Shifting Fortunes 4/19
Title: Shifting Fortunes 4/19
Rating: NC -17
Pairings: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu, Changmin/Fic OC, Past!Jaejoong/Heechul, Eunhyuk/Donghae, Kyuhyun/Sungmin, Yesung/Ryeowook, ninja!Leeteuk/Kangin
Disclaimer: If I owned them, I'd make them act this out.
Summary: Jaejoong was raised in riches. Yunho has struggled most of his life just to keep food in his stomach. Jaejoong leaves his family and ends up working beside Yunho at a farm in the mountains. In a world of uncertainties, what is Jaejoong willing to give up in order to have everything?
A/N: Anything in italics is the present day, and then the fic goes back in time.
Chapter 4: Yunho's Sanctuary
Poster credit goes to sahmin I love you, my Failverto! ♥♥♥
YUNHO
Yunho was the last one in the dining room that night. As he looked over the table, he couldn’t help but smile. The only empty seat was next to Jaejoong. Jae was talking to Changmin. Or really listening to Changmin talk about his girlfriend. He sat down, purposely brushing his arm against Jae’s shoulder.
Jae jerked a bit, and then said, “Hey.”
“Hey.”
And that’s all they said as they ate dinner. There was a bruise on Jae’s cheek, and his hands were wrapped in gauze, but otherwise, he still looked perfect. He wore a bright blue button down shirt and khaki pants. Yunho finished dinner first, eager to get in the shower. His heart sped up when he heard soft footfalls on the stairs behind him. Yunho sat to remove his boots, and the bed dipped behind him. He couldn’t think of anything to say.
Finally, Yunho settled with, “That was a nice kick you landed on Kangin’s face.”
Jae chuckled. “I took defense classes when I was younger.”
“Just be careful. If you fight outside it’s alright, but if you fight inside or up here, it’s an automatic expulsion.”
“Yeah, Yoochun told me that. Look, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m doing alright. Changmin says not to take it personally, that you have this overprotective vibe with everybody, what with you being the leader and all.”
“I’m not the leader.”
“To everyone else you are. They all look up to you and admire you.”
Silence fell again. Yunho took the opportunity to head to the bathroom. After another cold shower, he decided he was going to have to go to the river tomorrow.
He spent another restless night fighting the urge to curl against Jaejoong. At least Jae got some sleep. Yunho would have been surprised if he hadn’t. All that hard work, plus the fight with Kangin, would have tired any one out.
The day was better, too. Jae plopped himself next to Yunho at breakfast, worked hard next to him all day, and then again sat beside him at lunch. They didn’t talk much, well, Jae didn’t, but Yunho blabbered about some of the other guys and some who no longer worked here. Jae even laughed at his jokes.
When the final bell rang, Yunho headed toward the river.
“Yunho!”
He turned to Jae.
“Where are you going?”
“Just need to be alone for a little bit. I’ll be back soon.”
“Oh.” Jae bit his lip. “Okay. I’ll see you.” He went back toward the house. Hangeng threw his arm around his shoulders, and they both laughed. Yunho’s eyes fell on YooSu. They were grinning. Yoochun made some obscene jerking motions with his hand. Yunho flipped him off.
He really couldn’t help it. Jae was too gorgeous, and he really needed to get some sleep. He walked toward his bend in the river. So it wasn’t “his” but to his knowledge, no one else knew about it. A copse of weeping willows grew right along the edge of the river, and the trail twisted around them. What most didn’t know was what lay beyond the branches. Yunho took his boots and socks off and rolled up his pant legs. He pushed the branches out of his way and waded through calf deep water. Below the awning of tree branches was a strip of grass and a deep pool. Yunho wasted no time stripping down and jumping into the pool. He floated on his back and thought about Jae.
He hadn’t been nervous around a guy like this for a long time. But then again, he’d also never met anyone like Jae before. He definitely wanted to find out about his past. A spoiled rich kid never willingly came to a place like this. Yunho wanted to run his hands through that hair. Touch those flawless cheeks. Memorize the curve of every toned muscle. Broad shoulders, narrow hips. Yunho shivered in the cold water. Might as well do what he came to do. He climbed out and lay on the grass. Blue sky peaked out from the tree branches. All it took was remembering Jae’s smile and the feel of his cool skin brushing up against him in the night.
How long would he have to keep his hands to himself? He knew Jae looked at him. Watched him, but when would the awkwardness go away?
As the sky turned darker, Yunho sighed and got up. He took another quick dip to clean himself up, and then threw on his jeans and boots. He carried the rest of his clothes with him.
A few of the guys were sitting on the porch smoking cigarettes. Dinner was done, but Yunho grabbed some cold beans and rice before heading up to bed.
When his eyes fell on Jae, he thought that he should have jerked off twice. The man was shirtless, sitting cross-legged on the bed, reading something. He was angled in a way that Yunho saw just the expanse of his back and a side, and a slight profile. The previously pale skin was red from the sun. A strip of white teased him at the top of Jae’s pants. Yunho’s feet stuck to the floor in the doorway, until Yoochun stood and grabbed him.
“Seriously, stop staring,” Yoochun whispered.
Yunho brushed him off and headed to the bed.
Jae looked up and smiled. “You went swimming?”
“One of the few things to do around here,” Yunho said as he changed his clothes.
“Entertainment is limited,” Jae said.
Yunho sat down and then reach around Jae for a pillow. He wished he hadn’t. A subtle whiff of cologne assailed him, and he shut his eyes and fought for control.
“You alright?” Jae whispered.
“Yeah, just tired. I’m not used to sharing my bed.”
“I’m not a bad bedmate,” he protested. And then he blushed. “I mean, I don’t move around a lot like you do.”
Yunho couldn’t look at him as he lay on his side, facing away. “No, you don’t.”
Jae didn’t say anything, but shifted around. His foot ended up resting against Yunho’s lower back. Yunho didn’t move away. Yunho was dozing when the lights were finally turned out and Jae settled in beside him. Was he closer than before? Yunho couldn’t tell, so he turned to his back. His arm immediately brushed against Jae’s shoulder. Jae didn’t move away.
Definitely closer. He definitely should have jerked off twice.
Two weeks later, the awkwardness was still there. Not as bad, but Yunho was running out of things to talk to Jae about. As long as Yunho didn’t ask about his previous life, Jae didn’t mind talking. He knew a lot of stuff about a lot of things. He was smart, and witty, and funny, and man, when he smiled, Yunho forgot what they were talking about. He worked hard, twice as hard as some of the others, and he quickly earned all their respect. Except for Kangin, but beyond throwing the occasional insult Jae’s way, he didn’t try to pick a fight with him again.
That Sunday, as breakfast settled to a close, the foreman came in with a stack of letters. “Mail call,” he said. “Changmin.”
Changmin jumped up and snatched the letter from his hands. His footsteps pounded up the stairs.
Yunho met Jae’s eyes and they both grinned.
“Jaejoong.”
His smile fell. The foreman held out a letter. Jae stared at it, but didn’t reach for it.
Yunho took it. Jae had never gotten mail. Before Yunho could say anything, Jae ripped it from his hand and rushed outside. When he got up to follow, Junsu put a hand on his arm, “Leave him be. He’ll come to you if he needs you.”
Yunho swallowed and sat back down. He couldn’t relax for the rest of the morning. When Jae didn’t show up for lunch, and no one seemed to know where he was, Yunho went looking for him. He grabbed a plate, filled it with black bean noodles and meat. He didn’t have to go far. Jae was sitting on the far side of the barn, the letter open in his lap. He stiffened at the approaching footsteps, but visibly relaxed when he opened his eyes and saw Yunho.
“I brought you some lunch,” Yunho whispered.
Jae grinned a bit. “Thanks.” He didn’t reach for it. “Well, sit down.”
Yunho did quickly. Jae grabbed the chopsticks. He scooted close, bending a leg over Yunho’s but not touching. Yunho watched him eat. Watched that tongue dart out to grab loose noodles. Watched them disappear with a smack. Yunho had to settle the shaking plate on his knee. Jae cleared the plate and then moved to lean against the barn. Their legs touched, but neither moved away.
The letter had fallen to the ground. Yunho couldn’t stop looking at it.
Jae picked it up and thrust it at him.
“No, I-”
“Just read it.”
With shaky hands, he read it.
Jaejoong,
Your choice of employment and boarding is unacceptable to one of your status. Your wedding plans have been finalized, and I expect you to be ready to come home next Sunday when Ferdinand arrives to retrieve you. I will forgive this blatant disrespect as a typical act of rebellion, but you will conform and behave as you were raised. Do not fail me again.
Kim Yoojoong
Yunho read it twice and then handed it back. Jae’s fist crumpled around it.
“Are you going back?” Yunho asked.
Jae scoffed. “Fuck no.”
There was silence and then Jae said, “I’m surprised it took him this long to find me.”
Silence. Yunho held his breath. Jae was going to be forced to marry someone. His father’s tone was one of someone used to getting what he wanted.
“God, what an asshole,” Jae said and punched the barn wall above his head.
“Fathers can be like that.”
“Not him. Heechul.”
Yunho waited, but nothing else came out. “Who’s Heechul?” he finally asked.
“The jerk of the century.” Jae rose quickly and started to walk away.
“Jae, wait,” Yunho said and grabbed his hand. He let Jae snatch it away, but Jae stopped walking. “Come with me.” He turned. He didn’t breathe until he heard Jae’s footsteps behind him. He led him to the copse of trees, but when he took off his shoes and socks, Jae’s disdainful voice said, “We’re going wading?”
“Just come on,” Yunho said.
Jae huffed but kicked off the slippers he’d been wearing. With shaking hands, Yunho led the way through the tree branches. When they broke through, Jae stopped and stared.
“This is where I come when I need to get away from everyone else. Not even YooSu knows about it.”
“It’s pretty,” Jae muttered. He climbed on the bank and sat beside Yunho. They watched a leaf flow around the current of the pool before being swept down the river.
“Heechul was my best friend,” Jae said suddenly. “Childhood playmate, partner in crime, lover.” He glanced at Yunho quickly and then looked away. Yunho bit down on his question, and waited. Jae lay down, staring up at the canopy.
“About a month ago, my father told me that I would be marrying Park Soonya. She’s one of my childhood friends, but I don’t love her like that, and I’m definitely not attracted to women. I refused my father’s wishes. Heechul said I was crazy, that even after we were married that we’d still be able to be together, but I didn’t want to live my life like that. He laughed at me when I told him we should just run away from it all. The next week, after again refusing to listen to my father, he disowned me and kicked me out. After a couple of nights alone, a waiter down at the café in town told me about this place, so I came up here.”
“So if he disowned you, why is he writing to tell you you’re coming home?”
“I’m not going home.”
“I know that, but he seems to think that you’ll obey him.”
Jae nodded. “I’ve always obeyed him. This is the only time I’ve fought against him. Since he knows I’m here, he probably thinks I’m miserable. Shit, Yunho, the food I used to eat for one meal costs more than I make here in a week. But I’m not going to be forced to marry some girl because it increases my status or my bank account. Heechul wasn’t nearly so selfless. Stupid bastard.”
“I’ll agree to the stupid part.”
Jae looked up at him sharply.
Yunho swallowed, but managed to hold eye contact. “He let you get away, didn’t he? What more do I need to know?”
Jae smiled a bit, and then stood up quickly. “So are we going swimming or what?” He stripped off his shirt. Yunho couldn’t tear his eyes away from those hands as they unclasped the trousers, hooked into the waistband of boxers and divested Jae of clothes. He walked to the edge of the pool. He looked back, smirked and then jumped in.
Yunho didn’t dare stand up.
“Come and swim,” Jae called from the far side.
Yunho shook his head.
“Chicken.”
Get a hold of yourself. He pulled the shirt off, and then stood and turned around to pull off the rest of his clothes.
“Come on, Yunnie,” Jae said, using the nickname for the first time. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before.”
You haven’t seen it hard, Yunho thought.
“Fine, I won’t look.” The water rippled. Yunho peaked over his shoulder. Jae had his back turned.
He moved quickly and jumped in. The cold water did its job, but he wondered for how long as Jae glided toward him. The pool at its deepest was only five feet, easy for both to reach the bottom, but Jae grabbed his arm and treaded water.
“You’re incredibly darling when you’re nervous,” Jae said with a grin, and then pushed off and swam the other way. The pale skin of his ass teased Yunho’s eyes from just under the water line.
“I’m not nervous,” Yunho sputtered.
Jae laughed. “Of course not.” He floated on his back. He pulled one hand out of the water and gave Yunho the come here finger. “Float with me.”
Yunho did as he was told. Jae hooked their arms together, and they drifted with the current around the pool. He did not look at their bodies. He looked up, at the sky through the trees. Not past the tan line at Jae’s waist. Not at the way their legs rubbed up against each other.
“You relaxed yet?” Jae asked.
“I guess.”
“Good.” He moved, pushed Yunho’s head under the water, and then clung on to him, laughing as Yunho sputtered and wiped at his face. It wasn’t until he could see and breathe straight that he realized he had a very naked Jaejoong wrapped around his body. His legs were loose around his waist with his forearms just resting on his shoulders. Yunho knew it was an invitation to push him away.
So he did. And under. He laughed at the shocked look on Jae’s face just before he sputtered to the surface. While he recovered, Yunho held him.
“You deserved that,” Yunho said.
“Probably.”
He tightened his arms, pulling Jae closer to him. Jae wrapped his arms around Yunho’s shoulders. They both shuddered when their chests touched. They stared at each other, moving lazily in the water. When Jae bit his lip, Yunho had to look away.
“So,” Yunho started.
Jae laughed and cut him off. “You always talk too much when you’re uncertain. Is it so bad to sit here in silence?”
“Well, I was going to say that I think you’re incredibly beautiful, but now I guess I can’t.”
“While that is true, there’s really no need to spoil the moment by pointing it out. This would be one of those ‘actions speak louder than words’ moments.”
“Right.” Yunho still couldn’t look at him.
“Guess it’s my move then,” Jae muttered. Before Yunho could do anything else, including think, Jae rearranged his body, lowering his legs and wrapping them around Yunho’s knees. It knocked Yunho off balance. He tightened his hold around Jae’s middle and brought one hand up, around his neck and into his hair, just barely keeping them above water. Their entire bodies touched. Yunho groaned, and it was immediately echoed by Jae. The cold water’s power was waning.
“God, Yunho, just kiss me already,” Jae said, hot breath ghosting down Yunho’s neck.
Yunho didn’t need any more encouragement. He tilted his head back, cheeks sliding against each other, until their lips touched. Yunho’s lips shook. Jae whimpered, and then a tongue flicked out and Yunho opened his mouth to the kiss. Jae moved his arms under the water, grabbed Yunho’s hips and locked their bodies together. Yunho broke away with a hiss. Jae kissed down the proffered neck, down the collar bone and shoulders, steadily increasing the pressure from his hands in tiny thrusts. Yunho disrupted the rhythm by picking Jae up by the ass. Jae’s legs wrapped around him tightly. Their lips crashed together again as Yunho settled them into a new, faster cadence of sliding and moaning and kissing. The lapping water and heady groans were broken when Jae stilled. He flung his upper body away, putting more pressure on the lower half and shook out his release in steady pants. That beautiful face was flush, mouth open, gasping, long eyelashes quivering over closed eyes.
“Absolutely beautiful,” he muttered, then pulled Jae back, buried his face into his neck and sped up. Jae’s hands wrapped in his hair, harsh breaths in his ear. Yunho dug his teeth into Jae’s shoulder and came in shuddering gasps around the flesh in his mouth.
“Next time, not in the water,” Jae muttered.
Yunho tried to laugh, but it just came out in gasps. Jae’s hands cupped his face and their lips met in lazy, soft kisses. They were once again moving slowly around the pool. Yunho broke away and stared at Jae. His large, brown eyes, soft yet defined cheeks. Lips red from kissing. A breeze rustled the branches around them, tossing Jae’s half wet hair into his face. Yunho reached up and brushed it back. They kissed again, until Jae shivered. Yunho pulled him closer and then made his way to the bank.
Yunho sacrificed his shirt to dry the other man off, rubbing his arms and legs and back free from the water. He tossed the shirt over Jae’s head and scrubbed his hair. Jae grabbed the shirt and repeated the process over Yunho’s body.
“I’m already dry,” he protested as the shirt and Jae’s hands groped him.
“Oh, so you’re the only one that gets to have all the fun? Is it too soon for a repeat?”
Yunho made a noise of disbelief. Definitely not too soon, just …
Jae smirked at him, shirt dropping to the ground, leaving his hands to do the drying. Yunho shivered, pulled Jae to him, and kissed him. Soon they were on the grass, hands and mouths exploring curves of muscles and expanses of skin.
Jae was ticklish at that dip in his hip, and made the most agonizing noises when it was licked. The noises turned to cries of frustration when Yunho ran his tongue up the length of him. And then the cries turned to incensed moans when Yunho engulfed him and pushed him down his throat.
Jae’s body arched, hands coming to rest on the back of Yunho’s head. With an agonized cry of, “God,” Jae jerked up into Yunho’s throat. Yunho swallowed what was given, and then kissed and bit up Jae’s shuddering body to his lips.
In a move equivalent in his fight with Kangin, Jaejoong threw him away and was suddenly on top of him.
“Do you think they’ll notice if we never go back and stay here and fuck each other for the rest of our lives?”
Yunho grinned. “Probably. But we’re not very well equipped for that.”
Jae’s eyes shut in pleasure. “A few more rounds then.”
“Sounds good,” Yunho said and thrust his hips against him. Jae shuddered, pushed his hands against Yunho’s chest and dropped to Yunho’s lap to return the favor.
Part 5: Jaejoong's Past
Part 3: Jaejoong's New Life
Part 2: Yunho's New Roommate
Part 1: Jaejoong's Predicament
.
Rating: NC -17
Pairings: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu, Changmin/Fic OC, Past!Jaejoong/Heechul, Eunhyuk/Donghae, Kyuhyun/Sungmin, Yesung/Ryeowook, ninja!Leeteuk/Kangin
Disclaimer: If I owned them, I'd make them act this out.
Summary: Jaejoong was raised in riches. Yunho has struggled most of his life just to keep food in his stomach. Jaejoong leaves his family and ends up working beside Yunho at a farm in the mountains. In a world of uncertainties, what is Jaejoong willing to give up in order to have everything?
A/N: Anything in italics is the present day, and then the fic goes back in time.
Chapter 4: Yunho's Sanctuary
Poster credit goes to sahmin I love you, my Failverto! ♥♥♥
YUNHO
Yunho was the last one in the dining room that night. As he looked over the table, he couldn’t help but smile. The only empty seat was next to Jaejoong. Jae was talking to Changmin. Or really listening to Changmin talk about his girlfriend. He sat down, purposely brushing his arm against Jae’s shoulder.
Jae jerked a bit, and then said, “Hey.”
“Hey.”
And that’s all they said as they ate dinner. There was a bruise on Jae’s cheek, and his hands were wrapped in gauze, but otherwise, he still looked perfect. He wore a bright blue button down shirt and khaki pants. Yunho finished dinner first, eager to get in the shower. His heart sped up when he heard soft footfalls on the stairs behind him. Yunho sat to remove his boots, and the bed dipped behind him. He couldn’t think of anything to say.
Finally, Yunho settled with, “That was a nice kick you landed on Kangin’s face.”
Jae chuckled. “I took defense classes when I was younger.”
“Just be careful. If you fight outside it’s alright, but if you fight inside or up here, it’s an automatic expulsion.”
“Yeah, Yoochun told me that. Look, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m doing alright. Changmin says not to take it personally, that you have this overprotective vibe with everybody, what with you being the leader and all.”
“I’m not the leader.”
“To everyone else you are. They all look up to you and admire you.”
Silence fell again. Yunho took the opportunity to head to the bathroom. After another cold shower, he decided he was going to have to go to the river tomorrow.
He spent another restless night fighting the urge to curl against Jaejoong. At least Jae got some sleep. Yunho would have been surprised if he hadn’t. All that hard work, plus the fight with Kangin, would have tired any one out.
The day was better, too. Jae plopped himself next to Yunho at breakfast, worked hard next to him all day, and then again sat beside him at lunch. They didn’t talk much, well, Jae didn’t, but Yunho blabbered about some of the other guys and some who no longer worked here. Jae even laughed at his jokes.
When the final bell rang, Yunho headed toward the river.
“Yunho!”
He turned to Jae.
“Where are you going?”
“Just need to be alone for a little bit. I’ll be back soon.”
“Oh.” Jae bit his lip. “Okay. I’ll see you.” He went back toward the house. Hangeng threw his arm around his shoulders, and they both laughed. Yunho’s eyes fell on YooSu. They were grinning. Yoochun made some obscene jerking motions with his hand. Yunho flipped him off.
He really couldn’t help it. Jae was too gorgeous, and he really needed to get some sleep. He walked toward his bend in the river. So it wasn’t “his” but to his knowledge, no one else knew about it. A copse of weeping willows grew right along the edge of the river, and the trail twisted around them. What most didn’t know was what lay beyond the branches. Yunho took his boots and socks off and rolled up his pant legs. He pushed the branches out of his way and waded through calf deep water. Below the awning of tree branches was a strip of grass and a deep pool. Yunho wasted no time stripping down and jumping into the pool. He floated on his back and thought about Jae.
He hadn’t been nervous around a guy like this for a long time. But then again, he’d also never met anyone like Jae before. He definitely wanted to find out about his past. A spoiled rich kid never willingly came to a place like this. Yunho wanted to run his hands through that hair. Touch those flawless cheeks. Memorize the curve of every toned muscle. Broad shoulders, narrow hips. Yunho shivered in the cold water. Might as well do what he came to do. He climbed out and lay on the grass. Blue sky peaked out from the tree branches. All it took was remembering Jae’s smile and the feel of his cool skin brushing up against him in the night.
How long would he have to keep his hands to himself? He knew Jae looked at him. Watched him, but when would the awkwardness go away?
As the sky turned darker, Yunho sighed and got up. He took another quick dip to clean himself up, and then threw on his jeans and boots. He carried the rest of his clothes with him.
A few of the guys were sitting on the porch smoking cigarettes. Dinner was done, but Yunho grabbed some cold beans and rice before heading up to bed.
When his eyes fell on Jae, he thought that he should have jerked off twice. The man was shirtless, sitting cross-legged on the bed, reading something. He was angled in a way that Yunho saw just the expanse of his back and a side, and a slight profile. The previously pale skin was red from the sun. A strip of white teased him at the top of Jae’s pants. Yunho’s feet stuck to the floor in the doorway, until Yoochun stood and grabbed him.
“Seriously, stop staring,” Yoochun whispered.
Yunho brushed him off and headed to the bed.
Jae looked up and smiled. “You went swimming?”
“One of the few things to do around here,” Yunho said as he changed his clothes.
“Entertainment is limited,” Jae said.
Yunho sat down and then reach around Jae for a pillow. He wished he hadn’t. A subtle whiff of cologne assailed him, and he shut his eyes and fought for control.
“You alright?” Jae whispered.
“Yeah, just tired. I’m not used to sharing my bed.”
“I’m not a bad bedmate,” he protested. And then he blushed. “I mean, I don’t move around a lot like you do.”
Yunho couldn’t look at him as he lay on his side, facing away. “No, you don’t.”
Jae didn’t say anything, but shifted around. His foot ended up resting against Yunho’s lower back. Yunho didn’t move away. Yunho was dozing when the lights were finally turned out and Jae settled in beside him. Was he closer than before? Yunho couldn’t tell, so he turned to his back. His arm immediately brushed against Jae’s shoulder. Jae didn’t move away.
Definitely closer. He definitely should have jerked off twice.
Two weeks later, the awkwardness was still there. Not as bad, but Yunho was running out of things to talk to Jae about. As long as Yunho didn’t ask about his previous life, Jae didn’t mind talking. He knew a lot of stuff about a lot of things. He was smart, and witty, and funny, and man, when he smiled, Yunho forgot what they were talking about. He worked hard, twice as hard as some of the others, and he quickly earned all their respect. Except for Kangin, but beyond throwing the occasional insult Jae’s way, he didn’t try to pick a fight with him again.
That Sunday, as breakfast settled to a close, the foreman came in with a stack of letters. “Mail call,” he said. “Changmin.”
Changmin jumped up and snatched the letter from his hands. His footsteps pounded up the stairs.
Yunho met Jae’s eyes and they both grinned.
“Jaejoong.”
His smile fell. The foreman held out a letter. Jae stared at it, but didn’t reach for it.
Yunho took it. Jae had never gotten mail. Before Yunho could say anything, Jae ripped it from his hand and rushed outside. When he got up to follow, Junsu put a hand on his arm, “Leave him be. He’ll come to you if he needs you.”
Yunho swallowed and sat back down. He couldn’t relax for the rest of the morning. When Jae didn’t show up for lunch, and no one seemed to know where he was, Yunho went looking for him. He grabbed a plate, filled it with black bean noodles and meat. He didn’t have to go far. Jae was sitting on the far side of the barn, the letter open in his lap. He stiffened at the approaching footsteps, but visibly relaxed when he opened his eyes and saw Yunho.
“I brought you some lunch,” Yunho whispered.
Jae grinned a bit. “Thanks.” He didn’t reach for it. “Well, sit down.”
Yunho did quickly. Jae grabbed the chopsticks. He scooted close, bending a leg over Yunho’s but not touching. Yunho watched him eat. Watched that tongue dart out to grab loose noodles. Watched them disappear with a smack. Yunho had to settle the shaking plate on his knee. Jae cleared the plate and then moved to lean against the barn. Their legs touched, but neither moved away.
The letter had fallen to the ground. Yunho couldn’t stop looking at it.
Jae picked it up and thrust it at him.
“No, I-”
“Just read it.”
With shaky hands, he read it.
Jaejoong,
Your choice of employment and boarding is unacceptable to one of your status. Your wedding plans have been finalized, and I expect you to be ready to come home next Sunday when Ferdinand arrives to retrieve you. I will forgive this blatant disrespect as a typical act of rebellion, but you will conform and behave as you were raised. Do not fail me again.
Kim Yoojoong
Yunho read it twice and then handed it back. Jae’s fist crumpled around it.
“Are you going back?” Yunho asked.
Jae scoffed. “Fuck no.”
There was silence and then Jae said, “I’m surprised it took him this long to find me.”
Silence. Yunho held his breath. Jae was going to be forced to marry someone. His father’s tone was one of someone used to getting what he wanted.
“God, what an asshole,” Jae said and punched the barn wall above his head.
“Fathers can be like that.”
“Not him. Heechul.”
Yunho waited, but nothing else came out. “Who’s Heechul?” he finally asked.
“The jerk of the century.” Jae rose quickly and started to walk away.
“Jae, wait,” Yunho said and grabbed his hand. He let Jae snatch it away, but Jae stopped walking. “Come with me.” He turned. He didn’t breathe until he heard Jae’s footsteps behind him. He led him to the copse of trees, but when he took off his shoes and socks, Jae’s disdainful voice said, “We’re going wading?”
“Just come on,” Yunho said.
Jae huffed but kicked off the slippers he’d been wearing. With shaking hands, Yunho led the way through the tree branches. When they broke through, Jae stopped and stared.
“This is where I come when I need to get away from everyone else. Not even YooSu knows about it.”
“It’s pretty,” Jae muttered. He climbed on the bank and sat beside Yunho. They watched a leaf flow around the current of the pool before being swept down the river.
“Heechul was my best friend,” Jae said suddenly. “Childhood playmate, partner in crime, lover.” He glanced at Yunho quickly and then looked away. Yunho bit down on his question, and waited. Jae lay down, staring up at the canopy.
“About a month ago, my father told me that I would be marrying Park Soonya. She’s one of my childhood friends, but I don’t love her like that, and I’m definitely not attracted to women. I refused my father’s wishes. Heechul said I was crazy, that even after we were married that we’d still be able to be together, but I didn’t want to live my life like that. He laughed at me when I told him we should just run away from it all. The next week, after again refusing to listen to my father, he disowned me and kicked me out. After a couple of nights alone, a waiter down at the café in town told me about this place, so I came up here.”
“So if he disowned you, why is he writing to tell you you’re coming home?”
“I’m not going home.”
“I know that, but he seems to think that you’ll obey him.”
Jae nodded. “I’ve always obeyed him. This is the only time I’ve fought against him. Since he knows I’m here, he probably thinks I’m miserable. Shit, Yunho, the food I used to eat for one meal costs more than I make here in a week. But I’m not going to be forced to marry some girl because it increases my status or my bank account. Heechul wasn’t nearly so selfless. Stupid bastard.”
“I’ll agree to the stupid part.”
Jae looked up at him sharply.
Yunho swallowed, but managed to hold eye contact. “He let you get away, didn’t he? What more do I need to know?”
Jae smiled a bit, and then stood up quickly. “So are we going swimming or what?” He stripped off his shirt. Yunho couldn’t tear his eyes away from those hands as they unclasped the trousers, hooked into the waistband of boxers and divested Jae of clothes. He walked to the edge of the pool. He looked back, smirked and then jumped in.
Yunho didn’t dare stand up.
“Come and swim,” Jae called from the far side.
Yunho shook his head.
“Chicken.”
Get a hold of yourself. He pulled the shirt off, and then stood and turned around to pull off the rest of his clothes.
“Come on, Yunnie,” Jae said, using the nickname for the first time. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before.”
You haven’t seen it hard, Yunho thought.
“Fine, I won’t look.” The water rippled. Yunho peaked over his shoulder. Jae had his back turned.
He moved quickly and jumped in. The cold water did its job, but he wondered for how long as Jae glided toward him. The pool at its deepest was only five feet, easy for both to reach the bottom, but Jae grabbed his arm and treaded water.
“You’re incredibly darling when you’re nervous,” Jae said with a grin, and then pushed off and swam the other way. The pale skin of his ass teased Yunho’s eyes from just under the water line.
“I’m not nervous,” Yunho sputtered.
Jae laughed. “Of course not.” He floated on his back. He pulled one hand out of the water and gave Yunho the come here finger. “Float with me.”
Yunho did as he was told. Jae hooked their arms together, and they drifted with the current around the pool. He did not look at their bodies. He looked up, at the sky through the trees. Not past the tan line at Jae’s waist. Not at the way their legs rubbed up against each other.
“You relaxed yet?” Jae asked.
“I guess.”
“Good.” He moved, pushed Yunho’s head under the water, and then clung on to him, laughing as Yunho sputtered and wiped at his face. It wasn’t until he could see and breathe straight that he realized he had a very naked Jaejoong wrapped around his body. His legs were loose around his waist with his forearms just resting on his shoulders. Yunho knew it was an invitation to push him away.
So he did. And under. He laughed at the shocked look on Jae’s face just before he sputtered to the surface. While he recovered, Yunho held him.
“You deserved that,” Yunho said.
“Probably.”
He tightened his arms, pulling Jae closer to him. Jae wrapped his arms around Yunho’s shoulders. They both shuddered when their chests touched. They stared at each other, moving lazily in the water. When Jae bit his lip, Yunho had to look away.
“So,” Yunho started.
Jae laughed and cut him off. “You always talk too much when you’re uncertain. Is it so bad to sit here in silence?”
“Well, I was going to say that I think you’re incredibly beautiful, but now I guess I can’t.”
“While that is true, there’s really no need to spoil the moment by pointing it out. This would be one of those ‘actions speak louder than words’ moments.”
“Right.” Yunho still couldn’t look at him.
“Guess it’s my move then,” Jae muttered. Before Yunho could do anything else, including think, Jae rearranged his body, lowering his legs and wrapping them around Yunho’s knees. It knocked Yunho off balance. He tightened his hold around Jae’s middle and brought one hand up, around his neck and into his hair, just barely keeping them above water. Their entire bodies touched. Yunho groaned, and it was immediately echoed by Jae. The cold water’s power was waning.
“God, Yunho, just kiss me already,” Jae said, hot breath ghosting down Yunho’s neck.
Yunho didn’t need any more encouragement. He tilted his head back, cheeks sliding against each other, until their lips touched. Yunho’s lips shook. Jae whimpered, and then a tongue flicked out and Yunho opened his mouth to the kiss. Jae moved his arms under the water, grabbed Yunho’s hips and locked their bodies together. Yunho broke away with a hiss. Jae kissed down the proffered neck, down the collar bone and shoulders, steadily increasing the pressure from his hands in tiny thrusts. Yunho disrupted the rhythm by picking Jae up by the ass. Jae’s legs wrapped around him tightly. Their lips crashed together again as Yunho settled them into a new, faster cadence of sliding and moaning and kissing. The lapping water and heady groans were broken when Jae stilled. He flung his upper body away, putting more pressure on the lower half and shook out his release in steady pants. That beautiful face was flush, mouth open, gasping, long eyelashes quivering over closed eyes.
“Absolutely beautiful,” he muttered, then pulled Jae back, buried his face into his neck and sped up. Jae’s hands wrapped in his hair, harsh breaths in his ear. Yunho dug his teeth into Jae’s shoulder and came in shuddering gasps around the flesh in his mouth.
“Next time, not in the water,” Jae muttered.
Yunho tried to laugh, but it just came out in gasps. Jae’s hands cupped his face and their lips met in lazy, soft kisses. They were once again moving slowly around the pool. Yunho broke away and stared at Jae. His large, brown eyes, soft yet defined cheeks. Lips red from kissing. A breeze rustled the branches around them, tossing Jae’s half wet hair into his face. Yunho reached up and brushed it back. They kissed again, until Jae shivered. Yunho pulled him closer and then made his way to the bank.
Yunho sacrificed his shirt to dry the other man off, rubbing his arms and legs and back free from the water. He tossed the shirt over Jae’s head and scrubbed his hair. Jae grabbed the shirt and repeated the process over Yunho’s body.
“I’m already dry,” he protested as the shirt and Jae’s hands groped him.
“Oh, so you’re the only one that gets to have all the fun? Is it too soon for a repeat?”
Yunho made a noise of disbelief. Definitely not too soon, just …
Jae smirked at him, shirt dropping to the ground, leaving his hands to do the drying. Yunho shivered, pulled Jae to him, and kissed him. Soon they were on the grass, hands and mouths exploring curves of muscles and expanses of skin.
Jae was ticklish at that dip in his hip, and made the most agonizing noises when it was licked. The noises turned to cries of frustration when Yunho ran his tongue up the length of him. And then the cries turned to incensed moans when Yunho engulfed him and pushed him down his throat.
Jae’s body arched, hands coming to rest on the back of Yunho’s head. With an agonized cry of, “God,” Jae jerked up into Yunho’s throat. Yunho swallowed what was given, and then kissed and bit up Jae’s shuddering body to his lips.
In a move equivalent in his fight with Kangin, Jaejoong threw him away and was suddenly on top of him.
“Do you think they’ll notice if we never go back and stay here and fuck each other for the rest of our lives?”
Yunho grinned. “Probably. But we’re not very well equipped for that.”
Jae’s eyes shut in pleasure. “A few more rounds then.”
“Sounds good,” Yunho said and thrust his hips against him. Jae shuddered, pushed his hands against Yunho’s chest and dropped to Yunho’s lap to return the favor.
Part 5: Jaejoong's Past
Part 3: Jaejoong's New Life
Part 2: Yunho's New Roommate
Part 1: Jaejoong's Predicament
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