A Cost For A Cause - Chapter 13
Title: A Cost For A Cause
Rating: PG-13
Genre: AU/Humor/Romance
Length: Chaptered
Pairing: Yekyu
Summary: They might just be ready enough to take a few steps forward.
Warning: This hasn't been edited yet and.. I wrote it over several days with a total of four hours of sleep XD Yay for college!
It was interesting, the way things never stayed awkward between the two for long. After spending dinner - or, a midnight snack rather - in silence and allowing issues to resolve themselves overnight, things returned to normal the next morning and they found themselves chattering on and arguing about nonsensical things.
“You're not even moving in yet,” Kyuhyun rose a brow challengingly, glancing around the large department store full of furniture, “it doesn't make sense to shop so early.”
Yesung rolled his eyes, buzzing about the store busily. “You're just a kid, what do you know? It will only be another two or three days before I move in; now's the perfect time to shop for furniture.”
“Oh,” Kyuhyun shrugged. He followed the older man around, not finding particular interest in anything around them. “Do I at least get to choose the bed and stuff for my own room? I should get some advantages for tagging along with you.”
“That's debatable,” Yesung smirked. “It's not as if you'll be staying with me for long but if you prove to have a good sense for furniture, then just maybe.”
Their venture in the furniture shop consisted mostly of constant bickering, disagreements, and repeated oppositions to each others taste in accessories for the household they would be moving into. When they finally concluded their trip, somehow managing to come to agreement in the midst of their arguments, they were both more than just exhausted.
“Honestly, I don't even know why I let you express any opinions at all,” Yesung shook his head, leaning forward against the register counter. “This is my house, so, why should I give a damn about what you like or dislike?”
Kyuhyun grinned. “Because my opinions matter, hyung.”
Yesung reached over and pinched the boys cheek, smiling lightly to himself. “As if. I'm just being the nice hyung I always am.”
The blush that flushed Kyuhyun's ears didn't go unnoticed. Coughing lightly to catch Yesung's attention, the cashier quickly totaled up the fees and the two were soon on their way out of the shop and heading for a late lunch.
They settled with a sushi shop downtown. The atmosphere of the shop wasn't ideal for cousins; it was decorated with dim lighting, wooden platforms, pseudo-trees, and many ornaments that depicted the romance of the wild outdoors.
At least it was comfortable.
“This is going to be expensive,” Kyuhyun laughed, shifting in his seat.
Yesung shrugged. “I can still afford it.”
Of course he could. Yesung was a capable man; he had a steady job - he was known to all his co-workers as the genius surgeon - and he was confident and passionate in what he did. In contrast to Kyuhyun, who ran away from conflicts and was currently avoiding his work like the plague.
“I think you should meet up with your friend.”
Kyuhyun tore his gaze away from the flickering candle in the center of the wooden table. “What?” He asked, his eyes widened just slightly for extra effect.
“I said you should meet up with the friend of yours that's been looking for you. I'm sure they're worried - probably worried sick - and I just think that's the more responsible decision in this situation. Hiding isn't going to solve your problems, Kyuhyun.”
Yesung spoke as if he wasn't the least hesitant to allow Kyuhyun to meet up with his 'good friend', the man who had complicated relations with him. Kyuhyun wasn't sure that made him feel very good.
“Don't look at me like that,” Yesung scoffed, “I'm just trying to help you grow up a little.”
Kyuhyun shook his head. “No, that's not-”
“Meet up with him, Kyuhyun.”
If only Yesung knew the effect his words had on the younger man. Kyuhyun dipped his head, fumbling with his pockets, as he pulled his cellular out of his pockets. “You asked for it;” Kyuhyun reminded wearily, releasing a brief sigh, “you're taking responsibility for whatever happens this afternoon.”
“Yeah, sure,” Yesung shrugged.
The phone call was short; all Kyuhyun managed to get out over the mobile were several quick directions after a simple invitation for the man over the line to join him for lunch, the man on the other line was obviously overly elated to hear his voice.
“He sure sounds excited,” Yesung commented.
Kyuhyun grimaced. “You haven't a clue.”
-
Kyuhyun continued staring at his own reflection, the familiar stoic expression haunting his features slowly breaking out into an expression of other sorts.
And if I am? What if I really am willing to love him the way he needs? He thought to himself.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Kyuhyun placed his right hand over his chest as he clutched it tightly.
Yesung walked out of the bathroom, glancing over at Kyuhyun momentarily before waltzing over to his bags and retrieving his wallet. “Let's go,” was the short statement he made as he headed for the doors, not bothering to wait for the younger boy as he exited.
“I don't want to be left behind by you,” Kyuhyun whispered to the sudden emptiness of the room, “I just want to be here for you. So, what does that make me?”
Obviously, he wouldn't be receiving an answer. He would have to wait for the right moment, the perfect timing, to repeat his question; when he was face to face with Yesung, without facades, without protective barriers, without formalities.
All Kyuhyun needed was a chance.
-
“Zhoumi, this is my cousin Yesung.”
Yesung immediately stood, with perfect posture and perfected manners, as he bowed and reached to shake the strangers hand. “Nice to meet you, Zhoumi.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Zhoumi smiled politely, taking Yesung's hand in his own. “Kyuhyun, I can't believe it took you so long to show yourself!”
Kyuhyun laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, sorry, I was a bit caught up in some other things. My cousin took me out of town with a couple of his friends and I just got preoccupied for a while.”
“Have a seat,” Yesung offered the two.
Zhoumi nodded with, yet, another brilliant smile. “You didn't even bid me farewell.”
“Yeah,” Kyuhyun coughed, “I ran out of time. I'm really sorry.”
There was a soft sigh before Zhoumi shook his head. “It's alright, I was just worried - that's all.”
Lunch lasted much longer than any of the three of them expected. Zhoumi was a talkative one; always finding topic after topic to converse on before the other boys even had a chance to interrupt him. Yesung was surprised, but not displeased, byZhoumi's bright personality and positive attitude. Zhoumi, he concluded, was a pleasure to be with.
Not to mention, he was quite gorgeous.
“You're a surgeon?!”
Yesung choked on his tea, surprised by Zhoumi's sudden high pitched voice. “Uh, yeah.”
Kyuhyun chuckled.
“Wow, that's amazing!” Zhoumi gasped. “I've never met a surgeon before!”
Yesung furrowed his brows. “Never? You've never been to a hospital?”
“No, I've been to hospitals but not because of getting injured, I just visit patients. I'm a very cautious person and I don't get sick easily,” Zhoumi grinned.
Kyuhyun nodded. “I don't understand it sometimes, since he's such a klutz.”
Yesung smiled, admiring the similarities between the two boys sitting before him. The cellular in his pocket vibrated and he pulled it out, glancing at the caller identification. Instantly, he answered the call. “Min? Is something wrong?”
Zhoumi noticed the way Kyuhyun tensed after Yesung received his call.
“Me? I'm out with some friends right now,” Yesung said, glancing over at the two before standing from his seat. “Yeah, I'm still with my cousin. Huh? No, his friend is with us...”
“His lover?” Zhoumi asked nonchalantly.
Kyuhyun couldn't take his eyes off of Yesung, even though the man turned his back to them. “No, it's a close friend of his. His friend is married; they're expecting a child soon.”
“Really?” Zhoumi raised his brows. “It sure doesn't seem it. It seems like he's reporting his absence to a lover or something.”
“Yeah,” Kyuhyun agreed - it was true, after all.
“Hey, Kyu, do you like your cousin?”
Kyuhyun forced his gaze away from Yesung. “Huh?”
Zhoumi smiled. “That's why you asked me to come, right? Your cousin, he's special.”
“Min, don't cry.”
Kyuhyun returned his attention to Yesung.
“Everything will be fine, Min. Don't worry about it.”
“He is,” Kyuhyun nodded, “he's very special.”
Zhoumi trailed his eyes in the same direction Kyuhyun was looking in. “His mind is elsewhere, though.”
“Yeah,” Kyuhyun laughed bitterly, “it is.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“You're encouraging me?” Kyuhyun rose a brow suspiciously. “After all these years, pressing me for an answer, you're encouraging me to go after someone else?”
Zhoumi chuckled. “I like you, Kyu- no, I love you. But that doesn't mean I'm going to force you to be with me. I'm smarter than that. I pestered you for an answer all these years because you were unsure, you drifted on a plank in the middle of an ocean and didn't know how to swim away, but now I can see things have changed.”
“Aren't you disappointed?” Kyuhyun asked.
“Sure I am,” Zhoumi shrugged, “it's inevitable. That aside, I actually feel a bit of relief. At least now I know your decision; I'm not just waiting endlessly for an answer you won't give me.”
Kyuhyun lowered his gaze to his hands. “I'm sorry, Mimi, I didn't mean to lead you on. I just- I guess I just didn't know how to give you a reply and cowered.”
“It's fine,” Zhoumi reassured.
“Min, just wait for me-”
Both Kyuhyun and Zhoumi turned to Yesung, who seemed to be losing his calm.
“Okay, fine, fine, I won't come. Just-” Yesung stopped, seemingly interrupted. “Min, just listen to me! You'll be fine, alright? Heesook has every right to be angry; just tell her it's my fault, okay? I'm fine, don't worry about me.”
Zhoumi glanced over at Kyuhyun, who was biting down on his bottom lip nervously.
“Min, don't worry about me! All you should worry about right now is Heesook and your baby!”
Kyuhyun interlocked his fingers, his gaze firmly resting on Yesung's pacing figure.
“She's alright, isn't she? I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she- Min, I told you to stop it!”
Yesung stopped in between his paces, peering over at the two with an apologetic look. Zhoumi shook his head with a smile while Kyuhyun just stared at him blankly, effortlessly.
“Min, you'll always be the most important person to me. I know I rank high in your heart, too, but it's okay if Heesook comes first. She's not just family, Min, she's a part of you now. I'll always be here for you, always, no matter what happens.”
The words were so familiar to Kyuhyun. Weren't they the very same words he told Yesung time and again?
The sudden halt in Yesung's movements caught Zhoumi's attention. Kyuhyun lowered his gaze to his fingers, his vital organ constricting in his chest.
“Don't be sorry, Min. Please, don't say you're sorry. Don't apologize for loving.”
A premonition of some sort; Kyuhyun just knew what words would follow, would flow, from Yesung.
“Min, don't cry. No matter what, I'll always love you.”
And that's all it took, those four simple words, for Kyuhyun to break into a fit of his own tears. Kyuhyun could be sure now; he was certain that his feelings for Yesung was anything but platonic.
Zhoumi was at a loss of what to do. Never before had he seen Kyuhyun tear, never before had he seen Kyuhyun heartbroken. There was nothing he could do really, he wasn't in the position to do anything, and the most he could do was sit back and look away from the two - a gesture of giving them privacy.
The motion of Kyuhyun leaning over the table and resting his forehead against the edge attracted Yesung's attention. He noticed the way Kyuhyun shook, took deep breaths, and he just knew Kyuhyun was crying, too.
Kyuhyun's sudden outburst surprised Yesung; to say he wasn't affected by it would be a major understatement. Yesung didn't understand it, but the sight of Kyuhyun trembling activated a mild clenching in his bosom.
Everything just seemed to pile up on him at once; he's a surgeon, he should be good at prioritizing.
“Min, have a good talk with Heesook. Explain to her about our past, tell her about Sungjin. She'll understand. Heesook loves you, Min; she loves you more than the world itself, right? I know; I know it's not easy to tell someone about a tainted past, it's not easy to be honest.”
Kyuhyun stiffened.
Yesung had his eyes on Kyuhyun as he continued. “When you're in love, lying becomes the hardest thing to bear. You're suffering now, you're crying, because it hurts to know she's angry at you; it hurts to know you're lying to her.”
“I'm not angry at you, Min, I've never been truly mad at you. Lately, I've realized something; I think I've learned how to let go.”
Kyuhyun quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeves, looking up to exchange gazes with Yesung. The older man smiled at him, a warm smile.
“I've always been afraid; afraid that you wouldn't be happy, afraid to forget the past, afraid to face the past, and hesitant to pursue the future. I've always blamed myself for what happened to all of us. I met someone who taught me that I'm not alone; this person helped me realize I've never been just one person, he showed me that there are things to anticipate in tomorrows.”
The tears threatened Kyuhyun's eyes again.
“Life isn't that bad after all, is it? He gave me thoughts like that, Min. I'm sure Heesook has made you think the same.”
But they're not the same, Yesung reminded himself. Heesook is Sungmin's wife and Kyuhyun - Kyuhyun's my cousin, my dongsaeng, a close friend.
“Yes, I think we're both ready to move forward now.”
Kyuhyun blinked the tears from his eyes, straightening in his seat as Yesung walked back towards the table and took a seat.
“I'll come visit you; I'll bring Heechul, too. We'll bring gifts, for Heesook and the baby.”
Reaching over the table with the dining cloth, Yesung dabbed away the stains of tears on Kyuhyun's cheeks. Kyuhyun wrapped his fingers around Yesung's hand lightly, holding it against his cheek. Yesung shook his head with a smile.
“Call me again, when you've settled things with your wife. The next time I see you, I expect a matured man; a reliable husband and a dependable father.”
Perhaps the conversation ended quite abruptly, a bit rushed, but Yesung was in a hurry to tend to his sulking cousin. Suddenly, Kyuhyun realized Zhoumi was no longer in their presence. Neither of them noticed when he left.
“Care to explain why you were crying?” Yesung teased, pulling his hand from Kyuhyun's grasp.
Kyuhyun turned away, feeling his cheeks warming. “I was touched by your conversation with Sungmin?”
“Oh, really?” Yesung replied, clearly not believing his words. “Such a soft-hearted person you are.”
“Hyung,” Kyuhyun started, staring intently into the older man's eyes. “What am I to you?”
Yesung frowned, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest. “What do you mean?”
“I don't want you to leave me behind, I want to always be with you,” Kyuhyun stated without hesitance, “what does that make me?”
“Kyuhyun-”
“Don't pull our cousin relationship on me,” Kyuhyun warned, mimicking Yesung's posture. “We're not blood tied.”
Yesung sighed, closing his eyes as he sat in silent thought for a moment. When he finally opened his eyes, locking them with the younger boys, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the surface of the table. “You're important to me, Kyuhyun.”
“How important?” Kyuhyun asked.
“Very important,” Yesung replied. “In fact, aside from my family, you come in second-”
“Third,” Kyuhyun corrected, “Sungmin is always first place, right?”
Yesung bit his left cheek. “Sungmin doesn't count.”
“Why not?” Kyuhyun scoffed.
“Sungmin is different,” Yesung said, averting his eyes from the boys. “Min may be the most important person to me, but it's... it's just different.”
Kyuhyun glowered, lowering his eyes to the candle that was nearly dying out in the center of the table. “Am I not different? Do I just fit in somewhere between family and friends? Am I insignificant to you, unlike Sungmin?”
“No, Kyuhyun, that's not it,” Yesung shook his head, “you've changed me.”
“But I don't mean the world to you,” Kyuhyun retorted.
Yesung smiled; he finally figured it out, Kyuhyun was just being a big baby. “The world means nothing to me, Kyuhyun.”
Returning his gaze to Yesung's, Kyuhyun leaned forward against the table as he narrowed his eyes. “Then what means something to you, hyung?”
“You'll just have to find out yourself, I guess,” Yesung shrugged.
Before Kyuhyun could pull away, Yesung reached over and flicked the younger boy on the forehead. “Ow,” Kyuhyun hissed, chuckling softly. “What was that for?”
Yesung laughed, calling a waiter over for the check.
“For not understanding me when I needed you to most.”
Chapter 12 | Chapter 14
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A/N: I don't know if you guys have heard SJM's new mini-album yet, but the song Jay Chou composed (Love is Sweet) is simply ♥. I love the song so much that I've had it on repeat for the past two days... maybe that's why Yekyu is making some progress? Haha. Oh, right... I finally decided to make ACFAC Yekyu... sorry to Kyusung fans >.< It's just more appropriate for this storyline to have Yesung dominant.. hope you can understand. Oh, I just heard the Korean version of Perfection earlier, too... it sounds really weird to me XD But I enjoy it none the less.. Anyways, hope you all enjoy this chapter!