Mending broken hearts (8/10)
Title : Mending broken hearts
Author : marnidoo
Rating : pg-13
Pairing : Junhyung/ Hyunseung
Chapters : 8/10
Summary : Hyunseung and Junhyung took different paths in the past but fate seems to think otherwise.
Mending broken hearts (8/10)
Junhyung observes his clothes in the elevator’s mirror, and wipes some invisible dust from his jacket. It’s already eight in the evening therefore he’s not surprised when he passes empty offices before reaching the one with an opened door. He knocks softly and is instantly greeted by a familiar warm smile.
‘Ah Junhyung-ah, please come in’
The young man bows and steps into the room, then he settles in the chair facing the director Park.
‘I’m glad you came’ the older says ‘So, there’s only one month left before the show, how are things going?’ he asks and his hands join on his desk.
‘Everything’s fine, so far’ Junhyung replies. ‘I still have some work but I’m not worried’
‘Great. May I take a look?’
Junhyung takes a note book off his bag along with some pictures and draws. Both men look carefully through his work, discussing about each detail.
‘And, did you talk with Hyunseung ?’ the older man asks not looking up from the book.
‘About what?’ Junhyung manages to say with a suddenly dry mouth. He’s fidgeting the hem of his t-shirt nervously.
‘These outfits’ the director gives him a weird look ‘Did he agree? Does he think they’ll fit?’
And now Junhyung feels like face palm himself, or just laugh but he does nothing for he is willing to hide his madness from his boss. How stupid he feels thinking that maybe he was referring to something more personal.
‘Make sure to have his agreement first’ M. Park’s voice calls him out of his thoughts.
‘Oh, of course. I will’ the young man nods. And with that they go back to their work. Junhyung explains every choice he made with enthusiasm and the older just smiles when he agrees.
Meanwhile, Hyunseung is in the theater with the others, just like everyday.
‘Where’s Junhyung?’ Dongwoon asks looking around. Doojoon shrugs. As he takes a seat in front of the piano, Hyunseung and Kikwang appear on stage. They arrived much earlier than the two others for rehearsals and just come back from a pause.
‘He’s skipping rehearsals again’ Kikwang says not really expecting an answer and he’s the only one who fails at noticing Hyunseung’ s disappointment. Naturally, Doojoon’ s eyes linger on Hyunseung, he wants to find something to say.
‘He must have some work to do’ he trails.
‘Yeah, or maybe M. Park wanted to see him. Actually he called us in the afternoon, he might have called him as well’ Dongwoon adds eying Hyunseung nervously.
Hyunseung shakes his head.
‘Guys, it’s not unusual. He’s always missing’ he chuckles but he knows it sounds a bit awkward.
‘Are you alright?’ Kikwang asks suddenly frowning as if he just realized Hyunseung’ s discomfort, which is the case actually. Doojoon shoots him an incredulous look and Dongwoon can’t blame him for his boyfriend can truly be... well not the cleverest guy on the earth.
‘I’m fine’ but the three man keep on staring at him. He lets out a sigh. ‘Can we dance already?’ he turns his back on them and calls for other dancers.
He feels bad for behaving that way, still he can’t help but to be upset. He had wished for Junhyung to come. He had thought that they were, at least, friends again. The younger wasn’t mad at him after the tango episode and Hyunseung is pretty sure that he smiled at him several times since then. And that day, out of any other day, he had hoped to spend some time with the other male but apparently he shouldn’t count on it. While he is dancing, he becomes oblivious to the others around and he sinks in his thoughts. He never pushed too much, knowing that Junhyung needs time. He stopped apologizing when he realized it made Junhyung even more uncomfortable and he became friends with Yoseob, when the blond was the only one allowed to hug Junhyung or take his hand. No matter how broken his heart felt when the other avoided him, he held on. Eventually he lost counts of times when he had stopped himself before rushing on the other to kiss him senseless. Everyday when he wakes up he just takes a few minutes repeating to himself that in the end, everything will be alright. ‘Don’t stop believing, he’ll be yours’ and with that his brain was set for an other day. Hyunseung was good in persuading himself. He always were. He is trying to find some excuses, some explanations for Junhyung’ s absence when a hand meets his shoulder.
‘Hyunseung’ Doojoon says shaking him, his eyes refocus and he stares up at him. ‘You should take five’ Doojoon adds. The dancer looks around and notices everyone staring at him. He imperceptibly nods and heads to the bathroom.
‘What’s wrong with him today?’ Kikwang asks Doojoon but gets no answer and he turns to Dongwoon. ‘He seems upset, doesn’t he Woonie?’ he says again while joining his boyfriend who just shrugs.
‘Maybe’ is all Dongwoon says.
‘I think I’ve never seen him like that before’ the dancer pouts ‘do you think it’s Junhyung? Cause he didn’t seem that weird before you asked about him’ and this time Doojoon shakes his head.
‘You really don’t know, do you?’ he asks the younger. The latter just frowns looking up at his boyfriend for enlightenment. The tall man kiss him on his temple.
‘You’re not good at this’ he smiles against the other’s skin. ‘Don’t think too much about it’
‘I wish I could do something’ Kikwang insists.
As he walks past them, Doojoon pats him on his head.
‘Don’t worry, there’s nothing we can do’ and he heads to the bathroom and to Hyunseung.
Hyunseung is leaning against the cool bathroom’s wall when he feels his phone vibrating. He grabbed it when he got off stage without thinking and never thought it’d actually ring. He’s got a new message.
From : Yoseob
Hyunseungie! Don’t think I forgot! I just don’t know at what time you sleep, I didn’t want to wake you up so forgive me for being late! Anyway! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! =D
We should go celebrate as soon as you have a day off, kay?
Don’t work too hard and have a nice day birthday boy! ;)
He presses the reply button when Doojoon enters the bathroom. He looks up at him and gives him a small smile which he hopes is reassuring.
‘Are you okay?’ Hyunseung nods and puts his phone back in his pocket. Save for his parents and sister, he didn’t expect anyone to wish him a happy birthday, well, maybe one more person but it was a just a crazy hope. He doesn’t remember talking about his birthday with Yoseob, but the blond one had already showed how good he was at friends stuffs.
‘I’m fine’ he tells Doojoon and joins him on the doorway. ‘We still have work to do’ his head points towards the stage and Doojoon gives up as he knows he can’t do anything if Hyunseung doesn’t want to talk about it.
After that, Hyunseung is better at putting aside his thoughts and enjoys the company of his friends while doing the job he likes. Yes, he’s that good at persuading himself. When they take pauses, he stretches his limbs while listening to Kikwang, it’s a good way to keep his mind focused on something as the younger just can’t stop talking. He feigns not to notice Doojoon’ s concerned look and acts as if he was mesmerized by Kikwang’ s stories. Even when rehearsals come to an end, he pretends he’s just tired and sits down while everyone’s leaving. It’s earlier than usual but everyone is particularly exhausted these days and Hyunseung knows to stop when limbs ache is stronger than any dancers’ will.
‘You’re not leaving?’ Doojoon asks throwing his bag over his shoulder.
‘I’ll just sit here for my legs to rest a few minutes’ Hyunseung answers.
‘Do you want me to stay?’
He smiles and shakes his head. ‘No, you go first. You’ll be late for your train’ Doojoon kneels down next to him and looks him right in the eyes. He tilts his head on a side.
‘You’re thinking too much, Seung’ he states and Hyunseung chuckles.
‘So are you’ and Doojoon smiles back. He ruffles the dancer’s hair and stands up.
‘Don’t worry’ he says waving goodbye, then he stops and looks back at him above his shoulder. ‘He loves you’ and he exits with a wink. Hyunseung just stares at the spot where Doojoon was standing earlier, his brain still processing what he just said. After a while, he shakes his head. It’s time to go home, have a shower and get some needed sleep. Hyunseung’ s eyes catch his watch. It’s about ten to midnight. A bitter smile creeps on his face and he mentally wishes a happy birthday Hyunseung. He starts to gather his stuff when he hears something, maybe steps and his eyes widen when he recognizes Junhyung as he climbs on stage. The man halts, bending down slightly.
‘I’m happy you’re still there’ he manages to say breathlessly. Hyunseung just stares dumbfounded. ‘I- I’ve been busy all day, I know I’m late but’ Junhyung stutters ‘I wanted to’ he hands a bag to Hyunseung, the latter only realizes that the younger’ s hands were hidden behind his back all the time. He reaches for it hesitantly and looks inside. Junhyung nods to encourage him. That’s a present. Hyunseung rips off the paper and takes out a jacket. He watches it with big eyes, he can’t believe what’s happening.
‘Happy birthday Seung’ Junhyung says smiling nervously but the other addresses the brightest smile he’s ever seen, even with Yoseob as his best friend. ‘I made it myself, I don’t know if you-’
‘It’s perfect’ Hyunseung cuts him ‘Thank you’ he knows he’s blushing but there’s nothing he can do about it. He wants to hug him and he’s mentally debating whether it’d be a good idea or not. After all, he just offered him a present that should mean he’d be okay with it, right? But he doesn’t have to answer that as Junhyung speaks again.
‘And... I’ve brought that’ his other hand comes into view, he’s holding what looks like a cake. Hyunseung carefully folds the jacket and puts it back into the bag that rests at his feet. He takes a step closer eying the cake. ‘It’s your favorite’ Junhyung adds in a whisper, he looks down.
He’s as surprised as Hyunseung by those last words. They’ve been apart for years but he still remembers silly things like that. He slowly realizes what message he sends telling such a thing and his palms are wet, his heart is bouncing loudly against his rib-cage because somehow he knows what’s going to happen. Hyunseung’ s thoughts indeed mirror Junhyung’ s. ‘Your favorite’ still echoing in his ears and that’s all he needs to shut his brain up. His own heartbeat goes crazy as he steps further closing the distance between them and leans forward. The younger doesn’t move and he takes it as an invitation. His hand reaches for Junhyung’ s neck and he pulls him into a kiss slowly, slightly as if he were afraid of being burnt at the sudden contact. And in someways it burns, a blessed pain running from his lips to his chest because he waited for this to happen for so long, because now he realizes how much he missed it. Junhyung is quite shocked as well. It doesn’t really feel like Hyunseung never left, but something changes. Those stupid butterflies he had let starving until they die are back in his stomach, flying more vividly than ever. Somehow it feels like falling in love with the older again. He looses it and kisses back, more passionately, a bit roughly. The cake between them is long forgotten and neglected on the floor as his hands grab the back of Hyunseung’ s shirt pulling him even closer and they end up clutching onto each other. Junhyung’ s fingers digging through shirt into skin as to make sure the other is really standing here and to assure he won’t go away. Silently responding to the younger’ s fears, Hyunseung’ s arms are wrapped firmly around his shoulders, and that’s at this very moment that someone chooses to ruin it. Hurried steps can be heard and then a voice.
‘Seungie-ah! Are you still there?’ Kikwang calls, his steps and probably Dongwoon’ s coming closer.
Junhyung lets go of Hyunseung as if he actually burnt himself and breaks the kiss as his fingers curl around the other’ s wrist, silently asking to let go. Reluctantly the older obeys and pulls back. He looks for something to say but Kikwang comes in and hops on stage.
‘Oh! You’re here and... Junhyung-ah! You’re here too! You knew it right?’ he looks back above his shoulder ‘Woonie! Jun’ s there, told he knew it!’ as he finishes Dongwoon appears behind the shorter male. Hyunseung’ s look falls from Junhyung who avoids it to Kikwang who looks back at him smiling.
‘What-’ he coughs slightly because his voice is merely a whisper and he feels his limbs shaking ‘what do you mean?’
Kikwang frowns now looking attentively at his friend’ s features. He looks flushed and is it anger, or sadness that shows? The young man doesn’t give it more thoughts and flashes a huge smile again. ‘It’s your birthday! Seobbie just texted me! He was worried because you didn’t reply to him’
Oh how Hyunseung feels like cursing at loud and kicking his own ass for forgetting to answer the blond, seeing that he sent these two after him because he didn’t.
‘I... er. Yeah, it is’ he finally says rubbing his neck.
‘Hyung, is that a cake?’ Dongwoon suddenly asks looking at the crashed cake at Hyunseung’ s feet and Kikwang’ s eyes grow wide.
‘I knew it! Junnie you brought it, didn’t you?’ he smiles to the other, but Junhyung keeps on looking at the floor. ‘We should go somewhere and celebrate’ he adds cheerfully but Junhyung turns to him, shaking his head.
‘No, I... I should be going now’ he walks past them ‘See you’ he says without even turning his head to look at them. Hyunseung’ s hand turned into a fist as he wants to say something to him but doesn’t. Instead his nails dig in his palm fiercely and he really hopes that Kikwang won’t try and drag him somewhere to have a party or whatever. He decides to speak first to avoid the situation.
‘Guys...’ he starts and he feels sorry because they came back for him ‘actually I’m exhausted, how about we celebrate later?’
Kikwang looks disappointed but nods, Dongwoon’ s hand squeezes his shoulder.
‘You’re right, we need to sleep’ he looks like a sad child ‘But’ he looks up at Hyunseung and joins him. ‘Happy birthday Seungie’ he smiles and hugs the older before he got a chance to move.
‘Thank you’ he answers willingly hugging back. They walk back to Dongwoon who wishes him a happy birthday as well and they quickly wave goodbye, Hyunseung being left alone again.
He resumes packing his things up when his foot knocks against the cake that surprisingly still lays on the floor. He bends down to pick it up but ends up sitting next to it. His finger draws invisible circles on the lid. He feels like crying but doesn’t have the strength so he just sits still and waits for his legs to function again, thinking about the most awesome gift he ever received for his birthday, which is not the jacket nor the crashed cake.
>> Junhyung exits the theater and runs down the street but soon his body doesn’t obey anymore and he collapses against a wall, panting. Tears come and pour down his face. Junhyung isn’t one of those who easily cry, but when it comes to Hyunseung he can cry for hours non stop. He knows it because he did before. Tears roll down but before reaching his chin they roll past his smile. He leans back against the wall and let them flow just smiling at the thought of the kiss he just shared with the one he never stopped to love, and now he’s reminded of it.
A/N : It's slowly coming to an end... I want to thank you if you're part of those you read through the whole thing :D so yeah, THANK YOU.
This chapter isn't exactly like I expected it to be, but somehow I like it anyway, and I hope you as well!