Pedestrian Crossings - 10: Stop, Look and Listen [DBSK; JaeMin; PG]
title: Pedestrian Crossings - 10: Stop, Look and Listen
author: yumeyana
fandom: dbsk
pairing: jaejoong x changmin (jaechun, hosu, yunjae, yoosu) + a special appearance ^^
rating/genre: PG / drama, angst, sap, romance, humor
chapter: 10 of 10
summary: There are a millions of people in South Korea and ChangMin is sure hundreds of thousands of which are located in Seoul. And yet amidst this impossiblity, JaeJoong clings to the hope that somehow a song will point him to the right direction--ChangMin's.
Previous Chapters can be found here.
[crossposted at _starcandy and at hug______.]
Author’s Notes: I can’t believe it. This is the last chapter in this series. The story has given me lots of headaches, heartaches and late-night debates with my sister. There have been times where the story and the people involved had driven me into insanity but they have also been the source of my happiness. I’m glad that I’ve touched lives and broken hearts; this just means that my insanity has a positive side. ^^ Thank you to those who have been reading this from the very first chapter and those who have popped up along the way. Your reactions have been my sources of inspiration.
Fic Notes:「 italicized sentences 」 are still flashbacks.
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
10 : Stop, Look and Listen
He watches JaeJoong’s eyes widen, his lips dropping a few centimeters. His hands slowly reach up to cover his mouth, unable to believe what he has just said. The gravity of his words, the implications of what he has just said, has now dawned upon its speaker.
And YooChun’s words ring clearly in YunHo’s mind.
“YunHo-I-”
He can hear the tremble, the fear in JaeJoong’s voice as the words pour out of the lead singer’s lips. There are apologies, hundreds of them, hidden behind those hands and YunHo is sure he would like to hear every single one of them in order to make sense of what just happened but-
“I think so, too, Jae.”
*
ChangMin turns sharply around one corner and JunSu is sure he has never seen YooChun run this fast without stopping to take a breather. He is worried-worried that ChangMin might not get to JaeJoong in time, worried about what will happen once their youngest meets JaeJoong and YunHo, worried that YooChun might not make it alive. He wants to tell the latter to stop and breathe but stopping isn’t an option when their youngest is running around like a madman.
Or simply just a fool who is trying to right a wrong.
*
His feet are faster than he could ever think it could be especially since he is not even supposed to be doing this. His doctor will have his head when he hears this; he might not even be able to dance ever again if he continues running. Sure, he can still sing but what good will that do? Singing and not dancing isn’t Dong Bang Shin Ki. No. He needs his legs, needs every bit of muscle there.
But he needs them now as well. More than ever.
*
He doesn’t know why he is still here, why he is sitting in the far side of that quaint Shoppe with his eyes closed. He should not be here; the best place for him right now would be a bar or even HeeChul’s apartment. Super Junior Hostel, he corrects himself.
「 I think so, too, Jae. 」
「 His eyes widen just a bit more, his hands dropping on the table. Wha-What do you mean? YunHo- 」
「 I haven’t been much of a best friend, haven’t I? 」
Tears he has kept at bay cascade freely down his cheeks, unable to keep them any longer. He is safe, he thinks, safe from anyone’s eyes in here. He is in the far corner of the room and no one, not even the barista who fancies them will come here and take a picture of a broken YunHo.
No one.
*
He reaches for his mobile phone and quickly dials the number at home, fingers faster than it has ever been. He puts it in his ear and waits for someone, anyone to pick it up.
But no one does.
He curses lightly, whispering them instead of shouting like he should be right now. There is no need to call attention to himself; no, this isn’t the time and place to do so. Doing so will cause him trouble, more than he will ever bargain for. And he doesn’t need to get into trouble.
He needs ChangMin.
*
Hyung?
YunHo hyung? This is DongHae. HeeChul hyung isn’t home. What’s the matter? You sound-
DongHae, can you meet me?
Wha-Sure.
*
Ah choo cham sir a do oo ri ma choo chil soo it ta
Myeon na go paek hal ten te-
JaeJoong almost laughs at the song playing in his head. That piece, that piano piece he played with ChangMin years ago when the latter told him the reason why he has been avoiding his hyung. JaeJoong is too bright, he says; and JaeJoong replies that he should’ve worn sunglasses.
And then next day, the brat arrives wearing a pair of sunglasses.
The song plays in his mind again, that line repeating like a track on loop. But he agrees with the line-If we could bump into each other for just a moment, I would confess-and he prays that somehow, even in broad daylight, that star-Polaris, isn’t it?-would be able to tell him, to point him to ChangMin.
Just like before.
*
Hyung? Why are you crying?
YunHo shakes his head and pats the seat beside him, an invitation to the other to settle there. DongHae takes seat and just raises an eyebrow when the Dong Bang Shin Ki leader leans in to rest his head on his lap. There is something very wrong with his friend and he wants to know what it is.
But-he thinks, threading his fingers through those soft locks-he will wait.
*
Hyung? What is this box?
Box?
Aa.
… Box…?
Yeah. A box with a… cake inside! WOW!
Cake-?!
*
He stares at the traffic lights, willing it to change color faster. Turn red, he thinks, I need to cross the street; I need to get to ChangMin. Turn red, dammit. Come on-TURN RED!
*
There are at least millions of people living in South Korea alone, and he is sure hundreds of thousands are located in Seoul. Yet he still marvels at the percentage of the human race (he can hear JunSu in his head-Shim ChangMin, you dork-and he quickly shuns him) present in the streets right at this moment. It isn’t lunch break, nor is it time for the children to go home.
And yet every street, every pedestrian crossing contains more than twenty or so people.
*
Faster, JunSu!
I can see ChangMin standing in the next street. He’s going to cross-
*
Yah! Run faster, won’t you?
Why can’t we just hail a cab or something? I didn’t sign up for a marathon, really.
*
HAH! Finally!
He walks as fast as he could without bumping into anybody. Everyone around him is too occupied with his or her lives and he is actually thankful about that; at least no one would bother to look back at him and cry YOUNGWOONG JAEJOONG and flock him until he can’t move. And he can’t have that right now. He has to m-make his way through the-crowd without bumping into-
Ouch.
I’msorryIwasn’tlookingI’m-He is sorely sounding like ChangMin on their first meeting; how funny the situation is so familiar and-
Hyung?
*
There is a moment’s silence as ChangMin’s eyes meet his-surprise, relief and a lot of unfathomable emotion imprinted in his hyung’s eyes. He doesn’t know if he should grab him, if he should steer them away from the crowd pressing and pushing them; all he does is stare at JaeJoong and take in everything.
As if they are meeting each other for the first time.
*
He can see them from where they stand-JaeJoong with a nervous smile, ChangMin with a hopeful one. They aren’t really speaking to each other, just looking a little afraid… or a little embarrassed. ChangMin’s lips move and he wishes he can read lips, wishes he knows what the youngest is saying. JaeJoong is biting his lower lip, the nervousness in his lips disappearing with each word from Chang-
Hyung!
Some random person passes by and accidentally pushes JaeJoong, causing the lead singer’s balance to falter. Perhaps he is watching some Korean drama, he thinks as he sees JaeJoong fall into ChangMin’s waiting arms. Inwardly, he applauds the younger one’s quickness.
YooChun doesn’t even bother to hide his laughter.
Aish, what are they doing there?
He turns to JunSu, eyes inquisitive-What do you mean?
Their soccer enthusiast gives out this tired sigh, crossing his arms above his chest. There is a disturbed look on his face, one that says that he is expecting something big to happen.
I mean, isn’t this about the time when ChangMin should be kissing JaeJoong hyung? Or vice versa?
He blinks, once or thrice, before bursting into laughter. He could’ve rolled over if they aren’t on the street so he settled for putting an arm around JunSu’s shoulders. He can hear the latter snort-And I thought you’d understand me… of all people, YooChun!-but he can’t control his laughter.
I thought-More laughter-you were talking about something serious!
It is serious! They should be kissing right now! The atmosphere is right… it should be the perfect ending!
JunSu yah, we’re in Korea.
So?
Not all Korean Dramas end with a kissing scene, you know.
Not…all…?
He shakes his head-It isn’t about saying I love you or kissing the other person in the middle of the street, JunSu yah. It’s about looking at each other’s eyes and seeing forever.
… That’s the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard, Park YooChun.
Apparently, you haven’t watched a lot of dramas.
And apparently-JunSu punches his arm lightly-you have.
He laughs again, pulling JunSu closer. Yes, he has but he won’t actually admit that to his friend. His eyes stray back to JaeJoong and ChangMin, his smile widening. JaeJoong has regained his balance, a blush-oh, dear is this real?!-rising in his cheeks. ChangMin holds his hand out and YooChun still expects hesitation from the lead singer but-
JaeJoong takes his hand.
*
He sees YunHo rushing from across the street, DongHae-Why is he there?-running behind him. Their leader spots JaeJoong and ChangMin walking hand-in-hand, away from him. And everything, every little detail about YunHo just stops.
And YooChun just couldn’t say he hasn’t warned him.
*
Yah.
Hm?
It’s such a beautiful day. Let’s go out.
Aren’t we out already, YooChun?
JunSu yah… are you really that stupid?
You’re the one who’s stupid. You’re asking me out when we’re already-Oh. Oh. You’re asking me out.
*
DongHae watches YunHo’s shoulder sag, his eyes falling to the ground. Now, he thinks, he knows. He knows why YunHo called HeeChul, called him out. He knows why YunHo suddenly pulled him out of the Shoppe and ran like a madman.
And he knows why YunHo just stopped short without any warning at all.
He puts his arms around YunHo, enclosing him in a tight hug. There is a little protest-DongHae, we’re in public; we can’t-but he silences it by tightening his hug. He doesn’t care if they’re in public, they’re friends and YunHo needs this right now. To hell with everything else.
*
YooChun steers JunSu away from the scene-away from JaeJoong and ChangMin, away from YunHo and DongHae. He promises JunSu a fun-filled day and yes, they can go to the amusement park. But no, they can’t invite HyukJae to come and join them later. Today is for them and only for them.
Because now, he will start mending JunSu’s heart for real.
**
Hyung, I need your help.
My help? Cooking?
Nah. Japanese.
Shim ChangMin. You know how bad my Japanese is.
Hyu~ng…
Cha~ngMi~n.
…
… Fine.
I knew you couldn’t resist me!
Stop pushing your luck, ChangMin.
Hehe. Ok, ok. How do you say ‘I love you’ in Japanese?
…
…
… Brat.
Only for you, hyung. Only for you.
xxx
03Au07
09:25p
Ooooh. And I made ICONS~!
author: yumeyana
fandom: dbsk
pairing: jaejoong x changmin (jaechun, hosu, yunjae, yoosu) + a special appearance ^^
rating/genre: PG / drama, angst, sap, romance, humor
chapter: 10 of 10
summary: There are a millions of people in South Korea and ChangMin is sure hundreds of thousands of which are located in Seoul. And yet amidst this impossiblity, JaeJoong clings to the hope that somehow a song will point him to the right direction--ChangMin's.
Previous Chapters can be found here.
[crossposted at _starcandy and at hug______.]
Author’s Notes: I can’t believe it. This is the last chapter in this series. The story has given me lots of headaches, heartaches and late-night debates with my sister. There have been times where the story and the people involved had driven me into insanity but they have also been the source of my happiness. I’m glad that I’ve touched lives and broken hearts; this just means that my insanity has a positive side. ^^ Thank you to those who have been reading this from the very first chapter and those who have popped up along the way. Your reactions have been my sources of inspiration.
Fic Notes:「 italicized sentences 」 are still flashbacks.
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
10 : Stop, Look and Listen
He watches JaeJoong’s eyes widen, his lips dropping a few centimeters. His hands slowly reach up to cover his mouth, unable to believe what he has just said. The gravity of his words, the implications of what he has just said, has now dawned upon its speaker.
And YooChun’s words ring clearly in YunHo’s mind.
“YunHo-I-”
He can hear the tremble, the fear in JaeJoong’s voice as the words pour out of the lead singer’s lips. There are apologies, hundreds of them, hidden behind those hands and YunHo is sure he would like to hear every single one of them in order to make sense of what just happened but-
“I think so, too, Jae.”
*
ChangMin turns sharply around one corner and JunSu is sure he has never seen YooChun run this fast without stopping to take a breather. He is worried-worried that ChangMin might not get to JaeJoong in time, worried about what will happen once their youngest meets JaeJoong and YunHo, worried that YooChun might not make it alive. He wants to tell the latter to stop and breathe but stopping isn’t an option when their youngest is running around like a madman.
Or simply just a fool who is trying to right a wrong.
*
His feet are faster than he could ever think it could be especially since he is not even supposed to be doing this. His doctor will have his head when he hears this; he might not even be able to dance ever again if he continues running. Sure, he can still sing but what good will that do? Singing and not dancing isn’t Dong Bang Shin Ki. No. He needs his legs, needs every bit of muscle there.
But he needs them now as well. More than ever.
*
He doesn’t know why he is still here, why he is sitting in the far side of that quaint Shoppe with his eyes closed. He should not be here; the best place for him right now would be a bar or even HeeChul’s apartment. Super Junior Hostel, he corrects himself.
「 I think so, too, Jae. 」
「 His eyes widen just a bit more, his hands dropping on the table. Wha-What do you mean? YunHo- 」
「 I haven’t been much of a best friend, haven’t I? 」
Tears he has kept at bay cascade freely down his cheeks, unable to keep them any longer. He is safe, he thinks, safe from anyone’s eyes in here. He is in the far corner of the room and no one, not even the barista who fancies them will come here and take a picture of a broken YunHo.
No one.
*
He reaches for his mobile phone and quickly dials the number at home, fingers faster than it has ever been. He puts it in his ear and waits for someone, anyone to pick it up.
But no one does.
He curses lightly, whispering them instead of shouting like he should be right now. There is no need to call attention to himself; no, this isn’t the time and place to do so. Doing so will cause him trouble, more than he will ever bargain for. And he doesn’t need to get into trouble.
He needs ChangMin.
*
Hyung?
YunHo hyung? This is DongHae. HeeChul hyung isn’t home. What’s the matter? You sound-
DongHae, can you meet me?
Wha-Sure.
*
Ah choo cham sir a do oo ri ma choo chil soo it ta
Myeon na go paek hal ten te-
JaeJoong almost laughs at the song playing in his head. That piece, that piano piece he played with ChangMin years ago when the latter told him the reason why he has been avoiding his hyung. JaeJoong is too bright, he says; and JaeJoong replies that he should’ve worn sunglasses.
And then next day, the brat arrives wearing a pair of sunglasses.
The song plays in his mind again, that line repeating like a track on loop. But he agrees with the line-If we could bump into each other for just a moment, I would confess-and he prays that somehow, even in broad daylight, that star-Polaris, isn’t it?-would be able to tell him, to point him to ChangMin.
Just like before.
*
Hyung? Why are you crying?
YunHo shakes his head and pats the seat beside him, an invitation to the other to settle there. DongHae takes seat and just raises an eyebrow when the Dong Bang Shin Ki leader leans in to rest his head on his lap. There is something very wrong with his friend and he wants to know what it is.
But-he thinks, threading his fingers through those soft locks-he will wait.
*
Hyung? What is this box?
Box?
Aa.
… Box…?
Yeah. A box with a… cake inside! WOW!
Cake-?!
*
He stares at the traffic lights, willing it to change color faster. Turn red, he thinks, I need to cross the street; I need to get to ChangMin. Turn red, dammit. Come on-TURN RED!
*
There are at least millions of people living in South Korea alone, and he is sure hundreds of thousands are located in Seoul. Yet he still marvels at the percentage of the human race (he can hear JunSu in his head-Shim ChangMin, you dork-and he quickly shuns him) present in the streets right at this moment. It isn’t lunch break, nor is it time for the children to go home.
And yet every street, every pedestrian crossing contains more than twenty or so people.
*
Faster, JunSu!
I can see ChangMin standing in the next street. He’s going to cross-
*
Yah! Run faster, won’t you?
Why can’t we just hail a cab or something? I didn’t sign up for a marathon, really.
*
HAH! Finally!
He walks as fast as he could without bumping into anybody. Everyone around him is too occupied with his or her lives and he is actually thankful about that; at least no one would bother to look back at him and cry YOUNGWOONG JAEJOONG and flock him until he can’t move. And he can’t have that right now. He has to m-make his way through the-crowd without bumping into-
Ouch.
I’msorryIwasn’tlookingI’m-He is sorely sounding like ChangMin on their first meeting; how funny the situation is so familiar and-
Hyung?
*
There is a moment’s silence as ChangMin’s eyes meet his-surprise, relief and a lot of unfathomable emotion imprinted in his hyung’s eyes. He doesn’t know if he should grab him, if he should steer them away from the crowd pressing and pushing them; all he does is stare at JaeJoong and take in everything.
As if they are meeting each other for the first time.
*
He can see them from where they stand-JaeJoong with a nervous smile, ChangMin with a hopeful one. They aren’t really speaking to each other, just looking a little afraid… or a little embarrassed. ChangMin’s lips move and he wishes he can read lips, wishes he knows what the youngest is saying. JaeJoong is biting his lower lip, the nervousness in his lips disappearing with each word from Chang-
Hyung!
Some random person passes by and accidentally pushes JaeJoong, causing the lead singer’s balance to falter. Perhaps he is watching some Korean drama, he thinks as he sees JaeJoong fall into ChangMin’s waiting arms. Inwardly, he applauds the younger one’s quickness.
YooChun doesn’t even bother to hide his laughter.
Aish, what are they doing there?
He turns to JunSu, eyes inquisitive-What do you mean?
Their soccer enthusiast gives out this tired sigh, crossing his arms above his chest. There is a disturbed look on his face, one that says that he is expecting something big to happen.
I mean, isn’t this about the time when ChangMin should be kissing JaeJoong hyung? Or vice versa?
He blinks, once or thrice, before bursting into laughter. He could’ve rolled over if they aren’t on the street so he settled for putting an arm around JunSu’s shoulders. He can hear the latter snort-And I thought you’d understand me… of all people, YooChun!-but he can’t control his laughter.
I thought-More laughter-you were talking about something serious!
It is serious! They should be kissing right now! The atmosphere is right… it should be the perfect ending!
JunSu yah, we’re in Korea.
So?
Not all Korean Dramas end with a kissing scene, you know.
Not…all…?
He shakes his head-It isn’t about saying I love you or kissing the other person in the middle of the street, JunSu yah. It’s about looking at each other’s eyes and seeing forever.
… That’s the cheesiest line I’ve ever heard, Park YooChun.
Apparently, you haven’t watched a lot of dramas.
And apparently-JunSu punches his arm lightly-you have.
He laughs again, pulling JunSu closer. Yes, he has but he won’t actually admit that to his friend. His eyes stray back to JaeJoong and ChangMin, his smile widening. JaeJoong has regained his balance, a blush-oh, dear is this real?!-rising in his cheeks. ChangMin holds his hand out and YooChun still expects hesitation from the lead singer but-
JaeJoong takes his hand.
*
He sees YunHo rushing from across the street, DongHae-Why is he there?-running behind him. Their leader spots JaeJoong and ChangMin walking hand-in-hand, away from him. And everything, every little detail about YunHo just stops.
And YooChun just couldn’t say he hasn’t warned him.
*
Yah.
Hm?
It’s such a beautiful day. Let’s go out.
Aren’t we out already, YooChun?
JunSu yah… are you really that stupid?
You’re the one who’s stupid. You’re asking me out when we’re already-Oh. Oh. You’re asking me out.
*
DongHae watches YunHo’s shoulder sag, his eyes falling to the ground. Now, he thinks, he knows. He knows why YunHo called HeeChul, called him out. He knows why YunHo suddenly pulled him out of the Shoppe and ran like a madman.
And he knows why YunHo just stopped short without any warning at all.
He puts his arms around YunHo, enclosing him in a tight hug. There is a little protest-DongHae, we’re in public; we can’t-but he silences it by tightening his hug. He doesn’t care if they’re in public, they’re friends and YunHo needs this right now. To hell with everything else.
*
YooChun steers JunSu away from the scene-away from JaeJoong and ChangMin, away from YunHo and DongHae. He promises JunSu a fun-filled day and yes, they can go to the amusement park. But no, they can’t invite HyukJae to come and join them later. Today is for them and only for them.
Because now, he will start mending JunSu’s heart for real.
**
Hyung, I need your help.
My help? Cooking?
Nah. Japanese.
Shim ChangMin. You know how bad my Japanese is.
Hyu~ng…
Cha~ngMi~n.
…
… Fine.
I knew you couldn’t resist me!
Stop pushing your luck, ChangMin.
Hehe. Ok, ok. How do you say ‘I love you’ in Japanese?
…
…
… Brat.
Only for you, hyung. Only for you.
xxx
03Au07
09:25p
Ooooh. And I made ICONS~!