The Mystery Of The Disappearing Cheeks
Title: The Mystery Of The Disappearing Cheeks
Pairing: Henry/Ryeowook
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff, slight!Romance
Disclaimer: I don't know where the cheeks disappeared to.
Summary: Henry wishes that for once, Ryeowook would take care of himself more.
Ryeowook hummed softly as he mixed the tempura batter. The faint melody bounced of the walls of the quiet apartment; the only other sound was the crackling of the flame on the kitchen stove.
-
Jongwoon and Zhou Mi were on a day trip to Myeong-dong. Zhou Mi was itching to get out of the dorm and Jongwoon, being the kind hyung that he was, had offered to follow him. (Well, it helped that Jongwoon loved shopping too.)
-
Zhou Mi extended the offer to Ryeowook, almost bouncing off the walls as he went on and on about how he would love to dress little Ryeowook up. Under Jongwoon's warm gaze and Zhou Mi's expectant smile, Ryeowook found it hard to decline but he still managed to say no.
"I'm really sorry, Zhou Mi-hyung!" Ryeowook bowed profusely. "I-I just don't feel like going out today."
Much to both Jongwoon's and Ryeowook's surprise, Zhou Mi merely sighed and reached a hand over to Ryeowook's head. The thin boy backed away timidly at the action. Zhou Mi let out a gentle laugh and rested his hand on Ryeowook's hair, patting the locks softly.
Jongwoon's eyes narrowed worriedly. "Are you sure you don't want to follow us?"
Ryeowook waved his arms. "I'll be alright at home!"
Jongwoon left it at that. Slinging an arm around Zhou Mi's shoulder with much difficulty, Jongwoon bade goodbye to Ryeowook as he and Zhou Mi geared up for their shopping trip.
Waving from the doorway, Ryeowook only stopped when the pair was out of sight. Shutting the door carefully, he made his way to beloved kitchen. Resting his elbows on the island, he thought long and hard on what to cook for his dorm mates.
-
Sungmin and Kyuhyun had left in the morning to go to some obscure wine shop in Itaewon. Sure, Ryeowook could really hold his liquor and he enjoyed drinking very much but he couldn't phantom why the two loved drinking wine so much.
-
Sungmin shook his head, a wide smile on his face. "Ryeowook-ah, it's not about the wine; it's about who you drink it with."
Jongwoon chuckled. "So Kyuhyun stops being such an uptight smart-ass and becomes much more pleasant company when he drinks?"
"Basically." Sungmin shrugged.
"I heard that, Jongwoon-hyung," Kyuhyun's voice rang from the hallway.
"You were supposed to, anyway," Jongwoon answered nonchalantly.
Kyuhyun appeared in the living room, in the midst of pulling a striped sweater over his torso. "I think you're just angry that you're always the sober one in this apartment."
Jongwoon didn't miss a beat. "Once you've dealt with a drunk Youngwoon, nothing seems as bad, really."
Ryeowook pursed his lip. "Don't say that," He started softly. "Youngwoon-hyung's really learned from his mistakes, Jongwoon-hyung."
Jongwoon was slightly stunned. When he recovered, he shook his head and offered an apologetic smile. "I didn't mean it that way, but I'm sorry if it offended you, Wookie."
Ryeowook confessed sheepishly, "I just felt like I had to say something on his behalf."
-
Hyukjae was in the dance practice room. With Heechul, of all people.
-
"Heechul-hyung?" Everyone chorused.
"Yes, Heechul-hyung." Hyukjae said, not even looking up from his shoelaces.
Jongwoon's eyes were as huge as saucers. "Our Kim Heechul? My AB blood brother?"
Hyukjae scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Unless Heechul-hyung cloned himself, which he hasn't of course, thank goodness; then yes, that Kim Heechul."
"Why?" Sungmin was still in shock.
Everyone knew how much Heechul hated dancing. Henry once asked Heechul if he would like to practice together out of politeness and he got a kiss in return. Actually, it was more like an attempted kiss as Henry ran away before Heechul could get a chance to.
("It was like he was trying to suck the oxygen outta me!" Henry hid behind Jungsu, clutching at the elder's shirt anxiously. "Nonsense! I just wanted to give him a friendly greeting." Heechul waved away the accusation.)
"He wants me to see his Lady HeeHee moves, that's all." Hyukjae stood up, adjusting his sweatpants.
"My mind still boggles. Heechul-hyung dancing willingly?" Kyuhyun raised his eyebrows.
Ryeowook laughed cutely. "There's a first time for everything right? We should be happy that Heechul-hyung's so pepped up for Super Show 3!" Everyone's attention shifted from Heechul to the slight boy who was smiling proudly.
"You're right, Wookie," Zhou Mi flashed his dazzling smile.
"I just don't wanna get sexually harassed by him again," Henry said meekly.
-
Henry was on his way back from the recording studio. Whistling a pop tune, Henry strolled down the hallway leading towards the 11th storey dorm. Pressing the doorbell, he called out, "Anyone home? It's me, Henry!"
Several shuffled footsteps later, a flustered-looking Ryeowook answered the door.
"Henry!" Ryeowook greeted him with equal parts enthusiasm and surprise. "You're back so soon!"
Henry scratched his head. "Jungsu-hyung had to leave to talk to the manager so we ended it early."
Ryeowook slung an arm around Henry's shoulder, steering him towards the couch in the living room and gave him a slight push. Henry sank onto the sofa bemusedly. Immediately, Ryeowook turned on his heels and headed back to the kitchen.
"Just rest there and let me finish up my cooking, Henry-ah!" Ryeowook called out.
But Henry didn't want to. "Can I help you?" Henry ventured tentatively.
When Ryeowook didn't answer, Henry stood up and walked to the kitchen to find Ryeowook frowning over a big pot of stew.
"Can I watch?" Henry tried again.
Ryeowook didn't look away from the pot. "Sure, Henry-ah." He replied distractedly.
When Ryeowook felt a pair of hands on his waist, he let out a squeak.
"Relax, hyung," Ryeowook felt Henry's voice ghost over his ear. "I'm just adjusting your apron; the knot was undone."
"R-right," Ryeowook uttered nervously. Henry's hands continued to rest on his waist, making Ryeowook very unsettled. His hand shook slightly and the wooden spoon fell out of his weak grip.
"Here, let me help you." Ryeowook heard Henry say. Henry reached out for the spoon and started to stir the stew slowly.
There was a slight pressure on Ryeowook's right shoulder. He turned his head and saw Henry resting his head on his shoulder. When his eyes met Henry's, Ryeowook hurriedly looked away and stared resolutely at the meat dumplings sizzling in the frying pan instead.
Ryeowook went on with his cooking in silence, only opening his mouth to utter a squeak of protest when Henry drained the dumplings prematurely or when Henry's breath tickled his neck.
-
Even after Ryeowook and Henry had laid out the dishes onto the dining table, none of the members had returned. Ryeowook was determined to ignore Henry's abnormal behaviour so he cleared the kitchen quietly, not responding to Henry's many attempts at making conversation.
"Hyung?" Henry tried for the tenth time. "Are you alright?"
What he got in return was the sound of the water gushing out of the faucet as Ryeowook scrubbed the dirty pots absent-mindlessly.
"You can't keep living like this forever, hyung," Henry said earnestly.
Ryeowook dropped the sponge in surprise. He switched off the tap and faced Henry reluctantly.
"Henry-ah," Ryeowook mumbled shakily. "What do you mean by that?"
Henry pushed his fringe back wearily. "You care so much for others that you don't pay much attention to yourself, hyung. It's dangerous."
"No. No, that's not true," Ryeowook protested feebly.
Henry let out a sad sigh. "Look at the dishes on the table, hyung! Almost of them are the dishes that the other members favour, but where's yours? Where's your favourite dish?"
Ryeowook couldn't answer.
Henry was now standing before Ryeowook; he was so close that Ryeowook started to tremble slightly again. Henry shook Ryeowook's shoulders gently before gazing pleadingly into the latter's eyes.
"Look at yourself, hyung," Henry said in a strangled voice. "You're so gaunt now. You've been so focused on feeding us that you've neglected yourself."
"Hyung-"
Ryeowook couldn't take it anymore. "Stop it! Stop it!" He tried to squirm out of Henry's grip but the maknae stood his ground and applied more pressure on Ryeowook's shoulders.
"You're hurting me, Henry!" Ryeowook gasped.
"Please listen to me, hyung. I don't wanna hurt you," Henry whispered before pulling Ryeowook close to him. "Hyung, please. I don't want you to suffer anymore."
Ryeowook stiffened immediately at the close contact. His breath came out in short spurts as he tried to calm down his rapid heartbeat.
"Ryeowook," Ryeowook's eyes widened at the lack of honorific. Henry drew back and their eyes locked in an unfaltering gaze. Ryeowook was the first to blink and his gaze dropped to Henry's collar, to the wall clock behind him. Anything but Henry's eyes. They were hopeful, yet despondent; determined but uncertain at the same time.
"Please," Henry begged. "If you can't do it for yourself, do it for me."
"Do it for me, Ryeowook." He appealed yet again.
"I can't promise you anything," Ryeowook choked out. "But I'll try. For you."
Henry smiled. "That's good enough for me."
Henry leaned forward and placed a light peck on both of Ryeowook's cheeks. Ryeowook could feel his face slowly turning into a brilliant shade of tomato red.
"I'm with you. Every step of the way." Henry affirmed reassuringly.
"Thank you, Henry."
They stood in the kitchen in silence, with Henry's arms wrapped around Ryeowook's waist and Ryeowook resting against Henry's chest.
"Henry-ah."
"Mmhm?"
"You're losing your cheeks too, you know."
***
A/N: Why is this so cheesy? ;____; But it's HenWook and I like my HenWook to be achingly sweet so I'll leave it like that, I guess.
The title is random because I like it that way. Yay me!
Pairing: Henry/Ryeowook
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff, slight!Romance
Disclaimer: I don't know where the cheeks disappeared to.
Summary: Henry wishes that for once, Ryeowook would take care of himself more.
Ryeowook hummed softly as he mixed the tempura batter. The faint melody bounced of the walls of the quiet apartment; the only other sound was the crackling of the flame on the kitchen stove.
-
Jongwoon and Zhou Mi were on a day trip to Myeong-dong. Zhou Mi was itching to get out of the dorm and Jongwoon, being the kind hyung that he was, had offered to follow him. (Well, it helped that Jongwoon loved shopping too.)
-
Zhou Mi extended the offer to Ryeowook, almost bouncing off the walls as he went on and on about how he would love to dress little Ryeowook up. Under Jongwoon's warm gaze and Zhou Mi's expectant smile, Ryeowook found it hard to decline but he still managed to say no.
"I'm really sorry, Zhou Mi-hyung!" Ryeowook bowed profusely. "I-I just don't feel like going out today."
Much to both Jongwoon's and Ryeowook's surprise, Zhou Mi merely sighed and reached a hand over to Ryeowook's head. The thin boy backed away timidly at the action. Zhou Mi let out a gentle laugh and rested his hand on Ryeowook's hair, patting the locks softly.
Jongwoon's eyes narrowed worriedly. "Are you sure you don't want to follow us?"
Ryeowook waved his arms. "I'll be alright at home!"
Jongwoon left it at that. Slinging an arm around Zhou Mi's shoulder with much difficulty, Jongwoon bade goodbye to Ryeowook as he and Zhou Mi geared up for their shopping trip.
Waving from the doorway, Ryeowook only stopped when the pair was out of sight. Shutting the door carefully, he made his way to beloved kitchen. Resting his elbows on the island, he thought long and hard on what to cook for his dorm mates.
-
Sungmin and Kyuhyun had left in the morning to go to some obscure wine shop in Itaewon. Sure, Ryeowook could really hold his liquor and he enjoyed drinking very much but he couldn't phantom why the two loved drinking wine so much.
-
Sungmin shook his head, a wide smile on his face. "Ryeowook-ah, it's not about the wine; it's about who you drink it with."
Jongwoon chuckled. "So Kyuhyun stops being such an uptight smart-ass and becomes much more pleasant company when he drinks?"
"Basically." Sungmin shrugged.
"I heard that, Jongwoon-hyung," Kyuhyun's voice rang from the hallway.
"You were supposed to, anyway," Jongwoon answered nonchalantly.
Kyuhyun appeared in the living room, in the midst of pulling a striped sweater over his torso. "I think you're just angry that you're always the sober one in this apartment."
Jongwoon didn't miss a beat. "Once you've dealt with a drunk Youngwoon, nothing seems as bad, really."
Ryeowook pursed his lip. "Don't say that," He started softly. "Youngwoon-hyung's really learned from his mistakes, Jongwoon-hyung."
Jongwoon was slightly stunned. When he recovered, he shook his head and offered an apologetic smile. "I didn't mean it that way, but I'm sorry if it offended you, Wookie."
Ryeowook confessed sheepishly, "I just felt like I had to say something on his behalf."
-
Hyukjae was in the dance practice room. With Heechul, of all people.
-
"Heechul-hyung?" Everyone chorused.
"Yes, Heechul-hyung." Hyukjae said, not even looking up from his shoelaces.
Jongwoon's eyes were as huge as saucers. "Our Kim Heechul? My AB blood brother?"
Hyukjae scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Unless Heechul-hyung cloned himself, which he hasn't of course, thank goodness; then yes, that Kim Heechul."
"Why?" Sungmin was still in shock.
Everyone knew how much Heechul hated dancing. Henry once asked Heechul if he would like to practice together out of politeness and he got a kiss in return. Actually, it was more like an attempted kiss as Henry ran away before Heechul could get a chance to.
("It was like he was trying to suck the oxygen outta me!" Henry hid behind Jungsu, clutching at the elder's shirt anxiously. "Nonsense! I just wanted to give him a friendly greeting." Heechul waved away the accusation.)
"He wants me to see his Lady HeeHee moves, that's all." Hyukjae stood up, adjusting his sweatpants.
"My mind still boggles. Heechul-hyung dancing willingly?" Kyuhyun raised his eyebrows.
Ryeowook laughed cutely. "There's a first time for everything right? We should be happy that Heechul-hyung's so pepped up for Super Show 3!" Everyone's attention shifted from Heechul to the slight boy who was smiling proudly.
"You're right, Wookie," Zhou Mi flashed his dazzling smile.
"I just don't wanna get sexually harassed by him again," Henry said meekly.
-
Henry was on his way back from the recording studio. Whistling a pop tune, Henry strolled down the hallway leading towards the 11th storey dorm. Pressing the doorbell, he called out, "Anyone home? It's me, Henry!"
Several shuffled footsteps later, a flustered-looking Ryeowook answered the door.
"Henry!" Ryeowook greeted him with equal parts enthusiasm and surprise. "You're back so soon!"
Henry scratched his head. "Jungsu-hyung had to leave to talk to the manager so we ended it early."
Ryeowook slung an arm around Henry's shoulder, steering him towards the couch in the living room and gave him a slight push. Henry sank onto the sofa bemusedly. Immediately, Ryeowook turned on his heels and headed back to the kitchen.
"Just rest there and let me finish up my cooking, Henry-ah!" Ryeowook called out.
But Henry didn't want to. "Can I help you?" Henry ventured tentatively.
When Ryeowook didn't answer, Henry stood up and walked to the kitchen to find Ryeowook frowning over a big pot of stew.
"Can I watch?" Henry tried again.
Ryeowook didn't look away from the pot. "Sure, Henry-ah." He replied distractedly.
When Ryeowook felt a pair of hands on his waist, he let out a squeak.
"Relax, hyung," Ryeowook felt Henry's voice ghost over his ear. "I'm just adjusting your apron; the knot was undone."
"R-right," Ryeowook uttered nervously. Henry's hands continued to rest on his waist, making Ryeowook very unsettled. His hand shook slightly and the wooden spoon fell out of his weak grip.
"Here, let me help you." Ryeowook heard Henry say. Henry reached out for the spoon and started to stir the stew slowly.
There was a slight pressure on Ryeowook's right shoulder. He turned his head and saw Henry resting his head on his shoulder. When his eyes met Henry's, Ryeowook hurriedly looked away and stared resolutely at the meat dumplings sizzling in the frying pan instead.
Ryeowook went on with his cooking in silence, only opening his mouth to utter a squeak of protest when Henry drained the dumplings prematurely or when Henry's breath tickled his neck.
-
Even after Ryeowook and Henry had laid out the dishes onto the dining table, none of the members had returned. Ryeowook was determined to ignore Henry's abnormal behaviour so he cleared the kitchen quietly, not responding to Henry's many attempts at making conversation.
"Hyung?" Henry tried for the tenth time. "Are you alright?"
What he got in return was the sound of the water gushing out of the faucet as Ryeowook scrubbed the dirty pots absent-mindlessly.
"You can't keep living like this forever, hyung," Henry said earnestly.
Ryeowook dropped the sponge in surprise. He switched off the tap and faced Henry reluctantly.
"Henry-ah," Ryeowook mumbled shakily. "What do you mean by that?"
Henry pushed his fringe back wearily. "You care so much for others that you don't pay much attention to yourself, hyung. It's dangerous."
"No. No, that's not true," Ryeowook protested feebly.
Henry let out a sad sigh. "Look at the dishes on the table, hyung! Almost of them are the dishes that the other members favour, but where's yours? Where's your favourite dish?"
Ryeowook couldn't answer.
Henry was now standing before Ryeowook; he was so close that Ryeowook started to tremble slightly again. Henry shook Ryeowook's shoulders gently before gazing pleadingly into the latter's eyes.
"Look at yourself, hyung," Henry said in a strangled voice. "You're so gaunt now. You've been so focused on feeding us that you've neglected yourself."
"Hyung-"
Ryeowook couldn't take it anymore. "Stop it! Stop it!" He tried to squirm out of Henry's grip but the maknae stood his ground and applied more pressure on Ryeowook's shoulders.
"You're hurting me, Henry!" Ryeowook gasped.
"Please listen to me, hyung. I don't wanna hurt you," Henry whispered before pulling Ryeowook close to him. "Hyung, please. I don't want you to suffer anymore."
Ryeowook stiffened immediately at the close contact. His breath came out in short spurts as he tried to calm down his rapid heartbeat.
"Ryeowook," Ryeowook's eyes widened at the lack of honorific. Henry drew back and their eyes locked in an unfaltering gaze. Ryeowook was the first to blink and his gaze dropped to Henry's collar, to the wall clock behind him. Anything but Henry's eyes. They were hopeful, yet despondent; determined but uncertain at the same time.
"Please," Henry begged. "If you can't do it for yourself, do it for me."
"Do it for me, Ryeowook." He appealed yet again.
"I can't promise you anything," Ryeowook choked out. "But I'll try. For you."
Henry smiled. "That's good enough for me."
Henry leaned forward and placed a light peck on both of Ryeowook's cheeks. Ryeowook could feel his face slowly turning into a brilliant shade of tomato red.
"I'm with you. Every step of the way." Henry affirmed reassuringly.
"Thank you, Henry."
They stood in the kitchen in silence, with Henry's arms wrapped around Ryeowook's waist and Ryeowook resting against Henry's chest.
"Henry-ah."
"Mmhm?"
"You're losing your cheeks too, you know."
***
A/N: Why is this so cheesy? ;____; But it's HenWook and I like my HenWook to be achingly sweet so I'll leave it like that, I guess.
The title is random because I like it that way. Yay me!