Into Your World (1/2)
Jun. 20th, 2015 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
london9callingTitle: Into Your World
Rating: PG-13
Length: 8,212 words
Pairing(s): Xiumin / D.O.
Summary: It has been four years since author Do Kyungsoo has written anything worth reading. In need of inspiration, Kyungsoo takes a sojourn to the seaside city of Mokpo. What he finds there is indeed inspiring, if not a tad bit unbelievable.
Originally written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
squishyfied
Kyungsoo’s head hurt. His eyes were tired. And yet there was nothing. Nothing again. He pulled the blank paper out of his vintage 1954 Erika 10 typewriter, crumpling it up and throwing it into the wastebasket. The wastebasket was already overflowing, a sign that his writer’s block had lasted far longer than he would have like. He emptied the waste basket once a day, if he didn’t his room would be overflowing with crumpled pages by now.
In fact his writer’s block was going on four years now- four torturous years. It had been that long since his novel “Burning History” had swept best seller’s lists. A powerful story of loss and acceptance and love, his novel was critically acclaimed. Yet it had been four years since talk show hosts and book geeks had proclaimed Do Kyungsoo the “it” author of his generation.
In the years since Kyungsoo tried and tried again to write a new novel, yet nothing came. He had even went on a few weekend retreats for writers in hopes of easing his problem, unfortunately he came home with nothing more than a head cold and a serious case of social overdose.
“Maybe if you tried typing on something that was made this century you would have some more luck.”
Kyungsoo shot daggers towards the source of the snarky comment. It was Park Chanyeol, his roommate, standing in the door to his home office.
“Shut up Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo turned back to the typewriter, massaging his temples in a fruitless effort to ease his tension headache.
“Hey, I am just trying to help.” Chanyeol didn’t shut up and he didn’t go away. Instead he walked into the room and plopped down in the rickety old floral patterned chair that Kyungsoo had long ago shoved in a corner and forgotten about.
“I don’t see you writing any masterpieces.” Kyungsoo shot back. Chanyeol could annoy him like no other; on the flip side he could make Kyungsoo crack a smile and laugh like no other, so it was a give and take relationship. It was a hallmark of their decades old friendship. It had started in elementary school when Kyungsoo was on the receiving end of a bully and Chanyeol stood up for him. Ever since then they were friends.
Still, those closest to Kyungsoo- his mother, his older brother, his editor Jongdae, and the few people he considered friends – had been surprised when he had announced his intention to let Chanyeol move into his apartment. They were, despite their old friendship, very different people. While Chanyeol gravitated towards social situations, Kyungsoo hide from them. While Kyungsoo was neat and tidy, Chanyeol was messy and attracted clutter. While Kyungsoo prided himself in highbrow literary pursuits Chanyeol wrote fart jokes.
“Nope, I don’t plan on it either.” Chanyeol replied. He had been working as a head writer for a popular variety show for the last five years – his entire career was built on lowbrow humor. “But seriously Kyungsoo, you are starting to worry me.”
Before Kyungsoo could launch into another round of “It is just taking a bit longer this time. Don’t worry” his phone rang.
He already knew who it was, and that person was not about to help the situation. Lifting the phone to his ear he braced for another lecture.
“Hey kiddo, how is it going?” The voice on the line asked.
“Fine.” Kyungsoo lied.
“So you are writing?!” It was Kim Jongdae, editor extraordinaire. He had been Kyungsoo’s friend since they met in college; he had been Kyungsoo’s worse nightmare since writer’s block had hit.
“Uh, well…”
“Kyungsoo, you are starting to worry me…” Jongdae didn’t bother lecturing him this time, his voice was full of genuine concern.
Kyungsoo sighed “You aren’t the first person to say that to me today.” He shot an annoyed look at Chanyeol, who was busy examining his nails.
“Hey, maybe it is time you get away from the city for a while. Find some inspiration?” Jongdae suggested.
“Get away from the city? Where would I go?” Kyungsoo asked. He had grown up in Seoul, he was a city guy through and through. His idea of a rugged adventure was a walk down the street to his favorite coffee shop.
“Mokpo!” Chanyeol chimed in, clearly listening in on the few words exchanged thus far despite his feigned disinterest.
“M-o-k-p-o?” Kyungsoo said slowly.
“See, you already figured it out. Good luck, call me when you get there.” Jongdae said quickly, hanging up without another word.
Kyungsoo held the phone to his ear, registering the fact he had just inadvertently told his editor he was going on a sojourn he didn’t really want to go on.
“Are you going?! You will have so much fun!” Chanyeol clapped his hands excitedly. “The sea, mountains, good food, drinks! Maybe a cute guy...” Chanyeol winked.
“Jongdae thinks I should go.” Kyungsoo said quietly, putting his phone back on the desk “I don’t want to….”
“Listen, you aren’t getting any work done here. Just take a couple of weeks, rent an apartment near the sea. Take it easy. You don’t have anything left to lose, right?” Chanyeol smiled “And I will keep everything under control here.”
A mental image of his apartment on fire and Chanyeol running from the building flashed before his eyes “Don’t think I won’t have my Mother check in while I am gone.”
“Then it is settled. Do Kyungsoo’s Mokpo adventure coming right up! I will book the train ticket!” Chanyeol leapt up, as excited about the adventure as if he was going on it himself.
Kyungsoo groaned but nodded. Chanyeol was right, at this point he didn’t have anything else to loose.
--------------------------------
195 minutes. That is how long the train ride from Seoul to Mokpo would take, or so Chanyeol had told Kyungsoo- as he practically shoved him on the train and waved goodbye. Kyungsoo found a seat in a nearly deserted section, and thankfully no one sat next to him. Kyungsoo placed his earbuds in and surprisingly fell asleep during the ride, to the sound of Handel’s Teseo.
He awoke with a train attendant shaking his shoulder “Sir, we have arrived in Mokpo.” Kyungsoo, groggy, thanked the man and disembarked. He pulled out the piece of paper that Chanyeol had given him, with an address scribbled in Chanyeol’s messy handwriting under the title WHERE YOU ARE STAYING.
He would have to take a cab there, or so he assumed. After grabbing his suitcase, which was heavy with the weight of his typewriter, Kyungsoo followed the signs directing him towards waiting taxis. He was surprised then, when he reached the taxi pickup location, to see a man holding a sign that most certainly had “Do Kyungsoo” written on it in big bold letters. Figuring that Chanyeol had hired the ride, Kyungsoo approached the man.
As Kyungsoo got closer he noticed that the taxi cab operator did not look much older than himself – but then again looks could be deceiving. People often mistook Kyungsoo as years younger than his actual age. The taxi driver was kind of cute too if Kyungsoo was being honest with himself- he was on the smaller side, with eyes that Kyungsoo could swear were almost cat like. Wide, single lidded, expressive.
The taxi driver’s hair was a bit shaggy, in need of a trim, and when he smiled (as he did when Kyungsoo approached him) his chubby cheeks made his entire face look round and adorable. Kyungsoo suddenly felt like he needed to look at the road, the sidewalk, anything but the cab driver.
“I was wondering when you would get here.” The driver said with excitement, taking Kyungsoo’s luggage from him.
“Oh, um.” Kyungsoo was never the best at first impressions, so he just nodded and got in the back seat.
The driver closed the trunk with a thud, getting in the car and starting it up. “You are staying in Yoo-dal, right?”
Kyungsoo glanced at the paper in his hand, zeroing in on the address “It appears so.” He had let Chanyeol plan the trip, he guessed his roommate was playing the over eager travel planner because he knew if he didn’t Kyungsoo would never have went. What Kyungsoo didn’t realize before leaving Seoul is why Chanyeol wanted Kyungsoo to go to Mokpo, but he quickly figured it out.
As the taxi left the train station, the city of Mokpo became apparent. It was scenic – in a strange industrial way, but it was poor – dirty even. Kyungsoo bit his bottom lip, wondering why his friend thought this was the place to inspire him. Seoul’s rough neighborhoods were something he avoided – why would a city that seemed to resemble the shanty towns of South Korea’s largest Metropolis draw him in? And then he remembered Chanyeol’s lectures – about seeing things from the other side.
“How do you like it so far?” The taxi driver asked.
Kyungsoo snapped out of his momentary internal cursing of Chanyeol and everything he stood for as he noticed the taxi driver was making eye contact via the rear view mirror, waiting for Kyungsoo’s answer.
“Oh, well, it is…scenic.”
“That it is. Kind of run down, but the old city and some of the areas near the port aren’t so bad. I am Minseok by the way.”
Kyungsoo didn’t normally introduce himself to taxi drivers, but he figured since he was on vacation (even if he was on an unwelcome one) he could be at least slightly adventuresome “Do Kyungsoo.” Then Kyungsoo remembered the driver had been waiting for him with his name on a placard, of course he knew who he was. Kyungsoo blushed slightly, turning his attention back towards the rundown concrete buildings.
“What are you planning on seeing while you are here?” Minseok asked, stopping at a red light, turning around slightly as he asked the question.
Kyungsoo wasn’t really sure what he was going to do. Chanyeol had shoved a travel guide in his hands, pink and yellow sticky notes jutting from the small book – giving him plenty of options. “I am not sure. Any recommendations?”
“You really need to walk in Yoodal San Park, you are staying so close after all. Oh, and the Dancing Sea Fountain, go see that at night. Downtown at night is a must too. During the day there are some museums and- sorry, am I naming too many things?”
A blaring of several car horns, sounding out in unison from behind the taxi, had Minseok turning around and shaking his fist. He stepped on the gas, Kyungsoo gripping the seat in surprise. Seoul was not exactly filled with good drivers, but so far it seemed that Mokpo gave Seoul a run for its money.
“How about I take you around one day? If you are free, I mean. Not to be weird, but I have lived here my whole life.” Minseok offered.
Kyungsoo wanted to say no, his entire being wanted him to say no, but he didn’t. “Sure, that would be nice. If you have time that is.”
“How about tomorrow? I have off.”
Kyungsoo nodded, not sure what he had just agreed to.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo had found his small rented house, only two blocks walk to the sea, sparsely accommodated. Even if it lacked some of the amenities he was used to (like a consistently hot shower) it would work, at least for a couple of weeks. He had settled in after Minseok dropped him off (and exchanged phone numbers with him), flicking the television as he unpacked.
Jongdae had called, then Chanyeol. Kyungsoo ate ramyun, then fell asleep to an old movie on television. In the morning he showered, screamed at the cold water that intermittently jetted out of the shower head, and dressed in a comfortable pair of khakis and a t-shirt. Minseok had said he would pick him up at nine, which was fast approaching.
Kyungsoo went outside, downing a cup of coffee as he waited. He was surprised when Minseok pulled up in his taxi cab. Kyungsoo had always thought taxi cab drivers had to leave their cars back at the company when they were off duty – but then again Kyungsoo had never actually hung out with a cab driver before.
Minseok parked the car and jumped out, bounding up to where Kyungsoo stood on the small deck.
“Ready?” He grinned, his smile lopsided. Kyungsoo took note of how cute it was, before shoving the thought to the back of his head. He was here to write, not crush and/or lust after random taxi drivers.
--------------------------------
An hour later Kyungsoo found himself staring at the remains of a ship, propped up on a modern wooden stand. The unfinished 2 x 4s were a sharp contrast to the dark, sea eroded planks of the formerly sunken vessel.
“It sunk 600 years ago.” Minseok said in awe, staring at the ship from beside Kyungsoo “Can you imagine that? How different it was? Another world…almost.”
Kyungsoo wanted to be snarky and say he could, but he just nodded. Something about this Minseok guy had him on his best behavior. Something about how poignant, how honest, Minseok spoke had Kyungsoo moving away from his sarcastic first nature.
“Amazing to think of who could have been on this ship, huh?” Minseok asked, tracing the railing that surrounded the exhibit absent mindedly “How they lived.”
“Do you like history?” Kyungsoo found himself asking.
Minseok laughed, lilting. Somehow it sounded a little bit sad. “You could say that.”
“So..um, Minseok, what made you want to be at taxi driver?” Kyungsoo asked as they walked from the sunken ship to the next exhibit, a case full of recovered gold coins. Kyungsoo found the maritime museum to be small by Seoul standards, but he was still interested in what it had to offer.
“It just kind of happened.” Minseok answered.
“Do you have family here?” Kyungsoo asked, not quite sure why he suddenly became so chatty. Minseok definitely had a strange effect on him. Or maybe it was just the effect of being on vacation. That must be it, he told himself.
“No, not any more. Now, come on- you are going to love our next stop.” Minseok grabbed Kyungsoo’s arm, dragging him away from the exhibit. Kyungsoo realized that there were no more exhibits to view at the museum so he gladly followed Minseok’s lead.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo did not love the next stop. Not at all. In fact he felt like vomiting soon after they arrived. As Minseok held up the fish, urging it towards Kyungsoo’s mouth, Kyungsoo gagged, turning his head away.
“Come on, I promise you will like it.” Minseok pleaded, his voice taking on a louder tone as he remained firm, the piece fish still fast approaching Kyungsoo. The scent of ammonia was strong, radiating from the food.
They were seated at a small diner near the sea, a place that Minseok promised had the most authentic and delicious Mokpo delicacies in the entire city. It was quaint, but the front of the store (a half wall of wide windows) had a great view of the rocky shoreline.
Kyungsoo shut his eyes tight and leaned forward, his mouth open. Minseok laughed at his reaction, shoving the piece of fermented skate into his mouth.
Kyungsoo chewed, cringing before he could even taste the food. The taste started to sink in and Kyungsoo opened his eyes wide – realizing it wasn’t some type of nasty poison. “It is delicious!” He said in surprise as he savored the taste. Sure, it was strong – but with a bite of kimchi shoveled in his mouth right after it tasted like heaven.
“I knew you could do it!” Minseok clapped, grinning “Only a Mokpo native can eat this stuff. Usually, anyway.”
Kyungsoo wasn’t sure what came over him as he shoveled piece after piece of the dish, which he learned was called Hongheohoe, in his mouth. Minseok watched, eating sparingly, smiling as his lunch partner devoured almost the entire plate.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo felt the walkway under him move, shifting ever so slightly with the waves. “Are you sure it is safe?” He asked, staring at Minseok as he gripped the handrails tightly.
“Yes it is safe. Now come on.” Minseok grabbed Kyungsoo’s hand pulling him forward along the wooden walkway, jutting out over the sea. Kyungsoo was very aware of Minseok’s hand in his own. It was slightly wider than Kyungsoo’s own hand, which felt comforting in some strange way.
They stopped in front of the sandstone rock formations, Minseok putting an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulders as they looked at the strange things Mother Nature had wrought - a sculpture carved by the weather and the sea.
“They say it looks like a man wearing a hat. What do you think?” Minseok asked, leaning towards Kyungsoo ever so slightly.
He could feel Minseok’s hot breath on his cheek, even if it was ever so faint. He could feel the strong arm around his shoulder, lazy and relaxed. He could smell Minseok, a mix of the smell of the sea, something musky, something comforting like baby powder. He breathed in, drinking in the scent before he regained his senses. In alarm, he jerked away, leaving Minseok staring at him with a surprised expression.
“It just looks like rocks.” Kyungsoo said quickly, turning back towards where they came from “Do you think maybe you should take me home now?”
Minseok nodded, quietly walking back towards the taxi cab.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo stared at the ceiling. Why did he make things harder than they should be? It wasn’t like he didn’t find Minseok attractive. Plus, how could he even know if the taxi driver even liked him – or even liked men for that matter?
He had panicked, plain and simple. He had never been good at getting close to people, especially people he found attractive. His last venture into dating had ended after a month of making the beyond attractive investment banker Byun Baekhyun too annoyed to be around him. And that had been five years ago. This entire thing, it was overwhelming. Or was it? Was he just making a mole hill into a mountain?
Kyungsoo’s phone rang. He grabbed it from the night stand, seeing that it was Chanyeol he picked up.
“Hey, I was sleeping. I will call you tomorrow.” Kyungsoo answered, told, and hung up in one sentence, too lost in his own thoughts to want to talk to another person.
He finally found sleep a few hours later.
--------------------------------
He dusted off his beloved typewriter, the olive green metal machine, setting it up at the small desk in the bedroom of the rental. He would have taken paper out and loaded it in if he thought it would do any good. It wouldn’t – because his thoughts were so far removed from writing he knew it was hopeless. He had decided that he had most definitely offended his one day friend – Minseok – and that meant he was a failure in everything.
He pulled up his number, Minseok’s, in his contact list a dozen times but never called him. When Kyungsoo’s phone rang he nearly dropped it. It was Minseok. He took a gulp of air, taking deep and shallow breaths before he answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey, we never finished our tour yesterday. Do you have time today?”
“Sure!” Kyungsoo scrunched his face up at his over eagerness, adding “Sorry I cut the tour short yesterday.”
“No problem. I’ll pick you up at four?”
“Okay.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.” Kyungsoo held his phone to his ear for a half a minute after the call ended, smiling. Then he caught himself, wiping the smile from his face he fell back into bed, groaning and flailing his limbs in self-induced frustration.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo was surprised at Hadang. It was a part of the city that looked vibrant, youthful…new.
“The trendy part.” Minseok commented, as if reading Kyungsoo’s mind.
There were nightclubs and restaurants that wouldn’t be entirely out in Hongdae, their neon lights calling all visitors amid the bustling traffic. Kyungsoo followed Minseok through the crowded streets, stopping on the concrete walkway that snaked slightly from the crowded sidewalk. It went along the seashore, with parking lots covering what once might have been a rock and sand beach.
Minseok checked his watch. “Just in time.”
Kyungsoo didn’t have time to ask what they were in time for before a loud pop song began blaring. And then the sea rose up. First in a stream, then with colorful images and words and a water wall, traversing the rainbow, appearing against the open water like a strange under-the-sea laser show.
Kyungsoo’s mouth made a perfect O as he watched. He had definitely never seen anything like this in Seoul.
“The sea fountain. Beautiful isn’t it?”
Kyungsoo nodded. Even if there was something very commercial about the area, about the blaring pop songs that the water pulsed to, he could not deny that the sea fountain was a sight to behold.
“I took you here once, but it was so different then.”
Despite the blaring music, the sounds of other people watching the fountain – talking excitedly, Kyungsoo could have sworn Minseok had said it. “What did you say?” He asked, needing confirmation.
Minseok didn’t answer, he turned to Kyungsoo, pulling him into a hug. Kyungsoo stiffened, shocked at the sudden display of affection. His discomfort passed quickly as he found himself softening into the embrace, moving his hands to hug Minseok back. It was so unlike him…but it was so easy for him to do oddly enough.
“I am glad I met you, Do Kyungsoo.” Minseok whispered, this time it was unmistakable, it was right in his ear. A quiet sentiment, heard loud and clear, as the Mokpo sea fountain and its playlist droned on, no longer the point of interest.
--------------------------------
Minseok had dropped Kyungsoo off a little after ten. Kyungsoo smiled and waved as the white taxi cab pulled away. The rest of the evening (post-hug as Kyungsoo was mentally referring to it) was low-key. Minseok hadn’t hugged him or held hands after the skinship near the fountain. They had eaten dinner (seafood at a trendy restaurant that Minseok insisted on paying for) and bought red bean ice cream at a small shop for dessert.
The lack of subsequent skinship was okay, Kyungsoo told himself – because he wasn’t vacationing in Mokpo for that any way. Plus, he had just met the man. Even if Minseok was adorable, and sexy, and seemed to know exactly what could hold Kyungsoo’s interest, even if he was kind of perfect and – Thankfully his phone rang, snapping him out of his Minseok thought coma.
“Hello?”
“Thanks for calling me this morning, friend.” Chanyeol spat out.
Kyungsoo knew he wasn’t really annoyed “So did you burn our place down yet?”
“No. But hey- remember that toy helicopter I was missing? I found it under the couch!”
“I hide it there.” Kyungsoo had done just that after he had the plastic annoyance fly into his face one too many times.
“You did? Well, your Mom found it, so guess what?!”
“Helicopt-yeol time?” Kyungsoo answered flatly, remembering the annoying phrase that Chanyeol had always shouted as he played with the accursed toy.
“You bet your sweet britches. So what have you been up to? See the sea, meet any cuties and give them my number?”
“You wish.” Kyungsoo scoffed “I have been too busy hanging out with that cab driver you hired. He is actually a really cool guy.”
“Mm Hm.”
“Are you ignoring me and playing with your helicopter?” Kyungsoo asked in annoyance,
“Maaaaaaaybe?”
Kyungsoo heard some rustling on the other end of the line, then Chanyeol jumped back on “Fine, I put it away. So, what were you saying – a cab driver or something?”
“Yeah, the one you hired. Minseok. He took me for a tour of the city and we w-“
“What cab driver I hired?” Chanyeol asked.
“The one that picked me up from the train station. Any way, he has a-"
“I never hired a cab driver.”
“Stop joking around.” Kyungsoo rolled his eyes, wishing he was in the same room with Chanyeol so he could slap his arm for trying to play such a lame joke on him.
“Kyungsoo…I am serious. I set up a rental car for you. Look at your paper.”
Kyungsoo was not about to believe his friend, but he knew well enough that Chanyeol had taken his “planning paper” seriously, so he pulled out the crinkled and folded page from his wallet. He scanned down, past the train schedule, the address of the hotel – and then the instructions. SeaSide Car Rentals was indeed written there, along with the photocopied receipt for the rental car.
“You have to be kidding me?! He was at the train station with a sign with my name on it!” Kyungsoo gasped, trying to imagine what kind of freak Minseok was. Could he be a stalker fan? Someone obsessed with his last novel? No, he seemed too normal. Or was that part of his plan?!
“Oh my god- call the police! Is he there now?” Chanyeol panicked.
“No, no, he isn’t here. He knows where I am staying though! What am I going to do?”
“Leave! Come back! What if he is trying to kidnap you…or kill you….or sell you into slavery?” Chanyeol fueled his best friend’s imagination. They had not embarked on the writing path without reason.
Kyungsoo yelped at the mental image of Minseok, his face contorted, a knife in his hand. He moved quickly, pulling his clothes from the closet and throwing them into his suitcase. He grabbed his precious typewriter, carefully placing it in his luggage. Then, with a slam, he locked the hard shelled suitcase and snapped it shut.
“I am leaving. I will see you in a few hours.” He hung the phone up, cutting off Chanyeol’s “OMG, don’t hang up” shouts from the other end of the phone.
Kyungsoo threw the door open, dragging his suitcase behind him. He would need to walk to the bus stop up the road, or hail a passing cab if he found one. He had his suitcase one step away from the sidewalk, still hanging on the last step of the deck, when he jumped backwards at a noise. A voice to be more exact.
“We need to talk.”
It was Minseok. Kyungsoo froze, widening his eyes in terror “Who…wha…who are you?”
“More importantly, who are you?” Minseok pulled a photograph from his pocket, holding it out towards Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo eyed it suspiciously. He could barely make it out, the deck light shining behind him drowned out by his shadow.
“I am not going to hurt you.” Minseok said quietly, reacting to Kyungsoo’s reluctance and fright.
Finally Kyungsoo reached forward, bracing ever so much in case he was attacked. He took the picture, holding it up so he could see it in the light.
Minseok watched him, his left eyebrow slightly raised as if in curiosity. His hands were in his jean pockets, his head slightly cocked to the side as he waited for Kyungsoo’s reaction.
Kyungsoo felt like he was suddenly devoid of oxygen. He gulped, wheezing once as he took a deep breath. Yet it was there, in his hands. “This isn’t possible…”
Minseok stepped forward, placing his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders as if to hold him upright.
“Have you really come back to me?” Minseok asked as he looked into Kyungsoo’s eyes, a tear escaping down his cheek. Kyungsoo’s face felt warm as he stared back, meeting Minseok’s eyes. Ever so briefly there was something oddly familiar there, something that made Kyungsoo’s mind feel hazy and out of sorts.
Kyungsoo looked back at the picture, his grip on his luggage loosening as he drank in the image. It was him, it was Minseok. That was for sure. Even if he wanted to be rational – to accuse Minseok of photo shopping the image- he knew that it would be a lie. Somehow he knew, without question it was real. He didn’t know how, but he did. He felt it.
“What year was this?” Kyungsoo asked quietly.
“1954.” Minseok answered, his voice mournful and low.
NEXT CHAPTER>>>>>
Rating: PG-13
Length: 8,212 words
Pairing(s): Xiumin / D.O.
Summary: It has been four years since author Do Kyungsoo has written anything worth reading. In need of inspiration, Kyungsoo takes a sojourn to the seaside city of Mokpo. What he finds there is indeed inspiring, if not a tad bit unbelievable.
Originally written for
squishyfiedKyungsoo’s head hurt. His eyes were tired. And yet there was nothing. Nothing again. He pulled the blank paper out of his vintage 1954 Erika 10 typewriter, crumpling it up and throwing it into the wastebasket. The wastebasket was already overflowing, a sign that his writer’s block had lasted far longer than he would have like. He emptied the waste basket once a day, if he didn’t his room would be overflowing with crumpled pages by now.
In fact his writer’s block was going on four years now- four torturous years. It had been that long since his novel “Burning History” had swept best seller’s lists. A powerful story of loss and acceptance and love, his novel was critically acclaimed. Yet it had been four years since talk show hosts and book geeks had proclaimed Do Kyungsoo the “it” author of his generation.
In the years since Kyungsoo tried and tried again to write a new novel, yet nothing came. He had even went on a few weekend retreats for writers in hopes of easing his problem, unfortunately he came home with nothing more than a head cold and a serious case of social overdose.
“Maybe if you tried typing on something that was made this century you would have some more luck.”
Kyungsoo shot daggers towards the source of the snarky comment. It was Park Chanyeol, his roommate, standing in the door to his home office.
“Shut up Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo turned back to the typewriter, massaging his temples in a fruitless effort to ease his tension headache.
“Hey, I am just trying to help.” Chanyeol didn’t shut up and he didn’t go away. Instead he walked into the room and plopped down in the rickety old floral patterned chair that Kyungsoo had long ago shoved in a corner and forgotten about.
“I don’t see you writing any masterpieces.” Kyungsoo shot back. Chanyeol could annoy him like no other; on the flip side he could make Kyungsoo crack a smile and laugh like no other, so it was a give and take relationship. It was a hallmark of their decades old friendship. It had started in elementary school when Kyungsoo was on the receiving end of a bully and Chanyeol stood up for him. Ever since then they were friends.
Still, those closest to Kyungsoo- his mother, his older brother, his editor Jongdae, and the few people he considered friends – had been surprised when he had announced his intention to let Chanyeol move into his apartment. They were, despite their old friendship, very different people. While Chanyeol gravitated towards social situations, Kyungsoo hide from them. While Kyungsoo was neat and tidy, Chanyeol was messy and attracted clutter. While Kyungsoo prided himself in highbrow literary pursuits Chanyeol wrote fart jokes.
“Nope, I don’t plan on it either.” Chanyeol replied. He had been working as a head writer for a popular variety show for the last five years – his entire career was built on lowbrow humor. “But seriously Kyungsoo, you are starting to worry me.”
Before Kyungsoo could launch into another round of “It is just taking a bit longer this time. Don’t worry” his phone rang.
He already knew who it was, and that person was not about to help the situation. Lifting the phone to his ear he braced for another lecture.
“Hey kiddo, how is it going?” The voice on the line asked.
“Fine.” Kyungsoo lied.
“So you are writing?!” It was Kim Jongdae, editor extraordinaire. He had been Kyungsoo’s friend since they met in college; he had been Kyungsoo’s worse nightmare since writer’s block had hit.
“Uh, well…”
“Kyungsoo, you are starting to worry me…” Jongdae didn’t bother lecturing him this time, his voice was full of genuine concern.
Kyungsoo sighed “You aren’t the first person to say that to me today.” He shot an annoyed look at Chanyeol, who was busy examining his nails.
“Hey, maybe it is time you get away from the city for a while. Find some inspiration?” Jongdae suggested.
“Get away from the city? Where would I go?” Kyungsoo asked. He had grown up in Seoul, he was a city guy through and through. His idea of a rugged adventure was a walk down the street to his favorite coffee shop.
“Mokpo!” Chanyeol chimed in, clearly listening in on the few words exchanged thus far despite his feigned disinterest.
“M-o-k-p-o?” Kyungsoo said slowly.
“See, you already figured it out. Good luck, call me when you get there.” Jongdae said quickly, hanging up without another word.
Kyungsoo held the phone to his ear, registering the fact he had just inadvertently told his editor he was going on a sojourn he didn’t really want to go on.
“Are you going?! You will have so much fun!” Chanyeol clapped his hands excitedly. “The sea, mountains, good food, drinks! Maybe a cute guy...” Chanyeol winked.
“Jongdae thinks I should go.” Kyungsoo said quietly, putting his phone back on the desk “I don’t want to….”
“Listen, you aren’t getting any work done here. Just take a couple of weeks, rent an apartment near the sea. Take it easy. You don’t have anything left to lose, right?” Chanyeol smiled “And I will keep everything under control here.”
A mental image of his apartment on fire and Chanyeol running from the building flashed before his eyes “Don’t think I won’t have my Mother check in while I am gone.”
“Then it is settled. Do Kyungsoo’s Mokpo adventure coming right up! I will book the train ticket!” Chanyeol leapt up, as excited about the adventure as if he was going on it himself.
Kyungsoo groaned but nodded. Chanyeol was right, at this point he didn’t have anything else to loose.
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195 minutes. That is how long the train ride from Seoul to Mokpo would take, or so Chanyeol had told Kyungsoo- as he practically shoved him on the train and waved goodbye. Kyungsoo found a seat in a nearly deserted section, and thankfully no one sat next to him. Kyungsoo placed his earbuds in and surprisingly fell asleep during the ride, to the sound of Handel’s Teseo.
He awoke with a train attendant shaking his shoulder “Sir, we have arrived in Mokpo.” Kyungsoo, groggy, thanked the man and disembarked. He pulled out the piece of paper that Chanyeol had given him, with an address scribbled in Chanyeol’s messy handwriting under the title WHERE YOU ARE STAYING.
He would have to take a cab there, or so he assumed. After grabbing his suitcase, which was heavy with the weight of his typewriter, Kyungsoo followed the signs directing him towards waiting taxis. He was surprised then, when he reached the taxi pickup location, to see a man holding a sign that most certainly had “Do Kyungsoo” written on it in big bold letters. Figuring that Chanyeol had hired the ride, Kyungsoo approached the man.
As Kyungsoo got closer he noticed that the taxi cab operator did not look much older than himself – but then again looks could be deceiving. People often mistook Kyungsoo as years younger than his actual age. The taxi driver was kind of cute too if Kyungsoo was being honest with himself- he was on the smaller side, with eyes that Kyungsoo could swear were almost cat like. Wide, single lidded, expressive.
The taxi driver’s hair was a bit shaggy, in need of a trim, and when he smiled (as he did when Kyungsoo approached him) his chubby cheeks made his entire face look round and adorable. Kyungsoo suddenly felt like he needed to look at the road, the sidewalk, anything but the cab driver.
“I was wondering when you would get here.” The driver said with excitement, taking Kyungsoo’s luggage from him.
“Oh, um.” Kyungsoo was never the best at first impressions, so he just nodded and got in the back seat.
The driver closed the trunk with a thud, getting in the car and starting it up. “You are staying in Yoo-dal, right?”
Kyungsoo glanced at the paper in his hand, zeroing in on the address “It appears so.” He had let Chanyeol plan the trip, he guessed his roommate was playing the over eager travel planner because he knew if he didn’t Kyungsoo would never have went. What Kyungsoo didn’t realize before leaving Seoul is why Chanyeol wanted Kyungsoo to go to Mokpo, but he quickly figured it out.
As the taxi left the train station, the city of Mokpo became apparent. It was scenic – in a strange industrial way, but it was poor – dirty even. Kyungsoo bit his bottom lip, wondering why his friend thought this was the place to inspire him. Seoul’s rough neighborhoods were something he avoided – why would a city that seemed to resemble the shanty towns of South Korea’s largest Metropolis draw him in? And then he remembered Chanyeol’s lectures – about seeing things from the other side.
“How do you like it so far?” The taxi driver asked.
Kyungsoo snapped out of his momentary internal cursing of Chanyeol and everything he stood for as he noticed the taxi driver was making eye contact via the rear view mirror, waiting for Kyungsoo’s answer.
“Oh, well, it is…scenic.”
“That it is. Kind of run down, but the old city and some of the areas near the port aren’t so bad. I am Minseok by the way.”
Kyungsoo didn’t normally introduce himself to taxi drivers, but he figured since he was on vacation (even if he was on an unwelcome one) he could be at least slightly adventuresome “Do Kyungsoo.” Then Kyungsoo remembered the driver had been waiting for him with his name on a placard, of course he knew who he was. Kyungsoo blushed slightly, turning his attention back towards the rundown concrete buildings.
“What are you planning on seeing while you are here?” Minseok asked, stopping at a red light, turning around slightly as he asked the question.
Kyungsoo wasn’t really sure what he was going to do. Chanyeol had shoved a travel guide in his hands, pink and yellow sticky notes jutting from the small book – giving him plenty of options. “I am not sure. Any recommendations?”
“You really need to walk in Yoodal San Park, you are staying so close after all. Oh, and the Dancing Sea Fountain, go see that at night. Downtown at night is a must too. During the day there are some museums and- sorry, am I naming too many things?”
A blaring of several car horns, sounding out in unison from behind the taxi, had Minseok turning around and shaking his fist. He stepped on the gas, Kyungsoo gripping the seat in surprise. Seoul was not exactly filled with good drivers, but so far it seemed that Mokpo gave Seoul a run for its money.
“How about I take you around one day? If you are free, I mean. Not to be weird, but I have lived here my whole life.” Minseok offered.
Kyungsoo wanted to say no, his entire being wanted him to say no, but he didn’t. “Sure, that would be nice. If you have time that is.”
“How about tomorrow? I have off.”
Kyungsoo nodded, not sure what he had just agreed to.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo had found his small rented house, only two blocks walk to the sea, sparsely accommodated. Even if it lacked some of the amenities he was used to (like a consistently hot shower) it would work, at least for a couple of weeks. He had settled in after Minseok dropped him off (and exchanged phone numbers with him), flicking the television as he unpacked.
Jongdae had called, then Chanyeol. Kyungsoo ate ramyun, then fell asleep to an old movie on television. In the morning he showered, screamed at the cold water that intermittently jetted out of the shower head, and dressed in a comfortable pair of khakis and a t-shirt. Minseok had said he would pick him up at nine, which was fast approaching.
Kyungsoo went outside, downing a cup of coffee as he waited. He was surprised when Minseok pulled up in his taxi cab. Kyungsoo had always thought taxi cab drivers had to leave their cars back at the company when they were off duty – but then again Kyungsoo had never actually hung out with a cab driver before.
Minseok parked the car and jumped out, bounding up to where Kyungsoo stood on the small deck.
“Ready?” He grinned, his smile lopsided. Kyungsoo took note of how cute it was, before shoving the thought to the back of his head. He was here to write, not crush and/or lust after random taxi drivers.
--------------------------------
An hour later Kyungsoo found himself staring at the remains of a ship, propped up on a modern wooden stand. The unfinished 2 x 4s were a sharp contrast to the dark, sea eroded planks of the formerly sunken vessel.
“It sunk 600 years ago.” Minseok said in awe, staring at the ship from beside Kyungsoo “Can you imagine that? How different it was? Another world…almost.”
Kyungsoo wanted to be snarky and say he could, but he just nodded. Something about this Minseok guy had him on his best behavior. Something about how poignant, how honest, Minseok spoke had Kyungsoo moving away from his sarcastic first nature.
“Amazing to think of who could have been on this ship, huh?” Minseok asked, tracing the railing that surrounded the exhibit absent mindedly “How they lived.”
“Do you like history?” Kyungsoo found himself asking.
Minseok laughed, lilting. Somehow it sounded a little bit sad. “You could say that.”
“So..um, Minseok, what made you want to be at taxi driver?” Kyungsoo asked as they walked from the sunken ship to the next exhibit, a case full of recovered gold coins. Kyungsoo found the maritime museum to be small by Seoul standards, but he was still interested in what it had to offer.
“It just kind of happened.” Minseok answered.
“Do you have family here?” Kyungsoo asked, not quite sure why he suddenly became so chatty. Minseok definitely had a strange effect on him. Or maybe it was just the effect of being on vacation. That must be it, he told himself.
“No, not any more. Now, come on- you are going to love our next stop.” Minseok grabbed Kyungsoo’s arm, dragging him away from the exhibit. Kyungsoo realized that there were no more exhibits to view at the museum so he gladly followed Minseok’s lead.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo did not love the next stop. Not at all. In fact he felt like vomiting soon after they arrived. As Minseok held up the fish, urging it towards Kyungsoo’s mouth, Kyungsoo gagged, turning his head away.
“Come on, I promise you will like it.” Minseok pleaded, his voice taking on a louder tone as he remained firm, the piece fish still fast approaching Kyungsoo. The scent of ammonia was strong, radiating from the food.
They were seated at a small diner near the sea, a place that Minseok promised had the most authentic and delicious Mokpo delicacies in the entire city. It was quaint, but the front of the store (a half wall of wide windows) had a great view of the rocky shoreline.
Kyungsoo shut his eyes tight and leaned forward, his mouth open. Minseok laughed at his reaction, shoving the piece of fermented skate into his mouth.
Kyungsoo chewed, cringing before he could even taste the food. The taste started to sink in and Kyungsoo opened his eyes wide – realizing it wasn’t some type of nasty poison. “It is delicious!” He said in surprise as he savored the taste. Sure, it was strong – but with a bite of kimchi shoveled in his mouth right after it tasted like heaven.
“I knew you could do it!” Minseok clapped, grinning “Only a Mokpo native can eat this stuff. Usually, anyway.”
Kyungsoo wasn’t sure what came over him as he shoveled piece after piece of the dish, which he learned was called Hongheohoe, in his mouth. Minseok watched, eating sparingly, smiling as his lunch partner devoured almost the entire plate.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo felt the walkway under him move, shifting ever so slightly with the waves. “Are you sure it is safe?” He asked, staring at Minseok as he gripped the handrails tightly.
“Yes it is safe. Now come on.” Minseok grabbed Kyungsoo’s hand pulling him forward along the wooden walkway, jutting out over the sea. Kyungsoo was very aware of Minseok’s hand in his own. It was slightly wider than Kyungsoo’s own hand, which felt comforting in some strange way.
They stopped in front of the sandstone rock formations, Minseok putting an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulders as they looked at the strange things Mother Nature had wrought - a sculpture carved by the weather and the sea.
“They say it looks like a man wearing a hat. What do you think?” Minseok asked, leaning towards Kyungsoo ever so slightly.
He could feel Minseok’s hot breath on his cheek, even if it was ever so faint. He could feel the strong arm around his shoulder, lazy and relaxed. He could smell Minseok, a mix of the smell of the sea, something musky, something comforting like baby powder. He breathed in, drinking in the scent before he regained his senses. In alarm, he jerked away, leaving Minseok staring at him with a surprised expression.
“It just looks like rocks.” Kyungsoo said quickly, turning back towards where they came from “Do you think maybe you should take me home now?”
Minseok nodded, quietly walking back towards the taxi cab.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo stared at the ceiling. Why did he make things harder than they should be? It wasn’t like he didn’t find Minseok attractive. Plus, how could he even know if the taxi driver even liked him – or even liked men for that matter?
He had panicked, plain and simple. He had never been good at getting close to people, especially people he found attractive. His last venture into dating had ended after a month of making the beyond attractive investment banker Byun Baekhyun too annoyed to be around him. And that had been five years ago. This entire thing, it was overwhelming. Or was it? Was he just making a mole hill into a mountain?
Kyungsoo’s phone rang. He grabbed it from the night stand, seeing that it was Chanyeol he picked up.
“Hey, I was sleeping. I will call you tomorrow.” Kyungsoo answered, told, and hung up in one sentence, too lost in his own thoughts to want to talk to another person.
He finally found sleep a few hours later.
--------------------------------
He dusted off his beloved typewriter, the olive green metal machine, setting it up at the small desk in the bedroom of the rental. He would have taken paper out and loaded it in if he thought it would do any good. It wouldn’t – because his thoughts were so far removed from writing he knew it was hopeless. He had decided that he had most definitely offended his one day friend – Minseok – and that meant he was a failure in everything.
He pulled up his number, Minseok’s, in his contact list a dozen times but never called him. When Kyungsoo’s phone rang he nearly dropped it. It was Minseok. He took a gulp of air, taking deep and shallow breaths before he answered.
“Hello?”
“Hey, we never finished our tour yesterday. Do you have time today?”
“Sure!” Kyungsoo scrunched his face up at his over eagerness, adding “Sorry I cut the tour short yesterday.”
“No problem. I’ll pick you up at four?”
“Okay.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.” Kyungsoo held his phone to his ear for a half a minute after the call ended, smiling. Then he caught himself, wiping the smile from his face he fell back into bed, groaning and flailing his limbs in self-induced frustration.
--------------------------------
Kyungsoo was surprised at Hadang. It was a part of the city that looked vibrant, youthful…new.
“The trendy part.” Minseok commented, as if reading Kyungsoo’s mind.
There were nightclubs and restaurants that wouldn’t be entirely out in Hongdae, their neon lights calling all visitors amid the bustling traffic. Kyungsoo followed Minseok through the crowded streets, stopping on the concrete walkway that snaked slightly from the crowded sidewalk. It went along the seashore, with parking lots covering what once might have been a rock and sand beach.
Minseok checked his watch. “Just in time.”
Kyungsoo didn’t have time to ask what they were in time for before a loud pop song began blaring. And then the sea rose up. First in a stream, then with colorful images and words and a water wall, traversing the rainbow, appearing against the open water like a strange under-the-sea laser show.
Kyungsoo’s mouth made a perfect O as he watched. He had definitely never seen anything like this in Seoul.
“The sea fountain. Beautiful isn’t it?”
Kyungsoo nodded. Even if there was something very commercial about the area, about the blaring pop songs that the water pulsed to, he could not deny that the sea fountain was a sight to behold.
“I took you here once, but it was so different then.”
Despite the blaring music, the sounds of other people watching the fountain – talking excitedly, Kyungsoo could have sworn Minseok had said it. “What did you say?” He asked, needing confirmation.
Minseok didn’t answer, he turned to Kyungsoo, pulling him into a hug. Kyungsoo stiffened, shocked at the sudden display of affection. His discomfort passed quickly as he found himself softening into the embrace, moving his hands to hug Minseok back. It was so unlike him…but it was so easy for him to do oddly enough.
“I am glad I met you, Do Kyungsoo.” Minseok whispered, this time it was unmistakable, it was right in his ear. A quiet sentiment, heard loud and clear, as the Mokpo sea fountain and its playlist droned on, no longer the point of interest.
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Minseok had dropped Kyungsoo off a little after ten. Kyungsoo smiled and waved as the white taxi cab pulled away. The rest of the evening (post-hug as Kyungsoo was mentally referring to it) was low-key. Minseok hadn’t hugged him or held hands after the skinship near the fountain. They had eaten dinner (seafood at a trendy restaurant that Minseok insisted on paying for) and bought red bean ice cream at a small shop for dessert.
The lack of subsequent skinship was okay, Kyungsoo told himself – because he wasn’t vacationing in Mokpo for that any way. Plus, he had just met the man. Even if Minseok was adorable, and sexy, and seemed to know exactly what could hold Kyungsoo’s interest, even if he was kind of perfect and – Thankfully his phone rang, snapping him out of his Minseok thought coma.
“Hello?”
“Thanks for calling me this morning, friend.” Chanyeol spat out.
Kyungsoo knew he wasn’t really annoyed “So did you burn our place down yet?”
“No. But hey- remember that toy helicopter I was missing? I found it under the couch!”
“I hide it there.” Kyungsoo had done just that after he had the plastic annoyance fly into his face one too many times.
“You did? Well, your Mom found it, so guess what?!”
“Helicopt-yeol time?” Kyungsoo answered flatly, remembering the annoying phrase that Chanyeol had always shouted as he played with the accursed toy.
“You bet your sweet britches. So what have you been up to? See the sea, meet any cuties and give them my number?”
“You wish.” Kyungsoo scoffed “I have been too busy hanging out with that cab driver you hired. He is actually a really cool guy.”
“Mm Hm.”
“Are you ignoring me and playing with your helicopter?” Kyungsoo asked in annoyance,
“Maaaaaaaybe?”
Kyungsoo heard some rustling on the other end of the line, then Chanyeol jumped back on “Fine, I put it away. So, what were you saying – a cab driver or something?”
“Yeah, the one you hired. Minseok. He took me for a tour of the city and we w-“
“What cab driver I hired?” Chanyeol asked.
“The one that picked me up from the train station. Any way, he has a-"
“I never hired a cab driver.”
“Stop joking around.” Kyungsoo rolled his eyes, wishing he was in the same room with Chanyeol so he could slap his arm for trying to play such a lame joke on him.
“Kyungsoo…I am serious. I set up a rental car for you. Look at your paper.”
Kyungsoo was not about to believe his friend, but he knew well enough that Chanyeol had taken his “planning paper” seriously, so he pulled out the crinkled and folded page from his wallet. He scanned down, past the train schedule, the address of the hotel – and then the instructions. SeaSide Car Rentals was indeed written there, along with the photocopied receipt for the rental car.
“You have to be kidding me?! He was at the train station with a sign with my name on it!” Kyungsoo gasped, trying to imagine what kind of freak Minseok was. Could he be a stalker fan? Someone obsessed with his last novel? No, he seemed too normal. Or was that part of his plan?!
“Oh my god- call the police! Is he there now?” Chanyeol panicked.
“No, no, he isn’t here. He knows where I am staying though! What am I going to do?”
“Leave! Come back! What if he is trying to kidnap you…or kill you….or sell you into slavery?” Chanyeol fueled his best friend’s imagination. They had not embarked on the writing path without reason.
Kyungsoo yelped at the mental image of Minseok, his face contorted, a knife in his hand. He moved quickly, pulling his clothes from the closet and throwing them into his suitcase. He grabbed his precious typewriter, carefully placing it in his luggage. Then, with a slam, he locked the hard shelled suitcase and snapped it shut.
“I am leaving. I will see you in a few hours.” He hung the phone up, cutting off Chanyeol’s “OMG, don’t hang up” shouts from the other end of the phone.
Kyungsoo threw the door open, dragging his suitcase behind him. He would need to walk to the bus stop up the road, or hail a passing cab if he found one. He had his suitcase one step away from the sidewalk, still hanging on the last step of the deck, when he jumped backwards at a noise. A voice to be more exact.
“We need to talk.”
It was Minseok. Kyungsoo froze, widening his eyes in terror “Who…wha…who are you?”
“More importantly, who are you?” Minseok pulled a photograph from his pocket, holding it out towards Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo eyed it suspiciously. He could barely make it out, the deck light shining behind him drowned out by his shadow.
“I am not going to hurt you.” Minseok said quietly, reacting to Kyungsoo’s reluctance and fright.
Finally Kyungsoo reached forward, bracing ever so much in case he was attacked. He took the picture, holding it up so he could see it in the light.
Minseok watched him, his left eyebrow slightly raised as if in curiosity. His hands were in his jean pockets, his head slightly cocked to the side as he waited for Kyungsoo’s reaction.
Kyungsoo felt like he was suddenly devoid of oxygen. He gulped, wheezing once as he took a deep breath. Yet it was there, in his hands. “This isn’t possible…”
Minseok stepped forward, placing his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders as if to hold him upright.
“Have you really come back to me?” Minseok asked as he looked into Kyungsoo’s eyes, a tear escaping down his cheek. Kyungsoo’s face felt warm as he stared back, meeting Minseok’s eyes. Ever so briefly there was something oddly familiar there, something that made Kyungsoo’s mind feel hazy and out of sorts.
Kyungsoo looked back at the picture, his grip on his luggage loosening as he drank in the image. It was him, it was Minseok. That was for sure. Even if he wanted to be rational – to accuse Minseok of photo shopping the image- he knew that it would be a lie. Somehow he knew, without question it was real. He didn’t know how, but he did. He felt it.
“What year was this?” Kyungsoo asked quietly.
“1954.” Minseok answered, his voice mournful and low.
NEXT CHAPTER>>>>>