Work Text:
Contrary to the dryness in Australia, Junkyu much preferred the humid air in Bali. Even though Junkyu was only in Bali for a few days, it was necessary for his mental health. Working in a law firm has always been the dream for Junkyu but what he didn’t expect was the burden and rigorous expectations set by the company. Now, Junkyu was taking much a needed holiday on paid leave even. Walking out from the arrival gates, Junkyu searched for his friends.
Jihoon: “Junkyu-yah!”.
That annoying voice.
Junkyu: “Where did you come from? Oh my! I missed you all!”.
There, Junkyu smiled widely with the warm hugs from his friends: Jihoon, Jeongwoo and Asahi.
Jeongwoo: “There’s Mr Lawyer!”.
Junkyu: “Shut up Woo. I’m tired, can we go to the hotel now?”
Jeongwoo: “Someone’s cranky”.
Jihoon: “Don’t cause trouble and help Junkyu with his bags”.
Asahi silently carried Junkyu’s luggage, throwing his shoulder around him too.
Junkyu: “How are you Sahi?”
Asahi: “Fine”.
In the minivan they rented, Junkyu was feeling bliss at the view upon him. Crystal clear waters brushed along cerulean skies. Although the heat was unbearable, it was more than enough for Junkyu to be there in Bali with his friends.
Jeongwoo: “Oh right, what time is Haruto coming?”
A name that tickled Junyuk’s ears.
Junkyu: “Haruto? The Watanabe Haruto?”
Jihoon: “Yea. You didn’t know?
Jeongwoo: “Asahi didn’t tell you? They randomly met during Asahi’s work trip to Japan and reconnected there”.
Junkyu: “How could you not tell me this Sahi?”
Asahi: “Forgot”.
Classic Asahi
Arriving at their beachfront villa, Junkyu inhaled the salty air. It was a different feeling but no complains there. Inside the villa were two rooms, one was bigger while the other was a standard. With the five of them there, it was natural to split with two in one room and three in the bigger one. The only question was who’s gonna sleep with who.
Jihoon: “You don’t mind sleeping with Ruto right?”
Junkyu: “Are you fucking kidding me? I haven’t seen the kid since high school and you expect me to not get awkward?”.
Jeongwoo: “You’ll be fine Kyu. Besides, it’s not our fault that you weren’t there when we three decided on becoming roommates”.
Junkyu: “I pray all of your pillows get infested with cockroaches”.
Jeongwoo: “Okay, save the curses for later. Let’s go and eat. I’m hungry”.
Thus, the five of them walked along the beach and stumbled upon a local seafood restaurant. As the sunset came, the boys dribbled over high school memories, ridiculous inside jokes and accusations where it all naturally led to the topic of Haruto and Junkyu. The pair were the talk of the school. Initially, it was just natural chemistry that sparked from the shared interest of learning music but people could see that they were more than friends. That was until, Haruto moved to back to Japan without a word and rumours started flying here and there that he was dating his childhood friend all along.
Jihoon: “No but did you actually have feelings for Haruto back then?”
Junkyu: “Of course not, we were… close”.
Jeongwoo: “Right. The roses on Valentines Day meant nothing”.
Junkyu: “It was just a gift, shut up”.
Jihoon: “Do you miss him though?”
Junkyu never thought to truly understand what he was feeling. Everyone could tell the atmosphere turned blue with Jihoon’s question but it also came with curiosity. Junkyu’s eyes were pooled with uncertainty but there was this hint of sadness glazed over them. His fingers reached for the glass of whiskey.
Junkyu: “Who wouldn’t miss someone you spent your entire youth with”.
That statement was enough for the boys to understand Junkyu. They remained respectful of his feelings and moved on, letting the moon take care of how the night deepens. By now, all five were somewhat tipsy and moved back to their villa, wanting to rest and wake up early for tomorrow. As Junkyu opened the door to his roommate, Haruto was on the floor unpacking from his suitcase. He was now met with his lost youth.
Haruto: “Junkyu Hyung…”.
Junkyu’s heart ached for some reason. Usually, one would feel ecstatic over seeing someone who they lost contact with but with Haruto, Junkyu would much prefer not seeing him.
Junkyu: “Oh hey, you just came?”
Haruto: “Yeah, I’m just unpacking. You can use the shower first, take your time”.
Junkyu: “Sure, thank you. Also, go ahead and pick your bed. I can sleep on whichever so it just makes my life easier with not having to choose”.
Haruto: “Alright”.
Haruto continued unpacking and Junkyu left to the bathroom to clear his head. He wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol kicking it but a rise of anger and confusion filled his heart. After all these years, he rightfully deserved an explanation, an apology at least. So, he threw the towel on the floor before barging out with anger, earning a surprised look on Haruto. Junkyu marched closer to Haruto, tears about to stream his face.
Junkyu: “I hope you know that it’s unfair to do this to a person. Just completely disappearing without a word and you expect me to forgive you with a simple ‘sorry’? I am not like you Haruto. Whatever explanation you have, I’ll always listen to you but what you did then…”.
Haruto stood before Junkyu, towering over him. His hair was long and dark, eyes questioning Junkyu’s intentions and an aura unexplainable to interpret. Junkyu was slightly stunned seeing Haruto now. Sure, his face remained good-looking as it was but it was became so much more defined. Everything about him screamed Junkyu’s type.
Haruto: “Hyung, please listen t-“.
Junkyu: “I WILL NOT !”
Now, tears were rapidly falling from Junkyu’s eyes. Stacked upon mental pressure were painful questions that Junkyu harboured on why Haruto left.
Junkyu: “You came into my life and made me so happy. Then, one day you just suddenly decide to disappear without saying anything? How did you think it made me feel?”
Haruto could only stare into the ground, silence was enough for Junkyu to make out an answer.
Junkyu: “Sorry, I think it’s the alcohol talking. Just forget everything I said”.
As Junkyu turned his back to sober up in the bathroom, a strong grip wrapped around his waist before proceeding be thrown onto the bed. It all happened so fast and now Junkyu was trapped under Haruto’s deadly gaze. Only Junkyu could tell there was deep sadness behind Haruto’s mask. Haruto eyed how Junkyu was breathing rapidly, eyes widened with shock below him.
Junkyu: “Get off me! What are you doing?!”.
Junkyu tried but failed miserable with each arm pinned harshly by Haruto.
Haruto: “Will you shut up and let me talk?”
Shivers went down Junkyu’s spine as Haruto’s voice deepened. It did things to his heart that shouldn’t be.
Haruto: “Kim Junkyu. Answer”.
Junkyu shallowed hard and nodded small. He didn’t want to surrender to Haruto but he was forced to do so. Slowly, Haruto released both of Junkyu’s arms and sat upright on the bed in which Junkyu did so too.
Haruto: “Before you say anything, I just want to explain everything. You absolutely deserve an explanation so please listen”.
Junkyu nodded and allowed his heart’s brick wall to be momentarily broken down.
Haruto: “The day before I left, my parents told me I was being married off to. It was an old friend of mine. Her parents owned the company known to be rival to my parent’s business. They told me that I had to get married to her in order to save their company. I refused but they threatened me by saying that they’ll harm you. I couldn’t let them do that to you. I couldn’t… hyung”.
Now, it was Haruto’s turn to cry. After all this time, Haruto chose to leave in order to protect Junkyu.
Junkyu: “What…? You’re married?”
Haruto: “Not anymore. My parents found out that company had been operating illegally thus they made us go through a divorce. This has nothing to do with the girl. She’s with her partner now”.
Junkyu: “I don’t know what to say Ruto…”.
An old yet cherished nickname Junkyu gave to Haruto. It’s been years since Haruto last heard it and unknowingly he yearned for it. He yearned to be called Ruto again.
Haruto: “I know what I say might not sound believable and I completely understand. Just let me be in your life again, don’t push me away Junkyu-yah”.
Junkyu: “I can’t just let you back in my life again Ruto”.
Haruto: “Why not?”
Junkyu: “You still need to ask?”
Haruto knew the pain embedded within Junkyu wasn’t something that could be easily removed.
Haruto: “I get it. Take all the time you need. I don’t expect you to forgive me or anything, just don't push me away".
When someone's body is put into autopilot, movement automatically happens without having the need to think. As for Junkyu, his fingers moved on its own to get a hold of Haruto's hand. It was slightly bigger than Junkyu's hand but it fit together perfectly. Soon, Junkyu traced his own fingers onto Haruto's cheek. There were tear stains but he admired Haruto's facial features more than anything. A small wipe over Haruto's lips was all it needed for Haruto to pounce on Junkyu, crashing their lips together as the walls crumbled to the ground.
Haruto: "Junkyu-yah".
Junkyu: "Shut up".
A moment to breathe after pulling apart was disregarded by Junyku, pulling Haruto back in with his lips. Hands roaming each other's bodies, hair now messy and disheveled. Haruto placed one hand behind Junkyu's back, lowering themselves onto the bed as Junkyu surrendered himself to Haruto's lead. Now, Junkyu was under him. Trapped and helpless, Haruto pulled away to look at his first love. How could he have been so stupid to let things go this way?
Haruto: "I missed you Junkyu. More than you could every think".
Junkyu cried again. This time, it wasn't because he was sad he allowed himself to love again but instead, it was because he knew he missed Haruto all this time. He was never going to let Haruto out of his life ever again.
Junkyu: "I like you Ruto-yah. Stay with me".
Haruto: "I like you more Junkyu. More than anything in this world".