[M] Knowing (1/1)

[[Abuse and violence warning]] I've known Youngwoon and Jungsu for a long time now. They've been my friends through the worst times in my life and seen me up into the best times. We grew up as teens together, trying to find our place in a bad neighborhood. We kept each other's noses clean and protected each other when we were needed.Youngwoon eventually confessed to Jungsu, we were barely out of high school, but he was convinced he could make the best life for them, if only Jungsu would be by his side. Jungsu couldn't have been more excited. They were in love and I was so happy for them.Youngwoon used to take Jungsu with him everywhere. It was like they were attached at the hip. They used to make me sick with how cute they were.After the first year or so of being together they moved out of the old neighborhood and into the city. They got a nice loft style apartment, making me seriously jealous. I was stuck in an apartment above a restaurant while I worked my way through college.Jungsu stopped coming out with us. Youngwoon and I were drinkers, always had been. Jungsu used to come along, just to make sure we got home okay, I guess he trusts us more now.I admit to drinking a little less when we go out, just to keep an eye on Youngwoon. There's always been a deep anger in him. Youngwoon blames his family for a lot of his problems. He's not afraid of yelling and standing up to anyone either. Jungsu and I used to quietly find something else to do when visiting his home as teens.Jungsu has a past too, violence in the home, with no one to turn to as the only boy. I've been there for him when he was too scared to go home after school. I always wanted to do more for the two of them, but I'm happy they're together and making a better life now.I checked the time on my phone and gathered Youngwoon up. It was time to take him home; I didn't want Jungsu worrying about him. I laughed as Youngwoon leaned heavy on me and serenaded us through the streets to their place.I wasn't about to go digging in Youngwoon's pockets, so I just knocked on the door when we got there. The heavy white wooden door opened to reveal part of Jungsu's face."Home," Youngwoon called with a grin at seeing Jungsu open the door.I smiled and waved, it's been a while since I've seen him and he opened the door for us, but stayed half hidden behind it. I had had a little bit more to drink than normal, so I shrugged it off as I helped Youngwoon inside and to their room.Jungsu didn't turn on any of the lights, knowing we'd groan at him. Youngwoon shrugged away from me and practically fell face first onto bed. I laughed as I backed out of his room and leaned on the couch in their living room."Thank you Heechul," Jungsu said.I looked for him, but I couldn't see his face, he was looking into the room where Youngwoon was."No problem, Jungsu." I just sat on the couch and smiled as my eyes closed."You should sleep Heechul, stay on the couch." Jungsu offered, still not looking at me as he went into the room and closed the door.I didn't need to be told twice and I flopped over the back of the couch, cuddling a cushion like a long lost lover before passing out.The sound of yelling woke me up. I don't really get hangovers, but my brain was still blurry as I tried to make out the voices.Jungsu was yelling at Youngwoon for coming home so late and Youngwoon definitely wasn't going to back down. They're fighting again, it seems. They have good years and bad years; this must just be a bad one.I try and go back to sleep but there's a louder yell and a thump. I sit up on the couch, staring at the door, willing it to open and one of them to come out. More yelling and what sounds someone being thrown around. I'm more shocked than anything when I can hear Jungsu crying. I should go in there and stop them, but I can't move my body.Youngwoon comes out of the room and goes to the kitchen. I lie back down and pretend to sleep, hoping he won't notice me. I hear him getting some ice into a cup, but no liquid. I don't want to believe what my mind is trying to make me believe.Youngwoon wouldn't hit Jungsu and Jungsu wouldn't put up with him even if he did hit him. It would be over... Wouldn't it?I hate myself for not moving, because I can still hear Jungsu crying softly.Youngwoon makes his way out of the kitchen and I hear him standing by the couch. He must think I'm sleeping because he goes back to the bedroom."Why is Heechul here?" Youngwoon yells. "I told you I don't want anyone coming over here, especially not him. What were you planning to do with him while I was asleep?"Jungsu doesn't say anything and that must make Youngwoon mad because he hits him again.I want to throw up; I can't take listening to this. I get up off the couch and make sure I have all my stuff before slipping out of their apartment. I make it all the way back home before I let myself break down, crying and shaking myself to sleep in my own bed.I'd been too weak to help them.It's been a week since it all happened. I've been pretty successful at pretending it was just a drunken nightmare. But I can't help wanting to see for myself. I want to see Jungsu.Heechul knocked on the door. He’d purposefully picked a time when he knew Youngwoon would be at work. Youngwoon had sounded pretty serious about not wanting him in his home the last time he’d been here.When no one answered the door, Heechul tried one more knock and stared in relief when the door finally opened to reveal Jungsu. Except the angel face was swollen and bruised.“Heechul?” Jungsu whispered.Heechul couldn’t say anything; he just stared in shock at the look of his best friend. His left eye was nearly swollen shut, the bruise that discolored it had already started to fade to green and yellow, but Heechul could tell it still hurt.What had he done? What had he been thinking, leaving Jungsu? He never intended for this. Heechul reached for Jungsu, pulling him into a tight hug. Jungsu was still for a moment before sinking into his arms and clinging for dear life to him.“I’m sorry,” Heechul whispered, starting to cry. “Jungsu, I’m so sorry.”“It’s okay,” he said. “It was my fault.”Heechul shook his head, but Jungsu just pet through his hair as he pulled him inside and shut the door.“I know Youngwoon doesn’t like anyone near me but him. We worked it out.”Heechul pulled from the hug and held Jungsu’s face, carefully avoiding the bruises. He wasn’t careful enough, and Jungsu had some obvious fears as he winced and hissed softly.Letting his face go, Heechul grabbed Jungsu’s hands instead, but even his hands weren’t above wounds. One of his fingers was bandaged with a splint and his wrists were bruised and had little cuts.“This isn’t working things out, Jungsu... I didn’t know it was so bad. Why didn’t you tell me?”Jungsu bit his lip and started to cry.“I couldn’t break you and Youngwoon apart like that; you’d always been better friends with him than me.” He whimpered.Heechul wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close and kissing the side of his head.“I would do anything for you. You’re both my friends, but I can’t sit around and let this happen anymore.”Jungsu shook his head. “You can’t do anything about it. It’s okay, we just get mad at each other sometimes... I hit him too.”Jungsu straightened up and sniffled. “We’re just men, men fight.”Heechul shook his head. “Men don’t fight like this unless they hate each other, Jungsu.”Chuckling sourly, Jungsu sighed shakily and moved to wrap himself around Heechul again.Heechul held him close, holding the back of his head gently.Jungsu took a few steps and Heechul followed, so he guided them to the couch. Sitting close, Jungsu pulled his legs up under him and cuddled as close as he could to Heechul, hiding against him. He hadn’t felt so vulnerable since he was a little boy with his father’s heavy hand after him.“Jungsu!” His father yelled. “You come out here and explain why you didn’t do your chores.”Jungsu hid in his closet, his legs pressed against his chest and his arms around them. He rocked back and forth, wishing his dad would go away.“Jungsu!”Suddenly the door to the closet was opened. Jungsu flinched and quivered, but Heechul was beside him, pulling at him to come out of the closet and follow him.They ran away together, out his window and down the big tree beside his house. Heechul’s hand was strong on his and Jungsu knew he’d be safe as he followed the younger boy where ever he took them.Heechul stopped them outside a convenience store and sat Jungsu down, promising to be back soon. He came back with ice cream cones in wrappers and they sat together, eating and laughing until the sun came up.“Please don’t leave me.” Jungsu whispered as he clung to Heechul, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.Heechul took a deep breath and squeezed Jungsu back. “I’m not going anywhere.”“I love you,” Jungsu confessed in a whisper.Heechul’s heart stopped and his lungs felt like they collapsed. Jungsu moved to look in his eyes and Heechul was able to suck in a shaky breath as he looked back to his eyes. Heechul felt a stab of guilt again, looking at Jungsu’s face.“Don’t squirm, Jungsu, damn.”“I can’t help it, it hurts.”Heechul nodded as he cleaned up Jungsu’s split lip and cut cheek. His father had decided to leave marks again. Heechul hadn’t bothered asking what had made him mad this time. It stopped mattering the second time he’d cleaned his friend up.“You should just come live with me. My mom likes you enough.”Jungsu smiled.Heechul knew Jungsu wouldn’t leave his mom and sister alone with his dad.“Thank you,” he said when Heechul finished.“Anytime.”Their lips met slowly, Jungsu leaning in first. Heechul kissed back, apologizing for everything through his kiss. Jungsu moved onto his lap, needing to be close and held. Heechul wrapped his arms around him as he kept the kiss soft and loving. He gently moved his lips, pressing fully to Jungsu’s, taking his time to cover every inch of his friend’s lips in kisses.“If you had to have a monkey or a talking giraffe on an airplane with, which would you pick?” Heechul asked.They’d been coming up with stupid or crazy ideas to ask each other about for the past hour.“Giraffe,” Jungsu and Youngwoon answered at the same time, laughing together.Heechul rolled his eyes.“If you had to fight your worst enemy, who would you take with you?” Youngwoon asked.“Heechul,” Jungsu said without needing to think. He smiled happily at Heechul. “He’d be the best to fight my dad with.”Heechul winked and smiled, giving Jungsu a thumbs up. He was ignoring Youngwoon’s death glares.Jungsu moved back to slowly take off Heechul’s shirt. Heechul watched his hands petting down his chest. He caught Jungsu’s eye and leaned up closer to him, tracing over his hips before tucking his hands under his shirt and pushing it up and off his body gently.More fading bruises littered Jungsu’s body and Heechul frowned a little. Jungsu wouldn’t let him focus on it though as he kissed him again, guiding his hands to open his pants.“Heechul?”“Yeah?”“Promise me something?”“Sure, Jungsu.”“If we’re both alone when we’re thirty, let’s get married.”Heechul blushed and thought about it.“Yeah, okay.”Jungsu beamed at him, sitting up from how they were lying on their backs, looking at clouds. “Really?”Heechul chuckled. “Yeah, really.. But you won’t be alone by then, don’t worry.”Jungsu hugged him tightly.Heechul held Jungsu’s naked hips, helping him slide down on his erection. He watched his hurt face finally showing something other than sadness. Pleasure painted over his brave mask and Jungsu leaned in to kiss Heechul again, deepening it with a press of tongues as he moved slowly on his length, keeping him deep inside.Their moans came out in harmony as Heechul helped Jungsu roll his hips in circles. He brushed against his prostate and Jungsu collapsed on him, biting his shoulder and licking the teeth marks.Heechul hissed softly and kept Jungsu flush against him as he held his hips tight, sliding out almost fully before pushing in as far as he could.Jungsu screamed his name at the feel of his thick length, buried in him. He dug his nails into any part of Heechul’s smooth skin he could reach and kissed him hard.They both gasped, Jungsu tensing and Heechul throbbing just before they came together. Clinging to one another they rode it out slowly, lingering and unwilling to break their embrace.“Heechul?”“Yeah?”“You seemed far away. You okay?”Heechul smiled. “I’m fine Jungsu.”Jungsu nodded.“Isn’t the promise ring Youngwoon got me nice looking?”“Yeah, it looks great on you.”Heechul brought Jungsu to the bathroom and ran warm water in the tub. He got in first and helped Jungsu in too, guiding him to sit between his legs as he wrapped his arms around him, kissing along his shoulder.“I love you, Jungsu,” he whispered between kisses.There was silence between them, comfortable silence as they held each other.“What do we do about Youngwoon?” Jungsu asked.“You let me worry about that.”Jungsu nodded and relaxed against Heechul, feeling truly safe in his embrace.“What’s wrong Chul?” Youngwoon asked.“Jungsu didn’t answer my text.”Youngwoon shrugged.“He’s been tired lately.. New house and all..”Heechul nodded.“Yeah, I guess..”He sent another text to Jungsu: I hope you’re okay. I miss you.Youngwoon took his phone.“Would you stop worrying about him? He’s fine. Don’t you trust me?”“Okay, Woon. Relax.”“Leave Jungsu alone sometimes.. Maybe he doesn’t want you around anymore? Ever think of that?”Heechul stared. He couldn’t believe it.. But maybe it was right? His feelings deflated inside his chest and he took a shot.Heechul had helped Jungsu pack his things and he had his arm around him in the cab to his place. The only place he could think of, to get Jungsu away from Youngwoon.Jungsu stayed closed to him as Heechul gave him the small tour of his place. He smiled and hugged Heechul tightly, pulling him to lie down on his bed. He was overwhelmingly tired from all the emotions he’d finally had a safe place to let out.Heechul followed him willingly and held him close as he rested. He watched Jungsu fall asleep and looked out for him, hugging him tight when he had a bad dream. Eventually, Heechul fell into a light sleep next to him, his hold loosening just slightly.They were both awoken with a loud pounding at the door. Youngwoon had found them and Jungsu refused to let Heechul go when he moved to get off the bed.“No, Heechul don’t.”“It’s okay Jungsu.” Heechul kissed his forehead and pulled himself away, going to the door.“Jungsu!” Youngwoon yelled from the other side of the door.“Youngwoon,” Heechul yelled. “You need to go home; Jungsu isn’t coming with you anymore.”“Shut the fuck up Heechul and make Jungsu get out here!”“No, Youngwoon. Go home.”“Heechul if you don’t drag Jungsu out here right now, I swear to god I will kill you both.”“Good thing I don’t believe in god!” Heechul yelled, trying to get Youngwoon to laugh or anything other than pound on his door. He was sure the people in the restaurant below them would hear Youngwoon’s yelling.“I’m not fucking around Heechul, I’ll break down the goddamned door and both your fucking necks.”“Youngwoon, it’s over. Jungsu won’t be around you anymore, so go home.”The pounding on the door got worse as Youngwoon started throwing himself against it. The doorframe started to splinter and Heechul moved just in time as the door swung open. Youngwoon grabbed Heechul by the throat and pinned him against the wall. Heechul punched and kicked at him, but he was quickly losing air.Then something happened, a loud cracking sound and Heechul could gasp in a breath of air again. He looked to see Youngwoon crumpled on the ground, Jungsu standing above him with a bloody baseball bat in hand, tears streaming down his face.Heechul took a step to Jungsu and Jungsu brandished the bat at him, making him jump back.“It’s okay, Jungsu. It’s Heechul.. Give me the bat Jungsu.”Jungsu fell to his knees and dropped the bat. Heechul realized as he ran past the open door to get to Jungsu that they had spectators from the restaurant, watching their drama.Heechul held Jungsu tightly. “It’s okay baby, he can’t hurt you anymore. It’s okay,” he whispered as he rocked him gently.