Of Skinship and SM Towns (1/1)

--~*+*~-:- 1 -:-~*+*~-- There wasn't going to be the usual break between concerts of about a month this time round. It would be Singapore, then Thailand, then Japan for their promotional commitments, not forgetting sub group activities now that the confirmation of her, Hyoyeon and Sunkyu had been made. But no one had the packed schedule like TVXQ, going from a solo concert to perform at two SM Town concerts that followed each other so closely within days of each other. Perhaps that was why the company tried to make up for the densely packed schedule by bumping  Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Sunkyu and herself to First Class with Boa, Kangta and TVXQ sunbaenims while the rest took over Business. The last time they ever had such an arrangement was during SM Town NY when the company commissioned a private plane for their travel. For reasons unknown, Sooyoung was unbearably restless and uneasy despite the comfort her seat provided her.  She had enough leg room and the seat was soft and she was tired enough to warrant a rest, but too many things were running through her mind. It was true that lately thing were going her way with her MC gig, her drama, and being selected for the subgroup, but her nerves were seriously on edge about the last one. TaeTiSeo had been successful and their fans were probably expecting the same level of performance from them. Sure, the coach had assured her of her vast improvement, but she couldn't help worry. With a sigh she turned in her seat once again trying to get imaginary comfort, only to chuckle at the sight that caught her eye from across the aisle. Charismatic and cool he maybe on stage and daily life, but Yunho asleep didn't boast any of those things –mouth wide open in his slumber, sunglasses skewed on his face from not taking them off when he fell asleep –all in all, not exactly the gracious sight. She guessed Changmin had nodded off long before he could cover his hyung's face with the blanket like he usually did. The only saving grace her sunbae had was that the lights of the cabin had been switched off covering everything in darkness so no one was likely to spot him unless they were looking, and also the fact that most of the cabin was asleep. Only when she had her giggles under control, did she attempt to rectify her friend’s situation. Careful not to wake Taeyeon, she unbuckled her seat belt and moved toward him. She took off his sunglasses gently so as not to jar him awake, he needed all the sleep he could get, and then carefully tucked his arm underneath the blanket, before pulling it further up his chest to cover his face. Lastly was to recline his seat which was the most likely to wake him, but luck was on her side as he remained asleep as the seat flattened out. His seat belt was fastened over his blanket so the flight attendant would wake him for anything. With her concentration fully focused on Yunho, she was completely unaware of the two pairs of eyes watching her. -o-o-o-o- Hyoyeon had woken to go to the bathroom, when she spotted Sooyoung standing over Yunho covering him with a blanket, and reclining his seat for him –innocent for all extensive purposes, but curious nonetheless. Perhaps she had an over active imagination, but she just couldn't let go of the possibility that something was going on with them. Yes, a man and woman could be friends, she wasn't living in the 19th century, it was just that their interaction were way weird and getting weirder by the day. There was just …something about them that spoke of more. Waiting a while so Sooyoung didn’t suspect her of spying, she went to the bathroom vowing to get to the bottom of it. Yunho’s closeness with Sooyoung wasn't something new. In fact their friendship spanned from their trainee days along with Junsu and Yoochun. What was interesting to watch was how it always shifted from being close, to being more awkward than his relationship with her –which consisted of talking about food, eating food and teaming up to verbally take down Kyuhyun from his smartass pedestal from time to time. So, no, wasn’t at all surprising to find Sooyoung covering his hyung's face with a blanket to save his image, something he usually did for him, even reclining the seat. But, the way things were going he suspected another bout of closeness, before it dissolved to awkwardness once again. He just hoped his hyung was more careful than Hyukjae and didn’t expose himself or Sooyoung to any possible backlash. With that thought he shut his eyes once more and drifted back to sleep. --~*+*~-:- o-:-~*+*~-- Sooyoung was pretty sure Hyukjae was prohibited to approach anything female with a pulse outside of professional interaction now, explaining his avoidance of her and any other female unless communication was necessary. It was likely to remain that way until the whole scandal blew over. Sufficed to say, she missed her buddy and his gum baring smile. “Problem?” Kyuhyun asked, seeing his friend’s eyebrows creased with worry. She was too pretty to frown. “Is he alright?” Sooyoung asked, truly concerned about the subdued Hyukjae she was seeing. Normally, he would kid about the absurd scandals created by the media, but this one was pretty serious, since the blow back had involved his mother. “He's on a tight leash for now, but it more about what people did at his mother bakery that is affecting him.” No one needed to tell her about the crazy things fans did, she had experienced and seen it firsthand. She didn't even want to imagine what those fans did at the bakery. “Hopefully, it will die down soon.” “Ne,” hoping her words bore fruit. “By the way congrats, I heard you are part of your very own subgroup.” Blushing, she rolled her eyes. “I see you've taken to gossiping, oppa.” Not wanting a reminder of the daunting task that lay ahead of her. “I don't gossip, I simply relay information to the appropriate people when it comes to my attention.” She raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “So, you gossip,” repeating her statement once again, but this time accompanied by a cheeky smile. “Yah, Choi Sooyoung, just accept my greeting and stop being cheeky,” Kyuhyun huffed playfully, wondering how he wouldn't get blamed for influencing her. “Cheeky?” she scoffed. “That's like the kettle calling the pot black –try again.” “You've been hanging around me way too much,” he mumbled, acknowledging the manager’s call for them to get ready to do the Hope encore. “Kawa, let’s go,” throwing an arm round her shoulders and leading her toward the stage, only dropping it when they were near enough for cameras to catch it. He didn't want her getting any drama for having too much contact with him. As is customary he went to find Onew so they could begin the song. Sooyoung searched for Fany, Seohyun, and Krystal who she usually walked the stage with, greeting her EXO hoobaes on the way as they bowed to her in respect. Even though she loved being on the stage performing with her 8 sister there was just something extra special about having sunbaes and hoobaes all on the same stage together at the end of each SM Town. Busy schedules made it virtually impossible to have everyone together at the same time so it was always a treat. Some termed the affection on the stage as fake, but she guessed no one really understood unless they saw them once the cameras were turned off.  But, enough of that, it was time to make the fans happy. Looping arms with Yesung and Fany, she made her way down the stage. His place was on the stage; Yunho couldn't imagine a life without it, performing and bring joy to his fans. Like a few days ago at their ‘CATCH ME’ concert, the response was overwhelmingly heart-warming, his fears diminishing by the enthusiastic crowd. A contented smile tugged at his lips, as he looked across the stage following the line of people to the end, catching Sooyoung’s eye and giving her little wink on impulse. It was unlikely that anyone linked it to her because Donghae and Siwon were by her sides and it was more likely to be linked to them. Don’t ask him why that was, because even he didn’t understand it. He hadn’t been able to talk to her before the concert had began to thank her personally for the care package she'd sent to Changmin and himself before their concert a few days ago, and sending flowers to his musical. The only thing that saved her blush from being discovered was her long hair covering her cheeks as they took the customary bow. Why he’d done what he’d done she didn’t know, and she wasn’t going to question it. He probably had his reasons for it. Still though, it shouldn’t have made her heart race and face blush so darkly. --~*+*~-:- o -:-~*+*~-- After trying to bribe, negotiate, whine and threaten the infuriatingly stubborn smartass that was Shim Changmin out of her designated seat beside Kyuhyun, and giving up out of sheer annoyance and exhaustion, Sooyoung stomped her way his seat. “Your maknae has got to be the most infuriating person I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting,” Sooyoung vented, after dropping heavily into the seat beside a confused Yunho. “What did he do?” He asked slightly amused, finding her much more entertaining than the game he was playing. “What didn’t he do?” she returned with a humorless chuckle. “You shouldn’t have spoilt him so much –Jung Yunho, it’s not funny!” smacking him in the arm when he just laughed instead of sympathizing with her like a good friend should. “I have a headache because of him.” It wasn’t a complete lie, since there really was an insistent throb that demanded sleep, or it would split her head in two. “Well, you shouldn’t go prodding the smartass,” his words earning him a death glare, making him concede. “Give me your hand,” holding out his hand for hers. “Wae?” “I have a way to make the headache go away,” he explained gently, but went on when she seemed unconvinced.”'Seriously, recline your seat, get comfortable, close your eyes and give me your hand.” Once again she remained skeptical, but gave in with a sigh, giving him her hand. The contrast between the two as always marveled him; hers small, narrow and dainty with slender long fingers, soft against his palm making his seem much larger and rougher than usual. But enough of that he had a headache to easing. When he began kneading her hand in a gentle massage, her eyes couldn’t help fly open. “What are you doing?” “Do you trust me, Youngie?” he challenged, well aware of her rapidly jumping pulse and the blush coloring her cheeks, but tentatively waiting for a confirmation from her. Did she trust him? When doubt began raining in, she finally nodded an affirmative.”Then close your eyes and relax.” It was so unfair when he used that gentle voice and looked at her so earnestly. Honestly, it was disarming and got him whatever he wanted. -o-o-o-o- “Still think I’m seeing things, Sunny?' Hyoyeon dared her to say the contrary when the evidence was staring her in the face. Sunny rolled her eyes, “they are friends, a man and woman can be that you know.” “I know that,” she wasn’t stupid or a prude, but come on how could she not see it. Something was shifting in the Sooyoung-Yunho dynamic and it was precarious move, because if it heading where she thought it was then, hell hath no fury than the overly attached fangirls scorned, that is, all hell would break loose. “But, what’s with the touching?' “What are you in the third grade?” Sunkyu wondered, why Hyoyeon was dwelling on something everyone was well aware of. Please, it was like a cycle –they’d get close, schedules would come in the way, they’d get awkward and it would start up again. It was weird as heck, but it was the Sooyoung-Yunho dynamic, nothing was different this time round. “Fine, brush it under the rug, but something’s going on,” watching the two covertly, as Yunho massaged Sooyoung’s hand and spoke to her dongsaeng in soft gentle tone –she was so not exaggerating.