Unlock - Chapter Thirty-Four
Title: Unlock
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 34/?
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
Taking a few more bites, YoungSaeng sighed happily and pushed the plate away. "I doubt I'll ever eat again...so full~" he stated, smiling at KyuJong's mother.
"Glad you approve, sweetie," she smiled at him. KyuJong smiled brighter and squeezed YoungSaeng's hand under the table. He finished his own plate a minute later, leaning back in his chair and placing his chopsticks down. The only one who hadn't shown any signs of slowing was HyungJoon. JungMin pushed his plate away as well, fiddling with the metal chopsticks.
"Does he have an off switch?" YoungSaeng asked as he watched HyungJoon eat as if he were starving.
"When there's no more food on the table," HaRa smiled. "Or when he explodes, whichever happens first."
"Okay you, enough." Nicole pulled HyungJoon's plate away when he tried for another helping.
"I say we pick a movie now," HyunJoong grinned before turning toward EunAh. Speaking of making it obvious... "Want to watch a movie with us, EunAh yah?" he asked.
"It's horror, though," YoungSaeng made sure to stress.
EunAh blinked at HyunJoong. "Um...” She glanced at HyungJoon out of the corner of her eyes before nodding. "Okay, sounds like fun," she smiled.
KyuJong tried not to be as amused as he was. EunAh was scared silly by horror. "I guess we should go see which movies I have then." He stood up, starting to help his mother gather the dishes to bring into the kitchen.
They headed into the living room and all took seats waiting for KyuJong to return. YoungSaeng curled up on the loveseat while the girls all huddled on the couch, HyungJoon in front of them on the floor.
HyunJoong took up one of the large chairs, thankful for the blanket draped over the back. He still couldn't figure out why he was so cold still, but he shrugged it off, figuring it was just from him constantly in and out of the cold.
Once everything was in the kitchen, KyuJong headed upstairs and into his room. It took his a while to locate the small stack of horror movies he hadn't brought with him to school, gathering them up and bringing them back downstairs.
"Anything catching your eyes?" he asked, placing them down on the coffee table and spreading them out for them all to see. JungMin, sitting on the floor next to HyunJoong, leaned over curiously.
Leaning over JungMin's shoulder, HyunJoong spotted a good one. "How bout this one?" he asked, pointing toward Kairo. "I heard that it was freaky as hell," he suggested.
"I've wanted to see that one, actually. One of the kids in my Japanese class recommended it," YoungSaeng agreed.
KyuJong smiled. "Sounds good to me." He looked over at EunAh, who was huddled on the couch in between HaRa and Nicole, before taking the DVD out and popping it into the player. Once it was set up, he grabbed the remote and turned off the lights before joining YoungSaeng on the loveseat, kissing his boyfriend's cheek and wrapping both arms around his waist.
As the movie played, YoungSaeng found himself completely into it, intrigued by the very idea of the movie, as well as loving the feel of KyuJong's secure hold.
The girls were obviously doing their very best not to scream whenever something sudden happened, curled up together on the couch. JungMin seemed okay for the most part, watching with wide eyes, but every now and then he'd jump and bump against HyunJoong's chair.
HyungJoon was a lost cause.
While most of HyunJoong's attention was on the movie, he couldn't help but laugh whenever JungMin would jump. "You good there, Min?" he asked, leaning over so he didn't disturb the others.
"Mhm." JungMin nodded quickly, practically glued to the chair's side as he watched. "All good." He kept on flinching back, not as bad as HyungJoon, but he obviously didn't do too well with the suspense.
Thinking, HyunJoong nudged JungMin lightly and shifted over, the chair being plenty big to comfortably fit two. "Want up?" he asked.
Looking up at him and blinking, JungMin was about to say that he probably shouldn't (how scared did he need to be to shock the daylights of out HyunJoong?), but then something else popped up on the screen and he scrambled up into the chair next to HyunJoong, knees drawn to his chest.
HyunJoong laughed quietly as JungMin jumped up into the chair and curled up. He had to admit that it was a pretty jump-inducing movie, so he couldn't fault the redhead in the least.
Seeing the movement out of the corner of his eyes, KyuJong blinked at the two before smiling and cuddling YoungSaeng closer.
By the end of the movie, HyungJoon had somehow transferred himself onto the couch with the girls even though there really wasn't enough room for four people, and JungMin was holding on to HyunJoong's sleeve as much as he dared to. As the ending credits rolled around, KyuJong looked at the others with amusement before tilting his head to brush his lips against YoungSaeng's ear, whispering to take a look.
Hearing the quiet whisper - and shivering at the light caress - YoungSaeng looked over, smiling at seeing JungMin and HyunJoong, yet laughing as he saw HyungJoon hiding behind the three girls who were all but cowering beneath a large pillow fort that they had somehow built.
As the others slowly recovered, KyuJong disentangled himself from YoungSaeng so that he could get up and take the disc out of the player. "How was that?" he asked, looking at the others with an amused smile.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep for weeks," Nicole laughed nervously. EunAh was watched HyungJoon, the red in her face obvious even in the dark.
"I loved it,” YoungSaeng stated, earning a nod of agreement from HyunJoong.
"I am never leaving this couch for as long as I live," HyungJoon stated, voice muffled against the couch cushion.
"I'm not so sure if that's a good idea," KyuJong mused. "It gets kinda creepy down here at night, everything creaks, and sometimes we find things fallen over in the morning..."
HyungJoon scrambled off the couch and ran upstairs like the devil himself was on his tail. JungMin started laughing his head off, finally letting go of HyunJoong's sleeve somewhat reluctantly.
YoungSaeng shot KyuJong an extremely amused look rather than the stern one he was trying for. "You're so mean, Kyu yah..." he stated, snicker slipping out.
KyuJong chuckled. "Mhm...That’s why you're laughing too." He looked at the time. "We should probably head to bed, we have to be up early for the bus tomorrow..."
The girls climbed to their feet, still clinging to each other.
"Well I never said it wasn't funny..." YoungSaeng replied with a smile as he watched the three girls practically run upstairs. "Am I the only one not affected by that?"
It could have been the fact that he already saw the dead that made him immune to the movie.
"I was fine," KyuJong chuckled. It had helped that since he owned the movie, he'd seen it before. Seeing JungMin open his mouth, the time traveler eyed him with amusement. "Before you say it, being attached to HyunJoong's hip is not 'unaffected'." The redhead blinked at him with his mouth open before turning pink and closing it.
Smiling at JungMin, HyunJoong shrugged. "I loved it," he replied before suddenly sneezing. Running his finger under his nose, he smiled sheepishly. "Bless me? My hair tickled my nose, I think..."
Blinking at him, KyuJong chuckled. "Time for bed, I think."
JungMin nodded. "See you both in the morning. Come on Hyun, before Joonie starts screaming at shadows." He bounced to the stairs, taking them two at a time.
HyunJoong watched JungMin go with a sigh. "Way too much energy," he said before following him upstairs with a final goodnight to KyuJong and YoungSaeng.
Watching HyunJoong's feet disappear at the top of the stairs, KyuJong circled his arms around YoungSaeng's waist and pulled him close. "Bed for us too?" he murmured, kissing the corner of his mouth lightly.
Smiling, YoungSaeng curled his arms around the time traveler's neck. "I suppose so, but I'm not very tired," he told him with a pout. "I do want to go back upstairs, though. I love your room."
"We can do that then," KyuJong chuckled, kissing the adorable pout. Picking up the stack of DVDs with one hand, and keeping the other around YoungSaeng's waist, he steered them towards the stairs. "Had fun?"
"I really did," YoungSaeng answered. He felt a lot better, and it was all thanks to his friends, but KyuJong especially.
KyuJong smiled happily, glad that YoungSaeng was recovering. Reaching his room, he drew YoungSaeng inside before closing the door behind them. He put the movies down before turning to his boyfriend, kissing him lightly. "Anything you want to do?"
"Just be with you," YoungSaeng murmured smiling before returning the kiss.
Smiling, KyuJong closed his eyes as he leaned into the kiss. "Sounds good to me," he whispered, bringing YoungSaeng back to the bed. Sitting down, he brought his boyfriend down into his lap, holding him close. He would never grow tired of holding him like this.
Feeling himself pulled down into KyuJong's lap, YoungSaeng sighed into the kiss, loving every second he got to spend with the older boy.
For a long time KyuJong just held YoungSaeng like that, kissing him softly and running his hand over the other boy's back and through his soft hair. He was exhausted (getting less than two hours sleep the night before made sure of that), but he wouldn't give up this time for the world.
YoungSaeng melted into KyuJong, loving how even the barest brush of lips set his body on fire. As much as he didn't want to stop-and god, he didn't want to stop-he pulled away slightly, breath ghosting over KyuJong's lips. "We should sleep," he murmured quietly. "Neither of us got very much last night."
Muffling a protest when YoungSaeng pulled back a little, KyuJong half-opened his eyes, looking at his boyfriend. "Probably," he murmured somewhat reluctantly; he had been enjoying himself. "I thought you said you weren't tired?" He caressed YoungSaeng's cheek lightly with one hand, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"That doesn't mean that I can't sleep," YoungSaeng replied, yet couldn't quite bring himself to move, far too comfortable and completely content for the first time in a bit over twenty four hours.
KyuJong smiled, kissing YoungSaeng's lips and down to his jaw, placing light butterfly kisses against his skin. "We should probably get changed then...or at least get our jeans and shirts off."
Smiling, YoungSaeng's eyes fluttered at the caresses. "Sounds good to me, though I can't promise that I'll sleep right away with so much contact," he replied, leaning in to kiss him once again.
Returning the kiss, KyuJong smiled against the other boy's lips as his fingers slipped under the edge of YoungSaeng's shirt, brushing skin lightly as he shifted the material up. "You don't want the contact then?"
Pulling back slightly, YoungSaeng smiled at KyuJong, allowing KyuJong to remove his shirt. "I never said that, now did I?"
"Just making sure." KyuJong returned the smile as he eased the shirt off YoungSaeng's body, over his head and placing it to one side. "One down." He kissed YoungSaeng's lips lightly, hands settling against YoungSaeng's waist and fingers caressing the soft skin.
Chuckling quietly, YoungSaeng allowed his own hands to slide beneath KyuJong's shirt, fingers brushing as he pushed the shirt up. "One to go," YoungSaeng finished.
KyuJong inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering. "Your hands are warm," he murmured, enjoying the light contact as he shifted so that YoungSaeng could pull his shirt off all the way.
Depositing KyuJong's shirt with his own, YoungSaeng brought their lips together, gasping slightly as bare skin met bare skin. Needing more of that feeling, YoungSaeng managed to press closer, if it were at all possible.
Groaning quietly into the kiss, KyuJong deepened it, hands sliding up to press lightly against YoungSaeng's back, fingers running along his spine. His boyfriend's name was lost inside the kiss.
Feeling KyuJong deepen the kiss, YoungSaeng parted his lips, making it easier for the elder to do as he wished. The fingers running over his spine send his own into action, one arm curling around KyuJong's neck and the other hand running over his side.
Shivering at the brush of bare skin, KyuJong forgot about how tired he was in favor of delving into the other boy's mouth, teasing his tongue with his own. Unable to get enough, KyuJong slowly shifted them both further up the bed, keeping YoungSaeng in his lap.
Crawling forward as KyuJong shifted back, YoungSaeng found himself fighting back slightly, purr echoing. Pulling away to catch his breath, he smiled before placing a hand on KyuJong's chest and gently guiding him onto his back, YoungSaeng stretching out on top of him and returning to the kiss.
A little surprised, KyuJong felt his smile widen as he did as YoungSaeng directed, moaning quietly into the kiss as YoungSaeng returned. His hands splayed across YoungSaeng's back as he arched up against the other boy, wanting to feel more, always more. "Saeng," he breathed into the kiss, nipping lightly on his boyfriend's lips.
YoungSaeng felt a shiver down his spine at both the sound of his name on KyuJong's tongue as well as the hand pressing him closer. Knowing that he was the reason KyuJong was enjoying himself helped his confidence a bit.
Finally breaking the kiss to breathe again, KyuJong rested his head against YoungSaeng's and felt their breath mingle. "Why are you so addicting?" he whispered, not wanting to ever stop.
"I've been wondering the same thing about you, Kyu yah," YoungSaeng murmured, letting his hand rest on his lover's waist.
Smiling at the hand against his waist, KyuJong ran his hand slowly along YoungSaeng's back. "At this rate we're never going to sleep...and I can't say I mind." The only thing keeping him from flipping them over and going further, along with not wanting to scare YoungSaeng, was that it would be a little strange to do so with his parents a few rooms over.
"We should sleep, but I don't want to stop," YoungSaeng admitted quietly, blushing slightly at the admission.
"Neither do I," KyuJong whispered back, smiling and kissing his lips lightly. Bringing one hand up, he twined his fingers lightly in YoungSaeng's soft locks of hair, playing with the strands. "What do you think we should do, Saeng?"
Looking KyuJong in the eyes, YoungSaeng finally smiled a small yet completely open smile. "Don't stop."
Meeting the other boy's eyes, KyuJong's gaze softened as he framed YoungSaeng's face lightly. "Then we won't," he murmured, leaning up to catch his boyfriend's lips again in a sweet kiss. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," YoungSaeng whispered against KyuJong's lips.
Smiling, KyuJong deepened the kiss again, enjoying the taste of the younger boy. Running his hands along YoungSaeng's torso, his fingers brushed against the edge of his jeans before hooking into the belt loops, holding YoungSaeng steady as he gently rolled them over and laid his boyfriend against the mattress.
Gasping at the sudden change in position, YoungSaeng looked into KyuJong's eyes and smiled, bringing his hands to rest on KyuJong's hips.
Kissing the other boy's lips, KyuJong's hands explored the expanse of YoungSaeng's chest, lingering against sensitive areas and brushing lightly. One hand held him up while the other trailed down, dipping into YoungSaeng's belly button before toying with the button of his jeans.
YoungSaeng could do little more than moan out his lover's name as KyuJong lightly brushed and caressed the sensitive areas of his body that only he was aware of, his own hands running up and down his sides before settling at the waist of KyuJong's pants, gliding teasingly over the skin there.
KyuJong drew in a breath at the brush of warm fingers against his waist, eyes darkening slightly as his lips trailed away from YoungSaeng's to brush along his neck. Deciding they'd both had enough of teasing, his fingers popped open the button of YoungSaeng's jeans and undid the zipper, easing the material down YoungSaeng's legs as he mouthed at the other boy's collarbone.
Dropping his head to the side to accommodate KyuJong's ministrations, YoungSaeng slid his fingers around, brushing the skin at his waist, before blindly undoing the boy's pants, sliding them off slowly to join his own on the floor. Feeling the bare flesh against his own sent a familiar chill down his spine as it did whenever the two were together in any sense of the word.
Once both their jeans were off, KyuJong let his hand run along one of the other boy's legs, fingers brushing the bottom of his boxers. As always he was gentle with his younger boyfriend, moving at a pace that gave YoungSaeng time to adjust if he needed it, and time to stop KyuJong should he want to. The contact made his breath quicken, as his mouth eventually returned to YoungSaeng's. "Ready?" he whispered.
Breath quickening as KyuJong's fingers traced along his thighs just beneath his boxers, YoungSaeng let his eyes slide closed, just feeling everything he could. He would forever appreciate the absolute gentleness that KyuJong never failed to show him, whether it was in bed or otherwise.
Hearing the quiet question, YoungSaeng's eyes opened slightly as he slowly nodded his head, smile slipping on to his face before closing the slight distance between them.
****************************************
Given all the running around in the forest, JungMin had thought he'd fall asleep right away. The energy that was always so impossible to contain was at a manageable level, but to his frustration, he was still unable to fall asleep.
Tossing and turning, he finally opened his eyes and brushed his hair out of his face, wrinkling his nose in frustration. This wasn't doing anything...he could feel the electricity slowly coming back, and if he wasn't asleep before it reached its usual level, he wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
Wondering why he couldn't sleep, JungMin sat up and glanced to the other side of the room. HyunJoong and HyungJoon were fast asleep in the other bed, HyungJoon snoring as usual. HyunJoong had agreed with him this morning when he said they shouldn't sleep in the same bed. JungMin wondered if HyunJoong knew just how close he'd been to being accidentally killed...or at the very least electrocuted.
JungMin watched HyunJoong's face for a moment in the dark, the urge to wake him up and demand he join him on this side of the room strong. But even stronger was the knowledge that he couldn't do so.
Frustration building under his skin, JungMin finally pushed the blankets off and got to his feet, not bothering to do anything other than make sure he had both gloves before leaving the room. Padding across the hallway quietly, he went downstairs and pushed his feet into his shoes, pulling on his coat and slipping out the back door. Maybe some fresh air would help. He just couldn't stay in that room anymore.
YoungSaeng was awoken by quiet shuffling in the hallway. Looking over at KyuJong, still fast asleep from the combination of lack of it as well as earlier's exertion, YoungSaeng brushed his lips against KyuJong's cheek before slipping out of bed and into the closest set of clothes, which happened to be a pair of KyuJong's pajamas. Thankful for the drawstring on the pants, he tightened them and padded over to the door, opening it a crack. Seeing the flash of red hair before the person disappeared down the stairs, YoungSaeng took one last look at KyuJong before silently following.
Slipping into his shoes and jacket, YoungSaeng opened the back door and walked outside, caught off guard by the nighttime chill of the air. Looking around, his eyes fell on JungMin.
"You should be in bed," YoungSaeng pointed out once he reached him.
Leaning against the porch railing, JungMin blinked and looked behind him when the door opened. Surprised to see YoungSaeng, he turned around and rested his back against the wood instead. "Couldn't sleep," he shrugged, breath fogging up slightly in the cold air. It was refreshing in a way.
Shaking his head slightly to one side to get his hair out of his eyes, the younger boy took a closer look at his friend, noticing how baggy his pajama pants are. "...Are those your clothes?" he raised an eyebrow.
Blushing slightly - though it could have been the cold - YoungSaeng shook his head. "Kyu's. They were closest," he explained before tilting his head to look at JungMin. "Why can't you sleep? I would have thought you'd have exhausted yourself with the amount of running around you did."
The eyebrow raised further at the explanation, JungMin smirking slightly at the other boy; he could guess what had been going on. The expression wavered slightly at the question though. "Takes more effort some days than others. I'll probably be out here a little longer until I can get rid of more energy."
Listening to his answer, YoungSaeng nodded his head. "Well, Kyu's going to be out for a while and I'm not very tired. How about some company?" YoungSaeng offered, smiling sweetly. He could tell that something was bothering the redhead and he wanted to help as much as he could.
JungMin eyed the other boy. "Are you sure you shouldn't be resting after all the activity?" he teased, before turning and hopping off the porch, stretching out his arms. Maybe he could discharge some electricity into the ground. If he exhausted himself enough, he would have no choice but to sleep.
"I slept, don't worry about it, and I'll be fine as long as you don't make me move around too fast," YoungSaeng shot back with a smile as he took a seat on the porch.
"Fine fine," JungMin chuckled. Looking around, he saw the line of grass started a bit from the edge of the porch, leaving bare earth. "Let's see if this works...” Crouching down, he pulled off one glove, looking at the sparks that had already started to appear around his fingertips before pressing the bare hand into the cold earth.
YoungSaeng watched on in awe as JungMin slipped his glove off and pressed his hand to the ground, allowing the electricity running around his hand to slip into the ground. "Do you have to do things like that often?" he asked quietly.
"Fairly often, yeah. Things could get rather ugly otherwise. It'll be back by the time I wake up." JungMin watched the electricity slowly leave his body to be taken in by the earth, more equipped to handle such things than he was. Technically he wasn't supposed to be doing this, as removing too much of the energy wasn't healthy, but he was just so frustrated with it all he wouldn't mind being knocked out for a few hours until his body recharged like it always did.
YoungSaeng nodded, watching on as JungMin grew less tense and more relaxed. "Careful, or you might fall asleep right here, and I won't be able to get you upstairs." It was interesting to watch how others dealt with their abilities, such as JungMin's overflow of energy.
JungMin's lips quirked upwards. "Yeah yeah, I'll be careful." He sat down on the ground, keeping his hand flat against the earth. JungMin didn't want to move away until he was sure he was going to crash the instant he got back upstairs...he wasn't going to spend the entire night watching HyunJoong sleep.
"Hey Min, is everything okay?" YoungSaeng asked, pulling his legs toward his chest and wrapping his arms around them, chin resting on his knees.
"Hm?" JungMin bit the inside of his cheek lightly, not sure what to say to that. "Yeah, everything's great, why?"
"...” Not sure if JungMin would get mad for him nosing into things, YoungSaeng tried again. "I don't know, but there just seems to be something on your mind. You don't have to tell me or anything, but know that you can tell me anything if you need to."
Shifting a little uncomfortably, JungMin looked down at his hand against the ground. What was he supposed to say? He may be dense, but even he had figured out by now why he enjoyed being around HyunJoong so much, but it was doing nothing other than hurting. "...Promise not to tell anyone?" he asked quietly.
YoungSaeng blinked before nodding his head. "Of course I do, Min. Not even Kyu if that's what you want," he answered. "What is it?"
It was a lot harder to say it than it was to think it. Chewing on his lower lip, JungMin tapped his fingers against the earth, the digits starting to become numb from the cold as the electricity affected his body heat less and less. "It's that...I...” He bit on his lips, squirming a little as he kept looking elsewhere than YoungSaeng.
"I think I like HyunJoong," he blurted out finally, the same color as his hair.
YoungSaeng nodded his head at the confession. "I thought as much. Have you said anything to him about it?" he asked, watching his friend closely.
JungMin blinked at the older boy at that. "No. Why would I?" he asked.
"Well, why wouldn't you? From what I've seen, he feels the same," YoungSaeng pointed out, confused.
Staring at YoungSaeng, JungMin swallowed and squashed the hopeful feeling in his chest. "Even if he does, it's not a good thing that I like him," he said, drawing his legs up to his chest and drawing shapes in the earth.
"Why not?" YoungSaeng asked, moving to sit beside the redhead. "He's a really good guy in my opinion and you guys get along well."
"It's not that." JungMin glanced at YoungSaeng out of the corner of his eyes. "It's...not fair to him. He should like someone else."
"Someone else? How come?" YoungSaeng pressed gently. He didn't want to push at JungMin to say something he didn't want to, but he also wanted to help his friend.
JungMin shook his head slowly, resting his chin against his knees. "I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend to have." He looked down at the hand still pressed against the ground.
YoungSaeng was silent as he thought about what JungMin was saying. It had to be hard to like someone, yet be unable to physically show it for fear of hurting that person. "I think that if you practice, you'll be able to control the energy's flow, and given time, you'll be able to hold someone's hand or kiss someone," he told him after the silence.
"It's not my first time practicing, Saeng," JungMin said quietly. "I've been trying for years. It just isn't happening." He shut his eyes. "I could have killed him this morning. I was stupid and let him sleep in the same bed and he accidentally pulled my glove off."
"I think that you can do it this time, though. You have a goal now. While I know that control and the wish for contact are already goals, you now have something specific now. Use him as your goal," YoungSaeng suggested, picking up the one glove-covered hand.
"You didn't though. Don't think that you could have. Remember that you didn't."
Opening eyes that were slightly glassy, JungMin looked down at the hand holding his own, the pressure all he could feel through the gloves. "It's hard," he murmured, throat starting to close up on him. "The only reason I didn't was sheer luck." It could have been so easy for HyunJoong to grab his hand as well as his glove...
"I'm sick of this," JungMin whispered, voice choking slightly. "I want to go back to when it wasn't so bad, and I wasn't causing power outages left right and center, and I could actually touch people. I'd give anything to do something as silly as kiss you under the mistletoe again, even if KyuJong kills me for it, just because I can. Like this, I can't feel anything." Gloved fingers curled around YoungSaeng's. "Like this, it's like you're not even here."
"I wish I could give you a straight and definitive answer, if just to make you feel better, but I can't," YoungSaeng sighed. "All I can do is be here for you to talk to and help you practice. You'll gain control of it, Min ah. I don't know when, but you'll do all those things, though I suggest kissing someone else under the mistletoe."
JungMin's lips quirked slightly. "I suppose, yeah. It's just hard to think positively when it's over five years later and I'm still blowing up light bulbs on touch." He pulled his hand away from the ground finally, flexing his fingers slightly. A single spark curled around his palm, but it was better than before. Wiping at his eyes with his sleeve, JungMin picked up his glove and let go of YoungSaeng's hand to pull it back on.
He still had no intention of telling HyunJoong.
YoungSaeng watched his friend, wishing that he could do something to help. JungMin deserved to be happy just as much as anyone else.
"You'll do it, Minnie yah, and we'll all be here with you every step of the way."
The redhead had to smile at that, glad that even if things were not going as well as he had hoped, YoungSaeng was still there. "Thanks," he whispered. Tugging his glove down properly, he shivered a little, feeling the full cold for the first time since he didn't have as much electricity heating his body. "I think I'm okay to sleep now." From how dizzy he felt, he'd probably crash the instant he got back inside.
Getting to his feet, YoungSaeng offered a hand out to JungMin. "Come on, I'll help you up to your room," he offered with a small smile. "And there's nothing to thank me for. You've helped me for years. It's about time I be able to do the same for you."
"Talking your ears off is considered helping?" JungMin snorted, but smiled as he reached up, gloved hand taking YoungSaeng's as he got to his feet, wobbling slightly. "Woah. Okay, yeah, I'm definitely sleeping now."
"It was more the keeping me alive part, actually," YoungSaeng told him as he made sure that JungMin was stable.
JungMin looked at the older boy, smile a little lopsided as he messed up YoungSaeng's hair lightly. "Come on, let's go back in before boyfriend wakes up and freaks out cause you're missing." He stepped up onto the porch and opened the door, holding on to the wall as support.
YoungSaeng squeaked when JungMin mussed his hair. "Kyu's so out that he won't be waking up for a while. He didn't sleep at all when I was out of it," he explained, still feeling guilty about making his lover worry.
Humming in understanding, JungMin wasn't really surprised. "You've got a good one there." He lowered his voice as they stepped back into the house and he closed the door behind them, pulling off his jacket and shoes. "Though he does worry a bit too much."
"He does, but I worry just as much, and I have to love him for it," YoungSaeng said as he followed suit and slipped out of his shoes and jacket.
"You two are so sappy, you're meant for each other," JungMin shook his head in amusement, waiting for YoungSaeng to finish. He could feel himself starting to drift off, pinching his wrist lightly to keep awake.
"Shut up. Not my fault I've never felt this all before..." YoungSaeng pouted, staying close to JungMin in case he needed any help.
Chuckling at the pout, JungMin made his way to the stairs, trailing one hand along the wall. "It'll be a shame to go back to school...it really is nice here. Think we'll be able to come back?"
"We will. Kyu's mother is amazing. Of course she'll let us," YoungSaeng told him. "If I had the choice, I'd never leave here," he mused quietly, mirroring JungMin's action.
Nodding, JungMin grinned tiredly. "We'll be back then, so it's not the end of the world." Reaching the top of the stairs, he smiled at YoungSaeng. "See you in the morning...and thanks." He headed off to the guest room at the end of the hallway, disappearing inside.
Watching JungMin step inside and close the door, YoungSaeng smiled and entered KyuJong's room. Walking over to the bed, he slipped out of the shirt top and climbed in, snuggling against KyuJong. It wasn't long before he was fast asleep.
Authors: renichifreak and yeonah
Chapter: 34/?
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
Taking a few more bites, YoungSaeng sighed happily and pushed the plate away. "I doubt I'll ever eat again...so full~" he stated, smiling at KyuJong's mother.
"Glad you approve, sweetie," she smiled at him. KyuJong smiled brighter and squeezed YoungSaeng's hand under the table. He finished his own plate a minute later, leaning back in his chair and placing his chopsticks down. The only one who hadn't shown any signs of slowing was HyungJoon. JungMin pushed his plate away as well, fiddling with the metal chopsticks.
"Does he have an off switch?" YoungSaeng asked as he watched HyungJoon eat as if he were starving.
"When there's no more food on the table," HaRa smiled. "Or when he explodes, whichever happens first."
"Okay you, enough." Nicole pulled HyungJoon's plate away when he tried for another helping.
"I say we pick a movie now," HyunJoong grinned before turning toward EunAh. Speaking of making it obvious... "Want to watch a movie with us, EunAh yah?" he asked.
"It's horror, though," YoungSaeng made sure to stress.
EunAh blinked at HyunJoong. "Um...” She glanced at HyungJoon out of the corner of her eyes before nodding. "Okay, sounds like fun," she smiled.
KyuJong tried not to be as amused as he was. EunAh was scared silly by horror. "I guess we should go see which movies I have then." He stood up, starting to help his mother gather the dishes to bring into the kitchen.
They headed into the living room and all took seats waiting for KyuJong to return. YoungSaeng curled up on the loveseat while the girls all huddled on the couch, HyungJoon in front of them on the floor.
HyunJoong took up one of the large chairs, thankful for the blanket draped over the back. He still couldn't figure out why he was so cold still, but he shrugged it off, figuring it was just from him constantly in and out of the cold.
Once everything was in the kitchen, KyuJong headed upstairs and into his room. It took his a while to locate the small stack of horror movies he hadn't brought with him to school, gathering them up and bringing them back downstairs.
"Anything catching your eyes?" he asked, placing them down on the coffee table and spreading them out for them all to see. JungMin, sitting on the floor next to HyunJoong, leaned over curiously.
Leaning over JungMin's shoulder, HyunJoong spotted a good one. "How bout this one?" he asked, pointing toward Kairo. "I heard that it was freaky as hell," he suggested.
"I've wanted to see that one, actually. One of the kids in my Japanese class recommended it," YoungSaeng agreed.
KyuJong smiled. "Sounds good to me." He looked over at EunAh, who was huddled on the couch in between HaRa and Nicole, before taking the DVD out and popping it into the player. Once it was set up, he grabbed the remote and turned off the lights before joining YoungSaeng on the loveseat, kissing his boyfriend's cheek and wrapping both arms around his waist.
As the movie played, YoungSaeng found himself completely into it, intrigued by the very idea of the movie, as well as loving the feel of KyuJong's secure hold.
The girls were obviously doing their very best not to scream whenever something sudden happened, curled up together on the couch. JungMin seemed okay for the most part, watching with wide eyes, but every now and then he'd jump and bump against HyunJoong's chair.
HyungJoon was a lost cause.
While most of HyunJoong's attention was on the movie, he couldn't help but laugh whenever JungMin would jump. "You good there, Min?" he asked, leaning over so he didn't disturb the others.
"Mhm." JungMin nodded quickly, practically glued to the chair's side as he watched. "All good." He kept on flinching back, not as bad as HyungJoon, but he obviously didn't do too well with the suspense.
Thinking, HyunJoong nudged JungMin lightly and shifted over, the chair being plenty big to comfortably fit two. "Want up?" he asked.
Looking up at him and blinking, JungMin was about to say that he probably shouldn't (how scared did he need to be to shock the daylights of out HyunJoong?), but then something else popped up on the screen and he scrambled up into the chair next to HyunJoong, knees drawn to his chest.
HyunJoong laughed quietly as JungMin jumped up into the chair and curled up. He had to admit that it was a pretty jump-inducing movie, so he couldn't fault the redhead in the least.
Seeing the movement out of the corner of his eyes, KyuJong blinked at the two before smiling and cuddling YoungSaeng closer.
By the end of the movie, HyungJoon had somehow transferred himself onto the couch with the girls even though there really wasn't enough room for four people, and JungMin was holding on to HyunJoong's sleeve as much as he dared to. As the ending credits rolled around, KyuJong looked at the others with amusement before tilting his head to brush his lips against YoungSaeng's ear, whispering to take a look.
Hearing the quiet whisper - and shivering at the light caress - YoungSaeng looked over, smiling at seeing JungMin and HyunJoong, yet laughing as he saw HyungJoon hiding behind the three girls who were all but cowering beneath a large pillow fort that they had somehow built.
As the others slowly recovered, KyuJong disentangled himself from YoungSaeng so that he could get up and take the disc out of the player. "How was that?" he asked, looking at the others with an amused smile.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep for weeks," Nicole laughed nervously. EunAh was watched HyungJoon, the red in her face obvious even in the dark.
"I loved it,” YoungSaeng stated, earning a nod of agreement from HyunJoong.
"I am never leaving this couch for as long as I live," HyungJoon stated, voice muffled against the couch cushion.
"I'm not so sure if that's a good idea," KyuJong mused. "It gets kinda creepy down here at night, everything creaks, and sometimes we find things fallen over in the morning..."
HyungJoon scrambled off the couch and ran upstairs like the devil himself was on his tail. JungMin started laughing his head off, finally letting go of HyunJoong's sleeve somewhat reluctantly.
YoungSaeng shot KyuJong an extremely amused look rather than the stern one he was trying for. "You're so mean, Kyu yah..." he stated, snicker slipping out.
KyuJong chuckled. "Mhm...That’s why you're laughing too." He looked at the time. "We should probably head to bed, we have to be up early for the bus tomorrow..."
The girls climbed to their feet, still clinging to each other.
"Well I never said it wasn't funny..." YoungSaeng replied with a smile as he watched the three girls practically run upstairs. "Am I the only one not affected by that?"
It could have been the fact that he already saw the dead that made him immune to the movie.
"I was fine," KyuJong chuckled. It had helped that since he owned the movie, he'd seen it before. Seeing JungMin open his mouth, the time traveler eyed him with amusement. "Before you say it, being attached to HyunJoong's hip is not 'unaffected'." The redhead blinked at him with his mouth open before turning pink and closing it.
Smiling at JungMin, HyunJoong shrugged. "I loved it," he replied before suddenly sneezing. Running his finger under his nose, he smiled sheepishly. "Bless me? My hair tickled my nose, I think..."
Blinking at him, KyuJong chuckled. "Time for bed, I think."
JungMin nodded. "See you both in the morning. Come on Hyun, before Joonie starts screaming at shadows." He bounced to the stairs, taking them two at a time.
HyunJoong watched JungMin go with a sigh. "Way too much energy," he said before following him upstairs with a final goodnight to KyuJong and YoungSaeng.
Watching HyunJoong's feet disappear at the top of the stairs, KyuJong circled his arms around YoungSaeng's waist and pulled him close. "Bed for us too?" he murmured, kissing the corner of his mouth lightly.
Smiling, YoungSaeng curled his arms around the time traveler's neck. "I suppose so, but I'm not very tired," he told him with a pout. "I do want to go back upstairs, though. I love your room."
"We can do that then," KyuJong chuckled, kissing the adorable pout. Picking up the stack of DVDs with one hand, and keeping the other around YoungSaeng's waist, he steered them towards the stairs. "Had fun?"
"I really did," YoungSaeng answered. He felt a lot better, and it was all thanks to his friends, but KyuJong especially.
KyuJong smiled happily, glad that YoungSaeng was recovering. Reaching his room, he drew YoungSaeng inside before closing the door behind them. He put the movies down before turning to his boyfriend, kissing him lightly. "Anything you want to do?"
"Just be with you," YoungSaeng murmured smiling before returning the kiss.
Smiling, KyuJong closed his eyes as he leaned into the kiss. "Sounds good to me," he whispered, bringing YoungSaeng back to the bed. Sitting down, he brought his boyfriend down into his lap, holding him close. He would never grow tired of holding him like this.
Feeling himself pulled down into KyuJong's lap, YoungSaeng sighed into the kiss, loving every second he got to spend with the older boy.
For a long time KyuJong just held YoungSaeng like that, kissing him softly and running his hand over the other boy's back and through his soft hair. He was exhausted (getting less than two hours sleep the night before made sure of that), but he wouldn't give up this time for the world.
YoungSaeng melted into KyuJong, loving how even the barest brush of lips set his body on fire. As much as he didn't want to stop-and god, he didn't want to stop-he pulled away slightly, breath ghosting over KyuJong's lips. "We should sleep," he murmured quietly. "Neither of us got very much last night."
Muffling a protest when YoungSaeng pulled back a little, KyuJong half-opened his eyes, looking at his boyfriend. "Probably," he murmured somewhat reluctantly; he had been enjoying himself. "I thought you said you weren't tired?" He caressed YoungSaeng's cheek lightly with one hand, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"That doesn't mean that I can't sleep," YoungSaeng replied, yet couldn't quite bring himself to move, far too comfortable and completely content for the first time in a bit over twenty four hours.
KyuJong smiled, kissing YoungSaeng's lips and down to his jaw, placing light butterfly kisses against his skin. "We should probably get changed then...or at least get our jeans and shirts off."
Smiling, YoungSaeng's eyes fluttered at the caresses. "Sounds good to me, though I can't promise that I'll sleep right away with so much contact," he replied, leaning in to kiss him once again.
Returning the kiss, KyuJong smiled against the other boy's lips as his fingers slipped under the edge of YoungSaeng's shirt, brushing skin lightly as he shifted the material up. "You don't want the contact then?"
Pulling back slightly, YoungSaeng smiled at KyuJong, allowing KyuJong to remove his shirt. "I never said that, now did I?"
"Just making sure." KyuJong returned the smile as he eased the shirt off YoungSaeng's body, over his head and placing it to one side. "One down." He kissed YoungSaeng's lips lightly, hands settling against YoungSaeng's waist and fingers caressing the soft skin.
Chuckling quietly, YoungSaeng allowed his own hands to slide beneath KyuJong's shirt, fingers brushing as he pushed the shirt up. "One to go," YoungSaeng finished.
KyuJong inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering. "Your hands are warm," he murmured, enjoying the light contact as he shifted so that YoungSaeng could pull his shirt off all the way.
Depositing KyuJong's shirt with his own, YoungSaeng brought their lips together, gasping slightly as bare skin met bare skin. Needing more of that feeling, YoungSaeng managed to press closer, if it were at all possible.
Groaning quietly into the kiss, KyuJong deepened it, hands sliding up to press lightly against YoungSaeng's back, fingers running along his spine. His boyfriend's name was lost inside the kiss.
Feeling KyuJong deepen the kiss, YoungSaeng parted his lips, making it easier for the elder to do as he wished. The fingers running over his spine send his own into action, one arm curling around KyuJong's neck and the other hand running over his side.
Shivering at the brush of bare skin, KyuJong forgot about how tired he was in favor of delving into the other boy's mouth, teasing his tongue with his own. Unable to get enough, KyuJong slowly shifted them both further up the bed, keeping YoungSaeng in his lap.
Crawling forward as KyuJong shifted back, YoungSaeng found himself fighting back slightly, purr echoing. Pulling away to catch his breath, he smiled before placing a hand on KyuJong's chest and gently guiding him onto his back, YoungSaeng stretching out on top of him and returning to the kiss.
A little surprised, KyuJong felt his smile widen as he did as YoungSaeng directed, moaning quietly into the kiss as YoungSaeng returned. His hands splayed across YoungSaeng's back as he arched up against the other boy, wanting to feel more, always more. "Saeng," he breathed into the kiss, nipping lightly on his boyfriend's lips.
YoungSaeng felt a shiver down his spine at both the sound of his name on KyuJong's tongue as well as the hand pressing him closer. Knowing that he was the reason KyuJong was enjoying himself helped his confidence a bit.
Finally breaking the kiss to breathe again, KyuJong rested his head against YoungSaeng's and felt their breath mingle. "Why are you so addicting?" he whispered, not wanting to ever stop.
"I've been wondering the same thing about you, Kyu yah," YoungSaeng murmured, letting his hand rest on his lover's waist.
Smiling at the hand against his waist, KyuJong ran his hand slowly along YoungSaeng's back. "At this rate we're never going to sleep...and I can't say I mind." The only thing keeping him from flipping them over and going further, along with not wanting to scare YoungSaeng, was that it would be a little strange to do so with his parents a few rooms over.
"We should sleep, but I don't want to stop," YoungSaeng admitted quietly, blushing slightly at the admission.
"Neither do I," KyuJong whispered back, smiling and kissing his lips lightly. Bringing one hand up, he twined his fingers lightly in YoungSaeng's soft locks of hair, playing with the strands. "What do you think we should do, Saeng?"
Looking KyuJong in the eyes, YoungSaeng finally smiled a small yet completely open smile. "Don't stop."
Meeting the other boy's eyes, KyuJong's gaze softened as he framed YoungSaeng's face lightly. "Then we won't," he murmured, leaning up to catch his boyfriend's lips again in a sweet kiss. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, too," YoungSaeng whispered against KyuJong's lips.
Smiling, KyuJong deepened the kiss again, enjoying the taste of the younger boy. Running his hands along YoungSaeng's torso, his fingers brushed against the edge of his jeans before hooking into the belt loops, holding YoungSaeng steady as he gently rolled them over and laid his boyfriend against the mattress.
Gasping at the sudden change in position, YoungSaeng looked into KyuJong's eyes and smiled, bringing his hands to rest on KyuJong's hips.
Kissing the other boy's lips, KyuJong's hands explored the expanse of YoungSaeng's chest, lingering against sensitive areas and brushing lightly. One hand held him up while the other trailed down, dipping into YoungSaeng's belly button before toying with the button of his jeans.
YoungSaeng could do little more than moan out his lover's name as KyuJong lightly brushed and caressed the sensitive areas of his body that only he was aware of, his own hands running up and down his sides before settling at the waist of KyuJong's pants, gliding teasingly over the skin there.
KyuJong drew in a breath at the brush of warm fingers against his waist, eyes darkening slightly as his lips trailed away from YoungSaeng's to brush along his neck. Deciding they'd both had enough of teasing, his fingers popped open the button of YoungSaeng's jeans and undid the zipper, easing the material down YoungSaeng's legs as he mouthed at the other boy's collarbone.
Dropping his head to the side to accommodate KyuJong's ministrations, YoungSaeng slid his fingers around, brushing the skin at his waist, before blindly undoing the boy's pants, sliding them off slowly to join his own on the floor. Feeling the bare flesh against his own sent a familiar chill down his spine as it did whenever the two were together in any sense of the word.
Once both their jeans were off, KyuJong let his hand run along one of the other boy's legs, fingers brushing the bottom of his boxers. As always he was gentle with his younger boyfriend, moving at a pace that gave YoungSaeng time to adjust if he needed it, and time to stop KyuJong should he want to. The contact made his breath quicken, as his mouth eventually returned to YoungSaeng's. "Ready?" he whispered.
Breath quickening as KyuJong's fingers traced along his thighs just beneath his boxers, YoungSaeng let his eyes slide closed, just feeling everything he could. He would forever appreciate the absolute gentleness that KyuJong never failed to show him, whether it was in bed or otherwise.
Hearing the quiet question, YoungSaeng's eyes opened slightly as he slowly nodded his head, smile slipping on to his face before closing the slight distance between them.
****************************************
Given all the running around in the forest, JungMin had thought he'd fall asleep right away. The energy that was always so impossible to contain was at a manageable level, but to his frustration, he was still unable to fall asleep.
Tossing and turning, he finally opened his eyes and brushed his hair out of his face, wrinkling his nose in frustration. This wasn't doing anything...he could feel the electricity slowly coming back, and if he wasn't asleep before it reached its usual level, he wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
Wondering why he couldn't sleep, JungMin sat up and glanced to the other side of the room. HyunJoong and HyungJoon were fast asleep in the other bed, HyungJoon snoring as usual. HyunJoong had agreed with him this morning when he said they shouldn't sleep in the same bed. JungMin wondered if HyunJoong knew just how close he'd been to being accidentally killed...or at the very least electrocuted.
JungMin watched HyunJoong's face for a moment in the dark, the urge to wake him up and demand he join him on this side of the room strong. But even stronger was the knowledge that he couldn't do so.
Frustration building under his skin, JungMin finally pushed the blankets off and got to his feet, not bothering to do anything other than make sure he had both gloves before leaving the room. Padding across the hallway quietly, he went downstairs and pushed his feet into his shoes, pulling on his coat and slipping out the back door. Maybe some fresh air would help. He just couldn't stay in that room anymore.
YoungSaeng was awoken by quiet shuffling in the hallway. Looking over at KyuJong, still fast asleep from the combination of lack of it as well as earlier's exertion, YoungSaeng brushed his lips against KyuJong's cheek before slipping out of bed and into the closest set of clothes, which happened to be a pair of KyuJong's pajamas. Thankful for the drawstring on the pants, he tightened them and padded over to the door, opening it a crack. Seeing the flash of red hair before the person disappeared down the stairs, YoungSaeng took one last look at KyuJong before silently following.
Slipping into his shoes and jacket, YoungSaeng opened the back door and walked outside, caught off guard by the nighttime chill of the air. Looking around, his eyes fell on JungMin.
"You should be in bed," YoungSaeng pointed out once he reached him.
Leaning against the porch railing, JungMin blinked and looked behind him when the door opened. Surprised to see YoungSaeng, he turned around and rested his back against the wood instead. "Couldn't sleep," he shrugged, breath fogging up slightly in the cold air. It was refreshing in a way.
Shaking his head slightly to one side to get his hair out of his eyes, the younger boy took a closer look at his friend, noticing how baggy his pajama pants are. "...Are those your clothes?" he raised an eyebrow.
Blushing slightly - though it could have been the cold - YoungSaeng shook his head. "Kyu's. They were closest," he explained before tilting his head to look at JungMin. "Why can't you sleep? I would have thought you'd have exhausted yourself with the amount of running around you did."
The eyebrow raised further at the explanation, JungMin smirking slightly at the other boy; he could guess what had been going on. The expression wavered slightly at the question though. "Takes more effort some days than others. I'll probably be out here a little longer until I can get rid of more energy."
Listening to his answer, YoungSaeng nodded his head. "Well, Kyu's going to be out for a while and I'm not very tired. How about some company?" YoungSaeng offered, smiling sweetly. He could tell that something was bothering the redhead and he wanted to help as much as he could.
JungMin eyed the other boy. "Are you sure you shouldn't be resting after all the activity?" he teased, before turning and hopping off the porch, stretching out his arms. Maybe he could discharge some electricity into the ground. If he exhausted himself enough, he would have no choice but to sleep.
"I slept, don't worry about it, and I'll be fine as long as you don't make me move around too fast," YoungSaeng shot back with a smile as he took a seat on the porch.
"Fine fine," JungMin chuckled. Looking around, he saw the line of grass started a bit from the edge of the porch, leaving bare earth. "Let's see if this works...” Crouching down, he pulled off one glove, looking at the sparks that had already started to appear around his fingertips before pressing the bare hand into the cold earth.
YoungSaeng watched on in awe as JungMin slipped his glove off and pressed his hand to the ground, allowing the electricity running around his hand to slip into the ground. "Do you have to do things like that often?" he asked quietly.
"Fairly often, yeah. Things could get rather ugly otherwise. It'll be back by the time I wake up." JungMin watched the electricity slowly leave his body to be taken in by the earth, more equipped to handle such things than he was. Technically he wasn't supposed to be doing this, as removing too much of the energy wasn't healthy, but he was just so frustrated with it all he wouldn't mind being knocked out for a few hours until his body recharged like it always did.
YoungSaeng nodded, watching on as JungMin grew less tense and more relaxed. "Careful, or you might fall asleep right here, and I won't be able to get you upstairs." It was interesting to watch how others dealt with their abilities, such as JungMin's overflow of energy.
JungMin's lips quirked upwards. "Yeah yeah, I'll be careful." He sat down on the ground, keeping his hand flat against the earth. JungMin didn't want to move away until he was sure he was going to crash the instant he got back upstairs...he wasn't going to spend the entire night watching HyunJoong sleep.
"Hey Min, is everything okay?" YoungSaeng asked, pulling his legs toward his chest and wrapping his arms around them, chin resting on his knees.
"Hm?" JungMin bit the inside of his cheek lightly, not sure what to say to that. "Yeah, everything's great, why?"
"...” Not sure if JungMin would get mad for him nosing into things, YoungSaeng tried again. "I don't know, but there just seems to be something on your mind. You don't have to tell me or anything, but know that you can tell me anything if you need to."
Shifting a little uncomfortably, JungMin looked down at his hand against the ground. What was he supposed to say? He may be dense, but even he had figured out by now why he enjoyed being around HyunJoong so much, but it was doing nothing other than hurting. "...Promise not to tell anyone?" he asked quietly.
YoungSaeng blinked before nodding his head. "Of course I do, Min. Not even Kyu if that's what you want," he answered. "What is it?"
It was a lot harder to say it than it was to think it. Chewing on his lower lip, JungMin tapped his fingers against the earth, the digits starting to become numb from the cold as the electricity affected his body heat less and less. "It's that...I...” He bit on his lips, squirming a little as he kept looking elsewhere than YoungSaeng.
"I think I like HyunJoong," he blurted out finally, the same color as his hair.
YoungSaeng nodded his head at the confession. "I thought as much. Have you said anything to him about it?" he asked, watching his friend closely.
JungMin blinked at the older boy at that. "No. Why would I?" he asked.
"Well, why wouldn't you? From what I've seen, he feels the same," YoungSaeng pointed out, confused.
Staring at YoungSaeng, JungMin swallowed and squashed the hopeful feeling in his chest. "Even if he does, it's not a good thing that I like him," he said, drawing his legs up to his chest and drawing shapes in the earth.
"Why not?" YoungSaeng asked, moving to sit beside the redhead. "He's a really good guy in my opinion and you guys get along well."
"It's not that." JungMin glanced at YoungSaeng out of the corner of his eyes. "It's...not fair to him. He should like someone else."
"Someone else? How come?" YoungSaeng pressed gently. He didn't want to push at JungMin to say something he didn't want to, but he also wanted to help his friend.
JungMin shook his head slowly, resting his chin against his knees. "I wouldn't be a very good boyfriend to have." He looked down at the hand still pressed against the ground.
YoungSaeng was silent as he thought about what JungMin was saying. It had to be hard to like someone, yet be unable to physically show it for fear of hurting that person. "I think that if you practice, you'll be able to control the energy's flow, and given time, you'll be able to hold someone's hand or kiss someone," he told him after the silence.
"It's not my first time practicing, Saeng," JungMin said quietly. "I've been trying for years. It just isn't happening." He shut his eyes. "I could have killed him this morning. I was stupid and let him sleep in the same bed and he accidentally pulled my glove off."
"I think that you can do it this time, though. You have a goal now. While I know that control and the wish for contact are already goals, you now have something specific now. Use him as your goal," YoungSaeng suggested, picking up the one glove-covered hand.
"You didn't though. Don't think that you could have. Remember that you didn't."
Opening eyes that were slightly glassy, JungMin looked down at the hand holding his own, the pressure all he could feel through the gloves. "It's hard," he murmured, throat starting to close up on him. "The only reason I didn't was sheer luck." It could have been so easy for HyunJoong to grab his hand as well as his glove...
"I'm sick of this," JungMin whispered, voice choking slightly. "I want to go back to when it wasn't so bad, and I wasn't causing power outages left right and center, and I could actually touch people. I'd give anything to do something as silly as kiss you under the mistletoe again, even if KyuJong kills me for it, just because I can. Like this, I can't feel anything." Gloved fingers curled around YoungSaeng's. "Like this, it's like you're not even here."
"I wish I could give you a straight and definitive answer, if just to make you feel better, but I can't," YoungSaeng sighed. "All I can do is be here for you to talk to and help you practice. You'll gain control of it, Min ah. I don't know when, but you'll do all those things, though I suggest kissing someone else under the mistletoe."
JungMin's lips quirked slightly. "I suppose, yeah. It's just hard to think positively when it's over five years later and I'm still blowing up light bulbs on touch." He pulled his hand away from the ground finally, flexing his fingers slightly. A single spark curled around his palm, but it was better than before. Wiping at his eyes with his sleeve, JungMin picked up his glove and let go of YoungSaeng's hand to pull it back on.
He still had no intention of telling HyunJoong.
YoungSaeng watched his friend, wishing that he could do something to help. JungMin deserved to be happy just as much as anyone else.
"You'll do it, Minnie yah, and we'll all be here with you every step of the way."
The redhead had to smile at that, glad that even if things were not going as well as he had hoped, YoungSaeng was still there. "Thanks," he whispered. Tugging his glove down properly, he shivered a little, feeling the full cold for the first time since he didn't have as much electricity heating his body. "I think I'm okay to sleep now." From how dizzy he felt, he'd probably crash the instant he got back inside.
Getting to his feet, YoungSaeng offered a hand out to JungMin. "Come on, I'll help you up to your room," he offered with a small smile. "And there's nothing to thank me for. You've helped me for years. It's about time I be able to do the same for you."
"Talking your ears off is considered helping?" JungMin snorted, but smiled as he reached up, gloved hand taking YoungSaeng's as he got to his feet, wobbling slightly. "Woah. Okay, yeah, I'm definitely sleeping now."
"It was more the keeping me alive part, actually," YoungSaeng told him as he made sure that JungMin was stable.
JungMin looked at the older boy, smile a little lopsided as he messed up YoungSaeng's hair lightly. "Come on, let's go back in before boyfriend wakes up and freaks out cause you're missing." He stepped up onto the porch and opened the door, holding on to the wall as support.
YoungSaeng squeaked when JungMin mussed his hair. "Kyu's so out that he won't be waking up for a while. He didn't sleep at all when I was out of it," he explained, still feeling guilty about making his lover worry.
Humming in understanding, JungMin wasn't really surprised. "You've got a good one there." He lowered his voice as they stepped back into the house and he closed the door behind them, pulling off his jacket and shoes. "Though he does worry a bit too much."
"He does, but I worry just as much, and I have to love him for it," YoungSaeng said as he followed suit and slipped out of his shoes and jacket.
"You two are so sappy, you're meant for each other," JungMin shook his head in amusement, waiting for YoungSaeng to finish. He could feel himself starting to drift off, pinching his wrist lightly to keep awake.
"Shut up. Not my fault I've never felt this all before..." YoungSaeng pouted, staying close to JungMin in case he needed any help.
Chuckling at the pout, JungMin made his way to the stairs, trailing one hand along the wall. "It'll be a shame to go back to school...it really is nice here. Think we'll be able to come back?"
"We will. Kyu's mother is amazing. Of course she'll let us," YoungSaeng told him. "If I had the choice, I'd never leave here," he mused quietly, mirroring JungMin's action.
Nodding, JungMin grinned tiredly. "We'll be back then, so it's not the end of the world." Reaching the top of the stairs, he smiled at YoungSaeng. "See you in the morning...and thanks." He headed off to the guest room at the end of the hallway, disappearing inside.
Watching JungMin step inside and close the door, YoungSaeng smiled and entered KyuJong's room. Walking over to the bed, he slipped out of the shirt top and climbed in, snuggling against KyuJong. It wasn't long before he was fast asleep.