Unlock - Chapter Twenty-Nine
Title: Unlock
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 29/?
Fandom: SS501, cameos by KARA
Pairings: KyuSaeng, HyunMin (may be other pairings in the future)
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU, Fluff
Summary: Not everything is as it seems, and for those who are as far from normal as you can get, life is a bleak existence. The only ones who can truly understand what these individuals go through are those...just like them.
A/N: YoungSaeng and HyunJoong are played by renichifreak and KyuJong and JungMin are played by me. Updates will be every Wednesday <3
KyuJong's eyes widened slightly. Was that...YoungSaeng's parents?
Standing, he took YoungSaeng's hand and wrapped his arm around his lover's shoulders.
"You didn't tell them you were going to be here, Saeng?" JungMin asked quietly, all signs of hyperactivity gone.
"N-no, I didn't," YoungSaeng confessed. "They've never cared what I've done before..."
KyuJong's mother blinked at the other woman’s question before smiling and bowing a little. "Actually, he is. We invited him back for the holiday, along with a few of his friends."
The larger man opened his mouth to speak before his wife smiled calmly. "Would it be all right if we spoke to him? If he isn't busy, of course."
Nodding, KyuJong's mother smiled at them. "I will let him know you are here, please give me a moment." She turned and walked back into the dining room.
"Sweetie, your parents want to talk to you," she said gently, kind eyes worried.
Worrying his lower lip, YoungSaeng avoided looking anyone in the eye, lest they see the panic that was starting to build. "Um, I'll be right back..." he said quietly before leaving the room and stepping outside.
KyuJong followed, staying back enough that he wouldn't be noticed but close enough that he could step in if he needed to. After the day YoungSaeng's father hit YoungSaeng, he didn't trust his lover's parents around him.
He heard the others get up as well, seeming at a loss for what to do. JungMin was being held back from stalking out after YoungSaeng.
The door had only just closed when YoungSaeng’s father grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him off the porch, drawing a quiet cry from his lips. "What exactly did you think you were doing, coming here without our permission?" he barked, causing YoungSaeng to jump.
"I-I was invited. I didn't want to stay by myself for the break," he stammered, eyes wide as he tried in vain to pull his arm out of the hold. His father had his full attention, afraid of what could happen if he strayed even a bit.
"You are to go inside and get your things, because we're bringing you home," his father stated, leaving no room for argument.
At the word home, YoungSaeng froze, not even breathing. A moment later, he began to struggle in the hold. "No! No, I can't go in there, you know that!" he yelled, doing all he could to pry his wrist out of the vice grip.
"It's time you grow up and deal with it. I don't care what you believe, but you can't seriously expect me to believe your delusions," the man stated harshly.
Hearing the argument and the panic in YoungSaeng's voice, KyuJong couldn't stay out of it any longer. Ignoring the others, he opened the door and ran outside, jumping off of the porch. "Let go, you're hurting him!" He tried to get between them, one arm around YoungSaeng's shoulders.
Panic clouding his rationale, YoungSaeng turned his eyes onto KyuJong. "Kyu yah, they want to take me home. I can't go in there, I just can't!" he yelled, feeling a familiar pressure building in his head the worse he became.
"You won't, you won't Saeng," KyuJong said firmly, not letting go of his boyfriend. He glared up at YoungSaeng's father, who still wouldn't let go of his son. "You're not taking him back," he said angrily. "Can't you see what you're doing to your own son?!"
The man tightened his grip, drawing out a pained sound from YoungSaeng as he narrowed his eyes at KyuJong. "Ah, so it's like that, is it?" he sneered before shaking his head and looking down at YoungSaeng. "I knew we shouldn't have agreed to letting you out of there."
That statement stopped YoungSaeng cold, hitting him with more force than a slap ever could. His mother's silence was just the icing on the cake.
KyuJong's eyes widened in shock, before anger blurred his senses at the expression on YoungSaeng's face. "Let go," he growled through clenched teeth, staring up at him with darkened eyes. "Let go of him, and leave. You don't even try to understand. You don't know a thing about him!"
There was a muffled sound behind them that sounded like "Asshole!", JungMin's mouth covered before he could shout anything more, the redhead being held back.
"...te you..." YoungSaeng murmured, tears beginning to blur his vision though he managed to force them back.
"What did you say?" his father asked, voice rough and angry.
"What kind of father are you?" YoungSaeng finally yelled. "What I said was that I hate you!"
That was apparently the wrong thing to say as even YoungSaeng's mother stiffened at the words.
His father seemed to actually grow angrier at the statement. "How dare you..." he growled, seeming to have forgotten about the small audience he had as he drew back. YoungSaeng shut his eyes and prepared himself for the strike.
The hit never came.
Standing behind the man, KyuJong's father held the offending arm by the wrist, towering over the other man by at least a head.
"What do you think you're doing to my son-in-law?" he asked, and the question would have been a very mild one if not for the hardness in his eyes.
KyuJong managed to pull YoungSaeng out of the man's grip, pulling him back several paces and then behind him, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched.
"And who are you to tell me how to discipline my own child?" YoungSaeng’s father demanded, pulling on his arm, surprised at the strength of the other man's hold.
YoungSaeng found himself clutching the back of KyuJong's shirt, burying his face into his back in an attempt to calm himself. The pressure he was feeling, however, continued to build.
"Someone who actually cares, since it is plenty obvious you do not," KyuJong's father replied harshly, all sign of the easy-going personality disappearing. "This is not discipline, this is cruelty. You are doing your son no favors by treating him in this manner. I want you off my property...you are not welcome here."
"I am not leaving without my son. He's still a minor and I could easily have you arrested," YoungSaeng's father threatened, smirking at the fact that he knew he was right.
The longer the war of words went on, the worse the headache got. Suddenly, unable to take it any more, YoungSaeng pushed away from KyuJong.
"Enough!" He yelled, eyes as dark as they'd ever been. The static was also much louder than he could recall hearing, but that was secondary. "Leave them alone, dammit! I was the one who came here without telling you. They did nothing wrong!"
KyuJong's eyes widened, feeling a prickling down the back of his neck. What was that?
There were voices whispering around them, but they sounded wrong, drifting in and out of a static haze. Some of them were screaming, others crying, more just talking, saying things he didn't always understand, whispering.
Seeing the black in YoungSaeng's eyes, he realized what was going on. "Saeng." He reached out and caught his boyfriend around the waist, pulling him close. "Saeng, calm down," he whispered.
Everything had fallen silent when the voices started, everyone looking around for their cause.
Breathing harshly, YoungSaeng barely heard KyuJong over the roaring in his ears. His head was ringing and lightheadedness struck, yet he ignored it all. "Please, just go home! Go back to your lives where I don't exist and just leave me alone!" he yelled, though it was more of a plea.
Frightened by the sounds and the extreme reaction, YoungSaeng's mother placed a hand on her husband's arm. "Let's go dear," she practically begged, eyes flitting around in an attempt to find the source of the voices, noticing that her husband was doing the same thing.
KyuJong's father released the other man's arm. He and his wife had stopped looking for the source of the voices, catching on. Instead, he stood between YoungSaeng and his father. "KyuJong, get him inside," he said quietly.
KyuJong nodded, forcing himself to calm down. "Saeng," he whispered, pulling him back and cupping his boyfriend's cheek, tilting his head to get YoungSaeng to look at him. "Saeng, look at me. You're safe." He kept his arms firmly around the younger boy, drawing him back towards the house.
YoungSaeng could tell that something wasn't right, but his anger and distress were slowing his thought process as KyuJong gently directed him inside. The others hovered nearby, but he didn't notice.
All he managed to realize was that the noise he usually heard was so much louder and it was echoing in his head. Suddenly and without warning, he felt a dark feeling wash over him, still far too worked-up to realize what was going on.
Leaving YoungSaeng's parents for his own to deal with, KyuJong drew YoungSaeng to the living room couch, pulling him down and holding him close. The voices still hadn't stopped, and it worried him.
"YoungSaeng, listen to me," he murmured, making YoungSaeng look at him and cupping his face, caressing his cheeks. "I want you to take deep breathes, okay? Don't look anywhere but me." He brushed a hand through YoungSaeng's soft hair. "You're still here, Saeng, you're safe. It's over. You're fine."
Turning wide eyes to KyuJong, YoungSaeng found himself slowly matching his breathing to KyuJong's. It took a while but eventually, the haunting static slowly began to fade, as did the black in his eyes.
"K-Kyu...?" he asked quietly before the strain got to be too much. His eyes slowly fell closed as he began to fall to the side, body going limp.
"Saeng!" KyuJong caught YoungSaeng before he could fall over, shifting close enough to take the younger boy into his arms. Looking up at their friends watching with worry, he swallowed and held YoungSaeng against his chest, running fingers through his hair and whispering soft reassurances even if YoungSaeng couldn't hear him anymore.
The small group watched on before HyunJoong spoke up first. "What just happened, Kyu? And what was that sound?" he asked.
KyuJong looked up at them, biting his lower lip. "That was...the white noise, I think. The voices of the dead. YoungSaeng was so angry...he must have accidentally made it audible to us too."
"Poor boy..." KyuJong's mother stood in the doorway, eyes sad, and her husband behind her. They'd overheard. "His parents are gone...though I'm not sure that's the last we'll see of them." She walked over to the couch and sat down beside KyuJong, watching YoungSaeng. "He looks exhausted...why don't you bring him up to your room to rest?" she smiled sadly. "If he's anything like you, then pulling off a feat like that will keep him unconscious for a few hours at least. I can make honey tea for when he wakes up."
KyuJong nodded mutely, holding YoungSaeng close.
"Here, let's get him upstairs." His father walked over to help bring YoungSaeng to KyuJong's room.
The others remained downstairs as KyuJong and his father carried YoungSaeng to KyuJong's room, not expecting to see him until his boyfriend woke up.
Nicole shifted in her seat. "That was scary...and he hears that all the time?" she murmured quietly, far more subdued than normal.
JungMin bit his lower lip, shuffling where he stood with his hands in his pockets. "It's worse around graveyards, I think...it's a good thing he didn't go with his parents back home. His dad is an asshole and doesn't deserve to be a father," he scowled, still riled up about that.
HyungJoon was beating his head with one fist, mentally yelling at himself for not saying anything sooner.
HyunJoong caught HyungJoon's hand to stop him. "It's not your fault. You're still learning," he told him before turning toward JungMin. "I think Kyu mentioned once that his family runs a cemetery. That has to be hard given his power..." He then looked at HaRa, who appeared to be as white as a sheet. "You okay, HaRa yah?" he asked.
"Was he really going to..." she began, fading out. She came from a completely loving and tight-knit family. The idea that a father could threaten physical harm like that blew her away.
"Some people are not accepting towards differences, I'm afraid...” KyuJong's mother had reappeared after disappearing into the kitchen, bearing a tray of honey tea. She set the tray down and sat down on the edge of the couch. "This will help," she smiled sadly.
"Well, it's not right and he should be arrested," the girl stated as she took the mug with a grateful smile. The others followed suite.
"He should be, but we don't have the power to do so," the older woman said, shaking her head. "We do what we can."
"Saeng's been really opening up lately...I just hope this doesn't set him back any," HyunJoong sighed.
JungMin shuffled around again, unable to stay still even as he sipped at the tea. It probably would, he knew. He knew YoungSaeng better than anyone, except maybe KyuJong. "Just have to keep trying," he mumbled.
***************************
YoungSaeng woke slowly, head ringing. Blinking, he slowly tilted his head to the side to see KyuJong there. Looking back at the ceiling, he sighed inaudibly.
He didn't want to move. The negativity of everything as well as his power's drastic side effect was weighing heavily on him, and all he wanted to do was disappear.
KyuJong opened his eyes again the instant he heard YoungSaeng's breathing change. Seeing his boyfriend was awake, he pushed himself up onto his elbows. He hadn't left YoungSaeng's side once.
"Hey," he whispered, brushing a hand gently against the other boy's cheek. "How are you feeling, Saeng?"
YoungSaeng's eyes moved to look at KyuJong before turning back to the ceiling a moment later. Closing them, he shrugged lightly and rolled onto his side, facing away from KyuJong.
The worry continued to build inside the time traveler at the response he received. "Saeng?" He ran his hand slowly along the other boy's arm, trying to draw a positive reaction from him. "Do you want to talk?" he murmured, watching his back.
All YoungSaeng could manage was a small shake of the head. The hand on his arm relaxed him slightly, but he just couldn't find the strength to react. He couldn't even find the energy to cry, and god, did he want to, if just to purge himself of the depression that was compounding.
Not sure what to do, KyuJong decided the best thing to do now would be to give YoungSaeng time. "I'm right here if you need me," he whispered, shifting closer while keeping some space between his chest and YoungSaeng's back so the other boy wouldn't feel crowded. He continued the soothing motion of his hand, falling silent.
At the reassuring words, YoungSaeng managed a tiny smile that lasted barely a second before he drifted off to sleep, mentally exhausted.
Listening to YoungSaeng's breathing ease out again, KyuJong smiled sadly. "I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, knowing he couldn't be heard. Closing his eyes and continuing to run his hand along YoungSaeng's arm, he settled in to wait.
Sleep didn't come easy, YoungSaeng waking with a start every half hour. Dreams of the past and voices that refuse to leave him alone. Finally, he simply laid there, body tense and eyes blank and dark.
KyuJong was there each time YoungSaeng awoke, holding him close. He wasn't leaving YoungSaeng for the world. When YoungSaeng didn't fall asleep again, he shifted slightly so he could prop himself up on one elbow and look down over the other boy, trying to meet his eyes. "Saeng, look at me?" he murmured, keeping his voice quiet and gentle as he brushed locks of hair out of his boyfriend's eyes.
Hearing the calming voice, YoungSaeng found himself obeying, turning slightly to meet KyuJong's eyes. He was somewhat thankful for the slightly dark room and his bangs, hoping that they covered his eyes even a little.
KyuJong smiled down at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek lightly. "I love you, you know that?" he murmured, meeting his boyfriend's eyes and caressing his cheek gently.
"...I know," YoungSaeng whispered, voice as quiet as it had been when they first met.
"So I'm not going anywhere...you know that too, right?" KyuJong kissed the corner of his mouth. "I love you, and I'm going to be right beside you each step of the way...please don't be afraid to let me help."
YoungSaeng allowed a ghost of a smile and another quiet sentiment, plus a silent 'I love you, too' before he returned to his previous position.
Watching him, KyuJong smiled sadly and slowly laid back down behind him, resting his forehead lightly against YoungSaeng's back. After a minute of silence he started to hum quietly, one of the songs YoungSaeng sang regularly.
The quiet humming was soothing, helping some of the tension ease from his body. He felt his eyes water slightly, though knew that it would not be enough to make him cry.
"Thank you, KyuJong ah..." he whispered, not sure if the other actually heard or not.
Smiling faintly, KyuJong lifted his head a little to place a loving kiss against the nape of YoungSaeng's neck, continuing to hum softly as he shifted a little closer, his chest brushing against YoungSaeng's back.
************************
HyunJoong, growing too restless to stay still, had gotten up and began moving around a bit while everyone spoke to calm their nerves. Every so often, his eyes would turn toward the staircase before he'd sigh and start walking again.
JungMin wasn't much better, his gaze trained on the staircase, hardly paying attention to the conversation anymore. KyuJong's mother was still there, and his father was around, wandering in and out of the room to check on them. EunAh was upstairs, supposedly keeping an eye on the two in KyuJong's room.
Talking quietly with HaRa and Nicole, the older woman smiled to see the concern from the two fidgeting. "So...I'm curious to know how you all became friends with my son and son-in-law."
"KyuJong oppa is in our acting group at school," HaRa answered first. "He's really good, too. One day during rehearsal, he heard a yell and ran out of the room. We followed and saw someone trying to...ummm..." She faded out, and Nicole took over.
"Someone was, uh...well, KyuJong stopped this guy from messing with YoungSaeng and we recorded what happened and got the guy expelled and then we became friends and yeah..." she rushed out.
With the way the girls were avoiding the topic, it wasn't very hard to figure out what they meant.
Nodding slowly, KyuJong's mother smiled sadly. "It was lucky you all were there then. Thank you for all you've done for both of them."
"Really," KyuJong's fathered said. He'd reappeared, leaning in the doorway. "It's great that they aren't the only ones who can do what they do."
"Eh?" JungMin blinked, looking away from the staircase finally.
"Your abilities," the older man specified.
HyunJoong faltered, tripping over JungMin's foot before catching himself. "O-our what, sir?" he stammered.
Looking, he saw the others cast uneasy looks at each other.
"You don't have to hide it, we're not going to kick you out or anything," the older man chuckled. "It was rather obvious with how suddenly you all crashed yesterday. KyuJong does the same when he overdoes it."
"And from your reactions to the voices earlier, it seems you're all aware of each other's own abilities," KyuJong's mother smiled. "It's nice, none of us were expecting KyuJong would even meet YoungSaeng, let alone all of you."
Blinking in shock, Nicole turned around and thwacked HyungJoon in the head, making the boy yell in surprise.
"What was that for?!"
"I'm tryingto kick start that damn power of yours. A bit of warning would have been nice!"
"I'm sorry if it doesn't work when it's told to!" HyungJoon whined, covering his head and trying to hide.
KyuJong's mother laughed softly. "Is that a common problem?" She smiled when JungMin nodded hard.
HaRa giggled. "He's never right...well okay, maybe he's right 1 time out of 10..."
"I was right when I said there were others like us nearby," HyungJoon huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and sulking.
"Yes, except that you said that six months ago..." Nicole replied. "We didn't know them then."
"Sorry if I can't say it the day of...” HyungJoon sank further into his seat.
KyuJong's mother laughed before standing. "I should make dinner. Maybe the other two will be awake by the time it's ready." She excused herself and walked into the kitchen.
Nicole and HaRa jumped to their feet "Can we help?" Nicole asked. "HyungJoon too since he should work for the amount of food he eats."
"But I suck at cooking," HyungJoon whined as he was pulled to his feet as well.
"Well now you can learn," HaRa stated as they dragged him into the kitchen.
JungMin watched as they went into the kitchen after KyuJong's mother, shuffling in place and glancing at HyunJoong, then the staircase.
HyunJoong looked over at JungMin. "Why don't we go up and see if they need anything?" he suggested.
Nodding, JungMin walked over to the stairs. He headed up the steps, worried about YoungSaeng. What kind of condition was he in?
He stopped outside the closed door to KyuJong's room, lifting a hand to open the door and stopping, not sure.
HyunJoong followed and watched as JungMin hesitated at the door. Placing a hand on his shoulder and knocked twice before carefully opening the door.
KyuJong looked up at them as the door was opened. He placed one finger to his lips; YoungSaeng was asleep again.
JungMin stepped in hesitantly, leaning over to see YoungSaeng's face. "How is he?" he whispered.
The time traveler shook his head, not leaving his position beside his lover. "Barely responding," he said quietly, pain visible in his dark eyes.
HyunJoong closed the door and walked over as well. YoungSaeng was indeed asleep, but he could see that it was anything but peaceful. "I've never seen someone react so drastically..." he murmured.
"Well, not many people have to go through all that at once either," JungMin shook his head. KyuJong was silent, running his hand soothingly over YoungSaeng back.
"True enough," HyunJoong relented. "How about you? How are you coping?" Stupid question, but even the slight distraction might help.
KyuJong just shook his head. "I'm worried about him," he said quietly. He wanted to be able to protect YoungSaeng, but he didn't know what to do, and it twisted his heart into pieces to see the boy he loved so broken. He was just so powerless at times he wished he were anything but.
Watching the two, a lump began to form in HyunJoong's throat. There seemed to be something more to this, especially given the dark aura surrounding YoungSaeng's sleeping form. "He has you, Kyu. He'll be okay."
Nodding slightly, KyuJong felt burning in the back of his eyes but held the tears back. He had to be strong for YoungSaeng. "I'll let you guys know if there's any change, but until he's able to move we won't be going anywhere," he said quietly.
JungMin nodded, biting on his lower lip. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do...nothing any of them could do right now.
HyunJoong placed a hand on KyuJong's shoulder and smiled a small yet hopefully reassuring smile. "Your mom's making food now. Oh, and your parents figured out that we all have powers and Nicole started beating up Joonie again for not warning her," he explained, hoping to cheer up the somber young man even just a little.
The corners of KyuJong's lips quirked upwards slightly for a moment. "Joon should have seen that one coming," he murmured.
Watching KyuJong shift closer to YoungSaeng's back, JungMin nudged HyunJoong a little. "Maybe we should go," he said quietly.
Nodding at JungMin, HyunJoong took another look at his friends before following the redhead out. Once the door was closed behind them, he leaned against the wall and sighed, eyes closing.
If there was one thing that he hated more than anything, it was the feeling of uselessness. "He'll be okay," he murmured, not sure who it was he was trying to convince: JungMin, or himself.
JungMin nodded, determined to think the best. "Of course he will be. He's got KyuJong, and us. We'll get him back into proper shape," he said, arms folded over his chest.
If they didn't...they were at risk of losing not just YoungSaeng, but KyuJong as well. The time traveler was too emotionally invested in his lover to be able to handle that kind of blow.
HyunJoong was silent as he took in JungMin's words. "Min, can I ask you something?" He paused to think before continuing. "Is something going on that I don't know about? I mean, yeah, that was a lot to deal with, but this reaction is so extreme..."
Shuffling a little in place, JungMin argued with himself whether or not he should tell HyunJoong. After a minute he gave in and took HyunJoong's sleeve, pulling him down the hallway towards the guest room. There was no way he was saying something right outside KyuJong's room with the time traveler able to hear.
Once they were inside the room and he'd closed the door, the redhead leaned back against the closed door. "There's another effect to YoungSaeng's powers," he blurted out, unable to keep quiet anymore.
"I think that's what's happening, and I think KyuJong knows it too. YoungSaeng said it in nicer terms, but the bottom line is that if he uses his powers too much he...he starts to become suicidal."
HyunJoong started as he was suddenly pulled into the guest room. Sitting down as JungMin shut the door, he waited for the redhead to speak, not rushing him.
The answer, however, was something he had not expected in the least. Suicidal...
Running a hand through his hair, HyunJoong chuckled humorlessly. "He just can't catch a break, can he?" he murmured. "At least he has us and Kyu, and Kyu's family it seems..."
JungMin nodded, looking exceedingly frustrated. "Things were looking so well too...he was never like this in the hospital. Whatever KyuJong did to get him out of his shell, it better work now..." He hit the back of his head against the door, annoyed at not being able to do anything when he was YoungSaeng's friend.
Getting to his feet, HyunJoong walked over to JungMin and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, meeting his eyes. "He'll be okay, JungMin. He has all of us here to get him back, and if anyone can do it, we can," he stated, leaving no room for argument, though his eyes were soft, showing that he was just as worried.
"You don't understand," JungMin shook his head, shuffling around in place, unable to stay still. "If he's too far gone, it won't matter we're here. We'll be invisible to him."
He pushed away from the door and away from HyunJoong, pacing around the room. "Once that kind of feeling takes over, really takes over, it isn't as easy to get rid of as that. If that fiasco pushed YoungSaeng too far, not even KyuJong will be able to get him back!" He was getting himself worked up, sparks following his footsteps.
Watching JungMin pace and panic, HyunJoong sighed loudly before gently pushing JungMin against the door and trapping him there. "JungMin, it will be okay. We're all damn stubborn, and if I know KyuJong, he'd pull Saeng back from death's door," he stated, voice leaving little room for argument.
"I know you're worried, Min. So am I, but we can't help if we're panicking." Pausing, he backed away. "Did he tell you all of that or is it from personal experience, if I can ask?"
Startled when he was pushed against the door, JungMin shut up long enough to listen, biting on his lower lip as he looked at HyunJoong. He was right...JungMin just hated feeling like he couldn't do anything, especially when YoungSaeng was going through something like this. "Sorry," he mumbled as HyunJoong backed up, trying to calm himself down.
That attempt died at the question, and JungMin blinked at him once before looking away, mumbling something inaudible as he leaned against the door.
"You have no reason to apologize, Min. We're all worried," HyunJoong replied. Not understanding what he murmured, he backed away a bit more to give JungMin space. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he assured the redhead.
Looking down at HyunJoong's feet, one of JungMin's gloved hands found the edge of his turtleneck, the cloth covering the horrible scar across his skin. "...Personal experience," he mumbled after a moment, hair in his eyes.
Nodding silently, HyunJoong smiled calmly at the redhead. "Maybe we should go downstairs and let the others know what's going on."
Nodding as well, JungMin dropped his hand and opened the door, slipping out. He'd told them when he'd met him that the reason why he'd been placed in the mental hospital was because he'd been falsely put on suicide watch after he shocked his necklace across the room by accident.
But that was only half of it. They didn't lock people away for a one-time thing.
Waiting for HyunJoong, JungMin put on a smile and walked back towards the stairs, heading down them to see how the cooking was going.
HyunJoong kept an eye on JungMin, noticing the decrease in mood. Biting his lip, he carefully took hold of the back of his shirt. "You have my number, JungMin. If you need anything just let me know..." he said quietly now that they were close enough to the others for someone to possibly overhear.
Looking back at him when he felt the tug of his shirt, JungMin nodded after a moment and smiled a little wider, stepping down onto the landing and padding over to the kitchen.
Things seemed to be going well...well, HyungJoon hadn't managed to chop his hand off yet. KyuJong's mother looked back at the two in the doorway. "How are they?" she asked quietly, having heard them go upstairs.
HyunJoong looked at JungMin before replying. "YoungSaeng was asleep, but Kyu's worried sick," he explained, not wanting to go into detail without KyuJong's permission. JungMin telling him was enough.
KyuJong's mother smiled sadly. "When he wakes up, we'll bring food and tea upstairs to them...a nice warm meal might help him feel better. Would you mind keeping an eye on them, dears?"
JungMin nodded, not trusting himself to say anything.
"We have all tomorrow free too before we need to go back to school," HaRa piped up. "Fresh air would be beneficial. We could go into the forest again, it's really nice there."
"And someone else can guide us around so we don't get lost again," Nicole joked, trying to lift the mood, grateful when HyungJoon started pouting like a child.
"Not me then," JungMin spoke finally, wrinkling his nose.
"Even I'm better than him," HyungJoon declared, pointing at the redhead. "He'd get us lost on purpose."
"Of course," JungMin replied matter-of-factly, a hint of a smirk appearing after a moment.
"How about we let Kyu do the leading?" HyunJoong chuckled. "It sounds like the most logical thing to me since he, I don't know, lives here?"
"Except that KyuJong oppa would get lost going to the washroom if there weren't signs every ten steps," HaRa pointed out.
"Oh no, you don't want Kyu oppa leading," EunAh spoke up, passing by. "He ended up on the other side of town last time."
HyunJoong sighed loudly and dramatically. "Why do I associate with you directionally-challenged people?" He paused and looked a bit hopeful. "Maybe this'll pull Saeng out of his shell if he doesn't want to have to live in the forest forever."
JungMin snorted a little. "That's one way to do it, I guess..."
"Why don't you lead if we're so directionally-challenged?" HaRa asked HyunJoong with a smile. "At least HyungJoon gets one vision in ten right..."
"I can do that," HyunJoong stated with confidence.
"At least he's confident while he leads us into a pit," HyungJoon grinned. JungMin started snickering behind HyunJoong.
"Coming from the guy who almost DID lead us into a pit..." Nicole called out.
"That was one time and I said I was sorry!"
"Just let him walk way in front," JungMin suggested, grinning. "If he disappears, you know to find a different path."
At HyungJoon's loud protest, everyone began laughing. Leave it to the redhead to say exactly what needed to be said.
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 29/?
Fandom: SS501, cameos by KARA
Pairings: KyuSaeng, HyunMin (may be other pairings in the future)
Rating: PG-16
Warning: Angst, AU, Fluff
Summary: Not everything is as it seems, and for those who are as far from normal as you can get, life is a bleak existence. The only ones who can truly understand what these individuals go through are those...just like them.
A/N: YoungSaeng and HyunJoong are played by renichifreak and KyuJong and JungMin are played by me. Updates will be every Wednesday <3
KyuJong's eyes widened slightly. Was that...YoungSaeng's parents?
Standing, he took YoungSaeng's hand and wrapped his arm around his lover's shoulders.
"You didn't tell them you were going to be here, Saeng?" JungMin asked quietly, all signs of hyperactivity gone.
"N-no, I didn't," YoungSaeng confessed. "They've never cared what I've done before..."
KyuJong's mother blinked at the other woman’s question before smiling and bowing a little. "Actually, he is. We invited him back for the holiday, along with a few of his friends."
The larger man opened his mouth to speak before his wife smiled calmly. "Would it be all right if we spoke to him? If he isn't busy, of course."
Nodding, KyuJong's mother smiled at them. "I will let him know you are here, please give me a moment." She turned and walked back into the dining room.
"Sweetie, your parents want to talk to you," she said gently, kind eyes worried.
Worrying his lower lip, YoungSaeng avoided looking anyone in the eye, lest they see the panic that was starting to build. "Um, I'll be right back..." he said quietly before leaving the room and stepping outside.
KyuJong followed, staying back enough that he wouldn't be noticed but close enough that he could step in if he needed to. After the day YoungSaeng's father hit YoungSaeng, he didn't trust his lover's parents around him.
He heard the others get up as well, seeming at a loss for what to do. JungMin was being held back from stalking out after YoungSaeng.
The door had only just closed when YoungSaeng’s father grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him off the porch, drawing a quiet cry from his lips. "What exactly did you think you were doing, coming here without our permission?" he barked, causing YoungSaeng to jump.
"I-I was invited. I didn't want to stay by myself for the break," he stammered, eyes wide as he tried in vain to pull his arm out of the hold. His father had his full attention, afraid of what could happen if he strayed even a bit.
"You are to go inside and get your things, because we're bringing you home," his father stated, leaving no room for argument.
At the word home, YoungSaeng froze, not even breathing. A moment later, he began to struggle in the hold. "No! No, I can't go in there, you know that!" he yelled, doing all he could to pry his wrist out of the vice grip.
"It's time you grow up and deal with it. I don't care what you believe, but you can't seriously expect me to believe your delusions," the man stated harshly.
Hearing the argument and the panic in YoungSaeng's voice, KyuJong couldn't stay out of it any longer. Ignoring the others, he opened the door and ran outside, jumping off of the porch. "Let go, you're hurting him!" He tried to get between them, one arm around YoungSaeng's shoulders.
Panic clouding his rationale, YoungSaeng turned his eyes onto KyuJong. "Kyu yah, they want to take me home. I can't go in there, I just can't!" he yelled, feeling a familiar pressure building in his head the worse he became.
"You won't, you won't Saeng," KyuJong said firmly, not letting go of his boyfriend. He glared up at YoungSaeng's father, who still wouldn't let go of his son. "You're not taking him back," he said angrily. "Can't you see what you're doing to your own son?!"
The man tightened his grip, drawing out a pained sound from YoungSaeng as he narrowed his eyes at KyuJong. "Ah, so it's like that, is it?" he sneered before shaking his head and looking down at YoungSaeng. "I knew we shouldn't have agreed to letting you out of there."
That statement stopped YoungSaeng cold, hitting him with more force than a slap ever could. His mother's silence was just the icing on the cake.
KyuJong's eyes widened in shock, before anger blurred his senses at the expression on YoungSaeng's face. "Let go," he growled through clenched teeth, staring up at him with darkened eyes. "Let go of him, and leave. You don't even try to understand. You don't know a thing about him!"
There was a muffled sound behind them that sounded like "Asshole!", JungMin's mouth covered before he could shout anything more, the redhead being held back.
"...te you..." YoungSaeng murmured, tears beginning to blur his vision though he managed to force them back.
"What did you say?" his father asked, voice rough and angry.
"What kind of father are you?" YoungSaeng finally yelled. "What I said was that I hate you!"
That was apparently the wrong thing to say as even YoungSaeng's mother stiffened at the words.
His father seemed to actually grow angrier at the statement. "How dare you..." he growled, seeming to have forgotten about the small audience he had as he drew back. YoungSaeng shut his eyes and prepared himself for the strike.
The hit never came.
Standing behind the man, KyuJong's father held the offending arm by the wrist, towering over the other man by at least a head.
"What do you think you're doing to my son-in-law?" he asked, and the question would have been a very mild one if not for the hardness in his eyes.
KyuJong managed to pull YoungSaeng out of the man's grip, pulling him back several paces and then behind him, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched.
"And who are you to tell me how to discipline my own child?" YoungSaeng’s father demanded, pulling on his arm, surprised at the strength of the other man's hold.
YoungSaeng found himself clutching the back of KyuJong's shirt, burying his face into his back in an attempt to calm himself. The pressure he was feeling, however, continued to build.
"Someone who actually cares, since it is plenty obvious you do not," KyuJong's father replied harshly, all sign of the easy-going personality disappearing. "This is not discipline, this is cruelty. You are doing your son no favors by treating him in this manner. I want you off my property...you are not welcome here."
"I am not leaving without my son. He's still a minor and I could easily have you arrested," YoungSaeng's father threatened, smirking at the fact that he knew he was right.
The longer the war of words went on, the worse the headache got. Suddenly, unable to take it any more, YoungSaeng pushed away from KyuJong.
"Enough!" He yelled, eyes as dark as they'd ever been. The static was also much louder than he could recall hearing, but that was secondary. "Leave them alone, dammit! I was the one who came here without telling you. They did nothing wrong!"
KyuJong's eyes widened, feeling a prickling down the back of his neck. What was that?
There were voices whispering around them, but they sounded wrong, drifting in and out of a static haze. Some of them were screaming, others crying, more just talking, saying things he didn't always understand, whispering.
Seeing the black in YoungSaeng's eyes, he realized what was going on. "Saeng." He reached out and caught his boyfriend around the waist, pulling him close. "Saeng, calm down," he whispered.
Everything had fallen silent when the voices started, everyone looking around for their cause.
Breathing harshly, YoungSaeng barely heard KyuJong over the roaring in his ears. His head was ringing and lightheadedness struck, yet he ignored it all. "Please, just go home! Go back to your lives where I don't exist and just leave me alone!" he yelled, though it was more of a plea.
Frightened by the sounds and the extreme reaction, YoungSaeng's mother placed a hand on her husband's arm. "Let's go dear," she practically begged, eyes flitting around in an attempt to find the source of the voices, noticing that her husband was doing the same thing.
KyuJong's father released the other man's arm. He and his wife had stopped looking for the source of the voices, catching on. Instead, he stood between YoungSaeng and his father. "KyuJong, get him inside," he said quietly.
KyuJong nodded, forcing himself to calm down. "Saeng," he whispered, pulling him back and cupping his boyfriend's cheek, tilting his head to get YoungSaeng to look at him. "Saeng, look at me. You're safe." He kept his arms firmly around the younger boy, drawing him back towards the house.
YoungSaeng could tell that something wasn't right, but his anger and distress were slowing his thought process as KyuJong gently directed him inside. The others hovered nearby, but he didn't notice.
All he managed to realize was that the noise he usually heard was so much louder and it was echoing in his head. Suddenly and without warning, he felt a dark feeling wash over him, still far too worked-up to realize what was going on.
Leaving YoungSaeng's parents for his own to deal with, KyuJong drew YoungSaeng to the living room couch, pulling him down and holding him close. The voices still hadn't stopped, and it worried him.
"YoungSaeng, listen to me," he murmured, making YoungSaeng look at him and cupping his face, caressing his cheeks. "I want you to take deep breathes, okay? Don't look anywhere but me." He brushed a hand through YoungSaeng's soft hair. "You're still here, Saeng, you're safe. It's over. You're fine."
Turning wide eyes to KyuJong, YoungSaeng found himself slowly matching his breathing to KyuJong's. It took a while but eventually, the haunting static slowly began to fade, as did the black in his eyes.
"K-Kyu...?" he asked quietly before the strain got to be too much. His eyes slowly fell closed as he began to fall to the side, body going limp.
"Saeng!" KyuJong caught YoungSaeng before he could fall over, shifting close enough to take the younger boy into his arms. Looking up at their friends watching with worry, he swallowed and held YoungSaeng against his chest, running fingers through his hair and whispering soft reassurances even if YoungSaeng couldn't hear him anymore.
The small group watched on before HyunJoong spoke up first. "What just happened, Kyu? And what was that sound?" he asked.
KyuJong looked up at them, biting his lower lip. "That was...the white noise, I think. The voices of the dead. YoungSaeng was so angry...he must have accidentally made it audible to us too."
"Poor boy..." KyuJong's mother stood in the doorway, eyes sad, and her husband behind her. They'd overheard. "His parents are gone...though I'm not sure that's the last we'll see of them." She walked over to the couch and sat down beside KyuJong, watching YoungSaeng. "He looks exhausted...why don't you bring him up to your room to rest?" she smiled sadly. "If he's anything like you, then pulling off a feat like that will keep him unconscious for a few hours at least. I can make honey tea for when he wakes up."
KyuJong nodded mutely, holding YoungSaeng close.
"Here, let's get him upstairs." His father walked over to help bring YoungSaeng to KyuJong's room.
The others remained downstairs as KyuJong and his father carried YoungSaeng to KyuJong's room, not expecting to see him until his boyfriend woke up.
Nicole shifted in her seat. "That was scary...and he hears that all the time?" she murmured quietly, far more subdued than normal.
JungMin bit his lower lip, shuffling where he stood with his hands in his pockets. "It's worse around graveyards, I think...it's a good thing he didn't go with his parents back home. His dad is an asshole and doesn't deserve to be a father," he scowled, still riled up about that.
HyungJoon was beating his head with one fist, mentally yelling at himself for not saying anything sooner.
HyunJoong caught HyungJoon's hand to stop him. "It's not your fault. You're still learning," he told him before turning toward JungMin. "I think Kyu mentioned once that his family runs a cemetery. That has to be hard given his power..." He then looked at HaRa, who appeared to be as white as a sheet. "You okay, HaRa yah?" he asked.
"Was he really going to..." she began, fading out. She came from a completely loving and tight-knit family. The idea that a father could threaten physical harm like that blew her away.
"Some people are not accepting towards differences, I'm afraid...” KyuJong's mother had reappeared after disappearing into the kitchen, bearing a tray of honey tea. She set the tray down and sat down on the edge of the couch. "This will help," she smiled sadly.
"Well, it's not right and he should be arrested," the girl stated as she took the mug with a grateful smile. The others followed suite.
"He should be, but we don't have the power to do so," the older woman said, shaking her head. "We do what we can."
"Saeng's been really opening up lately...I just hope this doesn't set him back any," HyunJoong sighed.
JungMin shuffled around again, unable to stay still even as he sipped at the tea. It probably would, he knew. He knew YoungSaeng better than anyone, except maybe KyuJong. "Just have to keep trying," he mumbled.
***************************
YoungSaeng woke slowly, head ringing. Blinking, he slowly tilted his head to the side to see KyuJong there. Looking back at the ceiling, he sighed inaudibly.
He didn't want to move. The negativity of everything as well as his power's drastic side effect was weighing heavily on him, and all he wanted to do was disappear.
KyuJong opened his eyes again the instant he heard YoungSaeng's breathing change. Seeing his boyfriend was awake, he pushed himself up onto his elbows. He hadn't left YoungSaeng's side once.
"Hey," he whispered, brushing a hand gently against the other boy's cheek. "How are you feeling, Saeng?"
YoungSaeng's eyes moved to look at KyuJong before turning back to the ceiling a moment later. Closing them, he shrugged lightly and rolled onto his side, facing away from KyuJong.
The worry continued to build inside the time traveler at the response he received. "Saeng?" He ran his hand slowly along the other boy's arm, trying to draw a positive reaction from him. "Do you want to talk?" he murmured, watching his back.
All YoungSaeng could manage was a small shake of the head. The hand on his arm relaxed him slightly, but he just couldn't find the strength to react. He couldn't even find the energy to cry, and god, did he want to, if just to purge himself of the depression that was compounding.
Not sure what to do, KyuJong decided the best thing to do now would be to give YoungSaeng time. "I'm right here if you need me," he whispered, shifting closer while keeping some space between his chest and YoungSaeng's back so the other boy wouldn't feel crowded. He continued the soothing motion of his hand, falling silent.
At the reassuring words, YoungSaeng managed a tiny smile that lasted barely a second before he drifted off to sleep, mentally exhausted.
Listening to YoungSaeng's breathing ease out again, KyuJong smiled sadly. "I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, knowing he couldn't be heard. Closing his eyes and continuing to run his hand along YoungSaeng's arm, he settled in to wait.
Sleep didn't come easy, YoungSaeng waking with a start every half hour. Dreams of the past and voices that refuse to leave him alone. Finally, he simply laid there, body tense and eyes blank and dark.
KyuJong was there each time YoungSaeng awoke, holding him close. He wasn't leaving YoungSaeng for the world. When YoungSaeng didn't fall asleep again, he shifted slightly so he could prop himself up on one elbow and look down over the other boy, trying to meet his eyes. "Saeng, look at me?" he murmured, keeping his voice quiet and gentle as he brushed locks of hair out of his boyfriend's eyes.
Hearing the calming voice, YoungSaeng found himself obeying, turning slightly to meet KyuJong's eyes. He was somewhat thankful for the slightly dark room and his bangs, hoping that they covered his eyes even a little.
KyuJong smiled down at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek lightly. "I love you, you know that?" he murmured, meeting his boyfriend's eyes and caressing his cheek gently.
"...I know," YoungSaeng whispered, voice as quiet as it had been when they first met.
"So I'm not going anywhere...you know that too, right?" KyuJong kissed the corner of his mouth. "I love you, and I'm going to be right beside you each step of the way...please don't be afraid to let me help."
YoungSaeng allowed a ghost of a smile and another quiet sentiment, plus a silent 'I love you, too' before he returned to his previous position.
Watching him, KyuJong smiled sadly and slowly laid back down behind him, resting his forehead lightly against YoungSaeng's back. After a minute of silence he started to hum quietly, one of the songs YoungSaeng sang regularly.
The quiet humming was soothing, helping some of the tension ease from his body. He felt his eyes water slightly, though knew that it would not be enough to make him cry.
"Thank you, KyuJong ah..." he whispered, not sure if the other actually heard or not.
Smiling faintly, KyuJong lifted his head a little to place a loving kiss against the nape of YoungSaeng's neck, continuing to hum softly as he shifted a little closer, his chest brushing against YoungSaeng's back.
************************
HyunJoong, growing too restless to stay still, had gotten up and began moving around a bit while everyone spoke to calm their nerves. Every so often, his eyes would turn toward the staircase before he'd sigh and start walking again.
JungMin wasn't much better, his gaze trained on the staircase, hardly paying attention to the conversation anymore. KyuJong's mother was still there, and his father was around, wandering in and out of the room to check on them. EunAh was upstairs, supposedly keeping an eye on the two in KyuJong's room.
Talking quietly with HaRa and Nicole, the older woman smiled to see the concern from the two fidgeting. "So...I'm curious to know how you all became friends with my son and son-in-law."
"KyuJong oppa is in our acting group at school," HaRa answered first. "He's really good, too. One day during rehearsal, he heard a yell and ran out of the room. We followed and saw someone trying to...ummm..." She faded out, and Nicole took over.
"Someone was, uh...well, KyuJong stopped this guy from messing with YoungSaeng and we recorded what happened and got the guy expelled and then we became friends and yeah..." she rushed out.
With the way the girls were avoiding the topic, it wasn't very hard to figure out what they meant.
Nodding slowly, KyuJong's mother smiled sadly. "It was lucky you all were there then. Thank you for all you've done for both of them."
"Really," KyuJong's fathered said. He'd reappeared, leaning in the doorway. "It's great that they aren't the only ones who can do what they do."
"Eh?" JungMin blinked, looking away from the staircase finally.
"Your abilities," the older man specified.
HyunJoong faltered, tripping over JungMin's foot before catching himself. "O-our what, sir?" he stammered.
Looking, he saw the others cast uneasy looks at each other.
"You don't have to hide it, we're not going to kick you out or anything," the older man chuckled. "It was rather obvious with how suddenly you all crashed yesterday. KyuJong does the same when he overdoes it."
"And from your reactions to the voices earlier, it seems you're all aware of each other's own abilities," KyuJong's mother smiled. "It's nice, none of us were expecting KyuJong would even meet YoungSaeng, let alone all of you."
Blinking in shock, Nicole turned around and thwacked HyungJoon in the head, making the boy yell in surprise.
"What was that for?!"
"I'm tryingto kick start that damn power of yours. A bit of warning would have been nice!"
"I'm sorry if it doesn't work when it's told to!" HyungJoon whined, covering his head and trying to hide.
KyuJong's mother laughed softly. "Is that a common problem?" She smiled when JungMin nodded hard.
HaRa giggled. "He's never right...well okay, maybe he's right 1 time out of 10..."
"I was right when I said there were others like us nearby," HyungJoon huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and sulking.
"Yes, except that you said that six months ago..." Nicole replied. "We didn't know them then."
"Sorry if I can't say it the day of...” HyungJoon sank further into his seat.
KyuJong's mother laughed before standing. "I should make dinner. Maybe the other two will be awake by the time it's ready." She excused herself and walked into the kitchen.
Nicole and HaRa jumped to their feet "Can we help?" Nicole asked. "HyungJoon too since he should work for the amount of food he eats."
"But I suck at cooking," HyungJoon whined as he was pulled to his feet as well.
"Well now you can learn," HaRa stated as they dragged him into the kitchen.
JungMin watched as they went into the kitchen after KyuJong's mother, shuffling in place and glancing at HyunJoong, then the staircase.
HyunJoong looked over at JungMin. "Why don't we go up and see if they need anything?" he suggested.
Nodding, JungMin walked over to the stairs. He headed up the steps, worried about YoungSaeng. What kind of condition was he in?
He stopped outside the closed door to KyuJong's room, lifting a hand to open the door and stopping, not sure.
HyunJoong followed and watched as JungMin hesitated at the door. Placing a hand on his shoulder and knocked twice before carefully opening the door.
KyuJong looked up at them as the door was opened. He placed one finger to his lips; YoungSaeng was asleep again.
JungMin stepped in hesitantly, leaning over to see YoungSaeng's face. "How is he?" he whispered.
The time traveler shook his head, not leaving his position beside his lover. "Barely responding," he said quietly, pain visible in his dark eyes.
HyunJoong closed the door and walked over as well. YoungSaeng was indeed asleep, but he could see that it was anything but peaceful. "I've never seen someone react so drastically..." he murmured.
"Well, not many people have to go through all that at once either," JungMin shook his head. KyuJong was silent, running his hand soothingly over YoungSaeng back.
"True enough," HyunJoong relented. "How about you? How are you coping?" Stupid question, but even the slight distraction might help.
KyuJong just shook his head. "I'm worried about him," he said quietly. He wanted to be able to protect YoungSaeng, but he didn't know what to do, and it twisted his heart into pieces to see the boy he loved so broken. He was just so powerless at times he wished he were anything but.
Watching the two, a lump began to form in HyunJoong's throat. There seemed to be something more to this, especially given the dark aura surrounding YoungSaeng's sleeping form. "He has you, Kyu. He'll be okay."
Nodding slightly, KyuJong felt burning in the back of his eyes but held the tears back. He had to be strong for YoungSaeng. "I'll let you guys know if there's any change, but until he's able to move we won't be going anywhere," he said quietly.
JungMin nodded, biting on his lower lip. He wanted to help, but there was nothing he could do...nothing any of them could do right now.
HyunJoong placed a hand on KyuJong's shoulder and smiled a small yet hopefully reassuring smile. "Your mom's making food now. Oh, and your parents figured out that we all have powers and Nicole started beating up Joonie again for not warning her," he explained, hoping to cheer up the somber young man even just a little.
The corners of KyuJong's lips quirked upwards slightly for a moment. "Joon should have seen that one coming," he murmured.
Watching KyuJong shift closer to YoungSaeng's back, JungMin nudged HyunJoong a little. "Maybe we should go," he said quietly.
Nodding at JungMin, HyunJoong took another look at his friends before following the redhead out. Once the door was closed behind them, he leaned against the wall and sighed, eyes closing.
If there was one thing that he hated more than anything, it was the feeling of uselessness. "He'll be okay," he murmured, not sure who it was he was trying to convince: JungMin, or himself.
JungMin nodded, determined to think the best. "Of course he will be. He's got KyuJong, and us. We'll get him back into proper shape," he said, arms folded over his chest.
If they didn't...they were at risk of losing not just YoungSaeng, but KyuJong as well. The time traveler was too emotionally invested in his lover to be able to handle that kind of blow.
HyunJoong was silent as he took in JungMin's words. "Min, can I ask you something?" He paused to think before continuing. "Is something going on that I don't know about? I mean, yeah, that was a lot to deal with, but this reaction is so extreme..."
Shuffling a little in place, JungMin argued with himself whether or not he should tell HyunJoong. After a minute he gave in and took HyunJoong's sleeve, pulling him down the hallway towards the guest room. There was no way he was saying something right outside KyuJong's room with the time traveler able to hear.
Once they were inside the room and he'd closed the door, the redhead leaned back against the closed door. "There's another effect to YoungSaeng's powers," he blurted out, unable to keep quiet anymore.
"I think that's what's happening, and I think KyuJong knows it too. YoungSaeng said it in nicer terms, but the bottom line is that if he uses his powers too much he...he starts to become suicidal."
HyunJoong started as he was suddenly pulled into the guest room. Sitting down as JungMin shut the door, he waited for the redhead to speak, not rushing him.
The answer, however, was something he had not expected in the least. Suicidal...
Running a hand through his hair, HyunJoong chuckled humorlessly. "He just can't catch a break, can he?" he murmured. "At least he has us and Kyu, and Kyu's family it seems..."
JungMin nodded, looking exceedingly frustrated. "Things were looking so well too...he was never like this in the hospital. Whatever KyuJong did to get him out of his shell, it better work now..." He hit the back of his head against the door, annoyed at not being able to do anything when he was YoungSaeng's friend.
Getting to his feet, HyunJoong walked over to JungMin and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders, meeting his eyes. "He'll be okay, JungMin. He has all of us here to get him back, and if anyone can do it, we can," he stated, leaving no room for argument, though his eyes were soft, showing that he was just as worried.
"You don't understand," JungMin shook his head, shuffling around in place, unable to stay still. "If he's too far gone, it won't matter we're here. We'll be invisible to him."
He pushed away from the door and away from HyunJoong, pacing around the room. "Once that kind of feeling takes over, really takes over, it isn't as easy to get rid of as that. If that fiasco pushed YoungSaeng too far, not even KyuJong will be able to get him back!" He was getting himself worked up, sparks following his footsteps.
Watching JungMin pace and panic, HyunJoong sighed loudly before gently pushing JungMin against the door and trapping him there. "JungMin, it will be okay. We're all damn stubborn, and if I know KyuJong, he'd pull Saeng back from death's door," he stated, voice leaving little room for argument.
"I know you're worried, Min. So am I, but we can't help if we're panicking." Pausing, he backed away. "Did he tell you all of that or is it from personal experience, if I can ask?"
Startled when he was pushed against the door, JungMin shut up long enough to listen, biting on his lower lip as he looked at HyunJoong. He was right...JungMin just hated feeling like he couldn't do anything, especially when YoungSaeng was going through something like this. "Sorry," he mumbled as HyunJoong backed up, trying to calm himself down.
That attempt died at the question, and JungMin blinked at him once before looking away, mumbling something inaudible as he leaned against the door.
"You have no reason to apologize, Min. We're all worried," HyunJoong replied. Not understanding what he murmured, he backed away a bit more to give JungMin space. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," he assured the redhead.
Looking down at HyunJoong's feet, one of JungMin's gloved hands found the edge of his turtleneck, the cloth covering the horrible scar across his skin. "...Personal experience," he mumbled after a moment, hair in his eyes.
Nodding silently, HyunJoong smiled calmly at the redhead. "Maybe we should go downstairs and let the others know what's going on."
Nodding as well, JungMin dropped his hand and opened the door, slipping out. He'd told them when he'd met him that the reason why he'd been placed in the mental hospital was because he'd been falsely put on suicide watch after he shocked his necklace across the room by accident.
But that was only half of it. They didn't lock people away for a one-time thing.
Waiting for HyunJoong, JungMin put on a smile and walked back towards the stairs, heading down them to see how the cooking was going.
HyunJoong kept an eye on JungMin, noticing the decrease in mood. Biting his lip, he carefully took hold of the back of his shirt. "You have my number, JungMin. If you need anything just let me know..." he said quietly now that they were close enough to the others for someone to possibly overhear.
Looking back at him when he felt the tug of his shirt, JungMin nodded after a moment and smiled a little wider, stepping down onto the landing and padding over to the kitchen.
Things seemed to be going well...well, HyungJoon hadn't managed to chop his hand off yet. KyuJong's mother looked back at the two in the doorway. "How are they?" she asked quietly, having heard them go upstairs.
HyunJoong looked at JungMin before replying. "YoungSaeng was asleep, but Kyu's worried sick," he explained, not wanting to go into detail without KyuJong's permission. JungMin telling him was enough.
KyuJong's mother smiled sadly. "When he wakes up, we'll bring food and tea upstairs to them...a nice warm meal might help him feel better. Would you mind keeping an eye on them, dears?"
JungMin nodded, not trusting himself to say anything.
"We have all tomorrow free too before we need to go back to school," HaRa piped up. "Fresh air would be beneficial. We could go into the forest again, it's really nice there."
"And someone else can guide us around so we don't get lost again," Nicole joked, trying to lift the mood, grateful when HyungJoon started pouting like a child.
"Not me then," JungMin spoke finally, wrinkling his nose.
"Even I'm better than him," HyungJoon declared, pointing at the redhead. "He'd get us lost on purpose."
"Of course," JungMin replied matter-of-factly, a hint of a smirk appearing after a moment.
"How about we let Kyu do the leading?" HyunJoong chuckled. "It sounds like the most logical thing to me since he, I don't know, lives here?"
"Except that KyuJong oppa would get lost going to the washroom if there weren't signs every ten steps," HaRa pointed out.
"Oh no, you don't want Kyu oppa leading," EunAh spoke up, passing by. "He ended up on the other side of town last time."
HyunJoong sighed loudly and dramatically. "Why do I associate with you directionally-challenged people?" He paused and looked a bit hopeful. "Maybe this'll pull Saeng out of his shell if he doesn't want to have to live in the forest forever."
JungMin snorted a little. "That's one way to do it, I guess..."
"Why don't you lead if we're so directionally-challenged?" HaRa asked HyunJoong with a smile. "At least HyungJoon gets one vision in ten right..."
"I can do that," HyunJoong stated with confidence.
"At least he's confident while he leads us into a pit," HyungJoon grinned. JungMin started snickering behind HyunJoong.
"Coming from the guy who almost DID lead us into a pit..." Nicole called out.
"That was one time and I said I was sorry!"
"Just let him walk way in front," JungMin suggested, grinning. "If he disappears, you know to find a different path."
At HyungJoon's loud protest, everyone began laughing. Leave it to the redhead to say exactly what needed to be said.