FIC: The Reformatory City of Seoul (Part 1)
Title: The Reformatory City of Seoul (Part 1)
Topic: Kibum (Super Junior)
Pairings: Implied Kyuhyun/Zhoumi, Kyuhyun/Sungmin (in the past)
Warnings: Alternate Universe; Homophobia; Incomplete
Summary: After commiting a crime, Kibum is sent to a less than conventional prison.
Read: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Notes: Thanks to the people who've read over this and encouraged me to post it. :) I wish I could remember who you were lolz.
This chapter, and most of the ones in the future, will be in Kibum's point of view.
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It's kind of funny.
When I was a kid in school, I used to get so confused by those posters that warned you against doing crimes that would land you in jail. "Drugs = Jail", "Guns = Jail", blah blah blah. "Duh" is what I always thought. Who would be so stupid to do something that's against the law?
Damn, I changed.
The story? I tried to become a superstar. Didn't worry too much about school, figured I'd just make millions when I became one. Why did it take me so long to realize that dream was totally unrealistic?
No big deal.. I'm smart. I'm just unfortunately lazy too. But this brilliant idea occurred.
"Identity theft, I'm genius enough to manage it."
Sure I managed it, but I wasn't genius enough to quit while I was ahead.
Nice house, sexy girlfriend, good friends, fun parties, alcohol and then..
...Busted. And now I'm not stuck in some ordinary jail cell either.
This place... it's called the Reformatory City of Seoul. Well see, our new prime minister has been really cracking down on the whole crime thing. Those ordinary jail cells? They got all filled up, thus places like this were born. In the Reformatory City of Seoul, the idea is basically 'low maintenance'. We criminals are stuffed in a building together and left pretty much to do what we want. They just give us food, turn lights on and off, and make sure we don't escape.
But then it doesn't sound so bad, right? Better then normal prison, right? No stuffy cell, no getting lonely...
That's what I was thinking, but I've been here for about an hour and oh yeah. Optimism gone.
The building, the "Reformatory City of Seoul", it used to be a school. Naturally there's been some remodeling. For example, doors aren't too common. Most of the former classrooms seem to have a cot or two inside, but I'm wondering if there's enough for everyone. The only chairs I see come in the form of plastic, or old school desks. There isn't much color around either, the walls are white cinderblock and the floors are coral linoleum. Windows? Of course, they're all barred up.
This place.. somehow doesn't seem fit for people to live in. But the setting isn't really the thing bugging me yet.
There's a lot of people. Right now I can only wonder what they've done to be here, but I have a feeling a lot of it is a bit more violent than my vicious hacking. I feel like anyone I make eye contact with starts sizing me up, and I have an urge to remove my eyeglasses and rip off my sleeves to show them I'm not someone to be messed with.
Of course, I'm strong - but I know I really couldn't take some.. alright, most of these guys, and the unsettling thing is that I'm sure they notice. "New wimpy guy, let's fuck him up" - isn't that how prisoners are in movies?
Scary.
But no one's attacked me and I've been here for almost an hour. Good sign, right?
I walk around for a while, kind of hoping to find someone who looks safe enough to talk to. There's more than a few candidates, but somehow I can't get the guts to approach anyone. Finally, I find a "classroom" that's empty of people and sit myself in the corner on the floor, ignoring the less than comfortable seeming furniture.
Here's where my wimpy side shows, and I'd like to say that it doesn't show often, but it takes a lot of fighting to not ball up and cry right there. I'm positive that I've never wanted to cry so badly in my life and if I could close the door, be alone, there'd be no stopping me. I come close enough, pulling my knees to my chest and placing my forehead on top of them. "I'm an idiot. I don't have a life. I don't even have a fucking door..."
I'm ashamed to be this way at first, but it's a special circumstance. I tell myself, "Mope for a second. Get it out." But just when I've convinced myself that a good cry is needed, three guys slip into the room with me. I have to lift my head and try not to look as miserable as I feel, putting on my best 'bored' expression.. but the guys don't even glance my way. Two of them sit on the cot, another sits at a desk. They're talking about.. ah, I don't even really know. I don't want to either, and I definitely am not going to linger and seem like I was listening in when they finally do notice I'm here.
I get up, and swiftly escape the classroom without giving the guys a second glance. As I step into the hall, really hoping to find another empty classroom, I hear my name.
"Hey! Kibum, right?"
I look, and next to me is a boy with a thin, feminine face that has a friendly, curious expression. He's a bit shorter then me, and completely unintimidating. Still, the fact that he knows my name is a bit... eh.
When I don't say anything, he explains himself. "Ah, I was around when you were brought in. I would've said hey sooner but I kinda got distracted. Um, I'm Sungmin.. nice to meet you." He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
He certainly seems nice enough, but I have to admit that the question is burning in my mind. You know the one. "What are you in for?"
But I don't ask. I am smart after all. That would put this guy in an awkward spot where he felt like he had to talk or look suspicious, and hey - I wasn't sure I wanted to know anyway. Besides, I think I've heard it's offensive to ask. You know, in those movies? It's not like I want to brag about my own crime. If I had known I'd be here, maybe I'd have killed someone just for the fear factor...
... Hey, I'm not gonna pretend I'm a good guy. I may wear eyeglasses and have elite hacking ability, but I've always been the bully. Never the bullied. I'm no victim, and maybe I deserve to be here. Then again, I can't help feeling like no one deserves to be here.
Anyway, I say "Nice to meet you. You're right, it's Kibum."
Any of the hesitance that he had before disappears, and he gives me a smile. It kind of reminds me of when you've talked to a girl on the internet, and when you go to meet her you aren't sure if it's her you're approaching.. but then she says "Yeah, it's me".
Right, it's like that. Like I'm a girl he met on the internet.
My manliness kind of winces at the comparison.
"Ah, no one's attacked you yet, right?" he asks, seeming to be joking.
So I kind of joke back, even though getting attacked is a genuine concern of mine. "Not yet." My smile is forced.
His tone becomes a little more serious.. a little. "You just have to know who's way to stay out of." He beckons me and starts walking, so I follow. Better to take advantage of someone's niceness while I'm offered it, who knows how long it'll last? That cry that I wanted will have to wait for later.
"So, who do I watch out for?" I ask, trying to sound more amused then scared.
Fearlessly, he starts a list of names. I look around, figuring it's more than likely that someone on the list will overhear, even if he doesn't seem worried about it. I'm just about to stop him, point out that I'm not going to know these guys by their names, but he does that himself. "-- of course, I'll have to show you who they are. Basically, I wouldn't talk to anybody. Plenty of people will talk to you."
Aha. This guy, this little pretty boy even takes me for a pussy. I know he's being nice, but I can't help defending my manhood. "I'm tougher than I look."
His smile falters. "I don't care if you're Bruce Lee, you should avoid getting in any fights here. It's unpleasant enough without having enemies to worry about.." he explains, making me feel pretty lame for having such a "macho moment".
"So what about you?" I ask casually. "Any enemies?"
"A few.." he says it under his breath, as if any louder would have summoned said enemies right in front of him. I can't be surprised, the way he looks.
"So that sucks?"
He nods, "It sucks, but you know, it can't always be avoided." His smile returns. "You've been warned. It's possible you'll do better."
"Yeah right." I think, but I don't say. I'm the anti-pushover, and if someone says something smart - I have a habit of saying something smarter. Anyone who picks trouble with me is going to get more than what they expected, I'm sure of that much.
"You looked around, right?" he asks me suddenly, pausing. "You know where the bathroom is... cafeteria.. ?"
I nod and reply, "I've seen them."
He smiles and nods, then walks on. I follow, then ask "Where are we heading?"
"I'll introduce you to some guys. Some nice guys." He explains, and on cue, he stops in front of a classroom door. "Hey Donghae." he greets, walking in.
Donghae is the only person in here, and seemed to just be checking out his own shoes before we came in. He's short like Sungmin, and shares some of those pretty boy qualities. But he seems like much less of a girly guy, at least. That much is even in his voice, when he looks up and says "Oh hey. Who's this?"
"New guy." Sungmin announces that with pride, like he's done something amazing by discovering me. "His name is Kibum."
"Hi." I say.
Donghae looks a bit worried at me, sizing me up the way most people seemed to. "What are you here for?" he asks, blatant. Sungmin makes kind of a face, like he's sorry that I was asked, but I can tell he's curious too.
Looking between the two of them, I can tell there's no reason to beef it up, but once I tell one person why it seems like only a matter of time before everyone figures it out. Finally, I answer. ".. Theft." It's not a lie, and it's not the whole truth.
"Ah, you don't have to tell anyone that." Sungmin says. I was definitely right about him being curious, or he would have said so sooner. I've got half a mind to ask him what he's in for, but Donghae butts in before I get a chance.
"Theft, like, stealing? What did you steal?"
This time, Sungmin does interrupt. "It's none of our business." In a mumble, he adds "Come on, Donghae, get a grip.."
But Donghae isn't offending me any. I get the sense that the guy is just protective, you know, of himself.. and he's flattered me enough by being scared of the four eyed new guy. So I smile at him and nod, "No worries. I won't steal anything from you. My lesson is learned. Promise."
Donghae just gives me a slight apologetic smile.
I can't help myself, so I return his question. "What are you in for?"
"I'm innocent," he says that as if I'm the judge. He seems sincere enough to me, but hey - not my job. "I got charged with assault.. but I swear, I didn't.. It's this whole stupid story. This girl, I rejected her because.. You know, she was into alcohol and drugs and.. I'm not brought up that way." It surprised me to hear it, cause honestly? He somehow seemed like the type. Again though, I'm no judge. "She got all mad and you know.. well I guess she decided to accuse me of being the one that bruised her up. Fuck if I know who did.."
"Tough luck." I shrug at him, and I like that he isn't offended by my lack of hardcore sympathy. (I’m a little busy feeling sorry for myself right now.) In fact, he grins at me. "Yeah, tough luck, I guess."
Donghae. I can tell we're gonna get along alright.
Sungmin seems eager to change the subject, making me all the more suspicious about what such a girly boy is doing in here. He asks Donghae, "Where did the guys go?"
Donghae sits on one of the room's cots, getting comfortable. "Bathroom, they said. Translates to 'catch you later, we've got fucking to do.'"
I tense at that. Fucking? I'm asking myself. Men?
Sungmin sighs, "Ahh. Kibum can meet them later."
The gay guys? I want to ask, but hold it in. Hey, no one gets any ladies around here. I frown at the thought. My girlfriend.. she's gorgeous, and excellent in bed. That's really all I know about her, that and that she doesn't like any movies that are good. But I find myself wanting to see her face right now.
I like sex, and I'm open to the idea of having it with a man if no one else is available. Why not? I messed around with a loser at school once, it was fun. Still, of what I heard about prisons - about guys making other guys their bitches and stuff - I was hoping that part wasn't true. If it was, I wanted to avoid it at all costs.
Messing around? Fine. Fucking? Not fine.
Of course I don't have anything to worry about if these guys have each other. I'm just a little caught off guard, hearing people talk about that openly already. Makes me uncomfortable. You know, a little.
"What did you used to do for fun, Kibum? Other then steal stuff." Donghae smiles, light hearted over what he was so serious about earlier. Weird.
I almost say 'women', just for where my thoughts are now, but of course these guys could connect it to what was just said and call it insecurity. I'm not insecure, which is why I go with a more sarcastic reply. "The usual. Killing. Torture.."
Both of them laugh just a little, and I break a grin before I give them a more serious (though vague) answer. "I like a lot of stuff."
"Anything you can do here?" It's Donghae's question, and I wonder if they're hoping that I have something fun and new to teach them. Hate to disappoint, I'm not the innovative fun type. A computer and a tv entertain me fine, and when those aren't around, my thing is drinking and gambling. Which brings me to..
"Any alcohol here?"
"Wishful thinking," Sungmin says with a smile.
"Ah, there's plenty to do here..." Donghae says, looking toward the ceiling. Right, between checking out his shoes and the ceiling, it seems like Donghae's days must fly by.
"Says the guy who wasn't brought up with alcohol and drugs," I point out.
He laughs, and Sungmin giggles. From there on, we talk about a lot of things. The ice has been broken and melted, and I’ve made my first friends at the Reformatory City of Seoul.. and they’re only sort of losers.
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Read: Part 2
Topic: Kibum (Super Junior)
Pairings: Implied Kyuhyun/Zhoumi, Kyuhyun/Sungmin (in the past)
Warnings: Alternate Universe; Homophobia; Incomplete
Summary: After commiting a crime, Kibum is sent to a less than conventional prison.
Read: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Notes: Thanks to the people who've read over this and encouraged me to post it. :) I wish I could remember who you were lolz.
This chapter, and most of the ones in the future, will be in Kibum's point of view.
---------------------------------
It's kind of funny.
When I was a kid in school, I used to get so confused by those posters that warned you against doing crimes that would land you in jail. "Drugs = Jail", "Guns = Jail", blah blah blah. "Duh" is what I always thought. Who would be so stupid to do something that's against the law?
Damn, I changed.
The story? I tried to become a superstar. Didn't worry too much about school, figured I'd just make millions when I became one. Why did it take me so long to realize that dream was totally unrealistic?
No big deal.. I'm smart. I'm just unfortunately lazy too. But this brilliant idea occurred.
"Identity theft, I'm genius enough to manage it."
Sure I managed it, but I wasn't genius enough to quit while I was ahead.
Nice house, sexy girlfriend, good friends, fun parties, alcohol and then..
...Busted. And now I'm not stuck in some ordinary jail cell either.
This place... it's called the Reformatory City of Seoul. Well see, our new prime minister has been really cracking down on the whole crime thing. Those ordinary jail cells? They got all filled up, thus places like this were born. In the Reformatory City of Seoul, the idea is basically 'low maintenance'. We criminals are stuffed in a building together and left pretty much to do what we want. They just give us food, turn lights on and off, and make sure we don't escape.
But then it doesn't sound so bad, right? Better then normal prison, right? No stuffy cell, no getting lonely...
That's what I was thinking, but I've been here for about an hour and oh yeah. Optimism gone.
The building, the "Reformatory City of Seoul", it used to be a school. Naturally there's been some remodeling. For example, doors aren't too common. Most of the former classrooms seem to have a cot or two inside, but I'm wondering if there's enough for everyone. The only chairs I see come in the form of plastic, or old school desks. There isn't much color around either, the walls are white cinderblock and the floors are coral linoleum. Windows? Of course, they're all barred up.
This place.. somehow doesn't seem fit for people to live in. But the setting isn't really the thing bugging me yet.
There's a lot of people. Right now I can only wonder what they've done to be here, but I have a feeling a lot of it is a bit more violent than my vicious hacking. I feel like anyone I make eye contact with starts sizing me up, and I have an urge to remove my eyeglasses and rip off my sleeves to show them I'm not someone to be messed with.
Of course, I'm strong - but I know I really couldn't take some.. alright, most of these guys, and the unsettling thing is that I'm sure they notice. "New wimpy guy, let's fuck him up" - isn't that how prisoners are in movies?
Scary.
But no one's attacked me and I've been here for almost an hour. Good sign, right?
I walk around for a while, kind of hoping to find someone who looks safe enough to talk to. There's more than a few candidates, but somehow I can't get the guts to approach anyone. Finally, I find a "classroom" that's empty of people and sit myself in the corner on the floor, ignoring the less than comfortable seeming furniture.
Here's where my wimpy side shows, and I'd like to say that it doesn't show often, but it takes a lot of fighting to not ball up and cry right there. I'm positive that I've never wanted to cry so badly in my life and if I could close the door, be alone, there'd be no stopping me. I come close enough, pulling my knees to my chest and placing my forehead on top of them. "I'm an idiot. I don't have a life. I don't even have a fucking door..."
I'm ashamed to be this way at first, but it's a special circumstance. I tell myself, "Mope for a second. Get it out." But just when I've convinced myself that a good cry is needed, three guys slip into the room with me. I have to lift my head and try not to look as miserable as I feel, putting on my best 'bored' expression.. but the guys don't even glance my way. Two of them sit on the cot, another sits at a desk. They're talking about.. ah, I don't even really know. I don't want to either, and I definitely am not going to linger and seem like I was listening in when they finally do notice I'm here.
I get up, and swiftly escape the classroom without giving the guys a second glance. As I step into the hall, really hoping to find another empty classroom, I hear my name.
"Hey! Kibum, right?"
I look, and next to me is a boy with a thin, feminine face that has a friendly, curious expression. He's a bit shorter then me, and completely unintimidating. Still, the fact that he knows my name is a bit... eh.
When I don't say anything, he explains himself. "Ah, I was around when you were brought in. I would've said hey sooner but I kinda got distracted. Um, I'm Sungmin.. nice to meet you." He holds out his hand, and I shake it.
He certainly seems nice enough, but I have to admit that the question is burning in my mind. You know the one. "What are you in for?"
But I don't ask. I am smart after all. That would put this guy in an awkward spot where he felt like he had to talk or look suspicious, and hey - I wasn't sure I wanted to know anyway. Besides, I think I've heard it's offensive to ask. You know, in those movies? It's not like I want to brag about my own crime. If I had known I'd be here, maybe I'd have killed someone just for the fear factor...
... Hey, I'm not gonna pretend I'm a good guy. I may wear eyeglasses and have elite hacking ability, but I've always been the bully. Never the bullied. I'm no victim, and maybe I deserve to be here. Then again, I can't help feeling like no one deserves to be here.
Anyway, I say "Nice to meet you. You're right, it's Kibum."
Any of the hesitance that he had before disappears, and he gives me a smile. It kind of reminds me of when you've talked to a girl on the internet, and when you go to meet her you aren't sure if it's her you're approaching.. but then she says "Yeah, it's me".
Right, it's like that. Like I'm a girl he met on the internet.
My manliness kind of winces at the comparison.
"Ah, no one's attacked you yet, right?" he asks, seeming to be joking.
So I kind of joke back, even though getting attacked is a genuine concern of mine. "Not yet." My smile is forced.
His tone becomes a little more serious.. a little. "You just have to know who's way to stay out of." He beckons me and starts walking, so I follow. Better to take advantage of someone's niceness while I'm offered it, who knows how long it'll last? That cry that I wanted will have to wait for later.
"So, who do I watch out for?" I ask, trying to sound more amused then scared.
Fearlessly, he starts a list of names. I look around, figuring it's more than likely that someone on the list will overhear, even if he doesn't seem worried about it. I'm just about to stop him, point out that I'm not going to know these guys by their names, but he does that himself. "-- of course, I'll have to show you who they are. Basically, I wouldn't talk to anybody. Plenty of people will talk to you."
Aha. This guy, this little pretty boy even takes me for a pussy. I know he's being nice, but I can't help defending my manhood. "I'm tougher than I look."
His smile falters. "I don't care if you're Bruce Lee, you should avoid getting in any fights here. It's unpleasant enough without having enemies to worry about.." he explains, making me feel pretty lame for having such a "macho moment".
"So what about you?" I ask casually. "Any enemies?"
"A few.." he says it under his breath, as if any louder would have summoned said enemies right in front of him. I can't be surprised, the way he looks.
"So that sucks?"
He nods, "It sucks, but you know, it can't always be avoided." His smile returns. "You've been warned. It's possible you'll do better."
"Yeah right." I think, but I don't say. I'm the anti-pushover, and if someone says something smart - I have a habit of saying something smarter. Anyone who picks trouble with me is going to get more than what they expected, I'm sure of that much.
"You looked around, right?" he asks me suddenly, pausing. "You know where the bathroom is... cafeteria.. ?"
I nod and reply, "I've seen them."
He smiles and nods, then walks on. I follow, then ask "Where are we heading?"
"I'll introduce you to some guys. Some nice guys." He explains, and on cue, he stops in front of a classroom door. "Hey Donghae." he greets, walking in.
Donghae is the only person in here, and seemed to just be checking out his own shoes before we came in. He's short like Sungmin, and shares some of those pretty boy qualities. But he seems like much less of a girly guy, at least. That much is even in his voice, when he looks up and says "Oh hey. Who's this?"
"New guy." Sungmin announces that with pride, like he's done something amazing by discovering me. "His name is Kibum."
"Hi." I say.
Donghae looks a bit worried at me, sizing me up the way most people seemed to. "What are you here for?" he asks, blatant. Sungmin makes kind of a face, like he's sorry that I was asked, but I can tell he's curious too.
Looking between the two of them, I can tell there's no reason to beef it up, but once I tell one person why it seems like only a matter of time before everyone figures it out. Finally, I answer. ".. Theft." It's not a lie, and it's not the whole truth.
"Ah, you don't have to tell anyone that." Sungmin says. I was definitely right about him being curious, or he would have said so sooner. I've got half a mind to ask him what he's in for, but Donghae butts in before I get a chance.
"Theft, like, stealing? What did you steal?"
This time, Sungmin does interrupt. "It's none of our business." In a mumble, he adds "Come on, Donghae, get a grip.."
But Donghae isn't offending me any. I get the sense that the guy is just protective, you know, of himself.. and he's flattered me enough by being scared of the four eyed new guy. So I smile at him and nod, "No worries. I won't steal anything from you. My lesson is learned. Promise."
Donghae just gives me a slight apologetic smile.
I can't help myself, so I return his question. "What are you in for?"
"I'm innocent," he says that as if I'm the judge. He seems sincere enough to me, but hey - not my job. "I got charged with assault.. but I swear, I didn't.. It's this whole stupid story. This girl, I rejected her because.. You know, she was into alcohol and drugs and.. I'm not brought up that way." It surprised me to hear it, cause honestly? He somehow seemed like the type. Again though, I'm no judge. "She got all mad and you know.. well I guess she decided to accuse me of being the one that bruised her up. Fuck if I know who did.."
"Tough luck." I shrug at him, and I like that he isn't offended by my lack of hardcore sympathy. (I’m a little busy feeling sorry for myself right now.) In fact, he grins at me. "Yeah, tough luck, I guess."
Donghae. I can tell we're gonna get along alright.
Sungmin seems eager to change the subject, making me all the more suspicious about what such a girly boy is doing in here. He asks Donghae, "Where did the guys go?"
Donghae sits on one of the room's cots, getting comfortable. "Bathroom, they said. Translates to 'catch you later, we've got fucking to do.'"
I tense at that. Fucking? I'm asking myself. Men?
Sungmin sighs, "Ahh. Kibum can meet them later."
The gay guys? I want to ask, but hold it in. Hey, no one gets any ladies around here. I frown at the thought. My girlfriend.. she's gorgeous, and excellent in bed. That's really all I know about her, that and that she doesn't like any movies that are good. But I find myself wanting to see her face right now.
I like sex, and I'm open to the idea of having it with a man if no one else is available. Why not? I messed around with a loser at school once, it was fun. Still, of what I heard about prisons - about guys making other guys their bitches and stuff - I was hoping that part wasn't true. If it was, I wanted to avoid it at all costs.
Messing around? Fine. Fucking? Not fine.
Of course I don't have anything to worry about if these guys have each other. I'm just a little caught off guard, hearing people talk about that openly already. Makes me uncomfortable. You know, a little.
"What did you used to do for fun, Kibum? Other then steal stuff." Donghae smiles, light hearted over what he was so serious about earlier. Weird.
I almost say 'women', just for where my thoughts are now, but of course these guys could connect it to what was just said and call it insecurity. I'm not insecure, which is why I go with a more sarcastic reply. "The usual. Killing. Torture.."
Both of them laugh just a little, and I break a grin before I give them a more serious (though vague) answer. "I like a lot of stuff."
"Anything you can do here?" It's Donghae's question, and I wonder if they're hoping that I have something fun and new to teach them. Hate to disappoint, I'm not the innovative fun type. A computer and a tv entertain me fine, and when those aren't around, my thing is drinking and gambling. Which brings me to..
"Any alcohol here?"
"Wishful thinking," Sungmin says with a smile.
"Ah, there's plenty to do here..." Donghae says, looking toward the ceiling. Right, between checking out his shoes and the ceiling, it seems like Donghae's days must fly by.
"Says the guy who wasn't brought up with alcohol and drugs," I point out.
He laughs, and Sungmin giggles. From there on, we talk about a lot of things. The ice has been broken and melted, and I’ve made my first friends at the Reformatory City of Seoul.. and they’re only sort of losers.
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Read: Part 2