Through A Looking Glass [2/?]
Title: Through A Looking Glass [2/?]
Author:
summerrainsonme
Rating: PG-13 to R
Pairings: Mainly Kyuhyun/Donghae, Sungmin/Sunny, Heechul/Hankyung, Leeteuk/Sora, Jessica/Taeyeon, Hyoyeon/Eunhyuk. A lot - and I mean a lot - of other side pairings.
Chapter II
"You had me at hello, then you opened up your mouth..."
Kyuhyun glared after Sungmin, giving him such a withering glance as the elder simply grinned back at him with that damned twinkle in his eyes. Sungmin had promised that he would stay by Kyuhyun's side for the rest of the evening, just to keep him company and out of the god-awful thing called socializing, but Kyuhyun wasn't really surprised that he didn't. Sungmin was that sort of fluttery type, the type that couldn't sit still for long without moving. It was a wonder how he got through school all these years. Then again, all that kick-boxing during martial arts classes must've helped.
As he watched Sungmin disappear into the dim darkness of the pub-like karaoke room, Kyuhyun shifted his head on his upright palm so that he noticed the other man - Donghae, he remembered - lean back and watch the stage with semi-interested eyes. He didn't seem like he wanted to be here either, but Kyuhyun couldn't tell.
He could, however, tell that the guy was handsome; anyone could see that. He saw that a bunch of girls were looking their way, and he felt just a trickle of anxiousness underneath his skin. He wasn't good with girls. Not smooth, or suave, or cool or whatever. His sister Ara told him many times that him being his 'silent, moody' self drew girls like moth to light, but he begged to differ. Then she said it was because of his 'nasty attitude and sullen expression'. Dammit, he could smile...just not with stupid stuff that everyone seemed to think was funny.
Now they both sat together, still, and Kyuhyun almost - almost - wished that someone would come and talk, even if it was someone that he didn't know. The only girl he could take - for a long amount of time, anyway - was his sister, Seohyun, and a particular girl named Amber that reminded him more of a guy than a girl.
"So you're a singer too, right?" Donghae said, catching his attention. Kyuhyun blinked once, raising his head to look lazily at the other. He raised an eyebrow that spoke for itself. Donghae cracked a grin, jerking his head to Sungmin, Ryeowook, and Yesung on stage. "They really don't know how to keep their mouths shut, just so you know."
Kyuhyun snorted. "You're telling me," he replied. "I've known Sungmin ever since we were kids, and he could never keep anything secret unless you threatened him with something."
To his surprise, Donghae laughed. "Yeah, I know the feeling. My best friend - he's the bastard over there - always had a big mouth. He'd keep something to himself, but then after a few days he'll blow and tell the first person around of whatever juicy news he's got." He sighed fondly. "Gave him a lot of trouble during high school."
Kyuhyun's eyes flickered to the boy that Donghae motioned to, remembering him vaguely as someone who had sat with them briefly. "Is he trying to flirt with Hyoyeon-ssi?" Kyuhyun asked, incredulous, as Eunhyuk said something that made both of them laugh. He looked somewhat nervous, but Hyoyeon didn't seem to notice. "And is it working?" Hyoyeon was known to be one of the ice-queens of their school, along with Jessica and another girl that he couldn't place.
"Eunhyuk has charm," Donghae admitted. "Probably the type that's suited for a gagman, but it's charm."
Talk was scarce after that, because of their huge difference. Kyuhyun could spot it immediately. Donghae was like Sungmin; unable to sit still. His eyes roamed almost obsessively over the rest of the room, as if he was ignoring Kyuhyun. This, for some reason, angered the younger slightly. He didn't like being ignored. He had always been noticed in his life, either as the snarkiest or the youngest or whatever.
"You're a dancer, right?" he said suddenly, causing Donghae to jump slightly and look around. His chair scraped against the edge of the floor. There was a silent beat as someone tapped on the microphone.
"Yeah," the other answered. "It's my major. Why?"
Kyuhyun shrugged. "I just don't like being quiet all the time." Hah. What a lie that was.
Apparently, Donghae seemed to catch on to that too. He gave Kyuhyun a disbelieving look. "Funny, you gave off the impression that you'd rather be locked in a room and never let out."
Kyuhyun couldn't help it; he let the corner of his mouth quirk up. Soon, though, the slight upward of his mouth turned into a small smile, and then a few chuckles.
He didn't see Donghae's facial expression; if he did, he wouldn't seem the slight, wondrous upturn of his eyes and the way that he seemed to smile as well in return.
"You have a nice laugh," the older complimented as soon as Kyuhyun's chuckles faded away. Kyuhyun looked up at him in surprise. He didn't think that the other had heard that, especially now that Yesung and Ryeowook and Sungmin had already starting belting out lyrics to some Chinese song that engulfed the crowd in whispers and swaying to the beat. Except for Kyuhyun and Donghae. "You should laugh more."
"People should give me things to laugh about then," came the retort.
Donghae laughed. "Why do you need a reason to laugh? It can just be because you're happy or because you feel like it. Laughing doesn't need a reason to be done."
Kyuhyun didn't really have an answer to this. He just bit his lip and said a few moments later, "...well, I guess I'm just incapable of laughing spontaneously."
They both quietened down as Ryeowook trailed on the refrain, his voice washing over them all. As soon as Yesung had picked up, though, Donghae got up. Kyuhyun followed his movements, bewildered, as Donghae crossed around the table and came right beside him, tugging on his wrist. "Wha -"
"C'mon, get up," the brunette persisted, something shining in his eyes. "I'm going to show you something."
Kyuhyun snatched his wrist back. "What are you doing?" he hissed slightly, annoyed. He hated touchy-feely people; Sungmin was one thing, having a total stranger touch him? No way. He ignored the way there there seemed to be sparks across his skin.
"Ya, be nice to your hyung. Come on, do you really want to be here? I bet you won't even go up to sing." Donghae crossed his arms, mindlessly ignoring the way that Kyuhyun seemed to incredulously sputter ("Hyung? Since when were you my hyung? I just met you!") and gave him a pointed look that he was sure that the younger could see.
Kyuhyun's face stilled. Then he admitted slowly, "...no, not really."
"Exactly. So come on! What, do you think that I'll kidnap you and sell your body parts off to the black market?"
"No," Kyuhyun replied smoothly, standing up now. He smoothed his jeans out, unable to keep away from the claim of him being scared, of all things. "I'm just wondering what's taking you so long to get there."
By the time he realized what he was doing, Donghae had already pulled him out of the karaoke room and out of the bar, a smirk on his face. Kyuhyun wanted to groan at his stupidity; how could he let his pride get him into a situation like this?
"Where are you going?" he finally settled on asking, unhappy with the situation. Where is he taking me? I should've stayed inside. What the hell was I thinking?
"I have no idea, really," Donghae admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. "But hey, we'll just make it up as we go, yes?"
"What's we?" Kyuhyun could feel the irritation gritting into his tone. "Besides, didn't you tell me that you had something to show me?" He watched as Donghae blinked, focusing for a second, before his eyes lit up.
"Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me." Donghae grabbed onto Kyuhyun's wrist, starting to drag him through the crowds of Seoul that they had started to thread into. It was past night, the stars blinking faintly in the sky, the only light being the glowing signs of Seoul. Kyuhyun tried his hardest to keep up with Donghae, he really did, but it was hard. For one thing, he would always get pulled back one time or another by random people, or Donghae'd loose his grip before finding it again. Kyuhyun knew that the only thing he had with him was his phone, and he doubted that it would be of any help. His parents were in another part of Seoul, and his friends-well, they were all off singing happily, weren't they?
"Have you ever seen the Han river at night?" Donghae's voice shook him out of his complicated thinking, causing him to blink. Sure, Donghae wasn't going to kill him and sell his organs, but Kyuhyun never really did trust people he met for the first time. Donghae had just taken his world by the hair and shaken it. When Kyuhyun realized that Donghae had slowed down to his pace and let his hand go, waiting patiently for an answer, he shook his head mutely. Donghae smiled. "Well then, this'll be a treat."
"I see it every morning," Kyuhyun cut in exasperatedly, not seeing what the big deal was.
Donghae, however, stared at him in a way that made Kyuhyun rethink his words and squirm in his seat. "There's a lot of things in the world to see, Kyuhyun-ssi," Donghae said softly, almost like a mentor. His words were fond and soft, his eyes glassy and far away. Like he was remembering a fond memory. "And sometimes, they're right in front of your nose. And when you can't see them-that's when it's really sad."
They had crossed the threshold onto the walkway on the bridge, just above the Han river, and the people passing by had thinned considerably. A faint pattering in the sky told Kyuhyun that something wet was going to come, but he was distracted by Donghae pulling on his shirt and grabbing his attention. "What?"
Donghae grinned, even though Kyuhyun's tone was snappy. "Just look at the scene, you sourpuss." Kyuhyun glared at him, but then Donghae forced his head around and he was forced to take in the scenery.
Then he found that he really didn't mind. Kyuhyun felt his eyes widening in amazement as he took in the view; the buildings of Seoul, all high and rising over the distace, with their brilliant lights turned onward brought on the reflection that rippled across the water. Stretches of blue, purple, gold, red, green, every colour imaginable diluted by the water but somehow fluorescently brightened into beauty. They ended at trails of the water where Kyuhyun believed, just for a second, that they were rays of light that he could hold onto and feel the warmth of; it brought a warm, secure feeling blooming in chest.
"So?" He heard Donghae's voice, and then he realized that the other wasn't holding his head toward the sight anymore. Kyuhyun glanced toward Donghae but then his gaze follower back to the water, almost like it was calling him.
"How come I had never noticed this before?" Even as Kyuhyun breathed out a words, he turned around and looked at the view people beside them, who were busy chattering away on their phones or were walking by without a care. They didn't see what was right next to them, what was right under their noses.
Donghae answered in same. "Because no one really takes the time to notice." He leaned forward on the metal rods that kept them from falling, his chin on top of his folded arms. He gazed off into the lights. "When I first came to Seoul, this was the first thing my father showed me." An affectionate smile crossed his face. "And ever since then, I've wanted to show this to the world."
"Why not take a picture? Keep the memory lasted forever?" It sounded stupid even as Kyuhyun was saying it, but he couldn't find his mouth to stop. The Seoul lights had briefly put his mind at a complete stop, and it was still struggling to make it's full return. His tongue felt slow in his mouth, and he found a good name for the sight; the Seoul lights.
Donghae snorted. "I don't think a thousand pictures can convey what I feel when I look at this," he admitted. "I'd like to show it to everyone, but everyone has a different way of interpreting things. They might feel something different when they look at this. When I come here to stare off, I feel calm and open. So free, like I could fly."
Odd. Donghae was just saying how people felt different things, but he had described how Kyuhyun was feeling perfectly.
He didn't choose to voice this out loud, instead choosing to say, "You're not from Seoul?"
Donghae's chocolate eyes flickered to him. A smile tinted the corner of his mouth. "Nah, not from a city like this. It might be beautiful, but I come from Mokpo. You know, that city that the Japanese used as their barrier?"
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile in his tone. "I thought I heard an accent."
The world was soft and buzzing around them as Donghae laughed.
"Where are you from?" asked the other, flicking his fingers on the railing, making a random pattern on the sides.
"Seoul," Kyuhyun said, causing Donghae to snort. "Okay, that was a stupid question, I admit. Here's another one: how come you're in college so early? When I was seventeen, I was still out partying."
Kyuhyun snorted. "Aren't you still partying now? What was that karaoke thing? A club meeting?"
Donghae looked sheepish. "Well, crazy partying. Like, alcohol and buzz and all that bad stuff." He crinked his nose. "I don't remember a lot of those times. I don't like to. I chose a bad path when I was younger."
"It's only been two years."
"A lot can happen in two years," Donghae defended amiably. "Hell, a lot can happen in two hours. I met you, didn't I? A person is born and dead in a minute. What difference does it all make?" Donghae threw his head back, breathing in fresh air and Kyuhyun found himself unwillingly mulling over his words. "Of course, I started to get my act back together when I was eighteen. I have a life to live properly, you know."
"And why are you telling me this?" Kyuhyun felt the start of goosebumps on his shoulders, a chilly wind rustling through his hair. The only form of shelter against the cold was his thin cardigan, but Donghae seemed unruffled-of course, he was wearing a thick leather jacket that was probably warm. "I mean, I just met you."
"Good point," Donghae agreed. "I have no real idea either." The brunette turned his head to the younger, taking note of how pale he looked, the strobe lights of Seoul's reflection against his face, and how he seemed to be a little to stiff. Before he could ask if the other was cold, though, Kyuhyun continued on in a far-away voice, "I guess that I just grew up too early," he said in response to Donghae's earlier question. "I wanted to sing, and I wanted to sing right then and there. I didn't want to wait and learn things that I would probably never again need in my life."
"That's school for you," he said in return, letting out a wry smile before it disappeared into a faintly worried one. "Are you cold, Kyuhyun-ssi? You look cold."
Kyuhyun shot him a dry glare that was completely not out-of-context. "I'm wearing this," he motioned to his thin choice of clothing, "and you ask me a question like that."
Donghae's eyes unwillingly flickered to the other's thin form, his long legs that barely made up to Donghae's, and Donghae realized that this was the first time that he actually saw a guy with something near curves. Like really, he could swear that Kyuhyun had hips. But he gathered himself quickly and said, "Then why'd you wear something like that if it was going to be cold outside?"
The glare didn't let up. "Because I was expecting to laze the night away inside. Where it's warm. And not cold. Besides, Sungmin-hyung said that he would drop me off at my dorm."
Kyuhyun's blantanly frank tone didn't suit well with Donghae, especially now that he was feeling guilty. "Ah, sorry. I kinda forced you to come out with me, didn't I?"
Kyuhyun, spotting the other's kicked-puppy tone, sighed. He never really got mad at anyone. "It's okay. I would've died on boredom in there anyway." He turned to the water. "And you showed me something really pretty to make up for it, so it's not a big deal." And then, like it was on it's own will, a smile crinkled up the corners of his mouth.
Donghae still felt guilty, so he slapped Kyuhyun's shoulder. "Hey you, come on. Let's run back to the karaoke place-I think we've been out here for nearly an hour, and the exercise will keep you warm." He turned around and started to leave, his hands stuffed in his pockets, but stopped when he realized that Kyuhyun wasn't really following behind him. Donghae turned around slightly to see Kyuhyun's face hesitant, biting his lip.
"I kinda don't want to go back," his voice floated over a second later. "Sungmin-hyung is going to force me to sing, and I don't want to. Not right now." He scratched the back of his neck, sounding abashed. "Is it possible that you can...I don't know, drop me off at the dorm, or something? If you can? I just want to go back home."
Donghae thought it over for a second. Did he want to go back to the karaoke place and sit in one of the chairs, wait for Hyukjae to finish flirting with Hyoyeon, or could he go with Kyuhyun-who was actually proving to be some good company, despite his antisocial exterior-and sleep some at home?
Or, his mind betrayed, you can go have some fun... Because really, he hasn't that much of it ever since he entered college.
"Alright," he said, smiling a crooked smile. "But I have a better idea. Come on!" Donghae clamped the other's wrist again, making Kyuhyun stumble in surprise after him, but started to sprint lightly across the bridge to the other side where they come from. Donghae figured that he could just give Hyukjae a call and tell him to get a ride with Sungmin-it was his car that brought them to the karaoke place, after all-while he hung out with Kyuhyun. Neither of them wanted to be there, anyway, and Donghae ignored the sudden thought in his head that popped up out of it's own free will: it's almost like we're running away together.
Well, we are, the practical part of Donghae's mind said matter-of-factly, but the emotional one snickered, I meant like in one of those dramas that omma likes so much. Look at how tightly you're holding his wrist, Hae, you'll cut off all circulation to his hand!
Donghae looked around casually as they were running through Seoul slowly, noting that Kyuhyun was focusing on his feet and not paying much attention to his wrist, which Donghae was clenching hardly. So hard that his own knuckles were turning white, but he actually liked the feeling.
He slowed down in accordance to the other man, watching as Kyuhyun bent down slightly and breathed in many times, tucking pieces of his hair behind his ear and moving the bangs from falling into his eyes. Donghae grinned and leaned down to meet him to eye-level. "You're not that athletic, are you?"
Cheeks pink, Kyuhyun almost pouted at him. (Well, if Donghae didn't know better...) "Shut up."
He laughed. "It's okay. All of my family's told me that I move way too much for my own good."
"I'll say," Kyuhyun muttered, standing upright, looking around him. "Where are we? I don't recognize this place."
Donghae looked around as well. "Neither to do I," he said offhandedly, causing Kyuhyun to look sharply at him, but he continued on, "Though I'm pretty sure that my car is just down the block from here. I remember passing by this place to the karaoke room." He pointed to the large sign behind them, flashing with pink and gold lights that flashed in a spasmodic manner and read off something about a movie theater. There were people coming in and out, and Donghae could see beyond the glass doors that it was a plush theatre indeed.
"So," he started, "Do you really want to go home, or...do you want to see a movie?" He hitched a thumb behind him.
Kyuhyun frowned, thinking for a second as he shivered a little. The null of people beside him calmed the cold somewhat, but he really wished that he had thought to bring a jacket. "I guess a movie's okay," he said after checking his phone and seeing that it was only a little after seven. "I don't have much money, though." Kyuhyun barely had time to squeeze the words out as Donghae pressed him through the doors, once again grabbing his wrist. Kyuhyun rolled his eyes inwardly; it wasn't like he was going to run away, god.
"We'll movie hop," Donghae said cheerfully, ignoring Kyuhyun's indignant sputtering. "Oh come on! It isn't that bad. All you do is buy two tickets for some movie and then switch the theaters when it's done. I spent a lot of my time doing it, come on!"
"Donghae-ssi," Kyuhyun started, but Donghae cut him off, "Do you want snacks? Actually, no, I think there's a store around here that I know well, we'll eat after the movie." Kyuhyun just groaned and slapped his forehead with one palm, rubbing it to get rid of the oncoming headache.
Donghae hadn't asked which movie they should watch, instead going for the cheapest one. He grinned and showed Kyuhyun the tickets. placing one in his hand. "It was only 5,000 won, could you believe that? This movie theater really is cheap. I think I'll write down the address in case I can come back later with Hyukjae."
Kyuhyun just stared at him, bewildered. "Are you always this flighty?"
"Pretty much," came the cheery response. "Oh, this is some weird chick flick. Do you want to see it?"
"What kind of a question is that?"
"Harry Potter it is," he said, nodding to a nearby open door that had already started. Kyuhyun just followed Donghae, not knowing what the hell he was doing, and even why he was doing it. But he had nowhere else to go and he didn't know his place around this part of Seoul much-though if he really wanted to leave, he could've just gone outside and asked someone for directions or something.
"Come on, Kyu! Movie's gonna start soon-they've got the ads rolling." Donghae patted one of the seats next to him in the third or fourth row, the other people mulling around turning their stare at them for a moment before turning back to their own business. Kyuhyun felt his cheeks flare up as he sat down.
"Don't call me Kyu," he hissed silently. "And don't talk so loud, you're in a theatre!"
Donghae pouted, leaning back, taking off his jacket. "But it's such a nice nickname! You can call me Hae if you want."
"I barely know you," Kyuhyun said, exasperated.
"What're you talking about?" Donghae raised an eyebrow. "You know my name, don't you?" At Kyuhyun's hesitant nod, he continued, "You know my face, you know my age, you know where I go to school, and you know what I major in, right?" Again, Kyuhyun nodded. Donghae laughed. "Then there really isn't much else to know about me! I know that you're Cho Kyuhyun, that you're two years younger me, that you like singing, that you're good at math, you're from Seoul, and that Sungmin's your best friend." Kyuhyun opened his mouth, unable to register how Donghae had known all of that, but the brunette kept on talking. "I'd say we're already friends. One more meeting and I think you can start calling me hyung, Kyu. Actually, start now, what the heck!"
Kyuhyun shut his mouth again. Then, after a long stare at the side of Donghae's face, illuminated by the side of the screen, he said in a calm voice, "You're crazy." And he turned around again to stare forward at the blinding screen, ignoring Donghae's laugh at his comment and the answer afterward, "You're supposed to say 'you're crazy hyung'!"
But as the beginning of the well-known all over the world movie started after the ads with tinkling music and Donghae's absorbed eyes, Kyuhyun couldn't help but sit back and think. He did what he did best; he started to analyze what happened to him in the last few hours. Kyuhyun couldn't help but do this to all the people he met, and he had to say, Donghae's meeting was one of the highlights-and his cheery disposition was eerily like Sungmin's.
Then Kyuhyun remembered his bored face at the karaoke place, how he seemed to stare out at the world with flat eyes at the river, lost in memories. Kyuhyun deducted that Donghae wasn't all that he was letting on. Something had caused him to act like this, so flighty and happy and careless when he really wasn't on the inside. There was no way that a person could stay so happy, so cheerful, so such a long time-and Donghae wasn't. He just pretended to be in front of other people. Well, from what Kyuhyun could see.
His attention flitted in and out from the movie and the man next to him, musing over his odd behaviour quietly, also taking note of how he seemed to be very touchy-feely. Already Donghae had dragged him places and held his hand about three times, which is more than Sungmin ever did in a month. (Well, that was because he was rather cautious of Sungmin and knew when to move away when the other tried his attempt at skinship.)
Kyuhyun felt a bit bored around the nearing end of the cinema, though looking around him he realized that other people were completely into it, Donghae included. So instead he shifted in his chair and looked down at his thighs, tracing patterns on his pants to pass the time away. Kyuhyun found that he was thinking about the randomest things; Sungmin, his sister stealing his notes, singing, the Math Olympiads next trimester, the piano sheets he didn't finish. Soon, his head started lolling back and forth until his eyes closed of their own accord, stilling all movement as the explosive noises blurred out and darkness overtook his muggled brain.
Donghae found himself enchanted by the movie, watching it with wide eyes, feeling like he would jump out of the seat any second if something heart-pounding happened. He felt his hand clutch the arms of the seats tighter, eyes wide, and then the boy-Harry-he was about to catch the golden flying ball that whizzed around the stadium-
The brunette male almost jumped a mile when he felt something bump into his shoulder. He turned around, surprised, to see a head of dark hair resting on his shoulder. With a start, he recognized Kyuhyun's chest moving up and down easily, and Donghae leaned back so that the head could follow the movement. It was indeed Kyuhyun, his eyes closed and his face free of the scorn or the constantly grouchy look that it held.
Even as a large crowd started to cheer in the movie, Donghae was entraced by the lines of the younger male's face, the soft light of the screen shading his pale skin in a slight tint. Donghae's eyes unwillingly followed the bridge of his nose, the curve of his lips, all the way down to the smooth line of his jaw, and then he realized that Kyuhyun was actually sleeping on his shoulder. Donghae snickered. Knowing the other male as much as he did, he would not like that when he woke up.
Donghae poked Kyuhyun's cheek on impulse, feeling the marshmallow-like surface dip down with the movement then come back up just as easily. He was surprised that the younger didn't wake up, but he seemed to be in a deep sleep, and Donghae wondered how much rest Kyuhyun was getting. There wasn't dark circles or eyebags under his eyes, but he did seem tired earlier.
The more he stared at Kyuhyun's peacefully sleeping figure, though, the more he started to pinpoint a twisting feeling in his chest, like he was suddenly aware of everything; the clothes on his body, the weight of Kyuhyun's head on his shoulder, the smell of ocean salt from Kyuhyun's hair, the fact that he had started to stare for much too long, the fact that he shifted just so the other could be comfortable.
Kyuhyun moved, though, and Donghae stilled for a second. He watched, stunned and transfixed, as the younger pulled his legs up on the seat and moved his body completely so he was facing Donghae. Kyuhyun brought his own arms up and curled them around Donghae's so naturally it seemed like he had been doing it for forever. Then he lay still in an almost fetal-position, burying his head farther into Donghae's shoulder. The elder looked up and saw that the couple on the aisle diagonally above them were giving them a weird look and stopped as soon as Donghae's eyes met their's.
He turned back to the movie just as a huge bang emitted from the speakers. He didn't jump and scream like the other movie goers did, though. Instead, looked down at his hands, one arm immoble due to the person hugging it, warmth spreading from him to Donghae. The elder fought back a snicker-who would've guessed that Kyuhyun, Cho Kyuhyun, was a snuggler? It made him almost burst out at the thought of it.
Still, he fought away the chuckles threatening to come out and ignored the twinge that was in his chest. He forced himself to focus on the cinema, which wasn't too hard after a while; it quickly regained his interest, though some part of his subconscious must've been careful of Kyuhyun, because he didn't move throughout the rest.
Kyuhyun felt himself wooze in and out of conscious before he realized that he had fallen asleep. The smell of something musky filled his sense, and he had a distinct feeling of warmth-like someone had spread a handmade quilt over him or something. He heard English words, mumbling and muttering together, thought he couldn't understand. Peeking out a little bit, he found himself staring at a slightly tilted, bright screen. Immediately he closed his eyes again and moved a little, as if to get the offending light away from his eyes. Fabric brushed against his nose, and a thought floated over to him-who am I sleeping on?
Then he remembered the face of the brunette-haired guy that brought him to the Seoul lights and dragged him into a movie, which he had fallen asleep to. Kyuhyun groaned, moving his head up slightly, but was unable to. Looking up, he paused as feathery hair tickled his forehead.
Donghae's head was on top of his, and he was on Donghae's shoulder. Dear god, hadn't the guy moved him away, or woken him up or something to save him from this embarrassment? It was a bad habit of his, sleeping in the middle of things that bore him, which meant that he slept a lot. But he also couldn't sleep unless he was near something warm, which was why his dorm consisted of his bed being right near the heater. Sometimes when it didn't work, he'd be forced to sleep in Sungmin's bed (something that the other still held over his head) but other than that, it never really came out, and it usually stopped him from being out cold.
But then Kyuhyun moved his arms a little and realized that he did have something over him; Donghae's leather jacket. Like he thought, it was incredibly warm. He ignored the fact that his arms were around Donghae's and untangled them, tugging on the older male's shirt incessantly. Thankfully Donghae seemed to be a medium-light sleeper (unlike him) and he woke up easily, grumbling in surprise, "What time is it...?"
Kyuhyun pulled away, yawning, trying to force down the embarrassed blush that rose to his face (another bad habit of his) and reaching into his back pocket for his phone. He was surprised to see that it was only eight forty-five. He relayed this to Donghae.
"Well, we did come in halfway during the movie," he said, stretching, gathering some complaints from the people behind them. "And I think we made it all the way into the next one." He nodded his head at Kyuhyun. "You fell asleep halfway. Good nap?"
Kyuhyun flushed. "Sorry about that," he apologized. "I just...I was tired."
"Yeah, me too. I fell asleep just as Harry got into that creepy maze thing," Donghae grinned, their conversations hushed whispers. "But I'm hungry right now. You want to go to that restaurant-it'll be free!-or stay here and sleep like hobos?"
Unknowingly, Kyuhyun pushed Donghae's jacket off himself and it became colder. He fought down a shiver. He opened his mouth to answer, but thankfully, his stomach seemed to do that for him; it growled and Donghae laughed quietly. "I guess restaurant it is."
As they made their way out of the theatre, Kyuhyun gave the jacket back to Donghae and squinted to get his eyes used to the new, blinding light.
Donghae held his jacket in his hands for a few seconds, then looked at Kyuhyun's form. "Dude, it's going to be even colder now. You take it."
"I'm fine," Kyuhyun argued, taking out his phone to check for any missed phone calls or messages. "I didn't get anything from Sungmin. I don't think he even noticed I left. You?"
Donghae checked his, and came up with the same results. "Well, don't I feel unimportant. Hyukjae doesn't even remember my existence."
Kyuhyun snorted at that, the closest he came to a laugh at that moment. Donghae smiled in return, a wide toothy smile. When Kyuhyun turned around, he missed the way that Donghae glanced at the hair sticking up on the back of his head and slapped it to pat it down.
"Ow!" Kyuhyun scowled. "What was that for?"
"For not taking my jacket," Donghae crinkled his nose. "And for being cute when you sleep. I never knew you cuddled."
Donghae felt like he was getting a hundred privileges today. First, he got to see Kyuhyun smile (somewhat), laugh (somewhat), act like a kid (the sleeping thing), and now be so embarrassed that his face became red from his cheeks to his ears. "It's not something I tell people at parties, you know. And it's not cute. Shut up."
"You should be nicer to your hyung," Donghae admonished. "I'm taking you to a great place to eat, and they give out food for free!"
Kyuhyun scoffed, pushing away Donghae's sneaking hand putting his jacket on him. "I highly doubt that's possible, unless it's a soup kitchen or something."
Oh, there's his snarky side, the elder thought. "No, really. It's mostly because the owner's my uncle, though." Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, but when they reached the lobby where the doors to the outside world came clearer, Donghae shoved the jacket in his face and Kyuhyun exclaimed (albeit quietly), "Will you stop? I won't wear it, okay? Jeez, you'll get cold too!"
"Aw, is Kyu worried about his hyung?" Donghae teased, enjoying the way that Kyuhyun's eyebrow ticked. Despite only knowing the guy for a few hours, he had certainly grown on Donghae, and-like always-he already felt as though Kyuhyun was like a cute little brother. "I thought you were supposed to be cold and patronising."
"Those things are rumours," Kyuhyun muttered. "And really, you're wearing less than me, you'll get cold too."
"Yeah, but I can handle it." Donghae tapped his chest. "I grew up in Mokpo, remember? The springs there are cold. Here, take it. I don't want to bring back a popsicle." When Kyuhyun glared at him, Donghae continued, "It's really warm...and stuff..." when he met Kyuhyun's are you serious that's all you've got stare, he continued, "...and I won't drive you back and leave you stranded in the middle of Seoul if you don't wear it."
Kyuhyun furrowed his brows. "I can always ask for directions."
"And then what? Walk? It's a long way to campus, even from here, I should know. C'mon, just wear it and don't complain."
"You're meaner than I am," Kyuhyun said, grumbling while he snatched the jacket from Donghae's hands, putting his arms through the sleeves and ignoring Donghae's five-year-old victorious smile.
Donghae's body was much more muscled than his, and he wore his stuff about a whole size bigger. Kyuhyun was easily three sizes smaller than Donghae's regular (he was really skinny, Donghae noticed) and the jacket about practically engulfed him. The collar was put up too high and the sleeves looked like they needed to be folded, and it wasn't as fitted as it was on Donghae; it seemed to hang off Kyuhyun's shoulders, his long fingers just peeking through.
Donghae surveyed the other with a smile behind his hand. Kyuhyun scowled. "I look stupid."
"You look cute," Donghae snickered, bringing back the incident in the theatre. Though he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, he didn't really feel cold as they made their way outside. "Beside, you're warm, aren't you?"
"I'm not cute, so shut up," he murmured, giving Donghae a nasty look. Donghae didn't take it to heart and found that it's effects were worn out by the fact that Kyuhyun was pulling down the collar of his jacket. Donghae started to laugh, just a little bit, and Kyuhyun bit out, "Shut. Up." while stomping forward slightly.
Donghae caught up to him easily, his eyes flickering to the white script stitched on the back of the jacket, reading out his name in cursive English. "You're going the wrong way, you know."
Kyuhyun stopped in the middle of his walking. Then, he turned to Donghae, holding his arm out.
When Donghae stared at it inquisitively and then at the guy wearing his jacket, Kyuhyun mocked, "Well? Aren't you going to drag me to whatever place we're going next?"
"You sound like it's hell."
Donghae's laugh afterward caused Kyuhyun to quirk his mouth up slightly. "Hurry up, I'm hungry."
"If you insist," Donghae said, taking the fabric of his jacket and pulling them along in a familiar pace toward the dark streets.
This is seriously like, almost seven thousand words. It doesn't even seem like it, oAo. I wanted to add more, but then I was just like, 'that should be enough though lol'. Who knows when the next update will come~ wow, I was surprised at how easily this chapter was to write. I guess Kyuhae comes easily now, lol.
← previous | next →
masterlist
Author:
summerrainsonme
Rating: PG-13 to R
Pairings: Mainly Kyuhyun/Donghae, Sungmin/Sunny, Heechul/Hankyung, Leeteuk/Sora, Jessica/Taeyeon, Hyoyeon/Eunhyuk. A lot - and I mean a lot - of other side pairings.
Chapter II
"You had me at hello, then you opened up your mouth..."
Kyuhyun glared after Sungmin, giving him such a withering glance as the elder simply grinned back at him with that damned twinkle in his eyes. Sungmin had promised that he would stay by Kyuhyun's side for the rest of the evening, just to keep him company and out of the god-awful thing called socializing, but Kyuhyun wasn't really surprised that he didn't. Sungmin was that sort of fluttery type, the type that couldn't sit still for long without moving. It was a wonder how he got through school all these years. Then again, all that kick-boxing during martial arts classes must've helped.
As he watched Sungmin disappear into the dim darkness of the pub-like karaoke room, Kyuhyun shifted his head on his upright palm so that he noticed the other man - Donghae, he remembered - lean back and watch the stage with semi-interested eyes. He didn't seem like he wanted to be here either, but Kyuhyun couldn't tell.
He could, however, tell that the guy was handsome; anyone could see that. He saw that a bunch of girls were looking their way, and he felt just a trickle of anxiousness underneath his skin. He wasn't good with girls. Not smooth, or suave, or cool or whatever. His sister Ara told him many times that him being his 'silent, moody' self drew girls like moth to light, but he begged to differ. Then she said it was because of his 'nasty attitude and sullen expression'. Dammit, he could smile...just not with stupid stuff that everyone seemed to think was funny.
Now they both sat together, still, and Kyuhyun almost - almost - wished that someone would come and talk, even if it was someone that he didn't know. The only girl he could take - for a long amount of time, anyway - was his sister, Seohyun, and a particular girl named Amber that reminded him more of a guy than a girl.
"So you're a singer too, right?" Donghae said, catching his attention. Kyuhyun blinked once, raising his head to look lazily at the other. He raised an eyebrow that spoke for itself. Donghae cracked a grin, jerking his head to Sungmin, Ryeowook, and Yesung on stage. "They really don't know how to keep their mouths shut, just so you know."
Kyuhyun snorted. "You're telling me," he replied. "I've known Sungmin ever since we were kids, and he could never keep anything secret unless you threatened him with something."
To his surprise, Donghae laughed. "Yeah, I know the feeling. My best friend - he's the bastard over there - always had a big mouth. He'd keep something to himself, but then after a few days he'll blow and tell the first person around of whatever juicy news he's got." He sighed fondly. "Gave him a lot of trouble during high school."
Kyuhyun's eyes flickered to the boy that Donghae motioned to, remembering him vaguely as someone who had sat with them briefly. "Is he trying to flirt with Hyoyeon-ssi?" Kyuhyun asked, incredulous, as Eunhyuk said something that made both of them laugh. He looked somewhat nervous, but Hyoyeon didn't seem to notice. "And is it working?" Hyoyeon was known to be one of the ice-queens of their school, along with Jessica and another girl that he couldn't place.
"Eunhyuk has charm," Donghae admitted. "Probably the type that's suited for a gagman, but it's charm."
Talk was scarce after that, because of their huge difference. Kyuhyun could spot it immediately. Donghae was like Sungmin; unable to sit still. His eyes roamed almost obsessively over the rest of the room, as if he was ignoring Kyuhyun. This, for some reason, angered the younger slightly. He didn't like being ignored. He had always been noticed in his life, either as the snarkiest or the youngest or whatever.
"You're a dancer, right?" he said suddenly, causing Donghae to jump slightly and look around. His chair scraped against the edge of the floor. There was a silent beat as someone tapped on the microphone.
"Yeah," the other answered. "It's my major. Why?"
Kyuhyun shrugged. "I just don't like being quiet all the time." Hah. What a lie that was.
Apparently, Donghae seemed to catch on to that too. He gave Kyuhyun a disbelieving look. "Funny, you gave off the impression that you'd rather be locked in a room and never let out."
Kyuhyun couldn't help it; he let the corner of his mouth quirk up. Soon, though, the slight upward of his mouth turned into a small smile, and then a few chuckles.
He didn't see Donghae's facial expression; if he did, he wouldn't seem the slight, wondrous upturn of his eyes and the way that he seemed to smile as well in return.
"You have a nice laugh," the older complimented as soon as Kyuhyun's chuckles faded away. Kyuhyun looked up at him in surprise. He didn't think that the other had heard that, especially now that Yesung and Ryeowook and Sungmin had already starting belting out lyrics to some Chinese song that engulfed the crowd in whispers and swaying to the beat. Except for Kyuhyun and Donghae. "You should laugh more."
"People should give me things to laugh about then," came the retort.
Donghae laughed. "Why do you need a reason to laugh? It can just be because you're happy or because you feel like it. Laughing doesn't need a reason to be done."
Kyuhyun didn't really have an answer to this. He just bit his lip and said a few moments later, "...well, I guess I'm just incapable of laughing spontaneously."
They both quietened down as Ryeowook trailed on the refrain, his voice washing over them all. As soon as Yesung had picked up, though, Donghae got up. Kyuhyun followed his movements, bewildered, as Donghae crossed around the table and came right beside him, tugging on his wrist. "Wha -"
"C'mon, get up," the brunette persisted, something shining in his eyes. "I'm going to show you something."
Kyuhyun snatched his wrist back. "What are you doing?" he hissed slightly, annoyed. He hated touchy-feely people; Sungmin was one thing, having a total stranger touch him? No way. He ignored the way there there seemed to be sparks across his skin.
"Ya, be nice to your hyung. Come on, do you really want to be here? I bet you won't even go up to sing." Donghae crossed his arms, mindlessly ignoring the way that Kyuhyun seemed to incredulously sputter ("Hyung? Since when were you my hyung? I just met you!") and gave him a pointed look that he was sure that the younger could see.
Kyuhyun's face stilled. Then he admitted slowly, "...no, not really."
"Exactly. So come on! What, do you think that I'll kidnap you and sell your body parts off to the black market?"
"No," Kyuhyun replied smoothly, standing up now. He smoothed his jeans out, unable to keep away from the claim of him being scared, of all things. "I'm just wondering what's taking you so long to get there."
By the time he realized what he was doing, Donghae had already pulled him out of the karaoke room and out of the bar, a smirk on his face. Kyuhyun wanted to groan at his stupidity; how could he let his pride get him into a situation like this?
"Where are you going?" he finally settled on asking, unhappy with the situation. Where is he taking me? I should've stayed inside. What the hell was I thinking?
"I have no idea, really," Donghae admitted, shoving his hands in his pockets. "But hey, we'll just make it up as we go, yes?"
"What's we?" Kyuhyun could feel the irritation gritting into his tone. "Besides, didn't you tell me that you had something to show me?" He watched as Donghae blinked, focusing for a second, before his eyes lit up.
"Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me." Donghae grabbed onto Kyuhyun's wrist, starting to drag him through the crowds of Seoul that they had started to thread into. It was past night, the stars blinking faintly in the sky, the only light being the glowing signs of Seoul. Kyuhyun tried his hardest to keep up with Donghae, he really did, but it was hard. For one thing, he would always get pulled back one time or another by random people, or Donghae'd loose his grip before finding it again. Kyuhyun knew that the only thing he had with him was his phone, and he doubted that it would be of any help. His parents were in another part of Seoul, and his friends-well, they were all off singing happily, weren't they?
"Have you ever seen the Han river at night?" Donghae's voice shook him out of his complicated thinking, causing him to blink. Sure, Donghae wasn't going to kill him and sell his organs, but Kyuhyun never really did trust people he met for the first time. Donghae had just taken his world by the hair and shaken it. When Kyuhyun realized that Donghae had slowed down to his pace and let his hand go, waiting patiently for an answer, he shook his head mutely. Donghae smiled. "Well then, this'll be a treat."
"I see it every morning," Kyuhyun cut in exasperatedly, not seeing what the big deal was.
Donghae, however, stared at him in a way that made Kyuhyun rethink his words and squirm in his seat. "There's a lot of things in the world to see, Kyuhyun-ssi," Donghae said softly, almost like a mentor. His words were fond and soft, his eyes glassy and far away. Like he was remembering a fond memory. "And sometimes, they're right in front of your nose. And when you can't see them-that's when it's really sad."
They had crossed the threshold onto the walkway on the bridge, just above the Han river, and the people passing by had thinned considerably. A faint pattering in the sky told Kyuhyun that something wet was going to come, but he was distracted by Donghae pulling on his shirt and grabbing his attention. "What?"
Donghae grinned, even though Kyuhyun's tone was snappy. "Just look at the scene, you sourpuss." Kyuhyun glared at him, but then Donghae forced his head around and he was forced to take in the scenery.
Then he found that he really didn't mind. Kyuhyun felt his eyes widening in amazement as he took in the view; the buildings of Seoul, all high and rising over the distace, with their brilliant lights turned onward brought on the reflection that rippled across the water. Stretches of blue, purple, gold, red, green, every colour imaginable diluted by the water but somehow fluorescently brightened into beauty. They ended at trails of the water where Kyuhyun believed, just for a second, that they were rays of light that he could hold onto and feel the warmth of; it brought a warm, secure feeling blooming in chest.
"So?" He heard Donghae's voice, and then he realized that the other wasn't holding his head toward the sight anymore. Kyuhyun glanced toward Donghae but then his gaze follower back to the water, almost like it was calling him.
"How come I had never noticed this before?" Even as Kyuhyun breathed out a words, he turned around and looked at the view people beside them, who were busy chattering away on their phones or were walking by without a care. They didn't see what was right next to them, what was right under their noses.
Donghae answered in same. "Because no one really takes the time to notice." He leaned forward on the metal rods that kept them from falling, his chin on top of his folded arms. He gazed off into the lights. "When I first came to Seoul, this was the first thing my father showed me." An affectionate smile crossed his face. "And ever since then, I've wanted to show this to the world."
"Why not take a picture? Keep the memory lasted forever?" It sounded stupid even as Kyuhyun was saying it, but he couldn't find his mouth to stop. The Seoul lights had briefly put his mind at a complete stop, and it was still struggling to make it's full return. His tongue felt slow in his mouth, and he found a good name for the sight; the Seoul lights.
Donghae snorted. "I don't think a thousand pictures can convey what I feel when I look at this," he admitted. "I'd like to show it to everyone, but everyone has a different way of interpreting things. They might feel something different when they look at this. When I come here to stare off, I feel calm and open. So free, like I could fly."
Odd. Donghae was just saying how people felt different things, but he had described how Kyuhyun was feeling perfectly.
He didn't choose to voice this out loud, instead choosing to say, "You're not from Seoul?"
Donghae's chocolate eyes flickered to him. A smile tinted the corner of his mouth. "Nah, not from a city like this. It might be beautiful, but I come from Mokpo. You know, that city that the Japanese used as their barrier?"
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile in his tone. "I thought I heard an accent."
The world was soft and buzzing around them as Donghae laughed.
"Where are you from?" asked the other, flicking his fingers on the railing, making a random pattern on the sides.
"Seoul," Kyuhyun said, causing Donghae to snort. "Okay, that was a stupid question, I admit. Here's another one: how come you're in college so early? When I was seventeen, I was still out partying."
Kyuhyun snorted. "Aren't you still partying now? What was that karaoke thing? A club meeting?"
Donghae looked sheepish. "Well, crazy partying. Like, alcohol and buzz and all that bad stuff." He crinked his nose. "I don't remember a lot of those times. I don't like to. I chose a bad path when I was younger."
"It's only been two years."
"A lot can happen in two years," Donghae defended amiably. "Hell, a lot can happen in two hours. I met you, didn't I? A person is born and dead in a minute. What difference does it all make?" Donghae threw his head back, breathing in fresh air and Kyuhyun found himself unwillingly mulling over his words. "Of course, I started to get my act back together when I was eighteen. I have a life to live properly, you know."
"And why are you telling me this?" Kyuhyun felt the start of goosebumps on his shoulders, a chilly wind rustling through his hair. The only form of shelter against the cold was his thin cardigan, but Donghae seemed unruffled-of course, he was wearing a thick leather jacket that was probably warm. "I mean, I just met you."
"Good point," Donghae agreed. "I have no real idea either." The brunette turned his head to the younger, taking note of how pale he looked, the strobe lights of Seoul's reflection against his face, and how he seemed to be a little to stiff. Before he could ask if the other was cold, though, Kyuhyun continued on in a far-away voice, "I guess that I just grew up too early," he said in response to Donghae's earlier question. "I wanted to sing, and I wanted to sing right then and there. I didn't want to wait and learn things that I would probably never again need in my life."
"That's school for you," he said in return, letting out a wry smile before it disappeared into a faintly worried one. "Are you cold, Kyuhyun-ssi? You look cold."
Kyuhyun shot him a dry glare that was completely not out-of-context. "I'm wearing this," he motioned to his thin choice of clothing, "and you ask me a question like that."
Donghae's eyes unwillingly flickered to the other's thin form, his long legs that barely made up to Donghae's, and Donghae realized that this was the first time that he actually saw a guy with something near curves. Like really, he could swear that Kyuhyun had hips. But he gathered himself quickly and said, "Then why'd you wear something like that if it was going to be cold outside?"
The glare didn't let up. "Because I was expecting to laze the night away inside. Where it's warm. And not cold. Besides, Sungmin-hyung said that he would drop me off at my dorm."
Kyuhyun's blantanly frank tone didn't suit well with Donghae, especially now that he was feeling guilty. "Ah, sorry. I kinda forced you to come out with me, didn't I?"
Kyuhyun, spotting the other's kicked-puppy tone, sighed. He never really got mad at anyone. "It's okay. I would've died on boredom in there anyway." He turned to the water. "And you showed me something really pretty to make up for it, so it's not a big deal." And then, like it was on it's own will, a smile crinkled up the corners of his mouth.
Donghae still felt guilty, so he slapped Kyuhyun's shoulder. "Hey you, come on. Let's run back to the karaoke place-I think we've been out here for nearly an hour, and the exercise will keep you warm." He turned around and started to leave, his hands stuffed in his pockets, but stopped when he realized that Kyuhyun wasn't really following behind him. Donghae turned around slightly to see Kyuhyun's face hesitant, biting his lip.
"I kinda don't want to go back," his voice floated over a second later. "Sungmin-hyung is going to force me to sing, and I don't want to. Not right now." He scratched the back of his neck, sounding abashed. "Is it possible that you can...I don't know, drop me off at the dorm, or something? If you can? I just want to go back home."
Donghae thought it over for a second. Did he want to go back to the karaoke place and sit in one of the chairs, wait for Hyukjae to finish flirting with Hyoyeon, or could he go with Kyuhyun-who was actually proving to be some good company, despite his antisocial exterior-and sleep some at home?
Or, his mind betrayed, you can go have some fun... Because really, he hasn't that much of it ever since he entered college.
"Alright," he said, smiling a crooked smile. "But I have a better idea. Come on!" Donghae clamped the other's wrist again, making Kyuhyun stumble in surprise after him, but started to sprint lightly across the bridge to the other side where they come from. Donghae figured that he could just give Hyukjae a call and tell him to get a ride with Sungmin-it was his car that brought them to the karaoke place, after all-while he hung out with Kyuhyun. Neither of them wanted to be there, anyway, and Donghae ignored the sudden thought in his head that popped up out of it's own free will: it's almost like we're running away together.
Well, we are, the practical part of Donghae's mind said matter-of-factly, but the emotional one snickered, I meant like in one of those dramas that omma likes so much. Look at how tightly you're holding his wrist, Hae, you'll cut off all circulation to his hand!
Donghae looked around casually as they were running through Seoul slowly, noting that Kyuhyun was focusing on his feet and not paying much attention to his wrist, which Donghae was clenching hardly. So hard that his own knuckles were turning white, but he actually liked the feeling.
He slowed down in accordance to the other man, watching as Kyuhyun bent down slightly and breathed in many times, tucking pieces of his hair behind his ear and moving the bangs from falling into his eyes. Donghae grinned and leaned down to meet him to eye-level. "You're not that athletic, are you?"
Cheeks pink, Kyuhyun almost pouted at him. (Well, if Donghae didn't know better...) "Shut up."
He laughed. "It's okay. All of my family's told me that I move way too much for my own good."
"I'll say," Kyuhyun muttered, standing upright, looking around him. "Where are we? I don't recognize this place."
Donghae looked around as well. "Neither to do I," he said offhandedly, causing Kyuhyun to look sharply at him, but he continued on, "Though I'm pretty sure that my car is just down the block from here. I remember passing by this place to the karaoke room." He pointed to the large sign behind them, flashing with pink and gold lights that flashed in a spasmodic manner and read off something about a movie theater. There were people coming in and out, and Donghae could see beyond the glass doors that it was a plush theatre indeed.
"So," he started, "Do you really want to go home, or...do you want to see a movie?" He hitched a thumb behind him.
Kyuhyun frowned, thinking for a second as he shivered a little. The null of people beside him calmed the cold somewhat, but he really wished that he had thought to bring a jacket. "I guess a movie's okay," he said after checking his phone and seeing that it was only a little after seven. "I don't have much money, though." Kyuhyun barely had time to squeeze the words out as Donghae pressed him through the doors, once again grabbing his wrist. Kyuhyun rolled his eyes inwardly; it wasn't like he was going to run away, god.
"We'll movie hop," Donghae said cheerfully, ignoring Kyuhyun's indignant sputtering. "Oh come on! It isn't that bad. All you do is buy two tickets for some movie and then switch the theaters when it's done. I spent a lot of my time doing it, come on!"
"Donghae-ssi," Kyuhyun started, but Donghae cut him off, "Do you want snacks? Actually, no, I think there's a store around here that I know well, we'll eat after the movie." Kyuhyun just groaned and slapped his forehead with one palm, rubbing it to get rid of the oncoming headache.
Donghae hadn't asked which movie they should watch, instead going for the cheapest one. He grinned and showed Kyuhyun the tickets. placing one in his hand. "It was only 5,000 won, could you believe that? This movie theater really is cheap. I think I'll write down the address in case I can come back later with Hyukjae."
Kyuhyun just stared at him, bewildered. "Are you always this flighty?"
"Pretty much," came the cheery response. "Oh, this is some weird chick flick. Do you want to see it?"
"What kind of a question is that?"
"Harry Potter it is," he said, nodding to a nearby open door that had already started. Kyuhyun just followed Donghae, not knowing what the hell he was doing, and even why he was doing it. But he had nowhere else to go and he didn't know his place around this part of Seoul much-though if he really wanted to leave, he could've just gone outside and asked someone for directions or something.
"Come on, Kyu! Movie's gonna start soon-they've got the ads rolling." Donghae patted one of the seats next to him in the third or fourth row, the other people mulling around turning their stare at them for a moment before turning back to their own business. Kyuhyun felt his cheeks flare up as he sat down.
"Don't call me Kyu," he hissed silently. "And don't talk so loud, you're in a theatre!"
Donghae pouted, leaning back, taking off his jacket. "But it's such a nice nickname! You can call me Hae if you want."
"I barely know you," Kyuhyun said, exasperated.
"What're you talking about?" Donghae raised an eyebrow. "You know my name, don't you?" At Kyuhyun's hesitant nod, he continued, "You know my face, you know my age, you know where I go to school, and you know what I major in, right?" Again, Kyuhyun nodded. Donghae laughed. "Then there really isn't much else to know about me! I know that you're Cho Kyuhyun, that you're two years younger me, that you like singing, that you're good at math, you're from Seoul, and that Sungmin's your best friend." Kyuhyun opened his mouth, unable to register how Donghae had known all of that, but the brunette kept on talking. "I'd say we're already friends. One more meeting and I think you can start calling me hyung, Kyu. Actually, start now, what the heck!"
Kyuhyun shut his mouth again. Then, after a long stare at the side of Donghae's face, illuminated by the side of the screen, he said in a calm voice, "You're crazy." And he turned around again to stare forward at the blinding screen, ignoring Donghae's laugh at his comment and the answer afterward, "You're supposed to say 'you're crazy hyung'!"
But as the beginning of the well-known all over the world movie started after the ads with tinkling music and Donghae's absorbed eyes, Kyuhyun couldn't help but sit back and think. He did what he did best; he started to analyze what happened to him in the last few hours. Kyuhyun couldn't help but do this to all the people he met, and he had to say, Donghae's meeting was one of the highlights-and his cheery disposition was eerily like Sungmin's.
Then Kyuhyun remembered his bored face at the karaoke place, how he seemed to stare out at the world with flat eyes at the river, lost in memories. Kyuhyun deducted that Donghae wasn't all that he was letting on. Something had caused him to act like this, so flighty and happy and careless when he really wasn't on the inside. There was no way that a person could stay so happy, so cheerful, so such a long time-and Donghae wasn't. He just pretended to be in front of other people. Well, from what Kyuhyun could see.
His attention flitted in and out from the movie and the man next to him, musing over his odd behaviour quietly, also taking note of how he seemed to be very touchy-feely. Already Donghae had dragged him places and held his hand about three times, which is more than Sungmin ever did in a month. (Well, that was because he was rather cautious of Sungmin and knew when to move away when the other tried his attempt at skinship.)
Kyuhyun felt a bit bored around the nearing end of the cinema, though looking around him he realized that other people were completely into it, Donghae included. So instead he shifted in his chair and looked down at his thighs, tracing patterns on his pants to pass the time away. Kyuhyun found that he was thinking about the randomest things; Sungmin, his sister stealing his notes, singing, the Math Olympiads next trimester, the piano sheets he didn't finish. Soon, his head started lolling back and forth until his eyes closed of their own accord, stilling all movement as the explosive noises blurred out and darkness overtook his muggled brain.
Donghae found himself enchanted by the movie, watching it with wide eyes, feeling like he would jump out of the seat any second if something heart-pounding happened. He felt his hand clutch the arms of the seats tighter, eyes wide, and then the boy-Harry-he was about to catch the golden flying ball that whizzed around the stadium-
The brunette male almost jumped a mile when he felt something bump into his shoulder. He turned around, surprised, to see a head of dark hair resting on his shoulder. With a start, he recognized Kyuhyun's chest moving up and down easily, and Donghae leaned back so that the head could follow the movement. It was indeed Kyuhyun, his eyes closed and his face free of the scorn or the constantly grouchy look that it held.
Even as a large crowd started to cheer in the movie, Donghae was entraced by the lines of the younger male's face, the soft light of the screen shading his pale skin in a slight tint. Donghae's eyes unwillingly followed the bridge of his nose, the curve of his lips, all the way down to the smooth line of his jaw, and then he realized that Kyuhyun was actually sleeping on his shoulder. Donghae snickered. Knowing the other male as much as he did, he would not like that when he woke up.
Donghae poked Kyuhyun's cheek on impulse, feeling the marshmallow-like surface dip down with the movement then come back up just as easily. He was surprised that the younger didn't wake up, but he seemed to be in a deep sleep, and Donghae wondered how much rest Kyuhyun was getting. There wasn't dark circles or eyebags under his eyes, but he did seem tired earlier.
The more he stared at Kyuhyun's peacefully sleeping figure, though, the more he started to pinpoint a twisting feeling in his chest, like he was suddenly aware of everything; the clothes on his body, the weight of Kyuhyun's head on his shoulder, the smell of ocean salt from Kyuhyun's hair, the fact that he had started to stare for much too long, the fact that he shifted just so the other could be comfortable.
Kyuhyun moved, though, and Donghae stilled for a second. He watched, stunned and transfixed, as the younger pulled his legs up on the seat and moved his body completely so he was facing Donghae. Kyuhyun brought his own arms up and curled them around Donghae's so naturally it seemed like he had been doing it for forever. Then he lay still in an almost fetal-position, burying his head farther into Donghae's shoulder. The elder looked up and saw that the couple on the aisle diagonally above them were giving them a weird look and stopped as soon as Donghae's eyes met their's.
He turned back to the movie just as a huge bang emitted from the speakers. He didn't jump and scream like the other movie goers did, though. Instead, looked down at his hands, one arm immoble due to the person hugging it, warmth spreading from him to Donghae. The elder fought back a snicker-who would've guessed that Kyuhyun, Cho Kyuhyun, was a snuggler? It made him almost burst out at the thought of it.
Still, he fought away the chuckles threatening to come out and ignored the twinge that was in his chest. He forced himself to focus on the cinema, which wasn't too hard after a while; it quickly regained his interest, though some part of his subconscious must've been careful of Kyuhyun, because he didn't move throughout the rest.
Kyuhyun felt himself wooze in and out of conscious before he realized that he had fallen asleep. The smell of something musky filled his sense, and he had a distinct feeling of warmth-like someone had spread a handmade quilt over him or something. He heard English words, mumbling and muttering together, thought he couldn't understand. Peeking out a little bit, he found himself staring at a slightly tilted, bright screen. Immediately he closed his eyes again and moved a little, as if to get the offending light away from his eyes. Fabric brushed against his nose, and a thought floated over to him-who am I sleeping on?
Then he remembered the face of the brunette-haired guy that brought him to the Seoul lights and dragged him into a movie, which he had fallen asleep to. Kyuhyun groaned, moving his head up slightly, but was unable to. Looking up, he paused as feathery hair tickled his forehead.
Donghae's head was on top of his, and he was on Donghae's shoulder. Dear god, hadn't the guy moved him away, or woken him up or something to save him from this embarrassment? It was a bad habit of his, sleeping in the middle of things that bore him, which meant that he slept a lot. But he also couldn't sleep unless he was near something warm, which was why his dorm consisted of his bed being right near the heater. Sometimes when it didn't work, he'd be forced to sleep in Sungmin's bed (something that the other still held over his head) but other than that, it never really came out, and it usually stopped him from being out cold.
But then Kyuhyun moved his arms a little and realized that he did have something over him; Donghae's leather jacket. Like he thought, it was incredibly warm. He ignored the fact that his arms were around Donghae's and untangled them, tugging on the older male's shirt incessantly. Thankfully Donghae seemed to be a medium-light sleeper (unlike him) and he woke up easily, grumbling in surprise, "What time is it...?"
Kyuhyun pulled away, yawning, trying to force down the embarrassed blush that rose to his face (another bad habit of his) and reaching into his back pocket for his phone. He was surprised to see that it was only eight forty-five. He relayed this to Donghae.
"Well, we did come in halfway during the movie," he said, stretching, gathering some complaints from the people behind them. "And I think we made it all the way into the next one." He nodded his head at Kyuhyun. "You fell asleep halfway. Good nap?"
Kyuhyun flushed. "Sorry about that," he apologized. "I just...I was tired."
"Yeah, me too. I fell asleep just as Harry got into that creepy maze thing," Donghae grinned, their conversations hushed whispers. "But I'm hungry right now. You want to go to that restaurant-it'll be free!-or stay here and sleep like hobos?"
Unknowingly, Kyuhyun pushed Donghae's jacket off himself and it became colder. He fought down a shiver. He opened his mouth to answer, but thankfully, his stomach seemed to do that for him; it growled and Donghae laughed quietly. "I guess restaurant it is."
As they made their way out of the theatre, Kyuhyun gave the jacket back to Donghae and squinted to get his eyes used to the new, blinding light.
Donghae held his jacket in his hands for a few seconds, then looked at Kyuhyun's form. "Dude, it's going to be even colder now. You take it."
"I'm fine," Kyuhyun argued, taking out his phone to check for any missed phone calls or messages. "I didn't get anything from Sungmin. I don't think he even noticed I left. You?"
Donghae checked his, and came up with the same results. "Well, don't I feel unimportant. Hyukjae doesn't even remember my existence."
Kyuhyun snorted at that, the closest he came to a laugh at that moment. Donghae smiled in return, a wide toothy smile. When Kyuhyun turned around, he missed the way that Donghae glanced at the hair sticking up on the back of his head and slapped it to pat it down.
"Ow!" Kyuhyun scowled. "What was that for?"
"For not taking my jacket," Donghae crinkled his nose. "And for being cute when you sleep. I never knew you cuddled."
Donghae felt like he was getting a hundred privileges today. First, he got to see Kyuhyun smile (somewhat), laugh (somewhat), act like a kid (the sleeping thing), and now be so embarrassed that his face became red from his cheeks to his ears. "It's not something I tell people at parties, you know. And it's not cute. Shut up."
"You should be nicer to your hyung," Donghae admonished. "I'm taking you to a great place to eat, and they give out food for free!"
Kyuhyun scoffed, pushing away Donghae's sneaking hand putting his jacket on him. "I highly doubt that's possible, unless it's a soup kitchen or something."
Oh, there's his snarky side, the elder thought. "No, really. It's mostly because the owner's my uncle, though." Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, but when they reached the lobby where the doors to the outside world came clearer, Donghae shoved the jacket in his face and Kyuhyun exclaimed (albeit quietly), "Will you stop? I won't wear it, okay? Jeez, you'll get cold too!"
"Aw, is Kyu worried about his hyung?" Donghae teased, enjoying the way that Kyuhyun's eyebrow ticked. Despite only knowing the guy for a few hours, he had certainly grown on Donghae, and-like always-he already felt as though Kyuhyun was like a cute little brother. "I thought you were supposed to be cold and patronising."
"Those things are rumours," Kyuhyun muttered. "And really, you're wearing less than me, you'll get cold too."
"Yeah, but I can handle it." Donghae tapped his chest. "I grew up in Mokpo, remember? The springs there are cold. Here, take it. I don't want to bring back a popsicle." When Kyuhyun glared at him, Donghae continued, "It's really warm...and stuff..." when he met Kyuhyun's are you serious that's all you've got stare, he continued, "...and I won't drive you back and leave you stranded in the middle of Seoul if you don't wear it."
Kyuhyun furrowed his brows. "I can always ask for directions."
"And then what? Walk? It's a long way to campus, even from here, I should know. C'mon, just wear it and don't complain."
"You're meaner than I am," Kyuhyun said, grumbling while he snatched the jacket from Donghae's hands, putting his arms through the sleeves and ignoring Donghae's five-year-old victorious smile.
Donghae's body was much more muscled than his, and he wore his stuff about a whole size bigger. Kyuhyun was easily three sizes smaller than Donghae's regular (he was really skinny, Donghae noticed) and the jacket about practically engulfed him. The collar was put up too high and the sleeves looked like they needed to be folded, and it wasn't as fitted as it was on Donghae; it seemed to hang off Kyuhyun's shoulders, his long fingers just peeking through.
Donghae surveyed the other with a smile behind his hand. Kyuhyun scowled. "I look stupid."
"You look cute," Donghae snickered, bringing back the incident in the theatre. Though he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, he didn't really feel cold as they made their way outside. "Beside, you're warm, aren't you?"
"I'm not cute, so shut up," he murmured, giving Donghae a nasty look. Donghae didn't take it to heart and found that it's effects were worn out by the fact that Kyuhyun was pulling down the collar of his jacket. Donghae started to laugh, just a little bit, and Kyuhyun bit out, "Shut. Up." while stomping forward slightly.
Donghae caught up to him easily, his eyes flickering to the white script stitched on the back of the jacket, reading out his name in cursive English. "You're going the wrong way, you know."
Kyuhyun stopped in the middle of his walking. Then, he turned to Donghae, holding his arm out.
When Donghae stared at it inquisitively and then at the guy wearing his jacket, Kyuhyun mocked, "Well? Aren't you going to drag me to whatever place we're going next?"
"You sound like it's hell."
Donghae's laugh afterward caused Kyuhyun to quirk his mouth up slightly. "Hurry up, I'm hungry."
"If you insist," Donghae said, taking the fabric of his jacket and pulling them along in a familiar pace toward the dark streets.
This is seriously like, almost seven thousand words. It doesn't even seem like it, oAo. I wanted to add more, but then I was just like, 'that should be enough though lol'. Who knows when the next update will come~ wow, I was surprised at how easily this chapter was to write. I guess Kyuhae comes easily now, lol.
← previous | next →
masterlist