[FIC] Next Door, Next to You, CH5
Title: Next Door, Next to You
Pairing: QMi (MiXian) and side!HanChul, HenHae
Rating: R (Swearing, Sexual Situation, Mature Content)
Genre: AU, Romance, Comedy, Drama
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.
Chapters: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
Summary: Stages of newly-found romance and reaching life-long dreams; falling in love and crumbling down -- a step-by-step experience in which Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi have never faced before.
--
Time: 8:25AM - Korea Time
I have a meeting with the instructors
and some guests. Something about contracts?
I don’t know what it is but I hope it’s something
good! After this, I’ll tell Kui Xian!
Mood: Excited
--
He was never late... in school that was. It was a little okay to check-in five to fifteen minutes late at his part-time and then Heechul would go on about perfect punctuality that Kyuhyun didn’t really have than the manager but at school Kyuhyun was a good student to boot and he never, ever came in late at the first hour. It was a student thing, not an employee’s like him.
But it looked like he was about to when he realized that the alarm didn’t go off like always and he was still in yesterday’s wardrobe. “HO-SHIT!” That was then he fell off the bed with tousled hair an octopus mess and he somewhat smelt like what he did last night. Kyuhyun scurried to the bathroom, took a 30-second record wash, slipped into a decent mismatched clothes, darted out of his apartment with an emptying stomach and when he saw Kangin waving at him by the stairs, he took a full stop at the last corner after he heard what the landlord’s son hollered back at him.
“You have Saturday classes!? That’s so lame kid! Hahahaha!”
The thing was... he didn’t.
Curse his scatterbrained mind and stupid body clock!
--
“You’re ready to go, Kyuhyun? I’ll just grab my bag and we can leave! I’m so excited!” Donghae disappeared to the Employee’s Lounge with rainbows and dandelions trailing behind - something about falling in love and having just about everything colourful and wonderful around Donghae was enough to confuse Kyuhyun. But Kyuhyun simply shrugged it away, not really wanting to comprehend what the heck that was and just stood idly by the main door, waiting. Just then Heechul popped out from the kitchen.
“Where do you think you’re going without your manager with you?” Heechul asked with pursed lips and narrowed eyes but he still looked pretty as per usual, sporting a displeased look and all. Kyuhyun contemplated answering but then Donghae finally came out and beamed at him.
“I’m going to introduce Kyuhyun to Henry!”
“Oh, so I don’t get to meet that hamster of yours and Kyuhyun can, is that it? Make room, bitches; your queen is coming with you.”
Heechul was pushy, loud and obnoxious but he meant well. Really, he did. He was a caring and concerned manager after all.
“What about the cafe? Who’s gonna stand, watch, wait and serve customers?” Kyuhyun had to ask, rather curious because Heechul never let the cafe half-unattended even though it was broad daylight. And he watched, amazed, when his manager flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSE so simply and shouted:
“Shindonggie, stay!”
“Aye aye, your highness!” Shindong called quickly from the kitchen, followed by, “Get me Bulgogi while you’re out, okay? The spiciest one! The one that has the red covering with shrimp! I’ll pay you right after when you’re back!”
Heechul just flashed a smirk at the two and opened the main door, stepping out. “Got anymore questions?”
Donghae happily shook his head and skipped ahead whereas Kyuhyun just shrugged and followed Heechul at his side to somewhere he didn’t know. Why did he agree meeting with Donghae’s boyfriend again?
And, why were they walking on a familiar route, turning to a familiar corner and walking down a familiar road?
--
“Your rodent’s here? You’ve got to be kidding me.” Heechul gaped, not his usual pompous expression but of the opposite description and Kyuhyun swore he saw his manager sweating just above his forehead and looking appalled next. Why wouldn’t he when they were standing right outside the convenience store that was near Kyuhyun’s place?
So Henry worked where Hankyung was? What a small, small world, err, community.
Heechul was already turning and taking a step away from the store. “On second thought, I think I should head back to the cafe and-
“Kyuhyun! Donghae! And... is that you Heechul? I can’t believe you’re here again!”
And just like, without warning, Heechul stubbed his toes at a nearby trash bin that wasn’t supposed to be there - the manager cursed rather colourfully to himself to protect sensibilities that was Donghae - and then stepped on a stray cat’s tail that was there by the bin next. The cat hissed, almost ready to scratch the life out of Heechul but Hankyung took him by the elbow and steered him to safety.
“I knew Donghae was visiting again but I didn’t know he’d be bringing in the crowd.” Hankyung said almost too happily, finally removing his gentle grip on Heechul and taking his spot at the counter. “If you’re looking for Henry, he’s at the back taking notes and lists. Come right in.” He then opened the flapping door to the other room for the eager Donghae.
Donghae was grinning, really blindingly grinning and rushed back inside, screaming loudly in English, “Henry, amazing Donghae are here!! Show you up! Excuse me, door, Donghae passing away!”
“Is he always here?” Heechul asked to Hankyung and Kyuhyun just had to notice the unusual restraining posture Heechul was doing - arms locked to his chest and stood nowhere near shelves and displays, his feet already planting roots, safety roots that was. He was probably trying to not hit, kick, bump, fall or be ridiculously clumsy that he wasn’t supposed to be because he was already losing poise already since Day One.
“Oh, yes. I think right before he goes off to his part-time, he stops by here to visit him. Hey, are you okay? You seem tensed. Do you need water or something?”
“What are you saying? I’m perfectly fine. Geez.” Heechul spluttered too quickly when Hankyung was reaching for his arm - to touch him - when Heechul took a step back then knocking the canned tuna’s stand by accident, causing those round containers to drop and roll off at different directions.
“Oh, shit, not again.”
“Ah, don’t worry. We got it.”
Kyuhyun was just standing there, watching Hankyung laughing at the flushed Heechul - them picking up the tin cans and arranging them together next. He saw, without mistake, that Heechul had that smile after - not the I’m-too-cool-to-be-embarrassed smirk but a whole different kind of smile and with Hankyung simply sending him assuring grins with his quiet chuckling, this was definitely confusing Kyuhyun once again.
First it was Donghae, now Heechul? What was happening to these men? And how come he felt he was missing a huge thing here?
“Kyuhyun! Look, it’s Henry! Henry, that’s my grumpy co-worker, Kyuhyun! Say hello!”
There was no need for awkward introduction, Kyuhyun felt relieved, not when Donghae was practically broadcasting just about everything about him and Henry - happily sharing trivial things that seemed to make the two just oh-so-perfect.
And by the counter, Hankyung animatedly talked with Heechul who finally stopped knocking things off for the first time. Well, except for the stand of cigarettes falling off the counter after Heechul just swung his arm.
Now why does this feel so uncomfortable...? Kyuhyun quietly let his eyes wander to Henry and Donghae then to his manager with another manager.
--
“You’re sad. If not, a little upset? Annoyed? Confounded?” Zhou Mi told the same evening after being sent early home by Heechul. The road was quiet and it was chilly, like every other night.
“And where did you learn that word?” Kyuhyun interjected, not really feeling to share and just wanted to talk about something else.
“Agency’s making me learn new things and my co-worker’s teaching me other Korean words... which reminds me to happily share you that I’m already being asked to model for a clothing line! Isn’t that great? All my efforts are paying off!” Zhou Mi was literally shining at him; his cold hand suddenly on Kyuhyun’s, squeezing it. “Are you happy for me, Kui Xian?”
But Kyuhyun was distracted at the sudden warmth on his hand, the sudden pressure that was neither uncomfortable nor calming. It was... Kyuhyun couldn’t put his finger on it. “I, uhh, of course I am.”
Suddenly, Zhou Mi was looking at him straight - his gaze locked with Kyuhyun’s - and since when did they stand face-to-face all of a sudden? “Tomorrow, I’ll be home late and I don’t think I’ll come to the cafe. Agency said that tomorrow’s shoot would be a killer so I need to...”
“I get it. Don’t worry, we can manage.” Kyuhyun assured, his voice suddenly on auto-pilot which he was really thankful for. “But on a Sunday? Isn’t that supposed to be a day off for you?”
Zhou Mi had the contemplative expression; looking at anywhere. “That’s only the day the clothing line’s free so I agree to have it scheduled on mine. I don’t mind really, as long as I get to model. I really can’t wait! What kind of clothes would I be wearing, I wonder?”
Kyuhyun looked at the babbling Zhou Mi and noticed how his posture was tall and confident, how his eyes were looking sharp and fierce but gentle all the same, how his smiles were natural but professional and how his black V-neck shirt contrasted with his ivory complexion. This modelling-thing was doing wonders for Zhou Mi, that was apparent, and Kyuhyun didn’t understand why he was suddenly staring at awe. For a short period of time, Zhou Mi changed from a lost, stuttering foreigner to this? How-
He must be thinking deeply again that Zhou Mi noticed Kyuhyun looking at him with hazy eyes, as if lost but not really. He took this opportunity to gently cup Kyuhyun’s cheeks and lean in close that their breaths were already ghosting with the other. “You’re really off tonight and you can’t lie that you’re not.” Zhou Mi leaned even closer. “What’s wrong? Tell me. I want to help.”
Not when you’re breathing down on me like that, I can’t think, Kyuhyun wanted to say but he found himself staring at Zhou Mi’s moving lips and wondered, just wondered how it’d feel to brush his own against that soft, inviting mouth. Or how it’d feel to be embraced again, this time chest-to-chest, facing each other. Last night had been an experience if only he wasn’t feeling so crappy with his parents and the-
Hold it, just hold one minute there. DID HE JUST THINK OF ZHOU MI LIKE THAT? That THAT like with how Donghae was to Henry earlier? No, wait; this couldn’t be what he thought of. No, no, no. This was not what it was supposed to be. Then again, what was IT supposed to be?
Then he was starting to feel funny again - the way his heart raced and his mind blanked completely when Zhou Mi cradled the back of his neck and Kyuhyun gripped on Zhou Mi’s coat like he was literally falling - pulling them together, flushing their bodies together in the dark, out on the public.
But then no one cared because no one was there to see, to watch, to witness how red Kyuhyun was looking and how Zhou Mi suddenly turning solemn, as if unsure.
Just what exactly Zhou Mi was to him? Just what was Kyuhyun to him? A forbidden topic that Kyuhyun was sceptic to venture about, even to think about and yet with the way Zhou Mi was looking at him with that drowning gaze and that soft kneading on his neck made him forget for a moment, just to breath out quietly, “Zhou Mi...”
Kyuhyun knew he was being drawn close; delicate hand guiding his head, his mouth closer to another, to Zhou Mi’s, when he felt panic and fear shooting up his body that he immediately and harshly pulled away. His heart was beating erratically, cheeks burning up and everything was spinning. Kyuhyun felt Zhou Mi’s eyes on him, lost and hurt. Mostly hurt, he felt.
“I’m... I’m sorry I got carried away... I... Please don’t hate me.” Zhou Mi choked, genuinely uncertain to what to do next and Kyuhyun looked at anything but him and started walking with the other man behind him.
That fear that strung his heart, what was it?
“I’m really sorry, Kui Xian...”
--
Time: 10:46PM - Korea Time
I thought Kui Xian felt the same?
Probably I’m wrong after all this time.
I rushed and then got pushed away...
Maybe I shouldn’t... pursue anymore?
Obviously he has something else to worry about,
other than silly things like this.
Why did I like him in the first place?
Why did I like you, Kui Xian?
Mood: Heart-broken (is that a mood? I wonder.)
--
A/N: OKAY WHAT THE FUCKERY WAS THAT? I feel like I’m writing some sappy romance here and things got another complicated with ZM and KH. And, I shall confess, that what you just read there are... well... not exactly based on experience but a fantasy of mine to happen to me IRL. I’m one lonely writer trying my way to romance (to which I think I’m failing miserably at).
Oh well, let me know if I’m dragging this plot too much. I mean, how would you want it - slow and point-by-point progression or quick to ‘get it on, dammit?’ Please do share your thoughts... and cookies here. *gets shot*
And, oh, here's the fan-art that I mentioned the last time. ROFL. *BONAMANA BONAMANA BONAMANA* Am I the only one flailing over Kyuhyun's manvage (cleavage) during his shadow-play cuts? SEXAY! If only Zhou Mi was there~ *kink attack*
Pairing: QMi (MiXian) and side!HanChul, HenHae
Rating: R (Swearing, Sexual Situation, Mature Content)
Genre: AU, Romance, Comedy, Drama
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.
Chapters: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
Summary: Stages of newly-found romance and reaching life-long dreams; falling in love and crumbling down -- a step-by-step experience in which Kyuhyun and Zhou Mi have never faced before.
--
Time: 8:25AM - Korea Time
I have a meeting with the instructors
and some guests. Something about contracts?
I don’t know what it is but I hope it’s something
good! After this, I’ll tell Kui Xian!
Mood: Excited
--
He was never late... in school that was. It was a little okay to check-in five to fifteen minutes late at his part-time and then Heechul would go on about perfect punctuality that Kyuhyun didn’t really have than the manager but at school Kyuhyun was a good student to boot and he never, ever came in late at the first hour. It was a student thing, not an employee’s like him.
But it looked like he was about to when he realized that the alarm didn’t go off like always and he was still in yesterday’s wardrobe. “HO-SHIT!” That was then he fell off the bed with tousled hair an octopus mess and he somewhat smelt like what he did last night. Kyuhyun scurried to the bathroom, took a 30-second record wash, slipped into a decent mismatched clothes, darted out of his apartment with an emptying stomach and when he saw Kangin waving at him by the stairs, he took a full stop at the last corner after he heard what the landlord’s son hollered back at him.
“You have Saturday classes!? That’s so lame kid! Hahahaha!”
The thing was... he didn’t.
Curse his scatterbrained mind and stupid body clock!
--
“You’re ready to go, Kyuhyun? I’ll just grab my bag and we can leave! I’m so excited!” Donghae disappeared to the Employee’s Lounge with rainbows and dandelions trailing behind - something about falling in love and having just about everything colourful and wonderful around Donghae was enough to confuse Kyuhyun. But Kyuhyun simply shrugged it away, not really wanting to comprehend what the heck that was and just stood idly by the main door, waiting. Just then Heechul popped out from the kitchen.
“Where do you think you’re going without your manager with you?” Heechul asked with pursed lips and narrowed eyes but he still looked pretty as per usual, sporting a displeased look and all. Kyuhyun contemplated answering but then Donghae finally came out and beamed at him.
“I’m going to introduce Kyuhyun to Henry!”
“Oh, so I don’t get to meet that hamster of yours and Kyuhyun can, is that it? Make room, bitches; your queen is coming with you.”
Heechul was pushy, loud and obnoxious but he meant well. Really, he did. He was a caring and concerned manager after all.
“What about the cafe? Who’s gonna stand, watch, wait and serve customers?” Kyuhyun had to ask, rather curious because Heechul never let the cafe half-unattended even though it was broad daylight. And he watched, amazed, when his manager flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSE so simply and shouted:
“Shindonggie, stay!”
“Aye aye, your highness!” Shindong called quickly from the kitchen, followed by, “Get me Bulgogi while you’re out, okay? The spiciest one! The one that has the red covering with shrimp! I’ll pay you right after when you’re back!”
Heechul just flashed a smirk at the two and opened the main door, stepping out. “Got anymore questions?”
Donghae happily shook his head and skipped ahead whereas Kyuhyun just shrugged and followed Heechul at his side to somewhere he didn’t know. Why did he agree meeting with Donghae’s boyfriend again?
And, why were they walking on a familiar route, turning to a familiar corner and walking down a familiar road?
--
“Your rodent’s here? You’ve got to be kidding me.” Heechul gaped, not his usual pompous expression but of the opposite description and Kyuhyun swore he saw his manager sweating just above his forehead and looking appalled next. Why wouldn’t he when they were standing right outside the convenience store that was near Kyuhyun’s place?
So Henry worked where Hankyung was? What a small, small world, err, community.
Heechul was already turning and taking a step away from the store. “On second thought, I think I should head back to the cafe and-
“Kyuhyun! Donghae! And... is that you Heechul? I can’t believe you’re here again!”
And just like, without warning, Heechul stubbed his toes at a nearby trash bin that wasn’t supposed to be there - the manager cursed rather colourfully to himself to protect sensibilities that was Donghae - and then stepped on a stray cat’s tail that was there by the bin next. The cat hissed, almost ready to scratch the life out of Heechul but Hankyung took him by the elbow and steered him to safety.
“I knew Donghae was visiting again but I didn’t know he’d be bringing in the crowd.” Hankyung said almost too happily, finally removing his gentle grip on Heechul and taking his spot at the counter. “If you’re looking for Henry, he’s at the back taking notes and lists. Come right in.” He then opened the flapping door to the other room for the eager Donghae.
Donghae was grinning, really blindingly grinning and rushed back inside, screaming loudly in English, “Henry, amazing Donghae are here!! Show you up! Excuse me, door, Donghae passing away!”
“Is he always here?” Heechul asked to Hankyung and Kyuhyun just had to notice the unusual restraining posture Heechul was doing - arms locked to his chest and stood nowhere near shelves and displays, his feet already planting roots, safety roots that was. He was probably trying to not hit, kick, bump, fall or be ridiculously clumsy that he wasn’t supposed to be because he was already losing poise already since Day One.
“Oh, yes. I think right before he goes off to his part-time, he stops by here to visit him. Hey, are you okay? You seem tensed. Do you need water or something?”
“What are you saying? I’m perfectly fine. Geez.” Heechul spluttered too quickly when Hankyung was reaching for his arm - to touch him - when Heechul took a step back then knocking the canned tuna’s stand by accident, causing those round containers to drop and roll off at different directions.
“Oh, shit, not again.”
“Ah, don’t worry. We got it.”
Kyuhyun was just standing there, watching Hankyung laughing at the flushed Heechul - them picking up the tin cans and arranging them together next. He saw, without mistake, that Heechul had that smile after - not the I’m-too-cool-to-be-embarrassed smirk but a whole different kind of smile and with Hankyung simply sending him assuring grins with his quiet chuckling, this was definitely confusing Kyuhyun once again.
First it was Donghae, now Heechul? What was happening to these men? And how come he felt he was missing a huge thing here?
“Kyuhyun! Look, it’s Henry! Henry, that’s my grumpy co-worker, Kyuhyun! Say hello!”
There was no need for awkward introduction, Kyuhyun felt relieved, not when Donghae was practically broadcasting just about everything about him and Henry - happily sharing trivial things that seemed to make the two just oh-so-perfect.
And by the counter, Hankyung animatedly talked with Heechul who finally stopped knocking things off for the first time. Well, except for the stand of cigarettes falling off the counter after Heechul just swung his arm.
Now why does this feel so uncomfortable...? Kyuhyun quietly let his eyes wander to Henry and Donghae then to his manager with another manager.
--
“You’re sad. If not, a little upset? Annoyed? Confounded?” Zhou Mi told the same evening after being sent early home by Heechul. The road was quiet and it was chilly, like every other night.
“And where did you learn that word?” Kyuhyun interjected, not really feeling to share and just wanted to talk about something else.
“Agency’s making me learn new things and my co-worker’s teaching me other Korean words... which reminds me to happily share you that I’m already being asked to model for a clothing line! Isn’t that great? All my efforts are paying off!” Zhou Mi was literally shining at him; his cold hand suddenly on Kyuhyun’s, squeezing it. “Are you happy for me, Kui Xian?”
But Kyuhyun was distracted at the sudden warmth on his hand, the sudden pressure that was neither uncomfortable nor calming. It was... Kyuhyun couldn’t put his finger on it. “I, uhh, of course I am.”
Suddenly, Zhou Mi was looking at him straight - his gaze locked with Kyuhyun’s - and since when did they stand face-to-face all of a sudden? “Tomorrow, I’ll be home late and I don’t think I’ll come to the cafe. Agency said that tomorrow’s shoot would be a killer so I need to...”
“I get it. Don’t worry, we can manage.” Kyuhyun assured, his voice suddenly on auto-pilot which he was really thankful for. “But on a Sunday? Isn’t that supposed to be a day off for you?”
Zhou Mi had the contemplative expression; looking at anywhere. “That’s only the day the clothing line’s free so I agree to have it scheduled on mine. I don’t mind really, as long as I get to model. I really can’t wait! What kind of clothes would I be wearing, I wonder?”
Kyuhyun looked at the babbling Zhou Mi and noticed how his posture was tall and confident, how his eyes were looking sharp and fierce but gentle all the same, how his smiles were natural but professional and how his black V-neck shirt contrasted with his ivory complexion. This modelling-thing was doing wonders for Zhou Mi, that was apparent, and Kyuhyun didn’t understand why he was suddenly staring at awe. For a short period of time, Zhou Mi changed from a lost, stuttering foreigner to this? How-
He must be thinking deeply again that Zhou Mi noticed Kyuhyun looking at him with hazy eyes, as if lost but not really. He took this opportunity to gently cup Kyuhyun’s cheeks and lean in close that their breaths were already ghosting with the other. “You’re really off tonight and you can’t lie that you’re not.” Zhou Mi leaned even closer. “What’s wrong? Tell me. I want to help.”
Not when you’re breathing down on me like that, I can’t think, Kyuhyun wanted to say but he found himself staring at Zhou Mi’s moving lips and wondered, just wondered how it’d feel to brush his own against that soft, inviting mouth. Or how it’d feel to be embraced again, this time chest-to-chest, facing each other. Last night had been an experience if only he wasn’t feeling so crappy with his parents and the-
Hold it, just hold one minute there. DID HE JUST THINK OF ZHOU MI LIKE THAT? That THAT like with how Donghae was to Henry earlier? No, wait; this couldn’t be what he thought of. No, no, no. This was not what it was supposed to be. Then again, what was IT supposed to be?
Then he was starting to feel funny again - the way his heart raced and his mind blanked completely when Zhou Mi cradled the back of his neck and Kyuhyun gripped on Zhou Mi’s coat like he was literally falling - pulling them together, flushing their bodies together in the dark, out on the public.
But then no one cared because no one was there to see, to watch, to witness how red Kyuhyun was looking and how Zhou Mi suddenly turning solemn, as if unsure.
Just what exactly Zhou Mi was to him? Just what was Kyuhyun to him? A forbidden topic that Kyuhyun was sceptic to venture about, even to think about and yet with the way Zhou Mi was looking at him with that drowning gaze and that soft kneading on his neck made him forget for a moment, just to breath out quietly, “Zhou Mi...”
Kyuhyun knew he was being drawn close; delicate hand guiding his head, his mouth closer to another, to Zhou Mi’s, when he felt panic and fear shooting up his body that he immediately and harshly pulled away. His heart was beating erratically, cheeks burning up and everything was spinning. Kyuhyun felt Zhou Mi’s eyes on him, lost and hurt. Mostly hurt, he felt.
“I’m... I’m sorry I got carried away... I... Please don’t hate me.” Zhou Mi choked, genuinely uncertain to what to do next and Kyuhyun looked at anything but him and started walking with the other man behind him.
That fear that strung his heart, what was it?
“I’m really sorry, Kui Xian...”
--
Time: 10:46PM - Korea Time
I thought Kui Xian felt the same?
Probably I’m wrong after all this time.
I rushed and then got pushed away...
Maybe I shouldn’t... pursue anymore?
Obviously he has something else to worry about,
other than silly things like this.
Why did I like him in the first place?
Why did I like you, Kui Xian?
Mood: Heart-broken (is that a mood? I wonder.)
--
A/N: OKAY WHAT THE FUCKERY WAS THAT? I feel like I’m writing some sappy romance here and things got another complicated with ZM and KH. And, I shall confess, that what you just read there are... well... not exactly based on experience but a fantasy of mine to happen to me IRL. I’m one lonely writer trying my way to romance (to which I think I’m failing miserably at).
Oh well, let me know if I’m dragging this plot too much. I mean, how would you want it - slow and point-by-point progression or quick to ‘get it on, dammit?’ Please do share your thoughts... and cookies here. *gets shot*
And, oh, here's the fan-art that I mentioned the last time. ROFL. *BONAMANA BONAMANA BONAMANA* Am I the only one flailing over Kyuhyun's manvage (cleavage) during his shadow-play cuts? SEXAY! If only Zhou Mi was there~ *kink attack*