11 October 2013

Henry rested a hand on Kyuhyun’s shoulder, leaning over to check on his friend. The stench in the dance studio was nearly unbearable already, but no one was making a move to leave even a minute early. There was pressure like Kyuhyun had never felt before. It was a Saturday and yet everyone in his new major was partaking in the supplementary dance classes.

For his part, it was simply a core requirement, but for others – the dancers, it was life or death, make it or break it. The suffocating heat, the stress, everything really, was making him sick to his stomach.

This was nothing like law. Everyone he had come across in the short week since his transfer into the music program was out for blood. Although rumors ran rampant around SME University about the cutthroat nature of the department, he hadn’t really expected it to live up to the hushed whisperings.

“Hey, if you want, we can head out,” Henry nodded to the door.

Kyuhyun looked up at him, still panting and bent over. His body was soaked with sweat, mind racing a mile a minute. He wanted to spit up whatever bile remained in his stomach. It felt like it was holding him back. “Are you crazy? Do you not feel the atmosphere?” he hissed under his breath.

“It doesn’t matter, does it?” he blinked, his shirt equally drenched, if not more so than Kyuhyun’s. “Your health is more important. Besides, we don’t even have to be here. You just started this program. There’s no reason to put yourself in jeopardy over a dance lesson.”

He stared incredulously. How anyone could be so calm and collected was beyond him. Shaking his head slowly, Kyuhyun straightened up, leaning on Henry. “If you say so…”

“Don’t worry,” he assured, wrapping an arm around Kyuhyun’s waist. “Let’s get you out of here.” Taking slow steps to the back of the room, he grabbed both of their bags and started shuffling toward the door. A girl glanced at them, her eyes narrowing in disgust before turning back to the front of the room where the instructor was telling them the next dance sequence.

Kyuhyun tried to ignore the sharpness pricking at his backside. The dirty looks and muted insults felt like stab wounds, one after another. He wondered faintly if St. Angela’s College was as competitive as SME. A part of him said that it couldn’t be, but the more rational part told him not to underestimate it just because it was smaller. If anything, wouldn’t a smaller school be harder to deal with? After all, the instructor would actually care if you made a mistake, unlike at SME where they just let you fall if you couldn’t catch up.

Cool autumn air washed over them the moment they stepped outside. He gasped a lungful of air, sighing out and coughing. Henry rubbed his back comfortingly, eyes filled with worry. “You’re not used to working out that much, huh? Don’t push yourself.”

“I have to,” he argued, coughing some more, “It being the worst dancer in class.”

“Your pride is incredible,” he muttered wryly, lugging Kyuhyun down the steps. There was a car parked at the curb and a man leaning outside of it. His long black coat was fur lined and his sunglasses covered half his face. A shock of bleached hair crowned his head. Henry smiled, awkwardly lifting one arm to wave at Jiyoung. “Are you here to help us?”

The older male nodded, popping the door open. “I had a feeling something like this might happen after you told me he was having a rough time in class.”

Kyuhyun’s head whipped around to Henry, looking betrayed.

He shrank away. “Sorry! I didn’t mean it in a bad way! It just slipped out…” he trailed off, letting his friend scoot into the backseat as he climbed in after him. Jiyoung followed suit, sitting across from them in the spacious back.

The car rolled away from the sidewalk, moving steadily toward the road. “How are you feeling, Henry?” Jiyoung murmured, handing him a face towel.

“I’m alright,” he nodded, patting at his sweaty neck, “I’m used to this stuff.”

“Apparently I’m the only unfit person on this planet,” Kyuhyun bit out harshly, swallowing a mouthful of water. He scrubbed his dripping face with a fluffy sports towel, hair dark and wet from perspiration.

Jiyoung smiled faintly. “Those kids are all fighting to be in your place right now. It was probably extra bad today since they knew that.” He noted the confusion on the exhausted student’s face and explained further, “You’re working with me and Henry. You’ve already gotten yourself featured in Henry’s debut. Every student in the music department probably already knows this.”

He had no idea what to say. Irritation rose first, but he swallowed it, knowing that it was misdirected. It definitely wasn’t G-Dragon’s fault. Kyuhyun didn’t have to take the offer and change majors. He could’ve stayed a lawyer like his parents advised – though he had yet to actually inform them that he switched his studies. Sungmin also wasn’t quite aware of the official change. Kyuhyun had failed to tell him in the past two or so weeks that he had declared the switch.

It didn’t matter anyway. No one could stop him at that point. As powerful as his family was, they had no money invested in SME University and Sungmin simply had no connection to the school. That ruled out any sort of opposition that could cause real damage.

Whether or not Kyuhyun would survive Christmas after breaking the news of his musical pursuits was still to be determined.

“Happy birthday Henry,” Jiyoung stated, pulling out a plain white envelope and handing it to the puzzled younger man.

“It’s your birthday?” Kyuhyun blurted, whipping around to look at his friend.

Henry grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry I didn’t tell you. It slipped my mind.” He fiddled with the envelope, looking up at his mentor. “Thank you! I had no idea that you were paying attention to the dates.”

Jiyoung scoffed softly. “Of course I do. You’re important to me. At the very least, I’m going to remember your birthday. Oh, and I invited your cousin, Kim Kibum, to come and spend the night.”

“Really?” Henry and Kyuhyun nearly shouted. The younger of the two finally tore open the envelope, eyes widening. “Are you serious? I can go?”

Kyuhyun leaned over his shoulder, studying the contents. There was a flight itinerary inside, along with one of two boarding passes. “Congrats, Henry. You’re going home.” He patted his friend’s backside, grinning, before suddenly shoving the boy and demanding, “Why were you attending a dance class on your birthday? Are you crazy?”

Henry rubbed his arm, frowning. “Like I said, it slipped my mind. And besides, I love dancing. There’s been a lot going on recently and my birthday isn’t nearly as important as that.”

“Except it is,” Jiyoung corrected, arms crossed loosely, a smile tugging at his lips. “Celebrating the little things keeps you sane. Forgetting them because of work isn’t worth it. Whether or not that business is your dream, being with people who are more important than any material wealth trumps everything.”

They stared at the older man, neither of them quite understanding where his words were rooted. Henry hadn’t expected him to be a sentimental type. Kyuhyun hadn’t expected him to have any real feelings in general. Either way, denying his words was out of the question. They rang too true.

***

Ryeowook flipped through the script, muttering to himself and trying to memorize the lines. The first performance would be in early December before they all left for break. There were numerous things that needed to be done, and all of it was beginning to feel more and more stressful as time passed. He had only received the part a few days ago, but things were going at high gear already.

“Hey.” Hyungsik touched his shoulder, coming up beside him. There was a slight flush to his face, eyes shifting back and forth as if quickly scanning Ryeowook’s features for discomfort. When he didn’t find anything, he let out a low breath. “I just…uhm, we haven’t talked much since that night. I don’t want anything to be weird between us. I…I know I wasn’t in the right, because it was just such a bad—look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—not that I didn’t want to—”

Ryeowook stifled a laugh.

Hyungsik stopped and stared.

“No, no, you’re not funny,” he quickly corrected himself, waving his hand and patting the tall male on his hand. “You’re just stressing way too much. It’s not like I’ve never been kissed. We didn’t even do anything, so please don’t worry. I’ve just been busy and I didn’t want to talk during musical meetings, so I’m sorry if I sent the wrong message.”

Hyungsik’s face turned redder. Slowly letting his hand slide down, he shook his head and rolled back on his heels, fingers tightening around his backpack’s strap. “Oh.” Blinking, he looked back up earnestly, “Well, then still, I want to apologize. I’m not really like that.”

“I know,” Ryeowook smiled.

He smiled faintly. “Good.”

Ryeowook’s phone vibrated. Tugging it out, he swiftly checked the lock-screen and saw a new text message bubble from Kibum.

Kibum: Gonna be staying with Henry for the night! Have a good weekend!

“What’s up?” Hyungsik asked curiously.

Shaking his head, he tucked the phone away. “I’m getting the room to myself tonight,” he grinned, “that’ll be nice.” Ryeowook looked back down at the script he was still holding, an idea coming to him. “Hey, do you wanna practice lines?”

There was barely a pause before the taller male was nodding and pointing at the Music Building. “We can use one of the practice rooms, I’m sure.”

***

The get together was very small – meaning it was G-Dragon, Kyuhyun, and Kibum. Yet somehow, there was a pile of presents in the living room and dozens of pink bakery boxes stacked on the dining room table. Bouquets, cards, and half a dozen birthday cakes sat on the coffee table, each one uniquely flavored and delicately designed.

Henry plucked a toy violin off one of the cakes, eyeing it warily. “I don’t even know who this was from,” he muttered, setting the plastic decoration aside. He was kneeling beside the array of desserts, wondering how much each one cost and how sad all of those -kissers would be if they knew he didn’t even know their names.

“Well, these two,” Jiyoung pointed at two of the smaller cakes, “were delivered by some students in the department. I’m not sure which ones.” He pushed them into the large trash bin sitting nearby. “These three are from SME University’s President, the music producers, and video production staff, respectively.”

“You’re very popular,” Kyuhyun remarked, sipping his red wine absently, legs crossed as he reclined back on the sofa. Prodding at the mound of presents was Kibum, a flute of champagne resting in his relaxed grip.

“Or they’re trying to kill me,” he stated mildly, dropping his head on Jiyoung’s knee. He sighed heavily, staring at the wondrous presents filled with other people’s bribes. “I shouldn’t feel guilty, should I?”

Jiyoung his hair softly, scooting the cakes aside to reveal a chocolate one with simple white letters written on the circular top. The design was sleek and cute. “Well, we can donate those cakes to someone else, but you have to eat this one.” He smiled at Henry’s uplifted eyes. “I figured you wouldn’t want one of the cakes I like.”

“I’m sure it was covered in crazy colors and warped designs,” Henry grinned cheekily, earning himself a sharp pinch. Whining softly, he straightened up and picked up the knife, cutting into the cake.

“We didn’t even say happy birthday!” Kyuhyun cried, sitting forward indignantly.

Kibum laughed as he jostled a perfectly wrapped present. “Henry just wants the cake. We’ll sing and shove his face into one of them later…maybe when he’s sleepy.” Flashing his cousin a bright smile, he went back to toying with the various bribes.

“That’s a good idea,” G-Dragon agreed, eyes twinkling with humor.

“All of you are such bitter old men,” he grouched, sliding out a piece of cake. He placed it on a plastic plate and handed it to Jiyoung who took it easily. Henry passed the next one to Kyuhyun and then Kibum and finally himself. Half the cake was gone already, the interior filled with more chocolate. Looking over to his mentor and caretaker, Henry smiled widely, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me when you’ll hate me for the training regiment to come,” he returned in an equally sweet voice.

A chill ran down Henry’s back, but he ignored it, laughing and patting the older male’s knee. Kyuhyun watched the exchange with slight gratitude. So many people wanted to be in Henry’s position, but did they really? Who could actually handle someone like G-Dragon? His personality was strange, to say the very least. On television, he was charismatic, daring, crazy, and an absolute god on stage.

But at home…he was just weird. Kyuhyun wondered if the man, South Korea’s biggest idol, was actually awkward and shy and terribly quiet. He spoke in a near permanent murmur to Henry, but his friend seemed completely used to it. Furthermore, by the stories he had heard and his own experience from staying over at their apartment, G-Dragon had some odd quirks. He would stay up late like a crazed composer, but in the mornings, he would be more domestic than a family coffee commercial. Other times, he would be doting like an older brother to Henry, but still other times he would suddenly be overwhelming in his demands for musical results.

Being near the man was a challenge in itself and every day Kyuhyun thanked the heavens that he hadn’t fallen in that deep. Henry was probably the only person who could handle such a true, stereotypical musician. A part of him knew it was because they were the same kind of person. Although Henry hid it better, it was obvious when he was composing songs that he and G-Dragon were born from the same mold. Their minds were compatible in a way that others couldn’t appreciate.

Kyuhyun ambled over to Kibum, sitting down on the large window sill. They sat in silence for barely a moment before he was interrupted by Kibum’s soft laughter.

“It’s good to see him so relaxed,” the dark haired actor-in-training remarked, eyes trailing over to where Henry was chatting with G-Dragon. “Back home, it always felt like he was being held back. There were opportunities all over the place, but I have to admit, Henry fits in much better with this competitive world.”

“You’re the one who pushed him, right?” Kyuhyun sipped his wine.

The cousin nodded. “I want him to exploit all the talent inside of him because there’s no one else like Henry out there. Prodigies like him…they’re easily lost. He’s capable of so much and the only place that fosters that much talent is in the idol world. For all of those people out there who are looking for a role-model, I honestly believe Henry is the perfect person to look up to.”

Kyuhyun was quiet, contemplative. He swirled the deep red drink in his glass. “Wordlessly, he pushes you to be better. He makes me want to reach for greater heights every time we’re together.” Chuckling, he drained the remnants of his wine, “If it wasn’t his birthday, I definitely wouldn’t have the nerve to say these things.”

“Oh, it’s not the alcohol?” Kibum smirked playfully. Kyuhyun laughed under his breath, setting the glass down on a side table. “I was talking to Jongwoon the other day,” he began casually, eyes drifting down to his drink before lifting back up to where Kyuhyun was watching him, “he told me that you swung by in the middle of the night looking for Ryeowook?”

Immediately, his posture changed and his cheeks flushed red for an entirely non-alcoholic reason. “R-Really?” he croaked, harshly clearing his throat and dropping his gaze.

“I didn’t tell Ryeowook,” Kibum grinned at Kyuhyun’s visible turmoil. “It’s fine. I don’t plan on telling him either,” he added calmly, finishing his champagne. “That’s not exactly territory I wanna broach. We’re roommates, but roommates are only effective when they know their boundaries.”

“You’re honestly not going to tell him?” his eyes narrowed in confusion, “I mean, thank you,” he quickly blurted, “but I just figured that it’s good gossip…most people would love to get involved in their friend’s love life.”

Kibum nodded. “I agree, it’s a ton of fun,” his eyes sparkled teasingly, “especially when it’s about Wook and a really hot musician.”

Kyuhyun smirked at that.

“But I respect him and I can’t betray Hyungsik.”

He rattled his brain for a moment, trying to place a name and a face. “…could it be that guy who was trying to help Ryeowook with his cow suit? It was back during Homecoming Weekend.”

“That sounds like something he would do,” Kibum said slowly, thinking it over, “well recently they’ve been closer, and Hyungsik is doing his very best. I felt like it would just be too cruel of me to do anything more.”

Kyuhyun smiled faintly. “Yeah, that’s true. But don’t misunderstand. I really don’t plan on doing anything with Ryeowook.” He shook his head. “I’m curious about him, but that doesn’t really translate to a relationship for me.”

“I’ve heard stories from Eunhyuk,” he assured.

“Oh? Is that another reason why you’re not on my team?” Kyuhyun leaned his head on the cool glass window, amused.

“I’ve also recently failed at getting someone’s attention, so I might be looking for a self-esteem booster,” Kibum murmured, eyes on the tall male returning his gaze.

Chuckling softly, he closed his eyes and laced his fingers together across his lap. “I do have a boyfriend.”

“And I have a major crush,” Kibum returned, “Seems pretty even to me.”

“I’d rather not hook-up with my friend’s cousin on his birthday,” Kyuhyun smiled wryly.

“Then after midnight.”

How could he say no?