Malaise
Title: Malaise
Pairing: broken!KyuSung (Kyuhyun x Yesung), ninja!Yesica (Yesung x Jessica)
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst, dystopia!AU
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the people mentioned in this. Unfortunately.
Summary: Love is a disease (not to mention illegal) and they have a cure for it.
10 Settings Challenge: #7 - Mountains
Kyuhyun's heart started to feel numb after so much hurt. Even at this place, this place that was filled with all their precious memories, he hadn't shed a tear. He looked at the wedding invitation in his hand.
"Kim Jongwoon and Jessica Jung cordially invite you to their wedding…"
Kyuhyun had read the words over and over again ever since he received it last week. They were getting married today. He bit back the tears that were threatening to spill once again. It was difficult not to remember the memories that they had shared when he was back at their mountain where they had first confessed that they were in love with each other.
At the time, it didn't feel like it was a disease.
But Kyuhyun couldn't say the same anymore. Love was no longer a blessing when only one of them was in it.
He clenched his fist as he remembered the day that they had taken Jongwoon away to have the surgery performed. They claimed it was the cure to the disease called love.
The surgery was performed on all people who were above the age of 18 ever since they discovered that they were able to alter a part of the human brain to stop the "emotion" called love. Scientists had later claimed that love was, in fact, a disease that caused not only biological problems such as heart disease for humans, but also social problems like war. It was better to become emotionless, they claimed. It was better for mankind.
Ironically, they had only considered love between a man and a woman. They hadn't realized that love could exist between people that were biologically unable to produce offspring. But it had been this loophole in their plan that had allowed Jongwoon and Kyuhyun to fall in love. They had debuted as idols in an all-male group with no interaction what-so-ever with female idols, so they had been allowed to have their surgery at a much later date. Marriage always followed the procedure, and idols were required to remain single as long as possible.
What they hadn't realized was that two males, or two females, could also fall in love.
The first time they had visited this mountain, Jongwoon had grabbed Kyuhyun and kissed him at the mountain top as the sun rose.
"Jongwoon hyung…"
"i know it's illegal to be in love. It's a disease. But I can't help myself. I'm in love with you."
"I…think I'm in love with you too."
They were both young and reckless - they hid their love from the world that was against it. Love wasn't allowed, but they didn't care. Kim Jongwoon loved Cho Kyuhyun, Cho Kyuhyun love Kim Jongwoon. It was all that mattered at the time.
But they were far too naive, for their love was discovered despite all the stolen kisses in the dark, minimal skinships and frequent getaways from the city. They had still found out about their affair. Kyuhyun was thankful though for the one year of love he was allowed to have. But he wondered: was it worth all this pain? They had been given two choices: either attend a public trial and get executed, or perform the surgery. Staying together was not an option.
The only regret Kyuhyun has is that his love for Jongwoon also caused the group disband. They had to be removed from the spotlight. They were criminals because they felt emotion, and that was definitely not allowed to be encouraged. Adolescents who had not yet been operated on looked up to these idols who sang about utopia, the ideal world where everyone lived in harmony. The beauty of society that had no emotion.
Kyuhyun remembered how he felt like such a hypocrite at the time. He wanted to sing about love, about the beautiful emotion that had painted his world with splashes of color.
Kyuhyun hiked to the top of the mountain alone. The last time he had been here, it was the day before Jongwoon's procedure.
"Kyuhyun…I need to go tomorrow."
"But we can run away! They can't take this away from us."
"What kind of life would we lead if we run? I'm the older one, I can't jeopardize your future, our futures, because of our emotions."
"But we're in love…"
"And they will never be able to take that away from us. No matter what happens."
Kyuhyun smiled bitterly. Jongwoon had lied. After the procedure, he had acted as if he felt nothing for Kyuhyun. He had continued with life as if Kyuhyun was just an acquaintance. He had wanted to ask Jongwoon if he remembered, if he felt anything at all after the procedure, but Jongwoon had always changed the subject. The weather's nice today. Look at that turtle. Let's sing a song. Kyuhyun never got a straight answer, and Jongwoon had never reacted to their inside jokes or things that were markers of their past. He had forgotten about Kyuhyun and the love they once shared. All he remembered was that Kyuhyun was a dear friend. That was all.
When they had told Jongwoon to choose a girl to marry from the list of girls that were "suitable", Jongwoon had asked Kyuhyun to help him pick. It was pure torture as Kyuhyun looked through all the pretty faces. Jessica. Tiffany. Krystal. What was with all the English names anyhow? None of them were more suitable for Jongwoon than Kyuhyun was. It was cruel for Kyuhyun to have to choose a wife for the love of his life. He had wanted to scream at Jongwoon.
But he masked his hurt, and randomly pointed at a girl. Jessica Jung.
Now Jessica Jung was going to become the next Mrs. Kim Jongwoon. Kyuhyun has never been jealous of anyone before in his life, but he envied this Jessica Jung. What did she have that he didn't? She didn't deserve Jongwoon. No one other than Kyuhyun did.
His phone rang. It was Hyukjae, one of his closest friends.
"They just got married."
Kyuhyun tried to maintain what he hoped was a steady voice as his vision blurred with tears.
"That's…good to hear."
"I'm sorry. But at least you won't care after the operation tomorrow."
"I know. I just wish my surgery was scheduled earlier."
"I'm sorry Kyu. But you'll be cured soon."
He sat down on the mountain. Was this really the last time he would be able to feel anything?
He heard the love calls of birds in the distance, and looked out at the city of Seoul. He allowed himself the luxury of crying his heart out. No one else was here. He could do as he wished. Loud, uncontrolled sobs for the love he had, the love he lost.
Love really was a disease.
It was capable of lowering your guard and making you believe that it wasn't such a bad thing after all. It made you believe that you were safe in the other person's arms. But then it would turn around and tear your heart out. It was capable of making you feel like you wanted to die.
On the bright side, there was a cure other than death.
Kyuhyun watched the sunset, trying to commit all the beautiful memories of Jongwoon to memory. He didn't want to forget. He only wanted to stop the hurt. He wondered what would happen once the procedure occurred. He'd find out when tomorrow came.
But for now, he was alone on the mountain, their mountain. It might become just an ordinary mountain after tomorrow, but for today it was a symbol of the love he shared with Jongwoon. It was special, because their relationship once was.
Kyuhyun drowned himself in the images of kisses, interlocked hands, and embraces.
- - - - -
Somewhere in the middle of Seoul, tears silently slid down Jongwoon's face as he lay in bed next to his bride.
His thoughts were racing with unspoken words.
"Kyu-ah, I miss you. But this is for the better. You have a better chance at a happy ever after this way."
A/N: Last in the 10 settings challenge! Apologies, it's somewhat angsty and all depressing. This was inspired by Lauren Oliver's Delirium (strongly recommended, even though I'm nowhere near finished). Malaise means sickness. Hope you guys, uh...liked it. Even though YeKyu get separated :(:( IT'S OKAY. THEY'RE STILL REAL. And Yesica was paired up because of the Gayo Daejun...
Comments appreciated. Gimme a shout about what you guys think!
Pairing: broken!KyuSung (Kyuhyun x Yesung), ninja!Yesica (Yesung x Jessica)
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst, dystopia!AU
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the people mentioned in this. Unfortunately.
Summary: Love is a disease (not to mention illegal) and they have a cure for it.
10 Settings Challenge: #7 - Mountains
Kyuhyun's heart started to feel numb after so much hurt. Even at this place, this place that was filled with all their precious memories, he hadn't shed a tear. He looked at the wedding invitation in his hand.
"Kim Jongwoon and Jessica Jung cordially invite you to their wedding…"
Kyuhyun had read the words over and over again ever since he received it last week. They were getting married today. He bit back the tears that were threatening to spill once again. It was difficult not to remember the memories that they had shared when he was back at their mountain where they had first confessed that they were in love with each other.
At the time, it didn't feel like it was a disease.
But Kyuhyun couldn't say the same anymore. Love was no longer a blessing when only one of them was in it.
He clenched his fist as he remembered the day that they had taken Jongwoon away to have the surgery performed. They claimed it was the cure to the disease called love.
The surgery was performed on all people who were above the age of 18 ever since they discovered that they were able to alter a part of the human brain to stop the "emotion" called love. Scientists had later claimed that love was, in fact, a disease that caused not only biological problems such as heart disease for humans, but also social problems like war. It was better to become emotionless, they claimed. It was better for mankind.
Ironically, they had only considered love between a man and a woman. They hadn't realized that love could exist between people that were biologically unable to produce offspring. But it had been this loophole in their plan that had allowed Jongwoon and Kyuhyun to fall in love. They had debuted as idols in an all-male group with no interaction what-so-ever with female idols, so they had been allowed to have their surgery at a much later date. Marriage always followed the procedure, and idols were required to remain single as long as possible.
What they hadn't realized was that two males, or two females, could also fall in love.
The first time they had visited this mountain, Jongwoon had grabbed Kyuhyun and kissed him at the mountain top as the sun rose.
"Jongwoon hyung…"
"i know it's illegal to be in love. It's a disease. But I can't help myself. I'm in love with you."
"I…think I'm in love with you too."
They were both young and reckless - they hid their love from the world that was against it. Love wasn't allowed, but they didn't care. Kim Jongwoon loved Cho Kyuhyun, Cho Kyuhyun love Kim Jongwoon. It was all that mattered at the time.
But they were far too naive, for their love was discovered despite all the stolen kisses in the dark, minimal skinships and frequent getaways from the city. They had still found out about their affair. Kyuhyun was thankful though for the one year of love he was allowed to have. But he wondered: was it worth all this pain? They had been given two choices: either attend a public trial and get executed, or perform the surgery. Staying together was not an option.
The only regret Kyuhyun has is that his love for Jongwoon also caused the group disband. They had to be removed from the spotlight. They were criminals because they felt emotion, and that was definitely not allowed to be encouraged. Adolescents who had not yet been operated on looked up to these idols who sang about utopia, the ideal world where everyone lived in harmony. The beauty of society that had no emotion.
Kyuhyun remembered how he felt like such a hypocrite at the time. He wanted to sing about love, about the beautiful emotion that had painted his world with splashes of color.
Kyuhyun hiked to the top of the mountain alone. The last time he had been here, it was the day before Jongwoon's procedure.
"Kyuhyun…I need to go tomorrow."
"But we can run away! They can't take this away from us."
"What kind of life would we lead if we run? I'm the older one, I can't jeopardize your future, our futures, because of our emotions."
"But we're in love…"
"And they will never be able to take that away from us. No matter what happens."
Kyuhyun smiled bitterly. Jongwoon had lied. After the procedure, he had acted as if he felt nothing for Kyuhyun. He had continued with life as if Kyuhyun was just an acquaintance. He had wanted to ask Jongwoon if he remembered, if he felt anything at all after the procedure, but Jongwoon had always changed the subject. The weather's nice today. Look at that turtle. Let's sing a song. Kyuhyun never got a straight answer, and Jongwoon had never reacted to their inside jokes or things that were markers of their past. He had forgotten about Kyuhyun and the love they once shared. All he remembered was that Kyuhyun was a dear friend. That was all.
When they had told Jongwoon to choose a girl to marry from the list of girls that were "suitable", Jongwoon had asked Kyuhyun to help him pick. It was pure torture as Kyuhyun looked through all the pretty faces. Jessica. Tiffany. Krystal. What was with all the English names anyhow? None of them were more suitable for Jongwoon than Kyuhyun was. It was cruel for Kyuhyun to have to choose a wife for the love of his life. He had wanted to scream at Jongwoon.
But he masked his hurt, and randomly pointed at a girl. Jessica Jung.
Now Jessica Jung was going to become the next Mrs. Kim Jongwoon. Kyuhyun has never been jealous of anyone before in his life, but he envied this Jessica Jung. What did she have that he didn't? She didn't deserve Jongwoon. No one other than Kyuhyun did.
His phone rang. It was Hyukjae, one of his closest friends.
"They just got married."
Kyuhyun tried to maintain what he hoped was a steady voice as his vision blurred with tears.
"That's…good to hear."
"I'm sorry. But at least you won't care after the operation tomorrow."
"I know. I just wish my surgery was scheduled earlier."
"I'm sorry Kyu. But you'll be cured soon."
He sat down on the mountain. Was this really the last time he would be able to feel anything?
He heard the love calls of birds in the distance, and looked out at the city of Seoul. He allowed himself the luxury of crying his heart out. No one else was here. He could do as he wished. Loud, uncontrolled sobs for the love he had, the love he lost.
Love really was a disease.
It was capable of lowering your guard and making you believe that it wasn't such a bad thing after all. It made you believe that you were safe in the other person's arms. But then it would turn around and tear your heart out. It was capable of making you feel like you wanted to die.
On the bright side, there was a cure other than death.
Kyuhyun watched the sunset, trying to commit all the beautiful memories of Jongwoon to memory. He didn't want to forget. He only wanted to stop the hurt. He wondered what would happen once the procedure occurred. He'd find out when tomorrow came.
But for now, he was alone on the mountain, their mountain. It might become just an ordinary mountain after tomorrow, but for today it was a symbol of the love he shared with Jongwoon. It was special, because their relationship once was.
Kyuhyun drowned himself in the images of kisses, interlocked hands, and embraces.
- - - - -
Somewhere in the middle of Seoul, tears silently slid down Jongwoon's face as he lay in bed next to his bride.
His thoughts were racing with unspoken words.
"Kyu-ah, I miss you. But this is for the better. You have a better chance at a happy ever after this way."
A/N: Last in the 10 settings challenge! Apologies, it's somewhat angsty and all depressing. This was inspired by Lauren Oliver's Delirium (strongly recommended, even though I'm nowhere near finished). Malaise means sickness. Hope you guys, uh...liked it. Even though YeKyu get separated :(:( IT'S OKAY. THEY'RE STILL REAL. And Yesica was paired up because of the Gayo Daejun...
Comments appreciated. Gimme a shout about what you guys think!