Headcanon: You're getting engaged to someone else
Word Count: 3,306
Genre: Angst
Warnings: Angst
(Ryeowook is here to react to your engagement as a friend)
A/N: Had this idea pop up after listening to Greatest Mistake by Handsome Boy Modelling School
Leeteuk
He let out his usual presentable smile.
“Ah of course you would beat me to it.” He said playfully and let out a chuckle.
He was already used to hiding his pain, this was just one of those days. He tried his best to be happy for you, after all why should he be bitter about this? He already had his chance.
As always, he tried to overdo it and say he would happily emcee for your wedding. You kept telling him it was fine; it would just be . . .
“Ah . . . you think it would be awkward, wouldn’t it?” he still was smiling but it slowly faltered “It’s just . . . yeah, I’m really happy for you. I genuinely am.”
Later he would walk Shimkoong that evening. His brain was elsewhere, it had been in that state since you told him the news.
“I guess this is what it means when they say things catch up to you.” He could remember the times how he would come back to the apartment in the early hours of the morning and find you sleeping on the couch with a blanket and Shimkoong snuggled.
He could recall all the times he promised that yes, one of these days he’ll get a day off and you would go on a trip. Where the trip was you never recalled. It never happened anyway.
You did your best to wait but even you had your limits. He understood, it was inevitable he said.
The little white dog suddenly stopped walked and looked up at his dad.
“Oh why? What’s wrong?” he asked.
Shimkoong just cocked her little head.
It was only here he realized his face was wet, he placed a hand on his face and when he realized it was wet he let out another laugh.
“Why am I crying over this?” his cackles got a bit louder, thankfully they were alone right now. He blinked his eyes and looked up at the moon; it was full. He took a deep breath and tried to composed himself.
“It’s okay, if it’s just the two of us.” He looked down at his dog “Right?”
Shimkoong wasn’t sure.
Heechul
“Ahhh you little minx!” he clapped his hands and patted your back “You finally did it huh? How dare you! You promised me at age 50!”
“Oppa I can’t wait till then.” you initially intended it as a joke but now that you said it, it somehow gave a different feeling.
Heechul much to his credit was a true professional keeping the jovial vibes “Aish, you kids have no patience these days!”
He kept laughing, he kept cheering on for you and he even went as far as calling your fiancé tell him how much of a lucky bastard he was.
So maybe he really was over it, you thought.
Later when he came home to his apartment, he let out a deep sigh.
He had been told numerous times how empty his apartment looked like with everything being white and clean. It was just the way he was he wanted order. His mother has shown frustration numerous times saying he wouldn’t get married with that kind of thinking. He kept saying that one of these days maybe his future wife would put some color into it.
You tried to. At some point you did, in the corner of his living room you have one section where you bought a pink sofa, some pastel rugs and a small bookshelf for your books and DVDs. Heebum would often lay on the carpet and relax in this space.
There were numerous times where you kept bugging him about the kitchen saying you would want a cabinet here or a stove there for convenience. And he kept telling you he’d get on with it after the wedding.
The corner was now cleared, the only remnant being the carpet because Heebum wouldn’t let it go after you left. There was numerous time Heechul would try to throw the carpet, but the cat was stubborn.
As he sunk on his sofa that night his gaze was once again on that stupid rug. He glared at the material; he could just take his cat into the other room and toss it out. In fact, Heebum didn’t always stay there, he could have thrown it away then.
Yet he didn’t.
Heechul stood up and stood in front of the rug. He tried to bend down and pick it up but as if he knew Heebum came and took his place.
“She’s not coming back you fool.” He told his cat.
The cat just meowed.
“She’s getting married.”
Another meow.
“Well excuse me it wasn’t just my . . .”
Meow.
He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh then turned around and crashed face first on the couch.
The following day he bought a coffee table that matched the rug.
Yesung
He let out a deep sigh, as though he were relieved “I’m glad.” He said “I was getting worried for you for sec.”
“Why would you be worried for me?”
“Can’t I?” he let out his usual small smile as he sipped his drink “Want me to sing at the wedding?”
You snorted “Aren’t you expensive?”
“That’s Kyuhyun not me.”
You bit your lower lip “Are you sure you would want that?”
He put down his cup and looked out the window, he didn’t say anything for a while.
“You’re right.” he finally said.
Later you left him alone as you had to meet with the caterer. He still sat on his seat, his eyes on you watching you head off. The smile on your face as you answered the phone, he knew you were talking to your fiancé.
He took another shot of his coffee only to realize his cup was already empty.
He was starting to understand why some people drink.
He just sat there staring at the busy streets, people and cars passing by. The world was constantly in motion, everyone eventually moves to the next phase.
Including you.
Finally, he stood up from his seat. His brother noticed this and approached him.
“What did . . . you know . . . say?”
Kang-hoon gave a shrug “She’s getting married.”
“She’s what?! And she told you?”
“Is it wrong for her to tell me?”
“No, I’m . . . just why would she . . .”
“It wasn’t intentional, I just so happened to see her on the way here and . . . the ring was obvious.”
“Oh . . .”
“It’s funny . . .” Kang-hoon had his hands on his pockets.
“What?”
“That ring looked like the one I almost gave her.” He shook his head “Oh well . . . better not dwell on things that would never be.”
“ . . . are you . . .”
“I’m buying a ticket tonight.”
“To where?”
“Anywhere at this point.” He turned to walked away “Anywhere but here.”
Shindong
“Why are you sad? Shouldn’t you be happy about this?” Donghee looked at you in confusion.
“I . . . just . . . I.”
“Ah don’t worry about me.” He waved his hand dismissively “I’m too busy to get married anyway.”
You let out an awkward laugh “I see . . .”
“Should I ask one of the members to sing? I know you liked Yesung . . . ah what was that song he always sings during weddings?”
“That’s not . . . it would . . . I’m sorry.”
“Again, don’t be sorry.” He almost reached out to hold your hand but he held himself “You should be happy, I always told you this.”
“I know . . .”
He was never the type to keep things. Most of the time when he bought something new, another thing would be tossed out or sold. This was the way he always functioned.
Yet somehow, despite the constant change in house, the number of renovations he did . . . he still kept your mug.
It was ridiculous. He knew it. His members would tell him. His friends would tell him. Heechul at one point tried to smash it.
Yet there it was still on his cabinet along with the other mugs.
You had long ago taken your stuff with you. Those you didn’t get he gave away because selling them felt wrong. Like trying to put a price tag on the relationship.
In all honesty he didn’t even realize he still had it. He would only remember its existence whenever he had guests over and there it was. If he was with the members, they would all groan telling him why he didn’t throw that thing away yet already.
He always said he would, one of these days.
Today just wasn’t that day.
And once again the following morning as he was getting coffee. He opened the cabinet and there it was, despite it being in the back with other mugs it stood out, like a glowing relic.
Maybe today was the day to finally throw it out, he thought.
After who knows how long he took the mug and added hot water.
Might as well use it one last time.
Eunhyuk
“Congratulations by the way”
You blinked in surprise “For . . . oh . . . who told you?”
“Oh, come on almost everyone knows!”
“Ah . . . yeah . . . I guess.”
“Oh, come on chin up!” Hyukjae laughed “I’m happy for you! Told you one of us was gonna get hitched soon.”
“. . . Thank you . . .”
“Don’t act like a stranger.”
Later after a meeting discussing plans about the new building Donghae finally brought up the topic.
“So, I heard she’s getting married.”
Hyukjae let out a tired sigh “Yes, you’re like the fifth person who told me this.”
“Oh.”
“I actually saw her.”
Donghae’s jaw dropped.
“She looked good as always.” He sipped his drink “Guy is lucky.”
“I’m not saying . . . but well . . . you know.”
Hyukjae shook his head “Nah, it wouldn’t have worked out anyway.” He leaned back against his seat “It’s better this way; I have a solo album coming up while she has her wedding.”
“Okay . . .” he decided not to pester him “Just don’t . . . do anything stupid tonight.”
Hyukjae gave him a look “Why would I do anything stupid???”
Once he was home alone, he opened a bottle and started listening to ballads.
He covered his face with his hands, he expected tears to fall by now, but it was nothing. Instead, what he felt was dread. He felt tired and empty.
He took another shot and let the music play. He knew this day would come sooner or later, he prepped himself, because he knew deep in his heart that someday you would find someone else.
That didn’t make it any less painful though.
He stood up and did a little jump and shook his head before grabbing his drink and looked out the window. He brought out his phone and checked his contacts.
Was that still your number?
What would he even say right now? He already greeted you, anything more and it just felt empty. You were probably stressing over something like your dress or what were you going to have for dinner.
He finished his drink, then finally deleted your number.
Donghae
He tossed another piece of paper in the bin.
He entered his studio when the sun was rising and now it was dark outside. Surrounding him were pieces of scrap paper with several unfinished lyrics.
None of the words seem right.
People always said if the emotion was raw then eventually the lyrics would flow, yet here he was struggling to even write anything down.
Since he was going mad, he decided he probably needed some fresh air. He left his apartment and decided to go out for a short walk.
He needed to clear his head of you.
So, when he saw you once again on your way to the convenience store it took all the power within him not to scream.
The two of you just stood there staring at each other. Neither not knowing what to say or if they should say anything at all.
Donghae eventually gave you a smile.
You tried to smile back and gave him a small nod.
“What are you doing here?” it was a simple question yet somehow there was a weight to it.
You could have simply said your purpose; you literally just went out to get soy sauce. Yet you were stumped. What could you say?
Eventually Donghae shook his head “It’s been nice seeing you.”
“Wait Dong . . .”
“Don’t . . .” he raised a palm.
You stopped.
“It still h . . .” he stopped himself, why was he saying this. That was the last thing he should be saying right now. “I’m . . .”
You shook your head “Please . . .”
He took a deep breath and looked up blinking his eyes “Please just go now before I say the worst thing right now.”
“Donghae.”
“I mean it.” He refused to look at you.
An hour later he came back to his studio drained. He collapsed on his chair and just stared blankly at the wall for who knows how long.
Eventually he picked up a fresh pad of paper.
And started to write.
Ryeowook (Platonic)
“Ahhhh really? You’re getting married?” Ryeowook gasped when you saw him at his café “Can I see the ring?”
You awkwardly put forward your hand.
The man nodded “Ooohhh, not bad.” He pursed his lips.
“Thanks.”
“So . . . does he know?”
You pulled back your hand “I’m not sure.”
“Aaaaahhhh” he nodded and crossed his arm, then raised a brow “Want me to tell him?”
“Wha . . .”
He leaned back “Don’t tell me you’re planning to tell him yourself?”
“I mean . . . maybe?”
“Are you out of your mind?” he almost snorted “Do you know how wrecked he was? Sure, he pretended to be fine in front of you but oh when it was just the two of us?” Ryeowook let out a deep sigh “It was a mess I tell you.”
You were unsure how to respond to that.
“Don’t worry he’s fine now.” He waved his hand dismissively “But if you tell him that . . . in his face? Aaaahhh . . . I don’t know what he’s gonna do, but it’ll probably involve alcohol somehow.”
You bit your lower lip “So what should I do?”
He placed a hand on your shoulder “Let him be, you have your life he has his life. You deserve to be happy. Eventually he will find his own happiness.”
“Does he know . . . I come by here?”
“Uhhh . . .” on the corner of his eye he could see a certain member trying (and failing) to hide with a menu “So . . . since you’re getting engaged how about a discount!”
Kyuhyun
It was 3 am at the gym and he was working up a sweat.
Never did he think he would be the type of insane person to workout at the gym at the crack of dawn. Most of the time he would usually be at home playing Starcraft or whatever video game he got hooked on at the time.
I’m getting married next month.
He increased the speed of the treadmill.
He was panting heavily and his legs were starting to ache, but he still pushed through.
In the back of his mind, he should have seen this coming. Of course, it would happen, he didn’t control you, you had your own life, your own decisions . . .
Your own fiancé.
After running he started doing bench presses. In his mind he was cackling, what on earth was wrong with him?
He started adding more things to his schedule.
“Are you sure this is, okay?” his manager would ask him, “You’re practically on a plane every day.”
He just shrugged “Well, it’s work. I should be grateful I still get offers.”
Anything to get his mind off the news. He was doing variety shows, musicals, radio shows, singing contests . . .
Weddings.
Here he was once again greeting another couple and wishing them well. He has done this countless times, and he will continue to do so. Perhaps this is the curse of the ballad singer, always singing for someone else’s happiness because you need the pain to power through your own songs.
Yet no matter how many things he did, no matter how tired his body was, no matter how many people he talked to.
His mind always ended up on you.
“Are you sure you’re going to be fine?” was a question that had been asked numerous times since the news came out.
He tried to keep the usual jovial vibe, joking that it would probably be good material for another autumn album.
But sometimes when he was finally home alone in his apartment . . . he felt like he was going mad.
He thought you got everything out of the apartment, but every once in a while, he’d find something of yours.
A scrunchy. A mug you used once. A saucer. A book you didn’t finish.
Inside the book was a note you wrote.
He actually screamed that one time.
Surprisingly he did not touch alcohol this whole time.
Everyone around him was surprised. They thought he would at least take one or two bottles of whisky, but he just didn’t feel like it.
Because every time he’d open his wine collection he would remember the nights, he would drink with you.
He had once seen you with your fiancé.
It was by total accident; he was not that crazy . . . or maybe he was.
He just needed to buy some supplies at Cotsco and there he saw you. You were busy showing your fiancé what seemed like two different kinds of loaf bread.
He did not know how long he stood there wondering if he should approach you and say hi or just run for the hills and never come to this branch.
He didn’t have to think because you saw him first.
You told your betrothed you were going to check on something and slowly tried to approach him.
His brain was telling him to run and not look back. But his feet were firmly planted on the ground.
“Hey . . .” you said, your arms crossed.
“Hey . . .” he responded back, because he was a celebrity he had mastered the art of faking a smile.
But you knew better “It’s nice . . . seeing you.”
“Same here.” He nodded “Small world.”
“Yeah . . . so . . .”
The two of you just stood there, in the middle of the toilet paper section.
“Sorry . . . I don’t know why I . . .” you looked on the ground “. . . I heard you’ve been busy . . .”
“Yeah . . . who knew ballad singers were in demand.”
You did your best to look at him, but as soon as you saw his eyes you looked away “I . . . just . . . wanted to . . . tell you to take care of yourself.”
He let out a laugh “Is that so?”
You tried to reach out but he stopped you.
“Don’t . . .” he whispered in a low tone.
You looked up.
“One step closer . . .” he stepped back “And I might not let you go this time.”
