Under invisible boundary - Part 5
Title: Under invisible boundary
Pairing: KyuHyun/RyeoWook, HyungSik [ZE:A]/RyeoWook
Rating: PG-13
Genre: romance, angst
Summary: Find a way to love and to be loved again.
Warning: Incest and the rating might go higher
A/n: This one is long~~~ It’s because all the comments on the last chapter really encouraged me to write more XD Thanks a lot for your reading, especially merissala and magnaesontop for your awesome comment. They made my days, seriously ;)
Recently there are people asked me about the character of RyeoWook in this story :( I’ve already explained, but still, there was something I need to say. I usually write story based on my feelings and experiences, it means when I’m happy I can write fluff, and when I’m down I will write angst (As you have seen, the total quantity of my angst fics, comparing to the number of my fluff, can show you about my mood, right? *laugh*) Okay… So, lately, I’ve had some problems and they can’t be solved. They affected me, from the appearance and especially to my mind and opinions. Well, it’s a long story, and it’s not pleasant much so better forget it. All I want to say is, that story was begun from my deadlock, and the character of RyeoWook here was written based on my feelings. You saw his selfish side, because I’ve been more selfish than before, really. Though it’s also a part of my plots, but maybe I’ve turned the wrong way. I will try to adjust my writing again, and if there’s any problem, please tell me ‘kay?
Sorry if I’ve blabbered too much. Anyway, enjoy and do leave comments :)
V. An interview, a new strategy and a picture to burn:
RyeoWook inattentively fumbled with buttons on his shirt while glancing occasionally towards the wooden door at the end of the hallway. The boy couldn’t help but bite his lower lip in nervousness while examining his nails, and his act surely didn’t miss a teacher passing by to reach a desk far at the corner of the hall as she just smiled gently at him, maybe trying to ease the heavy atmosphere (or at least not heavy, but it was what RyeoWook felt right at that very moment). He gave her a (weak) smile before continuing bowing down staring at his shoes. How RyeoWook felt so awkward in a very awkward situation now.
After a while (or a decade to the brunette?), the wooden door was flung opened and a young man, who was secretary of the principal, stepped outside. He looked at RyeoWook before nodding his head lightly, and the boy just needed that gesture to immediately stand up from his seat and approach him. They exchanged glances in a flash and the secretary said calmly:
“Our principal wants to meet you.”
RyeoWook swore he even saw a glimpse of encouragement in the other’s eyes. The brunette bowed lightly at the secretary and entered the room in front of him.
The door behind his back shut swiftly.
RyeoWook bowed at the middle-aged man sitting behind a wooden desk placed at the middle of the room. His palms all of a sudden were soaked in sweat and he just wanted to wipe all them away on his pants at that very moment, because hell, he didn’t bring along a handkerchief. But then luckily RyeoWook still remembered that the act may look a bit disgusted and show that he was nervous. Even super nervous, while the boy wasn’t supposed to show that side of him. He was supposed to show a confident, yet friendly one. Remembering about the tip, RyeoWook quickly curved up his lips in an attempt for a friendly smile. Guess that he was failed, as while passing by a big mirror, the boy couldn’t help taking a small glance just to find that the smile looked like nothing but a crooked one. So after all, RyeoWook decided not to make any attempt in smiling, instead keeping his face still, just a bit easier.
What’s wrong with him, seriously? It was just a job. It wasn’t like he wasn’t going to be accepted here, and in case it really was, then RyeoWook still had many chances out there. Hello, he, Kim RyeoWook, had already graduated from a good university in New York, even receiving an advanced degree. How come this school didn’t accept him, especially after reading the reference? There was no such a thing like that, RyeoWook bet.
But then, how come he still felt that nervous?
Because it’s his ever first time applying for a job? Was it because he was about to work in Seoul University, one of the leading universities of the country? Or was it just because finally RyeoWook could purchase his dream of becoming a professor of a university in Korea? He didn’t even know…
The middle-aged man adjusted a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose while looking at RyeoWook from papers and documents. He gestured to the opposite chair in front of him, and the young man gladly took it. They shook hands in a polite manner.
“Good afternoon, nice to meet you Mr. Kim.”
“Nice to meet you too Mr. Lee.”
“Relaxed. You look as if I were about to eat you up.”
The principal still smiled and it just made RyeoWook feel more embarrassed. Was he that obvious? The brunette gave a small smile while scratching his nape.
“No I am not afraid. It’s just… I’m a bit…”
“Anxious? Don’t worry. When I was at your age and went to my first job interview, I even spilled coffee all over my interviewer’s shirt…” He recalled, laughing but then frowned lightly: “And with that I was bundled out of that room.”
Luckily there wasn’t any cup of coffee here, or else RyeoWook couldn’t be sure what would happen, his heart was just about to jump out of the ribcage and hands were shaking. However, the story about principal’s experience did make the atmosphere become less heavy and the boy now could breathe comfortably again. RyeoWook shifted on his seat while waiting for the older man.
“Okay… I have read your application and the reference. They’re quite impressive… Do you have any experience before? Your university did inform us that you have been a teaching assistant but can you explain clearly?”
“My major is art history. I have been a teaching assistant in that subject, along with sociology for two years before coming back here. I started assisting since the beginning of my last year.”
The middle-aged man nodded his head and RyeoWook could sense the slight satisfaction behind the act. He felt more relieved than ever and started feeling the confidence have coming back to him.
“So, what about your greatest strength and weakness?”
***
“It’s really nice to have a chance talking to you Mr. Kim… Today is Friday, right? So you will start your work here since the next Monday. You will be in charge of the art history class of the first year students, and teaching assistant for Professor Kim HeeChul. He’s also major in art history, so maybe you can gain more experiences from him.”
“Thank you very much Mr. Lee.”
RyeoWook smiled happily while bowing at the older man. They shook hands for the last time before the brunette gave his goodbye and left the room. As he stepped out, the secretary before sitting at the desk nearby greeted him warmly and stretched hand out in a friendly manner:
“Welcome! Congratulation!”
“Thanks…”
He grinned back. Later on RyeoWook learnt that the other’s name was ShinDong and he had worked here for three years. ShinDong was 2 years older than him. They talked a little bit before RyeoWook left, as the secretary gave him the brochure, along with the map of the campus, in case he got lost.
As the brunette went outside and was about to go home, the image of a pissed off HyungSik popped up in his mind. The other was still mad at him and they hadn’t talked to each other for nearly two days. RyeoWook couldn’t help but give a small sigh while scratching his head. After all, it was just because HyungSik loved him, right? If HyungSik didn’t love him then he would have never reacted that way.
The boy pinched the bridge of his nose in a hesitated, yet nervous manner. His inner mind debated for a while.
Okay, RyeoWook was a hyung. And a hyung shouldn’t be as childish as his dongsaeng. He concluded and started walking.
***
MinWoo rubbed his temple and ordered:
“Stop whining and go home now HyungSik.”
“I’ve told you, MinWoo, I don’t want to.”
“And I’ve told you too. Stop. Whining.”
“Whatever…”
The taller boy muttered under his breath while glaring at his friend, who just sat down (again) and opened his text book (again) discontentedly. It was too obvious to notice that he just wanted to go straight home and slept (MinWoo had a dance battle downtown the night before and he stayed up till 3AM), while HyungSik wasn’t in the mood of going anywhere at that moment, especially his own house. They finished class early that afternoon, but instead of coming back home or going to a café to have a proper talk, HyungSik insisted on staying at school. They went to the library as that place had tables and chairs, but then both of them were bundled out of it and shoved on their faces a “Keep silence” sign. Well, they had kept silence, until the moment HyungSik started whining and complaining while MinWoo also started feeling pissed because of a headache and they ended up arguing.
So, there they were, sitting on a bench near the basketball court like two puppies being kicked out of house.
After sitting in a comfortable silence for about ten minutes, HyungSik pouted and mumbled again. MinWoo sighed, knowing that his peacefulness had been ripped again:
“He’s selfish.”
“And you’re unreasonable.”
MinWoo concluded. HyungSik couldn’t help but gape at his best friend in disbelief:
“You are supposed to stay by my side Ha MinWoo.”
“And you are supposed to treat me right. I am having a headache you know? We can come to my house and talk.”
“I don’t want.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“And who tells you to stay here with me??? If you like then go home alone.”
“So you want me to go???”
“Suit yourself!”
HyungSik scoffed. MinWoo shook his head lightly and asked again, this time more calmly than before:
“Are you sure?”
Merely in some seconds the blonde could see the hesitation, plus uncertainty was flashed in his friend’s eyes, before the other boy gave in. HyungSik sank deeper onto his seat as if it were possible while biting his lower lip. MinWoo would just ignore it and act as if he saw nothing, but then the manner of a best friend didn’t let him act like that, so finally the boy said out of the blue:
“You should stop complaining and being such a jerk. RyeoWook hyung definitely doesn’t like it.”
“You’re a jerk MinWoo.”
“I’m trying to sort things out for you.”
“I’m so thankful.” HyungSik snorted sarcastically and MinWoo couldn’t help but wonder how HyungSik could always act like that, adorably outside but roughly inside. People always saw the cuteness of his friend, and maybe there was only him could see the other side. In fact, HyungSik wasn’t bad much, especially in the way he treated his friend. It was just, sometimes he was intolerable and stubborn.
Just that.
“So, you see, he’s 23 now, an adult, and it’s obvious that he wants to have personal space for himself. Besides, you told me that he has lived in America for seven years right? RyeoWook hyung must be very independent so don’t hope that he will be weak for you.”
“But…”
“Think about the positive side. He’s about to live apart from your parents, it’s a better access for you. If you want to make a move, you should have a right strategy, not just kicking around and acting childishly when things don’t turn out well. Oh, and one more thing, don’t be too obvious.”
HyungSik blinked in surprise and slowly trailed off:
“I thought you were supposed to be against all those things?”
“For the sake of my ears and mind. Besides, we’re friends.”
“Oh MinWoo...”
“Don’t say anything mushy. I know I’m good.” MinWoo answered proudly. HyungSik just rolled eyes at his friends and snapped back:
“Yeah, you’re good, though you’re a jerk.”
MinWoo pouted. HyungSik smiled happily and swung an arm around his friend’s shoulders, practically hugging him while humming to a random song.
“Seriously, how can I do without you MinWoo?”
“Better treat me right from now on. Can we go home?”
“Sure, I…”
“HyungSik!!!”
There was a voice interrupted HyungSik from behind and the boy jerked his head back quickly, only to find that RyeoWook was standing nearby. He quickly dropped the arm holding MinWoo to the side and the blond rolled eyes dramatically at the act.
“What should I do now?”
He whined. The other just shrugged lightly while standing up and leaving. He passed by RyeoWook and greeted him warmly, before continuing his walk to the building behind.
When there were only HyungSik and RyeoWook left behind, the older boy immediately came closer to his brother. He looked at him for a while, nudging his arm to get his attention:
“HyungSik?”
“Nae?”
The other mumbled quietly. He kept his face still, frowning lightly but there was no longer that pissed tone before, so RyeoWook guessed that his brother wasn’t mad anymore. He took the seat next to HyungSik and held his hand lightly:
“I’m sorry Sikkie.”
“So do I hyung.”
“For what?”
“Acting childishly. After all it’s your own life, I shouldn’t force you.”
HyungSik answered, head tilted to the side.
“It’s fine, I should have told you from the first place…”
“Hyung…”
“Huh?”
“Dad told me that today he will move your stuffs to the apartment.”
“So?”
“Can I come and help you?”
“Sure, why not?”
RyeoWook answered happily. HyungSik beamed at him before turning to the side giving his hyung a big bear hug. And, to RyeoWook’s surprise, he pecked his cheek lightly.
***
“Where to put this one hyung?”
HyungSik asked as he was carrying a table lamp with retro pattern. RyeoWook took his eyes off of some abstract paintings and pointed to his bedroom which was located at the left side of the apartment:
“Place it on the nightstand for me Sik.”
“Nae hyung.”
The boy answered happily and disappeared into the room. Later on he reappeared again, beaming at RyeoWook. They had spent nearly four hours launching and organizing things, practically RyeoWook arranged something then HyungSik dropped or tripped on something. It’s tired, but it’s really fun. RyeoWook couldn’t keep his face straight while seeing HyungSik in slovenly clothes yell, trying to get rid of some insects appearing from nowhere.
It was about 7PM when they were sitting down at the living room, taking stuffs such as clothes, books out of the carton boxes. While RyeoWook was trying to find another shoe in the box as he just saw the right one, HyungSik called him from behind. The older boy turned back to find his brother holding a picture.
“Who is this hyung?”
The younger asked, more like a demand. RyeoWook flinched a bit at the tone but still answered calmly:
“Ah, he’s my friend. We are like you and MinWoo.”
“Oh… Where is he?”
“He’s still in America, his name is HyukJae, but call him as EunHyuk.”
The brunette smiled a bit at the thought of his friend. HyungSik pressed his lips tight and stared down at the picture again. His hyung and that EunHyuk guy both were smiling brightly in it. He couldn’t help but feel a sudden wave of uncomfortable feeling overwhelm him. It was a mixture of disappointment and jealousy, and the boy definitely didn’t like it, along with the picture. He looked back at his hyung who was busy thinking of where to put his loudspeakers and said:
“Hyung, I want to take a picture with you.”
“What? But we…”
“Come on hyung, we haven’t had any picture together for a long time.”
HyungSik interrupted him and without wasting any time, the boy quickly approached his hyung. As they stood beside each other, he took RyeoWook’s phone from the table nearby and adjusted the camera to point right at their faces. The older boy just laughed lightly at the childish attitude of HyungSik while holding his face:
“It’s so embarrassing, I’ve never taken a selca before.”
“Yah, smile hyung. Smile.”
“Okay, fine.”
RyeoWook tried to hold back his laughter and looked directly at the camera again, keeping a bright smile on his lips. HyungSik pressed the button and the shutter sound echoed in the (almost) empty room.
“Look, hyung, it’s really nice.”
The younger exclaimed as soon as he saw the picture and RyeoWook peered over his shoulder, nodding head quietly confirming his words. HyungSik fumbled with the button of the phone for a while then gave it back to its owner with a satisfied grin. The brunette looked at it again just to find that the home screen wallpaper had been changed already.
“You replaced my wallpaper with it?”
“It looks better than the previous one.”
“Maybe, except your face.”
RyeoWook teased and smiled sweetly at the phone, the smile made HyungSik swear he could feel butterflies flying all over his stomach.
“Do you want to eat anything? It’s 7PM already and we should eat something, or else mom will kill me for letting his baby starve to death.”
“Noodle is fine hyung.”
As the boy was still wondering, RyeoWook had already made his way into the kitchen. HyungSik followed him and saw that the brunette was boiling water in a pot. He cleared his throat nervously to get the elder’s attention:
“What Sikkie?”
“Hyung ah… Actually I…”
“Pick up your phone immediately or I will kick your ass Kim RyeoWook~~~”
A strange voice all of a sudden appeared and RyeoWook quickly looked down at the item in his hands. His face flushed in embarrassment as he mumbled something like “It’s my ringtone.” to HyungSik before running outside to the balcony and pick up his call. Things happened quickly, but HyungSik still had enough time to read the name “EunHyuk” flashed on the screen.
“So can we stop here? I need to cook for my brother, he must be hungry… Stop bitching about… No I am not… You’re hyperactive Hyuk, I….”
The sound of HyungSik’s yell reached RyeoWook’s ears and the older worriedly peered back into the kitchen, calling:
“What’s wrong Sik?”
“Nothing hyung. Really, nothing.”
I doubted your “nothing”, RyeoWook thought, quickly turning back to his phone:
“Whatever EunHyuk, I need to hang up now. No more protest ‘kay? We’ll talk later.”
And with that he really hanged up. The petite boy immediately ran back into the kitchen, HyungSik was sitting sorrowfully on a carton box at the middle of the room, staring blankly at an item on the floor. RyeoWook approached him and also looked down, realizing that it was no other than his picture with EunHyuk. The problem here was, the pic was half burnt.
“I’m really sorry hyung, I accidentally dropped it in the fire of the gas cooker.”
HyungSik apologized in one breath while giving the other a pair of puppy’s eyes. It seemed that he really felt sorry for the accident. RyeoWook stared at his brother and a part of EunHyuk’s face which had been burnt half way back and forth.
Seriously, how could he stay mad with the other? It was just a picture, after all. They could take another one again in another occasion.
“No problem HyungSik, it’s nothing. Besides,” He paused briefly “EunHyuk’s also about to move back to Korea.”
“What???”
“He has just called me and informed about it. This Sunday I will drop by the airport to pick him up. So… still want to eat noodle.”
“Yeah, hyung.”
HyungSik nodded lightly, somehow his face looked a bit uneasy. As RyeoWook was turning back to focus on the pot and water the younger boy silently made his way out toward the living room. Before going, he glared at the burnt item on the table which RyeoWook had picked up from the floor one more time.
Burning a picture was so useless, he concluded.
***
Hours later, HyungSik decided to leave RyeoWook’s new apartment. Actually it wasn’t his decision.
(“Can I sleep here tonight hyung?”
“No, mom and dad will miss you very much.”
“It’s not like I sleep with them.”
“Whatever, go home now before it’s too late. Our parents are waiting for you. They have just called me.”)
While HyungSik was tying his shoelaces at the doorway, RyeoWook’s eyes wandered inattentively at the wall and the shoes stand, up to the peg above. His eyes widened at the sight of the strange boy’s jacket hanged on it; he had practically forgotten about it and the trip to that café. The brunette jerked his head back, the clock showed that it was 9PM already. RyeoWook hurriedly grabbed his key, phone, shoes, along with the jacket and opened the entrance door. To HyungSik’s surprise, he ran out:
“Hyung what are you doing?”
The younger yelled and also ran out; his left shoe was worn half way.
“I need to do something. Go home soon HyungSik. Remember to lock the door for me.”
The brunette yelled back, nearly tripping on his feet before disappearing at the corner of the hallway.
The front door of the café had never looked so intimidating before, RyeoWook concluded as soon as he saw that boy’s face behind the counter through glassy windows. All of a sudden his heartbeats fastened and his palms were soaked in sweat. Butterflies were all over his stomach and those were new kinds of feelings he had never experienced.
What’s wrong with him? It was just a jacket.
And that, was a boy, not a girl.
RyeoWook opened the door and stepped inside nervously. He inhaled then exhaled deeply, slowly approaching the counter.
“May I help you…?”
The other looked up at him asking, and RyeoWook could sense clearly the surprise from him though he didn’t show it clearly in his eyes.
“Um… It’s yours” RyeoWook stuttered lightly while handing the other boy his jacket: “Thanks a lot, about that night.”
The dark haired boy took the jacket, still looking at the smaller. They sank into uncomfortable silence and RyeoWook cursed at himself, because hell, he didn’t even know what to say to get rid of that kind of awkwardness. At first he was afraid that the other kept silence because he didn’t want to talk to him, but as he glanced secretly at him, RyeoWook saw he was also biting his bottom lightly in a perplexed manner. Somehow RyeoWook had a feeling that the other wasn’t used to all the social etiquettes. But at the same time, he also found that they were alike.
The other just didn’t know what to say to him, and vice versa.
“Yesterday I came here to meet you, but your co-worker told me that it wasn’t your shift. Today I was a bit busy and almost forgot…”
“Yeah…”
The petite boy wanted to ask many things about the other, such as how old was he? Was he in the same age with him? Where did he live? What about his shift? ... He wanted to ask more, but finally ending up stretching hand out and says out of the blue:
“I’m RyeoWook. Hello and nice to meet you.”
“KyuHyun. Jo KyuHyun. Nice to meet you too…”
The other trailed off quietly. Still that faint voice, but somehow today RyeoWook didn’t find it cold anymore.
Little did RyeoWook know that there was also another person watching him from outside the shop.
Pairing: KyuHyun/RyeoWook, HyungSik [ZE:A]/RyeoWook
Rating: PG-13
Genre: romance, angst
Summary: Find a way to love and to be loved again.
Warning: Incest and the rating might go higher
A/n: This one is long~~~ It’s because all the comments on the last chapter really encouraged me to write more XD Thanks a lot for your reading, especially merissala and magnaesontop for your awesome comment. They made my days, seriously ;)
Recently there are people asked me about the character of RyeoWook in this story :( I’ve already explained, but still, there was something I need to say. I usually write story based on my feelings and experiences, it means when I’m happy I can write fluff, and when I’m down I will write angst (As you have seen, the total quantity of my angst fics, comparing to the number of my fluff, can show you about my mood, right? *laugh*) Okay… So, lately, I’ve had some problems and they can’t be solved. They affected me, from the appearance and especially to my mind and opinions. Well, it’s a long story, and it’s not pleasant much so better forget it. All I want to say is, that story was begun from my deadlock, and the character of RyeoWook here was written based on my feelings. You saw his selfish side, because I’ve been more selfish than before, really. Though it’s also a part of my plots, but maybe I’ve turned the wrong way. I will try to adjust my writing again, and if there’s any problem, please tell me ‘kay?
Sorry if I’ve blabbered too much. Anyway, enjoy and do leave comments :)
V. An interview, a new strategy and a picture to burn:
RyeoWook inattentively fumbled with buttons on his shirt while glancing occasionally towards the wooden door at the end of the hallway. The boy couldn’t help but bite his lower lip in nervousness while examining his nails, and his act surely didn’t miss a teacher passing by to reach a desk far at the corner of the hall as she just smiled gently at him, maybe trying to ease the heavy atmosphere (or at least not heavy, but it was what RyeoWook felt right at that very moment). He gave her a (weak) smile before continuing bowing down staring at his shoes. How RyeoWook felt so awkward in a very awkward situation now.
After a while (or a decade to the brunette?), the wooden door was flung opened and a young man, who was secretary of the principal, stepped outside. He looked at RyeoWook before nodding his head lightly, and the boy just needed that gesture to immediately stand up from his seat and approach him. They exchanged glances in a flash and the secretary said calmly:
“Our principal wants to meet you.”
RyeoWook swore he even saw a glimpse of encouragement in the other’s eyes. The brunette bowed lightly at the secretary and entered the room in front of him.
The door behind his back shut swiftly.
RyeoWook bowed at the middle-aged man sitting behind a wooden desk placed at the middle of the room. His palms all of a sudden were soaked in sweat and he just wanted to wipe all them away on his pants at that very moment, because hell, he didn’t bring along a handkerchief. But then luckily RyeoWook still remembered that the act may look a bit disgusted and show that he was nervous. Even super nervous, while the boy wasn’t supposed to show that side of him. He was supposed to show a confident, yet friendly one. Remembering about the tip, RyeoWook quickly curved up his lips in an attempt for a friendly smile. Guess that he was failed, as while passing by a big mirror, the boy couldn’t help taking a small glance just to find that the smile looked like nothing but a crooked one. So after all, RyeoWook decided not to make any attempt in smiling, instead keeping his face still, just a bit easier.
What’s wrong with him, seriously? It was just a job. It wasn’t like he wasn’t going to be accepted here, and in case it really was, then RyeoWook still had many chances out there. Hello, he, Kim RyeoWook, had already graduated from a good university in New York, even receiving an advanced degree. How come this school didn’t accept him, especially after reading the reference? There was no such a thing like that, RyeoWook bet.
But then, how come he still felt that nervous?
Because it’s his ever first time applying for a job? Was it because he was about to work in Seoul University, one of the leading universities of the country? Or was it just because finally RyeoWook could purchase his dream of becoming a professor of a university in Korea? He didn’t even know…
The middle-aged man adjusted a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose while looking at RyeoWook from papers and documents. He gestured to the opposite chair in front of him, and the young man gladly took it. They shook hands in a polite manner.
“Good afternoon, nice to meet you Mr. Kim.”
“Nice to meet you too Mr. Lee.”
“Relaxed. You look as if I were about to eat you up.”
The principal still smiled and it just made RyeoWook feel more embarrassed. Was he that obvious? The brunette gave a small smile while scratching his nape.
“No I am not afraid. It’s just… I’m a bit…”
“Anxious? Don’t worry. When I was at your age and went to my first job interview, I even spilled coffee all over my interviewer’s shirt…” He recalled, laughing but then frowned lightly: “And with that I was bundled out of that room.”
Luckily there wasn’t any cup of coffee here, or else RyeoWook couldn’t be sure what would happen, his heart was just about to jump out of the ribcage and hands were shaking. However, the story about principal’s experience did make the atmosphere become less heavy and the boy now could breathe comfortably again. RyeoWook shifted on his seat while waiting for the older man.
“Okay… I have read your application and the reference. They’re quite impressive… Do you have any experience before? Your university did inform us that you have been a teaching assistant but can you explain clearly?”
“My major is art history. I have been a teaching assistant in that subject, along with sociology for two years before coming back here. I started assisting since the beginning of my last year.”
The middle-aged man nodded his head and RyeoWook could sense the slight satisfaction behind the act. He felt more relieved than ever and started feeling the confidence have coming back to him.
“So, what about your greatest strength and weakness?”
***
“It’s really nice to have a chance talking to you Mr. Kim… Today is Friday, right? So you will start your work here since the next Monday. You will be in charge of the art history class of the first year students, and teaching assistant for Professor Kim HeeChul. He’s also major in art history, so maybe you can gain more experiences from him.”
“Thank you very much Mr. Lee.”
RyeoWook smiled happily while bowing at the older man. They shook hands for the last time before the brunette gave his goodbye and left the room. As he stepped out, the secretary before sitting at the desk nearby greeted him warmly and stretched hand out in a friendly manner:
“Welcome! Congratulation!”
“Thanks…”
He grinned back. Later on RyeoWook learnt that the other’s name was ShinDong and he had worked here for three years. ShinDong was 2 years older than him. They talked a little bit before RyeoWook left, as the secretary gave him the brochure, along with the map of the campus, in case he got lost.
As the brunette went outside and was about to go home, the image of a pissed off HyungSik popped up in his mind. The other was still mad at him and they hadn’t talked to each other for nearly two days. RyeoWook couldn’t help but give a small sigh while scratching his head. After all, it was just because HyungSik loved him, right? If HyungSik didn’t love him then he would have never reacted that way.
The boy pinched the bridge of his nose in a hesitated, yet nervous manner. His inner mind debated for a while.
Okay, RyeoWook was a hyung. And a hyung shouldn’t be as childish as his dongsaeng. He concluded and started walking.
***
MinWoo rubbed his temple and ordered:
“Stop whining and go home now HyungSik.”
“I’ve told you, MinWoo, I don’t want to.”
“And I’ve told you too. Stop. Whining.”
“Whatever…”
The taller boy muttered under his breath while glaring at his friend, who just sat down (again) and opened his text book (again) discontentedly. It was too obvious to notice that he just wanted to go straight home and slept (MinWoo had a dance battle downtown the night before and he stayed up till 3AM), while HyungSik wasn’t in the mood of going anywhere at that moment, especially his own house. They finished class early that afternoon, but instead of coming back home or going to a café to have a proper talk, HyungSik insisted on staying at school. They went to the library as that place had tables and chairs, but then both of them were bundled out of it and shoved on their faces a “Keep silence” sign. Well, they had kept silence, until the moment HyungSik started whining and complaining while MinWoo also started feeling pissed because of a headache and they ended up arguing.
So, there they were, sitting on a bench near the basketball court like two puppies being kicked out of house.
After sitting in a comfortable silence for about ten minutes, HyungSik pouted and mumbled again. MinWoo sighed, knowing that his peacefulness had been ripped again:
“He’s selfish.”
“And you’re unreasonable.”
MinWoo concluded. HyungSik couldn’t help but gape at his best friend in disbelief:
“You are supposed to stay by my side Ha MinWoo.”
“And you are supposed to treat me right. I am having a headache you know? We can come to my house and talk.”
“I don’t want.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
“And who tells you to stay here with me??? If you like then go home alone.”
“So you want me to go???”
“Suit yourself!”
HyungSik scoffed. MinWoo shook his head lightly and asked again, this time more calmly than before:
“Are you sure?”
Merely in some seconds the blonde could see the hesitation, plus uncertainty was flashed in his friend’s eyes, before the other boy gave in. HyungSik sank deeper onto his seat as if it were possible while biting his lower lip. MinWoo would just ignore it and act as if he saw nothing, but then the manner of a best friend didn’t let him act like that, so finally the boy said out of the blue:
“You should stop complaining and being such a jerk. RyeoWook hyung definitely doesn’t like it.”
“You’re a jerk MinWoo.”
“I’m trying to sort things out for you.”
“I’m so thankful.” HyungSik snorted sarcastically and MinWoo couldn’t help but wonder how HyungSik could always act like that, adorably outside but roughly inside. People always saw the cuteness of his friend, and maybe there was only him could see the other side. In fact, HyungSik wasn’t bad much, especially in the way he treated his friend. It was just, sometimes he was intolerable and stubborn.
Just that.
“So, you see, he’s 23 now, an adult, and it’s obvious that he wants to have personal space for himself. Besides, you told me that he has lived in America for seven years right? RyeoWook hyung must be very independent so don’t hope that he will be weak for you.”
“But…”
“Think about the positive side. He’s about to live apart from your parents, it’s a better access for you. If you want to make a move, you should have a right strategy, not just kicking around and acting childishly when things don’t turn out well. Oh, and one more thing, don’t be too obvious.”
HyungSik blinked in surprise and slowly trailed off:
“I thought you were supposed to be against all those things?”
“For the sake of my ears and mind. Besides, we’re friends.”
“Oh MinWoo...”
“Don’t say anything mushy. I know I’m good.” MinWoo answered proudly. HyungSik just rolled eyes at his friends and snapped back:
“Yeah, you’re good, though you’re a jerk.”
MinWoo pouted. HyungSik smiled happily and swung an arm around his friend’s shoulders, practically hugging him while humming to a random song.
“Seriously, how can I do without you MinWoo?”
“Better treat me right from now on. Can we go home?”
“Sure, I…”
“HyungSik!!!”
There was a voice interrupted HyungSik from behind and the boy jerked his head back quickly, only to find that RyeoWook was standing nearby. He quickly dropped the arm holding MinWoo to the side and the blond rolled eyes dramatically at the act.
“What should I do now?”
He whined. The other just shrugged lightly while standing up and leaving. He passed by RyeoWook and greeted him warmly, before continuing his walk to the building behind.
When there were only HyungSik and RyeoWook left behind, the older boy immediately came closer to his brother. He looked at him for a while, nudging his arm to get his attention:
“HyungSik?”
“Nae?”
The other mumbled quietly. He kept his face still, frowning lightly but there was no longer that pissed tone before, so RyeoWook guessed that his brother wasn’t mad anymore. He took the seat next to HyungSik and held his hand lightly:
“I’m sorry Sikkie.”
“So do I hyung.”
“For what?”
“Acting childishly. After all it’s your own life, I shouldn’t force you.”
HyungSik answered, head tilted to the side.
“It’s fine, I should have told you from the first place…”
“Hyung…”
“Huh?”
“Dad told me that today he will move your stuffs to the apartment.”
“So?”
“Can I come and help you?”
“Sure, why not?”
RyeoWook answered happily. HyungSik beamed at him before turning to the side giving his hyung a big bear hug. And, to RyeoWook’s surprise, he pecked his cheek lightly.
***
“Where to put this one hyung?”
HyungSik asked as he was carrying a table lamp with retro pattern. RyeoWook took his eyes off of some abstract paintings and pointed to his bedroom which was located at the left side of the apartment:
“Place it on the nightstand for me Sik.”
“Nae hyung.”
The boy answered happily and disappeared into the room. Later on he reappeared again, beaming at RyeoWook. They had spent nearly four hours launching and organizing things, practically RyeoWook arranged something then HyungSik dropped or tripped on something. It’s tired, but it’s really fun. RyeoWook couldn’t keep his face straight while seeing HyungSik in slovenly clothes yell, trying to get rid of some insects appearing from nowhere.
It was about 7PM when they were sitting down at the living room, taking stuffs such as clothes, books out of the carton boxes. While RyeoWook was trying to find another shoe in the box as he just saw the right one, HyungSik called him from behind. The older boy turned back to find his brother holding a picture.
“Who is this hyung?”
The younger asked, more like a demand. RyeoWook flinched a bit at the tone but still answered calmly:
“Ah, he’s my friend. We are like you and MinWoo.”
“Oh… Where is he?”
“He’s still in America, his name is HyukJae, but call him as EunHyuk.”
The brunette smiled a bit at the thought of his friend. HyungSik pressed his lips tight and stared down at the picture again. His hyung and that EunHyuk guy both were smiling brightly in it. He couldn’t help but feel a sudden wave of uncomfortable feeling overwhelm him. It was a mixture of disappointment and jealousy, and the boy definitely didn’t like it, along with the picture. He looked back at his hyung who was busy thinking of where to put his loudspeakers and said:
“Hyung, I want to take a picture with you.”
“What? But we…”
“Come on hyung, we haven’t had any picture together for a long time.”
HyungSik interrupted him and without wasting any time, the boy quickly approached his hyung. As they stood beside each other, he took RyeoWook’s phone from the table nearby and adjusted the camera to point right at their faces. The older boy just laughed lightly at the childish attitude of HyungSik while holding his face:
“It’s so embarrassing, I’ve never taken a selca before.”
“Yah, smile hyung. Smile.”
“Okay, fine.”
RyeoWook tried to hold back his laughter and looked directly at the camera again, keeping a bright smile on his lips. HyungSik pressed the button and the shutter sound echoed in the (almost) empty room.
“Look, hyung, it’s really nice.”
The younger exclaimed as soon as he saw the picture and RyeoWook peered over his shoulder, nodding head quietly confirming his words. HyungSik fumbled with the button of the phone for a while then gave it back to its owner with a satisfied grin. The brunette looked at it again just to find that the home screen wallpaper had been changed already.
“You replaced my wallpaper with it?”
“It looks better than the previous one.”
“Maybe, except your face.”
RyeoWook teased and smiled sweetly at the phone, the smile made HyungSik swear he could feel butterflies flying all over his stomach.
“Do you want to eat anything? It’s 7PM already and we should eat something, or else mom will kill me for letting his baby starve to death.”
“Noodle is fine hyung.”
As the boy was still wondering, RyeoWook had already made his way into the kitchen. HyungSik followed him and saw that the brunette was boiling water in a pot. He cleared his throat nervously to get the elder’s attention:
“What Sikkie?”
“Hyung ah… Actually I…”
“Pick up your phone immediately or I will kick your ass Kim RyeoWook~~~”
A strange voice all of a sudden appeared and RyeoWook quickly looked down at the item in his hands. His face flushed in embarrassment as he mumbled something like “It’s my ringtone.” to HyungSik before running outside to the balcony and pick up his call. Things happened quickly, but HyungSik still had enough time to read the name “EunHyuk” flashed on the screen.
“So can we stop here? I need to cook for my brother, he must be hungry… Stop bitching about… No I am not… You’re hyperactive Hyuk, I….”
The sound of HyungSik’s yell reached RyeoWook’s ears and the older worriedly peered back into the kitchen, calling:
“What’s wrong Sik?”
“Nothing hyung. Really, nothing.”
I doubted your “nothing”, RyeoWook thought, quickly turning back to his phone:
“Whatever EunHyuk, I need to hang up now. No more protest ‘kay? We’ll talk later.”
And with that he really hanged up. The petite boy immediately ran back into the kitchen, HyungSik was sitting sorrowfully on a carton box at the middle of the room, staring blankly at an item on the floor. RyeoWook approached him and also looked down, realizing that it was no other than his picture with EunHyuk. The problem here was, the pic was half burnt.
“I’m really sorry hyung, I accidentally dropped it in the fire of the gas cooker.”
HyungSik apologized in one breath while giving the other a pair of puppy’s eyes. It seemed that he really felt sorry for the accident. RyeoWook stared at his brother and a part of EunHyuk’s face which had been burnt half way back and forth.
Seriously, how could he stay mad with the other? It was just a picture, after all. They could take another one again in another occasion.
“No problem HyungSik, it’s nothing. Besides,” He paused briefly “EunHyuk’s also about to move back to Korea.”
“What???”
“He has just called me and informed about it. This Sunday I will drop by the airport to pick him up. So… still want to eat noodle.”
“Yeah, hyung.”
HyungSik nodded lightly, somehow his face looked a bit uneasy. As RyeoWook was turning back to focus on the pot and water the younger boy silently made his way out toward the living room. Before going, he glared at the burnt item on the table which RyeoWook had picked up from the floor one more time.
Burning a picture was so useless, he concluded.
***
Hours later, HyungSik decided to leave RyeoWook’s new apartment. Actually it wasn’t his decision.
(“Can I sleep here tonight hyung?”
“No, mom and dad will miss you very much.”
“It’s not like I sleep with them.”
“Whatever, go home now before it’s too late. Our parents are waiting for you. They have just called me.”)
While HyungSik was tying his shoelaces at the doorway, RyeoWook’s eyes wandered inattentively at the wall and the shoes stand, up to the peg above. His eyes widened at the sight of the strange boy’s jacket hanged on it; he had practically forgotten about it and the trip to that café. The brunette jerked his head back, the clock showed that it was 9PM already. RyeoWook hurriedly grabbed his key, phone, shoes, along with the jacket and opened the entrance door. To HyungSik’s surprise, he ran out:
“Hyung what are you doing?”
The younger yelled and also ran out; his left shoe was worn half way.
“I need to do something. Go home soon HyungSik. Remember to lock the door for me.”
The brunette yelled back, nearly tripping on his feet before disappearing at the corner of the hallway.
The front door of the café had never looked so intimidating before, RyeoWook concluded as soon as he saw that boy’s face behind the counter through glassy windows. All of a sudden his heartbeats fastened and his palms were soaked in sweat. Butterflies were all over his stomach and those were new kinds of feelings he had never experienced.
What’s wrong with him? It was just a jacket.
And that, was a boy, not a girl.
RyeoWook opened the door and stepped inside nervously. He inhaled then exhaled deeply, slowly approaching the counter.
“May I help you…?”
The other looked up at him asking, and RyeoWook could sense clearly the surprise from him though he didn’t show it clearly in his eyes.
“Um… It’s yours” RyeoWook stuttered lightly while handing the other boy his jacket: “Thanks a lot, about that night.”
The dark haired boy took the jacket, still looking at the smaller. They sank into uncomfortable silence and RyeoWook cursed at himself, because hell, he didn’t even know what to say to get rid of that kind of awkwardness. At first he was afraid that the other kept silence because he didn’t want to talk to him, but as he glanced secretly at him, RyeoWook saw he was also biting his bottom lightly in a perplexed manner. Somehow RyeoWook had a feeling that the other wasn’t used to all the social etiquettes. But at the same time, he also found that they were alike.
The other just didn’t know what to say to him, and vice versa.
“Yesterday I came here to meet you, but your co-worker told me that it wasn’t your shift. Today I was a bit busy and almost forgot…”
“Yeah…”
The petite boy wanted to ask many things about the other, such as how old was he? Was he in the same age with him? Where did he live? What about his shift? ... He wanted to ask more, but finally ending up stretching hand out and says out of the blue:
“I’m RyeoWook. Hello and nice to meet you.”
“KyuHyun. Jo KyuHyun. Nice to meet you too…”
The other trailed off quietly. Still that faint voice, but somehow today RyeoWook didn’t find it cold anymore.
Little did RyeoWook know that there was also another person watching him from outside the shop.