2/4

Butterfly

“Junhyung?”


“Junhyung.”

Hey - Junhyung wake up.”

He sluggishly rose from his bed wincing at the brightness of his room, Junhyung blinked twice seeing Hyunseung across him, his head curiously tilting to the left watching Junhyung slowly come back to his senses. “Are you awake now? Your phone was ringing for a while but it stopped.”

Junhyung nodded quietly reaching out for his phone beside him, he was free the entire day and tomorrow so he decided to get as much sleep as he could. Hyunseung found amusement in watching Junhyung almost drop his phone twice while grumbling under his breath. Unlocking his phone he called back the missed call.

“Junhyung! You're alive!”

Well, who else would call to bother him when he was free, “What do you want?” Junhyung's voice was heavily bitter.

“Hey I'm happy to hear you too, can you do me a favour please?”

his eyes slid shut, “Depends what it is Doojoon.”

“Can you come in today, we're short-staffed and I know that you're free today and tomorrow. Can you please? I'll even give you Monday and Friday off.” Doojoon pleaded.

Hyunseung was half eavesdropping and half pretending to look busy, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Junhyung had to go in today. He was hoping that the both of them could continue their movie from where they left off from last night.

Junhyung gave in. “Fine. But you owe me, what time should I come in.” he threw the duvet off him standing up from his bed.

“Half an hour or so – actually – you live close by now right? so can you come in at-” Junhyung cut him off ending the call even though well aware that Doojoon would be mad at him for that later on, but at least he was coming in to help out on his day off.

“Sorry, looks like I have to go in to work today, so I don't think we can continue watching the movie tonight.”

“it's okay, we can watch it tomorrow though right?”

Junhyung hummed grabbing his jacket off the back of the door before turning around. “Actually, do you want to come along with me?”

Hyunseung perked up from his seat. “Is that really okay?”

“Yeah or you can just stay here and be bored until I come back.”

They left together in the next ten minutes, it was only around four so a lot of people were either making their way home or heading off to wherever they needed to be. Like Doojoon said, or he was going to say, Junhyung did live nearby now so there was no need for him to rush his pace. It's also been the third week since he'd moved into the apartment and more importantly the third week he's been living with Hyunseung. Looking beside him, he saw how Hyunseung was eyeing down his surroundings. Truth to be told living with Hyunseung had made his days more lively (which can be ironically said) than he realised.

Turning left around a corner Hyunseung followed Junhyung closely as they walked into a bar named Oasis, it wasn't too crowded inside given for the fact that it was still quiet early. The guy behind the counter beamed when he saw Junhyung enter, “Junhyung you made it! Good, go get ready we're going to be busy soon.” He'd figured that this was Doojoon who was on the phone earlier, honestly Hyunseung had thought that he would be some sort of middle aged man, instead Doojoon was really tall and charming he even looked around Junhyung's age.

Junhyung mumbled that he'll be back as he disappeared behind the door that was for employee's only, he sat down at the far end of the counter watching Doojoon professionally serve a customer with a smile. The place had a welcoming atmosphere, there was laughter coming from small groups of people off to the side and in the back was stage where a piano was, from outside Oasis seemed quite small however it was the opposite inside.

As Hyunseung was looking over the range of alcohols on the shelf, he almost jumped up from his seat when someone had plopped themselves onto the stool next to him. The stranger beside him looked a little too young to be in bar like this.

Doojoon walked over to his side as someone else took over for him “Seobie! You're quite early today.”

“Yeah, I didn't have much to do today so I'd thought I might as well just come in early.” he leaned his arms on the counter bringing his phone out. Junhyung returned in his uniform standing next to Doojoon behind the counter.

“Oh! I didn't know grumpy was in.” Hyunseung laughed at the nickname to himself ignoring Junhyung's glare. Doojoon grinned patting his back, “I asked him to come in since we'd be busy today.”

Junhyung rolled his eyes “Are you gonna perform tonight Yoseob?”

Yoseob sat up straight, “Yup, also Kikwang said he'll be running late today.”

“I'm not really surprised, the day he actually arrives on time will be the day I dye my eyebrows pink.” Doojoon crossed his arms, the bar was slowly becoming filled in with more people.

“Is that a bet? Junhyung, we have to get Kikwang to come in early at least once this week.”

There was a gleam in his eye, “That's definitely a bet. If Kikwang comes in early once by the end of this week we get to dye Doojoon's eyebrows pink.”

“Wait! I was just joking!” The eldest of the trio almost threw the glass in his hand “I'm not letting you guys anywhere near my eyebrows.”

Yoseob laughed saying that he'd dye his left eyebrow since its the thickest as Doojoon continued to defend that he was just joking. Hyunseung chuckled at the trios interaction, “Your friends are really funny.”

The ends of junhyungs lips curved into a small smile, he took one of the alcohol bottles from behind passing it to his co-worker. “They're okay I guess.”


----


An hour later and things started to get busy, Hyunseung sat on top of the counter when a customer had come in sitting on his seat. No one else but Junhyung could only see him any way. Doojoon had left not too long ago to help set things up on stage with Yoseob while Junhyung was busy making and serving drinks to customers. The one who seemed to be almost always late just arrived in time sheepishly waving at some of the regulars in the bar and at his co-workers, Kikwang weaved through the customers heading to the back door before spotting Junhyung.

He readjusted the strap of his bag that was slipping off his shoulder “I thought you were off today?”

“Yeah, but Doojoon called me in. When you come back can you serve these to the table in the left corner?” Junhyung placed the drinks to the side.

Kikwang nodded, “Sure, I'll be right back.” he smiled again going into the back.

“You're lucky to work in a fun place.” Hyunseung swung his legs, Junhyung slightly shrugs as Kikwang returned taking the drinks. When Doojoon returned back behind the counter, he briefly tells Hyunseung that he'd been friends with them since as long as he could remember. All four of them attended the same uni and Doojoon's dad was the one who owned the bar, Kikwang and Junhyung worked part time to help him out and sometimes Yoseob would even perform whenever he could.

The gentle murmur of laughter and chatter died down as everyone's attention was on Yoseob, the lighting dimmed down until the subtle glow of lights above Yoseob him shone on him. There wasn't a sound heard for five seconds until the first notes of the piano sung into the air before blossoming into a bolder rhythm. Then Yoseob sang. Hyunseung was in awe, completely mesmerised by his voice solely, he felt as though he was bewitched.

“He sings so beautifully.”

Junhyung merely grunted, “You're just lucky that you didn't have to be stuck around him for so long, he's like a broken record constantly singing all the time.”

Doojoon collected the empty glasses nearby when he heard Junhyung mumble, “Huh? Did you say something?”

“It's nothing.” Hyunseung laughed overhearing the grumpy bartender mention that people were going to start thinking he's weird for talking to himself. After Yoseobs performance he'd return back to the counter talking to the Kikwang, Junhyung and Doojoon whilst they were working. He smiled seeing and listening to them interact with each other, they looked like they were really enjoying themselves. He tore his eyes away from their display to look down at his feet, were his friends enjoying themselves like Junhyung and the others? Have they all moved on forgetting about him already since he was no longer alive.

His heart ache just thinking about that, it was likely that they've already moved on. Or even replaced him. It's been four years after all, people can change a lot within that time span. But, Hyunseung secretly wished that they didn't move on without him, that they were still mourning for him. He hoped so even though it was selfish of him to think that way.

But that's inevitable.

After serving the customer in front of him, Junhyung looked over to see Hyunseung staring at the floor in deep thought. Glassy doe eyes staring into space, taking a glance at the clock Junhyung quickly told Doojoon that he was going on a break before motioning Hyunseung to follow him out the back. He tailed behind him as the music and chatter died down once they stepped outside, the cold dark air welcomed them both as Junhyung crouched against the wall, they were in a narrow alleyway and the stars were out for once.

Junhyung dug into his pockets taking out his silver lighter and cigarette, the flicker of the flame came alive carving itself into the cigarette. A frown was painted on Hyunseung's face watching Junhyung blow a cloud of smoke into the air.

“It's bad to smoke you know.”

He inhaled once more before releasing another grey smoke, “Old habits die hard.” He awkwardly stayed standing until Junhyung patted the empty space next to him.

“You sure it's okay to take a break, it looked really busy.”

The ashes fell to the ground, “It's nothing that they can't handle” Junhyung saw the tiny flame in his cigarette slowly reach him “Besides, you looked like you needed to be away from all that noise for a bit.”

“I just sort of – miss everyone.” he crossed his legs looking down at his hands “Seeing you enjoy yourself with your friends. It just - hurts. It hurts knowing that I wont be like you, always looking forward to the next day, geting to travell to different countries, feeling the comfort of a cosy bed, being able to actually eat my mom's home cooked food until I get sick. Getting to meet new people.” Hyunseung bowed his head “but – I can't do all that. Because I'm dead. I'm a ghost, an outcast.”

Junhyung crushed his cigarette into the floor next to him, tears were scrolling down Hyunseung's cheeks. “Hyunseung-”

“Do you know how I died?” his breath hitched “It was /all/ my fault. I ran away. I abandoned my family to live with my boyfriend because – they didn't accept our relationship. So I just left with him refusing to return.” Hyunseung sobbed, his hands were clawing into his leg “everything was going okay. Then a couple of months later he started to change – he changed. He wasn't the same guy I fell in love with, I didn't know who he was any more, then he got possessive, and it was suffocating. I tried to leave him but he wouldn't let me and then one night he got aggressive claiming that I was cheating on him – but I really didn't. How could I cheat on the only person I had left? Then - ” his voice fell into a whisper as more tears fell yet didn't stain the ground “- he stabbed me, right here.” Junhyung watched Hyunseung weakly wrap his right arm beneath his ribcage.

“And worst of all before I ran away, my younger brother tried to stop me. We had a huge argument and I said things that – I never should have said to him.” Hyunseung's face was hidden in the palm of his hands, another wave of tears wrecked through him.

Junhyung didn't know what to say.

The lighter in his left hand was slowly getting dent, he was mad – scratch that – he was enraged. Junhyung wanted to tell Hyunseung that it wasn't his fault, he wanted to ease the pain burning in the depth of Hyunseung's heart. He wanted to do everything he could just to stop the bleeding sorrow that was gushing out. Junhyung wanted to physically comfort him, cage Hyunseung in his arms, protect him from everything. But he couldn't.

Hyunseung looked smaller in his eyes despite the both being almost the same height, his right hand rashly fended off another stream of tears. His snivelling paused as Hyunseung took a deep breath, “it's his birthday – no - it was his birthday. Just three days ago.” his face no longer hidden in his hands, he sat there staring motionlessly across him.

Junhyung could see the outline of red bordering the hazel eyes, his cheekbones highlighted pink from harshly rubbing his face and the odd frown pulling at hyunseungs lips that didn't suit him at all. If Hyunseung was alive right now he would've been twenty three like him, Hyunseung could've been enjoying his twenties, he could've been studying endlessly for exams, he could've been still in contact with his friends and family, he could've reconciled with his youngest brother.


He could've been alive.


The smell of tobacco was long gone along with the scattered ashes that fell, Junhyung had to do something to help Hyunseung. Pivoting in his seat he faced hyunseung and when he did he got shocked.

Literally. In a split second the shock echoed through them both as their eyes mirrored the same surprise, neither of them were hurt but it certainly snapped Hyunseung out of his woes. Junhyung felt him. He looked down to see his fingers on top of Hyunseung's. Junhyung could actually feel Hyunseung, he thought he was just imagining things until the hand beneath his moved, shy fingers moving to interlace both hands together. Hyunseung felt cold yet soft. It somehow suited him.

How? - I don't understand – why all of a sudden.” Junhyung didn't know why either, his words kept dying in his throat with the way Hyunseung's fingertips ghosted over his knuckles not believing that he could actually feel things now.

“I don't know either. I'm just as shocked and confused as you.”

Hyunseung trapped Junhyung's left hand with both of his, he almost flinched from the sudden action. “I can actually touch you now! You feel so warm.”

And then he finally saw Hyunseung smile with his puffy eyelids only making him look even more enchanting. A bubble of determination grew inside.

“Hyunseung.”

He looked up. “Yeah?”

“I'll help you. I will help you find your younger brother.”

Hyunseung gaped at him. “Junhyung, you really don't-”

His hands took over Hyunseung's and Hyunseung could feel himself melt under Junhyung's gaze and warm hands. “But I want to. I'm not doing this out of pity – I'm doing this because you deserve to be happy and who knows perhaps the reason you haven't moved on is because of your younger brother.”

His doe eyes fell upon their hands still tangled together. “Do you really think, that if I meet him I'll be able to move on?”

“I'm not sure, but at least this way both of you will get closure, and I'll be here to help you through this all.”

Hyunseung's shoulders fell, “Junhyung - really - thank you. I'm just-”

“Don't worry so much, you're not alone any more because I'm with you now.” His thumb brushed away the tear that escaped under the long eyelashes, as expected his tears was wet. Hyunseung genuinely smiled through his bleary eyes and Junhyung mirrored the smile back. Hyunseung was about to speak up when the back door slammed against the wall the loud noise tearing both of them apart.

“Sorry about that – Doojoon hyung said if you aren't inside within five minutes he's going to cut your pay in half.” Kikwang leaned against the open door letting the loud music and chatter escape into the open air.

“Yeah, I was just about to head in soon any ways.” Junhyung stood up pocketing his silver lighter, Kikwang frowned.

“Yoseob isn't going to be happy to know that you were smoking.”

He shrugged, brushing the dirt of his pants, “He already knows, lets go back in before Doojoon throws a fit.” Kikwang went inside first, slim fingers slipped between his own curling them into a warm palm. Junhyung looked over his shoulder seeing Hyunseung smile at him with a blush scattered across his cheeks, He couldn't help but feel his own face burn up too. The ends of his lips curled up, squeezing their hands together Junhyung gently pulled him inside the noisy bar.

 

 


you can probably guess by now who's Hyunseung's younger brother is lmaaooo

one more to goooo!!! ヾ(〃^∇^)ノ♪ 

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89_junseung #1
Chapter 4: Bittersweet Ü komawo
anissr #2
Chapter 4: I'm so happy to have you, still writing about junseung;;; i miss them a lot huhuhu
iecha_chacha #3
Chapter 4: This soo amazing.. I'm crying a lot tho... n I'm glad there r happy ending ≧▽≦
hwangfreakingminhyun
#4
Chapter 4: Ohmy god. Thanks for explaining the end and it took me 3 times to read the last part bec of confusion. Thank you and this was great!^^
MG33136 #5
Chapter 4: Awe, this fic is really beautiful, it made me smile, cry and awe at the same time. Thank you author nim for doing this. The ending was really sweet.
Thanx
SaddyK
#6
Chapter 4: My heart is broken... I feel so bad about everyone in this fic. Geez... Well, at least Dongwoon and Hyunseung had a closure :(((
And I'm'really happy with this ending~ now they're in the same timeline together, like they should be <3 thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of writing. JunSeung fans (like me!) definitely need it
xo
SaddyK
#7
Chapter 3: IMG
Step brother? Well, I can imagine what horrible Things Hyunseung Said to him :(
Waiting for the final chapter
iecha_chacha #8
Chapter 3: Thanks for updating ^^ so hyunseung will go c dongwoon..
Waiting for Ur next update fighting
Sekitani #9
Chapter 3: I'm getting sad about the end of this fic, but it's a great story so okay.. Haha anyway I'm just hoping they will find happiness