Passing Time {3/6}
Title: Passing Time {3/6}
Pairing: HaeHyuk (Donghae/Hyukjae)
Rating: PG-13, later chapters R
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Word Count: 2833
Summary: There was something about Hyukjae that was different- charming to a degree- though Donghae wasn't sure what exactly made him that way.
Note: Boop beep. \0/ Okay, so some of you guys seemed really concerned about HaeHyuk's relationship... n_n So I added in some fluff for you guys. So that's why this is so long, LOL. I tried pretty hard on this one, so please drop a comment if you'd like~ <3
Warning: Use of language and mentions of drug usage.
Disclaimer: Not mine. :/ No money for this.
Chapter Two
----------------
Three weeks had passed from their first date and it had been two weeks since they had officially begun dating. Donghae wasn't afraid to admit that he was absolutely smitten with the other- he had been in previously relationships before, but none where they had hit it off so well right off the bat.
“Is it weird to be thinking that I might... you know...” Donghae trailed, swirling his mocha latte with a small stirring stick.
Sungmin's cheeks hollowed as he pulled some of his frozen hot chocolate through the straw. “What are you talking about?” He raised an eyebrow, confused between the change of topic between laundromats to... whatever they were presently talking about.
“Hyukjae,” Donghae replied simply, raising his eyebrows as if to mentally relay his thoughts to Sungmin.
“What about him? Besides the fact that you two are all over each other. All the time.”
Donghae almost inhaled his coffee, “Not all the time!” he defended, feeling scandalized. Sungmin rolled his eyes in jest before asking Donghae what he felt was weird about the relationship.
He bit his lip, looking up at Sungmin before staring at the grain of the wood table, “I think I might... love him.”
Sungmin's mouth hung open, slush sitting in the back of his mouth, “But you've only known him for three weeks!”
“I know!” Donghae buried his head in his hands. “Is that bad to think? Am I coming on too strong? It's just...” he chanced a glance at Sungmin, “I've never felt this way before.”
Sungmin nodded, silent for a moment before taking another sip of his beverage. “You know, we've known each other for a little over two semesters... and I think that you have a pretty good reign on your emotions.”
“It's because I'm controlling,” Donghae groaned, leaning back in his chair so his face was turned towards the ceiling. He closed his eyes in an attempt to collect himself.
“And Hyukjae could use a bit of controlling. He's changed a lot since you two met, if you can believe it,” Sungmin tapped his chin in thought.
“This is why I have such a problem with feeling like I love him. I barely even know the guy!” Donghae's head snapped back up, “I mean, we're dating but it feels like I don't even know that much about him. Like, I know he's an art major and little things like that, but he's just so private.”
“That I cannot help you with,” Sungmin shook his head, “He's been like that since he transferred here. No one really knows why he came here of all places- with his talent he should be at a private school or something.”
“Do you know anything about him?” Donghae pressed, leaning forward on the table.
“Mainly rumors, but other than that, no,” he shrugged, “A lot of people like to say he's on probation or in hiding or some crazy stuff like that... But Hyukjae's a really harmless guy, you know that.”
Donghae nodded with quirked lip. If anyone was a danger to the public, Hyukjae was the last person Donghae would suspect. Hyukjae, despite his tendencies and attitude, was fairly timid and overly conscious of repercussions of his actions. At least that's what Donghae took from Hyukjae looking over his shoulder every time he lit up a cigarette in public, or even a joint in private.
They both looked to the table when Donghae's phone began to vibrate and play a preset ring tone. Donghae peered at it from over his drink, “It's Hyukjae; do you mind?” When Sungmin waved it off, Donghae turned his body from the table and answered the phone, “Hi, Hyukkie. What's up?”
“Hey, Hae,” Hyukjae's voice was clear in the receiver, and Donghae could almost hear his smile in his words, “I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight.”
“Sure, I'm out with Sungmin right now, but I'll be free later. Did you have something in mind?”
“Oh!” the man on the other side of the line sounded surprised, “You didn't have to pick up then; I didn't mean to interrupt you guys.”
Donghae smiled and glanced over to Sungmin who was checking his own phone for messages, “It's fine Hyuk. Besides, if I hadn't picked up you wouldn't have left a message. Or text me for that matter.”
Hyukjae sounded sheepish and Donghae could picture him rubbing the back of his head, “With texts you never know who you're talking to. Anyone could send a text. And I don't like leaving messages. I just like hearing your voice.”
Donghae felt a flush rise to his face, “I like hearing your voice too,” he whispered, glaring at Sungmin when he heard incredulous bouts of laughter rise from the other man, “I'll call you later, okay, Hyukkie?”
“Okay, but just call. No messages or texts, please,” Donghae could hear the pleading in the other's voice and chuckled lightly.
“Oh Hyukjae, you're crazy.”
----------------
About a month into their relationship and Donghae found himself with his fingers loosely laced with Hyukjae's, wandering the local zoo. The afternoon sun warmed their skin and a slight breeze kept them comfortable, but Donghae's focus was blatantly on the animals.
“Do you think they wish they could take off their fur?” he asked Hyukjae as they leaned against a railing for the polar bear exhibit.
“No, because then they'd be naked,” Hyukjae looked at Donghae seriously before they both busted out in laughter. A mother stared at them and ushered her two children away, glancing behind her shoulder at the men who were shaking in amusement. It took a moment, but they calmed down and clutched their sides.
Donghae wiped a tear in his eye before he stuttered out, “N-naked,” which ultimately led to a guffaw from Hyukjae and another break down into uncontrollable laughter.
Finally collecting themselves to present as the adults they were, Donghae pulled Hyukjae's hand into his own, noting the faint blush on Hyukjae's cheeks, before they both ended up inside the reptile building. Hyukjae heaved a sigh of relief as the air conditioning washed over him, tightening his grip on Donghae's hand as they walked into the dimly lit area, eyes still adjusting from the change in lighting.
“What's in here?” Donghae peered into a windowed enclosure, trying to look past all of the foliage.
Looking up, Hyukjae attempted to read the sign hung above the habitat, “Some sort of snake,” he furrowed his brow after only being able to see the picture.
“Oh ewww!” Donghae scrunched his nose, “I think I see it.”
“Where?” Hyukjae crouched and tried to look past the glare on the glass.
“Back there,” he pointed, “Laying in the corner and... oh god, is that a mouse next to it?”
Hyukjae nodded dutifully, “A dead mouse.”
“Kind of sad that they have to kill the mice before feeding it to the snake...”
“Lazy snake.”
There was a pause in conversation as they moved to the next exhibit.
“Well, wait a minute,” Hyukjae sounded confused and Donghae could vaguely make out a puzzled expression on the man, “We get our food already dead too, so am I being hypocritical?”
Donghae grinned and leaned forward to press his lips against Hyukjae's, “No, people are lazy. We just don't like to admit it.” Hyukjae let out a laugh and Donghae moved to cover his mouth with his own again. Hyukjae reciprocated by biting down lightly on Donghae's lower lip, swiping his tongue against Donghae's and moving his lips sensuously against Donghae's.
“And you say that you don't like PDA,” Donghae laughed quietly when they pulled apart.
“It's dark, so no one can see us,” Hyukjae leaned forward, whispering into Donghae's ear.
Donghae decided it wasn't worth pointing out a pair of siblings that were standing behind Hyukjae, staring wide-mouthed at them, surprised to see people kissing out in public.
----------------
“You should really quit smoking,” Donghae advised his boyfriend of six months. Hyukjae rolled his eyes and focused his attention on the unfinished canvas in front of himself. He pressed a few strokes down before leaning back and bringing his hand up to his chin.
“So you've said practically every day since we met,” he grumbled with an unlit stick perched between his lips. As an agreement with his roommate, he never smoked in his apartment, but Donghae knew the man found comfort in simply holding onto a cigarette.
Donghae stretched out on the gray couch, feeling his shoulders pop and back crack gratefully. He crossed his legs and stared at the man sitting on a stool a few feet away from himself. It was a rare moment when Hyukjae allowed someone to watch him work, a moment granted to Donghae when he burst into Hyukjae's apartment unannounced, scaring said man out of his wits with the sudden entrance. It took a few moments of cooing apologies and stroking Hyukjae's hair, but Donghae eventually found himself lounging on the couch, reveling in the way he was allowed to watch Hyukjae in his element.
Morning sun was pouring through the windows of the apartment, all of them cracked open and wind billowing the small curtains.
“They're open because oil paints are expensive pieces of sh-”
“Hyukjae,” Donghae had warned earlier as Hyukjae tried to explain the abundance of air flow in the living space.
“Sorry,” Hyukjae had amended, “Oil based paints can't be cleaned off by water, so I have to use turpentine,” Hyukjae had waved around a tin bottle, “Which not only smells awful, but can kill you. Also, it's highly flammable,” he had put down the solution and turned back to the canvas. “So there's that.”
Moments later, Hyukjae had turned back to Donghae, a green smudge on his face and on the back of his hand, eyes wide in annoyance. “Did I ever tell you how much a fucking hate oil paintings.”
Donghae had laughed and pulled Hyukjae off of his stool and into the bathroom, took a washcloth and was about to bring it to Hyukjae's face before he stopped him.
“Shit never comes out of clothes or towels,” Hyukjae instead reached for some toilet paper and rubbed at his skin until eventually the paper had disintegrated into pieces and the paint was removed for the most part.
When they had returned to the living room, Donghae had turned around for just a few moments and when he plopped back down on the couch, he noticed Hyukjae had a cigarette in his mouth. Donghae had sighed, but later told Hyukjae what was on his mind. Which had led them back to the present.
Donghae pursed his lips as he watched Hyukjae lay down colors on canvas. There was still an area in the corner where Donghae could see pencil sketches, but other than that the painting was already bursting with color, as if Hyukjae was painting with his energy rather than simple, store-bought paints.
Hyukjae adjusted on his stool and straightened his back, turning to look at Donghae who was still laying on his back with his lips in a pout.
“Besides,” Hyukjae put his brush and palette on his newspaper-covered table, “This is a lollipop,” he grinned, getting up to make a show of throwing the stick- of which Donghae had thought to be a cigarette, but was proven wrong- in the trash as Donghae stared at him, perplexed. Hyukjae made his way back to the living room and leaned on the edge of the couch, near Donghae's feet. “I'm surprised you haven't noticed yet. Especially considering how often you complain about it.”
“What are you talking about?” Donghae sat up on his elbows and stared at Hyukjae with a raised brow. Hyukjae shrugged and Donghae broke out in a large grin, the pieces finally fitting together.
The disappearing scent on his clothes, the lack of running to the store so often and the smoky taste missing on his tongue...
“Hyukjae, you did not!” Donghae's eyes widened. “You quit smoking?”
A smug grin told Donghae everything, and he jumped off the couch to fling his arms around Hyukjae's waist, showering his face with light kisses. Delighted, Donghae pulled Hyukjae forward and pushed him down on the couch, hovering above him as he straddled Hyukjae's hips, kissing and nipping the skin around Hyukjae's neck and jaw. Hyukjae wound his hands around Donghae's neck, running his fingers through the man's soft hair and pressing paint-stained fingertips against Donghae's nape.
“How long is your roommate going to be out?” Donghae paused, pulling away to look down at Hyukjae flushed and panting slightly beneath him.
“He said until about five. Why?” There was a crease in Hyukjae's forehead and Donghae smirked, leaning down to trill his lips on Hyukjae's skin.
“Think about it for a second, sweetie.”
Hyukjae wrinkled his nose, “Don't call me that.”
Donghae just laughed and ground his hips against Hyukjae who let out a gasp.
“I got it now,” his cheeks were red out of embarrassment, but he wrapped his legs up and around Donghae's waist all the same.
----------------
It was a late Monday evening, too early to sleep but too late to go out because of classes the following morning. Instead, Donghae was killing Kyuhyun in their apartment. Virtually of course, as they slayed each other with their characters' weapons of choice.
An urgent knock on their door caused Donghae to leave the game, allowing Kyuhyun to graphically murder his avatar.
That knock had better have some important reason behind it and if not- “Hyukkie, what are you doing here?” Donghae gaped in surprise at the man who was soaking wet from the pouring rain outside.
“I was worried about you,” Hyukjae replied simply, allowing himself to be pulled into the apartment and led into Donghae's room after a quick hello to Kyuhyun.
Hyukjae stood miserably beside Donghae's desk, jumping as a loud roll of thunder rumbled through the building. Oblivious to this, Donghae dug through a few drawers in his dresser before tossing Hyukjae some sweatpants, a t-shirt and a new pair of boxers.
“Put them on, I'll be right back,” Donghae promptly exited the room to get some towels from the bathroom. A clock indicated it was well past midnight. What was Hyukjae doing?
He re-entered the room as Hyukjae was pulling the borrowed shirt over his head. Donghae softly sighed and frowned; Hyukjae had lost more weight. He had been since he quit smoking. At first Donghae linked it to possible withdrawal symptoms, but when he asked Hyukjae, the man had glanced around nervously and would push away his food.
Donghae pushed Hyukjae over to the bed and placed his knees on it, hovering over Hyukjae's lap. He ran a towel through Hyukjae's damp, crimson hair, and when Hyukjae started shaking Donghae rushed to soothe him.
“Hey, relax, Hyukkie,” Donghae wrapped his arms around the other, allowing Hyukjae face to press into his chest. “Just relax. You're fine.”
“I'm not worried about me,” Hyukjae spoke quietly, words muffled by Donghae's shirt. Choosing to ignore the ominous undermining, Donghae pressed his cheek against Hyukjae's head and ran a hand through his hair. They sat in silence for a moment until Hyukjae finally embraced Donghae, his fingers shaking against Donghae's back.
“What happened? What's wrong?”
“I don't know,” Hyukjae admitted. “I just thought you were in trouble.”
“Why?” he pressed Hyukjae who was attempting to avoid eye contact. There was hesitation and a pregnant pause before Hyukjae lifted his head away from Donghae's chest and spoke,
“They said that they were going to hurt you.”
Donghae's breath caught, “Hyuk, quit trying to scare me.”
“I'm not-”
“Then who's 'they?'”
Hyukjae was trembling as Donghae's voice rose slightly, though there was silence after the question. Then, a broken sob pushed into life and Donghae felt his heart wrench.
“Don't cry, don't cry, Hyukkie,” Donghae hushed as the other's labored breathing and heavy tears pulsated through the room.
Carefully maneuvering them, Donghae helped them slip under the covers. Hyukjae- clutching Donghae's shirt and shivering- allowed his tears to fall freely and moans of despair to rip from his throat. He clung to Donghae's waist, face buried in the man's chest again and fingers grasping, desperate for a purchase on Donghae's skin. Donghae rubbed Hyukjae's back in circular motions, staring at the dark wall and listening to Hyukjae slowly calming down into a set of sporadic hiccups.
“I don't know,” Hyukjae whispered after several minutes passed. “But I was just... so scared.”
Donghae didn't respond, but as he drifted on the edge of sleep he thought he heard someone plead, “Please don't leave me.”
----------------
Chapter Four (I am so excited for this next one, you guys don't even know)
Pairing: HaeHyuk (Donghae/Hyukjae)
Rating: PG-13, later chapters R
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Word Count: 2833
Summary: There was something about Hyukjae that was different- charming to a degree- though Donghae wasn't sure what exactly made him that way.
Note: Boop beep. \0/ Okay, so some of you guys seemed really concerned about HaeHyuk's relationship... n_n So I added in some fluff for you guys. So that's why this is so long, LOL. I tried pretty hard on this one, so please drop a comment if you'd like~ <3
Warning: Use of language and mentions of drug usage.
Disclaimer: Not mine. :/ No money for this.
Chapter Two
----------------
Three weeks had passed from their first date and it had been two weeks since they had officially begun dating. Donghae wasn't afraid to admit that he was absolutely smitten with the other- he had been in previously relationships before, but none where they had hit it off so well right off the bat.
“Is it weird to be thinking that I might... you know...” Donghae trailed, swirling his mocha latte with a small stirring stick.
Sungmin's cheeks hollowed as he pulled some of his frozen hot chocolate through the straw. “What are you talking about?” He raised an eyebrow, confused between the change of topic between laundromats to... whatever they were presently talking about.
“Hyukjae,” Donghae replied simply, raising his eyebrows as if to mentally relay his thoughts to Sungmin.
“What about him? Besides the fact that you two are all over each other. All the time.”
Donghae almost inhaled his coffee, “Not all the time!” he defended, feeling scandalized. Sungmin rolled his eyes in jest before asking Donghae what he felt was weird about the relationship.
He bit his lip, looking up at Sungmin before staring at the grain of the wood table, “I think I might... love him.”
Sungmin's mouth hung open, slush sitting in the back of his mouth, “But you've only known him for three weeks!”
“I know!” Donghae buried his head in his hands. “Is that bad to think? Am I coming on too strong? It's just...” he chanced a glance at Sungmin, “I've never felt this way before.”
Sungmin nodded, silent for a moment before taking another sip of his beverage. “You know, we've known each other for a little over two semesters... and I think that you have a pretty good reign on your emotions.”
“It's because I'm controlling,” Donghae groaned, leaning back in his chair so his face was turned towards the ceiling. He closed his eyes in an attempt to collect himself.
“And Hyukjae could use a bit of controlling. He's changed a lot since you two met, if you can believe it,” Sungmin tapped his chin in thought.
“This is why I have such a problem with feeling like I love him. I barely even know the guy!” Donghae's head snapped back up, “I mean, we're dating but it feels like I don't even know that much about him. Like, I know he's an art major and little things like that, but he's just so private.”
“That I cannot help you with,” Sungmin shook his head, “He's been like that since he transferred here. No one really knows why he came here of all places- with his talent he should be at a private school or something.”
“Do you know anything about him?” Donghae pressed, leaning forward on the table.
“Mainly rumors, but other than that, no,” he shrugged, “A lot of people like to say he's on probation or in hiding or some crazy stuff like that... But Hyukjae's a really harmless guy, you know that.”
Donghae nodded with quirked lip. If anyone was a danger to the public, Hyukjae was the last person Donghae would suspect. Hyukjae, despite his tendencies and attitude, was fairly timid and overly conscious of repercussions of his actions. At least that's what Donghae took from Hyukjae looking over his shoulder every time he lit up a cigarette in public, or even a joint in private.
They both looked to the table when Donghae's phone began to vibrate and play a preset ring tone. Donghae peered at it from over his drink, “It's Hyukjae; do you mind?” When Sungmin waved it off, Donghae turned his body from the table and answered the phone, “Hi, Hyukkie. What's up?”
“Hey, Hae,” Hyukjae's voice was clear in the receiver, and Donghae could almost hear his smile in his words, “I was wondering if you wanted to do something tonight.”
“Sure, I'm out with Sungmin right now, but I'll be free later. Did you have something in mind?”
“Oh!” the man on the other side of the line sounded surprised, “You didn't have to pick up then; I didn't mean to interrupt you guys.”
Donghae smiled and glanced over to Sungmin who was checking his own phone for messages, “It's fine Hyuk. Besides, if I hadn't picked up you wouldn't have left a message. Or text me for that matter.”
Hyukjae sounded sheepish and Donghae could picture him rubbing the back of his head, “With texts you never know who you're talking to. Anyone could send a text. And I don't like leaving messages. I just like hearing your voice.”
Donghae felt a flush rise to his face, “I like hearing your voice too,” he whispered, glaring at Sungmin when he heard incredulous bouts of laughter rise from the other man, “I'll call you later, okay, Hyukkie?”
“Okay, but just call. No messages or texts, please,” Donghae could hear the pleading in the other's voice and chuckled lightly.
“Oh Hyukjae, you're crazy.”
----------------
About a month into their relationship and Donghae found himself with his fingers loosely laced with Hyukjae's, wandering the local zoo. The afternoon sun warmed their skin and a slight breeze kept them comfortable, but Donghae's focus was blatantly on the animals.
“Do you think they wish they could take off their fur?” he asked Hyukjae as they leaned against a railing for the polar bear exhibit.
“No, because then they'd be naked,” Hyukjae looked at Donghae seriously before they both busted out in laughter. A mother stared at them and ushered her two children away, glancing behind her shoulder at the men who were shaking in amusement. It took a moment, but they calmed down and clutched their sides.
Donghae wiped a tear in his eye before he stuttered out, “N-naked,” which ultimately led to a guffaw from Hyukjae and another break down into uncontrollable laughter.
Finally collecting themselves to present as the adults they were, Donghae pulled Hyukjae's hand into his own, noting the faint blush on Hyukjae's cheeks, before they both ended up inside the reptile building. Hyukjae heaved a sigh of relief as the air conditioning washed over him, tightening his grip on Donghae's hand as they walked into the dimly lit area, eyes still adjusting from the change in lighting.
“What's in here?” Donghae peered into a windowed enclosure, trying to look past all of the foliage.
Looking up, Hyukjae attempted to read the sign hung above the habitat, “Some sort of snake,” he furrowed his brow after only being able to see the picture.
“Oh ewww!” Donghae scrunched his nose, “I think I see it.”
“Where?” Hyukjae crouched and tried to look past the glare on the glass.
“Back there,” he pointed, “Laying in the corner and... oh god, is that a mouse next to it?”
Hyukjae nodded dutifully, “A dead mouse.”
“Kind of sad that they have to kill the mice before feeding it to the snake...”
“Lazy snake.”
There was a pause in conversation as they moved to the next exhibit.
“Well, wait a minute,” Hyukjae sounded confused and Donghae could vaguely make out a puzzled expression on the man, “We get our food already dead too, so am I being hypocritical?”
Donghae grinned and leaned forward to press his lips against Hyukjae's, “No, people are lazy. We just don't like to admit it.” Hyukjae let out a laugh and Donghae moved to cover his mouth with his own again. Hyukjae reciprocated by biting down lightly on Donghae's lower lip, swiping his tongue against Donghae's and moving his lips sensuously against Donghae's.
“And you say that you don't like PDA,” Donghae laughed quietly when they pulled apart.
“It's dark, so no one can see us,” Hyukjae leaned forward, whispering into Donghae's ear.
Donghae decided it wasn't worth pointing out a pair of siblings that were standing behind Hyukjae, staring wide-mouthed at them, surprised to see people kissing out in public.
----------------
“You should really quit smoking,” Donghae advised his boyfriend of six months. Hyukjae rolled his eyes and focused his attention on the unfinished canvas in front of himself. He pressed a few strokes down before leaning back and bringing his hand up to his chin.
“So you've said practically every day since we met,” he grumbled with an unlit stick perched between his lips. As an agreement with his roommate, he never smoked in his apartment, but Donghae knew the man found comfort in simply holding onto a cigarette.
Donghae stretched out on the gray couch, feeling his shoulders pop and back crack gratefully. He crossed his legs and stared at the man sitting on a stool a few feet away from himself. It was a rare moment when Hyukjae allowed someone to watch him work, a moment granted to Donghae when he burst into Hyukjae's apartment unannounced, scaring said man out of his wits with the sudden entrance. It took a few moments of cooing apologies and stroking Hyukjae's hair, but Donghae eventually found himself lounging on the couch, reveling in the way he was allowed to watch Hyukjae in his element.
Morning sun was pouring through the windows of the apartment, all of them cracked open and wind billowing the small curtains.
“They're open because oil paints are expensive pieces of sh-”
“Hyukjae,” Donghae had warned earlier as Hyukjae tried to explain the abundance of air flow in the living space.
“Sorry,” Hyukjae had amended, “Oil based paints can't be cleaned off by water, so I have to use turpentine,” Hyukjae had waved around a tin bottle, “Which not only smells awful, but can kill you. Also, it's highly flammable,” he had put down the solution and turned back to the canvas. “So there's that.”
Moments later, Hyukjae had turned back to Donghae, a green smudge on his face and on the back of his hand, eyes wide in annoyance. “Did I ever tell you how much a fucking hate oil paintings.”
Donghae had laughed and pulled Hyukjae off of his stool and into the bathroom, took a washcloth and was about to bring it to Hyukjae's face before he stopped him.
“Shit never comes out of clothes or towels,” Hyukjae instead reached for some toilet paper and rubbed at his skin until eventually the paper had disintegrated into pieces and the paint was removed for the most part.
When they had returned to the living room, Donghae had turned around for just a few moments and when he plopped back down on the couch, he noticed Hyukjae had a cigarette in his mouth. Donghae had sighed, but later told Hyukjae what was on his mind. Which had led them back to the present.
Donghae pursed his lips as he watched Hyukjae lay down colors on canvas. There was still an area in the corner where Donghae could see pencil sketches, but other than that the painting was already bursting with color, as if Hyukjae was painting with his energy rather than simple, store-bought paints.
Hyukjae adjusted on his stool and straightened his back, turning to look at Donghae who was still laying on his back with his lips in a pout.
“Besides,” Hyukjae put his brush and palette on his newspaper-covered table, “This is a lollipop,” he grinned, getting up to make a show of throwing the stick- of which Donghae had thought to be a cigarette, but was proven wrong- in the trash as Donghae stared at him, perplexed. Hyukjae made his way back to the living room and leaned on the edge of the couch, near Donghae's feet. “I'm surprised you haven't noticed yet. Especially considering how often you complain about it.”
“What are you talking about?” Donghae sat up on his elbows and stared at Hyukjae with a raised brow. Hyukjae shrugged and Donghae broke out in a large grin, the pieces finally fitting together.
The disappearing scent on his clothes, the lack of running to the store so often and the smoky taste missing on his tongue...
“Hyukjae, you did not!” Donghae's eyes widened. “You quit smoking?”
A smug grin told Donghae everything, and he jumped off the couch to fling his arms around Hyukjae's waist, showering his face with light kisses. Delighted, Donghae pulled Hyukjae forward and pushed him down on the couch, hovering above him as he straddled Hyukjae's hips, kissing and nipping the skin around Hyukjae's neck and jaw. Hyukjae wound his hands around Donghae's neck, running his fingers through the man's soft hair and pressing paint-stained fingertips against Donghae's nape.
“How long is your roommate going to be out?” Donghae paused, pulling away to look down at Hyukjae flushed and panting slightly beneath him.
“He said until about five. Why?” There was a crease in Hyukjae's forehead and Donghae smirked, leaning down to trill his lips on Hyukjae's skin.
“Think about it for a second, sweetie.”
Hyukjae wrinkled his nose, “Don't call me that.”
Donghae just laughed and ground his hips against Hyukjae who let out a gasp.
“I got it now,” his cheeks were red out of embarrassment, but he wrapped his legs up and around Donghae's waist all the same.
----------------
It was a late Monday evening, too early to sleep but too late to go out because of classes the following morning. Instead, Donghae was killing Kyuhyun in their apartment. Virtually of course, as they slayed each other with their characters' weapons of choice.
An urgent knock on their door caused Donghae to leave the game, allowing Kyuhyun to graphically murder his avatar.
That knock had better have some important reason behind it and if not- “Hyukkie, what are you doing here?” Donghae gaped in surprise at the man who was soaking wet from the pouring rain outside.
“I was worried about you,” Hyukjae replied simply, allowing himself to be pulled into the apartment and led into Donghae's room after a quick hello to Kyuhyun.
Hyukjae stood miserably beside Donghae's desk, jumping as a loud roll of thunder rumbled through the building. Oblivious to this, Donghae dug through a few drawers in his dresser before tossing Hyukjae some sweatpants, a t-shirt and a new pair of boxers.
“Put them on, I'll be right back,” Donghae promptly exited the room to get some towels from the bathroom. A clock indicated it was well past midnight. What was Hyukjae doing?
He re-entered the room as Hyukjae was pulling the borrowed shirt over his head. Donghae softly sighed and frowned; Hyukjae had lost more weight. He had been since he quit smoking. At first Donghae linked it to possible withdrawal symptoms, but when he asked Hyukjae, the man had glanced around nervously and would push away his food.
Donghae pushed Hyukjae over to the bed and placed his knees on it, hovering over Hyukjae's lap. He ran a towel through Hyukjae's damp, crimson hair, and when Hyukjae started shaking Donghae rushed to soothe him.
“Hey, relax, Hyukkie,” Donghae wrapped his arms around the other, allowing Hyukjae face to press into his chest. “Just relax. You're fine.”
“I'm not worried about me,” Hyukjae spoke quietly, words muffled by Donghae's shirt. Choosing to ignore the ominous undermining, Donghae pressed his cheek against Hyukjae's head and ran a hand through his hair. They sat in silence for a moment until Hyukjae finally embraced Donghae, his fingers shaking against Donghae's back.
“What happened? What's wrong?”
“I don't know,” Hyukjae admitted. “I just thought you were in trouble.”
“Why?” he pressed Hyukjae who was attempting to avoid eye contact. There was hesitation and a pregnant pause before Hyukjae lifted his head away from Donghae's chest and spoke,
“They said that they were going to hurt you.”
Donghae's breath caught, “Hyuk, quit trying to scare me.”
“I'm not-”
“Then who's 'they?'”
Hyukjae was trembling as Donghae's voice rose slightly, though there was silence after the question. Then, a broken sob pushed into life and Donghae felt his heart wrench.
“Don't cry, don't cry, Hyukkie,” Donghae hushed as the other's labored breathing and heavy tears pulsated through the room.
Carefully maneuvering them, Donghae helped them slip under the covers. Hyukjae- clutching Donghae's shirt and shivering- allowed his tears to fall freely and moans of despair to rip from his throat. He clung to Donghae's waist, face buried in the man's chest again and fingers grasping, desperate for a purchase on Donghae's skin. Donghae rubbed Hyukjae's back in circular motions, staring at the dark wall and listening to Hyukjae slowly calming down into a set of sporadic hiccups.
“I don't know,” Hyukjae whispered after several minutes passed. “But I was just... so scared.”
Donghae didn't respond, but as he drifted on the edge of sleep he thought he heard someone plead, “Please don't leave me.”
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Chapter Four (I am so excited for this next one, you guys don't even know)