Postal Worker of the Dead

Junhyung detested grocery shopping. It was never something he enjoyed even as a child. He would whine continuously as his parents made their way through the endless rows, hushing him to be quiet. When he had gotten old enough to take on the responsibility to feed himself, he realized he hated the trips even more. He always felt indecisive when it came to making food choices. How was he supposed to know what he wanted three days from now for dinner?  Yet, people magically planned out a week like it was a small feat. To him it was a stressful ordeal. Especially today. Usually he wouldn’t be attending the market this late, but his horrible experience with Mr. Yang had left him frazzled. When the male had finally gotten his daughter Hana and himself home after rush hour traffic, he immediately sent her to change out of her school clothes so he could wash them and get her homework out while he made dinner.

He had not counted on his fridge being empty, cans of beer shoved in the back and the final dregs of banchan leaving residue in Tupperware containers. He sighed and he turned to look at Hana who seemed to already know the issue. “Fine, I’ll go.” Already the child was learning to side eye people at such an early age. Junhyung didn’t know if he liked it. “Let me call the land lady and ask if you can go over while I go to the grocery store. No reason for both of us to suffer.” Hana seemed to have an aversion to grocery shopping as well, but that had been something that had changed since her mother was gone. He promptly made the phone call that was successful, but also gave him a headache as she patronized him for waiting so late in the day. Pressing a kiss to his daughter’s forehead, he made his way back outside and to the grocery store a few blocks away. It was the normal one he went to and it was less busy at this time of night. With a small grocery bag in hand, he grabbed the few necessities they would need until the weekend in which he could make the lovely trip back.

Junhyung was irked, because really why did there have to be so many types of one thing. He already had a melt down over eggs and now he had to think about rice. Thankfully or maybe not so thankfully, the collision of metal with his side had him jerking back into the aisle, food products rattling off the shelf from his hazardous landing. “No, it’s fine, I wasn’t either-“. His words were cut off and he found himself looking up at the male. It was Mr. Yang. Great. “Oh um, Hi.” He pulled himself away from the aisle wall, wincing when more cans fell around him. “I see you also go grocery shopping.” His eyes fell to his basket and felt himself smiling coyly. “And liquor shopping all at the same time.” He never would have pegged the male as a heavy drinker, but the amount he had in his basket made him question that thought.

All the stress he’d been attempting to put behind him in light of his day came back as the timbre of Junhyung’s voice rang in his head. Bending over his basket the teacher attempted to feel around for the glasses he’d lost considering he was fairly blind without them. He could hear cans falling and at any other time he’d have out right laughed at the other before helping him up, now though he just stood up squinting in his direction. 

“Well yes, I’m not a robot and unfortunately I require food which requires grocery's.” The comment about his liquor had his cheeks instantly warming up. Crossing his arms he let his lips slip into a smile as his head tilted to the side. “I usually only drink if I’m stressed or over whelmed...” He could have said more but he wasn’t petty....that petty.

When his fingers finally folded around his glasses, a sound of relief left his lips and he was sliding them on his face brushing loose locks of hair from his eyes. “You seem to be....rather bare in the shopping area.” He noted now that he could see the others basket. “Or do you and Miss Hana just really like eggs and... kimchi?” Was this the kind of food the poor child relied on daily? The horror sprang in his mind but he soon tamped it down; Junhyung seemed like a better father than that from the way the girl spoke. 

Junhyung couldn’t hide the wince that left his lips. He knew he was the difficult one. What was he supposed to do? His job demanded his attention and he couldn’t call out simply for a teacher’s meeting. Especially when it wasn’t nearly as important as quarterly reports. “I get it. I’m not being the easiest to schedule a meeting, but it’s been rough…I’ll look over my schedule tonight and send a few slot times.” A frown worked his way on his lips. It seemed the older Hana got the more complex it would become for him to schedule time for things like this. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it. He wanted to be there for her in every way and she understood. However, things simply weren’t working.

His thoughts were dimmed by his comment and a small smile tugged on his lips. “Well she is.” How could he not think that of his daughter? “She is everything to me and I’m glad everyone here likes her. I try to raise her right, but you can never be sure if what you are doing is right.” It didn’t help he was hardly home. His phone buzzed and he looked down a sigh leaving his lips. Another work email and he had just left.

Mr. Yang’s words had him looking up in question, eyebrow raising. He didn’t mind people being curious, but he didn’t know how to feel with Mr. Yang prodding. He already felt like he had wronged him and now the idea that he wanted to question him made him feel uneasy. Thankfully Hana saved him as he turned and eyed her in the doorway. “Yeah I do. I’ll message you through email about a meeting time.” With a forced smile, he bowed and led Hana towards his car, her tiny hand intertwined with his own. He could not shake the feeling that Mr. Yang would get the answers to his curiosity, whether he liked it or not. However, that would be a different day to worry about.

And that was that, another day finished and another meeting missed with the ever elusive Yong Junhyung. Sitting back at his desk Yoseob pulled out a calendar flipping through the worn and grubby pages. "This makes meeting number twenty-three." Twenty three time's he'd tried and twenty three times he had failed. Heaving a long suffering sigh the teacher rubbed a hand over his eyes. They were all busy, he was understanding, but really wasn't this too much?

"I'm getting a drink tonight."

Hours later presented the male in a much more relaxed manner. A cardigan hung over his shoulders, well worn jeans clothed his legs and large glasses slid down his nose covering his face every few moments until he shoved them up. Perusing the aisles of the market, his basket held various things for his weekend such as candy, chips and items for salad. But it also held a nice selection of liquor. Even teachers needed time off.

Showering hadn’t taken any time at all. Well why would he waste precious moments when he could be with the person he loved more and more each day and with each memory they made together? Water clung to his skin as he slipped on a faded long sleeved shirt, the dark green complimenting the season and a pair of loose flannel pants. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone. Not when he didn’t have to do anything to have Yoseob looking at him with eyes only meant for him to see or for that special smile he only gave to those he cherished. With water still clinging to his hair that dripped onto his collar, he patted his way downstairs with a grin.

“Oh tea?” He could smell it already and he found himself walking into the kitchen. “I guess you really liked my surprise to be making me tea willingly.” He came up behind his lover, hands falling into place on the male’s narrow hips. A place he always found his hands wondering to. “I love you and maybe the smell of holidays make me romantic, but I really just want to pull you into my lap and pet your hair with a cup of rum and hot chocolate.” His mouth pressed into the side of his temple, lips pressing a gentle kiss against his hair. “However, I can pass this as a raincheck as long as you promise to indulge me sometime soon.” His fingers reached out and turned off the burner to let the tea sit for the few minutes until it would be ready. “I will try to be helpful in your theme choosing. I know it will mostly be your decision, because you have a…strong opinion.” The shigofumi was very detailed oriented.

It was no secret that he was a hater of tea and most things brewed by leaves -the only one that got a pass was a brew Junhyungs mother had given him once that didn't taste like damp forest ground. But just because he hated it didn't mean he was terrible enough to not make it for his partner who loved it. Sticking his tongue out at Junhyung he stirred the pot as he pressed back into his lover. "Yeah yeah yeah, I thought you'd like it after a nice shower."

A soft laugh left his lips as he was kissed and held and all around loved upon. As the fire was clicked off he turned in Junhyung's arms wrapping his own around the others neck. A sweet kiss was stolen from the elf's lips before he smirked.

I wouldn’t mind that, you know.” Junhyung wouldn’t. There was no doubt that the elf would hold him for months if it would make the last couple ones go away like a bad dream. Yet, he knew with the sinking feeling of his stomach that this was all too real. He had lived in bliss for far too long it seemed. The male gently climbed into his lap and even though he wanted to wrap his arms around him and just hold him like he had done for so long, he refrained. Instead he let the shigofumi position himself against his chest, his chin barely resting on top of his head. It was a silent moment that seemed to last for so long, but not long enough. Questions and thoughts and feelings were spinning through his head, but in the moment they both just needed this. This feeling that they would be okay, eventually. Maybe not for a while, but in the future when this situation wasn’t such a fresh and new wound, oozing with pain.

A shrill noise echoed through the quietness and Junhyung didn’t even need to utter a word to know. The feeling of Yoseob going completely tense with fear and dread was obvious enough. Yet, he held his breath, praying he was wrong oh so wrong. However, that sickly queasiness spread at his words. It was Adrienne. He was calling him. He felt his pulse picking up and once the male jumped from his lap, he was following quickly after, a hand pressed against the wall to hold himself up. He didn’t know how Yoseob was standing. It must have been the fear of what would happen if he didn’t respond. He witnessed the phone call, his heart and mind conflicted. He wanted to take the phone away from him and threaten Adrienne to never touch him again. He wanted to take Yoseob away and never return. Yet, he knew and it sickened him that Yoseob wouldn’t listen to him. That if he interjected like that would just make it worse and that is what had him going numb. He was powerless at the moment. No clue of what to do to stop the abuse. How lowly had Junhyung become that he couldn’t protect someone he loved? He brought a shaky hand up to his hair and shoved it from where it had fallen into his eyes, a pained grin falling on his lips. It was utterly ridiculous he had become so weak. How his ancestors would mock him.  They would laugh and condemn him with ridicule for letting something get this bad. His pride begged him to speak up, to do something.

Anything.

Yet, he did nothing, but swallow his tongue like a coward. He jumped when fists slammed heavily on the table, breaking him from his thoughts. Pained laughter fell from his lips and he found himself leaning more into the wall for support. Yoseob was sorry. Why should he be sorry? Junhyung was the one failing him. “You have no reason to be sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’ve failed in that way too many times. Even now I can’t comfort you, because I can’t stop this. Even if I could, he’s already done so much damage, could you really look at me without seeing him?” Could Yoseob look past this horrible memory they would both share and not see Adrienne in their relationship?

Brown eyes continued to bore holes in the counter top as his mind raced through the hundreds of plans and things he could do.  Haven was safe,  he'd managed to send her away as usual with double the ward and spells that he usually kept around her.  He wasn't worried about himself at the moment,  no the next one he had to ensure the safety of was Junhyung.  His lover and currently a babbling brook of worry.  Sighing deeply the shigofumi pushed off the counter turning to face the other.  "No one could have stopped this.  Adrienne knew he had me cornered the day I agreed to meet him.  This isnt your fault,  my fault or any other fool who stumbled into his Web. " 

Crossing his arms at his waist he rubbed them a few times feeling awkward and vulnerable for the hundredth time since Junhyung has appeared in the apartment.  He wasn't used to this,  being seen so weak and unable to fend for himself.  No amount of sarcasm or smarmy humor could hide the fact that he was crumbling under the pressures of everything that was happening. 

"I look at you daily without seeing him.  I look at you and see a future where he doesn't exist and you and I can once again breath without worry. But the only way that could ever happen is if I take him out once and for all." Running his hands through his hair Yoseob slowly shuffled his way over to the older elf stopping only when they were shoved together so close he could do nothing but breath the other in.  

This was exactly what he needed right now in this moment.  "I'm sorry that I'm damaged goods. I'm sorry that I may take time to heal.  Im sorry for the days I'll be jumpy and the nights I'll be paralyzed with nightmares. Im sorry for making you worry. Im sorry for lying and sneaking around behind your back." He could apologize for hours but he knew it would never fully get through just how sorry he was for all that he put Junhyung through.  

170729 HK concert - the end 

Junhyung was having mixed emotions on his present choices at the moment. He had always wanted to be a police man when he was a child, but now that he was, he had been given the task to infiltrate a specific group of organized crime. In short terms, he was sent to spy on a gang and hopefully he would make it out alive. He was coerced that everything would be fine, he would always have someone on speed dial to come and help him if he cover was revealed. However, that didn’t stop his heart from lurching when someone among the group spotted him. Shit

He had been told his presence wouldn’t be surprising since new recruits were being called in, yet this guy seemed to be taking too much interest. The raven haired male tried to keep his cool indifference as well as he could in his rigid stance, but it was broken when a fist met his arm. It wasn’t painful, but it had him pulling back, eyes searching wildly for some recognition that he had been found out. However, he was not met with suspicions, but curiosity. “Ah ha, I’m not terrified, just observing.” Observing, he winced at his own words, because that sounded way too truthful and wary for his own liking. “I like to watch people to figure out their personalities before I make connections.” A small smile worked its way to pull at the corners of his mouth. “I’m Jaesoon….you are?” Using his real name was out of the question and while the male might seem too cheerful to not be trustworthy, all gang members were the same. They couldn’t be trusted.

"Observing hmm...cause from my vantage point you sure looked like you were about to piss your pants if anyone looked at you cross eyed." That jolly grin was back on his lips as Yoseob crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled softly. "Make connections. You're really an interesting character. Well Jameson, I'm Yoseob and I hope we can make connections, and braid each others hair while talking about our crushes." Patting his shoulder again, Yoseob brushed past him heading to the center of the room He hadn't been there for more than ten minutes and Yoseob could already tell he was going to be a lot of fun.

 With an ear splitting whistle he had the attention of everyone. "Gather round. We have a new batch of newbie so make them feel welcome, give them the jobs you don't want to do." His eyes traveled across the crowd before landing on Jaesoon for a moment with a smirk. "Observe them before making connections."

Junhyung raised an eyebrow, a small smile appearing on his lips. “Well that could be arranged quite easily. However, this might need to be set up so that a wondering child does not appear in the kitchen, since an apron, pearls and nothing else would be quite…shocking.” Not that he was necessarily planning the idea, but he wouldn’t deny the thought either.

Stepping back from Yoseob, he found himself nodding. He had gotten quite sweaty with moving the tree in by himself, plus his clothes were covered in pine needles and other natural debris. “Fine, I’ll shower quickly. Don’t do it all by yourself, I want to help you know. Equal partnership.” He didn’t want Yoseob to feel like it was his job to do all of the cooking or cleaning on his own. He knew the male could easily take on that role and while they both were busy, he knew his lover could overwork himself without realizing it.

Equal partnership. The remark had a smirk rising on his lips as his lover departed the room. It was only out of sheer love for the elf that he too left the room in lieu of visiting the kitchen. He loved decorating the tree and while it had been his solo task last year, maybe this year was a good year to have the others help. It was their first official Christmas spent in the lovely house Junhyung had built, why not start new traditions too?

Starting a pot of water to boil he dropped in a mixture of tea leaves that Junhyung enjoyed and he didn't hate. A sigh fell from his lips as he stared at the leaves floating among the water "I'll never understand how I fell in love with a tea drinker." But he had, and that would never change.

Embarrassment was an understatement for the situation at hand. Junhyung had been caught red-handed digging through Yoseob’s underwear drawer and presently was hiding under the sheets, because he just had to put a pair on. It seemed like time was definitely not on his side, even more so when the shigofumi asked him to get up and kiss him. “Well you know, I never thought about asking you to try them on, but how about you pick that pair up and change in the bathroom and do that. Make it a surprise for me?” He probably spoke way too fast for his request to come off nonchalant, no doubt his face was heated up from sheer mortification. His hands on instinct pulled the covers tighter around him at the thought of getting up. There was no way in hell he was about to do that, but now the elf had to come up with a good enough reason to get his lover to leave him be, so that he could rip the damned silky underwear off.

“Well you see I would love to come kiss you love, but I have a cold. Wouldn’t want to get you sick.” The male feigned a cough, turning his shoulder to try and hide the fakeness. Too bad it was so staged, even he wouldn’t have fallen for it. “But really don’t you want coffee first? I’m surprised you ran all the way up here without a cup.” It was then that an idea hit him. Maybe if he could secretively slip his hands under the sheets he could wiggle his way out of the boxer briefs and free himself. Of course, he would then be pant-less, but he would rather be framed with possible masturbation at the thought of Yoseob in the underwear than being caught wearing them.  Faking another cough, Junhyung looked at him with pleading eyes, trying to will himself to look like a sad puppy. “Could you possibly make me some tea, I really don’t feel well.” At this point he had slipped one hand into the sheets as slowly as possible to not look too guilty, but with the shigofumi’s sharp attention to detail, he didn’t know if he was going to get away with his plan.

"You're sick?" Concern decorated his face as he paused to look closer at his boyfriend His skin did look unusually flushed and he was talking much faster than usual Maybe he had a fever? But he had seemed fine earlier. At the reverse concern for his caffeinated well being Yoseob's brow rose and he against crossed his arms leaning against the bed. "I had about six cups of coffee at work, I'm quite fine. But you If you're sick we should get you looked at lest you infect the house Plus I'll need to wash all the blankets, sheets and pillow cases so as not to spread any germs." He was a pro when it came to containing sickness early, he'd dealt with Haven her whole life.

Unfortunately Junhyung still wasn't making any move towards leaving the bed and instead seemed to be sinking even deeper into the covers. Rolling his eyes as Yoseob saw him trying to slide farther under the blankets he spoke taking hold of the top comforter and giving it a strong pull. "Enough nonsense, time to get up. We're starting the healing process right now. I'm not about to get sick because my lover wasn't prepared." Now that the comforter was in his hand he also moved a hand under grabbing hold of the sheets and giving them a tug a well.