Title: Our Existence
Pairing: KyuMin
Side Pairings: hinted!HaeHyuk + hinted!HenMi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Angst, Friendship
Summary: Sungmin and Kyuhyun fell in love. What's new?
Narrator's POV
It took strength to talk
Sungmin was a bartender. Kyuhyun's just a part time delivery boy trying to earn moneyfor college. Sungmin was 22. Kyuhyun was 18. 4 years apart. While Kyuhyun was merely 18, the age difference might put some off but years later as their relationship strengthened, it doesn’t seem all that ridiculous anymore.
The first time they met was on a frosty, cold night. Kyuhyun's lips were chattering as he stood by the back door of Sapphire Bar and Lounge. He huffed, feeling the weight of the box he was carrying killing him slowly as the wind blows unnaturally harsh. “Cassiopeia’s delivery!” he repeated for the umpteenth time. “Come on! Open the bloody door!”
He twisted his arms a little to sneak a peek at his watch. It was 4.15am already. He was supposed to be home by then. He had school at 9pm and his apartment was a million miles away. “Cassiope- oh thank god,” he sighed in relief as he saw the door cracking open.
“I’m sorry I was late! Jongwoon hyung was supposed to be at the door. He went off early without telling us,” a petite man appeared, chattering away in rapid Korean.
Kyuhyun, who was initially annoyed, looked up and froze. He didn’t realize how the box of beer bottles was slipping from his grasp. He didn’t even flinch as the loud sound of breaking beer bottles echoed through the eerie alley way.
The man was flawless. Kyuhyun wasn’t gay. At least he thinks he’s not. But the man was gorgeous; from the small but built body to the plump pink, defined lips. “Hello?” the man said. “Are you alright?”
Kyuhyun gulped. He’s talking to you. Talk. “Y-Yea,” Kyuhyun finally nodded. “Y-Yea I’m fine.”
“Come on,” the man said, holding out his hands towards Kyuhyun. “Let’s get you in. You’re freezing.”
The man’s eyes followed as Kyuhyun looked down towards the broken bottles. “It’s fine. I’ll get someone to clean it later on, come on, take my hand,” he said, shaking his held out hand a little to prove his point. “B-But...” Kyuhyun spluttered.
The man rolled his eyes, reaching out to take Kyuhyun's left hand by force and pulling the male inside. “You’re going to freeze to death,” the man clicked his tongue, releasing Kyuhyun only when they were in the building.
“S-Sorry,” Kyuhyun mumbled.
The man gave Kyuhyun a quizzical face. “You’re so weird,” he said. “Anyway, I’m Sungmin. Head of the lounge.”
“Lounge?” Kyuhyun said.
“You know… the place where you fuck someone in?” Sungmin said lightly, as if it wasn’t the dirtiest thing Kyuhyun had ever heard of. Sungmin giggled a little as he saw Kyuhyun's face. “We don’t have rooms here so people just use the lounges to f- I mean to do their business. So I suggest you don’t go in there.”
“I-Is it even legal?” Kyuhyun asked, squeaking as they past by half naked men devouring each other.
“Being gay isn’t too but that doesn’t stop anyone from being it,” Sungmin shrugged.
“W-Where are you taking me?” Kyuhyun asked.
“I’m bringing you to my room,” Sungmin answered simply.
“I thought you said that there were no rooms?”
“Well, the employees have them,” Sungmin explained. “So we won’t have to travel back and forth from our apartments. Alright, we’re here.”
Sungmin nodded towards the door at the furthest end of the hallway. “Let’s get you something to change into,” he said. “Are you sleeping over or going home?”
Kyuhyun glanced at his watch. 4:30am. He wouldn’t make it even if he went back. He rather sleeps in the bar and head to school straight. He glanced back up at Sungmin's waiting face and gulped. “Alright! Sleeping over it is,” Sungmin nodded, choosing to ignore Kyuhyun's spluttering.
“Do you want to sleep with me or Henli?” Sungmin asked as he pushed his door open.
“Henli?” Kyuhyun said.
“Yea, our magnae. How old are-wait, what’s your name again?” Sungmin started only to realize that he doesn’t know Kyuhyun's name.
“Kyuhyun. Cho Kyuhyun,” Kyuhyun answered softly.
“Ah. Kyuhyunnnie. How old are you?” Sungmin asked.
“Eighteen.”
“Oh! Henli’s 18 too!” Sungmin exclaimed. “Great. I’m sure Henli won’t mind. I’ll just call him now. There’s my closet. You can choose something from there. Go on. Make yourself at home.”
Kyuhyun blinked, still confused at Sungmin's fast ramblings and continued to stare at the door -where Sungmin had skipped out to- for a few seconds before he realized that he was still freezing cold. He eyed the worn down closets by him. Which one had Sungmin pointed to again? There were two closets in the room. Kyuhyun shrugged slightly before opening the one on the left.
Kyuhyun's eyebrows raised on its own accord as he saw pink, pink and more pink. “Oh! Wrong closet!” Sungmin's voice came again, startling Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun let himself be pushed aside, a little shock at how sharp and different Sungmin's voice suddenly was.
“I meant the other one,” Sungmin said, pointing to the right closet. He had previously slammed the closet shut, choosing to ignore how the boy at the door had gaped at the contents of the closet.
Kyuhyun nodded stiffly as he opened up the closet. It was such contrast, Kyuhyun thought. Black. Everything was in black in that closet. “Anyway, this is the boy I was talking about,” Sungmin said, pointing towards the door. “This is Henli!”
“Hyung, I told you,” the boy sighed exasperatedly. “It’s Henry.”
“Hi Henry,” Kyuhyun greeted.
“Finally!” Henry exclaimed. “Someone with a good tongue.”
Kyuhyun chuckled. “Yea, I thought your name sounded a little off,” he said.
“I’m Henry Lau. I take it that you’re Kyuhyun?” Henry said, holding his hand out for a handshake. Kyuhyun shook his hand, nodding his head in agreement.
“Do you mind sharing a room with me? Just for tonight,” Kyuhyun said, sounding guilty.
“Nah, no I don’t mind,” Henry shrugged. “You can stay for as long as you want. I get pretty lonely here. The hyungs are all too old for me.”
“HEY!” Sungmin protested. “I’m not that old you brat.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Yea, 22. Very young,” he said sarcastically, barely avoiding the kick that Sungmin aimed at him. Kyuhyun's eyes widened.
“You’ll get use to it,” Henry laughed, noting the fear in Kyuhyun's eyes. “Come on, my room’s just next door. You can change there.”
Kyuhyun spared a glance at the staring Sungmin. He gulped at the look Sungmin was giving him before nodding frantically. “O-Okay! I’ll change in your room,” he said hastily.
“Alright thanks Sungmin hyung,” Henry said, waving his hands as he led Kyuhyun towards his room.
It took time to realize.
Kyuhyun was Cassiopeia’s head deliverer because he was reliable and trustworthy. It did annoy some older deliverers when he was appointed as their leader but it was nothing Kyuhyun could do, what with the big pay he was given. His college fees had never felt so light on him.
Kyuhyun delivers to almost the whole city. He doesn’t really pay attention to most of the things that happened in each bar although sometimes he had to stay over if it gets too late. He had limited his staying over though after a certain drunken accident with a random male who tried to grope him in his sleep. He had delivered to prostitution bars, gay bars and those normal idiotic bars.
Like I’ve said, he really didn’t bother much about what happens in those bars. Well, that was until one day- 4 months after his first meeting with Sungmin. He saw Sungmin in one of those prostitution lounges in a gay bar up south of Seoul. Sungmin was on the lap of a much wrinkled old man that has his hands very low down Sungmin's thighs. Kyuhyun practically gagged as he saw the old man’s hands disappeared into Sungmin's pants, clearly fondling the male.
“Are you staying over or not?” someone snapped. Kyuhyun glared at him.
“No,” Kyuhyun said, making up his mind in a flash as he saw Sungmin dry humping the old hag.
“Well then, leave! I’m busy!” the person exclaimed.
Kyuhyun gave him a look before spinning around and leaving as quickly as he could. He threw up at the alleyway before he could even reach his truck. The image of a pure (well not sopure) Sungmin with the disgusting elderly really got to him.
He didn’t know Sungmin that well yet but it was obvious from the way his heart leaped the moment he set eyes on the male that his heart have obviously more than friendship in its mind.
What exactly was Sungmin doing in there? Shouldn’t here be at Sapphire’s? Kyuhyun wiped his lips, groaning as he remembered that he had to head home to his apartment then since he wasn’t staying over. Kyuhyun sighed as he started the truck’s engine, only reaching home 3 hours later. He took a long hot shower and changed into his college clothes straight away.
He had an hour more to spare then before school starts and so, he allowed himself to laze around and cuddle with his pillows. He stared his mobile phone, contemplating. In the end, he was on his stomach, puffing his cheeks while he wait for his call to connect. “Oh Henli!” he greeted as soon as it connected.
“Not you too Kyuhyun!” Henry complained.
“Sorry,” Kyuhyun apologized sheepishly. “I guess I’m too used to the hyungs' pronunciations.”
“No, it’s okay. What do you want anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” Henry answered.
“Today’s Tuesday Henry,” Kyuhyun deadpanned. “I told you Tuesdays are 10am instead of 9am.”
“Ahh. You can’t blame me. I don’t go around remembering Cho Kyuhyun's schedules,” Henry said sarcastically. “Come on what do you want kid? I’m busy.”
“Henry, I’m older than you by 6 months,” Kyuhyun reminded. “But yes I get your point. I just want to ask you something. Is that okay?”
“As if I have a choice. Hit it,” Henry said.
“Is… Sungmin hyung…there?” Kyuhyun asked warily.
“There where?” Henry said. “I’m...outside.”
“No I mean…is he at Sapphire’s?”
“Don’t you know?” Henry asked and after realizing what a stupid question it was, he continued, “he quitted two weeks ago.”
“….oh,” Kyuhyun mumbled. “Why?”
“Look, I’m busy. I’ll text you his number and you ask him okay?” Henry said, suddenly sounding a little impatient. Kyuhyun was sure he heard a soft impatient moan and a Henry just bloody suck me and a use your hands first Mimi before the line went dead and he shivered just thinking about what Henry was actually busy doing.
It was 20 minutes to 9am when Kyuhyun ended his call with Henry. Kyuhyun collected his coat and took out his bicycle. He felt his phone vibrated in his pocket as he was cycling to school and huffed. He reached school just as the bell rang. For some reason, Kyuhyun enjoys running to class. He doesn’t like being early. He likes the feeling of being pressured to complete a task –for example; reaching class on time. He doesn’t the feeling of not having something to worry or be tensed about. Weird, but thrilling to Kyuhyun.
Kyuhyun chose a seat right at the back of the class –it was easy to doze off without being caught there, especially since Kyuhyun was considered the genius in class. He took out his phone discreetly. +014892489402. Kyuhyun texted back quickly, just as the lecturer came in. Thanks Henli…and be safe...use condoms.
He scoffed when he received a fuck you as a reply an hour later. So much for being the nice mochi magnae, Kyuhyun thought. School ended a little over 3pm and Kyuhyun had to rush off to change into Cassiopeia’s uniform before heading out again. He splashed cold water on his face and drank a cup of steaming hot coffee -cursing when it burnt his tongue- beforehand.
Kyuhyun then went straight to the office to retrieve the night’s schedule for him. He clicked his tongue in disapproval as he saw the number of deliveries he had that night. 6 and the last one was to Sapphire. As much as he loves going to Sapphire, it was a zillion (yes, upgraded from millions since Kyuhyun's eyes were worse than a panda’s then) miles away.
“Cassiopeia’s delivery!” Kyuhyun shouted, knocking on the door impatiently. It was his third delivery of the day and it was already 11pm. “Cassiopeia’s!”
“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” someone groaned as the door slammed open. “How much is it?” the person snapped as soon as he snatched the bottles away from Kyuhyun.
“There’s 26 more cartons at the back of the truck,” Kyuhyun said.
“I know,” the person said. “I’ll ask someone to take it. Just tell me how much all of it is so I can go already.”
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, understanding the situation fully as he gave the man’s crumpled up appearance a full scan. “A thousand five hundred and thirty two,” Kyuhyun answered as the male opened his mouth to snap at him again. “And you have three pending checks to clear. That’ll be five thousand six hundred and seventy. Plus the-”
“God, can you just tell me the full amount and not break it into groups?” the person said.
“Fine,” Kyuhyun spat back, finally irritated. “Six thousand two hundred in total. Give me the check so I can leave already.”
The man glared at him before scribbling a check quickly. “Here,” he said, pushing the check into Kyuhyun's awaiting hands. “Siwon, what are you d-“ another voice asked as a petite male came into view by the alleyway, appearance not far from the man called Siwon.
Sungmin? Kyuhyun's eyes widened. He gave Sungmin a look, feeling annoyed as he saw Siwon's hands dipping down low into Sungmin's pants from behind. “I’m done. We can continue,” Siwon whispered.
Kyuhyun felt himself rage at Siwon's public fondling. It was as if Sungmin was a prostitute. Siwon didn’t spare Sungmin's dignity one bit as he groped the male. Kyuhyun doesn’t understand it at all but he does understand how much he wanted to punch Siwon's face at that very moment. And punch he did. Because I met the one.
It took courage to say the words.
Kyuhyun was given 2 months of suspension from Cassiopeia following that accident. He found himself not bothered by it. He had managed to grab the last spot for the senior year scholarships from the school and his last pay was enough to last for two months –having only needed for food expenses then.
What he was bothered with was the fact that Sungmin was furious with him. “You bloody fucker,” Sungmin had swore, just as soon as Siwon was knocked unconscious by Kyuhyun. “What the fuck was that for?”
“Oh I don’t know?” Kyuhyun spat sarcastically although feeling a little put off with Sungmin's dark behaviour. There was no more bubbly, cute Sungmin in sight. Only dark, broken Sungmin. “Except for the fact that he was fondling you right in front of my eyes? No, I just punched him because I felt like it.”
“That is none of your business K-”
“None of my what?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Sungmin, I’m your bloody friend. Do you think I want to see you being used that way?! I saw you at Emily’s, Sungmin. What the fuck are you doing now? Why aren’t you at Sapphire’s anymore?”
Sungmin's eyes had darkened at Kyuhyun's words. “What the fuck…were you doing at Emily’s?”
“Does that even matters?” Kyuhyun asked. “What are you doing hyung? Henry’s worried about you. The boys there are wondering where you disappeared to.”
“Liar,” Sungmin scoffed. “Boys? What boys are worried? That fucker Jongwoon? Are you sure?”
“Fine I don’t know about the rest but Henry sounded worried,” Kyuhyun corrected.
“Fuck you, Kyuhyun. Don’t mess with my life,” Sungmin cursed.
“Me?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Are you sure I’m messing with it? Are you sure it’s not you?”
Kyuhyun doesn’t know what happened next. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was Sungmin's leg flying towards him. “Yo!” someone shouted, bringing Kyuhyun back to earth.
“Henry?” Kyuhyun exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“What?” Henry laughed. “No warm welcome? Bro to bro hug anyone?”
Kyuhyun shook his head, reaching forward to give Henry a one arm hug before pulling back and smiling brightly. “Wanna get coffee with me?” Kyuhyun asked.
“Sure, where’s your truck?” Henry asked.
Kyuhyun gave him a look. “I got suspended already,” he confessed.
“Oh, I know about that,” Henry shrugged. “But they took the truck away too? That’s a pity. We can use it for road trips or something.”
“You know?” Kyuhyun asked, a little startled.
“Yea, long story. Let’s go get a cup of coffee first,” Henry said.
“Come on, get on my bike,” Kyuhyun said, bending down to unlock the chain tying around his bicycle.
“This is so gay, Kyuhyun,” Henry shook his head, scoffing at the bicycle. “Pink…really now?”
“Shut up. I picked it up from the trash okay. I have no choice,” Kyuhyun huffed, swinging a leg over before beckoning Henry over. “And that shouldn’t even come from someone like you, Henli.”
“Stop calling me that bastard,” Henry scolded. “And what do you mean by that?”
“Goooood Henry, just suck me already,” Kyuhyun mimicked, laughing as Henry spluttered and knocked his head in embarrassment. “Now you shut up.”
“Just bring me to the café already,” Henry spat.
“The campus is huge, Lau. Relax will you,” Kyuhyun said. “How did you get here anyway?”
“Taxi,” Henry shrugged.
“Rich kid,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “Alright kiddo. Get off my bike. We’re here.”
“So much for being a big campus. That barely took five minutes,” Henry scoffed.
“Well, it wasn’t you who pedalled you brat,” Kyuhyun said. “Get me a cappuccino. I’ll go lock the bike.”
“Cold or hot?”
“Cold,” Kyuhyun said after a second of thinking.
“Eww,” Henry mumbled. “Who drinks cold cappuccinos…”
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, more focused on locking the bike to retort to the younger male. When he was done, he went into the small café and sat down, waiting for Henry. “That dude speaks Spanish man,” Henry complained as soon as he sat down, two cups of coffee at hand.
“What?”
“He speaks Spanish!”
“No he doesn’t,” Kyuhyun said. “Are you drunk?”
“No, he’s drunk!” Henry said, pointing towards the cashier. Kyuhyun turned his head towards the cash register and laughed.
“Donghae hyung?” he said. “He loves playing with people. Hyung! Come here!”
The said male came over just as soon as Kyuhyun called him. “What?” he said.
“What were you doing?” Kyuhyun asked, nodding towards an exasperated yet shocked Henry.
“You speak Korean?!” Henry spluttered.
“He’s gullible isn’t he?” Donghae scoffed.
“Not as gullible as you think,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “He sucks dicks.”
“Kyuhyun!” Henry protested.
Donghae's eyes twinkled. “Ahhh, another dick sucker... Want to suck mine?” Donghae joked, much to Kyuhyun's disgust and Henry’s horror.
“Come on, hyung,” Kyuhyun laughed, pulling Donghae off the frightened Henry. “Go back to work. And Hyukjae hyung has been watching you again.”
“Shit, why didn’t you tell me earlier?!” Donghae cursed. “Bye kiddies!”
“Who...is he?!” Henry cried as soon as Donghae was gone.
“A hyung of mine,” Kyuhyun shrugged. “Come on. He’s just playing around. He loves teasing foreigners.”
“I’m not a foreigner!”
“You look like one, Henli,” Kyuhyun shook his head.
“...who’s Hyukjae though? Why is he scared of him?” Henry asked.
“The guy he’s been courting the whole year. Hyukjae doesn’t want to get together unless Donghae stop being such a jerk,” Kyuhyun said, shrugging.
“Well, I guess they’re not meant to be then,” Henry scoffed.
“I’m not so sure of that,” Kyuhyun said. “Hyukjae's practically in love with Donghae. He’ll crack soon. Afterall, no couple is perfect.”
“Yea...like you and Sungmin?” Henry said voice suddenly low and soft.
Kyuhyun's head snapped. “W-what?”
“You and Sungmin hyung,” Henry said.
“What are you talking about?” Kyuhyun hissed.
“He came to me Kyuhyun. Just a few days ago,” Henry shrugged.
“...and?”
“Your face is still swollen, you do know that right?” Henry said.
“Shut up,” Kyuhyun snapped. “What does he want? Is he alright? He’s not hurt is he? What the hell happened to him?”
Henry gave him a look. “Wanna go walk around?” he asked. “I don’t think you want to talk about this here. Everyone can hear us.”
“Let’s go,” Kyuhyun said, standing up hastily.
The duo headed out of the café, Henry flinching as Donghae managed to tap his butt on the way out. “That dude is sick I tell you,” he mumbled, more to himself.
“Sure, whatever. Now tell me about Sungmin,” Kyuhyun said, barely registering what Henry had said.
Henry stared at Kyuhyun for a millisecond before sighing. “You know Jongwoon hyung don’t you?” he asked.
“Yea, the bell boy?”
“Sure, you can call him that,” Henry said. “Sungmin was with Jongwoon hyung.”
“What do you mean by with Jongwoon?” Kyuhyun asked.
“With...…like together, you know?”
“Dating?”
“Yes,” Henry nodded. “They were dating and well, Jongwoon hyung cheated on him.”
Kyuhyun's eyes narrowed. “That still doesn’t explain anything,” he finally said.
“The thing is,” Henry tried explaining. “Jongwoon hyung was like a parent to Sungmin hyung. Sungmin hyung’s an orphan. They grew up together. Jongwoon hyung is literally his everything. They were supposed to get married...today.”
Kyuhyun's eyes widened. “What happened?!”
“Hyung caught Jongwoon hyung in bed with our other bell boy, Ryeowookie. He’s the same age as us,” Henry shivered. “So that practically means he’s 10 years younger than Jongwoon. So disgusting…”
“…that still doesn’t explain why Sungmin has to resort to prostitution,” Kyuhyun challenged, despite feeling the urge to hunt this Jongwoon down and cook him alive.
“Hyung did what?!” Henry shouted eyes as wide as a marble (his eyes being very, very tiny).
Kyuhyun froze. “Y-You…didn’t know?” he trailed off.
“No!” Henry exclaimed. “He didn’t tell me! He only told me he has another work.”
“...shit,” Kyuhyun cursed.
“Y-You have to save him Kyuhyun!” Henry shouted suddenly, holding both of his shoulders and shaking the poor male frantically.
“Why me?” Kyuhyun asked, feeling dizzy as Henry stopped shaking him.
“Because you like him!”
It was Kyuhyun's turn to get his eyes widening. “W-what?!”
“Come on, don’t lie,” Henry said. “I can see from the way you looked at him on our first day. And plus, apart from me, you’re the only one concerned about him.”
“Then how do I know you don’t like him too?” Kyuhyun retorted.
“Because I already have Zhoumi!” Henry scoffed. “Wait...TOO?! SO YOU DO LIKE HIM!”
Kyuhyun stared. He sighed. “Yea…,” he said. “Maybe I do like him.”
It took tears to appreciate
“I’ll take over from here,” Kyuhyun interrupted, forcefully pulling the petite male off the couch. The male looked up, face changing from mock lust to anger.
“Before you start rambling and knocking me unconscious, I need you to follow me,” Kyuhyun said, voice firm; so firm that even Sungmin didn’t dare to challenge.
“What do you want?” Sungmin asked as soon as Kyuhyun brought him out into the alleyway.
Kyuhyun eyed Sungmin's skimpy clothing and growled. “You look awful,” he spat.
“You came here just to tell me that?” Sungmin scoffed. “Well, I already know that. So unless you want to pay me to fuck me, then goodbye.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Kyuhyun said, grabbing Sungmin's arms before he could leave. “You’re never going back in there.”
“Kyuhyun, I told you to stay the fuck away from me,” Sungmin spat. “I do not need you to tell me what to do.”
“No, you don’t,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “You’re 22- wise enough to think. I wouldn’t need to tell you what to do if you do things right. Don’t you tell me that you’re old enough to do anything you want to do! Because you’re surely not acting like your age!”
“Then what do you want me to do Kyuhyun?!” Sungmin asked, voice cracking slightly at the end that Kyuhyun faltered a little.
“You-”
“He left me Kyu,” Sungmin said, step staggering as the image of Jongwoon and Ryeowook crossed his eyes. “The person I trust most...he left me.”
“There are guys, much, much better than him Sungmin,” Kyuhyun reasoned, reaching his hands out to touch Sungmin's shoulders lightly. He sighed when it was shrugged away. “He’s not worth you doing this! Do you think he’ll get jealous and take you back?!”
“What?!” Sungmin exclaimed. “Jealous?!”
“I-Isn’t that why you’re doing this?” Kyuhyun said unsurely, hands out in defence just in case Sungmin decided to kick him again.
“Is that how low I am in your eyes?” Sungmin spat. “Then you don’t even deserve to tell me what to do!”
“NO!” Kyuhyun shouted, running up to block Sungmin's pathway into the bar again. “No. I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please. Just please tell me. Make me understand so I can leave you alone.”
Sungmin stared. “I was four,” Sungmin started softly, eyes locked sharply with Kyuhyun's, as if holding on to Kyuhyun's promise to leave him alone after his explanation. “They left me alone by the road side.”
“Y-Your parents?”
“No, my dogs,” Sungmin said sarcastically. “Of course my parents. They left me alone and it was Jongwoon who found me. He was eight. He brought me to the orphanage where he was living too.”
“He was a guardian angel to me Kyu. He make me feel needed after I was abandoned,” Sungmin said. “He promised to be with me till death do us apart. It wasn’t cheesy. I held onto that promise just as how I held onto theirs. They said they’ll come back. But they didn’t. Jongwoon promised to stay, but he too didn’t. I’m not needed anywhere! Here! These fucking horny bastards here at least makes me feel needed! Even if it’s for something dirty, they need me. This is the only place I’m needed Kyuhyun. So don’t tell me what you think is right. You don’t know anything.”
Kyuhyun let himself be pushed aside, too shocked at Sungmin's revelation and tearful eyes to do anything. “What if someone else needs you now?” he said aloud, just before the door closes behind Sungmin.
“What?” Sungmin answered.
“What if...” Kyuhyun repeated. “Someone else needs you now? For something pure.”
“What the he-”
“I like you Sungmin,” Kyuhyun said, turning around to meet Sungmin's eyes. “I like you. Ineed you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Sungmin spat. “You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”
“No, I don’t,” Kyuhyun shook his head too. “But this is what my heart tells me to do. Is this what your heart wants, Min?” Kyuhyun asked, waving his hands around.
“Yes, t-”
“Don’t bullshit on me, Min,” Kyuhyun snapped. “Fine, they’ll make you feel needed for now. But what if you grow older? In your 30s? 40s? What if you get some sexual disease?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t mind dying, Sungmin,” Kyuhyun cut off just before Sungmin could retort. “You’ll die alone. Nobody will need you then. You’ll be a bother to everyone. Do you think they’ll need you? They’ll just throw you out.”
“I think it’s too early to say that I love you, no?” Kyuhyun said. “So I’m just telling you I like you. I don’t want to tell you I’m different because I have no right to judge that. I’m asking you to give me a chance. Stay away from this shits, Min. You’ll suffer in the end. No good will come off it.”
“You have no idea what you’re saying, Kyuhyun,” Sungmin said, hands gripping the doorknob tightly. “You don’t know-”
“Know how it feels like?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Then why don’t you ask me why I’m working my butt off instead of having parents to pay my fees for me? Why don’t you ask me why I practically have no sleep everyday and continue working even if I’m still schooling? Why don’t you fucking ask me why I look like a fucking zombie?”
“You think you’re pitiable?” Kyuhyun asked, shaking his head sadly. “My parents werekilled, Sungmin - murdered right in front of my eyes by some bulky face asshole. I had to live with that image for the rest of my life. But I don’t resort to these shits like you do. I work hard now, so that my life will be better later. I want to marry, settle down and show the world that had been cruel to me that I’m not that easy to take down.”
“Don’t you want to become successful? Don’t you want to be able to afford to look for your parents and ask why they left you?” Kyuhyun muttered. “You’re so fucking young, Min. You’re just 22. You have so much in store for you ahead but you just refuse to see them.”
Kyuhyun caught Sungmin just as he staggered down the steps. “Please,” Kyuhyun whispered into Sungmin's ear. “Please just come with me. Leave all of these....”
Sungmin looked up, eyes scorching in pain as it met Kyuhyun's begging ones. “...you have to call me hyung,” he murmured softly.
“What?” Kyuhyun asked.
“On one condition...” Sungmin mumbled. “You have to call me hyung, you brat.”
Kyuhyun chuckled, eyes watering in happiness. “Hyung,” he whispered. “Sungmin hyung.”
Pairing: KyuMin
Side Pairings: hinted!HaeHyuk + hinted!HenMi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Angst, Friendship
Summary: Sungmin and Kyuhyun fell in love. What's new?
Narrator's POV
It took strength to talk
Sungmin was a bartender. Kyuhyun's just a part time delivery boy trying to earn moneyfor college. Sungmin was 22. Kyuhyun was 18. 4 years apart. While Kyuhyun was merely 18, the age difference might put some off but years later as their relationship strengthened, it doesn’t seem all that ridiculous anymore.
The first time they met was on a frosty, cold night. Kyuhyun's lips were chattering as he stood by the back door of Sapphire Bar and Lounge. He huffed, feeling the weight of the box he was carrying killing him slowly as the wind blows unnaturally harsh. “Cassiopeia’s delivery!” he repeated for the umpteenth time. “Come on! Open the bloody door!”
He twisted his arms a little to sneak a peek at his watch. It was 4.15am already. He was supposed to be home by then. He had school at 9pm and his apartment was a million miles away. “Cassiope- oh thank god,” he sighed in relief as he saw the door cracking open.
“I’m sorry I was late! Jongwoon hyung was supposed to be at the door. He went off early without telling us,” a petite man appeared, chattering away in rapid Korean.
Kyuhyun, who was initially annoyed, looked up and froze. He didn’t realize how the box of beer bottles was slipping from his grasp. He didn’t even flinch as the loud sound of breaking beer bottles echoed through the eerie alley way.
The man was flawless. Kyuhyun wasn’t gay. At least he thinks he’s not. But the man was gorgeous; from the small but built body to the plump pink, defined lips. “Hello?” the man said. “Are you alright?”
Kyuhyun gulped. He’s talking to you. Talk. “Y-Yea,” Kyuhyun finally nodded. “Y-Yea I’m fine.”
“Come on,” the man said, holding out his hands towards Kyuhyun. “Let’s get you in. You’re freezing.”
The man’s eyes followed as Kyuhyun looked down towards the broken bottles. “It’s fine. I’ll get someone to clean it later on, come on, take my hand,” he said, shaking his held out hand a little to prove his point. “B-But...” Kyuhyun spluttered.
The man rolled his eyes, reaching out to take Kyuhyun's left hand by force and pulling the male inside. “You’re going to freeze to death,” the man clicked his tongue, releasing Kyuhyun only when they were in the building.
“S-Sorry,” Kyuhyun mumbled.
The man gave Kyuhyun a quizzical face. “You’re so weird,” he said. “Anyway, I’m Sungmin. Head of the lounge.”
“Lounge?” Kyuhyun said.
“You know… the place where you fuck someone in?” Sungmin said lightly, as if it wasn’t the dirtiest thing Kyuhyun had ever heard of. Sungmin giggled a little as he saw Kyuhyun's face. “We don’t have rooms here so people just use the lounges to f- I mean to do their business. So I suggest you don’t go in there.”
“I-Is it even legal?” Kyuhyun asked, squeaking as they past by half naked men devouring each other.
“Being gay isn’t too but that doesn’t stop anyone from being it,” Sungmin shrugged.
“W-Where are you taking me?” Kyuhyun asked.
“I’m bringing you to my room,” Sungmin answered simply.
“I thought you said that there were no rooms?”
“Well, the employees have them,” Sungmin explained. “So we won’t have to travel back and forth from our apartments. Alright, we’re here.”
Sungmin nodded towards the door at the furthest end of the hallway. “Let’s get you something to change into,” he said. “Are you sleeping over or going home?”
Kyuhyun glanced at his watch. 4:30am. He wouldn’t make it even if he went back. He rather sleeps in the bar and head to school straight. He glanced back up at Sungmin's waiting face and gulped. “Alright! Sleeping over it is,” Sungmin nodded, choosing to ignore Kyuhyun's spluttering.
“Do you want to sleep with me or Henli?” Sungmin asked as he pushed his door open.
“Henli?” Kyuhyun said.
“Yea, our magnae. How old are-wait, what’s your name again?” Sungmin started only to realize that he doesn’t know Kyuhyun's name.
“Kyuhyun. Cho Kyuhyun,” Kyuhyun answered softly.
“Ah. Kyuhyunnnie. How old are you?” Sungmin asked.
“Eighteen.”
“Oh! Henli’s 18 too!” Sungmin exclaimed. “Great. I’m sure Henli won’t mind. I’ll just call him now. There’s my closet. You can choose something from there. Go on. Make yourself at home.”
Kyuhyun blinked, still confused at Sungmin's fast ramblings and continued to stare at the door -where Sungmin had skipped out to- for a few seconds before he realized that he was still freezing cold. He eyed the worn down closets by him. Which one had Sungmin pointed to again? There were two closets in the room. Kyuhyun shrugged slightly before opening the one on the left.
Kyuhyun's eyebrows raised on its own accord as he saw pink, pink and more pink. “Oh! Wrong closet!” Sungmin's voice came again, startling Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun let himself be pushed aside, a little shock at how sharp and different Sungmin's voice suddenly was.
“I meant the other one,” Sungmin said, pointing to the right closet. He had previously slammed the closet shut, choosing to ignore how the boy at the door had gaped at the contents of the closet.
Kyuhyun nodded stiffly as he opened up the closet. It was such contrast, Kyuhyun thought. Black. Everything was in black in that closet. “Anyway, this is the boy I was talking about,” Sungmin said, pointing towards the door. “This is Henli!”
“Hyung, I told you,” the boy sighed exasperatedly. “It’s Henry.”
“Hi Henry,” Kyuhyun greeted.
“Finally!” Henry exclaimed. “Someone with a good tongue.”
Kyuhyun chuckled. “Yea, I thought your name sounded a little off,” he said.
“I’m Henry Lau. I take it that you’re Kyuhyun?” Henry said, holding his hand out for a handshake. Kyuhyun shook his hand, nodding his head in agreement.
“Do you mind sharing a room with me? Just for tonight,” Kyuhyun said, sounding guilty.
“Nah, no I don’t mind,” Henry shrugged. “You can stay for as long as you want. I get pretty lonely here. The hyungs are all too old for me.”
“HEY!” Sungmin protested. “I’m not that old you brat.”
Henry rolled his eyes. “Yea, 22. Very young,” he said sarcastically, barely avoiding the kick that Sungmin aimed at him. Kyuhyun's eyes widened.
“You’ll get use to it,” Henry laughed, noting the fear in Kyuhyun's eyes. “Come on, my room’s just next door. You can change there.”
Kyuhyun spared a glance at the staring Sungmin. He gulped at the look Sungmin was giving him before nodding frantically. “O-Okay! I’ll change in your room,” he said hastily.
“Alright thanks Sungmin hyung,” Henry said, waving his hands as he led Kyuhyun towards his room.
It took time to realize.
Kyuhyun was Cassiopeia’s head deliverer because he was reliable and trustworthy. It did annoy some older deliverers when he was appointed as their leader but it was nothing Kyuhyun could do, what with the big pay he was given. His college fees had never felt so light on him.
Kyuhyun delivers to almost the whole city. He doesn’t really pay attention to most of the things that happened in each bar although sometimes he had to stay over if it gets too late. He had limited his staying over though after a certain drunken accident with a random male who tried to grope him in his sleep. He had delivered to prostitution bars, gay bars and those normal idiotic bars.
Like I’ve said, he really didn’t bother much about what happens in those bars. Well, that was until one day- 4 months after his first meeting with Sungmin. He saw Sungmin in one of those prostitution lounges in a gay bar up south of Seoul. Sungmin was on the lap of a much wrinkled old man that has his hands very low down Sungmin's thighs. Kyuhyun practically gagged as he saw the old man’s hands disappeared into Sungmin's pants, clearly fondling the male.
“Are you staying over or not?” someone snapped. Kyuhyun glared at him.
“No,” Kyuhyun said, making up his mind in a flash as he saw Sungmin dry humping the old hag.
“Well then, leave! I’m busy!” the person exclaimed.
Kyuhyun gave him a look before spinning around and leaving as quickly as he could. He threw up at the alleyway before he could even reach his truck. The image of a pure (well not sopure) Sungmin with the disgusting elderly really got to him.
He didn’t know Sungmin that well yet but it was obvious from the way his heart leaped the moment he set eyes on the male that his heart have obviously more than friendship in its mind.
What exactly was Sungmin doing in there? Shouldn’t here be at Sapphire’s? Kyuhyun wiped his lips, groaning as he remembered that he had to head home to his apartment then since he wasn’t staying over. Kyuhyun sighed as he started the truck’s engine, only reaching home 3 hours later. He took a long hot shower and changed into his college clothes straight away.
He had an hour more to spare then before school starts and so, he allowed himself to laze around and cuddle with his pillows. He stared his mobile phone, contemplating. In the end, he was on his stomach, puffing his cheeks while he wait for his call to connect. “Oh Henli!” he greeted as soon as it connected.
“Not you too Kyuhyun!” Henry complained.
“Sorry,” Kyuhyun apologized sheepishly. “I guess I’m too used to the hyungs' pronunciations.”
“No, it’s okay. What do you want anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” Henry answered.
“Today’s Tuesday Henry,” Kyuhyun deadpanned. “I told you Tuesdays are 10am instead of 9am.”
“Ahh. You can’t blame me. I don’t go around remembering Cho Kyuhyun's schedules,” Henry said sarcastically. “Come on what do you want kid? I’m busy.”
“Henry, I’m older than you by 6 months,” Kyuhyun reminded. “But yes I get your point. I just want to ask you something. Is that okay?”
“As if I have a choice. Hit it,” Henry said.
“Is… Sungmin hyung…there?” Kyuhyun asked warily.
“There where?” Henry said. “I’m...outside.”
“No I mean…is he at Sapphire’s?”
“Don’t you know?” Henry asked and after realizing what a stupid question it was, he continued, “he quitted two weeks ago.”
“….oh,” Kyuhyun mumbled. “Why?”
“Look, I’m busy. I’ll text you his number and you ask him okay?” Henry said, suddenly sounding a little impatient. Kyuhyun was sure he heard a soft impatient moan and a Henry just bloody suck me and a use your hands first Mimi before the line went dead and he shivered just thinking about what Henry was actually busy doing.
It was 20 minutes to 9am when Kyuhyun ended his call with Henry. Kyuhyun collected his coat and took out his bicycle. He felt his phone vibrated in his pocket as he was cycling to school and huffed. He reached school just as the bell rang. For some reason, Kyuhyun enjoys running to class. He doesn’t like being early. He likes the feeling of being pressured to complete a task –for example; reaching class on time. He doesn’t the feeling of not having something to worry or be tensed about. Weird, but thrilling to Kyuhyun.
Kyuhyun chose a seat right at the back of the class –it was easy to doze off without being caught there, especially since Kyuhyun was considered the genius in class. He took out his phone discreetly. +014892489402. Kyuhyun texted back quickly, just as the lecturer came in. Thanks Henli…and be safe...use condoms.
He scoffed when he received a fuck you as a reply an hour later. So much for being the nice mochi magnae, Kyuhyun thought. School ended a little over 3pm and Kyuhyun had to rush off to change into Cassiopeia’s uniform before heading out again. He splashed cold water on his face and drank a cup of steaming hot coffee -cursing when it burnt his tongue- beforehand.
Kyuhyun then went straight to the office to retrieve the night’s schedule for him. He clicked his tongue in disapproval as he saw the number of deliveries he had that night. 6 and the last one was to Sapphire. As much as he loves going to Sapphire, it was a zillion (yes, upgraded from millions since Kyuhyun's eyes were worse than a panda’s then) miles away.
“Cassiopeia’s delivery!” Kyuhyun shouted, knocking on the door impatiently. It was his third delivery of the day and it was already 11pm. “Cassiopeia’s!”
“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” someone groaned as the door slammed open. “How much is it?” the person snapped as soon as he snatched the bottles away from Kyuhyun.
“There’s 26 more cartons at the back of the truck,” Kyuhyun said.
“I know,” the person said. “I’ll ask someone to take it. Just tell me how much all of it is so I can go already.”
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, understanding the situation fully as he gave the man’s crumpled up appearance a full scan. “A thousand five hundred and thirty two,” Kyuhyun answered as the male opened his mouth to snap at him again. “And you have three pending checks to clear. That’ll be five thousand six hundred and seventy. Plus the-”
“God, can you just tell me the full amount and not break it into groups?” the person said.
“Fine,” Kyuhyun spat back, finally irritated. “Six thousand two hundred in total. Give me the check so I can leave already.”
The man glared at him before scribbling a check quickly. “Here,” he said, pushing the check into Kyuhyun's awaiting hands. “Siwon, what are you d-“ another voice asked as a petite male came into view by the alleyway, appearance not far from the man called Siwon.
Sungmin? Kyuhyun's eyes widened. He gave Sungmin a look, feeling annoyed as he saw Siwon's hands dipping down low into Sungmin's pants from behind. “I’m done. We can continue,” Siwon whispered.
Kyuhyun felt himself rage at Siwon's public fondling. It was as if Sungmin was a prostitute. Siwon didn’t spare Sungmin's dignity one bit as he groped the male. Kyuhyun doesn’t understand it at all but he does understand how much he wanted to punch Siwon's face at that very moment. And punch he did. Because I met the one.
It took courage to say the words.
Kyuhyun was given 2 months of suspension from Cassiopeia following that accident. He found himself not bothered by it. He had managed to grab the last spot for the senior year scholarships from the school and his last pay was enough to last for two months –having only needed for food expenses then.
What he was bothered with was the fact that Sungmin was furious with him. “You bloody fucker,” Sungmin had swore, just as soon as Siwon was knocked unconscious by Kyuhyun. “What the fuck was that for?”
“Oh I don’t know?” Kyuhyun spat sarcastically although feeling a little put off with Sungmin's dark behaviour. There was no more bubbly, cute Sungmin in sight. Only dark, broken Sungmin. “Except for the fact that he was fondling you right in front of my eyes? No, I just punched him because I felt like it.”
“That is none of your business K-”
“None of my what?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Sungmin, I’m your bloody friend. Do you think I want to see you being used that way?! I saw you at Emily’s, Sungmin. What the fuck are you doing now? Why aren’t you at Sapphire’s anymore?”
Sungmin's eyes had darkened at Kyuhyun's words. “What the fuck…were you doing at Emily’s?”
“Does that even matters?” Kyuhyun asked. “What are you doing hyung? Henry’s worried about you. The boys there are wondering where you disappeared to.”
“Liar,” Sungmin scoffed. “Boys? What boys are worried? That fucker Jongwoon? Are you sure?”
“Fine I don’t know about the rest but Henry sounded worried,” Kyuhyun corrected.
“Fuck you, Kyuhyun. Don’t mess with my life,” Sungmin cursed.
“Me?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Are you sure I’m messing with it? Are you sure it’s not you?”
Kyuhyun doesn’t know what happened next. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was Sungmin's leg flying towards him. “Yo!” someone shouted, bringing Kyuhyun back to earth.
“Henry?” Kyuhyun exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“What?” Henry laughed. “No warm welcome? Bro to bro hug anyone?”
Kyuhyun shook his head, reaching forward to give Henry a one arm hug before pulling back and smiling brightly. “Wanna get coffee with me?” Kyuhyun asked.
“Sure, where’s your truck?” Henry asked.
Kyuhyun gave him a look. “I got suspended already,” he confessed.
“Oh, I know about that,” Henry shrugged. “But they took the truck away too? That’s a pity. We can use it for road trips or something.”
“You know?” Kyuhyun asked, a little startled.
“Yea, long story. Let’s go get a cup of coffee first,” Henry said.
“Come on, get on my bike,” Kyuhyun said, bending down to unlock the chain tying around his bicycle.
“This is so gay, Kyuhyun,” Henry shook his head, scoffing at the bicycle. “Pink…really now?”
“Shut up. I picked it up from the trash okay. I have no choice,” Kyuhyun huffed, swinging a leg over before beckoning Henry over. “And that shouldn’t even come from someone like you, Henli.”
“Stop calling me that bastard,” Henry scolded. “And what do you mean by that?”
“Goooood Henry, just suck me already,” Kyuhyun mimicked, laughing as Henry spluttered and knocked his head in embarrassment. “Now you shut up.”
“Just bring me to the café already,” Henry spat.
“The campus is huge, Lau. Relax will you,” Kyuhyun said. “How did you get here anyway?”
“Taxi,” Henry shrugged.
“Rich kid,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “Alright kiddo. Get off my bike. We’re here.”
“So much for being a big campus. That barely took five minutes,” Henry scoffed.
“Well, it wasn’t you who pedalled you brat,” Kyuhyun said. “Get me a cappuccino. I’ll go lock the bike.”
“Cold or hot?”
“Cold,” Kyuhyun said after a second of thinking.
“Eww,” Henry mumbled. “Who drinks cold cappuccinos…”
Kyuhyun rolled his eyes, more focused on locking the bike to retort to the younger male. When he was done, he went into the small café and sat down, waiting for Henry. “That dude speaks Spanish man,” Henry complained as soon as he sat down, two cups of coffee at hand.
“What?”
“He speaks Spanish!”
“No he doesn’t,” Kyuhyun said. “Are you drunk?”
“No, he’s drunk!” Henry said, pointing towards the cashier. Kyuhyun turned his head towards the cash register and laughed.
“Donghae hyung?” he said. “He loves playing with people. Hyung! Come here!”
The said male came over just as soon as Kyuhyun called him. “What?” he said.
“What were you doing?” Kyuhyun asked, nodding towards an exasperated yet shocked Henry.
“You speak Korean?!” Henry spluttered.
“He’s gullible isn’t he?” Donghae scoffed.
“Not as gullible as you think,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “He sucks dicks.”
“Kyuhyun!” Henry protested.
Donghae's eyes twinkled. “Ahhh, another dick sucker... Want to suck mine?” Donghae joked, much to Kyuhyun's disgust and Henry’s horror.
“Come on, hyung,” Kyuhyun laughed, pulling Donghae off the frightened Henry. “Go back to work. And Hyukjae hyung has been watching you again.”
“Shit, why didn’t you tell me earlier?!” Donghae cursed. “Bye kiddies!”
“Who...is he?!” Henry cried as soon as Donghae was gone.
“A hyung of mine,” Kyuhyun shrugged. “Come on. He’s just playing around. He loves teasing foreigners.”
“I’m not a foreigner!”
“You look like one, Henli,” Kyuhyun shook his head.
“...who’s Hyukjae though? Why is he scared of him?” Henry asked.
“The guy he’s been courting the whole year. Hyukjae doesn’t want to get together unless Donghae stop being such a jerk,” Kyuhyun said, shrugging.
“Well, I guess they’re not meant to be then,” Henry scoffed.
“I’m not so sure of that,” Kyuhyun said. “Hyukjae's practically in love with Donghae. He’ll crack soon. Afterall, no couple is perfect.”
“Yea...like you and Sungmin?” Henry said voice suddenly low and soft.
Kyuhyun's head snapped. “W-what?”
“You and Sungmin hyung,” Henry said.
“What are you talking about?” Kyuhyun hissed.
“He came to me Kyuhyun. Just a few days ago,” Henry shrugged.
“...and?”
“Your face is still swollen, you do know that right?” Henry said.
“Shut up,” Kyuhyun snapped. “What does he want? Is he alright? He’s not hurt is he? What the hell happened to him?”
Henry gave him a look. “Wanna go walk around?” he asked. “I don’t think you want to talk about this here. Everyone can hear us.”
“Let’s go,” Kyuhyun said, standing up hastily.
The duo headed out of the café, Henry flinching as Donghae managed to tap his butt on the way out. “That dude is sick I tell you,” he mumbled, more to himself.
“Sure, whatever. Now tell me about Sungmin,” Kyuhyun said, barely registering what Henry had said.
Henry stared at Kyuhyun for a millisecond before sighing. “You know Jongwoon hyung don’t you?” he asked.
“Yea, the bell boy?”
“Sure, you can call him that,” Henry said. “Sungmin was with Jongwoon hyung.”
“What do you mean by with Jongwoon?” Kyuhyun asked.
“With...…like together, you know?”
“Dating?”
“Yes,” Henry nodded. “They were dating and well, Jongwoon hyung cheated on him.”
Kyuhyun's eyes narrowed. “That still doesn’t explain anything,” he finally said.
“The thing is,” Henry tried explaining. “Jongwoon hyung was like a parent to Sungmin hyung. Sungmin hyung’s an orphan. They grew up together. Jongwoon hyung is literally his everything. They were supposed to get married...today.”
Kyuhyun's eyes widened. “What happened?!”
“Hyung caught Jongwoon hyung in bed with our other bell boy, Ryeowookie. He’s the same age as us,” Henry shivered. “So that practically means he’s 10 years younger than Jongwoon. So disgusting…”
“…that still doesn’t explain why Sungmin has to resort to prostitution,” Kyuhyun challenged, despite feeling the urge to hunt this Jongwoon down and cook him alive.
“Hyung did what?!” Henry shouted eyes as wide as a marble (his eyes being very, very tiny).
Kyuhyun froze. “Y-You…didn’t know?” he trailed off.
“No!” Henry exclaimed. “He didn’t tell me! He only told me he has another work.”
“...shit,” Kyuhyun cursed.
“Y-You have to save him Kyuhyun!” Henry shouted suddenly, holding both of his shoulders and shaking the poor male frantically.
“Why me?” Kyuhyun asked, feeling dizzy as Henry stopped shaking him.
“Because you like him!”
It was Kyuhyun's turn to get his eyes widening. “W-what?!”
“Come on, don’t lie,” Henry said. “I can see from the way you looked at him on our first day. And plus, apart from me, you’re the only one concerned about him.”
“Then how do I know you don’t like him too?” Kyuhyun retorted.
“Because I already have Zhoumi!” Henry scoffed. “Wait...TOO?! SO YOU DO LIKE HIM!”
Kyuhyun stared. He sighed. “Yea…,” he said. “Maybe I do like him.”
It took tears to appreciate
“I’ll take over from here,” Kyuhyun interrupted, forcefully pulling the petite male off the couch. The male looked up, face changing from mock lust to anger.
“Before you start rambling and knocking me unconscious, I need you to follow me,” Kyuhyun said, voice firm; so firm that even Sungmin didn’t dare to challenge.
“What do you want?” Sungmin asked as soon as Kyuhyun brought him out into the alleyway.
Kyuhyun eyed Sungmin's skimpy clothing and growled. “You look awful,” he spat.
“You came here just to tell me that?” Sungmin scoffed. “Well, I already know that. So unless you want to pay me to fuck me, then goodbye.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Kyuhyun said, grabbing Sungmin's arms before he could leave. “You’re never going back in there.”
“Kyuhyun, I told you to stay the fuck away from me,” Sungmin spat. “I do not need you to tell me what to do.”
“No, you don’t,” Kyuhyun shook his head. “You’re 22- wise enough to think. I wouldn’t need to tell you what to do if you do things right. Don’t you tell me that you’re old enough to do anything you want to do! Because you’re surely not acting like your age!”
“Then what do you want me to do Kyuhyun?!” Sungmin asked, voice cracking slightly at the end that Kyuhyun faltered a little.
“You-”
“He left me Kyu,” Sungmin said, step staggering as the image of Jongwoon and Ryeowook crossed his eyes. “The person I trust most...he left me.”
“There are guys, much, much better than him Sungmin,” Kyuhyun reasoned, reaching his hands out to touch Sungmin's shoulders lightly. He sighed when it was shrugged away. “He’s not worth you doing this! Do you think he’ll get jealous and take you back?!”
“What?!” Sungmin exclaimed. “Jealous?!”
“I-Isn’t that why you’re doing this?” Kyuhyun said unsurely, hands out in defence just in case Sungmin decided to kick him again.
“Is that how low I am in your eyes?” Sungmin spat. “Then you don’t even deserve to tell me what to do!”
“NO!” Kyuhyun shouted, running up to block Sungmin's pathway into the bar again. “No. I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please. Just please tell me. Make me understand so I can leave you alone.”
Sungmin stared. “I was four,” Sungmin started softly, eyes locked sharply with Kyuhyun's, as if holding on to Kyuhyun's promise to leave him alone after his explanation. “They left me alone by the road side.”
“Y-Your parents?”
“No, my dogs,” Sungmin said sarcastically. “Of course my parents. They left me alone and it was Jongwoon who found me. He was eight. He brought me to the orphanage where he was living too.”
“He was a guardian angel to me Kyu. He make me feel needed after I was abandoned,” Sungmin said. “He promised to be with me till death do us apart. It wasn’t cheesy. I held onto that promise just as how I held onto theirs. They said they’ll come back. But they didn’t. Jongwoon promised to stay, but he too didn’t. I’m not needed anywhere! Here! These fucking horny bastards here at least makes me feel needed! Even if it’s for something dirty, they need me. This is the only place I’m needed Kyuhyun. So don’t tell me what you think is right. You don’t know anything.”
Kyuhyun let himself be pushed aside, too shocked at Sungmin's revelation and tearful eyes to do anything. “What if someone else needs you now?” he said aloud, just before the door closes behind Sungmin.
“What?” Sungmin answered.
“What if...” Kyuhyun repeated. “Someone else needs you now? For something pure.”
“What the he-”
“I like you Sungmin,” Kyuhyun said, turning around to meet Sungmin's eyes. “I like you. Ineed you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Sungmin spat. “You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”
“No, I don’t,” Kyuhyun shook his head too. “But this is what my heart tells me to do. Is this what your heart wants, Min?” Kyuhyun asked, waving his hands around.
“Yes, t-”
“Don’t bullshit on me, Min,” Kyuhyun snapped. “Fine, they’ll make you feel needed for now. But what if you grow older? In your 30s? 40s? What if you get some sexual disease?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t mind dying, Sungmin,” Kyuhyun cut off just before Sungmin could retort. “You’ll die alone. Nobody will need you then. You’ll be a bother to everyone. Do you think they’ll need you? They’ll just throw you out.”
“I think it’s too early to say that I love you, no?” Kyuhyun said. “So I’m just telling you I like you. I don’t want to tell you I’m different because I have no right to judge that. I’m asking you to give me a chance. Stay away from this shits, Min. You’ll suffer in the end. No good will come off it.”
“You have no idea what you’re saying, Kyuhyun,” Sungmin said, hands gripping the doorknob tightly. “You don’t know-”
“Know how it feels like?” Kyuhyun scoffed. “Then why don’t you ask me why I’m working my butt off instead of having parents to pay my fees for me? Why don’t you ask me why I practically have no sleep everyday and continue working even if I’m still schooling? Why don’t you fucking ask me why I look like a fucking zombie?”
“You think you’re pitiable?” Kyuhyun asked, shaking his head sadly. “My parents werekilled, Sungmin - murdered right in front of my eyes by some bulky face asshole. I had to live with that image for the rest of my life. But I don’t resort to these shits like you do. I work hard now, so that my life will be better later. I want to marry, settle down and show the world that had been cruel to me that I’m not that easy to take down.”
“Don’t you want to become successful? Don’t you want to be able to afford to look for your parents and ask why they left you?” Kyuhyun muttered. “You’re so fucking young, Min. You’re just 22. You have so much in store for you ahead but you just refuse to see them.”
Kyuhyun caught Sungmin just as he staggered down the steps. “Please,” Kyuhyun whispered into Sungmin's ear. “Please just come with me. Leave all of these....”
Sungmin looked up, eyes scorching in pain as it met Kyuhyun's begging ones. “...you have to call me hyung,” he murmured softly.
“What?” Kyuhyun asked.
“On one condition...” Sungmin mumbled. “You have to call me hyung, you brat.”
Kyuhyun chuckled, eyes watering in happiness. “Hyung,” he whispered. “Sungmin hyung.”