Worry
Title: Worry
Pairing: YunJae
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Word Count: 873
Summary: When Jaejoong calls Yunho at an unusual time, Yunho knows something isn't right.
A/N: This fic is part of the 'W' Collection, a grouping of stand-alone short stories inspired by words beginning with the letter 'W.' Just a short piece that I wrote on my phone while I was on the bus the other day. Apologies for any errors, I didn't look over this as closely as I normally do and the bus ride was less than smooth thanks to road construction!
In other news, I graduated from university this year and I've just accepted a contract in Korea... Exciting, because I have a job and I'm going to Korea! But also a bit scary to move to another country, and a bit sad since I didn't make it in time to see Jaejoong or Yoochun before they enlisted... I'm really glad that I made it down to LA to see Yunho and Changmin in May and hopefully I can get a ticket to something of Junsu's while I'm there.
*****
Yunho’s phone rang abruptly in the middle of the soundcheck of Changmin’s solo performance for their concert later that evening. He hadn’t planned on answering until he saw the call display flashing Jaejoong’s Korean number at him; it was so unusual for Jaejoong to be calling when he knew Yunho had a busy schedule that Yunho was immediately filled with worry. He hurried away from the edge of the stage where he had been lingering to observe. As he walked swiftly towards the less crowded area towards the back of the arena he passed through the aisle lined by thousands of empty seats that echoed back to him the worrisome ringing of his phone.
“Hello,” Yunho answered his phone with concern lacing his tone. He cautiously glanced around to make sure no one was coming near enough to overhear despite the fact that he was speaking in Korean and it was unlikely that any of the arena staff spoke the language fluently. He could never be too careful when it came to protecting his and Jaejoong’s relationship.
“Hi,” Jaejoong spoke in a hushed whisper. His voice sounded rough and scratchy, though whether it was from illness, exhaustion, or something else, Yunho couldn’t tell through the phone.
“I can’t really talk too much right now, Changmin’s rehearsing his solo and mine is up next. What’s going on,” Yunho chose his words carefully, just in case someone did happen to hear anything. Even though he was speaking in Korean, certain words or Jaejoong’s name could provide clues as to whom he was on the phone with.
Jaejoong sniffed, sounding quite miserable, and Yunho wondered if he had caught a cold.
“It’s my dad,” Jaejoong said, his voice wavering with emotion. “He was taken to the hospital this morning.”
Yunho felt his stomach drop in disbelief and his eyes closed as pain lanced through him. He hurt for Jaejoong, but also for Mr. Kim, who was a wonderful man and who had welcomed him warmly into his family at every turn.
“H-how is he? Is he okay? Are you okay,” Yunho asked, his words spilling out quickly in his concern.
“He’s alright. Mom said it was just a fall and that they wanted to make sure he hadn’t broken everything, but I’m on my way to the house anyway.” Jaejoong sniffed again and then Yunho could hear the soggy sound of him blowing his nose.
“Oh, that’s good,” Yunho said in relief. “And how are you holding up?”
“I’m… Okay, I guess. I just - It just hit me all of a sudden that I don’t know how much longer I’ll have with him. He can’t... I don’t -”
Yunho’s heart clenched as he heard Jaejoong quietly starting to cry on the other end of the line. He wished then that he was there with him and not in another country, unable to rush back to him because of his iron-clad schedule.
At that moment, a staff member approached him and began to signal that it was his turn to rehearse his solo. However, Yunho wouldn’t let anything keep him from speaking to Jaejoong right now, not when Jaejoong needed him.
“Just a second,” Yunho informed Jaejoong before covering the mouthpiece and switching to Japanese to address the man before him.
“I’m very sorry, but I have to take this call. Can we move the break time up and I’ll rehearse afterwards?”
The other man consulted the clipboard he was carrying and, after a moment’s contemplation, agreed that the slight change would be acceptable.
“Thank you,” Yunho spoke gratefully and bowed respectfully to the man before he turned away from Yunho to head back to the stage area.
“God, I - I wish I could be there right now,” Yunho spoke as he returned his focus to the conversation with Jaejoong.
Jaejoong released a shaky breath. “Me, too. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you or disrupt your rehearsal, I just… I needed to hear your voice.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. You know I’ll always be here for you when you need me, whether it’s the middle of the night or the middle of rehearsal.”
“I know. I… I can’t wait to see you when you get back,” Jaejoong said wistfully. “I love you, Yunho-yah.”
“Me, too,” Yunho replied, wishing desperately that he was somewhere private where he didn’t have to be so careful with his words.
“I should let you get back to the rehearsal.”
“Yeah, I should be getting back. I’ll miss lunch if I’m not careful.”
“Mm, yes, don’t miss lunch. I know how you get when you don’t eat on time. No one should be subjected to you when you’re hungry,” Jaejoong teased lightly and Yunho was relieved to hear a small amount of amusement in Jaejoong’s tone.
“I’ll call you later, okay?” Yunho wanted nothing more than to stay on the phone with Jaejoong or, better yet, be able to hold him close and ease a little more of his pain and worry away..
“I’d like that,” Jaejoong replied softly and they both reluctantly ended the call.
As he walked to the backstage area for lunch, Yunho’s mind was already filling with plans for an early arrival back to Korea.
*****