Empty Spaces [1/3]
Title: Empty Spaces [1/3]
Author: FloweryMisha
Pairing(s): broken!KiWoon
Warning: BoyxBoy love. Enough said.
Summary: Six persons. Six fates. One conclusion.
Author's Note: Unbeta-ed. Please, no translations allowed!
Kikwang’s not really fond of traveling. He’s just not the type, he thought. He prefers to stay at home, in his hometown, with his friends, with his family. But most of all, is because Kikwang’s scared of flying.
Hell, he’s scared of a lot of things. He’s scared of flying, he’s scared of dark places, he’s scared of spiders, and many other things.
So Kikwang found himself sighing in relief after long hours of flight to Japan. He’s been clinging so tight to Junhyung all the way, he probably left bruises on his boyfriend’s skin. Not that he would say sorry, though. Junhyung’s the one who’s been asking him to come along, despite the fact that Kikwang desperately begged him not to, because he’s scared, but the former still forced him to.
“Can’t we take a bus to Japan instead of a plane?”, Kikwang asked with pleading eyes and Junhyung almost bugged his eyes out.
They’ve arrived at the hotel and they were greeted by two men-probably from the event organizer for tonight.
Junhyung is a DJ, a pretty well known DJ in Korea, and he was lucky to be offered a chance to perform in Japan. His mixing style was incredible, and even though Kikwang didn’t understand techno slash rap slash whatever genre you call it kind of music, he still found Junhyung’s taste of music was amazing. And Junhyung was helplessly romantic. Probably that’s the reason why Kikwang agreed to date the older male in the first place.
His boyfriend and the two men were still talking to each other about tonight, Kikwang faintly heard about the name of the place, the decoration, the kind of turntable they’d be providing Junhyung with. Kikwang heaved to himself, still feeling jetlag from the long flight, trying to calm his heart down. He looked around, watching some people, some of them have just arrived too and went to the receptionist, while the others were exiting the place.
Kikwang stopped at a certain male who was talking to another person.
The male was slender and tall. He has brown hair, sharp nose, beautiful big eyes, and a killer thin lips. Kikwang thought the male was attractive-his heart quickly defended that Junhyung was even more attractive-and good looking. He looked like a mix blood or something-Arabic, perhaps? For a moment Kikwang wondered if he’s also a Japanese. But then he saw the male laughed and accidentally read his lips as he said, “No way” in his mother language.
So he’s also from Korea.
“Baby? Let’s check in to our room,” Junhyung’s voice snapped him back to reality and Kikwang nodded.
As he followed Junhyung to the receptionist, the handsome male glanced at Kikwang, and their eyes met.
Kikwang’s heart almost stopped beating.
***
“How do you say ‘I want this’ in Japanese?”
Dongwoon smiled at Yoseob, who laid with his stomach on the bed, reading a Japanese For Dummy book. “I think it’s ‘Kore o kudasai’.”
“’Kore’ o kudasai’”, Yoseob repeated in amusement and closed the book. “I should start learning Japanese. It’s interesting!”
“Says someone who can’t even read his boyfriend’s book until the very end.”
Yoseob made a face. “Dongwoonie! I found your writing’s highly adorable but you wrote it in a very complicated language. But that doesn’t change the fact that people likes it! Your books always, always best seller.”
“Complicated language? I still write in Korean, you know.”
Yoseob pouted cutely. “I’m pabo, you know. It’s your fault for dating a pabo person in the first place.”
Dongwoon chuckled and went back to check the schedule his editor gave him. He’s gonna have to go downtown to a fansign meeting, have dinner a few hours later, and a radio interview at night. Yoseob asked for his permission earlier if it’s okay for him not to accompany Dongwoon because he wanted to enjoy Japan. Dongwoon agreed and told him as long as he’s not gonna be lost and go back to the hotel safe and sound.
Yoseob turned on the TV and changed the channels a few times to find something interesting to watch.
Dongwoon put his schedule on the table and he gazed outside the window. His mind drifted back to a certain person he met today in the lobby. Even though it was brief, but Dongwoon couldn’t erase the popping images in his mind. The person would just keep on appearing over and over again.
He shook his head and went to take a shower.
***
Junhyung was picked up by one member of the event organizer that night. He wanted Kikwang to come along to the club, but the latter had refused.
“Can I go out and look around?”
Junhyung looked worried. “I don’t know, baby... I mean, it’s Japan we’re talking about.”
“And I’m gonna be okay. Trust me,” Kikwang said. “I don’t feel like going to a club right now.”
“But it’s Japanese club, it may be different.”
“Junnie, all clubs are the same. Crowded, full of smoke, sweats, other stuffs. Luckily my boyfriend’s the DJ.”
It got Junhyung to smile and he ruffled Kikwang’s hair. “Just be careful, alright?”
After Junhyung left, Kikwang wondered what to do. He did say about going out and look around, but the truth was he’s just didn’t want to go to the club. Maybe he should just sleep. But then again, what’s the point of having many hours of flight to get here and just to sleep? Kikwang got up, grabbed his jacket and left the room.
Kikwang wandered aimlessly all by himself. He thought that it’s actually just the same with Seoul-although Tokyo, and like any other big cities has its own uniqueness. Kikwang always loved big cities with lots of light. Everywhere he looked, right, left, above, the various colors of light were blinding his eyes. But he likes it, since Kikwang’s always scared of the dark. Even when he’s sleeping, he needs to have a little bit of light in the room.
He felt his stomach growling and stopped walking. Kikwang reached into his pocket, and thankfully he had Yen cash. He tilted his head and wondered what should he have for dinner. There’s a sushi restaurant in sight, a ramen and soba restaurant beside it, and a restaurant with a long waiting list-he could see people were queuing outside the place to get inside. It must be a really famous restaurant, then.
But Kikwang wasn’t that fond of sushi, and he ate ramen a lot in Korea. And he’s too lazy to queue for any restaurant right now. So he decided to stop by a small stand by the road, and judging by the smell of it, it seemed delicious. Kikwang walked to the stand and he blinked at the menu. Kanji was everywhere.
“Irrashaimase! Konbanwa!”
Kikwang looked up and the ahjussi spread a warm smile. He instantly smiled back.
“Uh...”, Kikwang hesitated and glanced back at the menu.
“Ah!”, he pointed the menu with his chopstick. And then he started talking in a fast Japanese, it seemed like he was explaining about the food. Kikwang didn’t really understand at all, judging by the picture, the food seemed like meatballs...but with something inside. He noticed that there was octopus sticker on a picture, a fish sticker on another picture, and a cheese sticker on another.
Kikwang put on an awkward smile and pointed on the octopus picture.
“Octopus! Very good! Delicious!”, the ahjussi said in a somewhat broken English.
After cooking it for a few minutes, the food was handed to Kikwang and he waited for a moment before eating it. Kikwang slowly munched the food and it...was...really...delicious. His eyes widened and he stared at the ahjussi who was waiting for him expectantly to say something.
“Oishii,” Kikwang said the only Japanese word he knew and the ahjussi laughed.
While he was eating, a few other people went to order takeouts and Kikwang’s not sure about it, but he thinks the name of the food is takoyaki. He’s gonna google about it later back at the hotel. After he’s full, he decided to just go back and preferably buying Japanese pocket dictionary on the way back. Kikwang paid in cash and bowed at the ahjussi.
“Arigatou gozaimasu,” he said cheerfully and waved.
Kikwang glanced at his watch and it wasn’t even close to midnight. Junhyung’s usually would go home at dawn, if he was lucky enough, he could go home before that. Kikwang’s used to the situation so he never protested. He knew about Junhyung’s work, and he’s okay. After all, it’s what Junhyung does the best and he loves his job, and Kikwang supports him.
He’s arrived at the hotel and it was pretty crowded, it seemed like a large party had arrived and all of them were standing in the middle of the lobby. Kikwang walked past them and he heard languages he never knew existed. What language is that? He gathered in front of the elevator, waiting patiently when he felt his phone vibrated. The elevator made a ding sound and Kikwang walked inside, followed by a few other people. His attention was fixed to his phone-it was a text message from Junhyung-and he tried to reply, but there was no signal in the elevator. When Kikwang looked up, they were already going up to the 25th floor-and his room was located on the 15th.
Kikwang waited until they’ve arrived on the 25th floor and all of the them were walking out, leaving him alone. He pushed the button of his floor and a moment later, the elevator stopped at the 23rd. The door slide open and a person stepped in-and Kikwang stopped breathing.
It was the handsome male he spot this morning.
***
The radio interview was cancelled tonight and they changed the schedule to the next morning. So Dongwoon got nothing left to do until tomorrow. He went back to the hotel, only to find that Yoseob’s not there-oh yeah, his boyfriend had told him he’d go out. Dongwoon texted him, but he still hadn’t reply until now, and he decided to grab dinner all by himself.
It won’t be that much of a problem-Dongwoon can speak Japanese a bit, even though he’s not fluent, but enough to communicate. Or should he just order at the hotel’s restaurant?
He was still thinking when suddenly a sound was heard and the elevator door opened. Dongwoon walked into the elevator absentmindedly and when he was already inside, he deadpanned.
The male that’s been popping in his mind was there.
Dongwoon couldn’t concentrate. They stared at each other wordlessly and few seconds later, Dongwoon managed to get a hold of himself and quickly stood at the other side across Kikwang. It went as a painfully silent trip down, and when they’ve arrived on the 17th floor, Kikwang awkwardly bowed at him before walking out, and Dongwoon-instinctively-reached out for Kikwang’s hand.
Kikwang stunned.
“W-wait,” Dongwoon stuttered.
Kikwang stared at him.
“Just...just one more time. Please.”
Dongwoon then pushed the 25th button and they went up again. He must be out of his mind. He’s here, in Japan, not by himself, in fact he’s with his boyfriend-who’s out to God knows where-and he just...wanted to spend a bit, just a tiny bit more time with the male he had just met this morning.
Kikwang gulped nervously and eyeing the number cautiously.
As they’ve arrived at the 25th floor and no one was there to use the elevator, the door once again closed, but neither of them touched the button.
Kikwang cleared his throat. “Are we going to play elevator like...little child?”
Dongwoon let out a short chuckle. “You-your room’s on 17th?”
“Yes...”
“Well then let’s...”, Dongwoon trailed off and reluctantly pressed the button. They were still silent, and Dongwoon secretly glanced at the male, and God, he couldn’t stop his heart from beating so fast. Just as when they were about to make it to the 17th floor, Dongwoon pushed at the emergency stop button and the elevator suddenly stopped.
Kikwang glued his back to the cold metal.
“I’m-“, Dongwoon looked loss of words as he stared at Kikwang. “I’m sorry.”
Kikwang blinked and spread a smile slowly. “It’s okay,” he said softly.
Dongwoon stared at the floor before looking up to stare at Kikwang again. “Son Dongwoon.”
“...Lee Kikwang.”
“Kikwang,” Dongwoon said. “Nice-nice to meet you.”
Kikwang almost burst out laughing. What’s up with this guy? He’s...he’s so cute... He slowly brought a hand to his mouth, feeling shocked. What-what the hell was I just thinking? I-I’m with Junnie. But...
“What a lame way for introduction,” Dongwoon mumbled to himself in a low voice but Kikwang could hear it. “Stupid, stupid Dongwoon.”
Kikwang couldn’t help but smile. “...nice to meet you too...”
Dongwoon looked surprised and stared at Kikwang. A few seconds later he also smiled. “Yeah...”, he kept on staring-a bit too long, until he realized Kikwang was blushing and looked away, avoiding his gaze. Dongwoon cleared his throat before turning back to the buttons. “I’ll take you back to your room.”
He pushed the emergency button once again, but nothing happened.
Dongwoon blinked. He pushed the button again, and another attempt, but still nothing happened. He then tried pushing other floor’s button, and they were still not moving. Dongwoon picked up the emergency phone and no line was heard. They were completely shunned.
“Okay. I think we’re stuck,” Dongwoon said as-a-matter-of-factly.
“Seriously?”, Kikwang’s eyes widened.
The light went off for a few seconds and Kikwang screamed. Dongwoon flinched at his screaming and the light went on again.
Kikwang was trembling on his track and he hugged himself.
Dongwoon took out his phone but there was no signal. He sighed in guilt. If only he didn’t stop the
elevator.
“W-what are we going to do?”, Kikwang whispered.
“They’ll realize the situation and do something,” Dongwoon said with an unsure tone. “It’s a hotel. People will come and go and they will need to use the elevator.”
“B-but there are five other elevators. If one’s not working, they might think that...that it’s occupied.”
Dongwoon pressed his head against the cold metal. Stupid Dongwoon. Stupid, stupid Dongwoon. Why can’t you find a normal way to introduce yourself?
“N-not even a signal,” Kikwang said and he was starting to have trouble breathing.
“Hey, are you okay?”, Dongwoon looked worried as he noticed Kikwang went pale.
“I-I’m not sure.”
“Sit down,” Dongwoon ordered and Kikwang obeyed. The latter sat down and covered his mouth with both hands. “Are you claustrophobic?”
“N-not that I know of. B-but, I might be, now,” Kikwang stuttered. “I-I don’t know. I feel like everything’s moving. I-it’s not an earthquake, right?”
“Calm down,” Dongwoon bent down and leveled himself with Kikwang. “I promise you, we’re gonna be alright. This is just temporary.”
Just as he said that, the light flickered off for another seconds and Kikwang screamed again. He tried to take a deep breath but it was not working. Kikwang became even panic and his chest was moving up and down in a swift movement. “I-I’m scared!”
“Kikwang, we’re gonna be alright-“
Kikwang closed his eyes in pain and covered his ears. Kikwang started to sob softly, he looked really pale.
Dongwoon felt his chest tightened and he immediately pulled Kikwang into an embrace. “It’s okay. It’s okay now. I got you. You’re not alone.” He caressed Kikwang’s hair to calm him down. “See? The light’s on. There’s no darkness. That door will open in a few minutes and you’re alright. You have me, right?”
Kikwang clenched to Dongwoon’s arm so tight and the latter winced in pain. Kikwang sure got a death grip.
Dongwoon waited until Kikwang’s shoulders stopped shaking. He kept on hugging Kikwang, and unconsciously placed a comforting kiss on Kikwang’s forehead. Both of them seemed to freeze, Kikwang from the sudden touch and Dongwoon for wondering why he did that. Dongwoon tried to pull away but Kikwang shook his head.
“Please...”, he whispered. “Stay close...”
And Dongwoon did.
***
A few minutes had passed and Dongwoon actually wondered if people realized that one elevator is stuck. If this keeps on happening, they both may be dead due to lack of air. Dongwoon looked down, Kikwang was breathing steadily in his arms. He seemed to be sleeping after the panic attack earlier. Suddenly Kikwang moved slightly and opened his eyes. His eyes went straight into Dongwoon’s eyes.
Dongwoon smiled. “Do you feel better?”
Kikwang blinked and nodded shyly. “Thank you...”
Dongwoon brushed a strands of Kikwang’s bangs. “It’s okay. So...are you here for work, or?”
“...my boyfriend got a job, I’m just accompanying him here...”
“Oh,” Dongwoon said shortly and he couldn’t help but feeling disappointed at that. He knew it, he got a feeling someone pretty like Kikwang wouldn’t be all by himself in the beautiful city. “I bet he’s looking for you right now.”
Kikwang glanced at his watch. “Could be...”, he licked his lips before speaking. “What about you?”
“I’m a writer,” Dongwoon shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s for work.”
“And then we’re both stuck in the elevator.”
“You’re right. I can so turn that to a story.”
Both of them laughed.
“Oh my God, a story of that, I would not read it,” Kikwang shook his head in glee.
“I’ll send the first copy to you with my signature on it, you can’t run,” Dongwoon grinned.
They kept on laughing for a moment before Kikwang slowly stopped as he realized Dongwoon was staring at him fondly. He smiled and it faded away as Dongwoon was leaning closer and closer to close the gap between them. Kikwang held his breath as Dongwoon grabbed his chin, as if to ask for permission.
And Kikwang closed his eyes.
He then felt Dongwoon’s lips on him and he fluttered in happiness.
Dongwoon’s lips were soft, and Kikwang felt like theirs matched. It was a stupid thought, of course, but Kikwang liked how Dongwoon’s thin lips were gliding across his own, and they covered his full ones perfectly. Kikwang could feel Dongwoon’s hand was moving, searching for Kikwang’s fingers and then laced them together.
Kikwang let out a soft sigh.
Dongwoon ran his tongue on Kikwang’s lips, and they slowly broke apart.
And Kikwang was speechless.
He never knew a kiss could taste this...heavenly. Surely Junhyung kissed him over and over again-but he didn’t want to think about that for now, because he felt like... Kikwang felt like heaven. And as much as he wanted to stop because it’s not right-it’s not right because Kikwang has a boyfriend, and he’s sure Dongwoon has one too, he didn’t want the kiss to stop because, because...it felt so right when their lips met.
Dongwoon leaned closer again and Kikwang surrendered completely.
They kissed over and over again, this time even deepening the kiss. Dongwoon was kissing him softly, his one hand was holding Kikwang’s hand so tightly, caressing them with his thumb, and the other hand went to the back of Kikwang’s neck. And the way Dongwoon made that kissing sound-God, Kikwang liked it. Kikwang liked it so much, he liked it so, so freaking much.
The light went off for another seconds and Kikwang didn’t even flinch at it.
He felt so secure with Dongwoon by his side. He wanted this feeling to last forever.
All his happy thoughts vanished when suddenly the emergency phone rang.
Both of them opened their eyes and pulled away. Dongwoon then reached to the phone and picked it up. “Yes.”
“Oh, thank God! We’re verry sorry for the incovenient, Sir. The elevator will be up and running in a moment. May I know how many of you there, Sir?”
“Just two.”
“May I know your name and the room numbers, Sir?”
“Son Dongwoon of 2353 and Lee Kikwang of...”, Dongwoon glanced at Kikwang who gestured him the numbers. “1589.”
“Got it. Please wait for a few seconds and when you heard the ding sound, please press the ground button first, Sir. Let us escort you with a different elevator.”
“Thank you.”
Dongwoon took a deep breath and pushed the ground floor button reluctantly after hearing a sound. He didn’t want the kiss, the moment to end just yet. He shook his head inwardly and stood up. He shouldn’t be selfish. They both have lovers. Dongwoon smiled comfortingly at Kikwang. “I promised you we’d be alright”, he offered a hand at Kikwang who took it, also reluctantly.
They both stood up and waited. Kikwang sighed and dusted his pants.
Just as they were about to reach the ground floor, Dongwoon spoke up.
“I wonder if we’ll meet again...”
Kikwang turned his head at Dongwoon and opened his mouth to say something, but the elevator door had opened.
“Kikwangie!!”
Kikwang was quickly pulled out of the elevator by Junhyung. His eyes widened in surprised as he met the man’s chest. “J-Junnie? H-have you finished your job?”
“Stupid, why did you even ask that,” Junhyung said. “I came back and you weren’t there. And then all of this ruckus about the stuck elevator... I’m just so worried. I’m so worried. I’m so...”, he couldn’t finish his sentence as he buried his head in Kikwang’s shoulder. “Thank God you’re alright...”
“I’m alright, Junnie... Dongwoon, I mean, he was there...”
Kikwang pointed Dongwoon who had been staring at the couple with an unreadable expression.
Junhyung then bowed deeply at Dongwoon. “Yong Junhyung.”
“Son Dongwoon.”
“Thank you so much, Dongwoon-ssi. I’m glad you were there. Thank you.”
Dongwoon waved his hand and Junhyung bowed once again before walking away, hand in hand with Kikwang. He felt himself gritting his teeth at the sight and Kikwang threw him a longing look secretly before turning around and followed Junhyung. Dongwoon sighed.
I should go to sleep. Tomorrow’s gonna be busy.
“Dongwoonie?”
Yoseob appeared and frowned at him, with shopping bags in his hands. He looked confused, and it seemed like he’s just arrived back at the hotel.
“Hey sweetie. Wow, that. Is. A. Lot,” Dongwoon clicked his tongue as he grabbed Yoseob’s bags from his hands. “Have fun?”
“Very!”, Yoseob beamed and leaned to Dongwoon’s arm. “What happened, Dongwoonie?”
Dongwoon shook his head and smiled. “Nothing, baby. Let’s go back to our room.”
I’m sorry, Seobie.
***
A few months later, Kikwang got a package.
He frowned as he opened it and sat by the table. It was just a small package and it was adressed to him, to think that the apartment belong to Junhyung. Kikwang tried to remember if he was ordering anything online. He shrugged and opened the paper wrap.
It was a book.
Kikwang read the title and he gasped softly.
He opened the book with trembling hand and on the first page, there was a signature signed with gold colored pen.
Son Dongwoon.
Kikwang could feel himself was welling with tears and he bit his lip hard to prevent it.
He then read the summary on the back cover. It seems like the story is about cheating or being unfaithful, or something-he’s gonna have to read the whole book to know the full plot. And then he read the final sentence of the summary:
Because love doesn’t require to be with each other.
And Kikwang cried.
[2]
...I should add “A series of cheating Orig3” in the summary. So, so evil laugh.