The Venn Diagram | Part 4a
( previous parts )
(1) the meeting | (2) the declaration
(3) the reveal - 1934 | (3) the reveal - 2014
The Venn Diagram
by #angstcircle 2014
Part 4: The Bloodbath
1934
They make their escape down the fire escape of Yunho’s apartment building, slipping out of sight of the view of any familiar dark suits. True to his word, no one had come barging in with guns blazing after Jaejoong had left the apartment but neither Yunho nor BoA wanted to wait to truly find out. Instead they’d dressed quickly, grabbing only the most important things-Yunho’s gun and BoA’s overnight bag that she’d then since filled with stashed money Yunho had had lying secretly around the apartment-before turning towards their escape.
They hadn’t talked about where they would go, but in the heat of the moment, neither of them thought it mattered. “As long we’re together,” BoA had whispered in Yunho’s ear after dressing completely, kissing his cheek, “As long as we’re together, we’ll make it out of here.”
Yunho jumps down from the final flight of stairs, looking around quickly to assess their surroundings before turning back to the woman above and behind him. “Baby, come on,” he urges, holding up his arms at her, “I’ll catch you but be careful on that last step.”
“What are we going to do?” she asks just as she bounces off the edge rather than jump off it, safely enclosed into Yunho’s capable arms on her landing. She takes a moment to bury her face into the crook of his neck, breathing deeply as she feels her squeeze her gently in return. They are on the run now, there was no way to deny it. Whatever good opinion her father had of Yunho would be destroyed now that Jaejoong knew about them. There was no way to sugarcoat the danger their knowing could bring.
He released her after the moment stretched too long, rubbing his hands over her arms briefly before planting a soft kiss on her forehead. “We’re going to have to find some place to crash for the night while I make arrangements. We can’t use any of our cards, or use our passports. Jaejoong would likely be watching those closely, but I think I can get us on a boat to China. They maybe we can move through there to…”
“Indonesia, maybe? At least for a while. I would want to go back to Europe but Papa might look there first if Jaejoong decides to get him involved.”
They stared at each other grimly, knowing fully well Jaejoong would. Being an easy-going businessman was only one side of him but being the heir of to the Seoul underworld’s most feared gang was another side all together. It would be foolish to think Jaejoong would let them off easy. BoA had seen it in his eyes. He’d been hurt, betrayed.
And betrayal was the one thing she knew the Kwon underground family did not take lightly.
“We’ll worry about later. Right now we need to get some place safe.”
“Where can we go in this city? The family reaches every inch of this town!”
“Not necessarily,” someone says from the shadows, surprising the couple by its volume. Yunho had pulled out his gun quicker than BoA had ever seen anyone do and turned it towards the voice, all the while pushing BoA behind him to protect her, “Who’s there?!”
Changmin stepped out of the corner, somber; his hands up in a placating manner as he regarded them with a grim smirk. He had his gun out in one hand, the barrel pointing upwards-a sign which said that he was there in peace-and quips, “I’m not going to turn you lovebirds in. I’m here to help.”
The couple’s brows twisted together in unison, suspicious as Changmin took another step towards them. As friendly as they’ve been with the man, neither Yunho nor BoA wanted to risk putting their trust into someone who could potentially turn on them. And especially not one that was already a part of the very people they were trying to escape from.
But… Changmin’s eyes were earnest and that made all the difference. Yunho moves to lower his gun slightly though his eyes were still guarded as he regarded his friend. “What do you propose we do?”
With a smirk, he tosses a set of keys and a sealed envelope towards him. Changmin doesn’t step any closer as they tear into the packet, squinting in confusion at the address written on a sheet of paper inside of it. He explains before either Yunho or BoA can ask, talking quickly in a low tone. It wouldn’t be long till the others came looking for him and he didn’t want the couple to be around once they do. Helping them would be pointless then if they were caught. They’d die for sure. Yoona would never forgive him if that happens.
“That’s the address to my and Yoona’s apartment together. Neither of us has moved in officially yet but it’s there sitting. It’s in one of those new developments where the family hasn’t dipped into yet, owned by some relative of Siwon’s. The key to the apartment is inside a secret hatch in the mailbox.” The instructions are clear and simple, but the words weigh heavy between them. Changmin grimaces a little when he checks his watch, lifting his head to stare Yunho straight in the eyes as he speaks again, “Get in and plan your escape there. Jaejoong hasn’t told the Boss yet but he will find out about this soon enough. I’ll come when I can but I can’t promise it will be soon. Just get out of here. Now.”
Whether it was because of gratitude or fear, BoA’s eyes began to fill. “Changmin-”
Changmin shoots her a look, silencing whatever it was she was about to say into a lump in her throat. “Don’t, BoA. Just go. I’ll hold them off as best I can. For now all you can do is take my car-it’s parked at the end of this street. I asked Sooyoung to drive it here when we were sent over.”
“Thank you.” BoA says anyway as Yunho nods and takes her hand, “Be careful.”
By then a hard mask had settled on Changmin’s face and as he pushes past them in a light jog, he turns only for a moment to mouth “Go!” before disappearing around the corner.
“Come on,” Yunho whispers, gripping the car keys and her hand tightly. “Let’s go.”
~*~*~*~
The apartment is sparse but livable with bare walls and dark, dark furniture. It’s a lot nicer than what either of them expects from the combined salaries of a thug and exotic dancer but they supposed there was more to both Changmin and Yoona that meets the eye. They had taken the roundabout way, weaving through streets and highways and back to make sure that they weren’t being followed just in case. Yunho thinks it isn’t so bad to take extra precaution and for once BoA doesn’t protest, sitting patiently in the passenger’s seat with her wide brim hat flopped low on her face.
They breathe easier once they arrive at the apartment building. They’d parked Changmin’s car a little ways away from the apartment building, grateful that it was nondescript to not catch anyone’s attention. If they had been left to their own devices they would have been caught for sure as both their cars were parked near the entrance of Yunho’s building. Whatever getaway they might have planned would have been shot to pieces; trapped in whatever it was Jaejoong would deem worthy as punishment. They go up and into the building immediately after parking, locating the mailbox and key the second they got through the entryway. The lock on the door clicks shut once they arrive at Apartment 351 and when they turn the curtains in to close off the fading sunlight from the outside, the feeling of relief and safety-however temporary it may be-fill them inside out.
The apartment was sparse but it was all they had that was safe at the moment. They couldn’t sit idly by for too long. Not now, not in this city.
“We have to act fast. We can’t stay here.” BoA whispers as she collapses on a chair, an arm placed tight across her stomach. Her words quivered even as she said them, “If my father even catches wind that Changmin or Sooyoung hel-Oh God-”
“He won’t. At least, not too soon.” Yunho assures her, even though the statement sounded false even to his ears, “Changmin’s smart and he’s got Sooyoung informed too. Neither of them will rat us out.”
“Still!”
“We have to stay calm, sweetheart,” he tells her, taking her hands in his as he knelt down in front of her. He squeezes them gently, staring and willing her to take deep breaths. In and out. “It won’t do any of us-you or me or our baby-if you worry yourself to death. We’ll move quickly and plan it out. Once I find some way to get us out of the country without getting caught, we’ll leave. Nobody will even know we were here.”
“Except for Changmin.” BoA reminds him and Yunho winces. He nods anyway, a beat later, brushing a hair off her face.
“Yes. But like I said, he’s smart. He won’t get caught.”
“I hope so,” she sighs, leaning in to touch her forehead against his. Her hands moved up to cup her lover’s face, tracing his lips with feather light strokes before a breath escapes her and she connects their lips in a kiss.
Nothing is for certain, but at least BoA is certain of this.
“I love you, Yunho.”
Yunho sighs, their breaths mingling and says nothing.
That’s fine, BoA thinks with a smile that he returns against her lips. She knows already.
~*~*~*~
Changmin calls through the apartment’s telephone an hour later, tone flat and low. “Someone will be by. Be ready.”
“Who?” Yunho asks and then can’t help but add, “Does the Je-Chul hyung know?”
His friend hesitates just for a moment but the notion is clear. “Sooyoung and I are still trying to come up with a plan. So if you have any suggestions, you better tell me now. If not, just be ready. Don’t call me. I’ll call you.”
The line dies and the wait begins.
~*~*~*~
When a knock sounds from the door at one in the morning, Yunho is instantly up, armed and alert. His feet are quiet as he creeps across the wall, ready for whoever it might be behind the wood. BoA hides inside one of the rooms, the one they’d chosen for it’s easy exit-close to the fire escape into the alley behind the building.
They’d agreed earlier that night that they’d split up if they were found, with BoA running away as far away as possible with everything they’d gathered in his bag. She hadn’t liked the idea of going separate ways but she couldn’t find it in herself to refuse when Yunho’s eyes stared down at hers with an unguarded, wild expression and said, “You have to live, sweetheart. If not for me, at least for our kid.”
“Open the damn door, Jung.” Yoona’s lilting voice permeated through the door, sounding exasperated as the couple heaves twin sighs of relief. Yunho tucked his gun into its’ holster before twisting the lock open, letting the tall, slim woman inside in a flurry of fluid movement and reeking of floral perfume and cigarette smoke.
“Changmin sent me a message,” was all she said as she practically tosses a big brown bag of groceries at him before turning almost immediately towards BoA to hand her another. The dancer regards her with a smile so sweet, it was almost unsettling as the hug she throws around BoA’s body.
“Those are clothes for you to wear,” Yoona tells her, pulling back just so to cup her cheeks, “I don’t reckon you’d want to run away in a pair of slinky heels and tight dress. Even ones as cute as those you’re wearing.”
BoA nods, feeling a surprise flood of affection wash over her, “Thank you, Yoona.”
Yoona only grins in response, stepping back to throw herself on the couch and kicking off her heels into a pile on the floor. Her skirt rode up indecently at the movement but she didn’t care for it as she looks at the couple, still staring in stunned silence at her presence.
She snaps her fingers at them, “Don’t just stand there. Get changed! And you, make your girl a sandwich or something.”
They move after that-BoA towards the bathroom to change in a pair of dark drawstring pants and a white cotton blouse and Yunho towards the coffee table to pull out the groceries out of the bag. It took them several minutes later, once they were seated around the living room and were mid-bite into sandwiches Yunho had made, to find their actions ridiculous. Which Yunho points out in a grumble, making both BoA and Yoona laugh from her reclined seat on the couch.
“You’re such a stiff, Yunho. But I’m sure BoA likes that about you, huh?”
“Yoona!”
“What? I like a stiff cock as much as the next girl. And especially if it’s Changmin’s. I’m not ashamed to admit it.”
BoA blushes even redder, swatting her with a pillow on the legs. “Still!”
“Honey, Jung’s already knocked you up.” Yoona says simply, crossing her ankles. The heels of her stiletto shoes looked even more threatening in the dim light. “I’m pretty sure that means you know how to handle his ‘gun’ more than any gal. Right, Yunho?”
It is Yunho’s turn to blush now and when he grunts in reply, the girls fall into another bout of squealing laughter.
He doesn’t like that fact that they are laughing at his expense, and especially not after the day he and BoA have had but he doesn’t say anything to stop them either. It isn’t in him to reprimand BoA for feeling carefree. She needs a reason to smile more than ever, now that they still couldn’t quite figure out what to do.
He’ll allow himself to be the butt of the joke for now.
Until a plan comes to surface, Yunho thinks he’ll gladly be the fool if it makes BoA smile.
~*~*~*~
Yoona leaves for her own apartment three-fourths of an hour later, promising to be back in the morning with breakfast. She had clocked out early from the club to ‘sleep off the whiskey’, she explains with a conspiratorial arch in her brow, red lips widening into the exotic smile they’ve seen her gift her patrons. She tells them to feel at home for as long as they can but to make sure not to sully the sheets (“We got those from Changmin’s mother. I’m pretty sure she’s got that duvet cursed too. A baby-maker, I think she says it was. Not that you two need it, eh?”)-winking in that sly, provocative way that suggests a different meaning to the word ‘sully’ and makes them blush a deep, deep red. They sputter a protest which she laughs at, giving them both a loud kiss on the lips-dipping her tongue into their mouths for a split second-before bouncing out the door in her stiletto heels.
“Hell, so that’s what it means to be run over by hurricane…” BoA comments, a little winded, still tickled pink in the cheeks and it is then that Yunho can’t help the snort of laughter to erupt from his throat. She joins him seconds later, falling back into the cushions and into his arms
“I think they’re going to last.” Yunho tells her, tucking her into his side, “Changmin and Yoona.”
She agrees, only slightly teasing, “A thug and a female escort? Yes, I reckon they will.”
They laugh together once more, gazes locking before trailing off into a silence no longer riddled with caution or fear. Their minds settle solely on the idea of their friends’ relationship-mismatched and troublesome for the most part but solid nonetheless and wonder that if Changmin and Yoona can make it work, why can’t they?
Their arms tighten around each other simultaneously and it’s in the air they breathe together, settling into walls of their lungs and running through their veins. She reaches for his hand and places it on her tummy, holds it there and sighs as he presses a kiss on her forehead. They drift off into sleep, wrapped in each other and under the dim yellow glow of a lamp.
The light flickers, then stills with the night.
~*~*~*~
They don’t notice Yoona returning in the morning, but they wake up to the whistling of the kettle on the stove and a plate of breads and cheeses on the living room table. The dancer’s presence is obvious by the scent of floral perfume in the air and by the loopy handwriting on a card next to the plate. The note is short but the relief it brings in reading it lifts their spirits to heights they’d never think it would reach:
They found a way. Be ready, lovebirds. -Y
BoA’s smile grows so wide it starts to hurt Yunho when he copies her. “We’ll be free soon, sweetheart.” He tells her, raining kisses all over her face. His mouth touching the downy softness of her cheeks, forehead, eyelids and pillowy lips in lingering affection.
“I love you,” he tells her, his voice strong and sure and the day is beautiful.
~*~*~*~
“I’d like a girl. If you don’t mind.”
The words are spoken so softly against her skin, BoA almost doesn’t hear it. She half-turns to face him, pulling the sheet (duvet, baby-maker, Yoona’s voice rings in her head) up to her chest and regards him with a curious expression, “Hmm?”
“A girl. I want a baby girl.” He says simply, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek. Yunho’s eyes look so soft from where she’s lying on the bed and when his gaze dips to her chest, they darken considerably as he kisses the skin above her breasts.
They are in the middle of a waiting game for freedom but even though this is so, she can’t help but ask, “What would we name her?”
Yunho shrugs, resting his head under her chin. Their limbs entwined still, hearts waiting and patient.
“Soojung.”
“Soojung?” BoA repeats and when he nods, she smiles and agrees. “That’s a pretty name.”
~*~*~*~
2014
Jongin quickly realizes that when reality hits, it hits hard. It feels as if the wind has been knocked out of his gut. It’s nothing special, he remembers saying, but his heart knows that it can’t be farther from the truth. She’s been avoiding him and he decides it’s only right to give her some breathing room. They could both use some.
But a couple agonizing days later, she still shows no sign of letting up, religiously retreating to her room after each meal or having the chauffeur drop her off at the local library. He wonders what she does during those times but she never gives him a chance to approach her, although rightfully so, he thinks, beating himself up for hurting her. He should’ve known better.
He catches her on her way out the door, hands shoved hastily in his pockets. Her lips are parted in surprise, but she doesn’t make a sound. He’s dying to hear her voice again. “Where are you going?” he asks, as if everything is perfectly fine.
She’s still expressionless, but he knows that she’s just hiding as a defense mechanism. “Library,” she states, looking at the ground.
“Just reading books?” He wants to know what she likes to read, which author she likes best, all the little details, how she looks when she’s focused on a page -
“None of your business,” she answers curtly. And he notices the dark circles under her eyes and he wonders if she’s getting enough sleep these days. But before he can even stop to think, she’s out the door, her dark hair flying out behind her.
She must really want to get away from me, he thinks, disgusted at himself. He clenches his fist, directing his gaze elsewhere, conviction washing over him. He’s done being nice, done pining after her, if that’s how she’s going to act. He scoffs. If that’s what she wants, who is he to object? He has a job waiting for him at the company, anyway.
The next three days, the atmosphere at the Kim residence is icy cold to say the least. His parents act like nothing is wrong and it sickens him to see them so happy when he’s feeling so empty. But he buries himself in textbooks, prepping for the upcoming freshman year in university. If he’s going to be on top, he might as well get a head start.
||+||+||+||
You would think that time heals all wounds, that things will get easier as the days pass, but that is certainly not the case with Jung Soojung. But she’s an expert at acting tough - a skill needed to survive in her circumstances. Despite her (unfitting) teenage delinquent label, she is quite the hard worker, and when she sets her mind on something, she aims to finish.
She’s back at the library again. “Kim Ahreum,” she whispers, while typing the name in the search bar. She sifts through the news articles - her graduation from university, her top marks, her talent for business administration - and then her sudden leaving, the media speculations, the vague remarks from her parents - and then all she can think about is Jongin, how he might’ve dealt with all this (she misses him, she really does, she admits, but now is just not the time). Her chest contracts and it makes her set her jaw in determination even more.
She dials a number into her cell phone. “Hello?”
“Hello, who is this?”
“This may seem very sudden, but my name is Jung Soojung…”
||+||+||+||
“You know, I’ve never seen you like this with a girl before,” Sehun comments, observing the way Jongin downs yet another shot of beer. “You really should try to talk to her.”
“She doesn’t want to. If that’s what she wants to do, then fine,” Jongin says darkly.
Sehun quirks an eyebrow. “You don’t look fine. Not at all.”
It only makes Jongin want to drown himself even more in alcohol. The more he drinks, however, the more he remembers how Soojung could never take her alcohol well and then all the memories come rushing back like a tidal wave, and it’s just a vicious cycle that never ends.
“Should I talk to Jinri?” Sehun mutters to himself.
Jongin chokes out a no, pleading his friend to just let him be. It’s the consequences for his actions, and he’ll deal with it on his own. “This is the end,” he slurs. “It’s better that way.” Sehun just sighs in defeat, watching his friend drink himself sick.
It is only when Jongin is dealing with the hangover the next morning that he thinks about his best friend’s words. But if there is one thing to know about Jongin, it is the fact that he is as stubborn as a mule. He’s convinced that whatever short-lived relationship they had is beyond repair and maybe it’s just better to let her go. He doesn’t need any more happy memories with her haunting him after the inevitable end. No, he could certainly do without those.
We’re just too different, he tells himself. He sleeps the rest of the day away and no one checks up on him. He kind of wishes someone did.
||+||+||+||
Soojung is exiting the library yet again when Jinri shows up, ethereal hair cascading down her back and her sundress fluttering in the wind.
“I’m back!” Jinri practically yells, shoving a gift bag in Soojung’s hands. “I got you a nice bracelet from France. Pure silver,” she beams.
“Looks pretty,” Soojung murmurs. “And expensive.”
The taller girl shrugs.
“Thank you so much.” She pauses. “By the way, how did you know I would be here?” Soojung asks, gesturing to the library.
There’s a smirk on her friend’s lips, and Soojung begins to grow suspicious. “Alright, sweetie, I’m not gonna sugarcoat things here,” Jinri begins, throwing her arm around the dark-haired girl’s shoulders. “Sehun informed me that it was time for a friendly intervention.”
Soojung wriggles out of Jinri’s grasp. “What?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
She groans. “Please. Don’t do this to me.”
“I’m your best friend. It’s my job,” Jinri replies matter-of-factly.
The younger girl sighs. “He broke my heart. What else is there to do?”
“So you admit it. You had loved him.”
Soojung stays silent.
Jinri continues, “And you still do.”
“I don’t have time to deal with this,” Soojung says, walking the opposite direction.
“Soojung,” Jinri begs. “You do have time. I’m not dumb; Sehun told me everything. Don’t you know that Jongin is suffering just as much as you are and you both have so much time to kill that all you think about is each other and yet no one makes the first move to make things right again?”
She’s not going to lie - she’s a bit bewildered at Jinri’s sudden outburst. “I don’t get it.”
“Goodness, how much more do I have to say? Both of you guys are so stubborn, it’s unreal. Remember the matching keychains you bought on your road trip? Tell me, Soojung, tell me why apparently he still has it hanging from his phone. Tell me why he was drinking to the point of oblivion with Sehun last night. Tell me,” Jinri looks deep into Soojung’s eyes. “He loves you. He still does.”
“So what?!” Soojung cries out. “So what if he still loves me? The fact of the matter is that we can’t be together. It’s just not possible.” Her breathing is harsh now, and the tears are running freely down her face.
Jinri wordlessly hugs her, patting her back gently. “All I’m saying,” she says softly. “All I’m saying is that you two should talk it out. You never know.”
Soojung hurriedly wipes her tears. She does, after all, hate leaving things unresolved. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s my girl,” Jinri smiles. “How about we get ice cream together right now? Oh, and maybe tomorrow you can come over to my house so we can hang out.”
Soojung returns a smile. She hopes that when all is said and done, that at least she’d have a good friend like Jinri, still.
||+||+||+||
His phone rings when he’s lying around in bed (yet again) and he fumbles around trying to find it. His pinky hooks onto the keychain, his stomach churning as he traces the curves of the S against his skin. He quickly shakes it off and answers. “Sehun?”
“Yo!” Jongin rolls his eyes at his friend’s enthusiasm. Loan me some of that, will you, he thinks bitterly.
“What’s up.”
“You’re still not dressed, I can tell. Well, rise and shine, because it’s time for you to have some fresh air! We’re hanging out at Jinri’s today.”
Some muffled groans.
“Jongin,” his voice is stern. “This isn’t an option. I’m trying to help you out here so you’re not depressed 24/7.”
Jongin scoffs. Leave it to Sehun to be especially blunt. “Who’s going?”
A slight pause. “Oh, just me, you, and Jinri. I still gotta beat you at that one game, you know. Bring your controller if you want.”
He sighs. “Alright, I’ll be there soon.” Jongin drags himself out of bed, blindly brushing his teeth and splashing some water onto his hair.
It is around 2 in the afternoon when he rings the doorbell, hands shoved in his jean pockets and sleeves of his plaid shirt rolled up. Sehun answers the door and immediately breaks down into a fit of laughter.
“What?”
“Sorry,” he chokes out. “I don’t know why but I just find it funny that your hair is sticking up everywhere. You really didn’t try, did you?”
Jongin glares at him. “Thanks for the warm welcome.” And he brushes past Sehun into the living room, where he sees Jinri waving to him. His gaze shifts to the right, and - he has to do a double-take. Soojung? She looks equally surprised, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Her eyes are large in shock, her hair framing her face perfectly. His mouth runs dry and it feels like he swallowed a pound of lead. He knits his eyebrows. “Sehun.”
The other boy grins sheepishly, and Jinri also has to hide her smile. “Alright, now that everyone is here,” Sehun exclaims (is he usually this enthusiastic? Jongin wonders). “We can officially start our Pokemon brawl tournament!”
The only open seat is on the couch next to Soojung, and Jongin almost debates sitting on the floor instead, but Sehun (he’s going to get that kid for sure) practically grabs him by the shoulders to make him sit down next to the girl in question. Jongin scoots as far away as possible, his right leg pressed tightly against the armrest, and he sees her do the same. Talk about awkward. He’s really going to kill Jinri and Sehun later.
It seems as if Jinri and Sehun are in their own world, setting up the game console and debating on who gets what player. When they ask Jongin to make his selection, he can barely think straight because he’s still in shock, really. The tension on his side of the room is a little bit too much to bear. But he ignores it the best he can, and soon enough, all four of them are engrossed in a battle of epic proportions, with Jongin and Soojung occasionally making life-threatening blunders, much to the joy of the other two who took full advantage of the opportunity. He is so into it that he doesn’t notice himself shifting position so that he is no longer pasted against the side of the sofa.
Sehun yelps when he emerges as the champion, and Jongin rolls his eyes.
“I’m hungry,” Jinri declares.
“Come on, let’s go get snacks in the kitchen. I’ll come with you,” Sehun agrees, not sparing a glance back as the two leave the living room.
As soon as they’re gone, the atmosphere becomes tense again between him and Soojung. None of them want to look at the other, so they just stare straight ahead at the TV.
“I can’t believe they tricked us,” Soojung starts.
He can taste the bitterness in her words. “I know, right.”
A minute of silence. He can practically touch the tension in the air and he can barely hear anything over his pounding heart.
“Well, we’re here now,” she says, resigned. She turns to him now, finally getting a good look at him. He’s feeling self-conscious, namely because according to Sehun, his hair game isn’t the greatest today - but he reminds himself that he shouldn’t care anyway. After all, it is just Soojung, right?
His resolve falters. No, it is not just Soojung. He tries to fix his hair subtly, if by subtly he means making himself look like a fool in front of a girl (that he loves). She laughs then, and it’s music to his ears. “Later we have to fix that hair of yours.”
He blushes. “Didn’t really have time to deal with it this morning,” he mutters under his breath, but there is a hint of a grin upon his lips.
She looks at him for a little longer, her eyes twinkling. Oh, how he has missed this. “Let’s go see what Sehun and Jinri are up to. Those mischievous brats.”
He nods in agreement. They walk side by side to the kitchen and ignore the ear-to-ear smiles on his friends’ faces when they notice them coming in, finally talking again. He watches in amusement as Sehun and Jinri fail at making pasta (how they manage to do that, he has no idea) and Soojung has to jump in to prevent the pot from overflowing with boiling water. He looks around. Maybe this isn’t too bad after all.
||+||+||+||
After giving up on trying to cook their own dinner, they end up ordering fried chicken and Jongin almost dies of happiness, she notices.
“Don’t get fat,” Sehun warns Jongin playfully.
“When it comes to chicken, really, he could care less,” Jinri comments, scrunching her nose at the oil on her fingers but inhaling her share just the same.
Soojung glances around. The house is as fancy as Jongin’s, with its pristine cleanliness and marble floors and expensive paintings and sculptures - but oddly, she feels right at home. Her focus then turns to the others and that’s when she realizes that it’s because she’s finally found true friends - none of that shallow crap. She bites her lower lip, still not sure what to make of it in the long run, though.
“Hey, it’s getting late,” Jinri speaks up, noticing the darkening sky outside. “You guys should all just sleep over or something. It’ll be fun!”
She doesn’t want to inconvenience her friend any further, although she’s sure Jinri would flat-out deny it. But as much as she would love to stay, she’s feeling a bit drained from the constant high energy (Jinri must run on super high-tech batteries or something) and needs a bit of time to herself. “It’s alright, I think I’m going to head home after this.”
“Aww,” Jinri responds. “Well, if that’s what you want.” The girl leans her head on Soojung’s shoulder. “Hope you liked it though,” she whispers, winking, and Soojung fights the urge to slap the stupid grin off her face.
After she helps clean up all the trash on the table, Soojung makes a move to leave. “Bye, guys, thanks for inviting me over.”
She’s about to step out of the front door when -
“Wait.”
She turns around, curious. It’s Jongin. “I’ll walk you home,” he says, then his voice drops to an embarrassed whisper. “Might as well head back too.”
And that’s how Soojung finds herself walking alone with Jongin on a secluded residential street, the dark indigo sky scattered with glistening stars. It reminds her of the starlit skies at the beach, hushed murmurs and hand-holding and sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck, and it has felt like an eternity since then.
“Hey,” he starts, eyes stuck to the sidewalk.
“Hmm?”
He tears his gaze away from the ground and makes himself look at her. “Look, I’m extremely sorry.”
She swallows. Although forgotten for a while, the pain in her heart creeps back at his words. “You don’t have to be,” she manages.
“No, I really feel horrible. I don’t know how this happened, but whatever I said or did, I apologize sincerely.” His words are running together, out of nervousness, she supposes.
“Am I special to you?” she asks suddenly.
He’s taken aback. “Of course,” he answers, and she’s studying his features now underneath the moonlight glow and she can tell - he means it, but her heart is still doubtful.
“But you would never admit that to your father.”
She’s bitter, she knows. And selfish, too, but she can’t help it. She can see the conflict in his face and she looks away in disappointment. Nothing had changed at all. She shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up -
“I would,” he says, the look in his eyes hardening in determination. “I will.”
It’s her turn to be surprised. “I never would have thought…” Her voice is soft, bewildered.
He faces her, gently holding her by the shoulders. “Soojung,” her breath hitches at the way he says her name - tender, passionate, kind - “This past week has been agonizing for me. I couldn’t bear being away from you, being ignored…I was falling apart, Soojung.” He pauses, searching her eyes desperately. “If you are willing to try, just one more time, I would be so overjoyed. I love you. I love you, I love you, I love -”
“Jongin,” she breathes, her walls crumbling. She hugs him now, feeling his chest pressed against hers, his strong arms embracing her tightly. She knows it’s foolish, but she wants to believe him, believe that everything might turn out okay. “I love you, too.”
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part 4b