Unattainable - Part 3
Unattainable
Rating: PG-15
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Donghae
Genre: AU!Romance, Drama
Summary: He didn't understand how a man could be so indifferent yet care so much. The man who never seemed to truly leave his memories and continues to haunt him from his past. Yet every time he reaches towards that memory, he simply vanishes.
// Part 3 //
Everything was taking a toll on his body, his jobs, his classes and the harsh weather had hardly helped to lessen his stress.
Hankyung had to continually nudge him as he struggled to keep his eyes open. But sleeping was the same struggle as before, even if he could force himself to close his eyes, it didn't work. His asthma worsened, but he saved whatever medicine he had left at his disposal, ignoring the harsh coughs and throbbing headaches.
It wasn't getting any better, but he had to simply hold out.
"This is why I'm worried." Hankyung commented as he looked look over his deteriorating state. "Please tell me that you're willing to spend some money on medicine for yourself?"
Donghae smiled, daring not to answer as Hankyung shook his head disapprovingly. He was abruptly forced to follow him to a nearby store, staying outside as he gazed around until he reluctantly stepped inside.
"That'll be 7.58."
It couldn't be.
Yet as he looked up, surely enough it was Eunhyuk who leaned over the counter as he dropped the change in his friend's hand. Donghae maintained stoic reaction, he doubted anyone could see the internal struggle he faced.
"Drink this." Hankyung ordered, Donghae was hardly paying attention however as he continued to look at the cashier. Hankyung noted this and turned around to the cashier who looked away. "Do you know him?"
Yes, he wanted to say, but his lips hadn't part to say that simple answer. Instead he chose to avoid the question entirely, leaving the store without looking back.
He was puzzled. The question was simple and easy to reply to, he didn't have to go into further detail or divulge any more information. Just a simple yes.
Why couldn't he say it?
The door rang, signaling his return to the shop. Eunhyuk hardly spared a glance and didn't greet as he scribbled something on a piece of paper. Donghae stood still as the man brushed right past him to the supplies.
"Ignoring me?" Donghae asked, his eyes searched around the shop briefly, noting that they were the only two inside.
Eunhyuk scoffed. "It's hard to ignore someone you don't know." Donghae lowered his eyes as the other reached for a random product. "Ashamed of admitting you know me?"
"No." Donghae replied, taking that into offense.
Eunhyuk chuckled. "You didn't answer that confidently when your friend asked, so I wonder whether to qualify it as a lie or as a way of avoiding the truth. I'll choose to go with the former, clearly you didn't want to answer."
He would know. He glared at the other who turned around, the same dark smile evident on his face. "When have you ever directly answered any of my questions?"
The man arched an eyebrow, stepping towards him. "Are you saying that I influenced you?"
Donghae shifted his eyes, refusing to meet his as Eunhyuk was barely inches away. "That's not it."
The quiet store wasn't helping, he felt his heartbeats could be heard on speaker. His thoughts couldn't help but be reminded of the classroom just barely weeks before.
"You're becoming more hypocritical." Donghae looked up as the other stepped even closer. "Your questions are a waste of time. If I dared to answer one, you'll become even more demanding than usual."
Donghae swallowed, glaring intensely, able to find his voice. "But you'll find a way around that. You always find a way to avoid answering any of them."
"You're acting as if they're life or death." Eunhyuk smiled mockingly. "Even then, somehow I doubt you'll be able to know which of my words are actual truth or lies."
He fumed visibly as the man walked past him. He was right to think that it was just as impossible to earn a straight answer out of him. There was nothing about him that should attract him at all, neither as a man or human being.
Scornfully cursing his name under his breath, he stormed right out of the shop without uttering another word.
Eunhyuk’s smirk faded, eyes trained outside of the large windows as he slammed the item onto the floor. A beep comes from his pocket and he checks the message from the anonymous sender, he just tosses it aside.
“Was it even worth it?”
-
He threw himself further into his work to avoid thinking, but his health was paying the price. His body gradually being beaten by his stubborn persistence, the medicine vaguely helping. But that may have been in part that he forgot to drink it frequently, distracted by his tight schedule.
"Just make it one more night." He repeated like a mantra as he trudged to next job. He wished those words would actually help, his sore body becoming rapidly weaker with each step.
It reached its limit. His legs gave out on him, for a moment everything was black, the streets forming bit by bit. The cycle repeated as he gave in and out of consciousness, unsure of how much time had passed in between.
He hated this feeling.
He was brutally aware that his friends nor family were around to his side when needed, not prepared like before. His eyes stayed closed, the cold encouraging how alone he felt at that moment, reminding him of how cruel it was not to have someone looking out for you. When no one was required to.
"You're asking for death aren't you?"
Donghae felt himself being lifted up and leaned against the cold jacket. He didn't bother to open his eyes, recognizing his voice immediately. He felt himself move in a different direction and he forced his legs to stop them.
"I have work..." He mumbled, his words barely audible.
"One night without you won't destroy them, don't think you're that important."
He tried to protest, but he couldn't physically go against him. He unwillingly allowed himself to be carried, the directions to his place forced out of him.
There was no difference in temperature once he arrived at the apartment, hearing Eunhyuk whistle at the sight around him.
"Your parents didn't exactly give you the most amazing place, did they? I expected something more impressive."
"They didn't pick this out for me." Donghae murmured, he felt it becoming more painful to just breathe.
He forced his eyes open as he reached for the machine across from him, Eunhyuk shoved it towards him. Donghae put on the mask and Eunhyuk watched as white wispy air escaped from the ventilation.
Donghae closed his eyes. "I broke ties with them."
The older man arched an eyebrow. Donghae coughed into the mask, the sound noticeably hoarse. "It seems you can't live long without your palace."
"I'll be fine."
"Biggest lie ever told. Aren't you the ambassador for the truth?"
Donghae gave a struggled laugh. "I'm not perfect either."
He tried to look anywhere else, but his gaze repeatedly landed on him, proving difficult to ignore him. He had wanted to avoid him since the kiss, wanting to ignore him since the minor confrontation, but here they were, nearly side by side.
He couldn't help but feel reassured by that.
Eunhyuk lazily walked around the room, staying quiet as he began to shove things on the floor with his leg. His hands grabbing some objects and putting them back with hardly any care.
"You're rough with everything it seems," Donghae expressed into his mask, his chest rising slowly up. "Should learn to be gentle."
Eunhyuk held up a random textbook. "I'm sure even at the end of the day, you prefer things rough too." Donghae felt his cheeks flush at Eunhyuk's statement.
"How long until it works?" Eunhyuk asked, referring to the machine.
Donghae didn't answer, he felt it took too much energy to even say anything else as he closed his eyes, a cold sweat enveloping him. Donghae began to let go of his mask, losing his grip when Eunhyuk held it against him. He moved the hair from his forehead, sitting there with his elbow propped on the bed.
It felt unfamiliar to Donghae. Strange how those very hands who shoved him so harshly can now be unusually compassionate. He enjoyed this rare act of kindness Eunhyuk had displayed to him.
But it was exactly that, rare. The man unknowingly raising his expectations, his emotions, so easily swayed by the older boy before ruthlessly being brought back to reality. He was entirely smitten with the guy.
He shut his eyes, the tremors were coursing through his body. He forced away Eunhyuk's hand, turning on his side with all the strength he had, hiding his jittery hands. He closed his eyes, hoping the other would ignore how his body reacted to the medicine. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks from embarrassment, he hated showing these side effects to anyone.
"You're going to end up dead at this rate." Eunhyuk stated coldly as he moved Donghae's hands, holding the mask firmly in his own. "If you can't hold it, just say so."
"I don't need it anymore." Donghae said as he weakly pushed away the mask. "It's enough." Eunhyuk pulled it away, Donghae closed his eyes as he tried to relax, taking deep breaths.
His body gradually calmed down, his hands staying still as the hour passed, and the moment he felt his lungs relax, he opened his eyes. Surprised to see Eunhyuk sitting there on the floor beside him.
The moment Eunhyuk met his eyes, he cleared his throat, feeling as nervous as before. Soon enough Eunhyuk stood up, walking to the door.
Donghae slightly rose from the bed, unable to resist the question.
"Why me?" He called out weakly, his voice hoarse. Eunhyuk paused with his hand on the door's handle. "Why are you being nice to me?"
Eunhyu turned around, an unreadable expression on his face. "I've taken a liking to you." He said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He sneered. "Unfortunately."
Even as the door closed, Donghae sat there, completely frozen. He was left to curse under his breath as he slumped back against the bed.
Eunhyuk was as difficult as ever and Donghae hated feeling toyed around by this guy. The man had basically declared how much he loathed him and turns around and says he likes him?
He didn't understand him at all, and he was afraid at the thought of even doing so.
-
"Just do it." He told his reflection, cursing himself for not having the nerve.
He decided against his better judgment, uncomfortable and anxious about the very idea. He wanted nothing more than to avoid him at all costs until he was able to clear his mind, wanting to stabilize himself after his thoughts were thrown into disarray. But he doubted it would ever reach such a state.
Once he felt he was as capable as he could ever be, he returned once more to the shop.
He walked into the place and met with a different cashier. One who smiled at him and greeted him kindly, as most typically would do. "Hello."
"Hello," Donghae returned, he looked around as the cashier asked what he needed. "Is Eunhyuk here?"
The cashier arched an eyebrow. "Who?"
Donghae blinked, "Eunhyuk..."
The cashier didn't seem to understand. "We don't have anyone here working by that name." He stood still, clearing his throat as he asked again, this time describing how he looked like. To his relief, the cashier recalled.
"He quit a while back."
He felt the air hitch in his throat, that had been far from the answer he wanted. He cleared it as he simply said, "T-thank you again."
The door rung again as he stepped out of the shop and back into the chilling weather. He looked up at the dark sky and exhaled, ignoring the tightening of his chest as he clutched the strap of his backpack.
Maybe this was for the best, before he had done anything he would regret. He shouldn't have expected any less, with crossed arms he stepped away, deciding to simply treat it as a passing memory.
-
Donghae lugged the huge garbage bags out from the back of the restaurant and into the huge garbage cans. He took a deep breath as he looked up, taking just a bit of a break.
It had been two weeks since and Donghae found himself oddly afraid. He should have been happy. He should have been elated, or at least relieved.
Yet the stress on his shoulders didn't let up. Apprehensive and confused on how Eunhyuk had completely taken over his thoughts, becoming a near obsession that was driving him insane. Was he going to disappear as before? Was it because of him that he was leaving?
He tried to ignore such questions but they demanded answers from himself. He quietly agreed with the other that it was annoying, but he needed to know.
He surprised himself more than the cashier when he ran to that pharmacy and demanded Eunhyuk's address that night, with one look at the address he ran out of there.
He felt his body grow weaker, his sickness had since healed but even this was too much for him, especially running through the still freezing temperatures. He persisted in testing his body's limits, until finally he reached the complex where he lived.
He knocked on the door repeatedly, hoping he hadn't left just yet as his knocks became frantic blows. But he reminded himself that before that it took only one day when Eunhyuk had left, now it had been weeks. Surely he could've...
Eunhyuk widened his eyes slightly at the sight as Donghae gasped for breath and entered the apartment.
"Please tell me you brought your inhaler at least." Donghae nodded as he reached for it, but the other reached for it first and took it out from his pocket.
As Eunhyuk handed it to him, Donghae looked at him in shock from his actions as he inhaled it. "Don't worry, I withheld from molesting you." He eyed Donghae who continued to breathe in. "What are you doing here?"
Donghae calmed down his breathing as he answered. "You quit."
Eunhyuk blinked. "Yes, people tend to do that when they don't want to work anymore. No one has really taught you the ways of the real world have they?"
He inhaled once again. "You quit, why?" Eunhyuk arched an eyebrow as he looked away.
"Didn't realize I was suppose to report to you."
"You quit." He repeated.
Eunhyuk shook his head, becoming more agitated by the moment. He faced Donghae and parted his lips, ready to say his part when he noticed his eyes.
Donghae's eyes were reddened and watery, leaving Eunhyuk speechless for the most part.
"You're planning to leave again." He accused, Donghae gestured to the living room, noting its bare walls and zipped backpacks. Eunhyuk didn't look back, knowing what he saw.
"Get out."
Donghae hurried in front of him even as the other turned away.
"Why are you leaving?" Eunhyuk walked past him. "Why?" His voice much more desperate.
"When will you realize I won't-"
Donghae threw himself into his arms, clinging to his shirt as he leaned his head against his chest. "You don't have to go." He looked up and met his eyes, tears had fallen down his cheeks. "Don't go."
Eunhyuk resumed his stoic expression, Donghae on the other hand given up on hiding his emotions, unable to restrain them as they displayed themselves openly without shame.
"You don't want me around."
"Yes," Donghae replied quietly. "Don't assume that I don't."
Eunhyuk kept his hands by his side, not moving to push him away. "You're becoming delusional."
The younger man didn't respond as he looked down and wrapped his arms around his torso and trembled slightly. Eunhyuk made no movement whatsoever, the only sounds from the room were from Donghae's ragged breathing.
Donghae had become this involved, ever since then he found he was unable to truly let go of this former classmate. His hold on him was unnatural that left Donghae to question his motives and reasons, to understand why he still haunted his thoughts.
Even now he was unable to find a rational reason for it all.
"For now."
Donghae looked up as Eunhyuk closed his eyes, his expression unreadable as he repeated the phrase.
"For now I won't go."
Donghae felt the corner of his lips twitch upward. He held onto him tightly, his breathing slowly leveling as he leaned against him. His apprehension leaving him momentarily as it left him vulnerable, he felt the full toll of his exhaustion at that very moment, crippling him from leaving.
He had slept in his apartment that night. His insomnia left him momentarily as he settled down, closing his eyes as he rested against his chest against the uncomfortable air mattress. His hands clinging desperately onto his shirt, unable to let go, as if afraid to break this illusion.
-
| Part 2 | - | Part 4 |
A/N: Basing Donghae's asthma from my friend, not everyone or case is the same and have different medications and severity.
Rating: PG-15
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Donghae
Genre: AU!Romance, Drama
Summary: He didn't understand how a man could be so indifferent yet care so much. The man who never seemed to truly leave his memories and continues to haunt him from his past. Yet every time he reaches towards that memory, he simply vanishes.
// Part 3 //
Everything was taking a toll on his body, his jobs, his classes and the harsh weather had hardly helped to lessen his stress.
Hankyung had to continually nudge him as he struggled to keep his eyes open. But sleeping was the same struggle as before, even if he could force himself to close his eyes, it didn't work. His asthma worsened, but he saved whatever medicine he had left at his disposal, ignoring the harsh coughs and throbbing headaches.
It wasn't getting any better, but he had to simply hold out.
"This is why I'm worried." Hankyung commented as he looked look over his deteriorating state. "Please tell me that you're willing to spend some money on medicine for yourself?"
Donghae smiled, daring not to answer as Hankyung shook his head disapprovingly. He was abruptly forced to follow him to a nearby store, staying outside as he gazed around until he reluctantly stepped inside.
"That'll be 7.58."
It couldn't be.
Yet as he looked up, surely enough it was Eunhyuk who leaned over the counter as he dropped the change in his friend's hand. Donghae maintained stoic reaction, he doubted anyone could see the internal struggle he faced.
"Drink this." Hankyung ordered, Donghae was hardly paying attention however as he continued to look at the cashier. Hankyung noted this and turned around to the cashier who looked away. "Do you know him?"
Yes, he wanted to say, but his lips hadn't part to say that simple answer. Instead he chose to avoid the question entirely, leaving the store without looking back.
He was puzzled. The question was simple and easy to reply to, he didn't have to go into further detail or divulge any more information. Just a simple yes.
Why couldn't he say it?
The door rang, signaling his return to the shop. Eunhyuk hardly spared a glance and didn't greet as he scribbled something on a piece of paper. Donghae stood still as the man brushed right past him to the supplies.
"Ignoring me?" Donghae asked, his eyes searched around the shop briefly, noting that they were the only two inside.
Eunhyuk scoffed. "It's hard to ignore someone you don't know." Donghae lowered his eyes as the other reached for a random product. "Ashamed of admitting you know me?"
"No." Donghae replied, taking that into offense.
Eunhyuk chuckled. "You didn't answer that confidently when your friend asked, so I wonder whether to qualify it as a lie or as a way of avoiding the truth. I'll choose to go with the former, clearly you didn't want to answer."
He would know. He glared at the other who turned around, the same dark smile evident on his face. "When have you ever directly answered any of my questions?"
The man arched an eyebrow, stepping towards him. "Are you saying that I influenced you?"
Donghae shifted his eyes, refusing to meet his as Eunhyuk was barely inches away. "That's not it."
The quiet store wasn't helping, he felt his heartbeats could be heard on speaker. His thoughts couldn't help but be reminded of the classroom just barely weeks before.
"You're becoming more hypocritical." Donghae looked up as the other stepped even closer. "Your questions are a waste of time. If I dared to answer one, you'll become even more demanding than usual."
Donghae swallowed, glaring intensely, able to find his voice. "But you'll find a way around that. You always find a way to avoid answering any of them."
"You're acting as if they're life or death." Eunhyuk smiled mockingly. "Even then, somehow I doubt you'll be able to know which of my words are actual truth or lies."
He fumed visibly as the man walked past him. He was right to think that it was just as impossible to earn a straight answer out of him. There was nothing about him that should attract him at all, neither as a man or human being.
Scornfully cursing his name under his breath, he stormed right out of the shop without uttering another word.
Eunhyuk’s smirk faded, eyes trained outside of the large windows as he slammed the item onto the floor. A beep comes from his pocket and he checks the message from the anonymous sender, he just tosses it aside.
“Was it even worth it?”
-
He threw himself further into his work to avoid thinking, but his health was paying the price. His body gradually being beaten by his stubborn persistence, the medicine vaguely helping. But that may have been in part that he forgot to drink it frequently, distracted by his tight schedule.
"Just make it one more night." He repeated like a mantra as he trudged to next job. He wished those words would actually help, his sore body becoming rapidly weaker with each step.
It reached its limit. His legs gave out on him, for a moment everything was black, the streets forming bit by bit. The cycle repeated as he gave in and out of consciousness, unsure of how much time had passed in between.
He hated this feeling.
He was brutally aware that his friends nor family were around to his side when needed, not prepared like before. His eyes stayed closed, the cold encouraging how alone he felt at that moment, reminding him of how cruel it was not to have someone looking out for you. When no one was required to.
"You're asking for death aren't you?"
Donghae felt himself being lifted up and leaned against the cold jacket. He didn't bother to open his eyes, recognizing his voice immediately. He felt himself move in a different direction and he forced his legs to stop them.
"I have work..." He mumbled, his words barely audible.
"One night without you won't destroy them, don't think you're that important."
He tried to protest, but he couldn't physically go against him. He unwillingly allowed himself to be carried, the directions to his place forced out of him.
There was no difference in temperature once he arrived at the apartment, hearing Eunhyuk whistle at the sight around him.
"Your parents didn't exactly give you the most amazing place, did they? I expected something more impressive."
"They didn't pick this out for me." Donghae murmured, he felt it becoming more painful to just breathe.
He forced his eyes open as he reached for the machine across from him, Eunhyuk shoved it towards him. Donghae put on the mask and Eunhyuk watched as white wispy air escaped from the ventilation.
Donghae closed his eyes. "I broke ties with them."
The older man arched an eyebrow. Donghae coughed into the mask, the sound noticeably hoarse. "It seems you can't live long without your palace."
"I'll be fine."
"Biggest lie ever told. Aren't you the ambassador for the truth?"
Donghae gave a struggled laugh. "I'm not perfect either."
He tried to look anywhere else, but his gaze repeatedly landed on him, proving difficult to ignore him. He had wanted to avoid him since the kiss, wanting to ignore him since the minor confrontation, but here they were, nearly side by side.
He couldn't help but feel reassured by that.
Eunhyuk lazily walked around the room, staying quiet as he began to shove things on the floor with his leg. His hands grabbing some objects and putting them back with hardly any care.
"You're rough with everything it seems," Donghae expressed into his mask, his chest rising slowly up. "Should learn to be gentle."
Eunhyuk held up a random textbook. "I'm sure even at the end of the day, you prefer things rough too." Donghae felt his cheeks flush at Eunhyuk's statement.
"How long until it works?" Eunhyuk asked, referring to the machine.
Donghae didn't answer, he felt it took too much energy to even say anything else as he closed his eyes, a cold sweat enveloping him. Donghae began to let go of his mask, losing his grip when Eunhyuk held it against him. He moved the hair from his forehead, sitting there with his elbow propped on the bed.
It felt unfamiliar to Donghae. Strange how those very hands who shoved him so harshly can now be unusually compassionate. He enjoyed this rare act of kindness Eunhyuk had displayed to him.
But it was exactly that, rare. The man unknowingly raising his expectations, his emotions, so easily swayed by the older boy before ruthlessly being brought back to reality. He was entirely smitten with the guy.
He shut his eyes, the tremors were coursing through his body. He forced away Eunhyuk's hand, turning on his side with all the strength he had, hiding his jittery hands. He closed his eyes, hoping the other would ignore how his body reacted to the medicine. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks from embarrassment, he hated showing these side effects to anyone.
"You're going to end up dead at this rate." Eunhyuk stated coldly as he moved Donghae's hands, holding the mask firmly in his own. "If you can't hold it, just say so."
"I don't need it anymore." Donghae said as he weakly pushed away the mask. "It's enough." Eunhyuk pulled it away, Donghae closed his eyes as he tried to relax, taking deep breaths.
His body gradually calmed down, his hands staying still as the hour passed, and the moment he felt his lungs relax, he opened his eyes. Surprised to see Eunhyuk sitting there on the floor beside him.
The moment Eunhyuk met his eyes, he cleared his throat, feeling as nervous as before. Soon enough Eunhyuk stood up, walking to the door.
Donghae slightly rose from the bed, unable to resist the question.
"Why me?" He called out weakly, his voice hoarse. Eunhyuk paused with his hand on the door's handle. "Why are you being nice to me?"
Eunhyu turned around, an unreadable expression on his face. "I've taken a liking to you." He said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He sneered. "Unfortunately."
Even as the door closed, Donghae sat there, completely frozen. He was left to curse under his breath as he slumped back against the bed.
Eunhyuk was as difficult as ever and Donghae hated feeling toyed around by this guy. The man had basically declared how much he loathed him and turns around and says he likes him?
He didn't understand him at all, and he was afraid at the thought of even doing so.
-
"Just do it." He told his reflection, cursing himself for not having the nerve.
He decided against his better judgment, uncomfortable and anxious about the very idea. He wanted nothing more than to avoid him at all costs until he was able to clear his mind, wanting to stabilize himself after his thoughts were thrown into disarray. But he doubted it would ever reach such a state.
Once he felt he was as capable as he could ever be, he returned once more to the shop.
He walked into the place and met with a different cashier. One who smiled at him and greeted him kindly, as most typically would do. "Hello."
"Hello," Donghae returned, he looked around as the cashier asked what he needed. "Is Eunhyuk here?"
The cashier arched an eyebrow. "Who?"
Donghae blinked, "Eunhyuk..."
The cashier didn't seem to understand. "We don't have anyone here working by that name." He stood still, clearing his throat as he asked again, this time describing how he looked like. To his relief, the cashier recalled.
"He quit a while back."
He felt the air hitch in his throat, that had been far from the answer he wanted. He cleared it as he simply said, "T-thank you again."
The door rung again as he stepped out of the shop and back into the chilling weather. He looked up at the dark sky and exhaled, ignoring the tightening of his chest as he clutched the strap of his backpack.
Maybe this was for the best, before he had done anything he would regret. He shouldn't have expected any less, with crossed arms he stepped away, deciding to simply treat it as a passing memory.
-
Donghae lugged the huge garbage bags out from the back of the restaurant and into the huge garbage cans. He took a deep breath as he looked up, taking just a bit of a break.
It had been two weeks since and Donghae found himself oddly afraid. He should have been happy. He should have been elated, or at least relieved.
Yet the stress on his shoulders didn't let up. Apprehensive and confused on how Eunhyuk had completely taken over his thoughts, becoming a near obsession that was driving him insane. Was he going to disappear as before? Was it because of him that he was leaving?
He tried to ignore such questions but they demanded answers from himself. He quietly agreed with the other that it was annoying, but he needed to know.
He surprised himself more than the cashier when he ran to that pharmacy and demanded Eunhyuk's address that night, with one look at the address he ran out of there.
He felt his body grow weaker, his sickness had since healed but even this was too much for him, especially running through the still freezing temperatures. He persisted in testing his body's limits, until finally he reached the complex where he lived.
He knocked on the door repeatedly, hoping he hadn't left just yet as his knocks became frantic blows. But he reminded himself that before that it took only one day when Eunhyuk had left, now it had been weeks. Surely he could've...
Eunhyuk widened his eyes slightly at the sight as Donghae gasped for breath and entered the apartment.
"Please tell me you brought your inhaler at least." Donghae nodded as he reached for it, but the other reached for it first and took it out from his pocket.
As Eunhyuk handed it to him, Donghae looked at him in shock from his actions as he inhaled it. "Don't worry, I withheld from molesting you." He eyed Donghae who continued to breathe in. "What are you doing here?"
Donghae calmed down his breathing as he answered. "You quit."
Eunhyuk blinked. "Yes, people tend to do that when they don't want to work anymore. No one has really taught you the ways of the real world have they?"
He inhaled once again. "You quit, why?" Eunhyuk arched an eyebrow as he looked away.
"Didn't realize I was suppose to report to you."
"You quit." He repeated.
Eunhyuk shook his head, becoming more agitated by the moment. He faced Donghae and parted his lips, ready to say his part when he noticed his eyes.
Donghae's eyes were reddened and watery, leaving Eunhyuk speechless for the most part.
"You're planning to leave again." He accused, Donghae gestured to the living room, noting its bare walls and zipped backpacks. Eunhyuk didn't look back, knowing what he saw.
"Get out."
Donghae hurried in front of him even as the other turned away.
"Why are you leaving?" Eunhyuk walked past him. "Why?" His voice much more desperate.
"When will you realize I won't-"
Donghae threw himself into his arms, clinging to his shirt as he leaned his head against his chest. "You don't have to go." He looked up and met his eyes, tears had fallen down his cheeks. "Don't go."
Eunhyuk resumed his stoic expression, Donghae on the other hand given up on hiding his emotions, unable to restrain them as they displayed themselves openly without shame.
"You don't want me around."
"Yes," Donghae replied quietly. "Don't assume that I don't."
Eunhyuk kept his hands by his side, not moving to push him away. "You're becoming delusional."
The younger man didn't respond as he looked down and wrapped his arms around his torso and trembled slightly. Eunhyuk made no movement whatsoever, the only sounds from the room were from Donghae's ragged breathing.
Donghae had become this involved, ever since then he found he was unable to truly let go of this former classmate. His hold on him was unnatural that left Donghae to question his motives and reasons, to understand why he still haunted his thoughts.
Even now he was unable to find a rational reason for it all.
"For now."
Donghae looked up as Eunhyuk closed his eyes, his expression unreadable as he repeated the phrase.
"For now I won't go."
Donghae felt the corner of his lips twitch upward. He held onto him tightly, his breathing slowly leveling as he leaned against him. His apprehension leaving him momentarily as it left him vulnerable, he felt the full toll of his exhaustion at that very moment, crippling him from leaving.
He had slept in his apartment that night. His insomnia left him momentarily as he settled down, closing his eyes as he rested against his chest against the uncomfortable air mattress. His hands clinging desperately onto his shirt, unable to let go, as if afraid to break this illusion.
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| Part 2 | - | Part 4 |
A/N: Basing Donghae's asthma from my friend, not everyone or case is the same and have different medications and severity.