Love needs no words - Chapter 12
As you may have seen, I don't know the number of chapters anymore... In order to finish the fic in time before my one month hiatus, I'm combining chapters together ^^'
Title: Love needs no words
Part: 12 of ???
Pairing: Sihan, QMi, as few others as the fic goes!
Rating: PG-13 aside from specified chapters
Disclamer: I own no one!
Summary: What happens when the heir of one the most powerful families discovers something he shouldn’t have? Years-long traditions are changed and family secrets are revealed.
It was with a trembling hand that Siwon opened the door which led to his quarters, his head ringing with the sound of this high-pitched laughs combined with the sound of kisses. It was simply impossible; it was a nightmare or something… Geng knew no one aside from him, Kyuhyun who had been with him all day and Mi who was supposed to be with Jiwon… and that laugh was definitely not Mi’s.
Who the hell could it be?
He slowly walked until he reached his bedroom and it took everything in his power not to close his eyes like a terrified 6 year-old. Surprise washed over him as he saw what those sounds were about.
Geng was propped on a huge set of pillows, as comfortable as a king would be, his blanket around his shoulders and Siwon’s covers around his waist. He was holding a grey and white puppy against him to which he was giving kisses between the eyes, which was the reason of the sound that scared the noble so much.
And that high-pitched laugh… it was remembering Siwon of the puppet theatres he had seen when he was younger, it was almost exaggerated, yet it appeared to be the man’s real laugh. Because yes, seated on the edge of Geng’s bed was a young man, probably a year or two older than the ill one, wearing nearly all white clothes. He looked like a doctor.
“Oh, young master Siwon!”
He got off the bed with a huge smile, a little embarrassed, and offered his hand to a bewildered Siwon who was still trying to understand the situation, which caused him to take a while before taking the offered hand.
“I’m Leeteuk, your mother’s doctor’s apprentice; it is a pleasure to meet you. Your mother offered me to check on your lover.”
Wait. He WAS a doctor! So the dog…? Siwon’s gaze instantly switched to the animal.
“I brought him to put Geng at ease, apparently they are already in love with each other.” Answered the white-clothed man as the followed Siwon’s eyes, guessing what Siwon was questioning himself about.
“I see that…”
Geng was smiling at him before he kissed the puppy’s head once more, resulting in the man receiving a kiss too, puppy style. Siwon couldn’t help but laugh before he reached the bed, stroking the puppy between the ears.
Can we keep him?
And there were the begging puppy eyes he had dreaded…
“Geng, Leeteuk will probably want his puppy back…”
“It’s a gift! I’m working on a theory on which people heal more easily when they have an animal to distract them… this puppy lost his former owner who got him for only a few days, the little boy was too sick… I thought that someone who was stuck in a bed would be the perfect person to have the puppy…”
“That’s very nice of you; I think it’s a great idea… Geng will need company.”
Geng was all smiles as he was hugging his new pet, loving the little beast so much Siwon was almost jealous. However, he had to admit the puppy was cute, and Geng was even cuter with it in his arms. Leeteuk looked at Siwon’s affectionate smile and himself smiled even more before making a sign to attract Siwon’s attention.
“I’d like to talk with you about him…”
“Oh, yes…”
He was blessing the Heavens that Leeteuk had the good idea of coming with a puppy to distract Geng. He wouldn’t have liked to think about what could have happenned with Geng’s apparent fear of doctors.
Siwon went to kiss Geng’s forehead, and showed the way to Leeteuk to enter his office, linked to the bedroom. He then closed the door behind them.
“I must admit that I am very surprised about how he is at ease with you.”
“Your mother told me what she knew, though she admitted that she hadn’t met him yet… About him being wary of people and easily nervous, unable to move and mute… I went back to my house and went to fetch Rider. I was hoping to find him an owner soon. Geng seemed like the perfect person. I was also hoping that it would help Geng in being more at ease with us… I’m sorry I didn’t ask if I could, maybe you don’t want a pet in your quarters…”
Siwon smiled. The way Leeteuk talked, he could almost hear Mrs. Han explain something. There was a… motherly aura coming from the doctor apprentice. Why did he think about Mrs. Han? Because his own mother seriously didn’t have a mother instinct… when he heard the villagers say that she was staying in the mansion to0 care for her children, he had to bite his lip to keep himself from talking.
He could hear the care in Leeteuk’s voice, and he instantly felt as if he had already made a choice on who would take care of his lover while he would be gone.
“I guess it worked, he completely adopted that little fur ball… and it is okay for the pet, I only want him to be happy… if he wants the dog, then we’ll keep it.”
Siwon was definitely jealous. Geng had seemed so full of life with the puppy in his arms, suddenly a thousand times happier than when Siwon and him were playing and teasing each other… was it because he was healthier that day? Probably. At least the Choi heir hoped so.
He sat on his office chair, indicating to Leeteuk to take the one in front of him and sighed, passing his hands in his face. He had a long day and he had been so scared… absolutely for nothing, but scared anyway. If only he could deal with this quickly, that would be really great.
“You said you did a check-up on him?”
That was the part he wanted to hear about. Leeteuk seemed a little uneasy, but as he saw that Siwon was truly interested to know about his lover’s state, he relaxed.
“I waited for your mother to go; it was already a lot for him at once… two new people, a puppy… I didn’t want him to feel attacked, you know? I can say that malnutrition made a lot of damages that made things worse, he wouldn’t be that weak if he had been feeding himself on a normal, regular basis.”
“His family is very poor; food wasn’t always easy to have for them.”
“I’m not judging… I’m telling the facts.” The doctor was uneasy, but he went on.
“His muscles are weak, that is true, and they will probably stay like this… However, there is something to do. They can be developed a little bit, so his capacity of movement will be ameliorated. However, don’t expect him to walk someday… His legs are the most vulnerable part of his body… it’s a pity, because they would have developed quite well… he has amazing legs but years of being bedridden condemned them.”
Siwon tried to push aside the fact that Leeteuk had made an appreciative comment on his lover’s body in order to visualise what could be done with his lover’s weak constitution. He passed his hands in his face with a sign.
“I don’t want a full explanation… I’m kind of tired, sorry. I only want to know what you can do for him.”
“I’ll make him do some exercises that will help him develop the muscles he can. I haven’t checked his throat, but if there is something that can be done… we’ll probably have to teach him how to speak properly….”
The young Choi’s head snapped up, eyes looking with such intensity at Leeteuk who started to look at his feet for a while, clearly understanding Siwon’s wish to hear his lover’s voice. The young doctor sighed loudly.
“Siwon, I… I can’t promise you anything. If he hasn’t spoken yet, or never made a single sound other than the ones created by his breathing, there is probably something deformed in his throat that cannot be cured. If his vocal chords are not normal or that they are simply inexistent… There’s nothing I can do. I won’t take the risk of opening his throat, that is way too dangerous.”
“I understand.”
“But he’ll probably be able to stay seated by himself or to turn himself in his bed… his torso and arms can be developed a little bit, like I told you.”
Siwon smiled. Geng being a little bit less dependant was something he would be eternally grateful for. Not that his lover was a burden, but more like he would worry less about him if he was a little stronger than what he was right now.
His decision was made. He had to offer to Leeteuk to be Geng’s own caretaker, to stay by Geng’s side every time he was needed, and to make sure that his lover’s state would be at the best it could be. Since the apprentice had already a plan in mind on how to help the beautiful bedridden man, why would Siwon go pick someone else?
“You know, Leeteuk… I had told myself this morning that I would find someone who would take care of Geng while I’m gone for my responsibilities as an heir. Geng is scared of doctors because of his mother’s own fear and yet you managed to put him at ease. I was wondering if you would mind living here so you could become my lover’s caretaker.”
A look at the older man’s face and Siwon thought that he offered him to own the mansion without realizing. Leeteuk seemed suddenly so happy (and teary), about to crush Siwon into a tight, mother-worth hug.
“Young master, I would be honoured to take care of your precious one and to be part of this household from now on!”
“Thank you… now I would like to talk to Geng about it…”
“Oh, yes, I’ll leave you too alone… do I have to come tomorrow?”
It was easy to see that it took all the man’s will to stop from moving his stuff in the mansion on the spot. Siwon couldn’t hide his smile… at least he had refrained himself from laughing.
“Yes, you can come tomorrow, a little bit before dinner. I’ll have a room prepared for you.”
“Thanks you, see you tomorrow, youn…”
“Call me Siwon, please.”
“Oh.”
A pause which seemed incredibly long until Leeteuk smiled a full toothy smile, showing a single dimple and giving the impression that he was returning into childhood with that simple action.
“See you tomorrow… Siwon”
“See you tomorrow Leeteuk”
As the doctor exited the office, the young heir in tow, they heard playful barking as the puppy ran at them, his tail going wildly from one side to another, showing his happiness. A pet with such vitality… he was perfect for Geng. Siwon couldn’t help but bend down and take the wriggling creature in his arms, ruffling its fur while laughing. Leeteuk looked at the puppy for a little while, before he smiled once more.
“Now Rider, be a good boy, and don’t make any mess around or Geng and Siwon won’t keep you with them”
“No worries, I think that he would have to destroy the mansion before Geng lets him go.”
Siwon put the pup back on the floor and it ran back to the bedroom with a few barks. Leeteuk had watery eyes, which alerted Siwon. What was going on? He was sad of leaving the puppy? He had such a mother instinct, it wouldn’t be surprising…
“You know Leeteuk, you could have kept him…”
“My lover is allergic to dogs; I couldn’t keep him for too long. I’m just happy, don’t worry about me… I’ll bring his stuff along tomorrow. And since I’ll live here, I will spend a lot of time with the dog around, so there is no problem.”
Siwon nodded and Leeteuk bowed a goodbye before leaving with his smile still plastered on his face, which left the heir to go back to his bedroom, hearing the playful barking and breathy laughing. So that was the scene he would need to get used to. Everything for his lover, huh?
Geng had let himself slide down the pillows and had the dog… Rider isn’t it?... running on the bed around him, making the ill man laugh. Siwon coldn’t help but rush to climb in the bed, hugging Geng and laughing too as he heard the growling from the pup.
“Hey there, he was mine first! I’m bigger than you!”
He felt a slap on his arm and knew that his lover took the puppy’s side. He rolled his eyes and kissed Geng’s forehead, chuckling as he had a strange thought.
“You know, darling, it’s only a few days since we’re together, don’t you think that’s a little bit too early to have children?”
Stop being stupid!
Another slap on his arm and a bark from the puppy that went back to Geng’s arms, the foreign man cuddling it with a lot of affection, that was the answer he got, which made him laugh. He knew that Geng wasn’t angry at all, he was still smiling and the puppy was still as happy, seeing as how his tail wasn’t stopping a single second from its constant, quick movement.
“What do you think of Leeteuk? You like him?”
He’ll be my caretaker?
“Do you mind?”
No… he’s nice and caring… I like him.
“Good. You also… met with my mother, huh?”
A slow nod and Geng’s smile was a little bit down compared to before. At least he wasn’t frowning, which was good enough for the tallest. He passed one arm around his lover’s shoulders, leaning his head against the other’s and sighed slowly.
“How did you find her?”
Nice, although self centered and… so cold…
“Yeah, she’s like that…”
I miss mine…
“Oh, Geng…”
He knew that his lover was now teary-eyed and the puppy started to whimper, sensing its new owner’s trouble. As Siwon made a move to cradle Geng, Rider sneaked away, running past the room which led to the bathroom. Some alone time before the little beast came back, that was welcomed.
“You know we can go to see her when you want to, don’t you?”
A quick nod, although the tears were silently flowing on Geng’s cheek, Siwon’s heart breaking with the sight of it. He started rubbing the frail back, trying to comfort this man he loved so much. He still felt so selfish, ripping Geng away from everything he had known for all his life. He almost wanted to take him back home and to let him bring the puppy with him.
She was right; I couldn’t stay there all my life…
“That doesn’t keep you from the right to go see her… and you’ll probably want to say a proper goodbye to your father too…”
Geng was shaking in his arms, instantly sobbing at the mention of his father, and Siwon held him a little bit more tightly. He knew that moment would come; he knew that it would happen before the first week was over. The other one had been so calm until then, it wasn’t surprising that he finally couldn’t take it anymore. It had been emotionally rough for him. Leaving both the house he was born and raised in and the loving care of his mother, to end up in a mansion empty of any love aside from the one Siwon was giving him, that had been a lot. The stress of the evaluation and meeting Siwon’s parents had also been hard on the weak man’s nerves. His tears were the most understandable thing on Earth from Siwon’s point of view.
“Let it out, love… You’ll feel better after that…”
I wanna take a bath…
He climbed down the bed with Geng still secured in his arms before he went to the bathroom, where Rider had been whimpering, and sat his lover on the so practical sofa before letting the water flow in the tub. His lover kept on crying and the dog had his forelegs up, paws on the sofa, still whimpering in worry.
Geng had been clutching on him as Siwon was undressing him to put him in the bath. Deciding to let his love relax on his own, he had rolled his pants up to his knees and taken off his socks and sat on the edge of the bath, Geng’s submerged body held by his legs. He was bent, playing with the foreign man’s hair and whispering sweet words of comfort, trying to calm down the few remaining tears. Rider was lying on the side of the bath, waiting for them to get out of it. Already this faithful…
When Geng showed him that he wanted to be out, Siwon grabbed a towel and wrapped his precious burden in it, drying the beautiful skin with slow, delicate strokes. Geng had his arms around the tallest one’s neck, finally calm, the bath having a beneficial effect on him.
Siwon then went back to the bedroom before he dressed up Geng in the noble’s night clothes once more, making a mental note to himself about buying new clothes for the oldest one, which should include a fitting set of pyjamas.
Once they were all set, and that Siwon had been changed too, Rider had started to whimper once more. That instantly worried Geng who started looking for his new friend, but Siwon was quicker.
“What is it, pup? You need water? Wait, I’ll get you some.”
Seeing Geng’s fond smile as Rider ran back on the bed, he went to fetch a bowl for decoration which he always disliked and decided to turn it into the puppy’s personal water bowl. Going to the bathroom, he filled the bowl with water and as he went back to the bedroom, he had an overexcited puppy at his heels until he let the bowl on the floor… which led to Rider ignoring them. Siwon let out a contented, and relieved, sigh and then climbed back into bed to lie down close to Geng who was already sleepy.
“We can go see your Mama tomorrow, if you want”
Really?
There was so much hope in Geng’s eyes, there was no way Siwon could say no… he would never have brought it up anyway if he wanted to back off. His love’s cries had broken his heart, after all.
“Yes, really… we have to give her the money anyw….”
Oh crap. The money.
“Geng? Don’t be angry?”
Huh?
Geng’s frown made Siwon want to hide in a corner and whimper like the dog did earlier.
“There’s something I haven’t told you…”
AGAIN?!