[Epik High/SuJu] The Bases of Relationships, PG, Gen, BloHyuk friendship

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Still writing actual fic, but another drabble that got stuck in my head: this is more meta than fic but, well, you know how I do. I meta through fic.

The Bases of Relationships
Epik High/Super Junior, not quite Tablo/Eunhyuk, PG, 480 words
A fangirl's decode book: Standing next to each other means they are in love. Touching each other means they are having sex. Hugging each other means, goddamn, they are married for life.


Tablo sighed and closed the browser, leaning back in his chair. He didn't know what to make of fans sometimes. Yeah, he was grateful for all of their support; he knew he wouldn't have made it nearly so far if it weren't for people who actually liked his music. But...sometimes, the fans who were there for more than just the music kind of creeped him out.

Map the Soul was his way of getting in touch with international fans and it was amazing to see so much support from the English-speaking, non-Korean contingent of the world. However, Tablo had come to realize that English-speaking fans were just as prone as Korean-speaking fans to the idea of - he rolled the acronym around in his mind, dry - RPS.

"Hyukjae," he said that night, an arm slung comfortably around his dongsaeng's shoulders. "Did you know fans slash us? They think we'd make a cute couple."

Hyukjae's eyes were wide beneath his fringe and baseball cap as he turned to stare at Tablo. "What? Really?" His mouth gaped slightly and Tablo couldn't help but chuckling. Such a well-meaning kid.

"But," Hyukjae spluttered, looking utterly lost, "we don't. We hardly see each other! We don't do fanservice at all!" His hands fluttered in agitation over his cup of soju, over the table where he was drinking with his friends. "Why aren't they at least pairing me with Donghae?" he asked at last, helplessly. At least that would make sense.

Tablo could read his expression too well. "They probably do," he consoled, pulling away and patting Hyukjae lightly on the back. He poured himself another glass of soju.

"I mean, Donghae and I, we, like, play up to it. All the kissing and snuggling and, but, not with you--" Hyukjae still hadn't found his coherency, red creeping over his face. "I'm sorry, hyungnim! It must be really embarrassing for you, being paired with someone like me." He ducked his head.

This time, Tablo laughed and elbowed him.

"Relax, Hyukjae," he said. "It's just fans. Fucking fans are fucking crazy. I'm used to it. Besides, there are worse people in the world to be paired with."

He nudged Hyukjae's own glass of soju toward him, meaningfully. Hyukjae glanced up at him, still embarrassed, but smiling a little now. There was always going to be a little bit of hero-worship in those eyes, Tablo knew. He couldn't say he minded that much. Lee Hyukjae was a good kid, working hard to be the best he could be in this crazy industry. Tablo had meant it. Fans were fucking bizarre, but there were worse people he could've been paired with.

He watched Hyukjae turn slightly to the side, covering his mouth with a hand, as they drained their glasses.

"At least it wasn't Heechul," Tablo mused as the soju burned warm down his throat.

Hyukjae choked.



--

Started/Finished: 2009.07.23