Pure [2/?]
Title: Pure [2/?]
Author: FloweryMisha
Pairing: KiWoon
Warning: BoyxBoy love. Enough said.
Summary: To fall in love with someone impossible is not a curse. It's merely blessed.
***
[1]
Yesterday was exactly a week.
It’s been a week since his encounter with Kikwang. And no matter how hard he try to push Kikwang away, the latter would still be stubborn and refuse to leave.
Dongwoon had almost forgotten the feeling. All this time, after Kikwang left, Dongwoon couldn’t, no, scratch that, wouldn’t love anyone else, and it’s like his heart just refuse to open itself for someone new. He even thought it was okay to stay unmarried for the rest of his life. He’d given up hope.
That was before.
Suddenly Kikwang was back in his life.
And Dongwoon was afraid.
He was afraid because it gave him hope again, and all those frozen feelings were starting to melt, all parts in his body were yelling at him to admit, they’ve been sending signals to his brain, especially his heart, because it’s beating so fast and Dongwoon’s dying to touch Kikwang, to feel that he’s real. He wanted Kikwang to leave, because he knew that he wouldn’t be able to let go-just like five years ago, where they should’ve ended the relationship that moment, but no, Dongwoon was the one who didn’t let go-but deep down inside, he knew that he didn’t want Kikwang to leave.
Dongwoon’s still in love with him.
And Kikwang didn’t change at all.
He was still the Kikwang Dongwoon knew, kind hearted, caring, beautiful, too beautiful in fact, and Dongwoon wanted him.
For the past week, Kikwang had been waiting Dongwoon by the door patiently until he came home. It only lasted for three days because the next day on the fourth, Dongwoon found Kikwang was being harassed by some kids in the neighborhood. He was so angry that he beat the crap out of those kids-and stopped when Kikwang hugged him from behind, begging him to stop in tears.
Kikwang was the only person who could reduce his anger.
After that, Dongwoon asked for Kikwang to wait in a safer place, safer environment, until he picked him up and went home together.
Does that mean they’re still in a relationship?
Dongwoon didn’t know. He’s afraid to ask.
But right now, he only knew that whatever relationship they had, he didn’t want Kikwang to disappear anymore.
***
“Kevinie, let’s have lunch!”
Kevin looked at Eli nonchalantly before shaking his head. “I’m having lunch with AJ today.”
Eli turned pale. “Wh-what?”
Minho sighed as he stood up and observed the two males arguing-more like Eli was whining and Kevin didn’t give a damn at all. “That dork. When will he realize that Kevin’s not interested in him? What do you think, Dongwoon-ah?”
Dongwoon didn’t reply as he kept on fixing the car.
“Quiet as ever, eh?”, Minho turned to him. “I know, I know, it’s their problem, right? So after they get back, shall we have lunch? What are we going to eat today?”
“...I brought lunchbox.”
Minho’s eyes widened. “A lunchbox? You-you made one?”
Dongwoon decided not to reply and he could feel Minho’s eyes were piercing through the back of his head, dying to know.
“Or...from...a lover? A girlfriend? No, a...boyfriend?”
Dongwoon stopped working. Boyf... Is he still my boyfriend...?
“Oh my God,” Minho breathed in awe. “You...you were stunned, man. Oh my God, you freaking have a boyfriend. And I thought you could never move on from that past of yours!”
I could never move on, indeed.
“Dongwoon, this is great, man! I’m so happy for you,” Minho grinned and patted Dongwoon’s back. “So when are you going to introduce him to me, your best friend?”
When..?
He was about to retort at the grinning Minho when suddenly someone called out his name.
“Dongwoon-hyung...”
Dongwoon looked over his shoulder to see a younger male standing behind him. He looked nervous and Dongwoon tried to remember his name, but he failed. Instead he could only stare back.
“I-I wonder if you’d like to have lunch together...”
It was familiar. They asked him to have lunch together, and then they told him that they like him, they love him, they wanted to be with him, and all this time, Dongwoon never really gave them specific reasons. But today, he looked at the male, the latter was blushing and had his gaze fixed on the ground-on Dongwoon’s shoes to be exact-like something interesting attached there.
This time, Dongwoon knew what to say.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
The younger male looked up and bit his lip sadly.
“I’m seeing someone right now...”
***
“Your wound has healed,” Kikwang said as he carefully opened the bandage. “It will leave scar though...ugh, I don’t think I’ve done a great job with it...I’m sorry, Woonie...”
“Don’t be sorry,” Dongwoon looked down to his left arm and shook his head. “This was nicely done.”
Kikwang blinked in disbelief. “R-really, Woonie?”
“Yeah. Ever think of becoming a surgeon?”
“Surg...”, Kikwang trailed off and his eyes widened in horror. “N-no, I-I can’t, blood, too much blood, and then those knives and scalpels and scissors and retractors and-“
“Hey,” Dongwoon instinctively reached out for Kikwang. “Okay, not surgeon then. Let’s think of something else.”
Kikwang blushed slightly as Dongwoon pulled him closer, and their fingers touched. The latter was still topless-because he was checking the wound before, Kikwang defended himself-and the closeness and the warmth, and Kikwang almost stopped breathing because his heart just wouldn’t obey and started to beat a million times faster.
Son Dongwoon’s the only one who could make him feel this way.
“If you’re scared of blood that much, why becoming a doctor in the first place?”
“It’s...it’s...my parents...”
Dongwoon didn’t look surprised. “Your parents.”
“Y-yeah... I couldn’t do anything back then...”
“You were just a kid.”
Kikwang pressed his lips into a thin line and stared at Dongwoon, who looked away. Dongwoon never seemed to like whenever Kikwang’s parents were brought into discussion. He didn’t blame him though, his parents were the ones who separated them...
“Woonie?”
“Hm.”
“Can I...ask you something?”
Dongwoon turned to look at Kikwang and their eyes met. “Go on.”
“Are you...a gangster or something?”
Dongwoon frowned. “Huh?”
“You know...”, Kikwang smiled sheepishly. “They said you were involved in a lot of fights after I left...so I assumed...that, uh... And, uh...I...I don’t know where you work and...” Okay, you’re being a dork, Kikwang. Stop stuttering. “...when we meet again, you and your friends were talking about a fight and you were bleeding and...I just...I just want to know, but it’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me...”
Kikwang looked down nervously. Did he cross the line?
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Dongwoon took a deep breath before caressing a thumb over Kikwang’s cheek.
“There are so much that I don’t know about you...for the past few years...and I just...I just want to know,” Kikwang continued sadly.
Their fingers laced together and Dongwoon caressed Kikwang’s hand with his thumb to calm him down.
“I’m not a gangster,” Dongwoon said softly, half amused. “I got in a lot of fights but, those were like the hardest times for me when you left, and no one was there for me. That was back in high school.”
“A-and last week?”
Dongwoon stared at Kikwang’s hand. The latter’s skin was so smooth, Dongwoon wouldn’t want to stop caressing it.
“A few years back, when we were still communicating, I got into a brutal fight and I was dying. They left me lifeless on the road, and I really thought I was going to die. But then Siwon-hyung saved me. He brought me into a hospital and took care of me until I’m recovering. He saved my life. I offered working part time in his place to help and he gladly accepted. As soon as I graduated, I worked full time and he taught me a lot and I was grateful.”
Dongwoon stopped talking, stared at Kikwang’s lips and continued.
“Then I met Minho and the others.”
“And...the fight?”
“Right, the fight. So Siwon-hyung got this rival, both of them are the heir of their rich families, and his name is Kibum. So it’s like a battle of personal matters. But Kevin-you’ve seen him, right, the blonde one, he’s the prettiest in my workplace-has a thing going on with AJ, the mechanic who works for Kibum. And Eli-he’s like head over heels for Kevin, so...you know where this is going. Whenever that dork Eli started a fight with AJ, me and Minho had to save his ass.”
Dongwoon chuckled at his last sentence and shook his head. “Dork,” he repeated. “And it was totally an accident. AJ was yelling at his friend too when he swung his knife my way. He seemed to be new in the group.”
Kikwang held his breath. “Woonie...”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry...”
“Stop saying that, you’re not at fault.”
“B-but I wasn’t there for you...”
“And it wasn’t your fault. I’m at fault too, since I’m not telling you any of this when we were still dating.”
Kikwang looked surprised. “When we were still...?”
“When we were still dating in a long distance relationship,” Dongwoon quickly corrected.
“Oh...”
Both of them fell into a silent moment before Dongwoon cleared his throat.
“Kiki,” he said. “I’m not worth for you.”
Kikwang looked up with his eyes widened. “Why are you thinking like that?”
“I made a promise to you, that I will and have to grow up faster for you. That I have to be independent, to be able to make money on my own, and I had asked you to wait for me...but now, I don’t think I’ll be able to fulfill it for you. Look at you, you’re so breathtaking, a future doctor, while I’m just...”
“I don’t care,” Kikwang whispered. “I don’t care, Woonie...”
“But your parents do care. I’m assuming your parents already set up someone to be your future husband.”
“H-how did you-“
“I’m just a car mechanic, Kiki. Your parents are definitely against that.”
Kikwang was speechless. Dongwoon didn’t let him to finish his sentences. Social status will always be a problem, is that what you’re saying, Woonie?
“It’s not too late if we end everything right away and you leave. I’m not gonna stop you. If it’s for the best...”
“Stop saying if it’s for the best like that,” Kikwang replied with a quivering voice. “I’m asking you then, Woonie, what is it that you want? Do you really want me to leave and walk out that door? Because if it’s what you really want, I’ll do it.”
Dongwoon stared at Kikwang blankly.
“If you ask me what I want, then I’m selfishly going to answer, I want to marry you.”
Kikwang’s eyes widened and brought a hand to cover his mouth. He was trembling and he couldn’t believe what Dongwoon had just said. Kikwang searched for a playful look on his face, but not even a smile. Dongwoon looked serious. No. Dongwoon was serious.
Dongwoon wanted to marry him.
Kikwang swallowed.
“Then... I’m not leaving...”
Dongwoon’s grip on Kikwang’s hand tightened.
***
“Today’s practice is over, you may go home,” the senior doctor commanded and everyone cheered silently.
Kikwang packed his things slowly and glanced at his watch. Just in time, he could drop by the store to shop for dinner.
“Hey, wanna go grab something?”, Onew nudged Kikwang.
“Ah, sorry Onew, I’ll pass for today...”
“Dude, you’ve been saying that since last week. When are you going to spend some time with me? You promised you’d hang out with me.”
“I-I did?”, Kikwang scratched his head. “Um...what about... Tomorrow? I promise...”
Onew sighed. “I’ve been hearing too much promises from you. But okay. Tomorrow. It’s a promise then.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I haven’t met my boyfriend in five years that I still want to see him everyday until I get bored-wait a minute, that’s not gonna happen, I won’t get bored so-“
“Okay, okay, I get it! Sheesh... Kikwang and his love obsession. So when are you going to introduce him to me?”
Kikwang rolled his eyes and walked with Onew to the hospital entrance where his friends were gathering. “Just as long as you promise you won’t fall for him, okay?”
Onew snorted but then he raised his brows. “Is he that hot?” He got a kick as a reply. “Ow! Hey, what’s with the crowd?”
“A rich guy with his rich car,” a friend of them said. “But damn, he’s so handsome, you know?”
The moment Kikwang heard ‘rich guy with his rich car’, he immediately just lost interest and wouldn’t pay a damn attention. Even though he’s from a rich family too, but Kikwang never showed off. I guess people are different, and I just need Woonie. He waved goodbye at Onew and was about to walk away when someone called out his name.
“Kikwang-ah?”
Kikwang stopped walking and slowly turned back.
It was Jinwoon.
“Y-you?”
Jinwoon smiled. “Let’s go home, Kikwang-ah.”
“That handsome guy is Kikwang’s boyfriend? Damn, he’s so lucky!”
“He’s also rich, just like him. Think they’re meant to be?”
“Just like in a fairy tale...”
Kikwang felt uneasy. “Thank you, but I-I can go home by myself.”
“Your parents booked us a table for lunch at the fancy restaurant this afternoon. I’m just obeying orders.”
Kikwang’s friends were talking and they’re getting louder. He hated this kind of attention, and most of all, he hated rich people who showed off everything they got. Envious whispers and words could be heard from around him and it despised him more. Kikwang groaned before getting into the car. He’s had enough attention.
“Let’s go.”
Jinwoon smiled happily before following Kikwang.
***
Kikwang stared at his phone, lost in thought of what should he tell Dongwoon. He was typing a few sentences before redoing them all. Then he started typing again, and changed his mind and deleted all of them. Kikwang was helpless.
Jinwoon glanced at him from the corner of his eye before clearing his throat. “Who are you texting?”
Kikwang was quiet. “I don’t really have to tell you that.”
“Maybe you should try, you know. Just in case we’re getting married, I don’t want to have a one way communication.”
“Maybe you should stop thinking that we’re getting married.”
“Well, maybe you should start thinking that we might.”
Kikwang sighed. “Come on, Jinwoon-ah, I can’t believe you agreed to this in the first place.”
“Why not? I think you’re pretty and I believe love can grow.”
It was like Jinwoon had shot Kikwang right in the chest and it was hurting him badly.
Love can grow.
“I think you know that I’m in love with someone else...”
Jinwoon shrugged. “I’m totally fine with that right now, but later when we’re getting more serious, you need to stop thinking about other guys.”
“Oh my God, which part of my sentences that you didn’t understand?”, Kikwang hissed. Can he just smack this kid?
Jinwoon suddenly turned left and entered a car workshop. He didn’t look like he give a damn about what Kikwang was saying. Typical rich kid, Kikwang grunted inwardly. Woonie would never do that.
“We’ll continue the discussion later, after I’m done with this baby,” Jinwoon said and patted the steer before getting out of the car. “Yo, Minho!”
“Hey, Jinwoon-shii...”, the person called Minho grinned and shook Jinwoon’s hand. “This baby of yours is getting prettier.”
Kikwang was left just like that. He decided that he wouldn’t get married with someone who called his own car ‘baby’. He puffed his cheeks in annoyance and glared at Jinwoon before sighing to calm himself down. Kikwang crossed his arms and still staring at Jinwoon and the person called Minho for a while, when he realized that the Minho, was the same person with the male who carried Dongwoon the other night. He came to a realization.
Does that mean...Woonie?
Kikwang quickly looked around, searching wildly for the presence of his boyfriend. It was lunch time, so most of the workers probably were out for lunch, but wherever it was, Kikwang could always spot his Dongwoon.
And there he was.
Kikwang gasped softly and opened the door in a hurry. Jinwoon stopped talking and he frowned at Kikwang, wondering what had been so interesting that it made his fiance jumped like that. Kikwang followed the person, he really looked like Dongwoon from behind-no, it’s definitely Dongwoon, Kikwang knew that wide shoulders, that sexy back, those strong arms...
“Woonie...?”
Dongwoon slowly looked back and he looked as surprised as Kikwang. “Kiki...?”
Instinctively Kikwang shrieked and hugged his boyfriend. The moment he inhaled Dongwoon’s scent-even though the latter was dirty and sweaty, he didn’t mind at all, instead he felt really calm and alright. “Woonie, I miss you...”
“We just met last night.”
“Can’t I miss my boyfriend?”, Kikwang pouted.
Dongwoon smiled in amusement and ruffled his hair in affection.
“I-I came here by accident,” Kikwang had the need to explain to Dongwoon even though he wasn’t asking. “And, I, uh... I tried to text you but I couldn’t find the right words to say, I was gonna tell you that I’m gonna be late, probably-“
“But you’re here?”, Dongwoon frowned.
“It’s-it’s accidental,” Kikwang repeated. Suddenly he remembered that he’s not alone. When he thought of that, Kikwang could feel he was pulled away from Dongwoon and gasped in shock.
“Good afternoon,” Jinwoon bowed politely to Dongwoon and offered his hand. “Jinwoon.”
Dongwoon stared at Jinwoon for a while, before looking down at the offered hand and took it. “...Dongwoon.”
“Ah, so you’re the famous Dongwoon...”, Jinwoon clicked his tongue. “The rat that Kikwang’s parents tried to get rid of.”
Kikwang’s eyes widened in shock. Did he hear that right? “Wh-what? M-my parents?”
“I see that you’re still poor just like the past... I feel sorry for you, but...maybe you’re just not meant to be with Kikwang,” Jinwoon continued after throwing Dongwoon a look. “And just to let you know, we’re engaged now.”
“We’re not!”, Kikwang hissed and pushed Jinwoon aside. “Don’t listen to him, Woonie. It’s not true!”
“It will be, soon,” Jinwoon lifted up his chin and stared at Dongwoon as if to challenge him. He was indeed a bit taller than Dongwoon. “Kikwang-ah, get in the car.”
“No,” Kikwang stubbornly said. “I’m not going with you.”
“I said get in the car,” Jinwoon shoved Kikwang with one arm and it was probably a bit too strong that it made Kikwang bumped on to the car. The sound of Kikwang’s back against the door was quite loud.
“Ah!”, Kikwang cried in pain.
“Hey,” Dongwoon gritted his teeth. “I can take all those bad words you’re aiming for me, but I can’t take it if you hurt him.” He rushed over to Kikwang’s side and grabbed his shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Kikwang nodded weakly. “I’m-I’m okay...”
“I’m sorry”, Jinwoon looked worried as he examined Kikwang. “I’m really sorry. Please, just get in the car, Kikwang-ah.”
Kikwang bit his lip as he stared at his boyfriend longingly. “Woonie...?”
Dongwoon glared at Jinwoon for a minute, as if to say that even if he’s freaking rich, he’s not afraid. When his eyes turned to Kikwang, they were soft, and Jinwoon noticed it. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Kikwang hesitated before obeying getting into the car. When Jinwoon closed the door, Kikwang was still staring longingly at Dongwoon, with one hand pressed on the glass window.
I love you.
Kikwang mouthed it silently before a tear fell to his cheek.
Dongwoon felt his chest tightened.
“If his parents find out, they won’t be happy,” Jinwoon said quietly. “And history will repeat itself.”
“Just don’t. Touch. Him,” Dongwoon talked in a dangerous tone.
“I like him. I can’t help if I do,” Jinwoon threw him a mocking smile before getting into the car. “Minho, I’ll come by later. Alone.” He suppressed the last word loudly and slammed the door.
Minho had been standing near them and stared with caution, just in case a fight happened. When Jinwoon’s car pulled away and disappeared from the sight, he noticed that Dongwoon was fisting his hand hard. He was angered, and this was new. All this time, Minho had never seen him angry. He cleared his throat.
Dongwoon didn't say anything.
“You never let go,” Minho softly said.
Dongwoon turned around and walked past Minho.
“No,” he replied. “I didn’t, and I’m not intending to let go.”
[3]
Author: FloweryMisha
Pairing: KiWoon
Warning: BoyxBoy love. Enough said.
Summary: To fall in love with someone impossible is not a curse. It's merely blessed.
***
[1]
Yesterday was exactly a week.
It’s been a week since his encounter with Kikwang. And no matter how hard he try to push Kikwang away, the latter would still be stubborn and refuse to leave.
Dongwoon had almost forgotten the feeling. All this time, after Kikwang left, Dongwoon couldn’t, no, scratch that, wouldn’t love anyone else, and it’s like his heart just refuse to open itself for someone new. He even thought it was okay to stay unmarried for the rest of his life. He’d given up hope.
That was before.
Suddenly Kikwang was back in his life.
And Dongwoon was afraid.
He was afraid because it gave him hope again, and all those frozen feelings were starting to melt, all parts in his body were yelling at him to admit, they’ve been sending signals to his brain, especially his heart, because it’s beating so fast and Dongwoon’s dying to touch Kikwang, to feel that he’s real. He wanted Kikwang to leave, because he knew that he wouldn’t be able to let go-just like five years ago, where they should’ve ended the relationship that moment, but no, Dongwoon was the one who didn’t let go-but deep down inside, he knew that he didn’t want Kikwang to leave.
Dongwoon’s still in love with him.
And Kikwang didn’t change at all.
He was still the Kikwang Dongwoon knew, kind hearted, caring, beautiful, too beautiful in fact, and Dongwoon wanted him.
For the past week, Kikwang had been waiting Dongwoon by the door patiently until he came home. It only lasted for three days because the next day on the fourth, Dongwoon found Kikwang was being harassed by some kids in the neighborhood. He was so angry that he beat the crap out of those kids-and stopped when Kikwang hugged him from behind, begging him to stop in tears.
Kikwang was the only person who could reduce his anger.
After that, Dongwoon asked for Kikwang to wait in a safer place, safer environment, until he picked him up and went home together.
Does that mean they’re still in a relationship?
Dongwoon didn’t know. He’s afraid to ask.
But right now, he only knew that whatever relationship they had, he didn’t want Kikwang to disappear anymore.
***
“Kevinie, let’s have lunch!”
Kevin looked at Eli nonchalantly before shaking his head. “I’m having lunch with AJ today.”
Eli turned pale. “Wh-what?”
Minho sighed as he stood up and observed the two males arguing-more like Eli was whining and Kevin didn’t give a damn at all. “That dork. When will he realize that Kevin’s not interested in him? What do you think, Dongwoon-ah?”
Dongwoon didn’t reply as he kept on fixing the car.
“Quiet as ever, eh?”, Minho turned to him. “I know, I know, it’s their problem, right? So after they get back, shall we have lunch? What are we going to eat today?”
“...I brought lunchbox.”
Minho’s eyes widened. “A lunchbox? You-you made one?”
Dongwoon decided not to reply and he could feel Minho’s eyes were piercing through the back of his head, dying to know.
“Or...from...a lover? A girlfriend? No, a...boyfriend?”
Dongwoon stopped working. Boyf... Is he still my boyfriend...?
“Oh my God,” Minho breathed in awe. “You...you were stunned, man. Oh my God, you freaking have a boyfriend. And I thought you could never move on from that past of yours!”
I could never move on, indeed.
“Dongwoon, this is great, man! I’m so happy for you,” Minho grinned and patted Dongwoon’s back. “So when are you going to introduce him to me, your best friend?”
When..?
He was about to retort at the grinning Minho when suddenly someone called out his name.
“Dongwoon-hyung...”
Dongwoon looked over his shoulder to see a younger male standing behind him. He looked nervous and Dongwoon tried to remember his name, but he failed. Instead he could only stare back.
“I-I wonder if you’d like to have lunch together...”
It was familiar. They asked him to have lunch together, and then they told him that they like him, they love him, they wanted to be with him, and all this time, Dongwoon never really gave them specific reasons. But today, he looked at the male, the latter was blushing and had his gaze fixed on the ground-on Dongwoon’s shoes to be exact-like something interesting attached there.
This time, Dongwoon knew what to say.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
The younger male looked up and bit his lip sadly.
“I’m seeing someone right now...”
***
“Your wound has healed,” Kikwang said as he carefully opened the bandage. “It will leave scar though...ugh, I don’t think I’ve done a great job with it...I’m sorry, Woonie...”
“Don’t be sorry,” Dongwoon looked down to his left arm and shook his head. “This was nicely done.”
Kikwang blinked in disbelief. “R-really, Woonie?”
“Yeah. Ever think of becoming a surgeon?”
“Surg...”, Kikwang trailed off and his eyes widened in horror. “N-no, I-I can’t, blood, too much blood, and then those knives and scalpels and scissors and retractors and-“
“Hey,” Dongwoon instinctively reached out for Kikwang. “Okay, not surgeon then. Let’s think of something else.”
Kikwang blushed slightly as Dongwoon pulled him closer, and their fingers touched. The latter was still topless-because he was checking the wound before, Kikwang defended himself-and the closeness and the warmth, and Kikwang almost stopped breathing because his heart just wouldn’t obey and started to beat a million times faster.
Son Dongwoon’s the only one who could make him feel this way.
“If you’re scared of blood that much, why becoming a doctor in the first place?”
“It’s...it’s...my parents...”
Dongwoon didn’t look surprised. “Your parents.”
“Y-yeah... I couldn’t do anything back then...”
“You were just a kid.”
Kikwang pressed his lips into a thin line and stared at Dongwoon, who looked away. Dongwoon never seemed to like whenever Kikwang’s parents were brought into discussion. He didn’t blame him though, his parents were the ones who separated them...
“Woonie?”
“Hm.”
“Can I...ask you something?”
Dongwoon turned to look at Kikwang and their eyes met. “Go on.”
“Are you...a gangster or something?”
Dongwoon frowned. “Huh?”
“You know...”, Kikwang smiled sheepishly. “They said you were involved in a lot of fights after I left...so I assumed...that, uh... And, uh...I...I don’t know where you work and...” Okay, you’re being a dork, Kikwang. Stop stuttering. “...when we meet again, you and your friends were talking about a fight and you were bleeding and...I just...I just want to know, but it’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me...”
Kikwang looked down nervously. Did he cross the line?
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Dongwoon took a deep breath before caressing a thumb over Kikwang’s cheek.
“There are so much that I don’t know about you...for the past few years...and I just...I just want to know,” Kikwang continued sadly.
Their fingers laced together and Dongwoon caressed Kikwang’s hand with his thumb to calm him down.
“I’m not a gangster,” Dongwoon said softly, half amused. “I got in a lot of fights but, those were like the hardest times for me when you left, and no one was there for me. That was back in high school.”
“A-and last week?”
Dongwoon stared at Kikwang’s hand. The latter’s skin was so smooth, Dongwoon wouldn’t want to stop caressing it.
“A few years back, when we were still communicating, I got into a brutal fight and I was dying. They left me lifeless on the road, and I really thought I was going to die. But then Siwon-hyung saved me. He brought me into a hospital and took care of me until I’m recovering. He saved my life. I offered working part time in his place to help and he gladly accepted. As soon as I graduated, I worked full time and he taught me a lot and I was grateful.”
Dongwoon stopped talking, stared at Kikwang’s lips and continued.
“Then I met Minho and the others.”
“And...the fight?”
“Right, the fight. So Siwon-hyung got this rival, both of them are the heir of their rich families, and his name is Kibum. So it’s like a battle of personal matters. But Kevin-you’ve seen him, right, the blonde one, he’s the prettiest in my workplace-has a thing going on with AJ, the mechanic who works for Kibum. And Eli-he’s like head over heels for Kevin, so...you know where this is going. Whenever that dork Eli started a fight with AJ, me and Minho had to save his ass.”
Dongwoon chuckled at his last sentence and shook his head. “Dork,” he repeated. “And it was totally an accident. AJ was yelling at his friend too when he swung his knife my way. He seemed to be new in the group.”
Kikwang held his breath. “Woonie...”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry...”
“Stop saying that, you’re not at fault.”
“B-but I wasn’t there for you...”
“And it wasn’t your fault. I’m at fault too, since I’m not telling you any of this when we were still dating.”
Kikwang looked surprised. “When we were still...?”
“When we were still dating in a long distance relationship,” Dongwoon quickly corrected.
“Oh...”
Both of them fell into a silent moment before Dongwoon cleared his throat.
“Kiki,” he said. “I’m not worth for you.”
Kikwang looked up with his eyes widened. “Why are you thinking like that?”
“I made a promise to you, that I will and have to grow up faster for you. That I have to be independent, to be able to make money on my own, and I had asked you to wait for me...but now, I don’t think I’ll be able to fulfill it for you. Look at you, you’re so breathtaking, a future doctor, while I’m just...”
“I don’t care,” Kikwang whispered. “I don’t care, Woonie...”
“But your parents do care. I’m assuming your parents already set up someone to be your future husband.”
“H-how did you-“
“I’m just a car mechanic, Kiki. Your parents are definitely against that.”
Kikwang was speechless. Dongwoon didn’t let him to finish his sentences. Social status will always be a problem, is that what you’re saying, Woonie?
“It’s not too late if we end everything right away and you leave. I’m not gonna stop you. If it’s for the best...”
“Stop saying if it’s for the best like that,” Kikwang replied with a quivering voice. “I’m asking you then, Woonie, what is it that you want? Do you really want me to leave and walk out that door? Because if it’s what you really want, I’ll do it.”
Dongwoon stared at Kikwang blankly.
“If you ask me what I want, then I’m selfishly going to answer, I want to marry you.”
Kikwang’s eyes widened and brought a hand to cover his mouth. He was trembling and he couldn’t believe what Dongwoon had just said. Kikwang searched for a playful look on his face, but not even a smile. Dongwoon looked serious. No. Dongwoon was serious.
Dongwoon wanted to marry him.
Kikwang swallowed.
“Then... I’m not leaving...”
Dongwoon’s grip on Kikwang’s hand tightened.
***
“Today’s practice is over, you may go home,” the senior doctor commanded and everyone cheered silently.
Kikwang packed his things slowly and glanced at his watch. Just in time, he could drop by the store to shop for dinner.
“Hey, wanna go grab something?”, Onew nudged Kikwang.
“Ah, sorry Onew, I’ll pass for today...”
“Dude, you’ve been saying that since last week. When are you going to spend some time with me? You promised you’d hang out with me.”
“I-I did?”, Kikwang scratched his head. “Um...what about... Tomorrow? I promise...”
Onew sighed. “I’ve been hearing too much promises from you. But okay. Tomorrow. It’s a promise then.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I haven’t met my boyfriend in five years that I still want to see him everyday until I get bored-wait a minute, that’s not gonna happen, I won’t get bored so-“
“Okay, okay, I get it! Sheesh... Kikwang and his love obsession. So when are you going to introduce him to me?”
Kikwang rolled his eyes and walked with Onew to the hospital entrance where his friends were gathering. “Just as long as you promise you won’t fall for him, okay?”
Onew snorted but then he raised his brows. “Is he that hot?” He got a kick as a reply. “Ow! Hey, what’s with the crowd?”
“A rich guy with his rich car,” a friend of them said. “But damn, he’s so handsome, you know?”
The moment Kikwang heard ‘rich guy with his rich car’, he immediately just lost interest and wouldn’t pay a damn attention. Even though he’s from a rich family too, but Kikwang never showed off. I guess people are different, and I just need Woonie. He waved goodbye at Onew and was about to walk away when someone called out his name.
“Kikwang-ah?”
Kikwang stopped walking and slowly turned back.
It was Jinwoon.
“Y-you?”
Jinwoon smiled. “Let’s go home, Kikwang-ah.”
“That handsome guy is Kikwang’s boyfriend? Damn, he’s so lucky!”
“He’s also rich, just like him. Think they’re meant to be?”
“Just like in a fairy tale...”
Kikwang felt uneasy. “Thank you, but I-I can go home by myself.”
“Your parents booked us a table for lunch at the fancy restaurant this afternoon. I’m just obeying orders.”
Kikwang’s friends were talking and they’re getting louder. He hated this kind of attention, and most of all, he hated rich people who showed off everything they got. Envious whispers and words could be heard from around him and it despised him more. Kikwang groaned before getting into the car. He’s had enough attention.
“Let’s go.”
Jinwoon smiled happily before following Kikwang.
***
Kikwang stared at his phone, lost in thought of what should he tell Dongwoon. He was typing a few sentences before redoing them all. Then he started typing again, and changed his mind and deleted all of them. Kikwang was helpless.
Jinwoon glanced at him from the corner of his eye before clearing his throat. “Who are you texting?”
Kikwang was quiet. “I don’t really have to tell you that.”
“Maybe you should try, you know. Just in case we’re getting married, I don’t want to have a one way communication.”
“Maybe you should stop thinking that we’re getting married.”
“Well, maybe you should start thinking that we might.”
Kikwang sighed. “Come on, Jinwoon-ah, I can’t believe you agreed to this in the first place.”
“Why not? I think you’re pretty and I believe love can grow.”
It was like Jinwoon had shot Kikwang right in the chest and it was hurting him badly.
Love can grow.
“I think you know that I’m in love with someone else...”
Jinwoon shrugged. “I’m totally fine with that right now, but later when we’re getting more serious, you need to stop thinking about other guys.”
“Oh my God, which part of my sentences that you didn’t understand?”, Kikwang hissed. Can he just smack this kid?
Jinwoon suddenly turned left and entered a car workshop. He didn’t look like he give a damn about what Kikwang was saying. Typical rich kid, Kikwang grunted inwardly. Woonie would never do that.
“We’ll continue the discussion later, after I’m done with this baby,” Jinwoon said and patted the steer before getting out of the car. “Yo, Minho!”
“Hey, Jinwoon-shii...”, the person called Minho grinned and shook Jinwoon’s hand. “This baby of yours is getting prettier.”
Kikwang was left just like that. He decided that he wouldn’t get married with someone who called his own car ‘baby’. He puffed his cheeks in annoyance and glared at Jinwoon before sighing to calm himself down. Kikwang crossed his arms and still staring at Jinwoon and the person called Minho for a while, when he realized that the Minho, was the same person with the male who carried Dongwoon the other night. He came to a realization.
Does that mean...Woonie?
Kikwang quickly looked around, searching wildly for the presence of his boyfriend. It was lunch time, so most of the workers probably were out for lunch, but wherever it was, Kikwang could always spot his Dongwoon.
And there he was.
Kikwang gasped softly and opened the door in a hurry. Jinwoon stopped talking and he frowned at Kikwang, wondering what had been so interesting that it made his fiance jumped like that. Kikwang followed the person, he really looked like Dongwoon from behind-no, it’s definitely Dongwoon, Kikwang knew that wide shoulders, that sexy back, those strong arms...
“Woonie...?”
Dongwoon slowly looked back and he looked as surprised as Kikwang. “Kiki...?”
Instinctively Kikwang shrieked and hugged his boyfriend. The moment he inhaled Dongwoon’s scent-even though the latter was dirty and sweaty, he didn’t mind at all, instead he felt really calm and alright. “Woonie, I miss you...”
“We just met last night.”
“Can’t I miss my boyfriend?”, Kikwang pouted.
Dongwoon smiled in amusement and ruffled his hair in affection.
“I-I came here by accident,” Kikwang had the need to explain to Dongwoon even though he wasn’t asking. “And, I, uh... I tried to text you but I couldn’t find the right words to say, I was gonna tell you that I’m gonna be late, probably-“
“But you’re here?”, Dongwoon frowned.
“It’s-it’s accidental,” Kikwang repeated. Suddenly he remembered that he’s not alone. When he thought of that, Kikwang could feel he was pulled away from Dongwoon and gasped in shock.
“Good afternoon,” Jinwoon bowed politely to Dongwoon and offered his hand. “Jinwoon.”
Dongwoon stared at Jinwoon for a while, before looking down at the offered hand and took it. “...Dongwoon.”
“Ah, so you’re the famous Dongwoon...”, Jinwoon clicked his tongue. “The rat that Kikwang’s parents tried to get rid of.”
Kikwang’s eyes widened in shock. Did he hear that right? “Wh-what? M-my parents?”
“I see that you’re still poor just like the past... I feel sorry for you, but...maybe you’re just not meant to be with Kikwang,” Jinwoon continued after throwing Dongwoon a look. “And just to let you know, we’re engaged now.”
“We’re not!”, Kikwang hissed and pushed Jinwoon aside. “Don’t listen to him, Woonie. It’s not true!”
“It will be, soon,” Jinwoon lifted up his chin and stared at Dongwoon as if to challenge him. He was indeed a bit taller than Dongwoon. “Kikwang-ah, get in the car.”
“No,” Kikwang stubbornly said. “I’m not going with you.”
“I said get in the car,” Jinwoon shoved Kikwang with one arm and it was probably a bit too strong that it made Kikwang bumped on to the car. The sound of Kikwang’s back against the door was quite loud.
“Ah!”, Kikwang cried in pain.
“Hey,” Dongwoon gritted his teeth. “I can take all those bad words you’re aiming for me, but I can’t take it if you hurt him.” He rushed over to Kikwang’s side and grabbed his shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Kikwang nodded weakly. “I’m-I’m okay...”
“I’m sorry”, Jinwoon looked worried as he examined Kikwang. “I’m really sorry. Please, just get in the car, Kikwang-ah.”
Kikwang bit his lip as he stared at his boyfriend longingly. “Woonie...?”
Dongwoon glared at Jinwoon for a minute, as if to say that even if he’s freaking rich, he’s not afraid. When his eyes turned to Kikwang, they were soft, and Jinwoon noticed it. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”
Kikwang hesitated before obeying getting into the car. When Jinwoon closed the door, Kikwang was still staring longingly at Dongwoon, with one hand pressed on the glass window.
I love you.
Kikwang mouthed it silently before a tear fell to his cheek.
Dongwoon felt his chest tightened.
“If his parents find out, they won’t be happy,” Jinwoon said quietly. “And history will repeat itself.”
“Just don’t. Touch. Him,” Dongwoon talked in a dangerous tone.
“I like him. I can’t help if I do,” Jinwoon threw him a mocking smile before getting into the car. “Minho, I’ll come by later. Alone.” He suppressed the last word loudly and slammed the door.
Minho had been standing near them and stared with caution, just in case a fight happened. When Jinwoon’s car pulled away and disappeared from the sight, he noticed that Dongwoon was fisting his hand hard. He was angered, and this was new. All this time, Minho had never seen him angry. He cleared his throat.
Dongwoon didn't say anything.
“You never let go,” Minho softly said.
Dongwoon turned around and walked past Minho.
“No,” he replied. “I didn’t, and I’m not intending to let go.”
[3]