August 2011

Sungmin stepped up to the starting line, sun beaming down on him as he gave a small wave to the bleachers, cheers erupting from the gathering of fangirls in the crowd. It had been years since he'd last competed in anything sport related, but he couldn't help but feel oddly confident of his skills as he started his warm up stretches.

It didn't hurt that a certain somebody had taken to being his personal cheerleader for the day.

A small smile graced Sungmin's face at the mere thought of his hyung, finding Leeteuk's positivity and enthusiasm contagious. Looking over to the side lines it was easy enough to spot him – a blur of aqua jumping up and down, waving his hands wildly as they announced his name. As the camera zoomed in on him he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, shaking his head before waving into the lens. 

After his run [he'd sacrificed the race after seeing a worried Leeteuk rush across the track, before stopping himself to turn back and help an injured Chung Kang back on his feet] he found himself beside Kyuhyun, giddily bouncing on his heels as he watched the rest of the runners go by.

“Geez hyung if I didn't know any better I'd think you were about to pass out from excitement.”

Sungmin just laughed, in too good of a mood to care for Kyuhyun's teasing. “Oh quiet you. You're just cranky because you're stuck out here doing exercise all day instead of sitting in front of your computer. Just relax Kyuhyunnie~!” He smirked, pinching Kyuhyun's cheeks lightly, the roar of screams increasing from the crowd as Kyuhyun grimaced.

“God hyung why would you do that!” he grumbled, pushing a laughing Sungmin away. “Besides... only Wook can call me that and get away with it.”

---

Eventually it was Leeteuk's time to race, lining up at the starting blocks. For Sungmin it was the first time his hyung had shown any visible sign of being nervous all day, restlessly shuffling around as he waited the rest of the idols to line up. Making his way over to him Sungmin smiled, reaching out for the man, placing his hands on Leeteuk's shoulders and massaging them lightly, older man jumping slightly before recognising the familiar touch with a gentle sigh.

“Aaah Sungminnie don't make me too relaxed or I'll fall asleep half way through the race!”

Laughing Sungmin paused his movements, allowing Leeteuk to turn around and properly face him.

“And what exactly did I do to deserve one of your massages this fine afternoon?”

“You seemed nervous, so I thought I'd come over a wish you luck! Plus an old grandpa such as yourself? You're going to need all the assistance you need to beat these young kids!”

“Ha ha very funny” Leeteuk replied, rolling his eyes at his giggling dongsaeng. Hearing the musical laughter he smiled at the younger man before sighing, looking around at his competition. “I am an old grandpa compared to these kids aren't I? I'd be lucky to keep up with the likes of a hyperactive Donghae, let alone all of these boys.”

Sungmin shook his head, trying to control his giggles. “You know I was just joking around! You're going to be absolutely fine... the Teukie hyung I know is going to give these kids a run for their money I know it.”

“Well thats true... I mean I have something super special they don't.” Leeteuk grinned.

“And what would that be?”

“My Sungminnie's support of course!”

Sungmin groaned, heart fluttering as he pushed his hyung in embarrassment despite the huge grin on his face. “Hyuuunnngg you're so cheesy!”

“Shush I'm an old grandpa I can be as cheesy as I want. Now I'll be fine – go and stand on the sidelines while I win this race for you!” Leeteuk laughed, grinning as he pushed Sungmin away, watching as the boy blushed in response.

Making his way back beside Hyukjae and Kyuhyun, Sungmin watched in anticipation as the row of boys got ready. As the starting gun went off Sungmin made sure to cheer as loud as possible, watching his hyung take off away from him down the track with the others.

[“Sungmin and Leeteuk sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!!”

“...”

“oh my god Kyuhyun I have seen that look before and it is the look of a crazed man wE ARE SCREWED RUN!!!”]

---

[DAY 00]

“Are you sure that I can't come with you in your van?”

“As much as I love you its going to be pretty odd to have the entire group together and then you lagging behind with me... besides I don't think I'd be able to actually drag myself away from you once the time came if I had all that time with you on the way there.”

Sungmin rolled his eyes at his smirking hyung. The two of them were seated together in Leeteuk's room, lounging about on the small bed before they had to officially part ways later that afternoon.

“That is true, you can barely control yourself now and its only been a day.”

“Well I've got six years to make up for and about four hours to do so – so excuuuse me if I want to constantly hug my adorable boyfriend!”

“Hyuuunnnggg” Sungmin blushed, slapping Leeteuk lightly as he grinned, dimples showing. Smiling Sungmin pressed gentle pecks against the dimples, much to Leeteuk's amusement, before leaning back into the hug, sighing in contentment. It was still unbelievable to him all that had happened in the past week, all of his feelings over the years finally being acknowledged and reciprocated. The only problem was now the time they had to spend together, about to cut drastically short for at least four years.

“Don't pout Sungminnie! If you keep that up I'll have no choice but to take us far far away and skip out on our duties for the rest of our lives.”

Sungmin thought for a moment, tapping his chin lightly until his pout turned into a grimace, confusing Leeteuk.

“Yah what's with that expression! You're supposed to ~love me~!”

“Yeah but that was before the thought of having to live with your cooking for the rest of my life... can I take back the I love you and save myself from that torture?”

Sungmin bit his lip, trying to contain himself, but at the scandalised look on his hyung's face he couldn't control it, breaking into a fit of giggles. It soon escalated into gasping laughter, Leeteuk tickling Sungmin's sides as he squirmed on the bed beside him.

“s-stop hyung oH MY GOD--”

“take it back then.”

“I TAKE IT BACK I love you very much and I'd be more than willing to eat your horrible food because I love you and did I say that I love you!?!”

“Much better” Leeteuk replied, immediately stopping his attack on the other boy, to Sungmin's immense relief.

Sungmin looked up at the grinning man above him, smiling softly before sitting up and initiating a loving kiss. They didn't have much time, and Leeteuk was right, they had a lot of making up to do.

---

“I marked the calendar with an 'X' for the upcoming months I have of army life so I am looking forward to the fun time I get to meet you guys again with a bright smile.

The members who ran forward through that time and even run diligently now--while running with those members, I want to tell the fans who gave us infinite love, 'I always give you my thanks and love.'

Thanks again for supporting me so I will not give up but continue living and enduring.  I will pray that from now on we will live beautifully as one not for just a moment but forever and ever.  I sincerely give my love...”

As Leeteuk continued his speech to the watching press and distraught fans, Sungmin watched on from the edge of the group line up, trying to calm himself enough to stop the tears that were bound to come. Although he had the hood of his jacket up and hat covering his face, he knew it was more than important to not show too much emotion for the media, preferring to keep himself away from any sort of spotlight that day.

Looking down at the floor of the small makeshift stage they were standing on, Sungmin tried his best to avoid the crowds gaze until a figure stood subtly in front of him, blocking the view of the long row of cameras. He looked up to see the back of Kyuhyun standing directly in front of him, turned to best give him some space. He whispered a small thank you, getting a slight nod before he tuned back into Leeteuk's speech, one he already knew off by heart, trying to think about what he would do the next couple of years without his Teukie hyung.

As he listened on Ryeowook slid up beside him taking the spot Kyuhyun had been previously occupied, grabbing Sungmin's arm and entangling it in his. “Are you okay Sungminnie?”

“I've been better, but overall I'll be okay.”

“Thats good” Ryeowook nodded. “You know, for years I watched the two of you dance around each other, both just missing the others advances and obvious signs of feelings. And now after finally getting you two together and seeing you so happy for a day, I have to watch you two break apart again.

But if I know anything it's this – you two may not have been together in the relationship sense for long, but you have BEEN together practically since the day you two met. I may have called you dumb, which you were don't even try to question me on that, but the love you two share is so strong that I'm more than confident that these four years apart will be nothing to you guys. Besides, you'll always have me to complain to when you need it.”

Sungmin let out a quiet chuckle, squeezing Ryeowook's arm tightly. “Thank you Ryeowookie... for not only those amazing words –“

“I know I'm a literary genius”

“-- but also for helping me this entire time... I couldn't have done it without you.”

“Yes you could've” Ryeowook replied. “it just would've taken the both of you another twenty years and we all would've been old wrinkly men by then. I got a little impatient, what can I say.”

Sungmin laughed once more, shoving a smiling Ryeowook away from him in amusement. He's still laughing when Leeteuk stopped in front of him, small smile on his face. They looked at each other for a moment before Leeteuk took him into a tight hug, pulling Sungmin as close as possible.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“See you as soon as possible okay? I'll contact you whenever I can, just answer your phone for once!” 

Sungmin let out a shaky laugh, refusing to let go of the man in front of him before he is gently pulled away by Kyuhyun's hand on his shoulder, Leeteuk looking down at him with a bright grin.

“Now or never I suppose. Don't you boys burn down the dorms while I'm gone – that means you Cho. Don't even think about cooking!”

The entire group chuckled at Kyuhyun's pout while Leeteuk stepped down the stage towards the doors of the army base. He gave one last wave before he disappeared around the corner, completely out of Sungmin's view.