Upon A Time (JoongNine AU)

Upon Had We Ended?

Nine

"Hello...? Is this, Nine?", a voice, hesitantly asked. I smiled, since I had kept the same number for years, and those whom I knew and close with; their number was still kept safely in the list.

"Hello Porr. How are you?", I said, although wondering why did Porr suddenly made a call. Porr was Joong's best friend. When Joong and I, worked as a team, a few times, we did go out together, having a blast at nightmarket, fair and some vacation. But, that was cut short as well, when I started to work in international arena. Even with Joong, whom I was closer, too, time was that limited, more so friend of friend, liked Porr.

"Ah, I just tried my luck, not really sure you're still using the same number, glad that you do...I'm good Nine. Well, in fact, I am getting married in two months time. So, I know it is far fetched, but still, since you're important to Joong, I sincerely wanted to invite you, as well...", Porr said excitedly.

"Oh, Congratulations Porr! I am so happy to know this, really. But, I'm so sorry...in two months, I will already be touring, which has started from now. I am taking a break from rehearsal, at the moment", I said, feeling a little sorry to not be able to attend his wedding. There's always a price to pay for fame, and one of them, time didn't belong to me, anymore, but was already decided; scheduled; just to be followed.

"Ahh, as expected, but anyway, I'm glad that you still pick up...and, spend a little time to talk to me...", I could hear, there's something more, that he hesitated to say.

"Porr...you call, not just for the invitation, right? I guessed, you know that I'll be in tour...silly me, of course you know, since the promotion had already started...", I said, only then realized, that if it was just for the invitation, Porr could have sent an e-card, as what they usually used, now.

"Sorry, Nine. But, I am worried, for Joong. He doesn't get too close to many people, though he is friendly with everyone. So, since I told him, that I'll be getting married, he is happy for me, but, I know...he'll also, be lonely. The problem is, uhh, I am not just getting married, I'm going to be a father too! Just got the news, last week or so, that my fiancé is three weeks into the pregnancy already. Such blessings!"

"Porr...such an abundance of luck! I am truly happy for you...", I said, feeling joyous too.

"Yes, I am really happy too, Nine. But, that's the reason why...I'm afraid, that I won't have...that much time, to be there for Joong, anymore...then. Nine...maybe, I need to cross my boundary a bit, here, but somehow, I don't think I'll have another chance after this. I didn't really know what has happened to the two of you, but I was there before you came into his life, saw you two became closer, in a different way than how Joong and I ever is; and also now, that you two...has become...almost liked, strangers. Fame and money, you both have them, in abundance, but yet, your relationship, paid the price, in return. I can't say about how you feel; but I can tell it from his side. That, he is rejecting any other close relationship, part of it is because, he's still that into you, and part of it, I think...he didn't want to face another you, who came for a little while, and now, gone".

"Porr, we just grew out of the vibrant, blooming feeling that happened in our youth. We...never said, or do anything, beyond what you thought we are...and,comfortable, that way. Besides, he should actually try to open up, and might find that there's someone much better than me, out there... ".

"Did you?", Porr's words caused me to be silent, "Nine...did you, find someone better? Maybe, you're right, you both grew out of the youthful feelings, so, look at him as an adult that he is now, then. Find that time in between your busy life, if you think he's worth it...but, it's your life and his. I just wanted you to see that, just as what I'd told him, too. Ah, maybe, because I am getting married, I become sentimental liked this, but, I really do believe, that there's still some red thread left between the two of you, just that, no one is willing to pull it closer...".

"Nine, be ready in a minute, we'll practise with the band again...", the call from my stage director, caused me to hesitate on how to end the deep conversation, "Porr...I think...", but Porr let me off the hook, immediately, as he said, "Alright, Nine! Good luck for your tour. And, don't forget to send fat red packet to my child's first new year, later", Porr said in jest, and said his goodbyes.

A few weeks later, Porr passed away, leaving behind his fiance who was pregnant. When the sudden news, of Joong's impending marriage, was suddenly announced, about a month later, I knew, that he, had taken the responsibility, to care for the family. Nobody knew, that the child was not his; everybody was shocked, since there's never a dating scandal, and suddenly it was announced that he'd be getting married and would become a father too. But, I realized, that it was already too late. I chose my career, over him, expecting that he'd move on to someone better. Even when I took a crazy step and came unannounced, I knew it was too late, but maybe there's still a chance, liked what Porr had said, that a part of him that had yet to let go of me, would accept me back, into his life. But, no, it's already too late.

Just as I heard his confession clearly, at the edge of my ear, and felt the wetness of his tears on my shoulder, dampened my skin; yet, the momentary spell was broken, as my hands moved to hold his, but then, felt the coldness of the sacred wedding band that was on his finger; and knew, I had never came out of regret, from not realising his love, nor mine, before it's already too late.

Joong

Nine was gone. He waited until I calmed down, slowly pulled my hands off from holding him, told me to put the fire off in another ten minutes, and then chose to leave the house. The calmness baffled me, but, I could see how tense he hold himself, and avoiding to catch my eyes.

I tended to Aria, tempering her fever on and off, and also feed her the porridge that Nine had made, enough to cover for another mealtime, too. I called Serena; as the evening grew, yet Nine was still not home; to come by on the way home from work, to fetch both of us. As soon as Serena came in, looking at my face, she just smiled and gave me a comforting hug. She could read what had happened, just in a glance, and laughed a bit as she punched my shoulder playfully.

"Why did you shock him liked that, hmm? See, now he's forced to run away, from his own house, too! oh my god... Joong, you're hopeless...", she teased in a whisper, as she took a peek at our sleeping daughter. Her words were both, a scolding, and a funny comfort.

"You know what, since I am already here, I'll wait for Aria, and you, mister, go and find that love back", she said as she went into the bedroom, and slowly gave kisses to Aria, while signalling me to move ahead.

He didn't answer my call, as expected. I called his manager next. P'Na said Nine didn't visit the office at all in the day, and asked what happened, since Nine was supposed to have no schedule for these two weeks, to spend them with me. I told him there's nothing to worry about, just a little misunderstanding. That, had earned a laughter from P'Na, as he knew how stubborn we both were during that heated discussion. I wrecked my brain to think liked him, and somehow felt an instinct, of where he must be at the moment.

My heart was beating fast, as I drove towards that destination. I prayed that I am right. As soon as I arrived, and the door was opened, the surprise look, and the loving hug that was given to me; was so familiar, once upon a long time ago, and had not changed at all.

"Oh my, Joong...how long has it been! You're well, Luk?".

"Hello Mae. I am a bad son, to not visit for so long, I am so sorry...", I said sincerely, feeling guilty that I had not visited them, since my marriage.

"No, no. Mae understand, you are busy, and also got a family, too. Aish, my own son doesn't even have that much time to come back home too", Mae said as she held my hand and brought me to the dinner table, "....but, what a chance, he's here now, and so do you! Oyy, what a blessed day, indeed...".

Nine eyes widened first, and then narrowed, as his lips had started to pursed into a discreet pout. Slowly, I sat down in front of him, with a suppressed, knowing smile. Somehow, we were transported back, to how it was; the fight and make up; once again.

But this time, I am the one, who's going to plead, not for his forgiveness...but his love.