The Cry of the Silent Ones (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Twenty-One
**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
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
The Cry of the Silent Ones (Chapter Twenty-One)
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]
The ocean is so tranquil that I could almost be fooled into thinking we’re not really at sea. Lethargic, we slowly oscillate as the barely present waves carry us towards horizons that remain unknown to me, with hopes that we’ll make it there in one piece… But so quiet is the boundless body of water that we could just as well still be seated on my sofa back in Eodum, when we were making plans for the future.
When it was still the three of us.
When I was a captive in my home country. When I had a sister to face it with.
Such calmness… I can’t stand it. It gets me thinking too much.
A few eternities have gone by since we were brought aboard this ship, although I couldn’t say for sure exactly how long it’s been. Not that it makes much of a difference anyway, since reality stays the same: Eunhae and Chohee are gone, and I’m still here, still alive, left alone on this planet Earth with nothing but my memories of them. What I’m feeling is so similar what I must look like right now…
A small dot on the infinite hydrosphere. Alone. Anguished. Powerless.
So fucking small.
I’d rather bury the recent happenings deep in my unconscious. Just forget about everything.
Every morning, I wake up hoping that things will have gone back to the way they were, only to find that they haven’t. And I tell myself that I’ll be a strong, I won’t shed a tear… That today will be the day I put a cross on my past and move on. Wouldn’t it be so much easier this way?
But I can’t. Their smiling faces are forever carved in my memory.
There won’t be any back-door escape for me.
Truthfully, I feel… torn.
Being one of them, I agree with the Traitors’ decision to revolt for something more of a decent life than what they have right now. At the same time, though, I hate them for bringing this tragedy upon those who never did anything or asked for it. All those unnecessary victims didn’t deserve to have their lives end in such a way, and that angers so much that I can barely control myself.
I need there to be a culprit, someone to shove the responsibility at.
And while I curse the extremists for stirring up the military and its Great Leader, I’m aware that they did it for the good reasons. And that’s where Yunho comes in the picture.
Do I blame him for any of this?
If I take the time to stop and think about it… No. Definitely not.
This isn’t Yunho’s fault in any way.
No matter how much I turn the idea in my mind, I can’t bring myself to point my finger at him... Although my opinion might be biased by the fact that I’m madly in love with him… To me, Yunho’s actions aimed to free us from our government’s corruption - nothing more, nothing less.
He’s the one who helped us all realize that we couldn’t keep on living this way.
He opened our eyes and ears to the reality.
How can it be his fault that things ended up the way they did? No, if anything…
Should I manage to live through this, it will be thanks to him.
***
[Dukbae’s POV]
A storm is approaching.
Thick menacing dark clouds are moving towards us at an almost frenzied pace compared to their usual travelling speed, driven by a strong wind that blows mercilessly and rocks the ship left and right slightly - for the moment. Although I’m currently inside my cabin, piloting the long freighter, many years of experience at sea make me capable of telling that kind of thing.
It’s only a matter of time before it gets out of control.
Yeah, I can feel it in the core of my very bones… This one will be nasty.
As if to prove my hypothesis, there is a sudden flash of light in the (not so distant) horizon, followed by the rumbling sound of thunder that I can hear over the roaring of the engine. The sky keeps darkening as the ship continues to pitch in a quickening rhythm, the kind that would give flooring seasickness to anyone not used to sailing. Although we still have a ways to go until we reach it…
We’re heading straight into the heart of the storm.
Even if I try to divert our trajectory, we’ll never be able to avoid it, given how far and wide it seems to have spread. All we can do is brace ourselves for the rocky ride and hope to make it through.
For a moment, my thoughts wander to the pair that came to us from Eodum, the stowaways fortunate despite their many misadventures: Jaejoong and Yunho. Those two were lucky enough to have been found by us rather than by the captain, who would not have hesitated to get rid of them. While he’s an honourable sea dog, he doesn’t appreciate strangers inviting themselves aboard his ship.
What’s more, he has an aversion for homosexual men. Little time would have been necessary for him to figure out that there was something going on between those two…
Definitely, their fate would have been far more horrible than it is now.
Because they must have had some higher power watching over them, however, they were able to sneak on the vessel inside a container, an experience that would have killed a good majority of human beings. Unlike many who attempt to pull a stunt like they did, they were allowed to get out before they ran out of oxygen and from then on, were fed and tended to as if they were members of the crew.
Now, if they had the chance to enjoy the same privileges as us, they also have to fear the same dangers.
This will be difficult. They might not make it through, but…
If they survive something like this, then nothing will ever take them down.
Feeling that it’s time for me to do what everyone expects me to, I push myself up from my seat and stand to my feet, intent on informing the captain of the threat before it’s too late. Already psyched up by what I know is coming soon, I walk across the room on sure feet, used to the to and fro motion of the ship drifting on agitated water. I wonder where he is right now…
I have to find him at all costs and as soon as possible.
I wander around for a few minutes, meeting some of my colleagues as I walk. To each one of them, I issue the recommendation to get back to their position while making sure to stay alert. Of course, we’re all responsible for the safety of the ship and its merchandise - but also its passengers, and that applies to ourselves as well. We can’t let a single man perish because of the merciless nature.
Not long after I decided to venture on the deck, the rain starts pouring down intensely, without warning. Within a few seconds’ time only, my clothes are completely drenched.
The storm… It’s progressing way too fast.
After asking around, I find out that the captain is still in his quarters, most likely not yet aware of what’s going on, so that’s where I head for on the double. I pull the heavy wooden door leading inside and take refuge there, pushing back my dripping hair in order to see better. Then, not wasting any more time than I already have, I run in the direction that I was directed to…
And that’s when I hear his voice.
Could it be… Sohyon? What is he doing here…? Why isn’t he on the deck like he’s supposed to be…?
“Like I said before… The reason why I decided to come and talk to you, captain, is that I have something important to tell you…” A trembling sigh that suggests a reticence to speak out… a fear of someone’s retribution? “The others will probably resent me for it, but I couldn’t bear to continue hiding this from you, even if they might end up turning against me. Your word means more to me than theirs.”
What is that guy talking about? Could he… be planning to reveal what I’m afraid he will?
Surely even that freak wouldn’t steep so low…
Then again… I shouldn’t be surprised. Whether it really is as it seems or not , I’ll just have to find out. And so, preparing myself for the worst, I take a few steps closer and perk up my ears.
The captain’s voice follows and sneaking a look from my hiding spot, I catch sight of him and Sohyon, closely gathered together. “What did you need to tell me?” The experienced mariner asks with a low, collected tone to his speech. Something definitely smells fishy here… No pun intended. Well, at any rate, I have to intervene. We can’t be wasting any more time, not with what’s about to fall on our heads.
Following that logic, I step out the corner, announcing my presence.
I could laugh at the way Sohyon jumps three feet in the air upon hearing me arrive. If he’s that startled, he must be hiding something of grave importance…
Calm as ever, the captain turns cold eyes on me, questioning. Although I shouldn’t have to fear him, being one of his men, I can’t help but shiver slightly while he peers at me so closely. “What is it, Dukbae? Did something come up?” His expression hasn’t changed a single bit… Does that man even have feelings? I don’t know how he manages to keep his cool so easily…
“The weather is getting nastier pretty fast. I thought you might want to know.”
Actually, that secretive little talk of theirs gave another meaning to my coming here, and this new purpose is to stop Sohyon from blurting out whatever he’s planned to say. I’ll throw a wrench in his works… no matter the means. He better be ready for some serious explanations…
The captain’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “Alright, get back to your position and get us through that storm like you always do, and make sure everyone is where they have to be… I’ll be right there.” My heart stops for a second, as I fear that he will continue his conversation with Sohyon, but he motions for the latter to follow after me. “You go and give him a hand. We’ll talk later.”
Daring, Sohyon goes as far as to protest. “But captain-”
Like I was expecting, the ambitious retort draws the older man’s anger. “If you don’t get your ass on the deck right now, you won’t live to tell me what you have to, so hurry the hell up, will ya?”
I think the message is clear.
Taking a deep bow, Sohyon scurries after me, wearing a well-hidden expression of exasperation that only I end up seeing. I have to bite my lower lip not to burst out laughing at the pathetic sight.
Once the two of us are outside and away from the captain’s eyes - as well as everyone else’s -, I grab onto Sohyon’s shoulder and yell over the sound of the falling drops. The rain is so intense that surely only he can hear me. “You were about to betray us along with those poor guys, weren’t you?”
Silent, Sohyon winces just a little bit and tries to get away, but I won’t give him a chance to.
Seriously, what a pathetic wimp… Not even worth my time, I swear.
Since I’m well intent on getting through to his head what danger he’ll expose himself to, should he try to pull something like this again, I hiss the following threat in his ear. “…Listen here, mate. You better watch your back... Everyone’s on my side, but you’ve got no one supporting you. So you be careful.” And I finally let go of him, heading back to my cabin under the pouring rain.
That should do the trick.
I don’t think I have to worry about him anymore.
***
[Yunho’s POV]
Inside our aluminum shelter, which serves as our home for now, Jaejoong and I can see the eye of the storm as it spreads at a rapid pace, ugly and terrifying. Even we are aware, despite our lack of experience, that it’s going to hit hard. We’re painfully apprehending, helpless before its threat.
From the corner of my eye, I observe Jaejoong in the dim light of the container. He looks at the approaching squall with determination, but the way he bites his lower lip betrays his nervous state. “Hey… Don’t pull such a face.” I whisper, letting my hand slide down his thigh to his knee, which it squeezes gently. “We can take this, okay? Nothing can stop us… Nothing.”
Although Jaejoong doesn’t turn his gaze in my direction, his hand joins mine on his leg and he hums softly in response. His health seems pretty weak, which worries me…
The last few days have been tough on him… A series of uncalled for misfortunes.
But he’ll live. He’s strong.
As if on cue, the wind starts to blow like a spectral whisper, spreading goosebumps on our skin as it caresses it sickeningly. Perhaps it’s an ill omen to what’s going to happen to us… I sure hope not. Regardless, almost instantly, the waves gain height and the ship rocks accordingly. It only takes that much for the rain to start falling in a veritable downpour.
Even if we have a roof over our heads, the drops reach us in their diagonal descent. So that we don’t get drenched, I move backwards and drag him along with me, towards the back end of the container. We should be safer if we move further inside, even if it feels stuffier there. “…Come here.”
Jaejoong nods in agreement as he moves close to me, against my chest. “Right, let’s move to the back.”
The initiative is only partially effective, but it’s better than nothing.
We’ve been through worse than that already…
The deluge continues on as the sailors become agitated and concentrate on their tasks amidst the rising tension and panic. Jaejoong and I tightly hold on to each other as the freighter is cradled violently from side to side, despite the swaying motion throwing us against the cool sides of the metal prison. “…Don’t let go of me, Jae… It will be fine as long as we stay together. But we can’t be separated!”
The prospect of there being a little distance between us is unbearable to me.
“I’m trying to… but-”
A sudden jolt sends Jaejoong flying across to the other side, most likely because of his light weight, while I remain on this side. No matter how hard I try to get to my feet and walk towards him - or at least awkwardly scramble my way across the floor -, there’s nothing I can do.
Despite my efforts, I can’t grab a hold of Jaejoong’s outstretched hand.
“Yunho! I can’t reach you!” He yells out for me to hear him over the sound of the crashing waves and the booming thunder, along with the whirling wind. On his knees, he struggles to maintain his balance as water keeps pouring inside, through a half-open door. He almost succeeds…
For a split second, his fingers stop an inch away from mine, barely touching them.
But his attempt is fruitless as he’s harshly shoved backwards, where his head hits the wall violently.
The impact knocks him out cold and he lands on his side, unconscious.
“Jaejoong!” Cursing under my breath at the turn of events, I crawl as best as I manage to till I’m sitting next to his collapsed form. Once I’ve made it this far, I straighten him up and pull him to my chest, intent on keeping him close to me for as long as the storm will last. “...Hang in there…” Outside, nature is so wildly out of control that I can’t see a foot away from the door.
I don’t remember ever witnessing such a furious unbalancing of the weather.
It’s a scary sight, to say the least.
But I don’t let the fear of being engulfed by the waves that are crashing on the deck, over the protecting railing, or the risk of the ship sinking to the bottom of the wild ocean, stop me from accomplishing my first and foremost mission: to protect Jaejoong from harm at all costs. Determined to see this through, I clutch onto him and kiss his wet temple gingerly, avoiding the spot where a bump is already forming.
I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the emerging nausea.
We’re lucky the container is firmly secured to the deck; otherwise, we might have ended up overboard.
Now all we can do is to wait for the end of the storm... Together.
Chapter Twenty