THE REST OF SUJU sat near Sungmin to protect him from the possible fancams. Siwon was in his most drab outfit to try to mix with the crowd. But Heechul didn't care to dress down so he was still in high fashion clothing while they were waiting for the flights to be announced.
The flight for EunHae was announced first. Donghae was already crying buckets before he could say his goodbyes. Eunhyuk had to translate his hiccups for him. "Promise me that you would call or Skype with me in case you feel bad. Don't keep things to yourself again. " Eunhyuk directed what Donghae was trying to say at Sungmin. "Don't be a stranger, guys. We'll see you next year. Let's take a week off next time. Three days aren't enough." They hugged the couple and let them walk to their gate. Sungmin looked at the couple walking away and hoped that they would stay happy together.
"Envious, aren't you?" Heechul whispered in his ear. "If you want to I can book you a flight to New York. I have miles to spend." Sungmin looked at his friend with a mild blush. "Don't tell me I never did you any favors." Heechul laughed at the look Sungmin had for a moment.
Sungmin shook his head slowly then smiled. He didn't believe in those K-drama kinds of moments. The one where the lover goes to be with the other person and they had to meet up in some country and pick up where they left off. The weekend taught him that there was time for wishing for things to happen and reality happening. He got some time, borrowed time, with his friends and that was just as real as they could have. They had work to go back to and lives to live apart from each other.
An hour later the China flight was announced. Heechul cried when he had to say goodbye to Han Geng. "Such a crybaby you are. I'll call you when I land." He kissed the top of Heechul's head and gave him one last squeeze before he walked away waving at the guys who were going to be left behind.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, hyung?" Zhou teased Heechul. "You have miles, right?" Heechul pouted. "I'm just saying you can crash as my place in case Han Geng hyung won't let you share his bed."
"Ya! Get on the plane already you perv." Heechul pushed Zhou who laughed as we ran after Han Geng who was a few steps ahead of him. "That one is hopeless."
"He just knows you miss Han Geng hyung the most out of all of us," Kibum said from behind Ryeowook.
"I'll visit him when I'm done here," Heechul said.
"Done here with what?" Yesung had to ask.
Heechul gave him a meaningful look. "Oh, that."
The rest of them got into Siwon's van and Kangin's car. Heechul's car was too flashy to bring to the airport so they just asked his driver to fetch it from the country place.
Kangin drove while Sungmin sat upfront with him. "Feeling less lonely now, SL?" he asked him, with a smile on his face.
Sungmin smiled, genuinely. "I can't believe for a second I thought that you guys abandoned me. I was just being pathetic."
"Yeah, you were," Ryeowook said, almost hurt. "Because you know that we never did. I never did. We all never did."
Sungmin laughed, feeling a bit foolish again. "I will never think that again. Ever."
"Good." Kibum helped Ryeowook sit back. "And we will bug you as often as we can till you complain that we never give you any peace. So prepare for that."
"I am most definitely looking forward to it."
SUNGMIN went back to his normal life. But true to their word, his brothers had insisted that he get a new Twitter account and boost up his sns feed. He spent most of his free time talking to them on his phone and his laptop. And since most of the time they used to spend while they were in Uni was spent playing online games they made time for that too. He felt like his life had somewhat reverted back to his SUJU days with one thing missing. One person. Kyuhyun.
He didn't ask, they didn't talk about him either. Heechul was the only one who mentioned him once in a while. But it was mostly during group conversations. They spent time on Google Hangout and talked to the guys who were outside the country. They'd spend SUJU Saturdays together. The other guys were suffering because of the time difference but no one complained.
Most of his days were spent in class hanging out with Kris and Tao during his breaks and then spending these evenings with Heechul, who for some reason wanted to bunk in with Sungmin at his place. Heechul who had a wonderful house and could stay in any hotel he wanted, wanted to stay in his apartment. Granted that it was big enough for two people since that was the point of him getting it before so that he and Kyu would be comfortable there, but he was confused as to why his friend needed to be so close to him all the time.
It made for a great time for Sungmin to practice and talk. But he noticed that Heechul was not out partying and living it up as he did before. And he had to ask after three weeks of Heechul just staying at his place, playing music and writing.
"Do you ever plan to go back to your own place?" Sungmin didn't want to sound like he was trying to kick him out but Heechul might have heard it that way.
"Tired of me already?" Heechul tucked the pencil in his bunned hair.
"What? No! Of course not!" Sungmin rushed to his side, he was washing the dishes and forgot that he still had the pink gloves on his hand. "I was just wondering why you were not going to your place and staying here. I am sure it's not as luxurious as your houses are."
"You're getting them wet!" he meant the music sheets.
"I'm sorry!" Sungmin went back to the kitchen and took off his gloves. He was still wearing the pink bunny-themed apron when he sat on a stool near the electric keyboard Heechul was using. Sungmin's living room has always been where he made his music but he recorded them in another room if he needed to. But he needed openness to make the words come to him. Much like Heechul.
"So, are you going to ever tell me why you're bunked up with me and not staying in your own high-class place?" Sungmin had a feeling that something was up since Heechul didn't choose to go back to New York to accompany Kyu.
"I'm not done here," Heechul said motioning to the music sheets.
"Is this for your next album?" Sungmin wanted to help if it was.
"No. It's a gift for a friend." Heechul said, serious again. "I want to write it here, where there are more...energy and memories." was all he said then he began to play the melody that was already lodged in Sungmin's mind. It reminded him of days when Heechul would ask Kyu to play something and they'd all make lyrics for that song. It was like music was trapped in Heechul's mind and he needed both Kyu and Sungmin to help him draw it out.
"I can help you...if you'd like." Sungmin offered him Heechul didn't acknowledge him. He recognized the trance and he didn't feel offended by it. Heechul was not just busy but he was immersed. He'd come out of it once the song was finished. He'd share it with Sungmin and the others when the time was ready. 348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXPRMdvR1d
