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Kim Junkyu, 26.
A renowned soloist in the kpop industry. He has been here for somewhat 8 years. His career would pass as quite stable. He had debuted and gained attention for his unique voice and charismatic looks and body proportions, gained fans from all over the world, gained achievements and awards for his talent, went through the hardships of a idol, unjustified hate and so on. He also made his acting appearances in the Korean dramas which demanded more of his acting career. Fans just wanted more of him. And you couldn't blame them for that. Everyone wanted the adorable yet the cool to themselves, which also resulted in love scandals.
Junkyu's company had strictly prohibited him from dating and so he followed. And yet, he couldn't stop himself from falling for that one man.
It was after his 2nd debut anniversary. In the music show building, recording his comeback show when he bumped into this one man who was a soloist like himself. Junkyu knew him. Then again who didn't? It seemed like the whole industry knew him. He had debuted the same year as Junkyu. And was loved by many since then. A man with great vocals and dancing skills paired with constellational pretty face and to top it all, his social butterfly personality. It seemed like he had the ability to be loved immensly while giving out love.
'Just perfect.' Junkyu thought. Then as he realised, he shook off his thoughts and looked again at the guy whose eyes turned crescent as he smiled. And a smile made it's way to Junkyu's lips, that would've turned wider if he hadn't froze because the said man was looking back at him. Panicked Junkyu bowed at him and walked back to his changing room.
'Fuck. He caught me staring at him. Damnit I literally ran away from him. That must've looked so disrespectful. Shit!' Like that Junkyu wished the ground would swallow him whole to hide him away from embarrassment.
The next time he met the man was in a year-end award show. At the backstage. Junkyu had his eyes on him throughout the time. After weeks of denying, he had finally acknowledged his crush on that man. He was walking out from his dressing room, tens of minutes away from his performance, yet he couldn't help but reminisce about that particular performance by a certain man that he witnessed before. He was nothing less than a fan but he knew he couldn't give too much away. He was basically all smiles while walking towards the stage when he found himself looking in the eyes that seemed to hold the whole universe.
It was THE eyes. The brightest shining eyes. The eyes he wished to look at all day. How he wished he can be the first person he looks at when he wakes up. 'I want to wake up next to him in the morning.' But then realisation hit him and he blinked rapidly, looking down to gather himself. 'That's so stupid of me'. He looked back at the man in front of him. Confused look but a ghost of a smile on those lips.
Junkyu was somewhat panicking and the man, he looked somewhat relaxed. Like he knew Junkyu better than anyone else.
"Hello Kim Junkyu-ssi! Nice to finally meet you."
It took Junkyu moments to register the words but he stuttered out, "Hello Pa-Park Jihoon-ssi. I- uh nice to meet you too." and he tried to smile like it was nothing, but his heart was beating like crazy. He wanted to run back home and crawl back in his bedsheets but he had other important task to do. And he was a professional.
"Cute" the man mumbled. He just smiled. "I just wanted to come and greet you to introduce myself to you personally. So I won't take anymore of your time. I hope to get to meet you more in the future. Good luck on your performance, Junkyu-ssi" and he smiled turning his eyes into crescent.
"Oh- um- I.. I hope the same" that came out as a whisper "thank you Jihoon-ssi." And he bowed at the man with a smile that showed more of his dimples.
That was certainly awkward and blood rushing.
With a chuckle, the man went on his way after exchanging goodbyes.
Junkyu stood there with huge smile.
'I will make this performance my best of all. Definitely.'
His crush on the man had just gotten deeper.
After that he met the man at a variety show. Junkyu was very nervous and his introverted personality didn't help it much. He was going to interact with so many people. But the man, who could potentially be an angel, as Junkyu thought, came to his rescue. He helped Junkyu calm down and helped him during the whole show. He helped him to interact with others. Thanks to the man, this wasn't going to be bad experience for Junkyu.
That was the beginning of their friendship and as time went by, after approx 6 months or more, the whole industry knew they were friends. That started a lot of things. They were legit the polar opposites So naturally people seemed to like the duo. The tom and jerry, as fans said. Everyone seemed to love and admire how wholesome their friendship was.
Junkyu was glad to meet the man. Since his first interaction, they grew close. Hanging out, helping out, caring, bickering, crying, laughing, they did countless things together, for each other. They were like the soulmates. No. The soulmates.
As more months passed, they could find themselves flirting with each other, though subtly. Hugs, Kisses just to tease the other, mostly to annoy Junkyu. They were like a unofficial couple by the time their 4th debut anniversary went by.
One day, Junkyu decided that he had enough of it all and was ready to risk his friendship with the man. He had decided to confess his feelings.
They were lying down beside each other, stargazing, just like how they occasionally did. Everything was same. The comfortable silence. The cool yet peaceful environment. Just the two of them on the rooftop of Junkyu's house. And the fresh air. Just the same. how they both liked it. Well Junkyu's hands might or might not have been sweating the entire time like how his heart was beating, out of nervousness. Afterall, he had finally decided to do it and he knew there was no backing out.
"You know..." he started as he was looking up at the sky and he sensed the older turning to look at him, "I never got tired of looking at the sky full of stars, the constellations, the moon, the clouds. Over the years, most of the times, I found myself waiting for the night to arrive, to be welcomed by the familiar comfort that those stars offered. The days seemed so long in those times. But you know since the day I laid my eyes on this one person, I did not have to wait for the night, for the comfort I've always longed for. I felt like I am finally home. Like how I felt whenever I looked at the stars, I feel the same now, when I look at him, at those eyes, at that face. As cringey as it sounds, it's true. I feel happy when I'm with him, just like the times I spent stargazing. Maybe more than that." And there was a little pause.
"Park Jihoon" he said as he looked at the man who had looked away at the stars mid-way of him talking. He heard a faint hum from the older. He sat up, continuing to look at man, who then sat up too still looking above.
"Park Jihoon, I am very happy that I met you" the older snapped his attention back the younger, looking intently at him but couldn't decipher anything. So he just listened.
"I am very grateful that I get to look at the constellations so closely even at day time. I'm glad I get to trace this constellations, which are otherwise out of reach. I get to look at the eyes that are as bright as stars and that makes me feel special. Heck you make me feel special. There are no dull moments with you, no awkward silences. I don't have to worry about being judged, don't have to care about my imperfections. I don't have to act or mask myself with facade when I am with you. I can cry out my pain when I am with you and you lend me your shoulder and hug me afterwards. You always know when I need some space, whenever I say I want to be alone, you follow suit. Yet you also understand when I don't want to be alone, when I want to go out, when I don't want to be lonely. That's why, I feel so much at ease with you. Like I have known you for years. With you, I feel safe, I feel comfort like how I feel here, beneath the night sky, I feel like I'm home, Jihoon. And that's all I ever want. I- I love you." He stopped and took a deep breath and then continued. "So Park Jihoon, would you let me look at your constellations for the rest of our life?"
He waited. He was afraid, nervous, anxious thinking about what will the older say. He looked at Jihoon, who looked shocked and something that he couldn't quite decipher. He was ready for the consequences, for the heartbreak, to hear that 'Junkyu, you are my Bestfriend and I never thought of you more than that'. He knew that his confession would end their bond, their friendship but he had taken courage to confess, after months of procrastinating. He had prepared himself for the worst. But boy, was he really ready?
Jihoon was still dazed. He had never expected this. Never expected his Bestfriend to confess to him. He had listened to all that Junkyu had to say and throughout, he had felt his heart swell with mixed emotions and he was about to explode but no! He had a very important business to get back to.
When it seemed like Jihoon wasn't going to speak up soon, he panicked.
"Hey Jihoon. Look there's no pressure. I just confessed because I wanted to do. You don't have to answer if you-"
"Can I kiss you?"
"What?" Junkyu couldn't believe his ears at that moment. Had he heard Jihoon wrong? Yes, that had to be the case because why would Jihoon-
His train of thoughts was stopped by the soft lips that were on his own lips, his eyes wide in daze.
Only when their lips parted did he realise that he had actually heard Jihoon right and Jihoon had actually kissed him. He looked at Jihoon, shocked to see him too close, their noses almost touching. But then Jihoon stood up, taking Junkyu's hand in his, guiding him to stand up. They stood there facing each other but Junkyu couldn't look in the eyes of the older. Just then he felt a pair of hands encircling his waist and his stomach was totally exploding with butterflies.
"Kim Junkyu, I love you. I love you just as much as the stars in this universe. You know as you said all that, I felt like you were reading my heart. No lies. And fuck, you really scared me moments ago. I thought you like some other man. But thank God, then you suprised me." He heaved a sigh of relief.
"I am so happy. I love this. I love you. And I would gladly let you look at my constellations for the rest of our life. You're always welcomed. It's all yours." And there his eyes went turning into crescents as he grinned wide.
Junkyu really felt like he was on cloud nine. He was relieved.
And he did. And as obvious it is, they were now dating. They were in a relationship. Nothing changed between them. Except now they were boyfriends and loved each even more at time went by. As their debut anniversaries went by too.
It was the 8th year since their debut, their relationship still strong even though it saw the light of fights, tiring secret relationship, busy schedule, and all of it. They went from all of it. It was sure very tiresome to keep their relationship secret as fans and those crazy stalkers sensed things up. They had to be under the facade of 'best friends' and also busy themselves in their own schedules to not let rumours grow.
At some point, they got involved in dating scandals even more which they understood could've been a move by the companies. It was very hard for them.
But yes, this story isn't about how their love story progressed but about the outcome of it.
When the previous rumours died down, around the time of Junkyu's 8th debut anniversary, there aroused dating scandal he was involved in. He had just appeared in a drama as a ex-boyfriend of the lead actor. He was praised for his acting skills. But some netizens eyes caught something else. Junkyu had previously been acquainted to the actor as a fellow mc so they had a bond between them. And fans started to ship them as Harukyu. And behind the scenes of the drama made their belief stronger. But the scandal started when they were seen hanging out much more and a photo of them holding hands went viral. The photos was just from bad angles and editing. But no good. It turned out worse for Junkyu as he got all the hate. He had to lie low. He had pause his schedules.
But while all this going on, he had his boyfriend with him. He was glad to have the man who didn't hesitate to be with him for once. Who showered him with love and comforting words. Whenever the man was busy with his schedules, he didn't forget to text or call Junkyu to check upon on him. He always reminded Junkyu that he loved him very much. That he was by his side.
And Junkyu realised it in those days that
'I want you forever by my side, Jihoon.'
After a while, he resumed his schedules though the rumours hadn't really died down. He wanted to do something about those damn rumours. He was tired of it. So he finally did something as he said. Mutual aggrement.
Junkyu was performing for the first time in a while. It was a performance for a year end award show. He had a solo performance and a collaboration stage. He was very excited and nervous. But as he stepped on the stage, there came the star Junkyu. He oh-so elegantly with his fine vocals performed his solo song and it was time for the collab stage.
The music started, followed by Junkyu's singing of the lyrics as he thought of that one man. As if he was lovesick.
I just can't stop what I'm feeling
If it's you making me feel this way
Your beauty's making me nervous
And I just can't breathe when I hear your name
You know sometimes you're just selfish
And I don't know how you just do it
You make me feel these emotions
And I just fall for you every single day
He sang as he thought of the person he loves.
So, I just wanna wake up next to you in the morning
Dance you through the night, oh my love
Kiss me, hug me tight, and just love me
I want you forever by my side
and he occasionally looked above, continuing to sing with a smile on his lips, looking at the angel slowly making his entry.
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
and there entered the Junkyu's collab artist as the audience heard the vocals and realised who it was. And Junkyu? He was just smiling ear to ear, like his whole world lit up with constellations as he looked at the man. "Park Jihoon" as he faintly called him. And he made his way near the man, as they locked gazes.
Jihoon teared his gaze away he sang looking at the audience as he brought a hand to his chest feeling his heart beating against it.
What's wrong with my chest it's beating
So fast, I can't even hear myself
And he looked back to Junkyu, in his eyes.
You look in my eyes with meaning
I drown in it so deep, I can't escape
And they had their had eyes just for each other for the rest of the performance, as they began singing and harmonizing with each other. well yeah, occasionally glancing a look at audience but right back at each other.
You know sometimes you're just selfish (selfish)
Uuh, I don't know how you just do it
You make me feel these emotions
And I just fall for you every single day
So, I just wanna wake up next to you in the morning
Dance you through the night, oh my love
Kiss me, hug me tight, and just love me
I want you forever by my side
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
As they sang the next verse, they wanted to hold each other tightly and forget about the audience but they settled onto holding hands because being a little more professional wouldn't hurt.
Come right here and hold me more
Don't leave me now and shut the door
You and I are so meant for more
Hold my hand, we'll stay together
We gave our promises remember
So, baby stay with me forever more
The people watching could see it in their eyes, how strong their gazes were, how much love it emitted. The way they were holding hands as they sang with only love for each other.
So, I just wanna wake up next to you in the morning
Dance you through the night, oh my love (oh my love)
Kiss me, hug me tight, and just love me
I want you forever by my side
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
Na-na-na, I want you forever by my side
As the song ended, they looked back the crowd who was sporting various mixed emotions like confusion, realisation, relief, happiness, jealusy, anger and etc.
They bowed 90 degrees and delivered their words of appreciation and left the stage and the people to let them decipher all the event on their own. Afterall, It was just a hint about their relationship.
They knew there would be consequences to face but they were happy at the moment. Junkyu was sure he wouldn't ever regret doing it and Jihoon agreed.
They had just confessed their love for each other in front of the whole crowd, well indirectly but yeah! and they were damn proud of it.
They looked at each other again and shared a smile. Thinking to themselves,
'I want you forever by my side, Junkyu.'
'I want you forever by my side, Jihoon.'
And proceeded towards their dressing rooms.