“Smile for me, gorgeous. I’m still alive, so tell me what you’re feeling right now.”

Ryeowook’s face crumpled and he closed the distance between them. The camera tumbled aside, filming the white hospital blanket. “I don’t want you to die! Please don’t die…don’t leave me alone…I won’t know what to do when you’re gone…do you understand…?” Ryeowook’s broken voice rumbled through the recorder.

“Ssh…we still have time,” Hyungsik whispered gently, “Don’t think about the future…not yet. Right now it’s just us and until the future comes, it will be just us.”

“T-The second y-you’re out of h-here…,” Ryeowook spoke again, sounding like he was suppressing sobs, “move in with me. I don’t w-want to spend any more time apart…”

“Yeah…we can wake up next to each other, and we can go grocery shopping together…cooking together…leaving for school together…”

“Will you be alright in high school alone?” Ryeowook mumbled before giggling quietly, “…I’m not going to be around you…”

“The teachers know what’s up,” he assured, “I won’t let anything ruin these final months.”

The video camera was taken up again then, showing the couple lying next to each other on the narrow bed. Hyungsik’s arm went around Ryeowook’s shoulders, holding him close on the narrow mattress.

Clearing his throat, Ryeowook the device and looked into the lens, having not noticed that it never turned off. “Today we decided to move in together. Just the two of us, a broke college freshman, and a…,” he his lips, and then looked into the camera again, “…and a high school senior with the heart and soul of an elementary kid.”

“Hey!” Hyungsik complained, laughing and poking his boyfriend. “That’s no way to be talking about the person you love.”

“I think that’s the perfect way to talk about the person I love,” he teased, giggling and trying to get away when the younger male started pulling on his cheek and nudging him out of the bed. “I love you more than anyone, Hyungsik,” Ryeowook grinned, eyes shining brightly, “and we’re going to make the next eight months the best you’ve ever had.”

Changmin paused the video. The other two turned to him. “Sorry,” he mumbled, “I just didn’t expect such a serious recording right off the bat.” He sort of didn’t want to see what followed this scene.

“I wanted to get this one over with,” Ryeowook explained, “it’s one of the harder recordings to get through.”

“I can’t imagine a harder one.”

“There’s probably only one that beats it,” he shrugged, picking at a random spot on a side table, “when we got married, we filmed the ceremony.”

Changmin shook his head, “Oh god, I don’t wanna see that. This is already sad as hell,” he nodded to the television.

Ryeowook smiled a little. “Yeah, it is.”

“He’s really cute, Ryeowook,” Victoria remarked, “I’ve never really seen someone with such a bright smile.”

“I agree,” Changmin added, “for a sick patient, he was pretty lively.”

“I told Victoria the other day that he was always like that,” Ryeowook responded, lips pulled up into a smile as he spoke, “It probably made it harder to accept that he was going to disappear soon…he just never made it seem like that.”

Changmin nodded carefully. “You know what about death – aside from the whole death part?”

“What?”

“The person that’s left behind,” he stated, eyes focused on a spot on the ceiling as he pieced his sentence together gingerly, “it’s so easy to lose that person as well. When you’re gone, you don’t have to deal with the pain anymore. When you’re the one still here…it’s hard to deal with it alone. That’s the issue with you, isn’t it, Ryeowook? You didn’t have anyone but him, and I’m sorry about that.”

“I…,” he trailed off, not sure what to say. Everything was true, and it just made him feel oddly warm inside. It was a different sort of sensation than anything else he had ever felt. It seemed like friends – were they really considered friends? – could do some amazing things.

Victoria smiled at him, “You okay?”

“Maybe,” Ryeowook said in a small voice, pulling his knees up as he nodded towards the television, “…I think the clip after this one isn’t so sad. Wanna watch it?”

“Of course,” Changmin grinned, pressing play.

“It’s morning now, roughly four o’clock,” Hyungsik whispered to the camera. He directed it to Ryeowook who was lying beside him, snuggled up and sleeping. “Isn’t he just the cutest little thing?” Hyungsik rolled his eyes playfully.

Leaning over, he gazed down at the boy, lips parting before closing again. “…You know, I hope he’s okay after all of this. I’m worried, but I guess we’re always worried about one another.”

Hyungsik directed the camera back to himself. “In case he forgets over time, I’ll tell you something. People are always telling stories about how you first realized you’re in love with someone. Well, I’ve told Ryeowook before, but I’ll tell you too, because a confession – the very first confession – should be documented in every relationship. Memories fade, but when you have a reminder like this, you won’t forget so easily.”

He sighed, smiling curiously. “Alright, so let’s start. It was back when we were eight years old. Ryeowook, you carried me all the way back home after we got into a fight with some playground bullies. I…just couldn’t believe I had such an awesome friend. Of course, I didn’t know I was in love, but looking back, it had to be, because my next thought was that I wanted to live with you forever and ever.”

Looking down, he directed the camera to show Ryeowook beginning to wake up. “I guess I’m out of time. I’ll tell you a fun story next time too,” he winked, the camera shutting off.

“Damn, what a smooth talker,” Changmin whistled. Victoria smacked him again. He made a noise, shooting her a glare. “Hey! What? It was just an observation!”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” she rolled her eyes.

“It’s fine,” Ryeowook chuckled, “he really was a smooth talker. If anyone could charm their way out of a situation, it was Hyungsik.” He looked at Victoria and Changmin. “He was really popular, but he always spent time with me. I’ve always been thankful for that.”

“I can see why you had a hard time making friends,” Changmin commented, “if I had a friend like Hyungsik, I don’t think anyone could compare.”

Ryeowook peered at them, smiling a little more sincerely. “You two together are pretty close to one Hyungsik. Being around anyone that’s outgoing and kind reminds me of him.”

Victoria blushed, while Changmin just grinned. “Aren’t you trusting us pretty fast there?” he pointed out.

“Only as fast as you two decided to do something as nice as this,” Ryeowook responded.

“True,” Changmin snickered.

The door bell rang then.

Ryeowook stood up, heading over to get their food.

Victoria looked back at the screen. “…If it was you, do you think you could ever find someone new to love?”

Changmin was quiet for a second and then he shook his head. “I’m not sure,” he gazed at the black display, “there’s always a chance though…if the person is special enough.”

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I don't know how you guys feel about angst and such, but there's a story that I've been reading recently and I feel like it's underrated, especially considering how well it's written.

A Price to Pay

It's written in a very vague and subtle way and also in flashes. However, the storyline is interesting and focuses on a broken KyuWook couple. There are other elements of manipulation and power in the form of Yesung and Sungmin. Furthermore, beneath all the sadness, there are some pretty heart touching feelings between Kyuhyun adn Ryeowook that just make you go "aw" : )

Go check it out if you're interested!