Valentine 2012: The Greatest Gift
Title: The Greatest Gift.
Author: ChevyPortia.
Genre: Comedy, Fluff.
Pairing: JunChun.
Length: One Shot.
Synopsis: Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
A/N: It's a fiction which I would say is a gift to ALL my loyal readers who have been with me and without fail giving me your continue support even though I failed you all too many times with so many unfinished fictions. I thank you all and I personally am very happy with how this fiction turned out.
Note: In this fic, JunSu is older than our dear Chunnie. Enjoy!
YooChun was standing in front of JunSu, unsuccessfully trying to hide the box he was holding behind his back. It didn't take a genius to work out what the birthday present was, but he tried to create a little suspense nevertheless. YooChun always picked out gifts for JunSu that he knew he'd find useful. He usually gave him a few CD's that he knew he'd like or he sometimes risked him a t-shirt. That year he decided to splash out and get the latest pair of sneakers that JunSu had had eye on.
"Gimme" JunSu demanded, holding his hand out. He waited impatiently for YooChun to take a few steps forward.
But YooChun took his time as he slowly walked towards the couch. He then sat down next to JunSu and passed the box over to him. JunSu shook the box once and smiled broadly.
"I wonder what it could possibly be?!" JunSu asked melodramatically.
"Just open it" YooChun answered, hoping to cut JunSu off before he got carried away with the pretence. JunSu huffed in protest, but complied and his eyes lit up as he pulled out the pair of sneakers.
"Nice!" JunSu said as he examined the garishly loud silver and orange shoes. YooChun thought the sneakers were hideous. He was glad he was able to order them online and had avoided actually going to a store to ask for them.
"You said you liked them" YooChun mumbled, a little embarrassed.
"So you do, in fact listen to what I say" JunSu responded as he took off the sneakers he was wearing to try the new pair on.
"I try to tune out as much as I can" YooChun watched JunSu lace up the shoes before he turned to retrieve a birthday card from his jacket pocket. "Oh, I nearly forgot"
YooChun couldn't help grinning as he threw the card at JunSu.
"Ah, the joke that never gets old" JunSu said sarcastically as he caught and opened the envelope. YooChun never missed an opportunity to give him a cheesiest birthday card imaginable with JunSu's age added in thick, brightly coloured marker pen.
"Unlike you. Happy Birthday, old man!!" YooChun continued to smile. He enjoyed teasing JunSu about the fact he was a few years older than himself.
"Just because I'm a little bit older than you, doesn't mean you're young!" JunSu protested.
"But I will always be young-er than you" YooChun said drawing out the two syllables. He chuckled at the glare he got from JunSu in return.
"So what's for dinner?" JunSu asked, quickly changing the subject.
"The sneakers aren't enough? You want me to cook for you as well?!" YooChun complained at JunSu's apparent lack of gratitude.
"It is my birthday" JunSu replied as if YooChun needed reminding.
"We can go out. I wanted to try that new Chinese restaurant" YooChun chose to ignore the face JunSu made. He knew that JunSu liked Chinese food too.
"We can go anywhere you want long since you're paying" JunSu simply shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't care.
YooChun grumbled under his breath, but he stopped, catching himself as he stood up and got his jacket from the arm of the couch. It was so easy for them to fall into their established roles. JunSu would say or do something shocking to provoke a reaction from him and YooChun would predictably complain about his behaviour. However, that night would be different, YooChun promised to himself.
"You can choose the restaurant" YooChun began as he walked towards the front door of JunSu’s apartment. “And you can pay for us too"
YooChun smiled when he could see that JunSu was trying his best to hide his surprise, but then JunSu nodded as if he understood what YooChun was doing.
"Okay" JunSu nodded again as he stood up. He then took a few steps, testing his new sneakers before smiling his thanks to YooChun.
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JunSu, of course completely refused to give sensible presents to YooChun. He knew that YooChun would still favour the eye-searingly ugly ties he bought for himself even if he did give him a nice tie. So he chose useless, silly gifts that would probably make YooChun laugh or blush with embarrassment. It was a bonus if the gift would get YooChun to do both at the same time.
He had eventually graduated to giving stuffed animal toys as presents. They were always different and they were getting larger and more obscure every year. YooChun sometimes had to do a bit of research in order to find out what the animal was and he couldn't help but be impressed at how JunSu had managed to find a rare strange looking reptile. The toy usually stayed in his office for a day or so before YooChun gave it away to one of the children of the bosses. He would then have a big grin on his face for the rest of the day as a result.
But JunSu would never discuss it with YooChun, even though making fun of him for it was extremely tempting. Instead JunSu remained secretly pleased that he was the one responsible for YooChun's good mood.
JunSu normally left YooChun's birthday presents on his office desk for him to find, but that year he had decided to hand it over personally. JunSu walked into YooChun's office and stood with the present held out in front of him so that YooChun could reach out and grab the badly wrapped item.
"Here. Take it" JunSu said gruffly.
JunSu generally hated moments like these and did his best to avoid them. He found the whole experience awkward, having to pretend that he cared what the recipient thought of the gift. But this instance was definitely an exception. He was curious to see YooChun's reaction; what he would say when he saw the gift.
"Sit down first" YooChun responded.
He was immediately puzzled and amused at JunSu's already atypical behaviour. He noticed that JunSu didn't make any attempt to move from where he was standing, so he pointed at the empty chair opposite his desk as if JunSu was a naughty child who was about to be admonished.
JunSu took a step forward, putting the gift down on the desk before quietly acquiescing. YooChun unravelled the layers of newspaper that had been used to wrap the gift to uncover a small, cinnamon coloured teddy bear. It wore a black polo neck with a black designer suit with 'nehru' style collar formed from exquisite materials. YooChun simply shook his head in complete amazement.
"I think I've surpassed myself!" JunSu said smugly as if he had never doubted YooChun's reaction.
"So...you saw the teddy bear in the store and thought it would make a nice gift?" YooChun suggested hopefully as he studied the bear carefully and saw that it had 'Junior Architect' embroidered on the pocket of the coat. "Or does it look like me? Is it meant to be me?!"
YooChun asked despite his better judgement. He scrunched up his face as he spoke, not really wanting to know the twisted thought process behind JunSu's choice of gift.
"It looks just like you" JunSu answered, enjoying the baffled expression on YooChun's face. "I can't tell the difference"
"Well, it is cute" YooChun retorted as he tried not to smile. He held up the bear's left paw and waved it in JunSu's direction.
JunSu rolled his eyes and made a face in mock disgust.
"If you think I'm going to stay here, listen to you say that and expect me to agree with you, you're sadly mistaken" JunSu quickly stood up and headed for the door.
JunSu was about to walk out of YooChun's office when YooChun called out. "JunSu"
"Yeah?" Junsu replied as he turned around to face YooChun once more.
"Thanks. This one is definitely staying here" YooChun said before he put the teddy bear in pride of place, sitting next to his beloved trophies.
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JunSu had definitely upped the stakes with the teddy bear. The bear was cute and the gesture could have been described as sweet, but YooChun was pretty certain that wasn't the result JunSu had been aiming for. It wasn't as if war had been declared exactly, but YooChun still felt the need to retaliate. It had somehow turned into a competition and he refused to let JunSu win and have the upper hand. YooChun was capable of being just as competitive as JunSu and he was determined to show him that he wasn't the only one who knew how to use the internet.
An idea soon formed in his mind after he did a quick search and discovered that something called a 'Barbie Architect Doll' set existed. He was surprised, but only slightly appalled to see that the set comes with a doll dressed in a bright cerise short dress and matching high-heels. He chuckled mischievously to himself, knowing that JunSu would approve.
Once the set arrived, YooChun wrapped it in bright, gaudy paper and put the large present on JunSu's desk after he and his team had left for the day. YooChun even left a note with 'Mr. Kim' written on it on top of the gift, but had made sure that JunSu wouldn't recognise his handwriting.
JunSu found the present the following day when he walked into his office. He eyed the gift warily as he walked up to his desk. The only person who ever bothered to get him something for his birthday was YooChun, but it didn't look as if it was from him. JunSu spotted the note, but that too gave nothing away. He was genuinely puzzled for a few moments until he actually unwrapped the box and saw its contents.
JunSu smiled at first and then laughed as soon as he realised that YooChun must have picked it out for him. The doll and all her various miniscule accessories soon found a brand new home next to his computer.
YooChun waited until lunchtime to venture into JunSu's office. He wanted to make it seem as if he just wandered in to ask if JunSu wanted to grab some food in the cafeteria.
"Are you busy?" YooChun asked JunSu as he opened the door.
"Do I look busy to you?" JunSu asked sitting back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest.
"A simple yes or no would be fine" YooChun answered as he sat down opposite JunSu.
His gaze moved away from JunSu towards the computer monitor where the doll was perched on top of it, her legs dangling down the right hand side of the screen. Only JunSu would think of doing something like that, YooChun thought. He did his best not to smile as JunSu continued to carefully study his face for signs of wavering.
"That's new" YooChun said pointing in the direction of the monitor.
"Yes, it is. It mysteriously appeared this morning. I don't know who it's from" JunSu replied.
"I get gifts from my clients sometimes. Maybe it was from a grateful customer?" YooChun suggested, trying to continue the pretence.
"Yeah, right! That sounds likely!" JunSu scoffed. "Whoever it was, they obviously think I'm actually a ten-year old girl"
"How could anyone make such mistake?!" YooChun was tempted to admit the truth, but instead he quickly added. "So, you don't know who it's from? Was there a card or a message with it?"
"No name on the note" JunSu answered, playing along with YooChun.
"What if it was ChangMin's or JaeJoong's idea of a joke? YunHo maybe? I know, what about that HeeChul guy?" YooChun continued.
"They wouldn't dare" JunSu managed to stop himself before he got drawn into a long debate with YooChun. "I'm not doing a differential on who gave me the doll with you!"
YooChun continued to sit there, his face a picture of complete innocence. JunSu knew that YooChun could manipulate him easily without him even realising. He had learned not to be so gullible around YooChun, but he now started to second guess himself. YooChun was a really good liar and JunSu couldn't help but think that he would've made an excellent politician.
"Oh, come on. Enough already. I know it's from you" JunSu said with grudging admiration. "To get back at me for the teddy bear"
"What are you talking about?" YooChun replied, shrugging his shoulders. A hint of a smile played on his lips as he spoke. JunSu knew he was being challenged, but he needed to know for sure.
"I'll buy you lunch if you'll just admit it" JunSu finally said in frustration.
"It's really annoying you that you can't solve the mystery" YooChun teased.
"Yeah, it's such a mystery! Maybe I should call the cops" JunSu sneered. He mimicked YooChun's posture and sat forward with his chin resting on his hands. He had already given away valuable ground by offering to pay for lunch, but he wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. He began to stare at YooChun, trying to force him into being the first to crumble.
"Are you trying to intimidate me?!" YooChun asked.
"I'm not busy. I don't have any projects, unlike you. I can bug you all day until you confess"
"Give me the money for lunch first" YooChun demanded. JunSu took his time fishing his wallet out the back pocket of his jeans. He then held the wallet out of YooChun's reach.
"Confess!" JunSu was actually pouting, his expression reminding YooChun of a young child gearing themselves up for a tantrum. YooChun rolled his eyes as he conceded defeat.
"Okay, I admit it" YooChun held his hands up in surrender. "I really can't believe I had you fooled for a while!"
JunSu relinquished his wallet, throwing it at YooChun. He quickly looked inside to see that it was empty and his smile instantly disappeared.
"There's no cash in here" YooChun complained.
"Why would I need money when I have you?!" JunSu replied, smiling gleefully at YooChun.
"Truce?" YooChun offered as he threw back the wallet to its owner.
"Truce" JunSu agreed as he put his wallet safely back in his pocket. The smug expression that was so familiar to YooChun made an appearance once again.
"Lunch?" JunSu asked as he pulled himself out of his chair. He then took the few steps needed to walk around his desk.
"Lunch" YooChun echoed as he followed JunSu out of his office.
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JunSu stood outside YooChun's office and raised his free hand to knock on the door. He hesitated as his heart began to race. It would be easy to turn around and head back to the safety of his office. But he was tired of being a coward and he was finally ready to take a chance.
JunSu was determined to have the upper hand for at least one small moment, whatever the outcome, so he took a deep breath and reached for the door handle. He then did his usual thing of bursting into YooChun's office. He was pleased to see that YooChun was playing his role by not bothering to look up from his paperwork. It gave JunSu the time he needed to compose himself.
JunSu opened his mouth to speak, but his mind went blank as he stared at YooChun making notes on the pieces of paper in front of him. YooChun eventually noticed that several seconds of complete silence had passed and still JunSu had not said anything.
"JunSu, I'm busy" YooChun finally gazed up at JunSu and was surprised to see that JunSu actually seemed nervous.
"I can go"
YooChun caught the relief that glittered across JunSu's face before he turned to leave the room. He couldn't help, but be surprised at JunSu's response. Normally, nothing stopped him from doing what he wanted.
"No!" YooChun called out. "Stay. You're here now. Might as well tell me what's wrong"
YooChun made a show of sighing in mock exasperation as he bundled his notes together in a neat stack and placed them out of the way. He assumed that it would be enough to temporarily distract JunSu and tell him what the matter was. Instead Junsu put his left hand into his pocket and took out a small, uninteresting looking white envelope. He leaned over towards YooChun and stretched across the desk. He then dropped the envelope into YooChun's hands.
YooChun looked down in confusion. There was no label; no sign to give a clue to its contents. He picked it up as JunSu headed for the couch and sat at the farthest end from him. JunSu glanced at the door leading to the balcony as if to make sure he could make a quick escape if necessary.
YooChun was about to ask JunSu why he was being so mysterious, but he stopped himself when he saw the expression on JunSu's face. JunSu continued to look at YooChun with a mixture of impatience and anxiety as YooChun finally realised what he was meant to do and tore open the envelope.
He gently shook the envelope and the contents fell into his lap. Two, small rectangular pieces of card lay in front of him. He picked one up to read it. YooChun's brain suddenly had trouble processing any more than what was on the ticket.
"Tickets...for Phantom of the Opera...in New York?" YooChun managed to ask.
"Yes" JunSu replied.
"For me?" YooChun's eyes remained wide with surprise.
JunSu would have made a sarcastic comment about YooChun stating the obvious, but his mind was too preoccupied studying YooChun's face for his reaction.
YooChun had lost count of all of baseball games and extreme sports show he had gone to with JunSu over the years and he guessed that perhaps JunSu was now returning the favour by picking something that he really liked. But then YooChun remembered the last time JunSu had given him tickets for a play. He had been mocked for assuming that JunSu wanted to go with him. He wasn't about to make that same mistake again and wondered who else he could take to see the play.
"Thanks" YooChun said brightly as he waved the tickets in JunSu's direction.
JunSu simply stared back in incredulity, realising that YooChun didn't understand. It seemed completely obvious to him. But he couldn't bring himself to say the words and explain to YooChun why he had given him the tickets.
"That's it?!" JunSu exclaimed, barely clinging to hope that YooChun would finally work it out by himself.
YooChun stood up and walked over to the couch, holding the tickets in his left hand. He sat down next to JunSu and carefully watched him. YooChun could only come up with one explanation for JunSu's uncharacteristic behaviour. But YooChun didn't think that JunSu was even capable of making a grand romantic gesture or any kind of romantic gesture in fact. YooChun was convinced it was impossible and he looked across at JunSu sceptically.
"Is this...a date?" YooChun asked despite his better judgement as he glanced down at the tickets once again.
JunSu looked away for a moment back towards the balcony door. He knew it was too late to make an escape.
"Yes"
JunSu said so quietly YooChun had difficulty hearing his answer. He sounded sincere to YooChun and yet there was a nagging doubt that maybe JunSu was making fun of him; that it was just an escalation in the elaborate pranks against each other.
"Is this your idea of a joke JunSu? Or is it a test? You asked Candy that time as..."
JunSu stopped YooChun mid-sentence with a kiss. It was a chaste kiss; just closed mouths pressed together, but there was no way that YooChun could misinterpret JunSu's intention. JunSu gently pushed YooChun away, a mixture of dread and anticipation swirling inside him. YooChun could only smile in wonderment; amazed that it had really happened. YooChun had seen the numerous small changes JunSu had recently made in his life, but he had also been secretly worried that JunSu would suddenly revert back to his old ways if he pushed him further. YooChun realised that maybe JunSu had taken those steps so that it would lead to this big change.
"You'll really go and see Phantom of the Opera with me?" YooChun asked.
"Violence and insanity. What's not to like?" JunSu replied shrugging his shoulders. "At least its not Romeo and Juliet"
"That has violence and death in it too" YooChun retorted.
"But they're teenagers!" JunSu protested. "What do they know about love?"
YooChun wanted to say that maybe they weren't exactly experts either, but he decided to lean forward and kiss JunSu instead. He felt JunSu's fingers rake through his hair and settle against his scalp, keeping their lips in contact as the kiss deepened and became more passionate.
The sudden thought of one of his team walking into his office and catching them kissing was enough to make YooChun pull away. He self-consciously put a hand on his face, certain his skin was flushed with embarrassment. JunSu predictably laughed at YooChun's reaction.
"You can be such a dork sometimes" JunSu teased. His hand remained at the back of YooChun's neck, rubbing his thumb gently against his skin.
It felt comfortable and natural to YooChun, as if JunSu had been kissing and touching him like that for years. YooChun let his hand fall from his face, not making any attempt to move away from JunSu's touch.
"Better to be a dork than a jerk" YooChun teased back, smiling warmly.
As great a present as the tickets were, what they represented was far more important to YooChun. JunSu proved that he wanted him. He was willing to let YooChun get close to him and really show him exactly how much he meant to him.
YooChun considered that the best gift JunSu had ever given him.
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