Reset
Title:Reset
Pair:donggyu
Rating:PG-13
Disclaimer:I don't own them, sadly...T^T
Summary:DongWoo gets the chance to start over, but sometimes, forgetting isn't an option...
Written for infinitesanta. The idea was supposed to be A LOT longer, so there is a good possibility that there will eventually be a sequel...I'm just not sure when...^__^;;
"MyungSoo yah, are you really sure that this is a good idea...?"
The younger boy stopped what he was doing to look at his hyung as he nervously tried to properly tie the navy tie, making a frustrated whine the more he struggled. Smiling slightly in an attempt to calm his best friend, MyungSoo approached him and batted his hands away and worked on the thin material himself.
"You'll be fine, DongWoo hyung, I promise. We agreed to a fresh start for you, remember? Besides, you worked your ass off to get into this school," MyungSoo pointed out as he let the tie slip through his fingers, patting his friend's chest twice before stepping back with a smile. "There we go; all done."
DongWoo took a look in the mirror and smiled at his best friend's reflection. "Thanks, Soo yah," he said quietly and they both know that the simple words encompassed far more than just helping him with his tie.
MyungSoo just smiled at the older boy. It had been a long time since he'd seen that smile. "Any time, hyung." He made sure his own uniform was in good shape before grabbing his bag and handing DongWoo his. "Time to go. The last thing we want is for you to start off the new school year with detention for being late."
Laughing, DongWoo took his bag before nudging MyungSoo. "Yah, I have a good excuse since I have no idea how to navigate this place, unlike some people who've attended this school for a couple years," he pointed out as they slipped their shoes on and walked out the door.
The walk from MyungSoo's house toward the private high school wasn't very long and the time was spent explaining the ins and outs of the school to DongWoo. "You're acting like I've never gone to high school before," DongWoo chuckled, hoping that it would cover his nerves, even just a bit.
"I know you have hyung, but it's been a while and I just want everything to go right for you here," MyungSoo confessed. He had absolutely hated himself for not being able to help his best friend when he had needed it most so now that he had the chance to make up for it, he wasn't going to let it pass him by. "Besides, I really think that you'll excel here."
Listening to MyungSoo, DongWoo's smile grew. "What would I do without you, Soo?"
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"Okay, so you're a grade above me, along with a few of my friends. They know that you're coming today and I believe that Hyunnie hyung is in your first couple classes while Gyu hyung is in your last few," MyungSoo explained as he looked over DongWoo's class schedule. "We all have Performing Arts together though, and lunch, so you get to meet them all."
DongWoo nodded his head as he looked over the schedule, not entirely listening. It had been quite a while since DongWoo had actually attended school and he found himself excited at the idea of starting over in a place where no one knew him and he could be himself, not what he made him be.
"..yung!" DongWoo snapped back to reality when he realized that MyungSoo had been calling him, poorly concealed worry on his face. "Sorry, MyungSoo. Got distracted a bit there."
"You sure that you're okay, Woo hyung?" MyungSoo questioned. He knew that this was a discussion they'd had many times over the past few months, but nevertheless, he still found himself worrying about DongWoo.
"I'm fine, Soo. I'm just nervous and excited about today, I suppose," DongWoo explained.
MyungSoo just grinned at his friend before ruffling his hair, laughing at the yelp and watching him try to fix the newly cut and dyed red hair. "Well no need to be nervous because everyone will love you," MyungSoo assured.
"Oh? How can you tell that if no one knows me?" DongWoo asked with a grin.
"Because it's impossible not to."
They had only just stepped into the cafeteria for breakfast when MyungSoo found himself on the ground, pinned down by another boy and DongWoo staring wide eyed at the scene.
"Yeollie, please get off," MyungSoo sighed, lightly shoving off the other.
"But it's been forever since I'd seen you," the boy known as Yeollie whined teasingly before getting to his feet and helping MyungSoo up as well.
"SungYeol, it's been a week," another teen said with a sigh as he shook his head at the scene before noticing DongWoo standing off to the side. "You're MyungSoo's friend, right? I'm HoWon, but feel free to call me Hoya."
Still looking at MyungSoo and SungYeol out of the corner of his eye, DongWoo bowed deeply. "Um, DongWoo."
HoWon just rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about them; this is a daily occurence," he assured DongWoo.
Nodding his head, DongWoo found himself smiling, though MyungSoo looked over to see that it was much shier than usual. "Woo hyung, Hoya hyung's a dancer, too," he remarked randomly, hoping that that would break the ice a bit, so to speak.
It worked, because DongWoo turned suddenly bright eyes back onto Hoya. "You're a dancer?" he asked, smile wide and much closer to the smile that MyungSoo remembered.
Hoya blinked in shock at the sudden change before smiling back. "I live for it. What style are you?"
"Any style really, but mostly b-boy hip hop," DongWoo answered, shoulders relaxing as he and Hoya continued to talk all the way through the line for food.
MyungSoo made sure to slip things onto DongWoo's tray while he was distracted, trying to get him back up to a healthy weight and knowing that DongWoo wouldn't be able to refuse once it was bought and paid for. When they were all done and seated, MyungSoo was about to speak up when three more boys plopped down at the table as though they did so every day.
"Okay," MyungSoo started again. "This is DongWoo. DongWoo hyung, these are my friends WooHyun, SungJong, SungGyu, and you met SungYeol and Hoya." There were light bows and hard back slaps around the table before MyungSoo caught DongWoo's eye and motioned to his tray. Blushing, DongWoo picked up the muffin that was closest to his hand and took a small bite.
As MyungSoo had said, DongWoo fit in perfectly with his friends. He was already laughing with Hoya, playing with SungYeol, teasing SungJong, and just acting as though he'd known everyone forever. Breakfast continued like that until the first warning bell rang, startling a yelp out of DongWoo as he dropped the banana on the floor.
Laughing it off, DongWoo cleaned up the small mess and followed behind the others to get rid of his garbage.
"You have Lit first, right?" WooHyun asked as the group exited the cafeteria. At DongWoo's pause and nod, he grinned and wrapped an arm around DongWoo's neck. They were all surprised however, when the dancer jumped, shifting quickly out of the hold.
"Um, sorry, WooHyun ah. I'm not huge on contact unless I know the person," DongWoo replied with an apologetic smile.
WooHyun narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "Don't worry about it. SungYeol's only like this with MyungSoo and SungJong just doesn't like skinship much at all." He shot a quick glance toward MyungSoo before turning his attention back to DongWoo. "How 'bout we head out, because Choi Seongsaengnim hates lateness," he suggested, smiling when he saw DongWoo relax again.
"Yeah, sounds good," DongWoo grinned.
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MyungSoo had only just reached the lunch table when he paused, smile playing on his lips as he saw DongWoo practically splayed out across the table, SungGyu running a hand cautiously over his back with a horribly amused expression on his face.
"Did I miss something?" he asked as he placed his tray down beside DongWoo's and took a seat.
SungGyu grinned, though his tone hid it well. "Poor guy's gotten lost three times already and almost fell down a flight of stairs while he was at it," he explained.
Blinking, MyungSoo just shook his head. "You're still as horrible at directions as you always were, huh?"
Looking up, DongWoo shot a light glare at his best friend. "Shut up, you," he muttered before grabbing the chopsticks and taking a small bite of his lunch as SungGyu chuckled and turned toward his own food. The others arrived soon after and while they were teasing DongWoo, MyungSoo turned to SungGyu.
"I'm surprised that he let you do that," he said, referring to the hand on his back.
"So am I really," SungGyu replied. "I just did it out of reflex and he seemed to calm down a bit once I did, so I just didn't stop." Pausing, the redhead looked at MyungSoo with a deep stare that had the younger boy squirming uncomfortably. "There's a lot we don't know, isn't there? About your friend I mean."
He never got an answer because DongWoo suddenly fell against MyungSoo, drawing his attention away. "Soo yah, make them stop," he whined, putting on his best 'kicked puppy' face.
"Are you sure you're older than me, hyung?" MyungSoo laughed as he reached up to pat DongWoo's head affectionately before turning to the others.
"Yah!"
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"So Woo hyung, how was your first day?" MyungSoo asked as they headed back to MyungSoo's apartment after making plans to meet up with the others that weekend.
Turning to look at his friend, DongWoo grinned and nodded his head. "It was fun. I forgot how much fun high school was, even though that building could be a bit less confusing."
Laughing in return, MyungSoo hiked his bag higher on his shoulder. "Did you make any friends beside the others?" he asked, curious. As he was a couple grades below DongWoo, the only class he had with his friend was Performing Arts, so he really didn't know how he was in his other classes.
DongWoo shrugged. "Well it's just my first day, but I didn't have any real problems with anyone yet. They were pretty nice in general," he explained.
MyungSoo nodded. "So? Tell me about it," he said and spent the rest of the walk listening to DongWoo recount the events of the day. When they finally arrived, MyungSoo led the way into the building and strolled over to his apartment. Unlocking the door, he entered and moved to let DongWoo do the same before slipping his shoes off and throwing his bag somewhere in the corner of the room.
"So I have a question," MyungSoo began once he'd taken a seat on the couch.
DongWoo paused in the removal of his uniform shirt and tie, leaving him in his pants and a sleeveless shirt. "Hm? What's up?"
"Earlier at lunch. I was surprised to see you letting SungGyu hyung rub your back. I mean, you still have issues with me touching you and we've known each other since we were little." Sighing when he saw DongWoo pause in what he was doing, he continued. "I guess it was just good to see you closer to how you were before that bastard showed up."
Biting his lower lip, DongWoo went over to the couch and took a seat beside MyungSoo. No words were exchanged until DongWoo exhaled lightly before tugging his legs up onto the sofa as well, arms wrapping around them loosely with his chin resting on his knees. "To be honest with you, I didn't even notice that he'd done it, but by the time I did, I was already used to it. It felt nice to have that kind of touch; I felt comfortable."
In regards to the other part that MyungSoo had brought up, DongWoo smiled lightly. "I really have been trying, MyungSoo. I want to be me again, and I don't mean the 'me' that he made me into."
MyungSoo smiled in return. "I know you have, DongWoo ah, and you're doing well." Another minute of silence passed before anyone spoke again. "Do you think you'll ever tell them?" he asked hesitantly.
DongWoo didn't answer right away, looking lost in thought as he considered the question and its various answers. "That's a good question," he murmured before shifting again, feet returning to the ground as he played with his hands in his lap idly. "I just-I don't want them to look at me like everyone else did before I left, you know? I want a fresh start."
"DongWoo, none of that was your fault, though," MyungSoo insisted, hating the bastard that had changed his friend so much even more than before. "And I know them. They would never ever look at you any differently. I mean hell, you're the strongest person I know."
Reaching out, MyungSoo took his friend's hand. "I'm not saying that you have to right now Hyung. Get to know them more, and if you think you can trust them, you should; even if it''s just one, because I think it might help you in the long run."
Looking at MyungSoo as he spoke, DongWoo found himself smiling again, though it was much closer to the smile he had been known for when he was younger. "What would I do without you, Soo?"
"Lucky for you, you'll never have to find out. Now that you're back, you're more or less stuck with me."
"Oh darn," DongWoo sighed loudly, snickering when MyungSoo hit him and pouted.
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"DongWoo yah!"
Hearing his name, DongWoo turned to see SungGyu waving at him before running over. "Heyah, Gyu hyung."
"Just the guy I needed to see," he said with a grin. "I need your expertise."
DongWoo blinked at the ender boy. "Expertise? What for?"
Looking around, SungGyu took DongWoo's hand and led him into one of the nearby empty classrooms. It was odd, but it seemed that DongWoo had little problem with SungGyu's touch. With others, even the simple act of holding hands had DongWoo tensing up. The others just chalked it up to SungGyu being older.
Letting DongWoo go, SungGyu plopped down into a nearby chair, watching as DongWoo hopped up onto the table, crossing his legs and bouncing his knees restlessly. "Okay, so you know how we have the talent show coming up in a couple weeks?" DongWoo just bobbed his head in acknowledgement. "Well I was wondering if you wanted to partner up for it, because I had this idea that sounded like it might be fun."
Considering the proposition, DongWoo just grinned. "Sounds like fun. So what's this idea you have?"
"Well, would you consider writing a song with me? I've had lyrics for a chorus in my head for a while now and after hearing that rap you wrote last class, I thought that you'd be the perfect choice for a partner," SungGyu explained. "I have a feeling that this'll end up being more focused on the rapper with the vocalist as support, but what do you say?"
Leaning back on his hands, DongWoo thought hard. He couldn't deny that the idea of doing a duet with someone as vocally spectacular as SungGyu was something that excited him. "Okay, when do we start?" he asked, eyes bright.
SungGyu smiled in return before placing his bag in his lap and rifling through. A minute later, he pulled out a few sheets of paper and held them out to DongWoo, who took them and looked them over. "This is the idea for the chorus, though I keep fixing it here and there. Just feel free to look it over and give me a call whenever you're free to work on it."
When SungGyu looked back up from placing his bag on the floor, he was surprised to see the very objective and clinical look in DongWoo's eyes as he read the lyrics. Something about the way DongWoo had begun mouthing words that were not the ones he'd written not even a minute later had him mesmerized.
Though he was unable to fully admit it to himself, the younger boy's mouth itself also had a bit to do with his inability to turn away.
"You free tomorrow?" DongWoo said suddenly, causing SungGyu to start, shaken free of his trance.
"Sorry, what?" SungGyu asked sheepishly, slightly red.
DongWoo just grinned. "I said are you free tomorrow? I'm pretty sure I can have something done by then."
SungGyu blinked. "Damn you're fast. I guess I made the right choice then," he added with a smile.
"So Gyu hyung, why me and not Hoya?" he asked, curious. "I mean, Hoya's rap was better than mine in my opinion and he even got the better grade."
"Well," SungGyu began. "There's something just so raw about your writing and your voice. Sure Hoya's good, but I think you fit what I need much more."
DongWoo blushed at the compliment. It had been a long time since he'd been complimented so earnestly that he no longer knew how to accept it without getting shy. "Th-thanks, hyung," he said quietly, smile small but bright.
SungGyu matched his smile, forever amused at just how contagious the action was. "Any time."
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SungGyu was unable to tear himself away from the lyrics in his hand, barely noticing DongWoo shift around nervously. He truly didn't know what he felt after reading the first verse, but he'd felt something stir within him. It was almost like an odd protectiveness that had no real definition or reason to be there in the first place.
"Um, is it okay?" DongWoo asked, voice small and nervous.
"It's-" SungGyu began before trying again. "I love it. I'm just...these lyrics are really intense, DongWoo." Tilting his head, he regarded the younger boy seriously. "Did something happen, because they sound really personal." He watched as something odd settled behind DongWoo's usually happy smile which unsettled him more than he thought it would.
"Do you mind if we change the subject, hyung? It's really not something that I'm ready to talk about yet," DongWoo explained, and SungGyu took note of the slight tremble to DongWoo's voice.
"Sure, but if you ever need to get it out, you have my number, okay?" SungGyu told him, looking at the rapper with a soft yet open look. It took a minute, but then DongWoo nodded, lips curling up slightly.
"Thanks, hyung."
"Any time, but about this song. Will you be okay to perform it? The last thing I want to do is bring up bad memories just to win a stupid trophy," SungGyu said as he reached out and slowly placed a hand on DongWoo's knee, relieved to feel little more than a small twitch which signalled DongWoo's acceptance of his touch.
Nodding, DongWoo smiled, and SungGyu was relieved to see that it was much closer to normal, the shadow slowly dissipating. "I'll be fine, but thanks for worrying about me," he said before hesitantly resting a hand on top of SungGyu's, fingers lightly resting between SungGyu's own.
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Class had just ended and MyungSoo was stepping out of his classroom when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he was surprised to see SungGyu since the elder boy usually left with WooHyun since they were neighbors. Not sure what to think, MyungSoo gave him his full attention. "What's up, hyung? Where's WooHyunnie hyung?" he asked, looking around.
"I told him to go on ahead," SungGyu explained. "I was wondering if we could talk about something."
"Um, sure hyung." MyungSoo headed toward his locker to grab his hoodie before following SungGyu outside. They were halfway to MyungSoo's when he finally spoke. "So what's going on? For someone needing to talk, you're being awfully quiet."
"You know that me and DongWoo are doing a duet at the talent show, right?" SungGyu began, eyes forward.
"Of course I do. He's ridiculously excited about it," MyungSoo replied, chancing a look in SungGyu's direction. "Why?"
"It's just-well, the lyrics he came up with worry me, is all," SungGyu confessed, stopping walking with a pensive expression on his face. "Has he shown them to you?" When MyungSoo shook his head, SungGyu pulled out the printed out song and handed it to MyungSoo. Upon seeing the darkening look on the younger's face, SungGyu sighed. "See?"
Nodding, MyungSoo returned the paper. "Hyung, I know what you want to ask, and I'm sorry, but the answer's no. I promised DongWoo that I'd never tell anyone, and I intend to keep that promise. Just know that he is getting better and he's probably thinking of that song as catharsis or something. Those are things that he needs to get out before they overwhelm him one day."
"Do you think he'll tell me one day?"
MyungSoo looked at SungGyu intently, dark eyes penetrating before he smiled slightly. "You really like him, don't you?"
SungGyu just looked at him, a bit confused by the question. "Well yeah. He's a really good friend. Besides, it's impossible not to like him."
MyungSoo snickered, recalling that he had said those exact words to DongWoo his first day. "Naivete doesn't suit you, hyung. It's pretty obvious that you like him more than as just a good friend. In all honesty, I think it's probably returned since you're the only person besides me that can touch him and that he's comfortable around enough to fully relax his guard."
Debating with himself, he continued. "I shouldn't, but I will tell you one thing. He's been hurt so badly in the past by someone that he thought he loved, so please be careful, alright?"
That said, MyungSoo left, SungGyu still standing on the sidewalk with MyungSoo's words running through his head.
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It was the night of the talent show and DongWoo would be lying if he said that he wasn't freaking out. He hadn't been completely honest with SungGyu when he said he would be fine performing, but it also hadn't hit him that he would be putting himself out there in front of so many people. The closer it came to D-Day, the worse his tension got until he was wound so tight that not even SungGyu and MyungSoo were able to calm him.
There was also an odd aura blanketing SungGyu. It was like an odd sort of tension that was unfamiliar to him yet wasn't at the same time. DongWoo had an idea as to what it was, but he found himself pulling away from that line of thought. He thought back to the light touches and the level of comfort he hadn't felt even with MyungSoo and found himself blushing, something that had been happening a lot in recent days.
He couldn't have a crush on SungGyu. There was no way he would ever want to be with someone like him. Kim SungGyu was perfect and amazing while he was just-
"DongWoo yah?"
Freezing in place, DongWoo turned to see SungGyu in the doorway, a look of concern on his face. Walking over to the younger boy, he hesitantly lifted his hands to DongWoo's shoulder level before stopping. "Can I?"
DongWoo had to smile. SungGyu had taken to asking permission to do so much as ruffle his hair and he greatly appreciated the attentiveness. Nodding his head, DongWoo felt SungGyu place his hands gently on DongWoo's shoulders, sighing when he felt the older boy's fingers lightly stroke the bare skin that the sleeveless shirt didn't cover.
"You'll do great, DongWoo," SungGyu assured, completely confident in himself, as well as in DongWoo.
Smiling, DongWoo nodded, SungGyu's words giving him a shot of confidence. Looking at SungGyu, he had to chuckle. "I feel so underdressed right now," he murmured, nodding his head toward the mirror on the wall.
Looking, SungGyu took in his own fitted suit before looking DongWoo over. The tight black tank and fitted shredded dark jeans looked amazing on DongWoo's smaller yet well built body. Smiling at him, he shrugged. "I think you look amazing," he murmured, and it was then that he noticed just how close they were to each other.
Clearing his throat quietly, SungGyu moved back a bit, yet still maintained physical contact. "After this, there's something I need to tell you, okay? It's kind of important."
Looking at SungGyu, DongWoo reddened slightly at the closeness before nodding his head. "Okay," he answered before hearing their names announced. "We're next," he said dumbly, unable to move away and not really wanting to. "M-maybe we should..." he trailed off, and SungGyu sighed before letting him go and stepping away.
"Yeah. Let's blow them away, DongWoo yah," SungGyu said, smiling softly, holding out a hand for the younger boy to take.
After a minute, DongWoo did just that. "They won't know what hit them."
Once their names were announced, SungGyu waited in the wings while DongWoo stepped out on stage. Everything was dark, but the moment DongWoo opened his mouth, the spotlight was on him. SungGyu freely admitted to himself that in that moment, DongWoo had never looked more stunning.
When it was nearly time for his part to begin, SungGyu took his place, words blasting out to match the intensity of DongWoo's rapping. When DongWoo's next verse began, SungGyu managed to pick up the slight tremble in DongWoo's voice and that familiar sense of worry returned. Normally one to get lost in the performance, SungGyu chose to focus on the rapper because the further they got into the song, the further DongWoo seemed to sink into the lyrics.
By the end, the two were face to face under a single spotlight and SungGyu was able to see the glassy eyes so full of dispair that he himself nearly cried. On the last note, the lights went out and SungGyu took hold of DongWoo and pulled him offstage, for once ignoring how tense he had become.
No one stopped them as SungGyu brought them toward one of the empty music rooms. Once inside and the door was closed, SungGyu eased the now trembling DongWoo down onto the closest chair before kneeling in front of it, one hand on DongWoo's knee and the other gently stroking his hair.
"It's okay," SungGyu soothed, voice low and even. "No one's here but me and you. You don't have to be strong anymore."
Before he knew what was happening, DongWoo was in his arms, fists tight around the back of his jacket. Heart breaking, SungGyu gently brought DongWoo completely into his arms, settling on the floor and not once stopping the motion of his hand in DongWoo's hair. His mind was running a thousand miles a minute with every possible scenario and he was desperate to know what had caused such a bright light like DongWoo to be so utterly broken.
A choked breath drew SungGyu back to the present and he decided that he would worry about it another time. Right then, all he wanted was for the soul shattering sound of DongWoo's sobs to stop, because his heart just couldn't take it.
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Days had passed since the night of the talent show and while they had won and WooHyun-ever the attention whore-had accepted the trophy for them, DongWoo had yet to return to school. SungGyu had been practically ready to rip his own hair out in worry, but the others had managed to stop that from happening.
"MyungSoo please," SungGyu begged. "Just let me go over and make sure he's okay with my own two eyes. He won't answer his phone and I swear to God that I am losing my goddamn mind here!"
MyungSoo stared at SungGyu in shock. He had never once seen the older singer in such a state and his pride would never allow for him to beg, but there he was; a step away from falling to his knees and pressing his forehead to the floor, all because of Jang DongWoo.
"Okay," MyungSoo finally said with a nod, and SungGyu perked up. "He'll probably hate me for this, but let's go."
"Now? But class is..." Stopping, SungGyu shook his head and got to his feet. "Screw it. Lead the way."
It took far more than he expected for SungGyu to keep to the traffic laws, but soon enough they were outside MyungSoo's apartment. Stepping out of the car, MyungSoo tossed SungGyu the apartment key. "I'll be at the cafe on the corner. You'll want some privacy for this discussion." With a wave, MyungSoo wandered down the street and SungGyu ran into the building.
Fumbling with they keys, SungGyu finally managed to unlock the apartment door and entered, quietly closing the door and slipping his shoes off. Padding through the apartment, he finally found DongWoo curled up in bed, fast asleep. Approaching the young man, SungGyu carefully sat on the side of the bed and ran his fingers gently through DongWoo's hair.
"DongWoo yah. DongWoo, wake up, it's Gyu," he tried, finally succeeding soon after. He watched as DongWoo's eyes slowly fluttered open, taking in the room before settling on SungGyu. "Hey, Woo," he practically whispered, smile soft and hesitant.
Jumping slightly, DongWoo slowly sat up before clutching the blanket like it was a lifeline. "What're you doing here?" he asked.
"I was worried about you," SungGyu answered. "After the talent show, you just vanished. "You never let me tell you what was so important," he tried again. Reaching out, SungGyu very carefully rested his hand against DongWoo's cheek, lightly caressing his skin. "You never let me tell you that I like you as much more than just a friend."
DongWoo stiffened, eyes wide at the confession. Slowly, he shook his head. "B-but you can't."
"Why can't I, DongWoo?" SungGyu asked, voice open and curious. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever met in every way imaginable."
"That's not true," DongWoo denied. He could feel the burning in the backs of his eyes and barely managed to force them back. "It's not true, SungGyu. I'm not at all. I'm horrible and dirty and worthless. You could do so so so much better than me."
SungGyu fought back the shock at DongWoo's words and barely managed to stay calm. "Why do you think that?" he asked instead.
"Because it's the truth."
The room was silent before SungGyu spoke again. "DongWoo, please tell me what happened to you."
The request was so clear, but the way it was spoken hit something within DongWoo and with a quiet sniff, he slowly nodded.
"My ex boyfriend is the reason I'm here," he slowly began. "He was the sweetest guy when we first got together, but then-" He swallowed thickly. "Then he got caught up with the wrong crowd. Drugs, gambling, you know the story. Anyway, by the end of the year, he'd done a complete 180. He would come home drunk or high every night demanding either a fight or sex, though sometimes both. Soon though, it became routine. Wake up in pain, go to bed in pain."
SungGyu stared at DongWoo with wide eyes, unble to believe that someone would do something so vicious to such a loveable person. "I-is there more?" he asked quietly, and regretted it when tears began flooding DongWoo's eyes.
"He lost his job and between all his vices, money was never enough. One day, one of his dealers made him an offer he couldn't refuse." DongWoo paused to collect himself, wrapping himself in his blanket as though hiding himself from the world; or the memories. "That was when I became the payment."
"Oh God," SungGyu muttered, hand over his mouth. He felt his own tears fall as DongWoo continued on, explaining how it wasn't just that one man, but many before he finally managed to get away with MyungSoo's help.
Unable to speak, SungGyu did the only thing he could; he pulled DongWoo into his arms and just held him, hold tight enough to give his unending support, but loose enough to not crowd him. "Woo, it's not your fault. You-fuck, no one deserves to suffer through something like that, but I can say with absolute certainty that you are not any of those things that you said."
"But-" DongWoo began, his voice breaking on a sob before SungGyu shushed him.
"You're a survivor. If anything, you have to be the strongest person that I have ever met."
Hearing those words from SungGyu tore down any barrier he had on his emotions as he found himself completely breaking down. He clung to SungGyu for dear life and remained that way until he couldn't cry anymore. Throughout it all, SungGyu had never once stopped whispering reassurances and loving words into his ear as he held him close as though he were the most precious thing he had in the world.
"DongWoo, I really like you," SungGyu softly whispered when he'd finally settled down, too tired to move away even if he'd wanted to. "I like you so much that seeing you like this breaks my heart. I don't expect you to get over your past, but I would be honored if you would let me help you move past it by your side," he murmured, placing a light kiss to the crown of his head.
"Do you really mean it?" DongWoo murmured. He felt himself relaxing into the hold, eyes fluttering closed as he was soothed by SungGyu's heartbeat.
"Every last word."
Lips curling slightly, DongWoo pulled away enough to lightly brush his lips against SungGyu's before settling back down. "Okay."
Smiling back, SungGyu gently rearranged them until they were both laying down, DongWoo secure in his arms. "I swear that I'll show you just how much you're worth until you begin to believe it yourself."
"Hm? How much is that?" he asked sleepily before fading off until he was fast asleep.
Seeing the sweet sight before him, SungGyu kissed his forehead before closing his eyes as well.
"Priceless."
Pair:donggyu
Rating:PG-13
Disclaimer:I don't own them, sadly...T^T
Summary:DongWoo gets the chance to start over, but sometimes, forgetting isn't an option...
Written for infinitesanta. The idea was supposed to be A LOT longer, so there is a good possibility that there will eventually be a sequel...I'm just not sure when...^__^;;
"MyungSoo yah, are you really sure that this is a good idea...?"
The younger boy stopped what he was doing to look at his hyung as he nervously tried to properly tie the navy tie, making a frustrated whine the more he struggled. Smiling slightly in an attempt to calm his best friend, MyungSoo approached him and batted his hands away and worked on the thin material himself.
"You'll be fine, DongWoo hyung, I promise. We agreed to a fresh start for you, remember? Besides, you worked your ass off to get into this school," MyungSoo pointed out as he let the tie slip through his fingers, patting his friend's chest twice before stepping back with a smile. "There we go; all done."
DongWoo took a look in the mirror and smiled at his best friend's reflection. "Thanks, Soo yah," he said quietly and they both know that the simple words encompassed far more than just helping him with his tie.
MyungSoo just smiled at the older boy. It had been a long time since he'd seen that smile. "Any time, hyung." He made sure his own uniform was in good shape before grabbing his bag and handing DongWoo his. "Time to go. The last thing we want is for you to start off the new school year with detention for being late."
Laughing, DongWoo took his bag before nudging MyungSoo. "Yah, I have a good excuse since I have no idea how to navigate this place, unlike some people who've attended this school for a couple years," he pointed out as they slipped their shoes on and walked out the door.
The walk from MyungSoo's house toward the private high school wasn't very long and the time was spent explaining the ins and outs of the school to DongWoo. "You're acting like I've never gone to high school before," DongWoo chuckled, hoping that it would cover his nerves, even just a bit.
"I know you have hyung, but it's been a while and I just want everything to go right for you here," MyungSoo confessed. He had absolutely hated himself for not being able to help his best friend when he had needed it most so now that he had the chance to make up for it, he wasn't going to let it pass him by. "Besides, I really think that you'll excel here."
Listening to MyungSoo, DongWoo's smile grew. "What would I do without you, Soo?"
--------------------------------
"Okay, so you're a grade above me, along with a few of my friends. They know that you're coming today and I believe that Hyunnie hyung is in your first couple classes while Gyu hyung is in your last few," MyungSoo explained as he looked over DongWoo's class schedule. "We all have Performing Arts together though, and lunch, so you get to meet them all."
DongWoo nodded his head as he looked over the schedule, not entirely listening. It had been quite a while since DongWoo had actually attended school and he found himself excited at the idea of starting over in a place where no one knew him and he could be himself, not what he made him be.
"..yung!" DongWoo snapped back to reality when he realized that MyungSoo had been calling him, poorly concealed worry on his face. "Sorry, MyungSoo. Got distracted a bit there."
"You sure that you're okay, Woo hyung?" MyungSoo questioned. He knew that this was a discussion they'd had many times over the past few months, but nevertheless, he still found himself worrying about DongWoo.
"I'm fine, Soo. I'm just nervous and excited about today, I suppose," DongWoo explained.
MyungSoo just grinned at his friend before ruffling his hair, laughing at the yelp and watching him try to fix the newly cut and dyed red hair. "Well no need to be nervous because everyone will love you," MyungSoo assured.
"Oh? How can you tell that if no one knows me?" DongWoo asked with a grin.
"Because it's impossible not to."
They had only just stepped into the cafeteria for breakfast when MyungSoo found himself on the ground, pinned down by another boy and DongWoo staring wide eyed at the scene.
"Yeollie, please get off," MyungSoo sighed, lightly shoving off the other.
"But it's been forever since I'd seen you," the boy known as Yeollie whined teasingly before getting to his feet and helping MyungSoo up as well.
"SungYeol, it's been a week," another teen said with a sigh as he shook his head at the scene before noticing DongWoo standing off to the side. "You're MyungSoo's friend, right? I'm HoWon, but feel free to call me Hoya."
Still looking at MyungSoo and SungYeol out of the corner of his eye, DongWoo bowed deeply. "Um, DongWoo."
HoWon just rolled his eyes. "Don't worry about them; this is a daily occurence," he assured DongWoo.
Nodding his head, DongWoo found himself smiling, though MyungSoo looked over to see that it was much shier than usual. "Woo hyung, Hoya hyung's a dancer, too," he remarked randomly, hoping that that would break the ice a bit, so to speak.
It worked, because DongWoo turned suddenly bright eyes back onto Hoya. "You're a dancer?" he asked, smile wide and much closer to the smile that MyungSoo remembered.
Hoya blinked in shock at the sudden change before smiling back. "I live for it. What style are you?"
"Any style really, but mostly b-boy hip hop," DongWoo answered, shoulders relaxing as he and Hoya continued to talk all the way through the line for food.
MyungSoo made sure to slip things onto DongWoo's tray while he was distracted, trying to get him back up to a healthy weight and knowing that DongWoo wouldn't be able to refuse once it was bought and paid for. When they were all done and seated, MyungSoo was about to speak up when three more boys plopped down at the table as though they did so every day.
"Okay," MyungSoo started again. "This is DongWoo. DongWoo hyung, these are my friends WooHyun, SungJong, SungGyu, and you met SungYeol and Hoya." There were light bows and hard back slaps around the table before MyungSoo caught DongWoo's eye and motioned to his tray. Blushing, DongWoo picked up the muffin that was closest to his hand and took a small bite.
As MyungSoo had said, DongWoo fit in perfectly with his friends. He was already laughing with Hoya, playing with SungYeol, teasing SungJong, and just acting as though he'd known everyone forever. Breakfast continued like that until the first warning bell rang, startling a yelp out of DongWoo as he dropped the banana on the floor.
Laughing it off, DongWoo cleaned up the small mess and followed behind the others to get rid of his garbage.
"You have Lit first, right?" WooHyun asked as the group exited the cafeteria. At DongWoo's pause and nod, he grinned and wrapped an arm around DongWoo's neck. They were all surprised however, when the dancer jumped, shifting quickly out of the hold.
"Um, sorry, WooHyun ah. I'm not huge on contact unless I know the person," DongWoo replied with an apologetic smile.
WooHyun narrowed his eyes, but nodded. "Don't worry about it. SungYeol's only like this with MyungSoo and SungJong just doesn't like skinship much at all." He shot a quick glance toward MyungSoo before turning his attention back to DongWoo. "How 'bout we head out, because Choi Seongsaengnim hates lateness," he suggested, smiling when he saw DongWoo relax again.
"Yeah, sounds good," DongWoo grinned.
--------------------------------
MyungSoo had only just reached the lunch table when he paused, smile playing on his lips as he saw DongWoo practically splayed out across the table, SungGyu running a hand cautiously over his back with a horribly amused expression on his face.
"Did I miss something?" he asked as he placed his tray down beside DongWoo's and took a seat.
SungGyu grinned, though his tone hid it well. "Poor guy's gotten lost three times already and almost fell down a flight of stairs while he was at it," he explained.
Blinking, MyungSoo just shook his head. "You're still as horrible at directions as you always were, huh?"
Looking up, DongWoo shot a light glare at his best friend. "Shut up, you," he muttered before grabbing the chopsticks and taking a small bite of his lunch as SungGyu chuckled and turned toward his own food. The others arrived soon after and while they were teasing DongWoo, MyungSoo turned to SungGyu.
"I'm surprised that he let you do that," he said, referring to the hand on his back.
"So am I really," SungGyu replied. "I just did it out of reflex and he seemed to calm down a bit once I did, so I just didn't stop." Pausing, the redhead looked at MyungSoo with a deep stare that had the younger boy squirming uncomfortably. "There's a lot we don't know, isn't there? About your friend I mean."
He never got an answer because DongWoo suddenly fell against MyungSoo, drawing his attention away. "Soo yah, make them stop," he whined, putting on his best 'kicked puppy' face.
"Are you sure you're older than me, hyung?" MyungSoo laughed as he reached up to pat DongWoo's head affectionately before turning to the others.
"Yah!"
--------------------------------
"So Woo hyung, how was your first day?" MyungSoo asked as they headed back to MyungSoo's apartment after making plans to meet up with the others that weekend.
Turning to look at his friend, DongWoo grinned and nodded his head. "It was fun. I forgot how much fun high school was, even though that building could be a bit less confusing."
Laughing in return, MyungSoo hiked his bag higher on his shoulder. "Did you make any friends beside the others?" he asked, curious. As he was a couple grades below DongWoo, the only class he had with his friend was Performing Arts, so he really didn't know how he was in his other classes.
DongWoo shrugged. "Well it's just my first day, but I didn't have any real problems with anyone yet. They were pretty nice in general," he explained.
MyungSoo nodded. "So? Tell me about it," he said and spent the rest of the walk listening to DongWoo recount the events of the day. When they finally arrived, MyungSoo led the way into the building and strolled over to his apartment. Unlocking the door, he entered and moved to let DongWoo do the same before slipping his shoes off and throwing his bag somewhere in the corner of the room.
"So I have a question," MyungSoo began once he'd taken a seat on the couch.
DongWoo paused in the removal of his uniform shirt and tie, leaving him in his pants and a sleeveless shirt. "Hm? What's up?"
"Earlier at lunch. I was surprised to see you letting SungGyu hyung rub your back. I mean, you still have issues with me touching you and we've known each other since we were little." Sighing when he saw DongWoo pause in what he was doing, he continued. "I guess it was just good to see you closer to how you were before that bastard showed up."
Biting his lower lip, DongWoo went over to the couch and took a seat beside MyungSoo. No words were exchanged until DongWoo exhaled lightly before tugging his legs up onto the sofa as well, arms wrapping around them loosely with his chin resting on his knees. "To be honest with you, I didn't even notice that he'd done it, but by the time I did, I was already used to it. It felt nice to have that kind of touch; I felt comfortable."
In regards to the other part that MyungSoo had brought up, DongWoo smiled lightly. "I really have been trying, MyungSoo. I want to be me again, and I don't mean the 'me' that he made me into."
MyungSoo smiled in return. "I know you have, DongWoo ah, and you're doing well." Another minute of silence passed before anyone spoke again. "Do you think you'll ever tell them?" he asked hesitantly.
DongWoo didn't answer right away, looking lost in thought as he considered the question and its various answers. "That's a good question," he murmured before shifting again, feet returning to the ground as he played with his hands in his lap idly. "I just-I don't want them to look at me like everyone else did before I left, you know? I want a fresh start."
"DongWoo, none of that was your fault, though," MyungSoo insisted, hating the bastard that had changed his friend so much even more than before. "And I know them. They would never ever look at you any differently. I mean hell, you're the strongest person I know."
Reaching out, MyungSoo took his friend's hand. "I'm not saying that you have to right now Hyung. Get to know them more, and if you think you can trust them, you should; even if it''s just one, because I think it might help you in the long run."
Looking at MyungSoo as he spoke, DongWoo found himself smiling again, though it was much closer to the smile he had been known for when he was younger. "What would I do without you, Soo?"
"Lucky for you, you'll never have to find out. Now that you're back, you're more or less stuck with me."
"Oh darn," DongWoo sighed loudly, snickering when MyungSoo hit him and pouted.
--------------------------------
"DongWoo yah!"
Hearing his name, DongWoo turned to see SungGyu waving at him before running over. "Heyah, Gyu hyung."
"Just the guy I needed to see," he said with a grin. "I need your expertise."
DongWoo blinked at the ender boy. "Expertise? What for?"
Looking around, SungGyu took DongWoo's hand and led him into one of the nearby empty classrooms. It was odd, but it seemed that DongWoo had little problem with SungGyu's touch. With others, even the simple act of holding hands had DongWoo tensing up. The others just chalked it up to SungGyu being older.
Letting DongWoo go, SungGyu plopped down into a nearby chair, watching as DongWoo hopped up onto the table, crossing his legs and bouncing his knees restlessly. "Okay, so you know how we have the talent show coming up in a couple weeks?" DongWoo just bobbed his head in acknowledgement. "Well I was wondering if you wanted to partner up for it, because I had this idea that sounded like it might be fun."
Considering the proposition, DongWoo just grinned. "Sounds like fun. So what's this idea you have?"
"Well, would you consider writing a song with me? I've had lyrics for a chorus in my head for a while now and after hearing that rap you wrote last class, I thought that you'd be the perfect choice for a partner," SungGyu explained. "I have a feeling that this'll end up being more focused on the rapper with the vocalist as support, but what do you say?"
Leaning back on his hands, DongWoo thought hard. He couldn't deny that the idea of doing a duet with someone as vocally spectacular as SungGyu was something that excited him. "Okay, when do we start?" he asked, eyes bright.
SungGyu smiled in return before placing his bag in his lap and rifling through. A minute later, he pulled out a few sheets of paper and held them out to DongWoo, who took them and looked them over. "This is the idea for the chorus, though I keep fixing it here and there. Just feel free to look it over and give me a call whenever you're free to work on it."
When SungGyu looked back up from placing his bag on the floor, he was surprised to see the very objective and clinical look in DongWoo's eyes as he read the lyrics. Something about the way DongWoo had begun mouthing words that were not the ones he'd written not even a minute later had him mesmerized.
Though he was unable to fully admit it to himself, the younger boy's mouth itself also had a bit to do with his inability to turn away.
"You free tomorrow?" DongWoo said suddenly, causing SungGyu to start, shaken free of his trance.
"Sorry, what?" SungGyu asked sheepishly, slightly red.
DongWoo just grinned. "I said are you free tomorrow? I'm pretty sure I can have something done by then."
SungGyu blinked. "Damn you're fast. I guess I made the right choice then," he added with a smile.
"So Gyu hyung, why me and not Hoya?" he asked, curious. "I mean, Hoya's rap was better than mine in my opinion and he even got the better grade."
"Well," SungGyu began. "There's something just so raw about your writing and your voice. Sure Hoya's good, but I think you fit what I need much more."
DongWoo blushed at the compliment. It had been a long time since he'd been complimented so earnestly that he no longer knew how to accept it without getting shy. "Th-thanks, hyung," he said quietly, smile small but bright.
SungGyu matched his smile, forever amused at just how contagious the action was. "Any time."
--------------------------------
SungGyu was unable to tear himself away from the lyrics in his hand, barely noticing DongWoo shift around nervously. He truly didn't know what he felt after reading the first verse, but he'd felt something stir within him. It was almost like an odd protectiveness that had no real definition or reason to be there in the first place.
"Um, is it okay?" DongWoo asked, voice small and nervous.
"It's-" SungGyu began before trying again. "I love it. I'm just...these lyrics are really intense, DongWoo." Tilting his head, he regarded the younger boy seriously. "Did something happen, because they sound really personal." He watched as something odd settled behind DongWoo's usually happy smile which unsettled him more than he thought it would.
"Do you mind if we change the subject, hyung? It's really not something that I'm ready to talk about yet," DongWoo explained, and SungGyu took note of the slight tremble to DongWoo's voice.
"Sure, but if you ever need to get it out, you have my number, okay?" SungGyu told him, looking at the rapper with a soft yet open look. It took a minute, but then DongWoo nodded, lips curling up slightly.
"Thanks, hyung."
"Any time, but about this song. Will you be okay to perform it? The last thing I want to do is bring up bad memories just to win a stupid trophy," SungGyu said as he reached out and slowly placed a hand on DongWoo's knee, relieved to feel little more than a small twitch which signalled DongWoo's acceptance of his touch.
Nodding, DongWoo smiled, and SungGyu was relieved to see that it was much closer to normal, the shadow slowly dissipating. "I'll be fine, but thanks for worrying about me," he said before hesitantly resting a hand on top of SungGyu's, fingers lightly resting between SungGyu's own.
--------------------------------
Class had just ended and MyungSoo was stepping out of his classroom when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he was surprised to see SungGyu since the elder boy usually left with WooHyun since they were neighbors. Not sure what to think, MyungSoo gave him his full attention. "What's up, hyung? Where's WooHyunnie hyung?" he asked, looking around.
"I told him to go on ahead," SungGyu explained. "I was wondering if we could talk about something."
"Um, sure hyung." MyungSoo headed toward his locker to grab his hoodie before following SungGyu outside. They were halfway to MyungSoo's when he finally spoke. "So what's going on? For someone needing to talk, you're being awfully quiet."
"You know that me and DongWoo are doing a duet at the talent show, right?" SungGyu began, eyes forward.
"Of course I do. He's ridiculously excited about it," MyungSoo replied, chancing a look in SungGyu's direction. "Why?"
"It's just-well, the lyrics he came up with worry me, is all," SungGyu confessed, stopping walking with a pensive expression on his face. "Has he shown them to you?" When MyungSoo shook his head, SungGyu pulled out the printed out song and handed it to MyungSoo. Upon seeing the darkening look on the younger's face, SungGyu sighed. "See?"
Nodding, MyungSoo returned the paper. "Hyung, I know what you want to ask, and I'm sorry, but the answer's no. I promised DongWoo that I'd never tell anyone, and I intend to keep that promise. Just know that he is getting better and he's probably thinking of that song as catharsis or something. Those are things that he needs to get out before they overwhelm him one day."
"Do you think he'll tell me one day?"
MyungSoo looked at SungGyu intently, dark eyes penetrating before he smiled slightly. "You really like him, don't you?"
SungGyu just looked at him, a bit confused by the question. "Well yeah. He's a really good friend. Besides, it's impossible not to like him."
MyungSoo snickered, recalling that he had said those exact words to DongWoo his first day. "Naivete doesn't suit you, hyung. It's pretty obvious that you like him more than as just a good friend. In all honesty, I think it's probably returned since you're the only person besides me that can touch him and that he's comfortable around enough to fully relax his guard."
Debating with himself, he continued. "I shouldn't, but I will tell you one thing. He's been hurt so badly in the past by someone that he thought he loved, so please be careful, alright?"
That said, MyungSoo left, SungGyu still standing on the sidewalk with MyungSoo's words running through his head.
--------------------------------
It was the night of the talent show and DongWoo would be lying if he said that he wasn't freaking out. He hadn't been completely honest with SungGyu when he said he would be fine performing, but it also hadn't hit him that he would be putting himself out there in front of so many people. The closer it came to D-Day, the worse his tension got until he was wound so tight that not even SungGyu and MyungSoo were able to calm him.
There was also an odd aura blanketing SungGyu. It was like an odd sort of tension that was unfamiliar to him yet wasn't at the same time. DongWoo had an idea as to what it was, but he found himself pulling away from that line of thought. He thought back to the light touches and the level of comfort he hadn't felt even with MyungSoo and found himself blushing, something that had been happening a lot in recent days.
He couldn't have a crush on SungGyu. There was no way he would ever want to be with someone like him. Kim SungGyu was perfect and amazing while he was just-
"DongWoo yah?"
Freezing in place, DongWoo turned to see SungGyu in the doorway, a look of concern on his face. Walking over to the younger boy, he hesitantly lifted his hands to DongWoo's shoulder level before stopping. "Can I?"
DongWoo had to smile. SungGyu had taken to asking permission to do so much as ruffle his hair and he greatly appreciated the attentiveness. Nodding his head, DongWoo felt SungGyu place his hands gently on DongWoo's shoulders, sighing when he felt the older boy's fingers lightly stroke the bare skin that the sleeveless shirt didn't cover.
"You'll do great, DongWoo," SungGyu assured, completely confident in himself, as well as in DongWoo.
Smiling, DongWoo nodded, SungGyu's words giving him a shot of confidence. Looking at SungGyu, he had to chuckle. "I feel so underdressed right now," he murmured, nodding his head toward the mirror on the wall.
Looking, SungGyu took in his own fitted suit before looking DongWoo over. The tight black tank and fitted shredded dark jeans looked amazing on DongWoo's smaller yet well built body. Smiling at him, he shrugged. "I think you look amazing," he murmured, and it was then that he noticed just how close they were to each other.
Clearing his throat quietly, SungGyu moved back a bit, yet still maintained physical contact. "After this, there's something I need to tell you, okay? It's kind of important."
Looking at SungGyu, DongWoo reddened slightly at the closeness before nodding his head. "Okay," he answered before hearing their names announced. "We're next," he said dumbly, unable to move away and not really wanting to. "M-maybe we should..." he trailed off, and SungGyu sighed before letting him go and stepping away.
"Yeah. Let's blow them away, DongWoo yah," SungGyu said, smiling softly, holding out a hand for the younger boy to take.
After a minute, DongWoo did just that. "They won't know what hit them."
Once their names were announced, SungGyu waited in the wings while DongWoo stepped out on stage. Everything was dark, but the moment DongWoo opened his mouth, the spotlight was on him. SungGyu freely admitted to himself that in that moment, DongWoo had never looked more stunning.
When it was nearly time for his part to begin, SungGyu took his place, words blasting out to match the intensity of DongWoo's rapping. When DongWoo's next verse began, SungGyu managed to pick up the slight tremble in DongWoo's voice and that familiar sense of worry returned. Normally one to get lost in the performance, SungGyu chose to focus on the rapper because the further they got into the song, the further DongWoo seemed to sink into the lyrics.
By the end, the two were face to face under a single spotlight and SungGyu was able to see the glassy eyes so full of dispair that he himself nearly cried. On the last note, the lights went out and SungGyu took hold of DongWoo and pulled him offstage, for once ignoring how tense he had become.
No one stopped them as SungGyu brought them toward one of the empty music rooms. Once inside and the door was closed, SungGyu eased the now trembling DongWoo down onto the closest chair before kneeling in front of it, one hand on DongWoo's knee and the other gently stroking his hair.
"It's okay," SungGyu soothed, voice low and even. "No one's here but me and you. You don't have to be strong anymore."
Before he knew what was happening, DongWoo was in his arms, fists tight around the back of his jacket. Heart breaking, SungGyu gently brought DongWoo completely into his arms, settling on the floor and not once stopping the motion of his hand in DongWoo's hair. His mind was running a thousand miles a minute with every possible scenario and he was desperate to know what had caused such a bright light like DongWoo to be so utterly broken.
A choked breath drew SungGyu back to the present and he decided that he would worry about it another time. Right then, all he wanted was for the soul shattering sound of DongWoo's sobs to stop, because his heart just couldn't take it.
--------------------------------
Days had passed since the night of the talent show and while they had won and WooHyun-ever the attention whore-had accepted the trophy for them, DongWoo had yet to return to school. SungGyu had been practically ready to rip his own hair out in worry, but the others had managed to stop that from happening.
"MyungSoo please," SungGyu begged. "Just let me go over and make sure he's okay with my own two eyes. He won't answer his phone and I swear to God that I am losing my goddamn mind here!"
MyungSoo stared at SungGyu in shock. He had never once seen the older singer in such a state and his pride would never allow for him to beg, but there he was; a step away from falling to his knees and pressing his forehead to the floor, all because of Jang DongWoo.
"Okay," MyungSoo finally said with a nod, and SungGyu perked up. "He'll probably hate me for this, but let's go."
"Now? But class is..." Stopping, SungGyu shook his head and got to his feet. "Screw it. Lead the way."
It took far more than he expected for SungGyu to keep to the traffic laws, but soon enough they were outside MyungSoo's apartment. Stepping out of the car, MyungSoo tossed SungGyu the apartment key. "I'll be at the cafe on the corner. You'll want some privacy for this discussion." With a wave, MyungSoo wandered down the street and SungGyu ran into the building.
Fumbling with they keys, SungGyu finally managed to unlock the apartment door and entered, quietly closing the door and slipping his shoes off. Padding through the apartment, he finally found DongWoo curled up in bed, fast asleep. Approaching the young man, SungGyu carefully sat on the side of the bed and ran his fingers gently through DongWoo's hair.
"DongWoo yah. DongWoo, wake up, it's Gyu," he tried, finally succeeding soon after. He watched as DongWoo's eyes slowly fluttered open, taking in the room before settling on SungGyu. "Hey, Woo," he practically whispered, smile soft and hesitant.
Jumping slightly, DongWoo slowly sat up before clutching the blanket like it was a lifeline. "What're you doing here?" he asked.
"I was worried about you," SungGyu answered. "After the talent show, you just vanished. "You never let me tell you what was so important," he tried again. Reaching out, SungGyu very carefully rested his hand against DongWoo's cheek, lightly caressing his skin. "You never let me tell you that I like you as much more than just a friend."
DongWoo stiffened, eyes wide at the confession. Slowly, he shook his head. "B-but you can't."
"Why can't I, DongWoo?" SungGyu asked, voice open and curious. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever met in every way imaginable."
"That's not true," DongWoo denied. He could feel the burning in the backs of his eyes and barely managed to force them back. "It's not true, SungGyu. I'm not at all. I'm horrible and dirty and worthless. You could do so so so much better than me."
SungGyu fought back the shock at DongWoo's words and barely managed to stay calm. "Why do you think that?" he asked instead.
"Because it's the truth."
The room was silent before SungGyu spoke again. "DongWoo, please tell me what happened to you."
The request was so clear, but the way it was spoken hit something within DongWoo and with a quiet sniff, he slowly nodded.
"My ex boyfriend is the reason I'm here," he slowly began. "He was the sweetest guy when we first got together, but then-" He swallowed thickly. "Then he got caught up with the wrong crowd. Drugs, gambling, you know the story. Anyway, by the end of the year, he'd done a complete 180. He would come home drunk or high every night demanding either a fight or sex, though sometimes both. Soon though, it became routine. Wake up in pain, go to bed in pain."
SungGyu stared at DongWoo with wide eyes, unble to believe that someone would do something so vicious to such a loveable person. "I-is there more?" he asked quietly, and regretted it when tears began flooding DongWoo's eyes.
"He lost his job and between all his vices, money was never enough. One day, one of his dealers made him an offer he couldn't refuse." DongWoo paused to collect himself, wrapping himself in his blanket as though hiding himself from the world; or the memories. "That was when I became the payment."
"Oh God," SungGyu muttered, hand over his mouth. He felt his own tears fall as DongWoo continued on, explaining how it wasn't just that one man, but many before he finally managed to get away with MyungSoo's help.
Unable to speak, SungGyu did the only thing he could; he pulled DongWoo into his arms and just held him, hold tight enough to give his unending support, but loose enough to not crowd him. "Woo, it's not your fault. You-fuck, no one deserves to suffer through something like that, but I can say with absolute certainty that you are not any of those things that you said."
"But-" DongWoo began, his voice breaking on a sob before SungGyu shushed him.
"You're a survivor. If anything, you have to be the strongest person that I have ever met."
Hearing those words from SungGyu tore down any barrier he had on his emotions as he found himself completely breaking down. He clung to SungGyu for dear life and remained that way until he couldn't cry anymore. Throughout it all, SungGyu had never once stopped whispering reassurances and loving words into his ear as he held him close as though he were the most precious thing he had in the world.
"DongWoo, I really like you," SungGyu softly whispered when he'd finally settled down, too tired to move away even if he'd wanted to. "I like you so much that seeing you like this breaks my heart. I don't expect you to get over your past, but I would be honored if you would let me help you move past it by your side," he murmured, placing a light kiss to the crown of his head.
"Do you really mean it?" DongWoo murmured. He felt himself relaxing into the hold, eyes fluttering closed as he was soothed by SungGyu's heartbeat.
"Every last word."
Lips curling slightly, DongWoo pulled away enough to lightly brush his lips against SungGyu's before settling back down. "Okay."
Smiling back, SungGyu gently rearranged them until they were both laying down, DongWoo secure in his arms. "I swear that I'll show you just how much you're worth until you begin to believe it yourself."
"Hm? How much is that?" he asked sleepily before fading off until he was fast asleep.
Seeing the sweet sight before him, SungGyu kissed his forehead before closing his eyes as well.
"Priceless."