FIC: Impasse (Chapter Two)
Ohayo, everyone! I've returned with my next fic chapter. This one was a bit tricky to write because I had to introduce the second storyline. Chapter three will introduce the third and they'll hopefully all tie together in a neat little bundle by the end! (Oh yes, and there's a bit more Hannie torture in this one! XD)
On a random note, I discovered our DBSK cosplayers that will be at NDK. Since my cosplay troupe is going as Super Junior, we're planning a big photoshoot on Friday night. Should be a ton of fun! And I'll have a ball running around as Teukie-Umma! (I would have been Donghae, but he's being played by one of our male members, who acutally looks more like Siwon... =O.o=) Anyhoo, enjoy!
"Impasse"
By: Miracle Shining
PAIRINGS: HanHae, HanTeuk, TeukHae, HanTeukHae, SiHan (past tense), KyuMin, ShinChul, etc.
RATINGS: PG-13 to NC-17 (will be notated if NC-17)
GROUPS: Super Junior, DBSK, Kitty GYM
GENRE: Action/Romance/Angst
WARNINGS: Violence, Sexual Situations, Dark Themes, Character Death
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Don't own them, never will, but thanks for reading!
SUMMARY: AU Storyline~In the South Korean underworld, a popular form of entertainment is fighting matches. Men are judged by the fighters they own. A troubled fighter with a past catches the attention of two long time friends and may lead them both to the brink of obsession.
*****
CHAPTER TWO: Shattered Fragments
"Donghae!" Eeteuk exclaimed.
Donghae blinked out his entranced haze and looked over at his older friend. The man was looking down at the ground where the champagne glass had fallen. Little pieces of glass shimmered among the splatters of sugared liquid.
"Are you okay?" Eeteuk was quickly checking over his friend.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry, it must have slipped." Donghae responded, looking a little embarassed.
"Well in least you didn't get cut."
It didn't take long before two members of the staff were beside the duo cleaning up the small spill and leftover glass pieces. Junsu made his way through the crowd, pausing periodically to thank people and acknowledge the well wishers. He finally reached Eeteuk and Donghae as the staff exited with the now defunct champagne flute.
"Are you all right, Donghae?"
"Yes, I'm very sorry."
"Don't worry about it. It's definitely not going to be the first or last glass broke tonight. So, tell me, what did you think of my prize from China?"
"Amazing, Junsu. I have never seen anyone perform like that. And in such a dramatic fashion!" Eeteuk said with a grin. "And you've been hiding him from us for three years? That just doesn't seem very fair."
Junsu and Eeteuk laughed, but Donghae looked a little uneasy. He glanced around for the mysterious Hankyung. The man seemed to have melted away just as quickly as he had appeared.
"I haven't seen Yoochun tonight. Is he out scouting again?"
Junsu nodded at Eeteuk, very pleased.
"There's a new training center in western Seoul. A young man and his trainer have really caused quite a commotion. I'm hoping to add him to my series of gifted fighters. You and Donghae will be at this weekend's event? Hankyung will be making his arena premiere on Saturday night."
"You know that we would never miss it."
"Teukie!"
A cheerful voice turned Eeteuk's head. He grinned as he saw Heechul and Shindong come through the crowd.
"Wasn't it amazing? Isn't he the most gorgeous thing?" Heechul rapidly spouted.
Shindong rolled his eyes and took a long drink off his martini.
"You know that will be all I hear about the rest of the evening."
Eeteuk covered his mouth hiding a small laugh. Heechul pouted yet again and then pressed against Shindong, his smile mischevious.
"But never as gorgeous as my Shindong."
"You two are terrible." Eeteuk grinned.
"Where's Donghae? We were coming over to say hello to both of you."
Eeteuk blinked and looked beside him. He half smiled as he saw the back of Donghae's head, the man wandering into the crowd toward the table Kibum was sitting at.
"I think he's off to say hello to Kibum."
"Would all four of you care to stay after the party?" Junsu questioned. "I would like you to meet Hankyung personally."
"Can we, Shindong?"
The heavier set man nodded.
"I must admit I'm curious myself about him. He's quite the rarity."
"You have no idea, my friend." Junsu said quietly.
Donghae pressed past the crowd leaving Eeteuk and Junsu behind. He could distantly hear Heechul's bright voice and Shindong's quiet one. He felt somewhat bad for slipping away. Still, he had seen Kibum sitting so quietly at the table and was hoping maybe the man could use some company. With luck, he might be able to tell him something too about Hankyung.
"Kibum?"
The small man looked up, his always messed hair slipping in front of face and over his eyeglasses.
"Donghae!"
"You were looking lonely over here. Mind if I join you?"
"No, not at all. Man, it feels like an age since I've seen you."
"Junsu doesn't throw many parties like these any more."
Kibum nodded as he folded down his laptop. Donghae tilted his head and then smirked.
"Can't quit working, can you?"
The other man rolled his eyes and then half smiled.
"I think when you work for Junsu you never do quit."
Donghae nodded sagely. Though Junsu was a kind man as far as those who worked in the underground went, he was also a slave driver when he wanted to be. It was no suprise that Kibum was most suited for the job. His quiet personality and self motivation made it easy to work for the other man.
"Did you enjoy the premiere?" Kibum questioned.
"It was..." Donghae paused, trying to find the exact word for what he felt. "Entrancing."
"That's a good word for it. I know if Hankyung had his way, there would have been none of this. He would have just went straight to the arenas and right into fighting."
"Do... Do you know him very well, Kibum?"
"No better than anyone else here. But I was able to see his skills first hand three years ago. He's a natural fighter, it's in his blood. I can say one thing, I wouldn't cross his path if I didn't have too."
"Why?"
"He's cold like ice or metal... or..."
"Or fine crystal." Donghae finished.
Kibum tilted his head slightly and then reached out his hand, patting it gently.
"You feel too much some times, my friend."
"Maybe I'm still a bit too different. I some times still feel guilty when I'm working with Eeteuk. Like maybe these people need all their money."
"You'll get over that in due time. After all, it's what we all do around here. Take, take, take."
Kibum's cell phone suddenly jingled. He gestured with his hand for Donghae to hold for a moment. He pulled out the small device and answered it. Kibum's dark eyebrows knitted together in concern and then he hung up the phone.
"You'll have to excuse me, Donghae. I have to leave. If you're looking for Hankyung, I think he actually snuck out into one of the empty adjoining rooms."
Before Donghae could ask about Kibum's situation, the man was gathering his laptop and the coat he had haphazardly thrown over the back of his chair. The slightly taller man watched Kibum disappear through the crowd. He didn't even pause to speak to Junsu as he usually did.
"I wonder what happened?"
Donghae sat for a few moments longer. He sighed softly and stood, wandering over to the direction of the ball room doors. He paused to look back. Eeteuk and Junsu were still actively engaged in conversation with Heechul and Shindong. He was guessing they wouldn't even notice Kibum was gone or that he had slipped away.
The young man made his way through the doors and into the elongated hallway. The soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the rich maroon of the carpet below his feet. There were elegant paintings lining the walls. Many were rarities that most art dealers would sell their souls for. Knowing Junsu the way Donghae did, most likely they had been won in bets over his fighters.
He wandered back and forth from painting to painting. The first door he came too was open just a fraction. He could hear the sound of movement from just beyond the entry way. Donghae paused and then pushed the wooden door open a crack farther. His eyes caught a glimpse of the person he had been searching for.
Hankyung was moving around the empty room. He looked like he was floating, the crystal he had used in his demonstration rising and falling in the air. With each leap the crystal went higher and higher. With each landing his hand would grasp the sphere. He spun three then four times before throwing the object up in the air. As the orb fell, Hankyung's arm drew back and then with a vicious thrust, his fist impacted the object. The sounds of glass fracturing and then scattering on the floor echoed through the room. Donghae gasped as the beautiful crystal was demolished into nothing more than a pile of broken pieces and dust.
Hankyung's head suddenly whipped to the side. His eyes narrowed as he saw Donghae's profile through the crack of the open door. He approached on quiet feet. Donghae began to draw back but before he could turn to take off down the hallway, Hankyung had opened the door. The smaller man looked up at the other. Hankyung eyed Donghae carefully.
"I... I..." Donghae couldn't find the words to say. He didn't know how to begin after watching Hankyung demolish such a delicate piece after handling it so tenderly at the premiere. Trying to look everywhere but at Hankyung, his eyes caught the other man's fist. Blood was beginning to well up on his knuckles and a small shard of glass was stuck just bellow his middle one.
"Your hand." Donghae said softly.
Hankyung looked down. He opened and closed his hand a couple of times. It was obvious that the injury wasn't bothering him. Donghae though reached out and took it. The Chinese man suddenly pulled back, his eyes chilled.
"I didn't ask you to touch me." his words were mildly accented.
"I'm... I'm sorry." Donghae whispered. He drew his gaze away then. "I just saw the piece of glass there."
"And?"
"It looks like it hurts."
"I'll survive."
Donghae nodded a little and began to back away from Hankyung again. Each step he took back, Hankyung took one forward until Donghae had been backed up through the door, into the hallway and against the far wall.
"Are you a friend of my employer?"
"Y-y-yes." Donghae stuttered. He tried to shift to the side but was stopped as Hankyung's arms came down, framing the other man's body in a kind of cage like position. He leaned in then, his breath hot against Donghae's face. It was a strange comparison to how icy the man's expression was.
"Then you should go back to the party." he stated simply.
Donghae swallowed back the fear that was rising in his throat. He turned his head to look at Hankyung. The other man blinked a little and then drew back. Donghae realized he must have seen something because his expression changed slightly.
"Go." Hankyung said quietly.
The younger man pushed himself away from the wall, his limbs shaking. He turned and then stopped. Gathering up all his courage, he reached out and grabbed Hankyung's hand rapidly. The other man bristled but stopped as Donghae pulled out the piece of glass.
"Y-y-you need to go and wash that." he whispered.
Donghae quickly scurried down the hall. He was still holding onto the glass piece. Just when he reached the ball room door he heard Hankyung call after him.
"Hey!"
"Yes?" the dark haired man barely responded.
Hankyung looked at his hand, his eyes unreadable. He then looked back at Donghae.
"Thank you."
Before Donghae could say anything, Hankyung had disappeared back into the room. A swirl of emotions twisted inside the other's stomach. Fear and excitement battled for the upper hand. It made him feel light headed.
"Donghae! Where have you been? I've been all over the ball room looking for you!"
Eeteuk approached the doorway and stood beside his friend and then immediately looked concerned.
"Hae, you're so pale. Are you feeling all right? Did you cut yourself?!" Eeteuk pointed to the shard of bloody glass still in Donghae's palm. "Is that you're blood?!"
"No, no, I didn't. I... You're right, Teukie-hyung, I don't feel very well." Donghae tried to rapidly change the subject.
"Let's have you get rid of that piece of glass first. Then we'll get your hands washed and get you home. You look like you're about to pass out. I'll tell Junsu we'll have to skip the meet and greet with Hankyung."
The smaller man replayed the incident that happened mere moments before. His heart rate sped up and he felt a little short of breath.
"All right." Donghae agreed.
Eeteuk wrapped his arm around his smaller friend and then smiled just a little, pressing a kiss to the side of his forehead.
"Just a little too much excitement for you tonight."
"Yes, a little too much."
As Eeteuk led Donghae through the crowd to one of the bathrooms, he found that he couldn't tell Eeteuk just how much.
Unbeknownst to the two men leaving, Hankyung had been watching from the doorway. He went back into his room and looked at the shattered glass on the floor. He sat down beside it and observed his wounded hand.
He didn't understand why he had thanked the young man. It wasn't the first time he'd had something pierce his skin. Instinctively he reached up and placed his hand over his chest. Even through the tanktop he could feel the shape of the bullet scar. He then looked down at his hand where the small piece of glass had been stuck. It wasn't even a deep wound. He could have easily picked it out. Yet this strange young man had insisted on helping him.
Hankyung frowned deeply. He didn't want anyone to help him. When you were helped, you started to feel things. He had chosen his path three years ago and felt no reason to change. Hankyung laid down then on the wooden floor, his gaze drawn again to his knuckle. The small wound had started to bleed again.
"I should clean it out."
Instead Hankyung just laid there and closed his eyes. He thought about Siwon, his bright face and beautiful eyes. His laughter and sweet smile. But for just the briefest flash of moments, he saw Donghae's concerned eyes at his injury. The two mixed a little too vividly in Hankyung's mind. The man curled himself up in a ball and then in a moment of weakness, wept silently.
*****
Kibum tapped his foot inside the elevator. There were a few other people standing with him. They chatted quietly between themselves. He just wished that he would reach his desired floor.
The elevator came to a slow, stuttering hault. The doors opened and he pushed his way through. The smell of antiseptic and plastic assaulted his senses. No matter how many times he had to come, he would never deny one thing. Kibum hated how hospitals smelt.
A nurse looked up from her desk and then smiled softly at the young man.
"Ah, Mr. Kim. Room number 708. He's been asking for you."
Kibum nodded and headed down the hall. He pushed open the door to room 708 and peered inside. It was dim, just the glimmer of a reading lamp light shimmering inside. There was the light scent of flowers that did nothing to cover up the very distinctive hospital scent. Kibum closed the door quietly behind him and shuffled softly across the chilled white floor.
A rather small, very slender man laid in the bed that Kibum approached. His short spiky hair rested comfortably against his forehead. His right arm was laced through with an IV and a blood pressure machine was attached to the tip of his finger. Two prongs for an oxygen tube protuded from his noise. Kibum could hear the very soft whistle of air moving through the device. The other's eyes were closed, lashes framing his delicate face. Kibum pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at the young man for a long time. Finally he reached out and took his free left hand.
"Ryeowook?"
The frail man responded and then turned his head. He opened his eyes slowly and then smiled barely. He looked tired and just a little gaunt.
"Kibum-hyung." he said softly.
"I came as soon as I got the call. Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well this morning?"
"Oh, it was nothing." Ryeowook responded softly. "You know how I am though. I just pushed myself a little too hard and then I couldn't breathe very well. I ended up fainting was all."
"You didn't take your medicine did you?"
Ryeowook shook his head slightly.
"It's been making me too sick. The doctors told me tonight they'll try a new series and see if it helps. It doesn't hurt as bad to breathe any more though. The pain meds they have me on has really helped. Other than I think I saw the Easter Bunny at the foot of my bed."
This made Kibum laugh even though it was a strange, strained sound.
"It's good to hear you laugh again. You don't do it enough, Kibum."
"Did the doctors say anything else?"
"It hasn't progressed any more, which is good. Kinda' funny that I've never smoked and ended up with this, isn't it?"
"You just have very bad luck."
There was silence between the two of them before Ryeowook spoke softly again.
"The premiere?"
"It went as expected. Naturally everyone praised Junsu for Hankyung's skills."
Ryeowook nodded slightly, his eyes a bit tired again.
"Was Hankyung everything that he had hoped for?"
"And then some."
"Does anyone else know about the premiere?"
"Yoochun is heading to the new training center in western Seoul. He'll make sure the word will get there. Then it will spread."
Ryeowook again nodded, pleased by this information. His eyes began to close again as the pain medication drew him into sleep. He whispered softly as he felt himself fading.
"Kibum?"
"Yes?"
"I want revenge for losing him."
"I know, Ryeowook, I know."
On a random note, I discovered our DBSK cosplayers that will be at NDK. Since my cosplay troupe is going as Super Junior, we're planning a big photoshoot on Friday night. Should be a ton of fun! And I'll have a ball running around as Teukie-Umma! (I would have been Donghae, but he's being played by one of our male members, who acutally looks more like Siwon... =O.o=) Anyhoo, enjoy!
"Impasse"
By: Miracle Shining
PAIRINGS: HanHae, HanTeuk, TeukHae, HanTeukHae, SiHan (past tense), KyuMin, ShinChul, etc.
RATINGS: PG-13 to NC-17 (will be notated if NC-17)
GROUPS: Super Junior, DBSK, Kitty GYM
GENRE: Action/Romance/Angst
WARNINGS: Violence, Sexual Situations, Dark Themes, Character Death
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Don't own them, never will, but thanks for reading!
SUMMARY: AU Storyline~In the South Korean underworld, a popular form of entertainment is fighting matches. Men are judged by the fighters they own. A troubled fighter with a past catches the attention of two long time friends and may lead them both to the brink of obsession.
*****
CHAPTER TWO: Shattered Fragments
"Donghae!" Eeteuk exclaimed.
Donghae blinked out his entranced haze and looked over at his older friend. The man was looking down at the ground where the champagne glass had fallen. Little pieces of glass shimmered among the splatters of sugared liquid.
"Are you okay?" Eeteuk was quickly checking over his friend.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry, it must have slipped." Donghae responded, looking a little embarassed.
"Well in least you didn't get cut."
It didn't take long before two members of the staff were beside the duo cleaning up the small spill and leftover glass pieces. Junsu made his way through the crowd, pausing periodically to thank people and acknowledge the well wishers. He finally reached Eeteuk and Donghae as the staff exited with the now defunct champagne flute.
"Are you all right, Donghae?"
"Yes, I'm very sorry."
"Don't worry about it. It's definitely not going to be the first or last glass broke tonight. So, tell me, what did you think of my prize from China?"
"Amazing, Junsu. I have never seen anyone perform like that. And in such a dramatic fashion!" Eeteuk said with a grin. "And you've been hiding him from us for three years? That just doesn't seem very fair."
Junsu and Eeteuk laughed, but Donghae looked a little uneasy. He glanced around for the mysterious Hankyung. The man seemed to have melted away just as quickly as he had appeared.
"I haven't seen Yoochun tonight. Is he out scouting again?"
Junsu nodded at Eeteuk, very pleased.
"There's a new training center in western Seoul. A young man and his trainer have really caused quite a commotion. I'm hoping to add him to my series of gifted fighters. You and Donghae will be at this weekend's event? Hankyung will be making his arena premiere on Saturday night."
"You know that we would never miss it."
"Teukie!"
A cheerful voice turned Eeteuk's head. He grinned as he saw Heechul and Shindong come through the crowd.
"Wasn't it amazing? Isn't he the most gorgeous thing?" Heechul rapidly spouted.
Shindong rolled his eyes and took a long drink off his martini.
"You know that will be all I hear about the rest of the evening."
Eeteuk covered his mouth hiding a small laugh. Heechul pouted yet again and then pressed against Shindong, his smile mischevious.
"But never as gorgeous as my Shindong."
"You two are terrible." Eeteuk grinned.
"Where's Donghae? We were coming over to say hello to both of you."
Eeteuk blinked and looked beside him. He half smiled as he saw the back of Donghae's head, the man wandering into the crowd toward the table Kibum was sitting at.
"I think he's off to say hello to Kibum."
"Would all four of you care to stay after the party?" Junsu questioned. "I would like you to meet Hankyung personally."
"Can we, Shindong?"
The heavier set man nodded.
"I must admit I'm curious myself about him. He's quite the rarity."
"You have no idea, my friend." Junsu said quietly.
Donghae pressed past the crowd leaving Eeteuk and Junsu behind. He could distantly hear Heechul's bright voice and Shindong's quiet one. He felt somewhat bad for slipping away. Still, he had seen Kibum sitting so quietly at the table and was hoping maybe the man could use some company. With luck, he might be able to tell him something too about Hankyung.
"Kibum?"
The small man looked up, his always messed hair slipping in front of face and over his eyeglasses.
"Donghae!"
"You were looking lonely over here. Mind if I join you?"
"No, not at all. Man, it feels like an age since I've seen you."
"Junsu doesn't throw many parties like these any more."
Kibum nodded as he folded down his laptop. Donghae tilted his head and then smirked.
"Can't quit working, can you?"
The other man rolled his eyes and then half smiled.
"I think when you work for Junsu you never do quit."
Donghae nodded sagely. Though Junsu was a kind man as far as those who worked in the underground went, he was also a slave driver when he wanted to be. It was no suprise that Kibum was most suited for the job. His quiet personality and self motivation made it easy to work for the other man.
"Did you enjoy the premiere?" Kibum questioned.
"It was..." Donghae paused, trying to find the exact word for what he felt. "Entrancing."
"That's a good word for it. I know if Hankyung had his way, there would have been none of this. He would have just went straight to the arenas and right into fighting."
"Do... Do you know him very well, Kibum?"
"No better than anyone else here. But I was able to see his skills first hand three years ago. He's a natural fighter, it's in his blood. I can say one thing, I wouldn't cross his path if I didn't have too."
"Why?"
"He's cold like ice or metal... or..."
"Or fine crystal." Donghae finished.
Kibum tilted his head slightly and then reached out his hand, patting it gently.
"You feel too much some times, my friend."
"Maybe I'm still a bit too different. I some times still feel guilty when I'm working with Eeteuk. Like maybe these people need all their money."
"You'll get over that in due time. After all, it's what we all do around here. Take, take, take."
Kibum's cell phone suddenly jingled. He gestured with his hand for Donghae to hold for a moment. He pulled out the small device and answered it. Kibum's dark eyebrows knitted together in concern and then he hung up the phone.
"You'll have to excuse me, Donghae. I have to leave. If you're looking for Hankyung, I think he actually snuck out into one of the empty adjoining rooms."
Before Donghae could ask about Kibum's situation, the man was gathering his laptop and the coat he had haphazardly thrown over the back of his chair. The slightly taller man watched Kibum disappear through the crowd. He didn't even pause to speak to Junsu as he usually did.
"I wonder what happened?"
Donghae sat for a few moments longer. He sighed softly and stood, wandering over to the direction of the ball room doors. He paused to look back. Eeteuk and Junsu were still actively engaged in conversation with Heechul and Shindong. He was guessing they wouldn't even notice Kibum was gone or that he had slipped away.
The young man made his way through the doors and into the elongated hallway. The soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the rich maroon of the carpet below his feet. There were elegant paintings lining the walls. Many were rarities that most art dealers would sell their souls for. Knowing Junsu the way Donghae did, most likely they had been won in bets over his fighters.
He wandered back and forth from painting to painting. The first door he came too was open just a fraction. He could hear the sound of movement from just beyond the entry way. Donghae paused and then pushed the wooden door open a crack farther. His eyes caught a glimpse of the person he had been searching for.
Hankyung was moving around the empty room. He looked like he was floating, the crystal he had used in his demonstration rising and falling in the air. With each leap the crystal went higher and higher. With each landing his hand would grasp the sphere. He spun three then four times before throwing the object up in the air. As the orb fell, Hankyung's arm drew back and then with a vicious thrust, his fist impacted the object. The sounds of glass fracturing and then scattering on the floor echoed through the room. Donghae gasped as the beautiful crystal was demolished into nothing more than a pile of broken pieces and dust.
Hankyung's head suddenly whipped to the side. His eyes narrowed as he saw Donghae's profile through the crack of the open door. He approached on quiet feet. Donghae began to draw back but before he could turn to take off down the hallway, Hankyung had opened the door. The smaller man looked up at the other. Hankyung eyed Donghae carefully.
"I... I..." Donghae couldn't find the words to say. He didn't know how to begin after watching Hankyung demolish such a delicate piece after handling it so tenderly at the premiere. Trying to look everywhere but at Hankyung, his eyes caught the other man's fist. Blood was beginning to well up on his knuckles and a small shard of glass was stuck just bellow his middle one.
"Your hand." Donghae said softly.
Hankyung looked down. He opened and closed his hand a couple of times. It was obvious that the injury wasn't bothering him. Donghae though reached out and took it. The Chinese man suddenly pulled back, his eyes chilled.
"I didn't ask you to touch me." his words were mildly accented.
"I'm... I'm sorry." Donghae whispered. He drew his gaze away then. "I just saw the piece of glass there."
"And?"
"It looks like it hurts."
"I'll survive."
Donghae nodded a little and began to back away from Hankyung again. Each step he took back, Hankyung took one forward until Donghae had been backed up through the door, into the hallway and against the far wall.
"Are you a friend of my employer?"
"Y-y-yes." Donghae stuttered. He tried to shift to the side but was stopped as Hankyung's arms came down, framing the other man's body in a kind of cage like position. He leaned in then, his breath hot against Donghae's face. It was a strange comparison to how icy the man's expression was.
"Then you should go back to the party." he stated simply.
Donghae swallowed back the fear that was rising in his throat. He turned his head to look at Hankyung. The other man blinked a little and then drew back. Donghae realized he must have seen something because his expression changed slightly.
"Go." Hankyung said quietly.
The younger man pushed himself away from the wall, his limbs shaking. He turned and then stopped. Gathering up all his courage, he reached out and grabbed Hankyung's hand rapidly. The other man bristled but stopped as Donghae pulled out the piece of glass.
"Y-y-you need to go and wash that." he whispered.
Donghae quickly scurried down the hall. He was still holding onto the glass piece. Just when he reached the ball room door he heard Hankyung call after him.
"Hey!"
"Yes?" the dark haired man barely responded.
Hankyung looked at his hand, his eyes unreadable. He then looked back at Donghae.
"Thank you."
Before Donghae could say anything, Hankyung had disappeared back into the room. A swirl of emotions twisted inside the other's stomach. Fear and excitement battled for the upper hand. It made him feel light headed.
"Donghae! Where have you been? I've been all over the ball room looking for you!"
Eeteuk approached the doorway and stood beside his friend and then immediately looked concerned.
"Hae, you're so pale. Are you feeling all right? Did you cut yourself?!" Eeteuk pointed to the shard of bloody glass still in Donghae's palm. "Is that you're blood?!"
"No, no, I didn't. I... You're right, Teukie-hyung, I don't feel very well." Donghae tried to rapidly change the subject.
"Let's have you get rid of that piece of glass first. Then we'll get your hands washed and get you home. You look like you're about to pass out. I'll tell Junsu we'll have to skip the meet and greet with Hankyung."
The smaller man replayed the incident that happened mere moments before. His heart rate sped up and he felt a little short of breath.
"All right." Donghae agreed.
Eeteuk wrapped his arm around his smaller friend and then smiled just a little, pressing a kiss to the side of his forehead.
"Just a little too much excitement for you tonight."
"Yes, a little too much."
As Eeteuk led Donghae through the crowd to one of the bathrooms, he found that he couldn't tell Eeteuk just how much.
Unbeknownst to the two men leaving, Hankyung had been watching from the doorway. He went back into his room and looked at the shattered glass on the floor. He sat down beside it and observed his wounded hand.
He didn't understand why he had thanked the young man. It wasn't the first time he'd had something pierce his skin. Instinctively he reached up and placed his hand over his chest. Even through the tanktop he could feel the shape of the bullet scar. He then looked down at his hand where the small piece of glass had been stuck. It wasn't even a deep wound. He could have easily picked it out. Yet this strange young man had insisted on helping him.
Hankyung frowned deeply. He didn't want anyone to help him. When you were helped, you started to feel things. He had chosen his path three years ago and felt no reason to change. Hankyung laid down then on the wooden floor, his gaze drawn again to his knuckle. The small wound had started to bleed again.
"I should clean it out."
Instead Hankyung just laid there and closed his eyes. He thought about Siwon, his bright face and beautiful eyes. His laughter and sweet smile. But for just the briefest flash of moments, he saw Donghae's concerned eyes at his injury. The two mixed a little too vividly in Hankyung's mind. The man curled himself up in a ball and then in a moment of weakness, wept silently.
*****
Kibum tapped his foot inside the elevator. There were a few other people standing with him. They chatted quietly between themselves. He just wished that he would reach his desired floor.
The elevator came to a slow, stuttering hault. The doors opened and he pushed his way through. The smell of antiseptic and plastic assaulted his senses. No matter how many times he had to come, he would never deny one thing. Kibum hated how hospitals smelt.
A nurse looked up from her desk and then smiled softly at the young man.
"Ah, Mr. Kim. Room number 708. He's been asking for you."
Kibum nodded and headed down the hall. He pushed open the door to room 708 and peered inside. It was dim, just the glimmer of a reading lamp light shimmering inside. There was the light scent of flowers that did nothing to cover up the very distinctive hospital scent. Kibum closed the door quietly behind him and shuffled softly across the chilled white floor.
A rather small, very slender man laid in the bed that Kibum approached. His short spiky hair rested comfortably against his forehead. His right arm was laced through with an IV and a blood pressure machine was attached to the tip of his finger. Two prongs for an oxygen tube protuded from his noise. Kibum could hear the very soft whistle of air moving through the device. The other's eyes were closed, lashes framing his delicate face. Kibum pulled up a chair and sat down, looking at the young man for a long time. Finally he reached out and took his free left hand.
"Ryeowook?"
The frail man responded and then turned his head. He opened his eyes slowly and then smiled barely. He looked tired and just a little gaunt.
"Kibum-hyung." he said softly.
"I came as soon as I got the call. Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well this morning?"
"Oh, it was nothing." Ryeowook responded softly. "You know how I am though. I just pushed myself a little too hard and then I couldn't breathe very well. I ended up fainting was all."
"You didn't take your medicine did you?"
Ryeowook shook his head slightly.
"It's been making me too sick. The doctors told me tonight they'll try a new series and see if it helps. It doesn't hurt as bad to breathe any more though. The pain meds they have me on has really helped. Other than I think I saw the Easter Bunny at the foot of my bed."
This made Kibum laugh even though it was a strange, strained sound.
"It's good to hear you laugh again. You don't do it enough, Kibum."
"Did the doctors say anything else?"
"It hasn't progressed any more, which is good. Kinda' funny that I've never smoked and ended up with this, isn't it?"
"You just have very bad luck."
There was silence between the two of them before Ryeowook spoke softly again.
"The premiere?"
"It went as expected. Naturally everyone praised Junsu for Hankyung's skills."
Ryeowook nodded slightly, his eyes a bit tired again.
"Was Hankyung everything that he had hoped for?"
"And then some."
"Does anyone else know about the premiere?"
"Yoochun is heading to the new training center in western Seoul. He'll make sure the word will get there. Then it will spread."
Ryeowook again nodded, pleased by this information. His eyes began to close again as the pain medication drew him into sleep. He whispered softly as he felt himself fading.
"Kibum?"
"Yes?"
"I want revenge for losing him."
"I know, Ryeowook, I know."