at least it's not furry. //// kangteuk
I just .. don't even know. Teukie's old. So is Albus. This was the ...initial idea. Then it got out of hand. Then it got even more out of hand.
The ending is not something I am proud of.
universal youth charm
kangteuk, smidgeon of hyukmin, albus dumbledore/teukie friendship (yes). 3,000 words. CRACK.
The man was dressed in long dark blue robes and he was wearing a very strange hat. Eeteuk, his arms tight around the man as they embraced at the Seoul airport, did not seem to mind his weird appearance.
“When he said, 'old friend',” Eunhyuk said. “I didn't think he meant this old.”
“Nobody say anything,” Kangin said, looking at the other members. “They're apparently very close, I don't want Teukie's feelings to be hurt.”
“Does this ..Arbas speak Korean?” Shindong asked, looking at the approaching man (hand in hand with Leader) suspiciously.
“Apparently he does,” Kangin answered and put on a huge grin to match Eeteuk's.
“Guys, I want you to meet Albus-hyung,” Eeteuk said and introduced every member to the old man separately. He seemed unable to stop smiling.
“Annyong haseyo,” the old man told all of them and bowed. “I must apologise for my attire. I've just come from a delightful costume party. I went as a wizard.”
Eeteuk was the only one to laugh until Kangin glared at the members and they all forced out an awkward chuckle.
*
Albus Dumbledore looked older than all of the members ages combined but was strangely energetic and enthusiastic about everything they did.
“Oh yes, of course I know Miracle.” He smiled kindly. “I listen to it often in my office. The English sections incorporated into the Korean lyrics are quite Shakespearean in my opinion, as I've already told Jungsu-sshi.”
For once, even Heechul found it difficult to come up with anything to say.
Eeteuk couldn't have been happier, though. “Is he not brilliant? We've known for so long, it's fantastic he's finally able to visit me.”
“Jungsu-sshi has not aged a day since I last saw him,” Albus said with a mildly teasing tone that only made Eeteuk smile wider.
“Oh, neither have you, hyung.”
Kangin looked around the table, varying degrees of despair visible on the members' faces. After dinner, even Hankyung approached him.
“That was ...weird.”
“I know, Han, I know.”
“When he is leaving?” Hankyung asked, frowning.
“When is he leaving, and I don't know.” Kangin patted Hankyung's shoulder. “Sorry”
*
“Should I be jealous?” Kangin asked Eeteuk one evening before bed.
“Why would you be jealous?” Eeteuk asked with a smile on his face.
“You seem a bit too close to him.” Kangin folded his arms. “And he's old. It seems very disturbing.”
“I'm old, too,” Eeteuk said with emphasis.
“Why did he ask about your 'wand'?” Kangin asked indignantly. “There's no innocent way to interpret that, you know.”
Eeteuk climbed to their bed, not smiling any more. “You heard that?”
“Yeah, I heard it,” Kangin said.
“Don't worry about it, okay? We've got our own sense of humor, me and Albus.” Eeteuk smiled and kissed Kangin's cheek. “Okay? Goodnight.”
Kangin just sat in the dark until something occurred to him. “If you had a secret, you'd tell me, right?” he then asked Eeteuk, poking his side.
No reply.
“Right?” Kangin asked the darkness again.
There was something suspicious about this.
*
Albus went to their MV shooting and Sukira and was backstage when they performed at Music Bank. Little by little, the members got used to him being there, and some even befriended him.
“He's like Teukie-sshi,” Sungmin told Kangin with a grin on his face. “Except, you know, really old.”
“It's really fun,” Eunhyuk agreed.
“It's weird,” Kangin insisted.
*
Eventually Albus approached Kangin.
“These chocopies are extraordinary,” the old man said, sitting down on the couch next to Kangin. “Wish we had something like this in England.”
“About that,” Kangin began innocently, “where is this 'Hogwarts' you keep mentioning? I couldn't find it on Google Maps when I tried.”
“Did you spell it correct?” Albus asked.
“Yes,” Kangin answered irritably.
“In that case, I must contact this Guggle immediately.” Albus smiled. “And may I just say, your group's hospitality has been heart-warming.”
“Glad to hear it,” Kangin said sarcastically.
“Jungsu-sshi appreciates you all very much. Especially you, Kim Youngwoon.” Albus paused. “In fact, he appreciates you so much there is something he wishes he could share with you.”
Kangin looked at Albus, curious. “What is it?”
“You'll figure it out, with time.” Albus smiled enigmatically and took the remote control. “Oh, Lord of the Rings! People always tell me I look like this Gandalf chap.”
“The long beard doesn't really help,” Kangin remarked. “What is it with you and wizards?”
“I find magic in the most ordinary things,” Albus said casually.
“It's weird,” Kangin said.
“Do you really think so?”
“I don't know,” Kangin said. “I guess it's just different.”
“Yes, different,” Albus replied. “I think I'll retire to my bed chambers right now.”
“Night,” Kangin said.
A part of him was beginning to like the old man, he had to reluctantly admit.
*
Eeteuk slipped into their bed after coming home from Sukira.
“Hey,” he said, pressing against Kangin's body. “How was your evening?”
“I talked to Albus.”
“That's lovely.”
“It's sort of weird, how he's cast a spell over us. Everybody seems to really like him now.”
“Albus would never cast a spell in public!” Eeteuk exclaimed, sitting up suddenly.
“What?!”
“Oh,” Eeteuk said, laughing nervously. “I'm just hyper, nevermind.”
“If you're hyper, maybe we should..” Kangin trailed off, moving his hand against Eeteuk's stomach, slipping under the t-shirt.
There was a cough coming from the floor.
“Sorry, Hankyung,” Eeteuk said, moving Kangin's hand away.
“It's okay,” Hankyung answered in accented Korean. “I knew it would be a risk to give my room to Albus and room with you guys.”
Kangin didn't know whether he was more disappointed or embarrassed.
“Goodnight,” Eeteuk simply announced and buried his head against the pillow.
*
Kangin thought to seek advice from the least insane person in the group.
“Why does everybody assume I'm wise like a sage because I don't talk much?” Kibum asked, frowning.
“Are you calling yourself dumb?” Kangin asked. “I can ask somebody else, too.”
“No, ask me, I'm totally enlightened,” Kibum said, rolling his eyes. “What's up?”
Kangin told about his conversation with Albus.
“Well, if we ignore the enormous possibility that this old man is more or less mentally unstable, I'd say maybe you should think about times when it has seemed like Eeteuk has a secret he's not sharing with you.”
“You mean times he's been weird?” Kangin asked.
“Times he's been weirder than usual,” Kibum specified.
Kangin nodded and left.
“Even us gurus could use a word of thanks!” Kibum yelled after him.
*
“We're going to the zoo with Albus,” Eeteuk said, entering the computer room. “Are you coming with us?”
“No, I have ..research to do,” Kangin replied.
“Okay,” Eeteuk said. “Well, we'll be back later.”
When the door clicked closed, Kangin went back to the list he'd been typing out.
Times Park Jungsu Has Been Weirder Than Usual, the list header said.
Kangin began remembering.
*
Kangin got drunk and ended up throwing up for an entire afternoon.
“Jungsu-ah,” he whined. “Make it stop, please.”
“I could,” Eeteuk replied. “But the Korean Ministry of Magic banned that spell to stop people from drinking soju in excess.”
“I think I'm still drunk,” Kangin said, “because what you just said made no fucking sense whatsoever.”
*
Eunhyuk and Donghae were discussing some Chinese history event with Hankyung. Eeteuk walked into the living-room, and Kangin was watching TV.
“You're all wrong,” Eeteuk told them. “That war was stopped thanks to the help of Mongolian cave trolls.”
“The what?” Donghae asked, looking weirded out.
“Schedules!” Eeteuk exclaimed. “I have to go now.”
*
“Finally,” Eeteuk said with a smile after Kangin had kissed him for the first time. “I was afraid I would have to use an illegal love potion on you.”
“Chloroform?” Kangin asked.
“No, the actual love potions.” Eeteuk looked thoughtful for a while. “Potions was never my strongest subject, though..”
“You're so weird,” Kangin said and kissed him again.
*
Eeteuk finished telling him about Albus.
“Where did you get to know him?” Kangin asked, having not really listened too carefully.
“Albus-hyung was a sunbae at the International Higher Academy of Wizardry,” Eeteuk said and then stuttered for a bit.
“You went to an international school?” Kangin asked, sounding impressed. “Wow.”
*
Kangin pulled Eeteuk closer and Eeteuk sighed happily.
“You know,” Eeteuk said, “you're the first person I've loved in over four decades.”
“You're adorably bad at math, you know that?” Kangin said with a grin.
Eeteuk just looked at him and smiled.
*
“This is so it!” Eunhyuk told Kangin angrily.
“What's wrong?”
“It's okay if you're gay, but do you also have to be perverts?” Eunhyuk asked. “Sungmin, tell him what we found under Teukie's pillow.”
“It's like a ...stick,” Sungmin said, handing the object to Kangin.
“I've never seen it before,” Kangin said honestly, studying it. He then looked at the two. “But what the hell were you two doing on our bed?”
Eunhyuk blushed. “Well, that, actually --” He then snorted. “Pervert! Let's go, Sungmin.”
“It's a very soft bed, hyung,” Sungmin told Kangin with a smile while Eunhyuk was pulling him to another direction.
*
The pieces were coming together and Kangin sort of didn't want them to.
Nothing made sense. Everything made sense.
He sat through dinner in silence. After it, he knocked on Albus' room door.
“Youngwoon-sshi!” Albus said happily. “Nice to see you again.”
“Albus-hyung,” Kangin began. “Is Park Jungsu a wizard?”
Albus sat down on the only chair in the room and gestured for Kangin to sit on the bed. He then took a wooden stick from the inside pocket of his jacket and waved it around, muttering an odd phrase. The bed underneath Kangin transformed into a chair not much unlike the one Albus was sitting on.
Kangin stared at the chair, wide-eyed.
“He is a wizard indeed, Youngwoon,” Albus said, “and so am I.”
*
After Albus had conjured a table, a pot of tea and cups - spoons, milk containers and sugar cubes, the whole works - he finally began his story.
“The International Academy was a fantastic place where the most brilliant of wizards and witches sought further education. Me and Jungsu were among the top ten students of the school and we got along fantastically.” Albus took a sip of tea. “We kept contact after graduation and flourished in own separate wizarding communities. Jungsu was solely responsible for translating the incantations which had previously been spoken in Ancient Chinese all over Asia into Korean, but of course, he is more known for the Universal Youth Charm.”
“The Universal Youth Charm?” Kangin repeated stupidly.
“Made a lot of elder witches very happy, it did,” Albus said with a smile. “Of course, that was before he tried to enhance it and make it work better. At first it just removed a couple of wrinkles - quite enough if you ask me. But Jungsu, forever striving for improvement, wanted more out of it. He tested it on himself and ended up looking ten years old.”
“Wow,” Kangin said.
“Yes, it was quite awkward for him. You try being one of the most brilliant people of your time and have people treat you like a child,” Albus said sadly. “Luckily within a decade we found an anti-dote. It refused to age him any further than 24, however. Awfully tragic for somebody his age but he got used to it and quite enjoys being the age, now.”
“So how old is he ...really?” Kangin asked.
“Not much younger than I am.”
“And you are..?”
“143 in a couple of months,” Albus said, smiling. “Though I'm not sure what that is in Korean years.”
“This is so weird,” Kangin said.
“Weird .. or different?” Albus asked. “You're okay with this, I hope.”
“It's just .. quite an age difference between us.”
“Well,” Albus said, “he is very young at heart.”
“I guess,” Kangin said.
“I hope you won't leave him because of this,” Albus said. “He's hardly ever been this happy. The group has become his everything.”
“I-- I have to think about this,” Kangin said, thanked for the tea and left the room.
None of it made any sense. Everything made sense.
*
“Hey,” Eeteuk mumbled when Kangin entered their bedroom later that evening. “Where've you been?”
“I went out for a walk,” Kangin said, pulling off his sweater and sitting on the edge of the bed.
“It's so cold outside, you must be crazy,” Eeteuk said as he hugged Kangin closer.
“If you had a secret,” Kangin began, “you'd tell me, right?”
“Eventually,” Eeteuk said, settling his head on Kangin's shoulder. “Hey, Hankyung left for China, we could..”
“I'm really tired,” Kangin said and flopped down onto the bed.
*
Albus left a few days later and there were tears at the airport. None from Eeteuk's eyes, however.
“We'll owl,” he told Albus with a grin.
“Why of course,” Albus replied and looked at Kangin. “Youngwoon-sshi, I hope you consider what I said when we last talked.”
Kangin simply nodded.
Eeteuk looked from one of them to the other one but didn't say anything.
Sungmin, Eunhyuk and Donghae rushed to hug Albus goodbye.
*
Kangin finished DJ'ing and checked his phone for messages.
“Come back home as soon as possible, I have somebody I'd like you to meet,” Eeteuk has sent him.
When he finally arrived to the apartment, Eeteuk was alone. He was sitting on the sofa, looking nervous and next to him, a caramel brown owl was cleaning itself.
“Kim Youngwoon, meet Seundo. He's my ..owl.” Eeteuk held out his hand as the bird flew on it. “He's usually under invisibility charm so you can't see him fly in and out.”
“Oh,” Kangin said. The bird bowed towards him. Feeling stupid, Kangin bowed at the bird as well.
“This is my wand,” Eeteuk said, placing the wooden object on the table. “I obviously don't use it any more and it's no Elder Wand but it has great sentimental value. Cherry tree, 11 inches, with mermaid scale.”
“Right,” Kangin said stupidly. He sat down on the sofa. “Am I the only one who knows about ...this?”
“No, Lee Soo-man knows as well.” Eeteuk smiled. “He was one of Merlin's students, you know? Not very gifted in magic but brilliant at marketing.”
“Wow,” Kangin could only say.
“Does this change anything?” Eeteuk asked, worried.
“Yes,” Kangin said, “and no. I don't know. You're old.”
“You knew I was old.”
“Not old,” Kangin said.
Eeteuk was frowning. “I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, then.”
Kangin moved closer on the sofa. “No, it's not.. I mean. You're still you.”
“Right.”
“And I still love you and ..it's weird. No, it's different.” Kangin nodded to himself. “It's just different.”
Kangin took the wand that Eeteuk was holding.
“It won't be that different,” Eeteuk said.
“I know,” Kangin said and leaned in to kiss him. Just as their lips met, the door opened and various members entered.
“Dude!” Eunhyuk exclaimed. “They have the wooden stick out and they're licking face!”
“Gross,” Shindong said, giving Kangin and Eeteuk a dirty look.
“I hope the owl's not supposed to be involved in whatever they're doing,” Donghae said.
Eeteuk began laughing uncontrollably while Kangin shoved the wand to him.
“Go on, old man, hex them for me,” he told Eeteuk but Eeteuk couldn't stop laughing.
“You should tell him already, hyung,” Sungmin said, frowning.
“Tell me what?” Kangin asked.
“Jungsu isn't a wizard,” Sungmin said with a sigh. “After filming the mini-drama you started bragging about how you couldn't be tricked by anybody. So we thought, we'd teach you a lesson.”
“You'd what?!”
“It took a lot of planning,” Shindong said. “But totally worth it. Kibum's foreign contacts found us our Albus Dumbledore and then we were set.”
“If you had read the Harry Potter books, you would've guessed it right off the bat,” Eunhyuk said, flopping down on the sofa next to the still-hysteric Eeteuk. “Lucky for us, you don't read much.”
“You guys are so fucking dead,” Kangin said menacingly. “Especially you,” he told Eeteuk.
“I think it's sweet,” said Kibum. “You'd love him even if he was over 100 years old. Very unsuperficial.”
“Yeah,” Yesung agreed. “I personally bet money that you would dump him.”
“I am dumping him,” Kangin said. Eeteuk finally stopped laughing.
“You can't leave me,” he said with a grin. “I'll put a spell on you.”
“Har har,” Kangin said. “This prank went too far.”
“Oh please,” Hankyung said. “You're just angry because we got you.”
Kangin scowled. "No, it's not that, it's that -- that -- are we going to keep the bird or what?”
“The 14th member,” Eeteuk said, petting the owl. “I named him Henry.”
“Does he poo inside?” Kangin asked.
“We'll find out sooner or later,” Eeteuk said happily.
*
Kangin couldn't get any sleep.
“Jungsu,” he called into the darkness.
Eeteuk mumbled in answer.
“He did magic. The foreign old guy. He did magic, and I saw it. It wasn't a part of the prank, was it?”
“You're imagining it,” Eeteuk said sleepily. “He was just an actor.”
“Hankyung's room didn't use to have two chairs,” Kangin said.
“The manager hyung must've bought a second one,” Eeteuk said.
“We don't have any tea because all of us only drink coffee,” Kangin said.
Eeteuk wrapped his limbs around Kangin and promptly fell asleep. Kangin stayed awake, listening to Eeteuk's breathing and staring at the darkness surrounding him.
epilogue
A couple of weeks later, Henry flies to Kangin's window and is carrying a small envelope in its beak.
“Fucking hilarious, you guys,” Kangin yells at the members in the living room when he gets the letter.
“What are you talking about?” Donghae asks.
“The owl post, from 'Albus Dumbledore' in 'Hogwarts'.” Kangin unfolds the letter. “Dear Youngwoon-sshi, I'm sorry for lying about Jungsu. The boys promised me a lifetime supply of chocopies if I would play along.”
The members just stare at him.
Kangin continues reading, “However, whatever you saw me conjure out of thin air that evening was very much real. I hope you do not doubt your sanity because of this. Best wishes, Albus Dumbledore.”
“Huh,” Shindong says. “Did you guys send that? I didn't.”
“The prank is old news,” Donghae says. “Why would we bother?”
“Weird,” Sungmin says.
“Not weird,” Kangin says, folding the letter and putting it in his jeans pocket. “Just different.”
Some things simply are, he realizes then.
------
A/N: Yeah, the banjun .. had to happen. XDDDD
This is too crazy. EVEN FOR ME.
Edit, my fic is SO canon:
QN8: What is the biggest age difference for someone older than you(in a relationship) that u can accept?
Teuk: Age shouldnt be a problem. After all, age is only a matter of numbers.
Yeh: Up till now, all of the girlfriends that i have are either smaller than me or same age as me, haven't been in a relationship with someone older. But recently, i'm starting to have an interest for ppl older than me.
Teuk: As for me, when the feeling is right, age doesnt matter.
DJ: yehyeh;
Teuk: Its true.
korean > chinese translation: amyno @ leedonghae.cn, chinese > english translation: *-meLon`|| @ soompi
For realz.
The ending is not something I am proud of.
universal youth charm
kangteuk, smidgeon of hyukmin, albus dumbledore/teukie friendship (yes). 3,000 words. CRACK.
The man was dressed in long dark blue robes and he was wearing a very strange hat. Eeteuk, his arms tight around the man as they embraced at the Seoul airport, did not seem to mind his weird appearance.
“When he said, 'old friend',” Eunhyuk said. “I didn't think he meant this old.”
“Nobody say anything,” Kangin said, looking at the other members. “They're apparently very close, I don't want Teukie's feelings to be hurt.”
“Does this ..Arbas speak Korean?” Shindong asked, looking at the approaching man (hand in hand with Leader) suspiciously.
“Apparently he does,” Kangin answered and put on a huge grin to match Eeteuk's.
“Guys, I want you to meet Albus-hyung,” Eeteuk said and introduced every member to the old man separately. He seemed unable to stop smiling.
“Annyong haseyo,” the old man told all of them and bowed. “I must apologise for my attire. I've just come from a delightful costume party. I went as a wizard.”
Eeteuk was the only one to laugh until Kangin glared at the members and they all forced out an awkward chuckle.
*
Albus Dumbledore looked older than all of the members ages combined but was strangely energetic and enthusiastic about everything they did.
“Oh yes, of course I know Miracle.” He smiled kindly. “I listen to it often in my office. The English sections incorporated into the Korean lyrics are quite Shakespearean in my opinion, as I've already told Jungsu-sshi.”
For once, even Heechul found it difficult to come up with anything to say.
Eeteuk couldn't have been happier, though. “Is he not brilliant? We've known for so long, it's fantastic he's finally able to visit me.”
“Jungsu-sshi has not aged a day since I last saw him,” Albus said with a mildly teasing tone that only made Eeteuk smile wider.
“Oh, neither have you, hyung.”
Kangin looked around the table, varying degrees of despair visible on the members' faces. After dinner, even Hankyung approached him.
“That was ...weird.”
“I know, Han, I know.”
“When he is leaving?” Hankyung asked, frowning.
“When is he leaving, and I don't know.” Kangin patted Hankyung's shoulder. “Sorry”
*
“Should I be jealous?” Kangin asked Eeteuk one evening before bed.
“Why would you be jealous?” Eeteuk asked with a smile on his face.
“You seem a bit too close to him.” Kangin folded his arms. “And he's old. It seems very disturbing.”
“I'm old, too,” Eeteuk said with emphasis.
“Why did he ask about your 'wand'?” Kangin asked indignantly. “There's no innocent way to interpret that, you know.”
Eeteuk climbed to their bed, not smiling any more. “You heard that?”
“Yeah, I heard it,” Kangin said.
“Don't worry about it, okay? We've got our own sense of humor, me and Albus.” Eeteuk smiled and kissed Kangin's cheek. “Okay? Goodnight.”
Kangin just sat in the dark until something occurred to him. “If you had a secret, you'd tell me, right?” he then asked Eeteuk, poking his side.
No reply.
“Right?” Kangin asked the darkness again.
There was something suspicious about this.
*
Albus went to their MV shooting and Sukira and was backstage when they performed at Music Bank. Little by little, the members got used to him being there, and some even befriended him.
“He's like Teukie-sshi,” Sungmin told Kangin with a grin on his face. “Except, you know, really old.”
“It's really fun,” Eunhyuk agreed.
“It's weird,” Kangin insisted.
*
Eventually Albus approached Kangin.
“These chocopies are extraordinary,” the old man said, sitting down on the couch next to Kangin. “Wish we had something like this in England.”
“About that,” Kangin began innocently, “where is this 'Hogwarts' you keep mentioning? I couldn't find it on Google Maps when I tried.”
“Did you spell it correct?” Albus asked.
“Yes,” Kangin answered irritably.
“In that case, I must contact this Guggle immediately.” Albus smiled. “And may I just say, your group's hospitality has been heart-warming.”
“Glad to hear it,” Kangin said sarcastically.
“Jungsu-sshi appreciates you all very much. Especially you, Kim Youngwoon.” Albus paused. “In fact, he appreciates you so much there is something he wishes he could share with you.”
Kangin looked at Albus, curious. “What is it?”
“You'll figure it out, with time.” Albus smiled enigmatically and took the remote control. “Oh, Lord of the Rings! People always tell me I look like this Gandalf chap.”
“The long beard doesn't really help,” Kangin remarked. “What is it with you and wizards?”
“I find magic in the most ordinary things,” Albus said casually.
“It's weird,” Kangin said.
“Do you really think so?”
“I don't know,” Kangin said. “I guess it's just different.”
“Yes, different,” Albus replied. “I think I'll retire to my bed chambers right now.”
“Night,” Kangin said.
A part of him was beginning to like the old man, he had to reluctantly admit.
*
Eeteuk slipped into their bed after coming home from Sukira.
“Hey,” he said, pressing against Kangin's body. “How was your evening?”
“I talked to Albus.”
“That's lovely.”
“It's sort of weird, how he's cast a spell over us. Everybody seems to really like him now.”
“Albus would never cast a spell in public!” Eeteuk exclaimed, sitting up suddenly.
“What?!”
“Oh,” Eeteuk said, laughing nervously. “I'm just hyper, nevermind.”
“If you're hyper, maybe we should..” Kangin trailed off, moving his hand against Eeteuk's stomach, slipping under the t-shirt.
There was a cough coming from the floor.
“Sorry, Hankyung,” Eeteuk said, moving Kangin's hand away.
“It's okay,” Hankyung answered in accented Korean. “I knew it would be a risk to give my room to Albus and room with you guys.”
Kangin didn't know whether he was more disappointed or embarrassed.
“Goodnight,” Eeteuk simply announced and buried his head against the pillow.
*
Kangin thought to seek advice from the least insane person in the group.
“Why does everybody assume I'm wise like a sage because I don't talk much?” Kibum asked, frowning.
“Are you calling yourself dumb?” Kangin asked. “I can ask somebody else, too.”
“No, ask me, I'm totally enlightened,” Kibum said, rolling his eyes. “What's up?”
Kangin told about his conversation with Albus.
“Well, if we ignore the enormous possibility that this old man is more or less mentally unstable, I'd say maybe you should think about times when it has seemed like Eeteuk has a secret he's not sharing with you.”
“You mean times he's been weird?” Kangin asked.
“Times he's been weirder than usual,” Kibum specified.
Kangin nodded and left.
“Even us gurus could use a word of thanks!” Kibum yelled after him.
*
“We're going to the zoo with Albus,” Eeteuk said, entering the computer room. “Are you coming with us?”
“No, I have ..research to do,” Kangin replied.
“Okay,” Eeteuk said. “Well, we'll be back later.”
When the door clicked closed, Kangin went back to the list he'd been typing out.
Times Park Jungsu Has Been Weirder Than Usual, the list header said.
Kangin began remembering.
*
Kangin got drunk and ended up throwing up for an entire afternoon.
“Jungsu-ah,” he whined. “Make it stop, please.”
“I could,” Eeteuk replied. “But the Korean Ministry of Magic banned that spell to stop people from drinking soju in excess.”
“I think I'm still drunk,” Kangin said, “because what you just said made no fucking sense whatsoever.”
*
Eunhyuk and Donghae were discussing some Chinese history event with Hankyung. Eeteuk walked into the living-room, and Kangin was watching TV.
“You're all wrong,” Eeteuk told them. “That war was stopped thanks to the help of Mongolian cave trolls.”
“The what?” Donghae asked, looking weirded out.
“Schedules!” Eeteuk exclaimed. “I have to go now.”
*
“Finally,” Eeteuk said with a smile after Kangin had kissed him for the first time. “I was afraid I would have to use an illegal love potion on you.”
“Chloroform?” Kangin asked.
“No, the actual love potions.” Eeteuk looked thoughtful for a while. “Potions was never my strongest subject, though..”
“You're so weird,” Kangin said and kissed him again.
*
Eeteuk finished telling him about Albus.
“Where did you get to know him?” Kangin asked, having not really listened too carefully.
“Albus-hyung was a sunbae at the International Higher Academy of Wizardry,” Eeteuk said and then stuttered for a bit.
“You went to an international school?” Kangin asked, sounding impressed. “Wow.”
*
Kangin pulled Eeteuk closer and Eeteuk sighed happily.
“You know,” Eeteuk said, “you're the first person I've loved in over four decades.”
“You're adorably bad at math, you know that?” Kangin said with a grin.
Eeteuk just looked at him and smiled.
*
“This is so it!” Eunhyuk told Kangin angrily.
“What's wrong?”
“It's okay if you're gay, but do you also have to be perverts?” Eunhyuk asked. “Sungmin, tell him what we found under Teukie's pillow.”
“It's like a ...stick,” Sungmin said, handing the object to Kangin.
“I've never seen it before,” Kangin said honestly, studying it. He then looked at the two. “But what the hell were you two doing on our bed?”
Eunhyuk blushed. “Well, that, actually --” He then snorted. “Pervert! Let's go, Sungmin.”
“It's a very soft bed, hyung,” Sungmin told Kangin with a smile while Eunhyuk was pulling him to another direction.
*
The pieces were coming together and Kangin sort of didn't want them to.
Nothing made sense. Everything made sense.
He sat through dinner in silence. After it, he knocked on Albus' room door.
“Youngwoon-sshi!” Albus said happily. “Nice to see you again.”
“Albus-hyung,” Kangin began. “Is Park Jungsu a wizard?”
Albus sat down on the only chair in the room and gestured for Kangin to sit on the bed. He then took a wooden stick from the inside pocket of his jacket and waved it around, muttering an odd phrase. The bed underneath Kangin transformed into a chair not much unlike the one Albus was sitting on.
Kangin stared at the chair, wide-eyed.
“He is a wizard indeed, Youngwoon,” Albus said, “and so am I.”
*
After Albus had conjured a table, a pot of tea and cups - spoons, milk containers and sugar cubes, the whole works - he finally began his story.
“The International Academy was a fantastic place where the most brilliant of wizards and witches sought further education. Me and Jungsu were among the top ten students of the school and we got along fantastically.” Albus took a sip of tea. “We kept contact after graduation and flourished in own separate wizarding communities. Jungsu was solely responsible for translating the incantations which had previously been spoken in Ancient Chinese all over Asia into Korean, but of course, he is more known for the Universal Youth Charm.”
“The Universal Youth Charm?” Kangin repeated stupidly.
“Made a lot of elder witches very happy, it did,” Albus said with a smile. “Of course, that was before he tried to enhance it and make it work better. At first it just removed a couple of wrinkles - quite enough if you ask me. But Jungsu, forever striving for improvement, wanted more out of it. He tested it on himself and ended up looking ten years old.”
“Wow,” Kangin said.
“Yes, it was quite awkward for him. You try being one of the most brilliant people of your time and have people treat you like a child,” Albus said sadly. “Luckily within a decade we found an anti-dote. It refused to age him any further than 24, however. Awfully tragic for somebody his age but he got used to it and quite enjoys being the age, now.”
“So how old is he ...really?” Kangin asked.
“Not much younger than I am.”
“And you are..?”
“143 in a couple of months,” Albus said, smiling. “Though I'm not sure what that is in Korean years.”
“This is so weird,” Kangin said.
“Weird .. or different?” Albus asked. “You're okay with this, I hope.”
“It's just .. quite an age difference between us.”
“Well,” Albus said, “he is very young at heart.”
“I guess,” Kangin said.
“I hope you won't leave him because of this,” Albus said. “He's hardly ever been this happy. The group has become his everything.”
“I-- I have to think about this,” Kangin said, thanked for the tea and left the room.
None of it made any sense. Everything made sense.
*
“Hey,” Eeteuk mumbled when Kangin entered their bedroom later that evening. “Where've you been?”
“I went out for a walk,” Kangin said, pulling off his sweater and sitting on the edge of the bed.
“It's so cold outside, you must be crazy,” Eeteuk said as he hugged Kangin closer.
“If you had a secret,” Kangin began, “you'd tell me, right?”
“Eventually,” Eeteuk said, settling his head on Kangin's shoulder. “Hey, Hankyung left for China, we could..”
“I'm really tired,” Kangin said and flopped down onto the bed.
*
Albus left a few days later and there were tears at the airport. None from Eeteuk's eyes, however.
“We'll owl,” he told Albus with a grin.
“Why of course,” Albus replied and looked at Kangin. “Youngwoon-sshi, I hope you consider what I said when we last talked.”
Kangin simply nodded.
Eeteuk looked from one of them to the other one but didn't say anything.
Sungmin, Eunhyuk and Donghae rushed to hug Albus goodbye.
*
Kangin finished DJ'ing and checked his phone for messages.
“Come back home as soon as possible, I have somebody I'd like you to meet,” Eeteuk has sent him.
When he finally arrived to the apartment, Eeteuk was alone. He was sitting on the sofa, looking nervous and next to him, a caramel brown owl was cleaning itself.
“Kim Youngwoon, meet Seundo. He's my ..owl.” Eeteuk held out his hand as the bird flew on it. “He's usually under invisibility charm so you can't see him fly in and out.”
“Oh,” Kangin said. The bird bowed towards him. Feeling stupid, Kangin bowed at the bird as well.
“This is my wand,” Eeteuk said, placing the wooden object on the table. “I obviously don't use it any more and it's no Elder Wand but it has great sentimental value. Cherry tree, 11 inches, with mermaid scale.”
“Right,” Kangin said stupidly. He sat down on the sofa. “Am I the only one who knows about ...this?”
“No, Lee Soo-man knows as well.” Eeteuk smiled. “He was one of Merlin's students, you know? Not very gifted in magic but brilliant at marketing.”
“Wow,” Kangin could only say.
“Does this change anything?” Eeteuk asked, worried.
“Yes,” Kangin said, “and no. I don't know. You're old.”
“You knew I was old.”
“Not old,” Kangin said.
Eeteuk was frowning. “I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, then.”
Kangin moved closer on the sofa. “No, it's not.. I mean. You're still you.”
“Right.”
“And I still love you and ..it's weird. No, it's different.” Kangin nodded to himself. “It's just different.”
Kangin took the wand that Eeteuk was holding.
“It won't be that different,” Eeteuk said.
“I know,” Kangin said and leaned in to kiss him. Just as their lips met, the door opened and various members entered.
“Dude!” Eunhyuk exclaimed. “They have the wooden stick out and they're licking face!”
“Gross,” Shindong said, giving Kangin and Eeteuk a dirty look.
“I hope the owl's not supposed to be involved in whatever they're doing,” Donghae said.
Eeteuk began laughing uncontrollably while Kangin shoved the wand to him.
“Go on, old man, hex them for me,” he told Eeteuk but Eeteuk couldn't stop laughing.
“You should tell him already, hyung,” Sungmin said, frowning.
“Tell me what?” Kangin asked.
“Jungsu isn't a wizard,” Sungmin said with a sigh. “After filming the mini-drama you started bragging about how you couldn't be tricked by anybody. So we thought, we'd teach you a lesson.”
“You'd what?!”
“It took a lot of planning,” Shindong said. “But totally worth it. Kibum's foreign contacts found us our Albus Dumbledore and then we were set.”
“If you had read the Harry Potter books, you would've guessed it right off the bat,” Eunhyuk said, flopping down on the sofa next to the still-hysteric Eeteuk. “Lucky for us, you don't read much.”
“You guys are so fucking dead,” Kangin said menacingly. “Especially you,” he told Eeteuk.
“I think it's sweet,” said Kibum. “You'd love him even if he was over 100 years old. Very unsuperficial.”
“Yeah,” Yesung agreed. “I personally bet money that you would dump him.”
“I am dumping him,” Kangin said. Eeteuk finally stopped laughing.
“You can't leave me,” he said with a grin. “I'll put a spell on you.”
“Har har,” Kangin said. “This prank went too far.”
“Oh please,” Hankyung said. “You're just angry because we got you.”
Kangin scowled. "No, it's not that, it's that -- that -- are we going to keep the bird or what?”
“The 14th member,” Eeteuk said, petting the owl. “I named him Henry.”
“Does he poo inside?” Kangin asked.
“We'll find out sooner or later,” Eeteuk said happily.
*
Kangin couldn't get any sleep.
“Jungsu,” he called into the darkness.
Eeteuk mumbled in answer.
“He did magic. The foreign old guy. He did magic, and I saw it. It wasn't a part of the prank, was it?”
“You're imagining it,” Eeteuk said sleepily. “He was just an actor.”
“Hankyung's room didn't use to have two chairs,” Kangin said.
“The manager hyung must've bought a second one,” Eeteuk said.
“We don't have any tea because all of us only drink coffee,” Kangin said.
Eeteuk wrapped his limbs around Kangin and promptly fell asleep. Kangin stayed awake, listening to Eeteuk's breathing and staring at the darkness surrounding him.
epilogue
A couple of weeks later, Henry flies to Kangin's window and is carrying a small envelope in its beak.
“Fucking hilarious, you guys,” Kangin yells at the members in the living room when he gets the letter.
“What are you talking about?” Donghae asks.
“The owl post, from 'Albus Dumbledore' in 'Hogwarts'.” Kangin unfolds the letter. “Dear Youngwoon-sshi, I'm sorry for lying about Jungsu. The boys promised me a lifetime supply of chocopies if I would play along.”
The members just stare at him.
Kangin continues reading, “However, whatever you saw me conjure out of thin air that evening was very much real. I hope you do not doubt your sanity because of this. Best wishes, Albus Dumbledore.”
“Huh,” Shindong says. “Did you guys send that? I didn't.”
“The prank is old news,” Donghae says. “Why would we bother?”
“Weird,” Sungmin says.
“Not weird,” Kangin says, folding the letter and putting it in his jeans pocket. “Just different.”
Some things simply are, he realizes then.
------
A/N: Yeah, the banjun .. had to happen. XDDDD
This is too crazy. EVEN FOR ME.
Edit, my fic is SO canon:
QN8: What is the biggest age difference for someone older than you(in a relationship) that u can accept?
Teuk: Age shouldnt be a problem. After all, age is only a matter of numbers.
Yeh: Up till now, all of the girlfriends that i have are either smaller than me or same age as me, haven't been in a relationship with someone older. But recently, i'm starting to have an interest for ppl older than me.
Teuk: As for me, when the feeling is right, age doesnt matter.
DJ: yehyeh;
Teuk: Its true.
korean > chinese translation: amyno @ leedonghae.cn, chinese > english translation: *-meLon`|| @ soompi
For realz.