Come Home
Come Home
Written for everyone
Prompt: My Love from the Stars!au [Though I kinda feel I didn’t really followed it ;; Sorry for butchering a very wonderful series.]
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,212 words
Summary: Sometimes, home is kilometers away. For Yifan the distance is measured in light years. Junmyeon makes him realize that he was wrong – it was just right here.
Message:
First, I would like to thank Y and J for being here through all this and being patient with me and my caffeine drunk behavior. Second, thank you everyone for participating and enjoying this exchange. I hope you guys enjoy this little thing I wrote. Third, this is for Addie and Ezrae who would always make me feel like I’m home.
Also, I made a playlist to accompany this fanfic. It would be really nice if you listen to it while reading or after doing so. Here it is: Come Home.
Again, enjoy.
I
“Your face looks so big in that billboard,” Yifan states, a little too matter of factly. This earns a snort from the smaller man beside him- clearly, offended by the comment.
He quips, “Seriously, don’t you guys have ethics and conduct subjects during elementary school in your planet?” To this, the taller man just looks at him, half-bewildered, half-quizzical. “Was that even supposed to be studied? I spent three hundred years here on Earth and I never knew you guys had to actually learn that.”
In Room 2206, a day never passes with discussions that start with a sharp comment, a poke in the shin, and a corresponding yelp. Fortunately for its applicants, they’re living a pretty exclusive condominium building, for if it wasn’t they probably have been kicked out of it the first day Junmyeon moved in. He basically brought the whole drama crew with him- metaphorically and literally.
The irony with Junmyeon’s life is that it is funnily typical underneath t he crazy Korean Hallyu-wood circumstances. Or so that is what it was a few months ago, because when he moved into this building, he did not only sign up for a high-end neighborhood residency with a two year contract, but also a neighbor alien- yes that type of galactic alien. And to make things more complicated, the so-called alien -in disguise of a tall, handsome, Chinese professor- just had to be his first (and only) eternal love and personal Superman.
True to the principle that the world would always try to maintain a specific equilibrium, the ruckus is made uncomplicated by the fact that Yifan actually likes Junmyeon. Truth is he has actually been looking for him for the past 300 years. Unfortunately, true to all typical Korean dramas where Junmyeon has starred in, they cannot be together until it was in the 20th episode, or in their case, 3 weeks before the deadline.
“It’s great that your big billboard is back, Junmyeon,” Yifan speaks, tone still as serious as ever, but somehow, this feels different than usual. His arm is circled around the younger’s shoulders, holding him tight. It was rare for him to act like this, most of the time he is distant. Junmyeon feels his throat tighten; he knows where this is going.
“I’ll be able to see your face 7,000 light years away.”
“7,000 light years,” Junmyeon repeats.
Light years, they measure distance, but they also use years, like time is an evident factor. Like the years emphasized so much more, more than what they are. Light, as if whoever scientist called this measure decided that equating darkness of space with distance of stars from Earth would make it better. Distance was already painful, but putting it in words like this seemed to make it feel heavier, sadder, and more painful.
II
“You know I’ll never leave you alone right?” Yifan whispers as he lays his head on top of Junmyeon’s. He presses his lips against the smaller’s forehead and feels the skin crinkle into a frown.
He never believes.
Then again, he has the right to do so. For all this is.
Yifan could not blame him For all of his life Junmyeon is always on the run. No, it wasn’t because he cannot face reality, responsibilities, and commitment. Junmyeon has always been diving head first in relationships – expecting a lot, giving everything. He never learned how to leave a piece of his heart for himself. That’s why he ends up being always a ridiculous mess of disappointments, broken promises, and false hopes.
No, Junmyeon was strong. He holds his head high, and goes on with his life like nothing was out of what is ordinary. He lives every day like what he’s supposed to do- like an actor. An actor pushes everything aside, and lives in the skin of his new character. But just like piled up garbage, no matter how long you keep it sealed, it’ll still leach through and pollute you. Sure, you could just sweep it all again and stuff them back in the black bag of regrets. But for sure the reeking smell would still be there. You could spray perfume – cover it up – but the stench would just overlap and mix with the fragrant smell.
No matter what you do, it changes you.
The person Yifan met was still the Junmyeon who still longs and believes that somehow, sometime, and someone will never leave him ever again. But after all that happened, fear made him scared that he never trusted anyone’s words.
Junmyeon laces their hands, covering his small ones with Yifan’s.
In the silence he asks, “Do you really have to leave?”
The older caresses his face as an answer. The darkness of their room was making him feel like he has gone blind. He traces every curve and line of the other’s face and feels the tension underneath his fingertips. Yifan feels trapped between his choices – to stay and make him happy for now or to leave and make him happy forever. Both have no assurances. If he tries to stay, he’s not sure if he’ll still last long. Every passing day he loses more and more of his powers – he can’t even close the door the anymore. If he leaves, there’s no assurance that he will be able to go back.
In both instances he could die.
The darkness slowly deepened, Junmyeon fell asleep, arms holding Yifan. Yifan stays awake - eyes staring emptily at the bedroom window. Both of them knew this day would come but still they feel like they are unprepared.
Could he just stay?
Why does this have to happen?
Yifan presses tender kisses against the other’s lips. He slips away, trying his best not to wake Junmyeon up, knowing that it’ll just make the pain worse. He stares at the perfection that he is. His heart breaks because he knows his will. If only he could stay one more second, one more minute.
Why does the sun have to rise?
“I’ll come back.”
III
Junmyeon wipes his forehead, annoyed. He doesn't understand why does the call time have to be this early. The roosters haven't even crowed from his neighbor's backyard when he woke up. Good hour of beauty sleep went to waste once more. Junmyeon would have loved to complain, for one he is the star of this show, but then again he just came back from a scandal triggered hiatus. He had to be careful on how he acts now to avoid what his manager calls as "unnecessary attention."
"Here is your coffee, Junmyeon-ssi. Two teaspoons of natural creamer, one teaspoon of goat's milk, one and half teaspoon of organic sugar, cooled to a nice 52 degrees Celsius," her Manager Baek says, curtsying as he finished talking. As soon as he moves away, his personal assistant Yixing comes in, racks of jeans and shirts in tow. "What do you want to wear today, your highness?"
"Would this green plaid polo look nice with these khaki jeans? Or would it look too pale, and too much country?," Junmyeon asks as he raises both items.
As expected Yixing replied, "As long as you wear this MCM belt together with that, you would look great Junmyeon-ssi." Junmyeon pouts in reply, undecided, he waves his PA off, deciding he knows best, and grabs the pants and shirt. Junmyeon makes his way past the maze and craze of the set towards his own trailer to change.
The blinds of his trailer are slightly drawn, letting the littlest light in. It was still too early, around five in the morning, the sun barely touched the horizon. It wasn't piercingly cold, but it is neither warm. Junmyeon shivers as he changes into the green polo, white skin slightly illuminated by the seeping light. Slowly he wears it, taking his time, cause this might be the only time he would have to himself today. His days have been terribly long lately with this movie going on. They start before dawn, without the sun. He comes home without it in the horizon. His life has always been busy, a life full of ruckus, camera flashes, rumors, and just plain craziness. It was hard to deal with at the start. He ended up going against his mother and stopping coming to shoots. Now that he is older, he has learned to accept that this is necessary, he has to keep doing it to live. For his mother, and for his brother. Junmyeon never hated his job, he always gave his whole into it, but he also never liked the weight of the responsibility he had to deal with. He hated the long hours, the constant fuss, and the never-ending appointments. Sure, he liked to smile, but it gets tiring when you have to do it everyday, everywhere. Sadness was never an option.
Longing is not a part of the option as well.
He feels the back pocket of his ripped jeans, looking for the distinct rectangular shape. It was a Polaroid photo, taken a few months back. Junmyeon lifts it up, letting it catch the sunlight. He caresses the photo, pressing the tip of his index finger lightly against the figures captured in everlasting smiles, frozen in time. Everlasting is a nice word, he thinks. If only they can be.
Junmyeon traces his face. It wasn’t soft, his chin was always been pointy. Junmyeon often teased him about it. His eyebrows always looked untrimmed, thick and angry looking. His cheeks were flush, probably due to the alcohol he drank that day. He always had low alcohol tolerance. He traced his earlobe, knowing if he did that in real life, he’ll earn a slap in the face.
Holding the photo as near as he can see his whole face, he tries to remember the last time he saw him. Yifan did not know that he was awake when he left. The dawn was breaking then, but it seems like the sun went away.
Where are you now?
Are you fine?
Do you know I think of you?
Don’t worry about me.
I am fine.
I miss you.
He kisses his lips and tries to remember how it felt seven months ago. Yifan tried to control the time, trying to stop it, but failing to sustain it.
He fades away.
The clock ticks.
5:14, November 11, 2013.
IV
“Junmyeon, I think you need to stop drinking.”
“You’re not my boyfriend,” Junmyeon drawls, “Do you know who is my boyfriend is? Wait, that’s the wrong question- Do you know what my boyfriend is?”
Yixing just stares at him cluelessly. He knows better than fueling another of Junmyeon’s drunken discussions. He swiftly nods and takes the last bottle of soju from his hands. “I think you need to sleep.”
Today was Junmyeon’s birthday. For the first time in fifteen years, he thought it will be special. He drags himself out to the balcony where he is greeted by the crisp cold winter air.
“Wu Yifan!”
“Wu Yifan!”
“Are you there Wu Yifan? I know you’re there you horrible giant! Are you going to make me celebrate my birthday like this?” Junmyeon shouts on top of his lungs, finger pointing accusingly at the sky. “You horrible giant!”
The snow has been continuously falling for days, covering Seoul in thick white blanket. It looks like stars were falling slowly from the sky. “Does it snow from where you are Fan?,” he shouts again, voice slowly growing raspy. The blonde slowly falls and slumps at the cold floor. Why was he even trying? It’s been months, but he never came back. For every night he goes out to the same porch, gazing at the horizon. Night after night, he looks at the glittering stars trying to point out which star Yifan was in.
Heaven.
He just deserves to be there.
Who was he kidding?
“I heard your voice.”
“Yixing, I to—“
He smiles at Junmyeon. He just smiles.
“I’ve been listening to you every night. Come here, you’ll get cold.”
Junmyeon feels as if the sun went down and blinded his sight. He rubs his eyes – they were already stinging. The snow has stopped falling, but his tears haven’t. The younger reaches out his hand and places the tip of his fingers at the side of his face lightly just like he was touching a bubble that will just burst and disappear once more. He feels his big hands against his cheek, wiping his tears away.
“Wu Yifan?”
“Yes, Kim Junmyeon?”
“I’m here,” Yifan continues. “Sorry I took a while to comeback.”
The snow falls.
The clock ticks – 12:01.
Their hearts beat together again in one rhythm.
“I came back. I promised you that right?,” he says, fingers slowly carding through Junmyeon’s blonde hair. “Sorry if I was a little late. Happy Birthday.”
“You’re here.”
As an answer, Yifan kisses him slowly.
“No. I’m home.”
Written for everyone
Prompt: My Love from the Stars!au [Though I kinda feel I didn’t really followed it ;; Sorry for butchering a very wonderful series.]
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2,212 words
Summary: Sometimes, home is kilometers away. For Yifan the distance is measured in light years. Junmyeon makes him realize that he was wrong – it was just right here.
Message:
First, I would like to thank Y and J for being here through all this and being patient with me and my caffeine drunk behavior. Second, thank you everyone for participating and enjoying this exchange. I hope you guys enjoy this little thing I wrote. Third, this is for Addie and Ezrae who would always make me feel like I’m home.
Also, I made a playlist to accompany this fanfic. It would be really nice if you listen to it while reading or after doing so. Here it is: Come Home.
Again, enjoy.
I
“Your face looks so big in that billboard,” Yifan states, a little too matter of factly. This earns a snort from the smaller man beside him- clearly, offended by the comment.
He quips, “Seriously, don’t you guys have ethics and conduct subjects during elementary school in your planet?” To this, the taller man just looks at him, half-bewildered, half-quizzical. “Was that even supposed to be studied? I spent three hundred years here on Earth and I never knew you guys had to actually learn that.”
In Room 2206, a day never passes with discussions that start with a sharp comment, a poke in the shin, and a corresponding yelp. Fortunately for its applicants, they’re living a pretty exclusive condominium building, for if it wasn’t they probably have been kicked out of it the first day Junmyeon moved in. He basically brought the whole drama crew with him- metaphorically and literally.
The irony with Junmyeon’s life is that it is funnily typical underneath t he crazy Korean Hallyu-wood circumstances. Or so that is what it was a few months ago, because when he moved into this building, he did not only sign up for a high-end neighborhood residency with a two year contract, but also a neighbor alien- yes that type of galactic alien. And to make things more complicated, the so-called alien -in disguise of a tall, handsome, Chinese professor- just had to be his first (and only) eternal love and personal Superman.
True to the principle that the world would always try to maintain a specific equilibrium, the ruckus is made uncomplicated by the fact that Yifan actually likes Junmyeon. Truth is he has actually been looking for him for the past 300 years. Unfortunately, true to all typical Korean dramas where Junmyeon has starred in, they cannot be together until it was in the 20th episode, or in their case, 3 weeks before the deadline.
“It’s great that your big billboard is back, Junmyeon,” Yifan speaks, tone still as serious as ever, but somehow, this feels different than usual. His arm is circled around the younger’s shoulders, holding him tight. It was rare for him to act like this, most of the time he is distant. Junmyeon feels his throat tighten; he knows where this is going.
“I’ll be able to see your face 7,000 light years away.”
“7,000 light years,” Junmyeon repeats.
Light years, they measure distance, but they also use years, like time is an evident factor. Like the years emphasized so much more, more than what they are. Light, as if whoever scientist called this measure decided that equating darkness of space with distance of stars from Earth would make it better. Distance was already painful, but putting it in words like this seemed to make it feel heavier, sadder, and more painful.
II
“You know I’ll never leave you alone right?” Yifan whispers as he lays his head on top of Junmyeon’s. He presses his lips against the smaller’s forehead and feels the skin crinkle into a frown.
He never believes.
Then again, he has the right to do so. For all this is.
Yifan could not blame him For all of his life Junmyeon is always on the run. No, it wasn’t because he cannot face reality, responsibilities, and commitment. Junmyeon has always been diving head first in relationships – expecting a lot, giving everything. He never learned how to leave a piece of his heart for himself. That’s why he ends up being always a ridiculous mess of disappointments, broken promises, and false hopes.
No, Junmyeon was strong. He holds his head high, and goes on with his life like nothing was out of what is ordinary. He lives every day like what he’s supposed to do- like an actor. An actor pushes everything aside, and lives in the skin of his new character. But just like piled up garbage, no matter how long you keep it sealed, it’ll still leach through and pollute you. Sure, you could just sweep it all again and stuff them back in the black bag of regrets. But for sure the reeking smell would still be there. You could spray perfume – cover it up – but the stench would just overlap and mix with the fragrant smell.
No matter what you do, it changes you.
The person Yifan met was still the Junmyeon who still longs and believes that somehow, sometime, and someone will never leave him ever again. But after all that happened, fear made him scared that he never trusted anyone’s words.
Junmyeon laces their hands, covering his small ones with Yifan’s.
In the silence he asks, “Do you really have to leave?”
The older caresses his face as an answer. The darkness of their room was making him feel like he has gone blind. He traces every curve and line of the other’s face and feels the tension underneath his fingertips. Yifan feels trapped between his choices – to stay and make him happy for now or to leave and make him happy forever. Both have no assurances. If he tries to stay, he’s not sure if he’ll still last long. Every passing day he loses more and more of his powers – he can’t even close the door the anymore. If he leaves, there’s no assurance that he will be able to go back.
In both instances he could die.
The darkness slowly deepened, Junmyeon fell asleep, arms holding Yifan. Yifan stays awake - eyes staring emptily at the bedroom window. Both of them knew this day would come but still they feel like they are unprepared.
Could he just stay?
Why does this have to happen?
Yifan presses tender kisses against the other’s lips. He slips away, trying his best not to wake Junmyeon up, knowing that it’ll just make the pain worse. He stares at the perfection that he is. His heart breaks because he knows his will. If only he could stay one more second, one more minute.
Why does the sun have to rise?
“I’ll come back.”
III
Junmyeon wipes his forehead, annoyed. He doesn't understand why does the call time have to be this early. The roosters haven't even crowed from his neighbor's backyard when he woke up. Good hour of beauty sleep went to waste once more. Junmyeon would have loved to complain, for one he is the star of this show, but then again he just came back from a scandal triggered hiatus. He had to be careful on how he acts now to avoid what his manager calls as "unnecessary attention."
"Here is your coffee, Junmyeon-ssi. Two teaspoons of natural creamer, one teaspoon of goat's milk, one and half teaspoon of organic sugar, cooled to a nice 52 degrees Celsius," her Manager Baek says, curtsying as he finished talking. As soon as he moves away, his personal assistant Yixing comes in, racks of jeans and shirts in tow. "What do you want to wear today, your highness?"
"Would this green plaid polo look nice with these khaki jeans? Or would it look too pale, and too much country?," Junmyeon asks as he raises both items.
As expected Yixing replied, "As long as you wear this MCM belt together with that, you would look great Junmyeon-ssi." Junmyeon pouts in reply, undecided, he waves his PA off, deciding he knows best, and grabs the pants and shirt. Junmyeon makes his way past the maze and craze of the set towards his own trailer to change.
The blinds of his trailer are slightly drawn, letting the littlest light in. It was still too early, around five in the morning, the sun barely touched the horizon. It wasn't piercingly cold, but it is neither warm. Junmyeon shivers as he changes into the green polo, white skin slightly illuminated by the seeping light. Slowly he wears it, taking his time, cause this might be the only time he would have to himself today. His days have been terribly long lately with this movie going on. They start before dawn, without the sun. He comes home without it in the horizon. His life has always been busy, a life full of ruckus, camera flashes, rumors, and just plain craziness. It was hard to deal with at the start. He ended up going against his mother and stopping coming to shoots. Now that he is older, he has learned to accept that this is necessary, he has to keep doing it to live. For his mother, and for his brother. Junmyeon never hated his job, he always gave his whole into it, but he also never liked the weight of the responsibility he had to deal with. He hated the long hours, the constant fuss, and the never-ending appointments. Sure, he liked to smile, but it gets tiring when you have to do it everyday, everywhere. Sadness was never an option.
Longing is not a part of the option as well.
He feels the back pocket of his ripped jeans, looking for the distinct rectangular shape. It was a Polaroid photo, taken a few months back. Junmyeon lifts it up, letting it catch the sunlight. He caresses the photo, pressing the tip of his index finger lightly against the figures captured in everlasting smiles, frozen in time. Everlasting is a nice word, he thinks. If only they can be.
Junmyeon traces his face. It wasn’t soft, his chin was always been pointy. Junmyeon often teased him about it. His eyebrows always looked untrimmed, thick and angry looking. His cheeks were flush, probably due to the alcohol he drank that day. He always had low alcohol tolerance. He traced his earlobe, knowing if he did that in real life, he’ll earn a slap in the face.
Holding the photo as near as he can see his whole face, he tries to remember the last time he saw him. Yifan did not know that he was awake when he left. The dawn was breaking then, but it seems like the sun went away.
Where are you now?
Are you fine?
Do you know I think of you?
Don’t worry about me.
I am fine.
I miss you.
He kisses his lips and tries to remember how it felt seven months ago. Yifan tried to control the time, trying to stop it, but failing to sustain it.
He fades away.
The clock ticks.
5:14, November 11, 2013.
IV
“Junmyeon, I think you need to stop drinking.”
“You’re not my boyfriend,” Junmyeon drawls, “Do you know who is my boyfriend is? Wait, that’s the wrong question- Do you know what my boyfriend is?”
Yixing just stares at him cluelessly. He knows better than fueling another of Junmyeon’s drunken discussions. He swiftly nods and takes the last bottle of soju from his hands. “I think you need to sleep.”
Today was Junmyeon’s birthday. For the first time in fifteen years, he thought it will be special. He drags himself out to the balcony where he is greeted by the crisp cold winter air.
“Wu Yifan!”
“Wu Yifan!”
“Are you there Wu Yifan? I know you’re there you horrible giant! Are you going to make me celebrate my birthday like this?” Junmyeon shouts on top of his lungs, finger pointing accusingly at the sky. “You horrible giant!”
The snow has been continuously falling for days, covering Seoul in thick white blanket. It looks like stars were falling slowly from the sky. “Does it snow from where you are Fan?,” he shouts again, voice slowly growing raspy. The blonde slowly falls and slumps at the cold floor. Why was he even trying? It’s been months, but he never came back. For every night he goes out to the same porch, gazing at the horizon. Night after night, he looks at the glittering stars trying to point out which star Yifan was in.
Heaven.
He just deserves to be there.
Who was he kidding?
“I heard your voice.”
“Yixing, I to—“
He smiles at Junmyeon. He just smiles.
“I’ve been listening to you every night. Come here, you’ll get cold.”
Junmyeon feels as if the sun went down and blinded his sight. He rubs his eyes – they were already stinging. The snow has stopped falling, but his tears haven’t. The younger reaches out his hand and places the tip of his fingers at the side of his face lightly just like he was touching a bubble that will just burst and disappear once more. He feels his big hands against his cheek, wiping his tears away.
“Wu Yifan?”
“Yes, Kim Junmyeon?”
“I’m here,” Yifan continues. “Sorry I took a while to comeback.”
The snow falls.
The clock ticks – 12:01.
Their hearts beat together again in one rhythm.
“I came back. I promised you that right?,” he says, fingers slowly carding through Junmyeon’s blonde hair. “Sorry if I was a little late. Happy Birthday.”
“You’re here.”
As an answer, Yifan kisses him slowly.
“No. I’m home.”