[ILC21] Distorted Harmony
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Henry
Genre: AU!Romance, Drama, Minor!Angst
IL/Pairing Assigner: rssj1314 & shadowcrawler12
Summary: Music is not always beautiful, the strongest of men can still succumb to his body's battling weakness, and the idle employee who had always been kept at a distance, can only hope his circumstances change as well.
-
He glowers at the object in his lap, cautiously poking it with his pointer finger before leaning back in his chair and continuing to eye it suspiciously.
"What is this suppose to be?"
Henry stepped back, his hands fidgeting behind his back. "A gift...Sir."
The word seemed to have caught the man by subtle surprise, or at least that was he thought he saw. Henry awkwardly looked down, bowed his head and stepped out of the room.
That may have been a mistake. He knew it may have been; despite the warnings and such from the staff, he gathered whatever courage he had to present the box on his Master's birthday. A foolish idea, he realized.
-
His master was quiet, cold, an emotive expression of any sort was rare. And while the staff respected him without much response, they were quite oblivious to the work connecting to Eunhyuk. Henry, his driver, was quite familiar with his master's occupation.
He observed the associates, the questionable houses and routes that at first, he judged him from these few facts alone when he took on the job. It was apparent that Eunhyuk had refused to involve himself in the underground's dirty work, simply exchange of information from those often exhausting meetings.
It was then he noted the solemn aura surrounding the man who distanced himself away from the crowd, despite the collection of people around him.
Henry wanted to reach out to him.
Henry looked at the mirror one late night, driving him away from his last meeting. His master sat up with his head against the seat, soundly asleep. It was a vulnerable expression he was certain others had never seen.
Despite being close to home, he drove in circles around it, allowing him to rest a while longer.
It was when he accidentally hit a pot hole did his master woke up, and realized the hour.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"I thought...I'd let you sleep...some more." Henry said uneasily, stopping in front of the bastion as his fingers clutched the wheel.
His averted eyes failed to see the reaction his master may have held, and once the car door opened and closed, Henry let out the breath he wasn't aware he was holding.
"You fell for the boss?" A butler asked one late evening as they relaxed from the day's work.
"I...can't help it." The driver admitted quietly, leaning solemnly on the waxed wooden rail of the large staircase.
He knew his answer made no sense to the rest of the staff, mainly because none have ever fallen for Eunhyuk, but do respect him. He felt both towards him, but he sighed to himself often, knowing he'd have to live with this one-sidedness.
His job as his master's only driver taunted that emotion. He could never willingly avoid him. Unlike the wary younger man who grew flustered, his master continued to stay quite on their daily drives. Nothing had change.
Henry selfishly wished that for once, just once, his master would look back at him.
His worry shifted forever, observing how slowly he took his steps, taking deep breaths, needing to rest in the back of the car more often.
It was getting worse, and he couldn't pretend to remain oblivious to it. Unlike his master, he couldn't perfect the mere art of remaining expressionless.
-
Henry stared at the ledge of the open balcony. The chances of success were high, yet the chances of reaching that stage were low Henry soon learned.
One jump was all it took.
"What are you doing?"
He turned around, startled to see Eunhyuk walking about.
"I'm..." Henry's voice trailed off.
"You asked Dr. Park what it takes to be a donor. That once he told you about our blood types," Eunhyuk spoke, his voice distinct as it echoed in the darkened room. "You asked if there were other specifications needed."
Rather than deny the allegation, Henry stood oddly silent. His master narrowed his eyes, breathing slightly from standing too long. "Even if you jumped off right now, and had it waiting for me, I wouldn't take it."
"But you can't afford to wait!" Henry argued back.
"You're the impatient one." Eunhyuk said crossly. "I've already come to terms with it, I don't see how a mere employee is engrossed with my affair. An employee should know their place, whether they agree with my stance or not. Understand?"
"...Yes, master." Henry said reluctantly. He lowered his eyes at his cold tone and watched as Eunhyuk settled into the chair in front of the fire, needing to take rest. Henry aimed to walk from the room, he had lost his fight.
"You're willing to give me anything?"
He turned around at the statement and nodded without hesitation. His master remained quiet when he abruptly uttered,
"A kiss then."
Henry froze, stared at him a moment longer when he knelt down beside his chair, his hands curled around the armrest, and pecked him on the cheek.
"That isn't what I asked for."
"Well...I.." Henry fell silent, the heat rising from his neck to his cheeks. The fire crackled behind them, casting a deep light on his embarrassed expression.
Eunhyuk tilted his chin with his forefinger and thumb, and kissed him softly on the lips.
-
He couldn't face his employer directly ever since, or even look into his eyes. Thankfully, considering he was always in the front of the vehicle, he didn't have to often.
He wasn't sure what to think of the kiss. The most likeliest of possibilities, but also the most painful was that his master was using his feelings against him or as mere amusement. He sighed deeply at the thought as he stood at the foot of the stairs.
"What's there to be sad about?"
Henry looked up at a man he recognized as Zhou Mi, an associate of Eunhyuk's.
"I'm not sad." Heartbroken, maybe. His expectations were never high that his employer would return his feelings.
Zhou Mi lightly tapped the tip of his nose, making the younger man flinch as Zhou Mi laughed lightly. "Is your employer working you to the bone? If you want, I can extend a job offer of my own."
Henry furrowed his eyebrows and politely rejected. "I'm happy here."
"Is that so?" It was apparent that his response surprised him, but Henry shuddered inwardly, that scanning gaze penetrating through him. "Do I make you nervous?" Zhou Mi asked.
"Slightly." Henry replied bluntly, the man chuckled. Zhou Mi then pulled down Henry's driver's hat over his eyes. "Cute." He complimented as Henry struggled to take off his hat.
His struggle ceased as he lifted the hat off with ease, surprised to see Eunhyuk grab Zhou Mi's wrist.
"Greedy, Eunhyuk. Still can't share." Zhou Mi replied darkly, pulling it away.
"Leave."
"I will, I will. Why not have your driver take me home?" Henry inched away and hid behind Eunhyuk, something about the man's taunts frightened him, his seemingly warm gaze held something darker. Even his own master never terrified him to this degree.
"You can walk." Eunhyuk replied, beckoning Henry to follow him up the marble staircase.
Once out of earshot, Eunhyuk said, "Never be alone with that man. Understand?"
Henry nodded as Eunhyuk continued on, he debated whether to follow him when he noticed the slight limp in his step, the light layer of sweat and his deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern evident in his tone.
"I'm fine." Eunhyuk replied, Henry didn't believe him and immediately walked closer beside him, making sure he could walk without collapsing.
He didn't stop with helping him to the bed, and soon returned with a bowl of water and a small towel.
"Don't overwork yourself." Henry warned, gently dabbing the small, damp towel on his forehead.
Eunhyuk pushed away his hand. "I have my own doctor and nurse to check on me."
"That's true." Henry agreed. "But it doesn't mean I can't care about you, does it?"
"You won't get paid extra."
"I know."
"Stop saying that." Eunhyuk ordered. "You make it seem as if you know everything about me."
"But I do." Henry admitted out loud. Eunhyuk forced himself to sit upright with some struggle, pushing away Henry's helping hand as he leaned against the wooden platform.
"Since you claim to know me so well..." Eunhyuk said slowly, deliberating. "Favorite drink."
"Bourbon."
"Favorite dish."
"Bun rieu."
"Favorite way to sleep." Henry shifted away his eyes. Eunhyuk tilted his head, assuming he finally had a question that stumped him. "No answer?"
"No, it just might be inappropriate."
Eunhyuk's gaze prompted him to reply.
"Laying down on your right side, facing away from the window with the curtains half-opened and one arm under your pillow." Henry stated, cringing internally at his own reply, and when he saw Eunhyuk arch an eyebrow, he closed his eyes from embarrassment alone.
A maid walked through the marble tilted floor, when she furrowed her eyebrows at the unclosed doors of the master's bedroom.
She went to close them when she widened her eyes at the unrecognizable laugh.
She didn't dare to look up and closed the double doors shut, and wondered if what she heard was true.
-
The staff of the Lee bastion were quiet, tensed by the somber atmosphere, all too aware of their master's deteriorating condition. They all kept their distance as Eunhyuk sat on a chair beside the window, his hand laid on the window will, sleeping soundly with his head on the wall's edge.
Henry was the only one who dared to come by and placed a blanket carefully as not to wake him. He sat on an adjacent chair and looked out the window at the falling snow when he felt a gentle tap on his thigh and looked to his side.
Eunhyuk was still resting, but Henry smiled as he reached for the cold hand, gently taking it into his own.
-
Henry was no longer needed, his master was now unable to leave the household as the winter settled in and worsened his health. Yet somehow, he was in his company more often than when he had driven him for all these years.
"If you want to ask, you can ask." Eunhyuk murmured a while after, sitting in the couch of the large living room.
Henry stood with his hand on the grand piano, his fingers gently tracing the edges. "If you want to tell me something, I shouldn't have to ask." Henry said blankly.
Eunhyuk smiled, used to his honest nature. "I never learned how to play." Eunhyuk admitted, gesturing to the instrument. "It's merely for show."
Henry looked back at the piano, sitting on the piano bench and lifting up the top cover to reveal dusty keys. Eunhyuk watched as his driver stretched his neck, his hands and then dramatically banged his hands on the keys.
It was nothing short of beautiful, much less enjoyable. Yet Eunhyuk chuckled quietly at the childish play.
Henry turned around, giving a nervous laugh. "I'll learn for you." He then stood up, intending to reach for supplies to clean the piano.
"Wait."
Henry halted in his step, and followed Eunhyuk's gestured hand to the small table beside the couch as he stood up from the couch. He reached for it and opened the small envelope, within it held a single ticket.
"I'm not that ill-observant either." Eunhyuk replied coolly, handing it over. "If your parents need you, don't hold back on my account."
Henry looked uneasy. "But I want to stay."
"You can't force yourself to stay." Eunhyuk said. It was then that he swayed, Henry helped him back onto the couch.
Henry didn't want to leave, but torn to his filial duties. He sulked visibly when he decided he'd only leave for a short while. He told him after. To this declaration, his master sighed.
"If I had asked for you to stay forever, would you?"
"Of course." Henry said, frustrated that his feelings still came only to the surface in front of the man.
Eunhyuk took a deep breath and said under his breath, "Do you like me that much?"
"Yes."
"...You're too honest." Eunhyuk said simply, returning upstairs to his study.
Henry sighed heavily, watching him until he left his sight. He then smiled politely at the butler that stood at the bottom.
"He trusts you the most." His co-worker said.
Henry, rather than beaming from praise, instead lowered his eyes. "He may trust me, but it doesn't mean he loves me."
-
It felt as if the fire had gone out in the large bastion. Eunhyuk, while still his same self, remained rather distant the entire time. It somehow worsened.
The workers nearly heaved a sigh of relief the moment Henry returned home. The darkened eyes that greeted him warmed up as Henry knelt beside him, excitedly retelling the events that occurred during his trip. It was an attentive look, one maid noted, but quietly ignored as she handed him an herbal tea.
"I practiced." She idly heard Henry say to him, the driver's eyes were wide with glee. Yet once Eunhyuk reached for his tea, his gaze lowered only slightly, smiling as swore by his side.
"You're not alone." Henry softly murmured.
Once the maid left, she made sure to keep the others away at the private moment. Having caught a brief glimpse of Henry sitting on his master's chair, making sure not to hurt him or add pressure. Eunhyuk leaned his head against his shoulder, resting.
"I promise." Henry said quietly. "I'll play you the melody once you come home."
-
Henry continued practicing on the piano, sighing every so often.
His co-workers noted how he often gazed outside the window.
It had been months since, and still no word from the master of his condition since he had left with news of a possible donor. Most of the staff had already assumed the worst, but Henry had been stubborn in thinking otherwise. Or simply hoping, as his eyes began to dim the longer the days continued.
The knocks on the door signaled the butler to open, and greet one of their co-workers.
"He wants you to be there." The man said to Henry, who quickly reached for his jacket without question and rushed out.
The staff continued on, and hadn't seen Henry or their master since.
-
Two days after Christmas, the doors opened to reveal a wheelchair being pushed through, their master sitting still as Henry pushed it on his own.
"I can walk on my own." Eunhyuk said, attempting to stop the chair but Henry continued on without stopping.
"The doctor says otherwise." Henry retorted. "Asking you to relax isn't too much, is it?"
His master's look alone would have stopped most of the staff, but it seemed Henry had developed an immunity to it.
It was a few days after when Henry settled into the piano chair, and some of the staff heard as a skillful melody echoed throughout the halls. Eunhyuk, who had his eyes closed, opened them as he watched Henry's back, able to see his hands attempt the difficult part of the piece.
Once he finished, Henry sighed in relief but still held tensed shoulders, anticipating but afraid of the reaction he received.
He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and looked up, his master towering above him.
"You've done well."
His detached tone would have made most assume the worst, but to Henry, it was easily the most meaningful phrase he ever said to him. Henry grabbed his hand, keeping him by as Eunhyuk closed his eyes.
"I'll return to work soon, it seems rumors are starting of where I've been." Eunhyuk said. "They've been asking around, Zhou Mi is particularly relentless."
Henry instantly said, "I won't ever tell your secrets to someone else, no matter who it is who asks." Eunhyuk tapped his cheek, almost a punishment.
"I'm not interrogating you." Eunhyuk uttered. "I trust you."
Henry stood up from the piano chair and helped him upstairs. Once in the bedroom, Henry helped him change his shirt, the older man still weak from the surgery.
His fingers then traced over the scar over his heart, gently brushing against the rugged line.
"Since my heart has changed," Henry looked up and met his gaze as Eunhyuk posed the question. "Would my feelings change also?"
For once, Henry had no answer. He smiled weakly as he carefully adjusted Eunhyuk's shirt. He evaded the question.
There was doubt. Henry shouldered that slight burden as he walked to the double doors, aiming to leave when his master called out,
"Must I ask?"
Henry turned midway, giving him a knowing look that Eunhyuk rebuttal with a cold look. Henry, unable to take being ignored, hurried to settle onto his left, laying down on the cold pillow and turned towards the half-opened window. A habit that had started during his days in the hospital, although admittedly, in a much smaller bed.
It still seemed Eunhyuk wasn't satisfied however, and continued to narrow his eyes.
"Don't ask." Henry taunted. "Demand it."
Eunhyuk returned a warning look.
Henry chuckled. His heart may have physically changed, but that's all that changed. And for that, Henry was relieved.
He leaned over him, careful not to press against his vulnerable torso. Against his lips he replied to his inaudible and demanding request, smiling as he brushed against his lips and murmured,
"Yes, master."
☆ rssj1314's HenHyuk ☆
- ILC20 [ Zhou Mi/Henry] ☆ ILC22 [ EunHae] -
-
A/N: So. Late. .-. *Runs to write ILC22*
Check out my-prection and zhouhenhyuk^^
Pairing: Eunhyuk/Henry
Genre: AU!Romance, Drama, Minor!Angst
IL/Pairing Assigner: rssj1314 & shadowcrawler12
Summary: Music is not always beautiful, the strongest of men can still succumb to his body's battling weakness, and the idle employee who had always been kept at a distance, can only hope his circumstances change as well.
-
He glowers at the object in his lap, cautiously poking it with his pointer finger before leaning back in his chair and continuing to eye it suspiciously.
"What is this suppose to be?"
Henry stepped back, his hands fidgeting behind his back. "A gift...Sir."
The word seemed to have caught the man by subtle surprise, or at least that was he thought he saw. Henry awkwardly looked down, bowed his head and stepped out of the room.
That may have been a mistake. He knew it may have been; despite the warnings and such from the staff, he gathered whatever courage he had to present the box on his Master's birthday. A foolish idea, he realized.
-
His master was quiet, cold, an emotive expression of any sort was rare. And while the staff respected him without much response, they were quite oblivious to the work connecting to Eunhyuk. Henry, his driver, was quite familiar with his master's occupation.
He observed the associates, the questionable houses and routes that at first, he judged him from these few facts alone when he took on the job. It was apparent that Eunhyuk had refused to involve himself in the underground's dirty work, simply exchange of information from those often exhausting meetings.
It was then he noted the solemn aura surrounding the man who distanced himself away from the crowd, despite the collection of people around him.
Henry wanted to reach out to him.
Henry looked at the mirror one late night, driving him away from his last meeting. His master sat up with his head against the seat, soundly asleep. It was a vulnerable expression he was certain others had never seen.
Despite being close to home, he drove in circles around it, allowing him to rest a while longer.
It was when he accidentally hit a pot hole did his master woke up, and realized the hour.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"I thought...I'd let you sleep...some more." Henry said uneasily, stopping in front of the bastion as his fingers clutched the wheel.
His averted eyes failed to see the reaction his master may have held, and once the car door opened and closed, Henry let out the breath he wasn't aware he was holding.
"You fell for the boss?" A butler asked one late evening as they relaxed from the day's work.
"I...can't help it." The driver admitted quietly, leaning solemnly on the waxed wooden rail of the large staircase.
He knew his answer made no sense to the rest of the staff, mainly because none have ever fallen for Eunhyuk, but do respect him. He felt both towards him, but he sighed to himself often, knowing he'd have to live with this one-sidedness.
His job as his master's only driver taunted that emotion. He could never willingly avoid him. Unlike the wary younger man who grew flustered, his master continued to stay quite on their daily drives. Nothing had change.
Henry selfishly wished that for once, just once, his master would look back at him.
His worry shifted forever, observing how slowly he took his steps, taking deep breaths, needing to rest in the back of the car more often.
It was getting worse, and he couldn't pretend to remain oblivious to it. Unlike his master, he couldn't perfect the mere art of remaining expressionless.
-
Henry stared at the ledge of the open balcony. The chances of success were high, yet the chances of reaching that stage were low Henry soon learned.
One jump was all it took.
"What are you doing?"
He turned around, startled to see Eunhyuk walking about.
"I'm..." Henry's voice trailed off.
"You asked Dr. Park what it takes to be a donor. That once he told you about our blood types," Eunhyuk spoke, his voice distinct as it echoed in the darkened room. "You asked if there were other specifications needed."
Rather than deny the allegation, Henry stood oddly silent. His master narrowed his eyes, breathing slightly from standing too long. "Even if you jumped off right now, and had it waiting for me, I wouldn't take it."
"But you can't afford to wait!" Henry argued back.
"You're the impatient one." Eunhyuk said crossly. "I've already come to terms with it, I don't see how a mere employee is engrossed with my affair. An employee should know their place, whether they agree with my stance or not. Understand?"
"...Yes, master." Henry said reluctantly. He lowered his eyes at his cold tone and watched as Eunhyuk settled into the chair in front of the fire, needing to take rest. Henry aimed to walk from the room, he had lost his fight.
"You're willing to give me anything?"
He turned around at the statement and nodded without hesitation. His master remained quiet when he abruptly uttered,
"A kiss then."
Henry froze, stared at him a moment longer when he knelt down beside his chair, his hands curled around the armrest, and pecked him on the cheek.
"That isn't what I asked for."
"Well...I.." Henry fell silent, the heat rising from his neck to his cheeks. The fire crackled behind them, casting a deep light on his embarrassed expression.
Eunhyuk tilted his chin with his forefinger and thumb, and kissed him softly on the lips.
-
He couldn't face his employer directly ever since, or even look into his eyes. Thankfully, considering he was always in the front of the vehicle, he didn't have to often.
He wasn't sure what to think of the kiss. The most likeliest of possibilities, but also the most painful was that his master was using his feelings against him or as mere amusement. He sighed deeply at the thought as he stood at the foot of the stairs.
"What's there to be sad about?"
Henry looked up at a man he recognized as Zhou Mi, an associate of Eunhyuk's.
"I'm not sad." Heartbroken, maybe. His expectations were never high that his employer would return his feelings.
Zhou Mi lightly tapped the tip of his nose, making the younger man flinch as Zhou Mi laughed lightly. "Is your employer working you to the bone? If you want, I can extend a job offer of my own."
Henry furrowed his eyebrows and politely rejected. "I'm happy here."
"Is that so?" It was apparent that his response surprised him, but Henry shuddered inwardly, that scanning gaze penetrating through him. "Do I make you nervous?" Zhou Mi asked.
"Slightly." Henry replied bluntly, the man chuckled. Zhou Mi then pulled down Henry's driver's hat over his eyes. "Cute." He complimented as Henry struggled to take off his hat.
His struggle ceased as he lifted the hat off with ease, surprised to see Eunhyuk grab Zhou Mi's wrist.
"Greedy, Eunhyuk. Still can't share." Zhou Mi replied darkly, pulling it away.
"Leave."
"I will, I will. Why not have your driver take me home?" Henry inched away and hid behind Eunhyuk, something about the man's taunts frightened him, his seemingly warm gaze held something darker. Even his own master never terrified him to this degree.
"You can walk." Eunhyuk replied, beckoning Henry to follow him up the marble staircase.
Once out of earshot, Eunhyuk said, "Never be alone with that man. Understand?"
Henry nodded as Eunhyuk continued on, he debated whether to follow him when he noticed the slight limp in his step, the light layer of sweat and his deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern evident in his tone.
"I'm fine." Eunhyuk replied, Henry didn't believe him and immediately walked closer beside him, making sure he could walk without collapsing.
He didn't stop with helping him to the bed, and soon returned with a bowl of water and a small towel.
"Don't overwork yourself." Henry warned, gently dabbing the small, damp towel on his forehead.
Eunhyuk pushed away his hand. "I have my own doctor and nurse to check on me."
"That's true." Henry agreed. "But it doesn't mean I can't care about you, does it?"
"You won't get paid extra."
"I know."
"Stop saying that." Eunhyuk ordered. "You make it seem as if you know everything about me."
"But I do." Henry admitted out loud. Eunhyuk forced himself to sit upright with some struggle, pushing away Henry's helping hand as he leaned against the wooden platform.
"Since you claim to know me so well..." Eunhyuk said slowly, deliberating. "Favorite drink."
"Bourbon."
"Favorite dish."
"Bun rieu."
"Favorite way to sleep." Henry shifted away his eyes. Eunhyuk tilted his head, assuming he finally had a question that stumped him. "No answer?"
"No, it just might be inappropriate."
Eunhyuk's gaze prompted him to reply.
"Laying down on your right side, facing away from the window with the curtains half-opened and one arm under your pillow." Henry stated, cringing internally at his own reply, and when he saw Eunhyuk arch an eyebrow, he closed his eyes from embarrassment alone.
A maid walked through the marble tilted floor, when she furrowed her eyebrows at the unclosed doors of the master's bedroom.
She went to close them when she widened her eyes at the unrecognizable laugh.
She didn't dare to look up and closed the double doors shut, and wondered if what she heard was true.
-
The staff of the Lee bastion were quiet, tensed by the somber atmosphere, all too aware of their master's deteriorating condition. They all kept their distance as Eunhyuk sat on a chair beside the window, his hand laid on the window will, sleeping soundly with his head on the wall's edge.
Henry was the only one who dared to come by and placed a blanket carefully as not to wake him. He sat on an adjacent chair and looked out the window at the falling snow when he felt a gentle tap on his thigh and looked to his side.
Eunhyuk was still resting, but Henry smiled as he reached for the cold hand, gently taking it into his own.
-
Henry was no longer needed, his master was now unable to leave the household as the winter settled in and worsened his health. Yet somehow, he was in his company more often than when he had driven him for all these years.
"If you want to ask, you can ask." Eunhyuk murmured a while after, sitting in the couch of the large living room.
Henry stood with his hand on the grand piano, his fingers gently tracing the edges. "If you want to tell me something, I shouldn't have to ask." Henry said blankly.
Eunhyuk smiled, used to his honest nature. "I never learned how to play." Eunhyuk admitted, gesturing to the instrument. "It's merely for show."
Henry looked back at the piano, sitting on the piano bench and lifting up the top cover to reveal dusty keys. Eunhyuk watched as his driver stretched his neck, his hands and then dramatically banged his hands on the keys.
It was nothing short of beautiful, much less enjoyable. Yet Eunhyuk chuckled quietly at the childish play.
Henry turned around, giving a nervous laugh. "I'll learn for you." He then stood up, intending to reach for supplies to clean the piano.
"Wait."
Henry halted in his step, and followed Eunhyuk's gestured hand to the small table beside the couch as he stood up from the couch. He reached for it and opened the small envelope, within it held a single ticket.
"I'm not that ill-observant either." Eunhyuk replied coolly, handing it over. "If your parents need you, don't hold back on my account."
Henry looked uneasy. "But I want to stay."
"You can't force yourself to stay." Eunhyuk said. It was then that he swayed, Henry helped him back onto the couch.
Henry didn't want to leave, but torn to his filial duties. He sulked visibly when he decided he'd only leave for a short while. He told him after. To this declaration, his master sighed.
"If I had asked for you to stay forever, would you?"
"Of course." Henry said, frustrated that his feelings still came only to the surface in front of the man.
Eunhyuk took a deep breath and said under his breath, "Do you like me that much?"
"Yes."
"...You're too honest." Eunhyuk said simply, returning upstairs to his study.
Henry sighed heavily, watching him until he left his sight. He then smiled politely at the butler that stood at the bottom.
"He trusts you the most." His co-worker said.
Henry, rather than beaming from praise, instead lowered his eyes. "He may trust me, but it doesn't mean he loves me."
-
It felt as if the fire had gone out in the large bastion. Eunhyuk, while still his same self, remained rather distant the entire time. It somehow worsened.
The workers nearly heaved a sigh of relief the moment Henry returned home. The darkened eyes that greeted him warmed up as Henry knelt beside him, excitedly retelling the events that occurred during his trip. It was an attentive look, one maid noted, but quietly ignored as she handed him an herbal tea.
"I practiced." She idly heard Henry say to him, the driver's eyes were wide with glee. Yet once Eunhyuk reached for his tea, his gaze lowered only slightly, smiling as swore by his side.
"You're not alone." Henry softly murmured.
Once the maid left, she made sure to keep the others away at the private moment. Having caught a brief glimpse of Henry sitting on his master's chair, making sure not to hurt him or add pressure. Eunhyuk leaned his head against his shoulder, resting.
"I promise." Henry said quietly. "I'll play you the melody once you come home."
-
Henry continued practicing on the piano, sighing every so often.
His co-workers noted how he often gazed outside the window.
It had been months since, and still no word from the master of his condition since he had left with news of a possible donor. Most of the staff had already assumed the worst, but Henry had been stubborn in thinking otherwise. Or simply hoping, as his eyes began to dim the longer the days continued.
The knocks on the door signaled the butler to open, and greet one of their co-workers.
"He wants you to be there." The man said to Henry, who quickly reached for his jacket without question and rushed out.
The staff continued on, and hadn't seen Henry or their master since.
-
Two days after Christmas, the doors opened to reveal a wheelchair being pushed through, their master sitting still as Henry pushed it on his own.
"I can walk on my own." Eunhyuk said, attempting to stop the chair but Henry continued on without stopping.
"The doctor says otherwise." Henry retorted. "Asking you to relax isn't too much, is it?"
His master's look alone would have stopped most of the staff, but it seemed Henry had developed an immunity to it.
It was a few days after when Henry settled into the piano chair, and some of the staff heard as a skillful melody echoed throughout the halls. Eunhyuk, who had his eyes closed, opened them as he watched Henry's back, able to see his hands attempt the difficult part of the piece.
Once he finished, Henry sighed in relief but still held tensed shoulders, anticipating but afraid of the reaction he received.
He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and looked up, his master towering above him.
"You've done well."
His detached tone would have made most assume the worst, but to Henry, it was easily the most meaningful phrase he ever said to him. Henry grabbed his hand, keeping him by as Eunhyuk closed his eyes.
"I'll return to work soon, it seems rumors are starting of where I've been." Eunhyuk said. "They've been asking around, Zhou Mi is particularly relentless."
Henry instantly said, "I won't ever tell your secrets to someone else, no matter who it is who asks." Eunhyuk tapped his cheek, almost a punishment.
"I'm not interrogating you." Eunhyuk uttered. "I trust you."
Henry stood up from the piano chair and helped him upstairs. Once in the bedroom, Henry helped him change his shirt, the older man still weak from the surgery.
His fingers then traced over the scar over his heart, gently brushing against the rugged line.
"Since my heart has changed," Henry looked up and met his gaze as Eunhyuk posed the question. "Would my feelings change also?"
For once, Henry had no answer. He smiled weakly as he carefully adjusted Eunhyuk's shirt. He evaded the question.
There was doubt. Henry shouldered that slight burden as he walked to the double doors, aiming to leave when his master called out,
"Must I ask?"
Henry turned midway, giving him a knowing look that Eunhyuk rebuttal with a cold look. Henry, unable to take being ignored, hurried to settle onto his left, laying down on the cold pillow and turned towards the half-opened window. A habit that had started during his days in the hospital, although admittedly, in a much smaller bed.
It still seemed Eunhyuk wasn't satisfied however, and continued to narrow his eyes.
"Don't ask." Henry taunted. "Demand it."
Eunhyuk returned a warning look.
Henry chuckled. His heart may have physically changed, but that's all that changed. And for that, Henry was relieved.
He leaned over him, careful not to press against his vulnerable torso. Against his lips he replied to his inaudible and demanding request, smiling as he brushed against his lips and murmured,
"Yes, master."
☆ rssj1314's HenHyuk ☆
- ILC20 [ Zhou Mi/Henry] ☆ ILC22 [ EunHae] -
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A/N: So. Late. .-. *Runs to write ILC22*
Check out my-prection and zhouhenhyuk^^