chin resting on the other’s shoulder.
“Thank you for loving me."
-----
“Thank you for loving me.” Yoseob smiled as he read off the cue card. He turned to face his bride, his eyes wide and his smile so wide his cheeks started to hurt. “I know I lack in a lot of things but thank you for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with.”
Junhyung watched as he sat in the wedding hall with the rest of the members, his expression dazed. The very words Yoseob used to say to him were being said to someone else now, and the familiarity lingered in the back of Junhyung’s head, along with whispers of “good morning” and soft kisses.
Yoseob’s vows to his bride were lingers of strange familiarity to Junhyung; the only difference was that one was more sincere than the other.
Junhyung was convinced that Yoseob was the one for him, but Yoseob couldn’t say the same about him.
-----
“I’m getting married.” Yoseob announced six months earlier, smiling as he pulled up a picture of his girl- well, now fiancée, with a blinding smile as bright as the stone on her left finger. Yoseob’s eyes are bright as he delivers the news -- an expression Junhyung has yet learned how to recreate.
“Holy shit.” Hyunseung was the first to speak, looking up from his three-month year old daughter.
“You?” Kikwang pointed to the picture of his girlfriend -- and then back at Yoseob, his mouth dropping in shock. Yoseob only smiled brightly with a nod.
“Me.”
The atmosphere turned cold.
“Aren’t you guys going to say congratulations?” Yoseob laughed, breaking the iciness in the air. “You guys were sooooo happy when Hyunseung got married a year ago. I’m hurt guys.” He pouted, his shoulders slumping.
“I-” Dongwoon started to speak, looking between the rest of the members to assess the situation. “Nobody bet that you’d get married second, hyung.”
-----
“You don’t have to do this.” Junhyung’s plea was desperate as he held onto Yoseob’s wrist. Since when was it so small like he could snap it any second? Since when was it so unfamiliar, the coldness of his hand refusing to melt away with the warmth?
“And what, Junhyung.” Yoseob turned around, his eyes cold, his tongue spitting venom.
“I love you.” Junhyung managed to choke out, his grip still tight around the other’s wrist
Yoseob lets go of his hand.
“That’s not enough.”
Junhyung blinked as he watched Yoseob walk away, the sight of his back was becoming too familiar as it carved itself onto his brain.
“Yang Yoseob!” He yelled out, running after the other. He wasted no time pulling the other into his arms. “I love you.” he choked out, his grip tight around the other. “I love you. What else can I say? What else do you want me to say? Say it and I’m yours. I’ll be yours forever. I’ll wait for you.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Junhyung.” Yoseob replied, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked into Junhyung’s eyes. How many times have Junhyung made him cry that he has gotten to this point? Junhyung prayed silently that he would take back all the tears he has caused, that he will cry ten times over for the other.
But Yoseob’s next few words hit him like daggers.
“I love her.”
-----
“I don’t think I like being in love with you anymore.” Yoseob murmured as he absently traced his fingers over Junhyung’s hand.
A small smile played on the elder’s lips, “Why’s that?”
Yoseob stayed silent as his attention shifted to the drama rerun on the television. The man on the screen was sitting on his couch, waiting for his lover to return from a business trip.
“Hm. Maybe one day we’ll just absently stare at the door waiting for the other to come back.” he commented, leaning his head against Junhyung’s chest.
“I’ll always come back for you.” the other replied, pressing a soft kiss against Yoseob’s forehead. This was not an unusual situation, Yoseob constantly needing reassurance about how much Junhyung loved him. He is the sandcastle that the waves break down that Junhyung rebuilds the next day.
But this time, Yoseob doesn’t reply.
-----
Junhyung was awakened by a notification on his phone.
He looked around, he has fallen asleep at his studio again. Junhyung rubbed the back of his neck and reminded himself to stop doing that, his body is no longer as young as it used to be.
6:00am. His phone read.
"Who the fuck sends a text at 6:00am?" Junhyung thought to himself as he unlocked his phone.
He’s greeted by a photo of a smile that he couldn’t recreate and an equally bright smile, with Hawaii’s sun and the ocean as the backdrop.
Yang Yoseob: Jealous? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I love Hawaii, I’m never coming back. (Dancing)
Yoon Doojoon: Yah. Yang Yoseob, you have a job here. (Angry)
Son Dongwoon: Take me too next time, hyung!! (Wow)
Jang Hyunseung: Don’t show Hyuna this picture, she’s going to start complaining that she wants to go.
Lee Kikwang: Are there any cute girls there? I’m going to book my flight right now.
Yang Yoseob: Yah, Lee Kikwang, don’t follow me here-
Junhyung watched the numbers next to the texts disappear as a small smile appeared on his face. The emptiness that he used to feel is no longer there as he typed out a message, as if it was a comfortable exchange between old friends.
Yong Junhyung: Make me a sandcastle.
He’s no longer building castles for himself.
He’s no longer waiting.
Poll
Team: Future
Rating: PG-13 (for swearing)
Fandom: B2ST
Pairing: JunSeob (feat.Troublemaker)
Summary: Yong Junhyung is still, unmoving. He is in love with the idea of something that cannot be but refuses to let go.
Yang Yoseob is always moving. He is the sandcastle that the waves break down and Junhyung rebuilds the next day.
Warnings: Alcohol, swearing.
Author's Note: This is my first time ever writing a fic for the public eye and participating in Olymfics! It’s been a great honour and a lot of fun (and coffee, can’t forget about the caffeine).
A special thank you to #TEAMQTPIES for being so supportive, and to MD, KT and DA for watching me ramble on about this fic. Please enjoy!
Prompt Used: “Sofa” by Crush
-----
The clock stopped when he was with him.
The other’s soft hair tickled against his cheek, his arm wrapping around the other’s small waist. Their legs were tangled in a comfortable mess, their breaths hitching together and hearts beating in sync.
Yong Junhyung wished he could stay forever with Yang Yoseob in this very moment, together on his worn-out red leather couch.
----
It started with a text.
Being shaken awake by the notification, Junhyung looked around to find himself in his studio. He must have fallen asleep again, working on the final touches on his boy group’s debut single.
6:00 am. His clock read.
“Who sends a text at 6:00am?” he thought to himself as he unlocked his phone. It was a text from Hyunseung, decorated with too many exclamation marks unfamiliar to the man’s usual character.
Important news!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY PLACE!!!!!!!! 3PM!!!!!!!!!
-----
The term “fashionably late” was usually thrown around by reporters when Junhyung arrived anywhere; for when he arrived, he arrived in an extravagant fashion that explained his tardiness. But today, he was dressed in a simple pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and a silver chain around his neck, completed with sneakers. Despite being over thirty years old, Junhyung’s sense of style was still young and careless in the best way possible -- as long as he kept his sunglasses on to hide the dark circles that the years of sleepless nights has caused, he could probably pass for ten years younger. He tapped his feet nervously as he looked into the intercom, only to hear a familiar voice ask,
“Did you bring something?”
Junhyung smiled, familiar with this scene -- he’s done the exact same thing eight years when the members visited him at his new apartment on Showtime. Without a word, Junhyung held up at a case of beer that he bought at the grocery store on the way here.
“The sun isn’t even down yet, Yong Junhyung.” Hyunseung laughed.
“Shut up and let me in.” Junhyung complained before hearing a buzz from the speakers as he stepped into the building.
-----
Hyunseung’s apartment was a disorganized mess -- there were clothes lying on the furniture, a book here and there, a couple of weights in the corner (gathering dust, Junhyung was pretty sure), and of course, three other familiar faces making themselves feel at home, eating fried chicken and pizza, not bothering to wipe their fingers on a napkin.
“Look who it is.” Doojoon looked up from the drumstick he was attacking, some sauce stuck on the corner of his lips.
“Yong PD! Long time no see!” Dongwoon yelled out in English, holding out a pizza slice for Junhyung to take. Junhyung didn’t bother commenting Dongwoon’s sudden English, but took the pizza slice before squeezing in between Kikwang and Doojoon, much to their complaints. “So what’s the big news?” he asked, taking a bite of the pizza.
“Yoseob is running late. Something about his musical rehearsal, I’ll tell you when he comes.” Hyunseung said as he made himself comfortable on the floor, grabbing a drumstick.
“Musical rehearsal?” Dongwoon snorted. “It’s probably his girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” Doojoon asked as he reached over to grab one of the beers that Junhyung had brought.
“Hyung, you didn’t know? He’s dating that girl who's playing the female lead in his musical.” The younger continued the conversation, taking a sip of his drink. “I think it’s been a couple months now.”
Junhyung just took a sip of his coke. He was about to ask more questions, but his trail of thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of the intercom. Hyunseung quickly got up before looking into the screen, finding Yoseob holding up a bag of groceries. He laughed and opened the door, letting the other in.
The sight of Yoseob hit Junhyung like a freshly opened wound.
He had gotten slightly taller since that last time he’s seen him (whenever that was), or maybe that was the way he was dressed -- a well-fitted black shirt which showed off toned arms and chest tucked into a pair of trousers of the same colour.
“Hey.” Junhyung managed to choke out, still holding onto his half-eaten pizza slice.
Yoseob turned around to look at Junhyung, giving him a blinding smile.
“Long time no see, Yong Junhyung.”
-----
“I’ve gathered all of you here today for this.” Hyunseung went into the kitchen and came back with an embroidered piece of paper before putting it down on his coffee table. Doojoon was the first one to pick it up and read it.
“Read it out loud.” Hyunseung urged, a big grin appearing on his face.
“The honour of your presence is requested at the wedding of Jang Hyunseung and Kim Hyunah.” Doojoon read, the corner of his lips quirking up at the last word.
Nobody said anything for a good two minutes.
“The honour of your presence? Really?” Yoseob broke the silence as he raised a questioning brow; but the glitter in his eyes couldn’t hide his joy.
Hyunseung just shrugged.
“Wahhhh, Our Hyunseung is going to be a married man now.” Kikwang laughed as he wrapped an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “The first one to go.”
“And I win 50,000 won.” Dongwoon held out his hand. “I told you he’d go first.”
Kikwang’s small smile turned into a pout as he muttered, “Jang Hyunseung, you fucking traitor. You couldn’t have held it off until Doojoon got married first?” He reached into his wallet, handing Dongwoon a crisp yellow note.
“You guys bet that I was going to get married first?” Doojoon interjected, looking between the two. Kikwang flashed his leader a sheepish smile before lying back down on the couch, trying to look as nonchalant as possible as he pulled his beanie over his eyes. “Shhh. That’s not important anymore, it’s all about Hyunseung now.”
“Was it to Dahae?” Doojoon continued to pester, despite Kikwang’s previous comment. Dongwoon pocketed the money Kikwang had given him with a nod, clearly not helping the situation.
“Hey hey hey, let’s not bring the exes up. You don’t see me talking about Ha-” Hyunseung started to speak before he looked over at Junhyung. “You know who I’m talking about.”
“To be fair, for Junhyung it’s been a couple months, for Doojoon it’s been like… three...years….” Kikwang spoke up again, not moving from his idle position.
“Two years, actually. Before she dumped me.” Doojoon corrected him, a twinge of bitterness in his words.
“Hey, hey guys.” Junhyung spoke up, holding out his hands between the three of them. “No need to sour the mood. Hyunseung is trying to give us some good news. How’d you get her to tie the knot?” he wrapped his arm around his friend, trying to steer the conversation to another direction -- he thanked the heavens that he wasn’t drunk enough to spill about all his exes.
“It’s been ten years right? Must have taken some convincing if you weren’t married yet.”
“I knocked her up.” Hyunseung replied, his expression the most serious it has been the entire night.
The six of them go silent again.
“Oh.” Dongwoon says quietly, looking down at the floor.
“Congratulations!” Doojoon started to clap as he opened a can of beer. “You’re going to be a dad and a husband. And we’re going to be uncles.”
There was another beat of silence before Kikwang spoke up again.
“Can I name your kid?”
And the six of them burst into laughter, just like old times.
-----
It would be foolish of them to deny the fact that Hyunseung’s wedding had brought them together. They were always the closest of friends, but as adults put it, “real life” got in the way. Going past thirty and still singing in a boyband was not the ideal career path for any of them, so they ventured off into different activities -- slowly and steadily losing contact with each other. Their company didn’t call it a hiatus, nor a break-up, for they were in the media too much individually for anyone to even notice that they were gone as a group. So when Hyunseung called them all together to announce his wedding, it was the first time they were together as six in a very long time. Junhyung recognized this and tried to make the best of his time with the five of them -- peeping in occasionally to talk about the bachelor party that they were all going to plan for the groom.
“We should all go to Vegas and go to a strip club.” He joked, unable to contain his laughter as he voiced his suggestion. “It’s what they do in America.”
“That sounds tacky.” Kikwang scrunched his nose, brushing off Junhyung’s suggestion.
“I wouldn’t be talking about ‘tacky’ if I were you.” Yoseob reached out to grab the hem of his friend’s gold-threaded shirt.
“Hey!” Kikwang protested, pulling his shirt away. “This is haute couture! Givenchy made it!”
“Well Givenchy can suck my dick.”
“Don’t get enough of that from your girlfriend, Yang Yoseob?” Kikwang sneered, his arms crossed.
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Yoseob laughed sarcastically before throwing a cushion at Kikwang, hitting him square in the face. “Do you want to fucking die?”
Laughing, Kikwang picked up the cushion beside him and threw it right back, yelling obscene lines at Yoseob while doing so. Junhyung watched all of this unfold, too familiar with this scene.
Dongwoon laid beside him with a sigh, watching the two. And he said the words that Junhyung couldn’t dare to bring up.
“I missed this.”
-----
“I missed this.” Yoseob’s face buried into Junhyung’s neck, his arms wrapped around the other’s waist.
“And I missed you.” Junhyung murmured, his fingers running through the other’s hair, inhaling his scent. It has been months since they last saw each other like this, with Yoseob’s schedule filling up with musical practices and Junhyung’s notebooks becoming darker with various scrawls of words and notes of songs that he was writing. But Yoseob’s lips and arms were familiar places that Junhyung could fall into again, settling onto him like the sun after a storm.
“I missed you so, so much.” he kissed the other again, peppering his nose, cheeks and forehead.
“Hey hey hey!” Yoseob giggled, trying to push the other one away. “Slow down for a bit.”
Junhyung smiled and held onto Yoseob’s wrists, pulling him down onto his lap.
“Baby slow take it slow, I won’t go anywhere, because I’m yours now, baby I’m yours.” he sang softly, his eyes meeting the other’s.
“Did you just sing me your own song?” Yoseob cocked his head slightly, wrapping his arms around Junhyung’s neck.
“Our song.” the writer smiled, his lips inching closer to his singer. “I wrote it for you.”
-----
Hyunseung and Hyuna’s wedding was a small celebration -- contrast to their stage image, they wanted something less dramatic but more intimate, and therefore decided on a small church wedding (no one bothered to point out the irony about this) with their family, friends and their co-workers.
“Congratulations!!!” Kikwang yelled as he popped the streamer and poured it over Hyunseung and Hyuna, showering them in confetti and glitter. The groom wasted no time before pasting the confettis under his eyes, making them into small tears, his bride following soon after.
The guests playfully complained that they were too old to be doing this, but the couple just stuck their tongues at them, rousing laughter. Soon, there was a clinking in the air, it was Doojoon, clinking his fork against the champagne glass.
“I always wanted to do that.” he laughed as the guests turned their attention to him. “Anyways, as one of your closest friends, I feel like I’m obligated to make a speech on the behalf of all of us.” he gestured towards the rest of the members, who were all wearing matching groomsmen tuxedos, fervently nodding. Hyunseung laughed and waved his hand, gesturing Doojoon to go ahead.
“Ahem.” the speaker started, clearing his throat. “I can’t believe out of all of us, you’re marrying him.” his expression is a mixture of fake-shock and laughter about to spill out, his cheeks flushed from the champagne he’s had earlier. “What crime did you commit your past life?”
“You could have married me, noona!” Sungjae shouted, throwing Hyuna an exaggerated wink as Namjoo playfully hit his chest, trying to shut him up.
“Are you hitting on my wife at my wedding?” Hyunseung glared at Sungjae. Even if he wanted to look serious, he couldn’t because of the confetti stuck under his eyes. The younger just mouthed an “I Love You” to the groom, making a heart of his hands, Hyunseung just rolled his eyes and leaned back.
“Hey hey hey!! I’m trying to do my speech!! Shut up!” Doojoon tapped his champagne glass with the fork, silencing everyone. “Anyways, Hyunseung, congratulations.” his eyes became watery as his voice started to shake. “I can’t believe you’re the first to go. Enjoy the married life.”
“Doojoon-oppa, are you crying?” Hyuna asked, hiding her smile behind her hand.
“He’s fine, okay? Leave him alone.” Dongwoon answered, his eyes brimming with tears as he choked up a sob. Kikwang put his arm around Dongwoon’s shoulders, laughing at how much of a baby their maknae was.
“How does it feel to snatch the nation’s goddess, Mr. Jang?” Gayoon yelled out.“Pretty damn good, I’d say.” Hyunseung grinned.
-----
Maybe eight glasses of champagne wasn’t the greatest idea. Was it even eight? Junhyung has lost count after the fifth one. His vision became hazy as he looked around, his eyes threatening to close any minute.
“Yong Junhyung. How many fingers am I holding up?” Doojoon asked him, waving his fingers in front him.
“Two times two is fifteen.” he slurred his words, loosening the bowtie around his neck.
“He’s a goner, folks.” Doojoon announced. “Who wants to drop our Yong PD off?”
“I’ll do it.” Yoseob raised his hand before moving swiftly to put Junhyung’s arm around his shoulders, walking with him slowly. Their steps were clumsy as they walked in silence, their steps hitting the marbled floor as they made their way out of the reception hall.
“You’re… You’re a really cool guy, you know that?” Junhyung broke the silence, his words slurred as he leaned against the other’s shoulder.
Yoseob laughed. “I know, Junhyung, I know. Now why can’t you tell me this when you’re sober?”
They stayed silent for a moment as Yoseob stepped onto the streets to call a taxi.
“I love you.” Junhyung blurted out, his arm tightening around Yoseob’s waist.
“I love you too, Yong PD.” he replied nonchalantly, waving for the taxi to come closer.
“No. Listen to me.” Junhyung stabilized himself on his feet, holding onto Yoseob’s shoulders and looking him straight in the eye. “I love you like I used to.”
Yoseob blinked. Once, twice. He took his time trying to absorb the other’s words, his mouth going dry and a familiar warmth pooling at his stomach. But the back of his head went ice cold, logic screaming that this was not the time, nor the place.
It never was.
“...You are soooooooooooooo drunk.” he laughed Junhyung’s words off, reaching up to mess up the other’s hair. “And balding, I think. Maybe it was all the bleach.” He joked, putting Junhyung’s arm around his shoulders. He handed the taxi driver a couple of bills before trying to shove his friend into the taxi, but he refused to get in by leaving his foot at the door.
“Shut up.” Junhyung murmured as he struggled to get himself out of the taxi, his hands still on Yoseob’s arms. “Shut up.”
It didn’t take long before he pressed his lips against Yoseob’s.
It was exactly how he remembered it to be, soft and moulding against his own, like his lips were crafted to be pressed against Yoseob’s forever. His hand moved up to hold the other at the back of his neck, his other hand cupping his face. He tasted like everything Junhyung remembered him to be -- plus the sweetness of the champagne they had earlier.
“Junhyung.” Yoseob breathed out. He put his hands on the other’s chest and pushed him away. Junhyung winced, knowing what words would come next. The possibilities started to ring in his head, his ears buzzing from the alcohol. I can’t. I have a girlfriend. Let’s be friends. Let’s do it for the press. Let’s do it for the members, the fans. We had something but it’s no longer there.
“Thank you.” Yoseob whispered instead, his chin resting on the other’s shoulder.
“Thank you for loving me."
-----
“Thank you for loving me.” Yoseob smiled as he read off the cue card. He turned to face his bride, his eyes wide and his smile so wide his cheeks started to hurt. “I know I lack in a lot of things but thank you for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with.”
Junhyung watched as he sat in the wedding hall with the rest of the members, his expression dazed. The very words Yoseob used to say to him were being said to someone else now, and the familiarity lingered in the back of Junhyung’s head, along with whispers of “good morning” and soft kisses.
Yoseob’s vows to his bride were lingers of strange familiarity to Junhyung; the only difference was that one was more sincere than the other.
Junhyung was convinced that Yoseob was the one for him, but Yoseob couldn’t say the same about him.
-----
“I’m getting married.” Yoseob announced six months earlier, smiling as he pulled up a picture of his girl- well, now fiancée, with a blinding smile as bright as the stone on her left finger. Yoseob’s eyes are bright as he delivers the news -- an expression Junhyung has yet learned how to recreate.
“Holy shit.” Hyunseung was the first to speak, looking up from his three-month year old daughter.
“You?” Kikwang pointed to the picture of his girlfriend -- and then back at Yoseob, his mouth dropping in shock. Yoseob only smiled brightly with a nod.
“Me.”
The atmosphere turned cold.
“Aren’t you guys going to say congratulations?” Yoseob laughed, breaking the iciness in the air. “You guys were sooooo happy when Hyunseung got married a year ago. I’m hurt guys.” He pouted, his shoulders slumping.
“I-” Dongwoon started to speak, looking between the rest of the members to assess the situation. “Nobody bet that you’d get married second, hyung.”
-----
“You don’t have to do this.” Junhyung’s plea was desperate as he held onto Yoseob’s wrist. Since when was it so small like he could snap it any second? Since when was it so unfamiliar, the coldness of his hand refusing to melt away with the warmth?
“And what, Junhyung.” Yoseob turned around, his eyes cold, his tongue spitting venom.
“I love you.” Junhyung managed to choke out, his grip still tight around the other’s wrist
Yoseob lets go of his hand.
“That’s not enough.”
Junhyung blinked as he watched Yoseob walk away, the sight of his back was becoming too familiar as it carved itself onto his brain.
“Yang Yoseob!” He yelled out, running after the other. He wasted no time pulling the other into his arms. “I love you.” he choked out, his grip tight around the other. “I love you. What else can I say? What else do you want me to say? Say it and I’m yours. I’ll be yours forever. I’ll wait for you.”
“There’s nothing you can do, Junhyung.” Yoseob replied, his eyes brimming with tears as he looked into Junhyung’s eyes. How many times have Junhyung made him cry that he has gotten to this point? Junhyung prayed silently that he would take back all the tears he has caused, that he will cry ten times over for the other.
But Yoseob’s next few words hit him like daggers.
“I love her.”
-----
“I don’t think I like being in love with you anymore.” Yoseob murmured as he absently traced his fingers over Junhyung’s hand.
A small smile played on the elder’s lips, “Why’s that?”
Yoseob stayed silent as his attention shifted to the drama rerun on the television. The man on the screen was sitting on his couch, waiting for his lover to return from a business trip.
“Hm. Maybe one day we’ll just absently stare at the door waiting for the other to come back.” he commented, leaning his head against Junhyung’s chest.
“I’ll always come back for you.” the other replied, pressing a soft kiss against Yoseob’s forehead. This was not an unusual situation, Yoseob constantly needing reassurance about how much Junhyung loved him. He is the sandcastle that the waves break down that Junhyung rebuilds the next day.
But this time, Yoseob doesn’t reply.
-----
Junhyung was awakened by a notification on his phone.
He looked around, he has fallen asleep at his studio again. Junhyung rubbed the back of his neck and reminded himself to stop doing that, his body is no longer as young as it used to be.
6:00am. His phone read.
"Who the fuck sends a text at 6:00am?" Junhyung thought to himself as he unlocked his phone.
He’s greeted by a photo of a smile that he couldn’t recreate and an equally bright smile, with Hawaii’s sun and the ocean as the backdrop.
Yang Yoseob: Jealous? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I love Hawaii, I’m never coming back. (Dancing)
Yoon Doojoon: Yah. Yang Yoseob, you have a job here. (Angry)
Son Dongwoon: Take me too next time, hyung!! (Wow)
Jang Hyunseung: Don’t show Hyuna this picture, she’s going to start complaining that she wants to go.
Lee Kikwang: Are there any cute girls there? I’m going to book my flight right now.
Yang Yoseob: Yah, Lee Kikwang, don’t follow me here-
Junhyung watched the numbers next to the texts disappear as a small smile appeared on his face. The emptiness that he used to feel is no longer there as he typed out a message, as if it was a comfortable exchange between old friends.
Yong Junhyung: Make me a sandcastle.
He’s no longer building castles for himself.
He’s no longer waiting.
Poll