"Music Is My Life" [14/20]
Title: Music Is My Life [14/20]
Pairing: Yoochun/Junsu, Jaejoong/Yunho
Genre: AU, drama/romance
Warnings: None
Summary: It's the summer of 2007 and Park Yoochun is determined to be successful. After a string of failures during the early part of the year, he's ready to piece his life back together and start anew - especially in his career as a singer/composer. However, things don't turn out so well when the bar he performs at is taken over by a new singer, Kim Junsu.
A/N: It seems like it would be a bit inconvenient to use banners on the hug comm so even though I picked two beautiful ones, in the end I decided not to use them. But please know that I appreciated all efforts to make me one and I still have them and look at them occasionally when I feel writer's block beckoning at me from beyond the horizon ♥
To vicvickyrox (you never replied to me), please give me the email you want me to send your contest prize to (the one you use for Yesasia)!
Yoochun fiddled with his watch. Then he ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the fabric of his sleeve. He watched as a young, giggling couple walked by and sighed. Leaning against the entrance of a small Japanese oriented restaurant he'd chosen for the night, he finally decided to fiddle with his cell phone, a small, old piece of electronic that had outlived its desirability but not yet its usefulness. He'd gotten it when he first arrived in Korea - his mind had logically deduced that it would be impossible to strike any kind of deal without a contact number - and he'd promptly gotten attached to it throughout the years, even as both Stephanie and Yunho offered to purchase him a new one for his birthday.
Perhaps it was because it continued to symbolize a kind of struggle against the new and upcoming; at twenty-one, he felt like too many opportunities had passed him by - he was trying to fight against the new surge of singers slash dancers, singers slash composers and pianists; the balladeer with the soft crooning voice that recently debuted and the band with the jazzy electronica with the comeback performance that aired a few days ago. The phone was old and chipped, but he'd come to slowly realize that phone companies just didn't make them like they used to anymore. For one thing, they didn't have the snazzy black and grey screens.
The fact of the matter was that he desperately wanted a new one but simply didn't have the funds. He wasn't exactly into charity either.
Thankfully, the phone could text message and so he'd texted Junsu, choosing to avoid awkward conversation that was certain to follow if he did call, and he'd been awarded with a reply of "Ok ^o^v," which, frankly, had puzzled him. Perhaps it was because the other man didn't strike him as someone who was prone to excessive emoticon use.
But how well did he really know Kim Junsu? A man who had practically barged into his life with his stunning voice and wide grin, taking only three weeks of nosing around each other for Yoochun to declare his willingness to trust him with what was essentially his life story.
He was sick of regretting and second-guessing his own decisions though. So he'd made a ton of mistakes in the past; perhaps he'd even trusted the wrong people and associated with a bad crowd. In a way, that made him even more determined to trust Junsu. He was sure that this time, he wasn't wrong. After all, Junsu had trusted him with some pretty personal stuff too.
Not that he seemed very willing to, Yoochun mused as an afterthought.
"Yoochun?" A tap on his shoulder and he turned. A rumpled looking (hair in disarray, wrinkled clothes) Junsu looked questioningly at him, a small but happy smile on his face. "I wasn't sure if it was really this place," he continued as Yoochun straightened from the wall, "I'm still not very familiar with the area." Rumpled, as if he'd been rolling around on a bed somewhere - Yoochun rubbed a finger between his eyes, trying to dispel any wayward images. Must've been last night - putting unwanted ideas into his head.
"It's been three weeks, Junsu."
"I don't have time to explore!"
"Which means I have to take you out more often. Here, especially. I love the bentos here."
"I've tasted original bento so I know what's supposed to be good," Junsu said with an answering grin, teasingly walking ahead of him to emphasize his point.
Yoochun blinked in surprise at his sudden boldness, feeling warmed by how normal this all sounded. "Then I guess if I pass this test you should learn to trust my judgment more." He poked him on the shoulder in retaliation.
"I would - I always trust your judgment."
Both of them realized the implications of that statement and both of them let it slide harmlessly by.
"What's Japan like? I've never been there." Why were you there at seventeen was what he really wanted to ask, but no. Enough spilling of secrets for one day. He'd have to learn how to respect others' privacy, given how he had spectacularly failed to do so when Junsu had first arrived.
"It's a lot like Seoul," Junsu answered thoughtfully, unaware of Yoochun's inner dialogue, "buildings, crowded, cars. There's a lot of flashy lights though; lots of arcades, shopping areas, great restaurants. There's also a lot of tourist attractions, like this one temple I went to. It's called Asakusa..." Yoochun let him ramble on as a waitress led them to a small corner table. Good for a private conversation, he thought approvingly, and knew that no doubt this conversation would be a private and difficult one.
Actually (Junsu now began to describe the castles and gardens), Yoochun hadn't had much chance to think about anything at all. Once Junsu had left, he'd realized he actually had quite a few errands to run and household items to restock on. Then he'd gotten sidetracked by a nearby store that sold keyboards and of course he had to spend several hours trying each one, his ears working in overdrive to find the best quality one without the store owner simply telling him. It was a game he enjoyed playing ever since he'd self-taught himself the piano (although he still could not read notes for the life of him - they looked like gibberish).
So he'd kept himself busy and now that Junsu had quieted (once he realized Yoochun wasn't really paying attention) to read the menu while pouting his head off, Yoochun took the a chance to observe him over the top of his own menu. Eyebrows knitted together and straight, white teeth nibbling on plump lower lips - a look of intense concentration as his eyes swept the list of options. To be completely honest, Kim Junsu was an unremarkable looking man. But his charm lay in the almost invisible but entirely imaginable laugh lines along his mouth, the firmness of his jaw, the easy way with which he smiled or his eyes fluttered as he sang or the sharpness in his gaze as he regarded him with something akin to -
"Yoochun?"
He nearly knocked over the cup of tea that had been placed in front of him while he'd been deep in thought. "Hm?" He tried not to look as dumb as he felt.
There was that grin again, and corner of his crinkled. "Are you ready to order?"
Startled, he looked up at the familiar face of his usual waitress. "I'll just have the usual." She winked and jotted something down before turning to Junsu with a polite tilt of her head. Junsu made his order and smiled at her as he handed her the menu. Yoochun watched as she complimented his unique voice and left, sashaying just a little more than she usually did.
"It's a shame you're gay, the girls love you," he murmured absentmindedly, and had only the time to blink when Junsu froze, then turned to look at him slowly. Yoochun nearly dropped the chopsticks he'd been trying to pull apart. "Shit I'm - "
"I thought...you were okay with it," the other man said in a quiet voice, hurt gathering behind those eyes and if Yoochun hadn't been feeling like a complete moron, he most certainly did now.
"I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry - " he stumbled over his words, mentally beating himself for such a thoughtless comment. He'd decided, although he hadn't thought much of it, not to make Junsu feel uncomfortable. Him being gay didn't make Yoochun feel uncomfortable, so why should he make it a problem? But it certainly would've been better if he had realized this before that had come out of his mouth -
He stared as Junsu smiled, before finally chuckling, reaching forward to fold the paper slip the chopsticks had come in into a chopstick holder. "I'm just joking. Sorry, I didn't think it was fair that I was the only one lost for words all the time."
Yoochun laughed, relief obvious on his face. "You really got me there."
Just like that, the tension was broken. Junsu leaned in a little closer, a curious look overcoming his features. "But...you're really okay with it?"
"Yes."
"That's..." he laughed nervously. "That's different."
"What do you mean?" Yoochun took a sip from his cup of tea.
"My...family doesn't know and the only ones that do are Jaejoong and Changmin. It's not like I have this burning urge to tell everyone - " he glanced away quickly, "but I used to think that it's a secret that I'll have to keep to myself for...for the rest of my life or something."
"It's not - " Yoochun hesitated, trying to decide the best way to go about making his point, "easy, in this country. I know. It's not easy anywhere."
"But we've gotten to this point and you haven't punched me yet, so I feel better about it." Junsu grinned. "I'm glad we're still friends," he added, using the line Yoochun himself had said last night.
"About that...No, I'm not taking it back - " Yoochun reassured him exasperatedly, seeing the abrupt change in expression on the other man's face, "but...you like me. You said it yourself."
He flushed and stared miserably at the tabletop. "Yeah, I did, didn't I." It wasn't a question.
"It's not that I have a problem with it, you being gay and liking me...uh, that way. I am a fine piece of ass," he joked. Junsu gave him a small, amused smile but otherwise kept silent. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He needed a haircut. "I just don't want things to get so awkward between us, like right now. Because in the past few weeks, I think we've formed something good, you and I, and I...like it. It's good for me," he tapped a finger lightly against the table as Junsu looked up at him without a sound, "I always had Yoohwan for company back at home and we weathered through the divorce together, you know that. So as much as I love being here and trying to live my dream and all..." he smiled tiredly, "sometimes I miss the company. Or maybe I miss having that one person beside me that need me to protect them. And that person looking up to me and thinking the world of me, even when I'm lower than dirt." Somehow, you've become that person.. That was left unsaid but they both heard it.
"Yoochun - "
"What do you want, Junsu?"
The younger man blinked. "What?"
"Well, I've said what I want. It's your turn."
The food chose then to arrive and they fell silent as the waitress placed their bentos before them.
"Itadakimasu," Junsu murmured as he picked up his chopsticks and he blushed at Yoochun's raised eyebrow. "Habit. Whenever I eat Japanese food..." He laughed and Junsu smiled and they both started eating in silence, distraction by hunger overcoming the need to talk. Junsu mulled over Yoochun's question as he shovelled rice into his mouth. What did he want? How simple a question to ask, when the answer was anything but. There were so many things he desired, most of which had nothing to do with Yoochun, but those he couldn't voice. He mentally sighed a little to himself and forced his mind back on track.
So what exactly did he want?
Several minutes had passed before he got the nerve to speak. "I'm not sure if I understand what you mean."
"Is that all you want from me? Friendship?"
Junsu's hand twitched. Ever so blunt, the man. Yoochun gazed at him with a perfectly neutral expression, nothing but questioning in his face. Junsu resisted the urge to roll his eyes - "You're not doing this because of what I pulled earlier, are you?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, Yoochun - " he rubbed his closed eyes with his free hand, his other clutching his chopsticks tightly, "I don't - want to - I don't need to say it. You know what I want. You know how impossible it is."
"You think I'm trying to get back at you for the earlier thing by putting you on the spot? Junsu!"
"You weren't?" He removed his hand and blinked.
Yoochun, managing to look completely offended, dropped his chopsticks. "Of course not! I really wanted to know! Isn't it fair that I hear you out?"
"It's not about fairness. It's about - about you not feeling the same way and me being happy at the fact we're still friends," he said in a rush, slumping in his seat in defeat. "Life isn't fair."
"I know that," Yoochun sighed lightly, voice quiet.
"It's okay," Junsu smiled easily and shrugged just as easily, but felt his heart clench. "You're straight. I'm not a girl."
"You make it sound so simple," he muttered.
"Isn't it?" The resounding silence that followed made him nervous, so much so that he shifted in his seat and poked at the raw fish sitting innocuously in his bento. When it became too much, he looked up resolutely. "Yoochun. Isn't it?" He whispered, realizing have a second later how desperate he sounded. He winced.
"I've come to value what we have. I don't want it to change." Yoochun began shredding his napkin. "If I say, 'I don't like you that way,' it would...cause tension."
"You can't say that it's not true though," Junsu pointed out, confused.
There was another silence, during which they both ate bites and avoided looking directly at each other. Finally, Yoochun nodded, seemingly to himself. "I know this might be asking too much, but can we...go back to the way we were? Not to forget about what happened, but to - to see where we might have been heading towards had this not happened." He looked nervous.
Junsu's eyes widened. "But that means - "
"You know, without talking or thinking too much about it," Yoochun interrupted. Junsu's eyes swept over the other man and saw a hand that trembled. He closed his mouth. "I just want to see where life brings us. That's how I've lived my life until now, you know? Nothing's set in stone. I'm not asking you to wait or anything, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that possibilities shouldn't...be ruled out."
"I don't get it." Yoochun gave him a look. "Okay, fine, I get it," he finally did roll his eyes and grinned.
"See, I don't want to predict where our friendship will take us." He leaned forward on his elbows. "I've had enough trying to predict the future and expecting things to come my way. I just want to sit back and let things be."
Junsu nodded thoughtfully. "So the plan is to continue what we have and come what may?"
"If that's alright with you?"
"It's more than I imagined," Junsu said honestly. "Thank you." Yoochun didn't promise anything but...more importantly, he didn't not promise anything either. Even with the greatest effort, Junsu could not quell that small flare of hope.
The other man laughed. "You worry about everything." And who's always making him worry, hm? His behaviour towards Junsu in the beginning was not easily forgotten, and it still made him feel guilty.
They continued their meal, the conversation gradually changing to something less touchy for the both of them. From music to the upkeep of the bar, to whether Yunho or Changmin would chew them a new one for not informing them of closing the bar for that night, they laughed and smiled together and it felt the same again.
Somewhat.
It took a little while but Yoochun finally managed to wrestle the bill after the meal from a protesting Junsu and promptly paid for it.
"But Yoochun - " The slightly shorter man tried to snatch it from his hand as he held it as high as he could over his head, after they had exited the restaurant.
"Come off it, it's not like I'm completely broke."
"I wanted to treat you today!"
"You're not going to stomp your feet and pout at me, are you?"
"No...Just let me have the bill!"
After a couple minutes of Junsu practically chasing Yoochun down the street and Yoochun strategically leading him towards Dong Bang Shin Ki, he finally caught the other's hand in his own to stop him from accidentally punching him in the nose. "Hey, enough of that. You're going to hit me if you keep swinging that around," he inclined his chin towards the fist he held in his own.
Junsu ignored him stubbornly. "Just give me the bill."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Do you think I can't afford it or something?"
"I - Of course not! I just think it's only right that I pay you back for - "
"Being a friend?" A raised eyebrow.
Flushed cheeks. "Well...no. You don't have to make it sound so bad."
He observed him silently, before shaking his head, smiling. "You never give up, do you? Well, it's too late. I threw it away two streets ago."
"What?! I didn't even notice!"
Yoochun shrugged. "S'not my fault you don't pay attention. Now come on, we should at least pretend we're working if your friend drops by tonight to check up on us." He tugged on the other's hand and Junsu reluctantly followed, grumbling softly under his breath.
They walked for two more blocks before Junsu noticed something strange and stopped abruptly, staring.
"Yoochun..." He said softly, suddenly noticing that the sky was still light but the street was empty.
"Come on, there's a show on TV I don't want to miss tonight." He tugged on his hand again and Junsu looked at him. He returned the gaze and they stared at each other before Junsu smiled slowly; hesitantly. Yoochun flashed a grin back at him and they continued walking, hands lightly touching.
~*~*~
"Who are you?"
Jaejoong muffled a laugh when Yunho threw him an annoyed glance as he stepped through his door for the third time. This time, Yunho had obviously made a conscious decision to dress down, a short-sleeved shirt with an intricate design adorning the left side of his chest ('A nice chest,' Jaejoong noted and whistled nonchalantly when Yunho caught his glance with a raised eyebrow) and a pair of nondescript dark blue jeans.
Incidentally, Jaejoong had been kicked out of Changmin's house followed by insistences of "I'm okay, hyung, but I really have to study for this test and you keep talking, now get out" and to alleviate his irritation (he knew he'd have to go back there the next day because one would have to be blind to miss Changmin's heavy breathing and light sheen of sweat over his skin, but Jaejoong didn't feel like arguing - let the kid suffer for awhile to teach him a lesson), he'd spent the rest of the afternoon dressing up. A sleek black buttoned shirt, tight jeans, his most flashy pair of earrings, and his inky hair suffocating in an unnecessarily large amount of mouse.
He looked sexy, he knew.
Not that he was trying to seduce anyone. Least of all an uptight businessman who was younger than him.
Jaejoong couldn't muffle the chuckle as Yunho glared lightly at him, as if daring him to give voice to another joke. "I thought it was impossible for you to live without a suit and a Rolex on your wrist."
"Contrary to your beliefs, I don't equate myself to my family's wealth," he said stiffly, looking much like a statue in the middle of Jaejoong's living room.
The older man blinked at the harsh, almost biting tone and decided making backing off might be a good idea. Apparently, when Jung Yunho wasn't happy, he was quite the sight to behold. Intimidating, forceful, but the full extent of his anger (frustration? suspicion?) was held back, seen in the way his arms were held tightly to his side, his legs and feet spaced evenly apart at shoulder length - little things that Jaejoong couldn't help noticing.
So yes, perhaps being a bit more cautious on his part would be a good idea.
Still, he couldn't resist.
"Well, I made something especially for you," he chirped cheerfully and strolled over to the kitchen, gesturing for him to follow. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Yunho take a deep breath and physically force himself to relax. The shoulders slumped down a fraction of an inch, his head lowered from its proud position, and he was lightly shaking out his right arm.
Jaejoong set a large metal bowl onto the table, rice steaming inside.
Yunho peered uncertainly at it and tried to appear grateful at the same time. "It looks...hot."
"You know, life's like that. You should try new things all the time." He smiled harmlessly.
"And I wholeheartedly endorse that view," Yunho replied as he took a seat and accepted the long metal spoon Jaejoong handed him, "but not at the cost of my taste buds."
"You injure me. What must I do in order to rid you of your clearly biased view of me?" Another sweet smile.
He was given barely an acknowledgement. "Neither of us views the other fairly. Let's not pretend otherwise."
"You know what? You're right." Jaejoong grabbed the bowl and set it down on his side of the table instead.
Yunho frowned, confused. "What are you - "
"I was going to pull off another spicy thing with my infamous kimchi fried rice but you had to be a sourpuss and ruin everything. I made bulgogi for you, that good enough for your taste buds?"
"I - "
"Good." He tried not to stomp but gave up and stomped away as he grabbed a covered tray and brought it to his guest, setting it down gently and lifting the lid. "Hope this gets your stamp of approval." Then he sat down and shoved a spoonful of rice into his mouth.
Yunho stared at him, before he looked down at the tray and dug his spoon into the dish of vegetables and beef. It smelled delicious. It tasted even better. Regretfully, he put down his spoon and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, Jaejoong."
The man addressed didn't say anything.
"You're right."
The spoon stilled.
He smiled for the first time that night. "That would get your attention."
"You know me so well now." Jaejoong rolled his eyes.
"You're easy to read."
"Oh?" Jaejoong carefully set aside his spoon and looked at him expectantly, eyebrows raised.
"Attention seeker." He ticked off each description with a finger, watching as the almost exaggerated anger spread across the man's face. "Vain. Mischievous. Gets frustrated, angry, easily. Unable to - "
"Uptight, lack of humour, prideful, self-isolated, emotionally closed off, arrogant - "
"You told me that already."
They stared at each other and said at the same time, "Stubborn."
Jaejoong burst out laughing, shaking his head as he resumed eating. He gestured for Yunho to do the same, who complied. "We're doing this wrong. Every time." Yunho chuckled quietly. "Somehow, you come here and I'm on the offensive and you're defending yourself. Can't say this was what I had in mind when I suggested this," he said wryly.
"I should apologize. I've been unnecessarily hostile." Yunho smiled tiredly. "And I was the one who made that ultimatum last night - either we can argue forever or we can try for an acquaintanceship. You are very good at cooking; I didn't mean to insult you regarding that."
"Well, I probably shouldn't be trying to consistently kill your taste buds. How's the bulgogi?"
"Delicious."
He grinned, pleased. "Well, when you're trying to be nice, you certainly can be very nice."
"You're talking to a businessman - I'm paid to be nice to people I don't know very well for business reasons," Yunho chuckled. Jaejoong's small frown went unnoticed. "However, I haven't had dinner with anyone purely for the company in awhile. Let's just say I'm rusty with my skills in socializing for the sake of socializing and leave it at that." Rather, it was Jaejoong that always seemed to get on his nerve at the least opportune times and it took every effort to, well, make an effort. What was it about this man?
Pleasantly surprised, Jaejoong reached over to pat him on the shoulder. "Admitting your faults, as few as you may believe them to be, is always the first step to overcoming them." He grinned.
Yunho eyed him. "I'm sure," he replied sardonically and returned to his food.
The atmosphere in the room noticeably lightened as they ate and safe conversation topics flew between them ("What? You dance? No way!"). As Jaejoong got up to take the dirty dishes to the sink, Yunho stood up as well.
"Hey, nobody's going to accuse me of being a bad host. Sit down."
"That's ridiculous - I'm not too proud to wash dishes."
Jaejoong gaped at him. "That's not what I meant."
"You were thinking it." The other man breezed past him with his tray and promptly turned the tap to the faucet.
"Now you can read my mind?"
"I don't need to be telepathic. Like I said - " Yunho glanced at him from the corner of his eyes and smirked, " - you're just easy to read."
The host bristled. "Must you condescend to me every time you open your mouth?"
Yunho turned to him, surprised. "Must you misinterpret everything I say? Like you said, you're always on the offensive. I'm not always out to get you, you know."
"First impressions are everything," Jaejoong mumbled, avoiding his eyes as he took a seat beside the kitchen table, slumping a little. Okay, so he really wasn't sure why he always flew off his rocker every time Jung Yunho so much as looked at him - but every time he recalled that scene at Dong Bang Shin Ki or the way Yunho had talked down to him the second time they had met, he felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment and a twitch develop somewhere below his left eye. He just wasn't used to someone matching him snappy comeback for snappy comeback. Yunho was simply too irritating for him to befriend.
'I must've been crazy when I thought this guy needed someone. He's not missing anything at all, except maybe some tact and some manners.' You're acting just as rude, hypocrite. He squashed that voice in his head.
"I didn't think it would last that long," Yunho said conversationally, his hands moving deftly to complete his task. "Then again, I didn't think we would be sharing a meal for seven nights either. So I guess we can't expect too much from our own expectations."
"I never do that," Jaejoong murmured thoughtfully, putting his head on his arms upon the table, letting the sound of running water wash over him. "Otherwise I never would've survived."
"What do you mean?" Yunho asked - or at least, that was what he meant to ask but instead found a snoring Jaejoong. He blinked at how quickly he had slipped into slumber. "Must be a record." He allowed himself a brief smile at the thought before he turned back, picking up a towel to dry off the dishes.
After he had placed everything where he thought they went, he glanced around and noticed the time. He turned back to Jaejoong, whose shoulders rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
"He's much more amiable when he's asleep," Yunho said quietly and contemplated on what to do next. Finally, he tapped on his shoulder and Jaejoong jumped. He blinked, once, twice, and stared blearily at Yunho. Then his eyes widened.
"Wow, I actually fell asleep in your presence. Maybe that means a friendship is possible after all," Jaejoong muttered as he stood up. He stretched and ignored Yunho's raised eyebrow. He, as a rule, never slept in front of people he wasn't close to. It was a habit he'd developed in his teens. "Sorry for letting you do the work, I'll clean up tomorrow."
"It's only fair I wash if you cook. Maybe if we set up some kind of familiar routine this week will pass by easier."
"Thanks a lot," Jaejoong stuck his tongue out harmlessly, for which he was rewarded with a small smile.
"Easier as in a more pleasant experience for the both of us. Less going after each other's throats, preferably."
"Don't forget your main goal - don't want you accidentally falling for me," he winked.
"Doubtful, but you're welcome to try and convince me," Yunho flirted back easily, falling into the game they had started at Dong Bang Shin Ki.
Jaejoong burst out laughing, because the thought was totally absurd. "Okay, out you go. Get home before daddy starts getting worried about your precious whereabouts."
At the mention of his father, Yunho seemed to deflate a little, but shrugged anyway. "He worries more about my little sister."
"You have a sister?" He tried not to gape and tried not to imagine Yunho as an elder sibling. Poor girl.
"You never asked. But you do have a point - it's getting late. You should get more rest, if you can fall asleep on a kitchen table."
"Hey, my exhaustion was for a good cause," Jaejoong defended himself, thinking back to Changmin barely able to get up this morning to open the door.
"Whatever it is, your health should always come first." He walked to the door. "And now that you mention my main goal, don't forget what we agreed on."
"I know I know, keep counting," Jaejoong rolled his eyes, "two nights down and five more to go."
Yunho smiled briefly, eyes suddenly straying to a point behind him, and he glanced around to see what he was looking at. Not noticing anything out of place, he turned back and saw Yunho watching him instead, thoughtfully. For some odd reason, he flushed. "Out out out. I need my beauty sleep, remember?"
"Alright then. Have a good night and thanks for dinner," Yunho said politely and left. Jaejoong gently closed the door behind him and turned around, fully prepared to march back into his bedroom and collapse while cursing Changmin's inability to take care of himself in his head, but stopped short.
There was nothing out of place, nothing to indicate Jung Yunho had even been there (he would later retract this thought when he found a cup placed erroneously amongst the utensils), but for some odd reason, as he glanced at the photographs on the wall, the rumpled jacket over his couch, the dying flowers in the vase on the counter -
- his apartment had never looked quite so empty.
Pairing: Yoochun/Junsu, Jaejoong/Yunho
Genre: AU, drama/romance
Warnings: None
Summary: It's the summer of 2007 and Park Yoochun is determined to be successful. After a string of failures during the early part of the year, he's ready to piece his life back together and start anew - especially in his career as a singer/composer. However, things don't turn out so well when the bar he performs at is taken over by a new singer, Kim Junsu.
A/N: It seems like it would be a bit inconvenient to use banners on the hug comm so even though I picked two beautiful ones, in the end I decided not to use them. But please know that I appreciated all efforts to make me one and I still have them and look at them occasionally when I feel writer's block beckoning at me from beyond the horizon ♥
To vicvickyrox (you never replied to me), please give me the email you want me to send your contest prize to (the one you use for Yesasia)!
Yoochun fiddled with his watch. Then he ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the fabric of his sleeve. He watched as a young, giggling couple walked by and sighed. Leaning against the entrance of a small Japanese oriented restaurant he'd chosen for the night, he finally decided to fiddle with his cell phone, a small, old piece of electronic that had outlived its desirability but not yet its usefulness. He'd gotten it when he first arrived in Korea - his mind had logically deduced that it would be impossible to strike any kind of deal without a contact number - and he'd promptly gotten attached to it throughout the years, even as both Stephanie and Yunho offered to purchase him a new one for his birthday.
Perhaps it was because it continued to symbolize a kind of struggle against the new and upcoming; at twenty-one, he felt like too many opportunities had passed him by - he was trying to fight against the new surge of singers slash dancers, singers slash composers and pianists; the balladeer with the soft crooning voice that recently debuted and the band with the jazzy electronica with the comeback performance that aired a few days ago. The phone was old and chipped, but he'd come to slowly realize that phone companies just didn't make them like they used to anymore. For one thing, they didn't have the snazzy black and grey screens.
The fact of the matter was that he desperately wanted a new one but simply didn't have the funds. He wasn't exactly into charity either.
Thankfully, the phone could text message and so he'd texted Junsu, choosing to avoid awkward conversation that was certain to follow if he did call, and he'd been awarded with a reply of "Ok ^o^v," which, frankly, had puzzled him. Perhaps it was because the other man didn't strike him as someone who was prone to excessive emoticon use.
But how well did he really know Kim Junsu? A man who had practically barged into his life with his stunning voice and wide grin, taking only three weeks of nosing around each other for Yoochun to declare his willingness to trust him with what was essentially his life story.
He was sick of regretting and second-guessing his own decisions though. So he'd made a ton of mistakes in the past; perhaps he'd even trusted the wrong people and associated with a bad crowd. In a way, that made him even more determined to trust Junsu. He was sure that this time, he wasn't wrong. After all, Junsu had trusted him with some pretty personal stuff too.
Not that he seemed very willing to, Yoochun mused as an afterthought.
"Yoochun?" A tap on his shoulder and he turned. A rumpled looking (hair in disarray, wrinkled clothes) Junsu looked questioningly at him, a small but happy smile on his face. "I wasn't sure if it was really this place," he continued as Yoochun straightened from the wall, "I'm still not very familiar with the area." Rumpled, as if he'd been rolling around on a bed somewhere - Yoochun rubbed a finger between his eyes, trying to dispel any wayward images. Must've been last night - putting unwanted ideas into his head.
"It's been three weeks, Junsu."
"I don't have time to explore!"
"Which means I have to take you out more often. Here, especially. I love the bentos here."
"I've tasted original bento so I know what's supposed to be good," Junsu said with an answering grin, teasingly walking ahead of him to emphasize his point.
Yoochun blinked in surprise at his sudden boldness, feeling warmed by how normal this all sounded. "Then I guess if I pass this test you should learn to trust my judgment more." He poked him on the shoulder in retaliation.
"I would - I always trust your judgment."
Both of them realized the implications of that statement and both of them let it slide harmlessly by.
"What's Japan like? I've never been there." Why were you there at seventeen was what he really wanted to ask, but no. Enough spilling of secrets for one day. He'd have to learn how to respect others' privacy, given how he had spectacularly failed to do so when Junsu had first arrived.
"It's a lot like Seoul," Junsu answered thoughtfully, unaware of Yoochun's inner dialogue, "buildings, crowded, cars. There's a lot of flashy lights though; lots of arcades, shopping areas, great restaurants. There's also a lot of tourist attractions, like this one temple I went to. It's called Asakusa..." Yoochun let him ramble on as a waitress led them to a small corner table. Good for a private conversation, he thought approvingly, and knew that no doubt this conversation would be a private and difficult one.
Actually (Junsu now began to describe the castles and gardens), Yoochun hadn't had much chance to think about anything at all. Once Junsu had left, he'd realized he actually had quite a few errands to run and household items to restock on. Then he'd gotten sidetracked by a nearby store that sold keyboards and of course he had to spend several hours trying each one, his ears working in overdrive to find the best quality one without the store owner simply telling him. It was a game he enjoyed playing ever since he'd self-taught himself the piano (although he still could not read notes for the life of him - they looked like gibberish).
So he'd kept himself busy and now that Junsu had quieted (once he realized Yoochun wasn't really paying attention) to read the menu while pouting his head off, Yoochun took the a chance to observe him over the top of his own menu. Eyebrows knitted together and straight, white teeth nibbling on plump lower lips - a look of intense concentration as his eyes swept the list of options. To be completely honest, Kim Junsu was an unremarkable looking man. But his charm lay in the almost invisible but entirely imaginable laugh lines along his mouth, the firmness of his jaw, the easy way with which he smiled or his eyes fluttered as he sang or the sharpness in his gaze as he regarded him with something akin to -
"Yoochun?"
He nearly knocked over the cup of tea that had been placed in front of him while he'd been deep in thought. "Hm?" He tried not to look as dumb as he felt.
There was that grin again, and corner of his crinkled. "Are you ready to order?"
Startled, he looked up at the familiar face of his usual waitress. "I'll just have the usual." She winked and jotted something down before turning to Junsu with a polite tilt of her head. Junsu made his order and smiled at her as he handed her the menu. Yoochun watched as she complimented his unique voice and left, sashaying just a little more than she usually did.
"It's a shame you're gay, the girls love you," he murmured absentmindedly, and had only the time to blink when Junsu froze, then turned to look at him slowly. Yoochun nearly dropped the chopsticks he'd been trying to pull apart. "Shit I'm - "
"I thought...you were okay with it," the other man said in a quiet voice, hurt gathering behind those eyes and if Yoochun hadn't been feeling like a complete moron, he most certainly did now.
"I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry - " he stumbled over his words, mentally beating himself for such a thoughtless comment. He'd decided, although he hadn't thought much of it, not to make Junsu feel uncomfortable. Him being gay didn't make Yoochun feel uncomfortable, so why should he make it a problem? But it certainly would've been better if he had realized this before that had come out of his mouth -
He stared as Junsu smiled, before finally chuckling, reaching forward to fold the paper slip the chopsticks had come in into a chopstick holder. "I'm just joking. Sorry, I didn't think it was fair that I was the only one lost for words all the time."
Yoochun laughed, relief obvious on his face. "You really got me there."
Just like that, the tension was broken. Junsu leaned in a little closer, a curious look overcoming his features. "But...you're really okay with it?"
"Yes."
"That's..." he laughed nervously. "That's different."
"What do you mean?" Yoochun took a sip from his cup of tea.
"My...family doesn't know and the only ones that do are Jaejoong and Changmin. It's not like I have this burning urge to tell everyone - " he glanced away quickly, "but I used to think that it's a secret that I'll have to keep to myself for...for the rest of my life or something."
"It's not - " Yoochun hesitated, trying to decide the best way to go about making his point, "easy, in this country. I know. It's not easy anywhere."
"But we've gotten to this point and you haven't punched me yet, so I feel better about it." Junsu grinned. "I'm glad we're still friends," he added, using the line Yoochun himself had said last night.
"About that...No, I'm not taking it back - " Yoochun reassured him exasperatedly, seeing the abrupt change in expression on the other man's face, "but...you like me. You said it yourself."
He flushed and stared miserably at the tabletop. "Yeah, I did, didn't I." It wasn't a question.
"It's not that I have a problem with it, you being gay and liking me...uh, that way. I am a fine piece of ass," he joked. Junsu gave him a small, amused smile but otherwise kept silent. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He needed a haircut. "I just don't want things to get so awkward between us, like right now. Because in the past few weeks, I think we've formed something good, you and I, and I...like it. It's good for me," he tapped a finger lightly against the table as Junsu looked up at him without a sound, "I always had Yoohwan for company back at home and we weathered through the divorce together, you know that. So as much as I love being here and trying to live my dream and all..." he smiled tiredly, "sometimes I miss the company. Or maybe I miss having that one person beside me that need me to protect them. And that person looking up to me and thinking the world of me, even when I'm lower than dirt." Somehow, you've become that person.. That was left unsaid but they both heard it.
"Yoochun - "
"What do you want, Junsu?"
The younger man blinked. "What?"
"Well, I've said what I want. It's your turn."
The food chose then to arrive and they fell silent as the waitress placed their bentos before them.
"Itadakimasu," Junsu murmured as he picked up his chopsticks and he blushed at Yoochun's raised eyebrow. "Habit. Whenever I eat Japanese food..." He laughed and Junsu smiled and they both started eating in silence, distraction by hunger overcoming the need to talk. Junsu mulled over Yoochun's question as he shovelled rice into his mouth. What did he want? How simple a question to ask, when the answer was anything but. There were so many things he desired, most of which had nothing to do with Yoochun, but those he couldn't voice. He mentally sighed a little to himself and forced his mind back on track.
So what exactly did he want?
Several minutes had passed before he got the nerve to speak. "I'm not sure if I understand what you mean."
"Is that all you want from me? Friendship?"
Junsu's hand twitched. Ever so blunt, the man. Yoochun gazed at him with a perfectly neutral expression, nothing but questioning in his face. Junsu resisted the urge to roll his eyes - "You're not doing this because of what I pulled earlier, are you?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, Yoochun - " he rubbed his closed eyes with his free hand, his other clutching his chopsticks tightly, "I don't - want to - I don't need to say it. You know what I want. You know how impossible it is."
"You think I'm trying to get back at you for the earlier thing by putting you on the spot? Junsu!"
"You weren't?" He removed his hand and blinked.
Yoochun, managing to look completely offended, dropped his chopsticks. "Of course not! I really wanted to know! Isn't it fair that I hear you out?"
"It's not about fairness. It's about - about you not feeling the same way and me being happy at the fact we're still friends," he said in a rush, slumping in his seat in defeat. "Life isn't fair."
"I know that," Yoochun sighed lightly, voice quiet.
"It's okay," Junsu smiled easily and shrugged just as easily, but felt his heart clench. "You're straight. I'm not a girl."
"You make it sound so simple," he muttered.
"Isn't it?" The resounding silence that followed made him nervous, so much so that he shifted in his seat and poked at the raw fish sitting innocuously in his bento. When it became too much, he looked up resolutely. "Yoochun. Isn't it?" He whispered, realizing have a second later how desperate he sounded. He winced.
"I've come to value what we have. I don't want it to change." Yoochun began shredding his napkin. "If I say, 'I don't like you that way,' it would...cause tension."
"You can't say that it's not true though," Junsu pointed out, confused.
There was another silence, during which they both ate bites and avoided looking directly at each other. Finally, Yoochun nodded, seemingly to himself. "I know this might be asking too much, but can we...go back to the way we were? Not to forget about what happened, but to - to see where we might have been heading towards had this not happened." He looked nervous.
Junsu's eyes widened. "But that means - "
"You know, without talking or thinking too much about it," Yoochun interrupted. Junsu's eyes swept over the other man and saw a hand that trembled. He closed his mouth. "I just want to see where life brings us. That's how I've lived my life until now, you know? Nothing's set in stone. I'm not asking you to wait or anything, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that possibilities shouldn't...be ruled out."
"I don't get it." Yoochun gave him a look. "Okay, fine, I get it," he finally did roll his eyes and grinned.
"See, I don't want to predict where our friendship will take us." He leaned forward on his elbows. "I've had enough trying to predict the future and expecting things to come my way. I just want to sit back and let things be."
Junsu nodded thoughtfully. "So the plan is to continue what we have and come what may?"
"If that's alright with you?"
"It's more than I imagined," Junsu said honestly. "Thank you." Yoochun didn't promise anything but...more importantly, he didn't not promise anything either. Even with the greatest effort, Junsu could not quell that small flare of hope.
The other man laughed. "You worry about everything." And who's always making him worry, hm? His behaviour towards Junsu in the beginning was not easily forgotten, and it still made him feel guilty.
They continued their meal, the conversation gradually changing to something less touchy for the both of them. From music to the upkeep of the bar, to whether Yunho or Changmin would chew them a new one for not informing them of closing the bar for that night, they laughed and smiled together and it felt the same again.
Somewhat.
It took a little while but Yoochun finally managed to wrestle the bill after the meal from a protesting Junsu and promptly paid for it.
"But Yoochun - " The slightly shorter man tried to snatch it from his hand as he held it as high as he could over his head, after they had exited the restaurant.
"Come off it, it's not like I'm completely broke."
"I wanted to treat you today!"
"You're not going to stomp your feet and pout at me, are you?"
"No...Just let me have the bill!"
After a couple minutes of Junsu practically chasing Yoochun down the street and Yoochun strategically leading him towards Dong Bang Shin Ki, he finally caught the other's hand in his own to stop him from accidentally punching him in the nose. "Hey, enough of that. You're going to hit me if you keep swinging that around," he inclined his chin towards the fist he held in his own.
Junsu ignored him stubbornly. "Just give me the bill."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Do you think I can't afford it or something?"
"I - Of course not! I just think it's only right that I pay you back for - "
"Being a friend?" A raised eyebrow.
Flushed cheeks. "Well...no. You don't have to make it sound so bad."
He observed him silently, before shaking his head, smiling. "You never give up, do you? Well, it's too late. I threw it away two streets ago."
"What?! I didn't even notice!"
Yoochun shrugged. "S'not my fault you don't pay attention. Now come on, we should at least pretend we're working if your friend drops by tonight to check up on us." He tugged on the other's hand and Junsu reluctantly followed, grumbling softly under his breath.
They walked for two more blocks before Junsu noticed something strange and stopped abruptly, staring.
"Yoochun..." He said softly, suddenly noticing that the sky was still light but the street was empty.
"Come on, there's a show on TV I don't want to miss tonight." He tugged on his hand again and Junsu looked at him. He returned the gaze and they stared at each other before Junsu smiled slowly; hesitantly. Yoochun flashed a grin back at him and they continued walking, hands lightly touching.
~*~*~
"Who are you?"
Jaejoong muffled a laugh when Yunho threw him an annoyed glance as he stepped through his door for the third time. This time, Yunho had obviously made a conscious decision to dress down, a short-sleeved shirt with an intricate design adorning the left side of his chest ('A nice chest,' Jaejoong noted and whistled nonchalantly when Yunho caught his glance with a raised eyebrow) and a pair of nondescript dark blue jeans.
Incidentally, Jaejoong had been kicked out of Changmin's house followed by insistences of "I'm okay, hyung, but I really have to study for this test and you keep talking, now get out" and to alleviate his irritation (he knew he'd have to go back there the next day because one would have to be blind to miss Changmin's heavy breathing and light sheen of sweat over his skin, but Jaejoong didn't feel like arguing - let the kid suffer for awhile to teach him a lesson), he'd spent the rest of the afternoon dressing up. A sleek black buttoned shirt, tight jeans, his most flashy pair of earrings, and his inky hair suffocating in an unnecessarily large amount of mouse.
He looked sexy, he knew.
Not that he was trying to seduce anyone. Least of all an uptight businessman who was younger than him.
Jaejoong couldn't muffle the chuckle as Yunho glared lightly at him, as if daring him to give voice to another joke. "I thought it was impossible for you to live without a suit and a Rolex on your wrist."
"Contrary to your beliefs, I don't equate myself to my family's wealth," he said stiffly, looking much like a statue in the middle of Jaejoong's living room.
The older man blinked at the harsh, almost biting tone and decided making backing off might be a good idea. Apparently, when Jung Yunho wasn't happy, he was quite the sight to behold. Intimidating, forceful, but the full extent of his anger (frustration? suspicion?) was held back, seen in the way his arms were held tightly to his side, his legs and feet spaced evenly apart at shoulder length - little things that Jaejoong couldn't help noticing.
So yes, perhaps being a bit more cautious on his part would be a good idea.
Still, he couldn't resist.
"Well, I made something especially for you," he chirped cheerfully and strolled over to the kitchen, gesturing for him to follow. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Yunho take a deep breath and physically force himself to relax. The shoulders slumped down a fraction of an inch, his head lowered from its proud position, and he was lightly shaking out his right arm.
Jaejoong set a large metal bowl onto the table, rice steaming inside.
Yunho peered uncertainly at it and tried to appear grateful at the same time. "It looks...hot."
"You know, life's like that. You should try new things all the time." He smiled harmlessly.
"And I wholeheartedly endorse that view," Yunho replied as he took a seat and accepted the long metal spoon Jaejoong handed him, "but not at the cost of my taste buds."
"You injure me. What must I do in order to rid you of your clearly biased view of me?" Another sweet smile.
He was given barely an acknowledgement. "Neither of us views the other fairly. Let's not pretend otherwise."
"You know what? You're right." Jaejoong grabbed the bowl and set it down on his side of the table instead.
Yunho frowned, confused. "What are you - "
"I was going to pull off another spicy thing with my infamous kimchi fried rice but you had to be a sourpuss and ruin everything. I made bulgogi for you, that good enough for your taste buds?"
"I - "
"Good." He tried not to stomp but gave up and stomped away as he grabbed a covered tray and brought it to his guest, setting it down gently and lifting the lid. "Hope this gets your stamp of approval." Then he sat down and shoved a spoonful of rice into his mouth.
Yunho stared at him, before he looked down at the tray and dug his spoon into the dish of vegetables and beef. It smelled delicious. It tasted even better. Regretfully, he put down his spoon and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, Jaejoong."
The man addressed didn't say anything.
"You're right."
The spoon stilled.
He smiled for the first time that night. "That would get your attention."
"You know me so well now." Jaejoong rolled his eyes.
"You're easy to read."
"Oh?" Jaejoong carefully set aside his spoon and looked at him expectantly, eyebrows raised.
"Attention seeker." He ticked off each description with a finger, watching as the almost exaggerated anger spread across the man's face. "Vain. Mischievous. Gets frustrated, angry, easily. Unable to - "
"Uptight, lack of humour, prideful, self-isolated, emotionally closed off, arrogant - "
"You told me that already."
They stared at each other and said at the same time, "Stubborn."
Jaejoong burst out laughing, shaking his head as he resumed eating. He gestured for Yunho to do the same, who complied. "We're doing this wrong. Every time." Yunho chuckled quietly. "Somehow, you come here and I'm on the offensive and you're defending yourself. Can't say this was what I had in mind when I suggested this," he said wryly.
"I should apologize. I've been unnecessarily hostile." Yunho smiled tiredly. "And I was the one who made that ultimatum last night - either we can argue forever or we can try for an acquaintanceship. You are very good at cooking; I didn't mean to insult you regarding that."
"Well, I probably shouldn't be trying to consistently kill your taste buds. How's the bulgogi?"
"Delicious."
He grinned, pleased. "Well, when you're trying to be nice, you certainly can be very nice."
"You're talking to a businessman - I'm paid to be nice to people I don't know very well for business reasons," Yunho chuckled. Jaejoong's small frown went unnoticed. "However, I haven't had dinner with anyone purely for the company in awhile. Let's just say I'm rusty with my skills in socializing for the sake of socializing and leave it at that." Rather, it was Jaejoong that always seemed to get on his nerve at the least opportune times and it took every effort to, well, make an effort. What was it about this man?
Pleasantly surprised, Jaejoong reached over to pat him on the shoulder. "Admitting your faults, as few as you may believe them to be, is always the first step to overcoming them." He grinned.
Yunho eyed him. "I'm sure," he replied sardonically and returned to his food.
The atmosphere in the room noticeably lightened as they ate and safe conversation topics flew between them ("What? You dance? No way!"). As Jaejoong got up to take the dirty dishes to the sink, Yunho stood up as well.
"Hey, nobody's going to accuse me of being a bad host. Sit down."
"That's ridiculous - I'm not too proud to wash dishes."
Jaejoong gaped at him. "That's not what I meant."
"You were thinking it." The other man breezed past him with his tray and promptly turned the tap to the faucet.
"Now you can read my mind?"
"I don't need to be telepathic. Like I said - " Yunho glanced at him from the corner of his eyes and smirked, " - you're just easy to read."
The host bristled. "Must you condescend to me every time you open your mouth?"
Yunho turned to him, surprised. "Must you misinterpret everything I say? Like you said, you're always on the offensive. I'm not always out to get you, you know."
"First impressions are everything," Jaejoong mumbled, avoiding his eyes as he took a seat beside the kitchen table, slumping a little. Okay, so he really wasn't sure why he always flew off his rocker every time Jung Yunho so much as looked at him - but every time he recalled that scene at Dong Bang Shin Ki or the way Yunho had talked down to him the second time they had met, he felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment and a twitch develop somewhere below his left eye. He just wasn't used to someone matching him snappy comeback for snappy comeback. Yunho was simply too irritating for him to befriend.
'I must've been crazy when I thought this guy needed someone. He's not missing anything at all, except maybe some tact and some manners.' You're acting just as rude, hypocrite. He squashed that voice in his head.
"I didn't think it would last that long," Yunho said conversationally, his hands moving deftly to complete his task. "Then again, I didn't think we would be sharing a meal for seven nights either. So I guess we can't expect too much from our own expectations."
"I never do that," Jaejoong murmured thoughtfully, putting his head on his arms upon the table, letting the sound of running water wash over him. "Otherwise I never would've survived."
"What do you mean?" Yunho asked - or at least, that was what he meant to ask but instead found a snoring Jaejoong. He blinked at how quickly he had slipped into slumber. "Must be a record." He allowed himself a brief smile at the thought before he turned back, picking up a towel to dry off the dishes.
After he had placed everything where he thought they went, he glanced around and noticed the time. He turned back to Jaejoong, whose shoulders rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
"He's much more amiable when he's asleep," Yunho said quietly and contemplated on what to do next. Finally, he tapped on his shoulder and Jaejoong jumped. He blinked, once, twice, and stared blearily at Yunho. Then his eyes widened.
"Wow, I actually fell asleep in your presence. Maybe that means a friendship is possible after all," Jaejoong muttered as he stood up. He stretched and ignored Yunho's raised eyebrow. He, as a rule, never slept in front of people he wasn't close to. It was a habit he'd developed in his teens. "Sorry for letting you do the work, I'll clean up tomorrow."
"It's only fair I wash if you cook. Maybe if we set up some kind of familiar routine this week will pass by easier."
"Thanks a lot," Jaejoong stuck his tongue out harmlessly, for which he was rewarded with a small smile.
"Easier as in a more pleasant experience for the both of us. Less going after each other's throats, preferably."
"Don't forget your main goal - don't want you accidentally falling for me," he winked.
"Doubtful, but you're welcome to try and convince me," Yunho flirted back easily, falling into the game they had started at Dong Bang Shin Ki.
Jaejoong burst out laughing, because the thought was totally absurd. "Okay, out you go. Get home before daddy starts getting worried about your precious whereabouts."
At the mention of his father, Yunho seemed to deflate a little, but shrugged anyway. "He worries more about my little sister."
"You have a sister?" He tried not to gape and tried not to imagine Yunho as an elder sibling. Poor girl.
"You never asked. But you do have a point - it's getting late. You should get more rest, if you can fall asleep on a kitchen table."
"Hey, my exhaustion was for a good cause," Jaejoong defended himself, thinking back to Changmin barely able to get up this morning to open the door.
"Whatever it is, your health should always come first." He walked to the door. "And now that you mention my main goal, don't forget what we agreed on."
"I know I know, keep counting," Jaejoong rolled his eyes, "two nights down and five more to go."
Yunho smiled briefly, eyes suddenly straying to a point behind him, and he glanced around to see what he was looking at. Not noticing anything out of place, he turned back and saw Yunho watching him instead, thoughtfully. For some odd reason, he flushed. "Out out out. I need my beauty sleep, remember?"
"Alright then. Have a good night and thanks for dinner," Yunho said politely and left. Jaejoong gently closed the door behind him and turned around, fully prepared to march back into his bedroom and collapse while cursing Changmin's inability to take care of himself in his head, but stopped short.
There was nothing out of place, nothing to indicate Jung Yunho had even been there (he would later retract this thought when he found a cup placed erroneously amongst the utensils), but for some odd reason, as he glanced at the photographs on the wall, the rumpled jacket over his couch, the dying flowers in the vase on the counter -
- his apartment had never looked quite so empty.