Invisible: Chapter 1
INVISIBLE
Chapter 1
Pairing: Jonghyun & Onew
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Fluff
He had wings on his back….. Figuratively speaking anyway. The sunlight made his dark brown hair shine, casting an angelic glow over his entity. His head was tilted down, but Onew could see a slight smirk playing on his lips. A guitar was lazily held in his hands as his hands formed the notes in the air right above the instrument. Papers strewn beside him rustled gently from the slight breeze coming from the window. Onew stood still and held his breath, not wanting to break the atmosphere. A book slid from his laden arms and made a muffled thump as it hit the floor. Onew snapped to as the boy looked up slowly. Onew saw his big almond shaped eyes first. Then the large nostrils.
Onew’s eyes widened and he swiveled around quickly to leave.
“Kim Jonghyun?! Of all people, you interrupt KIM JONGHYUN?!!! You idiot. Just walk away” Onew directed himself as he started walking away.
“Your…. book” the voice was raspy. As if he hadn’t talked in a really long time. Onew swiftly turned back around, dropping to his knees at light speed, refusing to meet the boys’ eyes. Why? Because Kim Jonghyun was 1. A grade A punk 2. Rumored to have beaten three kids into a coma and 3. So scary that he made Onew want to run into his room and hide. The other books perched on his bony kneecap teetered dangerously. He felt a weight being placed on his head. He looked up slowly to see Jonghyun standing above him, looking down at Onew.
“DIRECT EYE CONTACT. I’M GOING TO DIE HERE.” Onew thought “IN THIS SHADY CORNER OF THE COLLEGE LIBRARY” Jonghyun’s mouth opened to say something.
“Here-”
“PLEASEDON’TKILLME” Onew blurted, cutting Jonghyun off as he covered his face with his hands. The sudden movement unbalanced him and Onew toppled to the ground, the books hitting him in the stomach. Onew flushed, mortified. Jonghyun knelt over Onew’s face. A smile was playing on his face.
“A- are you okay?” Jonghyun asked, clearing his throat in the middle. He had a nice voice. “yes….” Onew muttered sullenly from under his palms. Onew felt the books being pulled from his stomach. He looked at Jonghyun’s wiry, yet still visible muscles, which were EXTREMELY clear from his vantage. “No wonder all the girls fall over themselves for him” Onew thought to himself as Jonghyun continued moving the books.
“If I was a girl, I probably would too…..” Onew’s eyes flew open. “Wait what? What?!” He sat up abruptly, shaking his head. He stood up and the blood rushed to his head so he put a hand on the nearest stable object…… which happened to be Jonghyun. Onew quickly removed his hand as if it had been burned and backed into a bookshelf. One of the loose books at the top fell off and nailed Onew in the head, knocking off his glasses and he tumbled to the ground again.
“He… he..” Onew heard bits of muffled laughter. “heh” There it was again.
Onew rubbed his eyes sorely looking at the boy who was trying to hold in his laughter. His eyes were narrowed in mirth and he had a hand over his mouth to stop the chuckles. Everything else was a hazy blur. Onew continued looking at Jonghyun’s shaking shoulders. A large hand came into focus directly in front of Onew. He grasped it and was instantly locked into a painful grip as Jonghyun pulled Onew to his feet. The force was too much for the thin boy and Onew fell into Jonghyun’s chest, then quickly jerked himself away again.
“Stop moving” Jonghyun snapped. The authority in the voice of the younger boy was undeniable and Onew literally froze. Jonghyun was still grasping his
hand. “They’re so soft” Jonghyun marveled, looking at Onew’s white palms. “Don't you ever go outsi-"
“Let go!” Onew cried, trying to yank his hand from Jonghyun’s vice-like grip, flushing. Startled, Jonghyun let go.
“What are you doing, Onew?! This boy can strangle you in his sleep!” but Onew wasn’t listening to the pleading voice of reason in his head. He sniffed indignantly as he gathered up his books.
“You’re not allowed to open the window.” Onew said dryly. Jonghyun was running a hand through his hair.
“Oh. Sorry, Library Police” Onew looked on as the younger boy shut the window. Onew turned to leave when there was a tap on his shoulders. Another book was placed on top of Onew’s already wobbling stack.
“You missed one.” Jonghyun said coolly slinging the guitar over his back as he walked ahead of Onew. It was sloppily thrown on with all the ease of a musician. Jonghyun wheeled around.
“See you in class tomorrow Onew” he said as he turned to walk away. Onew almost dropped his books again.
“How do you know my name?” he whisper called to Jonghyun’s retreating back. He didn't answer.
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The kiss was deep….. but superficial. Jonghyun kept his arms limply by his sides as the girl on his lap leaned forward, cupping his face. After a little while longer, she pulled away, biting his lip a little as she drew back. Jonghyun had his face turned to the window. He was at an elaborate dining table, sitting in an opulent chair with ornate metalwork and the girl was draped over him. There was a pause as neither of them said anything. Jonghyun could feel her gaze on him, but kept his eyes locked outside the window. The sky was grey and gloomy. It had been so clear earlier….. Earlier. Jonghyun thought back to the scrawny boy who had no hand-eye coordination. Just the memory made the boy smile a little, the stiff edges of his mouth quirking upwards. A weight was lifted from him and Jonghyun turned his attention back to Se Kyung, who was now finger-combing her hair down.
“You’re smiling” she said suddenly.
“What?” Jonghyun felt his face harden again
“Nooo- you smiled- oh yes you did!” Se Kyung called, a giant grin on her face. She intertwined her fingers with his and leaned forward so that their foreheads touched.
“I love you” she muttered, the smile still on her face. A minute passed. Or was it an hour?
“I love you too.”
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Onew was laying in his favorite part of the library. It was in direct view of a giant stained glass window and warming beams of sunlight streamed towards his face as he lay on the floor, surrounded by papers and books. Discarded college dissertations that he picked up around the library, books thrown carelessly to the floor, notes between friends tossed aside- these were Onew’s empire. He smiled at the multitudes of colors refracted onto the cast away papers and his own hand and half closed his eyes, feeling the warm rays on his face. Making himself a pillow out of Moby Dick, Onew stretched out. He was drifting off when he started hearing a guitar. It was soft- Onew had to strain to hear it. Each note was delicate, precise. Gently, they began to form a rhythm. Onew’s eyes fluttered half-open and he lifted his hands lazily into the air, miming a violin accompaniment to the melody. It was a sad song with a steady beat.
“One two three, one two three” Onew’s hand kept count of the beat, tapping it out on his thigh. Suddenly, his eyes flew wide open. “You’re not supposed to play guitars in the library….. !!!” Onew jumped up, accidentally slamming his head on a nearby bookshelf. The music stopped abruptly as Onew continued to moan in pain.
“Onew?” Onew could have recognized that voice from a mile away.
“No,” he said in falsetto, “who’s this Onew that you speak of?” he continued as he started packing his books rapidly. “Oh crud. If Jonghyun catches me after I yelled at him yesterday…” Onew refused to let his mind wander to the gory possibilities. He looked back and started walking through the narrow aisle before tripping on Moby Dick and crashing to the ground. A couple moments later, Onew’s eyes opened again, but from his position, he could only see scuffed Converse sneakers. He looked up slowly, knowing what to expect. The younger boy was standing there. He looked like he had been running. The guitar was thrown haphazardly across his shoulders. Eyebrows crinkled in concern. Nostrils flared. Eyes squinted in concentration.
“Oh. Hey” Onew said, lifting an arm half-heartedly. “Fancy meeting you here” Without a warning, Jonghyun grabbed Onew’s hand as if to pull him up. Then after a second, he let it go, letting it fall limply to the ground again. Jonghyun settled himself down next to Onew, but was turned so he faced the window, where the sun was going down. After a second, Onew sat up and turned to face Jonghyun.
“Hey… um… I’m sorry about-“ Jonghyun took his hand and pushed Onew’s face gently so that it was turned to the window, not saying a word. They sat in silence for a while.
“This…. This isn’t so bad,” Onew thought to himself as he reclined back a little.
“Were you running away from me?” Onew froze. “I take it all back” Onew thought, “this is like spending quality time with a bomb.”
“Ehehehe….. no” Onew lied through his teeth. Jonghyun said nothing. Suddenly, he got up.
”Sorry for disturbing you then” Jonghyun said, head bowed. He turned to leave. Onew acted without thinking.
“WAIT!” he called after Jonghyun. The boy turned and Onew stared at him for a couple of seconds. “You….. play the guitar. Well.” Onew finished lamely. Jonghyun said nothing, so Onew continued. “Did you write that song? You know, I like music too. I play the violin. I’m not too good- I’m only fourth chair, but I love music.” He was babbling, and he knew it.
“I’m hungry.” Jonghyun said, interrupting. Onew looked at him blankly. “You.. want to get some food with me?” Onew continued staring at the younger boy.
“Is he serious?….. hmm.. he seems serious. Just say no, Onew. Let's not put your life on the line for pizza. Just turn him down. It’s easy. Just say no. no. no. no.”
“yeah-okay” the words were out of Onew’s mouth before he could stop them. “Goddammit Onew. What have you gotten yourself into?!”
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“Why am I even here?” Onew asked himself as he sat on the tall barstool. They had been sitting in silence for around an hour. He was finishing his chicken wing. On the other hand, Jonghyun had barely touched his plate of food.
“Do you guys… want a drink or anything?” the bartender asked, looking awkwardly between the two silent boys.
”No” Onew said quickly at the same time as Jonghyun saying,
“Yes. Two of your special please.” The bartender gave the boys a confused nod and went to go make the drinks.
“What are you doing?!” Onew hissed to Jonghyun.
“What? Are you not legal?” Jonghyun asked with a smirk. Onew shook his head.
“That’s not the point-“ Two glasses of bright colored liquid were placed in front of the boys.
“Drink up- it’s my treat,” Jonghyun said, picking up his glass.
“NO. That’s irresponsible and STUPID.” Onew said, glaring at the red fluid.
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“You’re drunk” Onew told himself as he danced.
In the crowd of sweaty dancers on the floor of the club, he felt strangely at home. A girl had her arms wrapped around him and they were swaying out of time to the thumping bass. Everything was a blur. He concentrated on nothing at all and he was loving it. Colors flashed by his eyes. He tried to spot Jonghyun in the blur of people.
There he was. He stood out. Even when Onew didn’t have his glasses on. A throng of girls were surrounding him as he danced to the tempo, perfectly on time. The girl in his arms put her head on his chest and Onew snapped to, turning his attention back onto his dance partner, whose name he couldn’t even remember. She gestured for him to lean down. He did so and she yelled into his ear over the ear-splitting music.
“YOU’RE A REALLY GOOD DANCER!”
“THANKS!!” Onew yelled back.
“I REALLY LIKE YOU” she continued. She moved Onew’s hands from the small of her back to….. Onew’s eyes widened in shock
“WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE REST OF TONIGHT?” she asked coyly, pushing herself closer to Onew. Onew let go immediately, backing into another couple. He turned around apologizing, then turned back to the girl. He moved his mouth for a while, but nothing came out.
“I…. um. I….. should go,” he finally stammered, giving her an awkward apologetic smile. “Nice meeting you…. Ana” he finished and then rushed away from her.
“MY NAME’S LUNA!” she indignantly called after him.
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Onew looked around him. Jonghyun had found a bar/club that was really far away from campus. He had no clue how to get back home. He leaned his head against the brick wall of a nearby building, exhaling.
A minute or so later, Jonghyun came rushing out of the double doors, guitar in hand as he looked around frantically. Onew waved his hand and Jonghyun came over. He was breathing heavily. His black hair was dripping with sweat a little. He looked wobbly. The music was thumping through the thin walls of the club. It was now completely dark out, but the stars were obscured by the flashing neon lights. Onew started humming to the song playing in the club, breaking the silence. Surprisingly, it was a song that he actually knew.
“Who shot the arrow in your throat? Who missed the crimson apple?” Onew sang softly before flushing. There was a pause and Jonghyun cleared his throat.
“Gloriaaaa. We lied. We can’t go on. This is the time and this is the place to be alive.” Onew almost toppled over from shock. Jonghyun had a loud, clear voice that rang through the air, if only a little slurred,
“Y-you know this song?” Jonghyun only nodded. Onew picked up the beat again.
“….. and there is discord in the garden tonight…” then Jonghyun joined in for the chorus
“The sea is wine red- this is the death of beauty” Onew felt his voice strengthening and growing louder to match with Jonghyun’s. A couple seconds later, the two were singing to each other, bellowing the lyrics under the harsh glare of the street lights. Onew took the girl’s part, even though his voice was a tad deeper and they sang in harmony for a while. Jonghyun’s face was uplifted, but he was close enough that Onew could see the veins working in his neck as he sang on.
The song came to a close- perhaps too soon. They were left standing close. Onew could smell the alcohol on Jonghyun’s breath as their heavy breathing rose into the cold air as translucent puffs.
“This is…. Really close” Onew thought as he watched a bead of sweat roll down Jonghyun’s cheek. His heart was still hammering against his skin from the exhilaration of singing. Onew shifted slightly
“Jonghyun, do you think we should get goi-“
“Shut up” Jonghyun said throatily as he grabbed Onew’s face and covered the older boy’s lips with his own. Onew didn’t know what to think at all. His head kept spinning in every which direction…… then it emptied completely.
“You’re really drunk,” Onew told himself as he kissed back furiously, almost making Jonghyun take a step back. Startled, Jonghyun drew back momentarily. Onew couldn’t help it- he pecked Jonghyun on the lips. After a second of shock, Jonghyun grabbed him and started kissing him again. This time, more deeply. Onew’s hands trembled as he placed them around Jonghyun’s neck.
“You’re really, REALLY drunk,” Onew reminded himself, returning the kiss and tangling his hands in Jonghyun’s soft black hair. He tasted bittersweet, like the alcohol. Onew opened his eyes slightly. Jonghyun was in direct focus. Everything else was just a blur. They parted, Jonghyun looked at Onew through half-lidded eyes, swaying a little. Onew fidgeted. He felt his face turning bright red but hoped that it was too dark to notice. Then out of nowhere, Jonghyun slumped forward, collapsing onto Onew.