Pedestrian Crossings - 08: Pop Goes My Heart [DBSK; JaeMin; PG]
title: Pedestrian Crossings - 08: Pop Goes My Heart
author: yumeyana
fandom: dbsk
pairing: jaejoong x changmin (jaechun, hosu, yunjae, yoosu)
rating/genre: PG / drama, angst, sap, romance, humor
chapter: 8 of 10
summary: Life is going smoothly and everyone is smiling beautifully. That is until a half-an-inch thick script is given to them. YunHo takes the opportunity presented to him; YooChun snaps. JunSu finds himself alone; JaeJoong cooks out of frustration. And ChangMin learns not to listen in on other people's conversation. Because one sentence can mean death.
Previous Chapters can be found here.
[crossposted at _starcandy and at hug______.]
Author’s Notes: I know I said nine parts but I did not expect for the previous chapter to go that long so I had to cut it there and put the rest of what is supposed to still be part 07 here in part eight. Thus, adding another chapter to the series. (^^;;)
Disclaimers: None of the Dong Bang Shin Ki boys are mine no matter how much I wish they would be. The events below, though purely a figment of my over-active imagination, are also loosely based on facts and accounts I’ve gathered along the way. The plot is mine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedestrian Crossings
08 : Pop Goes My Heart
He looks at his friends-his family-and wonders how music pulled them through, what he calls, the dark times. JunSu’s smile is back, more beautiful than before. YunHo seems to be balancing his act, being leader and having both JunSu and JaeJoong. The lead singer’s smile is brighter, his voice more passionate than ever.
YooChun would give everything to maintain this happiness.
There is a sharp jab on his side-Hyung, stop daydreaming! He blinks at his seatmate-Huh?-and he can see that ChangMin is fighting the urge to hit him harder. JaeJoong suddenly bursts out in laughter, incoherent explanations flying in between the chuckles. JunSu finds the laughing gas and soon the only sane people left in the room are a glaring ChangMin, an embarrassed YunHo and a tired-looking manger.
Oops.
Their manager clears his throat and JaeJoong and JunSu try hard to keep their laughter in their pockets, saving them after the meeting. There will be a lot teasings later, YooChun knows, and he will be the center of all of them. He doesn’t mind, though; not when he can see JaeJoong and JunSu smiling like they are now.
Now that I have everyone’s attention-Manager hyung looked directly at him, causing JaeJoong to snort-we can go back to discussing your latest Banjun Drama.
I can see YooChun’s actually in character already-JunSu fights back another fit of laughter as he scans the script in his hand. The teased one quickly scans his copy, raising an eyebrow when he sees the content.
This isn’t good.
**
It doesn’t take YunHo long to discover the opportunity in his hands.
The director gives them instructions-Shove him lightly, YunHo, and then trap him between the telephone booth and you-and he nods, only half-listening. He knows what to do, he wants to tell the director, and that he’s sorry he just carried away with the last NG. He will never ever want to hurt JaeJoong, thank you very much.
Lights. Camera. Action!
JaeJoong-ah-He looks straight at JaeJoong, drowning in those dark pools. The latter looks away, eyes confused. There is a moment, a flash of reality in the midst of all this acting, and YunHo knows he should take it. The words are out of his mouth, practiced lines laced with the truth.
Then he puts JaeJoong’s hand on his chest, just above his heart-You’re here.
Yes. The truth.
*
JunSu watches the scene from behind the camera but ChangMin doesn’t; he only hears the words. JunSu’s feet are fast, taking him away of the area in a mere second. The younger one doesn’t move as quick; he walks out as if the tears falling from his eyes aren’t real.
So this is how dying feels like.
**
YooChun is right.
What starts out to be only a drama-a mere figment of a playful imagination-becomes the reason why Dong Bang Shin Ki is once again in the midst of the dark times. JunSu’s smile is harder to find; JaeJoong is seen staring out in space for longer periods of time. ChangMin doesn’t seem like he’s affected but those close to him know that the smile is putting on fake.
Commercialized.
And perhaps, YunHo thinks, he is the one to blame.
Of course he is. There is no ‘perhaps’, there should be no ‘perhaps’. He knows that it is his fault, entirely all his doing why JunSu can’t seem to smile again. It is his fault why JaeJoong is uncomfortable and stressed, why YooChun is glaring at him right now.
What are you doing-YooChun’s words are dripping with venom.
He looks away and tries to act as if he is busier than he actually is-I am memorizing my script, YooChun. Something you are also supposed to do or else-
Stop acting innocent, damn you. You know very well what I’m talking about.
YunHo stops acting, stops shuffling the papers in his hand. Yes, he knows what YooChun is talking about; he has been thinking about it ever since he started doing it. It has never left his mind. Note even once.
Opportunity is but fleet-footed, YooChun.
Don’t go all poetic on me, hyung.
I’m not. I’m merely answering your question.
No, you’re not. Stop giving me shit.
I do not like your choice of language.
AND I DO NOT LIKE YOU PLAYING WITH JUNSU AND JAEJOONG!
He can see the rage, the absolute and pure anger in YooChun’s eyes. It is taking every muscle in the younger one’s body to prevent himself from hitting leader sshi but YunHo thinks, he doesn’t mind getting a punch or two. Perhaps even three.
He deserves them.
I’m not playing with them.
No? There is a sarcastic laugh, one YunHo has never heard sweet YooChun use before.
No.
Then tell JunSu. Tell JunSu that you have chosen JaeJoong over him so he can stop moping around and he can start getting his life back. Tell him that you fucked up and forgot that you promised never to hurt him again, damn you.
I can’t, YooChun.
Wha-What do you mean you can’t?
I can’t let JunSu go.
Why the hell not?
Because Su’s special. To me.
And JaeJoong?
**
Are we having a feast or is Super Junior coming over tonight?
JaeJoong doesn’t answer him, doesn’t even spare him a glace, and just goes his way-chopping the onions, mincing the garlic. Something is simmering in the stove and YooChun could smell Kimchi Jiggae from one of the pots. The pressure cooker beside it is sitting, humming silently. Their lead singer leaves the mincing and the chopping; he opens the cupboard and pulls out a box of flour, baking powder and some other things YooChun can’t name.
Ok. A baking JaeJoong is not a good sign.
He walks over to the other side of the kitchen counter and puts his hands on either side of JaeJoong’s shoulder, putting a stop to the blur in the kitchen. Their lead singer glares at him; Let me go, Micky-Each word said in unfaltering English.
It takes him aback for a moment; JaeJoong has never spoken to him in such a way-in English even! But he grips JaeJoong’s shoulders tighter and keeps him from getting away. The older one rolls his eyes and repeats the same sentence, this time in Korean.
Not until you tell me what’s wrong with you.
JaeJoong looks away, the sigh escaping his lips a little more tired than YooChun thinks is supposed to be. He lets go of the older one’s shoulders; he knows JaeJoong will talk now.
I’m just frustrated and confused, that’s all. Nothing much.
YooChun raises an eyebrow. Nothing much…? You call this-gesturing to the food-not much?
His hyung shrugs and moves about in the kitchen again, albeit this time a little more slowly. The butter is out and so is the big mixer YooChun never knew they owned. He doesn’t move; he waits for JaeJoong to talk. He knows he will.
That scene with YunHo last week-JaeJoong starts and YooChun’s ears perk up and he silently gives thanks that YunHo and JunSu are not in the house-it made me think.
Think, YooChun wants to ask but he doesn’t say anything.
He seems to be to be telling the truth more than just reciting a few memorized lines.
There is a pause for JaeJoong walks to the stove, stirring the Kimchi. He opens the oven, pre-heating it. YooChun watches him, steady movements behind the kitchen counter-at home with this work. He wishes he could do something than just listen to his hyung and to watch him prepare food for at least more than twenty people. But-
And I think, he loves me.
*
ChangMin hears those words loud and clear and he is sorry that he put his earphones away. He shouldn’t be hearing this, shouldn’t be standing from his seat and walking towards the door to hear more. Whatever JaeJoong is saying to whoever is in the kitchen with him is his-their-business.
How sure are you?
How sure am I-There is frustration in JaeJoong’s voice. He put my hand on top of his chest, YooChun. And I could feel it beating faster than Speed Racer’s car!
Memories flood ChangMin’s head and he tries not to let his tears fall. He tells himself it’s time to walk away and pretend he has never heard anything. Gackt singing through his earphones is a safe haven-Walk away and play Vanilla dammit!
But he doesn’t even move an in inch.
So? Perhaps he was just nervous.
I know him, YooChun and there’s no way that those racing heartbeats are a result of nervousness.
So you’re saying you’re basing this love-thing on that?
No. I haven’t been blind. And I’m not exactly as cold as my face is. I know… of YunHo’s feelings. And JunSu’s as well.
…Ok. Let’s say your theory about YunHo hyung is correct-
I AM!
-and he is in love with you. What’s confusing and frustrating you? Aside from the fact that JunSu has feelings for YunHo hyung and that said hyung might have feelings for him as well.
There is a long pause and ChangMin is sure he has never held his breath for this long a time prior to this. His mind is telling him that there is still time, time to walk away and pretend this never happened. His heart is screaming, agreeing with what his head is saying. But he can’t-couldn’t move.
I think… I feel something for YunHo as well.
*
The pressure cooker goes off, the high-pitched boiling sound filing the whole apartment. JaeJoong rushes to lower the heat and YooChun thinks he hears the front door open and the close. The latter waits for any sign that either YunHo or JunSu but neither of them arrives.
Could it be that ChangMin has been-
YooChun-ah?
He shifts his attention back to his hyung-So… That’s what confuses and frustrates you.
JaeJoong puts the cookies in the pre-heated oven-That’s not all.
YooChun tries not to make his eyes wide, tries not to make his face express anything-Not all?
Well… There’s ChangMin.
Chang…Min.
Yes, ChangMin.
***
tbc.
author: yumeyana
fandom: dbsk
pairing: jaejoong x changmin (jaechun, hosu, yunjae, yoosu)
rating/genre: PG / drama, angst, sap, romance, humor
chapter: 8 of 10
summary: Life is going smoothly and everyone is smiling beautifully. That is until a half-an-inch thick script is given to them. YunHo takes the opportunity presented to him; YooChun snaps. JunSu finds himself alone; JaeJoong cooks out of frustration. And ChangMin learns not to listen in on other people's conversation. Because one sentence can mean death.
Previous Chapters can be found here.
[crossposted at _starcandy and at hug______.]
Author’s Notes: I know I said nine parts but I did not expect for the previous chapter to go that long so I had to cut it there and put the rest of what is supposed to still be part 07 here in part eight. Thus, adding another chapter to the series. (^^;;)
Disclaimers: None of the Dong Bang Shin Ki boys are mine no matter how much I wish they would be. The events below, though purely a figment of my over-active imagination, are also loosely based on facts and accounts I’ve gathered along the way. The plot is mine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedestrian Crossings
08 : Pop Goes My Heart
He looks at his friends-his family-and wonders how music pulled them through, what he calls, the dark times. JunSu’s smile is back, more beautiful than before. YunHo seems to be balancing his act, being leader and having both JunSu and JaeJoong. The lead singer’s smile is brighter, his voice more passionate than ever.
YooChun would give everything to maintain this happiness.
There is a sharp jab on his side-Hyung, stop daydreaming! He blinks at his seatmate-Huh?-and he can see that ChangMin is fighting the urge to hit him harder. JaeJoong suddenly bursts out in laughter, incoherent explanations flying in between the chuckles. JunSu finds the laughing gas and soon the only sane people left in the room are a glaring ChangMin, an embarrassed YunHo and a tired-looking manger.
Oops.
Their manager clears his throat and JaeJoong and JunSu try hard to keep their laughter in their pockets, saving them after the meeting. There will be a lot teasings later, YooChun knows, and he will be the center of all of them. He doesn’t mind, though; not when he can see JaeJoong and JunSu smiling like they are now.
Now that I have everyone’s attention-Manager hyung looked directly at him, causing JaeJoong to snort-we can go back to discussing your latest Banjun Drama.
I can see YooChun’s actually in character already-JunSu fights back another fit of laughter as he scans the script in his hand. The teased one quickly scans his copy, raising an eyebrow when he sees the content.
This isn’t good.
**
It doesn’t take YunHo long to discover the opportunity in his hands.
The director gives them instructions-Shove him lightly, YunHo, and then trap him between the telephone booth and you-and he nods, only half-listening. He knows what to do, he wants to tell the director, and that he’s sorry he just carried away with the last NG. He will never ever want to hurt JaeJoong, thank you very much.
Lights. Camera. Action!
JaeJoong-ah-He looks straight at JaeJoong, drowning in those dark pools. The latter looks away, eyes confused. There is a moment, a flash of reality in the midst of all this acting, and YunHo knows he should take it. The words are out of his mouth, practiced lines laced with the truth.
Then he puts JaeJoong’s hand on his chest, just above his heart-You’re here.
Yes. The truth.
*
JunSu watches the scene from behind the camera but ChangMin doesn’t; he only hears the words. JunSu’s feet are fast, taking him away of the area in a mere second. The younger one doesn’t move as quick; he walks out as if the tears falling from his eyes aren’t real.
So this is how dying feels like.
**
YooChun is right.
What starts out to be only a drama-a mere figment of a playful imagination-becomes the reason why Dong Bang Shin Ki is once again in the midst of the dark times. JunSu’s smile is harder to find; JaeJoong is seen staring out in space for longer periods of time. ChangMin doesn’t seem like he’s affected but those close to him know that the smile is putting on fake.
Commercialized.
And perhaps, YunHo thinks, he is the one to blame.
Of course he is. There is no ‘perhaps’, there should be no ‘perhaps’. He knows that it is his fault, entirely all his doing why JunSu can’t seem to smile again. It is his fault why JaeJoong is uncomfortable and stressed, why YooChun is glaring at him right now.
What are you doing-YooChun’s words are dripping with venom.
He looks away and tries to act as if he is busier than he actually is-I am memorizing my script, YooChun. Something you are also supposed to do or else-
Stop acting innocent, damn you. You know very well what I’m talking about.
YunHo stops acting, stops shuffling the papers in his hand. Yes, he knows what YooChun is talking about; he has been thinking about it ever since he started doing it. It has never left his mind. Note even once.
Opportunity is but fleet-footed, YooChun.
Don’t go all poetic on me, hyung.
I’m not. I’m merely answering your question.
No, you’re not. Stop giving me shit.
I do not like your choice of language.
AND I DO NOT LIKE YOU PLAYING WITH JUNSU AND JAEJOONG!
He can see the rage, the absolute and pure anger in YooChun’s eyes. It is taking every muscle in the younger one’s body to prevent himself from hitting leader sshi but YunHo thinks, he doesn’t mind getting a punch or two. Perhaps even three.
He deserves them.
I’m not playing with them.
No? There is a sarcastic laugh, one YunHo has never heard sweet YooChun use before.
No.
Then tell JunSu. Tell JunSu that you have chosen JaeJoong over him so he can stop moping around and he can start getting his life back. Tell him that you fucked up and forgot that you promised never to hurt him again, damn you.
I can’t, YooChun.
Wha-What do you mean you can’t?
I can’t let JunSu go.
Why the hell not?
Because Su’s special. To me.
And JaeJoong?
**
Are we having a feast or is Super Junior coming over tonight?
JaeJoong doesn’t answer him, doesn’t even spare him a glace, and just goes his way-chopping the onions, mincing the garlic. Something is simmering in the stove and YooChun could smell Kimchi Jiggae from one of the pots. The pressure cooker beside it is sitting, humming silently. Their lead singer leaves the mincing and the chopping; he opens the cupboard and pulls out a box of flour, baking powder and some other things YooChun can’t name.
Ok. A baking JaeJoong is not a good sign.
He walks over to the other side of the kitchen counter and puts his hands on either side of JaeJoong’s shoulder, putting a stop to the blur in the kitchen. Their lead singer glares at him; Let me go, Micky-Each word said in unfaltering English.
It takes him aback for a moment; JaeJoong has never spoken to him in such a way-in English even! But he grips JaeJoong’s shoulders tighter and keeps him from getting away. The older one rolls his eyes and repeats the same sentence, this time in Korean.
Not until you tell me what’s wrong with you.
JaeJoong looks away, the sigh escaping his lips a little more tired than YooChun thinks is supposed to be. He lets go of the older one’s shoulders; he knows JaeJoong will talk now.
I’m just frustrated and confused, that’s all. Nothing much.
YooChun raises an eyebrow. Nothing much…? You call this-gesturing to the food-not much?
His hyung shrugs and moves about in the kitchen again, albeit this time a little more slowly. The butter is out and so is the big mixer YooChun never knew they owned. He doesn’t move; he waits for JaeJoong to talk. He knows he will.
That scene with YunHo last week-JaeJoong starts and YooChun’s ears perk up and he silently gives thanks that YunHo and JunSu are not in the house-it made me think.
Think, YooChun wants to ask but he doesn’t say anything.
He seems to be to be telling the truth more than just reciting a few memorized lines.
There is a pause for JaeJoong walks to the stove, stirring the Kimchi. He opens the oven, pre-heating it. YooChun watches him, steady movements behind the kitchen counter-at home with this work. He wishes he could do something than just listen to his hyung and to watch him prepare food for at least more than twenty people. But-
And I think, he loves me.
*
ChangMin hears those words loud and clear and he is sorry that he put his earphones away. He shouldn’t be hearing this, shouldn’t be standing from his seat and walking towards the door to hear more. Whatever JaeJoong is saying to whoever is in the kitchen with him is his-their-business.
How sure are you?
How sure am I-There is frustration in JaeJoong’s voice. He put my hand on top of his chest, YooChun. And I could feel it beating faster than Speed Racer’s car!
Memories flood ChangMin’s head and he tries not to let his tears fall. He tells himself it’s time to walk away and pretend he has never heard anything. Gackt singing through his earphones is a safe haven-Walk away and play Vanilla dammit!
But he doesn’t even move an in inch.
So? Perhaps he was just nervous.
I know him, YooChun and there’s no way that those racing heartbeats are a result of nervousness.
So you’re saying you’re basing this love-thing on that?
No. I haven’t been blind. And I’m not exactly as cold as my face is. I know… of YunHo’s feelings. And JunSu’s as well.
…Ok. Let’s say your theory about YunHo hyung is correct-
I AM!
-and he is in love with you. What’s confusing and frustrating you? Aside from the fact that JunSu has feelings for YunHo hyung and that said hyung might have feelings for him as well.
There is a long pause and ChangMin is sure he has never held his breath for this long a time prior to this. His mind is telling him that there is still time, time to walk away and pretend this never happened. His heart is screaming, agreeing with what his head is saying. But he can’t-couldn’t move.
I think… I feel something for YunHo as well.
*
The pressure cooker goes off, the high-pitched boiling sound filing the whole apartment. JaeJoong rushes to lower the heat and YooChun thinks he hears the front door open and the close. The latter waits for any sign that either YunHo or JunSu but neither of them arrives.
Could it be that ChangMin has been-
YooChun-ah?
He shifts his attention back to his hyung-So… That’s what confuses and frustrates you.
JaeJoong puts the cookies in the pre-heated oven-That’s not all.
YooChun tries not to make his eyes wide, tries not to make his face express anything-Not all?
Well… There’s ChangMin.
Chang…Min.
Yes, ChangMin.
***
tbc.