[FIC] All The Pins and The Pricks 8/??
[i'm feeling:| 
jubilant]
[listening to:| rihanna - we ride ]
Best Free Hit Counters
Horse Racing Tip
Title: All The Pins and The Pricks
Length: Series 8/??
Author:
hell_angel_v2 and beta-turned-co author
moon1084 ^-^
Rating: PG-13 - NC-17
Genre: Angst (lots of it), Romance, Fluff
Summary: Certain circumstances force JaeJoong and YunHo apart. 5 years pass and YunHo is back in Korea, with a vengeance. With more misunderstandings and bigger hurdles to overcome, will they ever sort things out?
Comments: Original plotbunny belongs to
jaehoyoosumin , the rest of the twist and turns I owe to my bored imagination. Oh, there are mentions of Mpreg, but not discussed in detail.
[ Prologue] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Chapter 7: In Remembrance
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
The bathroom had been a frequent retreat for JaeJoong’s mornings recently. He’d seen to it to get up early and sit there to wait for the bile to rise up his throat. But today was different. Today he had a companion with him in the form of a sheaf of papers.
He had been debating with himself for the past hour now whether to unfold the article and see what it said or to just throw it away and pretend he’d never sent a sample of his blood and urine to his doctor a few days ago. He was going to attempt and read the first few lines again when the bathroom door opened and the hand holding the document automatically dropped on his side, hiding it from view.
A grumbling JunSu snuck his head in, eyes on the phone held near his face and muttering to himself.
“Yah, muttering to one’s self is a sign of neurosis you know?”
That seemed to catch JunSu’s attention and he raised his head. “Aish, hyung. If you had to deal with YooChun everyday you won’t be surprised if I eventually go baloney.”
JunSu entered the bathroom and leaned back against the sink, but didn’t close the door. He was giving JaeJoong the option to chat a little or leave if he didn’t want to. His cousin had seemed tenser lately and JunSu hated that all he could do was to cheer him up for little intervals of time.
“The music teacher has a name now?” JunSu nodded. “What did he do now?”
A snort, “He says he’ll start a rumor that I view porn in the library if I don’t meet him for coffee later.” JunSu replied, “I swear he lives in a cave. Hasn’t he heard of the word ‘firewall’?”
A chuckle was his only response and JunSu suddenly remembered what he came in the bathroom for. “Oh yeah, that JiHo-shii guy from yesterday is here.” Then a teasing smirk formed in his face. “he’s outside getting all chummy with your son.”
JaeJoong suddenly got up at that. “What’s he doing here?”
“I don't know…” JunSu fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Maybe he came to visit you.”
“But why?”
“Because he likes you?”
“How come?”
JunSu sighed, “Hyung, instead of playing 50 questions here, why don’t you just go out and ask him?”
JunSu was right, he thought. So JaeJoong moved towards the living room where he found his five-year-old son lounging on his visitor’s lap, one hand taken by a half-eaten donut and laughing heartily at something JiHo said.
“Umma, look! Uncle JiHo has a slice on his face!”
JiHo had only briefly met MoonBin last night, and JaeJoong was surprised at how comfortable with the other man his son seemed to be. JiHo was smiling widely at his son whilst one of MoonBin’s fingers poked at JiHo’s dimpled cheek. Ah, so that was the ‘slice’.
“Good morning, JaeJoong-ah.” JiHo greeted, though he remained where he was, MoonBin sprawled on his lap.
“Good morning JiHo-shii.” He gestured for his son to come to him and MoonBin instantly moved to deposit himself on his mother’s lap. “Binnie, what did I say about too much sweets in the morning?”
The boy sat straddling JaeJoong, one cream-covered hand clutching at his shirt to support himself from falling backwards. His donut-occupied hand was now raised near JaeJoong’s face. “But it’s soooooooo good! Try!” When he only smiled and made no other move, the treat was lifted higher. “Just a small bite, umma! One bite!”
JaeJoong couldn’t have further relented if he tried. So he finally kissed his son’s cheek after taking a nibble and told him that it was indeed good. “Now be a good boy and come with Uncle JunSu to bathe, hm?” he moved MoonBin so he was now sitting beside him, ready to get off the couch and look for his uncle.
“Uncle JiHo,”
“Yes, BinBin?”
“Next time I want the chocolate ones.”
“MoonBin!” JaeJoong sat wide eyed, scolding his son with his stare. But he only ran away from the scene like the guilty crook that he was.
“I’m sorry JiHo-shii. MoonBin doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
JiHo only flashed JaeJoong his dimpled smile and waved his apology away. “It’s okay, JaeJoong-ah. MoonBin is just a sociable boy.”
“Yes he is.” He confirmed, a smile gracing his lips at the memory of the “Most Friendly” title his son was awarded some months ago. “And thanks for the donuts, too, I guess.”
“No worries.”
Silence overcame them for a moment and JaeJoong took this opportunity to put the papers he was still holding inside the file case he always brought to work. No one else needed to see those. And JaeJoong suddenly remembered the question he’s been meaning to ask. “So… what brings you here?”
Once more JiHo would’ve been contended to just bask in JaeJoong’s splendor, as if by doing so he could etch the man’s every feature into memory. But the question brought him out of his reverie. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing. You didn’t seem well last night.”
For a man who he had met less than 24 hours ago, JiHo was showing a lot of concern. And he’d also been oddly happy, no matter how he wanted to suppress it, to see that the man seemed unbothered by the fact that he had a son- a son who called him ‘umma’. He thought that maybe it was because for the past five years he had no one but JunSu and his son, MoonBin, to care for him. And the presence of some one who did, some one who wasn’t family and therefore not obligated to care, is there showing concern was elating for JaeJoong.
“I’m fine now, thanks. And for bringing me home last night, I can’t be grateful enough.”
JiHo felt delighted to have made a slight blush tint the beautiful man’s face, “Again, no need to thank me. I did it because I wanted to.” He wasn’t able to resist the urge to brush his thumb over the porcelain skin of JaeJoong’s cheek. And then as if snapping out of a daze, he retracted his hand and said nonchalantly. “Now if you’re well enough to go to work, why don’t you let me drive you? I want to talk with your boss again anyway.”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
YunHo got out of his car, and saw something that only further worsened his mood. A few meters away from him he saw JaeJoong and JiHo getting off the other businessman’s car, laughing at something. He quickly moved towards the elevator, hoping to escape having to share the lift with those two. But as fate would have it, the elevator took long enough for the couple to arrive just in time to share it with him.
JaeJoong slightly stiffened when he saw YunHo standing inside the elevator, but JiHo didn’t seem to notice and only continued with his joke.
“Why don’t oysters give to charity? Because they’re shellfish!”
JiHo’s jovial laugh grated on YunHo’s ears, and he had to keep his hands in his pockets to prevent them from wrapping around a certain someone’s neck.
“That’s so lame, JiHo-shii!” The man looked the part of a responsible business man, but his jokes sure told otherwise.
“Okay, okay. So do you want to hear a dirty joke instead?”
“Uhm, sure.”
“The white horse fell into the mud!” Again, JiHo laughed heartily, but JaeJoong sought to burst his bubble.
“That’s even lamer you know!”
“What? MoonBin liked that!”
His hands balled into fists at the mention of his son’s name. He couldn’t believe that JaeJoong wouldn’t allow him to see his son when this stranger already had the liberty to exchange jokes with him. Keeping his hands hidden seemed to be a harder task than it seemed.
“Maybe he was laughing at your face and not at your joke?”
“Mah. He just has a better sense of humor than you. He’s a special kid, I say.”
Being the proud parent that he was, JaeJoong couldn’t resist the topic of his son. “Yes he is.”
“And I can see you’ve raised him well, even by yourself.” JiHo could almost hear YunHo gritting his teeth in anger.
“I can only hope, JiHo-shii.”
“And besides, you don’t need a partner who’s lousy enough to leave an exceptional kid like that. I’d say you’re doing just fine.”
YunHo finally decided to shut his ears on the conversation before he killed someone and soon enough, the elevator arrived at his floor. He quickly got out, passing the two men in front of him and headed straight for his office. He wasn’t surprised, though, when a few moments later he saw JiHo enter the door.
“I don’t think you had an appointment with me, Mr. Oh.”
“No, I don’t. I told JaeJoong-ah this would be quick.” JiHo made sure to use ‘JaeJoong-ah’ instead of ‘your assistant’, just to see YunHo’s reaction.
“Oh so you’re that close with my assistant that he’d alter my schedule for you?” YunHo’s jaw felt like it would break from all the pressure he was applying to it. “Well, I’m still his boss and I say that we don’t have anything to talk about.”
JiHo felt triumphant at YunHo’s uncharacteristic stubbornness. He was acting like a schoolboy who simply refused to acknowledge his rival’s presence. “I’ll make this quick. Give me back the project and and I’ll lay off JaeJoong.” He knew he didn’t have to ask, he was aware that a contract between the two parties have been drawn. But it never hurts to see YunHo having a hard time.
“That’s not possible.”
Bingo. “Then forget about JaeJoong and MoonBin, I’ll take care of them. Just consider it payback.”
JaeJoong chose that moment to knock and poke his head in, interrupting any comebacks YunHo might have. “Excuse me, JiHo-shii. I hate to barge in but Mr. Jung needs to be in a meeting in ten minutes, and he still has to prepare.”
“No sweat, Jae.” YunHo flinched at the use of the nickname, and he hoped neither man noticed. “We were just done.” JiHo then turned to YunHo. “I guess I’ll see you then. Or maybe not.”
YunHo sat there for a moment, letting his anger fume. How dare that man come in his own territory and threaten him? So he got up to follow the man, only to stop midway from opening his door.
“You owe me for the ride, no, make that two rides, JaeJoong. You’ll have to go out for lunch with me.” YunHo could see the coy smile JiHo threw at JaeJoong, and it made his stomach turn.
“Oh, I would, but Mr. Jung has a lunch appointment. I’m sorry.” Relief almost flooded YunHo at that, but JiHo obviously wouldn’t let it end there.
“Dinner then? We can take MoonBin with us.”
JaeJoong knew that the mention of his son was to reassure him that JiHo didn’t have any dire intentions, and he was grateful for that. “Okay, dinner it is.”
JiHo then took JaeJoong’s hand and swiftly kissed it. “Thank you JaeJoong-ah.”
To YunHo’s horror, JaeJoong blushed and smiled back- an expression he reserved the rights to all those years ago.
JaeJoong could barely recover from the shock of the sudden sweet gesture, so he changed the subject instead. “I’ll walk you to the elevator, JiHo-shii.” His hip brushed on the stack of papers he’d been arranging as he moved, causing the topmost ones to fall on the floor.
Rage boiled within YunHo’s loins and he had to flee the sight before he committed a crime. He wanted to drop kick JiHo’s head in and mince him to pieces to feed to the dogs but he knew that after everything that’s happened between him and JaeJoong that he couldn’t. Not just like that. He needed to make sure of a few things first before he could be with JaeJoong- or for JaeJoong to want to be with him- again.
And as if getting JaeJoong back wasn’t hard enough as it is, JiHo just had to enter the picture. He knew he couldn’t blame JaeJoong for having ‘suitors’; he was plenty attractive. Plus any man who was willing to put up with his child would certainly be on the top of JaeJoong’s list of potential lovers. But he knew he couldn’t handle that. Damn, only the sight of JiHo kissing JaeJoong’s hand-a hand that he knew belonged to him-was making him go crazy.
At that moment he needed nothing more but for DongHae to come up with a plan, badly. And fast.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The car ride to the meeting was tense to say the least. YunHo, who was seated beside him at the back seat, had a scowl on is face and wouldn’t speak. He wouldn’t even look at him, which, no matter how much JaeJoong didn’t want to acknowledge it, kind of hurt. YunHo looked at him with nothing but contempt ever since he came back, but JaeJoong would gladly take that than having to endure not being looked at at all.
It was then that JaeJoong’s phone vibrated in his breast pocket. It was around lunch time, and it was just in time for JunSu’s regular messages.
☆☆☆
Hyung, Binnie WOLFED down his lunch. Is that healthy? And I’ll be leaving him over at his friend DongHoon’s coz I have to go out with YooChun. Damn bastard’s got incriminating pictures of me.
☆☆☆
Not having anything to do, he decided to message him back.
☆☆☆
oh, if you’re coming to Seoul will you bring BinBin at the office instead? If not, just tell your boyfriend to have your date here. And incriminating pictures? ☆☆☆
☆☆☆
hyung, you replied!! A miracle!! And he’s gotten a stolen pic, I’ll send it to you. You see, I was bending down to pick something up and my shirt rode up so my ass crack showed!! Ugh he’s such a pervert! And hyung, HE”S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!!
//INSERT PIC OF SU HERE// (A/N I leave this to your imaginations :P )
☆☆☆
☆☆☆
Whatever, Su. Just bring BinBin over okay?
☆☆☆
JaeJoong was laughing at something on his phone, and the question was out of his mouth faster than he could say his own name. “Is that from JiHo?”
JaeJoong was slightly surprised at YunHo’s sudden inquiry and his response was let out just as fast. “None of your business, MR. JUNG.”
The car then lurched to a stop and the driver announced their arrival, cutting off anymore exchange of words. Not that either one had to say anyway.
What was supposed to be a lunch meeting stretched out into the early evening. JaeJoong didn’t pay any attention on goings on, which he was lucky that YunHo hadn’t noticed. He was getting tired-actually he noticed that he got tired more easily these past few days- and he wanted nothing more but to go home. He was even more thankful when their car stopped in front of them and the moment his body sunk on the soft cushioned seat, darkness immediately swallowed him.
A soft nudge on his shoulder caught YunHo’s attention. He turned to see what it was and saw JaeJoong’s sleeping face resting peacefully against him.
The enchanting proximity made all of YunHo’s coherent thoughts fly out of the window. His hand automatically moved to brush JaeJoong’s hair aside, his thumb tracing over the resting man’s soft lips to finally caress his perfectly smooth cheek.
//memory//
Being a twenty year old college student meant freedom. It meant that he could choose where to eat his lunch and who to spend it with, and how. And the choice Jung YunHo made was to sit in a stone bench at the back of the library, packed lunch sitting on his lap, with his boyfriend Kim JaeJoong.
Taking different majors caused them to have only this time of the day to spend together on campus. And right now, what was supposed to be ‘JaeHo-bonding time’ turned into ‘JaeJoong-sleeping-the-afternoon-away-on-YunHo’s-shoulder time’. He knew he couldn’t blame his boyfriend: he was the one who kept the other man up late at night. But can anyone blame him for wanting to spend every single moment with this beautiful man?
Using his free hand, he brushed away the hair covering the striking man’s features and moved to cup his cheek. “Boo, wake up.”
“Yunnie, let me sleep…” The figure grunted slightly, but barely stirred.
A soft smile graced his lips at that, and he decided that maybe he can forgive JaeJoong for passing out on him just this once.
“I love you, Jae.” Then he ducked his head down, moving in for a kiss.
//end memory//
“Yunnie…”
Present time YunHo found himself doing the exact same thing, and his lips were just about to touch JaeJoong’s quiescent ones when a shrill sound broke through the memory-induced fantasy, making him jerk his hand off the other’s face and pull away.
The sound of his phone ringing pierced his ears and JaeJoong shook himself awake. He realized then that he had fallen asleep on YunHo’s shoulder, and quickly bowed to apologize. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“I don’t pay you to sleep on the job, Mr. Kim.” YunHo felt like a total jerk saying that, especially at the look of exasperation that crossed JaeJoong’s face. He already knew that JaeJoong hadn’t done him anything wrong right? Or was DongHae lying to him once more and was now part of a more elaborate plan to trick him again?
“My shift ended ten minutes ago, just so you know. Mr. Jung.” Why must YunHo hurt him so? He is human, and he gets tired. So why is his falling asleep such a big deal? Or was it because he fell asleep on his shoulder? But why was that such a big deal as well?
He chose to just ignore YunHo for the moment and JaeJoong quickly fished for the still ringing device, flipping it open. As he pressed it to his ear, he caught YunHo muttering something about ‘pillow’ and ‘not anymore’, but it could’ve been his sleep hazed mind so he just ignored that as well.
“Yeob’seyo?”
“Must you take forever to answer?” It was JunSu. “Hurry up, I have to meet Chunnie in 5 minutes!”
JaeJoong couldn’t help the giggle that escaped him. “Chunnie?”
JunSu paused for a while, “I meant YooChun-shii.”
“Yeah, right. Can I talk with Binnie for a sec?”
“He’s playing inside JiHo-shii’s car.”
“JiHo-shii’s already there?”
“What do you think his car’s doing here then? Taking a stroll?” He could imagine JunSu rolling his eyes. “Yes, hyung. He is. And why didn’t I know that you were going out on a date?”
JunSu’s accusing tone made him automatically shift to defense-mode. “You’re going on one yourself. And it’s not a date, Su.”
“Yeah, just like mine isn’t one.”
“Okay, whatever. You can just leave BinBin with JiHo-shii if you’re in such a hurry. We’re almost there anyway.”
YunHo could hear everything from JaeJoong’s end of the conversation, and for the umpteenth time that day, he found himself gritting his teeth. Just hearing JiHo’s name come out of JaeJoong’s lips made him fume like a madman.
Soon enough, their car pulled out in front of the Jung Corporation building, and YunHo could see JiHo standing beside a sleek black sedan, waving at JaeJoong. Maybe it was because JaeJoong waved back that YunHo said what he said. “I can see you spreading your legs already. And to a man you just met, no less.”
JaeJoong froze in his tracks, patience running low. “Yeah, so what if I do?” His eyes were flashing in anger and disbelief. He couldn’t, for the life of him, figure out where these accusations were coming from, and he didn’t feel like dealing with it. “At least he’s someone who actually cares about me and MoonBin!” He turned away but the sudden movement appeared to trigger another dizzy spell and he almost lost his balance. But once again, he found arms wrapped securely around his waist.
From where JiHo was standing, he could see JaeJoong turn to YunHo with what seemed to be anger in his face, and he decided to make his way towards them. As he reached JaeJoong’s side he saw noticed that the man had another one of those hazy fits and was about to fall but caught him just in time. “Woah, JaeJoong-ah, you okay?”
Witnessing another man’s arms enclose around JaeJoong’s body had done it for YunHo. He was about to launch himself towards the man, but a loud yell from the opposite direction thwarted his actions.
“Umma, can we just eat at home? I want to show JiHo-shii my drawings!!”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
MoonBin’s yell played on loop inside YunHo’s head. He’s going to show JiHo his drawings. Not me. JiHo. Not his father, but some stranger his slut of a mother just met.
He was a hair’s breadth away from lunacy and he marveled at how he still remembered to fetch that contract he had to review from his office. He was just about ready to jump off the roof top, truthfully.
These thoughts were, however, interrupted as his phone vibrated against his chest.
“Hae.”
“YunHo, can I see you tomorrow?”
“Only if it’s worth my time.”
“It is, I promise. So can I come by?”
“Be here first thing in the morning.”
Finally taking the needed file from his table he quickly left the room, only to notice a bunch of papers on the floor beside his assistant’s desk. JaeJoong had always been so clumsy. Sighing, he picked them up and scanned the paper, only to furrow his brows in confusion. It didn’t seem to be anything work related and when he got to the bottom of it, he saw a handwritten note.
JaeJoong-shii, just in case you didn’t want to bother yourself with the technical stuff here’s a summary. Congrats, you managed to get yourself pregnant one more time! -Dr. Ryu
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The green ogre was walking around the forest when MoonBin laid his head down on his mother’s lap. His friend DongHoon said that Shrek the Third was a fun movie and he wanted to be as comfortable as he can. His mother’s lap was warm against the side of his face, but the night air was chilling his exposed arms. “Umma, I want Hamato.”
JaeJoong smiled down at his son, fighting back the itch to correct him again. MoonBin was three when he first got that blanket, and MoonBin had never gotten past to calling the character by his proper name, ‘Hamtaro’, despite their innumerable attempts.
“I’ll get it. But you have to get up for a bit.”
Not wanting to relinquish the affectionate scene, JiHo instantaneously volunteered. “I’ll do it, JaeJoong-ah. But what the he-aven is Hamato?”
“It’s BinBin’s hamster blanket.” JaeJoong answered with a chuckle. What the heaven? JiHo could really be so lame.
“Oh… it has a name?” This inquiry only caused both mother and son to laugh harder. “Okay, you can stop laughing now. Where is it?”
“His room is the last one down the hall, it should be on his bed.”
All but rushing to the room, JiHo hastily snatched the article and tiptoed back out, careful not to make a sound. He then stopped at JaeJoong’s room’s door (it had a decorative signboard bearing his name) to sneak a peek. The door thankfully gave way without so much as a creak and he snuck his head in, sniffing the air. He faintly recognized the smell of soap and the vanilla scent that seemed to be entrenched on JaeJoong’s skin and JiHo shuddered.
He wasn’t able to resist the urge anymore and he slinked his way inside and pulled out one of the drawers, which turned out to house JaeJoong’s underwear. Picking one up, he brought it to his face and closed his eyes to breathe in earnestly the scent that was so uniquely JaeJoong in the hopes of ingraining the aroma into his own skin. If this is how JaeJoong smelled down there, it would simply be paradise, he thought.
He then quickly dug his hands around the drawer, carefully though so as not to rouse suspicions, and ran his hands through the bottom where his hand nudged against something semi-sharp. It turned out to be the edge of a picture: JaeJoong’s much younger figure sitting beside a smiling and more youthful Jung YunHo was staring back at him.
In a sudden fit of rage, JiHo tore the photo in his hands, cautious to discard it in his pocket. A wild glint shone in his eyes as he muttered to himself, “You will soon be mine, Kim JaeJoong. All mine.”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
A/N 2 moon1084 and I have been thinking of gifting you loyal readers with a double update, but we just made this chappie extra long instead. We hope you enjoyed it!! It was hard work but your comments make it all worth it for us, so please do keep them coming!!
A/N 3 and I won’t be putting another poll up, coz it messes up the layout >_<; sorry if that’s ever bothered anyone. And again, to all those who never fail to comment, it really make us feel good and do I need to say it again that comments make the effort worth it? LOL anyways, here’s to all our loyal commenters:
A/N 4 and to the most understanding beta-cum-co author in the world moon1084 thanks so much for putting up with my sudden disappearances!! *huggles you to near-death*
ETA April 7, 2011 [Chapter 8 (LOCKED)] This journal is DEAD so please stop adding this journal! From today on I will stop checking this journal, and you need to comment on this entry over at iwantmyhamato where chapter 8 onwards of this fic are kept. Once again, I don't keep track of anything anymore, but my co-author for APAP does. My opinions on the matter are irrelevant because the journal is now all hers, so leave her comments alright? Much love and thanks to everyone. :)
jubilant]
[listening to:| rihanna - we ride ]
Best Free Hit Counters
Horse Racing Tip
Title: All The Pins and The Pricks
Length: Series 8/??
Author:
hell_angel_v2 and beta-turned-co author
moon1084 ^-^
Rating: PG-13 - NC-17
Genre: Angst (lots of it), Romance, Fluff
Summary: Certain circumstances force JaeJoong and YunHo apart. 5 years pass and YunHo is back in Korea, with a vengeance. With more misunderstandings and bigger hurdles to overcome, will they ever sort things out?
Comments: Original plotbunny belongs to
jaehoyoosumin , the rest of the twist and turns I owe to my bored imagination. Oh, there are mentions of Mpreg, but not discussed in detail.
[ Prologue] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Chapter 7: In Remembrance
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
The bathroom had been a frequent retreat for JaeJoong’s mornings recently. He’d seen to it to get up early and sit there to wait for the bile to rise up his throat. But today was different. Today he had a companion with him in the form of a sheaf of papers.
He had been debating with himself for the past hour now whether to unfold the article and see what it said or to just throw it away and pretend he’d never sent a sample of his blood and urine to his doctor a few days ago. He was going to attempt and read the first few lines again when the bathroom door opened and the hand holding the document automatically dropped on his side, hiding it from view.
A grumbling JunSu snuck his head in, eyes on the phone held near his face and muttering to himself.
“Yah, muttering to one’s self is a sign of neurosis you know?”
That seemed to catch JunSu’s attention and he raised his head. “Aish, hyung. If you had to deal with YooChun everyday you won’t be surprised if I eventually go baloney.”
JunSu entered the bathroom and leaned back against the sink, but didn’t close the door. He was giving JaeJoong the option to chat a little or leave if he didn’t want to. His cousin had seemed tenser lately and JunSu hated that all he could do was to cheer him up for little intervals of time.
“The music teacher has a name now?” JunSu nodded. “What did he do now?”
A snort, “He says he’ll start a rumor that I view porn in the library if I don’t meet him for coffee later.” JunSu replied, “I swear he lives in a cave. Hasn’t he heard of the word ‘firewall’?”
A chuckle was his only response and JunSu suddenly remembered what he came in the bathroom for. “Oh yeah, that JiHo-shii guy from yesterday is here.” Then a teasing smirk formed in his face. “he’s outside getting all chummy with your son.”
JaeJoong suddenly got up at that. “What’s he doing here?”
“I don't know…” JunSu fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Maybe he came to visit you.”
“But why?”
“Because he likes you?”
“How come?”
JunSu sighed, “Hyung, instead of playing 50 questions here, why don’t you just go out and ask him?”
JunSu was right, he thought. So JaeJoong moved towards the living room where he found his five-year-old son lounging on his visitor’s lap, one hand taken by a half-eaten donut and laughing heartily at something JiHo said.
“Umma, look! Uncle JiHo has a slice on his face!”
JiHo had only briefly met MoonBin last night, and JaeJoong was surprised at how comfortable with the other man his son seemed to be. JiHo was smiling widely at his son whilst one of MoonBin’s fingers poked at JiHo’s dimpled cheek. Ah, so that was the ‘slice’.
“Good morning, JaeJoong-ah.” JiHo greeted, though he remained where he was, MoonBin sprawled on his lap.
“Good morning JiHo-shii.” He gestured for his son to come to him and MoonBin instantly moved to deposit himself on his mother’s lap. “Binnie, what did I say about too much sweets in the morning?”
The boy sat straddling JaeJoong, one cream-covered hand clutching at his shirt to support himself from falling backwards. His donut-occupied hand was now raised near JaeJoong’s face. “But it’s soooooooo good! Try!” When he only smiled and made no other move, the treat was lifted higher. “Just a small bite, umma! One bite!”
JaeJoong couldn’t have further relented if he tried. So he finally kissed his son’s cheek after taking a nibble and told him that it was indeed good. “Now be a good boy and come with Uncle JunSu to bathe, hm?” he moved MoonBin so he was now sitting beside him, ready to get off the couch and look for his uncle.
“Uncle JiHo,”
“Yes, BinBin?”
“Next time I want the chocolate ones.”
“MoonBin!” JaeJoong sat wide eyed, scolding his son with his stare. But he only ran away from the scene like the guilty crook that he was.
“I’m sorry JiHo-shii. MoonBin doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
JiHo only flashed JaeJoong his dimpled smile and waved his apology away. “It’s okay, JaeJoong-ah. MoonBin is just a sociable boy.”
“Yes he is.” He confirmed, a smile gracing his lips at the memory of the “Most Friendly” title his son was awarded some months ago. “And thanks for the donuts, too, I guess.”
“No worries.”
Silence overcame them for a moment and JaeJoong took this opportunity to put the papers he was still holding inside the file case he always brought to work. No one else needed to see those. And JaeJoong suddenly remembered the question he’s been meaning to ask. “So… what brings you here?”
Once more JiHo would’ve been contended to just bask in JaeJoong’s splendor, as if by doing so he could etch the man’s every feature into memory. But the question brought him out of his reverie. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing. You didn’t seem well last night.”
For a man who he had met less than 24 hours ago, JiHo was showing a lot of concern. And he’d also been oddly happy, no matter how he wanted to suppress it, to see that the man seemed unbothered by the fact that he had a son- a son who called him ‘umma’. He thought that maybe it was because for the past five years he had no one but JunSu and his son, MoonBin, to care for him. And the presence of some one who did, some one who wasn’t family and therefore not obligated to care, is there showing concern was elating for JaeJoong.
“I’m fine now, thanks. And for bringing me home last night, I can’t be grateful enough.”
JiHo felt delighted to have made a slight blush tint the beautiful man’s face, “Again, no need to thank me. I did it because I wanted to.” He wasn’t able to resist the urge to brush his thumb over the porcelain skin of JaeJoong’s cheek. And then as if snapping out of a daze, he retracted his hand and said nonchalantly. “Now if you’re well enough to go to work, why don’t you let me drive you? I want to talk with your boss again anyway.”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
YunHo got out of his car, and saw something that only further worsened his mood. A few meters away from him he saw JaeJoong and JiHo getting off the other businessman’s car, laughing at something. He quickly moved towards the elevator, hoping to escape having to share the lift with those two. But as fate would have it, the elevator took long enough for the couple to arrive just in time to share it with him.
JaeJoong slightly stiffened when he saw YunHo standing inside the elevator, but JiHo didn’t seem to notice and only continued with his joke.
“Why don’t oysters give to charity? Because they’re shellfish!”
JiHo’s jovial laugh grated on YunHo’s ears, and he had to keep his hands in his pockets to prevent them from wrapping around a certain someone’s neck.
“That’s so lame, JiHo-shii!” The man looked the part of a responsible business man, but his jokes sure told otherwise.
“Okay, okay. So do you want to hear a dirty joke instead?”
“Uhm, sure.”
“The white horse fell into the mud!” Again, JiHo laughed heartily, but JaeJoong sought to burst his bubble.
“That’s even lamer you know!”
“What? MoonBin liked that!”
His hands balled into fists at the mention of his son’s name. He couldn’t believe that JaeJoong wouldn’t allow him to see his son when this stranger already had the liberty to exchange jokes with him. Keeping his hands hidden seemed to be a harder task than it seemed.
“Maybe he was laughing at your face and not at your joke?”
“Mah. He just has a better sense of humor than you. He’s a special kid, I say.”
Being the proud parent that he was, JaeJoong couldn’t resist the topic of his son. “Yes he is.”
“And I can see you’ve raised him well, even by yourself.” JiHo could almost hear YunHo gritting his teeth in anger.
“I can only hope, JiHo-shii.”
“And besides, you don’t need a partner who’s lousy enough to leave an exceptional kid like that. I’d say you’re doing just fine.”
YunHo finally decided to shut his ears on the conversation before he killed someone and soon enough, the elevator arrived at his floor. He quickly got out, passing the two men in front of him and headed straight for his office. He wasn’t surprised, though, when a few moments later he saw JiHo enter the door.
“I don’t think you had an appointment with me, Mr. Oh.”
“No, I don’t. I told JaeJoong-ah this would be quick.” JiHo made sure to use ‘JaeJoong-ah’ instead of ‘your assistant’, just to see YunHo’s reaction.
“Oh so you’re that close with my assistant that he’d alter my schedule for you?” YunHo’s jaw felt like it would break from all the pressure he was applying to it. “Well, I’m still his boss and I say that we don’t have anything to talk about.”
JiHo felt triumphant at YunHo’s uncharacteristic stubbornness. He was acting like a schoolboy who simply refused to acknowledge his rival’s presence. “I’ll make this quick. Give me back the project and and I’ll lay off JaeJoong.” He knew he didn’t have to ask, he was aware that a contract between the two parties have been drawn. But it never hurts to see YunHo having a hard time.
“That’s not possible.”
Bingo. “Then forget about JaeJoong and MoonBin, I’ll take care of them. Just consider it payback.”
JaeJoong chose that moment to knock and poke his head in, interrupting any comebacks YunHo might have. “Excuse me, JiHo-shii. I hate to barge in but Mr. Jung needs to be in a meeting in ten minutes, and he still has to prepare.”
“No sweat, Jae.” YunHo flinched at the use of the nickname, and he hoped neither man noticed. “We were just done.” JiHo then turned to YunHo. “I guess I’ll see you then. Or maybe not.”
YunHo sat there for a moment, letting his anger fume. How dare that man come in his own territory and threaten him? So he got up to follow the man, only to stop midway from opening his door.
“You owe me for the ride, no, make that two rides, JaeJoong. You’ll have to go out for lunch with me.” YunHo could see the coy smile JiHo threw at JaeJoong, and it made his stomach turn.
“Oh, I would, but Mr. Jung has a lunch appointment. I’m sorry.” Relief almost flooded YunHo at that, but JiHo obviously wouldn’t let it end there.
“Dinner then? We can take MoonBin with us.”
JaeJoong knew that the mention of his son was to reassure him that JiHo didn’t have any dire intentions, and he was grateful for that. “Okay, dinner it is.”
JiHo then took JaeJoong’s hand and swiftly kissed it. “Thank you JaeJoong-ah.”
To YunHo’s horror, JaeJoong blushed and smiled back- an expression he reserved the rights to all those years ago.
JaeJoong could barely recover from the shock of the sudden sweet gesture, so he changed the subject instead. “I’ll walk you to the elevator, JiHo-shii.” His hip brushed on the stack of papers he’d been arranging as he moved, causing the topmost ones to fall on the floor.
Rage boiled within YunHo’s loins and he had to flee the sight before he committed a crime. He wanted to drop kick JiHo’s head in and mince him to pieces to feed to the dogs but he knew that after everything that’s happened between him and JaeJoong that he couldn’t. Not just like that. He needed to make sure of a few things first before he could be with JaeJoong- or for JaeJoong to want to be with him- again.
And as if getting JaeJoong back wasn’t hard enough as it is, JiHo just had to enter the picture. He knew he couldn’t blame JaeJoong for having ‘suitors’; he was plenty attractive. Plus any man who was willing to put up with his child would certainly be on the top of JaeJoong’s list of potential lovers. But he knew he couldn’t handle that. Damn, only the sight of JiHo kissing JaeJoong’s hand-a hand that he knew belonged to him-was making him go crazy.
At that moment he needed nothing more but for DongHae to come up with a plan, badly. And fast.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The car ride to the meeting was tense to say the least. YunHo, who was seated beside him at the back seat, had a scowl on is face and wouldn’t speak. He wouldn’t even look at him, which, no matter how much JaeJoong didn’t want to acknowledge it, kind of hurt. YunHo looked at him with nothing but contempt ever since he came back, but JaeJoong would gladly take that than having to endure not being looked at at all.
It was then that JaeJoong’s phone vibrated in his breast pocket. It was around lunch time, and it was just in time for JunSu’s regular messages.
☆☆☆
Hyung, Binnie WOLFED down his lunch. Is that healthy? And I’ll be leaving him over at his friend DongHoon’s coz I have to go out with YooChun. Damn bastard’s got incriminating pictures of me.
☆☆☆
Not having anything to do, he decided to message him back.
☆☆☆
oh, if you’re coming to Seoul will you bring BinBin at the office instead? If not, just tell your boyfriend to have your date here. And incriminating pictures? ☆☆☆
☆☆☆
hyung, you replied!! A miracle!! And he’s gotten a stolen pic, I’ll send it to you. You see, I was bending down to pick something up and my shirt rode up so my ass crack showed!! Ugh he’s such a pervert! And hyung, HE”S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!!
//INSERT PIC OF SU HERE// (A/N I leave this to your imaginations :P )
☆☆☆
☆☆☆
Whatever, Su. Just bring BinBin over okay?
☆☆☆
JaeJoong was laughing at something on his phone, and the question was out of his mouth faster than he could say his own name. “Is that from JiHo?”
JaeJoong was slightly surprised at YunHo’s sudden inquiry and his response was let out just as fast. “None of your business, MR. JUNG.”
The car then lurched to a stop and the driver announced their arrival, cutting off anymore exchange of words. Not that either one had to say anyway.
What was supposed to be a lunch meeting stretched out into the early evening. JaeJoong didn’t pay any attention on goings on, which he was lucky that YunHo hadn’t noticed. He was getting tired-actually he noticed that he got tired more easily these past few days- and he wanted nothing more but to go home. He was even more thankful when their car stopped in front of them and the moment his body sunk on the soft cushioned seat, darkness immediately swallowed him.
A soft nudge on his shoulder caught YunHo’s attention. He turned to see what it was and saw JaeJoong’s sleeping face resting peacefully against him.
The enchanting proximity made all of YunHo’s coherent thoughts fly out of the window. His hand automatically moved to brush JaeJoong’s hair aside, his thumb tracing over the resting man’s soft lips to finally caress his perfectly smooth cheek.
//memory//
Being a twenty year old college student meant freedom. It meant that he could choose where to eat his lunch and who to spend it with, and how. And the choice Jung YunHo made was to sit in a stone bench at the back of the library, packed lunch sitting on his lap, with his boyfriend Kim JaeJoong.
Taking different majors caused them to have only this time of the day to spend together on campus. And right now, what was supposed to be ‘JaeHo-bonding time’ turned into ‘JaeJoong-sleeping-the-afternoon-away-on-YunHo’s-shoulder time’. He knew he couldn’t blame his boyfriend: he was the one who kept the other man up late at night. But can anyone blame him for wanting to spend every single moment with this beautiful man?
Using his free hand, he brushed away the hair covering the striking man’s features and moved to cup his cheek. “Boo, wake up.”
“Yunnie, let me sleep…” The figure grunted slightly, but barely stirred.
A soft smile graced his lips at that, and he decided that maybe he can forgive JaeJoong for passing out on him just this once.
“I love you, Jae.” Then he ducked his head down, moving in for a kiss.
//end memory//
“Yunnie…”
Present time YunHo found himself doing the exact same thing, and his lips were just about to touch JaeJoong’s quiescent ones when a shrill sound broke through the memory-induced fantasy, making him jerk his hand off the other’s face and pull away.
The sound of his phone ringing pierced his ears and JaeJoong shook himself awake. He realized then that he had fallen asleep on YunHo’s shoulder, and quickly bowed to apologize. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“I don’t pay you to sleep on the job, Mr. Kim.” YunHo felt like a total jerk saying that, especially at the look of exasperation that crossed JaeJoong’s face. He already knew that JaeJoong hadn’t done him anything wrong right? Or was DongHae lying to him once more and was now part of a more elaborate plan to trick him again?
“My shift ended ten minutes ago, just so you know. Mr. Jung.” Why must YunHo hurt him so? He is human, and he gets tired. So why is his falling asleep such a big deal? Or was it because he fell asleep on his shoulder? But why was that such a big deal as well?
He chose to just ignore YunHo for the moment and JaeJoong quickly fished for the still ringing device, flipping it open. As he pressed it to his ear, he caught YunHo muttering something about ‘pillow’ and ‘not anymore’, but it could’ve been his sleep hazed mind so he just ignored that as well.
“Yeob’seyo?”
“Must you take forever to answer?” It was JunSu. “Hurry up, I have to meet Chunnie in 5 minutes!”
JaeJoong couldn’t help the giggle that escaped him. “Chunnie?”
JunSu paused for a while, “I meant YooChun-shii.”
“Yeah, right. Can I talk with Binnie for a sec?”
“He’s playing inside JiHo-shii’s car.”
“JiHo-shii’s already there?”
“What do you think his car’s doing here then? Taking a stroll?” He could imagine JunSu rolling his eyes. “Yes, hyung. He is. And why didn’t I know that you were going out on a date?”
JunSu’s accusing tone made him automatically shift to defense-mode. “You’re going on one yourself. And it’s not a date, Su.”
“Yeah, just like mine isn’t one.”
“Okay, whatever. You can just leave BinBin with JiHo-shii if you’re in such a hurry. We’re almost there anyway.”
YunHo could hear everything from JaeJoong’s end of the conversation, and for the umpteenth time that day, he found himself gritting his teeth. Just hearing JiHo’s name come out of JaeJoong’s lips made him fume like a madman.
Soon enough, their car pulled out in front of the Jung Corporation building, and YunHo could see JiHo standing beside a sleek black sedan, waving at JaeJoong. Maybe it was because JaeJoong waved back that YunHo said what he said. “I can see you spreading your legs already. And to a man you just met, no less.”
JaeJoong froze in his tracks, patience running low. “Yeah, so what if I do?” His eyes were flashing in anger and disbelief. He couldn’t, for the life of him, figure out where these accusations were coming from, and he didn’t feel like dealing with it. “At least he’s someone who actually cares about me and MoonBin!” He turned away but the sudden movement appeared to trigger another dizzy spell and he almost lost his balance. But once again, he found arms wrapped securely around his waist.
From where JiHo was standing, he could see JaeJoong turn to YunHo with what seemed to be anger in his face, and he decided to make his way towards them. As he reached JaeJoong’s side he saw noticed that the man had another one of those hazy fits and was about to fall but caught him just in time. “Woah, JaeJoong-ah, you okay?”
Witnessing another man’s arms enclose around JaeJoong’s body had done it for YunHo. He was about to launch himself towards the man, but a loud yell from the opposite direction thwarted his actions.
“Umma, can we just eat at home? I want to show JiHo-shii my drawings!!”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
MoonBin’s yell played on loop inside YunHo’s head. He’s going to show JiHo his drawings. Not me. JiHo. Not his father, but some stranger his slut of a mother just met.
He was a hair’s breadth away from lunacy and he marveled at how he still remembered to fetch that contract he had to review from his office. He was just about ready to jump off the roof top, truthfully.
These thoughts were, however, interrupted as his phone vibrated against his chest.
“Hae.”
“YunHo, can I see you tomorrow?”
“Only if it’s worth my time.”
“It is, I promise. So can I come by?”
“Be here first thing in the morning.”
Finally taking the needed file from his table he quickly left the room, only to notice a bunch of papers on the floor beside his assistant’s desk. JaeJoong had always been so clumsy. Sighing, he picked them up and scanned the paper, only to furrow his brows in confusion. It didn’t seem to be anything work related and when he got to the bottom of it, he saw a handwritten note.
JaeJoong-shii, just in case you didn’t want to bother yourself with the technical stuff here’s a summary. Congrats, you managed to get yourself pregnant one more time! -Dr. Ryu
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The green ogre was walking around the forest when MoonBin laid his head down on his mother’s lap. His friend DongHoon said that Shrek the Third was a fun movie and he wanted to be as comfortable as he can. His mother’s lap was warm against the side of his face, but the night air was chilling his exposed arms. “Umma, I want Hamato.”
JaeJoong smiled down at his son, fighting back the itch to correct him again. MoonBin was three when he first got that blanket, and MoonBin had never gotten past to calling the character by his proper name, ‘Hamtaro’, despite their innumerable attempts.
“I’ll get it. But you have to get up for a bit.”
Not wanting to relinquish the affectionate scene, JiHo instantaneously volunteered. “I’ll do it, JaeJoong-ah. But what the he-aven is Hamato?”
“It’s BinBin’s hamster blanket.” JaeJoong answered with a chuckle. What the heaven? JiHo could really be so lame.
“Oh… it has a name?” This inquiry only caused both mother and son to laugh harder. “Okay, you can stop laughing now. Where is it?”
“His room is the last one down the hall, it should be on his bed.”
All but rushing to the room, JiHo hastily snatched the article and tiptoed back out, careful not to make a sound. He then stopped at JaeJoong’s room’s door (it had a decorative signboard bearing his name) to sneak a peek. The door thankfully gave way without so much as a creak and he snuck his head in, sniffing the air. He faintly recognized the smell of soap and the vanilla scent that seemed to be entrenched on JaeJoong’s skin and JiHo shuddered.
He wasn’t able to resist the urge anymore and he slinked his way inside and pulled out one of the drawers, which turned out to house JaeJoong’s underwear. Picking one up, he brought it to his face and closed his eyes to breathe in earnestly the scent that was so uniquely JaeJoong in the hopes of ingraining the aroma into his own skin. If this is how JaeJoong smelled down there, it would simply be paradise, he thought.
He then quickly dug his hands around the drawer, carefully though so as not to rouse suspicions, and ran his hands through the bottom where his hand nudged against something semi-sharp. It turned out to be the edge of a picture: JaeJoong’s much younger figure sitting beside a smiling and more youthful Jung YunHo was staring back at him.
In a sudden fit of rage, JiHo tore the photo in his hands, cautious to discard it in his pocket. A wild glint shone in his eyes as he muttered to himself, “You will soon be mine, Kim JaeJoong. All mine.”
★☆★☆★☆★☆★
A/N 2 moon1084 and I have been thinking of gifting you loyal readers with a double update, but we just made this chappie extra long instead. We hope you enjoyed it!! It was hard work but your comments make it all worth it for us, so please do keep them coming!!
A/N 3 and I won’t be putting another poll up, coz it messes up the layout >_<; sorry if that’s ever bothered anyone. And again, to all those who never fail to comment, it really make us feel good and do I need to say it again that comments make the effort worth it? LOL anyways, here’s to all our loyal commenters:
A/N 4 and to the most understanding beta-cum-co author in the world moon1084 thanks so much for putting up with my sudden disappearances!! *huggles you to near-death*
ETA April 7, 2011 [Chapter 8 (LOCKED)] This journal is DEAD so please stop adding this journal! From today on I will stop checking this journal, and you need to comment on this entry over at iwantmyhamato where chapter 8 onwards of this fic are kept. Once again, I don't keep track of anything anymore, but my co-author for APAP does. My opinions on the matter are irrelevant because the journal is now all hers, so leave her comments alright? Much love and thanks to everyone. :)