Mask - Epilogue
Mask
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: HenHae, YeBum, Kangta/LiYin
Genre: AU!Family, Drama/Minor!Angst, Romance
Length: Chaptered [Completed]
Summary: Whisked in the arms of a wealthy and charming bachelor, its all smiles and sweeping happiness in front of the camera lenses. A fairy-tale ending that was short lived.
§ The Final Thread §
***
Shined boots tapped the desk lightly, leading to black fitted jeans, a white casual dress shirt beneath his off-shoulder jacket. Paired with a multi-colored scarf that hung loosely around his neck. His sunglasses hung off his collar.
"He's here." A co-worker said, opening the door of the recording room. Henry looked up expectantly with his headphones around his neck, the co-worker stood there for a moment before apologizing.
"I told you before, when he's here, just let him through." She apologized once more and left, Henry exhaled sharply, writing a last minute note on his music sheets when the door opened. He looked up, "You're late." Henry deadpanned.
Donghae murmured an apology, "Are you almost done?"
"Almost. You said you had something to drop off?"
Donghae nodded and handed over a small bag, Henry arched an eyebrow. Once he peeked in however, he tossed it in the garbage bin beside them. "I said before, just tell them no."
"I thought this guy might be different." Donghae offered. Henry exhaled.
"All my ex's are the same." Henry deadpanned, organizing his papers. "It's just you that's different."
Henry remained composed as he shuffled amongst the papers when he paused, his cherry lips curved suggestively. "Also,"
Donghae observed as Henry reached for something beside him. Donghae widened his eyes at the familiar manuscript in Henry's hands and hurriedly yanked it from his grip.
"Y-you can't read that."
"Why not?" Henry asked calmly, turning in his seat. "Is it because the main character's physical traits oddly resemble mine, or that the man he's paired up with oddly resembles you except he's a lot... How did you word it, walked with an air of confidence that befitted his cold, icy stare."
Donghae lowered his head in embarrassment.
Henry smirked, legs crossed over one another. "I'm not bothered by it, but is this how you fantasized yourself to be?"
"I... Well I..."
Henry gestured for him to come closer and Donghae reluctantly did so, his tie tugged and curled around the younger's fingers. "Everyone dreams of their lives to be better, be different. It's not a bad thing to do. I know I've always wished some circumstances in my life could be changed."
Donghae offered a comforting hand when Henry's fingertips graced over his wrist and asked, "To which, that isn't aimed towards children, is it?" Donghae shook his head. "I'd hope so, considering the scenes you wrote in their most adults may blush at... A prison story no less."
Donghae felt his cheeks flush. "It's just a rough draft. Just writing so the muse will leave me alone."
"Right... Your muse." Henry added doubtfully. "There were some parts of the story I was confused about, care to enlighten me?"
"On which parts?"
"Particularly one on page 53."
Donghae turned the pages and read it, his cheeks turned noticeably red. Henry couldn't help but smile as Donghae fumbled over the papers.
"You wrote it." Henry accused lightly. Teasing the flustered writer had become his favorite hobby. That, he thought as he pulled Donghae closer in his grasp, lips brushing against his, amongst other things.
Yet a fellow knock on the door interrupted the two, Henry sighed and let go briefly, his good-natured mood ruined as he answered a different co-worker.
Henry excused himself for the moment. Donghae sat in Henry's seat, clearing his throat as the co-worker lingered about, dropping off some things.
"It's exciting, isn't it? Meeting all the celebrities he encounters." The co-worker, someone by the name of Ryeowook, attempted a conversation in the awkward silence.
Donghae nodded, hiding the incriminating manuscript behind him, the truth was he didn't recognize most of the celebrities he did meet. Henry didn't bring them up much either.
"He's written his best love song yet," Ryeowook quietly praised. Donghae smiled proudly at the thought when Henry returned, Ryeowook then left, leaving the two there. Yet Henry gave a suspicious look between Donghae and the closed door.
"He didn't hit on you, did he?"
Donghae shook his head.
Henry was doing quite well these days, songwriting for plenty of artists, contributing to plenty of records. He may not have heard their names before, but watching Henry at work was an admirable sight.
The stylish younger man however, maintained the same flair about him, an air of confidence the other couldn't muster naturally. Donghae, in his ordinary suit, felt the vague stares went their way every so often. Henry truly stood out.
"You never wished for someone..." Donghae began, settling on that pier bench. Henry twirled his drink, daylight glaring off his sunglasses as he turned his head, not knowing what Donghae was alluding to. "Younger?"
"No," Henry said honestly, returning to his drink.
Once done, he adjusted himself comfortably against Donghae's shoulder, eyes closed behind his sunglasses, resting for the time-being.
Donghae noticed minor paparazzi in a distant corner, something he gradually grew accustomed to. The encouraged icon still remained uncaring towards them.
"You said you didn't care. Did you mean it?"
"Of course." Donghae said firmly, looking back from the cameras, hands laid on his lap.
Henry reached for his hand, fingers intertwined.
A simple, bold act, an unannounced union caught as the lights flashed, the shutters click.
Yet not a single camera could capture the exchanged words between them. In the midst of it, Donghae heard him murmur the foreign phrase. This time, rather than his familiar, puzzled look, was now replaced by a knowing elation.
The meaning had come across, and he gladly said it back.
-
Jongwoon glanced as Kibum studied the charts, his intent expression he remained fixated on. The man had truly changed over the course of time, but as Kibum turned around, returning that familiar smirk once he acknowledged his presence. He felt assured that the change wasn't to an extreme.
"She's doing fine." Kibum assured.
His mother had been allowed to spend weekends at his home, her actions and reflexes encouraged, improving as time went on. He had often thought of simply bringing her straight home, but the transition would have to be made carefully.
"I'm only making sure." Jongwoon explained, leaning against the door frame.
Kibum nodded. "Don't worry, if you ever have any issues, just call for me. I'll come by right away."
Jongwoon nodded, his cell rang and he excused himself out of the room.
It was strange to see a man who was cooped up home often, was happier than he had ever been outside, traveling and on constant schedule. This sort of freedom he embraced willingly. His state of mind relaxed.
Once he returned he heard a familiar tune, his hand lingered by the creaked open door as his mother stared warily at the blood pressure monitor. He glimpsed to see her calm down once Kibum began singing the tune. One Jongwoon had learned long ago, and while it was not done with the best vocals, the effort was there.
Jongwoon entered a short while after the song had ended, glancing as Kibum finished his physical check-up with care. "She's fine. Healthy in every sense." He placed his file by the bedside. "If you want, I can take her back tomorrow morning."
"That's fine." Jongwoon declined. "I can take her myself."
Kibum sighed dejectedly, gathering his things when he left the room. Jongwoon glanced at his mother's lingering smile, exhaustively rubbing her eyes as the night hours came by.
"What do you think of him?" Jongwoon asked in Mandarin. His mother turned her head, lips forming a wider smile. Jongwoon couldn't help but display a rare form of his own.
He often played with the thought. What color would be painted on Kibum's mask?
As he returned outside to where Kibum was, studying him from a distance. He spoke quietly,
"Soft lavender."
Kibum looked up, he hadn't heard him. Jongwoon chose not to repeat and remained rooted where he was.
The distracted doctor paused in his actions and approached the singer. Jongwoon looked on blankly as Kibum placed the back of his hand on Jongwoon's forehead.
"When was the last time you've had a check-up?"
"I'm perfectly fine." Jongwoon insisted.
Kibum arched an eyebrow. "The confidence comes and goes it seems." He commented, he lowered his hand. "If you ever want, I'll gladly take on the job as personal physician."
Jongwoon turned his head, averting the offer at hand. Kibum merely laughed.
-
Donghae laid down on the couch that night in his apartment with Henry on his chest, sleeping soundly as he read through his rough draft. He gently weaved his fingers through his hair that now had pale green edges.
Henry adjusted himself slightly, digging his fingers into his shirt. Donghae lowered the draft onto the table, his hand placed over his as it slowly relaxed in his grasp.
The writer could weave together the perfect, ideal story, that had been his profession for however long it had been. And while Henry may not have been perfect, flawed in every sense, his attachment grew day by day.
Morning had come too soon as dawn approached, Henry had already freshened up and changed as Donghae made him breakfast. He leaned against the counter over his crossed arms, exhaustively resting against his palm.
"Will you be coming home tonight?" Henry had asked, his term unknowingly making the other smile. "If not, I'll just return to the apartment."
Donghae became wistful. "I do have work to do..."
Henry nodded as he reached for his drink. By the time they had finished breakfast, they had exchanged their goodbyes, Donghae given a brief kiss on the cheek.
"Call me when you want me over then." Henry said, turning his back as he gathered his keys.
Donghae's eyes trailed after the other. Henry placed his hand on the doorknob.
"M-move in."
Henry froze, eyes slowly turning to Donghae who clutched his hands. He wasn't sure he heard right. "Eh?" Henry asked blankly, Donghae cleared his throat and said as loudly as he could without fumbling over his words.
"Move in with me."
-
"What's bothering you?" Kibum asked, observing his silence throughout the car ride back home once they left the institution.
Jongwoon pondered the thought, sitting on the couch of his living room, staring absentmindedly as the flames roared within the fireplace before them. "I think if that man could, he would marry my brother."
Kibum realized who he referred to and chuckled, "Does that surprise you?"
Mildly, Jongwoon thought. "I never would have thought someone like him would settle with my brother. They don't match on any level."
Kibum smiled wistfully. "It's not always whether they match, it's whether they're comfortable with one another. You tend to not to care whether you match once you fall for someone."
Jongwoon stared as Kibum lowered his drink on the desk. "Do you accept him?"
"My opinion doesn't matter."
"I think to Henry it does."
Jongwoon thinned his lips, "He's a good person... I guess." Kibum chuckled, figuring that was the best answer Henry could ever expect. Jongwoon then tilted his head. "What shall I do with all my free time now?"
"How about writing some lyrics? Train your vocals?"
Jongwoon tilted the glass of the maroon liquid swirling about. "I don't want to be a singer anymore. I've lost interest in it long ago."
Jongwoon didn't become a singer for passion. He became a celebrity to spread his influence, to make people want to read his account of the wrongdoings done in the family. No matter how famed he became as a Kabuki actor, the influence he required wasn't enough, and long decided a different path was more suitable.
Only with a well-known and established name, was he able to accomplish this feat. And now that it was over, he could now depart his Yesung identity.
The thought felt like a weight off his shoulders.
Jongwoon returned the glass on the desk, leaving the alcohol untouched. "The family has since cut me off from the fortune. I've lived off the money made from my contracts, I'll learn to save it wisely."
"They still have their wealth?" The investigation had since ended.
"It's all they have left." Jongwoon corrected. The Kabuki world had long turned their backs on them. The nobility and respect stripped at the very core, and for the first time, the primary roles were handed to someone other than an Ahn.
"Do you have enough?" Kibum asked earnestly, slightly concerned. Jongwoon remained silent, pondering the thought when Kibum edged closer towards him. "Let me take care of you. I make more than enough to support you."
Jongwoon locked eyes with him. "Why?"
"...We're friends, that's why." Kibum offered lightly.
Kibum then stood up and stepped towards the music player, lowering the volume till it was barely inaudible. He then turned, faced with the former singer who studied him. Kibum sat beside him, Jongwoon didn't bother with hiding how intently he was watching him.
Jongwoon tilted his head, sitting deliberately close. "Friends don't go as far as you go."
Kibum visibly cleared his throat, staring at the flames. "Close friends do."
Jongwoon shook his head, scooting closer. Kibum stiffened under Jongwoon's touch, his hands gently on his cheek and shoulder.
"No," He said firmly. "They don't."
Kibum slowly faced him, the shortening distance nerved him.
"If I ask dared to ask for more." Jongwoon said quietly, "Would you also accept it?"
He felt that selfish impulse not to await an answer, not willing to have Kibum take the question into consideration.
Jongwoon closed his eyes as he pressed his lips against Kibum's, gently and softly. He wasn't pressed by alcohol, he wasn't fueled by lust, he was in his right state of mind as he pursued the kiss further.
Kibum, despite his resistance, felt his hands slowly reach up and supported Jongwoon's back. Jongwoon felt the other's shoulders relaxed, slowly, finally, giving in.
The reflections of the two untouched glasses revealed the two bodies intertwined. A second, third kiss that repeated between them, a brush with happiness every time their lips touched.
-
Jongwoon walked in to see Henry on the floor, his legs crossed as he heard a familiar but distant laugh. He turned towards the screen as a woman grinned towards the camera, a crowd of reporters before the couple.
"I admit, I honestly thought she would never consider me." Kangta said, then in his late twenties.
"I didn't, but you wore me down." Li Yin joked, she then waved her hand. "I kid! I meant that, after watching your many performances, and listened to your music outside. It made me realize you do have charm."
The documented exchanged look between them, remained paused in the static screen. The television had resurfaced clips caused by the media ruckus surrounding the recent clips, a syndicating rerun of a special caused by the book's impact.
"Did you know they were holding hands the entire time under the table?" Henry said in Mandarin, still staring at the paused screen as the couple looked at one another. "Mom said Dad was so nervous, he almost crushed it."
"As nervous as when she agreed to star in his music video and even agreed to a date? He couldn't believe it that he didn't even show up for it." Jongwoon said, Henry chuckled.
"I wonder how Dad managed to get someone like Mom. She's difficult to please, and only trust a few people, it's difficult to know who she'll like." Henry noted his brother's silence. "Mom likes Kibum, don't worry."
Jongwoon pretended to remain oblivious as he reached for his keys as Henry put on his jacket, laughing slightly.
Yet it was true, their father was a person that even now, they couldn't completely understand. With his constant smile that hid his emotions, or maybe lack of, the two brothers were at a loss of what the man truly felt.
Maybe within the bitter Ahn household, they had simply assumed that a kind man, their father that had inherited the name no less, was too good to be true.
"Are you really moving out?" Jongwoon asked, looking at the bags in the backseat.
"Don't worry, I'll still come by and visit you."
"This weekend?"
Henry chuckled at his brother's impatience. "I can't, I'm going with Donghae to his sister's wedding."
"Why do you bother with all his family events?" Jongwoon asked, evicted of malice and genuinely curious.
Henry swallowed slightly and replied with sincerity, "I want his family to accept us."
Jongwoon laid back against the seat, baffled at the thought of his younger brother wanting someone's approval. Then again, when it concerned that person, Henry seemed willing to go the distance.
Jongwoon was guilty of the same, surprised at his own relief that Kibum's mother, his family's former servant, had approved their relationship.
As they waited on the red light, they both looked on dejectedly. "Let's not go to the awards ceremony." Henry suggested.
Jongwoon sighed in relief.
Instead they went to visit their mother and walked in to the familiar hallway, when to their surprise there was already another person inside the room.
The pair could only watch from a distance as Kangta pulled Li Yin into his embrace, brushing his fingers through her long raven hair. He made an odd expression that caused her to roar with laughter. The nurse hid her smile as she fixed the sheets as the two stood beside.
Li Yin stumbled and was caught before she fell, being pulled into his arms as he gently swayed with her side to side.
Li Yin unknowingly hummed a song that remained with her, a song that was sung on an important date she couldn't recall, with someone who held her just as close. Just as familiar to the man who held her now.
The one and very same, a distant voice told her.
She felt herself walking closer towards the sound that called to her, her hands outstretched, through the dark corridor she had distanced herself in. Soon, one day, she'd reach it.
"I still miss her concert days." The nurse inside commented to the father, sighing solemnly. "She was perfect." She said in disappointment as she walked out of the room.
Kangta smiled warmly as he cradled her face in his hands, Li Yin grinned and nestled against him, closing her eyes as he kissed her on forehead. Once more on her lips. He then declared confidently,
"She's still perfect."
| The End |
Mask - Directory
A/N: This. Is. The. End. I believe this is only my third series to date, this year I may be focusing on more series than one-shots like I had before. Although I still have plenty one-shots in the works that have yet to reveal themselves.
The next series to debut will be this Friday, written over a year ago, and hoping... that I don't completely dislike it...
Hope you all enjoyed the series ^^
02/21/12.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: HenHae, YeBum, Kangta/LiYin
Genre: AU!Family, Drama/Minor!Angst, Romance
Length: Chaptered [Completed]
Summary: Whisked in the arms of a wealthy and charming bachelor, its all smiles and sweeping happiness in front of the camera lenses. A fairy-tale ending that was short lived.
§ The Final Thread §
***
Shined boots tapped the desk lightly, leading to black fitted jeans, a white casual dress shirt beneath his off-shoulder jacket. Paired with a multi-colored scarf that hung loosely around his neck. His sunglasses hung off his collar.
"He's here." A co-worker said, opening the door of the recording room. Henry looked up expectantly with his headphones around his neck, the co-worker stood there for a moment before apologizing.
"I told you before, when he's here, just let him through." She apologized once more and left, Henry exhaled sharply, writing a last minute note on his music sheets when the door opened. He looked up, "You're late." Henry deadpanned.
Donghae murmured an apology, "Are you almost done?"
"Almost. You said you had something to drop off?"
Donghae nodded and handed over a small bag, Henry arched an eyebrow. Once he peeked in however, he tossed it in the garbage bin beside them. "I said before, just tell them no."
"I thought this guy might be different." Donghae offered. Henry exhaled.
"All my ex's are the same." Henry deadpanned, organizing his papers. "It's just you that's different."
Henry remained composed as he shuffled amongst the papers when he paused, his cherry lips curved suggestively. "Also,"
Donghae observed as Henry reached for something beside him. Donghae widened his eyes at the familiar manuscript in Henry's hands and hurriedly yanked it from his grip.
"Y-you can't read that."
"Why not?" Henry asked calmly, turning in his seat. "Is it because the main character's physical traits oddly resemble mine, or that the man he's paired up with oddly resembles you except he's a lot... How did you word it, walked with an air of confidence that befitted his cold, icy stare."
Donghae lowered his head in embarrassment.
Henry smirked, legs crossed over one another. "I'm not bothered by it, but is this how you fantasized yourself to be?"
"I... Well I..."
Henry gestured for him to come closer and Donghae reluctantly did so, his tie tugged and curled around the younger's fingers. "Everyone dreams of their lives to be better, be different. It's not a bad thing to do. I know I've always wished some circumstances in my life could be changed."
Donghae offered a comforting hand when Henry's fingertips graced over his wrist and asked, "To which, that isn't aimed towards children, is it?" Donghae shook his head. "I'd hope so, considering the scenes you wrote in their most adults may blush at... A prison story no less."
Donghae felt his cheeks flush. "It's just a rough draft. Just writing so the muse will leave me alone."
"Right... Your muse." Henry added doubtfully. "There were some parts of the story I was confused about, care to enlighten me?"
"On which parts?"
"Particularly one on page 53."
Donghae turned the pages and read it, his cheeks turned noticeably red. Henry couldn't help but smile as Donghae fumbled over the papers.
"You wrote it." Henry accused lightly. Teasing the flustered writer had become his favorite hobby. That, he thought as he pulled Donghae closer in his grasp, lips brushing against his, amongst other things.
Yet a fellow knock on the door interrupted the two, Henry sighed and let go briefly, his good-natured mood ruined as he answered a different co-worker.
Henry excused himself for the moment. Donghae sat in Henry's seat, clearing his throat as the co-worker lingered about, dropping off some things.
"It's exciting, isn't it? Meeting all the celebrities he encounters." The co-worker, someone by the name of Ryeowook, attempted a conversation in the awkward silence.
Donghae nodded, hiding the incriminating manuscript behind him, the truth was he didn't recognize most of the celebrities he did meet. Henry didn't bring them up much either.
"He's written his best love song yet," Ryeowook quietly praised. Donghae smiled proudly at the thought when Henry returned, Ryeowook then left, leaving the two there. Yet Henry gave a suspicious look between Donghae and the closed door.
"He didn't hit on you, did he?"
Donghae shook his head.
Henry was doing quite well these days, songwriting for plenty of artists, contributing to plenty of records. He may not have heard their names before, but watching Henry at work was an admirable sight.
The stylish younger man however, maintained the same flair about him, an air of confidence the other couldn't muster naturally. Donghae, in his ordinary suit, felt the vague stares went their way every so often. Henry truly stood out.
"You never wished for someone..." Donghae began, settling on that pier bench. Henry twirled his drink, daylight glaring off his sunglasses as he turned his head, not knowing what Donghae was alluding to. "Younger?"
"No," Henry said honestly, returning to his drink.
Once done, he adjusted himself comfortably against Donghae's shoulder, eyes closed behind his sunglasses, resting for the time-being.
Donghae noticed minor paparazzi in a distant corner, something he gradually grew accustomed to. The encouraged icon still remained uncaring towards them.
"You said you didn't care. Did you mean it?"
"Of course." Donghae said firmly, looking back from the cameras, hands laid on his lap.
Henry reached for his hand, fingers intertwined.
A simple, bold act, an unannounced union caught as the lights flashed, the shutters click.
Yet not a single camera could capture the exchanged words between them. In the midst of it, Donghae heard him murmur the foreign phrase. This time, rather than his familiar, puzzled look, was now replaced by a knowing elation.
The meaning had come across, and he gladly said it back.
-
Jongwoon glanced as Kibum studied the charts, his intent expression he remained fixated on. The man had truly changed over the course of time, but as Kibum turned around, returning that familiar smirk once he acknowledged his presence. He felt assured that the change wasn't to an extreme.
"She's doing fine." Kibum assured.
His mother had been allowed to spend weekends at his home, her actions and reflexes encouraged, improving as time went on. He had often thought of simply bringing her straight home, but the transition would have to be made carefully.
"I'm only making sure." Jongwoon explained, leaning against the door frame.
Kibum nodded. "Don't worry, if you ever have any issues, just call for me. I'll come by right away."
Jongwoon nodded, his cell rang and he excused himself out of the room.
It was strange to see a man who was cooped up home often, was happier than he had ever been outside, traveling and on constant schedule. This sort of freedom he embraced willingly. His state of mind relaxed.
Once he returned he heard a familiar tune, his hand lingered by the creaked open door as his mother stared warily at the blood pressure monitor. He glimpsed to see her calm down once Kibum began singing the tune. One Jongwoon had learned long ago, and while it was not done with the best vocals, the effort was there.
Jongwoon entered a short while after the song had ended, glancing as Kibum finished his physical check-up with care. "She's fine. Healthy in every sense." He placed his file by the bedside. "If you want, I can take her back tomorrow morning."
"That's fine." Jongwoon declined. "I can take her myself."
Kibum sighed dejectedly, gathering his things when he left the room. Jongwoon glanced at his mother's lingering smile, exhaustively rubbing her eyes as the night hours came by.
"What do you think of him?" Jongwoon asked in Mandarin. His mother turned her head, lips forming a wider smile. Jongwoon couldn't help but display a rare form of his own.
He often played with the thought. What color would be painted on Kibum's mask?
As he returned outside to where Kibum was, studying him from a distance. He spoke quietly,
"Soft lavender."
Kibum looked up, he hadn't heard him. Jongwoon chose not to repeat and remained rooted where he was.
The distracted doctor paused in his actions and approached the singer. Jongwoon looked on blankly as Kibum placed the back of his hand on Jongwoon's forehead.
"When was the last time you've had a check-up?"
"I'm perfectly fine." Jongwoon insisted.
Kibum arched an eyebrow. "The confidence comes and goes it seems." He commented, he lowered his hand. "If you ever want, I'll gladly take on the job as personal physician."
Jongwoon turned his head, averting the offer at hand. Kibum merely laughed.
-
Donghae laid down on the couch that night in his apartment with Henry on his chest, sleeping soundly as he read through his rough draft. He gently weaved his fingers through his hair that now had pale green edges.
Henry adjusted himself slightly, digging his fingers into his shirt. Donghae lowered the draft onto the table, his hand placed over his as it slowly relaxed in his grasp.
The writer could weave together the perfect, ideal story, that had been his profession for however long it had been. And while Henry may not have been perfect, flawed in every sense, his attachment grew day by day.
Morning had come too soon as dawn approached, Henry had already freshened up and changed as Donghae made him breakfast. He leaned against the counter over his crossed arms, exhaustively resting against his palm.
"Will you be coming home tonight?" Henry had asked, his term unknowingly making the other smile. "If not, I'll just return to the apartment."
Donghae became wistful. "I do have work to do..."
Henry nodded as he reached for his drink. By the time they had finished breakfast, they had exchanged their goodbyes, Donghae given a brief kiss on the cheek.
"Call me when you want me over then." Henry said, turning his back as he gathered his keys.
Donghae's eyes trailed after the other. Henry placed his hand on the doorknob.
"M-move in."
Henry froze, eyes slowly turning to Donghae who clutched his hands. He wasn't sure he heard right. "Eh?" Henry asked blankly, Donghae cleared his throat and said as loudly as he could without fumbling over his words.
"Move in with me."
-
"What's bothering you?" Kibum asked, observing his silence throughout the car ride back home once they left the institution.
Jongwoon pondered the thought, sitting on the couch of his living room, staring absentmindedly as the flames roared within the fireplace before them. "I think if that man could, he would marry my brother."
Kibum realized who he referred to and chuckled, "Does that surprise you?"
Mildly, Jongwoon thought. "I never would have thought someone like him would settle with my brother. They don't match on any level."
Kibum smiled wistfully. "It's not always whether they match, it's whether they're comfortable with one another. You tend to not to care whether you match once you fall for someone."
Jongwoon stared as Kibum lowered his drink on the desk. "Do you accept him?"
"My opinion doesn't matter."
"I think to Henry it does."
Jongwoon thinned his lips, "He's a good person... I guess." Kibum chuckled, figuring that was the best answer Henry could ever expect. Jongwoon then tilted his head. "What shall I do with all my free time now?"
"How about writing some lyrics? Train your vocals?"
Jongwoon tilted the glass of the maroon liquid swirling about. "I don't want to be a singer anymore. I've lost interest in it long ago."
Jongwoon didn't become a singer for passion. He became a celebrity to spread his influence, to make people want to read his account of the wrongdoings done in the family. No matter how famed he became as a Kabuki actor, the influence he required wasn't enough, and long decided a different path was more suitable.
Only with a well-known and established name, was he able to accomplish this feat. And now that it was over, he could now depart his Yesung identity.
The thought felt like a weight off his shoulders.
Jongwoon returned the glass on the desk, leaving the alcohol untouched. "The family has since cut me off from the fortune. I've lived off the money made from my contracts, I'll learn to save it wisely."
"They still have their wealth?" The investigation had since ended.
"It's all they have left." Jongwoon corrected. The Kabuki world had long turned their backs on them. The nobility and respect stripped at the very core, and for the first time, the primary roles were handed to someone other than an Ahn.
"Do you have enough?" Kibum asked earnestly, slightly concerned. Jongwoon remained silent, pondering the thought when Kibum edged closer towards him. "Let me take care of you. I make more than enough to support you."
Jongwoon locked eyes with him. "Why?"
"...We're friends, that's why." Kibum offered lightly.
Kibum then stood up and stepped towards the music player, lowering the volume till it was barely inaudible. He then turned, faced with the former singer who studied him. Kibum sat beside him, Jongwoon didn't bother with hiding how intently he was watching him.
Jongwoon tilted his head, sitting deliberately close. "Friends don't go as far as you go."
Kibum visibly cleared his throat, staring at the flames. "Close friends do."
Jongwoon shook his head, scooting closer. Kibum stiffened under Jongwoon's touch, his hands gently on his cheek and shoulder.
"No," He said firmly. "They don't."
Kibum slowly faced him, the shortening distance nerved him.
"If I ask dared to ask for more." Jongwoon said quietly, "Would you also accept it?"
He felt that selfish impulse not to await an answer, not willing to have Kibum take the question into consideration.
Jongwoon closed his eyes as he pressed his lips against Kibum's, gently and softly. He wasn't pressed by alcohol, he wasn't fueled by lust, he was in his right state of mind as he pursued the kiss further.
Kibum, despite his resistance, felt his hands slowly reach up and supported Jongwoon's back. Jongwoon felt the other's shoulders relaxed, slowly, finally, giving in.
The reflections of the two untouched glasses revealed the two bodies intertwined. A second, third kiss that repeated between them, a brush with happiness every time their lips touched.
-
Jongwoon walked in to see Henry on the floor, his legs crossed as he heard a familiar but distant laugh. He turned towards the screen as a woman grinned towards the camera, a crowd of reporters before the couple.
"I admit, I honestly thought she would never consider me." Kangta said, then in his late twenties.
"I didn't, but you wore me down." Li Yin joked, she then waved her hand. "I kid! I meant that, after watching your many performances, and listened to your music outside. It made me realize you do have charm."
The documented exchanged look between them, remained paused in the static screen. The television had resurfaced clips caused by the media ruckus surrounding the recent clips, a syndicating rerun of a special caused by the book's impact.
"Did you know they were holding hands the entire time under the table?" Henry said in Mandarin, still staring at the paused screen as the couple looked at one another. "Mom said Dad was so nervous, he almost crushed it."
"As nervous as when she agreed to star in his music video and even agreed to a date? He couldn't believe it that he didn't even show up for it." Jongwoon said, Henry chuckled.
"I wonder how Dad managed to get someone like Mom. She's difficult to please, and only trust a few people, it's difficult to know who she'll like." Henry noted his brother's silence. "Mom likes Kibum, don't worry."
Jongwoon pretended to remain oblivious as he reached for his keys as Henry put on his jacket, laughing slightly.
Yet it was true, their father was a person that even now, they couldn't completely understand. With his constant smile that hid his emotions, or maybe lack of, the two brothers were at a loss of what the man truly felt.
Maybe within the bitter Ahn household, they had simply assumed that a kind man, their father that had inherited the name no less, was too good to be true.
"Are you really moving out?" Jongwoon asked, looking at the bags in the backseat.
"Don't worry, I'll still come by and visit you."
"This weekend?"
Henry chuckled at his brother's impatience. "I can't, I'm going with Donghae to his sister's wedding."
"Why do you bother with all his family events?" Jongwoon asked, evicted of malice and genuinely curious.
Henry swallowed slightly and replied with sincerity, "I want his family to accept us."
Jongwoon laid back against the seat, baffled at the thought of his younger brother wanting someone's approval. Then again, when it concerned that person, Henry seemed willing to go the distance.
Jongwoon was guilty of the same, surprised at his own relief that Kibum's mother, his family's former servant, had approved their relationship.
As they waited on the red light, they both looked on dejectedly. "Let's not go to the awards ceremony." Henry suggested.
Jongwoon sighed in relief.
Instead they went to visit their mother and walked in to the familiar hallway, when to their surprise there was already another person inside the room.
The pair could only watch from a distance as Kangta pulled Li Yin into his embrace, brushing his fingers through her long raven hair. He made an odd expression that caused her to roar with laughter. The nurse hid her smile as she fixed the sheets as the two stood beside.
Li Yin stumbled and was caught before she fell, being pulled into his arms as he gently swayed with her side to side.
Li Yin unknowingly hummed a song that remained with her, a song that was sung on an important date she couldn't recall, with someone who held her just as close. Just as familiar to the man who held her now.
The one and very same, a distant voice told her.
She felt herself walking closer towards the sound that called to her, her hands outstretched, through the dark corridor she had distanced herself in. Soon, one day, she'd reach it.
"I still miss her concert days." The nurse inside commented to the father, sighing solemnly. "She was perfect." She said in disappointment as she walked out of the room.
Kangta smiled warmly as he cradled her face in his hands, Li Yin grinned and nestled against him, closing her eyes as he kissed her on forehead. Once more on her lips. He then declared confidently,
"She's still perfect."
| The End |
Mask - Directory
A/N: This. Is. The. End. I believe this is only my third series to date, this year I may be focusing on more series than one-shots like I had before. Although I still have plenty one-shots in the works that have yet to reveal themselves.
The next series to debut will be this Friday, written over a year ago, and hoping... that I don't completely dislike it...
Hope you all enjoyed the series ^^
02/21/12.