Fic Challenge - 038; I want you to stay forever [23/100]

Title: I want you to stay forever
Characters: Kibum/Leeteuk
Rating: G
Wordcount: 791
Summary: Forever is a rather abstract measure for time
A/N: So, well, finally I wrote something again. This thing actually marks my 101st finished Suju fic (collab and non-collab) and with that Memories actually becomes my 100th finished SJ fic (I never really counted). It's been a nice year and a half-ish so far in this fandom (or well, writing in this fandom since honestly, this fandom needs some work) and I'm glad to have got to know the boys and their music. I'm going to leave it at this and roll of to go do something completely non-SJ-related because I have no reason not to. I hope you enjoy this.

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It’s about time for the biggest stage of their career as of yet. Kibum is huddled in between the other members, not exactly sure what he’s doing there, not exactly feeling like he belongs just yet, but it’s alright, he figures, because he doesn’t think any of them feels that way. They’re all nervous for sure, some are a little pale around the nose, others lean more towards a greenish colour and then there’s Jungs- Leeteuk who’s probably worst off of them all but shows nothing of those feelings on the outside.

The leader of the group, supposed to lead them through all these things without fail, supposed to make sure they’ll make it to the top. He’s not particularly sure that’s how it’ll work out. The job definitely sounds easier than it is. Getting the most spotlight and speaking time, sure, but also working the hardest, trying the best, caring the most,.. Leeteuk will be carrying all their burdens together all by himself and he doesn’t think this frail kid can take that.

They’re all kids, really, even though some are in their twenties already. They’re young and pretty much inexperienced except for some training of which the time span varies from person to person. This stage is like the beginning of everything, but somehow it feels more like it’s the end of something he’s not quite sure he wants to say goodbye to yet. But the pressure is there and so is the painful reality that this is really it. They’re going to be big things after this. Or at least that’s what they hope the outcome will be, that’s what they’ve been told.

“This is our moment,” Leeteuk says, glancing around the group shortly. “We’ve been training hard for this, it’s been long days and short nights, but we’re ready for this.” He smiles then and it brings some of the youthfulness back to his face where before there was only worry and exhaustion. They smile back at him, it feels almost automatically to Kibum, as if he’s no longer the one controlling his own expression. When there’s a need to smile you do so, no questions asked, just the brightest one you possibly can without looking fake.

“We’re here to show that Super Junior can remain together,” Leeteuk continues after a moment of silence, his words coming out faster since the time left before they have to get up on stage is ticking away. “We’re here to show that we are not a group that should be rotated to remain popular or up-to-date. We’re here to show them that we are. And that simple fact cannot just be taken away from us. So let’s give them our very best and keep doing so in the future.”

Leeteuk reaches out a hand and everyone does the same until they have one big pile of hands in the middle of their group. Twelve people huddled together, the same determination in all their hearts. Or almost all, perhaps, as Kibum almost hesitantly chimes in with the rest as they exclaim what appears to have become their battle cry. They stick as closely for a bit longer and Leeteuk takes use of the opportunity to say something more.

“I want Super Junior to last,” he says in a calm tone, as if completely sure of not only himself but them as well and the rest of the world just the same, really. “I want us to last in the hearts and minds of those that listen to us or watch us. Let’s do our very best to become the big thing we all dreamed of being at one point.” His expression grows more serious at the end and he eyes them all one by one. “But mostly,” he says then. “I want us to keep being ourselves. Let’s not change because of the industry. In the end I want you to be able to say that you’re still you no matter what happened in between. I want you to stay forever. Let’s help each other by being there forever.”

Kibum can’t help but smile bitterly upon hearing the words. As the group dissembles into several individuals and some duos making their way over to the side of the stage, he tells himself that the things he has just heard are real and that he’ll be able to last forever. He convinces himself of this and sends a determined nod to Leeteuk when the elder glances at him. Super Junior will become the next big thing. They will last forever.

But when he takes his first steps onto the stage and puts on the brightest smile he can manage just for their fans, he wonders how long exactly this forever will last.