[Team One] Where Would We Be Now

[lotusk]

Kyungsoo is trying to figure out an abstract painting in a Parisian art gallery when he hears a voice from his past. Inspired by Good Charlotte's Where Would We Be Now.

It's your turn, nachtegael, and sorry I'm so late!

Enough time had passed since he started looking at the painting, but Kyungsoo still couldn't see how this was supposed to be a representation of Broken Promises. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Kyungsoo stared at the indeterminate blob of colors—trying his best to make some sense of it. But no matter how hard he tried, it remained. . .a blob. The ocean of scarlet surrounding the canvas was no help—the dramatic wall being more aesthetically pleasing than the actual painting. “I don't know much about art but. . .that looks like a blob. A colorful blob, but a blob nonetheless.” The man’s voice had a whiskey-like quality to it which was somehow familiar. Kyungsoo hadn't ever expected to hear an American accent in a Parisian gallery, let alone a voice that made him think of faraway things—things best forgotten, never to be recalled. “I'm sure it's something complex like a representation of human anger and frustration when promises are broken.” “Nah. It's just a blob,” the man said, the amusement in his voice tickling at the edges of Kyungsoo’s consciousness. Kyungsoo was so curious to see the face that went with the throaty voice but something held him back. It was almost like he preferred it if he never saw the person’s face. That way, he could just pretend the man had warm, golden skin and straight, chestnut hair that was always just a little too long. Eyes dark as the night and just as mysterious; and a plush mouth that had whispered promises in his ears—whispers doomed to be broken. All too suddenly, Kyungsoo was hit by a wave of intense pain as the memories came rushing in. Chest tight, he had to struggle to breathe normally. It had been years, so many years since this had last happened to him—so long since the weight of his heart had been too much to bear. It had to be that whiskey voice pulling long buried memories out of his heart’s black box. But why was a complete stranger’s voice wrecking him here in Paris? There was no way this could be Jongin after all. The realist in Kyungsoo knew this but his heart was a foolish thing that was trying its best to pretend that Jongin was standing beside him. The last time he'd seen Jongin, ten years before, they'd been college seniors in Baltimore. Naive Kyungsoo and jaded Jongin. They’d been destined to fail right from the start, he thought bitterly. He wondered what he looked like now. Would he be broader in the shoulders? Would his face be wider and his jawline more prominent? More importantly, would he still be with—? Without warning, his breathing stuttered, and Kyungsoo pulled at his collar—jerky, desperate motions that did nothing to alleviate the situation. Why couldn’t he breathe? “Excuse me, but. . .do you need some air?” The man asked as he placed a concerned hand on Kyungsoo’s shoulder. His touch felt. . .vaguely familiar. “I. . .yeah, I think I do. I’m sorry, this doesn’t usually happen to me. It must be that damned blob. Too much for my simple brain to comprehend,” Kyungsoo said in a feeble attempt at humor. “Well, I must confess, I don’t feel so good myself after staring at it for so long,” the stranger joked as he took his arm. Then there was a sharp intake of breath followed by a bewildered “Kyungsoo?” It couldn’t be.

Comments

[nachtegael.livejournal.com]

"...the amusement in his voice tickling at the edges of Kyungsoo’s consciousness." I love this sentence! And wow, Adele, such suspense~!

[bluedreaming]

OOOOOOOOH I DIDN'T KNOW YOU POSTED THIS BUT I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
you've built so many layers here in a tiny space and it's lovely !!!
and I love how they're standing in front of "broken promises"
I also love the sentiment of not wanting to look, not wanting to know, not wanting to break the illusion - this is brilliant and poignant and just enough to be enough but never too much, alway on our toes.

applause!

[lotusk]

Thank you ansabear! But it doesn't actually end here lol. It's on 1.6k already otl

[lotusk]

Thank you, Ren!!!! ♡ it's only 1/3 of what I've written so far tho /sighs at self

[bluedreaming]

But you still chose to cut it there to post for shiritori and it was very effective!!!!

Also good luck!!!

[lotusk]

I'm glad I picked the right spot heheh!

[nachtegael.livejournal.com]

I will look forward to more ^^

[jeynebesterling.livejournal.com]

you are EVIL omg broken kaisoo ;;
also YAS TO BALTIMORE.

[lotusk]

Blame it on Good Charlotte LOL. But I don't ride sad endings #neverforget. This isn't complete yet ... Thanks for reading Gabi!

[lotusk]

Thank you Ren!