Good Days, Bad Days
Title: Good Days, Bad Days
Pairing: slight!KangTeuk
Rating: G
Summary: Kangin reflects on idol life, a leader's responsibility and a certain man named Park Jungsu.
The Leeteuk of Super Junior is unbreakable, unstoppable and above all, untouchable. That Leeteuk always has a witty retort or a joking statement at the ready.
Youngwoon knows all that and clings just a little tighter to the image of Jungsu, the Leeteuk that is his, crying. The fans will never see him crying out of sadness, will never see him this broken and so, so alone. Of course they know that being an idol is not all bright lights and loud nights, but they will never completely understand the pain and the intense fear it causes. The pain is always there, but it comes and goes in varying degrees. The good days are the ones when it’s possible to forget about it, forget about the dull ache in the knees, the pains streaking across the back, the scratchiness in the throat. The bad days are the ones where no amount of painkillers, hot packs, or tea with honey will help.
The fear is worse, he thinks. The fear starts from the moment of debut and never, ever goes away. What if this last victory was the last? As Super Junior, they have always strived to be better which each passing day. When they run out of other people’s achievements to top, they will start on their own. But what if, just what if that last peak was the highest they’d ever be? What if that last Inkigayo Triple Crown was their last? What if there were no more Mutizens for them? What if a GDA became once more what it used to be, a far off dream?
These are all things Leeteuk has to worry about, all the things he has to work every day to prevent. Variety after interview after MC gig after radio show in order to ensure that the name Super Junior does not fade from the public consciousness. Youngwoon has it comparatively, in the army. At least he gets enough sleep, which is more than can be said for Jungsu. But he'll be going back soon and Jungsu will be serving his time in the army, alongside Heechul who is already there. As the fourth oldest, it'll be his job to do what Jungsu has had to do since the moment of debut (because are we counting Yesung?).
Youngwoon may never be as good as Jungsu, but he's going to do his damndest to get as close as he can.
A/N: I promise I’m not hating on Sunggie. It’s just easier for me to see Kangin taking over the leader role. Besides, Yesung’s probably too busy consoling Ryeowook over that fact that he has to leave too, at some point. With lots and lots of sex.