[Fic] Someone Like You - 7/11
Title: Someone Like You
Author: Coley Merrin
Rating: R
Pairings: Henry/Donghae (with Tablo/Eunhyuk)
Genre: AU. Angst. Romance.
Summary: Five years ago, Donghae failed to escape his Uncle Lee's crime organization and disappeared from Henry's life. But when Donghae has to kidnap Henry to keep him safe, it is still Uncle Lee that stands in the way of them ever having a normal life.
This is a follow up to For Always (QMi, SiHan, HenHae). One can be read without the other, but it does include more detail of the HenHae background and story. :)
***
Chapter One ** Chapter Two ** Chapter Three ** Chapter Four ** Chapter Five ** Chapter Six ** Chapter Seven ** Chapter Eight
***
“I’m heading out,” Tablo said. “Did you need me to bring back anything?”
“We’re fine,” Eunhyuk said, not really looking up. Henry actually glanced up from where he was sprawled in the armchair, glancing between the two. Eunhyuk hadn’t even been speaking to Donghae for the last day since Tablo had come to stay with them. He was mostly staying out of it, especially since he could tell that Donghae was mostly amused with the situation.
“You could come with me,” Tablo suggested. And it wasn’t as teasing as some of the things he’d heard come out of Tablo’s mouth.
“I’ll stay,” Eunhyuk said.
Tablo seemed to be debating with himself, seeing how Eunhyuk was scrunching into himself. He took two long strides, pulling Eunhyuk up onto his feet.
“I need to talk to you a second,” Tablo said.
It wasn’t like they went very far, Eunhyuk following along with him without much resistance.
“What’s up with you?” they heard Tablo ask from beyond the thin wall.
Henry tried desperately not to listen, but with the way they were talking it was kind of hard to ignore. He wondered if he and Donghae had made Eunhyuk feel like that, too. It took a second to register, but after the rather loud conversation, there was a suspicious and sudden silence in the other room. Henry sent a sideways look at Donghae to see if he was thinking the same thing, and Donghae just sort of shrugged. Of course, when Tablo emerged a few minutes later, he had a smile on his face.
"See you guys later."
When Eunhyuk came out, as soon as the outer door closed, his color was high.
“This is all your fault,” Eunhyuk accused Donghae. “You’re meddling.”
“Me? You’re the one who’s been nagging at me the last few weeks.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t kidnap someone and make them stay here. Or let them stay here. He told me that he suggested that he stayed here,” Eunhyuk said, still hot. “Why did you agree?”
“Because it’s better that we have another set of eyes? You and I can handle a gun, but Henry…?”
“Well, obviously that’s your concern. No offense, Henry.”
“Sure,” Henry said, staring between the two of them.
“Tablo’s concern isn’t for Henry and you know it.”
A pointed jab at the relationship between Eunhyuk and Tablo, and Eunhyuk faltered. “Well. I don’t. I don’t know why I keep you around, Donghae.”
“Hey, at least you managed to keep him on the couch!”
Donghae had to duck as a missile was launched at his head, Eunhyuk escaping Donghae’s tease.
“I don’t really get them,” Henry said after Eunhyuk disappeared
“They like each other.”
“Yeah, I get that. But if they like each other, why don’t they...”
He took in Donghae’s pursed lips, and made himself stop talking. Of course, he regretted not just going with his instinct and going back to their room when Donghae narrowed his eyes at him. That signaled trouble, he just didn’t know of what kind. Maybe Donghae had found the shirt, or…?
“I was going to ask you. Are you allergic to telling us you need stuff?” Donghae accused, as he stared, wide eyed. “I realized this morning that you’ve been using my toothpaste.”
Had he not closed the cap? Henry wondered guiltily. He’d been trying to be so careful.
“Well, the travel sized one I had wasn’t very…”
“Augh! I don’t want to hear it. Get your jacket, we’re going out.”
“W-we?” he stuttered. “To where?”
It hadn’t been that long since they’d been out the last time, and Donghae had randomly complained about that, not only while they were out, but after. And the only other place they’d been was to see his Uncle Lee.
“To the store. I’m not going to pick out your toothpaste.”
It wasn’t quite what he had expected. When he had been clothes shopping, Donghae had sent him off on his own. But in the little market, Donghae carried the basket, watching as he tossed in things like toothpaste and deodorant. His eyes skidded right past the condoms, and he pronounced himself finished on a shaky breath.
“Should pick up some ramen or something while we’re here. Anything special you’re wanting?”
Maybe a candy bar, he mused as they shopped for groceries. Both of them stopped, staring at a strange, moving advertisement for cereal. “Let’s get another kind,” Donghae suggested. “I think I’d be nauseated imagining that every morning.”
“I’m with you on that,” he said, and eased behind Donghae as they passed it.
“Are you sure, really sure, that there’s nothing else you want?” Donghae asked as he plopped in their mutual cereal pick. “We can add stuff to cook at home, if there’s something you miss eating. I’ll eat anything, and we just won’t give Eunhyuk a choice.”
“No, you’ve been feeding me just fine. Maybe too good.” He was going to start getting a little bit of belly if he kept sitting around like he’d been doing. There was only so much he wanted to blame on baby fat. And even then, he didn’t really want to go there. If there was a less manly term, he hadn’t heard it.
He got his candy bar though, sneaking in an extra under Donghae’s amused eyes, who just went behind Henry and grabbed a handful to put in the cart.
“Hey, I don’t need that many!” he protested.
“Maybe I do.”
The idea of feeding Donghae one of the sweets floated past his brain and he brushed it aside. They had food and necessities and hadn’t once fought, so he was already thinking it was a good outing, even before Donghae stopped at a light and sort of half turned toward him.
“We have some time before we have to go. I know a place on the way that sells instruments. Maybe you want to pick up some music for that violin?”
“Oh! Yes! That’d be awesome.” There hadn’t been much in the case, so he’d been wishing to have something new to try out, not just playing from memory or making up stupid little tunes on his own. It was a small gesture on Donghae’s part, but it was huge. That he paid attention to Henry. That he thought of Henry’s wants. Not noticing his lack of underwear or toothpaste was one thing, but he couldn’t accuse Donghae of deliberately ignoring his happiness. And their relationship was something he thought that they were chipping at together, so that wasn’t Donghae’s fault in the end.
In the end he picked a compilation of famous composers as well as a book of popular songs, just to make sure that he had as much variety as possible.
“This?” Donghae offered, which had some kind of impressionistic cover.
“That’s for the piano,” he laughed. “I think these two are fine.”
“Oh, I like that song,” Donghae said, pointing at a title on the cover.
“On the violin?”
“Probably. If you were playing it.”
“Then make sure to let me have a few times to practice it,” he joked.
“Still no callous, huh?” Donghae asked, touching Henry’s chin with a smile.
It was like they were back in their college cafeteria for a moment before Donghae looked away. But in the cafeteria when Donghae had been feeling his face, he’d had no idea where they would end up. Now, though, he had a pretty good idea.
“I don’t think I’d look good with one,” he whispered so that Donghae could hear, and let Donghae pay for the books. Donghae wouldn’t even let him carry the bag as they went out, even though they had a small scuffle for it on the sidewalk.
“Look,” Donghae said, distracting him from his quest. “An arcade. We still have some time. Want to?”
After the last time that had included both of them and games? It had been a fight. And yet, Donghae looked so hopeful. Even the smell of sweat and soda didn’t deter Donghae, leading him inside with the avidness of someone who knew exactly what he wanted.
It was crowded, and there wasn’t always room for both of them to play, so they took turns. When Donghae was behind him, he held onto Henry’s shoulders as people jostled by, steadying himself and messing Henry up at least once. He swatted back at Donghae’s hand and got a shove in return. He tilted his head back, laughing, realizing that his head was pressed to Donghae’s stomach. For a second he imagined that Donghae’s hands would slide down his chest, leaning in to kiss him.
Of course they couldn’t. Not in public. Still, he stood, letting Donghae take his place. He didn’t think he imagined the way Donghae’s eyes lingered at his mouth. And because he could, he put his hands on Donghae’s shoulders, thumb against skin.
“Try and beat me,” he laughed into Donghae’s ear.
They’d see who held out longest in the end.
***
Donghae was almost buzzing with delight as they drove. How many smiles from Henry had he seen today? Over something as stupid as a candy bar, over the music, the games. Every one he saw was less painful than the one before. No, not painful exactly, the searing pleasure of it that hurt him in places he had learned to ignore all those nights they’d spent apart. He was happy, and it wasn’t as much of an intermittent, foreign emotion.
Of course, knowing they had to go in to see Uncle Lee as he was parking was a significant damper on his little revelation.
“I’d be fine with leaving you in the car. I don’t think you’ll run off with it or something,” Donghae said. “But I don’t trust them.”
“That’s fine. I want to go in with you.”
“Let’s get it over with then.”
It wasn’t some kind of big meeting. He just had to show up and be accounted for. Uncle Lee micromanaged the people closest to him. There were no more impromptu visits to the beach, no dropping off the radar. It would get him beaten or dead. Henry’s fingers brushed his as they passed the door guard, and he reached, opened his hand to engulf as much of Henry’s as he could. Even when things were strained between them, Henry had acted well. Being a little docile in front of the man who was dictating their lives. The fear was good, because it would keep him safe, but also it seemed to indicate that he had Henry fully in his control. Only they really knew the truth.
“I heard you two went out,” Uncle Lee said.
“Yeah,” Donghae said, poking his fingers beneath Henry’s waistband. “We’ve been cooped up in that house except for a couple of excursions here.”
“Even a pet needs a walk now and again,” Uncle Lee agreed.
Donghae laughed with him, but was cursing him inside. Henry would be hearing that and following it, that he was Donghae’s little pet, and nothing more. At one point, that guarantee of distance would have pleased him. Now it made him ill inside. Henry wasn’t like a drug he would be cured from. Every time they touched, feeling Henry’s body against his, his mouth, his voice. That smile. It was like being drenched in him every time, and not just in memories. Sure, he had good ones, but he didn’t want Henry from five years ago, he wanted him now.
“You have special plans for your birthday?”
“Oh yeah. Henry’s promised me something very special.” He brought his hand up, and as he finished the sentence, his hand sharply met the side of Henry’s face. In power, it was just short of a slap, making a sharp sound against Henry’s skin, and the resulting surprise gave Donghae the opening to kiss Henry, blatant and rude. But because of that sharp contact, and Henry’s resulting squirm, it gave the appearance that he was quite giving to Donghae’s demand, and yet with just the slightest bit of resistance. He ran his thumb down Henry’s cheek, making sure he hadn’t left a mark, and was pleased by the pout he saw on Henry’s lips. Making it all too believable.
“Very special,” Donghae repeated, and Uncle Lee just laughed.
***
Henry fought between reason and pessimism on the way home. The afternoon with Donghae had gone even better than the time before, and he’d been so high on that. Only to get to Uncle Lee’s and have it trotted out like some kind of example of what a good little pet he was. Just a show, so that everyone knew Donghae was getting it on regularly and taking good, good care of him. It suddenly wasn’t about what was between them, but what they were presenting to everyone else. He tried to swallow that hurt, he did. He tried, so hard, because being angry at Donghae, making Donghae angry at him, accomplished nothing. But he was human.
“Thanks a lot,” Henry bit out when they got inside, waving the bag rudely at Donghae as he turned for their room.
“What’s with the attitude?”
“Thanks for taking me out just to make sure your uncle thought we were all getting along and not bothering to mention it to me. I really appreciate it.”
He didn’t even get the satisfaction of slamming the door because Donghae was there to catch it. “What the hell! I had no idea he was going to bring that up like some kind of evidence.”
“Yeah, you didn’t just happen to let it slip.”
“You think people won’t ever know what we’re doing? Because they do!”
“You said we weren’t putting anyone in any danger by going to Soulmate!”
“Because this isn’t about you, this is about me!” Donghae shouted back. “You’re lower than a pawn to them, and their only interest in you is what you are to me.”
“What,” Henry bit out. “Not who. What. Just like it always was.”
“You know that’s-”
“Planning on taking your birthday gift instead of asking for it?” Henry asked, rather coolly for all that Donghae had hands so tight in Henry’s shirt that it could have torn.
With a feral sound, Donghae jerked him closer. His hands were rough, and though Henry arched, prepared to shove, the kiss was so, so soft. The first desperate push and then almost a question. His anger and fear battled want for a long moment before he did what he had been wanting to do. Raised his hand, and traced gentle fingers down Donghae’s jaw. He was a second away from pushing forward and trying to squeeze the life out of Donghae with a hug when Donghae jerked as though Henry had stabbed him. And then he heard the soft buzz of the phone vibrating in Donghae’s pocket, and the air all but turned blue with Donghae’s language.
Donghae kept a hand fisted in Henry’s shirt, as though he were afraid he would walk away as he answered rather sharply.
“Now?” Donghae asked a little incredulously. “Fine. Fine, yeah. I’ll be out in a second.”
He hung up, and seemed to focus his eyes somewhere around Henry’s chin. “Tablo needs me to go with him somewhere. Said it wouldn’t take long.”
“Okay?”
Donghae met his eyes fiercely. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. So stop.”
And with that confusing announcement, he turned and left. Whatever Henry was thinking at what point? That he was feeling angry and used? That Donghae had managed to melt him down with one sort of desperate kiss? Which was he supposed to discard?
And he wasn’t any less confused a minute later when Eunhyuk popped in. “Hey, could you come help me a second?”
It was probably better than obsessing, but still he stared when he saw the chocolate cake sitting on the edge of the table.
“I just had Tablo take Donghae out for a few minutes. I wanted to throw him a little birthday party… You did know today was his birthday, right? I’m sorry I didn’t think about you getting him something. We could print out a card?”
“I already got him something.”
Eunhyuk blinked at him, absorbing that, and the biggest, goofiest smile that Henry thought he had ever seen spread over his face. “Wow. Go you!”
Henry tried to grin back, but that was just awkward.
“Did you want to bring out your present?”
Had he intended to give it to Donghae when they were alone? He shrugged. It was just a shirt. “Sure.”
Eunhyuk was putting candles in the cake when he got back with the carefully wrapped package, and handed some of the little wax lights to Henry to help with.
“Did you get to celebrate his birthday together back…back before?”
“Not really,” Henry said absently, licking a smear of chocolate from his finger. “I knew his birthday was right about mine, but we weren’t together long enough.”
Eunhyuk frowned a bit. “So…Wait, so your birthday is soon?”
Him and his stupid mouth. If he’d just stayed quiet. He got himself into so many stupid things. “No, it was a few days ago.”
“The twelfth?”
“Eleventh.”
“The shooting, oh. You were here all alone that day! Why didn’t you say something?”
“Would you not have gone? I didn’t think it mattered.”
“It matters to me! I know it would’ve mattered to Donghae. That idiot. He has your paperwork, too. He couldn’t have checked your birthday?”
For all he knew, Donghae did know, and just didn’t care to bother with it. Which, okay. That wasn’t exactly fair.
“Quick, they’re coming back,” Eunhyuk said. “Look loose.”
Or something like that. Maybe he meant nonchalant, as the door opened, letting in first Tablo, and then Donghae, who seemed in a better mood.
And of course, when he saw the table with the candles burning and the presents, his eyes widened.
“Happy birthday!” Eunhyuk shouted, leading the charge to sing it, sort of awkwardly with just three of them. But it was enough, a huge smile brightening his face.
“Hey, this is cute,” Donghae joked, poking at Henry’s newspaper wrapping paper. “You really shouldn’t have, Hyuk.”
“That’s not from me. It’s from Henry.”
His sound of protest was bottled in his throat as Donghae looked between them.
“Henry remembered your birthday,” Eunhyuk continued. “And I guess you didn’t realize that Henry’s birthday was days ago. The day of the shooting.”
Henry could have cheerfully put Eunhyuk in a closet right at that moment, as Donghae stared at him.
“You didn’t tell anyone?”
“I just… Let’s celebrate yours.”
“There’s enough candles for both of you,” Eunhyuk proclaimed, still meddling. “You can blow them out together.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Donghae gripped his wrist with purpose, brows together as they leaned. “On the count of three.”
The flames wavered and died as they blew, small trails of smoke wafting upwards.
“Two birthdays for the price of one,” Tablo joked, trying and failing to get his arm around Eunhyuk.
After Donghae opened the first two gifts, a game from Eunhyuk, some kind of gadget from Tablo, the shirt he’d wrapped up even without tape looked kind of small. But it didn’t stop Donghae from looking up at him and saying his thanks. It could’ve gone worse. Donghae could’ve rejected it outright.
He was probably quieter than usual, eating the offered cake and laughing at Tablo’s jokes. The more he knew of these people, the more comfortable he was, but it wasn’t really why he was there.
“I think I’m heading to bed,” Donghae said, standing with his gifts in his hands. “Henry, you coming?”
Eunhyuk, from behind Donghae, was giving him an enthusiastic series of nods, and he nearly flushed.
“Yeah, sure.”
He could feel Donghae’s eyes on his back as they walked into the room. They hadn’t really resolved their earlier fight, but he didn’t think that was what was on either of their minds right then. Not seeing the look on the pensive face in front of him.
“Why didn’t you say something? Your birthday is a little bigger than forgetting to mention your underwear.”
“There never seemed like a good time. I thought maybe that day, I would tell you, and maybe… We could work out some of our differences, but. Well, you know what happened.”
Seeing Donghae come in the door with his shirt bloody had sort of put a damper on his anger and his birthday hopes. When he considered how badly Donghae could have been injured, or that he could have ended up dead, having a lonely birthday didn’t seem that important any more.
And that they had held each other had been gift enough.
“I guess I should try it on and make sure it fits,” Donghae said, opening the shirt he was still holding.
That…That was something he hadn’t been expecting. That he’d get to see the shirt being put on, as though it were some kind of precious gift. He certainly wasn’t going to do anything to stop it, almost holding his breath as he watched.
Donghae likely didn’t mean it to be sexy, as he stripped off his shirt. But the play of muscle, the exposed skin made it so. And the tousled hair left behind. It was even sexy to see that skin covered up, as the shirt was slid on, buttons done up.
“Fits good,” Donghae said, flexing his shoulders in it.
It did, following the lines of his shoulder, his neck, his chest. It made him want to reach and touch, and he stepped forward, as though considering. He could almost feel the warmth of Donghae’s skin beneath the fabric, the skin of his neck beneath his mouth.
“It kind of reminded me of a shirt you used to wear,” Henry admitted. “I always thought you looked hot in it.”
Donghae touched his own arm, yanking his fingers away and hissing as though he’d burned himself. And the laugh they shared was both painful and bright.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Well. You kind of paid for your own present, since it was your money,” Henry admitted, the thought a bit galling to him. He would’ve paid for it himself if he still had his own cash and identification. It was hidden, somewhere, no doubt for Henry’s safety and to keep him from trying to run.
“Yeah, but you thought of me,” Donghae said. The softness in that statement, as though Donghae could hardly believe that. “I probably needed a new shirt anyway.”
“And you know I could pay you back,” he said, hand sliding across Donghae’s side.
“Of course.”
He thought both their breath faltered, as his lips trailed along Donghae’s jaw. They’d come so close to this before. He knew Donghae wanted him, knew it wouldn’t take much to arouse him. Because they knew each other. And to think that he was wanted made him want so much more.
“You’re still hot in it,” Henry murmured, bumping at the agile hips.
“I should take your word for that?”
“Probably.”
Donghae surely knew what was intended, when he sat on the edge of the bed at Henry’s urging. He wasn’t lying. Seeing Donghae in that shirt, knowing he wore it for Henry. There was no better way in the world to turn him on. Time had not lessened his attraction, even if their situation had dampened it. But not now, when Donghae was clutching at him.
“Henry,” he laughed. Artless, sexy. It made him want to go get that cake, the frosting from it at least, and smear it on Donghae’s skin. Just to have the pleasure of licking it off again. Still, that didn’t keep him from tasting that skin.
“It didn’t get less complicated after we slept together,” Henry said.
“Wait. After we actually had sex, or after you let me...”
“Shhh.”
Probably he didn’t realize that he’d be ending today with his hand down Donghae’s pants. He thought about moving right then, breaking the kiss and pleasuring Donghae with his mouth. But that kiss was their connection. That kiss, more than the possibility of sex. He just needed another minute like that.
He worked at the buttons of the shirt, but did not push it off. So that when he left Donghae’s mouth, he could kiss a meandering line down Donghae’s torso. Donghae was kneading his shoulders, mouth parted and wet, and Henry was tempted to head right back there. But he nuzzled his face against Donghae’s stomach, rubbing at his thighs, and decided he liked being right were he was. And Donghae was turned on, almost painfully so, evidenced by the sound drawn from him when Henry touched him with his mouth. Desperate, needy, choked. Had he expected that he would be the first one on his knees, drawing pleasure into the dark eyes?
It was kind of a reverse of how things had been years ago. The first time with them, on Donghae’s couch, with pizza breath and strewn beer cans, it had been Donghae who had gone down on him. Him, Henry, who maybe had had a few lucky hands make it into his pants, but no mouths. He’d been in giddy daze of arousal and excitement. It had been Donghae, confident enough to make the first move.
“Henry,” Donghae moaned, and it nearly had his eyes slamming closed. Just the sound of his name was music.
Donghae panted above him, his hands restless in Henry’s hair as Henry tidied his underwear. He didn’t really know what to say, didn’t really know what he’d see when he looked up. Donghae with glazed, still partly unfocused eyes and parted mouth. His body was telling him to go for a kiss, but he wasn’t sure he should. He stood, let a fond hand cup Donghae’s jaw. Oh, that was more telling than the blow job had been.
“Happy birthday,” he said softly.
The eyes that met his were shadowed. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
Donghae hauled him in with surprisingly strong arms, huffing against his neck. And Henry followed as Donghae leaned back, wriggling onto the bed, tugging at Henry’s arms. He went in for his kiss, catching the edge of Donghae’s mouth just as he felt fingers undoing the clasp of his pants.
“You don’t have to,” he said, catching Donghae’s hand.
“I want to.”
It was so fierce, so sincere, that all he could do was kiss Donghae, and try not to moan too loud as warm fingers slid into his underwear. There was no way he would last long, not doing what he had just done, not with knowing whose hand it was so diligently stroking him. And that Donghae teased his mouth, licking at him so delicately and then chuckling at their lips merged again. Such a kiss, he was almost taken from focusing on what Donghae’s hand was doing. Almost. Teeth scraped his chin, and he came, ribs bouncing off of Donghae’s as he puffed through it. Thinking only to move when Donghae patted his shoulder, and he realized he was mostly crushing Donghae into the bed.
“Sorry,” he muttered, and rolled.
They lay together, not really touching, except maybe their elbows and their ankles. His heart was still doing a trilling beat and he could hear that Donghae’s breathing was quick as well.
“I didn’t think we should do that,” Donghae said, clearing his throat at the ceiling.
“Sorry.”
“Are you?”
Henry clenched his fingers. “Not really.”
“Me either.”
The warmth against his side was closer, and he realized that Donghae had turned to him, pressed close against him. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know it was your birthday that day. We’d have done something. I don’t know what.”
“It’s okay. I was kind of mad, but it was my fault, too. So it’s okay.”
Donghae propped his head up on his hand, looking at Henry. “What did you want for your birthday?”
“I already got it,” he said, and his brain thrilled at the little smile that peeked on Donghae’s face.
“You’re easy,” he accused, and Henry laughed.
“You would know.”
Henry pressed his face close, nudging at his nose and getting one more kiss, content, as he got a sneaky arm around Donghae’s waist.
Donghae fell asleep with them still curled together. There was something else he wanted, something he couldn’t get as a gift. But with his hand tangled in Donghae’s hair, he thought they were working toward it.
***
Author: Coley Merrin
Rating: R
Pairings: Henry/Donghae (with Tablo/Eunhyuk)
Genre: AU. Angst. Romance.
Summary: Five years ago, Donghae failed to escape his Uncle Lee's crime organization and disappeared from Henry's life. But when Donghae has to kidnap Henry to keep him safe, it is still Uncle Lee that stands in the way of them ever having a normal life.
This is a follow up to For Always (QMi, SiHan, HenHae). One can be read without the other, but it does include more detail of the HenHae background and story. :)
***
Chapter One ** Chapter Two ** Chapter Three ** Chapter Four ** Chapter Five ** Chapter Six ** Chapter Seven ** Chapter Eight
***
“I’m heading out,” Tablo said. “Did you need me to bring back anything?”
“We’re fine,” Eunhyuk said, not really looking up. Henry actually glanced up from where he was sprawled in the armchair, glancing between the two. Eunhyuk hadn’t even been speaking to Donghae for the last day since Tablo had come to stay with them. He was mostly staying out of it, especially since he could tell that Donghae was mostly amused with the situation.
“You could come with me,” Tablo suggested. And it wasn’t as teasing as some of the things he’d heard come out of Tablo’s mouth.
“I’ll stay,” Eunhyuk said.
Tablo seemed to be debating with himself, seeing how Eunhyuk was scrunching into himself. He took two long strides, pulling Eunhyuk up onto his feet.
“I need to talk to you a second,” Tablo said.
It wasn’t like they went very far, Eunhyuk following along with him without much resistance.
“What’s up with you?” they heard Tablo ask from beyond the thin wall.
Henry tried desperately not to listen, but with the way they were talking it was kind of hard to ignore. He wondered if he and Donghae had made Eunhyuk feel like that, too. It took a second to register, but after the rather loud conversation, there was a suspicious and sudden silence in the other room. Henry sent a sideways look at Donghae to see if he was thinking the same thing, and Donghae just sort of shrugged. Of course, when Tablo emerged a few minutes later, he had a smile on his face.
"See you guys later."
When Eunhyuk came out, as soon as the outer door closed, his color was high.
“This is all your fault,” Eunhyuk accused Donghae. “You’re meddling.”
“Me? You’re the one who’s been nagging at me the last few weeks.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t kidnap someone and make them stay here. Or let them stay here. He told me that he suggested that he stayed here,” Eunhyuk said, still hot. “Why did you agree?”
“Because it’s better that we have another set of eyes? You and I can handle a gun, but Henry…?”
“Well, obviously that’s your concern. No offense, Henry.”
“Sure,” Henry said, staring between the two of them.
“Tablo’s concern isn’t for Henry and you know it.”
A pointed jab at the relationship between Eunhyuk and Tablo, and Eunhyuk faltered. “Well. I don’t. I don’t know why I keep you around, Donghae.”
“Hey, at least you managed to keep him on the couch!”
Donghae had to duck as a missile was launched at his head, Eunhyuk escaping Donghae’s tease.
“I don’t really get them,” Henry said after Eunhyuk disappeared
“They like each other.”
“Yeah, I get that. But if they like each other, why don’t they...”
He took in Donghae’s pursed lips, and made himself stop talking. Of course, he regretted not just going with his instinct and going back to their room when Donghae narrowed his eyes at him. That signaled trouble, he just didn’t know of what kind. Maybe Donghae had found the shirt, or…?
“I was going to ask you. Are you allergic to telling us you need stuff?” Donghae accused, as he stared, wide eyed. “I realized this morning that you’ve been using my toothpaste.”
Had he not closed the cap? Henry wondered guiltily. He’d been trying to be so careful.
“Well, the travel sized one I had wasn’t very…”
“Augh! I don’t want to hear it. Get your jacket, we’re going out.”
“W-we?” he stuttered. “To where?”
It hadn’t been that long since they’d been out the last time, and Donghae had randomly complained about that, not only while they were out, but after. And the only other place they’d been was to see his Uncle Lee.
“To the store. I’m not going to pick out your toothpaste.”
It wasn’t quite what he had expected. When he had been clothes shopping, Donghae had sent him off on his own. But in the little market, Donghae carried the basket, watching as he tossed in things like toothpaste and deodorant. His eyes skidded right past the condoms, and he pronounced himself finished on a shaky breath.
“Should pick up some ramen or something while we’re here. Anything special you’re wanting?”
Maybe a candy bar, he mused as they shopped for groceries. Both of them stopped, staring at a strange, moving advertisement for cereal. “Let’s get another kind,” Donghae suggested. “I think I’d be nauseated imagining that every morning.”
“I’m with you on that,” he said, and eased behind Donghae as they passed it.
“Are you sure, really sure, that there’s nothing else you want?” Donghae asked as he plopped in their mutual cereal pick. “We can add stuff to cook at home, if there’s something you miss eating. I’ll eat anything, and we just won’t give Eunhyuk a choice.”
“No, you’ve been feeding me just fine. Maybe too good.” He was going to start getting a little bit of belly if he kept sitting around like he’d been doing. There was only so much he wanted to blame on baby fat. And even then, he didn’t really want to go there. If there was a less manly term, he hadn’t heard it.
He got his candy bar though, sneaking in an extra under Donghae’s amused eyes, who just went behind Henry and grabbed a handful to put in the cart.
“Hey, I don’t need that many!” he protested.
“Maybe I do.”
The idea of feeding Donghae one of the sweets floated past his brain and he brushed it aside. They had food and necessities and hadn’t once fought, so he was already thinking it was a good outing, even before Donghae stopped at a light and sort of half turned toward him.
“We have some time before we have to go. I know a place on the way that sells instruments. Maybe you want to pick up some music for that violin?”
“Oh! Yes! That’d be awesome.” There hadn’t been much in the case, so he’d been wishing to have something new to try out, not just playing from memory or making up stupid little tunes on his own. It was a small gesture on Donghae’s part, but it was huge. That he paid attention to Henry. That he thought of Henry’s wants. Not noticing his lack of underwear or toothpaste was one thing, but he couldn’t accuse Donghae of deliberately ignoring his happiness. And their relationship was something he thought that they were chipping at together, so that wasn’t Donghae’s fault in the end.
In the end he picked a compilation of famous composers as well as a book of popular songs, just to make sure that he had as much variety as possible.
“This?” Donghae offered, which had some kind of impressionistic cover.
“That’s for the piano,” he laughed. “I think these two are fine.”
“Oh, I like that song,” Donghae said, pointing at a title on the cover.
“On the violin?”
“Probably. If you were playing it.”
“Then make sure to let me have a few times to practice it,” he joked.
“Still no callous, huh?” Donghae asked, touching Henry’s chin with a smile.
It was like they were back in their college cafeteria for a moment before Donghae looked away. But in the cafeteria when Donghae had been feeling his face, he’d had no idea where they would end up. Now, though, he had a pretty good idea.
“I don’t think I’d look good with one,” he whispered so that Donghae could hear, and let Donghae pay for the books. Donghae wouldn’t even let him carry the bag as they went out, even though they had a small scuffle for it on the sidewalk.
“Look,” Donghae said, distracting him from his quest. “An arcade. We still have some time. Want to?”
After the last time that had included both of them and games? It had been a fight. And yet, Donghae looked so hopeful. Even the smell of sweat and soda didn’t deter Donghae, leading him inside with the avidness of someone who knew exactly what he wanted.
It was crowded, and there wasn’t always room for both of them to play, so they took turns. When Donghae was behind him, he held onto Henry’s shoulders as people jostled by, steadying himself and messing Henry up at least once. He swatted back at Donghae’s hand and got a shove in return. He tilted his head back, laughing, realizing that his head was pressed to Donghae’s stomach. For a second he imagined that Donghae’s hands would slide down his chest, leaning in to kiss him.
Of course they couldn’t. Not in public. Still, he stood, letting Donghae take his place. He didn’t think he imagined the way Donghae’s eyes lingered at his mouth. And because he could, he put his hands on Donghae’s shoulders, thumb against skin.
“Try and beat me,” he laughed into Donghae’s ear.
They’d see who held out longest in the end.
***
Donghae was almost buzzing with delight as they drove. How many smiles from Henry had he seen today? Over something as stupid as a candy bar, over the music, the games. Every one he saw was less painful than the one before. No, not painful exactly, the searing pleasure of it that hurt him in places he had learned to ignore all those nights they’d spent apart. He was happy, and it wasn’t as much of an intermittent, foreign emotion.
Of course, knowing they had to go in to see Uncle Lee as he was parking was a significant damper on his little revelation.
“I’d be fine with leaving you in the car. I don’t think you’ll run off with it or something,” Donghae said. “But I don’t trust them.”
“That’s fine. I want to go in with you.”
“Let’s get it over with then.”
It wasn’t some kind of big meeting. He just had to show up and be accounted for. Uncle Lee micromanaged the people closest to him. There were no more impromptu visits to the beach, no dropping off the radar. It would get him beaten or dead. Henry’s fingers brushed his as they passed the door guard, and he reached, opened his hand to engulf as much of Henry’s as he could. Even when things were strained between them, Henry had acted well. Being a little docile in front of the man who was dictating their lives. The fear was good, because it would keep him safe, but also it seemed to indicate that he had Henry fully in his control. Only they really knew the truth.
“I heard you two went out,” Uncle Lee said.
“Yeah,” Donghae said, poking his fingers beneath Henry’s waistband. “We’ve been cooped up in that house except for a couple of excursions here.”
“Even a pet needs a walk now and again,” Uncle Lee agreed.
Donghae laughed with him, but was cursing him inside. Henry would be hearing that and following it, that he was Donghae’s little pet, and nothing more. At one point, that guarantee of distance would have pleased him. Now it made him ill inside. Henry wasn’t like a drug he would be cured from. Every time they touched, feeling Henry’s body against his, his mouth, his voice. That smile. It was like being drenched in him every time, and not just in memories. Sure, he had good ones, but he didn’t want Henry from five years ago, he wanted him now.
“You have special plans for your birthday?”
“Oh yeah. Henry’s promised me something very special.” He brought his hand up, and as he finished the sentence, his hand sharply met the side of Henry’s face. In power, it was just short of a slap, making a sharp sound against Henry’s skin, and the resulting surprise gave Donghae the opening to kiss Henry, blatant and rude. But because of that sharp contact, and Henry’s resulting squirm, it gave the appearance that he was quite giving to Donghae’s demand, and yet with just the slightest bit of resistance. He ran his thumb down Henry’s cheek, making sure he hadn’t left a mark, and was pleased by the pout he saw on Henry’s lips. Making it all too believable.
“Very special,” Donghae repeated, and Uncle Lee just laughed.
***
Henry fought between reason and pessimism on the way home. The afternoon with Donghae had gone even better than the time before, and he’d been so high on that. Only to get to Uncle Lee’s and have it trotted out like some kind of example of what a good little pet he was. Just a show, so that everyone knew Donghae was getting it on regularly and taking good, good care of him. It suddenly wasn’t about what was between them, but what they were presenting to everyone else. He tried to swallow that hurt, he did. He tried, so hard, because being angry at Donghae, making Donghae angry at him, accomplished nothing. But he was human.
“Thanks a lot,” Henry bit out when they got inside, waving the bag rudely at Donghae as he turned for their room.
“What’s with the attitude?”
“Thanks for taking me out just to make sure your uncle thought we were all getting along and not bothering to mention it to me. I really appreciate it.”
He didn’t even get the satisfaction of slamming the door because Donghae was there to catch it. “What the hell! I had no idea he was going to bring that up like some kind of evidence.”
“Yeah, you didn’t just happen to let it slip.”
“You think people won’t ever know what we’re doing? Because they do!”
“You said we weren’t putting anyone in any danger by going to Soulmate!”
“Because this isn’t about you, this is about me!” Donghae shouted back. “You’re lower than a pawn to them, and their only interest in you is what you are to me.”
“What,” Henry bit out. “Not who. What. Just like it always was.”
“You know that’s-”
“Planning on taking your birthday gift instead of asking for it?” Henry asked, rather coolly for all that Donghae had hands so tight in Henry’s shirt that it could have torn.
With a feral sound, Donghae jerked him closer. His hands were rough, and though Henry arched, prepared to shove, the kiss was so, so soft. The first desperate push and then almost a question. His anger and fear battled want for a long moment before he did what he had been wanting to do. Raised his hand, and traced gentle fingers down Donghae’s jaw. He was a second away from pushing forward and trying to squeeze the life out of Donghae with a hug when Donghae jerked as though Henry had stabbed him. And then he heard the soft buzz of the phone vibrating in Donghae’s pocket, and the air all but turned blue with Donghae’s language.
Donghae kept a hand fisted in Henry’s shirt, as though he were afraid he would walk away as he answered rather sharply.
“Now?” Donghae asked a little incredulously. “Fine. Fine, yeah. I’ll be out in a second.”
He hung up, and seemed to focus his eyes somewhere around Henry’s chin. “Tablo needs me to go with him somewhere. Said it wouldn’t take long.”
“Okay?”
Donghae met his eyes fiercely. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. So stop.”
And with that confusing announcement, he turned and left. Whatever Henry was thinking at what point? That he was feeling angry and used? That Donghae had managed to melt him down with one sort of desperate kiss? Which was he supposed to discard?
And he wasn’t any less confused a minute later when Eunhyuk popped in. “Hey, could you come help me a second?”
It was probably better than obsessing, but still he stared when he saw the chocolate cake sitting on the edge of the table.
“I just had Tablo take Donghae out for a few minutes. I wanted to throw him a little birthday party… You did know today was his birthday, right? I’m sorry I didn’t think about you getting him something. We could print out a card?”
“I already got him something.”
Eunhyuk blinked at him, absorbing that, and the biggest, goofiest smile that Henry thought he had ever seen spread over his face. “Wow. Go you!”
Henry tried to grin back, but that was just awkward.
“Did you want to bring out your present?”
Had he intended to give it to Donghae when they were alone? He shrugged. It was just a shirt. “Sure.”
Eunhyuk was putting candles in the cake when he got back with the carefully wrapped package, and handed some of the little wax lights to Henry to help with.
“Did you get to celebrate his birthday together back…back before?”
“Not really,” Henry said absently, licking a smear of chocolate from his finger. “I knew his birthday was right about mine, but we weren’t together long enough.”
Eunhyuk frowned a bit. “So…Wait, so your birthday is soon?”
Him and his stupid mouth. If he’d just stayed quiet. He got himself into so many stupid things. “No, it was a few days ago.”
“The twelfth?”
“Eleventh.”
“The shooting, oh. You were here all alone that day! Why didn’t you say something?”
“Would you not have gone? I didn’t think it mattered.”
“It matters to me! I know it would’ve mattered to Donghae. That idiot. He has your paperwork, too. He couldn’t have checked your birthday?”
For all he knew, Donghae did know, and just didn’t care to bother with it. Which, okay. That wasn’t exactly fair.
“Quick, they’re coming back,” Eunhyuk said. “Look loose.”
Or something like that. Maybe he meant nonchalant, as the door opened, letting in first Tablo, and then Donghae, who seemed in a better mood.
And of course, when he saw the table with the candles burning and the presents, his eyes widened.
“Happy birthday!” Eunhyuk shouted, leading the charge to sing it, sort of awkwardly with just three of them. But it was enough, a huge smile brightening his face.
“Hey, this is cute,” Donghae joked, poking at Henry’s newspaper wrapping paper. “You really shouldn’t have, Hyuk.”
“That’s not from me. It’s from Henry.”
His sound of protest was bottled in his throat as Donghae looked between them.
“Henry remembered your birthday,” Eunhyuk continued. “And I guess you didn’t realize that Henry’s birthday was days ago. The day of the shooting.”
Henry could have cheerfully put Eunhyuk in a closet right at that moment, as Donghae stared at him.
“You didn’t tell anyone?”
“I just… Let’s celebrate yours.”
“There’s enough candles for both of you,” Eunhyuk proclaimed, still meddling. “You can blow them out together.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Donghae gripped his wrist with purpose, brows together as they leaned. “On the count of three.”
The flames wavered and died as they blew, small trails of smoke wafting upwards.
“Two birthdays for the price of one,” Tablo joked, trying and failing to get his arm around Eunhyuk.
After Donghae opened the first two gifts, a game from Eunhyuk, some kind of gadget from Tablo, the shirt he’d wrapped up even without tape looked kind of small. But it didn’t stop Donghae from looking up at him and saying his thanks. It could’ve gone worse. Donghae could’ve rejected it outright.
He was probably quieter than usual, eating the offered cake and laughing at Tablo’s jokes. The more he knew of these people, the more comfortable he was, but it wasn’t really why he was there.
“I think I’m heading to bed,” Donghae said, standing with his gifts in his hands. “Henry, you coming?”
Eunhyuk, from behind Donghae, was giving him an enthusiastic series of nods, and he nearly flushed.
“Yeah, sure.”
He could feel Donghae’s eyes on his back as they walked into the room. They hadn’t really resolved their earlier fight, but he didn’t think that was what was on either of their minds right then. Not seeing the look on the pensive face in front of him.
“Why didn’t you say something? Your birthday is a little bigger than forgetting to mention your underwear.”
“There never seemed like a good time. I thought maybe that day, I would tell you, and maybe… We could work out some of our differences, but. Well, you know what happened.”
Seeing Donghae come in the door with his shirt bloody had sort of put a damper on his anger and his birthday hopes. When he considered how badly Donghae could have been injured, or that he could have ended up dead, having a lonely birthday didn’t seem that important any more.
And that they had held each other had been gift enough.
“I guess I should try it on and make sure it fits,” Donghae said, opening the shirt he was still holding.
That…That was something he hadn’t been expecting. That he’d get to see the shirt being put on, as though it were some kind of precious gift. He certainly wasn’t going to do anything to stop it, almost holding his breath as he watched.
Donghae likely didn’t mean it to be sexy, as he stripped off his shirt. But the play of muscle, the exposed skin made it so. And the tousled hair left behind. It was even sexy to see that skin covered up, as the shirt was slid on, buttons done up.
“Fits good,” Donghae said, flexing his shoulders in it.
It did, following the lines of his shoulder, his neck, his chest. It made him want to reach and touch, and he stepped forward, as though considering. He could almost feel the warmth of Donghae’s skin beneath the fabric, the skin of his neck beneath his mouth.
“It kind of reminded me of a shirt you used to wear,” Henry admitted. “I always thought you looked hot in it.”
Donghae touched his own arm, yanking his fingers away and hissing as though he’d burned himself. And the laugh they shared was both painful and bright.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Well. You kind of paid for your own present, since it was your money,” Henry admitted, the thought a bit galling to him. He would’ve paid for it himself if he still had his own cash and identification. It was hidden, somewhere, no doubt for Henry’s safety and to keep him from trying to run.
“Yeah, but you thought of me,” Donghae said. The softness in that statement, as though Donghae could hardly believe that. “I probably needed a new shirt anyway.”
“And you know I could pay you back,” he said, hand sliding across Donghae’s side.
“Of course.”
He thought both their breath faltered, as his lips trailed along Donghae’s jaw. They’d come so close to this before. He knew Donghae wanted him, knew it wouldn’t take much to arouse him. Because they knew each other. And to think that he was wanted made him want so much more.
“You’re still hot in it,” Henry murmured, bumping at the agile hips.
“I should take your word for that?”
“Probably.”
Donghae surely knew what was intended, when he sat on the edge of the bed at Henry’s urging. He wasn’t lying. Seeing Donghae in that shirt, knowing he wore it for Henry. There was no better way in the world to turn him on. Time had not lessened his attraction, even if their situation had dampened it. But not now, when Donghae was clutching at him.
“Henry,” he laughed. Artless, sexy. It made him want to go get that cake, the frosting from it at least, and smear it on Donghae’s skin. Just to have the pleasure of licking it off again. Still, that didn’t keep him from tasting that skin.
“It didn’t get less complicated after we slept together,” Henry said.
“Wait. After we actually had sex, or after you let me...”
“Shhh.”
Probably he didn’t realize that he’d be ending today with his hand down Donghae’s pants. He thought about moving right then, breaking the kiss and pleasuring Donghae with his mouth. But that kiss was their connection. That kiss, more than the possibility of sex. He just needed another minute like that.
He worked at the buttons of the shirt, but did not push it off. So that when he left Donghae’s mouth, he could kiss a meandering line down Donghae’s torso. Donghae was kneading his shoulders, mouth parted and wet, and Henry was tempted to head right back there. But he nuzzled his face against Donghae’s stomach, rubbing at his thighs, and decided he liked being right were he was. And Donghae was turned on, almost painfully so, evidenced by the sound drawn from him when Henry touched him with his mouth. Desperate, needy, choked. Had he expected that he would be the first one on his knees, drawing pleasure into the dark eyes?
It was kind of a reverse of how things had been years ago. The first time with them, on Donghae’s couch, with pizza breath and strewn beer cans, it had been Donghae who had gone down on him. Him, Henry, who maybe had had a few lucky hands make it into his pants, but no mouths. He’d been in giddy daze of arousal and excitement. It had been Donghae, confident enough to make the first move.
“Henry,” Donghae moaned, and it nearly had his eyes slamming closed. Just the sound of his name was music.
Donghae panted above him, his hands restless in Henry’s hair as Henry tidied his underwear. He didn’t really know what to say, didn’t really know what he’d see when he looked up. Donghae with glazed, still partly unfocused eyes and parted mouth. His body was telling him to go for a kiss, but he wasn’t sure he should. He stood, let a fond hand cup Donghae’s jaw. Oh, that was more telling than the blow job had been.
“Happy birthday,” he said softly.
The eyes that met his were shadowed. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
Donghae hauled him in with surprisingly strong arms, huffing against his neck. And Henry followed as Donghae leaned back, wriggling onto the bed, tugging at Henry’s arms. He went in for his kiss, catching the edge of Donghae’s mouth just as he felt fingers undoing the clasp of his pants.
“You don’t have to,” he said, catching Donghae’s hand.
“I want to.”
It was so fierce, so sincere, that all he could do was kiss Donghae, and try not to moan too loud as warm fingers slid into his underwear. There was no way he would last long, not doing what he had just done, not with knowing whose hand it was so diligently stroking him. And that Donghae teased his mouth, licking at him so delicately and then chuckling at their lips merged again. Such a kiss, he was almost taken from focusing on what Donghae’s hand was doing. Almost. Teeth scraped his chin, and he came, ribs bouncing off of Donghae’s as he puffed through it. Thinking only to move when Donghae patted his shoulder, and he realized he was mostly crushing Donghae into the bed.
“Sorry,” he muttered, and rolled.
They lay together, not really touching, except maybe their elbows and their ankles. His heart was still doing a trilling beat and he could hear that Donghae’s breathing was quick as well.
“I didn’t think we should do that,” Donghae said, clearing his throat at the ceiling.
“Sorry.”
“Are you?”
Henry clenched his fingers. “Not really.”
“Me either.”
The warmth against his side was closer, and he realized that Donghae had turned to him, pressed close against him. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know it was your birthday that day. We’d have done something. I don’t know what.”
“It’s okay. I was kind of mad, but it was my fault, too. So it’s okay.”
Donghae propped his head up on his hand, looking at Henry. “What did you want for your birthday?”
“I already got it,” he said, and his brain thrilled at the little smile that peeked on Donghae’s face.
“You’re easy,” he accused, and Henry laughed.
“You would know.”
Henry pressed his face close, nudging at his nose and getting one more kiss, content, as he got a sneaky arm around Donghae’s waist.
Donghae fell asleep with them still curled together. There was something else he wanted, something he couldn’t get as a gift. But with his hand tangled in Donghae’s hair, he thought they were working toward it.
***