The Cry of the Silent Ones (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Eleven
**Note: The picture is a resized wallpaper that I DID NOT make and for which I take no credit.**
Promotional Video
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
The Cry of the Silent Ones (Chapter Eleven)
Pairing: Yunho (DBSK) x Jaejoong (DBSK).
Category: K-Pop.
Length: Multi-chaptered.
Genres: Angst, drama, humor, romance.
Rating: PG-13.
Warning: Homosexuality, light swearing, sexual implications, violence, war situations.
Summary: Yunho is a journalist from Hyemang who goes to Eodum, a backwater country where a tyrant leader is repressing the population with the aid of the military. There, a huge inner conflict is raging and a civil war threatens to break out at any time. Little does he know that news coverage isn't all he's going there for... He might soon become more deeply involved in the crisis than he had first planned.
***
[Yunho’s POV]
I take back what I said before.
Seems like even here, the sun comes out once in a while to share some of its warmth.
I’m pretty sure it’s the first time I see Jaejoong looking so incredibly peaceful at heart - like he is genuinely feeling good, not just pretending to be alright. True, my eyes have caught his apparent cheerfulness before, but I always got the impression that he was forcing himself… Giving out smiles so freely and causing laughter whenever he had the chance... Not necessarily faking his good mood, but exaggerating it a little so that it rubbed off on other people.
Kind of like it was his way to spread happiness around him.
The gesture was noble in itself, but I thought it was a bit sad how that prevented him from being honest with himself. And then… After thinking about it some more, I came to the conclusion that maybe he also did it for himself. Maybe he did it to keep himself from completely losing his mind…
Jaejoong was a fighter. He wouldn’t give up so easily.
That I almost could have sworn.
Of course, those were speculations. I couldn’t claim to know him so well… No, more than speculations, they were intuition. Yeah, that’s it… Strong feelings that came from within.
At any rate, I don’t sense anything of the sort from him today. Since the two of us made up, after what we could have called a minor quarrel, we hung out together one more than one occasion - as often as Jaejoong’s boss and health condition allowed it. I’m truly glad that misunderstandings have been cleared and that our disagreement has been called off.
Now we have the chance to start anew.
The other man - who, as I have found out, is slightly older than me - has taken me to various places that I‘d never had the chance to discover. Paradises that escaped the horror of war, conflict and despair.
They exist. They’re out there.
The last time we met, he dragged me all the way to a clear lake bordered by a small beach.
The mill owner seems to be feeling untypically generous today, because he has granted him a complete day off after many restless weeks of work, a rare occurrence. I hope this is no ill omen of something much more unpleasant… Men like him usually have something up their sleeve when they start being generous… But regardless of that, Jaejoong has decided to show me another one of his hideaways.
When we arrive, I’m instantly charmed by the field where blue hues of purplish flowers grow strangely, almost eerily, despite the difficult climate of Eodum.
How on Earth is that even possible?
“Very few people know about this place…” Jaejoong tells me when he catches me marvelling at the scenery with wide eyes and a rather visible gape. I guess I can’t hide my surprise from him, after all… He continues: “To my knowledge, no one lives around, and many don’t dare venture all the way here. Don’t you think it’s funny how Man is afraid of what he doesn’t know…?”
I couldn’t agree with him more. I mean, how dangerous can this little heaven be?
For some reason, I feel like this is the safest place to be.
Within minutes, Eunhae has sprung off to pick flowers, leaving us to sit together on the grass and talk. It might be my imagination, but I could swear she has done so on purpose… The shadow of a smirk graced her lips when she looked at me with a playful glint in her eyes.
Even so, I’m not going to complain. That means I get to be alone with Jaejoong.
At the beginning, we simply watch Jaejoong’s little sister whirl around in her blue summer dress, her pale white skin glowing under the bright sun’s rays of light. As she hops from one grove to the other, crouching every once in a while to inhale the fragrant smell of the plants, I can’t help but worry that she will get a sunburn for standing so exposed under the radiating star.
But I guess lotion here must be as rare as cars and televisions… I’ll have to check if I can get a bottle from the hotel where I’m currently staying.
I collect my thoughts just in time to hear Jaejoong as he addresses me. “I really don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have her with me…” He confesses, following Eunhae’s dancing figure with sharp coal eyes. “She’s one of the only people I know who hasn’t succumbed to bitterness or pessimism, no matter what. It’s thanks to her that I haven’t gone batty just yet.” He adds with a soft laugh, hugging his knees.
Even if I’m not in his situation, I think I can understand. “I’m sure she would say the same about you.” I answer in turn, leaning back and planting the palm of my hands in the soft ground to support myself.
Not saying anything, Jaejoong looks on at the distant shadow.
With a smile on his face.
Finding nothing else to say, I go back to my observation while enjoying a warm sunbath out in the open. I allow myself to close my eyes, letting my guard down despite my proximity to Jaejoong. Not a single worry crosses my mind at that moment. I don’t even panic that I have a report to send to my boss today, one that I haven’t started yet. I feel good and safe… So alive.
Something thoroughly striking that I’ve discovered about Eodumians is that they are very simple folks. By that, I really don’t mean that they’re unintelligent in any way… but while their harsh existence make it hard for them to live, it doesn’t take much to make them happy.
What we might take for granted back in Hyemang is greeted like a miracle here.
People have learned to appreciate small details that we fail to be grateful for in our everyday life…
Honestly, I admire them for that.
When I venture to open my eyes again, after a long moment of rest, I find Jaejoong still in the same position with his arms around his knees, but he has turned in my direction and is looking at me intently.
Like a child caught doing a bad deed, he jumps, averting his gaze.
His cute reaction makes me smile and then suddenly it’s me who’s doing the staring, until his face flushes a deep shade of red and he starts talking again, now embarrassed by the previously comfortable silence - and probably a little self-conscious, too. “…Tell me about the place where you came from… Tell me about Hyemang. How is it different from here? In which way?”
That’s an easy question. “In every way.” I answer him vaguely, not satisfying his curiosity right away. He tilts his head to the side, a barely perceptible pout adorning his plump lips.
“Hey… Can’t you be a bit more precise? I really want to know…”
At those words, I chuckle warmly, deciding not to torture him any longer with my enigmatic answers… I take a few seconds to make sense of all the information my brain sends to me, and then I tell him what he wants to hear. “…Hyemang… really lives up to her name. Although there are some exceptions, most of its people are healthy and they have a roof over their head, a proper home to raise their family.”
Was that too detailed of a description? “Sounds like a dream…” Jaejoong breathes out moonily, his eyes clouding over just a little bit as he tries to imagine what it would be like. Hesitation crawls up my throat as I wonder whether I should continue or not. Is this really fair to him?
But Jaejoong encourages me to keep talking with a brief nod of his head. “Go on.”
Reluctantly, I do as he wishes.
“Most workers have the right to be treated equally and with respect. Laws protecting them exist and employers have no choice but to abide by them.” My voice takes on a slightly sad tone as I remember the situation Jaejoong is in. As for him, his bright smile quivers but it stays strong, never disappearing. “I’d say cases such as yours are quite rare nowadays. In Hyemang, at least. No one would accept being treated like you are. It would probably turn into a huge scandal…”
It’s not that there are no episodes of the sort, right. Not everything is perfect there either… But you can’t even begin to compare the two countries. They’re as unlike as night and day.
Coming to Eodum has made me realize how lucky I am.
“Food is usually not an issue and illnesses that can’t be cured are somewhat rare… But you know what’s really horrible?” Jaejoong, who had been listening with a dreamy expression on his features, perks up at the question. He shakes his head in the negative, confused. “We’re not even aware what a privilege it is to be able to live so easily… It sickens me how ungrateful we are.”
That’s when Jaejoong does something that I really wasn’t expecting.
He stretches his arm out and places his hand on my shoulder, bearing an understanding expression. “You shouldn’t feel guilty for what you have… What’s important is that you cherish it.”
Such wise words. But why is it him comforting me?
Rather than envying me, he has chosen to accept that we were born in different environments.
He’s not going to resent me for it. He accepts it.
Seeing that pair - Jaejoong and his sister - cling so desperately to their lives and fight without ever giving up makes me fall deeper for them everyday. I don’t know what attracted me to them from the very beginning, but the feelings, far from relenting, just keep growing bigger and bigger… For sure, when I go back to my home country, meeting them will have changed me forever.
Wait… I don’t want to think about that, not until the last day comes.
Once again, something makes me come out of my daze (I’ve been oddly contemplative today): subject to a nasty fit that shakes up his whole frame, Jaejoong is coughing in the hollow of his arms. He’d been clearing his throat and speaking in a slightly hoarse voice, but I hadn’t thought anything of it until now.
“…Are you okay…?” I ask him uncertainly, not sure what to do.
Feeling pathetically useless, I reach forward to rub his back, silently praying that he doesn’t choke because I would be more of a nuisance in that event, inexperienced that I am Thankfully, he emerges not long after, eyes red and a little watery. “Um… Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” Before my inquiring gaze, he probably says the first thing that comes to his mind. “…A-allergies.”
If you ask a stupid question, you’ll get a stupid answer. Isn’t that how it works in this world of ours?
Still, this is nonsense. Like I’m going to believe that.... “You’re kidding!”
He chuckles, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Right, I am. Actually, it’s because of my job.” I’m not sure I like the sound of that… To be honest, the news worries me a little. It’s true that he had talked to me about it before. The strong heat, the stuffiness, the chemicals… Surely they can’t be healthy for him. “Oh, but don’t worry about me… I’ve gotten used to it after all this time.”
Am I really that obvious? “Well, whatever… Just take care of yourself.” I mutter in a passive way, trying not to look like I care about his statement, but failing miserably.
“Thanks.” Jaejoong answers simply, looking sincerely thankful for my concern. My numb brain finds nothing intelligent to answer, so I remain silent, although my grin stretches even further to match his. The staring contest goes on for a few more minutes, until the thunder rumbles over our heads pretty close to where we are, indicating that a storm is approaching.
In the distance, Eunhae begins to run towards us, clutching her oversized bouquet with her tiny hands... I lean back and look up at the sky, where I note that the familiar dark clouds have started taking shape in the usual fashion. A drop of rain drips on my brow, rolling down the contours of my face.
Well, it would seem like it’s time to go back…
“We should head back. Don’t you have an article to hand in today?”
Apparently of the same opinion as me, Jaejoong picks himself up from the grass in one fluid movement, stretching out his hand. I grab unto it almost sheepishly and let him help me to my feet. Letting my hand linger in his for a few more seconds, I realize that I’m disappointed to be going back so soon, but it’s true that work calls. “Right… Good thing you’re here to show me some discipline.”
The other pouts childishly like I’ve hurt his feelings, but it’s obvious that he’s overacting to humour me. “…Oh please, don’t do that. You’re making me sound like a mother.”
We laugh in concert, softly, and I automatically inch closer to him when the thunder grumbles again.
“I’d like to read them someday.” Jaejoong reveals to me suddenly, puzzling me with the subject drift. Sensing my confusion, he hurries to enlighten me. “Your articles, I mean.”
Instead of making things clear, his response confounds me more. “You can… read?”
Surprise, surprise.
“Of course I can. So can Eunhae, since I taught her.”
“No, but I just assumed…”
This is the first time the thought crosses my mind, actually. I never really envisioned that there was a possibility they could actually do it. From what I was last told, before I left, education was practically inexistent in Eodum. It had something to do with the ideology of the country…
As if he had read my mind, Jaejoong cares to specify. “You’re right to think that, though, since not many of us can. After all, it’s forbidden… I could go to jail for this. Please keep it to yourself only…”
For some reason - a reason that I can pretend to be unaware of but that I really know - I feel somewhat special that Jaejoong would entrust me with such information, facts that could get him in real trouble... In the end, I guess he really does trust me. But that’s a good thing… He’s right to believe that I will keep my lips sealed. His secret is safe with me. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”
As little Eunhae arrives in front of us, she throws her thin arms around Jaejoong’s narrow waist and embraces him possessively, looking up to me with curiosity. “…What were you two talking about? You stopped talking when I arrived... That’s very suspicious, you know!”
When I don’t grant her an answer, she glances up to her older relative who spells out the answer to her, all the while proving what he just told me. “It’s a s-e-c-r-e-t.”
“A s-e-c-r… Ehhh? No fair! Don’t be like that, Jaejoong-oppa… Tell me!”
Upon seeing that her brother is not being any more helpful, she brings her gaze back to me, hopeful. Diverted, I decide to play along with Jaejoong’s game of not-telling. “Don’t look at me! I was sworn to silence by your big brother… I’ll be in big trouble if I break my promise.”
Put off by our lack of cooperation, the child juts out her lower lip much like her brother did earlier. Where she picked up such a habit is no longer a mystery to me…
“Fine, then… I’ll let you two lovers have some privacy!”
And she dashes off in the direction of her house, giggling, leaving us behind. Once he is past his shock - I have to admit that I was surprised, too -, Jaejoong bolts after his little rascal of a sister, something that I choose to imitate, unable to hide my amusement. “Ohhh… Just you wait until I get a hold of you, you little monkey! You’re not gonna escape my tickles this time!”
Sweet Eunhae… She’s had the last word, once again.
But as I follow after the gleeful girl, I can’t help but wonder why her playful trick made me so happy. Could she have seen through what is starting to form between Jaejoong and I?
Or did I simply imagine that there’s something in the first place?
***
[Jaejoong’s POV]
Today is the best day I’ve had in a while.
After all this time, I was allowed to have a break, some time to spend with my little sister… and Yunho, who ended up tagging along. I had the opportunity to show him the field, one of my favourite spots, which means a lot to me. Since I wouldn’t have taken just anyone there, Eunhae questioned me about it, but I know that it’s not because she wasn’t already aware of the answer.
She’s known since the very beginning.
Actually, she probably found out about it before I did so myself.
The reason why she pointed it out, I’m not really sure about, but it might have been to make me realize all this on my own. Maybe she wanted to confirm it, or maybe she was just teasing me like it would have been typical of her to do. Regardless, I’ve gone too far to continue denying the fact…
I love Yunho.
I love him genuinely - romantically.
Every day, it became a little bit more obvious, but it’s only now that I’ve finally surrendered, finally decided to stop fighting against those feelings that he stirs in me. It’s pointless to resist stubbornly in hopes that I’ll forget about it… about him. I’ve decided that there’s nothing wrong with the fact that I’m physically and emotionally attracted to a guy. Why should it matter?
Since he set foot in my life and crept up in my heart, it’s like suddenly hope is at my fingertips.
It’s taking shape, no longer an exotic word in a book, written in cold print.
For sure, today is the best day I’ve had in a while… until that happens.
As we head back home, once I finally catch Eunhae at her own game and pick her up in my arms, an ear-splitting scream rings out in our ears, startling us. With a pretty good idea of what must be going on, I prepare myself for what we’re about to find. Instinctively, I tighten my hold around my little sister, instructing her to close her eyes and plug her ears. She does as she’s told without hesitation.
At my left, Yunho throws me a worried look and I try to reassure him with mine.
A few steps farther, we come across two distinct groups of people, aside from a few passive observers.
My heart leaps in my chest when my brain registers what my eyes are sending him.
A young maiden barely in her teens has collapsed to her knees and is trying to hide her partial nudity as three military officers surround her. Their vile intentions can hardly be misunderstood… Next to them, a woman hides her face with shame as a man averts his eyes, visibly uncomfortable, but neither of them is trying to help in any way… For that, I’m glad that Eunhae cannot hear or see what we’re witnessing.
Before I can make the slightest move to help, Yunho has already sprung off in their direction.
Feeling a tight knot form in my throat, I follow after him, although not as fast given the weight that I’m carrying in my arms. I wish I could look away from the scene…
My heart goes out to the victim, for I know the feeling all too well.
“What the hell is going on here…?” Yunho demands to know in an incredulous tone, quite unbelieving. The officers lift their gazes at his arrival but they show no sign of moving until he punches one of them and knocks down another, before standing right next to the terrified young woman. “I knew you were a bunch of sick assholes, but I didn’t think you’d steep so low!”
After the brave gesture, my admiration for Yunho has reached its peak, but I truly hope his recklessness won’t kill him like it has many men before him.
He shouldn’t underestimate the authorities…
When one of the officers steps forward to continue what has already been initiated, Yunho stands in front of the girl with his arms spread wide, thus creating a strong wall of protection. He speaks between clenched teeth, apparently very angry. “…Don’t you dare lay a finger on her.”
Anxious, I watch the conflict from a safe distance, shaking my head at Eunhae when her eyes flutter open curiously, as it to tell her No, sweetheart, not yet. Don’t look just yet.
Close your eyes. This is not a reality I’m ready to let you discover.
Chapter Twelve