The Suju Games

Chapter 35: Broken

(Donghae) 

        "I think I know why you are here." Junsu smiled knowingly once Donghae had settled down into his chair. 

        "You- you do?" Donghae stammered, now that he was actually here, he had no idea what to say. How feeble he must seem to this man who won the Games! He, who only survived because of the rebels. 

        "You are here because of Hyukjae." Junsu smiled. 

        "I... now that I'm here...I don't really know why I came." Donghae admitted, he decided he would feel more comfortable if he were to be honest. 

        "Perhaps you need to talk about Hyukjae?" 

        "Yeah, maybe ... I just, can't stand seeing him in so much pain, and I thought..." Donghae stopped talking, he realized what he was about to say was quite rude. 

        "You want me to go have a good cry with him, show him he's not alone." 

        "Why-why do you know everything I want to say?" 

        "I am used to the ways of this world, and I know what it feels like to see your loved one hurt." 

        Donghae felt like his skin was burning, he knew Junsu was talking about Sunny, just as he opened his mouth to reply, there was a knock on the door.

***

(Kibum) 

        Kibum did not really know why he had listened to Tao. All day, he had hidden in the supply room, he wouldn't come out when his friends or Lay called, even Tyler, who cried every time she saw him, came, but he ignored her too. But when Tao came in shouting, "Let me into the supply room! I'm your uncle!" Kibum could hardly ignore him. 

        Together, Kibum and Tao had a good cry over their family issues, and then Tao said, "If you want to know more about your father, he is still alive and living here."

        Kibum stopped crying in suprise. 

        "But he never lets anyone into his room, and he prefers to be alone." 

        "Does he...know that I'm here?" Kibum whispered. 

        Tao nodded solemnly, "Yes, he wished to see you the moment you got here, however, back then we did not know this story, so we refused him." 

        "Now ... can I see him?" Kibum asked hopefully. 

        "I suggest you talk to his friend Xiah Junsu first, he might be able to give you some ... advice, about which subjects to avoid when you're talking to your father." Tao said carefully. 

        "Xiah Junsu? Wasn't he a Victor a couple years ago?" Kibum recalled. 

        "Yes, he was the Victor of District 7, he is in the Weapons Room on the second floor if you decide to take my advice and go see him. I'll leave you alone now." Tao said, dusting his pants and leaving the room. 

        And so there Kibum was, standing in front of Xiah Junsu's room. He raised his hand to knock on the door, truthfully, he felt nervous about coming face to face with someone who had survived the arena. Even though he and his friends never mentioned it, he knew that they all wondered who would've won if they hadn't rebelled. 

        Just as he finished his thought the door swung wide open to reveal a face he had seen on screen many times before. This was Xiah Junsu, "Come in, come in!" Xiah Junsu ushered him into the room. Kibum froze when he saw who else was sitting in the room, it was Donghae. Kibum was still trying to avoid his friends.