Can we always be this close forever and ever
All is Good
When Donghae and Hyukjae came out of the closet, it wasn't sparkly and bright and fairytale-like just as the movies depicted.
SM entertainment was under fire. The label was pressured into stopping all connections with the two and with Super Junior.
The so-called fans they have loved and they thought have loved them back stood outside of their building for days with banners written with slurs and homophobic insults.
Donghae and Hyukjae spent days and nights of terror from fans threatening them. Blackmailing them to leave South Korea and to never show up again or else everyone would be corrupted by their disgusting, sinful ways.
Super Junior was forced into indefinite hiatus because of the fans boycotting their activities.
It wasn't only the label that was affected by the whole fiasco.
Each of the members and anyone who was affiliated with Donghae and Hyukjae suffered as well.
Leeteuk was replaced from some of the shows he was emceeing.
Heechul's positive and well-admired reputation in Korea was suddenly tainted by his dongsaeng's "unnatural" love for each other, and was inadvertently blamed for condoning such acts.
The knetz began to dig up the past mistakes of Shindong and Siwon, despite those being totally unrelated to the issue. Just to add fuel to the fire.
And Kyuhyun, Yesung, and Ryeowook lost some of their musical and theatre shows.
Donghae and Hyukjae unintentionally made enemies out of the people they have worked with before. Some, despite their acceptance, decidedly cut all connections with them in fear of having their careers tarnished by what was labeled by most as a disgrace. It was hell.
The unwarranted animosity thrown towards them left searing scars that would never heal. The insults will never be forgotten. The disdainful looks will forever be remembered. They would never be the same again.
The light in Donghae's eyes grew dim.
The high and solid resolve of Hyukjae cracked under all the hate.
But would they have been happy had they not come out as they are?
Eventually, Super Junior disbanded.
It was a tough decision to make, but they all knew they would have to anyway.
They knew they can't keep on doing what they did before as a group forever.
Their beauties would wither.
Their bodies would tire out.
Their popularity and influence would dwindle.
But the members were all very supportive of Donghae and Hyukjae.
They knew they would take some of the blow of their decision, but they were more than prepared to do it.
It was more devastating to the fans who have supported them all throughout the ordeal. Those true and loyal fans who knew long before what transpired behind Donghae and Hyukjae's eyes. The stolen glances, the secret touches. Their eyes didn't miss the hands that itch to touch the other. The eyes that speak the words their mouths couldn't say. The gestures that should have been blatantly obvious to anyone with common understanding that they love each other more than friends.
Those fans knew it and understood all too well the years of hardship Donghae and Hyukjae had to unnecessarily endure.
The fans and the Super Junior members have witnessed how difficult it was for Donghae and Hyukjae to hide their relationship. And how many times they have just wished to unburden themselves of their supposedly "perfect" image. Because they didn't need perfection. They needed to love each other the way they wanted to love and be loved. Loud. Strong. Bold.
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