The Cry of the Silent Ones (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Twelve
**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
Chapter Eleven
The Cry of the Silent Ones (Chapter Twelve)
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.
***
[Jaejoong’s POV]
“Move away from the girl, outsider! If you don’t obey to our orders, I won’t hesitate to take you down! I don’t care where you’re from, if it’s Hyemang or whatchamacallit!”
For having been humiliated by a mere civilian - a foreigner, what’s more -, the military officers appear to be profoundly hurt in their ego of power figures, although they insist on keeping a strong front for appearances. “You’re lucky I haven’t shot yet! You’d be down for the count!” One of them cocks his gun to show that he’s serious about this, preparing to fire at Yunho, but the other stubbornly stays in place despite the potential danger that’s threatening him.
Upon seeing the weapon pointed at him, he seems to hesitate, but he soon makes up his mind and retorts rebelliously. “Say what you want! I won’t let you come within an inch of her!”
I can see in Yunho’s eyes that he’s not kidding either.
The girl, who had initially backed away from Yunho in fear, most likely decides that he’s worthy of her trust because she moves closer to him, taking refuge behind his back. Since he can’t take the risk to look over his shoulder and make sure that no one’s attacking from that side, I take it upon myself to watch his back, refusing to let them get to him.
I just hope that he’ll trust me on this one and won’t take his eyes away from the gun - not for a second.
It would only take an instant of distraction for everything to be over…
“How can you defy me so openly? You’ve got some guts!” Losing his temper before such resistance, the military personnel looks about ready to fire. As for me, I’m on the verge of interrupting the direct confrontation, just as long as it keeps Yunho from harm, when another one of the officers steps forward and whispers something in his colleague’s ear, most likely issuing a suggestion to retreat. Could it be..?
As I had been hoping, the bearer of the firearm lowers his weapon, speaking bitterly. “This one time, we’ll let the matter slide, but don’t you pull something like that again!”
Thoroughly surprised, as I’m sure everyone else is, Yunho doesn’t move an inch from his spot.
They’re giving up.
What’s going on? Are they afraid of him?
As quickly and easily as that, the trio regroups and leaves the scene, forcefully making their way through the small crowd that has assembled around them. “…Move it, idiots! There’s nothing for you to see here! Go away!” Once they have managed to disperse the curious on-lookers, the officers start heading back to the rich district - headquarters, probably.
Worried, I bring my gaze back to Yunho, just in time to see him help the teenager stand to her feet.
Naïve that I am, I would think the problems to be over.
However, it seems that we haven’t seen the end of them just yet.
The man who was standing closest to the harassed girl grabs her arm harshly, apparently intent on taking her back, but he addresses Yunho before doing so. “If you’d let our daughter become a sacrifice for the rest of the family, they would have stopped harassing us! This was the Great Leader’s will… and now you’ve angered him! It will be your fault if we’re punished for this!”
And then he starts pulling the adolescent along with him, motioning for the woman that I identify as his wife to follow him. They would have left if Yunho hadn’t cried out his disagreement.
“Your Great Leader is a big fucking hoax! You are a sorry excuse of a father for allowing this!”
That’s it. He’s said too much, even if it was the truth.
Although I couldn’t agree with him more, I just know that he won’t be given the opportunity to forget what happened today. If someone denounces him to the leader, capital punishment is all he will receive.
“The foreigner speaks the truth! You don’t deserve to be a parent!” A man yells out, advancing towards Yunho to shield him from another who was planning to take a shot at him. The latter doesn’t seem to share his point of view, standing that he is with his fist raised, menacing. “Are you questioning the ways of the Great Leader, you infidel? I can see that you’ve picked your side!”
“That’s right! I’m a Traitor and a proud one at that!”
After that, the spectators start mingling, letting their political and religious views decide who’s an ally and who’s an enemy. A conflict in which Yunho gets caught in the middle.
Damn! I’m dying to lend him a hand, but I can’t risk endangering my sister’s life…
Speaking of which, she has disregarded my instructions, alerted by the rising cries of protest, and she is now tightly clinging unto my neck. Like me, she’s observing the scene in hopes that nothing tragic will come out of this, which is too often the outcome of violent uprisings. If only there was something I could do to get him out of this mess while still ensuring Eunhae’s safety…
In the midst of the storm, Yunho tries to reason the two parties into reaching a compromise.
A nearly impossible task, the way I see it.
“Stop that! This is ridiculous! You shouldn’t be fighting amongst yourselves!”
It’s beautiful seeing Yunho attempt to solve a conflict that has been persisting for such a very long time. I want to believe that he can put an end to it all, but let’s face it: it would take a miracle to be able to accomplish that much. The ideology is too well established in the people’s minds to be changed by the first new-comer. Most likely, it’s not going to work.
But whether he knows that or not, he continues to try and stop the frenzied fight. “How can you accept to be treated like you have no worth? Like you’re all a bunch of dirty underdogs?”
What he’s saying is so true…
It’s like he’s voicing every word that I’ve been aching to cry out. All of them.
Some of the men and women have frozen and are listening. At least he’s managed to get their attention, which is already quite the accomplishment. Encouraged by the small victory, Yunho keeps it up. “You’re all important, all of you! You shouldn’t have to bow down to some kind of hypocritical, egotistic big-shot!” He adds the following in a desperate attempt to get his ideas into their heads. “Don’t let that monster tell you how to live your lives! You’re being manipulated!”
The last statement has the effect of a bomb. Well said.
While some people cease all aggressive behaviours, however, others take the offense quite seriously, refusing to accept such a discrediting critique of their almighty leader. Regardless, maybe they needed for someone like Yunho to open their eyes and ears to the reality…
“You heathen! How can you say such atrocities with a straight face on?”
“Why don’t you try listening to him? He just might be the one who will save us!”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion, you cursed Traitor!”
Enough already. I can’t stand by and watch them debate over what to do with Yunho… If I don’t pull something now, he’s going to die in the midst of their dispute - that or they’re going to take care of him themselves, before the Great Leader can even take matters into his own hands.
What am I still doing here? Why have I yet to run in and get him?
Finally deciding that this has lasted long enough, I tell Eunhae to hang on tight as I take advantage of the confusion to rush in and grab Yunho by the hand, dragging him along with me. Although he is surprised by my sudden apparition, he resists at first, refusing to follow me until he has been successful. But when I insist rather strongly, he lets himself be led away to safety, sending me a questioning look.
Thankfully, no one tries to stop us, engrossed that they are with their own problems.
As we escape from the scene, I can see members of the military coming back to repress the movement. At first, the angry citizens resist and are almost able to drive back the authority, but soon the imposing officers manage to restore order… for now.
Despite all that, I continue pulling on Yunho’s arm until the three of us reach a spot that’s completely out of sight, compared to our previous location. It’s a good thing we got away before the soldiers got a hold of us. We should probably lay low for the next days or so… That’s what I’m thinking as I set down Eunhae and turn in Yunho’s direction, intent on setting straight a thing or two.
But Yunho beats me to it by speaking first. “What are you doing?”
I’m incredulous. “What do you mean, what am I doing? What are you doing?”
Crossing his arms, he regards me as if asking for an explanation, with an eyebrow raised in inquiry. From the look of it, he really doesn’t get it. “…Alright, what’s with all the rhetorical talk?”
Slightly put off by so little gratitude, I throw my arms up to show my discontentment, before taking Eunhae’s hand in mine and heading back home, leaving Yunho behind. I don’t doubt that he’ll follow. “Aish… I just saved you from being trampled on by the Supporters… Can’t you be a little thankful?”
As I thought, he catches up soon enough and walks on my other side.
“They were starting to have doubts!” Yunho justifies the objective behind his actions - at least, he tries. “We were doing some progress, Jaejoong. Why did you have to bring me here?”
Oh, I can’t believe this. How naïve can he be?
I stop my course so abruptly that Yunho nearly runs into me. “Well, excuse me. Here I was worrying about your well-being... Did you think of the consequences when you started stirring up the crowd…? Do you know how unstable the situation is right now…? There are those who would have killed you for saying all that!” My heart aches as I imagine what I would feel like if things ended up this way. “…God, Yunho… Do you always have to be so reckless whatever you do…?”
I understand what he was trying to do - to make things better, as usual -, but shouldn’t there be a limit?
What if he had been killed?
If it was to be at the cost of his life, would it really be worth it in the end? …I think not.
Realization dawns upon his handsome face as he finally understands why I put a spanner in his works. He looks so genuinely regretful to have worried me that I almost forgive him on the spot - almost. “…I’m sorry, Jaejoong… I didn’t realize you were trying to help.“
Scratch that. How can I possibly stay mad at him?
Not letting go of Eunhae’s hand, I start walking again, although this time more slowly. Upon sensing that I’m not going to bite off his head, Yunho ventures to inch a bit closer to me and stroll by my side. “Nevermind… I guess your intentions were good, after all. But next time… Just don’t get yourself killed because you got a little carried away with your ideals and all.”
Yunho nods diligently, unsuccessfully trying to hide his smile.
That guy…. I swear…
The three of us keep moving forward in silence, trying to look as inoffensive as can be while soldiers patrolling in the vicinity eye us suspiciously. At all costs, we must not attract attention… They might be looking for us. Once we’ve made it past them, Yunho speaks again with slight hesitation in his voice.
“So… You really were worried about me?” He asks, to which Eunhae giggles roguishly.
It’s like those two have teamed up to drive me insane. Honestly…
Playing innocent, I ignore the underlying implication in her reaction. I know what she’s thinking… but I don’t want Yunho to catch on just yet. I’m not ready to confess my love for him. “…Of course I was. You don’t know how dangerous these people can be once they’re pumped up.” I bite my lower lip, anxious. “Be careful, Yunho… This place could be the end of you if you act too rashly.”
There are things he has to know. I wish I had no grounds to worry like that…
But I know better than to underestimate my people.
As I should have expected, from the many faces he has shown me ever since he first came here, Yunho doesn’t consider my warning seriously. But then again, if he had carefully taken heed of it, it wouldn’t have been like him at all. “Do you always say such cryptic things?”
Someone knock some sense into that stubborn man’s head.
“…I’m not kidding. Be careful, Yunho.”
“Alright, then… I will.” He adds in good faith, putting his hand on my shoulder for emphasis, a gesture that makes me shiver. Hasn’t he been doing that a lot, as of late, or is it just my overactive imagination? “But you know, Jaejoong… The fact that you were worried about me back there… Well, it kind of makes me happy.” He grins, sending a knowing look to Eunhae. “…I didn’t know you cared so much.”
My sister doesn’t deny the accusation - she confirms it, which is far worse in my opinion. “Trust me, Yunnie-oppa… You haven’t heard it all!” And I flush a faint shade of pink, looking away.
Yunho… Eunhae… It’s only now that I realize it, but…
They have a lot in common.
***
[Yunho’s POV]
Somehow, when the siblings and I parted ways… It didn’t feel quite right.
I went back to my luxurious hotel room, sat on the bed with my computer on my lap, with the clear intent of typing up a full report of today’s happenings… stroke a few keys, hit the ‘return’ button… made another attempt, which ended up as fruitless as the first… only to put the machine away a few minutes later, unable to form a coherent string of characters known as a word.
A pretty face kept dancing in front of my eyes…
Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
And that’s why, on the edge of despair, I chose not to force my creative essence and decided to act on pure instincts, for once in my life - I mean… like always.
Whatever. It’s not like it could have been helped.
As I went out under the furious rain, my feet took me all the way to his - to their humble house. I really couldn’t care less if I was soaking wet when I arrived there. All I wanted… All I needed was to see him again, even if very little time had passed since we had gone our own separate ways, even if he was going to ask me what I was doing there… even if I wouldn’t know what to answer.
Now… Although I’m standing in front of his home, I haven’t made my presence known.
It’s like I’m being pushed and pulled at the same time, both attracted and repelled. He’s on the other side of the door, probably, so what keeps me from knocking already?
What is there for me to be scared of?
One thing’s for sure: if I continue to stand there doing nothing, all I’m going to get is pneumonia… That would take the cake, wouldn’t it? With absolutely no desire whatsoever to drop dead from a simple cold - or anything else, for that matter - I lift my fist with the intention of rapping it against the door when the wooden panel suddenly moves, revealing Jaejoong’s figure behind it.
Should I take his look of surprise as a good or a bad sign?
Deep down inside, I’m hoping it’s the first.
I must look pretty miserable then, shivering uncontrollably with flattened hair dripping in my eyes, desperately trying to pull on my clothes that are sticking to my body like a second skin. One might wonder just what I’m doing out there in such bad weather, instead of staying inside - warn and dry… At my age, should I still be playing in puddles like a child on a rainy day?
I guess it’s true that love makes you do foolish things.
“Yunho…” Jaejoong starts saying, unbelieving, his pitch black eyes growing wide at my pitiful sight. “Don’t just stand there… Come in! Are you deliberately trying to catch a cold or something…?”
Who knows…? I just might be.
A Freudian slip, they call it in my country, a Freudian slip… Faulty act of the unconscious.
Slightly guilty, I bite my lip to repress my smile as Jaejoong urges me in. “Um… Thank you.”
“Just be wary of the roof. It leaks.” In a whisper, Jaejoong excuses the rudimentary state of the house, leaving me near the entrance as he goes out in search of something. Since he’s being especially quiet, I conclude that Eunhae must be sleeping, so I keep quiet. Seizing the occasion to look around in detail, I try not to appear too shocked by the misery the little family lives in, but I can’t hide my trouble.
If it was already in bad shape before, it seems like the storm has made it worse.
Coming back with a towel in his pale hands, Jaejoong addresses me with regret, like he truly has a reason to be apologizing to me, like he has brought this poverty upon himself. “…This place must pale in comparison with your hotel, right? I’m sorry I can’t offer you something better.”
I shake my head furiously. “It’s fine. The hotel… It’s pretty lonely, actually.”
Even though I’m probably being too obvious, I really couldn’t care less… If he hasn’t caught on my feelings just yet, then he isn’t as clever as I thought he was.
Taking a few steps in my direction, so he’s standing right in front of me, Jaejoong lifts the towel and starts gently soaking up my hair with it, highly concentrated on the task. My mind is a complete mess at the moment, so I let him do as he wishes, never letting my gaze stray away from his close by face. “Going out like that in such strong rain… Honestly… Just what were you thinking?” He asks inaudibly, more to himself than to me, as if to fill the palpable silence.
When he’s done wiping my brow, he lowers his arm and his eyes follow, meeting mine in the process.
Feeling my heart stop as he swallows with difficulty - quite obviously, this time -, I say the first thing that comes to my mind. “…Hell if I know… You tell me.”
That’s it. I’ve had my share of running away. It ends now.
Slowly edging closer to the other man, allowing my eyes to flutter shut as I lean in towards his face, I let my lips brush against his fugitively. The kiss we share is soft and mild and incredibly gentle, which is surprising given the urgency that led me all the way here. After a few seconds of relaxed intimacy, I pull back, exhaling a small puff of air as I do so. “Maybe I… shouldn’t have come here…?”
This time, it’s him who initiates the contact. “Maybe… But since you did…” Jaejoong raises his hand and brushes the pad of his thumb against my cold cheek before gracing my mouth with his once more. It’s only when we part that he finishes his sentence, eyes slightly misty and voice uncertain.
“…do you …want some tea?”
The corners of my mouth curl up again and this random thought crosses my mind (or maybe it’s more relevant than I think): how is it that I can’t stop smiling when I’m with him? “…Sure.”
Evening comes and we don’t mention it again.
Chapter Thirteen