A Trillion Miles
SuJu - Hyukhae
2557 words; PG, I guess
China and Korea are very far away from each other.



Donghae has been away at vocal and dance practice a lot lately to get ready for Super Junior M’s debut. When he is around, he either looks exhausted or has his nose buried in a Chinese-Korean dictionary, and Hyukjae feels bad bothering him.

Half of the dorm is suddenly speaking in broken Chinese, substituting gege for hyung in regular conversation, calling each other Shiyuan and Hangeng and Lixu and Guixian and Donghai. Donghae has taken to occasionally calling Hyukjae Yinhe, because, he explains, “Wo men yao practice for when we’re in Zhong Guo. Our fans need to understand wo men shuo de hua! Xie xie! Dui bu qi? Da jia hao. Wo ai ni! Wo ting bu dong. Jia you! Yi er san si wu liu qi ba jiu shi. Wo shi Donghai!”

Hyukjae doesn’t bother pointing out that people in Korea have a hard enough time understanding Donghae as it is, and that he sincerely doubts China will be much better.

*

Hyukjae is sprawled on Donghae’s bed thumbing through a magazine, only half-listening to Sungmin and Donghae chatter with each other. Donghae is packing, or, more accurately, haphazardly throwing random items—a slingshot, duct tape, and a pencil sharpener; Hyukjae decides not to ask—into his suitcase. Hyukjae isn’t really sure why he’s there in the first place—it had something to do with Donghae making puppy eyes and whining that he didn’t want to be all alone, as if Sungmin and Shindong didn’t count as company.

“No no, not the blue one, this one,” he hears Sungmin say, “Hey, isn’t that…?” He glances up just as Sungmin holds up something familiar.

“Is that my shirt?” Hyukjae asks.

“No? Yes?” Donghae looks only a little ashamed. “I thought I could bring this to, you know, let the fans know the Eunhae love is still there even if we’re separated by a trillion miles.” He makes a kissy face at Hyukjae, and bursts into laughter when Hyukjae feels the flush rising in his cheeks.

“You know, you guys are really gross sometimes,” Shindong comments. Donghae sticks his tongue out at him and grabs the shirt back from Sungmin, stuffing it into the suitcase anyway.

“Whatever,” Hyukjae says, pointedly not looking at the others, and goes back to his magazine.

*

“Remember to take care of yourself. You don’t want to get sick in a foreign country. And make sure to stick close to the others. Don’t wander around, because if you get lost you won’t be able to find your way back,” Eeteuk says.

Hyukjae fidgets a little, waiting for his turn. To his right, Heechul is hugging Kyuhyun and whispering something into his ear. To his left, Kangin is giving Ryeowook a one-armed hug.

“Yes, hyung,” Donghae answers quietly. Eeteuk’s face softens and he pulls Donghae in for a long hug. When he finally lets go, Donghae steps back and turns to Hyukjae.

“Hey,” Hyukjae says, and feels stupid.

“Um…” Donghae plays with the hem of his shirt.

There are a lot of things Hyukjae wants to say, things the others have already said, good luck and we’ll miss you and come back to us soon, silly, stupid things like don’t leave and you don’t have to go to China. But Donghae is watching him with those too wide, too bright eyes, and Hyukjae hates it when he looks like this.

“Yah, don’t get that look on your face. Make sure to get me a cool souvenir,” Donghae nods, and his eyes flicker down to Hyukjae’s hand. “I’ll be fine. You know the doctors said that the cast could come off soon, so don’t worry,” he clears his throat, “And… call me, when you have time. Okay?”

“Okay,” Donghae whispers, and folds himself into Hyukjae’s arms.

*

The next day, Hyukjae wakes up at 6 AM, shuffles into the bathroom to brush his teeth and splash water on his face, and gets ready. The manager whisks him off with the others, and he’s busy with work all day. There’s filming a guest appearance for a TV game show, and then recording for Sukira at night. It’s just like any other day, but Hyukjae can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

It isn’t until he’s back at the dorm and in his own bed again for the night that he realizes what’s wrong. He’s gotten used to waking up to a mouth full of Donghae’s hair and Donghae’s arms wrapped tightly around him in his stupid morning hug and Donghae’s loud voice and Donghae’s face stretched into a goofy grin.

It was just weird being woken up by an alarm clock for once, that’s all.

*

It’s been three days, and Donghae still hasn’t called.

Of course, everyone’s probably really busy and tired and trying to get adjusted. But there’s time in three whole days between working and eating and sleeping and moving around to call home, right? There’s nothing wrong with making a quick phone call home just to say hi. Hankyung had even called the dorm right after their plane landed in China, even if it was just for a few seconds, to let the members back in Korea know that they had arrived safely. So if he had done that, then Donghae could’ve made time too. And Hyukjae had told Donghae to call if he had the time. If Donghae had asked Hyukjae to do the same, Hyukjae would have called as soon as possible. It just seems a little inconsiderate, that’s all.

“Yah, don’t call me if you’re just going to complain and pine after someone else. International calls are expensive, you know,” Junsu says, and yawns obnoxiously into the phone.

“I’m not pining,” Hyukjae snaps, falling back into the familiar rhythm of their banter. This is something he can deal with, not the listlessness that he hasn’t been able to shake from his limbs ever since half of the group suddenly relocated to China. “And like you’re one to talk about expensive international calls.”

“I make useful international calls. I make important conversation. I do not call people to whine and bitch about how my boyfriend is neglecting me for the pretty boys he may or may not have discovered over in China.”

“Donghae is not my boyfriend,” Hyukjae splutters, waving his arm around in an emphatic gesture that Junsu can’t see.

“So he is neglecting you for pretty Chinese boys. Interesting. Can’t say I blame him. Who could love an ugly face like yours, anyway? I’m not even sure your mother does.”

“My face isn’t ugly,” Hyukjae says.

“You know what, this is sad. I’m just owning you left and right tonight, and I’m half-asleep. So I’m going to hang up. Call me some other time when your brain is working. And don’t worry about it too much, I’m sure Donghae will call soon. G’night, Hyukjae,” Junsu says.

“You were not owning me,” Hyukjae retorts, but Junsu’s already hung up.

*

“Hi, Hyukjae!” comes Donghae’s voice through the phone, a little too cheerful for someone who hasn’t called in six days.

“Hi,” Hyukjae says, not bitterly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call until now! It’s been so busy here, the airport was really crowded and we were all so tired and we had to move into a hotel and then we had to practice and do interviews and stuff almost right away and we barely had time to eat and sleep. I mean I got to use the phone for the first time two days ago but you know I’d call my mom first! And today was the second time I got to use it so I thought hey wait, Hyukjae told me to call, so I should call, so here I am! Sorry!” Donghae finishes, sounding a bit out of breath. Hyukjae smiles.

“It’s okay.” And it is, because truthfully, Hyukjae can never stay angry at Donghae for long. “How have you guys been? Did you guys have time to go sightseeing at all?”

“Um, it’s been okay, manager said we could maybe go sightseeing next week, and uh, Zhoumi says he’ll take us around…” Donghae sounds distracted, and there’s suddenly lot of noise in the background.

“Uh… Hae? What’s going on?”

“No, nothing, um… Everything’s fi—Ryeowook? Wha—oh. Uh, Hyukjae, so Henry just set eggs on fire, you’d think someone who was so good at violin would be better with his hands, and yeah IthinkIgottagobye!” There is a click as the line goes dead.

Hyukjae stares at his phone.

*

Hyukjae and Sungmin are watching Super Junior M on TV doing some sort of interview. There’s a lot of goofing around and laughing and dancing for the fangirls. Not that different from what they do in Korea, really, except Hyukjae doesn’t understand a single word of what’s going on.

“They look good,” Sungmin comments, just as Donghae begins dancing to My Love on the television screen, and glances at Hyukjae.

Donghae does look good. His new hair and clothes look nice, and he’s moving smoothly, almost effortlessly, to the beat of the song. And he’s laughing and smiling like he’s having the time of his life in China.

“I guess,” Hyukjae says, and tears his eyes away from the TV screen.

*

“Hyukjae…” Hyukjae struggles to sit up, flailing his arm a little. When he fails, he rolls over to check the clock.

“Jesus, Donghae, it’s 3 am. Sleep is a good thing,” he groans.

“I’m sorry, Hyukjae…” Something in Donghae’s voice makes Hyukjae actually sit up this time.

“Donghae? What’s the matter?”

“I’m sorry,” Donghae says again, his voice just a little too soft, “It’s just… I can’t sleep. I can’t get comfortable in the hotel bed. I miss being in my own bed, I even miss Donghee’s stupid snoring.” Hyukjae opens his mouth to say something, but Donghae rushes on. “I miss being in Korea, and I miss Korean food, and I miss talking in Korean, and I’m tired of not being able to understand anything. I didn’t think it’d be this hard.”

“Donghae…” Hyukjae doesn’t know what to say.

“And I miss everyone, Hyukjae. I miss my family, and I miss my friends, and I miss Heechul hyung and Kibum-ah and Jungsu hyung and Youngoon hyung and Jongoon hyung and Donghee hyung and Sungmin hyung and—” Donghae’s voices hitches with what sounds like a soft sob, “and I miss you, Hyuk. I really, really miss you.”

Hyukjae clears his throat, because it’s suddenly kind of hard to swallow, and says, “I miss you too.”

*

“Hyung.” Kibum taps Hyukjae on the shoulder. “I set up something on the computer. I thought you might want to see it.”

When Hyukjae follows Kibum into his room, Shiwon is waving with a dimpled smile from the computer screen. Hyukjae glances at Kibum, who shrugs and smiles.

“Shiwon somehow got access to a webcam in Thailand, and he and Donghae wanted to say hi.” As if on cue, Donghae pops up behind Shiwon’s shoulder on the screen. He squints directly into the camera, as if staring hard enough would somehow reveal the people on the other end.

“Kibum-ah! Hyukjae! Hi!” He waves frantically, still squinting. Hyukjae quickly moves into view on the webcam, and sees Donghae’s face split into a wide grin. “Hyukjae! Hi!” He waves even harder. Hyukjae smiles and raises a hand. “Look! I’m wearing your shirt!” Donghae points at his chest, “It smells like you, you know. Bad, I mean.” He wrinkles his nose.

“Hey—” Hyukjae starts to protest, but Shiwon cuts in with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, hyung, but I think we actually have to go for filming now. We’ll talk to you guys later, okay?”

“Bye, Hyukjae! Bye, Kibummie! Don’t miss us too much! We’ll all be back sooooon,” Donghae shouts. He waves both hands so hard that it resembles flailing more than anything else, and that is the last thing Hyukjae sees before Shiwon reaches out and the screen goes black.

*

The sound of the front door being slammed open followed by Sungmin’s squeal marks Super Junior M’s return. The members troop into the dorm with what seems like thousands of bags, looking tired but triumphant. Hyukjae can see Donghae behind Ryeowook, looking around like a madman. His face lights up when he finally catches sight of Hyukjae on the sofa.

“HYUKJAE!” he shouts, making Ryeowook jump. He drops the suitcases in his hands and struggles frantically with the straps on his backpack.

Hyukjae sighs and stands up. He adjusts his weight and plants his feet firmly on the ground, preparing for the inevitable. Kangin is snickering somewhere to his left, that bastard.

Finally free of luggage, Donghae makes a beeline for him and throws himself at Hyukjae, latching his arms and legs around his body. The impact knocks the wind out of Hyukjae—God, he’d forgotten how heavy Donghae could feel— and he stumbles, but stays standing. He wraps his arms around the younger boy’s waist to support his weight. Donghae smiles widely at him and plants a kiss on his cheek with a loud smack.

“I want sundubujigae!” Donghae announces to the rest of the group, right into Hyukjae’s ear, but the others are too busy greeting each other with hugs and shouts and laughs and friendly smacks on the shoulder that send people stumbling (Kangin) and slaps across the back of the head (Heechul) to pay attention.

When his ears stops ringing, Hyukjae considers dropping the younger boy on his ass, except Donghae just grins at him and snuggles even closer, breathing a small sigh of contentment against his neck, and he can’t find the heart to complain at all. So he watches Sungmin alternate between pecking Kyuhyun on the cheek and cuddling Henry, watches Eeteuk hug a surprised Zhou Mi. He watches Yehsung inspect Ryeowook from head to toe—“Just making sure China didn’t do any damage, Ryeowookie,”—in an eerily familiar manner, watches Heechul demanding Beijing fried rice from Hankyung while dangling off Shiwon’s neck. Everyone is finally back, after what felt like years, and they’re together again, all of them. Donghae pulls back just enough to peer at his face.

“Are you crying?” Donghae asks. This, of course, would be the time everyone decides to look over.

“No. Don’t be stupid.” His voice wobbles a little. Damn.

“Awww, someone’s glad that his boyfriend’s back,” Heechul coos. Hyukjae ignores him.

“Did you gain weight eating all that greasy food in China or something?” he asks Donghae. His arms are starting to go numb.

“It’s too soon for you to be an asshole,” Donghae answers cheerfully, and lifts an arm to press his sleeve carefully against Hyukjae’s eyes.

*

Hyukjae wakes up because it’s starting to feel like an oven under the covers.

Donghae is asleep, pressed against his side and sprawled half on top of him. Each slow exhale sends warm air ghosting across Hyukjae’s cheek. His face is relaxed, his lips slightly parted. And he’s drooling, just a little.

Hyukjae doesn’t check the alarm clock, because Donghae’s presence and the sunlight streaming through the window probably mean that they should both already be up and about. He tightens his arm around the other boy. Donghae murmurs and burrows closer, but doesn’t wake up. Hyukjae smiles, closes his eyes, and goes back to sleep.



*****



A/N: Because it hurts that SJ-M keeps the OTP apart. Keep in mind that this didn’t take into account the fact that Hyukhae seem to have had a minimum amount of interaction since SJ-M came back to Korea. >_> Boys, you’re breaking my heart.

Donghae's Chinese in the beginning:
We need to practice for when we’re in China. Our fans need to understand what we're saying! Thank you! Sorry? Hi everybody. I love you! I don't understand. Good luck! One two three four five six seven eight nine ten. I'm Donghae!

So... Anyone still remember that I used to write?