[042] The Reluctant Groom

theme: o42. Suits.
pair: Kibum/Kyuhyun
rate: PG
words: 3802
#: 31/100


“Idol group, Super Junior’s member Jo Kyuhyun, marries at twenty-one years old.” Kyuhyun said as he paced in the living room, the cordless phone glued to his ear, “That’s what the newspapers will say Mom! That’s what the 6 o’clock news is going to report!”

The other members who lived with Kyuhyun in the dorm were all in the living room watching him. The moment he received the phone call from his mother and began yelling, they all slowly began collecting into the same room as him. Periodically he’d pause, but for the most of it, he was pacing back and forth.

Kyuhyun paused, listening to his mother on the other end. He glanced at the members a moment, pointing to the phone and make a face as if saying his mother was insane. Finally, he interjected into her speech,

“No, I am not over reacting!” He began his pacing once more, “No… No… OH - I WILL CALL HIM! … No, I will not yell…” He stopped in his tracks again. He rolled his eyes as his mother continued in a long-winded speech lecture before he interrupted again,

“How are you okay with this?” Kyuhyun demanded then as he started walking again, “Mhmm… what if Grandpa told you today ‘One thing I want before I die is for Ahra to marry…’ Oh I don’t know - you know what I mean!”

Kyuhyun paused once more, this time beside the dining table. He leaned a hip against it, crossing his arms as best he could while still holding up the phone, “Mhmm… mhmm… mh - you would not be like this if it were Ahra and not me!” He paused again, narrowing his eyes as if he were suspicious of something, “I’m hanging up now. Nope… nope… you can’t make me show up at the church Mom. No, you can’t. You can set up the date, have our family show up, but I won’t. No. I refuse. I don’t care.”

Kyuhyun spoke as if his mother were right in front of him, his hands and arms making gestures, “I’m breaking YOUR heart? What about MINE!? … What do you mean I’m too young to be talking about my heart? … No- wait! If I’m too young to talk about my heart then shouldn’t I be too young to get married!? … Nope. Nope. Grandpa is not dying - he’s going insane! … I can joke about that because he just commanded me to get married.”

He began to tap his foot impatiently as he stopped to listen to his mother lecture once more. “Okay, bye Mom. Bye Mom. Bye Mom,” he repeated rapidly, speaking over his mother, “Love you, love you, love you - I’m running away- bye!” He hung up with such a flourish that he relished in the silence for a moment. Finally, he placed the phone on the dining table and collapsed into a chair. He waited for a bit before looking up at his fellow dorm mates and members, “So… my mom says hi.”

“Kyu-sshi… if we heard correctly… you’re going to get married?” Eeteuk asked tentatively,

“Not if I can stop it,” Kyuhyun replied as he raked a hand through his hair, “Grandpa can command all he wants, but I’m not going to be forced into some marriage with some girl I barely remember.”

“Who is she?” Sungmin asked from his spot on the computer chair,

“This girl I use to play with when I was five or something. Our families were really close, so we were often playmates. Then we moved and I haven’t seen her since I was seven,” Kyuhyun answered, “Grandpa supposedly wants a permanent tie between the two families… apparently that tie is me.”

“So… what are you going to do?” Eunhyuk inquired,

“Not get married,” Kyuhyun said simply, standing from his chair,

“But… your mom and grandfather,” Donghae pointed out,

Kyuhyun stared down at the dormant phone on the table a moment. He idly spun it around on its back a few times before answer, “Worst case scenario is I get forced into marriage. Best case scenario is I run away,” he said before retreating to his room, the door closing with a secure thud.

However, despite Kyuhyun’s vision of the extremes of the situation, he never anticipated for there to be a middle ground in the mess. A few days later, Kyuhyun got another call from his mother. This time, it was to tell him that his grandpa collapsed and was hospitalized.

The days following his visit to his grandfather in the hospital, Kyuhyun found himself engaged to be married by the end of the month. He had always scoffed at his mother’s phone call of his grandfather’s wishes, but when faced with them while his grandfather was hooked up to a breathing machine, going against those wishes were harder than before.

So, it is his sudden engagement that caused Kyuhyun to be at the tailor’s one afternoon before the big day. He had, somehow, convinced Kibum to go along with him and despite his reluctant attitude, Kibum conceded; especially since the poor guy was practically forced into the whole engagement.

Once the tailor did the first set of measurements and puttered off into the back room, Kyuhyun turned on the small platform to look at Kibum.

“I’m really tempted to run away,” Kyuhyun confessed, “Whether Grandpa’s sick or not, I still don’t like this.”

“Then why’d you agree?” Kibum asked from his seat. He sat in a chair off to the side, one knee crossed over the other, his right elbow resting on the armrest with his cheek in his hand; the picture of comfortable boredom.

“Because standing before Grandpa with all those machines keeping him up… it gets hard to say no, especially if he says it’s his dying wish,” Kyuhyun sighed as he shook his head, “But after getting away and able to think clearly, I really don’t like this. Had I been in love or something, then maybe I’d consider it… but I haven’t seen her since I was six.”

“Maybe you’ll fall in love with her, you never know,” Kibum drawled, an attempt to look on the positive side.

Kyuhyun shook his head as he turned back to the three mirrors angled towards him, “I’ve been in love before and it hurt… I don’t want that happening again.”

“Love is a good thing,” Kibum said sharply, his body suddenly tensing, “Never doubt that.”

“It is… but not when it’s one-sided,” Kyuhyun answered, “That’s what it was last time and if I get married in a few weeks and it ends up like that again…” his words trailed off just as the tailor returned with a black suit in hand. The tailor instructed him to go into the change room and put it on. Afterwards, he could see what adjustments he’d have to make. Kyuhyun went off, silently obeying.

When he came back out, the tailor did some more measurements before going off to the back again. Kyuhyun looked at all three of his reflections, inspecting the suit from every angle. Had it been a different occasion, he would have loved to buy the suit for himself. Under the current circumstances however, it was a symbol of what was to come and, therefore, wanted the suit to burn in the underworld.

He caught Kibum’s eye in one of the mirrors, “How do I look?”

Kibum glanced at him once then looked away, “Good,” he said simply, “it’s a nice suit and the cut’s good for your body.”

Kyuhyun blinked a moment, staring at Kibum who was preoccupied with something in the front of the store. Feeling slightly brushed off from him, Kyuhyun looked back at his reflection. Despite the bland praise for the suit and the drawl in which it was said, he suddenly felt an elated desire to have that particular suit, simply because of Kibum’s words. He sighed heavily, however, with his wedding, the black suit would forever have a taint in his heart.

The following weeks seemed to pass by Kyuhyun in a blur. It seemed as more wedding preparations were executed, his grandfather increased in health. When the rehearsal dinner came, Kyuhyun could do nothing but wonder where the time went. It was in the small chapel were he was to marry that he was reunited with his childhood friend.

For the rehearsal, the priest was present, her family - which consisted of her parents and younger siblings -, his family - which was his parents and older sister - the Super Junior members and, of course, his grandfather in a wheelchair.

After it was finished, everyone remained in the chapel to speak, specifically both families to settle details of the marriage. Kyuhyun took one look of his future wife and walked off to sit beside his sister.

Ahra sat there, clad in black. She had one knee crossed over the other, her arms crossed defiantly. She slid over a bit on the pew for Kyuhyun when she spotted him, “You’re going to have to get used to being around her,” Ahra muttered as she stared straight ahead of them instead of at him,

“I have a lifetime for that,” Kyuhyun replied, “You look positively gloomy over here, upset you’re not getting married first?”

“You could get married ten years before me and I wouldn’t care, Kyu,” She said glancing at him sharply, obvious hurt by his mock words, “I’m not staying with our parents anymore since this came up and I haven’t even spoken to them since. I’m only here for your sake, Kyu. You know I’m against this.”

“I am too,” Kyunhyun interjected,

“Then why did you agree?” Ahra countered,

“Because Grandpa-”

“Grandpa won’t be dying for years; he’s in and out of the hospital and - bless his heart - even if he - knock on wood - dies, you’ll be stuck living with a wife you don’t want,” Ahra reasoned in a quiet but scolding voice,

“So, if the situation were reversed, you would have said no to him in the hospital room? You were there when I agreed,” Kyuhyun questioned,

Ahra sighed, “I probably would have agreed also; but then I would’ve relied on you to knock the sense back into me.”

“Well… it’s too late-”

“It’s never too late, Kyu,” Ahra disagreed immediately, “it’s never too late to go back, especially if your decision was a bad one.”

“Our family will hate me if I do that,” Kyuhyun reminded bitterly,

“But I won’t. And you have twelve brothers that won’t,” Ahra countered gently. She uncrossed her arms and grabbed his hand, lacing his fingers with her own, “Let them be mad, Kyu. Let them be heartbroken, if it comes to that, but don’t ever think I won’t be there for you.”

“I know, thank you,” he replied, touching his cheek to her temple in an affectionate gesture before straightening again,

“You should just tell them you love someone else,” Ahra muttered, “Maybe they’ll back off.”

“There’s no point in me telling them that if that person doesn’t love me back,” Kyuhyun pointed out,

Ahra raised an eyebrow, “There is someone?”

Kyuhyun nodded his head as he stood up, letting her hand fall from his, “But, it’s better this way, everyone’s happy this way.”

Ahra stood up along side him, staring at him directly, “But you’re not happy.” She said quietly, steadily and almost…sadly. She reached out to his hand again, gripped it affectionately and then left the chapel without so much as a glance towards her parents and grandfather.

Later that evening, Kyuhyun was at the computer playing a game while some of the others were watching a movie. He cursed as he died for the fifth time. He shut down the computer, heading towards the door,

“Where are you going?” Eeteuk asked, looking away from the television,

“I’m going to be imprisoned in a marriage for the rest of my life… I need some freedom before then,” Kyuhyun muttered as he slipped on his sneakers, “I’m going out for a walk.”

“You… you’re not running away, right?” Eunhyuk inquired,

“No,” Kyuhyun said flatly,

“Too bad,” Kangin said, coming out of the kitchen, “We were all ready to help you and hide you.”

Kyuhyun smiled at them appreciatively, “Maybe next time.”

Eeteuk blinked, “You are not allowed to get married twice, before me. I’m older!”

Kangin gave him a slanted look, “Then act like it,” he looked back at Kyuhyun, “Take your time on your walk and be careful.” He leaned a shoulder against the wall, stuffing his hands into his pockets, “You know our feelings on the situation, Kyu-sshi, but whatever you decide after your walk, we’ll be with you ever step of the way.”

“I know… thanks hyung,” Kyuhyun gave a brilliant smile before leaving the dorm.

When Kyuhyun finally stopped to look at his surroundings, he found himself just a few feet away from the other dorm. Without hesitation, he entered and headed on up. Kibum answered the door, clearly surprised. He stepped aside and gestured for Kyuhyun to come in.

Kibum walked ahead of him to the dining table and sat down to his meal, “I was just eating dinner, do you want some? There’s more on the stove.”

“No, I’m not hungry,” Kyuhyun answered as he took a seat across from Kibum, “Where are the others? I know Heechul’s head back from his hometown to get back for the wedding…”

“Typhoon’s got promotions in Pusan… so, he’s down south and Hankyung-sshi is at the dance studio with Henry and Zhoumi,” Kibum replied as he ate a forkful of noodles. Kyuhyun was staring out the balcony doors to the dark sky and Kibum was staring at him. He chewed thoughtfully before swallowing and finally asking, “Why are you here?”

“This is the farthest I could run away without actually running away,” Kyuhyun shrugged as he turned in his chair and looked at Kibum.

He put down his fork and took a sip from his glass of water. After swallowing, he spoke again, “You want to run away? Fine, I’ll help you. It’s stupid that you’re getting married tomorrow anyway; you should’ve mentioned running away sooner.”

Kyuhyun shook his head, “No, it’s fine.”

“It’s not fine, Kyu-sshi,” Kibum argued, “You were forced into this and now tomorrow you’re going to be married to some person you -clearly - do not want to even talk to, let alone spend your life with.” Kyuhyun gave him a quizzical look, so he explained further, “I saw you in the church. How you took one look at her and then walked to the other side of the chapel where Ahra was sitting. Do you think you can do that your entire marriage? Just avoid your wife?”

“I’ll make it work,” Kyuhyun explained, “I’ll learn to like her.”

“You shouldn’t have to, damn it!” Kibum exclaimed, jumping to his feet as he slammed his palms onto the wooden table, rattling it. “You should be marrying the person you love - right from the start! You shouldn’t have to LEARN to love your wife!”

“This marriage will make both families happy and-”

“Can you stop? Please?” Kibum demanded, “Can you stop - for once - thinking about what other people want and just for once - FOR ONCE - think about what YOU want?”

“But-”

“Damn it, Kyuhyun - it’s okay to be selfish once in awhile!” Kibum argued angrily, “it’s okay to say no to your parents! To say no to your grandfather!”

“But then they’ll hate me,” Kyuhyun muttered quietly, his eyes dropping to the table,

“Then they’re not worthy of you,” Kibum said with finality. Kyuhyun looked up suddenly at these words, staring at him with wide eyes, “They’re not if they’re doing this to you, Kyuhyun. I don’t care how traditional they are, it’s not right. You should be able to find someone you love.”

Kyuhyun looked away, a longing look in his dark eyes, “I already have.”

“Then stop this wedding and be with that person,” Kibum stated, finally calming down, his voice quieting to its normal tone, “You belong with the one you love, as cliché as that sounds.”

Kyuhyun shook his head, “No, they don’t feel the same. For years, they’ve never felt the same, always being with other people…”

“Then they’re not worth either,” Kibum said simply, “You need to find someone else, Kyuhyun. Love someone else.”

“Like who?” Kyuhyun muttered, his gaze dropping to the floor again, along with his heart.

“Like me,” Kibum replied quietly but solidly.

Kyuhyun’s eyes snapped towards him, disbelief written in his expression, “W-what?”

Kibum came around the table to him and tipped his chin up with his thumb and forefinger, “Then. Love. Me.” He murmured quietly in a husky and sultry voice. With that, he leaned down until their lips came together in a gentle kiss. After a short moment, Kibum dropped his hand from him and his hand moved to the nape of his neck, holding it, “I can’t wait anymore, Kyu-sshi. I can’t keep pushing away my feelings anymore. Forget that person then and fall in love with me.”

Kyuhyun stood up, gazing down at Kibum, “It is you; it’s always been you,” he whispered swiftly before pulling Kibum in for another sweet kiss.

It was in the early morning - far before the sun rose - when Kyuhyun crawled out of bed, careful not to awaken Kibum. As he quietly got dressed, he couldn’t help but stare at Kibum who lay there, the blanket pulled just to his waist; his naked back lit up by moonlight streaming in through the window. Once dressed, he left immediately without a look back; if he did, he would never have been able to leave.

When Kyuhyun got back to his dorm, he accidentally let the door swing close, thudding quite loudly. He flinched and waited for someone to wake up, but no sounds from the bedrooms were made. He sighed with relief and kicked off his sneakers. Just as he was about to head to his bedroom, someone stepped out of the kitchen,

“AISH!” Kyuhyun exclaimed as he fell against the wall, breathing heavily, “Kangin hyung?”

Kangin nodded as he sipped form his mug. From what Kyuhyun could smell, it was coffee, “Where have you been?”

“At the other dorm,” Kyuhyun answered honestly, “Were you waiting up for me?”

Kangin nodded again, garnering surprise from his dongsaeng, “We were all worried when it hit midnight and you still didn’t come home; and you forgot your phone here. We were scared you ran away without us.”

Kyuhyun looked at the glowing clock atop the television, “It’s four in the morning,”

“Oh - I know,” Kangin said as he took another long swig of his coffee, “I haven’t slept yet.”

“The others went to sleep without you?” Kyuhyun asked,

He shrugged in reply as he finished his coffee, “Eeteuk-sshi was awake for a bit, he just fell asleep on the couch before you came in.”

“Not anymore,” Eeteuk muttered sleepily as he moved and sat on the arm rest so he could see them. Hugging a pillow and leaning to the side against the wall, he yawned, “What were you doing at the other dorm so late?”

“Talking with Kibum-sshi,” Kyuhyun said simply, it was the truth; they didn’t ask what he had been doing the entire time.

“Still not up for running away?” Eeteuk asked quietly, “Eight hours before the wedding, there’s still time.”

“I can’t do that,” Kyuhyun sighed, “It would break my family’s heart.”

“What about your heart, Kyuhyun?” Eeteuk inquired gently, imploringly,

Kyuhyun sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair, “I left that behind about fifteen minutes ago.” With realization dawning upon his two silently-stunned hyungs, he disappeared into his room in an attempt to get some sleep before the beginning of the end.

Kyuhyun stood before the alter beside his future wife. The suit that the tailor had prepared for him was a nice suit indeed. However, despite it being tailored perfectly for him, standing there in the church, it suddenly felt tight, almost suffocating.

“If there is anyone here who objects to the union between these two souls, let them speak now or forever hold their peace,” the priest droned,

“I object!”

Kyuhyun spun to look at the voice; that beautiful, familiar voice. Kibum was standing, hands gripping the back of the pew in front of him until his knuckles whitened. Kyuhyun was startled at the intensity at which Kibum stared back. He didn’t look at the priest, but stared right at the groom, his gaze unflinching.

“I will not let Kyuhyun get married to that girl,” Kibum reinstated sternly in an unyielding tone, his fierce gaze turning to the priest who took an obvious step backwards at the sudden glare.

“I also object!” Ahra stood from her seat, crossing her arms.

“Ahra - sit back down!” Her mother hissed,

Ahra glared, “If you ever want me to speak to you again, you’ll leave me standing!”

Suddenly, thirteen more objections rang out from the remaining Super Junior members, along with Henry and Zhoumi.

“This is outrageous!” Kyuhyun’s grandfather said, “My grandson is getting married today!”

“No… I’m not,” Kyuhyun said quietly, looking apologetically towards his grandfather, “I should’ve said no from the beginning, but I was too scared. I’m saying it now,” his expression turned stern, “I can’t get married, Grandpa - I won’t. You can’t make me, or Dad or Mom… No one’s going to make me do this. The only way I’ll ever marry is for love.” He walked away from the alter, bowing at his parents and grandfather .

He walked over to Kibum, grabbed his hand and began dragging him down the alter towards the doors, “What - what are you doing?” Kibum hissed,

“You said you’d help me run away,” Kyuhyun replied simply,

“I won’t - I’m still mad at you for leaving this morning,” Kibum stated, stopping their progress. He pulled his hand from his dongsaeng’s grip and crossed his arms defiantly,

Kyuhyun saw behind Kibum, all the people who had come for the small ceremony with their attention on them, curiously watching the two. He turned his eyes so he saw Kibum, and him only, “Then we’ll run away to your dorm and I’ll make it up to you.”

Kibum gave him a slanted look. Finally, he grabbed Kyuhyun’s hand and began leading them out of the church.

“Kyuhyun! Where are you going!?” His mother called after him.

They paused at her words before leaving, but Kyuhyun didn’t look back. Instead, he looked forwards at Kibum, a smile on his lips as he called back: “I’m running away with the one I love.”