A New Beginning
Title: A New Beginning
Pairing: Kangin/Eeteuk
Genre: Still kinda angsty but it’s better than totally broken, right?
A/N: I don’t know if you can consider this a chaptered fic. I don’t, since the styles are way different but this sprung from here and there. For dkun_land. Because she wants mended!KangTeuk. (I hope this will do.)
Summary: Eeteuk tries to take them back to where they were before.
It was already after midnight when Kangin got home and as expected, the dorm was filled with silence, members already cocooned into their respective rooms. He went straight to the kitchen to grab something decent to munch on. His schedule was jam-packed, and truthfully he’s tired, but sleep is evading him so he decided to head to the balcony to cherish the rare silence of the night. Over a month has passed since he and Eeteuk parted ways. Amidst tension-filled rehearsals and meetings, Super Junior activities went on as normally as possible. Members, no matter how concerned they were, decided to just let things fall into their own place. Kibum’s schedule makes everything less stressful, at least for him. He still isn’t sure how he’d react if he’s made to talk to Kibum. He’s pretty sure he’s not going to be violent about it but it’s going to be awkward, to say the least. He was still in deep thought about his situation when a cup of tea suddenly appeared from behind him, the hand attached to it belonging to the person who made him smile for days on end, making him hold his breath for a few seconds. Eeteuk at night, with the moonlight painting a silver glow on his face is still the most arresting thing he has ever seen.
“Tea for your thoughts?” Eeteuk asks expectantly. Kangin can sense the worry in Eeteuk’s voice, just like old times, he thinks.
“Thanks.” Kangin replies, accepting the gesture with a small smile.
“So-“ Eeteuk starts to break the deafening silence as he leans on the railing, standing right beside Kangin. “-how was your day?”
“The usual huzzle and buzzle. Sometimes I don’t think I own my body anymore.” Kangin replies, trying to fuse as much humor in his statement. It’s the first time Eeteuk tried to talk to him after their break-up and aside from the uneasy twitching of his heartstrings, everything seems back to normal.
“Then why aren’t you sleeping yet? Some kind of death wish?”
“Speaking for yourself?” Kangin counters. Eeteuk just chuckles, sipping his tea to avoid actually answering Kangin’s accusation. “Just not sleepy. Tired is more like it. But this is relaxing.” Kangin continues. “So, we’re on speaking terms now?”, casting a sideway glance at Eeteuk.
“It’s all up to you. Would you have talked to me right after that?”
“Guess not.” He curtly replies. It’s the truth. If Eeetuk would have tried to talk to him right after the incident, he didn’t know if he could stop himself from begging him to come back and lose the last remaining thread of dignity he had.
“I didn’t think so. I’m guessing we’re borderline okay now, if accepting my tea is any indication.”
“Nah, I just wanted something to go with this choco pie, which Heechul will probably kill me for eating.” Kangin replies, gesturing at the now empty packet of choco pie.
“Hungry? I can fix you something if you want.” Eeteuk offers, motioning towards the kitchen.
“You’re cooking? No thanks, I think I’m still sane.” Kangin replies in a mocking tone.
Eeteuk just swats his arm and sticks his tongue out in response. When their eyes meet, they both just end up laughing.
“Why are you even up yet?” Kangin asks after the laughter has died down.
“Nocturnal, remember? And I was waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“Just wanted to talk.”
Kangin simply nod, unconsciously emptying the contents of his cup. “So, have you been getting enough rest?”
“I’m fine. I’d probably be bored to death if I wasn’t busy, just like you.”
“You rubbed off on me.”
“So you’re saying this is my fault?”
“Do I really need to answer that one?” Kangin quips, cocking his head at Eeteuk’s direction for emphasis. He didn’t expect that he’d end up staring at the sight before him. Eeteuk, for his part, just smiles at Kangin and slowly looks away.
“Kibum’s a great guy!” Kangin blurts out, breaking the silence.
“I know. Yes, he’s a great guy.” Eeteuk replies, focusing his attention on the city lights.
“I’m sorry for never being enough for you.”
“Don’t be silly, Kangin. You were more than enough and you know that! It’s just that-“
“It’s just that it doesn’t feel the way that it used to be. I know. And it’s okay, I guess. I’ve come into terms with it. I know you can’t help it.”
“I’m sorry. I never meant--”
“Hey, lighten up! It’s cool! You’re forgiven. I can’t really stay mad at my best friend forever, can I?”
“You mean that?”
“More than anything.” Kangin states seriously.
“So best friends again, huh? No pretending that I’m not in the room anymore or that I don’t exist? Although I don’t blame you for that, either.”
“Nope. Just Youngwoon and Jungsu being silly best friends again.” Kangin says, just like old times, he mentally adds. “Just promise me one thing, though.”
“Anything.”
“Promise you’re not going to shut me out of your life.”
“You’ll always be my best friend Youngwoon. That part will never ever change.”
“And don’t worry too much about me. I’m fine. But to tell you the truth, I miss this.” Kangin says, taking Eeteuk by surprise, nearly choking on his drink. “I mean-this. You and me, talking after a busy day. I miss us-well not THAT US, just---“
“I understand. I miss this too. I miss you.” Eeteuk interrupts, taking Kangin’s hands in his.
For a couple of minutes, there was nothing but silence between them. Not the silence that creates distance but the kind of silence that fixes everything.
End note:
Guess I tried too hard to fix them, huh? Mianhae! *pouts and sulks*