Blinded under the Stageli (1/1)

Request from tinydream- Hope you guys enjoy xx “It’s going to be busy today isn’t it?”  “Yes it is, no doubt. And heaps louder too, seeing all these crazy fangirls.” Sunggyu grunted, side eyeing the piling up of fangirls around the shopping center. It was still an hour before the fanmeet, but the event had already started letting in the fans, much to Sunggyu’s displeasure. “That means we will probably have to work overtime.” The younger boy groaned, leaning on the counter. “That’s inevitable.” Sunggyu said matter-of-factly, “Now get back to work Sungjong, those clothes aren’t going to fold themselves.” “Okay…” Sungjong obeyed, making his way to the pile of clothes in the discounted section. “But if it’s not busy, can I go see Woohyun’s fanmeet? Please?” He pouted with his sure-fire doey eyed attack. But Sunggyu just rolled his eyes and muttered idly something between a ‘yes’ and ‘whatever’. “What’s wrong?” Sungjong asked in sheer curiosity. “Nothing.” “Hyung, you can tell me. Is it about the fansigning?” “No, really. It’s fine.” Sunggyu persisted, but giving up quickly once he felt that the younger would definitely go on interrogating him with non-stop barrage of questions, “i just… don’t really ‘like’ celebrities I guess.” “Why? Bad experience at concert?”  “What? No…” “Oh… Didn’t turn out to be the person you expected?” “Hmm, bad experience meeting them?” “No, it’s just… Yeah, bad experience I guess.”  Sungjong saw the irritation and dark mood emitting from the older and decided it was best to just let it go. Time passed as Sungjong folded the clothes and Sunggyu checked the sales and stock, listening to the gradual disappearance of the music from the store, and increase in screams and fanchants. Sunggyu shook his head in disapproval. Celebrities, he thought, people who change as soon as they reach fame and popularity, who toss their friends away for other celebrities for more recognition, and who does not care about anyone but themselves. As he hit the keyboard of the computer in pent up aggression meant for celebrities, he did not notice a figure dressed in all black, including a mask approaching the counter. “Excuse me sir, where are the knitted woollen jumpers?” “Just across, on the back wall.” Sunggyu replied, eyes only flickering to the latter. “Sunggyu?” The voice Sunggyu knew only too well. The voice he knew personally, and everywhere in public and on every radio station. The voice he had despised for so long.  Hoping for the best, he looked up again, only to be revealed with the worse outcome. “Woohyun.” He nodded curtly. The eyes of the man behind the mask lit up. “I can’t believe you work here now!” He gasped, taking another look around the shop, inspecting it more closely than the first time. “Yes, well not everyone has a job that requires taking flights around the world every other day.” Sunggyu muttered sardonically, “ And some of us still need to pay the cost of living as well as school fees.” Woohyun looked genuinely surprised, “You’re still studying? Didn’t you graduate two years ago?” “Masters.” “Oh! Congratulations!” Woohyun beamed. But Sunggyu only slightly acknowledged Woohyun’s existence and returned to his computer. Woohyun watched as Sunggyu continued to ignore his presence. He shifted uncomfortably as the crowd outside grew. “Hey, let’s get something to eat. There’s still quite some time before the fan meeting starts.”  Sunggyu scoffed, “Are you sure you don’t want to send a wave of hearts to them? Or are you scared that they will swarm over you?” “Yeah, um, no not really?” Woohyun stuttered, taken back at the harshness in the latter’s voice. “Look, let’s go somewhere else. If you’re still mad at me we can talk about it.” He urged. Sunggyu just gave Woohyun a look of disbelief and disgust. “No thanks. I don’t like being held back by the unwanted past.” He said with a chilling look. “Please. Sunggyu, I’m sorry if this was a big misunderstanding, but you have to listen to me. Just give me ten minutes, please?” Woohyun begged as the crowd almost reached the entrance of the store. “Unless you would like to buy something, please leave.” “Sunggyu.” “Sorry sir, please do not cause disruptions in this store.” “Sunggyu, why are you doing this?” “Sunggyu?” A different voice popped up this time. Sungjong poked his head around the corner. Woohyun’s gaze only flickered to Sungjong for a moment, but that was enough for the younger to recognise the star.  “Oh my…” Sungjong gasped, starstruck. “You’re… no way…” “Hi, yeah, Woohyun.” Woohyun smiled at Sungjong. “Hey Sungjong, is it alright if you look after the store for just a few minutes? I’d like to talk to your manager.” Sungjong looked at Sunggyu incredulously. “Hyung… Did you just piss off Nam Woohyun?” “What? No!” Sunggyu clarified, glaring at Woohyun, “It’s nothing don’t worry. He was just about to leave.” “What? Why?” “Because he does not have business here.” “But he just said he wanted to talk to you.” “He was joking.” “No actually,” Woohyun started, “I sincerely want to have a chat with Sunggyu. And don’t worry he didn’t piss me off… It was actually the other way around.” He laughed as Sungjong’s eyes widened even more. “So is it alright if you look after the store for just a moment while I steal Sunggyu from you?” “Yes, sure, no worries.” Sungjong agreed, still dazed. “What the fuck, you can’t just do that.” Sunggyu snarled at Woohyun. “Have fun boss!” Sungjong smiled angelically as Woohyun grabbed Sunggyu’s hand and lead him across and out the store. “What do you think you’re doing. Sungjong!” Sunggyu yelled across the room. But only to have Sungjong send him a cheeky wink. ~ ~ ~ Sunggyu stared out the cafe window emotionlessly and watched the pedestrians pass by as he sat in the dimly lit cafe, some with their shopping bags, others with Woohyun merchandise, waiting to get the signed. Little did they know the person they so longed to see was right there in front of him, except he was feeling like the most unlucky person in the world. “So, a lot has changed huh?” Woohyun started nervously. “You don’t say.” “... How have you been?” “Good. Just a normal life. You know, a life of someone who is not in the limelight.” “I see.” Woohyun bit his lip uneasily. He was not used to this new Sunggyu. The Sunggyu he knew so well, like the back of his hand disappeared in the time he was gone, on tour and making movies. Maybe Sunggyu had a point. He couldn’t read normal people anymore.  “You know… This is all a big misunderstanding.” “That’s funny seeing how you were so sincere about it.” “Like I said, it wasn’t like that.” “On what basis should I believe you on?”  “That- Because I didn’t have a choice.” “Yes and I don’t have time for this.” “Sunggyu please.” Woohyun pleaded. “Are you ready to order?”  The pair looked up to the waitress. Woohyun quickly looked away, avoiding the gaze of the waitress, afraid of being recognized. “I’ll have an iced coffee please.” “And you?” She turned to Sunggyu. “I’m good thank you.” “Don’t worry, it’s on me.” Woohyun insisted. “No really, I don’t want anything.” Sunggyu nodded politely at the waitress. “A black tea thanks.” Woohyun added, ignoring Sunggyu. “Yes, an iced coffee and a black tea. Thank you, that’ll be ready in a moment.” The waitress smiled and left the table, leaving a very disgruntled Sunggyu. “You better have a good reason for this.” Sunggyu growled, low enough just for Woohyun to hear. Woohyun looked at Sunggyu with uncertainty..  “I do, if you’d only give me a moment to explain.” “I’ll give you a moment. Now change my mind.” Sunggyu challenged. Woohyun sighed, “Look, I don’t want this to be like, whatever you’re thinking.” “The truth?”

“No-” “Reality?” “No! Can you please just listen to me!” Woohyun demanded, so loud the surrounding tables all diverted their attention to them. “Shh, okay, I get it.” Sunggyu hushed, giving apologetic looks to the people around.  Woohyun shrank down into his chair, hiding from onlookers. “I know you’re mad at me.” “Because I have the right to be.” “I just said, give me a chance to-” “To get back under my skin and then blow out the candle, leaving me in the dark again, and then treat me like the public, so I have as much knowledge as every other person who uses the internet?”

-3 years ago-

Sunggyu returned to the dorms, shutting the door behind him, leaned against it and slid down, pooling into a puddle of happiness. He hardly even noticed the smile that spread from ear to ear. “Something good happened?” Sunggyu looked up at Dongwoo who was in his pyjamas, with a bowl of half eaten cereal, even though it was only 7pm. “Yeah…” He sighed without losing his grin. “So it went well with Woohyun.”  “Yeah…” “That’s great!” Dongwoo congratulated Sunggyu, “But please at least give me a heads up next time. I was worried sick because you didn’t return last night.  And Hoya was the one who told me you were with Woohyun.” “Ah, yes… Sorry…” Sunggyu was still dazed from their date the previous day. It all seemed too unreal. To meet someone who you were complete polar opposites with, and actually enjoy spending time with each other, to falling completely and irresistibly in love with. The boy with the dyed blond hair who seemed like an attention loving trouble maker had somehow taken center stage in Sunggyu’s life.  For months, Sunggyu had been eagerly meeting up with Woohyun, convincing himself they were just friends. He soon figured out they both loved  music, but Sunggyu majored in economics whereas Woohyun was a new freshly debuted idol. ‘I hope to be as big as Hyuna one day.’ He said. Hyuna, the most popular idol in the industry, dominated every chart and program with every album release. Sunggyu admired how the boy was so ambitious. He had once wished to become a rockstar, but his careers counsellor said he was nuts. But it wasn’t until one day when he noticed that Woohyun had already become an essential part of his life, and apparently so did Woohyun. At first, it was just increased skinship, then more intimate touches, leading on to short little pecks and kisses, which had freaked Sunggyu out. His mind said no, but instincts said otherwise. Soon it was full on making out in each other’s place or within the darkness of cinemas and restaurants. However last night was the night Sunggyu had let go of his subconscious stigmas and succumbed to desires and allowed himself to indulge. The sweet words that uttered again and again throughout the night seemed to play like a mantra over and over again in his head. It was only then when Sunggyu admitted to himself that he wanted Woohyun. “Oh, by the way, Hoya came over and we had Chinese food. There’s still some left overs in the fridge if you’re hungry.” ~ ~ ~  Sunggyu stared blankly at his phone. ‘The number you’re calling is either switched off or unavailable.’ It had been a week since he had spent the night over at Woohyun’s, and since then he had been flooded with exams, too busy to contact Woohyun. But the latter didn’t call back either, not even a text. Sunggyu’s brows furrowed in the glow of his phone in the dark room. Suddenly the worst fear dawned on him. If Woohyun had only wanted a one-night-stand, would he really spend so much to just to get close to Sunggyu? “Sunggyu!” The door bursted open, and almost swung off it’s hinges. “Dongwoo- Oh my fu- god… Can you please just open doors like a normal person?” Sunggyu gasped, clutching his heaving chest and squinting at the blinding light from the hallway. “Oh, sorry! Everything alright?” Dongwoo apologized sheepishly. Sunggyu didn’t reply, instead just kept staring at his phone. Dongwoo peeked over and saw the contact name. He winced. “Uhm… Sunggyu, I don’t really wanna like… Didn’t you see” He muttered. “What?” Dongwoo avoided Sunggyu’s confused gaze as he unlocked his phone and brought out an article. Sunggyu’s eyes widened as he read the title. Breaking: New Hottest Celebrity Couple - Nam Woohyun and HyunA Things only got worse as he kept reading. Nam Woohyun, captured leaving HyunA’s apartment early Tuesday morning. Netizens become suspicious as the two were also spotted together on the streets of Hongdae just hours later.  Tuesday morning. Sunggyu had left Woohyun’s apartment Saturday afternoon. Only three days later. ‘This can’t be him’ Sunggyu thought as he tried to assure himself, believing that the pictures were too blurry to able to tell if it was really Woohyun or not. But that was all confirmed all too soon. Below, was a video of Woohyun and Hyuna sitting side by side in matching designer couple t-shirts, and matching smiles. As much as he knew he would regret playing it, his body betrayed him as the finger tapped the ‘play’ button. “So you two are really dating?” The interviewer asked curiously. “I guess we are.” Woohyun replied, looking warmly into Hyuna’s eyes, as they leaned in closer for eskimo kisses “I can see you two are really in love with each other!” The interviewer chuckled. “We are…” Hyuna purred, still deep in Woohyun’s gaze. “So how long has it been?” “I’d say it was confirmed just a few days ago?” Hyuna replied. “But we’ve been in love for quite a while.” Woohyun added, practically glowing, “Hyuna’s been my ideal type for years!” “Aww, you two are way too cute.” The interviewer grinned as Hyuna nestled her face into Woohyun’s shoulder. And he did regret playing the video.

-Present Day-

“So you cheated on me, used me as a one time fuck buddy, dropped all contact and decided that the best way to tell me was along with the rest of the world?” “I’m sorry, I should have told you.” Woohyun replied, feeling guilty. “Told me what? That you were using me for a one-night-stand? Great. That would have made me feel much better.”  “No, I didn’t mean that…” “Sure.” Woohyun couldn’t look Sunggyu directly in the eye as the guilt washed over him. He was a young boy, looking for fame and success, and the sudden popularity had blinded him in the moment where he had forgotten all about everyone else in his life, just like a blinding stagelight dulling down the view of everyone in the crowd.  “I’m sorry. I was immature. I was so hungry for fame and the sudden popularity from the scandal I guess was a bit overwhelming.” Woohyun started, “But I wanted to contact you, I really did!” Sunggyu still had the hard, disapproving expression. “My company didn’t allow it! My phone got taken away, my emails and social media was being managed! Heck, I couldn’t even go anywhere without my manager following me!” “Oh what a lovely life an idol has.” “And I wasn’t even in love with Hyuna!” That broke Sunggyu’s expression. “What?” Woohyun sighed as he rubbed his nape, “Well it’s a long story…” “Well hurry up then.” “Okay, um, well, Hyuna broke up with me.” Woohyun said. After seeing the confused look on Sunggyu’s face ranging from ‘why’ to ‘do you expect me to believe that?’, he went on, “She knew I was not in love with her. Well, we weren’t even meant to be dating to begin with. One day, a paparazzi found her coming out from my apartment building. Turns out her high school friend lived there. But it made us, or specifically me, popular so our agency decided to go with it. You know… for popularity. “But I couldn’t oppose it. I tried to, I really did! But I guess after a while, Hyuna really I guess kinda wanted to try dating? So we gave it a go… But that only lasted a month give or take. She was the one who broke up with me. She knew I was in love with someone else…”  Sunggyu listened to Woohyun’s explanation, eyes wide in disbelief and confusion. “I really was in love with you Sunggyu!” Woohyun blurted, “And I realized that I never said that. So I’ll say it now, I love you. And I’ll say it again and again until you believe me!”  Sunggyu felt heat crawling up his neck as he quickly gestured for Woohyun to stop. “Stop Woohyun. I’m… flattered I guess to hear that, but you can’t do this anymore. We can’t do this anything. Dating, and not to mention a man would be bad for your image.” He added bleakly. Woohyun shot up from his chair, ignoring the glances from other customers. He grabbed Sunggyu by the hand and dragged him along, leaving a $20 bill on the table. They left the cafe and into the main open area, next to the crowd of fans. Woohyun dashed across the room, dragging a flabbergasted Sunggyu with him. “What are you doing? Woohyun!” Sunggyu managed to choke out. Before he knew it, they were both on a platform, stage lights blasting onto the both of them, from which Sunggyu could guess was a makeshift stage. Woohyun stood proudly, facing the ocean of screaming fangirls and fanboys with a microphone in his hand. Suddenly reality hit him. “Woohyun, no, don’t you dare.” “Hello everyone!” Woohyun yelled into the microphone. The crowd cheered. Woohyun looked at Sunggyu and whispered, “It’s okay, trust me.” Sunggyu could only cower in front of the thousand of people in the room. “How’s it going? Sorry this is a little out of the blue, but…” Sunggyu and the managers were looking at Woohyun in disbelief, and hissed at him, asking him what the fuck he thought he was doing. But Woohyun ignored them all. “This man right here,” Woohyun lifted up Sunggyu’s hand, which his fingers were entwined to, “Is my boyfriend.” Gasps and murmurs filled the room. “Woohyun, what the fuck are you doing?” Sunggyu hissed, attempting to shake his grip off.  Woohyun then turned to Sunggyu, and continued into the mic, “And I love him.” Sunggyu could feel his heartbeat racing. Not from the thousands of people gazing up at him, but from the eyes that stared so intently into his, just like they did three years ago.

And as if reacting from memory, Sunggyu’s heartbeat went wild as Woohyun leaned in.  A/N: Sorry for not updating for ages :( But school started and it's going to be hell this year! I'll see how I go with these stories, but I really do enjoy writing them, and I really hope you guys enjoy reading them too xx Thank you so much for reading/subscribing and please leave a comment so I know what you guys think of it :)